Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technology that enables a user to grasp in advance whether a target imaging range can be reached from a current imaging range within a specified travel time.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes receiving means for receiving user operation for specifying a target imaging range, which is an imaging range to be reached by imaging means for capturing an image, and user operation for specifying a travel time, which is a time required to reach the target imaging range from the current imaging range of the imaging means, and display control means for causing display means to display information indicating the comparison result of a required time, which is a time calculated on the basis of the current imaging range and the target imaging range of the imaging means, which is a time required to reach the target imaging range from the current imaging range with the movement time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is a technique for changing the imaging range of an imaging device that captures an image by changing the imaging direction or angle of view. In an imaging device that can change the imaging range, the imaging range can be changed by changing the pan-tilt-zoom (hereinafter, referred to as PTZ).

[0003] In addition, there is a shot operation as a function for controlling the imaging device. In the shot operation, a target imaging range, which is an imaging range to be reached, and a travel time to the target imaging range are specified, and the PTZ of the imaging device is driven from the current imaging range to the specified target imaging range, and the target imaging range is reached within the specified travel time.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a shot operation method for controlling the pan, tilt, and zoom of an imaging device so that the imaging device reaches a destination position from a current position within a time designated by a user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-282069 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in Patent Document 1, whether or not it is possible to reach the target imaging range from the current imaging range within the designated movement time cannot be known until the user actually executes a shot operation.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables a user to know in advance whether it is possible to reach the target imaging range from the current imaging range within a specified travel time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the information processing device of the present invention has the following arrangement. The imaging range can be changed by changing at least one of pan, tilt, and zoom. A user operation for specifying a target imaging range which is an imaging range to be reached by the imaging means; ,before The imaging means Current The imaging device includes a receiving means for receiving a user operation for designating a travel time, which is a time required to reach the target imaging range from an imaging range, and a display control means for displaying information on a display means indicating a comparison result between a required time, which is a time required to reach the target imaging range from the imaging range, and the travel time, the required time being calculated based on a current imaging range of the imaging means and the target imaging range. death, When any one of the panning time, the tilting time, and the zooming time is longer than the movement time, the display control means displays information of the imaging means corresponding to the required time longer than the movement time. 23. An information processing device comprising: Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique that allows a user to know in advance whether it is possible to reach the target imaging range from the current imaging range within a specified travel time. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an external view of an imaging device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a setting screen for a shot action. [Diagram 5] 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of a setting process and a calculation process. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a setting screen for a shot action. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of each device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] 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.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of this embodiment. The system of this embodiment includes an image capturing device 100, an information processing device 200, a display 210, and a network 300.

[0013] The imaging 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).

[0014] 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.

[0015] The imaging device 100 is a device for capturing an image, and functions as an imaging unit capable of changing the imaging range. The imaging device 100 transmits image data of the captured image, information on the imaging date and time when the image was captured, identification information for identifying the imaging device 100, and information on the imaging range of the imaging 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 function of the processing described later is installed. Note that, in the system according to the present embodiment, the imaging device 100 is one, but may be multiple. That is, multiple imaging devices 100 may be connected to the information processing device 200 via the network 300. In this case, the information processing device 200 determines which of the multiple imaging devices 100 captured the transmitted image, for example, by using identification information associated with the transmitted image.

[0016] 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 (High Definition Multimedia Interface) (registered trademark). The display 210 and the information processing device 200 may be provided in a single housing.

[0017] 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 a functional block 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 functions of the image processing unit 112, the system control unit 113, the pan-tilt-zoom control unit 114, the storage unit 115, the communication unit 116, etc. are realized as follows. That is, they are realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 700 of the imaging device 100 executing a computer program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 720 of the imaging device 100, which will be described later with reference to Fig. 7.

[0018] The direction in which the optical axis of the lens 101 faces is the imaging direction of the imaging device 100, and a light beam that passes through the lens 101 forms an image on an imaging element of an imaging section 111 of the imaging device 100. In addition, the lens driving section 102 is configured with a drive system that drives the lens 101, and changes the focal length of the lens 101. The lens driving section 102 is controlled by a pan-tilt-zoom control section 114.

[0019] The pan driving unit 103 is composed of a mechanical driving system that performs panning and a motor that is a driving source, and drives to perform control to perform rotational driving for rotating the imaging direction of the imaging device 100 in a pan direction 105. The pan driving unit 103 is also controlled by a pan-tilt-zoom control unit 114.

[0020] The tilt driving unit 104 is composed of a mechanism driving the tilt operation and a motor of a driving source, and drives to control rotation driving for rotating the imaging direction of the imaging device 100 in a tilt direction 106. The tilt driving unit 104 is controlled by a pan-tilt-zoom control unit 114.

[0021] 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 a process of converting the electric signal photoelectrically converted in the imaging unit 111 into a digital signal and a compression encoding process to generate image data.

[0022] The pan-tilt-zoom 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 imaging device 100.

[0023] The storage unit 115 stores (holds) information indicating, for example, an imaging range. The communication unit 116 communicates with the information processing device 200 via an I / F 740, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 7. For example, the communication unit 116 transmits image data of an image captured by the imaging device 100 to the information processing device 200 via the network 300. The communication unit 116 also transmits information indicating the current imaging range of the imaging device 100. The communication unit 116 also receives a control command, which is a command for controlling the imaging device 100 transmitted from the information processing device 200, and transfers it to the system control unit 113.

[0024] The system control unit 113 controls the entire imaging device 100 according to processing executed by the CPU 700, which will be described later with reference to Fig. 7, and performs, for example, the following processing. That is, the system control unit 113 analyzes a control command for controlling the imaging device 100 transmitted from the information processing device 200, and performs processing according to the control command. The system control unit 113 also instructs the pan-tilt-zoom control unit 114 to perform a pan-tilt-zoom operation. 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 imaging time when the image data was captured and information on the imaging range to the image data.

[0025] The imaging range in this embodiment is determined by the pan value, tilt value, and zoom value of the imaging device 100. The pan value is the angle of the imaging direction (optical axis) in the pan direction 105 of the imaging device 100 when one of the drive ends of the pan drive unit 103 is set to 0°. The tilt value is the angle of the imaging direction (optical axis) in the tilt direction 106 of the imaging device 100 when one of the drive ends of the tilt drive unit 104 is set to 0°. The zoom value of the imaging device 100 when an image is captured by the imaging device 100 is calculated from the focal length of the lens 101.

[0026] The system control unit 113 also executes processing related to a shot operation, which will be described later. For example, the system control unit 113 calculates parameters for realizing a shot operation from the current imaging range and a target imaging range, which is an imaging range to be reached, and further calculates a required time for the shot operation. At this time, the system control unit 113 calculates the difference (driving amount) between the current imaging range of the imaging device 100 and the target imaging range of the shot operation for each of the pan value / tilt value / zoom value. Furthermore, the system control unit 113 calculates the following parameters when driving the pan tilt zoom from the current imaging range to the target imaging range. That is, the system control unit 113 calculates a pan required time, which is the time required to drive the pan, a tilt required time, which is the time required to drive the tilt, and a zoom required time, which is the time required to control the zoom. Then, the system control unit 113 calculates the largest value of the pan required time, the tilt required time, and the zoom required time as the required time to reach the target imaging range.

[0027] Next, 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 720 and a CPU 700, which will be described later with reference to Fig. 7. That is, each function shown in Fig. 3 is realized by the CPU 700 of the information processing device 200 executing a computer program stored in the ROM 720 of the information processing device 200.

[0028] The display control unit 201 causes the display 210 to display an image captured by the imaging device 100 and a setting screen related to a shot operation. The operation receiving unit 202 receives information on an operation by a user via an input device (not shown) such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel. The input unit assumes a button, a mouse, a joystick, or the like, and receives various operations by users. Here, for example, the display control unit 201 causes the display 210 to display a setting screen for setting a shot operation, and the operation receiving unit 202 receives information on a user operation on the setting screen displayed on the display 210. The system control unit 203 transmits a control command to the remote camera via the communication unit 204 in response to the user's operation.

[0029] The communication unit 204 transmits various setting commands and control commands for the imaging device 100 transmitted from the system control unit 203 to the imaging device 100 via an I / F 740 described later with reference to Fig. 7. The communication unit 204 also receives image data transmitted from the imaging device 100 and responses from the imaging device 100 to commands transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the imaging device 100, and transmits them to the system control unit 203. The storage unit 205 also stores information related to the shot operation, images acquired by the communication unit 204, and the like.

[0030] The system control unit 203 generates various setting commands and control commands based on the user operation received by the operation receiving unit 202 , and transmits them to the imaging device 100 via the communication unit 204 .

[0031] Here, referring to FIG. 4, an example of a user interface when performing a shot operation is shown. The setting screen 401 shown in FIG. 4 is a screen displayed on the display 210 by the display control unit 201, and is a screen that accepts a user operation for setting the shot operation. The setting screen 401 in this embodiment has a function of registering a shot number associated with the setting of a target imaging range, and a function of executing a shot operation. As a function of registering a shot number, the user controls at least one of the pan, tilt, and zoom of the imaging device 110 to control the imaging range, controls it to a desired imaging range, and then inputs a shot number in the shot number registration 402 and presses the registration button 403. At this time, the information of the shot number input in the shot number registration 402 is transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the imaging device 100. Then, the imaging device 100 stores the current imaging range as a target imaging range of the shot operation in the storage unit 115 in association with the value of the shot number input in the shot number registration 402. Note that, as the information of the target imaging range to be stored, information of the pan value, tilt value, and zoom value indicating the target imaging range is held. The storage unit 205 of the information processing device 200 may also store the input shot number and the information on the target imaging range in association with each other.

[0032] As a function of executing a shot action on the setting screen 401, the following process is performed. That is, the operation reception unit 202 receives a user operation of selecting one number in shot number selection 404 from among the numbers already registered via shot number registration 402, and further receives a user operation of specifying a movement time in shot time input 405. When a user operation of pressing an execute button 406 is received here, the information processing device 200 transmits information on the shot number selected in shot number selection 404 and information on the movement time specified in shot time input 405 to the imaging device 100. The imaging device 100 performs a shot action at the movement time specified for the shot action according to the information transmitted by the information processing device 200.

[0033] Next, a process related to a shot operation according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow shown in Fig. 5. The processes of S501 to S510 shown in Fig. 5 are executed by the information processing device 200. The processes of S501 to S510 are executed by the functional blocks shown in Fig. 3 which are realized by the CPU 700 of the information processing device 200 executing a computer program stored in the ROM 720 of the information processing device 200. The processes of S511 to S518 are executed by the imaging device 100, and are realized by the functional blocks shown in Fig. 3 which are realized by the CPU 700 of the imaging device 100 executing a computer program stored in the ROM 720 of the imaging device 100.

[0034] Here, first, in S501, the system control unit 203 determines whether a shot number in a shot operation has been newly registered. If it has not been newly registered, the process proceeds to S503. If it has been newly registered, the process proceeds to S502. At this time, as described with reference to FIG. 3, if the operation reception unit 202 receives a user operation in which a shot number is input in the shot number registration 402 and the registration button 403 is pressed, the process proceeds to S502, assuming that a new shot number has been registered. Then, in S502, information on the shot number is transmitted to the imaging device 100. The imaging device 100 stores the current imaging range as a target imaging range in association with the transmitted information on the shot number. Note that, in a case where information on the imaging range of the imaging device 100 is transmitted to the information processing device 100 at any time together with a captured image, the following process may be executed in S502. That is, in S502, the system control unit 113 may transmit information on the shot number and information on the imaging range at the time when the shot number is registered to the imaging device. At this time, the imaging device 100 records the transmitted information on the imaging range as a target imaging range associated with the transmitted shot number. Here, the imaging device 100 stores information on the pan value / tilt value / zoom value in the target imaging range in the storage unit 115 in association with the transmitted number. Note that in the process of S502, a plurality of target imaging ranges may be registered, and for each of the registered plurality of shot numbers, the shot number and information on the pan value / tilt value / zoom value of the target imaging range associated with the shot number are stored in the storage unit 115.

[0035] In S503, the operation reception unit 202 receives a user operation to select a shot number of a target imaging range when performing a shot operation from among the registered shot numbers in the shot number selection 404. Then, in S504, the operation reception unit 202 receives a user operation to specify a movement time in the shot operation in the shot time input 405. Note that the order of the processes in S503 and S504 is not limited to this, and an operation to select a shot number may be performed after the movement time in the shot operation is specified. Next, in S505, the information processing device 200 obtains information on the required time required to realize a shot operation that reaches the target imaging range associated with the shot number specified in S503. At this time, the information processing device 200 transmits an HTTP request to the imaging device 100 to obtain the required time to realize the shot operation of the specified shot number, for example, and obtains the information on the required time transmitted from the imaging device 100 as an HTTP response. In this embodiment, the required time is the time required to move from the current imaging range of the imaging device 100 to the target imaging range corresponding to the selected shot number when the pan, tilt, and zoom of the imaging device 100 are driven at the fastest speed.

[0036] Next, in S506, the system control unit 203 of the information processing device 100 compares the required time acquired in S505 required to reach the target imaging range corresponding to the selected shot number with the movement time designated by the user in S504. Next, in S507, the display control unit 201 displays information of the comparison result in S506. For example, assume that the required time required to reach the target imaging range corresponding to the shot number designated in S503 from the current imaging range is 10 seconds, and the movement time designated in S504 is 8 seconds. At this time, since the required time is longer than the designated movement time, in S404, the display control unit 201 displays information (message, etc.) indicating that the shot operation cannot be realized with the designated movement time. Also, if the required time acquired in S505 is 10 seconds and the movement time designated in S504 is 12 seconds, since the required time is shorter than the designated movement time, information (message, etc.) indicating that the shot operation can be realized with the designated movement time is displayed. Next, in S508, the system control unit 203 determines whether the setting value related to the shot operation has been changed. Here, for example, if the operation reception unit 202 receives an operation to change the moving time specified in the shot time input 405, the system control unit 113 determines in S508 that the setting value has been changed, and transitions to S509. In S509, the system control unit 203 changes the setting value. For example, if the operation reception unit 202 receives an operation to change the moving time specified in the shot time input 405, the system control unit 203 changes the moving time to a changed value. Next, in S510, if the operation reception unit 202 receives a user operation to press the execute button 406, the communication unit 204 transmits information on the shot number selected in S503 and information on the moving time specified in S504 to the imaging device 100. The imaging device 100 performs the shot operation according to the transmitted information.

[0037] Here, the calculation process of the required time of the imaging device will be described with reference to S511 to S518. In S511, the system control unit 113 determines whether or not a new shot number has been registered by the information processing device 200. For example, when the information of the shot number is transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the imaging device 100 by the process of S502, in S511, the system control unit 113 determines that the shot number has been newly registered (Yes in S511), and transitions to S513. In S513, the system control unit 113 stores the imaging range at the time when the shot number is registered as the target imaging range in the storage unit 115 in association with the newly registered shot number information. In S511, if the shot number has not been newly registered (No in S511), transitions to S512. In S512, the system control unit 113 obtains information of the current imaging range, that is, information of the current pan value, tilt value, and zoom value, and determines whether at least one of the pan-tilt-zoom has been changed. If it has been changed (Yes in S512), the process proceeds to S513, and if it has not been changed (No in S512), the process proceeds to S517. Also, if at least one of the pan, tilt, and zoom is being changed when it is determined in S512, it may be determined in S512 that it has not been changed (No in S512) until it is stopped, and the process may proceed to S518.

[0038] In S514, the system control unit 113 acquires information on the pan value, tilt value, and zoom value in the target imaging range from the storage unit 115 as information on the target imaging range corresponding to the shot number already registered. At this time, the system control unit 113 may acquire only information on the target imaging range corresponding to the shot number newly registered in S513 from the storage unit 115. Alternatively, the system control unit 113 may acquire information on the target imaging range for each of all registered shot numbers. For example, assume that the first shot number and information on the first target imaging range corresponding to the first shot number, and the second shot number and information on the second target imaging range corresponding to the second shot number are stored in the storage unit 113. At this time, in S514, the system control unit 113 may acquire information on the first target imaging range corresponding to the first shot number and information on the second target imaging range corresponding to the second shot number.

[0039] Next, in S515, the system control unit 113 calculates the driving amount required to reach the target imaging range for each of pan, tilt, and zoom based on the target imaging range acquired in S514 and the current imaging range of the imaging device 100. Here, if the pan value in the current imaging range is 30 degrees and the pan value in the target imaging range is −150 degrees, the system control unit 113 calculates the driving amount in the pan driving unit 103 as 180 degrees. If the tilt value in the current imaging range is 0 degrees and the tilt value in the target imaging range is 40 degrees, the system control unit 113 calculates the driving amount in the tilt driving unit 104 as 40 degrees. If the zoom value in the current imaging range is 20 degrees and the zoom value in the target imaging range is 50 degrees, the system control unit 113 calculates the driving amount in the lens driving unit 102 as 30 degrees.

[0040] Next, in S516, the system control unit 113 calculates the time required for each of the pan, tilt, and zoom to reach the target imaging range based on the drive amount of each of the pan, tilt, and zoom drive systems calculated in S515 and the maximum speed specified for each of the pan, tilt, and zoom drive systems. For example, assume that the drive amount of the pan drive unit 103 calculated in S515 is 180 degrees and the maximum speed specified for the pan drive unit 103 is 30 degrees / second. In this case, the system control unit 113 calculates that the time required from the current imaging range to the target imaging range in the pan direction 105 (pan required time) is 6 seconds when the pan drive unit 103 is driven at the maximum speed. Similarly, assume that the drive amount of the tilt drive unit 104 is 40 degrees and the maximum speed specified for the tilt drive unit 104 is 20 degrees / second. At this time, system control unit 113 calculates that the time required to move from the current imaging range to the target imaging range in tilt direction 106 (tilt required time) is 2 seconds when tilt driving unit 104 is driven at the highest speed. Similarly, it is assumed that the driving amount in lens driving unit 102 is 30 degrees, and the maximum speed specified for lens driving unit 102 is 15 degrees / second. At this time, system control unit 113 calculates that the time required to move from the current imaging range to the target imaging range in zoom (zoom required time) is 2 seconds when lens driving unit 102 is driven at the highest speed.

[0041] In S517, the system control unit 113 calculates the longest required time among the pan required time, tilt required time, and zoom required time calculated in S516 as the required time required from the current imaging range to the target imaging range in the shot operation. In the shot operation, each driving system is started and ended simultaneously in parallel, so the required time required from the current imaging range to the target imaging range is calculated according to the driving system with the longest required time. Here, for example, a case is assumed in which the pan required time is 6 seconds, the tilt required time is 2 seconds, and the zoom required time is 2 seconds. In this case, the system control unit 113 calculates the required time of the shot operation from the current imaging range to the target imaging range as 6 seconds, and transmits the calculated information of the required time in the shot operation to the information processing device 100 in association with the shot number of the target imaging range. Note that in the explanation of S515 to S517 so far, the case of calculating the required time of the shot operation from the current imaging range to a certain target imaging range has been explained. However, when a plurality of different target imaging ranges are acquired in S514, the process of S515 to S517 is executed for each of the plurality of different target imaging ranges, and the time required for the shot operation from the current imaging range to each of the plurality of different target imaging ranges is calculated. For example, assume that information on the first target imaging range and the second target imaging range is acquired in S514. At this time, the system control unit 113 calculates the time required for the shot operation from the current imaging range to the first target imaging range, and the time required for the shot operation from the current imaging range to the second target imaging range. At this time, the system control unit 113 controls the communication unit 116 to associate the time required for the shot operation to the first target imaging range with the first shot number corresponding to the first target imaging range and transmit them to the information processing device 200. The system control unit 113 also controls the communication unit 116 to associate the time required for the shot operation to the first target imaging range with the first shot number corresponding to the first target imaging range and transmit them to the information processing device 200. Then, as described above, in S505, the system control unit 203 of the information processing device 200 acquires, from the information received from the imaging device 100, the required time corresponding to the shot number designated by the user in S503.The processes from S515 to S517 may be executed only for the target imaging range corresponding to the shot number selected by the user in S503. That is, in response to the shot number selected by the user in S503, information on the shot number is transmitted to imaging device 100. Then, the processes from S515 to S517 may be configured to calculate the time required for the shot operation only for the target imaging range corresponding to the transmitted shot number.

[0042] Next, in S518, the system control unit 113 waits for a certain period of time before transitioning to S511. The waiting time may be set in consideration of the load and responsiveness of the camera, or may be set by the user.

[0043] Here, with reference to FIG. 6, the information of the comparison result displayed by the display control unit 201 in S507 will be described. Here, it is assumed that the moving time input in the shot time input 405 is "5 seconds" and the required time to the target imaging range corresponding to the shot number "3" selected in the shot number selection 404 is "6 seconds". In this case, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the display control unit 201 displays information 601 indicating that the shot operation cannot be performed with the moving time input in the shot time input 405. Also, at this time, the display control unit 201 may display information indicating the cause of the shot operation not being able to be performed with the designated moving time, as shown in FIG. 6(a). In this case, not only the information of the required time "6 seconds" to the target imaging range corresponding to the shot number "3", but also information on the pan required time, tilt required time, and zoom required time in the target imaging range are transmitted from the imaging device 100 to the information processing device 200. The system control unit 203 of the information processing device 200 compares the designated moving time with each of the pan required time, tilt required time, and zoom required time. Then, based on the result of the comparison, the system control unit 203 identifies the required time of the drive system that exceeds the travel time, and determines that the identified drive system is a factor that prevents the shot operation from being performed within the travel time. For example, if the pan required time exceeds the designated travel time, the system control unit 203 identifies the drive system as a factor that prevents the pan drive unit 103 from performing the shot operation within the travel time. Then, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the display control unit 201 displays information indicating pan drive as a factor that prevents the shot operation from being performed within the designated travel time. Note that, if the required time to reach the target imaging range is longer than the designated travel time, the shot operation cannot be completed within the travel time. Therefore, the display control unit 201 may gray out the execution button 406, and the system control unit 203 may not accept the execution of the shot operation.

[0044] Here, it is assumed that the moving time input in the shot time input 405 is "10 seconds" and the time required to reach the target imaging range corresponding to the shot number "3" selected in the shot number selection 404 is "6 seconds". At this time, in S507, the display control unit 201 displays information 602 indicating that a shot operation can be performed to the target imaging range within the specified moving time, as shown in FIG. 6(b). At this time, when the execute button 406 is pressed by the user, the system control unit 113 transmits information of the specified moving time "10" seconds and information of the shot number "3" selected in the shot number selection 404 to the imaging device 100. Then, the imaging device 100 performs a shot operation to reach the target imaging range corresponding to the shot number "3" within the specified moving time "10" seconds. Here, it is assumed that the drive amount of each drive system calculated in S514 from the current imaging range to the target imaging range is 180 degrees for the pan drive unit 103, 40 degrees for the tilt drive unit 104, and 30 degrees for the lens drive unit 102. In this case, the system control unit 113 calculates the speed of each drive system such that the drive of each drive system is completed within the specified moving time of "10" seconds. Specifically, the system control unit 113 calculates 18 degrees / second as the drive speed of the pan drive unit 103, 4 degrees / second as the drive speed of the tilt drive unit 104, and 3 degrees / second as the drive speed of the lens drive unit 102. Then, the system control unit 113 performs a shot operation up to the target imaging range by simultaneously starting and simultaneously ending the control of each drive system according to the calculated speed of each drive system.

[0045] It is assumed that, for each of a plurality of different target imaging ranges from the current imaging range, information on the shot number of the target imaging range and information on the required time to reach the target imaging range are transmitted from the imaging device 100 to the information processing device 200. In this case, the display control unit 201 may display the required time to reach each of the plurality of different target imaging ranges on the setting screen 401. For example, as shown in a message 603 in FIG. 6(c), the display control unit 201 displays a first required time (required time "10 seconds") required to reach a first target imaging range corresponding to a first shot number (shot number "3") and the first shot number side by side. In addition, at this time, as shown in a message 603 in FIG. 6(c), the display control unit 201 displays a second required time (required time "20 seconds") required to reach a second target imaging range corresponding to a second shot number (shot number "4") and the second shot number side by side.

[0046] As described above, in this embodiment, the time required to reach the target imaging range is calculated based on the current imaging range and the target imaging range, and information according to the comparison result between the calculated time required and the moving time designated by the user is displayed. In this way, the user can know in advance whether the shot motion can be performed within the designated moving time before the shot motion is performed.

[0047] (Other embodiments) Next, a hardware configuration of the imaging device 100 for realizing each function of each embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. In the following description, the hardware configuration of the imaging device 100 will be described, but the information processing device 200 will also be realized by a similar hardware configuration.

[0048] The imaging device 100 in this embodiment includes a CPU 700, a RAM 710, a ROM 720, a HDD 730, and an I / F 740.

[0049] The CPU 700 is a central processing unit that controls the imaging device 100. The RAM 710 temporarily stores computer programs executed by the CPU 700. The RAM 710 also provides a work area used when the CPU 700 executes processing. The RAM 710 also functions as, for example, a frame memory or a buffer memory.

[0050] The ROM 720 stores programs and the like for the CPU 700 to control the imaging device 100. The HDD 730 is a storage device for recording image data and the like.

[0051] The I / F 710 communicates with external devices via the network 140 in accordance with TCP / IP, HTTP, or the like.

[0052] In the above embodiment, an example in which the CPU 700 executes the processing is described, but at least a part of the processing of the CPU 700 may be executed by dedicated hardware. For example, the processing of displaying a GUI (GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE) or image data on the display 130 may be executed by a GPU (GRAPHICS PROCESSING UNIT). Also, the processing of reading the program code from the ROM 720 and loading it in the RAM 710 may be executed by a DMA (DIRECT MEMORY ACCESS) functioning as a transfer device.

[0053] 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 may be realized by hardware shown in FIG. 7, or by software.

[0054] Note that one or more functions of the imaging device 100 according to the embodiment described above may be implemented by another device. For example, one or more functions of the imaging device 100 according to the embodiment may be implemented by an information processing device 200.

[0055] 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.

Claims

1. A receiving means for receiving a user operation for specifying a target imaging range, which is an imaging range to be reached by an imaging means capable of changing an imaging range by changing at least one of pan, tilt, and zoom, and a user operation for specifying a travel time, which is a time required for the imaging means to travel from a current imaging range to the target imaging range; a required time calculated based on a current imaging range of the imaging means and the target imaging range, the required time being a time required to reach the target imaging range from the current imaging range; a display control means for causing a display means to display information indicating a result of the comparison with the travel time, the required time corresponds to the longest of a pan required time required to change the pan so as to reach the target imaging range from the current imaging range, a tilt required time required to change the tilt so as to reach the target imaging range from the current imaging range, and a zoom required time required to change the zoom so as to reach the target imaging range from the current imaging range, The information processing device is characterized in that, when any one of the panning time, the tilting time, and the zooming time is longer than the movement time, the display control means displays information of the imaging means corresponding to the required time longer than the movement time.

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein, when the required time is longer than the movement time, the display control means causes the display means to display information indicating that a shot operation cannot be performed from the current imaging range to the target imaging range within the movement time.

3. 3. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein, when the movement time is longer than the required time, the display control means causes the display means to display information indicating that a shot operation can be performed from the current imaging range to the target imaging range within the movement time.

4. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that performs control so that a shot operation from the current imaging range to the target imaging range cannot be executed when the required time is longer than the movement time.

5. The information processing device described in Claim 1, characterized in that the display control means displays information indicating the pan when the required pan time is greater than the movement time, displays information indicating the tilt when the required tilt time is greater than the movement time, and displays information indicating the zoom when the required zoom time is greater than the movement time.

6. A reception process for receiving a user operation for specifying a target imaging range, which is an imaging range to be reached by an imaging means capable of changing an imaging range by changing at least one of pan, tilt, and zoom, and a user operation for specifying a travel time, which is a time required for the imaging means to travel from a current imaging range to the target imaging range; a display control step of displaying on a display means information indicating a comparison result between a required time, which is a time required to reach the target imaging range from the current imaging range, calculated based on the current imaging range of the imaging means and the target imaging range, and the movement time, the required time corresponds to the longest of a pan required time required to change the pan so as to reach the target imaging range from the current imaging range, a tilt required time required to change the tilt so as to reach the target imaging range from the current imaging range, and a zoom required time required to change the zoom so as to reach the target imaging range from the current imaging range, an information processing method characterized in that, in the display control step, when any one of the panning time, the tilting time, and the zooming time is longer than the movement time, information of the imaging means corresponding to the required time longer than the movement time is displayed.

7. 7. The information processing method according to claim 6, wherein, in the display control step, when the required time is longer than the movement time, information indicating that a shot operation cannot be performed from the current imaging range to the target imaging range within the movement time is displayed on the display means.

8. 8. The information processing method according to claim 6, wherein, in the display control step, when the movement time is longer than the required time, information indicating that a shot operation can be performed from the current imaging range to the target imaging range within the movement time is displayed on the display means.

9. 9. The information processing method according to claim 6, further comprising a control step of: performing control so that a shot operation from the current imaging range to the target imaging range cannot be executed if the required time is longer than the movement time.

10. An information processing method as described in any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that, in a display control process, information indicating the pan is displayed when the required pan time is longer than the movement time, information indicating the pan is displayed when the required tilt time is longer than the movement time, and information indicating the pan is displayed when the required zoom time is longer than the movement time.

11. A computer program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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