JP6827715B2 - Imaging device, its control method, and control program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image pickup device in which an external device such as a lens unit can be replaced, a control method thereof, and a control program.

Generally, as one of the imaging devices, a network camera (surveillance camera) connected to an external device such as a client device via a network is known. This network camera does not have a display unit such as an LCD, unlike an imaging device such as a digital video camera (hereinafter, simply referred to as a digital camera).

In a digital camera in which an external device such as a lens unit can be replaced, when the external device is replaced and attached, if there is a problem with the external device, a message to that effect is displayed on the display unit. On the other hand, in a network camera in which the external device can be replaced, even if the external device has a defect, the operator cannot immediately know the defect because the display unit is not provided.

For example, when there is a lens malfunction, the lens malfunction is noticed only when the lens unit does not operate even though the lens operation command is transmitted from an external device. If the operator can immediately notice the malfunction of the lens, the lens unit can be replaced or reattached on the spot, which is extremely convenient.

By the way, in a digital camera with an interchangeable lens unit, there is a digital camera in which a lens communication error is detected at the time of starting the camera and a case where the error message is detected after the camera is started, and the error message displayed on the display unit is changed (Patent Document 1). reference).

JP-A-2009-260949

However, in the digital camera described in Patent Document 1, a display unit such as an LCD is required to display an error message. On the other hand, it is assumed that the network camera is equipped with a display unit. In this case, even if an error message is displayed on the display unit after a predetermined time has elapsed after the network camera is started, the error message cannot be known unless the operator is in the vicinity of the network camera. That is, in a network camera in which the external device can be replaced, there is a problem that it is difficult to immediately know the defect even if the external device has a defect when the external device is attached.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device capable of immediately detecting an abnormality such as a malfunction of the external device when an external device such as a lens unit is attached.

In order to achieve the above object, the image pickup device according to claim 1 of the present invention is an image pickup device in which a lens unit is mounted on the image pickup device main body, and the image pickup device main body is not provided with a display unit. , when mounting the lens unit to the imaging apparatus main body, a detecting means for detecting an abnormality and a power supply short communication state between the and the imaging device body lens unit, abnormality of O Ri said communication state to the sensing means When is detected , the device provided in the image pickup apparatus main body, which operates audibly, visually, or tactilely, drives and controls the device so as to perform the first notification operation, and the detection means causes the device to perform the first notification operation. When a power short circuit is detected, the control means for notifying the state of the lens unit by driving and controlling the device so that the device performs a second notification operation different from the first notification operation. It is characterized by having.
In order to achieve the above object, the image pickup device according to claim 2 of the present invention is an image pickup device in which a lens unit is mounted on the image pickup device main body, and the image pickup device main body is not provided with a display unit. , when mounting the lens unit to the imaging apparatus main body, a detecting means for detecting an abnormality and a power supply short communication state between the and the imaging device body lens unit, abnormality of O Ri said communication state to the sensing means When is detected , the device connected to the image pickup apparatus main body, which operates audibly, visually, or tactilely, drives and controls the device so as to perform the first notification operation, and the detection means causes the device to perform the first notification operation. When a power short circuit is detected, the control means for notifying the state of the lens unit by driving and controlling the device so that the device performs a second notification operation different from the first notification operation. It is characterized by having.

According to the present invention, when an external device such as a lens unit is attached, an abnormality such as a malfunction of the external device can be immediately known.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure about the example of the image pickup apparatus according to 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation of the surveillance camera shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure about the example of the surveillance camera by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure about the example of the surveillance camera by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

An example of the image pickup apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an example of an image pickup apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The illustrated imaging device is, for example, a network camera (hereinafter referred to as a surveillance camera) 100 connected to an external device such as a client device via a network. The surveillance camera 100 is not provided with a display unit such as an LCD. Further, the surveillance camera 100 can be replaced with an external device such as a lens unit. Hereinafter, a lens unit will be described as an example of an external device.

The surveillance camera 100 includes a camera body (imaging device body) 101 and an interchangeable lens 102 that is a lens unit that can be attached to and detached from the camera body 101. Then, the interchangeable lens 102 is attached to the camera body 101 via the mount 103. The mount 103 includes an electrical contact for supplying power from the camera body 101 to the interchangeable lens 102, and further includes an electrical contact for communicating with each other between the camera body 101 and the interchangeable lens 102. The mount 103 is divided into a portion included in the camera body 101 and a portion included in the interchangeable lens 102, which are collectively shown in FIG. 1 for convenience.

The camera body 101 is provided with an image pickup unit 123, and an optical image incident from the interchangeable lens 102 is imaged on the image pickup unit 123 via the shutter 120 and the infrared cut filter 121.

The shutter 120 is opened at the time of imaging under the control of the camera control unit 112, and blocks light to the imaging unit 123 when imaging is not performed. The infrared cut filter 121 is a filter for cutting wavelengths in the infrared region, and is inserted in front of the image pickup unit element 104 when the amount of light is large and the brightness of the subject is high, such as during the daytime. Further, the infrared cut filter 121 is removed from the optical path when the amount of light is small and the brightness of the subject is low, such as at night.

The image pickup unit 123 includes an image pickup element 104 such as a CCD or CMOS sensor, a piezoelectric element 122, and an optical member 124. The piezoelectric element 122 is for cleaning the image pickup unit 123, and dust adhering to the surface of the optical member 124 can be shaken off by the vibration of the piezoelectric element 122.

The image pickup device 104 outputs an image signal (also referred to as a video signal) corresponding to the optical image (subject image) formed through the interchangeable lens 102. The video signal processing unit 105 performs predetermined image processing such as noise removal, gain adjustment, A / D conversion, color conversion processing, gamma correction, and pixel-to-pixel complement processing on the video signal output from the image sensor 104. Do. Then, the video signal processing unit 105 outputs image data (also referred to as video data).

The network processing unit 106 compresses and encodes the video data output from the video signal processing unit 105, and outputs the compressed and encoded video data. Then, the network interface unit 107 distributes the compressed / encoded video data output from the network processing unit 106 to the client device (external device) via a network such as a LAN.

The fan 110 has a motor and blades, and the blades are rotated by the motor to circulate the heat inside the camera main plate 101 to dissipate heat. The memory 111 is, for example, a semiconductor memory, and is used as a storage device for storing a processing buffer of the video signal processing unit 105 and a program executed by the camera control unit 112.

The camera control unit 112 includes a microcomputer and executes a program stored in the memory 111 to control the entire surveillance camera 100 such as control of the video signal processing unit 105 and communication control with the interchangeable lens 102.

The illumination LED 130 is composed of an infrared LED and a white LED, and under the control of the camera control unit 112, illuminates at the time of imaging as needed. The power display LED 131 emits light when the power is turned on.

In the illustrated example, the interchangeable lens 102, the mount 103, the imaging unit 123, the shutter 120, the infrared cut filter 121, the video signal processing unit 105, the network processing unit 106, and the network interface unit 107 constitute the imaging unit. Then, the pan / tilt mechanism 140 rotatably supports the imaging unit in the pan direction and the tilt direction under the control of the camera control unit 112.

The interchangeable lens 102 includes a lens driving unit 115, a lens control unit 116, an imaging lens 117, and a lens memory 118. The lens driving unit 115 drives the image pickup lens 117 under the control of the lens control unit 116. For example, the lens driving unit 115 transfers and drives a focus lens, a zoom lens, an aperture, an anti-vibration lens, etc. provided in the image pickup lens 117.

The lens control unit 116 includes a microcomputer, and controls the lens drive unit 115 in response to a control signal sent from the camera control unit 112. The lens memory 118 is used as a storage device for storing various data used by the lens control unit 116.

In the illustrated surveillance camera 100, after the power is turned on, the camera control unit 112 operates the camera body 101 according to the state of the interchangeable lens 102, as will be described later. The operation of the camera body 101 includes, for example, the following operations.

The camera control unit 112 vibrates and stops the piezoelectric element 122, and further, the camera control unit 112 changes the vibration frequency of the piezoelectric element 122 (hereinafter referred to as a first operation).

Further, the camera control unit 112 opens and closes the shutter 120, and inserts and removes the infrared cut filter 121 (hereinafter referred to as a second operation). Further, the camera control unit 112 rotates and stops the fan 110 to change the rotation speed at the time of rotation (hereinafter referred to as a third operation). In addition, the camera control unit 112 operates and stops the pan-tilt mechanism 140 to change the operating speed of the pan-tilt mechanism 140 (hereinafter referred to as a fourth operation). Further, the camera control unit 112 turns on and off the lighting LED 130, or blinks the lighting LED 130 (hereinafter referred to as a fifth operation). Then, the camera control unit 112 may turn on and off the power display LED 131, or may blink the power display LED 131 (hereinafter referred to as a sixth operation). As the operation by the camera control unit 112, at least one of the above-mentioned first to sixth operations is performed.

As described above, the camera control unit 112 audibly notifies the user (operator) by the operation sound or visually notifies the user by the movement. Further, the camera control unit 112 may visually notify the user by light emission or tactilely notify the user by vibration.

The above notification may be given when the interchangeable lens 102 is in a normal state, or may be given when the interchangeable lens 102 is in an abnormal state. Then, the operation content may be changed according to the content of the abnormal state.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the surveillance camera shown in FIG. The processing related to the illustrated flowchart is performed under the control of the camera control unit 112.

Now, when power is supplied to the surveillance camera 100, the camera control unit 112 becomes operable and the surveillance camera 100 is activated (step S201). Then, the camera control unit 112 detects whether or not the interchangeable lens 102 is attached to the camera body 101 (step S202).

When the interchangeable lens 102 is attached based on the detection result (YES in step S202), the camera control unit 112 determines whether or not the power supply to the interchangeable lens 102 is short-circuited due to a failure of the interchangeable lens 102 or the like (step S203). ). If the power supply is not short-circuited (NO in step S203), the camera control unit 112 determines whether or not a communication error with the interchangeable lens 102 has occurred due to a contact failure of the interchangeable lens 102 or the like (step S204).

If no communication error has occurred (NO in step S204), the camera control unit 112 executes the normal status notification operation (step S205). In the normal state notification operation, the camera control unit 112 performs the operation preset by the client among the above-mentioned first to sixth operations. As a result, when the user (worker) is performing work such as attaching the interchangeable lens 102 to the camera body 101, if the camera body 101 performs a normal state notification operation, the user is normal in the surveillance camera 100. Can be judged.

After that, the camera control unit 112 performs a normal operation flow. In this normal operation flow, for example, in the normal operation flow, the camera control unit 112 operates the surveillance camera 100 to perform imaging, and distributes the video data obtained as a result to the client device via the network. If no communication error has occurred (NO in step S204), the camera control unit 112 may proceed to the normal operation flow without performing the process of step S205.

If the interchangeable lens 102 is not attached to the camera body 101 (NO in step S202), the camera control unit 112 performs the first abnormal state notification operation to notify the user that the interchangeable lens 101 is not attached. (Notification) (step S206). Here, the camera control unit 112 performs an operation different from the above-mentioned normal state notification operation. For example, the camera control unit 112 performs the first operation described above to notify the user of an abnormal state of the interchangeable lens 102 (here, the fact that the interchangeable lens 102 is not attached). After that, the camera control unit 112 returns to the process of step S202.

If a communication error has occurred (YES in step S204), the camera control unit 112 performs a second abnormal state notification operation (step S207). Here, the camera control unit 112 performs an operation different from the above-mentioned normal state notification operation. For example, the camera control unit 112 performs the above-mentioned first operation to notify the user of an abnormal state (here, a communication error) of the interchangeable lens 102. The second abnormal state notification operation performed in step S207 may be different from the normal state notification operation and the first abnormal state notification operation.

If the power supply is short-circuited (YES in step S203), the camera control unit 112 performs a third abnormal state notification operation (step S209). Here, the camera control unit 112 performs an operation different from the above-mentioned normal state notification operation. For example, the camera control unit 112 performs the first operation described above to notify the user of an abnormal state of the interchangeable lens 102 (here, a power supply short circuit). The third abnormal state notification operation performed in step S209 may be different from the normal state notification operation, the first abnormal state notification operation, and the second abnormal state notification operation.

After the process of step S207 or S209, the camera control unit 112 notifies the client device of the abnormal state of the interchangeable lens 102 (step S208). Then, the camera control unit 112 ends the camera operation process. After the process of step S208, the camera control unit 102 may turn off the power of the surveillance camera 100.

As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the device provided in the camera body 101 is operated to notify the user of the abnormality of the interchangeable lens. As a result, the user can immediately know an abnormality of the interchangeable lens even in a surveillance camera that does not have a display unit.

In the above example, the interchangeable lens has been described as an example of the external device, but the same can be applied when a light emitting device such as a strobe device is attached to the camera body as the external device.

By the way, in the above-mentioned example, the abnormal state of the interchangeable lens 102 is notified by operating the device provided in the camera body 101. On the other hand, instead of operating the device provided in the camera body 101, the device provided in the interchangeable lens 102 may be operated.

For example, when the interchangeable lens 102 is normal or abnormal, the camera control unit 112 operates and stops the focus lens provided in the interchangeable lens 102, and further determines the operating speed at which the focus lens is operated. Change. Similarly, the camera control unit 112 may drive and control the zoom lens provided in the interchangeable lens 102. Further, the camera control unit 112 may drive and control the aperture or the anti-vibration lens provided in the interchangeable lens 102.

[Second Embodiment]
Subsequently, the surveillance camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an example of a surveillance camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated surveillance camera, the same reference numbers are assigned to the same components as those of the surveillance camera shown in FIG.

In the illustrated surveillance camera 100, the camera body 101 is provided with an audio-digital-to-analog conversion unit 301 and an audio IF 300. The voice-digital-to-analog conversion unit 301 is connected to the camera control unit 112.

When the user attaches the interchangeable lens 102 to the camera body 101, the user connects the speaker unit 310 to the audio IF 300. As will be described later, the camera control unit 112 converts the audio data into an analog audio signal by the audio-digital-to-analog conversion unit 301 and sends it to the speaker unit 310 via the audio IF 300.

The speaker unit 310 has a speaker 311 and an amplifier 312, and after the analog audio signal is amplified by the amplifier 312, it is output from the speaker 311 as audio. The above-mentioned voice data is stored in the memory 111 in advance, or is received via the network and stored in the memory 111.

In the second embodiment, the camera operation process is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, but the above-mentioned normal state notification operation or the first to third abnormal state notification operations is performed according to the state of the interchangeable lens 102. Is done. When the normal state notification operation is performed (that is, when the process of step S205 is performed), the voice data related to the normal state notification operation is different from the third to third abnormal state notification operations. Further, the voice data related to the first to third abnormal state operation notifications may be the same or different from each other. Further, the present invention is not limited to voice data, and may be an acoustic sound such as an electronic sound or a mechanical sound as long as the user can recognize it.

As described above, also in the second embodiment of the present invention, the user can immediately know the abnormality of the interchangeable lens in the surveillance camera not provided with the display unit.

[Third Embodiment]
Subsequently, the surveillance camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an example of a surveillance camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated surveillance camera, the same reference numbers are assigned to the same components as those of the surveillance camera shown in FIG.

In the illustrated surveillance camera 100, the camera body 101 is not provided with the pan / tilt mechanism 140, and the pan head 411 is connected to the camera body 101. The pan head 411 can be driven in the pan direction and the tilt direction. The pan head 411 is provided with a pan head pan / tilt drive unit 412, and the camera control unit 112 drives and controls the pan head 411 by the pan head pan / tilt drive unit 412 according to the state of the interchangeable lens 102.

A surveillance camera 100 is mounted on the pan head 411 (shown), and the surveillance camera 100 is driven by the pan head 411 in the pan direction and the tilt direction. The drive control of the pan head 411 is performed by the camera control unit 112.

In the third embodiment, the camera operation process is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, but one of the above-mentioned first to third abnormal state notification operations is performed according to the state of the interchangeable lens 102. It is said. In the third embodiment, the process of step S205 is not performed, and at the time of the first to third abnormal state operation notifications, the camera control unit 112 drives the pan head 411 to pan the surveillance camera 100. And operate in the tilt direction.

As described above, also in the third embodiment of the present invention, the user can immediately know the abnormality of the interchangeable lens in the surveillance camera not provided with the display unit.

As is clear from the above description, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the camera control unit 112 functions as a detection means and a control means.

Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various embodiments within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. ..

For example, the function of the above embodiment may be used as a control method, and the image pickup apparatus may be made to execute this control method. Further, a program having the functions of the above-described embodiment may be used as a control program, and the control program may be executed by a computer included in the image pickup apparatus. The control program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, for example.

[Other Embodiments]
A program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to the system or device via a network or a storage medium. The present invention can also be realized by a process in which one or more processors in the computer of the system or apparatus reads and executes a program. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

101 Camera body 102 Interchangeable lens 110 Fan 112 Camera control unit 120 Shutter 121 Infrared cut filter 122 Piezoelectric element 130 LED for lighting
131 Power display LED
140 pan tilt mechanism

Claims (8)

An image pickup device in which a lens unit is attached to the image pickup device body.
The image pickup apparatus main body is not provided with a display unit.
When the lens unit is attached to the image pickup device main body, a detection means for detecting an abnormality in the communication state between the image pickup device main body and the lens unit and a power short circuit, and
When an abnormality in the communication state is detected by the detection means, the device is set so that the auditory, visual, or tactile device provided in the image pickup apparatus main body performs the first notification operation. Drive control is performed, and when the power supply short circuit is detected by the detection means, the device is driven and controlled so that the device performs a second notification operation different from the first notification operation, and the lens is operated. Control means to notify the status of the unit and
An imaging device characterized by having. An image pickup device in which a lens unit is attached to the image pickup device body.
The image pickup apparatus main body is not provided with a display unit.
When the lens unit is attached to the image pickup device main body, a detection means for detecting an abnormality in the communication state between the image pickup device main body and the lens unit and a power short circuit, and
When the abnormality of the communication state is detected by the detection means, the device is set so that the device connected to the image pickup apparatus main body, which operates audibly, visually or tactilely, performs the first notification operation. Drive control is performed, and when the power supply short circuit is detected by the detection means, the device is driven and controlled so that the device performs a second notification operation different from the first notification operation, and the lens is operated. Control means to notify the status of the unit and
An imaging device characterized by having. The device connected to the image pickup device main body is a speaker unit that emits sound.
The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the control means outputs sound from the speaker unit according to a detection result by the detection means. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein the control means changes the sound output from the speaker unit according to the content of the abnormal state when the lens unit is in an abnormal state. The device connected to the image pickup device main body is a pan head on which the image pickup device main body can be driven in the pan direction and the tilt direction.
The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the control means drives and controls the pan head when the lens unit is in an abnormal state. The image pickup device is connected to the client device via a network.
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control means notifies the state of the lens unit and then delivers the state of the lens unit to the client device. This is a control method for an image pickup device in which a lens unit is attached to the main body of the image pickup device and no display unit is provided.
A detection step for detecting an abnormality in the communication state between the image pickup device main body and the lens unit and a power short circuit when the lens unit is attached to the image pickup device main body.
When an abnormality in the communication state is detected by the detection step, the device is set so that the auditory, visual, or tactile device provided in the image pickup apparatus main body performs the first notification operation. Drive control is performed, and when the power supply short circuit is detected by the detection step , the device is driven and controlled so that the device performs a second notification operation different from the first notification operation, and the lens is operated. A control step that notifies the status of the unit and
A control method characterized by having. This is a control program used in an image pickup device in which a lens unit is attached to the image pickup device body and no display unit is provided.
In the computer included in the imaging device
A detection step for detecting an abnormality in the communication state between the image pickup device main body and the lens unit and a power short circuit when the lens unit is attached to the image pickup device main body.
When an abnormality in the communication state is detected by the detection step, the device is set so that the auditory, visual, or tactile device provided in the image pickup apparatus main body performs the first notification operation. Drive control is performed, and when the power supply short circuit is detected by the detection step , the device is driven and controlled so that the device performs a second notification operation different from the first notification operation, and the lens is operated. A control step that notifies the status of the unit and
A control program characterized by executing.

Images