JP5098966B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus.

An image pickup apparatus that receives an image picked up by one or more other image pickup apparatuses and selects a desired image from the received image and an image picked up by the own apparatus is disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).
JP 2005-20385 A

  By the way, in the imaging device described in Patent Document 1, the subject of an image captured by another imaging device, the position and direction at the time of imaging of the other imaging device, and the like can be recognized before imaging by the other imaging device. There wasn't.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging capable of transmitting an imaging instruction of a desired subject to another imaging device when the imaging of the desired subject can be performed by the other imaging device based on position information of the other imaging device. Is to provide a device.

  An imaging device according to the present invention includes an imaging element that captures an image of a subject, a detection unit that detects position information with respect to the subject, a transmission unit that transmits information to another imaging device, and another imaging device with respect to the subject. Received by the receiving unit, a determining unit for determining whether or not the other imaging device can capture the subject based on the positional information of the other imaging device, and the imaging element. A recording unit that records image data of the subject; and a control unit that controls the transmission unit so that the transmission unit transmits imaging instruction information when the determination unit determines that imaging is possible. It is characterized by.

  In addition, an imaging device of the present invention includes an imaging device that images a subject, a detection unit that detects position information with respect to the subject, a reception unit that receives position information from another imaging device with respect to the subject, and the other When receiving positional information of the imaging device, a transmission unit that transmits the positional information detected by the detection unit to the other imaging device, and an imaging instruction of the subject from the other imaging device by the receiving unit And a notification unit that notifies the imaging instruction when receiving the image.

  According to the imaging device of the present invention, when a desired subject can be imaged in another imaging device from the position information of the other imaging device, an imaging instruction for the desired subject is transmitted to the other imaging device. Can do.

  A camera as an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the camera 1 according to the first embodiment. An image sensor 11, a recording unit 12, a display unit 13, and an operation unit 14 are connected to a control unit 10 that comprehensively controls the camera 1. The image sensor 11 is composed of a CCD, a CMOS, or the like, and converts subject light incident through a photographing lens (not shown) into an image signal. The recording unit 12 is a portable recording medium (CF card, SD card, smart media, etc.) that is detachably attached to a card slot (not shown) provided in the camera 1, for example. Image data that has been picked up and generated, image data received by a receiving unit (to be described later), and information relating to shooting such as a shooting position and a shooting time added to the image data are recorded. The display unit 13 displays a live view image (through image), an image based on image data recorded in a recording unit, which will be described later, various information relating to shooting, and positional information of a camera, which will be described later. The operation unit 14 includes various operation members such as a power switch for turning on / off the power and a release button operated when instructing to capture an image.

  The control unit 10 is connected to a GPS 15, a direction detection unit 16, a distance measurement unit 17, a transmission unit 18, and a reception unit 19. The GPS 15 receives radio signals from a plurality of GPS satellites orbiting the earth, and the latitude associated with the current position of the GPS 15 (camera 1) based on the orbits of GPS satellites and time data (received data) included in the received radio signals. The position information including longitude, altitude, time, etc. is calculated. The direction detection unit 16 is configured by a magnetic sensor capable of sensing geomagnetism, and detects the shooting direction of the camera 1 with reference to the north. The distance measuring unit 17 detects the distance from the camera 1 to the subject (hereinafter referred to as subject distance). The GPS 15, the direction detection unit 16, and the distance measurement unit 17 output the detection results to the control unit 10.

  The transmission unit 18 transmits the position information of the camera 1 or the image data recorded in the recording unit 12 to other cameras by wireless communication. The position information of the camera 1 includes the position detected by the GPS 15 including the latitude, longitude, altitude, time, etc. of the camera 1, the shooting direction of the camera 1 detected by the azimuth detecting unit 16, and the distance measuring unit 18. The detected subject distance is included. The receiving unit 19 receives position information of another camera transmitted from another camera or image data captured by the other camera by wireless communication.

  The camera 1 according to this embodiment is configured so that the user can use the camera 1 at various positions when it is desired to image a specific subject (person or object) from various subject distances or various directions at a party venue, for example. Thus, images based on subjects from various subject distances and various directions (hereinafter referred to as subject images) can be acquired using the transmission / reception function of the camera 1 without imaging the subject. Hereinafter, the operation of the camera 1 in this case will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, when imaging a predetermined subject in a certain party venue, the control unit 10 determines whether there is a camera in the party venue that can transmit and receive position information and image data to and from the camera 1 (step). S10). For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when a camera (person greeting in a party venue) A is to be imaged with the camera 1, the cameras 2, 3, and 4 in the venue receive position information and image data. It is determined whether transmission / reception with the camera 1 is possible. Specifically, the control unit 10 transmits a connection request to the cameras 2 to 4 via the transmission unit 18, and when the cameras 2 to 4 respond to the connection request of the camera 1, the connection request to the camera 1. A response signal to is transmitted. The control unit 10 determines the presence / absence of a camera that can transmit and receive based on the response signals of the cameras 2 to 4. That is, when a response signal is received, it is determined that the camera that transmitted the response signal is a camera that can transmit and receive.

  When at least one of the cameras 2 to 4 can communicate with the camera 1, the control unit 10 acquires the detection results of the GPS 15, the azimuth detection unit 16, and the distance measurement unit 17, and the subject A is detected from the acquired detection results. Find location information. Then, the obtained position information of the subject A is transmitted to the camera that can transmit and receive via the transmission unit 18 (step S11). In this embodiment, it is assumed that the camera 2 can transmit to and receive from the camera 1 and has the same configuration as that of the camera 1, and the operation of the camera 2 relative to the operation of the camera 1 is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  A control unit (not shown) of the camera 2 receives the position information of the subject A transmitted in step S11 via a reception unit (not shown) (step S30). Next, as with the camera 1, the current position and direction of the camera 2 are obtained from the GPS 2 and the detection result of the direction detection unit (not shown) of the camera 2. Then, from the position information of the subject A received in step S30, the position and direction of the camera 2 appropriate for imaging the subject A are obtained, and the amount of movement from the current position and direction is calculated.

  Next, a display for indicating the position and direction to which the camera 2 should move is displayed on a display unit (not shown) by using characters, symbols, etc., and the user of the camera 2 corrects the position and direction of the camera 2 according to the instruction. When the position and direction suitable for imaging the subject A are obtained, the control unit of the camera 2 obtains the position information of the subject A from the detection results of the GPS, the direction detection unit, and the distance measurement unit (not shown), and is not shown. The position information of the subject A obtained by the camera 2 is transmitted to the camera 1 via the transmission unit (step S31).

  The control unit 10 of the camera 1 receives the position information of the subject A obtained by the camera 2 transmitted in step S31 via the reception unit 19 (step S12). Next, based on the position information of the subject A obtained by the camera 2 received in step S12, it is determined whether or not the subject A can be imaged by the camera 2 (step S13). That is, it is determined whether or not the camera 2 is disposed at a position and a distance at which the subject A can be imaged, and whether or not the camera 2 is oriented in a direction in which the subject A can be imaged. If it is determined in step S13 that the camera 2 can capture the subject A, the control unit 10 outputs an imaging instruction signal that instructs the camera 2 to image the subject A (step S14). A is imaged (step S15). Then, the control unit 10 causes the recording unit 12 to record the image data of the subject A imaged in step S15 (step S16).

  In step S11 and step S31, the camera 1 and the camera 2 calculate the position information of the subject A from the position information of the own camera obtained from the detection results of the GPS of the own camera, the direction detection unit, and the distance measurement unit, Although it is transmitting to other cameras, the position information of the own camera can also be transmitted to other cameras. In this case, the other camera calculates the position information of the subject A from the received position information of the own camera.

  On the other hand, the control unit of the camera 2 receives the imaging instruction signal from the camera 1 transmitted in step S14 via the reception unit of the camera 2 (step S32). Then, the display unit (not shown) captures the subject A from the camera 1 to the user of the camera 2 by displaying, for example, “I received an imaging instruction from the camera 1. It notifies that there was an instruction (Step S33). Instead of displaying on the display unit, an imaging instruction can be notified by emitting sound from a speaker or the like (not shown). When the subject A is imaged according to the imaging instruction from the camera 1 (step S34, Yes), the control unit transmits the image data of the captured subject A to the camera 1 via the transmission unit of the camera 2 ( Step S35).

  When the image data of the subject A captured by the camera 2 in step S35 is transmitted to the camera 1 within a predetermined time (step S17, Yes), the control unit 10 of the camera 1 is transmitted in step S35. Image data is received via the receiving unit 19 (step S18). Then, the control unit 10 records the image data of the subject A (captured by the camera 2) received in step S18 in the recording unit 12 in association with the image data of the subject A (captured by the camera 1) recorded in step S16. (Step S19). Specifically, information of image data captured by the camera 2 is added to tag data (Exif data) of image data captured by the camera 1, or the camera 1 is added to tag data (Exif data) of image data captured by the camera 2. The information of the image data picked up in is added. As described above, the image data recorded in association with each other is used for browsing the image of the subject A from various angles, creating a composite image, or creating a reduced image side by side like an album. .

  On the other hand, when the image data of the subject A imaged by the camera 2 is not transmitted to the camera 1 within a predetermined time (step S17, No), the control unit 10 obtains the image data of the subject A from the camera 2. A series of operations relating to imaging of the subject A is terminated without receiving. By providing the predetermined time, it is possible to prevent the image data of the subject A from being transmitted from the camera 2 after the camera 1 starts imaging of subjects other than the subject A. The predetermined time can be changed and is stored in a memory (not shown) or the like.

  If it is determined in step S10 that there is no camera that can transmit / receive position information and image data to / from the camera 1, or if it is determined in step S13 that the camera 2 cannot capture the subject A, the control unit No. 10 performs imaging of the subject A only by the image sensor 11 without instructing other cameras to image the subject A (step S20), and causes the recording unit 12 to record the image data of the captured subject A (step S20). Step S21).

  Although the transmission / reception between the camera 1 and the camera 2 has been described, when the position information and the image data can be transmitted / received between the cameras 3 and 4 and the camera 1, the camera 1 is connected to a plurality of cameras. Position information is transmitted, and position information and image data are received from a plurality of cameras. The cameras 3 and 4 perform the same process as the camera 2.

  According to the camera according to this embodiment, it is possible to determine whether or not a desired subject can be imaged in another camera from the position information and position information of another camera that can transmit and receive image data. When imaging is possible, an imaging instruction for a desired subject can be transmitted to another camera. Therefore, when it is desired to image a specific subject (person or object) from various subject distances or from various directions, the image is captured by another camera without the user moving to various positions and imaging the subject. By receiving the subject image, subject images from various subject distances and various directions can be acquired.

  In this embodiment, the case where the same subject A is imaged at a party venue as shown in FIG. 3 has been described. However, for example, as shown in FIG. The present invention can also be applied to imaging. In this case, since the camera 1 ′ cannot capture the entire subject B, an instruction to capture a portion other than the portion of the subject B that can be captured by the camera 1 ′ is sent to the other cameras 2 ′, 3 ′, Send to 4 '.

  Specifically, the camera 1 ′ designates position information of an area (part of the subject B) captured by each of the cameras 2 ′ to 4 ′ in response to the connection request of the camera 1 ′, and the position of the designated area Information is transmitted to each of the cameras 2 'to 4'. The cameras 2 ′ to 4 ′ calculate the positions and directions of the cameras 2 ′ to 4 ′ suitable for capturing an area based on the position information transmitted from the camera 1 ′, and the current cameras 2 ′ to 4 ′. The amount of movement from the position and direction is calculated. Then, a display for indicating the position and direction to be moved is performed on the display unit. The users of the cameras 2 ′ to 4 ′ correct the positions and directions of the cameras 2 ′ to 4 ′ in accordance with the instruction, and the cameras 2 ′ to 4 ′ are corrected with respect to the camera 1 ′. The position information including the position and direction of 4 ′ is transmitted. If the camera 1 ′ determines from the transmitted position information of the cameras 2 ′ to 4 ′ that the designated area can be imaged, the camera 1 ′ gives an instruction to image the designated area. Send to 4 '. When the cameras 2 ′ to 4 ′ follow the imaging instruction of the camera 1 ′, the cameras 2 ′ to 4 ′ image the designated area and transmit the generated image data to the camera 1 ′. The camera 1 ′ records the received image data in association with the image data captured by the own device, and the recorded image data is used for creating a composite image.

It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the camera which concerns on embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation related to imaging of a subject of a camera according to an embodiment and an instruction of imaging of a subject to another camera. It is a figure for demonstrating the condition which instruct | indicates imaging with respect to another camera. It is a figure for demonstrating the other condition which instruct | indicates imaging with respect to another camera.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1-4 ... Camera, 10 ... Control part, 11 ... Image pick-up element, 12 ... Recording part, 13 ... Display part, 14 ... Operation part, 15 ... GPS, 16 ... Direction detection part, 17 ... Distance measuring part, 18 ... Transmission Part, 19... Receiving part.

Claims (5)

An image sensor for imaging a subject;
A detection unit for detecting position information with respect to the subject;
A transmission unit that transmits information to another imaging device;
A receiving unit that receives position information from another imaging device with respect to the subject;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the other imaging device can capture the subject based on position information of the other imaging device;
A recording unit for recording image data of the subject imaged by the imaging element;
An imaging apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the transmission unit so that the transmission unit transmits imaging instruction information when the determination unit determines that imaging is possible. The receiving unit receives image data captured by the other imaging device for a predetermined time after the subject is imaged by the imaging element;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit records the received image data in association with image data of the subject imaged by the imaging element. An image sensor for imaging a subject;
A detection unit for detecting position information with respect to the subject;
A receiving unit that receives position information from another imaging device with respect to the subject;
A transmission unit that transmits the position information detected by the detection unit to the other imaging device when the position information of the other imaging device is received;
An imaging apparatus comprising: a notifying unit that notifies the imaging instruction when the receiving unit receives an imaging instruction of the subject from the other imaging apparatus.   After the notification of the imaging instruction by the notification unit, the subject is imaged by the imaging element, and the generated image data of the subject is transmitted to the other imaging device by the transmission unit. The imaging device according to claim 3.   5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position information includes information on a position with respect to the subject, a direction with respect to the subject, and a distance to the subject.

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