Image capture device, image processing device, image capture device control method, and image processing device control method

Abstract

To provide a technique for achieving the driving of an imaging apparatus within a range where errors do not occur in power supply superimposition method data communication.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus is configured that is configured to acquire the amount of voltage drop when the imaging apparatus is driven in accordance with a drive instruction received through power supply superimposition method data communication and drive the imaging apparatus in accordance with the drive instruction. The imaging apparatus is driven so that the amount of voltage drop is within a range where no error occurs in the data communication.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to communications technology. [Background technology]

[0002] In high-speed serial communication systems using serializers and deserializers, a communication method is used to supply power and send / receive data by superimposing DC power and data over a COAX cable. In recent years, this communication method has been widely used in modular camera systems and in-vehicle camera systems.

[0003] However, changes in the power load caused by increases or decreases in the power supply cause fluctuations in the transmission voltage between the serializer and deserializer, which can cause errors in data transmission and reception and can cause momentary interruptions in the video and control signals being transmitted and received.

[0004] This issue is a potential problem in high-speed serial communication systems that use serializers and deserializers, and cannot be avoided by hardware. Therefore, there was a need for a method to control the power load change within a specified range so that errors would not occur during data transmission and reception.

[0005] To solve this problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for acquiring image capture signals sequentially output from an image capture unit during a voltage stabilization period after a predetermined voltage fluctuation period has elapsed since the lighting light source was turned on and off. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-167506 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 makes it difficult to use multiple functions simultaneously, and has not yet solved the problem in imaging devices that capture moving images. More specifically, when using the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, imaging signals output sequentially from the imaging unit are acquired during a voltage stabilization period after a predetermined voltage fluctuation period has elapsed since the lighting source was turned on and off. As a result, it is not possible to use multiple functions simultaneously, and it is also not possible to capture continuous moving images. The present invention provides a technology for driving an imaging device within a range where errors do not occur in data communication using a power supply superposition method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition means for acquiring the amount of voltage drop when an imaging device is driven in accordance with a drive instruction received through data communication using a power supply superposition method, and a drive control means for driving the imaging device in accordance with the drive instruction, wherein the drive control means drives the imaging device so that the amount of voltage drop falls within a range in which no errors occur in the data communication. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for driving an imaging device within a range where no errors occur in data communication using the power supply superposition method. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an imaging system 100. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart of processing performed by the image capture device 100-1. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining step S206. [Figure 4] 10 is a graph showing an example in which no drive restriction is implemented so as to drive within a predetermined power load change range in which no error occurs in data transmission and reception; [Figure 5]10 is a graph showing an example of implementing drive restriction so as to drive within a predetermined power load change range in which no error occurs in data transmission and reception. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart of processing performed by the image processing device 100-2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] 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.

[0012] [First embodiment] In this embodiment, the amount of voltage drop when the imaging device is driven in accordance with a drive instruction received via data communication using the power supply superposition method is obtained, and the imaging device is driven in accordance with the drive instruction.An example of an imaging device that drives the imaging device so that the amount of voltage drop falls within a range that does not cause errors in the data communication will be described.

[0013] First, an example of the configuration of an imaging system according to this embodiment will be described using the block diagram of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging system 100 according to this embodiment includes an imaging device 100-1 and an image processing device 100-2. The imaging device 100-1 and the image processing device 100-2 are connected to a COAX cable 119, which is an example of a communication path capable of power-supply superimposition data communication. Hereinafter, a case where high-speed serial communication is used will be described as an example of "power-supply superimposition data communication." However, communication other than high-speed serial communication may also be used as "power-supply superimposition data communication." Furthermore, while FIG. 1 illustrates the imaging system 100 as including one imaging device 100-1 and one image processing device 100-2, the number of imaging devices 100-1 and image processing devices 100-2 is not limited to one, and may be multiple. Furthermore, the network configuration of the imaging device 100-1 is not limited to the network configuration shown in FIG. 1.

[0014] First, the imaging device 100-1 will be described. The imaging device 100-1 operates using power supplied from the image processing device 100-2 and is driven in response to a drive instruction from the image processing device 100-2, thereby being capable of capturing moving images and still images. When the imaging device 100-1 captures a moving image in response to the drive instruction, it outputs images of each frame constituting the moving image as a captured image. When the imaging device 100-1 captures a still image in response to the drive instruction, it outputs the still image as a captured image. Such an imaging device 100-1 can be applied to a network camera, a video camera, a still camera, a drive recorder, an in-vehicle camera, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, etc.

[0015] The imaging unit 102 photoelectrically converts external light into an analog image signal and outputs it. The imaging unit 102 has a zoom lens 102-1, a focus lens 102-2, an aperture 102-3, an infrared cut filter 102-4, and an imaging element 102-5 composed of an image sensor, etc. The zoom lens 102-1 and the focus lens 102-2 are moved along the optical axis by a driving unit 103. The aperture 102-3 is driven by the driving unit 103 to adjust the amount of light that passes through (light intensity). The infrared cut filter 102-4 is driven and operated by the driving unit 103. The infrared cut filter 102-4 is inserted when sufficient illuminance is obtained from the subject to be imaged. In this case, the imaging element 102-5 receives light that does not include infrared light, photoelectrically converts the received light, and outputs an analog image signal. On the other hand, the infrared cut filter 102-4 is removed when sufficient illumination is not obtained from the subject to be imaged. In this case, the image sensor 102-5 receives light including infrared light. When the infrared cut filter 102-4 is removed, the drive unit 103 turns on the infrared illumination 105 toward the subject to enhance visibility of dark areas. The image sensor 102-5 photoelectrically converts light that has passed through the zoom lens 102-1, focus lens 102-2, aperture 102-3, and (if not removed) the infrared cut filter 102-4 to generate an analog image signal. The image sensor 102 performs amplification processing on the generated analog image signal using sampling processing such as correlated double sampling, and outputs the amplified analog image signal (captured image) to the serializer 108.

[0016] The pan head 106 is used to change the pan angle (angle in the horizontal (left and right) direction) and tilt angle (angle in the vertical (up and down) direction) of the imaging unit 102, and for example, the pan head 106 has a pan drive unit and a tilt drive unit.

[0017] The pan drive unit of the camera platform 106 has a bottom case and a turntable. The drive control unit 101-1 drives the actuator 107 to rotate the turntable in the pan direction (horizontal (left and right) direction), thereby changing the pan angle of the imaging unit 102 placed on the turntable. The actuator 107 can rotate the turntable (i.e., the imaging unit 102) in the pan direction from -175 degrees to +175 degrees, for example.

[0018] The tilt drive unit of the pan head 106 has a support pole for rotating the imaging unit 102 placed on the turntable in a tilt direction (vertical (up and down) direction). The drive control unit 101-1 drives the actuator 107 to rotate the support pole, thereby changing the tilt angle of the imaging unit 102 placed on the turntable. The actuator 107 can rotate the imaging unit 102, for example, from 0 degrees in the horizontal direction to 90 degrees directly upward.

[0019] The MPU (microprocessor) 101 controls the overall operation of the imaging device 100-1 and includes a drive control unit 101-1, a power control unit 101-2, and a communication unit 101-3. The drive control unit 101-1, the power control unit 101-2, and the communication unit 101-3 may be implemented as hardware or as software (computer programs). In the latter case, the MPU 101 executes the computer programs to realize the functions of the corresponding functional units.

[0020] The drive control unit 101-1 controls the operation of the drive unit 103 and the actuator 107. The power control unit 101-2 controls power consumption in the image capture device 100-1 by limiting the drive of the image capture device 100-1 in response to a drive instruction from the image processing device 100-2. The communication unit 101-3 controls high-speed serial communication with the image processing device 100-2 via a COAX cable 110.

[0021] The sensor 104 is an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an illuminance sensor, a temperature sensor, etc., and may include, for example, one or more of these sensors. The sensor 104 measures displacements such as the acceleration, angular velocity, and orientation of the image capture device 100-1, the illuminance around the image capture device 100-1, and the temperature inside the image capture device 100-1 at a predetermined sampling rate, and notifies the MPU 101 of the measurement results.

[0022] The serializer 108 performs high-speed serial communication with the image processing device 100-2 via a COAX cable 110. For example, the serializer 108 converts an analog image signal output from the imaging unit 102 into a predetermined high-speed serial signal. The serializer 108 then transmits the converted high-speed serial signal to the image processing device 100-2 (deserializer 112) via the COAX cable 110. The serializer 108 also periodically or irregularly transmits "information related to the imaging unit 102 (imaging unit information)" collected by the MPU 101 from the imaging unit 102 to the image processing device 100-2 via the COAX cable 110.

[0023] The power supply unit 109 receives power transmitted by high-speed serial communication from the image processing device 100-2 via a COAX cable 110, supplies the power to each unit in the imaging device 100-1, and also A / D converts the voltage level of the power before notifying the MCU 101.

[0024] Next, the image processing device 100-2 will be described. The image processing device 100-2 can be a computer device such as a PC (personal computer), a mobile phone, or a personal digital assistant.

[0025] A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111 executes various processes using computer programs and data stored in a RAM 116 and a ROM 117. As a result, the CPU 111 controls the overall operation of the image processing device 100-2, and also executes or controls various processes that will be described as being performed by the image processing device 100-2.

[0026] The CPU 111 has a control unit 111-1 and a communication unit 111-2. The control unit 111-1 and the communication unit 111-2 may be implemented as hardware or software (computer programs). In the latter case, the CPU 111 executes the computer programs to realize the functions of the corresponding functional units.

[0027] The control unit 111-1 controls various operations in the image processing device 100-2. The communication unit 111-2 controls high-speed serial communication with the image capturing device 100-1 via the COAX cable 110.

[0028] The deserializer 112 performs high-speed serial communication with the image capturing device 100-1 via the COAX cable 110. For example, the deserializer 112 converts a high-speed serial signal transmitted by high-speed serial communication from the image capturing device 100-1 via the COAX cable 110 into a digital image signal, and outputs the converted digital image signal to the image input controller 113. The image input controller 113 outputs the digital image signal output from the deserializer 112 to the image processing unit 114 at the subsequent stage.

[0029] The image processing unit 114 acquires "sensitivity information at the time of image capture output from the image sensor 102-5" included in the image capture unit information transmitted from the image capture device 100-1 via high-speed serial communication via the COAX cable 110. The sensitivity information is, for example, information such as AGC (Automatic Gain Control) gain or ISO (International Organization for Standardization) sensitivity. The image processing unit 114 then performs various digital image processing on the digital image signal output from the image input controller 113 based on the image capture unit information, and generates the processed digital image signal as a digital captured image. The "various digital image processing" includes, for example, optical black processing, pixel defect correction, aberration correction, peripheral light falloff correction, gain processing, white balance processing, RGB interpolation processing, dynamic range expansion processing, color difference signal conversion, and offset processing. The "various digital image processing" also includes, for example, gamma correction processing, noise reduction processing, contour correction processing, color tone correction processing, light source type determination processing, and scaling processing. The image processing unit 114 then stores the generated digital captured image in a RAM 116 connected to the bus 115 .

[0030] The RAM 116 is a volatile memory such as an SRAM or a DRAM, and has an area for storing computer programs and data loaded from the ROM 117 or the storage device 118. The RAM 116 also has an area for storing various data received from the imaging device 100-1 via the COAX cable 110 and data received from the network 122 via the I / F 119. The RAM 116 also has a work area used when the CPU 111, the image analysis unit 123, the compression / decompression unit 124, etc. execute various processes. In this way, the RAM 116 can provide various areas as needed.

[0031] The ROM 117 is a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, a flash memory, etc. The ROM 117 stores setting data for the image processing device 100-2, computer programs and data related to the startup of the image processing device 100-2, computer programs and data related to the basic operation of the image processing device 100-2, and the like.

[0032] The storage device 118 is a large-capacity information storage device such as an HDD (hard disk drive), SSD (solid state drive), eMMC (embedded multimedia card), etc. The storage device 118 stores an OS (operating system), computer programs and data for causing the CPU 111 to execute or control various processes described as being performed by the image processing device 100-2. The computer programs and data stored in the storage device 118 are loaded into the RAM 116 as appropriate under the control of the CPU 111, and become targets for processing by the CPU 111.

[0033] The I / F 119 is a variety of I / Fs related to input and output. The I / F 119 is connected to an input device 120, such as operation keys including a release switch and a power switch, a cross key, a joystick, a touch panel, a keyboard, and a pointing device (e.g., a mouse). Various instructions input by a user operating the input device 120 are notified to the CPU 111 via the I / F 119 and the bus 115. The I / F 119 is also connected to a display device 121, such as a device with an LCD display or a touch panel screen, and the display device 121 displays the results of processing by the CPU 111 as images, text, etc. The I / F 119 is also connected to a network 122 via a LAN or the like. The network 122 is a wired and / or wireless network such as a LAN or the Internet.

[0034] The image analysis unit 123 performs image analysis such as face detection, person detection, moving object detection, passage detection, crowding detection, trajectory detection, and abandonment / removal detection on the digitally captured image, and notifies the CPU 111 of the results of the image analysis via the bus 115.

[0035] The compression / decompression unit 124 performs compression processing in a predetermined format on a digitally captured image to generate a compressed image in accordance with control instructions received from the CPU 111 via the bus 115. The compression / decompression unit 124 then stores the generated compressed image in the RAM 116 or the storage device 118, transmits it to the network 122 via the I / F 119, or displays an image based on the compressed image on the display device 121 via the I / F 119. The compression / decompression unit 124 also performs decompression processing in a predetermined format on the compressed image to generate an uncompressed image. The compression / decompression processing in the predetermined format can be performed in accordance with a method conforming to the JPEG standard for still images, or in accordance with standards such as MOTION-JPEG, MPEG2, AVC / H.264, or AVC / H.265 for moving images.

[0036] The power supply unit 125 separates power supplied from an external source (for example, power obtained from POE via a LAN) into power to be supplied to the image capture device 100-2 and power to be supplied to the image capture device 100-1. The deserializer 112 superimposes the "power to be supplied to the image capture device 100-2" separated by the power supply unit 125 on data transmitted and received between the serializer 111 and the deserializer 112, and transmits the superimposed power to the image capture device 100-1 via the COAX cable 110 by high-speed serial communication.

[0037] Next, the operation of the imaging system according to this embodiment will be described. A user operates the input device 120 to input operational instructions for controlling the zoom, focus, aperture, mechanical shutter, pan, tilt, infrared cut filter, infrared illumination, heater, and the like of the imaging device 100-1. The operational instructions are notified to the CPU 111 via the I / F 119, and the control unit 111-1 converts the operational instructions into drive instructions. For example, when the user uses the input device 120 to specify a zoom amount by operating a slider bar or by entering a zoom amount through text, the control unit 111-1 generates a drive instruction, which is a command for controlling the drive unit 103 to move the zoom lens 102-1 to achieve the specified zoom amount. Note that the operational instructions may be received from the network 122 via the I / F 119. The communication unit 111-2 transmits the drive instruction to the imaging device 100-1 via the bus 115, the deserializer 112, and the COAX cable 110.

[0038] The communication unit 101-3 receives, via the serializer 108, drive instructions transmitted from the image processing device 100-2 via the COAX cable 110. The drive control unit 101-1 controls the drive unit 103 and the actuator 107 based on the received drive instructions, thereby performing control in accordance with the user's operation instructions. At this time, the power control unit 101-2 controls the drive control unit 101-1 so that, when the drive control unit 101-1 performs drive in accordance with the drive instructions, the amount of voltage drop falls within a range in which no errors occur in high-speed serial communication. This allows drive control of the zoom, focus, aperture, mechanical shutter, pan, tilt, infrared cut filter, infrared illumination, heater, and the like to be performed within a range in which no errors occur in high-speed serial communication. The process performed by the image capture device 100-1 to achieve this operation will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 2.

[0039] <Step S201> In step S201, the drive control unit 101-1 acquires a drive instruction received by the communication unit 101-3 via the serializer 108, and calculates the drive amount of the object to be driven based on the drive instruction. For example, if the object to be driven is "zoom, focus, aperture, mechanical shutter, pan, tilt, or infrared cut filter," the drive control unit 101-1 calculates "drive speed" as the drive amount. Alternatively, if the object to be driven is "infrared lighting," the drive control unit 101-1 calculates "light control amount" as the drive amount. Alternatively, if the object to be driven is "heater," the drive control unit 101-1 calculates "intensity change amount" as the drive amount.

[0040] <Step S202> In step S202, the power control unit 101-2 acquires the corresponding power load fluctuation based on the drive amount calculated in step S201. For example, the power control unit 101-2 holds a table (power load fluctuation conversion table) in which sets of drive amounts of the drive object and power load fluctuations that occur when the drive object is driven according to the drive amounts are registered for various drive amounts. The power load fluctuation conversion table is created in advance based on actual measurements or design values.

[0041] For example, the power load fluctuation conversion table corresponding to the drive objects "focus, aperture, mechanical shutter, pan, tilt, infrared cut filter" is a table in which "sets of drive speeds of the drive objects and power load fluctuations that occur when the drive objects are driven at the drive speeds are registered for various drive speeds."

[0042] The power load fluctuation conversion table corresponding to the driven object "infrared lighting" is a table in which "sets of the dimming amount of the driven object and the power load fluctuation amount that occurs when the driven object is driven according to the dimming amount are registered for various dimming amounts."

[0043] The power load fluctuation conversion table corresponding to the driven object "heater" is a table in which "sets of the intensity change amount of the driven object and the power load fluctuation amount that occurs when the driven object is driven according to the intensity change amount are registered for various intensity change amounts."

[0044] In such a case, power control unit 101-2 acquires the amount of power load fluctuation registered in the table as a set with the drive amount calculated in step S201. For example, if the drive amount calculated in step S201 is the "zoom drive speed," the amount of power load fluctuation registered as a set with the "zoom drive speed" calculated in step S201 is acquired from a "table in which sets of zoom drive speeds and the amount of power load fluctuation that occurs when the zoom is driven according to the drive speeds are registered for various drive speeds."

[0045] The method for obtaining the power load fluctuation corresponding to the drive amount calculated in step S201 is not limited to the above-described method using the power load fluctuation conversion table. For example, instead of using the power load fluctuation conversion table, a "function representing the relationship between the drive amount and the power load fluctuation" may be used to calculate the power load fluctuation corresponding to the drive amount calculated in step S201.

[0046] <Step S203> In step S203, the power control unit 101-2 acquires the "temperature inside the image capture device 100-1 (inside the image capture device)" measured by a temperature sensor included in the sensor 104 from the temperature sensor.

[0047] <Step S204> In step S204, the power control unit 101-2 corrects the power load fluctuation amount acquired in step S202 using the temperature acquired in step S203 and a power load fluctuation amount correction table that has been created in advance based on actual measurements and design values ​​and stored. The power load fluctuation amount correction table stores correction amounts for power load fluctuation amounts corresponding to various temperatures so that power load fluctuation amounts corresponding to lower temperatures are corrected to be larger. The power control unit 101-2 stores the power load fluctuation amount correction table.

[0048] The power control unit 101-2 obtains a correction amount corresponding to the temperature obtained in step S203 from the power load fluctuation correction table, and corrects the power load fluctuation obtained in step S202 according to the obtained correction amount. Note that the correction method is not limited to a specific correction method as long as the power load fluctuation obtained in step S202 is corrected to be larger for lower temperatures.

[0049] <Step S205> In step S205, the power control unit 101-2 calculates the power load fluctuation corresponding to the power load fluctuation corrected in step S204. Voltage drop are created and stored in advance based on actual measurements and design values. Voltage drop Obtained using a conversion table. Voltage drop The conversion table contains the corresponding Voltage drop is registered. Voltage drop The conversion table is determined according to the design of the circuit board in the image capture device 100-1, and is held by the power control unit 101-2.

[0050] In addition, the power load fluctuation amount corrected in step S204 corresponds to Voltage drop is acquired according to the characteristics determined by the design of the circuit board in the image capture device 100-1, Voltage drop The method for obtaining the above is not limited to a specific method.

[0051] <Step S206> In step S206, the power control unit 101-2 receives the Voltage drop For example, as shown in Figure 3, we determine whether the range is within which no errors occur in high-speed serial communication. Voltage drop The range 302 obtained in step S205 Voltage drop is equal to or smaller than the value obtained in step S205. Voltage drop is judged to be within the "range where no errors occur in high-speed serial communication." Voltage drop If the range 302 is exceeded, the Voltage drop is not within the "range where no errors occur in high-speed serial communication." Voltage drop The range 302 uses the center value of the stationary noise 301 and excludes the noise 301. Voltage drop The range 302 and noise 301 are determined by the specifications of the serializer 108 and the deserializer 112.

[0052] As a result of this determination, the Voltage drop However, if the value is within the "range where no errors occur in high-speed serial communication", the process proceeds to step S208. Voltage drop However, if it is not within the "range where no errors occur in high-speed serial communication", the process proceeds to step S207.

[0053] <Step S207> In step S207, power control unit 101-2 performs settings to limit driving so that the amount of voltage drop acquired in step S205 falls within a "range in which no errors occur in high-speed serial communication."

[0054] For example, if the object to be driven is zoom, focus, aperture, mechanical shutter, pan, tilt, or an infrared cut filter, the power control unit 101-2 controls the drive control unit 101-1 to limit the drive speed of the object to a specified speed or less and drive it slowly, thereby suppressing the amount of voltage drop within a predetermined range.

[0055] Furthermore, for example, when the object to be driven is an infrared light, the power control unit 101-2 controls the drive control unit 101-1 to limit the amount of change in the light intensity due to dimming of the object to a specified amount or less and to dim the light gradually, thereby suppressing the amount of voltage drop within a predetermined range.

[0056] For example, if the object to be driven is a heater, the power control unit 101-2 controls the drive control unit 101-1 to limit the amount of power change of the object to a specified amount or less and gradually control the intensity of the heater, thereby suppressing the amount of voltage drop within a predetermined range.

[0057] 4 is a graph showing an example in which no drive restrictions are implemented so that the device operates within a predetermined power load change range that does not cause errors in data transmission and reception. As shown in graphs 401 and 402, the power load change that occurs exceeds the allowable power load change amount of 100%, and it can be seen that errors occur in data transmission and reception.

[0058] On the other hand, FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of implementing drive limitations to drive within a predetermined power load change that does not cause errors in data transmission and reception. In graph 501, the drive speed of the infrared cut filter is limited to suppress and distribute the power load changes that occur. Furthermore, the drive timing of the infrared light is delayed and limited to distribute the peaks of the power load changes that occur. A comparison with graph 401 reveals that the drive of the infrared cut filter and the infrared light is limited. Since the heater is prioritized in graph 501, the heater drive is not limited. As a result, as shown in graph 502, the power load changes that occur can be controlled to less than 100% of the allowable power load change amount. However, FIGS. 4 and 5 are merely examples of this embodiment and do not limit the drive limitations of this embodiment.

[0059] In this way, in step S207, power control unit 101-2 performs settings so that driving is performed so that the amount of voltage drop acquired in step S205 falls within the "range in which no errors occur in high-speed serial communication."

[0060] <Step S208> In step S208, the drive control unit 101-1 controls the drive unit 103 and the actuator 107 in response to the drive instruction to drive the zoom, focus, aperture, mechanical shutter, pan, tilt, infrared cut filter, infrared lighting, heater, etc. At that time, if the setting has been performed in step S207, the power control unit 101-2 limits the drive by the drive control unit 101-1 so that the voltage drop amount acquired in step S205 falls within the "range in which no errors occur in high-speed serial communication."

[0061] <Step S209> In step S209, power control unit 101-2 acquires from power supply unit 109 the amount of voltage drop that occurred during driving in step S208.

[0062] <Step S210> In step S210, the power control unit 101-2 Voltage drop In the conversion table, the power load fluctuation amount corrected in step S204 is Voltage drop The value obtained in step S209 Voltage drop This will reduce the risk of hardware variations and deterioration over time. Voltage drop Considering the change in Voltage drop Conversion tables have been updated for greater accuracy. Voltage drop The Voltage drop It can be obtained from the conversion table.

[0063] <Step S211> In step S211, the drive control unit 101-1 determines whether to continue the drive control. For example, if a user operates the input device 120 to input an instruction to end the drive control, the instruction is transmitted to the imaging device 100-1 via the deserializer 112 and the COAX cable 110, and the communication unit 101-3 receives the instruction via the serializer 108. If the communication unit 101-3 receives the instruction, the drive control unit 101-1 determines not to continue the drive control. On the other hand, if the communication unit 101-3 does not receive the instruction, the drive control unit 101-1 determines to continue the drive control. Note that the method for determining whether to continue the drive control is not limited to a specific method.

[0064] If the result of this determination is that drive control is to be continued, the process proceeds to step S201. On the other hand, if drive control is not to be continued, the process according to the flowchart of FIG.

[0065] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to realize driving such that the amount of voltage drop when driving the drive target falls within a range in which no errors occur in high-speed serial communication. When the number of drive targets to be driven in the image capture device 100-1 is large, the amount of power load fluctuation increases, causing large fluctuations in the transmission voltage between the serializer and the deserializer, resulting in errors in data transmission and reception in high-speed serial communication. In this embodiment, even when the number of drive targets to be driven in the image capture device 100-1 is large, it is possible to realize driving such that the amount of voltage drop falls within a range in which no errors occur in high-speed serial communication.

[0066] [Second embodiment] In each of the following embodiments, including this embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and unless otherwise specified below, it will be assumed that they are the same as the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the implementation / non-implementation of restrictions on the driving of drive objects such as zoom, focus, aperture, mechanical shutter, pan, tilt, infrared cut filter, infrared lighting, and heater are controlled according to the situation.

[0067] In step S207, if the temperature acquired in step S203 is lower than the "guaranteed operating temperature of the hardware of the image capture device 100-1" previously stored in the power control unit 101-2, or if there is a possibility that this is the case, the power control unit 101-2 prioritizes the heater function. In other words, the power control unit 101-2 does not restrict the driving of the heater (drives the heater according to the drive instruction), or relaxes the restriction on the driving of the heater.

[0068] For example, if the predicted temperature in the future (e.g., 10 seconds from now) predicted from the time series of temperatures acquired from the sensor 104 falls below the "guaranteed operating temperature of the hardware of the imaging device 100-1," the power control unit 101-2 determines that the temperature acquired in step S203 may fall below the "guaranteed operating temperature of the hardware of the imaging device 100-1."

[0069] Also, "relaxing the restriction" means, for example, when the object to be driven is a heater, controlling the drive control unit 101-1 so as to limit the amount of power change of the object to a specified amount that is greater than the specified amount at the time of restriction, and to gently control the intensity of the heater.

[0070] Furthermore, the power control unit 101-2 acquires the exposure level of the captured image from the control unit 111-1 via the communication unit 101-3, the serializer 108, the COAX cable 110, the deserializer 112, the bus 115, and the communication unit 111-2. The control unit 111-1 acquires the exposure level of the captured image from the image processing unit 114 or the image analysis unit 123, and the communication unit 111-2 transmits the acquired exposure level to the imaging device 100-1. When the exposure level acquired from the image processing device 100-2 is so low that there is a possibility of reduced visibility, the power control unit 101-2 may prioritize the infrared cut filter and the infrared illumination and may not restrict the driving of the infrared cut filter and the infrared illumination, or may relax the restriction on the driving. "When the exposure level acquired from the image processing device 100-2 is so low that there is a possibility of reduced visibility" refers to, for example, when the exposure level acquired from the image processing device 100-2 is equal to or lower than a "threshold value indicating an exposure level at which there is a possibility of reduced visibility."

[0071] Furthermore, during zoom driving or pan and tilt driving, priority may be given to smooth zoom, pan and tilt driving, and no further restrictions may be added to the zoom, pan and tilt driving, or the restrictions may be relaxed.

[0072] Furthermore, there is no need to restrict the driving of the image capture device 100-1 in a function designated by the user through operation of the input device 120 or the driving of the image capture device 100-1 in a function designated in advance.

[0073] 5 is a graph showing an example of implementing drive restrictions to operate the image capture device within a predetermined power load change range that does not cause errors in data transmission and reception when the temperature of the image capture device falls below the guaranteed operating temperature of the hardware. In graph 501, priority is given to the heater function, so drive restrictions on the heater function are not implemented, and drive restrictions are placed on the infrared cut filter and infrared illumination.

[0074] [Third embodiment] In the first and second embodiments, the drive control unit 101-1 and the power control unit 101-2 are described as being included in the MPU 101, but the drive control unit 101-1 and the power control unit 101-2 may be included in the CPU 111. In such a case, the image processing device 100-2 generates a drive instruction by performing processing in accordance with the flowchart of Fig. 6 and transmits the drive instruction to the imaging device 100-1.

[0075] In step S601, the drive control unit 101-1 acquires the drive amount of the drive target from the operation instruction input by the user operating the input device 120. Then, the power control unit 101-2 performs the processes of steps S202 to S206. Note that in step S203 according to this embodiment, the power control unit 101-2 acquires the "temperature inside the image capture device 100-1 measured by the sensor 104" from the image capture device 100-1.

[0076] As a result of the determination in step S206, Voltage dropHowever, if the value is within the "range where no errors occur in high-speed serial communication", the process proceeds to step S602. Voltage drop However, if it is not within the "range where no error occurs in high-speed serial communication", the process proceeds to step S603. In step S602, control unit 111-1 converts the operation instruction input by the user operating input device 120 into a drive instruction.

[0077] In step S603, the power control unit 101-2 generates a drive instruction in accordance with the setting in step S207. This drive instruction is a drive instruction that instructs driving that is limited so that the voltage drop amount acquired in step S205 falls within a "range in which no errors occur in high-speed serial communication."

[0078] In step S604, the communication unit 111-2 transmits the drive instruction converted in step S602 or the drive instruction generated in step S603 to the image capture device 100-1. The image capture device 100-1 drives a function in accordance with the drive instruction transmitted from the image processing device 100-2.

[0079] In step S605, the power control unit 101-2 receives from the image capture device 100-1 the "amount of voltage drop that occurred when the image capture device 100-1 was driven in accordance with the drive instruction transmitted in step S604," which the image capture device 100-1 acquired from the power supply unit 109. Then, the power control unit 101-2 performs the process of step S210 to Voltage drop Update the translation table.

[0080] Then, drive control unit 101-1 performs the process of step S211, and if drive control is to be continued, the process proceeds to step S601, and if drive control is not to be continued, the process according to the flowchart of FIG. 6 ends.

[0081] That is, the image processing device 100-2 according to this embodiment acquires the amount of voltage drop when the image capturing device 100-1 is driven in response to the drive instruction, generates a drive instruction such that the amount of voltage drop falls within a range in which no errors occur in data communication using the power supply superposition method, and transmits the generated drive instruction to the image capturing device 100-1.

[0082] In this way, the drive control unit 101-1 and the power control unit 101-2 may be possessed by a device other than the imaging device 100-1, in which case the device generates drive instructions such that the amount of voltage drop falls within a range that does not cause errors in data communication using the power supply superposition method, and transmits the generated drive instructions to the imaging device 100-1.

[0083] Furthermore, the numerical values, processing timing, processing order, processing subject, destination / source / storage location of data (information) used in each of the above embodiments are given as examples to provide a concrete explanation, and are not intended to be limited to such examples.

[0084] In addition, some or all of the above-described embodiments may be used in appropriate combination, and some or all of the above-described embodiments may be selectively used.

[0085] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0086] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 100: Imaging device 101: MCU 101-1: Drive control unit 101-2: Power control unit 101-3: Communication unit 102: Imaging unit 102-1: Zoom lens 102-2: Focus lens 102-3: Aperture 102-4: Infrared cut filter 102-5: Imaging element 103: Drive unit 104: Sensor 105: Infrared lighting 106: Platform 107: Actuator 108: Serializer 109: Power supply unit 110: COAX cable 111: CPU 111-1: Control unit 111-2: Communication unit 112: Deserializer 113: Image input controller 114: Image processing unit 115: Bus 116: RAM 117: ROM 118: Storage device 119: I / F 120: Input device 121: Display device 122: Network 123: Image analysis section 124: Compression and expansion section 125: Power supply section

Claims

1. an acquisition means for acquiring a voltage drop amount when the imaging device is driven in accordance with a drive instruction received through data communication using a power supply superposition method; a drive control means for driving the imaging device in response to the drive instruction; Equipped with The drive control means drives the imaging device so that the amount of voltage drop falls within a range in which no errors occur in the data communication. An imaging device characterized by:

2. The imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that the acquisition means acquires the amount of fluctuation in power load when the imaging device is driven in accordance with the drive instruction, corrects the amount of fluctuation in accordance with the temperature inside the imaging device, and acquires the amount of voltage drop corresponding to the corrected amount of fluctuation.

3. 3. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the acquisition means acquires the voltage drop amount corresponding to the corrected fluctuation amount from a table in which a voltage drop amount corresponding to each fluctuation amount of the power load is registered.

4. moreover, 4. The imaging device according to claim 3, further comprising an update unit that acquires a voltage drop amount that occurs during driving by the drive control unit, and updates a voltage drop amount corresponding to the corrected fluctuation amount registered in the table to the acquired voltage drop amount.

5. 5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive control means controls whether or not to restrict the driving of functions in the image pickup apparatus depending on the situation.

6. The imaging device according to claim 5, characterized in that the drive control means does not restrict or relaxes the restriction on driving of the heater in the imaging device when a predicted temperature predicted from a time series of temperatures within the imaging device is lower than a guaranteed operating temperature of hardware of the imaging device.

7. moreover, 7. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising: a power receiving unit for receiving power transmitted by the data communication and supplying the power to the imaging device.

8. 8. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the objects to be driven by the drive control means include zoom, focus, aperture, mechanical shutter, pan, tilt, infrared cut filter, infrared lighting, and heater of the imaging device.

9. an acquisition means for acquiring a voltage drop amount when the imaging device is driven in accordance with a drive instruction; a generating means for generating a drive instruction so that the amount of voltage drop falls within a range in which no errors occur in data communication using the power supply superposition method; a transmitting means for transmitting the drive instruction generated by the generating means to the imaging device; An image processing device comprising:

10. A control method for an imaging device, comprising: an acquisition step in which an acquisition unit of the imaging device acquires a voltage drop amount when the imaging device is driven in accordance with a drive instruction received through data communication using a power supply superposition method; a drive control step in which a drive control means of the imaging device drives the imaging device in response to the drive instruction; Equipped with In the drive control step, the imaging device is driven so that the amount of voltage drop falls within a range in which no error occurs in the data communication.

10. A method for controlling an imaging device, comprising:

11. A control method for an image processing device, comprising: an acquisition step in which acquisition means of the image processing device acquires a voltage drop amount when the imaging device is driven in accordance with a drive instruction; a generating step in which a generating means of the image processing device generates a drive instruction so that the amount of voltage drop falls within a range in which no error occurs in data communication using a power supply superposition method; a transmission step in which a transmission means of the image processing device transmits the drive instruction generated in the generation step to the imaging device; 1. A control method for an image processing apparatus, comprising:

12. A computer program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the image processing device according to claim 9.

Images