JP2020034592A - Control unit, imaging apparatus, control method for imaging apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a control unit capable of swiftly controlling a focus depending on an object to be imaged.SOLUTION: A control unit includes: setting means for setting a first reference position that, when the detection means outside the control unit detects an object, the imaging means uses the same as the reference position of the autofocus control; and control means configured to control imaging means so as to, when detection means detects the object, control the autofocus on the basis of the first reference position, and when the detection means does not detect any object, control the autofocus on the basis of a second reference position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device, an imaging device, a control method of the imaging device, and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, surveillance cameras capable of remotely controlling a camera via a network or a dedicated line and monitoring an image have been known. The user of the surveillance camera may control the surveillance camera and drive the camera so that the target object appears within the angle of view when the target object appears.
Further, there is a case where a setting is made in advance so that the camera is automatically driven in a specific direction (preset position) when the target object appears. When a detection sensor such as a human sensor is installed at an important place in the facility, the detection sensor detects the passage of a person and notifies the monitoring camera of the detection result. The surveillance camera drives the camera platform and lens to a preset position to photograph the detected object in order to photograph the object.

  Here, when the camera is performing autofocus, it may be difficult to quickly perform focusing depending on the influence of illuminance conditions before and after driving. On the other hand, even if the focus suitable for a specific preset position is fixed by manual setting, if an object is not detected, there is a possibility that an inappropriate position is focused on the entire image.

  The prior art described in Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which a sender transmits an audio signal and a video signal to a receiver, and the receiver transmits an audio signal of the receiver to the sender. Further, a method for controlling a shooting state of a shooting machine based on position data of a caller is shown. The prior art disclosed in Patent Document 2 discloses a method in which one of a plurality of pieces of position information of a first imaging device is determined according to a priority order, and the viewpoint of the second imaging device is changed based on the priority information.

WO96 / 01539 JP, 2017-192104, A

In the prior art described in Patent Document 1, since the imaging state of the photographing device is controlled based on the position data of the sender that transmits the audio signal, an object that does not transmit the audio signal to the receiver is controlled. Is not considered. If the position data of the caller is unknown, the photographing device cannot be controlled using the position data.
Further, in the related art described in Patent Literature 2, since another imaging device for changing the viewpoint of one imaging device is required, the viewpoint cannot be changed without another imaging device. Further, since a plurality of imaging devices are required, the system becomes expensive. Furthermore, even if the angle of view is moved to a preset position when an object is detected, the object to be imaged may be missed without being immediately focused.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has as its object to provide a control device capable of quickly controlling the focus according to an object to be imaged.

  In order to solve the above problem, according to an aspect of the control device according to the present invention, there is provided a control device, wherein the imaging unit controls the auto focus when a detection unit outside the control unit detects an object. Setting means for setting a first reference position to be the reference position, and performing the autofocus control based on the first reference position when the detection means is detecting the object, A control unit that controls the imaging unit so as to perform the autofocus control based on a second reference position when the detection unit does not detect the target object. .

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, focus can be controlled quickly according to the object to be imaged.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a monitoring system according to a first embodiment. Functional block diagram and system configuration diagram of imaging apparatus Block diagram showing a configuration example of a client device Block diagram showing a configuration example of a detection sensor Diagram showing an example of a display screen for setting an autofocus start reference position Flowchart showing an example of processing for setting an autofocus start reference position Flowchart showing an example of autofocus control Flowchart showing an example of autofocus control

  Hereinafter, an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Each embodiment described below is an example as a means for realizing the present invention, and should be appropriately modified or changed depending on the configuration of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the embodiment. Further, not all combinations of the features described in the present embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention. The same configuration and processing will be described with the same reference numerals.

Embodiment 1
(Configuration of monitoring system)
FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration example of a monitoring system according to the first embodiment.
The monitoring system includes an imaging device 1 that images a subject such as a person, a client device 2 that controls the operation of the imaging device 1, and a detection sensor 3 that detects a subject such as a person in a detection area.
The imaging device 1 and the client device 2 are connected via a network 4 so that they can communicate with each other. The client device 2 transmits various control commands to the imaging device 1. The control commands include, for example, settings relating to photographing parameters, drive instructions such as pan / tilt / rotation / zoom / focus for a drive unit that drives the imaging apparatus 1, and other commands for controlling the camera and the like. . Further, the imaging device 1 having received the control command transmits a response to the received control command to the client device 2.

  The network 4 includes a plurality of routers, switches, cables, and the like that satisfy a communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark). However, in the present embodiment, any communication standard, scale, and configuration can be used as long as communication between the imaging device 1 and the client device 2 can be performed.

  The imaging device 1 and the detection sensor 3 are connected to be able to communicate with each other via a wireless or wired network 5. As long as communication can be performed between the imaging device 1 and the detection sensor 3, the network 5 may be of any communication standard, scale, and configuration. Further, the detection sensor 3 may communicate with the imaging device 1 via the client device 2 or the network 4. The detection sensor 3 transmits various status notification commands to the imaging device 1. The state notification command includes, for example, a command for notifying the occurrence of the detection target, the disappearance of the detection target, a change in the state of the detection target, and the like. Further, the detection sensor 3 transmits and receives a control command for establishing, maintaining, and ending communication between the imaging device 1 and the detection sensor 3 as necessary. Note that a plurality of detection sensors 3 may exist. The positional relationship between the imaging device 1 and the detection sensor 3 may be such that the detection sensor 3 is installed so that the object detected by the detection sensor 3 is included in the angle of view of the imaging device 1.

  Note that the imaging device 1 in the present embodiment is an example of a communication device that communicates with the client device 2 and the detection sensor 3, and is, for example, a monitoring camera that captures a moving image. More specifically, the imaging device 1 is, for example, a network camera used for monitoring. The client device 2 according to the present embodiment is an example of an external information processing device such as a PC (personal computer). The detection sensor 3 according to the present embodiment is a sensor that detects the occurrence of an object (subject) to be imaged by the imaging device 1 or a change in the state of the object, such as a human sensor or door / window opening / closing detection. Sensors.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging device 1 includes a control unit 11 that controls the entire imaging device 1, a storage unit 12 that stores data and the like, an imaging unit 13 that performs imaging, and compression of the captured data. The image processing apparatus includes a compression encoding unit 14 for encoding, a communication unit 15, and an imaging control unit 16. The control units 11 to 16 are connected via a bus 17.

  The control unit 11 is configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage unit 12 mainly stores a program storage area to be executed by the control unit 11, a work area during execution of the program, a setting information storage area such as an autofocus start reference position, and a storage area for image data generated by the imaging unit 13 described later. , Are used as storage areas for various data.

  The imaging unit 13 converts an analog signal obtained by capturing an image of a subject formed by the imaging optical system of the imaging device 1 into digital data, and sequentially stores the digital signal in the storage unit 12 as a captured image. When the captured image is stored in the storage unit 12, the control unit 11 receives an image acquisition event from the imaging unit 13. The compression encoding unit 14 applies a JPEG (Jpoint Picture Expert Group) or H.264 to the captured image stored by the imaging unit 13. Image data is generated by performing a compression encoding process based on a format such as H.264 and stored in the storage unit 12.

The communication unit 15 is used when receiving a control command from an external device, transmitting a response to the control command to the external device, or the like. When receiving a command from an external device, the control unit 11 receives a command reception event via the communication unit 15. The communication unit 15 is also used when the image data compressed and encoded by the compression encoding unit 14 can be sequentially read from the storage unit 12 and transmitted to the client device as a video stream.
The imaging control unit 16 controls the driving unit to perform pan driving, tilt driving, zoom driving, rotation driving, or focusing driving in accordance with the pan / tilt / rotation / zoom or focus value specified by the control unit 11, and performs image driving of the imaging unit 13. Used to change the corner. Note that the imaging control unit 16 has an autofocus function of a contrast detection method that evaluates the value of the contrast (spatial frequency) of the image captured by the imaging unit 13 and searches for a focal plane.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the client device 2.
The client device 2 includes a control unit 21 that controls the entire client device 2, a storage unit 22 that stores data and the like, a display unit 23 that displays information such as images, and an input unit 24 that inputs user instructions and the like. , A decoding unit 25 for generating an image, and a communication unit 26 for performing communication. The control unit 21 to the communication unit 26 are connected via a bus 27.

The control unit 21 is configured by, for example, a CPU.
The storage unit 22 is mainly used as a storage area for various data such as a program storage area executed by the control unit 21 and a work area during execution of the program.
The display unit 23 includes, for example, an LCD, an organic EL display, and the like. Displays a viewer, various messages, etc.
The input unit 24 includes, for example, a button, a cross key, a touch panel, a mouse, and the like, and inputs a user's screen operation instruction to the control unit 21.

The decoding unit 25 converts the compression-encoded image data received via the communication unit 26 into JPEG or H.264. The data is decrypted based on a format such as H.264 and expanded in the storage unit 22.
The communication unit 26 transmits to the imaging device 1 settings related to imaging parameters, driving instructions for the imaging control unit 16 of the imaging device 1 such as pan, tilt, rotation, zoom, and focus, and other control commands including camera control. Used for The communication unit 26 is used when receiving a response to a control command or a video stream (image data) from the imaging device 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the detection sensor 3.
The detection sensor 3 includes a control unit 31 that performs overall control of the detection sensor 3, a storage unit 32 that stores data and the like, a detection unit 33 that detects an object, and a communication unit 34 that performs communication. The control unit 31 to the communication unit 34 are connected via a bus 35.

The control unit 31 is constituted by, for example, a CPU. The storage unit 32 is used as a storage area for various data such as a program storage area mainly executed by the control unit 31 and a work area during program execution. The detection unit 33 includes, for example, an infrared sensor if the detection sensor 3 is a human sensor, and a magnetic sensor if the door / window sensor is used, and detects the occurrence or disappearance of an object, a change in the state of the object, and the like. The detection result is notified to the control unit 31.
The communication unit 34 transmits, to the imaging device 1, detection results such as occurrence / disappearance of the detection target object and a change in the state of the target object, and control commands including communication establishment, maintenance, and termination with the imaging device 1. The communication unit 34 is used when receiving a response to the control command from the imaging device 1.

Although the internal configurations of the imaging device 1, the client device 2, and the detection sensor 3 have been described above, the processing blocks illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4 are preferable examples of the imaging device 1, the client device 2, and the detection sensor 3 in the present invention. And the configuration is not limited to this. For example, various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the concept of the present invention, such as including an audio input unit, an audio output unit, and an image analysis processing unit in addition to the above-described configuration.
Further, at least a part of the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4 may be realized by hardware. In the case of realization by hardware, for example, a dedicated circuit may be automatically generated on a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) from a program for realizing each step by using a predetermined compiler. Further, a Gate Array circuit may be formed in the same manner as the FPGA, and may be realized as hardware. Further, it may be realized by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on the display unit 23 of the client device 2.
The display screen 40 includes a display area 41 for displaying an image, a button 42 for inputting an instruction from a user, and an input box 43 for inputting information indicating a distance and the like.
The display area 41 is a display area where an image corresponding to the image data received from the imaging device 1 is displayed. The button 42 is a button used to instruct the imaging device 1 to drive to a preset position. The button 42 has a plurality of buttons 42a, 42b, 42c for selecting a plurality of preset positions. When any of the buttons 42a to 42c is instructed, the client device 2 transmits to the imaging device 1 a drive instruction to move the angle of view to a preset position according to the instruction. When the communication unit 15 of the imaging apparatus 1 receives the driving instruction, the imaging control unit 16 controls the driving of the pan, tilt, rotation, and zoom (PTRZ driving) by the driving unit, thereby obtaining the imaging position (angle of view). To the specified preset position. The preset position is stored in the storage unit 12 of the imaging device 1 in accordance with, for example, a user's instruction input in the client device 2 in advance. The input box 43 is a box used to input information (distance information) indicating the distance from the imaging device 1 to the focus plane. The input box 43 includes an input area 43a for inputting a distance, a button 43b for instructing save (Save), and a button 43c for instructing cancel (Cancel).
The user operates the input unit 24 in advance, and stores information (distance to the focus plane of the imaging apparatus 1 at the position (preset position) when the detection sensor 3 detects the position in the input area 43a in the input box 43. Information). For example, the user inputs the distance between the detection sensor 3 and the imaging device 1 as distance information to the focus plane. Alternatively, the distance to the focus plane may be calculated using a distance measuring device or another method, and may be input as distance information.

(Setting of auto focus start reference position)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for setting the autofocus start reference position in the present embodiment. Note that the process of this flowchart is executed by the imaging control unit 16.
First, in step S <b> 1, the user operates the input unit 24 while viewing the display area 41 of the display screen 40 of the client device 2, so that the image 41 a of the detection target is displayed in the display area 41. Change pan / tilt / rotation / zoom of. Alternatively, the pan / tilt / rotation / zoom of the imaging device 1 may be changed so that the image 41b of the detection sensor 3 is displayed in the display area 41. That is, the user inputs a driving instruction for driving the imaging device 1 to an angle of view including the detection target or the like via the input unit 24. The control unit 21 generates a pan / tilt / rotation / zoom drive instruction (PTRZ drive instruction) in response to the pan / tilt / rotation / zoom change instruction input via the input unit 24, and the communication unit 26. Is transmitted to the imaging device 1 via the. When receiving the PTRZ driving instruction via the communication unit 15, the control unit 11 causes the imaging control unit 16 to control pan / tilt / rotation / zoom driving (PTRZ driving). Thereby, the angle of view of the imaging device 1 is changed to the angle of view designated by the user, that is, the angle of view including the detection target and the like.

Further, the imaging device 1 transmits the image data of the changed angle of view to the client device 2. In response, the image of the changed angle of view is displayed in the display area 41 of the display screen 40 of the client device 2.
Here, as for a method of instructing the imaging apparatus 1 to drive, for example, a button for instructing driving such as panning is displayed on the above-described display screen, and when the button is instructed by the user, the input unit 24 is used. May be entered. Alternatively, a PTRZ driving instruction may be generated in accordance with a user's instruction input via the input unit 24, and transmitted to the imaging device 1 via the communication unit 15.

In step S2, when the desired angle of view is reached, the user instructs one of the buttons 42a to 42c, and the control unit 21 sets the preset position corresponding to the instructed button 42a to 42c at that time. And notifies the imaging device 1. Upon receiving this notification, the imaging control unit 16 of the imaging apparatus 1 stores the information indicating the current angle of view changed by the drive instruction in step S1 in the storage unit 12 as a preset position corresponding to the instructed buttons 42a to 42c. register.
When the control unit 11 receives a notification of the occurrence of a known object or a change in the state of the detection object from the detection sensor 3 via the communication unit 15 during the monitoring operation, the control unit 11 registers the registered preset position. A driving instruction (PTRZ driving instruction) is supplied to the imaging control unit 16 so as to drive the PTRZ. Note that a plurality of preset positions may be recorded. In this case, the setting of the detection sensor 3 and the distance information in step S3 described below may be set for each preset position. In addition, the imaging control unit 16 may execute control for traveling around the preset position at regular intervals during the monitoring operation.

In step S <b> 3, the control unit 11 inputs distance information from the user to the focus plane at the time of detection via the input unit 24 and notifies the control unit 21 of the information. Specifically, when the user inputs a distance into the input area 43a in the display screen 40 and instructs a button 42b for instructing save (Save), the control unit 21 causes the imaging device to communicate via the communication unit 26. 1 transmits the distance information. The imaging apparatus 1 having received the distance information obtains the value of the drive position (focus position) of the focus lens based on the distance information by the imaging control unit 16, and determines the obtained value as the autofocus start reference at the time of detection by the detection sensor 3. The position is set and stored in the storage unit 12. Note that the input box 43 is an example for setting the autofocus start reference position, and another method may be used. For example, when the distance in the optical axis direction between the detection target and the imaging unit 13 can be calculated using the information of the detection sensor 3, the distance information may be used.

(Auto focus control)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the auto focus control process according to the present embodiment. Note that the processing of this flowchart is executed by the imaging control unit 16.
First, in step S11, the imaging control unit 16 drives the driving unit based on the preset position registered in the storage unit 12 by PTRZ driving, and changes the angle of view of the imaging device 1.

  In step S12, the imaging control unit 16 determines whether or not the detection result of the detection sensor 3 has been received. Specifically, the imaging control unit 16 determines whether or not a notification of the occurrence of the detection target or a change in the state of the detection target is received from the detection sensor 3 via the communication unit 15. If it has been received, the imaging control unit 16 proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, when the detection result from the detection sensor 3 has not been received, the imaging control unit 16 proceeds to step S15.

  In step S13, the imaging control unit 16 drives the focus lens in parallel with the PTRZ driving of the imaging device 1 to the preset position. Here, the autofocus start reference position (AF start reference position) at the time of detection set in step S3 of FIG. 6 described above is acquired from the storage unit 12 as the focus lens drive position. Further, the imaging control unit 16 changes the focus position of the focus lens to the acquired AF start reference position, and drives the focus lens to focus on the AF start reference position. That is, when the detection result from the detection sensor 3 is received, the imaging control unit 16 changes the focus position of the focus lens to the AF start reference position during PTRZ driving to the preset position (during changing the angle of view). Control to make it.

  In step S14, the imaging control unit 16 starts the autofocus control (AF control) from the AF start reference position set in advance in S13 after the end of the pan / tilt / rotation / zoom driving. This autofocus control is performed by, for example, a contrast detection method. Here, the imaging control unit 16 starts autofocus control from the AF start reference position, and focuses by searching for a point having high contrast while adjusting the focus position of the focus lens. In addition, the imaging control unit 16 may limit the control range (the focus control range in the autofocus control) from the AF start reference position at the time of detection in order to easily focus on the vicinity of the detection target. Alternatively, instead of the contrast detection method, detection may be performed by a detection target moving object detection unit or the like, and autofocus control may be performed so that the detection target is always focused.

On the other hand, in step S15, after the end of the PTRZ driving, the imaging control unit 16 starts the autofocus control from the normal AF start reference position.
The movement to the preset position was not performed by the imaging control unit 16 in response to the detection of the detection sensor 3, but was performed in accordance with the user's instruction of the button 42 or in control of circulating through a plurality of preset positions. In such a case, it is conceivable to move at regular intervals. Therefore, the imaging control unit 16 starts the auto focus control based on the current focus position of the focus lens (normal AF start reference position). This autofocus control is performed by a contrast detection method, for example, as in S14. Note that the AF start reference position of the autofocus control in this step may be a predetermined reference position instead of the current focus position of the focus lens.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the angle of view of the imaging device 1 is changed to the preset position, when the detection sensor 3 detects the occurrence of the detection target or a change in the state of the detection target, the angle of view is changed. During the change, the focus position of the focus lens is changed to the corresponding AF start reference position. When the detection sensor 3 does not detect the occurrence of a detection target or the like, autofocus control is performed from a normal (autofocus) start reference position. Thus, in the present embodiment, the focus can be quickly controlled according to the state of the detection target.

  In the present embodiment, when the detection sensor 3 detects the occurrence of the detection target or a predetermined state change of the detection target, the focus position of the focus lens is changed while the angle of view is changed to the preset position. Is changed to the AF start reference position, but is not limited to this. For example, depending on the speed of the pan / tilt / rotation / zoom drive, the user may want to check the moving image. Therefore, when the drive speed of the PTRZ drive at the time of moving the angle of view is equal to or lower than the predetermined speed, the imaging control unit 16 may not change the focus position of the focus lens during the movement. That is, when the driving speed by the imaging control unit 16 is higher than the predetermined threshold, the focus position of the focus lens is changed to the start reference position while the imaging apparatus 1 is being driven (while the angle of view is being changed). .

Embodiment 2
In the above-described first embodiment, when the angle of view of the imaging device 1 is moved to the preset position, if the detection sensor 3 detects the occurrence of a detection target or a change in the state of the detection target, the detection sensor 3 determines whether or not the angle of view is moving. The focus position of the focus lens has been driven to the corresponding AF start reference position. In the present embodiment, the autofocus start reference position is further controlled in accordance with the elapsed time from the end of detection by the detection sensor 3.
Hereinafter, a process in which the imaging device 1 controls the autofocus start reference position according to the detection state of the detection sensor 3 in the present embodiment will be described.
The monitoring system according to the present embodiment is configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The imaging device 1, the client device 2, and the detection sensor 3 are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the autofocus control according to the present embodiment. Note that the processing of this flowchart is executed by the imaging control unit 16.
First, in step S11, the imaging control unit 16 performs pan / tilt / rotation / zoom driving based on the preset position stored in the storage unit 12, and changes the angle of view of the imaging device 1. Here, the control unit 11 acquires the drive speed and the current position of each drive mechanism from the imaging control unit 16, calculates a time at the end of the preset transition (preset transition end time), and stores the time in the storage unit 12. Specifically, for example, when pan driving is 15 ° / sec and 90 ° driving is required, a time four seconds after the current time is calculated as the preset transition end time.

In step S12, the imaging control unit 16 determines whether or not the detection result of the detection sensor 3 has been received. Specifically, the imaging control unit 16 determines whether or not a notification of the occurrence of the detection target or a change in the state of the detection target is received from the detection sensor 3 via the communication unit 15. If it has been received, the imaging control unit 16 proceeds to step S21. Here, regarding the detection result of the detection target, the detection sensor 3 has a detection state and a detection end state, and transmits the detection result (detection state or detection end state) to the imaging device 1 via the communication unit 34. Shall be notified via For example, when the detection sensor 3 is a human sensor, it is determined that the detection is being performed while a person appears in the detection range of the detection sensor 3, and when the person moves and disappears from the detection range of the detection sensor 3. Is a detection end state. Alternatively, when the detection sensor 3 is a door / window sensor, it is determined that the detection is being performed when the door / window is opened, and the detection is ended when the door / window is detected to be closed. . The detection sensor 3 may be any type as long as it has a detecting state and a detecting end state, and is not limited to this example.
On the other hand, when the detection result of the detecting state has not been received from the detection sensor 3, the imaging control unit 16 proceeds to step S15.

  In step S21, the detection unit 33 confirms the detection end state of the detection target, and notifies the imaging device 3 of the detection end state via the communication unit 34. The control unit 11 stores the time at which the detection result of the detection end state was received via the communication unit 15 in the storage unit 12 as the detection end time. When the detection end time by the detection sensor 3 is added to the detection result, the control unit 11 may store the detection end time in the storage unit 12.

In step S22, the control unit 11 calculates a difference (elapsed time after the end of detection) between the detection end time stored in the storage unit 12 and the time when the movement to the preset position ends (preset transition end time). If this time difference is shorter than the predetermined time, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S13, and if it is longer than the predetermined time, proceeds to S15.
The time difference indicates how much time has elapsed since the detection end state of the detection sensor 3 at the end of the movement of the imaging device 1 to the preset position. If the elapsed time from the end of detection is longer than the predetermined time, the detection target object may have already moved far away, so the process proceeds to step S15, and autofocus control is performed from the normal autofocus start reference position. On the other hand, if the elapsed time from the end of the detection is shorter than the predetermined time, there is a possibility that the detection target is still close. Perform focus control. That is, when the elapsed time from the reception of the end notification from the detection sensor 3 is equal to or shorter than the predetermined time, the imaging control unit 16 performs autofocus control from the corresponding autofocus start reference position.
The processes in steps S13 to S15 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, depending on the detection end time of the detection sensor 3 and the movement end time of the imaging device 1 to the preset position, autofocus control is performed from the AF start reference position at the time of detection, or normal AF control is performed. It is determined whether to perform the auto focus control from the start reference position. Thus, in the present embodiment, it is possible to quickly focus on the object to be detected in accordance with the state of the object.

  In the present embodiment, the imaging control unit 16 switches the autofocus control start reference position in accordance with the detection end time of the detection sensor 3 and the movement end time of the imaging apparatus 1 to the preset position. It is not something that can be done. For example, it may be changed according to the type of the detection result of the detection sensor 3. Specifically, for example, if the detection result of the detection sensor 3 is important, the auto focus control is performed from the AF start reference position at the time of the detection determined in step S3. The auto focus control may be performed from the reference position. That is, the autofocus start reference position is set according to the importance of the plurality of detection sensors 3.

(Other embodiments)
As described above, the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment. For example, a part or all of the functional configuration of the above-described monitoring system may be implemented as hardware in the imaging device 1, the client device 2, or the detection sensor 3. Alternatively, the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be appropriately combined. For example, when the detection sensor 3 detects a detection target, control may be performed such that the imaging device 1 is driven to a corresponding preset position. Further, the configuration, processing, and the like of each embodiment described above may be applied to a PC, a computer, a service device, and the like other than the imaging device 1, the client device 2, and the detection sensor 3.

  In addition, the present invention supplies a program realizing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or the apparatus execute the program. The processing can be implemented by reading and executing. Further, it can also be realized by a circuit (for example, an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Imaging device, 2 ... Client device, 3 ... Detection sensor, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... Storage part, 13 ... Imaging part, 14 ... Compression coding part, 15 ... Communication part, 16 ... Image pickup control part, 21 Control unit, 22 storage unit, 23 display unit, 24 input unit, 25 decoding unit, 26 communication unit, 31 control unit, 32 storage unit, 33 detection unit, 34 communication unit

Claims (12)

A control device,
Setting means for setting a first reference position to be set as a reference position for autofocus control when the detection means outside the control device detects an object;
When the detecting means is detecting the object, the auto-focus control is performed based on the first reference position, and when the detecting means does not detect the object, a second Control means for controlling the imaging means, so as to control the autofocus based on a reference position,
A control device comprising: The control means includes:
When the detection means is detecting the object, the reference position of the autofocus control is set to the first reference during the change of the angle of view by the drive means for changing the angle of view to be imaged by the imaging means. Controlling the imaging means to be a position,
The control device according to claim 1, wherein: The control means includes:
When the detection means is detecting the object, instructs the driving means so that the object angle is included in a predetermined size within the angle of view of the imaging means,
The control device according to claim 2, wherein: The imaging unit controls the autofocus according to the contrast of the captured image,
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The control means includes:
When the detection unit is detecting the object, if the driving speed of the driving unit is faster than a predetermined threshold, the driving unit changes the first reference position while changing the angle of view. Controlling the imaging means so as to control the autofocus based on the
The control device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: The control means includes:
If the elapsed time after the detection means has finished detecting the object is equal to or less than a predetermined time, the imaging means is controlled to perform the autofocus control from the first reference position,
The control device according to claim 1, wherein: The setting means,
Setting a first reference position based on a distance between the imaging unit and the detection unit;
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The control means includes:
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the imaging unit is controlled so as to limit a focus control range in the autofocus control. The setting means,
Setting the first reference position according to the importance of the plurality of detection means;
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: Imaging means for imaging a subject;
A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
An imaging device comprising: Setting a first reference position to be used as a reference position for autofocus control by the imaging means when the external detection means detects the object;
When the detecting means is detecting the object, the auto-focus control is performed based on the first reference position, and when the detecting means does not detect the object, a second Controlling the imaging device so as to control the autofocus based on a reference position,
A method for controlling an imaging device, comprising:   A program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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