JP5562101B2 - IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, an imaging apparatus control method, and a program, and more particularly, to a technique suitable for use in order to issue an instruction related to imaging from a network.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, cameras that can directly distribute still image data and moving image data on a network such as a LAN or the Internet have become widespread. In recent years, an increasing number of such cameras that can not only deliver still image data and moving image data but also change shooting parameters by remote control from a display device. Among them, there are models that can change shooting parameters such as AV value (aperture value), shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, and the like from the network. In this case, imaging parameters are changed via a network from a display device such as a personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, or a mobile device as a client. Thereby, it is possible to take a photograph with a favorite photograph expression by controlling photographing parameters such as camera AV value, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, and development parameters such as contrast and sharpness.

  However, in such a camera, when a plurality of clients use one camera, the shooting parameters that are set most recently are reflected in synchronization with the shooting parameters. For this reason, if the shooting parameter is changed by another client after the user has changed the shooting parameter, it becomes impossible to perform shooting with the shooting parameter set by the client.

  Therefore, in order to solve this problem, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses the following technique. That is, first, a certain client acquires the control right of the camera, and changes the shooting parameters such as the shooting direction of the shooting lens and the shooting magnification. When the client who has acquired the camera control right gives up the camera control right, the shooting parameters such as the shooting direction of the shooting lens and the shooting magnification are returned to the default values. Note that a default value to be returned when the camera control right is lost can be individually set for each client that has acquired the control right. Also, for example, in Patent Document 2, regardless of whether or not there is a control right, a plurality of clients store a range that the client wants to browse in the camera's traveling shooting list, and the camera changes the field angle range for shooting according to the list. A technique for performing patrol shooting is disclosed.

JP 2006-54785 A JP 2007-306048

  However, the method described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that other clients cannot shoot or change shooting parameters until the client having the control right gives up the control right or times out. There is a point. In addition, the method described in Patent Document 2 can browse the range that the user wants to browse only when the camera patrols the range that the user wants to browse, but otherwise browses the range that the user wants to browse. There is a problem that can not be.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable photographing with timing and photographing parameters desired by a client while reducing competition between clients.

An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a connection unit that connects to a plurality of external devices, a reception unit that receives imaging parameters from a plurality of external devices connected by the connection unit, and the plurality of imaging parameters that are connected to the plurality of external devices. Storage means for storing in a storage medium in association with each device, and shooting means for generating a frame as image data by shooting using one of shooting parameters stored in the storage medium; A transmission unit that sequentially transmits frames continuously generated by the imaging unit to the external device, and when the connection unit is connected to a plurality of external devices, the imaging unit includes the storage medium; The shooting parameters corresponding to the connected external device among the multiple shooting parameters stored in the Transmission means, each frame generated by said imaging means, without waiting for the generation of the next frame, characterized in that sequentially transmits to an external device corresponding to the imaging parameters used to generate the frame.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform shooting at a desired timing using the shooting parameters corresponding to the external apparatus that has transmitted the shooting request while reducing competition between clients.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of an imaging device and a user side apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process example at the time of receiving a photography parameter setting request | requirement. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence when the imaging | photography execution request | requirement is received. It is a figure explaining the example of a process which transmits that a request cannot be received. It is a figure which shows the example of a process at the time of receiving the imaging | photography execution request from another user side apparatus. It is a figure explaining the distribution procedure of the imaging | photography parameter in the case of a moving image.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an imaging device 100 and a user device according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 1, an imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a first user side device 300, a second user side device 400, and a third user side via a line 200 such as the Internet or a LAN. It is connected to the device 500. In direct communication such as a wireless LAN ad hoc mode, direct connection may be made without going through a line.

  The imaging apparatus 100 includes an imaging unit 101, a control unit 102, a storage unit 103, a developing unit 104, and a communication unit 105. The imaging apparatus 100 determines each imaging parameter transmitted from the first user side apparatus 300, the second user side apparatus 400, or the third user side apparatus 500. Then, the first user side device 300, the second user side device 400, or the third user side that has photographed and developed with the received photographing parameters and sent the photographing parameters to the photographed image data. Transmit to device 500.

  The first user device 300 includes a communication unit 301, a control unit 302, an input unit 303, a display unit 304, and a storage unit 305. Since the second user side device 400 and the third user side device 500 also have the same internal configuration as the first user side device 300, the detailed internal configuration is omitted in FIG. Yes. In the present embodiment, the first user device 300 is configured as, for example, a personal computer (hereinafter, PC). The second user device 400 is configured as a mobile phone device, and the third user device 500 is configured as a mobile information device. Here, the configuration of the user side device is arbitrary as long as the device includes a display unit capable of displaying a captured image and an input unit for setting a shooting command and a shooting parameter. It is not limited to information equipment.

  In the imaging apparatus 100, the imaging unit 101 performs imaging using imaging parameters based on the control of the control unit 102. The control unit 102 is a camera control unit for controlling shooting parameters. Here, the shooting parameters include parameters used when the imaging apparatus 100 performs shooting, and indicate aperture value, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, and the like. The shooting parameters include development parameters described later. The storage unit 103 is a storage unit that holds shooting parameters set by a plurality of user-side devices for each user-side device, and the control unit 102 reads out the shooting parameters stored in the storage unit 103 as necessary. .

  The developing unit 104 performs development (image processing) on the image photographed by the photographing unit 101 using the development parameters for each user side device stored in the storage unit 103. Here, the development parameter is a parameter used when developing a photographed image, and indicates sharpness, contrast, and the like. The communication unit 105 transmits the image data generated by the developing unit 104 to the user side device, receives a shooting parameter change control signal from the user side device, and sends it to the control unit 102.

  In the first user device 300, the communication unit 301 manages communication with the imaging device 100 and transmits control information input from the input unit 303 to the imaging device 100. Further, the communication unit 301 receives image data transmitted from the imaging apparatus 100 via the line 200. The display unit 304 displays the image data received from the imaging device 100 as an image based on the control of the control unit 302. The control unit 302 controls each unit of the first user device 300. The input unit 303 is used for input such as performing shooting according to a user's operation and setting shooting parameters and development parameters.

  FIG. 2 shows the imaging apparatus 100 in the present embodiment when it receives a shooting parameter setting request from the first user-side apparatus 300, the second user-side apparatus 400, or the third user-side apparatus 500. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a process sequence. Here, the imaging apparatus 100 holds and manages imaging parameters of a plurality of user-side apparatuses. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 103 stores the shooting parameters of the first user device 300, the shooting parameters of the second user device 400, and the shooting parameters of the third user device 500, respectively. It shall be. 2 is performed under the control of the control unit 102. The development parameters can be set similarly.

  In FIG. 2, the process waits until an imaging parameter setting request is received from the user apparatus via the communication unit 105 (step S201). Then, when the imaging parameter setting request is received, it is determined whether or not the imaging device 100 is imaging (step S202). If the result of this determination is that shooting is in progress, control is performed so that the shooting parameter setting request is not reflected (step S203). Then, the process returns to step S201. By this control, it is possible to prevent the shooting parameters from being changed during shooting and affecting the image being shot.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S202 is that shooting is not in progress, it receives a shooting parameter setting request from another user side device, and determines whether or not shooting parameter setting processing is in progress (step S204). If the result of this determination is that shooting parameter setting processing is in progress, processing waits until shooting parameter setting processing is complete (step S205). Then, the process proceeds to step S206. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S204 is that shooting parameter setting processing is not in progress, it is determined whether or not the shooting parameters of the user side device that transmitted the shooting parameter setting request are already stored in the storage unit 103 (step S206). ).

  As a result of the determination, if the shooting parameters of the user device are not stored, the shooting parameters are newly saved in the storage unit 103 (step S207). On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S206 is that the shooting parameters have already been stored, the shooting parameters of the user side device stored in the storage unit 103 are updated (step S208). Then, when the imaging parameter is updated or newly saved, the imaging device 100 enters the imaging parameter acceptance state (step S209), and the process returns to step S201.

  When receiving a shooting parameter setting request from the user apparatus and performing the shooting parameter setting process, the shooting parameter setting process may take a long time depending on the shooting parameter to be set. In such a case, requests from other user devices may not be accepted during the shooting parameter setting process.

  FIG. 3 shows a shooting request (shooting standby request and shooting execution request) from the first user device 300, the second user device 400, or the third user device 500 in this embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the imaging apparatus 100 in a case where a problem occurs. Here, the shooting standby is a process that is generally performed in response to a half-press of the release button. For example, an autofocus process or exposure control is performed. The execution of photographing refers to an operation of actually photographing a subject and obtaining image data. 3 is performed under the control of the control unit 102. In the description of FIG. 3, an example in which a shooting standby request and a shooting execution request are received from the first user device 300 will be described.

  In FIG. 3, first, it waits until it receives a photographing standby request from the user side device via the communication unit 105 (step S301). Then, when the photographing standby request is received, it is determined whether or not the imaging apparatus 100 is photographing (step S302). If the result of this determination is that shooting is in progress, control is performed so that the received shooting standby request is not reflected (step S303). Then, the process returns to step S301.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S302 is that shooting is not in progress, a shooting standby request is accepted and requests from other user devices are not accepted (step S304). The request here includes not only a shooting standby request but also a shooting parameter setting request. Hereinafter, the state of steps S304 to S310 is defined as being photographed. Next, in response to the shooting standby request received from the first user device 300, the shooting parameters of the first user device 300 are read from the storage unit 103, and shooting control is performed (step S305).

  Next, the process waits until a shooting execution request is received from the first user apparatus 300 via the communication unit 105 (step S306). Then, when the photographing execution request is received, photographing is performed by the photographing unit 101 (step S307). Next, the development parameters of the first user device 300 are read from the storage unit 103, and the image captured by the imaging unit 101 is developed by the development unit 104 (step S308). Then, the image developed by the developing unit 104 is transmitted as image data to the first user device 300 via the communication unit 105 (step S309). Further, when the photographing process is completed, the state is returned to a state in which a request is received from another user side device (step S310), and the process returns to step S301. Note that the request may be returned to a state before the image data is transmitted.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the storage unit 103 stores the shooting parameters corresponding to each user side device, and when receiving a shooting execution request, the storage unit 103 stores the shooting parameters of the user side device. I read from the camera to take a picture. As a result, it is possible to perform imaging by controlling the imaging apparatus 100 with the imaging parameters of the user side apparatus that has transmitted the imaging execution request. In addition, since the photographed image data is transmitted and then the request is returned to the state of accepting the request, the possibility of competition between clients can be reduced as much as possible. Therefore, other clients can shoot at a desired timing or change the shooting parameters.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the internal configurations of the imaging apparatus and the user-side apparatus according to this embodiment are the same as those in FIG. Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on differences from the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, when a shooting standby request is received from a user side device and the camera is in a shooting state, requests from other user side devices are not received. In the present embodiment, at this time, a message indicating that the request cannot be accepted because the image is being taken is transmitted to the other user side devices.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a process for transmitting to other user side devices that a request cannot be accepted because shooting is in progress.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the imaging apparatus 100 receives a shooting standby request from the first user-side apparatus 300 that is the first external apparatus and is in a shooting state. In this state, when a shooting parameter setting request is received from the second user device 400, which is the second external device, it is notified that shooting is in progress, that is, the request is not accepted. Similarly, when a shooting standby request and a shooting execution request other than the shooting parameter setting request are received from the second user-side device 400, a notification that the request is not accepted is sent. In addition, a warning such as “the imaging device 100 cannot change the shooting parameters because another user is currently shooting” is displayed on the display unit of the second user device 400. May be.

  In addition, since the shooting parameter setting process takes a lot of time, the same process may be performed when a request from another user apparatus is not accepted during the shooting parameter setting process. That is, it may be transmitted to other user side devices that the imaging parameter setting process is in progress and the request is not accepted.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the second user-side device 400 can prevent misunderstanding that the request has been accepted. Further, the user on the second user device 400 side can know the reason for not accepting the request.

(Third embodiment)
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the internal configurations of the imaging apparatus and the user-side apparatus according to this embodiment are the same as those in FIG. Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on differences from the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, when a shooting execution request is received from a user side device and the camera is in a shooting state, requests from other user side devices are not received. In the present embodiment, when a shooting execution request is received from another user side device within a predetermined time after receiving a shooting execution request, the shooting itself is performed only once, and a plurality of user side devices are received. Image data taken at the same timing is transmitted. At this time, the shooting parameters used for shooting are the same, and the development parameters of each user side device are used as the development parameters used for development.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing when a shooting execution request is received from another user device during shooting.
In the example shown in FIG. 5, the imaging apparatus 100 executes imaging from the second user side apparatus 400 within a certain time, for example, 1 millisecond, after receiving the imaging execution request from the first user side apparatus 300. The case where a request is received is shown. At this time, the imaging apparatus 100 determines that the first user-side apparatus 300 and the second user-side apparatus 400 are requesting image data captured at the same timing, and performs imaging only once. . The captured image data obtained there is used as common image data to be transmitted to both the first user device 300 and the second user device 400. In this case, the image data itself is image data shot using the shooting parameters of the first user device 300.

  The imaging device 100 develops the obtained imaging data using the development parameters of the first user side device 300. The image data obtained in this way becomes image data to be transmitted to the first user apparatus 300. On the other hand, the imaging device 100 develops the obtained imaging data using the development parameters of the second user side device 400. The image data obtained in this way becomes image data to be transmitted to the second user device 400. The imaging apparatus 100 transmits a plurality of image data having different development parameters obtained in this way to each user side apparatus.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the second user-side device 400 is originally unable to shoot because the first user-side device 300 is shooting, but does not miss a photo opportunity. can do. Then, development can be performed using development parameters desired by the second user apparatus 400.

(Fourth embodiment)
The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that the internal configurations of the imaging apparatus and the user-side apparatus according to this embodiment are the same as those in FIG. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described below. In the present embodiment, when a plurality of user side devices request shooting execution when shooting a moving image, the moving image is shot using the shooting parameters of each user side device. Specifically, when shooting a moving image, since the moving image is composed of n still images (frames) per second, each still image (frame) is shot with the shooting parameters of each user device. To do.

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for assigning shooting parameters to a still image.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 6A, the imaging apparatus 100 receives a moving image shooting execution request from the first user side apparatus 300, the second user side apparatus 400, and the third user side apparatus 500. It shows the case.

  First, in the imaging apparatus 100, the first frame (still image) of the moving images is captured using the imaging parameters of the first user device 300 and transmitted to the first user device 300. . Next, the second frame (still image) in the moving image is captured using the imaging parameters of the second user device 400 and transmitted to the second user device 400. Then, the third frame (still image) of the moving image is captured using the imaging parameters of the third user device 500 and transmitted to the third user device 500. The fourth frame (still image) is captured again using the imaging parameters of the first user device 300 and transmitted to the first user device 300. Repeat the above procedure.

  Further, when shooting a moving image, the frame rate may be reduced depending on the specifications of the imaging apparatus 100. For example, when the shooting frame rate of the imaging apparatus 100 is xfps and there are moving image shooting execution requests from three user side devices, shooting of moving images shot using the shooting parameters of each user side device is performed. The frame rate may be x / 3 fps.

FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a state where the shooting frame rate is changed and distributed to a plurality of user devices.
In the example shown in FIG. 6B, the shooting frame rate of the imaging device 100 is set to 30 fps, and the first user side device 300, the second user side device 400, and the third user side. A case is shown in which there is a moving image shooting request from the device 500 almost simultaneously. In the imaging apparatus 100, a moving image is shot at 10 fps with each shooting parameter of the first user side device 300, the second user side device 400, and the third user side device 500, and the shot moving images are taken. Is transmitted to each user side device. At this time, the display frame rate of the moving image data transmitted to each user apparatus is 10 fps.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to shoot a moving image with the shooting parameters set for each user apparatus.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

Claims (15)

Connection means for connecting to a plurality of external devices;
Receiving means for receiving imaging parameters from a plurality of external devices connected by the connecting means;
Storage means for storing the plurality of imaging parameters in a storage medium in association with the plurality of external devices;
An imaging unit that generates a frame as image data by imaging using any of the imaging parameters stored in the storage medium;
A transmission unit that sequentially transmits frames continuously generated by the imaging unit to the external device;
When the connection unit is connected to a plurality of external devices, the shooting unit sets a shooting parameter corresponding to the connected external device among a plurality of shooting parameters stored in the storage medium by a predetermined number of frames. Switch every shot,
The transmission unit sequentially transmits each frame generated by the imaging unit to an external device corresponding to the imaging parameter used for generating the frame without waiting for generation of the next frame. Imaging device.   Corresponding to the external device that has transmitted the shooting parameter when the reception parameter is further received from the same external device by the receiving means in a state where the shooting parameter associated with the external device is stored in the storage medium. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising updating means for updating imaging parameters to be performed.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined number of frames is one frame.   The imaging according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an interval of transmission of frames to the predetermined external device by the transmission unit is changed according to the number of connected external devices. apparatus.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging parameter includes at least one of an aperture value, a shutter speed, and ISO sensitivity.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the imaging parameter further includes at least one of sharpness and contrast.   The transmission unit transmits image data obtained by performing image processing based on the imaging parameter on the image data generated by the imaging unit to an external device corresponding to the imaging parameter. The imaging device according to any one of 1 to 6. The receiving means further receives a request regarding photographing from a plurality of external devices connected by the connecting means,
In response to receiving the request, the imaging unit generates image data by executing imaging using imaging parameters corresponding to the external device that transmitted the request,
A plurality of external devices connected by the connecting means within a predetermined time after receiving a request for photographing from the first external device among the plurality of external devices connected by the connecting means by the receiving means. When a request for photographing is received from a second external device that is different from the first external device among the devices, the transmission means captures an image photographed using photographing parameters corresponding to the first external device. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein data is transmitted to the second external apparatus. The receiving means further receives a request regarding photographing from a plurality of external devices connected by the connecting means,
In response to receiving the request, the imaging unit generates image data by executing imaging using imaging parameters corresponding to the external device that transmitted the request,
When a request for photographing is received from a second external device different from the first external device within a predetermined time after receiving a request for photographing from the first external device by the receiving means, the transmitting means The image data obtained by performing image processing on the image data captured using the imaging parameters corresponding to the second external device is applied to the image data captured using the imaging parameters corresponding to the first external device. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the imaging apparatus is transmitted to an external apparatus.   A plurality of external devices connected by the connecting means by the receiving means within a predetermined time after receiving a request for photographing from the first external device among the external devices connected by the connecting means; When receiving a request for shooting from a second external device different from the first external device among the external devices, the shooting means does not execute shooting corresponding to the request of the second external device. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the imaging apparatus is characterized. The receiving means further receives a request regarding photographing from a plurality of external devices connected by the connecting means,
In response to receiving the request, the imaging unit generates image data by executing imaging using imaging parameters corresponding to the external device that transmitted the request,
A plurality of external devices connected by the connecting means within a predetermined time after receiving a request for photographing from the first external device among the plurality of external devices connected by the connecting means by the receiving means. When receiving a request for shooting from a second external device different from the first external device, the shooting unit does not perform shooting corresponding to the request of the second external device. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1. Said connection means, an imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that connected to said plurality of external devices by using a wireless communication. The imaging apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the connection unit connects to the plurality of external apparatuses using a wireless LAN. An imaging apparatus control method capable of connecting to a plurality of external devices,
A receiving step of receiving imaging parameters from the plurality of connected external devices;
A storage step of storing the plurality of shooting parameters in a storage medium in association with the plurality of external devices;
A shooting step of generating a frame as image data by shooting using any of the shooting parameters stored in the storage medium;
A transmission step of sequentially transmitting the frames generated in the imaging step continuously executed to the external device;
When connected to a plurality of external devices, in the shooting step, among the plurality of shooting parameters stored in the storage medium, the shooting parameters corresponding to the connected external device are switched every predetermined number of frames. Shoot,
In the transmission step, each frame generated in the imaging step is sequentially transmitted to an external device corresponding to the imaging parameter used for generating the frame without waiting for generation of the next frame. Control method of imaging apparatus. A computer-readable program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13 .

Images