JP2001036797A - Image pickup system, image pickup device and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to operate equipment to be operated also by sending a command from a remote controller to equipment which is not an operation target. SOLUTION: In an image pickup system having a character camera 100, a remote controller(RC) 101 for the camera 100, a document camera 200, and a cable 300 for connecting the camera 100 to the camera 200, the camera 100 is provided with an image pickup part 106 for picking up an image of an object, a microcomputer 103 for controlling the operation of the image pickup part 106, a light receiving element 102 for receiving a signal from the RC 101 and transmitting the received signal to a control means, and an interface part 107 for connecting the camera 100 to the camera 200 and the camera 200 is provided with an image pickup part 203 for picking up an image of a subject, a light receiving element 202 for receiving a signal from the RC 101 and an interface means for transferring the signal transmitted from the RC 101 and received by the element 102 to the camera 100.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an imaging system comprising a plurality of cameras such as a remotely controllable camera and a document camera. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an imaging system, an imaging device, and a communication method that can drive an imaging unit of a camera that can be remotely controlled even when a command is received from a remote control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a model that can be remotely controlled by a remote control device (remote controller), one remote controller is provided for each model. That is, the main body and the remote controller have a one-to-one relationship, and in the case of a system product including a plurality of types of devices, basically, commands from remote controllers of different types are not accepted. As described above, since the operation system is independent for each model, even if a command is received from a remote controller of a different model, it is ignored.

On the other hand, in a communication device system including a host device and a terminal device, a method of transferring commands and data between the host device and the terminal device is unified as a communication protocol. However, with the development of computers, devices are connected via a network, and commands and data transferred between the devices have various forms. That is, the size of the data amount, the presence / absence of real-time performance, reliability, and the like differ depending on the data. In order to communicate such various commands and data in an optimal transfer method, a communication apparatus system selects and uses a transfer method most suitable for a network.

Further, in a communication system having a plurality of communication terminals, if there is a communication terminal called a host device which plays a central role such as network management, the host device transfers commands and data from each terminal device. And the timing, and controls the network of the entire communication system.

In such a communication system, there is a communication system in which terminals are connected by a universal serial bus (hereinafter, USB). USB is a serial bus standard for connecting a personal computer and a peripheral device, and can perform transfer in four types of transfer modes: isochronous transfer, interrupt transfer, bulk transfer, and control transfer. Which of these transfer modes to use is determined according to the properties of the peripheral device.

[0006] Isochronous transfer is used when it is desired to transfer certain data in a certain cycle, and is effective at the time of transfer in which real-time property is important. However, since no retransmission request is made, the reliability of data transfer is not guaranteed. There is a feature. Therefore, the isochronous transfer is used for communication with a terminal device such as a telephone, which requires a real-time property and does not have a significant effect even if some data loss occurs.

The interrupt transfer is effective when a small amount of data is periodically transferred from a terminal device to a host device. When a terminal device is connected to the host device for the first time, the terminal device sends to the host device as configuration information how much data should be transferred and in what period.
The host device performs transfer scheduling based on this information. Interrupt transfer is a transfer mode used for a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, and the like.

The control transfer is effective when the transfer is performed suddenly, not periodically. For example, it is used when the terminal device transfers configuration information to the host device at an initial stage when the terminal device is connected to the host device.

[0009] Bulk transfer is a mode for transferring a large amount of data that occurs irregularly, and is effective when the real-time property is not very important. Further, since a retransmission request can be made, the transferred data is guaranteed. The bulk transfer is used for communication with a terminal device such as a printer which generates a large amount of data irregularly.

As described above, in the USB, the transfer mode is changed according to a terminal device such as a peripheral device connected to a host device such as a personal computer.

[0011]

In a presentation or a video conference, a person or a landscape is mainly used as a subject, and a person camera such as a video camera capable of driving an imaging unit in accordance with the subject and a document or the like are mainly used. There is a case in which an imaging system including a plurality of types of cameras is constructed by a document camera or the like as a subject, and images obtained from these cameras are switched as needed. The document camera is mainly for photographing a document or the like, and is often placed near the operator because the document or the like to be photographed needs to be exchanged. On the other hand, since a person camera can drive an imaging unit and shoot an arbitrary subject, it usually has a remote control so that the camera unit can be operated from a remote place, and is not always arranged near an operator. Rather, it is often placed in a position where it is easy to take a subject that one wishes to photograph. There is no problem if the place where the human camera is located is close enough to the operator and within a controllable distance of the remote control. In the case where the light receiving element for receiving a signal from the remote control arranged in the human camera is located on the opposite side of the operator, the control by the remote control is performed when the light receiving element is disposed outside the light receiving range. There was a problem that it became impossible.

On the other hand, when commands and data are transferred between devices of a communication system, if the amount of data to be transferred and the presence or absence of real-time performance or reliability are different, it is determined depending on the contents of the commands and data to be transferred. If the transfer is performed using the transfer method, the efficiency may be reduced. That is, in a communication system in which various types of commands and data are transferred between devices, transfer in an optimal state has always been impossible.

In addition, in the case where the transfer control of commands and data is performed under the initiative of the host device, there is an inconvenience that nothing can be performed from the terminal device unless there is always an action from the host device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has an object to operate a device to be operated by sending a command from the remote control to a device not to be operated by the remote control. Aim.

Another object of the present invention is to allow a device other than the device to be operated by the remote controller to operate the device to be operated even when receiving a command from the remote controller.

Furthermore, in a system composed of a plurality of devices and one common remote controller for operating the devices, the device intended by the operator can be selected only by receiving one of the commands transmitted from the remote controller. It is a further object to be able to operate.

Also, by changing the transfer mode of the command and data between the host device and the terminal device between the case of transferring from the host device to the terminal device and the case of transferring from the terminal device to the host device, the communication mode on the communication system is changed. It is a further object to perform the most efficient transfer and prevent an increase in useless traffic on the communication system.

[0018]

According to the present invention, there is provided a first imaging device, a remote control device for remotely operating the first imaging device, a second imaging device, and a first imaging device. In an imaging system having a connection unit that connects an imaging device and the second imaging device, the first imaging device includes a first imaging unit that captures an image of a subject, and a first imaging unit that captures an image of a subject.
Control means for controlling the operation of the image capturing means, first receiving means for receiving a signal from the remote control device and transmitting the signal to the control means, and first interface means for connecting to the second image capturing apparatus The second imaging device has a second imaging device for imaging a subject, a second reception device for receiving a signal from the remote control device, and a second reception device that receives the signal from the second reception device. And second interface means for transferring a signal from the remote control device to the first imaging device, wherein the control means is provided via the first receiving means or the first interface means. The first imaging unit is controlled based on the input signal from the remote control device.

According to still another configuration, a first imaging device, a first remote control device for remotely operating the first imaging device, a second imaging device, and a second imaging device In an imaging system having a second remote control device for remotely operating a device and a connection unit for connecting the first imaging device and the second imaging device, the first imaging device may include a subject A first imaging unit for imaging the image, a control unit for controlling the operation of the first imaging unit, and a first for receiving a signal from the first and second remote control devices and transmitting the signal to the control unit. Receiving means; first determining means for determining whether a signal received by the first receiving means is a signal from a first remote control device or a signal from a second remote control device; A first interface unit for connecting to an imaging device, wherein the second imaging device is configured to transmit a signal from the second imaging unit that captures an image of a subject and signals from the first and second remote control devices. Second receiving means for receiving, second determining means for determining whether the signal received by the second receiving means is a signal from the first remote control device or a signal from the second remote control device; Second interface means for transferring a signal from the first remote control device received by the second receiving means to the first imaging device, wherein the control means The first imaging unit is controlled based on a signal from the first remote control device input via the receiving unit or the first interface unit. .

Preferably, when the first determining means determines that the signal received by the first receiving means is a signal from a second remote control device,
The control means discards the received signal.

Preferably, when the first determining means determines that the signal received by the first receiving means is a signal from a second remote control device, the controlling means controls the received signal. Is transferred to the second imaging device via the first interface means.

More preferably, the second imaging device transfers signals from the first and second remote control devices received by the second receiving means to the first imaging device.

More preferably, when the second imaging device determines that the signal received by the second receiving means is a signal from a first remote control device, the second imaging device converts the received signal to the first remote control device. Transfer to the first imaging device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a first imaging device, a second imaging device, a remote control device for remotely operating the first and second imaging devices, and In an imaging system including a first imaging device and a connection unit that connects the second imaging device, the first imaging device includes a first imaging unit configured to image a subject,
Control means for controlling the operation of the first imaging means; first reception means for receiving a signal from the remote control device and transmitting the signal to the control means; First determining means for determining whether the signal is for remotely operating the first imaging device or the signal for remotely operating the second imaging device, and a first interface for connecting to the second imaging device Means, wherein the second image capturing apparatus includes a second image capturing means for capturing an image of a subject, a second receiving means for receiving a signal from the remote control device, and a signal received by the second receiving means. Second determination means for determining whether the signal obtained is a signal for remotely operating the first imaging device or a signal for remotely operating the second imaging device, and the remote control device receives the signal from the second reception device. Conte And a second interface unit for transferring a signal from the control unit to the first imaging device, wherein the control unit receives an input via the first receiving unit or the first interface unit. The first imaging device based on a signal for remote-controlling the first imaging device.
Is controlled.

Preferably, when the first determining means determines that the signal received by the first receiving means is a signal for remotely operating the second imaging device, the control means receives the signal. Discard the signal.

Preferably, when the first determining means determines that the signal received by the first receiving means is a signal for remotely operating the second image pickup apparatus, the control means controls the receiving means. The obtained signal is transferred to the second imaging device via the first interface means.

[0027] More preferably, the second image pickup device, when judging that the signal received by the second receiving means is a signal for remotely operating the first image pickup device, receives the received signal. Is transferred to the first imaging device.

More preferably, the first imaging device is a person camera, and the second imaging device is a document camera.

[0029] More preferably, a transfer method from the first imaging device to the second imaging device and a transfer method from the second imaging device to the first imaging device are individually set.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus used by being connected to an external imaging apparatus which can be remotely operated by a remote control apparatus, the imaging means for imaging an object, and the remote control apparatus. Receiving means for receiving a signal from the remote control device, and interface means for transferring a signal from the remote control device received by the receiving means to the external imaging device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus which is used by being connected to an external imaging apparatus which can be remotely operated by a first remote control apparatus and which can be remotely operated by a second remote control apparatus. An imaging unit for imaging a subject; a control unit for controlling the operation of the imaging unit; a receiving unit for receiving a signal from the first and second remote control devices and transmitting the signal to the control unit; The image processing apparatus includes a determination unit that determines whether a signal received by the reception unit is a signal from the first remote control device or a signal from the second remote control device, and an interface unit for connecting to the external imaging device.

Preferably, when the discriminating means determines that the signal received by the receiving means is a signal from the first remote control device, the control means discards the received signal.

Preferably, when the discriminating means determines that the signal received by the first receiving means is a signal from the first remote control device,
The control unit transfers the received signal to the external imaging device via the interface unit.

Preferably, signals from the first and second remote control devices received by the receiving means are transferred to the external imaging device.

[0035] More preferably, said control means controls said imaging means based on a signal from said second remote control device input through said receiving means or said interface means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus which is used by being connected to an external imaging apparatus which can be remotely operated by a remote control apparatus, wherein the imaging apparatus is capable of remotely operating the remote control apparatus. Imaging means for taking an image, control means for controlling the operation of the imaging means, receiving means for receiving a signal from the remote control device and transmitting the signal to the control means, and a signal received by the receiving means for the imaging device There is provided a determination unit for determining whether or not the signal is for remote operation, and an interface unit for connecting to the external imaging device.

[0037] Preferably, when the discriminating means determines that the signal received by the receiving means is not a signal for remotely controlling the imaging apparatus, the control means discards the received signal.

Preferably, when the discriminating means determines that the signal received by the receiving means is not a signal for remotely controlling the imaging apparatus, the control means converts the received signal via the interface means. Transfer to the external imaging device.

Preferably, all signals from the remote control device received by the receiving means are transferred to the external imaging device.

[0040] More preferably, when the discriminating means determines that the signal is for remotely controlling the imaging device, the control means controls the imaging means based on the signal.

Further, more preferably, the imaging device is a person camera or a document camera.

Further, more preferably, a transfer method from the image pickup device to the external image pickup device and a transfer method from the external image pickup device to the image pickup device are individually set.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication method in a system for communicating a command and data input from input means between a first device and a second device, wherein A transfer method from a device to the second device and a transfer method from the second device to the first device are individually set.

[0044] Preferably, the first device is connected to the second device.
The command and data are transferred to the first device only when necessary, and when the command and data are communicated from the second device to the first device, the command and data are transferred at a constant cycle.

Preferably, when the command and data are transmitted from the first device to the second device, the transfer is performed in the control transfer mode, and the interrupt transfer is performed from the second device to the first device. Transfer in mode.

Preferably, the second device is plural.
Connected to the system.

Preferably, the first device is a host device, and the second device is a terminal device.

Preferably, the first device and the second device are imaging devices.

[0049]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In the first embodiment, a person camera 100 such as a remotely controllable video camera is
00 remote controller 101, light receiving element 102, microcomputer 1
03, PAN motor drive unit 104, TILT motor drive unit 105, imaging unit 106, communication interface 10
Consists of seven. The document camera 200 includes a light receiving element 202, a microcomputer 203, an imaging unit 206, a communication interface 2
07. The communication interface 107 of the human camera 100 and the communication interface 207 of the document camera 200 are connected by a communication cable 300.

Next, the operation of the imaging system having the above configuration will be described. When the PAN switch of the remote controller 101 is pressed, a PAN command is issued, and when the TILT switch is pressed, a TILT command is issued.
Is transmitted as a signal. When the light receiving element 102 receives a command from the remote controller 101, it converts the received command into an electric signal and transmits it to the microcomputer 103. The microcomputer 103 interprets the content of the command, and drives the PAN motor drive unit 104 if the command is a PAN drive command, and drives the TILT motor drive unit 105 if the command is a TILT drive command. When the PAN motor drive unit 104 is driven, the imaging unit 106
When the TILT motor drive unit 105 is driven in the AN direction, the direction of the camera 100 is changed in the TILT direction.

Similarly, the light receiving element 20 of the document camera 200
Also in 2, when a command is received from the remote controller 101, the command is converted into an electric signal and transmitted to the microcomputer 203. The microcomputer 203 transmits the received command to the microcomputer 103 via the communication interface 207 of the document camera 200 and the communication interface 107 of the person camera 100 as they are. When receiving the command, the microcomputer 103 interprets the content of the command in the same manner as when the command is received from the light receiving element 102.
If the motor drive unit 104 is a TILT command, TI
The LT motor driving unit 105 is driven.

According to the first embodiment, as described above, the light receiving element 202 is provided on the
1 receives the command from the document camera,
00, the person camera 100 can be operated.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an imaging system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the remote controller 2 for the document camera 200.
01 is provided. A remote control 101 for a person camera is set in
For 0, there is a remote controller 201 for a document camera, and there are two pairs of operation systems. Other components are basically the same as those described with reference to FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted. However, since the document camera remote controller 201 has been added, the operations of the microcomputer 103 and the microcomputer 203 are different from the operations described in the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the imaging system having the above configuration will be described.

First, the operation of the operation system of the person camera 100 and the person camera remote controller 101 will be described with reference to FIG.

When the PAN switch of the person camera remote controller 101 is pressed, a PAN command is transmitted as a signal, and when the TILT switch is pressed, a TILT command is transmitted as a signal from the person camera remote controller 101. Steps
When the light receiving element 102 receives a command from the remote controller for human camera 101 in S10, the received command is converted into an electric signal and transmitted to the microcomputer 103. The microcomputer 103 interprets the contents of the command (here, step
(YES in S11), if it is a PAN drive command, it drives PAN motor drive unit 104, and if it is a TILT drive command, it drives TILT motor drive unit 105 (step S12). The imaging unit 106 operates in the PAN direction when the PAN motor driving unit 104 is driven, and operates in the TILT direction when the TILT motor driving unit 105 is driven. Also, a command from the document camera remote controller 201 is transmitted to the light receiving element 102.
(NO in step S11),
The microcomputer 103 ignores this.

Next, the operation of the operation system of the document camera 200 and the document camera remote controller 201 will be described with reference to FIG.

When the document camera 200 receives a command from the remote controller for person camera 101 or the remote controller for document camera 201 via the light receiving element 202 in step S20, the microcomputer 203 determines whether the command is from the remote controller for document camera 201. Is (Step S
(YES at 21) (step S2)
2). Further, all commands received in step S23 are transmitted to human camera 100 via communication interface 207, communication cable 300, and communication interface 107.

When the person camera 100 receives a command from the document camera 200 via the communication interface 107 (step S10), similarly to the processing described above with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
Interprets the contents of the command and executes only the command transmitted from the remote controller 101 for the human camera, such as driving the PAN motor drive unit 104 for the PAN drive command and the TILT motor drive unit 105 for the TILT drive command (step S11). YES, step S12), and ignores the command from the document camera remote controller 101 (step S12).
(NO in S11).

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described.

The third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that, when the document camera 200 receives a command transmitted from the remote controller 101 for a human camera, the remote controller 101 for a human camera The point is that only the transmitted command is transmitted. The operation of the operation system of the document camera 200 and the document camera remote controller 201 will be described below with reference to FIG.

In step S30, the document camera 20
When the microcomputer 203 receives a command through the light receiving element 202 of the document camera 0, the command is transmitted to the remote controller 2 for the document camera.
If the command is from 01 (YES in step S31),
The command is executed (Step S32). Also, the microcomputer 203 has a command table of the remote control 101 for the human camera so that it can be determined whether or not the command is from the remote control 101 for the human camera. If (NO in step S31), the image is transmitted from communication interface 207 to person camera 100 (step S3).
3).

When the person camera 100 receives a command from the document camera 200 via the communication interface 107, the microcomputer 103 interprets the content of the command,
If it is a PAN drive command, the PAN motor drive unit 104
TILT drive command if TILT drive command 105
Drive.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, in the third embodiment, since only commands from the document camera 200 to the person camera 100 are transmitted from the person camera remote controller, traffic on the communication cable can be reduced.

(Fourth Embodiment) Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an imaging system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, a person camera 100 and a document camera 20
0 and a common remote controller 400. The common remote control 400 combines remote control functions for a person camera and a document camera into one.

Next, the operation will be described. The common remote controller 400 transmits a command as a signal when an operation switch such as a PAN switch or a TILT switch is pressed.

Next, the operation of the imaging system having the above configuration will be described.

First, the operation of the human camera 100 will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

In the human camera 100, when the microcomputer 103 receives a command from the common remote controller 400 via the light receiving element 102 of the human camera 100 in step S40, the microcomputer 103 transmits the command to the PAN command or the TILT command in step S41. It is determined whether or not the command is for the human camera 100 such as. If the command is for the human camera 100 (step S41)
In step S42, for example, the PAN motor drive unit 104 is driven for a PAN drive command, and the TILT motor drive unit 105 is driven for a TILT drive command. But,
If the received command is not a command for the person camera 100 (NO in step S41), the command is transmitted to the document camera 200 via the communication interface 107 in step S43. Note that the microcomputer 203 of the document camera 200
Person camera 100 via communication interface 207
When it receives a command from it, it executes it.

Next, the operation of the document camera 200 will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S30, the document camera 20
When the microcomputer 203 receives a command from the common remote controller 400 via the light receiving element 202 of step S3, step S3
1, the microcomputer 203 sends the command to the document camera 200
It is determined whether the command is for use. If the command is a command for the document camera 200 (Y in step S31)
ES), the command is executed in step S32, and if the received command is not a command of the document camera 200 such as a PAN command or a TILT command (step S3)
1 is NO), and in step S33 the communication interface 20
7 to the person camera 100. In the human camera 100, upon receiving a command from the document camera 200 via the communication interface 107, the microcomputer 103 interprets the content of the command, and instructs the PAN motor drive unit 104 to execute a PAN drive command and the TILT motor drive to execute a TILT drive command. The unit 105 is driven.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the command from the common remote controller 400 is
00, if one of the document cameras 200 receives
Both cameras can be operated.

(Fifth Embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The fifth embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in that the document camera 200 is
Is transmitted, but the command is not transmitted from the driving camera 100 to the document camera 200. Hereinafter, the operation of the driving camera 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S10, the person camera 10
When the microcomputer 103 receives a command from the common remote controller 400 via the light receiving element 102 of step S0, the process proceeds to step S1.
In step 1, the microcomputer 103 determines whether the command is a command for the human camera 100, such as a PAN command or a TILT command. If the command is for the human camera 100 (YES in step S11), step S1
In step 2, if the command is a PAN drive command, the PAN motor drive unit 104 is driven. If the command is a TILT drive command, the TILT motor drive unit 105 is driven. However, if the received command is not a command of the person camera 100 (step
(NO in S11), the command is not transmitted to the document camera 200, and the command is ignored.

On the other hand, the operation of the document camera 200 is the same as the operation described with reference to FIG. 5 in the fourth embodiment.
02, the microcomputer 203 receives a command from the common remote controller 400 via the microcomputer 2 in step S31.
03 determines whether the command is a command for the document camera 200 or not. If the command is a command for the document camera 200 (YES in step S31),
The command is executed in S32, and the received command is P
If the command is not a command of the document camera 200 such as an AN command or a TILT command (NO in step S31), the command is transmitted to the person camera 100 via the communication interface 207 in step S33. In the human camera 100, when a command is received from the document camera 200 via the communication interface 107, the microcomputer 103 interprets the content of the command.
If the motor drive unit 104 is a TILT drive command, TI
The LT motor driving unit 105 is driven.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, even if the person camera 100 receives a command for the document camera 200, it ignores the command without transmitting it to the document camera 200. Only when the document camera 200 receives a command from the document camera 400,
Since both the document camera 200 and the document camera 200 can be operated, traffic on the communication cable can be reduced when it is not necessary to operate the document camera 200 from the common remote controller 400 via the person camera 100.

In the first to fifth embodiments, an example in which an imaging system is constructed by a person camera and a document camera has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various types of imaging systems are available. It can be applied to an imaging device.

The operation of the camera controlled by the remote controller is not limited to the above-described operation. For example, when operating a human camera, in addition to pan and tilt, for example, zoom,
It goes without saying that various controls such as wide control can be performed.

(Sixth Embodiment) FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

The communication system according to the eighth embodiment comprises:
A host device 700 having a communication interface 701 and a CPU 702; an input unit 801; a microcomputer 802;
Terminal device 800 having communication interface 803
And a communication cable 900 for connecting the host device 700 and the terminal device 800.

In the sixth embodiment, the host device 70
When transferring commands and data from 0 to the terminal device 800, the commands and data are transferred from the CPU 702 to the communication interface 803 of the terminal device 800 via the communication interface 701. At this time the CPU
Reference numeral 702 performs transfer in the control transfer mode only when command and data transfer occurs.

Next, from the terminal device 800 to the host device 70
When transferring commands and data to 0, first,
The terminal device 800 connects the communication cable 90 to the host device 700.
0, the microcomputer 802 of the terminal device 800
Is transmitted as configuration information to the CPU 702 of the host device 700 via the communication interfaces 803 and 701 in what period and how much data amount is to be transferred. When the CPU 702 receives this information, it performs transfer scheduling. When any command or data to be transferred to the host device 700 is input to the input unit 801 after the end of the scheduling, the microcomputer 802
Detects it and transfers it to the host device 700 via the communication interface 803. At this time, the microcomputer 8
02 transfers commands and data to the host device 700 in an interrupt transfer mode.

As described above, when commands and data are transferred from the host device 700 to the terminal device 800, they are transferred in the control transfer mode, and when the commands and data are transferred from the terminal device 800 to the host device 700, they are transferred in the interrupt transfer mode. By changing the method, the transfer is performed only when the command and data need to be transferred from the host device, and the required data amount can be transferred from the terminal device at the transfer cycle required by the terminal device. .

(Seventh Embodiment) FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. 9, the same components as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The seventh embodiment differs from the eighth embodiment in that the host device 700 ′ further has a communication interface 703, the input unit 1001 and the microcomputer 1.
002 and a terminal device 1000 having a communication interface 1003. The communication interface 703 of the host device 700 'and the terminal device 1
000 are connected by a communication cable 901.

In the seventh embodiment, the host device 700 ′
Command and data are transferred from the terminal device 800 or the terminal device 1000 to the terminal device 800 or the terminal device 1000,
From the CPU 702 to the communication interface 803 of the terminal device 800 via the communication interface 701 and the communication cable 900, or to the communication interface 703,
The data is transferred to the communication interface 1003 of the terminal device 1000 via the communication cable 901. At this time, the CPU 702 of the host device 700 'transfers the command and data to the terminal device 800 or the terminal device 1000 in the control transfer mode only when the transfer of the command and the data occurs.

Next, from the terminal device 800 to the host device 70
In the case of transferring a command and data to 0 ', first, when the terminal device 800 is connected to the host device 700' by the communication cable 900, the microcomputer 802 of the terminal device 800 determines how much data amount and in what period. Is transferred as configuration information to the CPU 702 of the host device 700 via the communication interfaces 803 and 701. When the CPU 702 receives this information, it performs transfer scheduling.

The terminal device 1000 is connected to the host device 70.
When the terminal device 800 is connected, the same processing as when the terminal device 800 is connected is performed.

After the scheduling is completed, the terminal device 80
When any command or data to be transferred to the host device 700 'is input to the
2 is detected and transferred to the host device 700 ′ via the communication interface 803 and the communication cable 900. At this time, the microcomputer 802 operates to transfer a command to the host device 700 'in the interrupt transfer mode.

The input means 100 of the terminal device 1000
The same operation is performed when any command and data to be transferred to the host device 700 'are input to the host device 700'.

Next, in the communication system shown in FIG.
A case where commands and data are transferred from the terminal device 800 to the terminal device 300 will be described.

The command and data input to the input means 801 of the terminal device 800 are detected by the microcomputer 802,
A communication interface 703 of the host device 700 ′ via the communication interface 803 and the communication cable 900.
Transferred to At this time, the microcomputer 802 transfers commands and data to the host device 700 'in the interrupt transfer mode. Next, the CPU 702 of the host device 700 detects a command and data transferred from the terminal device 800. The transmission destination of the command and data is the terminal device 1000
If so, the communication interface 70
3. Transfer to the terminal device 1000 via the communication cable 901. At this time, the CPU 701 operates to transfer commands and data to the terminal device 1000 in the control transfer mode. In this manner, the microcomputer 1002 of the terminal device 1000 can receive the command and data transferred from the terminal device 800 via the communication interface 1003.

Also, the terminal device 1000 to the terminal device 80
The same operation is performed when a command and data are transferred to 0. That is, from the terminal device 1000 to the host device 70
0 'is the interrupt transfer mode and the host device 700
To the terminal device 800 in the control transfer mode.

As described above, according to the seventh embodiment, even when a plurality of terminal devices are connected to the host device, the host device is in the control transfer mode and the terminal device is in the control transfer mode. By changing the transfer method such as the interrupt transfer mode, transfer is performed only when the transfer of commands and data is required from the host device, and the required data is transmitted from the terminal device at the transfer cycle required by the terminal device. Amount can be transferred. Also, when transferring commands and data between the terminal devices, the required amount of data can be transmitted from the terminal device to the host device in a transfer cycle required by the terminal device, and from the host device to the terminal device. Transfer can be performed only when necessary.

The communication method described in the sixth and seventh embodiments may be used for the communication in the imaging system described in the first to fifth embodiments.

[0101]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A device that is not controlled by the remote control is also provided with a light receiving unit, and the command is notified to the device that is controlled by the remote control by communication. Can be operated.

Even when a device other than the device to be operated by the remote control receives a command from the remote control, the device not to be operated transmits the command to the device to be operated by communication, so that the device to be operated is not identified. Can operate the equipment.

Further, in a system including a plurality of devices and one common remote controller for operating the devices, a device transmitted by the remote controller is received only by one of the devices, and the device intended by the operator is determined. Can be operated.

Also, by changing the transfer mode of the command and data between the host device and the terminal device between the case of transferring from the host device to the terminal device and the case of transferring from the terminal device to the host device, it is possible to change the mode of the communication system. Transfer can be performed most efficiently, and increase of useless traffic on the communication system can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the person camera according to the second and fifth embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of a document camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the document camera according to the third, fourth, and fifth embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a person camera according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to a sixth example of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to a seventh example of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 person camera 101 remote control for person camera 102 light receiving element 103 microcomputer 104 PAN motor drive section 105 TILT motor drive section 106 imaging section 107 communication interface 200 document camera 201 remote control for document camera 202 light receiving element 203 microcomputer 206 imaging section 207 communication interface 300 communication Cable 400 Common remote controller 700, 700 'Host device 701 Communication interface 702 CPU 703 Communication interface 800 Terminal device 801 Input means 802 Microcomputer 803 Communication interface 900 Communication cable 901 Communication cable 1000 Terminal device 1001 Input means 1002 Microcomputer 1003 Communication interface

Claims (32)

[Claims] 1. A first imaging device, a remote control device for remotely controlling the first imaging device, a second imaging device, the first imaging device and the second imaging device, An imaging system comprising: a first imaging device for imaging an object; a control device for controlling an operation of the first imaging device; and the remote control device. And a first interface unit for connecting to the second imaging device, wherein the first imaging unit captures an object. A second imaging unit for receiving a signal from the remote control device, a second reception unit for receiving a signal from the remote control device, and a signal from the remote control device received by the second reception unit. Second interface means for transferring to the device, the control means, based on a signal from the remote control device input via the first receiving means or the first interface means, An imaging system, wherein the first imaging unit is controlled. 2. A first imaging device, a first remote control device for remotely operating the first imaging device, a second imaging device, and a remote control for operating the second imaging device. An imaging system comprising: a second remote control device; and a connection unit that connects the first imaging device and the second imaging device, wherein the first imaging device has a first image capturing object. Imaging means, control means for controlling the operation of the first imaging means, first receiving means for receiving signals from the first and second remote control devices and transmitting the signals to the control means, A first determining unit for determining whether the signal received by the first receiving unit is a signal from the first remote control device or a signal from the second remote control device; and connecting to the second imaging device. And a second interface for receiving a signal from the first and second remote control devices. Receiving means; second determining means for determining whether a signal received by the second receiving means is a signal from a first remote control device or a signal from a second remote control device; and the second receiving means And second interface means for transferring a signal from the first remote control device received by the means to the first imaging device, wherein the control means comprises: the first receiving means or the second The first remote control device based on a signal input from the first remote control device input through the first interface means.
An imaging system characterized by controlling the imaging means. 3. The control means discards the received signal when the first determination means determines that the signal received by the first reception means is a signal from a second remote control device. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein
3. The imaging system according to claim 1. 4. When the first determination means determines that the signal received by the first reception means is a signal from a second remote control device, the control means converts the received signal to the second remote control device. The imaging system according to claim 2, wherein the image data is transferred to the second imaging device via a first interface unit. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second imaging device transfers signals from the first and second remote control devices received by the second receiving means to the first imaging device. Item 5. The imaging system according to any one of Items 2 to 4. 6. The second imaging device, when judging that the signal received by the second receiving means is a signal from a first remote control device, converts the received signal into the first imaging signal. The imaging system according to claim 2, wherein the image data is transferred to a device. 7. A first imaging device, a second imaging device,
An image pickup system comprising: a remote control device for remotely operating the first and second image pickup devices; and connection means for connecting the first image pickup device and the second image pickup device. The apparatus includes: first imaging means for imaging an object; control means for controlling an operation of the first imaging means; and first receiving means for receiving a signal from the remote control device and transmitting the signal to the control means. A first determining unit that determines whether a signal received by the first receiving unit is a signal for remotely operating a first imaging device or a signal for remotely operating a second imaging device; First interface means for connecting to a second imaging device, wherein the second imaging device has a second imaging device for imaging a subject, and a signal from the remote control device. A second receiving means for transmitting the signal and a signal for remotely controlling the first imaging device or a signal for remotely controlling the second imaging device. And a second interface unit for transferring a signal from the remote control device received by the second receiving unit to the first imaging device, wherein the control unit includes: An imaging system, wherein the first imaging unit is controlled based on a signal input via the first reception unit or the first interface unit for remotely operating the first imaging device. 8. When the first determination means determines that the signal received by the first reception means is a signal for remotely operating the second imaging device, the control means determines whether the received signal is a signal for remote control of the second imaging device. The imaging system according to claim 7, wherein is discarded. 9. When the first determination means determines that the signal received by the first reception means is a signal for remotely operating the second imaging device, the control means determines whether the received signal is Is transferred to the second imaging device via the first interface means. 10. The second imaging device, when judging that the signal received by the second receiving means is a signal for remotely operating the first imaging device, converts the received signal to the second imaging device. The imaging system according to claim 7, wherein the image data is transferred to one imaging device. 11. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the first imaging device is a person camera, and the second imaging device is a document camera. 12. A method for individually setting a transfer method from the first image pickup device to the second image pickup device and a transfer method from the second image pickup device to the first image pickup device. An imaging system according to any one of claims 2 to 11. 13. An imaging device used by being connected to an external imaging device that can be remotely operated by a remote control device, comprising: imaging means for imaging a subject; receiving means for receiving a signal from the remote control device; An image capturing apparatus comprising: an interface unit configured to transfer a signal from the remote control device received by the receiving unit to the external image capturing device. 14. A device connected to an external imaging device which can be remotely controlled by a first remote control device,
An imaging device remotely controllable by a second remote control device, comprising: imaging means for imaging a subject; control means for controlling operation of the imaging means; and signals from the first and second remote control devices. Receiving means for receiving a signal from the first remote control device or a signal from the second remote control device; and receiving means for receiving the signal from the first remote control device or the second remote control device. An image pickup apparatus comprising: an interface unit for connecting to the image pickup apparatus. 15. The control unit discards the received signal when the determination unit determines that the signal received by the reception unit is a signal from a first remote control device. Item 15. The imaging device according to Item 14. 16. When the discriminating means determines that the signal received by the first receiving means is a signal from a first remote control device, the control means transmits the received signal to the interface means. The image data is transferred to the external image pickup device via an external device.
An imaging device according to claim 1. 17. The imaging device according to claim 14, wherein signals from the first and second remote control devices received by the receiving unit are transferred to the external imaging device. 18. The control unit according to claim 14, wherein the control unit controls the imaging unit based on a signal input from the second remote control device via the reception unit or the interface unit. Or 1
8. The imaging device according to any one of 7. 19. An image pickup apparatus which is used by being connected to an external image pickup apparatus which can be remotely operated by a remote control apparatus, and which is remotely operated by said remote control apparatus. Control means for controlling operation; receiving means for receiving a signal from the remote control device and transmitting the signal to the control means; and determining whether or not the signal received by the receiving means is a signal for remotely operating the imaging device. An imaging apparatus comprising: a determination unit for determining; and an interface unit for connecting to the external imaging apparatus. 20. The control device according to claim 10, wherein the control unit discards the received signal when the determination unit determines that the signal received by the reception unit is not a signal for remotely operating the imaging apparatus. The imaging device according to claim 19. 21. When the determination means determines that the signal received by the reception means is not a signal for remotely operating the imaging device, the control means converts the received signal to the external device via an interface means. The imaging device according to claim 19, wherein the image data is transferred to the imaging device. 22. The imaging device according to claim 19, wherein all signals from the remote control device received by the reception unit are transferred to the external imaging device. 23. The method according to claim 23, wherein when the determination unit determines that the signal is a signal for remotely operating the imaging device, the control unit controls the imaging unit based on the signal. 23. The imaging device according to any one of 19 to 22. 24. The imaging device according to claim 13, wherein the imaging device is a person camera. 25. The imaging device according to claim 13, wherein the imaging device is a document camera. 26. The transfer method from the image pickup device to the external image pickup device and the transfer method from the external image pickup device to the image pickup device are individually set.
26. The imaging device according to any one of claims 25 to 25. 27. A communication method in a system for communicating commands and data input from input means between a first device and a second device, wherein the transfer is from the first device to the second device. A communication method, wherein a method and a transfer method from the second device to the first device are individually set. 28. When the command and data are transferred from the first device to the second device only when necessary, and when the command and data are communicated from the second device to the first device, 28. The communication method according to claim 27, wherein the transfer is performed at a constant cycle. 29. When communicating commands and data from the first device to the second device, the command and data are transferred in a control transfer mode, and the command and data are transferred from the second device to the first device in an interrupt transfer mode. The communication method according to claim 27, wherein the transfer is performed. 30. The system according to claim 27, wherein a plurality of said second devices are connected to said system.
Communication method described in any of 31. The first device is a host device,
The communication method according to any one of claims 27 to 39, wherein the second device is a terminal device. 32. The communication method according to claim 27, wherein the first device and the second device are imaging devices.