Imaging device

Abstract

To improve usability by allowing users to select from a variety of regulatory states. [Solution] A pan lock mechanism 173 and a tilt lock mechanism 172 are provided, which can restrict the pan rotation and tilt rotation of the camera unit 12, respectively. The lock operation unit 174 is operated by the user to switch the restriction state of the pan lock mechanism 173 and the tilt lock mechanism 172. The restriction states include a double lock state in which both pan rotation and tilt rotation are restricted, a pan-only lock state or a tilt-only lock state in which either pan rotation or tilt rotation is restricted, and a double free state in which neither pan rotation nor tilt rotation is restricted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a lens-exchangeable imaging device capable of pan rotation and tilt rotation has been known. Since this type of device is assumed to be transported to a place of use, it has a mechanism for restricting (locking) both pan rotation and tilt rotation. Further, in the imaging device of Patent Document 1, pan rotation can be restricted when the imaging device is not powered on.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, depending on the situation, it is not limited to the case where both pan and tilt rotations are to be restricted or the case where only pan rotation is to be restricted.

[0005] For example, when adjusting the center of gravity of the lens during setting when attaching an interchangeable lens to the camera body, it becomes easier to adjust by locking only the pan rotation and making the tilt rotation free. Also, when it is desired to use a lens that is not subject to tilt center of gravity adjustment, a usage mode of locking only the tilt rotation and making the pan rotation free is also conceivable.

[0006] As described above, there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of improving usability, not only in the case where both pan and tilt rotations are to be locked or made free, but also in the case where pan and tilt rotations are to be individually locked.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to improve usability by enabling selection of various restricted states. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the imaging device of the present invention comprises an imaging unit with interchangeable lenses, and a support unit that supports the imaging unit so as to be able to pan-rotate around a pan axis and tilt-rotate around a tilt axis, wherein the support unit comprises a pan-regulating unit capable of regulating the pan rotation of the imaging unit, a tilt-regulating unit capable of regulating the tilt rotation of the imaging unit, and a switching unit operated by the user to switch the regulating state by the pan-regulating unit and the tilt-regulating unit, wherein the regulating state is characterized by having a first state in which both pan rotation and tilt rotation are regulated, a second state in which either pan rotation or tilt rotation is regulated, and a third state in which neither pan rotation nor tilt rotation is regulated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve usability by making it possible to select from a variety of regulatory states. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the imaging device system. [Figure 2] This is a rear view of the imaging device system. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the control mechanism of an imaging device system. [Figure 4] This is a right side view of the imaging device system with the right-side cover removed. [Figure 5] This is a left side view of the imaging device system with the left side cover removed. [Figure 6] This is an enlarged perspective view of the tilt lock mechanism. [Figure 7] This is an enlarged perspective view of the tilt lock mechanism. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view of the area around the pan lock mechanism along line A-A. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view of the area around the pan lock mechanism along line A-A. [Figure 10] It is a diagram schematically showing the position of the lock operation part. [Figure 11] It is a diagram schematically showing the position of the lock operation part. [Figure 12] It is a diagram schematically showing the position of the lock operation part. [Figure 13] It is a diagram schematically showing the position of the lock operation part. [Figure 14] It is a sectional view taken along the line B - B. [Figure 15] It is a conceptual diagram showing the correspondence relationship between the position of the lock operation part, the pan lock state, and the tilt lock state. [Figure 16] It is a perspective view of the imaging device system. [Figure 17] It is a bottom view of the imaging device system.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an imaging device system including an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the imaging device system. This imaging device system 100 includes a camera unit 12, a camera support unit 1 (support unit) that supports the camera unit 12, and an interchangeable lens unit 13. Note that the imaging device system 100 may not include the lens unit 13.

[0013] The camera unit 12 is an imaging unit with interchangeable lenses. The camera support unit 1 includes a pedestal unit 18, a pan unit 15, and a camera pedestal 14, and may be referred to as a so - called pan - tilt device. The camera support unit 1 supports the camera pedestal 14 so as to be pan - rotatable about a pan center P0 and tilt - rotatable about a tilt center T0 (FIG. 2).

[0014] Hereafter, the direction of each part will be referred to based on the X, Y, and Z coordinate axes shown in Figure 1, etc. For convenience, the orientation in Figure 1 will be used as the reference, and rotations around the X axis and Z axis will be defined as tilt and pan rotations, respectively. The front side (subject side) of the lens unit 13 will be considered the front, the +X side will be the left side, and the +Z side will be the top side.

[0015] The pan unit 15 is supported on the base unit 18 so as to be able to pan-rotate around the pan center P0. The camera mount 14 is supported on the pan unit 15 so as to be able to tilt-rotate around the tilt center T0. The camera unit 12 is fixed to the camera mount 14. Therefore, the camera unit 12 is supported on the base unit 18 via the camera mount 14 and the pan unit 15 so as to be able to pan-rotate and tilt-rotate.

[0016] The lens unit 13 is detachable from the camera unit 12 via a mount (not shown). Therefore, the lens unit 13 rotates pan and tilt together with the camera unit 12. The camera unit 12 may also be configured to be detachable from the camera base 14.

[0017] The pan unit 15 has a roughly U-shape. The right unit is located on the right side of the pan unit 15, and the right unit houses a tilt mechanism (tilt drive motor 161 (Figure 4), etc.) which is covered by the R-side cover 16. The left unit is located on the left side of the pan unit 15, and the left unit houses a pan lock mechanism 173 and a tilt lock mechanism 172 (described later in Figure 5, etc.) which are covered by the L-side cover 17. The lower unit is located at the bottom of the pan unit 15, and the lower unit is connected to the base unit 18 by a pan shaft 188 (Figure 17).

[0018] The rear of the base unit 18 is equipped with a power connector 1801, a communication connector 1802, a video output connector 1803, and a card slot 1804 for inserting and removing external recording media. The bottom of the base unit 18 is also provided with an interface (not shown) for fixing the imaging device system 100 to its installation position.

[0019] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the control mechanism of the imaging device system 100. An operator 19 is connected to the imaging device system 100 via a network 101.

[0020] When a user operates the control unit 19, an operation command corresponding to the operation is sent to the imaging device system 100. The imaging device system 100 performs control according to the content of the operation command, making it possible to remotely control the imaging device system 100 from the control unit 19.

[0021] Operation commands from the control unit 19 are received by the communication unit 1811 of the base unit 18 after passing through the network 101. If the signal indicating an operation command is a pan control signal, the pan control signal is sent from the communication unit 1811 to the pan control unit 1813 via the drive control unit 1812, and the pan control unit 1813 drives the pan drive motor 1814 (pan drive unit). If the signal indicating an operation command is a tilt control signal, the tilt control signal is sent from the communication unit 1811 to the tilt control unit 1815 via the drive control unit 1812, and the tilt control unit 1815 drives the tilt drive motor 161 (tilt drive unit) in the pan unit 15.

[0022] If the signal indicating an operation command is an imaging device control signal such as starting shooting or changing the settings of the camera unit 12, the imaging device control signal is received by the communication unit 1811 and sent to the imaging device control unit 1201 of the camera unit 12. In response to the imaging device control signal, the imaging device control unit 1201 controls the setting changes in the camera unit 12 and the start / stop of shooting. If the imaging device control signal indicates a setting change for the lens unit 13, the imaging device control unit 1201 sends a setting change command to the lens unit 13.

[0023] Furthermore, the video data captured through the lens unit 13 is subjected to various data processing by the video processing unit 1202 of the camera unit 12, and then the video and audio data are recorded in the recording unit 1816. In the recording unit 1816, the data is recorded to an external media medium such as an SD card.

[0024] Figure 4 is a right side view of the imaging device system 100 with the R-side cover 16 removed.

[0025] The right unit of the pan unit 15 contains a base plate 162, a tilt drive motor 161, a first tilt gear 163, and a second tilt gear 164. The tilt drive motor 161 is attached to the base plate 162. The first tilt gear 163 is connected to the tilt drive motor 161 by a belt. The second tilt gear 164 is connected to mesh with the first tilt gear 163.

[0026] The second tilt gear 164 is fixed to the right-side tilt shaft 165. The right-side tilt shaft 165 is fixed to the camera mount 14. When the tilt drive motor 161 rotates, its rotation is transmitted to the second tilt gear 164 via the first tilt gear 163, causing the right-side tilt shaft 165, which is fixed to the second tilt gear 164, to rotate. As a result, the camera mount 14 tilts relative to the pan unit 15.

[0027] The tilt drive motor 161 and the power supply cable (not shown) do not pass through the right unit of the pan unit 15, but instead pass through the left unit of the pan unit 15 to connect to the main board 182 (Figure 17) of the base unit 18.

[0028] Referring to Figures 5 to 16, the detailed configuration of the locking mechanism located at the left end (+X side end) of the pan unit 15 will be explained.

[0029] Figure 5 is a left side view of the imaging device system 100 with the left side cover 17 removed. Inside the left unit of the pan unit 15 are a tilt lock mechanism 172, a pan lock mechanism 173, and a lock operation unit 174. The pan lock mechanism 173 is an example of a pan restriction unit that can restrict the pan rotation of the camera unit 12. The tilt lock mechanism 172 is an example of a tilt restriction unit that can restrict the tilt rotation of the camera unit 12. The lock operation unit 174 is an example of a switching unit operated by the user that switches the restriction state by the pan lock mechanism 173 and the tilt lock mechanism 172.

[0030] Figures 6 and 7 are enlarged perspective views of the tilt lock mechanism 172. Figure 6 shows the tilt locked state, and Figure 7 shows the tilt free state (tilt lock released state).

[0031] The tilt lock mechanism 172 includes an L-side tilt shaft 1721 with a plurality of notches 1724, a tilt lock member 1722, a support member 1723, and a spring (not shown). The L-side tilt shaft 1721 is fixed to the camera platform 14. The tilt lock member 1722 is rotatable about an axis parallel to the Z-axis and is constantly biased in the direction of the notches 1724 (counterclockwise when viewed from the +Z side) by a spring (not shown). The lock operation part 174 is provided on the pan unit 15 so as to be reciprocally movable in the Z-axis direction. The upper end of the lock operation part 174 is provided with a projection 174a that protrudes toward the -X side (see Figures 14(a) to (d)).

[0032] When the tilt lock member 1722 is fitted into the notch 1724 of the left-side tilt shaft 1721, the rotation of the left-side tilt shaft 1721 in the tilt direction is restricted, and the tilt operation is locked (tilt locked state). When the tilt lock member 1722 is not fitted into the notch 1724, the movement of the left-side tilt shaft 1721 in the tilt rotation direction is not restricted, so the tilt operation is not locked (tilt free state).

[0033] When tilt-locking, as shown in Figure 6, the user operates the locking mechanism 174 in the Z-axis direction to position the locking mechanism 174 so that the projection 174a of the locking mechanism 174 does not press against the tilt-locking member 1722.

[0034] To release the tilt lock, as shown in Figure 7, the user operates the locking operation part 174 in the Z-axis direction to a position where the projection 174a of the locking operation part 174 presses against the tilt lock member 1722. This causes the tilt lock member 1722 to rotate against the biasing force of a spring (not shown), disengaging from the notch 1724. This results in a tilt-free state.

[0035] Figures 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views of the area around the pan lock mechanism 173 along the line A-A in Figure 5. Figure 8 shows the pan locked state, and Figure 9 shows the pan free state (pan unlocked state).

[0036] The pan lock mechanism 173 includes a lock pin 1732, a compression spring 1733, and a second pan gear 187. The lock pin 1732 is constantly biased by the compression spring 1733 in the direction of the second pan gear 187 (-Z side). The second pan gear 187 is rotatable about an axis parallel to the Z axis. The pan unit 15 rotates integrally with the second pan gear 187 (described later in Figure 17). The second pan gear 187 is provided with a plurality of holes 1731 at predetermined angular positions in the circumferential direction.

[0037] When the locking pin 1732 is inserted and fitted into the hole 1731, the rotation of the second pan gear 187 in the pan direction is restricted, and the pan operation is locked (pan locked state). When the locking pin 1732 is not inserted and fitted into the hole 1731, the rotation of the second pan gear 187 in the pan direction is not restricted, so the pan operation is not locked (pan free state).

[0038] When locking the pan, as shown in Figure 8, the user operates the locking mechanism 174 in the Z-axis direction (mainly the -Z direction) to position the locking mechanism 174 so that the locking pin 1732 is inserted into the hole 1731.

[0039] To release the pan lock, as shown in Figure 9, the user operates the locking mechanism 174 in the Z-axis direction (primarily the +Z direction) to position the locking mechanism 174 so that the locking pin 1732 can be removed from the hole 1731.

[0040] The pan-tilt locked state (restricted state) will be explained with reference to Figures 10-13, 14(a)-(d), and 15.

[0041] Figures 10 to 13 schematically show the position of the lock operation unit 174 in the rear view of the imaging device system 100. Figures 14(a) to 14(d) are cross-sectional views along the line B-B in Figure 5. Figure 15 is a conceptual diagram showing the correspondence between the position of the lock operation unit 174 and the pan-lock state and the tilt-lock state. Figures 10, 11, 12, and 13 correspond to Figures 14(a), 14(b), 14(c), and 14(d), respectively.

[0042] The locking mechanism 174 can be positioned in four stages along the Z-axis, from bottom to top as the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th positions. In Figures 10 (Figure 14(a)), 11 (Figure 14(b)), 12 (Figure 14(c)), and 13 (Figure 14(d)), the locking mechanism 174 is positioned in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th positions. In Figures 10 to 14, the 1st to 4th positions are indicated by the circled numbers 1 to 4.

[0043] By the user reciprocating the locking mechanism 174 in the Z-axis direction, the locking mechanism can take on four different states depending on the position of the locking mechanism 174 in the Z-axis direction.

[0044] First, when the locking mechanism 174 is in the first position, the pan lock and tilt lock states are achieved (referred to as the "both locked" state (first state)) (Figures 10 and 14(a)). At this time, as described above, the tilt lock member 1722 is fitted into the notch 1724, and the lock pin 1732 is fitted into the hole 1731.

[0045] When the locking mechanism 174 is in the second position, the pan is locked and the tilt is free (referred to as the pan-only locked state (one of the second states)) (Figures 11 and 14(b)). At this time, the tilt lock member 1722 is not fitted into the notch 1724, and the lock pin 1732 is fitted into the hole 1731.

[0046] When the locking mechanism 174 is in the third position, the pan-free and tilt-free state is achieved (referred to as the "both free state (third state)") (Figures 12 and 14(c)). At this time, the tilt lock member 1722 is not fitted into the notch 1724, and the lock pin 1732 is not fitted into the hole 1731.

[0047] When the locking mechanism 174 is in the fourth position, the pan is free and the tilt is locked (referred to as the tilt-only locked state (one of the second states)) (Figures 13 and 14(d)). At this time, the tilt locking member 1722 is fitted into the notch 1724, and the locking pin 1732 is not fitted into the hole 1731.

[0048] Note that the pan-only locked state and the tilt-only locked state are second states in which either pan rotation or tilt rotation is restricted. Of the second states, the state in which pan rotation is restricted and tilt rotation is not restricted corresponds to the second position, and of the second states, the state in which pan rotation is not restricted and tilt rotation is restricted corresponds to the fourth position.

[0049] By moving the locking mechanism 174 from the lowest first position to the third position, the restriction state changes in the following order: both locked → pan only locked → both free. This sequence is suitable for the entire process from transportation to using the imaging device system 100.

[0050] First, in the first position (Figures 10 and 14(a)), considering the period from when the device is being transported until before the lens unit 13 is attached, it is preferable that the device does not rotate unnecessarily in both the pan and tilt directions, so both are locked.

[0051] In the second position (Figures 11 and 14(b)), the pan is locked only, anticipating the stage of adjusting the tilt center of gravity. Tilt center of gravity adjustment is the process of moving the camera unit 12, to which the lens unit 13 is attached, back and forth relative to the camera base 14, and finding the position where the center of gravity balances with respect to the left tilt axis 1721. When adjusting the tilt center of gravity, it is essential that the tilt rotation is not restricted, so the tilt is set to free, while the pan is locked because it is difficult to adjust the tilt center of gravity when moving in the pan direction.

[0052] In the third position (Figures 12 and 14(c)), both are in a free state because the scenario assumes use for photography.

[0053] In this way, the lock operation unit 174 moves from bottom to top to a state suitable for use, according to the expected sequence of usage conditions.

[0054] The fourth position (Figures 13 and 14(d)) is set to lock only the tilt, assuming the use of lenses that are not subject to tilt center of gravity adjustment. Even with lenses that are not subject to tilt center of gravity adjustment, it is possible to lock the tilt rotation and use only the pan rotation, thereby expanding the range of possibilities. Since such cases do not occur frequently, the fourth position is located at the outermost position of the four positions.

[0055] The detection of the restricted state (locked / unlocked state) will be explained using Figure 16. Figure 16 is a perspective view of the imaging device system 100 with the left-side cover 17 removed, leaving the detection unit 175 intact.

[0056] Two detection units 175 are fixed inside the left-side cover 17 in the Z-axis direction. Multiple detection protrusions 1741 are provided on the lock operation unit 174 at multiple positions in the Z-axis direction. The detection unit 175 is, for example, a photointerrupter having a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, capable of detecting an object by blocking light between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit.

[0057] When the recessed portion 1741 of the lock operation unit 174 moves in the Z-axis direction, and the recessed portion of the recessed portion 1741 is positioned between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the detection unit 175, light is not blocked and the unit turns OFF. When the convex portion of the recessed portion 1741 is positioned between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the detection unit 175, light is blocked and the unit turns ON. The combination of ON and OFF states of the two detection units 175 detects which of the four positions the lock operation unit 174 is positioned in. Consequently, the state of the unit is detected as one of the four restricted states. In other words, the two detection units 175 detect whether or not pan rotation is restricted and whether or not tilt rotation is restricted, and the restricted state is detected by the combination of the presence or absence of these two.

[0058] The pan drive motor 1814 and the tilt drive motor 161 can perform pan rotation and tilt rotation drives, respectively, provided they are energized. Therefore, when they are de-energized, pan rotation and tilt rotation drives will not be performed.

[0059] Depending on the detection result (restricted state) from the detection unit 175, the pan drive motor 1814 and the tilt drive motor 161 may be configured to switch between being energized and de-energized, i.e., between an energized state and an unenergized state.

[0060] For example, if the detected restriction state is both locked, the power to both drive motors 1814 and 161 may be turned off, and if only the pan is locked, the power to the pan drive motor 1814 may be turned off and the power to the tilt drive motor 161 may be turned on. Alternatively, if the detected restriction state is both free, the power to both drive motors 1814 and 161 may be turned on, and if only the tilt is locked, the power to the pan drive motor 1814 may be turned on and the power to the tilt drive motor 161 may be turned off.

[0061] Such a configuration can be achieved by the drive control unit 1812 controlling the on / off switching of the power supply to each drive motor. However, a configuration may also be adopted in which the power supply lines to each drive motor are individually connected or disconnected according to the position of the lock operation unit 174, without relying on control.

[0062] Figure 17 is a bottom view of the imaging device system 100 with the bottom cover (not shown) removed. The configuration of the base unit 18 will be explained below.

[0063] On the underside of the base unit 18, a main board 182 is positioned, which houses functions such as the drive control unit 1812 (Figure 3) and various connectors such as the power connector 1801, the communication connector 1802, and the video output connector 1803 (Figure 2). A blower fan 183 is positioned near the main board 182, and an air intake port 184 and an exhaust port 185 for drawing in and exhausting outside air are positioned on the side of the main board 182.

[0064] Additionally, a pan drive motor 1814 and a pan first gear 186 connected by a belt, and a pan second gear 187 connected to the pan first gear 186 are arranged. The pan second gear 187 is fixed to the pan shaft 188, and the pan shaft 188 is fixed to the pan unit 15.

[0065] When the pan drive motor 1814 rotates, its rotation is transmitted to the pan shaft 188 via the first pan gear 186 and the second pan gear 187, causing the pan unit 15 to pan in conjunction with the pan shaft 188.

[0066] The main board 182 becomes extremely hot because it is equipped with IC chips that implement various functions. Therefore, a blower fan 183 is installed near the main board 182, and outside air is drawn in through the intake port 184 and exhausted through the exhaust port 185. Thus, a cooling channel for the main board 182 is formed inside the base unit 18.

[0067] According to this embodiment, by operating the locking operation unit 174, the restrictive state of the pan lock mechanism 173 and the tilt lock mechanism 172 can be switched to a state where both are locked, only the pan is locked, both are free, or only the tilt is locked. This allows for the selection of various restrictive states depending on the usage situation, thereby improving usability. For example, this enables improved portability, improved workability when adjusting the center of gravity, and improved expandability by limiting the use of lenses that are not subject to tilt center of gravity adjustment.

[0068] Furthermore, by operating the locking mechanism 174 from its lowest position in the +Z direction, the restriction state is switched in the following order: both locked, pan only locked, and both free. Therefore, the restriction state is switched in an order suitable for the entire process from transportation to the use of the imaging device system 100, making it even easier to use.

[0069] The mechanism for changing the restricted state is not limited to the engagement between the projection 174a and the tilt lock member 1722, or the engagement between the lock pin 1732 and the hole 1731. In other words, it is sufficient to configure the mechanism so that four combinations of pan lock / unlock and tilt lock / unlock occur in conjunction with the movement of the lock operation unit 174. For example, a mechanism that changes the restricted state in conjunction with the movement of the lock operation unit 174 without electrical control, as in this embodiment, or a mechanism in which a motor is driven and the lock pin engages with the hole in conjunction with the detection of the movement of the lock operation unit 174 by a switch or sensor, is also possible.

[0070] Furthermore, from the perspective of designing the position of the locking mechanism 174 in the operating direction according to the expected flow of usage, it is sufficient that the states of both locked, pan-only locked, and both free occur in this order. Therefore, the positions of the locking mechanism 174 corresponding to these three states are not limited to the bottom order, but may also be the top order. Also, the position corresponding to the tilt-only locked state is not limited to the uppermost position among the four positions corresponding to the four states, but may also be the lowest position.

[0071] Furthermore, from the perspective of improving usability by allowing the selection of various restriction states, it is sufficient for the restriction state to have a first state, a second state, and a third state. Therefore, the order in which the four states occur during the operation of the lock operation unit 174 is not limited to the example given.

[0072] Although the present invention has been described in detail above based on its preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms that do not depart from the spirit of the invention are also included in the present invention.

[0073] This embodiment includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) An imaging unit with interchangeable lenses, The imaging unit is supported by a support that allows it to rotate panning around a pan axis and tilting around a tilt axis, The aforementioned support portion is A pan regulating unit capable of restricting the pan rotation of the imaging unit, A tilt restricting unit capable of restricting the tilt rotation of the imaging unit, It has a switching unit that is operated by the user to switch the restricting state by the pan restricting unit and the tilt restricting unit, The imaging apparatus is characterized in that the aforementioned restriction states include a first state in which both pan rotation and tilt rotation are restricted, a second state in which either pan rotation or tilt rotation is restricted, and a third state in which neither pan rotation nor tilt rotation is restricted. (Configuration 2) The imaging apparatus according to Configuration 1, characterized in that the restrictive state can be switched in the following order: the first state, the second state in which pan rotation is restricted and tilt rotation is not restricted, and the third state. (Configuration 3) The imaging apparatus according to Configuration 1, characterized in that the restrictive state can be switched in the following order: the first state, a state in the second state in which pan rotation is restricted and tilt rotation is not restricted, the third state, and a state in the second state in which pan rotation is not restricted and tilt rotation is restricted. (Configuration 4) The imaging device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the support unit has a detection unit that detects whether or not the pan rotation is restricted by the pan regulating unit and whether or not the tilt rotation is restricted by the tilt regulating unit. (Configuration 5) The imaging device according to Configuration 4, characterized in that the detection unit detects the restriction state by a combination of whether or not the pan rotation is restricted by the pan restriction unit and whether or not the tilt rotation is restricted by the tilt restriction unit. (Configuration 6) A pan drive unit capable of driving the pan rotation of the imaging unit under the condition that it is powered on, It includes a tilt drive unit that is capable of tilting and rotating the imaging unit, provided that it is powered on, The imaging device according to configuration 4 or 5, characterized in that the energized state and the de-energized state of the pan drive unit and the tilt drive unit are switched according to the detection result of the restricted state by the detection unit. (Configuration 7) If the detection result indicates the first state, both the pan drive unit and the tilt drive unit will be de-energized. If the detection result indicates the second state in which pan rotation is restricted and tilt rotation is not restricted, the pan drive unit becomes de-energized and the tilt drive unit becomes energized. If the detection result indicates the second state in which pan rotation is not restricted and tilt rotation is restricted, the pan drive unit will be energized and the tilt drive unit will be de-energized. The imaging apparatus according to configuration 6, characterized in that when the detection result indicates the third state, both the pan drive unit and the tilt drive unit become energized. (Configuration 8) An imaging device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that each of the restricted states corresponds to a position in the operating direction of the switching unit. (Configuration 9) The imaging apparatus according to Configuration 8, characterized in that the switching unit is operated back and forth. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 1. Camera support section 12 Camera section 14 Camera stand 15 Bread Units 18 Base Units 172 Tilt lock mechanism 173 Pan Lock Mechanism 174 Locking mechanism

Claims

1. An image sensor with interchangeable lenses, The imaging unit is supported by a support that allows it to rotate panning around a pan axis and tilting around a tilt axis, The aforementioned support portion is A pan regulating unit capable of restricting the pan rotation of the imaging unit, A tilt restricting unit capable of restricting the tilt rotation of the imaging unit, It has a switching unit that is operated by the user to switch the restricting state by the pan restricting unit and the tilt restricting unit, The imaging apparatus is characterized in that the aforementioned restriction states include a first state in which both pan rotation and tilt rotation are restricted, a second state in which either pan rotation or tilt rotation is restricted, and a third state in which neither pan rotation nor tilt rotation is restricted.

2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the restrictive state can be switched in the following order: the first state, the second state in which pan rotation is restricted and tilt rotation is not restricted, and the third state.

3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the restrictive state can be switched in the following order: the first state, a state in the second state in which pan rotation is restricted and tilt rotation is not restricted, the third state, and a state in the second state in which pan rotation is not restricted and tilt rotation is restricted.

4. The imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support unit has a detection unit that detects whether or not the pan rotation is restricted by the pan regulating unit and whether or not the tilt rotation is restricted by the tilt regulating unit.

5. The imaging device according to claim 4, characterized in that the detection unit detects the restriction state by a combination of whether or not the pan rotation is restricted by the pan restriction unit and whether or not the tilt rotation is restricted by the tilt restriction unit.

6. A pan drive unit capable of driving the pan rotation of the imaging unit under the condition that it is powered on, It includes a tilt drive unit that is capable of tilting and rotating the imaging unit, provided that it is powered on, The imaging device according to claim 4, characterized in that the energized state and the de-energized state of the pan drive unit and the tilt drive unit are switched according to the detection result of the restricted state by the detection unit.

7. If the detection result indicates the first state, both the pan drive unit and the tilt drive unit will be de-energized. If the detection result indicates the second state in which pan rotation is restricted and tilt rotation is not restricted, the pan drive unit will be de-energized and the tilt drive unit will be energized. If the detection result indicates the second state in which pan rotation is not restricted and tilt rotation is restricted, the pan drive unit will be energized and the tilt drive unit will be de-energized. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that when the detection result indicates the third state, both the pan drive unit and the tilt drive unit are energized.

8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the aforementioned restricted states corresponds to a position in the operating direction of the switching unit.

9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the switching unit is operated in a reciprocating manner.

Images