Imaging device

Abstract

This invention provides a technology that allows for the optimal display of vertically oriented images when a horizontally oriented display device is installed and used in a vertical orientation. [Solution] The imaging device of the present invention comprises an imaging unit, an acquisition means for acquiring a partial image from an image captured by the imaging unit whose vertical length is longer than its horizontal length, a rotation means for rotating the partial image, an output means for outputting the image to the outside, and a control means for rotating the partial image acquired by the acquisition means using the rotation means, and controlling the output means to output the rotated partial image, wherein the rotated partial image is an image whose horizontal length is longer than its vertical length, and the upper right corner or lower left corner corresponds to the upper left corner of the partial image before rotation by the rotation means.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device, and particularly to a technique for displaying an imaging image captured by the imaging device on an external display device.

Background Art

[0002] As a technique for displaying an imaging image captured by an imaging device on an external display device, various techniques have been proposed. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for generating an output image by performing at least one correction of cropping, rotation, and projective transformation on an input image. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the rotation accuracy is switched according to the aspect ratio of the input image or the output image, or the orientation of the imaging device when the input image is captured.

[0003] In recent years, due to the spread of smartphones and the like, in addition to conventional landscape display devices (for example, display devices with an aspect ratio of the display surface (horizontal width: vertical height) of 16:9), portrait display devices (for example, display devices with an aspect ratio of the display surface of 9:16) have been increasing. For this reason, the need to capture a portrait image at the same time as a landscape image is increasing. For example, there is a need to capture an image for television broadcasting with an aspect ratio of 16:9 while capturing an image for a smartphone with an aspect ratio of 9:16.

[0004] In addition, there is also a need to install and use a landscape display device in a vertical orientation. The vertical orientation is one of the postures of the display device, and is a posture in which the left-right direction of the display device is substantially parallel to the vertical direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, when a horizontal display device is installed and used in a vertical orientation, vertical images cannot be displayed properly.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a technology that allows for the suitable display of vertically oriented images when a horizontally oriented display device is installed and used in a vertical orientation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The imaging apparatus of the present invention comprises an imaging unit, an acquisition means for acquiring a partial image from an image captured by the imaging unit whose vertical length is longer than its horizontal length, a rotation means for rotating the partial image, an output means for outputting the image to the outside, and a control means for rotating the partial image acquired by the acquisition means using the rotation means, and controlling the output means to output the rotated partial image, wherein the rotated partial image is an image whose horizontal length is longer than its vertical length, and the upper right corner or lower left corner corresponds to the upper left corner of the partial image before rotation by the rotation means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, when a horizontal display device is installed and used in a vertical orientation, a vertical image can be displayed suitably. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram of the imaging device. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart of the shooting mode processing. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the problem to be solved. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart of the display process. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the imaging device. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing the orientation of the display device. [Figure 7]This is an explanatory diagram of the rotation process. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the image output method. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the imaging device 100.

[0012] The lens unit 101 includes a fixed lens group for light collection, a variable magnification lens group, an aperture, and a corrective lens group. By controlling these, the image formation position is corrected and the focus is adjusted. The lens unit 101 forms an image of the subject on the imaging plane of the image sensor 102. The lens unit 101 is detachable from the imaging device 100.

[0013] The image sensor 102 is an imaging unit that converts light into electric charge and generates an imaging signal. The generated imaging signal is output to the image processing unit 103. The image sensor 102 is an imaging element such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor. Alternatively, a so-called dual-pixel type imaging element may be used, in which all pixels on the imaging surface are each composed of a pair of light-receiving elements, and a pair of optical images formed by microlenses at each pixel can be converted into an electrical signal by the pair of light-receiving elements.

[0014] The image processing unit 103 converts the imaging signal input from the image sensor 102 into RAW data (RAW image). Subsequently, the image processing unit 103 generates YUV format image data corresponding to the RAW data by performing RAW development processing, including interpolation and image quality adjustment processing, on the RAW data, and stores the generated image data in RAM 111.

[0015] The display resizing circuit 104 generates display image data by performing resizing processing and the like on the YUV format image data stored in the RAM 111, and stores the generated display image data in the RAM 111. When generating the display image data, the display resizing circuit 104 also performs crop processing and rotation processing, which will be described later, as necessary.

[0016] The recording resizing circuit 105 generates recording image data by performing resizing processing and the like on the YUV format image data stored in the RAM 111, and stores the generated recording image data in the RAM 111.

[0017] The on-screen display (OSD) generation circuit 106 generates OSD data representing graphics such as various setting menus, titles, times, icons, and warning messages, and stores the generated OSD data in the RAM 111. The stored OSD data can be combined with the display image data stored in the RAM 111. The composite image data obtained by combining the OSD data with the display image data is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 107 or output to the outside from the external output units 118, 120 or the network output unit 121. Also, the stored OSD data may be combined with the recording image data stored in the RAM 111 and recorded on the SD card 113.

[0018] The liquid crystal panel 107 is a display unit (display device) that displays an image (video) based on the image data output from the panel signal processing unit 115. Details will be described later, but the orientation of the liquid crystal panel 107 with respect to the imaging device 100 (main body) can be changed. Note that an organic EL panel or the like may be used instead of the liquid crystal panel 107.

[0019] [[ID=I8]]The microcomputer 108 controls the entire imaging device 100.

[0020] The operation switch group 109 includes a plurality of operation members that receive operations from the user. The plurality of operation members may include physical buttons or a touch panel.

[0021] ROM110 is a flash ROM that stores various data, including programs executed by the microcomputer 108. Additionally, a portion of ROM110 is used to hold (back up) various information, such as system state information.

[0022] RAM111 is a volatile memory used as work memory. For example, RAM111 is used as work memory by the microcomputer 108, the image processing unit 103, the compression / decompression circuit 114, etc.

[0023] The SD card controller 112 records the image data generated by the compression / decompression circuit 114 and stored in the RAM 111 onto the SD card 113 according to a computer-compatible format such as the FAT file system. The SD card 113 is a recording medium that can be attached to and removed from the imaging device 100 and can also be attached to electronic devices other than the imaging device 100 (e.g., a personal computer). The imaging device 100 may also record image data onto a recording medium that cannot be attached or removed (a recording medium built into the imaging device 100).

[0024] The compression / decompression circuit 114 compresses (encodes) image data stored in RAM 111 and stores it back in RAM 111, or decompresses (decodes) image data read from SD card 113. For example, the compression / decompression circuit 114 generates video data by MPEG compression of image data stored in RAM 111, and stores the video data back in RAM 111.

[0025] The panel signal processing unit 115 reads display image data from the RAM 111 and outputs the read display image data to the liquid crystal panel 107. The panel signal processing unit 115 can also read OSD data from the RAM 111, generate composite image data, and output it to the liquid crystal panel 107. When outputting image data to the liquid crystal panel 107, the panel signal processing unit 115 converts the signal format of the image data into a signal format that the liquid crystal panel 107 can display.

[0026] Bus 116 connects multiple components of the imaging device 100 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0027] The external output signal processing unit 117 reads display image data from the RAM 111 and outputs the read display image data to the external output unit 118. The external output signal processing unit 117 can also read OSD data from the RAM 111, generate composite image data, and output it to the external output unit 118. When outputting image data to the external output unit 118, the external output signal processing unit 117 converts the signal format of the image data into a signal format that the external output unit 118 can output.

[0028] The external output unit 118 has external output terminals such as an SDI terminal and an HDMI (registered trademark) terminal, and outputs image data output from the external output signal processing unit 117 to the outside.

[0029] The external output signal processing unit 119 reads display image data from the RAM 111 and outputs the read display image data to the external output unit 120. OSD data can also be read from 111, and composite image data can be generated and output to the external output unit 120. When outputting image data to the external output unit 120, the external output signal processing unit 119 converts the signal format of the image data into a signal format that the external output unit 120 can output.

[0030] The external output unit 120 has external output terminals such as an SDI terminal and an HDMI (registered trademark) terminal, and outputs image data output from the external output signal processing unit 119 to the outside.

[0031] The network output unit 121 reads display image data from the RAM 111 and outputs the read display image data to an external network. The network output unit 121 can also read OSD data from the RAM 111, generate composite image data, and output it to an external network. The output image data can be viewed through a standard web browser. The network output unit 121 has a network terminal such as an RJ45 connector and outputs images to the network via a LAN cable connected to the network terminal. Alternatively, instead of priority output, images may be output via wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0032] Figure 2 is a flowchart of the shooting mode processing performed by the imaging device 100. The shooting mode processing in Figure 2 is realized by the microcomputer 108 loading a program stored in the ROM 110 into the RAM 111 and executing it. For example, when the imaging device 100 is started in shooting mode or when it transitions from another mode to shooting mode, the shooting mode processing begins. In shooting mode, the shooting mode processing is performed repeatedly at the frame rate of imaging by the image sensor 102.

[0033] Note that Figure 2 omits the instructions for preparing to shoot and the instructions for shooting. For example, the microcomputer 108 starts the preparation operation in response to a preparation instruction (for example, half-pressing the shutter button included in the operation switch group 109). The preparation operation includes AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (flash pre-flash) processing. Then, the microcomputer 108 starts the shooting operation in response to a shooting instruction (for example, fully pressing the shutter button). The shooting operation is a series of operations that read signals from the image sensor 102 and write the captured image (an image of the subject) as an image file to the SD card 113.

[0034] In S201, the microcomputer 108 controls the acquisition of RAW data (RAW images). The microcomputer 108 controls the image sensor 102 to output an imaging signal (sensor data) from the image sensor 102 to the image processing unit 103. Then, the microcomputer 108 converts the imaging signal into RAW data through gamma processing, etc., and controls the image processing unit 103 to store the RAW data in the RAM 111.

[0035] In S202, the microcomputer 108 controls the image processing unit 103 to convert the RAW data acquired in S201 into developed data (developed image) through development processing and store the developed data in RAM 111.

[0036] In S203, the microcomputer 108 controls the image processing unit 103 to convert the developed data acquired in S202 into the main image data (main image) through a predetermined correction process (post-processing of the developed data), and to store the main image data in the RAM 111.

[0037] In S204, the microcomputer 108 performs display processing to output and display an image (video) based on the image captured by the image sensor 102. Details will be explained later using Figure 4.

[0038] An example of a problem solved by this embodiment will be explained using Figure 3. Image 301 in Figure 3 is an example of the main image obtained at S203 in Figure 2. This image 301 may be interpreted as an image captured by the image sensor 102. The aspect ratio of this image 301 is not particularly limited, but in Figure 3 it is a widescreen aspect ratio (for example, width (length in the horizontal direction): height (length in the vertical direction) = 16:9).

[0039] When a widescreen display device (for example, a display device with a display surface aspect ratio of 16:9) is installed and used in its orthogonal position, the image 301 can be displayed in the correct orientation as shown in display 303. The orthogonal position is one of the orientations of a display device, in which the upward direction of the display device is approximately equal to the zenith direction.

[0040] With the widespread use of smartphones and other devices, there is a growing need to capture both a horizontal main image 301 and a vertical image simultaneously. For example, there is a need to capture images for television broadcasting with a 16:9 aspect ratio while simultaneously capturing images for smartphones with a 9:16 aspect ratio. Therefore, let's consider the case where a vertical partial image 302, which is a portion of the main image 301, is displayed. The aspect ratio of the partial image 302 is, for example, 9:16.

[0041] In that case, if the horizontally oriented display device is installed and used in the correct orientation, as shown in display 304, the image will not be displayed on most of the display surface, and the partial image 302 will be displayed only on a part of the display surface. Furthermore, if the horizontally oriented display device is installed and used in the correct orientation, as shown in display 305, the partial image 302 will be displayed in a position rotated by approximately 90 degrees or approximately 270 degrees from the correct orientation, around an axis perpendicular to the display surface. In other words, the partial image 302 cannot be displayed appropriately. The vertical orientation is one of the orientations of the display device, in which the left-right direction of the display device is approximately parallel to the vertical direction, and it is an orientation rotated by approximately 90 degrees or approximately 270 degrees from the correct orientation, around an axis perpendicular to the display surface.

[0042] Therefore, in this embodiment, assuming that a horizontal display device is installed and used in a vertical orientation, a vertical image is rotated. By doing so, a vertical image can be displayed suitably when a horizontal display device is installed and used in a vertical orientation.

[0043] Figure 4 is a flowchart of the display processing performed in S204 of Figure 2, and Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of operation in this embodiment. In this embodiment, an image can be displayed on at least one of the liquid crystal panel 107, a display device connected to the external output unit 118, a display device connected to the external output unit 120, and a display device connected to the network output unit 121 (via the network). The display processing in Figure 4 is performed individually for the components used to display the image from among the liquid crystal panel 107, the external output unit 118, the external output unit 120, and the network output unit 121.

[0044] In S401, the microcomputer 108 determines whether or not to output (display) the image of the vertically cropped region. If it chooses to output (display) the image of the vertically cropped region, it proceeds to S405; otherwise, it proceeds to S402.

[0045] The microcomputer 108 can set a portion of the image as a crop area. For example, the microcomputer 108 can set an area specified by the user as a crop area. The process of obtaining (cropping, extracting, cutting out) the image of the crop area from the image is called cropping. The position and size of the crop area are not particularly limited and may be changed by the user. A vertical crop area is a crop area in which the vertical width (length in the vertical direction) is longer than the horizontal width (length in the horizontal direction). The image in the vertical crop region is a partial image. The user may specify the crop region using the operation switch group 109 or using an external device. If an external device is used, a command corresponding to the user's specification is received by the network output unit 121 (communication unit) or a dedicated receiving circuit. The microcomputer 108 may automatically set the crop region based on the captured image, the display device used, the output unit used, etc.

[0046] Image 501 in Figure 5 is the main image, and its size (horizontal pixels × vertical pixels) is 3840 × 2160 pixels. Region 510 is a cropped area, and its size is 1080 × 1920 pixels. Therefore, region 510 is a vertical cropped area.

[0047] In S402, the microcomputer 108 determines whether or not to output (display) the image of the horizontally cropped area. If it chooses to output (display) the image of the horizontally cropped area, it proceeds to S404; otherwise (to output (display) the entire image), it proceeds to S403. Area 520 in Figure 5 is the cropped area, and the size of the cropped area 520 is 1920 × 1080 pixels. Therefore, the cropped area 520 is the horizontally cropped area.

[0048] Which image to output (display) from among the vertically cropped area image, the horizontally cropped area image, or the entire main image may be set individually for each of the LCD panel 107, external output unit 118, external output unit 120, and network output unit 121. Which image to output may be automatically determined based on the display device and output unit used. Which image to output may be specified by the user. Which image to output may be predetermined for each of the LCD panel 107, external output unit 118, external output unit 120, and network output unit 121. The user may specify the output image using the operation switch group 109 or using an external device.

[0049] In S403, the microcomputer 108 controls the display resize circuit 104 to resize (convert the size of) the image and store the resized image in the RAM 111. In this embodiment, the image size is predetermined for each of the liquid crystal panel 107, external output unit 118, external output unit 120, and network output unit 121. In the resize process, the size of the image is converted to the size corresponding to the processing target component among the liquid crystal panel 107, external output unit 118, external output unit 120, and network output unit 121. For example, if the size of the image is 3840 × 2160 pixels and the size corresponding to the processing target component is 1280 × 720 pixels, the size of the image is converted from 3840 × 2160 pixels to 1280 × 720 pixels. Image 502 in Figure 5 is the image obtained by resizing image 501. The image size may be converted to match the size (resolution) of the display surface of the display device being used. The resizing method is not particularly limited, and various methods such as bicubic and bilinear methods can be used. A pre-trained model, such as one created using deep learning, may also be used for resizing.

[0050] In S404, the microcomputer 108 controls the display resize circuit 104 to acquire (crop, extract, cut out) an image of the horizontal crop region from the main image, resize the acquired image, and store the resized image in RAM 111. Consider the case where the size of the main image is 3840 × 2160 pixels, the size corresponding to the component to be processed is 1280 × 720 pixels, and the size of the horizontal crop region is 1920 × 1080 pixels. In this case, the size of the image in the horizontal crop region is converted from 1920 × 1080 pixels to 1280 × 720 pixels. Image 521 in Figure 5 is the image obtained by resizing the image of the horizontal crop region 520. If the size (both height and width) of the elephant's constituent elements is larger than the size of the horizontal crop area (before resizing), the size of the horizontal crop area does not need to be converted, or it may be enlarged.

[0051] In S405, the microcomputer 108 determines whether the component to be processed is the network output unit 121. If it is the network output unit 121, the process proceeds to S406; otherwise, it proceeds to S407. Note that the component used for the determination in S405 does not have to be the network output unit 121.

[0052] In S406, the microcomputer 108 controls the display resize circuit 104 to acquire an image of the vertical crop region from the main image, resize the acquired image, and store the resized image in the RAM 111. Consider the case where the size of the main image is 3840 × 2160 pixels, the size corresponding to the component to be processed is 1280 × 720 pixels, and the size of the vertical crop region is 1080 × 1920 pixels. In this case, the size of the image in the vertical crop region is converted from 1080 × 1920 pixels to 405 × 720 pixels. Image 513 in Figure 5 is the image obtained by resizing the image of the vertical crop region 510. Note that if the size corresponding to the component to be processed is 720 × 1280 pixels, the size of the image in the vertical crop region may be converted from 1080 × 1920 pixels to 720 × 1280 pixels. If the size (both height and width) of the element to be processed is larger than the size of the vertical crop area (before resizing), the size of the vertical crop area does not need to be converted, or it may be enlarged.

[0053] In S407, the microcomputer 108 acquires orientation information of the display device being used. Orientation information indicates the orientation of the display device, for example, whether the display device is in the upright position or in portrait orientation. Figure 6(A) shows the orientation of a display device connected to the external output unit 118, external output unit 120, or network output unit 121, and Figure 6(B) shows the orientation of the liquid crystal panel 107. Orientations 601 and 603 are in the upright position, and orientations 602 and 604 are in portrait orientation. The method of acquiring orientation information is not particularly limited; it may be acquired from the display device being used, or it may be input by the user.

[0054] In S408, the microcomputer 108 determines whether the orientation of the display device to be used is vertical, according to the orientation information acquired in S407. If it is vertical, the process proceeds to S409; otherwise, it proceeds to S406. Based on this determination, a decision is made as to whether or not to perform the rotation process described later in S409.

[0055] In S409, the microcomputer 108 controls the display resize circuit 104 to acquire an image of the vertical crop region from the main image, rotate the acquired image, resize the rotated image, and store the resized image in RAM 111. Consider the case where the size of the main image is 3840 × 2160 pixels, the size corresponding to the component to be processed is 1280 × 720 pixels, and the size of the vertical crop region is 1080 × 1920 pixels. In this case, the image of the vertical crop region is rotated by approximately 90 degrees or approximately 270 degrees around an axis perpendicular to the image of the vertical crop region, and the size of the rotated image is converted from 1920 pixels × 1080 to 1280 × 720 pixels. Image 511 in Figure 5 is the image obtained by resizing the image after rotation. Furthermore, if the size (both height and width) of the component being processed is larger than the size of the vertical crop area after rotation (before resizing), the size of the vertical crop area after rotation does not need to be converted, or it may be enlarged. Rotation may also be performed after resizing.

[0056] The rotation process in S409 will be explained using Figure 7. Figure 7 shows each image and its coordinates (horizontal position, vertical position). In Figure 7, image 701 is the main image, and region 702 is the vertical crop region (before rotation). A to H are pixels within the vertical crop region 702. The image in the vertical crop region 270 is rotated by the same amount of rotation as the display device from the positive position, but in the opposite direction to the rotation of the display device from the positive position.

[0057] Consider the case where the display device is rotated 90 degrees to the right (clockwise) from the positive position to a vertical orientation (or rotated 270 degrees to the left (counterclockwise) from the positive position to a vertical orientation). In this case, the image of the vertical crop region 702 is rotated 90 degrees to the left (270 degrees to the right), and image 703 is obtained. The lower left corner of the rotated image 703 corresponds to the upper left corner of the vertical crop region 702 (before rotation). By doing this, as in display 704, when the display device is rotated 90 degrees to the right from the positive position to a vertical orientation, image 703 (the image of the vertical crop region 702) can be displayed in the correct orientation across the entire display surface (most of the display surface).

[0058] Consider the case where the display device is rotated 270 degrees to the right (clockwise) from the positive position to a vertical orientation (rotated 90 degrees to the left (counterclockwise) from the positive position to a vertical orientation). In this case, the image of the vertical crop region 702 is rotated 90 degrees to the right (270 degrees to the left), and image 706 is obtained. The upper right corner of the rotated image 706 corresponds to the upper left corner of the vertical crop region 702 (before rotation). By doing this, as in display 707, when the display device is rotated 270 degrees to the right from the positive position to a vertical orientation, image 706 (the image of the vertical crop region 702) can be displayed in the correct orientation across the entire display surface (most of the display surface).

[0059] In S410, the microcomputer 108 controls the various parts of the imaging device 100 to output and display the resized image stored in the RAM 111. As shown in Figure 8, the resized image is output and displayed using a line-sequential drive method. Multiple lines of the resized image are output one line at a time from top to bottom.

[0060] For example, the microcomputer 108 controls the panel signal processing unit 115 to output the resized image to the liquid crystal panel 107. The microcomputer 108 may also control the external output signal processing unit 117 to output the resized image to an external display device from the external output unit 118. Similarly, the microcomputer 108 may control the external output signal processing unit 119 to output the resized image to an external display device from the external output unit 120. The microcomputer 108 may also control the compression / decompression circuit 114 to encode the resized image and control the network output unit 121 to output the encoded image to an external network.

[0061] As a result of the display processing in Figure 4, display 503 is performed as the display of image 502 in Figure 5, display 512 is performed as the display of image 511, display 514 is performed as the display of image 513, and display 522 is performed as the display of image 521.

[0062] The display devices connected to the external output unit 118, the display devices connected to the external output unit 120, and the display devices connected to the network output unit 121 (via the network) may or may not be dedicated display devices. For example, these display devices may be controllers with display functions. Control signals from the controller may be received by the network output unit 121 (communication unit) or a dedicated receiving circuit. Control signals may also be received using the CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) function defined in the HDMI standard.

[0063] Note that the various controls described above are performed by a single piece of hardware (e.g., a processor or circuit). This is acceptable, or it is not. Multiple pieces of hardware (for example, 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.

[0064] 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).

[0065] 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.

[0066] <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.

[0067] This embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, programs, and media. (Composition 1) Imaging unit, An acquisition means for acquiring a partial image from the image captured by the imaging unit, the vertical length being longer than the horizontal length, A rotation means for rotating the aforementioned partial image, An output means for outputting images to an external source, The system includes a control means that controls the rotation of the partial image acquired by the acquisition means using the rotation means, and outputs the rotated partial image using the output means. The partial image after rotation by the rotation means is an image in which the horizontal length is longer than the vertical length, and the upper right corner or lower left corner corresponds to the upper left corner of the partial image before rotation by the rotation means. An imaging device characterized by the following features. (Configuration 2) Second output means for outputting images to an external source It further possesses, The control means controls the output means to output the partial image after rotation by the rotation means to the outside, and the second output means to output the captured image to the outside. The imaging apparatus according to configuration 1, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 3) The control means controls the output means to output one line at a time from the top to the bottom of the partial image, after rotation by the rotation means. The imaging apparatus according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized by the above. (Composition 4) Third output means for outputting images externally Furthermore, When the third output means outputs a partial image, the control means controls the output so that the partial image is output without being rotated by the rotation means. An imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized by the above. (Composition 5) The third output means outputs the image to an external network. The imaging apparatus according to configuration 4, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 6) The output means outputs an image to the outside via an SDI terminal or an HDMI (registered trademark) terminal. The third output means outputs an image to the outside from the network terminal. The imaging apparatus according to configuration 5, characterized in that it is a device. (Composition 7) The output means outputs an image to the outside via an SDI terminal or an HDMI (registered trademark) terminal. The second output means outputs an image to the outside via an SDI terminal or an HDMI (registered trademark) terminal. The imaging apparatus according to configuration 2, characterized in that... (Composition 8) Setting means for setting a region specified by the user in the captured image as the region of the partial image before rotation by the rotation means. It further possesses An imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized by the above. (Composition 9) The aspect ratio of the partial image before rotation by the aforementioned rotation means is 9:16. An imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, characterized by the above. (Composition 10) The output means includes a second acquisition means for acquiring orientation information of an external display device that outputs an image, A selection means that, in accordance with the posture information acquired by the second acquisition means, selects either a partial image after rotation by the rotation means or a partial image before rotation by the rotation means as the image to be output to the display device. It further possesses An imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, characterized by the above. (Composition 11) Imaging unit, An acquisition means for acquiring a partial image from the image captured by the imaging unit, the vertical length being longer than the horizontal length, A rotation means for rotating the aforementioned partial image, An output means for outputting an image to a display unit, A control means controls the rotation of the partial image acquired by the acquisition means using the rotation means, and outputs the rotated partial image using the output means. It has, The partial image after rotation by the rotation means is an image in which the horizontal length is longer than the vertical length, and the upper right corner or lower left corner corresponds to the upper left corner of the partial image before rotation by the rotation means. An imaging device characterized by the following features. (Method 1) A method for controlling an imaging device, The acquisition step involves obtaining a partial image from the image captured by the aforementioned imaging device, in which the length in the vertical direction is longer than the length in the horizontal direction. A rotation step of rotating the aforementioned partial image, An output step that outputs the image to an external source, A control step controls the rotation of the partial image acquired in the acquisition step, and the output step controls the output of the rotated partial image. It has, The partial image after rotation by the rotation step is an image in which the horizontal length is longer than the vertical length, and the upper right corner or lower left corner corresponds to the upper left corner of the partial image before rotation by the rotation step. A control method characterized by the following: (Method 2) A method for controlling an imaging device, The acquisition step involves obtaining a partial image from the image captured by the aforementioned imaging device, in which the length in the vertical direction is longer than the length in the horizontal direction. A rotation step of rotating the aforementioned partial image, An output step in which the image is output to the display unit, A control step controls the rotation of the partial image acquired in the acquisition step, and the output step controls the output of the rotated partial image. It has, The partial image after rotation by the rotation step is an image in which the horizontal length is longer than the vertical length, and the upper right corner or lower left corner corresponds to the upper left corner of the partial image before rotation by the rotation step. A control method characterized by the following: (program) A program for causing a computer to function as one of the means of an imaging apparatus described in any of configurations 1 to 11. (medium) A computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for causing the computer to function as one of the means of the imaging apparatus described in any of configurations 1 to 11. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0068] 100: Imaging device 102: Image sensor 104: Display resizing circuit 108: Microcomputer 118,120: External output section 121: Network output section

Claims

1. Imaging unit, An acquisition means for acquiring a partial image from the image captured by the imaging unit, the vertical length being longer than the horizontal length, A rotation means for rotating the aforementioned partial image, An output means for outputting images to an external source, A control means controls the rotation of the partial image acquired by the acquisition means using the rotation means, and outputs the rotated partial image using the output means. It has, The partial image after rotation by the rotation means is an image in which the horizontal length is longer than the vertical length, and the upper right corner or lower left corner corresponds to the upper left corner of the partial image before rotation by the rotation means. An imaging device characterized by the following features.

2. Second output means for outputting images to an external source It further possesses, The control means controls the output means to output the partial image after rotation by the rotation means to the outside, and the second output means to output the captured image to the outside. The imaging apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The control means controls the output means to output one line at a time from the top to the bottom of the partial image, after rotation by the rotation means. The imaging apparatus according to feature 1.

4. Third output means for outputting images to an external source Furthermore, When the third output means outputs a partial image, the control means controls the output so that the partial image is output without being rotated by the rotation means. The imaging apparatus according to feature 1.

5. The third output means outputs the image to an external network. The imaging apparatus according to feature 4.

6. The output means outputs an image to the outside via an SDI terminal or an HDMI® terminal. The third output means outputs an image to the outside from the network terminal. The imaging apparatus according to feature 5.

7. The output means outputs an image to the outside via an SDI terminal or an HDMI® terminal. The second output means outputs an image to the outside via an SDI terminal or an HDMI® terminal. The imaging device according to feature 2.

8. Setting means for setting a region specified by the user in the captured image as the region of the partial image before rotation by the rotation means. It further possesses The imaging apparatus according to feature 1.

9. The aspect ratio of the partial image before rotation by the rotation means is 9:

16. The imaging apparatus according to feature 1.

10. The output means includes a second acquisition means for acquiring orientation information of an external display device that outputs an image, A selection means that, in accordance with the posture information acquired by the second acquisition means, selects either a partial image after rotation by the rotation means or a partial image before rotation by the rotation means as the image to be output to the display device. It further possesses The imaging apparatus according to feature 1.

11. Imaging unit, An acquisition means for acquiring a partial image from the image captured by the imaging unit, the vertical length being longer than the horizontal length, A rotation means for rotating the aforementioned partial image, An output means for outputting an image to a display unit, A control means controls the rotation of the partial image acquired by the acquisition means using the rotation means, and outputs the rotated partial image using the output means. It has, The partial image after rotation by the rotation means is an image in which the horizontal length is longer than the vertical length, and the upper right corner or lower left corner corresponds to the upper left corner of the partial image before rotation by the rotation means. An imaging device characterized by the following features.

12. A method for controlling an imaging device, The acquisition step involves obtaining a partial image from the image captured by the aforementioned imaging device, in which the length in the vertical direction is longer than the length in the horizontal direction. A rotation step of rotating the aforementioned partial image, An output step that outputs the image to an external source, A control step controls the rotation of the partial image acquired in the acquisition step, and the output step controls the output of the rotated partial image. It has, The partial image after rotation by the rotation step is an image in which the horizontal length is longer than the vertical length, and the upper right corner or lower left corner corresponds to the upper left corner of the partial image before rotation by the rotation step. A control method characterized by the following:

13. A method for controlling an imaging device, The acquisition step involves obtaining a partial image from the image captured by the aforementioned imaging device, in which the length in the vertical direction is longer than the length in the horizontal direction. A rotation step of rotating the aforementioned partial image, An output step in which the image is output to the display unit, A control step controls the rotation of the partial image acquired in the acquisition step, and the output step controls the output of the rotated partial image. It has, The partial image after rotation by the rotation step is an image in which the horizontal length is longer than the vertical length, and the upper right corner or lower left corner corresponds to the upper left corner of the partial image before rotation by the rotation step. A control method characterized by the following:

14. The computer functions as one of the means of the imaging apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 11. A program to make that happen.

15. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as one of the means of an imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

Images