Imaging device, control method thereof, program, and storage medium

Abstract

To provide an imaging apparatus that allows a photographer to operate a menu of a camera from a remote terminal without preventing the photographer from checking videos on the camera.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus can be operated from an external operating device, and comprises: an imaging unit that picks up an image of a subject and outputs a first image; and a control unit that, with the first image output from the imaging unit being displayed on a first display, when an operation is performed on the operating device to display a second image different from the first image on a second display of the operating device, controls whether to display the second image on the first display.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device that can be operated from an external operating device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART In the field of remotely controlled cameras, cameras that can be connected to remote terminals such as smartphones, tablet devices, and PCs via wired or wireless connections and can be controlled by these terminals are known.

[0003] Controlling a camera from a remote device is useful in video productions where multiple people are shooting, as it allows the cameraman to focus on focus and framing while an assistant controls other settings.

[0004] In addition to this configuration, some cameras have the ability to send an on-screen display (OSD), which contains camera information or a menu screen and is superimposed on the image, to a remote terminal along with the image. In this configuration, the OSD is superimposed on the image received from the camera on the remote terminal, and GUI operation members equivalent to the camera's exterior keys are displayed. The user operating the camera on the remote terminal operates the camera using the operation members on the GUI while checking the image and OSD. When an operation member on the GUI is operated on the remote terminal, an operation request is sent to the camera.

[0005] With this configuration, the same screen as the image displayed in the camera's viewfinder, with the OSD superimposed, is also displayed on the remote terminal. This allows the user to remotely operate the camera while viewing the same screen as the camera. Another design advantage is that there is no need to implement a unique menu screen for the remote terminal, which reduces design man-hours.

[0006] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for an imaging device to output menu generation information for operating the imaging device to an external monitor via a relay device. The relay device outputs a menu image based on the menu generation information received from the imaging device to the external relay device, and the external relay device outputs the menu image to the external monitor. When the relay device receives a control signal for the imaging device from an external operating device, it transmits the control signal to the imaging device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-075633 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In a camera that can be operated from a remote terminal as described above, the cameraman may check the camera's viewfinder while the assistant displays a menu screen on the remote terminal to set up the camera. In this case, the menu screen is also displayed in the camera's viewfinder. Therefore, for the cameraman checking the image through the camera's viewfinder, the menu may unexpectedly appear on the screen, which may interfere with checking the image.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an imaging device that allows camera menu operations to be performed from a remote terminal without interfering with the confirmation of images on the camera. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The imaging device according to the present invention is an imaging device that can be operated by an external operating device, and captures an image of a subject. , which is an image of the subjectan imaging means for outputting a first image; and a second display means for displaying the first image output from the imaging means on a first display means in the operation device. , a menu screen for performing operations on the operation device. The display device is characterized by comprising a control means for controlling whether or not the second image is to be displayed on the first display means when an operation to display the second image is performed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to operate the camera menu from a remote terminal without interfering with the confirmation of the image on the camera. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an imaging system using an imaging device of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video camera. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an operation device. [Figure 4A] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the video camera. [Figure 4B] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the video camera. [Figure 4C] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the video camera. [Figure 4D] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the video camera. [Figure 5] A diagram showing the layer structure of the OSD of a video camera. [Figure 6A] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the screen configurations of a video camera and an operating device. [Figure 6B] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the screen configurations of a video camera and an operating device. [Figure 6C] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the screen configurations of a video camera and an operating device. [Figure 6D] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the screen configurations of a video camera and an operating device. [Figure 6E] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the screen configurations of a video camera and an operating device. [Figure 6F]3A and 3B are diagrams showing the screen configurations of a video camera and an operating device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an imaging system using an imaging device of the present invention.

[0015] In FIG. 1, the imaging system 150 includes an operation device 101, a video camera 100 that cooperates with the operation device 101 via wireless communication 102, and a monitor 104 connected to the video camera 100 via an SDI cable 103. In this embodiment, the wireless communication 102 employs Wi-Fi (registered trademark), but is not limited to this. For example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or a proprietary wireless communication method may also be used. Alternatively, wired communication may be used instead of wireless communication. In other words, any communication method, such as RS-232C, RS-422A, USB, or Ethernet (registered trademark), can be applied to this embodiment. However, the method must be capable of transmitting and receiving video and OSD (on-screen display).

[0016] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video camera 100 according to this embodiment. The video camera 100 includes a lens 200, a CMOS image sensor 201, a camera signal processing unit 202, a recording medium 203, a power supply 204, an operation unit 205, an input I / F 206, a ROM 207, a RAM 208, a CODEC 209, and an OSD (on-screen display) rendering unit 210. The video camera 100 also includes an output I / F 211, an LCD panel 212, an EVF 213, a CPU 214, a communication control unit 215, a wireless module 216, an antenna 217, and an external output terminal 218. The CPU 214 controls each unit by, for example, loading a program stored in the ROM 207 into the RAM 208 and executing it, and data is input and output between the units via a data bus 219.

[0017] The lens 200 has a group of photographing lenses including a focus lens, an aperture mechanism, etc., and forms an optical image of a subject. The CMOS-type image sensor 201 includes an A / D converter and converts the optical image formed by the lens 200 into an analog electrical signal, which is then converted into a digital signal. Note that the image sensor 201 is not limited to a CMOS type, and a CCD or the like may also be used. The digital signal output from the image sensor 201 is subjected to resizing processing such as predetermined pixel interpolation and reduction, color conversion processing, various correction processing, etc. by a camera signal processing unit 202. Furthermore, a CODEC 209 (described later) performs compression encoding at a predetermined bit rate and format, or decodes the compression-encoded data.

[0018] The recording medium 203 records captured video and metadata associated with the video. The power supply 204 is an AC power supply or a battery, and supplies the necessary power to each component of the video camera 100. The operation unit 205 includes a switch for controlling the ON / OFF of the power supply 204 of the video camera 100, a menu display button, a cross key, and a pointing device such as a touch panel. Operation information input from the operation unit 205 is input to the CPU 214 via the input I / F 206 and data bus 219. The ROM 207 stores a program for controlling the video camera 100, and the CPU 214 controls each component based on this program. In particular, the ROM 207 stores an HTTP server program and a web application executed by a web browser running on the operation device 101. The RAM 208 functions as a work area for the CPU 214. It also stores status information of the operation device 101 received by the communication control unit 215 (described later).

[0019] The CODEC 209 reproduces the video data and audio data recorded in the RAM 208 or recording medium 203. The reproduced video is displayed on the LCD panel 212 and the monitor 104 connected to the external output terminal 218.

[0020] The OSD drawing unit 210 renders OSD, such as character strings and icons representing the status and settings of the video camera 100, as well as various frames, markers, and menus for performing various settings, into the VRAM on the RAM 208. The characters and icons are stored in the ROM 207, and the OSD drawing unit 210 reads them out and renders them into the VRAM.

[0021] The output I / F 211 outputs display signals to be displayed on the LCD panel 212, EVF 213, and monitor 104 based on display data such as an OSD generated by the CPU 214 according to a program. The output I / F 211 includes a mixer circuit and outputs video data and an OSD superimposed on each other. It can also output signals resized to fit each output. The same OSD content can be displayed on each output, or different content can be displayed using a method described below.

[0022] The CPU 214 executes a program loaded from the ROM 207 to the RAM 208. The communication control unit 215 receives a request to change setting information related to shooting by the video camera 100 from the operation device 101 via the wireless module 216, and transmits a response signal to the request. The communication control unit 215 also transmits video data, Web applications, and OSD images to the operation device 101. The video data and OSD images may be transmitted as separate image data, or a composite image of the video data and OSD superimposed by the output I / F 211 may be transmitted.

[0023] The antenna 217 transmits and receives radio signals. A response signal to be sent to the operation device 101 is generated by converting packet data generated by the CPU 214 and communication control unit 215 into a modulated signal in a carrier frequency band by the wireless module 216, and transmitting the signal as a wireless signal from the antenna 217. The external output terminal 218 is a terminal that outputs a video signal generated by the image sensor 201 and camera signal processing unit 202, which satisfies the SDI or HDMI (registered trademark) standards, to an external device. In this embodiment, SDI is assumed for explanation, but the present invention is not limited to SDI. For example, an analog composite output may also be used.

[0024] 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an operation device 101 according to this embodiment. The operation device 101 includes a power supply 300, an operation unit 301, an input I / F 302, a ROM 303, a RAM 304, a recording medium 305, a CODEC 306, an output I / F 307, an LCD panel 308, a wireless module 309, an antenna 310, and a CPU 311. Data is input and output via a data bus 312.

[0025] The power supply 300 is an AC power supply or a battery, and supplies the necessary power to each unit of the operation device 101. The operation unit 301 has a touch panel 308a integrated with an LCD panel 308 as an input device for accepting user operations. The touch panel 308a is an input device that outputs coordinate information according to the position of contact on the planar input unit, and is used to instruct the launch and operation of applications running on the operation device 101. The touch panel 308a may also be a device that can acquire contact strength (pressure). The operation unit 301 also includes a switch that controls starting and stopping the power supply from the power supply 300 to the operation device 101. User operations input through the operation unit 301 are input to the CPU 311 via the input I / F 302 and the data bus 312.

[0026] A program for starting up the operation device 101 is stored in the ROM 303, and when power is supplied from the power supply 300 by operating the operation unit 301, the program is read into the RAM 304 in response to an instruction from the CPU 311. The RAM 304 also functions as a work area for the CPU 311. Note that an external recording device such as a hard disk drive may be used instead of the ROM 303 or to supplement the area of ​​the RAM 304.

[0027] Recording medium 305 stores data received from external devices and program data for some of the applications executed by CPU 311. At least one of ROM 303 and recording medium 305 stores a web browser program, allowing CPU 311 to execute a web application received from wireless module 309. The web application includes data for reproducing the operation of the operation unit of video camera 100.

[0028] The wireless module 309 can receive web applications, video data, and OSD images, and can also transmit information input by the user to the operation unit 301 to the video camera 100. The input information also includes a menu display request.

[0029] The CODEC 306 reproduces data recorded in the RAM 304 or recording medium 305, and the reproduced data is displayed on the LCD panel 308. The output I / F 307 outputs a display signal to be displayed on the LCD panel 308 based on display data such as a GUI generated by the CPU 311 according to a program, or received video data or OSD images. The LCD panel 308 displays the display signal received via the output I / F 307.

[0030] Antenna 310 transmits and receives wireless signals. In this embodiment, it is assumed that wireless communication is performed with a wirelessly capable video camera 100 that operates as an HTTP server. When wirelessly communicating with video camera 100, operation device 101 operates as an HTTP client. Signals received by antenna 310 are demodulated and converted into packet data by wireless module 309, and input to CPU 311 via a buffer area in RAM 304. In addition, a response signal to be transmitted to video camera 100 upon completion of reception is converted into packet data by CPU 311, and converted into a modulated signal in the carrier frequency band by wireless module 309, and transmitted from antenna 310 to video camera 100.

[0031] The CPU 311 executes a program loaded into the RAM 304 from the ROM 303, the recording medium 305, or the wireless module 309. The CPU 311 also has a timer function for adjusting the operation timing of the program.

[0032] FIGS. 4A to 4D are flowcharts showing the operation of the video camera 100 according to this embodiment. These flowcharts are implemented by the CPU 214 operating based on a program stored in the ROM 207 or the recording medium 203, or a program acquired via the wireless module 216, to control the various components of the video camera 100. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the layer configuration of the OSD. Layers 501 to 503 are OSD layers drawn by the OSD drawing unit 210. Each layer is generated in an area of ​​the RAM 208. Layer 501 is a status display layer. Layer 502 is a menu display layer. Layer 503 is a message display layer. FIGS. 6A to 6F are diagrams showing the screen configurations displayed on the LCD panel 212, the EVF 213, the monitor 104, and the operation device 101. FIGS. 5 and 6A to 6F will be described together with the flowcharts of FIGS. 4A to 4D.

[0033] FIG. 4A is a flowchart showing the overall operation of video camera 100.

[0034] In step S4101, CPU 214 determines whether or not a system startup command has been issued by operation unit 205. If CPU 214 determines that a command has been issued, it proceeds to step S4102, and if not, it remains in standby mode.

[0035] In step S 4102 , the CPU 214 reads the setting information and flags stored in the ROM 207 into the RAM 208 .

[0036] In step S4103, the CPU 214 determines whether or not a shutdown command has been issued by the operation unit 205. If the CPU 214 determines that a shutdown command has been issued, the process proceeds to step S4104; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S4105.

[0037] In step S4104, CPU 214 stores the setting information and flags stored in RAM 208 in ROM 207 so that they can be maintained even when the power is turned off. After that, CPU 214 returns the process to step S4101.

[0038] In step S4105, the CPU 214 controls the image pickup device 201 to capture an image and the camera signal processing unit 202 to process the image.

[0039] 5 to draw status displays such as character strings and icons representing the status and settings of the video camera 100, as well as various frames and markers. The camera status and the setting values ​​of the various frames and markers are read from RAM 208.

[0040] In step S4107, CPU 214 determines whether or not a menu screen is being displayed on video camera 100. If CPU 214 determines that a menu screen is being displayed, the process proceeds to step S4108; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S4109.

[0041] In step S4108, CPU 214 performs menu operation and image output processing while the menu screen is displayed on video camera 100, based on the flowchart in FIG. 4B, which will be described later.

[0042] In step S4109, CPU 214 determines whether or not a menu screen is being displayed (whether or not it is being displayed) on operation device 101. If CPU 214 determines that a menu screen is being displayed, it proceeds to step S4110; otherwise, it proceeds to step S4111.

[0043] In step S4110, the CPU 214 performs menu operation and image output processing while the menu screen is displayed on the operation device 101, based on the flowchart in FIG. 4C, which will be described later.

[0044] In step S4111, the CPU 214 performs the display operation and image output process of the menu screen based on the flowchart in FIG. 4D, which will be described later.

[0045] In step S4112, CPU 214 determines whether or not a system shutdown command has been issued by operation unit 205. If CPU 214 determines that a system shutdown command has been issued, it ends this flow, and if not, returns the process to step S4103.

[0046] FIG. 4B is a flowchart of the menu operation and image output process executed in step S4108 while the menu screen is displayed on video camera 100.

[0047] In step S4201, CPU 214 determines whether or not a menu setting has been changed by a menu operation using operation unit 205. The menu settings include a setting to "exclusively display menus on the camera and remote terminal," a setting to "display menus in conjunction with the menu display on the remote terminal," and a setting to "increase transparency when displaying menus in conjunction with each other." If CPU 214 determines that a menu setting has been changed, it proceeds to step S4202; otherwise, it proceeds to step S4203.

[0048] In step S4202, the CPU 214 stores the set value in the RAM 208.

[0049] In step S4203, the CPU 214 determines whether or not to close the menu screen. If the CPU 214 determines that the menu should be closed, the process proceeds to step S4204; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S4206.

[0050] In step S4204, CPU 214 outputs to each display unit and output unit a screen in which layer 501 is superimposed on the video. Figure 6A shows the screen configuration at this time. Video 601 is displayed on the screen, and status indicator 602 indicates that video camera 100 is in a recording state.

[0051] In step S4205, CPU 214 generates an OSD image of layer 501 and transmits the video data and the OSD image to operation device 101 via wireless module 216. Fig. 6B shows the OSD image at this time. Note that it is assumed that the video data and OSD image to be transmitted are displayed as shown in Fig. 6A by superimposing the OSD image on the video data on LCD panel 308 of operation device 101. Thereafter, this flow ends.

[0052] In step S4206, CPU 214 controls OSD drawing unit 210 to draw a menu on layer 502. Menu information is read from RAM 208 by OSD drawing unit 210.

[0053] In step S4207, CPU 214 outputs to each display unit and output unit a screen in which layer 501 and layer 502 are superimposed on the video. Figure 6C shows the screen configuration at this time. Menu 603 is displayed on the screen.

[0054] In step S4208, the CPU 214 generates an OSD image by superimposing the layer 501 and the layer 502, and transmits the video data and the OSD image to the operation device 101 via the wireless module 216. After that, this flow ends.

[0055] FIG. 4C is a flowchart showing the processing executed in step S4110, and shows the flow of menu operation and image output processing when the menu screen is displayed on the operation device 101.

[0056] In step S4301, CPU 214 determines whether or not a key operation related to a menu operation has been performed by operation unit 205. If CPU 214 determines that an operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S4302; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S4309.

[0057] In step S4302, CPU 214 determines whether the operation performed by operation unit 205 is a menu display request made by pressing a menu button. If CPU 214 determines that the operation is a menu display request, it proceeds to step S4303; otherwise, it proceeds to step S4304.

[0058] In step S4303, CPU 214 determines whether the setting of video camera 100 "exclusively displays menus on camera and remote terminal" is ON or OFF. If this setting is ON, when a menu is displayed on operation device 101, menu display and operation on video camera 100 are disabled. This setting value was set in step S4202 or step S4311 and saved in RAM 208, and is read from RAM 208 at this point. The same applies to settings used in subsequent determinations. If CPU 214 determines that the above setting is ON, processing proceeds to step S4304; otherwise, processing proceeds to step S4310.

[0059] In step S4304, CPU 214 controls OSD drawing unit 210 to draw a message indicating that a menu operation is not accepted on layer 503. The OSD drawing unit 210 reads the message content from RAM 208.

[0060] In step S4305, CPU 214 outputs to each display unit and output unit a screen in which layers 501 and 503 are superimposed on the video. FIG. 6D shows the screen configuration at this time. A message 604 indicating that menu operations are not accepted is displayed on the screen. Note that, although the message content is displayed using text in this embodiment, it is not limited to text. For example, the message content may be indicated using a diagram or mark. This flow then ends.

[0061] In step S4306, the CPU 214 controls the layer 502 so that the OSD drawing unit 210 draws a menu.

[0062] In step S4307, CPU 214 controls OSD drawing unit 210 to draw, on layer 503, a message indicating that the menu button on video camera 100 has been pressed.

[0063] In step S4308, CPU 214 generates an OSD image by superimposing layers 501, 502, and 503, and transmits the video data and OSD image to operation device 101 via wireless module 216. FIG. 6E shows the OSD image at this time. A message 605 indicating that the menu button has been pressed on video camera 100 is displayed on the screen. As with step S4305, the display of the message content is not limited to text.

[0064] In step S4309, CPU 214 determines whether or not the menu setting has been changed in response to a menu operation request received from operation device 101 via wireless module 216. If the menu setting has been changed, CPU 214 proceeds to step S4311; otherwise, CPU 214 proceeds to step S4312.

[0065] In step S4310, CPU 214 determines whether or not the menu setting has been changed by a menu operation using operation unit 205. If CPU 214 determines that the menu setting has been changed, the process proceeds to step S4311; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S4312.

[0066] In step S4311, the CPU 214 stores the set value in the RAM 208.

[0067] In step S4312, CPU 214 determines whether or not to close the menu screen. If CPU 214 determines that the menu screen should be closed, it proceeds to step S4313; otherwise, it proceeds to step S4315.

[0068] In step S4313, the CPU 214 outputs a screen in which the layer 501 is superimposed on the video to each display unit and output unit.

[0069] In step S4314, the CPU 214 generates an OSD image of the layer 501, and transmits the video data and the OSD image to the operation device 101 via the wireless module 216. After that, this flow ends.

[0070] In step S4315, the CPU 214 controls the layer 502 so that the OSD drawing unit 210 draws a menu.

[0071] In step S4316, the CPU 214 outputs to each display unit and output unit a screen in which the layer 501 and the layer 502 are superimposed on the video.

[0072] In step S4317, the CPU 214 generates an OSD image by superimposing the layer 501 and the layer 502, and transmits the video data and the OSD image to the operation device 101 via the wireless module 216. After that, this flow ends.

[0073] FIG. 4D is a flowchart showing the processing executed in step S4111, and shows the processing and image output processing when a menu display request is received from the video camera 100 or the operation device 101.

[0074] In step S4401, CPU 214 determines whether or not a menu display request has been made by pressing the menu button on operation unit 205. If CPU 214 determines that a menu display request has been made, the process proceeds to step S4402; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S4405.

[0075] In step S4402, the CPU 214 controls the layer 502 so that the OSD drawing unit 210 draws a menu.

[0076] In step S4403, the CPU 214 outputs to each display unit and output unit a screen in which the layer 501 and the layer 502 are superimposed on the video.

[0077] In step S4404, the CPU 214 generates an OSD image by superimposing the layer 501 and the layer 502, and transmits the video data and the OSD image to the operation device 101 via the wireless module 216. After that, this flow ends.

[0078] In step S4405, CPU 214 determines whether or not a menu display request has been made by pressing the menu button on operation unit 301. If CPU 214 determines that a menu display request has been made, the process proceeds to step S4406; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S4425.

[0079] In step S4406, CPU 214 determines whether the setting for "display menu in conjunction with menu display on remote terminal" on LCD panel 212 is ON or OFF. If this setting is ON, when a menu is displayed on operation device 101, the menu is also displayed on LCD panel 212 in conjunction. If CPU 214 determines that this setting is ON, the process proceeds to step S4407; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S4411.

[0080] In step S4407, CPU 214 determines whether the setting for "linked menus are displayed with increased transparency" of LCD panel 212 is ON or OFF. If this setting is ON, the menu is displayed with increased transparency when displayed on LCD panel 212 in linkage with a menu display operation on operation device 101. If CPU 214 determines that this setting is ON, the process proceeds to step S4408; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S4409.

[0081] In step S4408, CPU 214 controls layer 502 so that OSD drawing unit 210 draws the menu by increasing the transparency to a certain value.

[0082] In step S4409, the CPU 214 controls the layer 502 so that the OSD drawing unit 210 draws a menu.

[0083] In step S4410, CPU 214 outputs a screen in which layers 501 and 502 are superimposed on the video to LCD panel 212. Note that Fig. 6F shows the screen when the menu is drawn with increased transparency by the processing in step S4408.

[0084] In step S4411, the CPU 214 outputs to the LCD panel 212 a screen in which the layer 501 is superimposed on the video.

[0085] In step S4412, the CPU 214 makes a determination equivalent to step S4406 based on the setting of "display menu in conjunction with menu display on remote terminal" of the EVF 213. If the CPU 214 determines that this is ON, the process proceeds to step S4413; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S4417.

[0086] In step S4413, the CPU 214 performs processing equivalent to step S4407 based on the setting of "Display linked menus with increased transparency" of the EVF 213. If the CPU 214 determines that this is ON, the process proceeds to step S4414; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S4415.

[0087] In step S4414, the CPU 214 performs processing equivalent to step S4408. In step S4415, the CPU 214 performs processing equivalent to step S4409. In step S4416, the CPU 214 performs processing equivalent to step S4410 on the EVF 213. In step S4417, the CPU 214 performs processing equivalent to step S4411 on the EVF 213.

[0088] In step S4418, CPU 214 determines whether or not an SDI terminal is connected to input I / F 206. If CPU 214 determines that an SDI terminal is connected, the process proceeds to step S4419; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S4404.

[0089] In step S4419, CPU 214 performs a determination equivalent to that in step S4406 regarding the setting of "display menu in conjunction with menu display on remote terminal" of the SDI terminal of input I / F 206. If CPU 214 determines that the setting is ON, it proceeds to step S4420, and if not, it proceeds to step S4424.

[0090] In step S4420, the CPU 214 makes a determination equivalent to that in step S4407 based on the setting of "linked menus are displayed with increased transparency" of the SDI terminal of the input I / F 206. If the CPU 214 determines that this is ON, the process proceeds to step S4421, and if not, the process proceeds to step S4422.

[0091] In step S4421, CPU 214 performs a process equivalent to step S4408. In step S4422, CPU 214 performs a process equivalent to step S4409.

[0092] In step S4423, the CPU 214 performs processing equivalent to that in step S4410 on the SDI terminal of the input I / F 206.

[0093] In step S4424, the CPU 214 performs processing equivalent to that in step S4411 on the SDI terminal of the input I / F 206.

[0094] In step S4425, the CPU 214 outputs to each display unit and output unit a screen in which the layer 501 is superimposed on the video.

[0095] In step S4426, the CPU 214 generates an OSD image of the layer 501, and transmits the video data and the OSD image to the operation device 101 via the wireless module 216. After that, this flow ends.

[0096] According to video camera 100 of this embodiment, when video camera 100 is requested by operation device 101 to display a menu screen, the menu screen is displayed on operation device 101, but it is possible to prevent the menu screen from being displayed on video camera 100. This allows the cameraman operating video camera 100 to concentrate on checking the video, and the assistant operating operation device 101 to change the settings of video camera 100 without disturbing the cameraman.

[0097] At this time, the screen viewed by the cameraman displays information indicating the status of the video camera 100 along with the video. Therefore, the cameraman can at least check whether recording is in progress and the time code (time information), which are the most important aspects of camera operation, while viewing the video. Such display control can be performed in conjunction with the required menu operation, without the cameraman being aware of an explicit switching operation. Furthermore, when no request is made to display the menu screen, the same information can be viewed on both the video camera 100 and the operation device 101. As a design advantage, there is no need to implement a menu screen unique to the operation device 101, thereby reducing the number of design steps.

[0098] When the menu screen is opened from the video camera 100 while the menu screen is not open on either the video camera 100 or the operation device 101, the menu screen of the operation device 101 can be opened in conjunction with the opening of the menu screen. Therefore, the assistant using the operation device 101 can grasp all the setting changes made by the cameraman.

[0099] The video camera 100 can be set so that menu operations on the video camera 100 are not accepted when a menu screen is displayed on the operation device 101. This makes it possible to avoid a case where the cameraman also operates the menu on the video camera 100 while the assistant is operating the menu on the operation device 101, resulting in an erroneous operation. In this case, the video camera 100 can display a message indicating that operations will not be accepted because the menu screen is open on the operation device 101, and the operation device 101 can display a message indicating that a menu display operation has been performed from the video camera 100. This allows the cameraman to recognize that the assistant is operating the menu, and the assistant can recognize that the cameraman wants to operate the menu.

[0100] The video camera 100 can be set so that if the cameraman operates to open a menu screen on the video camera 100 while an assistant is displaying a menu screen on the operation device 101, the menu screen can also be opened on the video camera 100. Therefore, while the assistant is opening a menu on the operation device 101, the cameraman can open the menu screen on the main unit and understand the menu operations being performed by the assistant. In addition, with another setting, the video camera 100 can also display the menu screen with increased transparency in conjunction with the display of the menu screen on the operation device 101. Therefore, even if the menu screen is unexpectedly displayed on the video camera 100 by an operation by the assistant, the cameraman can continue to check the video and understand the menu operations being performed by the assistant.

[0101] With the above configuration, the user can operate the video camera 100 from the operation device 101 using the same menu screen as the video camera 100, eliminating the burden of having to become familiar with the unique operation system of the operation device 101. From the perspective of design man-hours, since the menu screen of the video camera 100 and the operation device 101 can be made common, it is only necessary to implement one menu screen, and the man-hours required to implement the unique menu screen of the operation device 101 can be reduced.

[0102] Although the present invention has been described in detail above based on preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Parts of the above-described embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

[0103] The present invention also includes a case where a software program that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device having a computer that can execute the program, either directly from a recording medium or via wired or wireless communication, and the program is executed.

[0104] Therefore, the program code itself that is supplied to and installed on a computer to realize the functional processing of the present invention also realizes the present invention. In other words, the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention is also included in the present invention.

[0105] In this case, as long as it has the functionality of a program, the form of the program does not matter, such as object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to an OS.

[0106] The recording medium for supplying the program may be, for example, a hard disk, a magnetic recording medium such as a magnetic tape, an optical / magneto-optical storage medium, or a non-volatile semiconductor memory.

[0107] Another method of supplying the program is to store the computer program forming the present invention in a server on a computer network, and have connected client computers download and program the computer program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 100: Video camera, 101: Operation device, 102: Wireless communication, 103: SDI cable, 104: Monitor, 200: Lens, 201: Image sensor, 202: Camera signal processing unit, 203: Recording medium, 204: Power supply, 205: Operation unit, 207: ROM, 208: RAM, 210: OSD drawing unit, 212: LCD panel, 213: CPU, 214: EVF, 215: Communication control unit

Claims

1. An imaging device that can be operated by an external operation device, an imaging means for capturing an image of a subject and outputting a first image that is an image of the subject; a control means for controlling whether or not to display the second image on the first display means when an operation is performed in the operation device to display a second image, which is a menu screen for performing operations on the operation device, on a second display means of the operation device while the first image output from the imaging means is being displayed on a first display means; An imaging device comprising:

2. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a drawing unit for drawing an on-screen image including information about the imaging device or a menu for performing various settings.

3. 3. The imaging device according to claim 2, further comprising a synthesizing unit for synthesizing the first image and the on-screen image.

4. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control means, when displaying the menu screen on the first display means, outputs the menu screen to the operation device so that the menu screen is also displayed on a second display means of the operation device.

5. The imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the menu screen is being displayed on the operation device and an instruction to display the menu screen is given on the imaging device, the control means causes the first image to continue to be displayed on the first display means.

6. The imaging device according to claim 5, characterized in that, when the menu screen is being displayed on the operation device and an instruction to display the menu screen is given on the imaging device, the control means displays on the first display means a message indicating that the instruction to display the menu screen on the imaging device will not be accepted.

7. 7. The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein when the menu screen is being displayed on the operation device and an instruction to display the menu screen is given on the imaging device, the control means outputs a first indication to the operation device so as to cause a second display means of the operation device to display a first indication indicating that the menu screen has been instructed to be displayed on the imaging device.

8. The imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the menu screen is being displayed on the operation device and an instruction to display the menu screen is given on the imaging device, the control means outputs the menu screen to the operation device so that the menu screen to be displayed on the first display means is also displayed on the second display means of the operation device.

9. The imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the first image output from the imaging means is displayed on the first display means and an operation is performed on the operating device to display the second image on the second display means of the operating device, the control means displays the second image on the first display means with increased transparency.

10. 10. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control means causes the first display means to display at least an indication indicating whether or not the imaging device is in an imaging state.

11. 11. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control means causes the first display means to display at least a display indicating time information of imaging by the imaging device.

12. A method for controlling an imaging device that includes an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject and outputs a first image that is an image of the subject, and that can be operated by an external operating device, comprising: A control method for an imaging device, comprising a control step of controlling whether or not to display the second image on the first display means when an operation is performed in the operation device to display a second image, which is a menu screen for performing operations on the operation device, on the second display means of the operation device while the first image output from the imaging means is being displayed on the first display means.

13. A program for causing a computer to execute the method for controlling an imaging apparatus according to claim 12.

14. 13. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the method for controlling an imaging apparatus according to claim 12.

Images