Control device and control method thereof

Abstract

To make it possible to hold an imaging unit in a more stable posture during a period of power failure.SOLUTION: A control device controls an imaging apparatus having an imaging unit and a drive unit that changes the orientation of the imaging unit. The control device includes acquisition means for acquiring state information on an installation state of the imaging apparatus and control means for controlling the drive unit so that the orientation of the imaging unit is in a predetermined direction determined on the basis of the state information prior to turning off a power supply for the imaging apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for controlling the attitude of a camera. [Background technology]

[0002] Pan-tilt (PT) cameras are known that allow you to control the camera and view the images via a network, a dedicated line, a remote control, etc. PT cameras have a mechanism that allows them to rotate in the pan direction (horizontal direction) and tilt direction (vertical direction), and the shooting direction can be freely changed by user operation.

[0003] The pan drive unit for driving in the pan direction and the tilt drive unit for driving in the tilt direction can maintain the position (attitude) of the drive unit by energizing the motor when the power is turned on. When the power is turned off, the motor of the drive unit is de-energized and the position of the drive unit cannot be maintained. Therefore, if the holding position of the telescope tube (camera) is not the center of gravity of the telescope tube, the attitude of the telescope tube cannot be maintained when the power is turned off, and for example, the telescope tube may face vertically downward (in the direction of gravity). As a result, the drive mechanism may deteriorate when the telescope tube reaches the end of the movable range of the drive mechanism, or a collision sound may be heard, resulting in a decrease in quality.

[0004] Furthermore, if the focus lens or zoom lens inside the camera is not held when the power is turned off, the position of these lenses may shift due to vibration or impact, causing play in the lens drive mechanism, which may result in a deterioration in imaging performance. Therefore, Patent Document 1 proposes a method of driving the focus lens and zoom lens to a predetermined position that is resistant to vibration and impact before turning off the power. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-84211 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] According to the technique of Patent Document 1, for example, in a PT camera, it is possible to reduce deterioration of the drive mechanism by driving the tilt drive unit to the minimum position (negative end) of the movable range and then cutting off the power.

[0007] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, since the PT camera is driven to the same predetermined position regardless of its state, it may take a long time before the power is turned off. For example, if the position of the tilt drive unit before the power is turned off is near the maximum position (positive end) of the movable range, it will be driven to the negative end before the power is turned off, so the driving distance will be long and it will take a long time before the power is turned off. Also, if the negative end of the tilt drive unit does not match the vertical downward direction, the lens barrel will shake due to gravity when the power is turned off, resulting in a decrease in quality.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and has an object to provide a technique that enables a camera to be held in a more stable attitude during periods when the power is off. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the control device according to the present invention has the following configuration. That is, the control device controls an imaging device having an imaging unit and a drive unit that changes the orientation of the imaging unit, an acquisition means for acquiring status information relating to an installation status of the imaging device; The imaging device for Power off When the command is and controlling the driving unit so that the orientation of the imaging unit is in a predetermined direction determined based on the state information. and after the orientation of the imaging unit has reached the predetermined direction, power is turned off for the imaging device. and a control means for controlling the Have death, The predetermined direction is a direction in which the attitude of the imaging unit is stable with respect to gravity. . Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique that enables a camera to be held in a more stable attitude during a period when the power is turned off. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the PT camera. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the movable range of a PT camera. [Diagram 3] 5 is a flowchart showing a power-off process for the PT camera in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating the change in attitude of the PT camera before and after the power is turned off in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing the power-off process of the PT camera in the second embodiment. [Figure 6] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating the change in attitude of the PT camera before and after the power is turned off in the second embodiment. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing a power-off process for a PT camera in the third embodiment. [Figure 8] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating the change in attitude of the PT camera before and after the power is turned off in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] 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.

[0013] (First embodiment) As a first embodiment of a control device according to the present invention, the following will explain control when the power supply to a pan-tilt (PT) camera is turned off as an example.

[0014] <Device configuration> 1 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a PT camera 100. The PT camera 100 is connected in a state in which it can communicate with a client device (information processing device) (not shown) via a network 150. A user can transmit various camera control commands to the PT camera 100 via the client device.

[0015] The PT camera 100 comprises an imaging unit 101, a pan driving unit 102, a tilt driving unit 103, a processing control unit 109 (which internally comprises an image processing unit 104, a PT control unit 105, and a PT power supply disconnection unit 106), a system control unit 107, and a communication unit 108.

[0016] The imaging unit 101 is composed of imaging lenses including a focus lens, a zoom lens, and an imaging element, as well as a mechanical drive system and circuits that drive them. The imaging lens forms an image of a subject on the imaging element, and the imaging element generates an electrical signal that represents the subject image.

[0017] The pan driving unit 102 is composed of a mechanical driving system that performs panning, a motor as a driving source, a motor driver, etc., and is controlled by a PT control unit 105. A detailed configuration will be described later with reference to Fig. 2. The tilt driving unit 103 is composed of a mechanical driving system that performs tilting, a motor as a driving source, a motor driver, etc., and is controlled by a PT control unit 105. A detailed configuration will be described later with reference to Fig. 2.

[0018] The image processing unit 104 performs image processing such as noise removal and gamma correction on the electrical signal generated by the imaging unit 101 to generate image data and transmit it to the system control unit 107. The image processing unit 104 also processes instructions related to the imaging unit 101 received from the system control unit 107. For example, when an instruction to adjust image quality is received from the system control unit 107, the image processing unit 104 adjusts the image quality. When an instruction to change the zoom position or focus position is received from the system control unit 107, the image processing unit 104 controls the imaging unit 101 so that the focus lens or zoom lens is at the received position.

[0019] The PT control unit 105 processes instructions related to PT control received from the system control unit 107. For example, based on the instructions received from the system control unit 107, the PT control unit 105 controls the drive amount, speed, acceleration / deceleration of the pan driving unit 102 and the tilt driving unit 103, and performs initialization operations, etc.

[0020] The PT power supply cut-off unit 106 performs a process of cutting off the power supply to the pan driving unit 102 and the tilt driving unit 103. When the PT power supply cut-off unit 106 receives a power supply cut-off instruction from the system control unit 107, it issues an instruction to the PT control unit 105 to drive to a predetermined position. Then, after completing the drive to the predetermined position, it confirms that the pan driving unit 102 and the tilt driving unit 102 have stopped, and then cuts off the power supply to the pan driving unit 102 and the tilt driving unit 103. The predetermined position will be described in detail later.

[0021] The system control unit 107 controls the entire PT camera 100. The system control unit 107 distributes image data generated by the image processing unit 104 to a client device (not shown) via the communication unit 108. The system control unit 107 also analyzes a camera control command transmitted from a client device (not shown) via the communication unit 108, and transmits instructions of the analysis results to each unit in the processing control unit 109. For example, instructions related to image processing and the imaging unit 101 are transmitted to the image processing unit 104, and instructions related to PT control are transmitted to the PT control unit 105. Furthermore, when a transition command to a standby state is received, an instruction to enter the standby state is transmitted to the processing control unit 109, and when a return command from standby is received, an instruction to return is transmitted to the processing control unit 109.

[0022] A communication unit 108 receives a camera control command transmitted from a client device, and transmits it to a system control unit 107. In addition, the communication unit 108 transmits image data generated by the image processing unit 104 and a response to the camera control command to a client device (not shown).

[0023] It should be noted that the PT camera 100 in this embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 1. For example, the PT camera 100 may be provided with a video output terminal such as an SDI (Serial Digital Interface) or an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) (registered trademark), an audio input / output unit, or an external device input / output unit. The communication unit 110 may be connected either wired or wirelessly. Instead of being connected to the network 150, the communication unit 110 may be connected to another device via serial communication or the like.

[0024] 2 is a diagram illustrating the movable range of the PT camera 100. The PT camera 100 can be installed in an "upright" or "ceiling-suspended" manner.

[0025] Fig. 2(a) is a view of the attached PT camera 100 seen from above (tilt +90 degrees). Fig. 2(b) is a view from the side when installed upright, and Fig. 2(c) is a view from the side when installed suspended from the ceiling. In Fig. 2, the PT camera 100 is made up of a bottom case 201, a turntable 202, a camera head support 203, and a camera head 204. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the camera head support 203 supports the camera head 204 at a position rearward of the center of gravity of the camera head 204.

[0026] In the following, the operation of the PT movable part will be described by defining the vertical axis of the PT camera 100 as the vertical axis and the axis perpendicular to this as the horizontal axis. In Fig. 2(a), the clockwise direction around the vertical axis perpendicular to the paper surface is the positive (plus) direction of the pan angle, and the counterclockwise direction is the negative (minus) direction of the pan angle. In Fig. 2(b) and Fig. 2(c), the clockwise direction around the axis perpendicular to the paper surface is the positive direction of the tilt angle, and the counterclockwise direction is the negative direction of the tilt angle.

[0027] The pan driving unit 102 is composed of a bottom case 201 and a turntable 202, and the turntable 202 rotates in the horizontal direction around a vertical axis. The pan driving unit 102 of this embodiment can rotate in the pan direction from "-170 degrees" to "+170 degrees" around a given reference direction (0 degrees).

[0028] The tilt drive unit 103 is composed of a camera head support 203 and a camera head 204 provided on a turntable 202, and the camera head 204 rotates vertically around a horizontal axis. As described above, the PT camera 100 can be installed upright or suspended from a ceiling. When the tilt drive unit 103 of this embodiment is installed upright as shown in FIG. 2(b), it can rotate from "-30 degrees" diagonally downward to "+100 degrees" diagonally upward based on the horizontal direction (0 degrees). When the tilt drive unit 103 is installed suspended from a ceiling as shown in FIG. 2(c), it can rotate from "-100 degrees" diagonally downward to "+30 degrees" diagonally upward.

[0029] The angles shown in Figures 2(a) to (c) indicate angles that the user can instruct the PT camera 100 to, and the PT control unit 105 issues a drive instruction to the pan driving unit 102 or the tilt driving unit 103 based on the angle shown in Figure 2. For example, if the user instructs the tilt driving unit to be driven to the "+30 degrees" position upward when suspended from a ceiling as shown in Figure 2(c), the PT control unit 105 inverts the sign of the drive amount internally and instructs the tilt driving unit 103 to drive to "-30 degrees". In this way, the camera can be driven to the tilt end position (the "-30 degrees" position in Figure 2(b)) whether it is upright or suspended from a ceiling.

[0030] In this way, the PT camera 100 of this embodiment can change the shooting direction by rotating the orientation of the camera head 204 in the pan direction and tilt direction, and can shoot a wide range. Note that the PT camera 100 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 2. For example, it may be possible to drive 360 ​​degrees (endlessly) in the pan direction and / or tilt direction.

[0031] Incidentally, when camera head support 203 supports camera head 204 at the center of gravity of camera head 204, camera head 204 can maintain a horizontal position even when power to tilt drive unit 103 is cut off. However, when camera head support 203 supports camera head 204 behind the center of gravity of camera head 204, the front of camera head 204 will sink due to the effect of gravity when power to tilt drive unit 103 is cut off.

[0032] For example, when the projector is upright, the front part of the camera head 204 sinks to the negative end (the "-30 degrees" position in FIG. 2(b)). When the projector is suspended from the ceiling, the front part of the camera head 204 sinks directly downward (the "-90 degrees" position in FIG. 2(c)), which is the direction of gravity.

[0033] <Device Operation> Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the power-off process of the PT camera in the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a diagram explaining the change in the attitude of the PT camera before and after the power is turned off in the first embodiment. The power-off process of the PT camera is executed by the PT power-off unit 106.

[0034] In step S301, the PT power supply cutoff unit 106 starts the sequence of the flowchart. For example, the sequence is started when the system control unit 107 determines that power supply cutoff is necessary. For example, the sequence is called when switching the video output format in the image processing unit 104 or when updating firmware for the processing control unit 109. Switching the video output format is, for example, switching between NTSC (National Television System Committee) and PAL (Phase Alternation Line).

[0035] In S302, the PT power supply disconnection unit 106 acquires status information regarding the installation status of the PT camera 100. In this embodiment, it is assumed that when installing the PT camera 100, the user sets either "upright" or "suspended" in advance, and the PT power supply disconnection unit 106 acquires the setting value to acquire the status information. For example, if an acceleration sensor is mounted on the PT camera 100, the installation status (posture) may be determined from the acceleration sensor value. The status information is acquired, and if it is "upright", the process proceeds to S303, and if it is "suspended", the process proceeds to S304.

[0036] In S303, the PT power supply cutoff unit 106 transmits a command to the PT control unit 105 to drive the tilt drive unit 103 to the negative end (here, "-30 degrees").

[0037] FIG. 4(a) shows the change before and after power is cut off when the camera is in the upright position. Here, before S303 is executed, the tilt driver 103 is at the "0 degree" position. As described above, if the power to the pan driver 102 and the tilt driver 103 is cut off in this state, the front of the camera head 204 will sink to the "-30 degree" position due to the influence of gravity, and will collide with the end of the mechanical mechanism of the tilt driver 103. For this reason, by driving the camera head 204 to the "-30 degree" position, which is the lower end of the tilt movable range, before cutting off the power, it is possible to minimize the occurrence of collisions when the power is cut off.

[0038] In S304, the PT power cutoff unit 106 transmits a command to the PT control unit 105 to drive the tilt drive unit 103 to a position directly below ("-90 degrees").

[0039] Fig. 4(b) shows the changes before and after the power is turned off when the camera is suspended from the ceiling. Here, before S304 is executed, the tilt driver 103 is at the "0 degree" position. As described above, if the power to the pan driver 102 and the tilt driver 103 is turned off in this state, the front of the camera head 204 will sink to the "-90 degree" position due to the influence of gravity, causing the camera head to wobble. For this reason, by driving the camera head to the "-90 degree" position in advance and then turning off the power, it is possible to prevent the camera head 204 from shaking when the power is turned off.

[0040] In S305, the PT power cutoff unit 106 checks whether the tilt drive unit 103 driven in S303 or S304 has stopped. The check for drive stop may be made from an encoder if an encoder is installed, or from the value of the motor driver. If it is determined that the tilt drive unit 103 has stopped, the process proceeds to S306, and if it is determined that the tilt drive unit 103 has not stopped, S305 is repeated until it is determined that the tilt drive unit 103 has stopped.

[0041] In S306, the PT power cutoff unit 106 cuts off the power to the pan drive unit 102 and the tilt drive unit 103. By cutting off the power to the pan drive unit 102 and the tilt drive unit 103, the motors of each drive unit are also de-energized. If the processing of S303 or S304 is not performed, it is generally impossible to hold the camera head 204 in its current position. However, by performing the processing of S303 or S304 and moving the camera head 204 to a predetermined position in advance, it is possible to stabilize the attitude of the camera head 204 after the power is turned off.

[0042] In S307, the PT power supply cutoff unit 106 ends the sequence of the PT power supply cutoff unit 106 in this embodiment.

[0043] As described above, according to the first embodiment, before the power supply of the PT camera 100 is cut off, the camera head 204 is driven to a predetermined posture. At this time, the predetermined position to be the driving target of the tilt driving unit 103 is changed according to the installation form of the PT camera 100 (upright or suspended from the ceiling). By driving the tilt driving unit 103 to the predetermined position and then cutting off the power supply of the pan driving unit 102 and the tilt driving unit 103, it is possible to hold the camera head 204 in a more suitable state during the power-off period. That is, when the camera head 204 is upright, it is possible to prevent the camera head 204 from colliding with the edge, thereby reducing deterioration of the mechanical mechanism. Also, when the camera head 204 is suspended from the ceiling, it is possible to prevent the camera head 204 from shaking unsteadily, thereby improving the quality.

[0044] In the above description, the tilt drive unit 103 has been described, but the pan drive unit 102 may be configured to perform a similar operation. For example, when the PT camera 100 is installed on a wall, the control described above regarding the tilt drive unit 103 is also performed on the pan drive unit 102, so that the camera head 204 can be maintained in a more suitable state during the power-off period.

[0045] Also, for example, the power may be turned off after the pan driving unit 102 is driven to the plus end ("+170 degrees"), which is one of the ends of the pan movable range. In this way, it is possible to shorten the time required to initialize the pan driving unit 102. In other words, if a sensor (such as a photointerrupter) for setting the reference position is installed near the plus end, the reference position can be set more quickly during initialization the next time the device is started up.

[0046] Second embodiment In the second embodiment, a configuration for changing the predetermined position based on the angle of the tilt drive unit 103 before the power is turned off will be described. The functional blocks of the PT camera and the movable range of the PT camera are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the description will be omitted. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0047] <Device Operation> Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the power-off process of the PT camera in the second embodiment. Fig. 6 is a diagram explaining the change in the attitude of the PT camera before and after the power-off in the second embodiment. Note that the same steps as those in Fig. 3 are given the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 3, and the explanation will be omitted.

[0048] In S501, the PT power supply cutoff unit 106 starts the sequence of the flowchart. Then, if the installation position is "upright" in S302, the process proceeds to S502.

[0049] In S502, the PT power supply disconnection unit 106 acquires the current angle of the tilt drive unit 103 and compares it with the threshold. The threshold is the central angle of the movable range of the tilt drive unit 103. For example, in this embodiment, since the tilt drive unit 103 can be driven from "-30 degrees" to "+100 degrees", the central angle of the movable range can be calculated as (100-(-30))÷2+(-30)=+35, and the threshold is "+35 degrees". The current angle is compared with the threshold in order to confirm whether the current angle is located above or below the central angle. Here, it is assumed that the current angle is acquired from the number of motor steps of the tilt drive unit 103 managed inside the PT control unit 105, but if an encoder is installed, the current angle may be acquired directly from the encoder. If the acquired current angle is less than the threshold ("+35 degrees"), the process proceeds to S303, and if it is equal to or greater than the threshold, the process proceeds to S503.

[0050] In S503, since it is determined in S502 that the current angle is above the central angle which is the threshold value, the PT power supply cutoff unit 106 drives the tilt drive unit 103 to the position of 100 degrees which is the plus end of the tilt drive unit 103.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, if the current angle of the tilt drive unit before power is turned off is "+70 degrees," it is necessary to drive it in the negative direction by about 100 degrees to drive it to the negative end position. On the other hand, to drive it to the positive end, it is only necessary to drive it in the positive direction by about 30 degrees. In other words, since the amount of drive is less when driving to the positive end than when driving to the negative end, the drive time is shorter and it is possible to shorten the time until the power is turned off. Furthermore, when driving to the positive end, the camera head 204 is supported by the positive end of the drive mechanism even when the power is turned off, so it is possible to stabilize the posture of the camera head 204 after the power is turned off.

[0052] In S504, the PT power supply cutoff unit 106 ends the sequence of the PT power supply cutoff unit 106 in this embodiment.

[0053] As described above, according to the second embodiment, before the power supply to the PT camera 100 is cut off, the camera head 204 is driven to a predetermined attitude. At this time, the predetermined position to be the drive target of the tilt drive unit 103 is changed according to the current angle of the tilt drive unit. In particular, the predetermined position with the least amount of drive is determined according to the current angle of the tilt drive unit. By performing such control, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to hold the camera head 204 in a more suitable state during the power-off period and to shorten the time it takes to cut off the power supply.

[0054] Third embodiment In the third embodiment, a case will be described in which the PT camera 100 is installed not on a horizontal surface but on an inclined surface. The functional blocks of the PT camera and the movable range of the PT camera are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described. The following description will focus on the differences from the first and second embodiments.

[0055] <Device Operation> Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the power-off process of the PT camera in the third embodiment, and Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining the change in the attitude of the PT camera before and after the power is turned off in the third embodiment.

[0056] In S701, the PT power supply disconnection unit 106 starts the sequence of the flowchart. In S702, the PT power supply disconnection unit 106 acquires the installation angle of the PT camera 100. Here, the installation angle is an angle indicating the inclination from the horizontal plane of the place where the PT camera 100 is installed. The installation angle may be configured such that the user sets an angle value in the PT camera 100, or if an acceleration sensor is installed, the angle may be calculated from the output of the acceleration sensor. After acquiring the installation angle, the process proceeds to S703. Note that instead of acquiring the installation angle within the flowchart of FIG. 7, the installation angle may be acquired when the PT camera 100 is started or when the user sets it.

[0057] In S703, the PT power disconnection unit 106 acquires the shooting angle of the camera head 204 based on the installation angle acquired in S702 and the current angle of the tilt driving unit 103. Here, the shooting angle is an angle indicating the tilt direction with the horizontal plane as the reference (0 degrees).

[0058] For example, if the ceiling is tilted as shown in Fig. 8(a) (installation angle is "-15 degrees") and the current tilt angle is "-15 degrees", the shooting angle will be calculated as "shooting angle = current angle - installation angle" to be "0 degrees". Also, if the ceiling is tilted as shown in Fig. 8(b) (installation angle is "+15 degrees") and the current tilt angle is "+15 degrees", the shooting angle will be calculated as "shooting angle = current angle - installation angle" to be "0 degrees".

[0059] In S704, the PT power cutoff unit 106 judges whether or not the tilt drive unit 103 can be driven until the shooting angle becomes "-90 degrees" (i.e., vertically downward). The tilt angle can be calculated from "shooting angle + installation angle." If it is judged that it can be driven (for example, FIG. 8(b)), the process proceeds to S705, and if it is judged that it cannot be driven (for example, FIG. 8(a)), the process proceeds to S706.

[0060] For example, when the installation angle is "-15 degrees" as shown in Fig. 8(a), the tilt angle at which the shooting angle becomes "-90 degrees" can be calculated to be "-105 degrees". However, as described above, the movable range of tilt driving unit 103 in this embodiment is from "-100 degrees" to "+30 degrees" when suspended from the ceiling, so the tilt angle cannot be driven to "-105 degrees". Therefore, PT power disconnection unit 106 determines that tilt driving unit 103 cannot be driven until the shooting angle becomes "-90 degrees".

[0061] On the other hand, when the installation angle is "+15 degrees" as shown in Fig. 8(b), the tilt angle at which the imaging angle becomes "-90 degrees" can be calculated as "-75 degrees". Therefore, the PT power supply disconnection unit 106 determines that the tilt driving unit 103 can be driven until the imaging angle becomes "-90 degrees".

[0062] In S705, the PT power cutoff unit 106 drives the camera to a tilt angle (here, "-75 degrees") at which the imaging angle becomes "-90 degrees".

[0063] In S706, the PT power cutoff unit 106 drives the tilt drive unit 103 to the negative end (here, the tilt angle is "-100 degrees"). This is because the attitude of the camera head 204 after power cut can be stabilized at the negative end of the tilt drive unit 103. At this time, the shooting angle is "-85 degrees".

[0064] In S707, the PT power supply cutoff unit 106 ends the sequence of the PT power supply cutoff unit 106 in this embodiment.

[0065] As described above, according to the third embodiment, before the power supply of the PT camera 100 is cut off, the camera head 204 is driven to a predetermined attitude. At this time, the predetermined position of the camera head 204 is changed based on the installation angle of the PT camera 100 (the inclination from the horizontal plane of the installation location) and the movable range of the tilt drive unit 103. By performing such control, it is possible to hold the camera head 204 in a more suitable state during the power-off period, and to suitably determine a position within the movable range of the tilt drive unit 103.

[0066] (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.

[0067] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 100 PT camera; 101 imaging section; 102 pan drive section; 103 tilt drive section; 104 image processing section; 105 PT control section; 106 PT power cut-off section; 107 system control section; 108 communication section; 109 processing control section

Claims

1. A control device for controlling an imaging device having an imaging unit and a drive unit that changes the orientation of the imaging unit, an acquisition means for acquiring status information relating to an installation status of the imaging device; a control means for controlling, when an instruction to turn off the power supply to the imaging device is received, the drive unit so that the orientation of the imaging unit becomes a predetermined direction determined based on the state information, and for turning off the power supply to the imaging device after the orientation of the imaging unit becomes the predetermined direction; having The predetermined direction is a direction in which the attitude of the imaging unit is stable with respect to gravity. A control device comprising:

2. The predetermined direction is a direction within a movable range of the drive unit. The control device according to claim 1 .

3. The drive unit is A pan driving unit that drives the imaging unit in a pan direction; A tilt driving unit that drives the imaging unit in a tilt direction; Includes 3. The control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the state information is information indicating whether the imaging device is installed upright or suspended from a ceiling, When the state information indicates that the imaging device is installed in an upright position, the predetermined direction is a direction determined by one of the ends of a tilt movable range of the tilt drive unit, When the state information indicates that the imaging device is installed on a ceiling, the predetermined direction is a direction in which the imaging unit faces vertically downward.

4. The control device according to claim 3.

5. The predetermined direction is further a direction determined by one of the ends of the pan movable range of the pan drive unit.

5. The control device according to claim 4.

6. The state information further includes information on a current angle of the tilt drive unit, When the state information indicates that the imaging device is installed in an upright position and both ends of the tilt movable range of the tilt drive unit are in directions in which the posture of the imaging unit is stable with respect to gravity, the predetermined direction is a direction determined by one of the tilt movable range ends whose difference from the current angle is smaller.

6. The control device according to claim 4 or 5.

7. When the state information indicates that the imaging device is installed on a ceiling and the tilt drive unit cannot be driven to a given tilt angle that causes the imaging unit to face vertically downward, the predetermined direction is a direction determined by the end of the tilt movable range of the tilt drive unit that has a smaller difference from the given tilt angle.

7. The control device according to claim 4, wherein the control device is a control unit.

8. the state information further includes information on an installation angle indicating an inclination of a place where the imaging device is installed from a horizontal plane, Whether or not the tilt drive unit can be driven to the given tilt angle is determined based on the movable range of the tilt drive unit and the installation angle. The control device according to claim 7 .

9. A method for controlling an imaging device having an imaging unit and a drive unit that changes the orientation of the imaging unit, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring status information relating to an installation status of the imaging device; a control step of controlling, when an instruction to turn off the power supply to the imaging device is received, the drive unit so that the orientation of the imaging unit becomes a predetermined direction determined based on the state information, and turning off the power supply to the imaging device after the orientation of the imaging unit becomes the predetermined direction; Including, The predetermined direction is a direction in which the attitude of the imaging unit is stable with respect to gravity. A control method comprising:

10. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 9.

Images