IMAGING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM FOR IMAGING APPARATUS

Abstract

To provide a technique for stably outputting an image even if shifted from a standby mode to a normal image capturing mode immediately after a Genlock function is enabled.SOLUTION: An image capturing apparatus includes: control means for outputting an image captured by an image capturing unit to an external device; and synchronization control means for controlling synchronization at the time of outputting the image. The synchronization control means generates a first synchronization signal to be synchronized with a second synchronization signal which have been input from the external device, and controls a synchronization at the time of outputting the image. The control means switches an operation mode of the image capturing apparatus between a first operation mode and a second operation mode. When the control means switches the operation mode from the second operation mode to the first operation mode, the synchronization control means determines whether the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are steadily synchronized with each other, and the control means switches from the second operation mode to the first operation mode, when it is determined that the synchronization is stable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device, a control method for an imaging device, a system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] A Genlock function is known as a function that enables switching between multiple camera images without image distortion when using a switcher or the like. There is also a technology that switches the operation mode of the camera itself from a normal imaging mode to a standby mode (for example, a mode in which the imaging process is stopped and the imaging device faces backwards). Furthermore, there is a method of outputting a black image if the Genlock is unstable after enabling the Genlock function (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-142785 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above, there was a problem that when the camera's operating mode was returned from the standby mode to the normal imaging mode immediately after the Genlock function was enabled, if the Genlock was unstable, a black image would be output and no actual image would be output.

[0005] Therefore, a technique is provided for stably outputting images even when the standby mode is switched to the normal imaging mode immediately after the Genlock function is enabled. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention for solving the above problem is an imaging device, Imaging means and, The imaging means a control means for controlling output of the captured image to an external device; a synchronization control means for controlling synchronization when outputting the image to the external device; Equipped with the synchronization control means generates a first synchronization signal and synchronizes the first synchronization signal with a second synchronization signal input from an external source, thereby controlling synchronization when outputting the image; The control means controls the operation mode of the imaging device to be a first operation mode in which the image is output to the external device, and a second operation mode in which the image is not output to the external device. stand-by Switch between modes, before The above operation modes are stand-by switch from the first operating mode to the According to switching instructions the synchronization control means determines whether the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are stably synchronized; The control means Cheap When the device is determined to be consistently synchronized , the control means The above stand-by Switch from the first operating mode to the second operating mode. If it is not determined that the synchronization is stable, the control means does not switch to the first operation mode until the synchronization is stable, and after the synchronization is stable, the control means switches from the standby mode to the first operation mode. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0007] Even if the standby mode is switched to the normal imaging mode immediately after the Genlock function is enabled, stable video output is possible. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing an example of the functional configuration of each device in a system configuration according to an embodiment, and a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an imaging device. [Diagram 3] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 4]10 is a flowchart showing an example of another process of the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of still another process of the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0010] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an imaging system corresponding to the first embodiment. The imaging system 10 in this embodiment is composed of a plurality of cameras 100, a controller 120, a display 130, and a synchronization signal output device 140. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the image output of two cameras 100 (camera 1 and camera 2) is switched by the controller 120 and displayed on the display 130. In addition, a synchronization signal output from the synchronization signal output device 140 is input to the camera 1 and the camera 2. The image outputs of the camera 1 and the camera 2 are synchronized according to the input synchronization signal. Therefore, even if the image output is switched from the camera 2 to the camera 1 in the controller 120, no interruption of the image occurs. In the embodiment, a case where two cameras 100 are switched will be described, but it is also possible to connect three or more cameras 100, synchronize the image outputs, and switch the image outputs by the controller 120.

[0011] Next, with reference to Fig. 2(A), a description will be given of the functional configuration of each device constituting the imaging system 10. Fig. 2(A) shows an example of the functional configuration of each device of the imaging system 10 corresponding to the embodiment.

[0012] Camera 100 can also be called an imaging device, a remote camera, or a network camera, and captures an image of a subject in a monitoring area. Camera 100 is configured to include an imaging unit 101, an image processing unit 102, a system control unit 103, a storage unit 104, a pan driving unit 105, a tilt driving unit 106, a speed control unit 107, a standby mode control unit 108, a synchronization signal input unit 109, a Genlock control unit 110, a Genlock stabilization determination unit 111, and a communication unit 112. Each component will be described below.

[0013] The imaging unit 101 is composed of an optical system such as a lens and an imaging element such as a CMOS image sensor, captures an image of a subject in a monitored area, and generates an analog image signal. The analog image signal is converted into a digital image signal and output to the image processing unit 102. The image processing unit 102 performs predetermined image processing, including development processing such as debayer processing, white balance processing, and gradation conversion processing, and compression encoding processing on the digital image signal output from the imaging unit 101 to generate image data and output it to the system control unit 103.

[0014] The system control unit 103 controls the overall operation of the camera 100. More specifically, the system control unit 103 outputs image data captured by the imaging unit 101 and acquired via the image processing unit 102 to the controller 120 via the communication unit 112. The system control unit 103 also receives control commands from the controller 120 via the communication unit 112, analyzes the received commands, and performs processing according to the commands. For example, when a command for setting image quality adjustment for the image processing unit 102 or a command for setting pan / tilt operations for the pan driving unit 105 and the tilt driving unit 106 is received, the system control unit 103 analyzes the command and performs image quality adjustment or pan / tilt operations. When a command for instructing Genlock enable / disable is received, the system control unit 103 instructs the Genlock control unit 110 to enable or disable the Genlock.

[0015] The storage unit 104 stores control data within the camera 100 and captured image data. Specifically, it can store image quality adjustment parameters, network setting values, or information on the imaging direction of the camera 100. The imaging direction information may be stored as, for example, the pan angle and tilt angle in the pan driving unit 105 and the tilt driving unit 106. The system control unit 103 can refer to the storage unit 104 and acquire previously set values ​​even when the camera 100 is restarted.

[0016] The pan driving unit 105, the tilt driving unit 106, and the speed control unit 107 are direction control mechanisms for controlling the imaging direction of the camera 100. The pan driving unit 105 is composed of a mechanical driving system that performs a pan operation according to a control command from the system control unit 103 and a motor that serves as a driving source thereof, and the pan driving mechanism is driven in the pan direction by driving the motor. The tilt driving unit 106 is composed of a mechanical driving system that performs a tilt operation according to a control command from the system control unit 103 and a motor that serves as a driving source thereof, and the tilt driving mechanism is driven in the tilt direction by driving the motor. The speed control unit 107 calculates the next driving speed to be instructed based on the current speed, the target speed, and the acceleration value or the information of the acceleration / deceleration table according to the control command from the system control unit 103, and instructs the pan driving unit 105 and the tilt driving unit 106 to drive at the calculated speeds, respectively.

[0017] The standby mode control unit 108 performs mode switching control for switching the operation mode of the camera 100 between a normal imaging mode (first operation mode) and a standby mode (second operation mode). The standby mode control unit 108 determines whether or not a switching instruction (transition instruction) to the standby mode or the normal imaging mode has been input from the controller 120 via the communication unit 112 and the system control unit 103, and sets the operation mode of the camera 100. The standby mode control unit 108 may indicate the current operation mode by a set value of, for example, 0 or 1. For example, 0 may indicate the standby mode, and 1 may indicate the normal imaging mode.

[0018] The system control unit 103 determines the operation mode by referring to the setting value of the standby mode control unit 108, and in the normal imaging mode which is the first operation mode, outputs image data to the controller 120 via the respective processing units of the imaging unit 101, the image processing unit 102, the system control unit 103, and the communication unit 112. In addition, pan / tilt driving by the pan driving unit 105, the tilt driving unit 106, and the speed control unit 107 becomes possible. In the standby mode which is the second operation mode, the system control unit 103 stops the output of image data to the controller 120. In addition, the system control unit 103 stops the pan / tilt driving by the pan driving unit 105, the tilt driving unit 106, and the speed control unit 107. Although the standby mode control unit 108 is described as a block separate from the system control unit 103, it may be configured as a part of the system control unit 103.

[0019] The synchronization signal input unit 109 inputs the synchronization signal output from the synchronization signal output device 140 to the camera 100. The Genlock control unit 110 synchronizes the first synchronization signal generated by the Genlock control unit 110 with the second synchronization signal input from the synchronization signal input unit 109, thereby synchronously controlling the system control unit 103 and the entire camera 100. This makes it possible to output an image to the controller 120 in synchronization with the second synchronization signal in the normal imaging mode.

[0020] The Genlock control unit 110 also controls switching between enabling and disabling Genlock. Enabling Genlock means that, with a synchronization signal being input from the synchronization signal input unit 109, synchronization with the synchronization signal is started in response to a Genlock enable instruction from the controller 120. Disabling Genlock means, on the other hand, stopping synchronization with the synchronization signal in response to a Genlock disable instruction from the controller 120, and controlling only with the synchronization signal generated by the Genlock control unit 110. Genlock technology is well known, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0021] The Genlock stabilization determination unit 111 determines whether the two synchronization signals are stably synchronized (Genlock is stable). For example, the determination method is to obtain a difference between an H / V synchronization signal (first synchronization signal) generated by the Genlock control unit 110 and an H / V synchronization signal (second synchronization signal) input from the synchronization signal input unit 109, and if the difference is within ± a predetermined number of clocks for a predetermined period or more, it is determined that the two synchronization signals are stably synchronized. On the other hand, if the difference is not within ± a predetermined number of clocks for a predetermined period or more, it is determined that the two synchronization signals are not stably synchronized. In addition, when the Genlock control unit 110 enables Genlock and starts synchronization, it takes about several seconds for the first synchronization signal to stably synchronize with the second synchronization signal input from the synchronization signal input unit 109. During that time, the first synchronization signal becomes unstable for several seconds (for example, 7 seconds) from the start of Genlock. Therefore, as another method of determination, whether or not synchronization is stable may be determined based on whether or not a predetermined time (corresponding to the above-mentioned 7 seconds) has elapsed since the Genlock control unit 110 enabled Genlock and started synchronization. The communication unit 112 performs processing for network communication, for example, via a LAN.

[0022] The controller 120 operates as a switching device, a switcher, or a display control device that switches images to be displayed on the display 130. The controller 120 includes an input unit 121, a system control unit 122, and a communication unit 123. The input unit 121 includes a button, a joystick, and the like, and receives various operations from a user. The operations include, for example, a switching operation of the camera 100 that outputs images, a switching operation of the camera 100 between a standby mode and a normal imaging mode, and an operation of enabling or disabling Genlock. In response to the operation received from the user, the system control unit 122 transmits a control command corresponding to the operation to the camera 100 via the communication unit 123. The communication unit 123 performs processing of network communication via a LAN.

[0023] The display 130 is configured to include a display unit 131. The display 130 receives image data output from the camera 100 via the controller 120, and displays the image data on the display unit 131. The display unit 131 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display.

[0024] The synchronization signal output device 140 is configured to include a synchronization signal output unit 141. The synchronization signal output unit 141 outputs a synchronization signal (corresponding to the above-mentioned second synchronization signal) that serves as a reference signal for synchronously operating a plurality of cameras 100. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a synchronization signal from the synchronization signal output device 140 is input to each synchronization signal input unit 109 of the camera 100.

[0025] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the camera 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 2(B). The CPU 201 is a device that performs overall control of the camera 100 and performs calculations, processing, and management of data, and can function as a system control unit 103, a speed control unit 107, a standby mode control unit 108, a Genlock control unit 110, etc. The CPU 201 may also function as an image processing unit 102 that compresses and encodes a digital image signal output from the camera unit 206 to generate image data. Alternatively, these functional blocks may be realized individually or collectively by a dedicated processor.

[0026] The RAM 202 is a volatile memory and is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of ​​the CPU 201. The ROM 203 is a non-volatile memory, and image data and other data, various programs for the operation of the CPU 201, and the like are stored in respective predetermined areas. The CPU 201 controls each part of the camera 100 using the RAM 202 as a work memory according to, for example, a program stored in the ROM 203. Note that the programs for the operation of the CPU 201 are not limited to those stored in the ROM 203, and may be stored in the storage device 204.

[0027] The storage device 204 is configured with a magnetic disk such as an HDD or a flash memory, and can function as the storage unit 104. Application programs, an OS, a control program, related programs, etc. are stored in the storage device 204. The storage device 204 can read and write data based on the control of the CPU 201. The storage device 204 may be used in place of the RAM 202 or the ROM 203.

[0028] The communication device 205 is a communication interface for communicating with the controller 120 under the control of the CPU 201, and can function as the communication unit 112. The communication device 205 can include a wireless communication module, which can include well-known circuit mechanisms including an antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner, one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, a subscriber identity module card, a memory, and the like. It can also include a wired communication module for wired connection. The wired communication module enables communication with other devices via one or more external ports. It can also include various software components for processing data. The external ports are connected to other devices directly via Ethernet, USB, IEEE1394, etc., or indirectly via a network. It can also be configured as a substitute for a hardware device by software that realizes functions equivalent to each of the above devices.

[0029] The camera unit 206 can function as an imaging unit 101 including an imaging optical system, an imaging sensor such as a CCD or CMOS, a development processing unit, etc., and a pan driving unit 105 and a tilt driving unit 106 including an imaging optical system, a movable head for controlling an imaging direction and an angle of view, and captures a predetermined area in a monitored area, which is a real space, to generate an image. The camera unit 206 converts an analog image signal obtained by photoelectric conversion using an imaging element such as a CCD or CMOS image sensor into a digital image signal by A / D conversion and outputs the digital image signal to the CPU 201. In the camera unit 206, in addition to still images, for example, it is possible to obtain a predetermined number of frames (for example, 30 frames) of images per second to obtain a 30 fps moving image (live video) of the monitored area. The operation unit 207 is composed of, for example, a button, a cross key, a touch panel, etc., and accepts operation input from a user.

[0030] 2B shows the hardware configuration of the camera 100, but the hardware configuration of the controller 120 may also be similar to that shown in FIG. 2B. In that case, the camera unit 206 is excluded from the configuration. Also, the operation unit 207 functions as the input unit 121, and may further include a keyboard and a mouse.

[0031] Next, the flow of processing in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 3. The processing corresponding to the flowchart in Fig. 3 is realized by the CPU 201 executing the corresponding program (stored in the ROM 203, the storage device 204, etc.) and functioning as the system control unit 103, the standby mode control unit 108, and the Genlock control unit 110. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the startup of the camera 100, the controller 120, the display 130, and the synchronization signal output device 140 has already been completed, and the controller 120 is in a state in which it is possible to accept an input operation from the user. The start condition of this flowchart may be in response to an instruction from the user, or may be determined automatically by the camera 100 after the camera 100 is started.

[0032] In S301, the system control unit 103 controls each block of the camera 100 to start operation in the normal imaging mode. At this time, the standby mode control unit 108 sets a setting value to 1, which indicates the normal imaging mode. Thereafter, the standby mode control unit 108 monitors an instruction to switch to the standby mode from the controller 120 via the communication unit 112, and sets the setting value to 0 when an instruction to switch to the standby mode is received.

[0033] In the next step S302, the Genlock control unit 110 determines whether or not an instruction to enable Genlock has been received from the controller 120. If it is determined that an instruction to enable Genlock has been received, the process proceeds to S303. If it is not determined that an instruction to enable Genlock has been received, the process proceeds to S304.

[0034] In S303, the Genlock control unit 110 starts Genlock. In the following S304, the Genlock control unit 110 determines whether or not an instruction to disable Genlock has been received from the controller 120. If it is determined that an instruction to disable Genlock has been received, the process proceeds to S305. If it is not determined that an instruction to disable Genlock has been received, the process proceeds to S306.

[0035] In S305, the Genlock control unit 110 disables Genlock. In the following S306, the system control unit 103 refers to the set value of the standby mode control unit 108 and determines whether the set value is 0, which indicates that an instruction to switch to the standby mode has been received. If it is determined that an instruction to switch to the standby mode has been input, the process proceeds to S307. Thereafter, the standby mode control unit 108 monitors an instruction to switch to the normal imaging mode from the controller 120 via the communication unit 112, and if an instruction to switch to the normal imaging mode has been input, the set value is set to 1. On the other hand, if it is determined that the set value remains 1 and an instruction to switch to the standby mode has not been input, the process returns to S301 and the normal imaging mode is continued.

[0036] In S307, the system control unit 103 controls the operation of each block of the camera 100 to transition the operation mode from a normal imaging mode in which image data is output to the controller 120 to a standby mode in which the image data is not output. In the following S308, the system control unit 103 refers to a setting value of the standby mode control unit 108 and determines whether or not the setting value is 1, which indicates that an instruction to switch to the normal imaging mode has been received. If the system control unit 103 determines that an instruction to switch to the normal imaging mode has been input, the process proceeds to S309. On the other hand, if it determines that an instruction to switch to the normal imaging mode has not been input, the determination process of S308 is repeated and the system waits for an instruction to switch to the normal imaging mode to be received.

[0037] When the instruction to switch to the normal imaging mode is received, in S309, the Genlock stabilization determination unit 111 determines whether or not Genlock is stable. The method of determining whether or not the Genlock is stable is as described above, and may be based on the difference in the synchronization signal or the elapsed time from the start of Genlock. If it is determined that the Genlock is stable, the process proceeds to S310. If it is not determined that the Genlock is stable, the determination process of S309 is continued, and the process waits until the Genlock is stabilized. When the Genlock stabilization is completed, the process proceeds to S310. In S310, the system control unit 103 controls the operation of each block of the camera 100 to perform a process of transitioning the operation mode to the normal imaging mode in which image data is output to the controller 120.

[0038] According to the above-described process, when the operation mode of the camera 100 transitions from the standby mode to the normal imaging mode, image output can be performed in a stable Genlock state immediately after transition to the normal imaging mode. Therefore, a stable image output can be provided without image distortion immediately after transition to the normal imaging mode.

[0039] [Embodiment 2] The second embodiment will be described below. The system configuration in this embodiment is similar to that shown in Fig. 1. The functional configuration of the devices constituting the imaging system 10 is also similar to that shown in Fig. 2. Therefore, by using the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment for the same components as those in the first embodiment, detailed descriptions of those components will be omitted, and the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0040] First, a flowchart corresponding to an example of processing corresponding to this embodiment is shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 4, processing from S301 to S310 is similar to processing from S301 to S310 in Fig. 3, so description thereof will be omitted here.

[0041] When an instruction to switch to the standby mode is received in S306, in S401, the system control unit 103 causes the pan driving unit 105 and the tilt driving unit 106 to perform pan / tilt operations via the speed control unit 107 so that the lens and the image sensor of the image capturing unit 101 face a predetermined first direction (for example, the opposite side to the image capturing direction in the normal image capturing mode, backward, or any direction). In addition, the system control unit 103 stores in the storage unit 104 the pan / tilt angles of the pan driving unit 105 and the tilt driving unit 106 indicating the image capturing direction (second direction) when the pan / tilt operation is started or immediately before the start of the pan / tilt operation. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S307 and S308. Note that the operation of directing the image capturing direction to the first direction may be performed after the transition to the standby mode in S307. When an instruction to switch to the normal image capturing mode is received in S308 after the transition to the standby mode, the process proceeds to S402.

[0042] In S402, the system control unit 103 controls the operation of the pan driving unit 105 and the tilt driving unit 106 via the speed control unit 107 so as to return to the second direction (pan / tilt angle) stored in the memory unit 104 in S401. In the following S403, the system control unit 103 determines whether the pan driving unit 105 and the tilt driving unit 106 have completed the pan / tilt operation up to the pan / tilt angle stored in S401. If it is determined that the pan / tilt operation has been completed, the process proceeds to S309. If it is not determined that the pan / tilt operation has been completed, the process returns to S402 and the PT drive continues.

[0043] In this process, when transitioning to standby mode, the pan / tilt is changed to a predetermined first direction, and if an instruction to switch to normal imaging mode is subsequently received, time can be ensured for Genlock to stabilize while the pan / tilt is returned to the original imaging direction.

[0044] In the above description, the pan / tilt angle is returned to the original angle stored in S401 in S402, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the pan / tilt operation may be performed to a predetermined angle (for example, the initial value of the control value of the pan driving unit 105 and the tilt driving unit 106, i.e., the tilt pan / tilt angle is 0°).

[0045] In the above embodiment, the pan / tilt operation in S403 is assumed to be a return operation to the pan / tilt angle stored in S401. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, when the pan / tilt angle changes due to an external factor of the camera 100 (such as hitting an object or being directed in a specific direction by the operator) during standby mode, instead of performing the processes of S401, S402, and S403, a process of panning and tilting to an initial position (pan / tilt angle is 0°) as shown in FIG. 5(A) may be similarly assumed. Specifically, after receiving an instruction to switch to the normal imaging mode in S308, in S501, the system control unit 103 determines whether or not a change in the pan / tilt angle has been detected for at least one of the pan driving unit 105 and the tilt driving unit 106. If a change in the pan / tilt angle has been detected, the process proceeds to S502. In S502, the system control unit 103 controls the pan driving unit 105 and the tilt driving unit 106 to perform pan / tilt operation to the initial position (pan / tilt angle is 0°). On the other hand, if it is not determined that a change in the pan / tilt angle has been detected, the process proceeds to S309.

[0046] According to the present embodiment described above, when switching from standby mode to normal imaging mode, Genlock can be stabilized while the camera is panning / tilting to the pan / tilt angle corresponding to the specified imaging direction and returning. Therefore, if Genlock is stabilized after the pan / tilt operation is completed, the camera can immediately return from standby mode.

[0047] [Embodiment 3] The third embodiment will be described below. The system configuration in this embodiment is similar to that shown in Fig. 1. The functional configuration of the devices constituting the imaging system 10 is also similar to that shown in Fig. 2. Therefore, by using the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment for the same components as those in the first embodiment, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted, and the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0048] First, Fig. 5(B) shows a flowchart corresponding to an example of processing corresponding to this embodiment. In Fig. 5(B), the processing of S511 is executed when the determination is NO in the processing of S309 in Fig. 3. The other processing is the same as that shown in Fig. 3, so the description here is omitted.

[0049] In S511, the synchronization signal input unit 109 determines whether or not the synchronization signal input from the synchronization signal output device 140 has been released. A possible example of the synchronization signal being released is when the synchronization signal output device 140 is disconnected from the camera 100 and the synchronization signal is no longer input. If it is determined that the input has been released, the process proceeds to S310 regardless of the result of the determination in S309. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the input has been released, the determination process in S309 continues and the process waits until Genlock stabilizes, and when Genlock stabilization is complete, the process proceeds to S310.

[0050] According to the above, when transitioning from standby mode to normal imaging mode, if the input of the synchronization signal is released before Genlock is stabilized, transition to normal imaging mode can be made immediately without waiting for Genlock to stabilize.

[0051] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. The invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to clarify the scope of the invention.

[0052] (Other Examples) The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

Claims

1. 1. An imaging device, comprising: An imaging means; a control means for controlling output of the image captured by the imaging means to an external device; a synchronization control means for controlling synchronization when outputting the image to the external device; Equipped with the synchronization control means generates a first synchronization signal and synchronizes the first synchronization signal with a second synchronization signal input from an external source, thereby controlling synchronization when outputting the image; the control means switches an operation mode of the imaging device between a first operation mode in which the image is output to the external device and a standby mode in which the image is not output to the external device; in response to a switching instruction for switching the operation mode from the standby mode to the first operation mode, the synchronization control means determines whether the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are stably synchronized; When the control means determines that the synchronization is stable, the control means switches from the standby mode to the first operation mode, and when the control means determines that the synchronization is not stable, the control means does not switch to the first operation mode until the synchronization is stable, and after the synchronization is stable, the control means switches from the standby mode to the first operation mode.

1. An imaging device comprising:

2. 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the synchronization control means determines whether or not the synchronization is stable based on a difference between the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal.

3. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the synchronization control means determines whether the synchronization is stable based on whether a predetermined time has elapsed after starting synchronization between the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal.

4. A direction control unit for controlling an imaging direction of the imaging device is further provided. when the operation mode is switched from the first operation mode to the standby mode, the direction control means controls the imaging direction to be a first direction; In response to the switching instruction, the direction control means controls the imaging direction to be a second direction different from the first direction; 4. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the synchronization control means performs the determination after the imaging direction becomes the second direction.

5. 5. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the second direction is an imaging direction in the first operation mode before switching to the standby mode.

6. 6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the direction control means stores the second direction in a storage unit when the operation mode is switched from the first operation mode to the standby mode.

7. 5. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the second direction is an initial value of the imaging direction of the imaging device controlled by the direction control means.

8. A direction control unit for controlling an imaging direction of the imaging device is further provided. the direction control means controls, in a case where a change occurs in the imaging direction after the operation mode is switched from the first operation mode to the standby mode, the imaging direction of the imaging device to be a third direction in response to the switching instruction; 4. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the synchronization control means performs the determination after the imaging direction becomes the third direction.

9. the change in the imaging direction is due to an external factor of the imaging device, 9. The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein the third direction is an initial value of the imaging direction of the imaging device controlled by the direction control means.

10. 10. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein when the second synchronization signal is no longer input, the control means switches from the standby mode to the first operating mode regardless of the result of the determination by the synchronization control means.

11. A plurality of imaging devices according to any one of claims 1 to 10; an output device that outputs the second synchronization signal to each of the plurality of imaging devices; a controller that switches between images output from the plurality of image capture devices and displays the images on a display unit; A system comprising:

12. A method for controlling an imaging device, comprising: a synchronization control step of controlling synchronization when an image is output to an external device, the synchronization control step being for generating a first synchronization signal and synchronizing the first synchronization signal with a second synchronization signal input from outside, thereby controlling synchronization when an image captured by the imaging means is output to the external device; a switching step of switching an operation mode of the imaging device between a first operation mode in which the image is output to the external device and a standby mode in which the image is not output to the external device; a determining step of determining whether the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are stably synchronized in response to a switching instruction for switching the operation mode from the standby mode to the first operation mode; having In the switching step, When it is determined that the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal are stably synchronized, the standby mode is switched to the first operation mode, and when it is not determined that the synchronization is stably achieved, the standby mode is not switched to the first operation mode until the synchronization is stably achieved, and after the synchronization is stably achieved, the standby mode is switched to the first operation mode.

4. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus comprising the steps of:

13. A program for causing a computer to operate as each of the means of the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images