JP4865587B2 - Stationary imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an installation type imaging apparatus that can be installed in an upright posture or an inverted posture.

  Further, the present invention relates to a method for setting a distance measuring range, an automatic exposure range, an automatic white balance range, and the like of an installation type imaging apparatus having an automatic focus adjustment unit (AF), an automatic exposure unit (AE), and an automatic white balance unit (AWB). More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for setting the range depending on the relationship with the attitude of the imaging apparatus.

  Conventionally, when installing a monitoring imaging device, it is often installed in an upright posture or an inverted posture.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the above two installation methods. It shows the installation state in an upright posture installed on a desk or the like, and the installation state in an inverted posture installed on a ceiling or the like. Moreover, the captured image in each installation state is shown as a monitor output.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5A, when the projector is simply reversed, the captured images of the monitor output in the inverted posture and the monitor output in the upright posture are inverted upside down. For this reason, conventionally, another image pickup apparatus in which the mounting of the CCD as the image pickup means is turned upside down (rotated) for upright use and inverted use has been used.

  In that case, as shown in FIG. 5B, the output image was obtained in the same direction on the monitor even when the posture of the imaging apparatus was upright and inverted.

  However, the above method requires separate products depending on how the CCD is attached, and is inefficient in production.

  Further, the above method lacks flexibility because a dedicated imaging device must be used depending on the installation situation.

  In recent years, therefore, a method has been adopted in which an image from a CCD is stored in memory, and the reading method is arbitrarily changed so that the image is vertically inverted (rotated). As a result, the same signal as shown in FIG. 5B can be obtained without changing the mounting of the CCD.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a conventional example.

  In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a lens for forming an optical subject image, and reference numeral 2 denotes a CCD (imaging device) that converts the optical subject image from the lens 1 into an electrical imaging signal. An image pickup apparatus 3 has a function of storing an image pickup signal from the CCD 2 and outputting a vertically inverted (rotated) image by changing the reading order, and a function of performing processing such as AE and AWB and converting it into a video signal. It is a signal processing unit.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes a video signal processing unit that processes a signal from the imaging device processing unit. It outputs video signals such as NTSC and PAL, and video signals such as JPEG and MPEG. A system control unit 13 controls the entire system of the video imaging apparatus.

  The imaging device signal processing unit 2 stores an image read from the CCD 2 and can arbitrarily change the order of reading by an instruction from the system control unit 13.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating that the output image is inverted vertically (rotated) by the reading method of the imaging device signal processing circuit 2. (1) in FIG. 7 is a subject image. An optical image is formed on the CCD 2 and converted into an electrical signal.

  (2) in FIG. 7 is an image and an address map when the image pickup signal from the CCD 2 is input to the image pickup device signal processing unit. In the imaging device signal processing unit, as shown in (2) of FIG. 7, for example, a digitized image is stored on a memory having addresses 0 to 699.

  When this image is output as it is, if it is read out in the order of addresses 0 to 699 as shown in FIG. Here, as shown in (4) of FIG. 7, when reading is performed in the order of addresses 699 to 0, the image is switched up and down. Therefore, the image is turned upside down (rotated).

Therefore, by changing the reading direction of the CCD in accordance with the upright posture and the inverted posture, it is possible to realize a state in which the CCD is turned upside down (rotated).
JP-A-5-37887 JP-A-8-223492 JP-A-9-27921

  However, when the image is turned upside down (rotated), there are the following problems.

  Functions such as AF, AE, and AWB each set a control frame (control range) using a predetermined portion of the captured image as a control area. The video signal within the control frame (control range) is extracted and controlled.

  However, conventionally, the control frame (control range) is a fixed position, and even if the image signal is inverted (rotated), it remains at the same position, which causes a problem.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state of the control frame (control range) when the image is reversed (rotated) between the standing posture and the inverted posture. As described above, an upright image can be obtained on the monitor regardless of the mounting posture. However, the positional relationship of the control frame (control range) with respect to the captured image has changed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the lower part of the screen is extracted in the upright posture, but the upper part of the screen is extracted in the inverted posture. Therefore, the following problems occur.

  In the image pickup apparatus in the upright posture shown in FIG. 8, the control frame of the AF signal generation area for automatic focus adjustment when the image pickup apparatus is in the upright position is set on the lower side of the screen. In this setting, for example, when a person is imaged, a signal can be extracted centering on the person. At the same time, in the case of an imaging device at the top of the screen, for example, an imaging device that is difficult to focus in the sky outdoors, the output image is inverted vertically (rotated) and can be displayed as an upright captured image on the monitor. However, when inverted, most of the control frame occupies the part above the person. In that case, for example, the outside of the control frame becomes empty when it is outdoors, and it is easier to focus on the sky than a person.

  Therefore, the autofocusing characteristics are different between the upright posture and the inverted posture. As shown in FIG. 8, the person in the upright posture imaging apparatus is in focus. However, an imaging apparatus in an inverted posture may focus in the sky, or may not be able to perform distance measurement and cannot perform automatic focus adjustment.

  Similar problems occur in exposure control (AE) and automatic white balance control (AWB) such as an aperture and a shutter that perform control by setting a control frame for extracting a predetermined portion of the image signal.

  For example, when exposure control is performed, if the image is inverted upside down (rotated) by the inverted setting as shown in FIG. 8 and the AE control frame (control range) remains as it is, the sky occupies most of the AE control area. Then, since the AE function is appropriately exposed to the bright sky, the face of a person darker than the sky becomes dark.

  When the AWB control frame is the same as that shown in FIG. 8, when the image is inverted upside down (rotated) by the inverted setting, the blue sky occupies most of the screen if the AWB control frame position does not change. In that case, when the AWB function is activated to make the sky blue white, for example, the color of the person image becomes reddish.

  These not only cause problems in terms of performance as an image pickup apparatus, but it is not preferable for an installable image pickup apparatus to exhibit such a problem when image pickup apparatuses having different postures are simultaneously installed.

Stationary imaging apparatus according to the present invention, there is provided a stationary imaging apparatus can be installed in an erect posture or the standing posture, an imaging unit for imaging a subject, said stationary imaging device remotely over a network A rotating means for rotating and outputting a captured image acquired by the imaging means in response to the input from the PC having the attitude input means for inputting the installed attitude;
Via the network, an automatic focus adjustment means for performing automatic focus adjustment using the image pickup signal, a selection means for selecting an image pickup signal in a range for obtaining a signal for performing automatic focus adjustment of the captured image, and the network Input information from a PC having attitude input means for inputting the installed attitude of the stationary imaging apparatus remotely is transmitted via the network, and for performing automatic focus adjustment of the captured image according to the transmission It has range setting means for changing the range for acquiring the signal .
An installation type imaging apparatus according to another aspect is an imaging system having an installation type imaging apparatus that can be installed in an upright posture or an inverted posture, and is remotely connected to an imaging unit that performs imaging of a subject via a network. Rotating means for rotating and outputting the captured image acquired by the imaging means in response to the input from the PC having attitude input means for inputting the installed attitude of the stationary imaging device, and the imaging signal An automatic focus adjustment means for performing automatic focus adjustment using the image sensor, a selection means for selecting an image pickup signal in a range for obtaining a signal for performing automatic exposure of the picked-up image, and the installation remotely via the network Input information from a PC having posture input means for inputting the posture in which the image pickup apparatus is installed is transmitted via the network, and automatic focus adjustment of the captured image is performed in accordance with the transmission It has a range setting means for changing a range for obtaining a signal for performing.
An installation type imaging apparatus according to another aspect is an imaging system having an installation type imaging apparatus that can be installed in an upright posture or an inverted posture, and is remotely connected to an imaging unit that performs imaging of a subject via a network. Rotating means for rotating and outputting the captured image acquired by the imaging means in response to the input from the PC having attitude input means for inputting the installed attitude of the stationary imaging device, and the imaging signal An automatic white balance unit that automatically adjusts the white balance using an image, a selection unit that selects an imaging signal within a range for obtaining a signal for performing automatic white balance of the captured image, and remotely via the network Input information from a PC having posture input means for inputting the posture where the stationary imaging apparatus is installed is transmitted via the network, and the captured image is transmitted in accordance with the transmission. It has a range setting means for changing a range for obtaining a signal for performing automatic focus adjustment.

  According to the present invention, the same control characteristics can be obtained in any posture by changing the setting of the control frame for controlling AF, AE, AWB, etc. corresponding to the upright posture and the inverted posture. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a favorable imaging device and imaging system.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a video imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

  In the figure, 1 is a lens for optically forming a subject image, 2 is an imaging means (CCD) for converting an optical image from the lens 1 into an electrical imaging signal, and 3 is the imaging means 2. The imaging device signal which has the function of storing the imaging signal acquired in step S1 and extracting the image that has been inverted (rotated) upside down by changing the readout order, and converts it into a video signal by performing processing such as AE and AWB It is a processing unit.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes a video signal processing unit for processing a frame display signal of the frame generation circuit 7 described later and a signal from the imaging device processing unit. It outputs video signals of various formats such as video formats such as NTSC and PAL, and JPEG and MPEG. Reference numeral 5 denotes a network engine that connects the image pickup apparatus and the PC 6 to each other via a LAN, transmits a video signal from the image pickup apparatus to the PC, and transmits contents set on the PC to the image pickup apparatus unit. The PC 6 monitors the image from the imaging device by activating the application. In addition, there is a posture input means for setting a posture when using the imaging apparatus.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes a frame generation circuit (predetermined range setting means) for displaying a frame within a predetermined range using a predetermined range in the image as an AF control frame in order to detect the focus state. This is used for the user to recognize which part of the captured image is being controlled.

  Reference numeral 8 denotes a focus lens motor for driving the focus lens, and reference numeral 9 denotes a zoom lens motor for driving the zoom lens. The focus lens motor 8 and the zoom lens motor 9 perform AF automatic focus adjustment control (AF control). , 13 is a system control unit for controlling the entire system of the imaging apparatus. The system control unit 13 designates a distance measurement area of the frame generation circuit 7. A predetermined portion in the image of the distance measuring area (AF control frame) is extracted as a control signal. It may be displayed by the frame display circuit 7 or may not be displayed.

  Next, a first embodiment of the present invention based on the above configuration will be described.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of setting the imaging device in the PC 6. FIG. 2 is a screen for setting whether the use posture of the imaging apparatus is an upright posture or an inverted posture. To select erect, click the window at the bottom of the erect image with the mouse. Click here to indicate “■”, which means that it has been set. “□” means not set. In FIG. 2, the position of the inverted posture is “■” and the position of the upright posture is “□”, so the inverted posture is set.

  The user will set either upright or inverted. When set, this information is transmitted to the control circuit 13 via a network such as a LAN and the network engine 5.

  In this embodiment, remote setting is manually performed using the PC 6, but the image apparatus may be provided with an upright / inverted setting switch, and may be set by the upright inverted switch. Further, the switch may be automatically turned on according to the installation posture. Further, the posture may be detected using a sensor that detects the posture.

  The system control unit 13 switches the readout direction of the signal of the imaging device from the CCD by the imaging device signal processing circuit 3 based on the information of erecting or inverting.

  By switching the reading direction, the image to be monitored on the PC is not inverted (rotated) regardless of whether the posture of the imaging apparatus is installed in the upright posture or the inverted posture.

  The automatic focusing means sets a control frame with a predetermined portion of the captured image as a control range, extracts a video signal in the control frame, and performs control.

  FIG. 3 shows the state of the control frame when the image is reversed (rotated) between the upright posture and the inverted posture.

  (1) in FIG. 3 is a case where the captured image is reversed (rotated) in the inverted posture, but the control frame is not changed. In the upright posture, the lower part of the screen is extracted. In the inverted posture, the upper part of the screen is extracted.

  At this time, most of the control frame occupies a portion above the person. For example, when it is outdoors, the upper portion is empty, and the focus is easier to focus on than the person. This causes a problem in performance as an installation type imaging apparatus (such as a monitoring camera). It is not preferable that such a problem occurs when a plurality of imaging devices are installed in a plurality of postures.

  Therefore, in the present invention, as shown in (2) of FIG. 3, the image is inverted (rotated) in accordance with the upright posture and the inverted posture, and the extraction area is used for control such as AF ( The setting of the AF control area is also reversed upside down (rotated).

  As a result, as shown in (2) of FIG. 3, the person fits in the control frame in both the upright posture and the inverted posture, and both can achieve good focusing.

  FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the system control unit 13.

  In S401, the posture setting state is read to determine whether it is an erect setting or an inverted setting.

  If it is determined in S401 that the posture setting state is upright, the readout direction of the imaging device image in the imaging device signal processing 2 is set to upright in S402.

  In step S403, the control frame setting is set to be upright. If it is determined in S401 that the posture setting state is inverted, the reading direction of the imaging device image in imaging device signal processing 2 is set for inversion in S404. In step S405, the control frame setting is set for inversion.

  In the present embodiment, the AF function has been described as an example of use of the control frame, but it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this. Predetermined parts of the image signal (AE control area, AWB) such as automatic exposure control (AE) that automatically adjusts the aperture, shutter (exposure control means), etc., and automatic white balance control (AWB) that automatically controls white balance Any device may be used as long as it performs control by extracting the control region.

  For example, when the control frame of AE is the same as that shown in (1) of FIG. 3, the same problem occurs.

  For example, suppose that the AE control frame is set to the lower side when the imaging apparatus is set upright, as in the case of the automatic focus adjustment apparatus. This is a case where the human image is emphasized and the AE function is set so as not to be affected by the brightness of the sky.

  If the image is inverted upside down (rotated) by the inverted setting as shown in (1) of FIG. 3 and the AE control frame is left as it is, the sky enters most of the AE control area. Then, since the function of AE functions so as to achieve an appropriate exposure with respect to the bright sky, the face of the person in the foreground whose brightness falls below the sky becomes dark.

  In addition, the AWB control frame has the same problem as in (1) of FIG.

  That is, if the image is inverted upside down (rotated) by the inverted setting as shown in (1) of FIG. 3 and the AWB control frame area is left as it is, the blue sky occupies most of the screen. Then, the AWB function works to make the sky blue white, and for example, the face of a person becomes reddish.

  These AE and AWB problems can be solved by resetting the position of the control frame in accordance with the upright / inverted setting of the image pickup apparatus as shown in FIG.

  (2) in FIG. 3 moves the setting of the control frame, which is the extraction area used in the control of AE and AWB, along with the process of inverting (rotating) the image according to the upright posture and the inverted posture. By doing in this way, the same captured image, the same AE and AWB characteristics can be provided in any posture.

  Although three examples of AF, AE, and AWB have been described above, each control frame can be set separately and does not have to be the same size and position.

  Needless to say, the upside-down (rotation) described in the present invention does not reverse (rotate) the top and bottom symmetrically, but rotates 180 degrees.

  Further, in the present embodiment, only the case where the captured image is vertically inverted (rotated) when the imaging apparatus is installed upright and inverted has been described. For example, when the imaging apparatus is installed sideways, it may be rotated by 90 °. Needless to say.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a posture setting method according to the first embodiment. (1) The output image of the imaging apparatus of the first embodiment can be switched but the control frame is not switched. (2) The control frame is switched together with the output image switching of the imaging apparatus of the first embodiment. The figure which is doing. 3 is a flowchart in the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. (1) is a diagram in which the image output in the conventional imaging apparatus is vertically inverted (rotated) in posture, and (2) is a diagram in which the image output in the conventional imaging device is not vertically inverted (rotated) in posture. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional imaging apparatus. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for inverting (rotating) an image by an imaging device signal processing circuit of a conventional imaging device. The figure which has switched the output image of the imaging device of a prior art example, but has not switched the control frame.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lens 2 Image pick-up element 3 Camera signal processing part 4 Video signal processing part 5 Network engine 6 PC
7 Frame generation circuit 13 System control unit

Claims (3)

An installation type imaging device that can be installed in an upright posture or an inverted posture,
Imaging means for imaging a subject;
In response to the input from the PC with an attitude input means for inputting the installation attitude of the installation type imaging device remotely via a network, rotating means for outputting by rotating the captured image acquired by the image pickup means When,
Automatic focusing means for performing automatic focusing using the imaging signal;
Selection means for selecting an imaging signal in a range for acquiring a signal for performing automatic focus adjustment of the captured image ;
Input information from a PC having posture input means for inputting the installed posture of the stationary imaging device remotely via the network is transmitted via the network, and auto-focusing of the captured image is performed according to the transmission. An installation type imaging apparatus comprising range setting means for changing a range for acquiring a signal for performing adjustment . An imaging system having an installation type imaging device that can be installed in an upright posture or an inverted posture,
Imaging means for imaging a subject;
In response to the input from the PC with an attitude input means for inputting the installation attitude of the installation type imaging device remotely via a network, rotating means for outputting by rotating the captured image acquired by the image pickup means When,
Automatic focusing means for performing automatic focusing using the imaging signal;
A selection means for selecting an imaging signal in a range for acquiring a signal for performing automatic exposure of the captured image ;
Input information from a PC having posture input means for inputting the installed posture of the stationary imaging device remotely via the network is transmitted via the network, and auto-focusing of the captured image is performed according to the transmission. An installation type imaging apparatus comprising range setting means for changing a range for acquiring a signal for performing adjustment . An imaging system having an installation type imaging device that can be installed in an upright posture or an inverted posture,
Imaging means for imaging a subject;
In response to the input from the PC with an attitude input means for inputting the installation attitude of the installation type imaging device remotely via a network, rotating means for outputting by rotating the captured image acquired by the image pickup means When,
Automatic white balance means for automatically adjusting white balance using the imaging signal;
A selection means for selecting an imaging signal in a range for acquiring a signal for performing automatic white balance of the captured image ;
Input information from a PC having posture input means for inputting the installed posture of the stationary imaging device remotely via the network is transmitted via the network, and auto-focusing of the captured image is performed according to the transmission. An installation type imaging apparatus comprising range setting means for changing a range for acquiring a signal for performing adjustment .

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