Imaging control device, imaging control method, imaging device, and imaging system

Abstract

Disclosed is an imaging control device and an imaging control method with improved usability in relation to setting of an imaging device to be controlled. The imaging control device is capable of remotely controlling imaging devices. The imaging control device generates a setting instruction specifying content to be set in common for a plurality of imaging devices. The imaging control device then transmits the generated setting instruction to the plurality of imaging devices.

Description

Photographing control device, photographing control method, imaging device, and photographing system

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging control device, an imaging control method, an imaging device, and an imaging system.

[0002] A photography system is known in which a plurality of imaging devices are remotely controlled from a single control device (see Non-Patent Document 1). Such a photography system allows one person to easily take photographs using the plurality of imaging devices.

[0003] "NX Field Quick Setup Guide" [online], 2022, Nikon Corporation, [Retrieved June 19, 2023], Internet <URL: https: / / nps.nikonimaging.com / technical_info / nx_field / pdf / NXFieldQSG_Jp.pdf>

[0004] In conventional photography systems, even when common settings were required for two or more imaging devices, the settings had to be configured for each device individually from the control device. Therefore, when there were a large number of imaging devices to be remotely controlled, changing the settings was time-consuming.

[0005] In one embodiment, the present invention provides an imaging control device and an imaging control method that improve the ease of use in setting the imaging device to be controlled.

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention provides a photography control device capable of remotely controlling an imaging device, characterized in that it has a generation means for generating a setting command specifying content to be set commonly to multiple imaging devices, and a transmission means for transmitting the setting command to the multiple imaging devices.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging control device and an imaging control method that improve the ease of use in setting the imaging device to be controlled.

[0008] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0010] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a digital camera as an imaging device according to an embodiment; 2 is a company history diagram showing an example of the appearance of a digital camera as an imaging device according to an embodiment; 3 is a company history diagram showing an example of the appearance of a digital camera as an imaging device according to an embodiment; 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a smartphone as an imaging control device according to an embodiment; 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a remote photography system according to an embodiment; 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of use of the remote photography system according to an embodiment;

[0011] The present invention will be described in detail below based on exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the claimed invention. Furthermore, although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of them 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] In the following embodiment, the present invention will be described with reference to a smartphone. However, the present invention can be implemented in any electronic device that can communicate with multiple imaging devices and accept user operations. Such electronic devices include imaging devices, computer devices (personal computers, tablet computers, media players, PDAs, etc.), and game consoles. These are merely examples, and the present invention can also be implemented in other electronic devices.

[0013] <Configuration example of digital camera> Fig. 1A is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a digital camera (hereinafter simply referred to as camera) 100 as an imaging device controlled by an imaging control device. Fig. 1B and Fig. 1C are perspective views showing an example of the appearance of camera 100. Fig. 1B mainly shows an example of the appearance from the front side, and Fig. 1C mainly shows an example of the appearance from the back side.

[0014] The control unit 101 has one or more processors (hereinafter referred to as CPUs) capable of executing programs, and executes programs stored in, for example, non-volatile memory 103 by loading them into working memory 104. By executing the programs, the control unit 101 controls the operation of each functional block and realizes the functions of the camera 100.

[0015] The nonvolatile memory 103, which may be rewritable, stores programs executable by the CPU of the control unit 101, setting values ​​of the camera 100, GUI data, etc. The nonvolatile memory 103 also stores information about external devices with which communication has been performed.

[0016] The operation of the camera 100 , which will be described later, is realized by the CPU of the control unit 101 executing a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 103 .

[0017] The working memory 104 is, for example, a volatile memory, and is used to read programs executed by the CPU of the control unit 101 and to store values ​​required during program execution. In addition, a part of the working memory 104 may be used as a display memory for the display unit 106.

[0018] The imaging unit 102 is a camera unit having an imaging optical system, an imaging element, etc. The imaging unit 102 takes an image under the control of the control unit 101 and stores the obtained image data in the work memory 104. The control unit 101 applies predetermined image processing to the image data to generate an image data file. The control unit 101 records the image data file, for example, on a recording medium 110. The control unit 101 also applies predetermined image processing to the image data to generate image data for display. The control unit 101 stores the image data for display in a video memory area of ​​the work memory 104, synthesizes an image showing information such as current setting values, and displays it on the display unit 106.

[0019] While a moving image is being captured by the imaging unit 102, the captured moving image can be immediately displayed on the display unit 106, thereby making the display unit 106 function as an electronic viewfinder (EVF). The moving image displayed to make the display unit 106 function as an EVF is called a live view image.

[0020] The operation unit 105 is a general term for the input devices provided in the camera 100. The operation unit 105 may include, but is not limited to, a touch panel 105d provided on the display unit 106, a playback button 105b, a power switch, a release switch 105a, a video recording button, a direction key 105c, a setting button, a menu button, etc. When the control unit 101 detects an operation on the operation unit 105, it executes an operation corresponding to the detected operation.

[0021] The control unit 101 recognizes the half-pressed state of the release switch 105a as a shooting preparation instruction, and the full-pressed state as a shooting start instruction. When the control unit 101 recognizes the shooting preparation instruction, it executes autofocus detection (AF) processing and autoexposure control (AE) processing. When the control unit 101 recognizes the shooting start instruction, it executes still image shooting processing and records a data file containing still image data on the recording medium 110. In addition, the control unit 101 recognizes the video recording button being pressed in shooting standby mode as a video recording start instruction, and the button being pressed during video recording as a recording stop instruction.

[0022] The display unit 106 is used to display images captured by the imaging unit 102, images recorded on the recording medium 110, menu screens, etc. An external display device may be connectable to the camera 100. In this embodiment, the display unit 106 is a touch display provided with a touch panel 105d.

[0023] The RTC 107 has, for example, a calendar function and a timer function, and is available for use by the control unit 101. The date and time of the RTC 107 can be set by the user via the operation unit 105, or can be set according to a value acquired via any of the first communication unit 111 to the third communication unit 113, which will be described later.

[0024] The recording medium 110 may be, for example, a semiconductor memory card, and is provided separately from the nonvolatile memory 103. The recording medium 110 is used as a recording destination for image data files generated by the control unit 101, for example.

[0025] The first communication unit 111 to the third communication unit 113 are communication interfaces. The camera 100 can communicate with external devices using the first communication unit 111 to the third communication unit 113. The operation of the first communication unit 111 to the third communication unit 113 is controlled by the control unit 101. The first communication unit 111 to the third communication unit 113 perform communication with the external device in accordance with one or more well-known wired and wireless communication standards. The first communication unit 111 to the third communication unit 113 have circuits (antennas, connectors, transceivers, etc.) according to the communication standards they comply with.

[0026] In this embodiment, as an example, the first communication unit 111 is a wireless communication interface that complies with the wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11 series) standard. The second communication unit 112 is a wireless communication interface that complies with Bluetooth (registered trademark) version 4.0 or later, particularly Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). The third communication unit 113 is a wired LAN (Ethernet) interface that complies with the IEEE 802.3 standard. The first communication unit 111 to the third communication unit 113 may be compliant with other known wired or wireless communication standards. Two or more of the first communication unit 111 to the third communication unit 113 may be compliant with the same communication standard.

[0027] The second communication unit 112 can operate in peripheral mode or central mode in the BLE standard. When the second communication unit 112 operates in peripheral mode, the camera 100 can connect to and communicate with an external device having a communication unit operating in central mode. In this embodiment, when communicating with the smartphone 200, which is an imaging control device, via the second communication unit 212, the camera 100 functions as a client and transmits image data to the smartphone 200, which functions as a server.

[0028] It should be noted that information about paired external devices is stored in the non-volatile memory 103. Furthermore, even when the power switch is OFF, the second communication unit 112 can operate in sleep mode, and when an event occurs, the second communication unit 112 can cancel the sleep mode and communicate with the external device.

[0029] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a smartphone 200 as an example of an imaging control device according to an embodiment. As described above, the imaging control device according to the embodiment is not limited to the smartphone 200, and any electronic device capable of communicating with multiple cameras 100 can be used.

[0030] The control unit 201 has one or more processors (hereinafter referred to as CPUs) capable of executing programs, and executes programs stored in, for example, the non-volatile memory 203 by loading them into the working memory 204. The control unit 201 executes the programs to control the operation of each functional block and realize the functions of the smartphone 200.

[0031] Nonvolatile memory 203, which may be rewritable, stores programs (such as operating system (OS) and applications) that can be executed by the CPU of control unit 201, setting values ​​for smartphone 200 and applications, user data, etc. As will be described later, smartphone 200 also stores, in nonvolatile memory 203, information about an external device with which it has communicated and information necessary to resume communication with the external device with which it has communicated.

[0032] The operation of the smartphone 200, which will be described later, is realized by executing an application (remote photography application) stored in the nonvolatile memory 203. The remote photography application can appropriately use functions provided by the OS. For example, the OS can provide basic functions related to wireless communication with external devices that comply with a specific wireless communication standard, such as checking the presence or absence of an external device and establishing and disconnecting a wireless connection (link) with the external device.

[0033] The working memory 204 is, for example, a volatile memory, and is used to load programs executed by the CPU of the control unit 201 and to store values ​​required during program execution. In addition, a part of the working memory 204 may be used as a display memory for the display unit 206.

[0034] The operation unit 205 is a general term for input devices provided in the smartphone 200. The operation unit 205 may include, but is not limited to, a touch panel, a power switch, a volume adjustment button, and the like provided in the display unit 206. When the control unit 201 detects an operation on the operation unit 205, it executes an operation corresponding to the detected operation. For example, when the control unit 201 detects a tap operation on a displayed application icon, it launches the application corresponding to the icon or returns the application to an active state.

[0035] The display unit 206 is a display device, and is assumed to be a touch display in this example. The display unit 206 displays screens provided by the OS and applications. Note that the smartphone 200 may be connectable to an external display device.

[0036] The RTC 207 has, for example, a calendar function and a timer function, and can be used by the control unit 201. The date and time of the RTC 207 can be set by the user via the operation unit 205, or can be set according to a value acquired via any of the first communication unit 211 to the third communication unit 213 described below.

[0037] The recording medium 210 may be, for example, a semiconductor memory card. The recording medium 210 is used, for example, as a recording destination for image data files received from an external device. The recording medium 210 may also be used as part of the nonvolatile memory 203 (to expand the capacity of the nonvolatile memory 203).

[0038] The first communication unit 211 to the third communication unit 213 are communication interfaces. The smartphone 200 can communicate with external devices using the first communication unit 211 to the third communication unit 213. The operation of the first communication unit 211 to the third communication unit 213 is controlled by the control unit 201. The first communication unit 211 to the third communication unit 213 perform communication with the external device in accordance with one or more known wired and wireless communication standards. The first communication unit 211 to the third communication unit 213 have circuits (antennas, connectors, transceivers, etc.) according to the communication standards they comply with.

[0039] In this embodiment, as an example, the first communication unit 211 is a wireless communication interface that complies with the wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11 series) standard. The second communication unit 212 is a wireless communication interface that complies with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). The third communication unit 213 is a wired LAN (Ethernet) interface that complies with the IEEE 802.3 standard. The first communication unit 211 to the third communication unit 213 may be compliant with other known wired or wireless communication standards. Two or more of the first communication unit 211 to the third communication unit 213 may be compliant with the same communication standard.

[0040] The second communication unit 212 can operate in peripheral mode or central mode in the BLE standard. When the second communication unit 212 operates in central mode, the smartphone 200 can connect to and communicate with an external device having a communication unit operating in peripheral mode. In this embodiment, when communicating with the camera 100 through the second communication unit 212, the smartphone 200 functions as a server that receives image data from the camera 100, which functions as a client. Information about paired external devices is assumed to be stored in the non-volatile memory 203.

[0041] The public network connection unit 202 is a communication interface with a mobile communication network, and complies with one or more communication standards (3G, 4G, 5G, etc.) established by, for example, the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) (registered trademark).

[0042] The microphone 214 is used for making calls and inputting voice commands. The microphone 214 as an input device for voice commands is included in the operation unit 205. The speaker 215 is used for making calls and reproducing voice.

[0043] <System Configuration Diagram> Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a remote photography system in which multiple cameras 100A to 100C are communicably connected to a photography control device (smartphone 200). Each of the cameras 100A to 100C has the same functional configuration as the camera 100 described with reference to Figures 1A to 1C. In the following, the cameras 100A to 100C will be collectively referred to as camera 100.

[0044] Although the subject being photographed is not shown in Figure 3, in practice the cameras 100 may be positioned to photograph a particular subject from different positions. Although Figure 3 shows three cameras 100, more cameras 100 may be included.

[0045] The camera 100 is mounted on a tripod 303 and set up so as to have a predetermined shooting position and shooting direction. The shooting direction of the camera 100 may also be remotely controllable. For example, the camera 100 may be mounted on a platform that allows remote panning and tilting. Alternatively, the panning and tilting of the lens barrel of the imaging unit 102 of the camera 100 may be remotely controlled.

[0046] 3 shows a state in which cameras 100A to 100C and smartphone 200 are connected to the same local network via network device (wireless LAN router) 300. Cameras 100B and 100C are wired to network device 300 via third communication unit 113. Camera 100A is wirelessly connected to network device 300 via first communication unit 111. Smartphone 200 is wired to network device 300 via third communication unit 213. The communication methods between smartphone 200 and camera 100 shown in FIG. 3 are merely examples, and other communication methods may also be used.

[0047] For example, the camera 100 and the smartphone 200 may communicate directly without using the network device 300. Also, one camera 100 may function as the network device 300. Furthermore, it is not necessary for all of the cameras 100 and smartphones 200 to be connected to a common network.

[0048] When the smartphone 200 is capable of communicating with each of the multiple cameras 100, the smartphone 200 can control the operation of each of the cameras 100. For example, the smartphone 200 can obtain information from the camera 100 or cause the camera 100 to perform an operation by transmitting a command to the camera 100.

[0049] <Example of Remote Photography> Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of cameras 100A to 100C when remotely photographing a high jump scene using the remote photography system shown in Figure 3. Cameras 100A to 100C are installed assuming that the scene of subject 401 jumping over a bar 402 will be photographed simultaneously from various angles. For example, a separate camera 100 may be installed to photograph the run-up scene.

[0050] When capturing images simultaneously using multiple cameras 100, the same exposure conditions may be set for the multiple cameras 100 in order to standardize the brightness of the images and the degree of subject blur. Also, in order to simplify the effort required to set the exposure conditions, the same exposure conditions may be set for the multiple cameras 100 and then fine-tuned for each camera 100. Here, the exposure conditions may be a combination of multiple parameters including aperture value, shutter speed, and sensitivity.

[0051] 5A and 5B show examples of screens provided by a remote photography application executed on smartphone 200. Here, it is assumed that three cameras 100A to 100C are in a state in which they can communicate with smartphone 200, as shown in FIGS.

[0052] 5A shows an example of a main screen 800 that is displayed when the remote photography application is launched. The upper diagram shows the entire main screen 800, and the lower diagram shows an enlarged portion of the main screen 800.

[0053] The main screen 800 has an individual operation UI area 800A and a collective operation UI area 800B. The individual operation UI area 800A displays individual operation user interfaces (UIs) 801 to 803, which are user interfaces for individually remotely controlling cameras that are in a communicable (controllable) state. The collective operation UI area 800B displays a UI for collectively controlling cameras that are in a communicable state.

[0054] The individual operation UI area 800A displays a number of individual operation UIs equal to the number of cameras that are in a communicable state. In Fig. 3, three individual operation UIs 801 to 803 corresponding to cameras 100A (Camera A) to 100C (Camera C) are displayed in the individual operation UI area 800A. When there are five or more cameras that are in a communicable state, the individual operation UI area 800A is displayed in a scrollable manner, and the user can scroll the individual operation UI area 800A so that the individual operation UI corresponding to the desired camera is displayed.

[0055] When the control unit 201 of the smartphone 200 starts executing the remote photography application, it detects cameras that are ready for communication via the first communication unit 211 to the third communication unit 213. Then, the control unit 201 uses information about each of the cameras that are ready for communication to display a corresponding individual operation UI in the individual operation UI area 800A. In response to the occurrence of a specific event or a user instruction, the control unit 201 executes a process for detecting cameras that are ready for communication, and updates the display in the individual operation UI area 800A as necessary.

[0056] <Individual Operation UI> The bottom diagram in Fig. 5A is an enlarged view of the individual operation UI 801. The individual operation UI 801 has a plurality of touch-operable buttons and information display items. A disconnect button 810 is a button for disconnecting from the camera. A battery status display 811 shows the remaining battery power of the camera. To the right of the battery status display 811, the number of the recording medium being used is displayed.

[0057] The identification information 812 is the name of the camera 100, and is associated with unique information such as the serial number of the camera 100. The identification information 812 can be set by the user when registering the camera 100 in the smartphone 200 (remote photography application), for example, during pairing.

[0058] The focus type button 813 indicates whether the camera 100 is in autofocus mode or manual focus mode. Furthermore, by operating the focus type button 813, a command to switch between autofocus mode and manual focus mode is sent to the corresponding camera 100.

[0059] The network address 814 displays the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the camera 100. Other addresses may be displayed depending on the communication method. The settings button 815 is a button for displaying an individual setting screen for the camera (FIG. 5B), which will be described later.

[0060] The shooting condition button 816 is a button for changing the exposure mode and the values ​​of the parameters that determine the shooting conditions. Here, separate buttons are provided for the exposure mode and the parameters (shutter speed, aperture value, and shooting sensitivity). As will be described later, a UI for setting values ​​is displayed depending on the operated button.

[0061] When the shooting button 817 is operated, a command to take a picture is sent to the corresponding camera 100. Here, it is assumed that operation of the shooting button 817 sends a command to take a still image.

[0062] Counter 818 indicates the number of times photography has been performed with the corresponding camera 100 and the number of images that can be taken based on the available space on the recording medium. The number of times photography has been performed may be reset by a user instruction.

[0063] The live view (LV) button 819 is a button for checking a live view image of the corresponding camera 100 on the smartphone 200. When the live view button 819 is operated, a command to transfer the live view image is sent to the corresponding camera 100. The transferred live view image is displayed on the main screen 800, for example, in a separate window.

[0064] The user can remotely change settings and take pictures by operating the individual operation UI 801 corresponding to the desired camera 100. Note that the form of the individual operation UI 801 shown in Fig. 5A is merely an example, and any other form may be adopted. Also, the individual operation UIs 802 and 803 have the same configuration as the individual operation UI 801, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0065] <Configuration of Bulk Operation UI> The bulk operation UI is a group of UIs for collectively sending commands to multiple cameras 100. The targets of the bulk operation may be, for example, all cameras 100 for which an individual operation UI is displayed (i.e., cameras 100 that are currently in a communication-enabled state), or the cameras 100 that belong to a preset group.

[0066] The batch setting button 804 is a button for collectively implementing the same settings for predetermined items. Details of batch setting using the batch setting button 804 will be described later. The batch shooting button 805 is a button for collectively sending a command to instruct the cameras to be operated to take pictures. The group button 806 is a button for specifying a group of cameras 100 to be the target of batch operation.

[0067] The focus type setting button 807 is a button for transmitting a command to switch between autofocus mode and manual focus mode to the cameras 100 that are the targets of the collective operation. The focus type setting button 807 also indicates whether the cameras 100 that are the targets of the collective operation are in autofocus mode or manual focus mode.

[0068] The autofocus button 808 is a button for transmitting a command to instruct the cameras 100 that are the targets of the batch operation to perform autofocus.

[0069] A user can operate the UI included in the collective operation UI to remotely and collectively change settings and take photos for multiple cameras 100. Note that the form of the collective operation UI shown in Fig. 5A is merely an example, and any other form may be adopted.

[0070] <Camera Individual Setting Screen> Fig. 5B shows an example of a camera individual setting screen 820 that the control unit 201 displays on the display unit 206 in response to operation of the setting button 815 of the individual operation UI. Here, as shown in Fig. 4, it is assumed that the camera 100 is connected to a local area network, and that the camera 100 and smartphone 200 communicate in accordance with the PTP-IP standard defined by the Camera and Imaging Products Association (CPIA). PTP-IP stands for Picture Transfer Protocol over TCP / IP networks. PTP-IP is a standard for performing PTP communication in a local area network that uses communication in accordance with the TCP / IP standard.

[0071] The individual setting screen 820 has an address setting area 821 for setting the IP address of the camera 100. When an area for inputting numerical values ​​or characters is selected on the individual setting screen 820, the control unit 201 displays, for example, a software keyboard screen provided by the OS.

[0072] Furthermore, the PING button 822 is a button for sending a PING command to the IP address set in the address setting area 821. When the PING button 822 is operated, the control unit 201 sends the PING command via an external device or a communication unit connected to the network. The control unit 201 displays a response to the PING command in a separate window, for example.

[0073] The port number setting area 823 is an area for setting a port number used for communication with the camera 100. The user name setting area 825 and password setting area 826 are areas for setting a user name and password used when requesting authentication from the camera 100.

[0074] The group setting button 827 is a button for setting which group the camera 100 is to be assigned to. Here, it is assumed that group 1 is set as the default.

[0075] When the cancel button 828 is operated, the control unit 201 cancels the changes made on the individual setting screen 820 and closes the individual setting screen. On the other hand, when the OK button 829 is operated, the control unit 201 associates the current settings on the individual setting screen 820 with the identification information of the corresponding camera 100, stores them in the non-volatile memory 203, and then closes the individual setting screen.

[0076] Note that the number and types of items included in the individual setting screen 820 are not limited to those shown in Fig. 5B. Other items may be included, or some items may not be included. For example, the items on the individual setting screen for the same camera may differ depending on the communication method.

[0077] <Operation of Smartphone 200> Next, the operation of the smartphone 200 as an imaging control device in the above-described remote imaging system will be further described using the flowcharts shown in Figures 6 to 11. The operation of the smartphone 200 described below is realized by the control unit 201 executing a remote imaging application.

[0078] The operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 starts when the remote photography application is started or becomes active on the smartphone 200.

[0079] In S500, the control unit 201 executes registration processing for the camera 100 to be operated. The registration processing may differ depending on the communication method with the camera 100. For example, when communicating through the second communication unit 212, the control unit 201 executes a pairing operation compliant with the Bluetooth standard. When communicating through the third communication unit 213, the control unit 201 displays a screen (e.g., an individual setting screen 820) on the display unit 206 to prompt the user to input information necessary for communication, such as an IP address, user name, and password. When communicating through the first communication unit 211, the control unit 201 displays a screen on the display unit 206 to prompt the user to input information necessary for communication via wireless LAN, such as an access point and password. Note that the registration processing for the camera 100 may be performed using any other known method.

[0080] When the control unit 201 confirms that communication with the camera 100 is possible, it acquires, for example, unique information (identification information) from the camera 100 and stores it in the non-volatile memory 203 in association with information necessary for communication.

[0081] Note that step S500 does not need to be executed each time the remote photography application is started, and may be executed only when necessary. For example, step S500 may be executed when there are no registered cameras, when there is no camera or only one camera that can communicate, or when a user instructs the addition of a camera.

[0082] In S501, the control unit 201 executes processing to detect cameras 100 whose information is registered in the non-volatile memory 203. Then, the control unit 201 determines whether or not one or more cameras 100 have been detected. If it is determined that one or more cameras 100 have been detected, the control unit 201 executes S502, and if it is not determined that one or more cameras 100 have been detected, the control unit 201 repeatedly executes S501.

[0083] In S502, the control unit 201 displays on the display unit 206 a screen that asks the user whether or not to establish a connection with the camera 100 detected in S501. The control unit 201 determines whether or not a connection operation has been detected through the screen. If it is determined that a connection operation has been detected, the control unit 201 executes S503, and if it is not determined that a connection operation has been detected, the control unit 201 repeatedly executes S502. Note that the screen may include a list of the cameras 100 detected in S501.

[0084] In S503 and S504, the control unit 201 establishes a connection with each of the cameras 100 detected in S501. Thereafter, the control unit 201 executes S505. Note that the user may individually perform a connection operation for each of the cameras 100 detected in S501. In this case, the user can remotely control only a specific camera 100 from among the detected cameras 100.

[0085] In S505, the control unit 201 executes a remote photography process, which will be described later. After that, the control unit 201 executes S506.

[0086] In S506, the control unit 201 determines whether to end the remote photography processing. If it is determined that the remote photography processing should be ended, the control unit 201 ends the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 , and if it is not determined that the remote photography processing should be ended, the control unit 201 executes S505 again. The control unit 201 can determine that the remote photography processing should be ended, for example, when the user explicitly instructs the control unit 201 to end the remote photography processing, or when an operation to end or deactivate the remote photography application is detected. The control unit 201 may also determine that the remote photography processing should be ended based on other conditions.

[0087] Next, details of the remote shooting process in S505 will be described using the flowchart shown in Fig. 7. In S610, the control unit 201 displays the main screen 800 shown in Fig. 5A on the display unit 206. The control unit 201 generates the main screen 800 including an individual operation UI for each of the cameras 100 with which a connection was established in S503, and displays it on the display unit 206. When generating the individual operation UI, the control unit 201 can refer to the non-volatile memory 203 or acquire information through communication as necessary. After displaying the main screen 800, the control unit 201 executes S611.

[0088] In S611, the control unit 201 determines whether or not an instruction has been given to execute batch setting processing for multiple cameras 100. The control unit 201 can determine that an instruction to execute batch setting processing has been given when, for example, it detects an operation of the batch setting button 804. If it is determined that an instruction to execute batch setting processing has been given, the control unit 201 executes S612, and if it is not determined that an instruction to execute batch setting processing has been given, the control unit 201 repeatedly executes S611.

[0089] Note that, since the explanation here focuses on the batch setting operation, an explanation of the operation of the control unit 201 when an operation on a button other than the batch setting button 804 included in the main screen 800 is detected will be omitted. However, as described above with reference to Figures 5A and 5B, when an operation on a button other than the batch setting button 804 is detected, the control unit 201 executes an operation corresponding to the button for which the operation was detected. For example, when an operation on the batch shooting button 805 is detected, the control unit 201 collectively transmits a command to the cameras to be operated to instruct them to take pictures. Thereafter, in S611, the control unit 201 waits for detection of an operation on a UI included in the main screen 800.

[0090] In S612, the control unit 201 determines whether or not there is a camera 100 with which a connection is being established. If there is no change in the connection state after the connection is established in S503 and S504, then there is a camera 100 with which a connection has been established. If it is determined that there is a camera 100 with which a connection is being established, the control unit 201 executes S613; if not, the control unit 201 ends the remote photography process and executes S506.

[0091] In S613, the control unit 201 determines which cameras 100 currently have established connections will be the targets of the batch setting process. The control unit 201 can determine which cameras belong to a group specified by operating the group button 806 as targets of the batch setting process. It should be noted that the group that will be the target of the batch setting process is stored in the non-volatile memory 203. The group that will be the target of the batch setting process is set to Group 1 by default. Group 1 is the group to which cameras belong by default. Therefore, if the default setting has not been changed, all cameras 100 currently have established connections will be determined as targets of the batch setting process.

[0092] On the other hand, it is possible to limit the cameras that are the targets of the batch setting process by assigning a specific number of cameras to a group other than group 1 (for example, group 2) and specifying group 2 with the group button 806. For example, it is possible to group cameras 100 of the same model, or to group cameras 100 by the geographical area in which they are installed.

[0093] In S614, the control unit 201 transmits a command requesting settable items and settable values ​​for each item to each of the cameras 100 targeted for the batch setting process determined in S613 via the third communication unit 213. The control unit 201 then stores information returned from each of the cameras 100 in response to the command in, for example, the non-volatile memory 203. Thereafter, the control unit 201 executes S615.

[0094] In S615, the control unit 201 determines target items for batch setting from the information acquired in S614. Here, as an example, the control unit 201 determines items that can be set for two or more cameras as target items for batch setting. Note that items that can be set for one or more cameras or for all cameras may also be determined as target items for batch setting.

[0095] The control unit 201 then displays a list of target items for collective setting in a selectable format on the display unit 206. Fig. 8A shows an example in which a list 901 of target items for collective setting is displayed in a pop-up window. In this example, the target items for collective setting are the exposure mode (AE Mode), shooting sensitivity (ISO), shutter speed (Tv), and aperture value (Av).

[0096] When the control unit 201 detects a selection operation (e.g., a tap) of an item, it highlights the item to indicate that it is selected. Fig. 8A shows a state in which a shutter speed (Tv) 902 is selected. Furthermore, when the control unit 201 detects an operation of the OK button 903 of the pop-up window, it ends the display of the pop-up window and executes step S616.

[0097] In S616, the control unit 201 acquires the item selected in the list 901 when the OK button 903 was operated, and stores the item in, for example, the work memory 204. Then, the control unit 201 displays a list of values ​​that can be set for the selected item on the display unit 206 in a selectable format. Here, the control unit 201 displays a list of values ​​that can be set for two or more cameras 100 that are the target of the batch setting process, based on the information acquired in S614. However, a list of values ​​that can be set for one or more cameras, or for all cameras, may also be displayed.

[0098] 8B shows an example of a list 904 of settable values ​​that is displayed when the shutter speed (Tv) 902 is selected when the OK button 903 is operated. Similar to the list 901 of target items for batch setting, the list is displayed in a pop-up window.

[0099] When the control unit 201 detects an operation to select an item (e.g., a tap), the control unit 201 highlights the item to indicate that it is selected. Fig. 8B shows a state in which a shutter speed 905 of 1 / 1600 seconds is selected. When the control unit 201 detects an operation of the OK button 906 in the pop-up window, the control unit 201 ends the display of the pop-up window and executes step S617.

[0100] Note that the settable values ​​may not necessarily be the same for all of the cameras 100 that are the target of the batch setting process. Therefore, the list of settable values ​​can indicate whether or not each individual value can be set for all of the cameras 100 that are the target of the batch setting process.

[0101] 9A is an example of a list showing whether each value can be set for each camera. For each of cameras A, B, and C that are the target of the batch setting process, settable values ​​are indicated with a circle, and unsettable values ​​are indicated with a blank space. Furthermore, values ​​that cannot be set for one or more cameras are displayed in a different format than values ​​that can be set for all cameras. In FIG. 9A, shutter speeds of 1 / 1600 second and 1 / 12800 second are only settable for some cameras, so they are grayed out as an example, but other display formats may also be used.

[0102] When the control unit 201 detects a value selection operation (e.g., a tap), it highlights the entire row of values ​​to indicate that the value is currently selected. Fig. 9A shows a state in which a shutter speed 1003 of 1 / 12800 seconds is selected. When the control unit 201 detects an operation of the OK button 1004 in the pop-up window, it ends the display of the pop-up window and executes step S617.

[0103] FIG. 9B shows an example of displaying a list 1005 similar to the list 904 shown in FIG. 8B , as well as a list 108 of cameras targeted for the batch setting process. List 1005 is the same as list 904, except that values ​​that cannot be set for one or more cameras in list 108 are displayed in a different format than values ​​that can be set for all cameras. Camera list 1008 is a list of camera names (here, A, B, and C). The control unit 201 uses different display formats for the names of cameras for which the selected value (here, 1 / 12800 seconds) can be set and the names of cameras for which the value cannot be set. While FIG. 9B shows the names of cameras for which the selected value cannot be set as grayed out, other display formats may also be used. However, the display format for values ​​that cannot be set for one or more cameras and the display format for the names of cameras for which the selected value cannot be set are consistent.

[0104] 9B shows an example in which the value list 1005 and the camera list 1008 are displayed in separate windows, but both lists may be displayed in a single window.

[0105] When the control unit 201 detects a value selection operation (e.g., a tap), it highlights the entire row of values ​​to indicate that the value is currently selected. Fig. 9B shows a state in which a shutter speed 1007 of 1 / 12800 seconds is selected. When the control unit 201 detects an operation of the OK button 1009 in the pop-up window, it ends the display of the pop-up window and executes step S617.

[0106] In addition, in the list of setting items 901 shown in Fig. 8A, the display format of items that cannot be set for one or more cameras may be different from the display format of items that can be set for all cameras. Furthermore, the setting items may be displayed in a format similar to the example in Fig. 9A or 9B. Specifically, instead of the shutter speed in Fig. 9A and 9B, a list of selectable items may be displayed.

[0107] In S617, the control unit 201 acquires the value selected in the value list 904, 1001, or 1005 when the OK button 906, 1004, or 1009 in the pop-up window displaying the list of settable values ​​is operated. The control unit 201 stores the value in the working memory 204, for example.

[0108] The control unit 201 generates a setting command that specifies the content to be set (the items acquired in S616 and the values ​​acquired in S617). The control unit 201 then transmits the generated setting command to all cameras that are the targets of the batch setting. Note that the control unit 201 may transmit the setting command to all cameras regardless of whether values ​​can be set in those cameras. Alternatively, the control unit 201 may transmit the setting command to cameras for which values ​​can be set, and not transmit the setting command to cameras for which values ​​cannot be set.

[0109] In S618, the control unit 201 receives the setting result from the camera that sent the setting command. This setting result is sent by the camera in S708, which will be described later. The setting result indicates whether the setting in accordance with the setting command sent in S617 was successful.

[0110] In S619, the control unit 201 determines whether or not the execution results of the command have been received from all cameras to which the setting command was sent in S617, and if it is determined that the execution results have been received, it executes S620, and if not, it executes S618 again.

[0111] In S620, the control unit 201 notifies the execution result received in S619. Here, it is assumed that the control unit 201 notifies the execution result by displaying it on the display unit 206. There are no particular limitations on the display method for notifying the execution result, as long as the success or failure of the execution is indicated at least for each camera. Here, an example of displaying the execution result using the main screen 800 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B. Here, it is assumed that a command to set the shutter speed (Tv) to 1 / 1600 seconds has been sent to cameras A, B, and C, for which individual operation UIs 801 to 803 are displayed on the main screen 800 shown in FIG. 5A.

[0112] 9A , a shutter speed of 1 / 1600 seconds can be set for cameras B and C, but cannot be set for camera A. Therefore, the control unit 201 receives an execution result indicating successful setting from cameras B and C, and an execution result indicating unsuccessful setting from camera A. Note that even if a setting command is not sent to camera A because a shutter speed of 1 / 1600 seconds cannot be set for camera A, the control unit 201 treats this as having received an execution result of success or failure from camera A.

[0113] 10A shows an example of an execution result being notified by a display format. When the control unit 201 transmits a setting command for an item displayed in an individual operation UI, it updates the display of the corresponding item in the individual operation UI corresponding to the camera that transmitted the execution result indicating successful setting to the new setting value. Therefore, the display of the shutter speed buttons 1108 and 1109 in the individual operation UI 802 corresponding to camera B and the individual operation UI 803 corresponding to camera C is updated to 1 / 1600. Meanwhile, the display of the shutter speed button 1107 in the individual operation UI 801 corresponding to camera A remains 1 / 400.

[0114] Furthermore, the control unit 201 can notify the camera whose settings have been successfully changed by, for example, changing the display style of the frames of the individual operation UIs 802 and 803 corresponding to cameras B and C for which the setting command has been successfully executed and the settings have been changed, for a certain period of time. Fig. 10A shows an example in which the frames of the individual operation UIs 802 and 803 have been changed from solid lines to thicker dotted lines. Other display styles, such as blinking the frames or changing the color, may also be employed. Note that the main screen 800 can be operated even while the display style of the frames is changing.

[0115] The execution result of the setting command may be notified by a method other than changing the display format of the frame of the individual operation UI. For example, the background color of the individual operation UI corresponding to the camera for which the setting command was successfully executed may be changed. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10B , the UI included in the individual operation UI corresponding to the item for which the setting was successfully changed may be highlighted. Here, the shutter speed buttons 1108 and 1109 included in the individual operation UIs 802 and 803 for cameras B and C, whose shutter speeds were changed, are highlighted by being surrounded by a thick dotted line for a certain period of time. Other methods of highlighting, such as changing the display color of the UI, may also be used.

[0116] 10B , in addition to individual operation UIs 801 to 803 corresponding to cameras A, B, and C that were the targets of the batch setting process, an individual operation UI 1101 corresponding to camera D that was not the target of the batch setting process is also displayed. The control unit 201 may change the display format of the corresponding individual operation UIs so that the target cameras of the batch setting process can be distinguished from the non-target cameras. In FIG. 10B , an example is shown in which the frames of the individual operation UIs 801 to 803 corresponding to the target cameras of the batch setting process are displayed thicker than the frame of the individual operation UI 1101 corresponding to the non-target camera of the batch setting process. This display format may be executed continuously as long as the target of the batch setting process is not changed, or may be executed for a fixed period of time during which the execution results of the setting commands are displayed.

[0117] 10A and 10B may be combined. For example, in Fig. 10B, the frames of the individual operation UIs 802 and 803 corresponding to cameras B and C may be displayed as dotted lines for a certain period of time to display the execution results of the commands. Alternatively, in Fig. 10A, the shutter speed buttons 1108 and 1109 included in the individual operation UIs 802 and 803 corresponding to cameras B and C may be highlighted for a certain period of time.

[0118] After displaying the execution result of the setting command for a certain period of time, the control unit 201 ends the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 and executes S506 (FIG. 6).

[0119] For ease of explanation and understanding, the setting is executed for each item here, but it may be configured to accept setting values ​​for multiple items and execute settings for multiple items with one setting command.

[0120] <Operation of Digital Camera 100> Next, the operation of the digital camera 100 constituting the remote photography system of this embodiment will be described using the flowchart shown in Fig. 11. The operation shown in Fig. 11 starts when the digital camera 100 is set to the photography position and the power is turned on.

[0121] In S700, the control unit 101 executes a startup process in response to an instruction to turn on the power, for example, by operating a power switch.

[0122] In S701, the control unit 101 acquires communication settings related to the third communication unit 113 from the non-volatile memory 103. For example, the control unit 101 acquires an IP address, a port number, and a user name and password used to connect to the network as the communication settings.

[0123] In S702, the control unit 101 uses the communication settings acquired in S701 to connect to the network via the third communication unit 113. Note that it is assumed here that communication with the smartphone 200 is performed using the third communication unit 113. However, if the communication unit to be used for communication with the smartphone 200 is not specified, the control unit 101 may execute the operations of S701 and S702 for each of the first communication unit 111 to the third communication unit 113 in accordance with the standard to which they conform.

[0124] In S703, the control unit 101 determines whether or not a connection request has been received from the smartphone 200, and if it is determined that a connection request has been received, executes S704, and if it is not determined that a connection request has been received, executes S703 repeatedly.

[0125] In S704, the control unit 101 determines whether or not an instruction (transmission request) to obtain configurable items and values ​​has been received from the smartphone 200, and if it is determined that the instruction has been received, executes S705; if it is not determined that the instruction has been received, it repeatedly executes S704.

[0126] In S705, the control unit 101 transmits, for example, in list format, items that can be set from the smartphone 200 and values ​​that can be set for the items to the smartphone 200. Information on the items that can be set and the values ​​that can be set for the items is assumed to be stored in advance, for example, in the non-volatile memory 103. Note that at least one of the items that can be set and the values ​​that can be set for the items may change depending on the state of the camera 100.

[0127] In S706, it is determined whether or not a setting command has been received from the smartphone 200. If it is determined that a setting command has been received, S707 is executed; if not, S706 is executed repeatedly.

[0128] Note that, since the explanation focuses on the batch setting operation, an explanation of the operation of the control unit 101 when a command other than a setting command is received from the smartphone 200 will be omitted. However, when a command other than a setting command transmitted from the smartphone 200 in response to the various UI operations described above with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B is received, the control unit 101 executes an operation according to the received command. For example, when an instruction to perform photography is received, the control unit 101 executes photography and recording of a still image. Thereafter, the control unit 101 determines in step S706 whether a setting command has been received.

[0129] In S707, the control unit 101 extracts the items and setting values ​​specified in the setting command received from the smartphone 200. Then, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the setting according to the setting command is possible. If the control unit 101 determines that the setting according to the setting command is possible, it executes S708, and if not, it executes S709.

[0130] In S708, the control unit 101 executes the setting in accordance with the setting command, and then executes S709.

[0131] If it is determined in S707 that the setting according to the setting command is possible because the item specified in the setting command is settable but the value is not settable, the control unit 101 may set a value closest to the specified value in S708. Furthermore, the control unit 101 may change the setting values ​​for items of the shooting conditions not specified in the setting command in order to suppress changes in the exposure amount.

[0132] For example, if a shutter speed of 1 / 1600 seconds is specified in the setting command but the closest settable shutter speed is 1 / 800 seconds, the control unit 101 sets the shutter speed to 1 / 800 seconds. Then, the control unit 101 can make the exposure amount equal to that when 1 / 1600 seconds is set by, for example, half the current setting value of the photographing sensitivity.

[0133] In S709, the control unit 101 transmits the execution result of the setting command to the smartphone 200, and ends the operation shown in Fig. 11. Note that the control unit 101 may repeatedly execute the process from S706 until the connection is disconnected.

[0134] If the settings specified in the setting command cannot be executed, the execution is treated as a failure even if the settings are changed to similar settings. However, if the settings are changed to similar settings, the changed settings may be included in the execution result. This makes it possible to update the display of the individual operation UI on the smartphone 200 to the current setting values.

[0135] As described above, according to this embodiment, settings can be collectively performed on multiple imaging devices from an imaging control device capable of remotely controlling the imaging devices. This eliminates the need to repeatedly perform settings on each individual imaging device, significantly improving usability. Furthermore, the user can determine whether a desired setting value can be set on all of the multiple imaging devices before sending a setting command. This allows the user to select values ​​that can be set on multiple imaging devices as needed, or to determine in advance which imaging devices cannot be set with the desired value, thereby supporting efficient setting execution.

[0136] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0137] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to clarify the scope of the invention.

[0138] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-107223, filed on June 29, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A photography control device capable of remotely controlling an imaging device, comprising: a generation means for generating a setting command specifying contents to be set commonly to a plurality of imaging devices; and a transmission means for transmitting the setting command to the plurality of imaging devices.

2. An imaging control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of imaging devices are part of a plurality of imaging devices that are in a state capable of communicating with the imaging control device.

3. The imaging control device according to claim 1, further comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring information regarding configurable items and values ​​from a plurality of imaging devices in a communicable state; and a display means for displaying on a display device a screen for selecting the content based on the acquired information.

4. An imaging control device as described in claim 3, characterized in that on the screen for selecting the content, the display format of the content that can be set to all of the multiple imaging devices in a communicable state is different from the display format of the content that can be set to some of the multiple imaging devices.

5. An imaging control device as described in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the content includes a value to be set, and a screen for selecting the content displays values ​​that can be set for each of the multiple imaging devices that are in a communicable state.

6. An imaging control device as described in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the content includes a value to be set, and when a specific value is selected on a screen for selecting the content, an imaging device in which the specific value can be set is displayed from among a plurality of imaging devices in a communicable state.

7. The imaging control device according to claim 6, characterized in that the display means displays on the display device a list of a plurality of imaging devices in a state capable of communicating with the communication device together with a screen for selecting the content, and when the specific value is selected on the screen for selecting the content, the display form in the list is changed between the imaging devices in which the specific value can be set and the imaging devices in which the specific value cannot be set.

8. An imaging control device as described in any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the content includes items to be set, and the display means displays on the display device a screen for selecting items that can be set in two or more imaging devices based on the acquired information, and displays on the display device a screen for selecting values ​​that can be set in one or more imaging devices for the items selected on the screen for selecting the items.

9. An imaging control device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 8, further comprising a receiving means for receiving execution results of the setting commands from a plurality of imaging devices to which the setting commands have been transmitted, and wherein the display means notifies the execution results.

10. The imaging control device according to claim 9, characterized in that the display means displays on the display device a screen including a user interface for individually remotely operating each of the multiple imaging devices that are in a state capable of communicating with the imaging control device, and notifies the execution result received from each of the multiple imaging devices that sent the setting command in a display form of the user interface corresponding to each of the multiple imaging devices that sent the setting command.

11. A photography control method executed by a photography control device capable of remotely controlling an imaging device, the photography control method comprising: generating a setting command specifying contents to be set commonly to a plurality of imaging devices; and transmitting the setting command to the plurality of imaging devices.

12. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means possessed by the imaging control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. An imaging device having a receiving means for receiving the setting command from an imaging control device described in any one of claims 1 to 10, and a control means for performing setting in accordance with the setting command, wherein the control means, when a value specified in the setting command cannot be set, sets a value closest to the value, and changes settings relating to an item other than the item whose value is specified in the setting command in order to suppress changes in exposure amount resulting from setting the closest value.

14. A remote photography system comprising: a photography control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and a plurality of imaging devices according to claim 13, communicatively connected to the photography control device.

Images