JPH02239779A - Automatic focusing, automatic picture angle adjustment, automatic visual line aligner and television doorphone set having them - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain automatic focusing, automatic picture angle adjustment or automatic visual line alignment by using an output signal from a switch means operated with an object and arranged to a position relating to the object for distance information, pickup picture angle setting information or visual line direction setting information. CONSTITUTION:When a visitor depresses a SW 6 near a gate pole 7 or the like, a controller 2 activates an actuator 3 immediately, a zoom lens optical system 4 is focused to a distance la, an object image is formed onto an imager 5 by a zoom lens optical system 4, its video output is outputted and an object image is reproduced onto an indoor display device. When the visitor reaches a gate door and depresses a SW 8, the zoom lens optical system 4 is focused corresponding to the distance lb and the picture angle is set to an angle thetab aiming at bust shot.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field J] The present invention is applicable to automatic focusing, automatic angle adjustment,
The present invention relates to an automatic line of sight adjustment device and a video door intercom device equipped with the same.

[Prior Art] Camera devices in video door intercom devices, cash dispenser systems, etc. are designed to capture images by unmanned operation, but since these devices are also related to crime prevention, malfunctions are not tolerated. There is a need for a device that can reliably perform autofocus, angle of view adjustment, and line of sight adjustment without causing problems.

Currently, many types of autofocus methods have been proposed and implemented; for example, active methods emit infrared light or ultrasonic waves toward the subject and detect the reflected waves; There are also passive methods that measure distance by capturing reflected light from a subject with a light-receiving section of the camera and analyzing the captured image. Furthermore, regarding automatic adjustment of the angle of view, or so-called auto-zooming, a technology has been announced in recent years that uses distance distribution data for the entire target object to zoom so that the object is photographed as large as possible within the image frame.

[Issue to be solved by the inventionml] However, among the above-mentioned autofocus systems, those using the active method must detect weak reflected waves depending on the subject distance, which may result in unstable detection or changes in the reflected waveform. It also requires analysis, and the equipment becomes expensive. Moreover, since the passive type also calculates distance data by detecting the sharpness of the image of the object, it also requires a calculation circuit using a CPU, making it expensive. Furthermore, these detection and calculation results may malfunction depending on the color or shape of the subject.

Therefore, it is unsuitable for security-related devices such as cash dispensers and surveillance cameras where mistakes cannot be tolerated.

On the other hand, similar malfunctions may occur when auto zooming is based on distance distribution data for the entire subject.
Another drawback is that the device is quite expensive.

The purpose of the present invention is to achieve automatic focusing, automatic angle adjustment, and automatic viewing using reliable and simple input means! To provide a surveillance camera capable of performing 5L adjustment, and a video door intercom device and a television camera device having the same.

[Means and effects for solving the problems] The present invention provides an output signal from a switch means disposed at a position relative to the subject and activated by the subject to provide distance information, information for setting the shooting angle of view, or information for setting the viewing direction. It is characterized by being used as information.

[Example] The present invention will be explained below with reference to illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a case where an automatic focusing and photographing angle of view adjustment device showing a first embodiment of the present invention is applied to a video door intercom device. This video door intercom device includes a main body 1 fixed to a door 9 of an entrance or the like, and a power supply unit for driving each part of the device housed within the main body 1. A controller 2 including a system controller, a process circuit, and a video output section, a zoom lens optical system 4 using a conventional door scope lens 4a as a converter lens, and focusing action and angle of view adjustment of the zoom lens optical system 4 an actuator 3 that performs this, an imager 5 consisting of a CCD on which the light beam transmitted through the zoom lens optical system 4 forms an image and outputs an imaging signal; 21, a switch means, for example, a push button switch SW8, and a switch means, which is arranged on a gatepost 7 or the like several meters away from the entrance etc., is also connected to the controller 2, and is operated by the subject 21;
For example, the push button switch SW6 and the controller 2
and an indoor display (not shown) that is driven by the video output of. And subject 2
When the lens 1 is at the positions A and B, the SW 6.8 can be operated, and the object distance from the positions A and B to the lens optical system is 47a, 1Jb.

Further, the controller 2 is operated by the SW6.
8 is detected, the subject distance Rtla.
A focusing output corresponding to 1b and a zooming output of angles θa and θb of the optimum photographing angle of view at each position are given to the actuator 3.

In addition, in the case of this embodiment, the optical system O of the zoom lens optical system 4
is facing at least the direction of the gate post 7 where the SW 6 is installed.

Next, to explain the operation of the above embodiment, first, when a visitor presses SW6 near the gatepost 7, etc.,
The N signal is output to the controller 2 as distance information.

Then, the actuator 3 is immediately actuated by the controller 2, the zoom lens optical system 4 is forced to a distance ga, and the angle of view is also adjusted to θa aiming for a full-body image.
That is, zooming is performed. And zoom lens optical system 4
A subject image is formed on the imager 5, a video output thereof is output, and the subject image is reproduced on a display device in the room. Note that in the initial state, the zoom lens optical system 4 is always set at a distance of Rlla. It goes without saying that focusing and zooming may be performed to the angle of view θa, and the video output may be immediately output when SW6 is suppressed.

Then, the visitor continues to arrive at the entrance, and this time the SW
When 8 is pressed, the zoom lens optical system 4 changes its distance Il.
The force is applied corresponding to b, and the angle of view is also adjusted to the angle θb aimed at the bust shot. In other words, the image will be zoomed in and a suitable image of the visitor will be output.

Naturally, in this state, dialogue is possible using the intercom function.

Subject distance 1a. i) The numerical values as a specific example of b and the optimum photographing angles of view θa and θb are j! in the vicinity of the gatepost 7. a-3m, close to the wall 9 of the entrance l b -0
．． If you set it to 5 m, you should aim for a full-body image in order to check the whole image for Na at a slightly distant position, and set the angle of view to 1/3 full scope (about 300 as θa), while Of distance! For Ib, I aimed for a bust shot to observe the details, and set the angle of view to full scope (θ
b is set to approximately 90'1). In this way, by using two switches, the magnification can be appropriately set at a slightly distant position and at a close position, making it possible to obtain a suitable image. Further, when SW6 and SW8 are pressed at the same time, priority is given to nearby information. If priority is not given in this way, in this embodiment, since the line of sight direction is constant, there is a possibility that images farther away will be hidden and not displayed. Furthermore, although this embodiment uses the zoom lens optical system 4 as the lens, a lens having only a focusing function may be used as the photographic lens, and in that case, the angle of view will of course always be constant.

The above-mentioned SW6 and SW8 can be used as switches for conventional video door intercom devices, intercom devices, doorbells, etc., which is advantageous in terms of equipment cost. In addition, when the subject position is only two positions A and B as in this embodiment, the actuator 3 is used to turn on a solenoid, etc.
, it is also possible to use an actuator with OFF control.

Next, a video door intercom device having automatic focusing means, automatic angle adjustment means, and automatic line of sight adjustment means showing a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2.3. This second embodiment includes a system controller 10, a pan head controller lla, an electric pan head 1lb, a camera section 12, a half mirror 13 which is a photographing window section, and a process circuit 1.
6, recording/reproducing device 17 and power control SWI 8
, a backup battery 20, and sensors 14a and 14b, which are switch means activated by the subject.

The sensor 14a is composed of a directional infrared sensor, and detects when the subject 22 has reached the artificial door position A. Further, this may also be used as an operation switch for an automatic door.

Further, the sensor 14b is also composed of a directional infrared sensor, and the subject 22 is located near the entrance or reception area.
This is to detect that the position has been reached. Furthermore, the distance from the position of the camera unit 12 to the subject 22 is (l
a. Assume that it is set to lb. Furthermore, camera part 1
An electric pan head 1lb that supports the camera 2 and can change its optical axis direction is driven by a pan head controller lla that operates according to instructions from the system controller 10. If the sensor 14a detects that the subject 22 is at position A, the pan head 1lb tilts the line of sight of the camera unit 12, that is, the optical axis, in the direction of Oa, while
If the position is detected, the optical axis is tilted in the ob direction. Therefore, the pan head controller lla and the electric pan head 1lb constitute a line of sight adjustment means.

Further, the camera section 12 includes a zoom lens optical system 12a.
It has a zoom driver 12c and a zoom actuator 12d, which are angle of view adjusting means and are controlled by the system controller 10.
0, zooming is performed to the optimum angle of view corresponding to the distance AtNa, IN> of the positions A and B, respectively. Furthermore, the camera section 12 is an automatic focusing means, and the system controller 10
It has a focus driver 12e and a focus actuator 12f which are controlled by the sensor 1.
Based on the detection signals of the subjects 22 at positions 4a and 14b, the system controller 10 focuses on distances j7a and lb at positions A and B, respectively.

Further, the camera section 12 has an imager 12b such as a CCD as an imaging device, and the output thereof is converted into a video signal by a process circuit 16. The image of the subject 22 is then recorded or reproduced by a recording/reproducing device 17 such as a monitoring device. To explain the control of the power supply of this device, first of all, when the subject 22 does not appear, the system controller 10 is driven by the backup battery 20 and only the sensors 14a and 14b are placed in a standby state.

Then, when the subject 22 is detected by the sensor 14a or 14b, the power control SW 18 is turned on.
As a result, power is supplied to all equipment such as the system controller, standalone equipment, camera equipment, etc.

Next, the overall operation of the video intercom device having the above-described configuration and the functions of each part will be explained. First, when the subject 22 appears at position A, a detection signal is input to the system controller 10 by the sensor 14a, the power control SWI 8 is turned on, and the pan head 1lb directs the line of sight of the camera unit 12 to the optical axis Oa in the direction of the subject 22. In addition, the zoom lens optical system 12a of the camera unit 12 is driven to focus on the distance na by the focus actuator 12f, and at the same time, the angle of view is adjusted to a value suitable for the distance ffa by the zoom actuator 12d. Furthermore,
When the subject 22 moves and reaches position B, the sensor 14b
Since the detection signal is input to the system controller 10, the line of sight of the camera unit 12 is adjusted in the Ob direction, the focus is focused on the distance ub, and the angle of view is also adjusted to an appropriate angle according to the distance ub. and the video output is sent to the recording/playback device 17.
is output to. If the present device is applied to a surveillance camera or the like, recording means may be used, such as recording subject image information every second and setting the recording time using a timer.

Also, here, to explain how much the angle of view should be set for each subject distance, for example, the far distance N
a is 2m, the closer distance #if! If b is taken as 1m,
The corresponding angle of view is preferably set to 25@ (tele) for distance 1a and 50'' (wide) for distance IIb, assuming that both are aiming for a bust shot.

Further, when the sensors 14a and 14b work simultaneously, which of the objects A and B should be prioritized may be determined depending on the purpose. Further, in this embodiment, only the vertical tilting motion of the pan head was considered, but it is also possible to provide a vanning motion that allows the line of sight to be changed in the direction of rotation (γ direction). In this case, the object detection means needs to be arranged according to the adjustment direction. Further, in this embodiment, an infrared sensor is used as the subject detection means, but this may be replaced by a foot switch or a push button switch.

Next, in this second embodiment, the present invention is applied to a video intercom device, but the present invention can also be applied to a monitoring camera for a cash dispenser as a modification thereof. That is, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 2 and 3, a cash dispenser 15 is additionally provided. in this case,
Sensor 14b becomes unnecessary. Detection of the subject 22 at position B is performed by the user of the dispenser 15 by operating SW1.
This is done by inputting a signal to the system controller 10 when the controller 5a is operated.

Other configurations may be the same as those of the second embodiment.

According to the inkstone monitoring device configured in this way, it is convenient for crime prevention to first check the whole body image at the door using the detection signal of the sensor 14a, and then reconfirm the image when the dispenser 15 is operated. It is.

In the second embodiment described above, an electric pan head was used for line of sight adjustment, but as another modification of the line of sight adjustment device, an imager such as a CCD can be moved vertically and horizontally with respect to the imaging plane. FIG. 4 shows a line-of-sight adjustment device in which the line-of-sight direction can be changed by changing the direction of the line of sight. This device is applied to the video door intercom device of the first embodiment described above, and has a lens 4a of a door scope.
A main body 31 fixed to the rear part of the main body 31, a motor 32b for horizontally moving an imager 31d consisting of a zoom lens optical system 31a and a CCD supported by this main body 31, and a motor 32c for vertically moving the imager 31d.
and an imager 31d consisting of a CCD, which is an imaging probe.

FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the image circle showing the range that can be photographed by the photographing lens and the effective image capturing area of the imager 31d, and the circle 31g shows the image circle at a field angle of 90°, and the rectangles 33a to 33d indicates the imaging surface when the imager 31d moves vertically and horizontally. This circle 31g needs to have a sufficiently large diameter with respect to the moving imaging planes 33a to 33d.

If a camera configured in this manner is installed in place of the photographing section of the first embodiment described above, the line of sight direction can be freely selected depending on the position of the image 31d. Even if the location changes, it will be possible to respond immediately.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the automatic focusing, automatic motion angle adjustment, and automatic line-of-sight direction adjustment device according to the present invention is arranged at a position relative to the subject and receives a signal from the switch means activated by the subject. Since it is used to set focus, angle of view, and line of sight, it has an extremely simple configuration compared to conventional focusing systems, and therefore operates reliably and without mistakes. Moreover, not only automatic focusing but also adjustment of the angle of view and line of sight can be performed automatically using the same signal, which is very advantageous in terms of cost. In addition to video door phones,
It is possible to provide an automatic focusing, automatic angle adjustment, and automatic line-of-sight adjustment device that is suitable for general surveillance cameras and provides many effects as described above.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts of a video door intercom device showing a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the arrangement of a video door intercom device showing a second embodiment of the invention, and FIG. , a block diagram showing the configuration of the video door intercom device shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of main parts showing another modification of the camera section of the video door intercom device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view showing an image area of the camera section.

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) An automatic focusing device characterized in that an output signal from a switch means disposed at a position relative to a subject and activated by the subject is used as distance information. (2) An automatic video angle adjustment device characterized in that the photographing angle of view is set based on an output signal from a switch means that is disposed at a position related to the subject and is activated by the subject. (3) An automatic line-of-sight establishment device, characterized in that the line-of-sight direction is set based on an output signal from a switch means disposed at a position related to the subject and activated by the subject. (4) automatic focusing means that is disposed at a position related to the subject and uses an output signal from a switch means activated by the subject as distance information; and setting a shooting angle of view based on the output signal from the switch means. A video door intercom device comprising at least one of automatic angle adjustment means and automatic line-of-sight adjustment means for setting a line-of-sight direction based on an output signal from the switch means. (5) automatic focusing means that is disposed at a position related to the subject and uses an output signal from a switch means activated by the subject as distance information; and setting a shooting angle of view based on the output signal from the switch means. In a television camera device having at least one of an automatic viewing angle establishing means and an automatic sight line establishing means for setting a viewing direction based on an output signal from the switching means, the switching means may activate the television camera device; A television camera device characterized by having a function of triggering recording, etc.