Imaging device, program, and encoder selection method

Abstract

To provide an imaging device, a program, and an encoder selection method capable of appropriately switching an encoder when another detachable encoder is attached to the imaging device provided with the encoder.SOLUTION: An imaging device 10 includes an imaging unit 20 that captures an image, a first encoder 32A that compresses image data captured by the imaging unit, a connector unit C to which a second encoder 32B can be connected, an external input unit 26 that acquires encoder information including at least information about the second encoder when the second encoder is connected to the connector unit, and a control unit 22 having a selection unit that selects an encoder used for recording and an encoder used for distribution on the basis of the encoder information acquired by the external input unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device, a program, and an encoder selection method.

Background Art

[0002] Image data, which is data of an image captured by an imaging device, may be compressed and stored by an encoder. Patent Document 1 describes an encoder device that includes a plurality of encoders and switches an encoder that compresses image data.

[0003] On the other hand, if another encoder can be attached to an imaging device equipped with an encoder as an afterthought, it is convenient because it becomes possible to additionally install a high-quality encoder developed with the progress of technology.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Here, when attaching a detachable separate encoder in addition to the encoder mounted on the imaging device, a technique and an imaging device for appropriately switching the encoder according to the user's usage scene are required.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device, a program, and an encoder selection method capable of appropriately switching an encoder when attaching a detachable separate encoder in addition to the encoder mounted on the imaging device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an imaging apparatus according to the present disclosure includes an imaging unit that captures an image, a first encoder that compresses image data captured by the imaging unit, a connector unit to which a second encoder can be connected, and an information acquisition unit that acquires encoder information including at least information about the second encoder when the second encoder is connected to the connector unit, and a selection unit that selects an encoder to be used for recording and an encoder to be used for distribution based on the encoder information acquired by the information acquisition unit.

[0008] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a program according to the present disclosure causes a computer to execute a step of acquiring encoder information including at least information about a second encoder when the second encoder is connected to an imaging apparatus including a first encoder, and a step of selecting an encoder to be used for recording and an encoder to be used for distribution based on the encoder information.

[0009] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an encoder selection method according to the present disclosure includes a step of acquiring encoder information including at least information about a second encoder when the second encoder is connected to an imaging apparatus including a first encoder, and a step of selecting an encoder to be used for recording and an encoder to be used for distribution based on the encoder information.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus, a program, and an encoder selection method capable of appropriately switching an encoder when a detachable another encoder is attached to an imaging apparatus including an encoder.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0013] (Configuration of Imaging Device) FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the imaging device according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging device 10 includes an imaging unit 20, an image processing circuit 21, a control unit 22, a communication unit 24, an external input unit 26, a storage unit 28, a first compression circuit 30A, and a connector unit C.

[0014] The imaging device 10 is an imaging device that captures images. The imaging device 10 compresses the captured image data P by an encoder to generate compressed compressed image data Q.

[0015] The imaging unit 20 includes an optical element 20A and an imaging element 20B. The optical element 20A is an element that constitutes an optical system such as a lens, a mirror, a prism, or a filter. The imaging element 20B is an element that converts the light incident through the optical element 20A into an image signal that is an electrical signal. The imaging element 20B is, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor.

[0016] The image processing circuit 21 generates image data P for each frame from the image signal generated by the imaging device 20B. The image data P is data including, for example, the luminance and color information of each pixel in one frame, and may be data to which gradation is assigned for each pixel. The image processing circuit 21 may be realized by a program as software, or may be realized by a digital circuit as hardware. Further, it may be realized by an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) as hardware.

[0017] The control unit 22 controls each part of the imaging device 10. The control unit 22 is an arithmetic device, that is, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The CPU performs information processing by sequentially reading, interpreting, and executing an instruction sequence called a program. The control unit 22 reads a program from the storage unit 28 described later and executes arithmetic processing by the CPU, thereby executing the functions of the control unit 22. The functions of the control unit 22 will be described later.

[0018] The communication unit 24 is a communication module through which the imaging device 10 communicates with an external device such as an image processing device. The communication unit 24 communicates data with an external device by wireless communication or wired communication. In the case of wireless communication, a communication antenna, an RF (Radio Frequency) circuit, and other communication processing circuits may be provided. In the case of wired communication, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) terminal, a transmission circuit, and other communication processing circuits may be provided.

[0019] The external input unit 26 acquires input information of the user from outside the imaging device 10. The external input unit 26 may be connected to, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), display a GUI (Graphical User Interface) on the screen of the LCD, and acquire the input information of the user by receiving the input of the user. Further, the external input unit 26 may be a switch provided in the imaging device 10. In this case, the user operates the switch and the external input unit 26 acquires information regarding the state of the switch, whereby information regarding the input of the user may be acquired.

[0020] In the present embodiment, encoder information is input to the external input unit 26 from the user. The encoder information is information regarding the encoder, and in the present embodiment, is information regarding the operation mode of the encoder, information regarding the video format, and information regarding the switching method of the encoder. However, the encoder information may be at least one of information regarding the operation mode of the encoder, information regarding the video format, and information regarding the switching method of the encoder. Note that the encoder information includes at least information about the second encoder 32B (for example, information regarding the operation mode of the second encoder 32B or information regarding the video format of the second encoder 32B), but may include information about both the first encoder 32A and the second encoder 32B. That is, the external input unit 26 may acquire, as encoder information, information regarding the operation mode of both the first encoder 32A and the second encoder 32B, information regarding the video format, and information regarding the switching method.

[0021] As described above, the encoder information is set by being input to the external input unit 26 by the user, but may not be set by the user. For example, the encoder information may be set in advance. In this case, for example, the encoder information about the first encoder 32A may be set in advance and stored in the storage unit 28. Also, for example, the encoder information about the second encoder 32B may be stored in the storage unit of the second compression circuit 30B.

[0022] The information regarding the operation mode of the encoder is information regarding the operation state of the encoder defined by the number of reference frames when operating the encoder. The number of reference frames is the number of frames used for prediction in inter-frame prediction. As the number of reference frames increases, more memory capacity is required for compression and the complexity of decoding increases, but the image quality improves.

[0023] The operation mode of the encoder may be defined according to the number of reference frames as a quality priority mode and a low-latency mode. Here, the quality priority mode is an operation mode in which the number of reference frames in inter-frame prediction is large, encoding takes time, the latency time is long, but the image quality of the compressed image data is good. The low-latency mode is a mode in which the number of reference frames in inter-frame prediction is small, the time required for encoding is short, and the latency time is short. That is, the quality priority mode has better image quality than the low-latency mode and has a longer latency time than the low-latency mode. Conversely, the low-latency mode has better image quality than the quality priority mode and has a longer latency time than the quality priority mode.

[0024] The information regarding the video format is information regarding at least one of the video format of the compressed image data generated by compressing the image data with the encoder and the bit rate. The video format means a video standard defined by the screen aspect ratio, resolution, etc. of the image data. The bit rate means the amount of data that can be transmitted and received per second, and basically, the higher the bit rate, the better the image quality. Note that depending on the type of encoder, the video format of the compressed image data that can be generated by the encoder and the bit rate corresponding to the video format are determined.

[0025] Table 1 lists examples of video formats and bit rates corresponding to the video formats. For example, when the user selects the video format of the compressed image data, the user selects the bit rate corresponding to the selected video format.

[0026]

Table 1

[0027] Information regarding the encoder switching method refers to information about the encoder used for recording and the encoder used for distribution. Recording means storing the compressed image data compressed by the encoder in the compressed image data storage unit 28B of the storage unit 28 of the imaging device 10. Distribution means transmitting the compressed image data compressed by the encoder to an external device via the communication unit 24. For example, as shown in Table 2, the encoder switching method may be defined by determining the encoders used for recording and distribution.

[0028]

Table 2

[0029] For switching method A shown in Table 2, the second encoder is used by switching from the first encoder for recording, and the first encoder is used as it is for distribution. For switching method B shown in Table 2, the first encoder is used as it is for recording, and the second encoder is used by switching from the first encoder for distribution. For switching method C shown in Table 2, the second encoder is used by switching from the first encoder for recording, and the second encoder is also used by switching from the first encoder for distribution.

[0030] For example, by using an encoder with a low bitrate for distribution, it becomes possible to smoothly perform the distribution of the compressed image data and achieve low latency. Note that the user may select a desired switching method from among the switching methods of multiple encoders, or the user may leave the selection of the encoder switching method to the imaging device 10 without selecting an encoder switching method. Also, the encoder switching method is not limited to being defined as shown in Table 2 and may be defined arbitrarily.

[0031] When a second encoder is connected to the imaging device 10, the external input unit 26 prompts the user to input encoder information about the second encoder. The external input unit 26 prompts the user to select an operation mode of the second encoder and obtains the operation mode of the encoder input by the user. When the external input unit 26 obtains the operation mode of the encoder input by the user, it prompts the user to select a video format of the second encoder and obtains the video format input by the user. When the external input unit 26 obtains the video format input by the user, it prompts the user to select a bit rate corresponding to the video format and obtains the bit rate input by the user. When the external input unit 26 obtains the bit rate input by the user, it prompts the user to select a switching method of the encoder and obtains the switching method of the encoder input by the user. Thus, in this embodiment, the encoder information about the second encoder is input to the external input unit 26 triggered by the connection of the second encoder to the imaging device 10, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the encoder information about the second encoder may be stored in advance in the storage unit of the second encoder 32B. In this case, it does not need to be input to the external input unit 26 again. That is, the second encoder 32B is detachable, and when the second encoder 32B with the encoder information of the second encoder stored in the storage unit of the second encoder 32B in advance is connected, there is an advantage that the selection of the switching method can be omitted for the user.

[0032] The storage unit 28 is a storage device that stores the image data P captured by the imaging unit 20, the compressed image data Q obtained by compressing the image data P, the program (software) executed by the control unit 22, and the like. The storage unit 28 includes a frame buffer unit 28A and a compressed image data storage unit 28B. The storage unit 28 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. As the main storage device, a temporary storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memoly) or a RAM (Ramdom Access Memoly) may be used. As the auxiliary storage device, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like may be used.

[0033] The frame buffer unit 28A is a storage area and a storage device in which the image data P generated by the image processing circuit 21 is temporarily stored. The frame buffer unit 28A may secure a dedicated area in a part of a RAM (Random Access Memory) as a main storage device, or may use a dedicated storage device separate from the main storage device. Note that the image data acquisition unit 42 of the control unit 22 sequentially stores the image data P in the frame buffer unit 28A while causing the imaging unit 20 to perform imaging. When the image data acquisition unit 42 acquires new image data P in time series from the image processing circuit 21, the oldest image data P in time series stored in the frame buffer unit 28A is erased from the frame buffer unit 28A, and the newly acquired image data P in time series is newly stored in the frame buffer unit 28A. By doing so, the number of pieces of image data P stored in the frame buffer unit 28A can be maintained at a constant number, and a shortage of storage capacity due to an increase in the image data P stored in the frame buffer unit 28A can be avoided.

[0034] The compressed image data storage unit 28B stores the compressed image data compressed by the encoder. That is, the compressed image data storage unit 28B is used for recording the compressed image data by the imaging device 10. Note that the compressed image data storage unit 28B may be realized by an auxiliary storage device of the storage unit 28.

[0035] ​The first compression circuit 30A is a circuit that compresses image data P. The first compression circuit 30A includes a first encoder 32A and a first decoder 34A. The first encoder 32A is an encoder that compresses the image data P to generate compressed image data. The first encoder 32A compresses the image data P using a first compression method. The first compression method of the first encoder 32A may be any method, for example, a compression method based on the H.264 standard. H.264 is one of the video compression standards and is assumed to be used in a wide range of applications from low bitrate applications such as mobile phones to high bitrate applications such as HDTV class. The first encoder 32A may be realized as a software encoder by software or as a hardware encoder by hardware.

[0036] The first decoder 34A is a decoder that decodes the compressed image data. The first decoder 34A decodes the compressed image data compressed by the first compression method to generate the image data P. The first decoder 34A may be realized as a software decoder by software or as a hardware decoder by hardware. In this embodiment, the first compression circuit 30A incorporating the first encoder 32A and the first decoder 34A constitutes one piece of hardware, but the first encoder 32A and the first decoder 34A may be separate pieces of hardware.

[0037] The connector part C is a connection part (terminal) for connecting an external device to the imaging device 10. The connector part C includes a video signal line and a control signal line. The control signal line may be, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection terminal, or if a higher transmission speed is required, a connection terminal corresponding thereto may be selected. The video signal line may be, for example, SDI (Serial Digital Interface). For example, the imaging device 10 can be connected to the second compression circuit 30B via the connector part C. That is, the imaging device 10 can switch between connecting and disconnecting the second compression circuit 30B. Note that there is also a risk that the connection of the second compression circuit 30B may be easily disconnected against the user's will. Therefore, the connector part C is provided inside the housing of the imaging device 10, and when the second compression circuit 30B is connected, it is desirable that the second compression circuit 30B be housed inside the housing of the imaging device 10. Thereby, even if the second compression circuit 30B is disconnected from the connector part C by any chance, it is possible to prevent the second compression circuit 30B from being lost.

[0038] (Second Compression Circuit) The second compression circuit 30B is a circuit that compresses the image data P. The second compression circuit 30B includes a second encoder 32B and a second decoder 34B. Further, the second compression circuit 30B may include a storage unit that stores the encoder information of the second encoder 32B.

[0039] The second encoder 32B is an encoder that compresses the image data P to generate compressed image data. The second encoder 32B compresses the image data P using a second compression method different from the first compression method. The second compression method of the second encoder 32B may be any method, but for example, it may be a compression method based on the H.265 standard. H.265 is one of the successor video compression standards to H.264 and has a compression performance approximately twice that of H.264. That is, the bit rate required to obtain the same image quality can be reduced to less than half. If the bit rate is reduced, it is advantageous during distribution using a low-bandwidth network.

[0040] The second encoder 32B may be implemented as a hardware encoder by hardware. The second encoder 32B includes a control signal line connectable to the control signal line of the connector portion C of the imaging device 10. That is, when the control signal line of the connector portion C of the imaging device 10 is a USB connection terminal, the control signal line of the second encoder 32B becomes a USB connection terminal.

[0041] The second decoder 34B is a decoder that decodes compressed image data. The second decoder 34B decodes the compressed image data compressed by the second compression method to generate image data P. In this embodiment, the second compression circuit 30B incorporating the second encoder 32B and the second decoder 34B constitutes one piece of hardware, but the second encoder 32B and the second decoder 34B may be separate pieces of hardware.

[0042] (Configuration and processing content of the control unit) Next, the configuration and processing content of the control unit 22 will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the control unit according to the present invention.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 22 includes an image data acquisition unit 42, an encoder control unit 44, an information acquisition unit 46, a selection unit 48, a data output unit 50, and a decoder control unit 52. The control unit 22 realizes the functions of each unit and executes the processing by each unit by reading and executing a program (software) from the storage unit 28. Note that the control unit 22 may execute the processing of each unit by one CPU, or may include a plurality of CPUs and execute the processing of each unit by these plurality of CPUs. Further, at least a part of the image data acquisition unit 42, the encoder control unit 44, the information acquisition unit 46, the selection unit 48, the data output unit 50, and the decoder control unit 52 may be realized by a hardware circuit.

[0044] When the image data acquisition unit 42 acquires new image data P in time series from the image processing circuit 21, it causes the oldest image data P in time series stored in the frame buffer unit 28A to be erased from the frame buffer unit 28A, and causes the newly acquired image data P in time series to be newly stored in the frame buffer unit 28A.

[0045] The encoder control unit 44 controls the encoder of the imaging device 10 to compress the image data P in the encoder. The encoder control unit 44, as the first encoder control unit, controls the first encoder 32A to compress the image data P in the first encoder 32A. Further, the encoder control unit 44, as the second encoder control unit, controls the second encoder 32B to compress the image data P in the second encoder 32B. For example, a CPU for compressing the image data P may be incorporated in the first encoder 32A or the second encoder 32B.

[0046] The information acquisition unit 46 acquires the switching information of the encoder and the information regarding the type of the encoder. Further, the information acquisition unit 46 acquires the encoder information. The switching information of the encoder is information indicating that the image data P can be compressed by the encoder connected to the imaging device 10. When the second compression circuit 30B including the second encoder 32B is connected to the connector unit C, it is determined that the image data P can be compressed by the second encoder 32B. The information regarding the type of the encoder is information regarding the compression method of the encoder such as H.264, for example.

[0047] In this embodiment, the information acquisition unit 46 detects that the second encoder 32B is connected to the imaging device 10, and acquires information indicating that the second encoder 32B is connected to the imaging device 10 as switching information. Further, when the information acquisition unit 46 acquires information indicating that the second encoder 32B is connected, the information acquisition unit 46 acquires information regarding the type of the second encoder 32B and encoder information. When encoder information has been input to the external input unit 26, the information acquisition unit 46 acquires the encoder information input to the external input unit 26. When encoder information has not been input to the external input unit 26, the information acquisition unit 46 reads, for example, encoder information regarding the first encoder 32A from the storage unit 28 and reads encoder information regarding the second encoder 32B stored in the storage unit of the second encoder 32B.

[0048] The selection unit 48 selects an encoder to be used for recording and an encoder to be used for distribution based on the encoder switching information, information regarding the type of the encoder, and the encoder information acquired by the information acquisition unit 46. The procedure for selecting an encoder to be used for recording and an encoder to be used for distribution using the selection unit 48 will be described later.

[0049] The data output unit 50 outputs compressed image data Q generated by compressing the image data P with an encoder to an external device via the communication unit 24. That is, the data output unit 50 is used for distributing the compressed image data Q obtained using the imaging device 10.

[0050] The decoder control unit 52, as a first decoder control unit, causes the first decoder 34A to decode compressed image data, and as a second decoder control unit, causes the second decoder 34B to decode compressed image data.

[0051] (Flow of processing for recording and distribution of imaging device) FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the data flow in the imaging device of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 schematically shows the data flow along the bus line BL. During imaging by the imaging unit 20, the control unit 22 causes the encoder to compress the image data P. The image data acquisition unit 42 of the control unit 22 causes the imaging unit 20 to execute imaging processing and acquires an image signal. The image signal acquired by the imaging unit 20 is transmitted to the image processing circuit 21, and the image data P is generated by the image processing circuit 21. The image data P generated by the image processing circuit 21 is temporarily stored in the frame buffer unit 26A. When the image data acquisition unit 42 of the control unit 22 acquires new data in time series from the image processing circuit 21, the oldest image data P in the time series stored in the frame buffer unit 26A is erased from the frame buffer unit 26A, and the newly acquired image data P in the time series is newly stored in the frame buffer unit 26A. The encoder control unit 44 of the control unit 22 controls the encoder to compress the image data P stored in the frame buffer unit 26A. In FIG. 3, an example is shown in which the first encoder 32A is used as the encoder for compressing the image data P. However, the encoder used for compressing the image data P is not limited to the first encoder 32A, and the second encoder 32B may be used. In the case of recording the compressed image data Q using the imaging device 10, the compressed image data Q compressed by the encoder is stored in the compressed image data storage unit 28B of the storage unit 28. In the case of distribution, the compressed image data Q compressed by the encoder is transmitted by the data output unit 50 to an external device via the communication unit 24.

[0052] (Setting of Encoder Switching Method) FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure for setting a switching method of an encoder of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention. As described above, the selection unit 48 of the control unit 22 selects an encoder to be used for recording and distribution based on the connection information of the encoder acquired by the information acquisition unit 46, the information on the type of the encoder, and the encoder information (information on the operation mode of the encoder, information on the video format, information on the switching method of the encoder). Here, the information on the operation mode of the encoder and the information on the switching method of the encoder included in the encoder information will be described for the case where they are defined as shown in Tables 1 to 2. The processing of the selection unit 48 will be described below with reference to FIG. 4.

[0053] When the selection unit 48 acquires the switching information indicating that the information acquisition unit 46 is in a state where compression is possible by the second encoder, the selection unit 48 checks whether the information acquisition unit 46 has acquired the information on the switching method of the encoder as the encoder information (step S100). That is, the selection unit 48 checks whether the switching method of the encoder is specified. When the information acquisition unit 46 has acquired the information on the switching method of the encoder (step S100; YES), the switching method specified by the information on the switching method of the encoder is set as the switching method of the encoder of the imaging apparatus 10 (step S101).

[0054] For example, when switching method A shown in Table 2 is specified as the encoder switching method, the selection unit 48 selects the second encoder 32B as the encoder for recording and selects the first encoder 32A as the encoder for distribution. In this case, the encoder control unit 44 causes the compressed image data Q generated by compressing the image data P using the second encoder 32B to be stored in the compressed image data storage unit 28B. Further, the encoder control unit 44 transmits the compressed image data Q generated by compressing the image data P using the first encoder 32A to an external device via the communication unit 24. Also, for example, when switching method B shown in Table 2 is specified as the encoder switching method, the selection unit 48 selects the first encoder 32A as the encoder for recording and selects the second encoder 32B as the encoder for distribution. In this case, the encoder control unit 44 causes the compressed image data Q generated by compressing the image data P using the first encoder 32A to be stored in the compressed image data storage unit 28B. Further, the encoder control unit 44 transmits the compressed image data Q generated by compressing the image data P using the second encoder 32B to an external device via the communication unit 24. Also, for example, when switching method C shown in Table 2 is specified as the encoder switching method, the selection unit 48 selects the second encoder 32B as the encoder for recording and selects the second encoder 32B as the encoder for distribution. In this case, the encoder control unit 44 causes the compressed image data Q generated by compressing the image data P using the second encoder 32B to be stored in the compressed image data storage unit 26B. Further, the encoder control unit 44 transmits the compressed image data Q compressed and generated using the second encoder 32B to an external device via the communication unit 24.

[0055] When the information acquisition unit 46 has not acquired information regarding the switching method of the encoder (step S100; NO), that is, when the switching method of the encoder is not specified, the control unit 22 determines the switching method based on encoder information other than the switching method of the encoder. In this case, the selection unit 48 checks the information regarding the operation mode of the encoder acquired by the information acquisition unit 46, and checks whether the second encoder is set to the image quality priority mode (step S110). Note that the setting of the operation mode indicating whether the second encoder is in the image quality priority mode may be set by the user from the external input unit 26 and stored in the storage unit 28, or may be set in advance in the storage unit 28 of the imaging device 10. When there are multiple operation mode settings, it is desirable that the priorities be set in the order of the setting input by the user, the setting provided in advance in the imaging device 10, and the setting stored in the second compression circuit 30B. In this case, the information acquisition unit 46 acquires information regarding the operation modes of a plurality of encoders. The selection unit 48 determines information regarding the operation mode of the encoder to be used from among the information regarding the operation modes of the plurality of encoders acquired by the information acquisition unit 46 according to the preset priority order. For example, when there are multiple settings of information regarding the operation mode for the same encoder (here, for example, the second encoder 32B), the operation mode to be applied to that encoder (here, for example, the second encoder 32B) is determined according to the preset priority order. That is, when the imaging device 10 has acquired the first information regarding the operation mode of the second encoder 32B and the second information regarding the operation mode of the second encoder 32B, the imaging device 10 determines which of the first information and the second information to use according to the preset priority order. It is desirable that the data format in the case of being set in advance in the imaging device 10 be in the form of a correspondence table indicating whether it is in the image quality priority mode for each type of the second encoder.

[0056] When the second encoder 32B is set to the image quality priority mode (step S110; YES), the selection unit 48 checks the information about the video format acquired by the information acquisition unit 46, and checks whether the bit rate of the second encoder 32B is higher than that of the first encoder 32A (step S112). When the bit rate of the second encoder 32B is higher than that of the first encoder 32A (step S112; YES), the selection unit 48 sets the encoder switching method to switching method A shown in Table 2 (step S113). That is, the second encoder 32B in the image quality priority mode is used for recording, and the first encoder 32A with a lower bit rate than the second encoder 32B is used for distribution. Thereby, an encoder with good image quality is used for recording, and an encoder with a low bit rate is used for distribution, and the encoder can be appropriately selected.

[0057] When the bit rate of the second encoder 32B is lower than that of the first encoder 32A (step S112; NO), the selection unit 48 sets the encoder switching method to switching method C shown in Table 2 (step S114). That is, the second encoder 32B in the image quality priority mode is used for recording, and the second encoder 32B with a lower bit rate than the first encoder 32A is used for distribution. Thereby, an encoder with good image quality is used for recording, and an encoder with a low bit rate is used for distribution, and the encoder can be appropriately selected.

[0058] Here, when comparing the bit rates in step S112, in the case of H.255 used in the description of the present invention, since the compression performance of the second encoder 32B is high, the bit rate is half or less and the image quality is equivalent. Therefore, it may be possible to compare the value obtained by doubling the bit rate of the second encoder 32B with the bit rate of the first encoder 32A. For example, if the second encoder 32B is 10 Mbps, the bit rate to be compared is set to 20 Mbps which is 10 Mbps × 2, and the magnitude is compared with the bit rate of the first encoder 32A.

[0059] When the second encoder is not set to the image quality priority mode (including the case where there is no setting as to whether it is the image quality priority mode) (step S110; NO), the selection unit 48 sets the encoder switching method to switching method B shown in Table 2 (step S111). That is, without using the second encoder 32B in the low-latency mode for recording, the first encoder 32A is used for recording, and the second encoder 32B in the low-latency mode is used for distribution. As a result, an encoder with good image quality is used for recording, and an encoder with low latency is used for distribution, so that the encoder can be appropriately selected.

[0060] As described above, even when the switching method of the encoder is not specified, the selection unit 48 can appropriately set the encoders used for recording and distribution by selecting the switching method of the encoder of the imaging device 10 based on the encoder information. That is, when attaching a detachable separate encoder in addition to the encoder mounted on the imaging device, the encoder can be appropriately switched according to the user's usage requirements.

[0061] (Configuration and effects of imaging device, program, and encoder selection method) The imaging device 10 according to the present disclosure includes a first encoder 32A that compresses the image data P captured by the imaging unit 20, a connector unit C to which a second encoder 32B can be connected, and when the second encoder 32B is connected to the connector unit C, an information acquisition unit 46 that acquires encoder information including at least information about the second encoder 32B, and a selection unit 48 that selects an encoder to be used for recording and an encoder to be used for distribution from among the first encoder 32A and the second encoder 32B based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 46.

[0062] According to this configuration, when the second encoder is connected to the imaging device including the first encoder, the encoder to be used for recording and the encoder to be used for distribution are selected based on the encoder information, so that the encoder can be appropriately selected.

[0063] The encoder information includes at least one of information regarding the operation mode of the encoder, information regarding the video format, and information regarding the switching method of the encoder.

[0064] According to this configuration, based on at least one of information regarding the operation mode of the encoder, information regarding the video format, and information regarding the switching method of the encoder, an encoder to be used for recording and an encoder to be used for distribution are selected from among the first encoder and the second encoder, so that the encoder can be appropriately selected.

[0065] The information regarding the operation mode of the encoder includes a low-latency mode and a quality-priority mode that prioritizes image quality over the low-latency mode but has a longer encoding delay time. When the information regarding the operation mode of the encoder of the second encoder 32B indicates the quality-priority mode, the selection unit 48 uses the second encoder 32B for recording, and when the information regarding the operation mode of the encoder of the second encoder 32B indicates the low-latency mode, the first encoder 32A is used for recording and the second encoder 32B is used for distribution.

[0066] According to this configuration, when the information regarding the operation mode of the second encoder indicates the quality-priority mode, the second encoder is used for recording, and when the information regarding the operation mode of the second encoder indicates the low-latency mode, the first encoder is used for recording and the second encoder is used for distribution. Thus, an encoder with good image quality is used for recording, and an encoder with a short delay time is used for distribution, so that the encoder can be appropriately selected.

[0067] When the information regarding the operation mode of the encoder of the second encoder 32B indicates the image quality priority mode, the selection unit 48 compares the bit rate of the first encoder 32A with the bit rate of the second encoder 32B. When the bit rate of the second encoder 32B is higher than the bit rate of the first encoder 32A, the first encoder 32A is used for distribution. When the bit rate of the second encoder 32B is less than or equal to the bit rate of the first encoder 32A, the second encoder 32B is also used for distribution.

[0068] According to this configuration, when the information regarding the operation mode of the second encoder indicates the image quality priority mode, the bit rates of the first encoder and the second encoder are compared, and the encoder with the lower bit rate is used for distribution. Therefore, an encoder with good image quality is used for recording, and an encoder with a short delay time is used for distribution, so that the encoder can be appropriately selected.

[0069] When the second encoder 32B is connected to the imaging device 10 including the first encoder 32A, the program according to the present disclosure causes a computer to execute steps of acquiring encoder information including at least information about the second encoder 32B, and selecting an encoder to be used for recording and an encoder to be used for distribution based on the encoder information.

[0070] According to this configuration, when the second encoder is connected to the imaging device including the first encoder, the encoder to be used for recording and the encoder to be used for distribution are selected based on the encoder information, so that the encoder can be appropriately selected.

[0071] The encoder selection method according to the present disclosure includes steps of acquiring encoder information including at least information about the second encoder 32B when the second encoder 32B is connected to the imaging device 10 including the first encoder 32A, and selecting an encoder to be used for recording and an encoder to be used for distribution based on the encoder information.

[0072] According to this configuration, when a second encoder is connected to an imaging device including a first encoder, based on encoder information, an encoder to be used for recording and an encoder to be used for distribution are selected, so that the encoder can be appropriately selected.

[0073] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the embodiments are not limited by the contents of these embodiments. Further, the above-described components include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those within a so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the above-described components can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or changes of the components can be made without departing from the gist of the above-described embodiments.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0074] 10 Imaging device 20 Imaging unit 20A Optical element 20B Image sensor 21 Image processing circuit 22 Control unit 24 Communication unit 26 External input unit 28 Storage unit 28A Frame buffer unit 28B Compressed image data storage unit 30A First compression circuit 32A First encoder 34A First decoder 30B Second compression circuit 32B Second encoder 34B Second decoder C Connector unit

Claims

1. An imaging unit that captures an image; A first encoder that compresses the image data captured by the imaging unit; A connector unit to which a second encoder can be connected; An information acquisition unit that acquires encoder information including at least information about the second encoder when the second encoder is connected to the connector unit; A selection unit that selects an encoder to be used for recording and an encoder to be used for distribution based on the encoder information acquired by the information acquisition unit; Comprising: The encoder information includes information regarding at least one of the operation mode of the encoder, the video format, and the switching method of the encoder; The information regarding the operation mode of the encoder includes a low-latency mode and a quality-priority mode that prioritizes image quality over the low-latency mode but has a longer encoding delay time; When the information regarding the operation mode of the encoder for the second encoder indicates the quality-priority mode, the selection unit uses the second encoder for recording, and when the information regarding the operation mode of the encoder for the second encoder indicates the low-latency mode, the selection unit uses the first encoder for recording and the second encoder for distribution; An imaging device.

2. When the information acquisition unit can acquire a plurality of information regarding the operation mode of the encoder, the information acquisition unit acquires the information regarding the operation modes of the plurality of encoders; The selection unit determines the information regarding the operation mode of the encoder used by the selection unit according to a preset priority order; The imaging device according to Claim 1.

3. When the information regarding the operation mode of the encoder of the second encoder indicates the quality-priority mode, the selection unit compares the bit rate of the first encoder and the bit rate of the second encoder. When the bit rate of the second encoder is higher than the bit rate of the first encoder, the selection unit uses the first encoder for distribution, and when the bit rate of the second encoder is less than or equal to the bit rate of the first encoder, the selection unit also uses the second encoder for distribution; The imaging device according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. When a second encoder is connected to an imaging device equipped with a first encoder, a step of acquiring encoder information including at least information about the second encoder; A step of selecting an encoder for recording and an encoder for distribution based on the encoder information; A program that causes a computer to execute, The encoder information includes information regarding the operation mode of the encoder, information regarding the video format, and information regarding at least one of the encoder switching methods. The information regarding the operation mode of the encoder includes a low-latency mode and a quality-priority mode that prioritizes image quality over the low-latency mode but has a longer encoding delay time. In the step of selecting the encoder to be used, when the information regarding the operation mode of the encoder for the second encoder indicates the quality-priority mode, the second encoder is used for recording, and when the information regarding the operation mode of the encoder for the second encoder indicates the low-latency mode, the first encoder is used for recording and the second encoder is used for distribution. Program.

5. When a second encoder is connected to an imaging device equipped with a first encoder, a step of obtaining encoder information including at least information about the second encoder; A step of selecting an encoder for recording and an encoder for distribution based on the encoder information; An encoder selection method including: The encoder information includes information regarding the operation mode of the encoder, information regarding the video format, and information regarding at least one of the encoder switching methods. The information regarding the operation mode of the encoder includes a low-latency mode and a quality-priority mode that prioritizes image quality over the low-latency mode but has a longer encoding delay time. In the step of selecting the encoder to be used, when the information regarding the operation mode of the encoder for the second encoder indicates the quality-priority mode, the second encoder is used for recording, and when the information regarding the operation mode of the encoder for the second encoder indicates the low-latency mode, the first encoder is used for recording and the second encoder is used for distribution. Encoder selection method.

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