Control device, control method, and program

JP7631281B2Active Publication Date: 2025-02-18CANON KK
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2022174742
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-10-31
Publication Date
2025-02-18
Estimated Expiration
2042-10-31

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

【0008】 本発明によれば、複数のプリセット位置について設定されたルートで撮影範囲を制御する際の該ルートの一周の移動に係る時間の情報を提示することができる。

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Abstract

To provide a technique of providing information on a time related to a movement when controlling a photographing range in a route that is set for a plurality of preset positions.SOLUTION: A control apparatus generates information on a setting window capable of setting preset positions in a photographing range of photographing means, outputs the information on the setting window in order to cause a display to display the setting window, sets a plurality of preset positions and an order for each of the plurality of preset positions on the basis of a user operation on the setting window, and calculates a movement time required for making travelling one round of the photographing range along a route selected on the basis of the plurality of preset positions, the order for each of the plurality of preset positions, and a route selected by a user out of the plurality of routes controlling the photographing range in regard to the plurality of preset positions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control process for an image capturing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been a technology that allows the imaging range of an imaging device capable of capturing images to be controlled by controlling at least one of pan, tilt, and zoom of the imaging device. Such imaging devices are also called PTZ cameras. There is also a technology that allows the imaging range of the imaging device to be controlled by registering the pan, tilt, and zoom positions as preset positions in advance and circulating among the registered multiple preset positions.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a method of repeatedly controlling a shooting range designated in advance by a user by repeatedly zooming in and out of the shooting range to a first range and a second range. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-15666 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, when the shooting range is controlled along a route set for a plurality of preset positions, the user cannot grasp the time required for moving around the route.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for presenting information on the time required for moving around a route set for a plurality of preset positions when controlling a shooting range along the route. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, for example, a control device according to the present invention has the following configuration: That is, the control device has a generating means for generating information of a setting window in which preset positions of a shooting range of an imaging means can be set, an outputting means for outputting the information of the setting window in order to display the setting window on a display, a setting means for setting a plurality of preset positions and an order for each of the plurality of preset positions based on a user operation on the setting window, and a calculating means for calculating a travel time required to go around the shooting range along a selected route based on the plurality of preset positions set by the setting means, the order for each of the plurality of preset positions, and a route selected by a user from a plurality of routes for controlling the shooting range for the plurality of preset positions. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, when the shooting range is controlled along a route set for a plurality of preset positions, information on the time required for moving around the route can be presented. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the imaging device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the photographing device and the information processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a setting window. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining control of the shooting range. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of a travel time calculation process. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining easing settings. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a setting window. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining acceleration setting. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of a travel time calculation process. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of each device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the configurations shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not limited to the configurations shown in the drawings.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of this embodiment. The system of this embodiment includes an image capturing apparatus 100, an information processing apparatus 200, a display 210, an input device 220, and a network 300.

[0012] The photographing device 100 and the information processing device 200 are connected to each other via a network 300. The network 300 is realized by a plurality of routers, switches, cables, etc., that comply with a communication standard such as ETHERNET (registered trademark).

[0013] The network 300 may be realized by the Internet, a wired LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless LAN (Wireless LAN), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the like.

[0014] The photographing device 100 is a device that photographs an image, and functions as a control device capable of controlling the photographing range by controlling (changing) at least one of pan, tilt, and zoom. The photographing device 100 transmits image data of the photographed image and information on the photographing range of the photographing device 100 to an external device such as an information processing device 200 via a network 300. The information processing device 200 is, for example, a client device such as a personal computer in which a program for realizing the processing functions described below is installed.

[0015] The display 210 is configured with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays images captured by the imaging device 100. The display 210 is connected to the information processing device 200 via a display cable that complies with a communication standard such as HDMI (registered trademark) (High Definition Multimedia Interface). The display 210 and the information processing device 200 may be provided in a single housing. The input device 220 is a device for inputting operations to the information processing device 200, and is a mouse in this embodiment.

[0016] Next, the imaging device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is an example of an external view of the imaging device 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 is an example of functional blocks of the imaging device 100 and the information processing device 200 according to this embodiment. Among the functional blocks of the imaging device 100 shown in Fig. 3, the image processing unit 112, the system control unit 113, the PT Z system The functions of the control unit 114, the recording unit 115, the communication unit 116, etc. are realized as follows: That is, the functions are realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1100 of the photographing device 100 executing a computer program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1120 of the photographing device 100, which will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0017] The direction in which the optical axis of the lens 101 faces is the shooting direction of the image capturing device 100, and a light beam that passes through the lens 101 forms an image on an image sensor of an image capturing unit 111 of the image capturing device 100. In addition, the lens driving unit 102 is composed of a drive system that drives the lens 101, and changes the focal length of the lens 101. The lens driving unit 102 is also capable of controlling the focus value of the image capturing device 100. The lens driving unit 102 is controlled by a PTZ control unit 114.

[0018] The pan driving unit 103 is composed of a mechanical driving system that controls the pan and a motor as a driving source, and is a rotation driving unit for rotating the shooting direction of the image capturing device 100 in a pan direction 105. Control In addition, the pan driving unit 103 is controlled by a PTZ control unit 114.

[0019] The tilt drive unit 104 is composed of a mechanism drive for controlling the tilt and a motor as a drive source, and is a rotation drive for rotating the imaging device 100 in the imaging direction in a tilt direction 106. Control The tilt driving unit 104 is controlled by a PTZ control unit 114.

[0020] The imaging unit 111 is composed of an imaging element (not shown) such as a CCD (charge coupled device) sensor or a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor. The imaging unit 111 photoelectrically converts the subject image formed through the lens 101 to generate an electric signal. The image processing unit 112 performs image processing such as converting the electric signal photoelectrically converted by the imaging unit 111 into a digital signal and compression encoding, and generates image data that is data of the captured image.

[0021] The PTZ control unit 114 controls the pan driving unit 103, the tilt driving unit 104, and the lens driving unit 102 based on instructions transmitted from the system control unit 113, thereby controlling the pan, tilt, and zoom of the image capturing device 100. In addition, the PTZ control unit 114 controls the lens driving unit 102 based on instructions transmitted from the system control unit 113, thereby controlling the focus value of the image capturing device 100. The recording unit 115 is a storage device such as a RAM or a ROM, into which the OS, various programs, and various data are loaded, and is also used as a working area for the OS and various programs. Furthermore, in addition to being used as a permanent storage area for the OS, various programs, and various data, it is also used as a short-term storage area for various data.

[0022] The communication unit 116 communicates with the information processing device 200 via an I / F 1140, which will be described later with reference to Fig. 11. For example, the communication unit 116 transmits image data of an image captured by the image capturing device 100 to the information processing device 200 via the network 300. The communication unit 116 also transmits information indicating the current shooting range of the image capturing device 100 (information on current pan, tilt, and zoom). The communication unit 116 also receives control commands, which are commands for controlling the image capturing device 100 and transmitted from the information processing device 200, and transfers them to the system control unit 113.

[0023] The system control unit 113 controls the entire image capturing apparatus 100 according to the process executed by the CPU 1100 described later with reference to Fig. 11, and performs the following process, for example. That is, the system control unit 113 analyzes a control command for controlling the image capturing apparatus 100 transmitted from the information processing device 200, and performs a process according to the control command. The system control unit 113 also instructs the PTZ control unit 114 to control changing at least one of pan, tilt, and zoom. When transmitting image data generated by the image processing unit 112 to the information processing device 200, the system control unit 113 also adds information on the shooting time when the image data was captured and information on the shooting range to the image data.

[0024] The shooting range is determined by the pan value (hereinafter referred to as pan value), tilt value (hereinafter referred to as tilt value), and zoom value (hereinafter referred to as zoom value) of the image capturing device 100. The image capturing device 100 in this embodiment is capable of controlling the pan value, tilt value, and zoom value, but only one or two of the pan value, tilt value, and zoom value may be controllable. Here, the pan value is the angle of the image capturing direction (optical axis) in the pan direction 105 of the image capturing device 100 when, for example, one of the drive ends of the pan drive unit 103 is set to 0°. The tilt value is the angle of the image capturing direction (optical axis) in the tilt direction 106 of the image capturing device 100 when, for example, one of the drive ends of the tilt drive unit 104 is set to 0°. The zoom value of the image capturing device 100 when an image is captured by the image capturing device 100 is calculated from the focal length of the lens 101 and is expressed in units of %.

[0025] The system control unit 113 also includes a setting unit 117. The setting unit 117 sets a preset position determined by a pan value, a tilt value, and a zoom value. The setting unit 117 also sets an order for each of the multiple preset positions. The setting unit 117 then sets multiple routes that pass through each preset position according to the multiple preset positions that have been set and the order of each of the multiple preset positions. The multiple routes include, for example, a forward loop route (first route), a round trip route (second route), and a reverse loop route (third route). Here, the forward loop route is a route that controls the shooting range so as to tour each of the multiple preset positions that have been set in a first direction. The round trip route (second route) is a round trip route that controls the shooting range so as to tour each of the multiple preset positions that have been set in a round trip manner, with a first preset position of the multiple preset positions that has been set as a start position and a second preset position of the multiple shooting positions that has been set as a return position. The reverse loop route (third route) is a route that controls the shooting range so as to tour each of the multiple preset positions that has been set in a second direction that is different from the first direction. If the first direction is a clockwise direction, the second direction is a counterclockwise direction.

[0026] The setting unit 117 can set a moving speed when controlling the shooting range from a certain preset position to another preset position. In this embodiment, the setting unit 117 can set an acceleration when controlling the shooting range from a certain preset position to another preset position.

[0027] The system control unit 113 also includes a calculation unit 118. The calculation unit 118 calculates the travel time required to travel around the route based on each preset position, the selected route, and the travel speed and acceleration set between each preset.

[0028] Next, the information processing of the information processing device 200 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the functional blocks of the information processing device 200 shown in Fig. 3. Note that each function of the information processing device 200 is realized as follows using a ROM 1120 and a CPU 1100, which will be described later with reference to Fig. 11. That is, each function shown in Fig. 3 is realized by the information processing device 200 This is realized by the CPU 1100 of the information processing device 200 executing a computer program stored in the ROM 1120 .

[0029] The display control unit 201 causes a setting screen to be displayed on the display 210. The operation reception unit 202 receives information on an operation performed by a user via the input device 220. For example, the display control unit 201 causes a setting screen to be displayed on the display 210, and the operation reception unit 202 receives information on a user operation on a GUI displayed on the display 210. The system control unit 203 transmits a control command to the imaging device 100 via the communication unit 204 in response to the user operation.

[0030] The communication unit 204 transmits a control command for the photographing device 100 to the photographing device 100 via an I / F 1140, which will be described later with reference to Fig. 11. The communication unit 204 also receives image data transmitted from the photographing device 100 and responses from the photographing device 100 to commands transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the photographing device 100, and transmits these to the system control unit 203.

[0031] The system control unit 203 generates a control command based on the user operation accepted by the operation acceptance unit 202, and transmits the control command to the photographing device 100 via the communication unit 204. Furthermore, when the received image data is encoded, the system control unit 203 decodes the encoded image data to obtain an image (an image captured by the photographing device 100), and the display control unit 201 causes the display 210 to display the image. The recording unit 205 is a storage device such as a RAM or a ROM, into which the OS, various programs, and various data are loaded, and is also used as a working area for the OS and various programs. Furthermore, in addition to being used as a permanent storage area for the OS, various programs, and various data, it is also used as a short-term storage area for various data.

[0032] Hereinafter, a setting window generated by the system control unit 113 of the photographing device 100 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. Note that in this embodiment, information on the setting window is generated by the system control unit 113 of the photographing device 100, and the information on the setting window is output to the information processing device 200 by the communication unit 116, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the setting window may be generated by the system control unit 203 of the information processing device 200. Also, the setting window generated by the system control unit 113 (or the system control unit 203) is displayed on the display 210 by the display control unit 201. Note that when information on the setting window is generated by the system control unit 113, the information on the setting window is transmitted to the information processing device 200 via the communication unit 116, and the display control unit 201 causes the setting window to be displayed on the display 210.

[0033] The image area 401 of the setting window 400 includes an image captured by the imaging device 100. The route No. area 402 can store a set of multiple preset positions. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the route No. 1 selected in the route No. area 402 is the currently selected target, and the preset position A, preset position B, and preset position C are set in this order in the imaging route No. 1. If another number (e.g., No. 2) is selected in the route No. area 402, another preset position can be recorded in association with the other number. Each preset position is recorded in association with a pan value, a tilt value, and a zoom value. The setting unit 117 sets each preset position based on a user operation, and the storage unit 115 records information on each preset position (information on the pan value, tilt value, and zoom value of each preset position). As shown in the order setting area 403, multiple preset positions are set, with the preset position A being first in order, the preset position B being second in order, and the preset position C being third in order, from the top. The setting unit 117 can change (set) the order of each preset position in response to a user operation to rearrange the order of the preset positions in the order setting area 403. For example, assume that in the order setting area 403, a user operation has placed preset position B above preset position A and placed preset position C below preset position A. In this case, the setting unit 117 sets the order such that preset position B is number 1, preset position A is number 2, and preset position C is number 3. In the example shown in FIG. 4, three preset positions are set, but the setting unit 117 may set four or more preset positions.

[0034] In the stop time area 404, the shooting range reaches the corresponding preset position. ThenThe user can specify the stop time at the preset position before moving to the next preset position. For example, the example shown in Fig. 4 indicates that 5 seconds is specified at preset position B. Information on this specified stop time is transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the photographing device 100, and the setting unit 117 sets a stop time of 5 seconds for preset position B. This process is similarly executed for preset position A and preset position C. In the example shown in Fig. 4, 0 seconds is set at preset position A, and 10 seconds is set at preset position C.

[0035] In the specified section area 405, a section from a specified preset position to another preset position is displayed. In FIG. 4, from the top, "a section between preset position A and preset position B", "a section between preset position B and preset position C", and "a section between preset position C and preset position A" are displayed. Here, in the moving speed area 40 6 Now, the corresponding section in Shooting range of When controlling The transition The user can specify the moving speed. For example, 4As shown in FIG. 4, the moving speed information 10 is set for the "section between preset position A and preset position B". In this case, when controlling the shooting range from preset position A to preset position B, or when controlling the shooting range from preset position B to preset position A, the shooting range is controlled by the change speed of the pan value, tilt value, and zoom value associated with the moving speed information 10. In this embodiment, as the moving speed information for controlling each of pan, tilt, and zoom, the maximum speed is 20 and the minimum speed is 1. Each of 1 to 20 is associated with a pan / tilt speed (change speed of the pan value and tilt value) and a zoom speed (change speed of the zoom value). For example, a pan / tilt speed of 10 (degrees / s) and a zoom speed of 10 (% / s) are associated with the moving speed information of 10. The user can also specify the acceleration until the pan / tilt speed or zoom speed set in association with the corresponding section is reached in the acceleration setting area 407. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, acceleration information 1 is set for the "section between preset position A and preset position B". The acceleration information can take values ​​1 to 3, and each of the acceleration information 1 to 3 is associated with a pan-tilt acceleration (hereinafter referred to as pan-tilt acceleration) and a zoom acceleration (hereinafter referred to as zoom acceleration). For example, the acceleration information 1 is set to 3 (degrees / s 2 ), zoom acceleration is 1 (% / s 2 When the acceleration information 1 is set by the user, the setting unit 117 sets 3 (degrees / s) as the pan / tilt acceleration. 2 ), zoom acceleration is 1 (% / s 2 ) respectively.

[0036] The route selection area 408 includes icons 409 for the correct tour route, Reverse circuit Route icon 410, and round tripThe user can select one of the route icons 411. In the example shown in FIG. 4, it is shown that the forward circular route icon 409 is selected. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, when a certain route icon is selected in a state in which each preset position has been set, information on each preset position and information on the certain route are transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the photographing device 100. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that preset position A is set as the first preset position, preset position B is set as the second preset position, and preset position C is set as the third preset position. At this time, the recording of the photographing device 100 Record The unit 115 holds information on each preset position (the pan value, tilt value, and zoom value of each preset position) and information on the order of each preset position.

[0037] Here, when the icon 409 of the forward circular route is selected, information indicating that the forward circular route has been selected is transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the photographing device 100. As shown in FIG. 5(a), the setting unit 117 selects "preset position A 501 ⇒ preset position B 502 ⇒ preset position C 503 A route is set as shown by a solid arrow 504, such as "Preset position A 501 ⇒ . . . (repeated below)". Button 412 When a user presses the button to instruct playback, a control command including playback instruction information is transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the image capturing device 100. In response to receiving the control command, the PTZ control unit 114 of the image capturing device 100 controls the image capturing range to rotate around each preset position in a first direction (the direction of the arrow 504) that is a clockwise direction along the route of the set arrow 504.

[0038] In addition, one round of the forward route in FIG. 5(a) is “preset position A 501 ⇒ preset position B 502 ⇒ preset position C 503 ⇒ preset position D 504 ⇒ preset position E 505 ⇒ preset position F 506 ⇒ preset position F 507 ⇒ preset position F 508 ⇒ preset position F 509 ⇒ preset position F 510 ⇒ preset position F 511 ⇒ preset position F 512 503For example, "preset position A501 ⇒ preset position A501" is used as the starting position, and the route returns to preset position A501. When the forward loop route icon 409 is selected, the calculation unit 118 calculates the travel time required to go around the shooting range on the forward loop route as follows. That is, the calculation unit 118 first calculates the travel time required for "preset position A501 ⇒ preset position B502". At this time, the calculation unit 118 specifies the pan tilt speed and zoom speed from preset position A to preset position B502 based on the travel speed information set for the "section between preset position A501 and preset position B502". The calculation unit 118 also specifies the pan tilt speed and zoom speed from preset position A to preset position B502 based on the acceleration information set for the "section between preset position A501 and preset position B502". 501The calculation unit 118 specifies the pan tilt acceleration and zoom acceleration from the preset position A501 to the preset position B502. The calculation unit 118 then specifies the difference value (distance in the pan direction) between the pan value of the preset position A501 and the pan value of the preset position B502. The calculation unit 118 calculates a pan movement time, which is the time required to reach the preset position A501 to the preset position B502 in the pan direction, based on the distance in the pan direction, the pan tilt speed, and the pan tilt acceleration. Note that a known calculation method may be used as a method for calculating the time required to move the distance from the distance, speed, and acceleration. Similarly, the calculation unit 118 specifies the difference value (distance in the tilt direction) between the tilt value of the preset position A501 and the tilt value of the preset position B502. The calculation unit 118 calculates the tilt movement time, which is the time required to reach the preset position A501 to the preset position B502 in the tilt direction, based on the distance in the tilt direction, the pan tilt speed, and the pan tilt acceleration. Similarly, the calculation unit 118 specifies a difference value (distance in the zoom direction) between the zoom value of preset position A501 and the zoom value of preset position B502. The calculation unit 118 calculates a zoom movement time, which is the time it takes to reach preset position A501 to preset position B502 in the zoom direction, based on the distance in the zoom direction, the zoom speed, and the zoom acceleration. The calculation unit 118 calculates the longest time of the pan movement time, tilt movement time, and zoom movement time calculated for the section "preset position A501 ⇒ preset position B502" as the movement time for that section.

[0039] In this manner, the calculation unit 118 calculates the travel time for the section "preset position A501 ⇒ preset position B502". Similarly, the calculation unit 118 calculates the travel time for the section "preset position B502 ⇒ preset position C503" and the section "preset position C503 ⇒ preset position A501". The calculation unit 118 calculates the sum of the travel times calculated for each section as the travel time for one revolution of the forward loop route. Note that, as shown in FIG. 4, when a stop time is set at each preset position, the calculation unit 118 calculates the travel time for one revolution of the forward loop route as follows. That is, the calculation unit 118 calculates the sum of the travel time calculated for each section and the stop time set at each preset position as the travel time for one revolution of the forward loop route.

[0040] Next, assume that preset position A is set as the first, preset position B as the second, and preset position C as the third, as shown in FIG. 4, and furthermore, the icon 410 of the reverse circular route is selected. At this time, the setting unit 117 sets a route indicated by a dotted arrow 505 such as "preset position A 501 ⇒ preset position C 503 ⇒ preset position B 502 ⇒ preset position A 501 ⇒... (repeated below)" as shown in FIG. 5(a). Here, when playback is instructed by the user pressing the play / stop 412 in the setting window 400 displayed on the display 210, a control command including information on the playback instruction is transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the image capturing device 100. Then, in response to obtaining the control command, the PTZ control unit 114 of the image capturing device 100 controls the image capturing range so that each preset position is patrolled in the second direction (the direction of the arrow 505), which is a counterclockwise direction, along the route of the set arrow 505.

[0041] 5A, one revolution of the reverse circulatory route is a route starting from the preset position A501 and returning to the preset position A501 again, such as "preset position A501 ⇒ preset position C503 ⇒ preset position B502 ⇒ preset position A501". The travel time for one revolution of the reverse circulatory route by the calculation unit 118 is the same as the calculation of the travel time for one revolution of the forward circulatory route described above. That is, the calculation unit 118 calculates the travel time for each of the sections "preset position A501 ⇒ preset position C503", "preset position C503 ⇒ preset position B502", and "preset position B502 ⇒ preset position A501". If the stop time is not set, the calculation unit 118 calculates the sum of the travel times calculated for each section as the travel time for one revolution of the reverse circulatory route. Furthermore, if a stop time is set, the calculation unit 118 calculates the sum of the travel times calculated in each section and the sum of the stop times at each preset position as the travel time for one revolution along the reverse circular route.

[0042] Next, assume that preset position A is set as the first, preset position B as the second, and preset position C as the third, as shown in Fig. 4, and furthermore, the round trip route icon 411 is selected. At this time, the setting unit 117 sets a route indicated by an arrow 506 such as "preset position A 501 ⇒ preset position B 502 ⇒ preset position C 503 ⇒ preset position B 502 ⇒ preset position A 501 ⇒ preset position B 502... (repeated below)" as shown in Fig. 5(b). Here, when playback is instructed by the user pressing the play / stop 412 in the setting window 400 displayed on the display 210, a control command including information on the playback instruction is transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the image capturing device 100. Then, the PTZ control unit 114 of the image capturing device 100 performs the following control in response to the acquisition of the control command. That is, the imaging range is controlled so as to travel back and forth along the route of the set arrow 506, with preset position A 501 (first preset position) as the start position and preset position C 503 (second preset position) as the turning back position, and pass through each preset position.

[0043] At this time, one revolution of the round trip route in FIG. 5B is a route starting from the preset position A501 and returning to the preset position A501 again, such as "preset position A ⇒ preset position B ⇒ preset position C ⇒ preset position B ⇒ preset position A". The travel time for one revolution of the round trip route by the calculation unit 118 is the same as the calculation of the travel time for one revolution of the normal loop route described above. That is, the calculation unit 118 calculates the travel time for each of the sections "preset position A ⇒ preset position B", "preset position B ⇒ preset position C", "preset position C ⇒ preset position B", and "preset position B ⇒ preset position A". If the stop time is not set, the calculation unit 118 calculates the sum of the travel times calculated in each section as the travel time for one revolution of the round trip route. If the stop time is set, the calculation unit 118 calculates the sum of the travel times calculated in each section and the sum of the stop times at each preset position on the route as the travel time for one revolution of the round trip route.

[0044] Next, a control process by the photographing device 100 in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow of Fig. 6. Note that the process of the flow shown in Fig. 6 is realized by the CPU 1100 of the photographing device 100 executing a computer program stored in the ROM 1120 of the photographing device 100.

[0045] In S601, the setting unit 117 registers a plurality of preset positions based on a user operation. Next, in S602, the setting unit 117 sets the order of each of the plurality of preset positions based on a user operation. Next, in S603, the setting unit 117 sets a forward loop route, a round trip route, and a reverse loop route based on the plurality of preset positions and the order of each preset position. Next, in S604, the setting unit 117 sets a stop time at each preset position based on a user operation that specifies a stop time for the setting window 400 displayed on the display 210. Note that information on the stop time specified in the stop time area 404 of the setting window 400 displayed on the display 210 is transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the imaging device 100 and recorded by the recording unit 115. Next, in S605, the setting unit 117 sets a speed that controls the shooting range in the section of each preset position based on a user operation that specifies speed information for the setting window 400 displayed on the display 210. Next, in S606, the setting unit 117 sets the acceleration in the section of each preset position based on a user operation to specify acceleration information in the setting window 400 displayed on the display 210. Next, in S607, the calculation unit 118 Based on the selected route, speed (pan / tilt speed, zoom speed), and acceleration (pan / tilt acceleration, zoom acceleration), the system control unit 113 calculates the time required to make one revolution around the shooting range along the selected route. Next, in S608, the system control unit 113 transmits information on the calculated movement time to the information processing device 200. The movement time included in the setting window 400 in FIG. (route time) As indicated by information 413, the display control unit 201 of the information processing device 200 displays information about the calculated travel time on the display 210.

[0046] As described above, in this embodiment, the travel time required to make one revolution around the shooting range on the selected route can be calculated and displayed.

[0047] (Embodiment 2) In this embodiment, the time required for one revolution when controlling the shooting range along the selected route is calculated. In particular, the time is calculated using an easing setting that indicates the degree of acceleration change at the start and end of movement when controlling the shooting range from a certain preset position to another preset position. Note that in this embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment are mainly described, and the same or equivalent components and processes as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0048] Furthermore, the setting unit 117 in this embodiment can set easing when controlling the shooting range from one preset position to another preset position. Now, the setting of easing will be described with reference to FIG.

[0049] FIG. 7 shows the change in acceleration. The vertical axis 700 shows the change speed of the pan value, and the horizontal axis 701 shows the movement distance of the preset at the pan value. Note that the position 702 on the horizontal axis 701 corresponds to the pan value at the preset position A shown in FIG. 5(a), and the position 703 on the horizontal axis 701 corresponds to the pan value at the preset position B502 shown in FIG. 5(a). The change positions 704 and 705 show the change points of the pan acceleration, and the speed 706 shows the speed set between the preset position A501 and the preset position B502 of the pan value. The movement starts from the preset position of the position 702, and the slope (i.e., the acceleration) is changed at the change position 704 of the acceleration after a certain distance. Also, when moving toward the position 703, the deceleration starts after a certain distance movement at the speed 706, and the acceleration is changed at the change point 705 of the acceleration. The user can set any value, for example, 1 to 2, as the easing setting, and the more values ​​are set, the more the change points of the acceleration described in FIG. 7 can be changed. Although the pan value has been described in FIG. 7, the same applies to the tilt value and the zoom value.

[0050] Next, referring to FIG. 8, a setting window generated by the system control unit 113 of the photographing device 100 is 800In this embodiment, the setting window information is generated by the system control unit 113 of the imaging device 100, but it may be generated by the system control unit 203 of the information processing device 200. The setting window generated by the system control unit 113 (or the system control unit 203) is displayed on the display 210 by the display control unit 201. When the setting window information is generated by the system control unit 113, the setting window information is transmitted to the information processing device 200 via the communication unit 116, and the display control unit 201 causes the setting window to be displayed on the display 210.

[0051] The setting window 800 in FIG. 8 includes information on easing setting 801 in addition to the information included in the setting window 400 described in FIG. 4. The user can input a desired value into the easing setting 801. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the easing setting is 1 in the "section between preset position A and preset position B", which indicates that there is no change point in acceleration. The easing setting is 2 in the "section between preset position B and preset position C" and the "section between preset position C and preset position A", which indicates that there is one change point in acceleration as shown in FIG. 7. The acceleration information specified in the acceleration setting area 407 and the acceleration derived from the numerical value specified in the easing setting will now be described with reference to FIG. 9. As shown in the table in FIG. 9(a), when the easing setting is 1, there is no change point in acceleration as shown in FIG. 7, so when the acceleration information is 1, the acceleration information 1 is output as it is. In the acceleration information 1, as shown in FIG. 9(b), 1 (degrees / s) is set as the pan / tilt acceleration. 2 ), zoom acceleration is 1 (% / s 2 8, when 1 is specified in the acceleration setting area 407 and 1 is specified in the easing setting for the "section between preset position A and preset position B", the following acceleration is set. That is, the setting unit 117 sets 1 (degrees / s) as the pan / tilt acceleration until the pan / tilt speed associated with the moving speed 10 is reached. 2), and the zoom acceleration until the zoom speed associated with the movement speed of 10 is reached is 1 (% / s 2 ) is set. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, when a moving speed of 20, acceleration information 2, and easing setting 2 are specified for the "section between preset position B and preset position C," the acceleration is derived for that section as follows. That is, the setting unit 117 derives acceleration information (2,3) from acceleration information 2 and easing setting 2 with reference to FIG. 9(a). The acceleration information (2,3) indicates that acceleration information 2 is applied up to acceleration change point 704, as shown in FIG. 7, and acceleration information 3 is applied from acceleration change point 704 to the specified speed 706. That is, in this case, the setting unit 117 sets 5 (degrees / s) as the pan / tilt acceleration corresponding to acceleration information 2 up to acceleration change point 704, as shown in FIG. 9(b). 2 ), zoom acceleration of 5(% / s 2 Furthermore, from the acceleration change point 704 to the specified speed 706, the setting unit 117 sets 10 (degrees / s) as the pan / tilt acceleration corresponding to the acceleration information 3, as shown in FIG. 2 ), zoom acceleration is 10(% / s 2 ) to set the

[0052] Next, the processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 10. Note that the processing of the flow shown in Fig. 10 is realized by the CPU 1100 of the photographing device 100 executing a computer program stored in the ROM 1120 of the photographing device 100.

[0053] Note that S601 to S606 are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 6, and therefore the description will be omitted. In S1001, the setting unit 117 sets easing between preset positions based on a user operation. In S1002, the calculation unit 118calculates the time required to make one revolution around the shooting range along the selected route based on the multiple preset positions, the order of the preset positions, the selected route, the stop time, the speed, the acceleration, and the easing setting. Next, in S608, the system control unit 113 transmits information on the calculated movement time to the information processing device 200. (8) Settings for Windows 400 (800) As shown in travel time information 413 included in the table, the display control unit 201 of the information processing device 200 displays the calculated travel time information on the display 210.

[0054] As described above, in this embodiment, the travel time required to make one revolution around the shooting range on the selected route can be calculated and displayed.

[0055] (Other embodiments) Next, a hardware configuration of the photographing device 100 for realizing each function of each embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. In the following description, the hardware configuration of the photographing device 100 will be described, but the information processing device 200 is also realized by a similar hardware configuration.

[0056] The imaging device 100 in this embodiment includes a CPU 1100 , a RAM 1110 , a ROM 1120 , a HDD 1130 , and an I / F 1140 .

[0057] The CPU 1100 is a central processing unit that controls the imaging device 100. The RAM 1110 temporarily stores computer programs executed by the CPU 1100. The RAM 1110 also provides a work area used when the CPU 1100 executes processing. The RAM 1110 also functions as, for example, a frame memory or a buffer memory.

[0058] The ROM 1120 stores programs and the like used by the CPU 1100 to control the image capturing apparatus 100. The HDD 1130 is a storage device that records image data and the like.

[0059] Interface 1140 communicates with external devices via a network 300 in accordance with TCP / IP, HTTP, or the like.

[0060] In the above-described embodiments, an example is described in which the CPU 1100 executes the processing, but at least a part of the processing of the CPU 1100 may be executed by dedicated hardware. For example, the processing of reading the program code from the ROM 1120 and loading it in the RAM 1110 may be executed by a DMA (DIRECT MEMORY ACCESS) functioning as a transfer device.

[0061] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which one or more processors read and execute a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-mentioned embodiments. The program may be supplied to a system or device having a processor via a network or a storage medium. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions of the above-mentioned embodiments. Each unit of the imaging device 100 is shown in FIG. 11 This may be realized by the hardware shown in FIG. 1, or may be realized by software.

[0062] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the above embodiments are merely examples of the embodiment of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by these. In other words, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the technical concept or main features of the present invention. For example, combinations of the respective embodiments are also included in the disclosure of this specification. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 100 Imaging Device 200 Information processing device 210 Display 220 Input Devices 300 Network

Claims

1. A generating means for generating information on a setting window in which a preset position of a photographing range of the photographing means can be set; an output means for outputting information of the setting window so as to display the setting window on a display; a setting unit for setting a plurality of preset positions and an order for each of the plurality of preset positions based on a user operation on the setting window; a calculation means for calculating a travel time required to move around the shooting range along a selected route, based on the plurality of preset positions set by the setting means, an order for each of the plurality of preset positions, and a route selected by a user from a plurality of routes for controlling the shooting range for the plurality of preset positions.

2. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of routes include a first route that controls a shooting range so as to rotate through each of the plurality of preset positions in a first direction, a second route that controls a shooting range so as to rotate back and forth with a first preset position among the plurality of preset positions as a start position and a second preset position among the plurality of preset positions as a return position, and a third route that controls a shooting range so as to rotate through each of the plurality of preset positions in a second direction different from the first direction.

3. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the calculation means further calculates the movement time based on information on a stop time set at each preset position.

4. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the calculation means further calculates the movement time based on information on a movement speed set for each preset position section.

5. a generating step of generating information on a setting window in which a preset position of a photographing range of the photographing means can be set; an output step of outputting information of the setting window to display the setting window on a display; a setting step of setting a plurality of preset positions and an order for each of the plurality of preset positions based on a user operation on the setting window; a calculation step of calculating a moving time required to make one revolution around the shooting range along a selected route based on the set preset positions, an order for each of the preset positions, and a route selected by a user from a plurality of routes for controlling the shooting range for the plurality of preset positions, the selected route being a moving time required to make one revolution around the shooting range along the selected route.

6. A computer program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Citation Information

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