Imaging device

Abstract

An imaging device according to the present disclosure is characterized by comprising: an imaging unit; an acquisition means for acquiring, from a captured image captured by the imaging unit, a partial image in which the vertical-direction length is greater than the horizontal-direction length; a rotation means for rotating the partial image; an output means for outputting an image to the outside; and a control means for performing control such that the partial image acquired by the acquisition means is rotated by the rotation means, and the rotated partial image is outputted by the output means, the imaging device furthermore being characterized in that the partial image after rotation by the rotation means is such that the horizontal-direction length thereof is greater than the vertical-direction length thereof, and the upper-right corner or lower-left corner thereof corresponds to the upper-left corner of the partial image before rotation by the rotation means.

Description

Imaging device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an imaging device, and particularly to a technique for displaying a captured image captured by the imaging device on an external display device.

[0002] As a technique for displaying a captured image captured by an imaging device on an external display device, various techniques have been proposed. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for generating an output image by performing at least one correction of cropping, rotation, and projective transformation on an input image. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the rotation accuracy is switched according to the aspect ratio of the input image or the output image, or the orientation of the imaging device when the input image is captured.

[0003] In recent years, due to the spread of smartphones and the like, in addition to conventional landscape display devices (for example, display devices with an aspect ratio of the display surface (horizontal width: vertical height) of 16:9), portrait display devices (for example, display devices with an aspect ratio of the display surface of 9:16) are increasing. Therefore, the need to capture a portrait image simultaneously with a landscape image is increasing. For example, there is a need to capture an image for television broadcast with an aspect ratio of 16:9 and an image for a smartphone with an aspect ratio of 9:16.

[0004] There is also a need to install and use a landscape display device in a vertical orientation. The vertical orientation is one of the postures of the display device, and is a posture in which the left-right direction of the display device is substantially parallel to the vertical direction.

[0005] International Publication No. 2018 / 189971

[0006] However, when a landscape display device is installed and used in a vertical orientation, a portrait image cannot be suitably displayed.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique capable of suitably displaying a portrait image when a landscape display device is installed and used in a vertical orientation.

[0008] The imaging apparatus of the present disclosure comprises an imaging unit, an acquisition means for acquiring a partial image from an image captured by the imaging unit whose vertical length is longer than its horizontal length, a rotation means for rotating the partial image, an output means for outputting the image to the outside, and a control means for rotating the partial image acquired by the acquisition means using the rotation means and controlling the output means to output the rotated partial image, wherein the rotated partial image is an image whose horizontal length is longer than its vertical length, and the upper right corner or lower left corner corresponds to the upper left corner of the partial image before rotation by the rotation means.

[0009] According to this disclosure, when a horizontal display device is installed and used in a vertical orientation, a vertical image can be suitably displayed.

[0010] Figure 1 is a block diagram of the imaging device. Figure 2 is a flowchart of the shooting mode processing. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the problem to be solved. Figure 4 is a flowchart of the display processing. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the imaging device. Figures 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams showing the orientation of the display device. Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of the rotation processing. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the image output method.

[0011] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the imaging device 100.

[0012] The lens unit 101 includes a fixed lens group for light collection, a variable magnification lens group, an aperture, and a corrective lens group. By controlling these, the image formation position is corrected and the focus is adjusted. The lens unit 101 forms an image of the subject on the imaging plane of the image sensor 102. The lens unit 101 is detachable from the imaging device 100.

[0013] The image sensor 102 is an imaging unit that converts light into electric charge and generates an imaging signal. The generated imaging signal is output to the image processing unit 103. The image sensor 102 is an imaging element such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor. Alternatively, a so-called dual-pixel type imaging element may be used, in which all pixels on the imaging surface are each composed of a pair of light-receiving elements, and a pair of optical images formed by microlenses at each pixel can be converted into an electrical signal by the pair of light-receiving elements.

[0014] The image processing unit 103 converts the imaging signal input from the image sensor 102 into RAW data (RAW image). Subsequently, the image processing unit 103 generates YUV format image data corresponding to the RAW data by performing RAW development processing, including interpolation and image quality adjustment processing, on the RAW data, and stores the generated image data in the RAM 111.

[0015] The display resizing circuit 104 generates display image data by performing resizing and other operations on the YUV format image data stored in the RAM 111, and stores the generated display image data in the RAM 111. When generating display image data, the display resizing circuit 104 also performs cropping and rotation operations as described later, if necessary.

[0016] The recording resize circuit 105 generates recorded image data by performing resizing and other operations on the YUV format image data stored in the RAM 111, and stores the generated recorded image data in the RAM 111.

[0017] The on-screen display (OSD) generation circuit 106 generates OSD data that represents graphics such as various setting menus, titles, time, icons, and warning messages, and stores the generated OSD data in the RAM 111. The stored OSD data can be combined with display image data stored in the RAM 111. The combined image data, obtained by combining the display image data with the OSD data, can be displayed on the liquid crystal panel 107 or output externally from the external output units 118, 120 or the network output unit 121. In addition, the stored OSD data can be combined with recorded image data stored in the RAM 111 and recorded on the SD card 113.

[0018] The liquid crystal panel 107 is a display unit (display device) that displays an image (video) based on image data output from the panel signal processing unit 115. As will be described in detail later, the orientation of the liquid crystal panel 107 relative to the imaging device 100 (main unit) can be changed. Note that an organic EL panel or the like may be used instead of the liquid crystal panel 107.

[0019] The microcomputer 108 controls the entire imaging device 100.

[0020] The operation switch group 109 includes a plurality of operating members that receive input from the user. The plurality of operating members may include physical buttons or touch panels.

[0021] ROM 110 is a flash ROM that stores various data, including programs executed by the microcomputer 108. Additionally, a portion of ROM 110 is used to retain (back up) various information, such as system status information.

[0022] RAM 111 is a volatile memory used as work memory. For example, RAM 111 is used as work memory by a microcomputer 108, an image processing unit 103, a compression / decompression circuit 114, etc.

[0023] The SD card controller 112 records the image data generated by the compression / decompression circuit 114 and stored in the RAM 111 onto the SD card 113 according to a computer-compatible format such as the FAT file system. The SD card 113 is a recording medium that can be attached to and removed from the imaging device 100 and can also be attached to electronic devices other than the imaging device 100 (e.g., a personal computer). The imaging device 100 may also record image data on a recording medium that cannot be attached or removed (a recording medium built into the imaging device 100).

[0024] The compression / decompression circuit 114 compresses (encodes) image data stored in the RAM 111 and stores it back in the RAM 111, or decompresses (decodes) image data read from the SD card 113. For example, the compression / decompression circuit 114 generates video data by MPEG compression of image data stored in the RAM 111, and stores the video data back in the RAM 111.

[0025] The panel signal processing unit 115 reads display image data from the RAM 111 and outputs the read display image data to the liquid crystal panel 107. The panel signal processing unit 115 can also read OSD data from the RAM 111, generate composite image data, and output it to the liquid crystal panel 107. When outputting image data to the liquid crystal panel 107, the panel signal processing unit 115 converts the signal format of the image data into a signal format that the liquid crystal panel 107 can display.

[0026] Bus 116 connects multiple components of the imaging device 100 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0027] The external output signal processing unit 117 reads display image data from the RAM 111 and outputs the read display image data to the external output unit 118. The external output signal processing unit 117 can also read OSD data from the RAM 111, generate composite image data, and output it to the external output unit 118. When outputting image data to the external output unit 118, the external output signal processing unit 117 converts the signal format of the image data into a signal format that the external output unit 118 can output.

[0028] The external output unit 118 has external output terminals such as an SDI terminal and an HDMI® terminal, and outputs image data output from the external output signal processing unit 117 to the outside.

[0029] The external output signal processing unit 119 reads display image data from the RAM 111 and outputs the read display image data to the external output unit 120. The external output signal processing unit 119 can also read OSD data from the RAM 111, generate composite image data, and output it to the external output unit 120. When outputting image data to the external output unit 120, the external output signal processing unit 119 converts the signal format of the image data into a signal format that the external output unit 120 can output.

[0030] The external output unit 120 has external output terminals such as an SDI terminal and an HDMI® terminal, and outputs image data output from the external output signal processing unit 119 to the outside.

[0031] The network output unit 121 reads display image data from the RAM 111 and outputs the read display image data to an external network. The network output unit 121 can also read OSD data from the RAM 111, generate composite image data, and output it to an external network. The output image data can be viewed through a general web browser. The network output unit 121 has a network terminal such as an RJ45 connector and outputs images to the network via a LAN cable connected to the network terminal. Alternatively, instead of priority output, images may be output via a wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0032] Figure 2 is a flowchart of the shooting mode processing performed by the imaging device 100. The shooting mode processing in Figure 2 is realized by the microcomputer 108 loading a program stored in ROM 110 into RAM 111 and executing it. For example, when the imaging device 100 is started in shooting mode or when it transitions from another mode to shooting mode, the shooting mode processing begins. In shooting mode, the shooting mode processing is performed repeatedly at the frame rate of imaging by the image sensor 102.

[0033] Note that Figure 2 omits the instructions for preparing to shoot and the instructions for shooting. For example, the microcomputer 108 starts the shooting preparation operation in response to a shooting preparation instruction (for example, half-pressing the shutter button included in the operation switch group 109). The shooting preparation operation includes AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (flash pre-flash) processing. Then, the microcomputer 108 starts the shooting operation in response to a shooting instruction (for example, fully pressing the shutter button). The shooting operation is a series of operations that read signals from the image sensor 102 and write the captured image (an image of the subject) as an image file to the SD card 113.

[0034] In S201, the microcomputer 108 controls the acquisition of RAW data (RAW image). The microcomputer 108 controls the image sensor 102 to output an imaging signal (sensor data) from the image sensor 102 to the image processing unit 103. Then, the microcomputer 108 converts the imaging signal into RAW data through gamma processing, etc., and controls the image processing unit 103 to store the RAW data in the RAM 111.

[0035] In S202, the microcomputer 108 controls the image processing unit 103 to convert the RAW data acquired in S201 into developed data (developed image) through a development process, and to store the developed data in the RAM 111.

[0036] In S203, the microcomputer 108 controls the image processing unit 103 to convert the developed data acquired in S202 into the main image data (main image) through a predetermined correction process (post-processing of the developed data), and to store the main image data in the RAM 111.

[0037] In S204, the microcomputer 108 performs display processing to output and display an image (video) based on the image captured by the image sensor 102. Details of the display processing will be described later with reference to Figure 4.

[0038] An example of a problem solved by this embodiment will be explained using Figure 3. Image 301 in Figure 3 is an example of the main image obtained at S203 in Figure 2. This image 301 may be interpreted as an image captured by the image sensor 102. The aspect ratio of this image 301 is not particularly limited, but in Figure 3 it is a widescreen aspect ratio (for example, width (length in the horizontal direction) : height (length in the vertical direction) = 16:9).

[0039] When a horizontally oriented display device (for example, a display device with an aspect ratio of 16:9) is installed and used in its orthogonal position, the image 301 can be displayed in the correct orientation as shown in display 303. The orthogonal position is one of the orientations of the display device, in which the upward direction of the display device is approximately equal to the zenith direction.

[0040] With the widespread use of smartphones and other devices, there is a growing need to capture both a horizontal main image 301 and a vertical image simultaneously. For example, there is a need to capture images for television broadcasting with a 16:9 aspect ratio while simultaneously capturing images for smartphones with a 9:16 aspect ratio. Therefore, let's consider the case where a vertical partial image 302, which is a portion of the main image 301, is displayed. The aspect ratio of the partial image 302 is, for example, 9:16.

[0041] In that case, if the horizontally oriented display device is installed and used in the correct orientation, as shown in display 304, the image will not be displayed on most of the display surface, and the partial image 302 will be displayed only on a part of the display surface. Furthermore, if the horizontally oriented display device is installed and used in the vertical orientation, as shown in display 305, the partial image 302 will be displayed in a position rotated by approximately 90 degrees or approximately 270 degrees from the correct orientation, around an axis perpendicular to the display surface. In other words, the partial image 302 cannot be displayed appropriately. Vertical orientation is one orientation of the display device, in which the left-right direction of the display device is approximately parallel to the vertical direction, and it is an orientation rotated by approximately 90 degrees or approximately 270 degrees from the correct orientation, around an axis perpendicular to the display surface.

[0042] Therefore, in the present embodiment, assuming a case where a horizontally long display device is installed and used vertically, a vertically long image is rotated. By doing so, when a horizontally long display device is installed and used vertically, a vertically long image can be suitably displayed.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the display process performed in S204 of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, an image can be displayed on at least any one of the liquid crystal panel 107, the display device connected to the external output unit 118, the display device connected to the external output unit 120, and the display device connected to the network output unit 121 (via the network). The display process in FIG. 4 is individually performed for the components used for image display among the liquid crystal panel 107, the external output unit 118, the external output unit 120, and the network output unit 121.

[0044] In S401, the microcomputer 108 determines whether to output (display) the image of the vertical crop region. If the image of the vertical crop region is to be output (displayed), the process proceeds to S405; otherwise, the process proceeds to S402.

[0045] The microcomputer 108 can set a partial region of the main image as the crop region. For example, the microcomputer 108 sets the region specified by the user as the crop region. The process of acquiring (cropping, extracting, cutting out) the image of the crop region from the main image is the crop process. The position and size of the crop region are not particularly limited and may be changeable by the user. The vertical crop region is a crop region whose vertical width (length in the vertical direction) is longer than the horizontal width (length in the horizontal direction). The image of the vertical crop region is a partial image. The designation of the crop region from the user may be performed using the operation switch group 109 or an external device. When an external device is used, a command corresponding to the designation from the user is received by the network output unit 121 (communication unit), a dedicated reception circuit, or the like. The microcomputer 108 may automatically set the crop region based on the captured image, the display device to be used, the output unit to be used, and the like.

[0046] Image 501 in FIG. 5 is the main image, and the size of the main image 501 (number of pixels in the horizontal direction × number of pixels in the vertical direction) is 3840 × 2160 pixels. Region 510 is a crop region, and the size of the crop region 510 is 1080 × 1920 pixels. Therefore, the crop region 510 is a vertical crop region.

[0047] In S402, the microcomputer 108 determines whether to output (display) the image of the horizontal crop region. If it is to output (display) the image of the horizontal crop region, it proceeds to S404; otherwise (if it is to output (display) the entire main image), it proceeds to S403. Region 520 in FIG. 5 is a crop region, and the size of the crop region 520 is 1920 × 1080 pixels. Therefore, the crop region 520 is a horizontal crop region.

[0048] Among the image of the vertical crop region, the image of the horizontal crop region, the entire main image, etc., which image to output (display) may be individually set for each of the liquid crystal panel 107, the external output unit 118, the external output unit 120, and the network output unit 121. Which image to output may be automatically determined based on the display device and output unit to be used. Which image to output may be specified by the user. Which image to output may be predetermined for each of the liquid crystal panel 107, the external output unit 118, the external output unit 120, and the network output unit 121. The specification of the output image from the user may be performed using the operation switch group 109 or may be performed using an external device.

[0049] In S403, the microcomputer 108 controls the display resize circuit 104 to resize (convert the size of) the image and store the resized image in the RAM 111. In this embodiment, the image size is predetermined for each of the liquid crystal panel 107, external output unit 118, external output unit 120, and network output unit 121. In the resize process, the size of the image is converted to the size corresponding to the processing target component among the liquid crystal panel 107, external output unit 118, external output unit 120, and network output unit 121. For example, if the size of the image is 3840 × 2160 pixels and the size corresponding to the processing target component is 1280 × 720 pixels, the size of the image is converted from 3840 × 2160 pixels to 1280 × 720 pixels. Image 502 in Figure 5 is the image obtained by resizing image 501. The image size may be converted to match the size (resolution) of the display surface of the display device being used. The resizing method is not particularly limited, and various methods such as bicubic and bilinear methods can be used. A pre-trained model, such as one created using deep learning, may also be used for resizing.

[0050] In step S404, the microcomputer 108 controls the display resize circuit 104 to acquire (crop, extract, cut out) an image of the horizontal crop region from the main image, resize the acquired image, and store the resized image in the RAM 111. Consider the case where the size of the main image is 3840 × 2160 pixels, the size corresponding to the component to be processed is 1280 × 720 pixels, and the size of the horizontal crop region is 1920 × 1080 pixels. In this case, the size of the image in the horizontal crop region is converted from 1920 × 1080 pixels to 1280 × 720 pixels. Image 521 in Figure 5 is the image obtained by resizing the image of the horizontal crop region 520. Note that if the size (both height and width) corresponding to the component to be processed is larger than the size of the horizontal crop region (before resizing), the size of the horizontal crop region does not need to be converted, or it may be enlarged.

[0051] In S405, the microcomputer 108 determines whether the component to be processed is the network output unit 121. If it is the network output unit 121, the process proceeds to S406; otherwise, it proceeds to S407. Note that the component used in the determination in S405 does not have to be the network output unit 121.

[0052] In S406, the microcomputer 108 controls the display resize circuit 104 to acquire an image of the vertical crop region from the main image, resize the acquired image, and store the resized image in the RAM 111. Consider the case where the size of the main image is 3840 × 2160 pixels, the size corresponding to the component to be processed is 1280 × 720 pixels, and the size of the vertical crop region is 1080 × 1920 pixels. In this case, the size of the image in the vertical crop region is converted from 1080 × 1920 pixels to 405 × 720 pixels. Image 513 in Figure 5 is the image obtained by resizing the image of the vertical crop region 510. Note that if the size corresponding to the component to be processed is 720 × 1280 pixels, the size of the image in the vertical crop region may be converted from 1080 × 1920 pixels to 720 × 1280 pixels. If the size (both height and width) of the element to be processed is larger than the size of the vertical crop area (before resizing), the size of the vertical crop area does not need to be converted, or it may be enlarged.

[0053] In S407, the microcomputer 108 acquires orientation information of the display device being used. Orientation information indicates the orientation of the display device, for example, whether the display device is in the upright position or in portrait orientation. Figure 6A shows the orientation of a display device connected to the external output unit 118, external output unit 120, or network output unit 121, and Figure 6B shows the orientation of the liquid crystal panel 107. Orientations 601 and 603 are in the upright position, and orientations 602 and 604 are in portrait orientation. The method for acquiring orientation information is not particularly limited and may be acquired from the display device being used or input by the user.

[0054] In S408, the microcomputer 108 determines whether the orientation of the display device to be used is vertical, according to the orientation information acquired in S407. If it is vertical, the process proceeds to S409; otherwise, it proceeds to S406. Based on this determination, a decision is made as to whether or not to perform the rotation process described later in S409.

[0055] In S409, the microcomputer 108 controls the display resize circuit 104 to acquire an image of the vertical crop region from the main image, rotate the acquired image, resize the rotated image, and store the resized image in the RAM 111. Consider the case where the size of the main image is 3840 × 2160 pixels, the size corresponding to the component to be processed is 1280 × 720 pixels, and the size of the vertical crop region is 1080 × 1920 pixels. In this case, the image of the vertical crop region is rotated by approximately 90 degrees or approximately 270 degrees around an axis perpendicular to the image of the vertical crop region, and the size of the rotated image is converted from 1920 pixels × 1080 to 1280 × 720 pixels. Image 511 in Figure 5 is the image obtained by resizing the image after rotation. Furthermore, if the size (both height and width) of the component being processed is larger than the size of the vertical crop area after rotation (before resizing), the size of the vertical crop area after rotation does not need to be converted, or it may be enlarged. Rotation may also be performed after resizing.

[0056] The rotation process in S409 will be explained using Figure 7. Figure 7 shows each image and its coordinates (horizontal position, vertical position). In Figure 7, image 701 is the main image, and region 702 is the vertical crop region (before rotation). A to H are pixels within the vertical crop region 702. The image in the vertical crop region 702 is rotated by the same amount of rotation as the display device from the positive position, but in the opposite direction to the rotation of the display device from the positive position.

[0057] Consider the case where the display device is rotated 90 degrees to the right (clockwise) from the positive position to a vertical orientation (or rotated 270 degrees to the left (counterclockwise) from the positive position to a vertical orientation). In this case, the image of the vertical crop region 702 is rotated 90 degrees to the left (270 degrees to the right), and image 703 is obtained. The lower left corner of the rotated image 703 corresponds to the upper left corner of the vertical crop region 702 (before rotation). By doing this, as in display 704, when the display device is rotated 90 degrees to the right from the positive position to a vertical orientation, image 703 (the image of the vertical crop region 702) can be displayed in the correct orientation across the entire display surface (most of the display surface).

[0058] Consider the case where the display device is rotated 270 degrees to the right (clockwise) from the positive position to a vertical orientation (rotated 90 degrees to the left (counterclockwise) from the positive position to a vertical orientation). In this case, the image of the vertical crop region 702 is rotated 90 degrees to the right (270 degrees to the left), and image 706 is obtained. The upper right corner of the rotated image 706 corresponds to the upper left corner of the vertical crop region 702 (before rotation). By doing this, as in display 707, when the display device is rotated 270 degrees to the right from the positive position to a vertical orientation, image 706 (the image of the vertical crop region 702) can be displayed in the correct orientation across the entire display surface (most of the display surface).

[0059] In S410, the microcomputer 108 controls the various parts of the imaging device 100 to output and display the resized image stored in the RAM 111. As shown in Figure 8, the resized image is output and displayed using a line-sequential drive method. Multiple lines of the resized image are output one line at a time from top to bottom.

[0060] For example, the microcomputer 108 controls the panel signal processing unit 115 to output the resized image to the liquid crystal panel 107. The microcomputer 108 may also control the external output signal processing unit 117 to output the resized image to an external display device from the external output unit 118. Similarly, the microcomputer 108 may control the external output signal processing unit 119 to output the resized image to an external display device from the external output unit 120. The microcomputer 108 may also control the compression / decompression circuit 114 to encode the resized image and control the network output unit 121 to output the encoded image to an external network.

[0061] As a result of the display processing in Figure 4, display 503 is performed as the display of image 502 in Figure 5, display 512 is performed as the display of image 511, display 514 is performed as the display of image 513, and display 522 is performed as the display of image 521.

[0062] The display devices connected to the external output unit 118, the display devices connected to the external output unit 120, and the display devices connected to the network output unit 121 (via the network) may or may not be dedicated display devices. For example, these display devices may be controllers with display functions. Control signals from the controller may be received by the network output unit 121 (communication unit) or a dedicated receiving circuit. Control signals may also be received using functions such as CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) as defined in the HDMI standard.

[0063] The various controls described above may or may not be performed by a single piece of hardware (e.g., a processor or circuit). Multiple pieces of hardware (e.g., multiple processors, multiple circuits, or a combination of one or more processors and one or more circuits) may share the processing to control the entire device.

[0064] Furthermore, the above-mentioned processors are processors in a broad sense, and include both general-purpose processors and specialized processors. General-purpose processors include, for example, CPUs (Central Processing Units), MPUs (Micro Processing Units), and DSPs (Digital Signal Processors). Specialized processors include, for example, GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), and PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices). Programmable logic devices include, for example, FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) and CPLDs (Complex Programmable Logic Devices).

[0065] Furthermore, the embodiments described above (including modifications) are merely examples, and configurations obtained by appropriately modifying or changing the above-described configurations within the scope of the gist of this disclosure are also included in this disclosure. Configurations obtained by appropriately combining the above-described configurations are also included in this disclosure.

[0066] <Other Embodiments> This disclosure can also be implemented by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be implemented by a circuit that implements one or more functions.

[0067] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, programs, and media: (Configuration 1) An imaging device comprising: an imaging unit; an acquisition means for acquiring a partial image from an image captured by the imaging unit whose vertical length is longer than its horizontal length; a rotation means for rotating the partial image; an output means for outputting an image to the outside; and a control means for rotating the partial image acquired by the acquisition means using the rotation means and controlling the output means to output the rotated partial image, wherein the rotated partial image is an image whose horizontal length is longer than its vertical length, and the upper right corner or lower left corner corresponds to the upper left corner of the partial image before rotation by the rotation means. (Configuration 2) The imaging device according to Configuration 1, further comprising a second output means for outputting an image to the outside, wherein the control means controls the output means to output the rotated partial image to the outside and the second output means to output the captured image to the outside. (Configuration 3) The imaging apparatus according to Configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the control means controls the output means to output a plurality of lines of a partial image after rotation by the rotation means, one line at a time, from top to bottom of the partial image. (Configuration 4) The imaging apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, further comprising a third output means for outputting an image to the outside, wherein the control means controls the output means to output the partial image without rotation by the rotation means when the third output means outputs a partial image. (Configuration 5) The imaging apparatus according to Configuration 4, characterized in that the third output means outputs an image to an external network. (Configuration 6) The imaging apparatus according to Configuration 5, characterized in that the output means outputs an image to the outside from an SDI terminal or an HDMI® terminal, and the third output means outputs an image to the outside from a network terminal. (Configuration 7) The imaging device according to Configuration 2, characterized in that the output means outputs an image to the outside from an SDI terminal or an HDMI® terminal, and the second output means outputs an image to the outside from an SDI terminal or an HDMI® terminal.(Configuration 8) An imaging device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 7, further comprising setting means for setting a region in the captured image specified by the user as the region of the partial image before rotation by the rotation means. (Configuration 9) An imaging device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that the aspect ratio of the partial image before rotation by the rotation means is 9:16. (Configuration 10) An imaging device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 9, further comprising second acquisition means for acquiring orientation information of an external display device on which the output means outputs an image, and selection means for selecting the partial image after rotation by the rotation means, or the partial image before rotation by the rotation means, as the image to be output to the display device, according to the orientation information acquired by the second acquisition means. (Configuration 11) An imaging device comprising: an imaging unit; an acquisition means for acquiring a partial image from an image captured by the imaging unit, the length in the vertical direction being longer than the length in the horizontal direction; a rotation means for rotating the partial image; an output means for outputting the image to a display unit; and a control means for rotating the partial image acquired by the acquisition means using the rotation means, and controlling the output means to output the rotated partial image, wherein the partial image after rotation by the rotation means is an image in which the length in the horizontal direction is longer than the length in the vertical direction, and the upper right corner or lower left corner corresponds to the upper left corner of the partial image before rotation by the rotation means. (Method 1) A control method for an imaging device, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring a partial image from an image captured by the imaging device whose vertical length is longer than its horizontal length; a rotation step of rotating the partial image; an output step of outputting the image to the outside; and a control step of rotating the partial image acquired in the acquisition step by the rotation step, and controlling the output step to output the rotated partial image, wherein the rotated partial image is an image whose horizontal length is longer than its vertical length, and the upper right corner or lower left corner corresponds to the upper left corner of the partial image before rotation by the rotation step.(Method 2) A control method for an imaging device, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring a partial image from an image captured by the imaging device whose vertical length is longer than its horizontal length; a rotation step of rotating the partial image; an output step of outputting the image to a display unit; and a control step of rotating the partial image acquired in the acquisition step by the rotation step, and controlling the output step to output the rotated partial image, wherein the rotated partial image is an image whose horizontal length is longer than its vertical length, and the upper right corner or lower left corner corresponds to the upper left corner of the partial image before rotation by the rotation step. (Program) A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the imaging device described in any of configurations 1 to 11. (Medium) A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each means of the imaging device described in any of configurations 1 to 11.

[0068] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the following claims are attached to make the scope of this disclosure public.

[0069] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-006617, filed on 17 January 2025, and all of its contents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0070] 100: Imaging device 102: Image sensor 104: Display resize circuit 108: Microcomputer 118, 120: External output unit 121: Network output unit

Claims

1. An imaging device comprising: an imaging unit; an acquisition means for acquiring a partial image from an image captured by the imaging unit, the vertical length of which is longer than the horizontal length; a rotation means for rotating the partial image; an output means for outputting the image to the outside; and a control means for controlling the rotation of the partial image acquired by the acquisition means using the rotation means, and outputting the rotated partial image using the output means, wherein the partial image rotated by the rotation means is an image in which the horizontal length is longer than the vertical length, and the upper right corner or lower left corner corresponds to the upper left corner of the partial image before rotation by the rotation means.

2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second output means for outputting an image to the outside, wherein the control means controls the output means to output a partial image rotated by the rotation means to the outside, and the second output means to output the captured image to the outside.

3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means controls the output means to output one line at a time from the top to the bottom of the partial image after rotation by the rotation means.

4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third output means for outputting an image to the outside, wherein the control means controls the output of a partial image without rotation by the rotation means when the third output means outputs a partial image.

5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the third output means outputs an image to an external network.

6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the output means outputs an image to the outside from an SDI terminal or an HDMI® terminal, and the third output means outputs an image to the outside from a network terminal.

7. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the output means outputs an image to the outside from an SDI terminal or an HDMI® terminal, and the second output means outputs an image to the outside from an SDI terminal or an HDMI® terminal.

8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising setting means for setting a region specified by the user in the captured image as the region of the partial image before rotation by the rotation means.

9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the aspect ratio of the partial image before rotation by the rotation means is 9:

16.

10. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second acquisition means for acquiring orientation information of an external display device on which the output means outputs an image; and a selection means for selecting, according to the orientation information acquired by the second acquisition means, a partial image after rotation by the rotation means, or a partial image before rotation by the rotation means, as the image to be output to the display device.

11. An imaging device comprising: an imaging unit; an acquisition means for acquiring a partial image from an image captured by the imaging unit, the vertical length of which is longer than the horizontal length; a rotation means for rotating the partial image; an output means for outputting the image to a display unit; and a control means for controlling the rotation of the partial image acquired by the acquisition means using the rotation means, and outputting the rotated partial image using the output means, wherein the partial image rotated by the rotation means is an image in which the horizontal length is longer than the vertical length, and the upper right corner or lower left corner corresponds to the upper left corner of the partial image before rotation by the rotation means.

12. A control method for an imaging device, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring a partial image from an image captured by the imaging device whose vertical length is longer than its horizontal length; a rotation step of rotating the partial image; an output step of outputting the image to the outside; and a control step of rotating the partial image acquired in the acquisition step by the rotation step, and controlling the output step to output the rotated partial image, wherein the rotated partial image is an image whose horizontal length is longer than its vertical length, and the upper right corner or lower left corner corresponds to the upper left corner of the partial image before rotation by the rotation step.

13. A control method for an imaging device, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring a partial image from an image captured by the imaging device whose vertical length is longer than its horizontal length; a rotation step of rotating the partial image; an output step of outputting the image to a display unit; and a control step of rotating the partial image acquired in the acquisition step by the rotation step, and controlling the output step to output the rotated partial image, wherein the rotated partial image is an image whose horizontal length is longer than its vertical length, and the upper right corner or lower left corner corresponds to the upper left corner of the partial image before rotation by the rotation step.

14. A program for causing a computer to function as one of the means of an imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

15. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing the computer to function as one of the means of the imaging apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

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