Imaging device

Abstract

To provide a photographing device that enables a person to more easily photograph a place where it is difficult to photograph. [Solution] The photographing device 1 comprises a rod-shaped member 10 having a scale, a camera 20 attached to the first end 11 of the rod-shaped member 10, a change unit 50 that changes the photographing direction of the camera 20 in response to an operation related to the photographing direction of the camera 20, and an information processing device 90 having a display unit that displays the photographed image taken by the camera 20, a reception unit that receives an operation related to the photographing direction of the camera 20, and a storage unit that stores the photographed image taken by the camera 20.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device for photographing the interior of an underground structure or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when investigating the inside of underground structures such as pipes buried in roads, or irrigation pipes that carry water to rice fields, people have had to enter the underground structures to visually inspect them and take photographs. However, when people cannot enter, it is only possible to inspect and photograph the inside from the opening of the underground structure or irrigation pipe, which has created a problem in that it is not possible to properly inspect the inside.

[0003] In addition, mobile objects have been developed that can move within pipes to take photographs, and by using such mobile objects, it becomes possible to take photographs in places where people cannot enter (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-178022 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, there is a problem in that it is expensive to use a moving object to photograph the inside of an underground structure, etc., and it is not possible to photograph narrow places where the moving object cannot enter. Generally speaking, there has been a demand for an easier way to photograph places where it is difficult for people to photograph, such as the inside of underground structures.

[0006] The present invention has been made in response to the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a photographing device that can more easily photograph places where people cannot easily photograph, such as the inside of underground structures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, an imaging device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a rod-shaped member having a scale, a camera attached to a first end of the rod-shaped member, and a storage unit that stores images captured by the camera. With this configuration, by inserting the rod-shaped member, it becomes possible to take photographs with the camera in places where it is difficult for people to photograph, such as the inside of an underground structure. Furthermore, by providing a scale on the rod-shaped member, it becomes possible to grasp the position of the photographed location more accurately. Therefore, for example, when repairs are being performed on an underground structure, the position of the repair target can be grasped more accurately. Furthermore, since the photographing device has a simpler configuration than a mobile object, photographing can be achieved at low cost.

[0008] In addition, a photographing device according to one aspect of the present invention further includes a change unit that can change the shooting direction of the camera relative to the rod-shaped member, a reception unit that receives operations for the change unit, and a display unit that displays the captured image, and the change unit changes the shooting direction of the camera in accordance with the operations received by the reception unit, and by changing the shooting direction of the camera using the change unit, it may be possible to capture a photographed image that includes the scale on the rod-shaped member. This configuration makes it possible to capture an image that includes the scale. Therefore, for example, the location of an area that needs repair can be recorded more accurately. Furthermore, since the shooting direction can be changed, for example, the optical axis direction can be aligned with the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped member until the camera is positioned at a desired shooting position, so that the front side is captured, and then, by changing the shooting direction at the desired shooting position, an image including the scale can be captured.

[0009] In the photographing device according to one aspect of the present invention, the camera may be an omnidirectional camera. This configuration allows images to be captured in any direction without changing the shooting direction. For example, the omnidirectional camera can simultaneously capture both images of the front side and images including the scale.

[0010] In addition, the photographing device according to one aspect of the present invention may further include a sensor that measures the distance from a first reference position on the first end side of the rod-shaped member to a second reference position on the second end side, and the storage unit may store the photographed image in association with the distance measured by the sensor at the time the photographed image was taken. Such an arrangement allows the sensor to more accurately measure the distance between the first and second reference positions.

[0011] In the imaging device according to an aspect of the present invention, the second reference position may be movable along the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped member. With this configuration, for example, by setting the first reference position to the position of the reference value of the scale and the second reference position to the position of an opening in an underground structure, etc., the distance from the opening to the position of the reference value of the scale can be measured more accurately.

[0012] In the imaging device according to an aspect of the present invention, the rod-shaped member may be provided with one or more bendable joints. With this configuration, for example, by bending the joint, it becomes possible to insert the camera into the interior of an underground structure through an opening that is located at a high or low position. Also, as another example, by inserting the imaging device with the joint bent into the interior of the underground structure while extending the joint in a straight line near the opening of the underground structure, it becomes possible to insert a straight rod-shaped member into the interior of the underground structure even when the space near the opening is narrow. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, the imaging device can take images of places where it is difficult for people to take images, such as the inside of an underground structure, by inserting a rod-shaped member. Furthermore, by providing a scale on the rod-shaped member, the position of the imaged place can be grasped more accurately. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of an image capturing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the photographing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] A flowchart showing the operation of the photographing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of a shooting situation using the shooting device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a photographed image taken using the photographing device according to the embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the appearance of the photographing device according to the embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the appearance of the photographing device according to the embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the appearance of the photographing device according to the embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The photographing device according to the present invention will be described below using an embodiment. In the following embodiments, components and steps with the same reference numerals are the same or equivalent, and repeated description may be omitted. The photographing device according to this embodiment has a camera attached to the tip of a rod-shaped member provided with a scale, and the camera can take photographs using the camera, and the scale allows the position of the camera to be more accurately determined.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of an imaging device 1 according to this embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the imaging device 1. The imaging device 1 according to this embodiment includes a rod-shaped member 10 provided with a scale 13, a camera 20 attached to a first end 11 of the rod-shaped member 10, a display unit 30 that displays an image captured by the camera 20, a reception unit 40 that receives operations for a change unit 50, a change unit 50 that changes the imaging direction of the camera 20 in accordance with the operations received by the reception unit 40, a sensor 60 that measures the distance from a first reference position on the first end 11 side of the rod-shaped member 10 to a second reference position on the second end 12 side, a storage unit 70 that stores the captured images and the like in a storage unit 80, and the storage unit 80 in which the captured images and the like are stored.

[0017] The rod-shaped member 10 is a rod-shaped member that extends linearly. The rod-shaped member 10 may be, for example, extendable or may have a fixed length. The rod-shaped member 10 may have, for example, one or more bendable joints, or may have no joints. The first end 11 of the rod-shaped member 10 may be, for example, the distal end side of the rod-shaped member 10. The second end 12 of the rod-shaped member 10 is the end opposite to the first end 11, and may be, for example, the proximal end side of the rod-shaped member 10.

[0018] A scale 13 is provided on the surface of the rod-shaped member 10. Although omitted in FIG. 1 , it is preferable that numerical values ​​are displayed on the scale 13. Furthermore, it is preferable that the scale 13 is displayed at a position that can be included in the angle of view of the camera 20 when the shooting direction of the camera 20 is changed by the change unit 50. The position of the reference value (e.g., 0) of the scale 13 may be, for example, on the first end 11 side, on the second end 12 side, or on another position. In this embodiment, a case where the position of the reference value "0" of the scale 13 is on the first end 11 side will be mainly described. The rod-shaped member 10 may, for example, be a surveying staff that is extendable and has the scale 13 provided thereon.

[0019] The camera 20 is attached to the first end 11 of the rod-shaped member 10. For example, the camera 20 may be attached directly to the rod-shaped member 10, or may be attached indirectly to the rod-shaped member 10 via another component. In this embodiment, a case in which the camera 20 is attached to the rod-shaped member 10 via a change unit 50 will be mainly described. The camera 20 is capable of taking pictures and acquiring the captured images. The camera 20 may, for example, acquire still images or videos. In this embodiment, a case in which the camera 20 is capable of acquiring pictures taken only in a specific direction and is attached to the rod-shaped member 10 so that the capturing direction can be changed by the change unit 50 will be mainly described. Note that when taking pictures in dark places, the camera 20 may have a light, for example.

[0020] Display unit 30 displays the captured images acquired by camera 20. Note that display unit 30 may or may not include a display device (e.g., a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display) for displaying the images. Display unit 30 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives the display device.

[0021] The receiving unit 40 receives an operation on the changing unit 50. This operation may be, for example, an operation related to the shooting direction of the camera 20, i.e., an operation for tilting or panning the camera 20, or other operations. The receiving unit 40 may also receive, for example, an instruction related to the accumulation of captured images. The instruction related to the accumulation of captured images may be, for example, an instruction to accumulate captured images that are still images, or an instruction to start accumulating multiple captured images that constitute a video, or an instruction to end the accumulation. The receiving unit 40 may also receive, for example, an instruction to perform measurement by the sensor 60. Note that, as an example, an instruction to accumulate captured images may also serve as an instruction to perform measurement by the sensor 60.

[0022] The reception unit 40 may, for example, receive information input from an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc.), or may receive information transmitted via a wired or wireless communication line. The reception unit 40 may or may not include a device for receiving the information (e.g., an input device, a communication device, etc.). The reception unit 40 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives a predetermined device.

[0023] The change unit 50 is capable of changing the shooting direction of the camera 20 relative to the rod-shaped member 10. The change unit 50 may change the shooting direction of the camera 20 in accordance with an operation accepted by the acceptance unit 40. For example, the change unit 50 may change the shooting direction of the camera 20 in the up-down direction in accordance with an accepted tilt operation, or may change the shooting direction of the camera 20 in the left-right direction in accordance with an accepted pan operation. Furthermore, the change unit 50 may change the shooting direction in accordance with an accepted operation other than tilt or pan, for example.

[0024] As an example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the change unit 50 may include a base 51 fixed to the first end 11 of the rod-shaped member 10, a support unit 52 attached to the base 51 and rotatably supporting the camera 20, and a driving means (not shown), such as a motor, for rotating the camera 20. The change unit 50 may be capable of rotating the camera 20, for example, in the direction of the double arrow shown in FIG. 1 , i.e., in the tilt direction. It is also preferable that the change unit 50 be able to change the shooting direction of the camera 20 to capture an image that includes the scale 13 on the rod-shaped member 10. In this way, for example, it is possible to obtain an image that includes the location to be investigated and the scale 13 on the rod-shaped member 10, thereby more accurately determining the location of the location.

[0025] The sensor 60 measures the distance from a first reference position on the first end 11 side of the rod-shaped member 10 to a second reference position on the second end 12 side. The first reference position is not particularly limited and may be, for example, the mounting position of the camera 20, the position of the reference value on the scale 13, or another position. The second reference position is also not particularly limited and may be, for example, the position of the reference value on the scale 13, or another position. The sensor 60 may be disposed at, for example, the first reference position or the second reference position. The sensor 60 may measure the distance in response to a measurement instruction received by the receiving unit 40. For example, if an instruction to store captured images doubles as an instruction to measure, the sensor 60 may measure the distance in response to the instruction to store captured images received by the receiving unit 40.

[0026] The sensor 60 may be, for example, a laser distance sensor or another distance sensor. The laser distance sensor may measure distance using, for example, a triangulation method, a time-of-flight (TOF) method, or another method using a laser. When the sensor 60 is a laser distance sensor, a reflector 61 for reflecting a laser may be attached to the rod-shaped member 10, and the distance from the sensor 60 to the reflector 61 may be measured. In this case, for example, the sensor 60 may be attached to one of the first and second reference positions, and the reflector 61 may be attached to the other. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , a case will be mainly described in which the sensor 60 is attached to the second reference position on the second end 12 side of the rod-shaped member 10, and the reflector 61 is attached to the first reference position on the first end 11 side of the rod-shaped member 10.

[0027] The second reference position may be movable, for example, along the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped member 10. If a sensor 60 is attached to the second reference position, the sensor 60 may be movable along the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped member 10. In this way, for example, the second reference position can be set to a desired position, such as the position of an opening in an underground structure, and the distance from the second reference position to the first reference position can be measured by the sensor 60. The first reference position may be fixed, for example, or may be movable along the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped member 10, similar to the second reference position. If the first and second reference positions are fixed on the rod-shaped member 10, for example, the rod-shaped member 10 may be extendable and retractable in the longitudinal direction between the first and second reference positions.

[0028] The accumulation unit 70 accumulates the captured images taken by the camera 20 in the storage unit 80. When the captured images to be accumulated are still images, the accumulation unit 70 may accumulate the captured images acquired by the camera 20 in the storage unit 80, for example, in response to an accumulation instruction received by the reception unit 40. When a moving image is accumulated, the accumulation unit 70 may accumulate, for example, a plurality of captured images acquired by the camera 20 in the storage unit 80. In this case, the accumulation unit 70 may accumulate the plurality of captured images that constitute the moving image from when an instruction to start accumulation is received by the reception unit 40 until an instruction to end accumulation is received, for example, or may accumulate the plurality of captured images that constitute the moving image during other periods.

[0029] Furthermore, the accumulation unit 70 may, for example, associate a captured image with a distance measured by the sensor 60 at the time the captured image was captured and accumulate the images in the storage unit 80. In this case, the relationship between the captured image and the distance becomes clear. When a video is accumulated, the measured distance may, for example, be accumulated in association with the captured image, which is each frame of the video.

[0030] The storage unit 80 stores the captured images acquired by the camera 20 and accumulated by the accumulation unit 70. The storage unit 80 may also store, for example, distances measured by the sensor 60 in association with the captured images. The storage unit 80 is preferably realized by, for example, a non-volatile recording medium, but may also be realized by a volatile recording medium. The recording medium may be, for example, a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk.

[0031] The photographing device 1 may further include an output unit for outputting, for example, the photographed image stored in the storage unit 80, or a pair of the photographed image and the distance. This output unit may output the photographed image, etc., in response to, for example, an output instruction received by the receiving unit 40. This output may be, for example, a display or a transmission. When the output is a display, for example, the display may be performed by the display unit 30.

[0032] Here, the captured image acquired by the camera 20 may be transferred to the display unit 30 and the storage unit 70 via a wired or wireless connection, for example. Furthermore, the operation or instruction accepted by the acceptance unit 40 may be transferred to the change unit 50 or the sensor 60 via a wired or wireless connection, for example. Furthermore, the distance measured by the sensor 60 may be transferred to the storage unit 70 via a wired or wireless connection, for example. Furthermore, other transfers of information, signals, and data in the photographing device 1 may also be performed via a wired or wireless connection, for example. When transferring information via a wireless connection, short-range wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be used.

[0033] The display unit 30, the reception unit 40, the accumulation unit 70, and the storage unit 80 may be included in an information processing device 90, as shown in FIG. 2 . The information processing device 90 may be a portable information processing terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. In this embodiment, a case in which the display unit 30 and the like are included in the information processing device 90 will be mainly described, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . In the information processing device 90, the display unit 30 and the reception unit 40 may be realized by a touch panel, for example. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1 , a sliding unit 91 movable along the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped member 10 may be attached to the rod-shaped member 10, and the information processing device 90 may be supported by a support unit 92 fixed to the sliding unit 91. A sensor 60 may also be attached to the sliding unit 91. The sliding unit 91 may be capable of being locked against movement along the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped member 10, and may become movable along the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped member 10 when the lock is released.

[0034] Next, the operation of the photographing device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 3. In the flowchart of Fig. 3, the case where the photographed images to be stored are still images will be described. (Step S101) Camera 20 determines whether or not to take a photograph. If taking a photograph, proceed to step S102; if not, proceed to step S104. Camera 20 may, for example, periodically determine to take a photograph. As an example, camera 20 may determine to take a photograph at time intervals according to the frame rate.

[0035] (Step S102) The camera 20 takes a photograph and acquires a photographed image.

[0036] (Step S103) The display unit 30 displays the photographed image acquired in step S102, and then the process returns to step S101.

[0037] (Step S104) The reception unit 40 determines whether or not an operation related to the shooting direction has been received. If the operation has been received, the process proceeds to step S105, and if not, the process proceeds to step S106.

[0038] (Step S105) The change unit 50 changes the shooting direction of the camera 20 in accordance with the operation accepted in step S104, and then the process returns to step S101.

[0039] (Step S106) The reception unit 40 determines whether or not an instruction to store the captured image has been received. If an instruction to store the captured image has been received, the process proceeds to step S107; if not, the process returns to step S101.

[0040] (Step S107) The sensor 60 measures the distance between the first and second reference positions.

[0041] (Step S108) The accumulation unit 70 associates the latest captured image with the distance measured in step S107 and accumulates them in the storage unit 80. Then, the process returns to step S101. Although not included in the flowchart of Fig. 3, a pair of a captured image and a measurement result stored in the storage unit 80 may be output in response to an instruction to output a captured image, etc. The order of the processes in the flowchart of Fig. 3 is an example, and the order of the steps may be changed as long as the same results are obtained. In the flowchart of Fig. 3, the process may be ended by an interrupt such as power off or end of process.

[0042] Next, the operation of the imaging device 1 according to this embodiment will be described using a specific example. In this specific example, we will also explain the case where a captured image, which is a still image, is stored. In this specific example, we will mainly explain the case where the imaging device 1 captures an image of the inside of a drainage pipe 3, which is an underground structure located underground below a road 5, as shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the width direction of the road 5 is assumed to be the left-right direction in the figure. In this specific example, as shown in FIG. 4, the drainage pipe 3 is arranged to cross the road 5, and the purpose is to insert the first end 11 side of the imaging device 1 into the interior through an opening 3a at one end of the drainage pipe 3, thereby capturing an image of a location where a deviation has occurred in the drainage pipe 3.

[0043] First, the user inserts the first end 11 side of the photographing device 1, with the photographing direction of the camera 20 directed from the second end 12 toward the first end 11, into the drain pipe 3 through the opening 3a. The photographed image taken by the camera 20 is then sent to the display unit 30 and the storage unit 70 (steps S101 and S102). The photographed image is then displayed on the display unit 30 (step S103). While looking at the displayed photographed image, the user inserts the photographing device 1 into the drain pipe 3 so that the position of the camera 20 is at the location where the displacement of the drain pipe 3 has occurred. At this time, the user may appropriately move the position of the information processing device 90 in the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped member 10 so that the information processing device 90 is positioned near the opening 3a.

[0044] When the camera 20 is positioned at the location where the drain pipe 3 has shifted, the user inputs an operation to change the shooting direction of the camera 20. The input is accepted by the accepting unit 40 and passed to the changing unit 50 (step S104). The changing unit 50 then changes the shooting direction of the camera 20 in accordance with the operation (step S105). In this case, too, the image captured by the camera 20 is displayed on the display unit 30 (steps S101 to S103), so the user can change the shooting direction while viewing the displayed image. Assume that this change in shooting direction enables the camera 20 to capture an image including the scale 13 on the rod-shaped member 10, as shown in FIG. 4. The user also positions the information processing device 90 at the opening 3a, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0045] In this state, when the user inputs an instruction to take a photograph, the instruction is received by the receiving unit 40 and passed to the storage unit 70, and the receiving unit 40 passes a measurement instruction to the sensor 60 (step S106). Upon receiving the measurement instruction, the sensor 60 measures the distance to the reflector 61 by outputting a laser and passes the result to the storage unit 70 (step S107). It is assumed that the measured distance is "170 cm." In this specific example, the reflector 61 is disposed at the first end 11 of the rod-shaped member 10, and the position of the reflector 61, i.e., the first reference position, is the position of the reference value "0" on the scale 13.

[0046] Furthermore, upon receiving the storage instruction and the measured distance, the storage unit 70 associates the latest captured image received from the camera 20 with the measured distance and stores them in the memory unit 80 (step S108). Figure 5 shows the stored captured image. In this case, the captured image shown in Figure 5 indicates that the location where the deviation occurred in the drain pipe 3 is approximately 6 cm from the reference value of the scale 13, i.e., the first reference position. Therefore, using the distance of 170 cm from the first reference position to the second reference position measured by the sensor 60 and the distance of approximately 6 cm from the first reference position to the location where the deviation occurred, which can be determined using the captured image, it is possible to determine that the distance from the second reference position to the location where the deviation occurred is approximately 164 cm. Because the second reference position is the opening 3a of the drain pipe 3, it is determined that the distance from the opening 3a to the location where the deviation occurred is approximately 164 cm. In this way, by using the imaging device 1, it becomes possible to more accurately grasp the position of a desired location in an underground structure, for example, the position of a location that requires repair.

[0047] As described above, with the imaging device 1 according to this embodiment, by inserting the rod-shaped member 10, it becomes possible to take images with the camera 20 of locations where it is difficult for people to photograph, such as the inside of an underground structure or an irrigation pipe. Furthermore, by providing the scale 13 on the rod-shaped member 10, it becomes possible to grasp the position of the location to be photographed more accurately. Therefore, for example, when repairs are being made to an underground structure, the position of the repair target can be grasped more accurately. Furthermore, since the imaging device 1 has a simpler configuration than a mobile object, it is possible to realize imaging at low cost.

[0048] Furthermore, since the shooting direction of the camera 20 can be changed by the change unit 50, for example, when searching for a location to be photographed, the shooting direction can be set to a direction from the second end 12 to the first end 11 of the rod-shaped member 10, and when photographing, the shooting direction can be changed so that the captured image includes both the scale 13 of the rod-shaped member 10 and the location to be photographed.

[0049] Furthermore, by measuring the distance between the first reference position and the second reference position using the sensor 60 and storing the distance in association with the captured image, it becomes unnecessary to manually record the position at which the captured image was taken, thereby improving user convenience. Also, by making the second reference position movable along the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped member 10, it is possible to set the second reference position to a desired position in an underground structure or the like (for example, the position of the opening 3a).

[0050] In the present embodiment, the description has been given primarily of a case in which the change unit 50 includes a base 51, a support 52, and a drive mechanism for rotating the camera 20 supported by the support 52. However, as long as the shooting direction of the camera 20 can be changed, the configuration of the change unit 50 is not limited to this. As another example, as shown in FIG. 6 , the change unit 50 may include a base 51, a ball joint 53, a support 52, and a drive mechanism for rotating the camera 20 supported by the support 52. In this case, the ball joint 53 may include a spherical portion 53a fixed to the base 51, a socket 53b arranged to enclose the spherical portion 53a, and a drive mechanism (not shown) such as a motor for moving the socket 53b relative to the spherical portion 53a. Preferably, the spherical portion 53a is able to move freely within the socket 53b. The support unit 52 may also be fixed to the socket 53b. The change unit 50 having such a configuration makes it possible to change the shooting direction of the camera 20 with a higher degree of freedom.

[0051] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the case where photography is performed using a camera 20 that captures images only in a specific direction has been mainly described, but this is not necessarily the case. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 , the photography device 1 may be provided with an omnidirectional camera 21 instead of the camera 20. In this case, the omnidirectional camera 21 may be attached to the first end 11 of the rod-shaped member 10 so that the omnidirectional camera 21 can capture images including the scale 13 of the rod-shaped member 10. When photography is performed using the omnidirectional camera 21, the photography device 1 does not need to be provided with the change unit 50. This is because using the omnidirectional camera 21 eliminates the need to change the photography direction.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 8 , the rod-shaped member 10 may be provided with one or more bendable joints 14. The angle of the joint 14 may be adjusted manually or by a driving means such as a motor. In the latter case, the driving means may change the angle of the joint 14 in response to an instruction to change the angle of the joint 14 received by the receiving unit 40. Having one or more joints 14 in the rod-shaped member 10 makes it easy to capture images of locations that are difficult to capture using a rod-shaped member 10 extending in a straight line, such as on a roof or inside a horizontally extending tubular member with an opening in the middle of a cliff. Even when capturing images of the inside of a drainage pipe 3 as shown in FIG. 4 , if there is not a large space near the opening 3 a, for example, if the opening 3 a is located in a gutter, the first end 11 side of the camera device 1 can be inserted into the inside of the drainage pipe 3 through the opening 3 a by extending the camera device 1 in a straight line while the camera device 1 is folded at the multiple joints 14.

[0053] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the case where the image capturing device 1 includes the sensor 60 has been mainly described, but this is not necessarily the case. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the image capturing device 1 does not have to include the sensor 60 or the reflector 61. As another example, even if the rod-shaped member 10 has one or more joints 14, the image capturing device 1 does not have to include the sensor 60 or the reflector 61, as shown in FIG. 8. When the image capturing device 1 does not include the sensor 60, for example, the user may specify the distance using the scale 13. For example, in FIG. 4, the distance from the reference value position on the scale 13 to the opening 3a of the drain pipe 3 may be specified using the scale 13.

[0054] In addition, in the present embodiment, the case where the display unit 30 and the like are included in the information processing device 90 has been mainly described, but this is not necessarily the case. At least one or more of the display unit 30, the reception unit 40, the accumulation unit 70, and the storage unit 80 may not be included in the information processing device 90.

[0055] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the case where the photographing device 1 includes the display unit 30, the reception unit 40, and the change unit 50 has been mainly described, but this is not necessarily the case. The photographing device 1 does not necessarily have to include at least one of the display unit 30, the reception unit 40, and the change unit 50. As an example, as described above, the photographing device 1 including the omnidirectional camera 21 does not necessarily have to include the change unit 50. Furthermore, when the storage unit 70 stores a plurality of captured images that constitute a video, the photographing device 1 does not necessarily have to include the display unit 30 or the reception unit 40. In this case, for example, the video from the start to the end of shooting by the camera 20 may be stored in the storage unit 80 by the storage unit 70. Furthermore, when distance measurement is also performed by the sensor 60, the measured distance may be stored in association with the captured image, which is each frame of the video.

[0056] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, each process or function may be realized by centralized processing by a single device or a single system, or may be realized by distributed processing by multiple devices or multiple systems.

[0057] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the transfer of information between components may be performed, for example, by one component outputting information and the other component receiving information if the two components transferring the information are physically different, or by moving from a processing phase corresponding to one component to a processing phase corresponding to the other component if the two components transferring the information are physically the same.

[0058] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, information related to the processing performed by each component, such as information accepted, acquired, selected, generated, transmitted, or received by each component, and information such as thresholds, formulas, and addresses used in processing by each component, may be temporarily or long-term stored in a recording medium (not shown), even if not explicitly stated in the above description. Furthermore, the storage of information in the recording medium (not shown) may be performed by each component or a storage unit (not shown). Furthermore, the reading of information from the recording medium (not shown) may be performed by each component or a reading unit (not shown).

[0059] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, if the information used by each component, such as thresholds, addresses, and various setting values ​​used by each component in processing, may be changed by the user, the user may or may not be able to change the information as appropriate, even if not explicitly stated in the above description. If the information is changeable by the user, the change may be realized, for example, by a receiving unit (not shown) that receives a change instruction from the user and a changing unit (not shown) that changes the information in accordance with the change instruction. The change instruction may be received by the receiving unit (not shown), for example, from an input device, by receiving information transmitted via a communication line, or by receiving information read from a predetermined recording medium.

[0060] Also, in the above embodiment, when two or more components included in the photographing device 1 have a communication device, an input device, etc., the two or more components may physically have a single device, or may have separate devices.

[0061] In the above embodiments, each component may be configured by dedicated hardware, or a component that can be realized by software may be realized by executing a program. For example, each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory. During execution, the program execution unit may execute the program while accessing a memory unit or recording medium.

[0062] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are merely examples for specifically implementing the present invention, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the description of the embodiments, and is intended to include modifications within the literal scope of the claims and within the scope of equivalent meanings. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1. Imaging device 10 Rod-shaped member 14 Joints 20 Camera 21 Omnidirectional Camera 30 Display section 40 Reception 50 Changes 60 sensors 70 Storage Unit

Claims

1. a rod-shaped member having a scale; a camera attached to a first end of the rod-shaped member; a storage unit that stores images captured by the camera; a change unit that can change the shooting direction of the camera relative to the rod-shaped member; a reception unit that receives an operation on the change unit; a display unit that displays the captured image, the change unit changes the shooting direction of the camera in response to the operation accepted by the acceptance unit, The photographing device is capable of photographing an image including the scale of the rod-shaped member by changing the photographing direction of the camera using the change unit.

2. a sensor for measuring a distance from a first reference position on the first end side of the rod-shaped member to a second reference position on the second end side of the rod-shaped member; The photographing device according to claim 1 , wherein the storage unit stores a photographed image in association with a distance measured by the sensor at the time the photographed image was taken.

3. The imaging device according to claim 2 , wherein the second reference position is movable along the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped member.

4. 4. The photographing device according to claim 1, wherein the rod-shaped member is provided with one or more bendable joints.

Images