JP2001326845A - Electronic camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera system that can use and control two remote controllers and two camera bodies or more with a wireless network for short distance wireless data communication. SOLUTION: The remote controllers 20A, 20B are independent of the camera body 10. Each of the remote controllers 20A, 20B is provided with a display device 21 that monitors a photographed image of the camera body 10, a control key 22 and a microphone 23. The camera body 10 and the remote controllers 20A, 20B are mutually linked in short distance wireless data communication.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic camera device controlled by a remote controller.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electronic cameras for photographing still images and moving images have been widely used in place of cameras having an optical mechanism. In the case of a camera having an optical mechanism, there is a camera in which shutter control can be performed by a remote controller for user convenience.
In the case of a video camera, a camera capable of transmitting image data to a remote controller and monitoring a captured image on the remote controller has also been developed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-38797). In addition, a technique has been developed in which a monitor portion of a video camera is separated from the video camera and used as a remote controller (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 8-20501).
No. 6).

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems to be solved. Regardless of still images and moving images, the use of electronic cameras tends to be further expanded. Therefore, development of a remote controller that can cope with various usages of the electronic camera is desired. Further, development of a remote controller with even better operability is desired.

[0004]

The present invention employs the following structure to solve the above problems.

<Structure 1> A camera body and a remote controller which is independent of the camera body and includes a display for monitoring a photographed image of the camera body, wherein the camera body and the remote controller are provided with a short-range wireless data An electronic camera device linked by communication.

[0006] An electronic camera acquires a captured image as electronic data. The data is transmitted as a monitor image. The remote controller includes a display for monitoring a captured image, and controls the camera body using short-range wireless data communication technology. Thereby, good operability control without directivity can be performed. It is preferable that the short-range wireless data communication is a standardized data link having versatility, such as Bluetooth. Thereby, control of various accessories of the camera and the like can be performed by the common protocol.

<Structure 2> The electronic camera device according to Structure 1, wherein the remote controller has a control function of a camera accessory.

With the short-range wireless data communication technology, not only the camera body but also the accessories of the camera, such as the swing control of a tripod on which the camera is installed, can be controlled by a remote controller. In this case, according to the short-range wireless data communication technology such as Bluetooth, it is easy to control the camera body and its accessories separately with one remote controller, and each remote controller is not required.

<Configuration 3> The electronic camera device according to Configuration 1, wherein the camera body and the remote controller are connected by a detachable connector for exchanging control data with each other.

When a remote controller is connected to the camera body, it is used integrally with the body. At this time, the short-range wireless data communication function is not used. When the two are separated, the short-range wireless data communication function operates. If you do not provide a monitor display on the camera body,
The camera body is downsized.

<Structure 4> The electronic camera device according to Structure 1, further comprising a plurality of remote controllers each having a function of independently controlling the camera body.

Each remote controller may have exactly the same function, or may have different functions. A plurality of persons can control one camera body. Alternatively, one camera body can be controlled from a plurality of locations. Even in such a case, since multiplexing is possible according to the short-range wireless data communication technology, contention adjustment and the like can be easily performed.

<Structure 5> In the electronic camera device described in Structure 1 or 4, the remote controller includes a microphone for voice input recorded together with a photographed image.

There is an effect that the voice of the photographer can be input while photographing using the remote controller. Further, the remote controller can be used as a sound collecting microphone. Furthermore, stereo recording is possible by arranging remote controllers at a plurality of locations.

<Structure 6> In the electronic camera device described in Structure 1 or 4, the remote controller includes a speaker for monitoring a sound recorded during photographing.

Microphones can be attached to both the camera body and a plurality of remote controllers, but these sounds are mixed and recorded. If a speaker for monitoring the content is provided in the remote controller, the sound to be recorded can be monitored while operating the remote controller.

<Structure 7> A camera body and a remote controller which is independent of the camera body and includes a display for monitoring a photographed image of the camera body. The remote controller has a mobile phone function, and is provided with a camera body. An electronic camera device, wherein the remote controller is linked by wireless data communication.

The mobile phone has a liquid crystal monitor, a microphone, a large number of keys and communication functions, and can also be used as a remote controller for a camera. In addition, since the image captured by the camera can be monitored at a remote place, it can be used for a security system or the like.

<Configuration 8> An electronic camera device according to configuration 7, wherein a plurality of cameras are provided, and a remote controller has a function of selecting and controlling the plurality of cameras.

When a portable telephone is used as a remote controller to control a security system or the like, a plurality of cameras can be freely controlled to monitor a photographed image.

<Structure 9> The electronic camera device according to Structure 7, wherein the remote controller controls the camera by dial tone.

If the mobile phone is connected to the camera body, various controls can be performed using, for example, a dial tone. The system uses an existing telephone reservation system or the like as it is. Thus, there is no need to attach a dedicated remote controller to the camera body, and a multifunctional electronic camera device can be provided at a low price.

<Structure 10> The electronic camera device according to Structure 7, wherein a short-range wireless data communication function is added to the mobile phone.

If a short-distance wireless data communication function is added to the mobile phone, various controls can be realized by connecting to the camera body and accessories using a general-purpose protocol such as Bluetooth. Also, a camera-specific remote controller is not required.

<Structure 11> In the electronic camera device described in Structure 1 or 10, an alarm device for issuing an alarm when a link by short-range wireless data communication is abnormally disconnected is provided on the remote controller side. An electronic camera device characterized by the following.

The remote controller is linked to the camera by short-range wireless data communication. However, for example, control becomes impossible in a place away from the camera by more than an allowable amount. The alarm operates to notify the user of this. Furthermore, the alarm can also issue an alarm for preventing misplacement. When the operation is disabled, the alarm is issued when the operation is performed. On the other hand, it is preferable that the alarm in the case of the misplacement prevention is issued when the user performs no operation and detects that the link is abnormally disconnected.

[0027]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below using specific examples. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a specific usage example of the electronic camera device of the present invention. In the figure, a camera body 10 is a device that can capture a still image or a moving image by taking it as electronic image data. This may be a video camera. In the present invention, a camera that shoots still images and a camera that shoots moving images are all described as electronic cameras. The camera body 10 includes a shutter 11, a lens 12, and an antenna 13. The camera body 10 is supported on a tripod 14.

The basic structure of the camera body 10 is not different from the known structure. In this example, an antenna 13 is provided to remotely control the camera body 10 by short-range wireless data communication. The tripod 14 that supports the camera body 10 is provided with a gantry 15 that can adjust the support height and elevation angle of the camera body 10. The support height and elevation angle adjustment mechanism of the gantry 15 are electrically driven, and an antenna 16 is provided to remotely control them. In addition, a support portion having a function of adjusting a support height, an elevation angle, and the like may be integrated with the bottom of the camera body 10. However, an example in which the camera body 10 and the gantry 15 are separately provided will be described here. .

In the example of this figure, there are two remote controllers 20A and 20B independent of the camera body 10. These are both for controlling the camera body 10 and the tripod 14. Both remote controllers are
Display 21, control key 22, microphone 23
And an antenna 24. The display 21 is for monitoring an image captured by the camera body 10.
The microphone 23 is for collecting sounds around the remote controller. The control key 22 has a function of controlling the shutter 11 and the lens 12 of the camera body 10, for example. Further, it has a function of controlling the tripod mount 15.

The remote controllers 20A and 20B and the camera body 10 are linked by short-range wireless data communication. For short-range wireless data communication, for example, Blu
A versatile standardized data link such as ethoth is suitable. This data link enables not only one-to-one communication but also high-speed data communication between three or more devices. Therefore, the two remote controllers 20
Regardless of which of A and 20B is used, it is possible to freely and easily communicate with the camera body 10 and control it.

This device can control much more freely than infrared communication which has been frequently used in cordless remote controllers. That is, as shown in the drawing, the two remote controllers 20A and 20B arranged in completely different directions with respect to the camera body 10 can control the camera body 10 without any trouble.

Further, the remote controllers 20A, 20A,
0B uses the same data link to connect the camera body 10
In addition, the tripod 14 is controlled. That is, the remote controllers 20A and 20B can establish a data link with the tripod 14 and control the gantry 15.
In addition, it is possible to control various accessories (not shown) provided separately from the camera body 10, for example, a telephoto lens.

In this case, the camera body 10 and the tripod 1 are attached to the remote controller 20A or 20B.
4 are set. Then, when the camera body 10 is controlled and the tripod 14 is controlled, the switch (not shown) is switched each time to switch the data link destination.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the main part of the electronic camera. As shown in the figure, a connector 1, a cordless link 2, a communication control unit 1 are provided inside a camera body 10.
8 and a main body control unit 19 are provided. On the other hand, inside the remote controller 20, a connector 3, a cordless link 4, a communication control unit 25, and a remote control control unit 26 are provided. The display 21, the control keys 22, and the microphone 23 are connected to the remote control controller 26.

Camera body 10 and remote controller 2
0 can be connected by a detachable connector that exchanges control data with each other. This connector is provided on the back of the camera body 10 or the remote controller 20 or the like. When the connector 1 and the connector 3 are connected, the camera body 10 and the remote controller 20 are integrated. By disconnecting the connectors 1 and 3 and enabling the cordless links 2 and 4, control by the remote controller 20 at a position away from the camera body 10 becomes possible. The cordless links 2 and 4 are, for example, Bluetooth interfaces.

The communication control section 18 of the camera body 10 and the communication control section 25 of the remote controller 20 control communication between the camera body 10 and the remote controller 20. As a result, image data for monitoring is transferred from the camera body 10 to the remote controller 20, and a command for controlling a shutter and a lens is received by the camera body 10 from the remote controller 20.

The main body control section 19 interprets the command received from the remote controller 20 and
Is a part including a driver or the like that directly drives a mechanism inside the device. The remote control controller 26 of the remote controller 20 supplies monitor image data to the display 21, generates a command corresponding to a signal input from the control key 22, and outputs an audio signal input from the microphone 23 to the camera 21. It has a function of transferring to the main body 10. Each functional block that performs the operation for remote control control as described above is the same as the conventional one, and further detailed description is omitted.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show an embodiment of an electronic camera according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 3A shows an example in which one remote controller controls one camera body, and FIG. An example of controlling the main body will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1A, for example, if two remote controllers 20A and 20B each having a built-in microphone as shown in FIG. At the same time, stereo recording becomes possible. Various other modes are conceivable for voice processing. For example, if a monitor speaker 29 is provided in the remote controller 20B shown in FIG. 7A, the sound recorded at the time of shooting can be monitored by the remote controller. Also, if a monitor speaker 29 is provided in the remote controller 20 shown in FIG. 2B, the sound recorded through the microphones built in the two camera bodies 10A and 10B during photographing can be monitored by the remote controller. Can be. Mixing of audio signals input from a plurality of microphones may be performed on the camera body side or on the remote controller side.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, for example, two electronic camera bodies 10A and 10B can be arranged at different places, respectively, and can be controlled by a single remote controller 20. This makes it possible to simultaneously photograph a wide range of scenes in which a subject can be photographed from various directions or cannot be photographed with a wide-angle lens. In the example of (a), three or more remote controllers may be used, and in the example of (b), three or more camera bodies may be used. Both the remote controller and the camera body can be used two or more. These are easily realized by a wireless network for short-range wireless data communication. Thus, various remote controls of the electronic camera become possible.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example in a case where a portable telephone is used as a remote controller. The illustrated camera main body 10 includes a mobile phone communication control unit 36, a dial tone analysis unit 35, and a main body control unit 19. Then, the mobile phone 31 operates as a remote controller of the camera body 10. The mobile phone 31 includes a display 32, keys 33, and a microphone. For example, a mobile phone 31 originates a call, receives a call to the camera body 10, and is connected through a telephone network. The mobile phone communication control unit 36 is a circuit including a modem or the like that performs incoming call control.

The dial tone analyzing section 35 is a portable telephone 3
1 dial tone is received and analyzed.
Is a circuit for generating the control signal of FIG. Main body control unit 19
Directly controls the internal mechanism of the camera body 10. The above electronic camera device can display an image taken by the camera body 10 on the display 32 of the mobile phone 31 and monitor the image by calling the camera body 10 with the mobile phone 31. In addition, the user can press the key 33 of the mobile phone 31 to generate a dial tone and control the shutter and lens of the camera body 10. This works exactly like the system for booking hotels and tickets over known push-button telephone lines. Of course, the voice input from the microphone 34 can be recorded on the camera body 10.

In the examples so far, a wireless network for short-range wireless data communication is used, so that the camera body 10 and the remote controller are required to be at a distance of less than ten and several meters. However, when the mobile phone 31 is used, a camera at a remote place can be controlled. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to a security system in a wide area.
In addition, since the camera body can be remotely controlled at any time with a portable telephone, the camera body does not need to have a dedicated remote controller. Therefore, the price of the camera body can be reduced. A short-range wireless data communication function may be added to the mobile phone to enable the same operation as in the above specific example.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams showing various specific examples of the electronic camera device. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a portable telephone is used in a security system, and FIG. FIG. 3C is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the assignment, and FIG. 3C is a block diagram illustrating a circuit example of a remote controller. (A) of the figure
Are four security camera bodies 10A, 10B, 10C,
10D is arranged so as to surround the monitoring area, and these cameras are controlled by the mobile phone 31.
The mobile phone 31 can switch the camera body to be connected one after another while watching the display 32, and can sequentially monitor images around the monitoring area.

(B) is an example in which the short-range wireless data communication function is effectively used. This is realized by configuring the remote controller as shown in FIG. In (b), when the remote controller 20 that controls the camera body 10 moves farther than the reach L of the radio wave, the data link is disconnected due to a communication error. If the remote controller 20 detects this abnormal disconnection and issues an alarm, the user holding the remote controller 20 will notice that the user is too far from the camera body 10. This can help prevent the camera body 10 from being left behind.

As shown in FIG. 5C, the remote controller 20 provided with the misplacement prevention function includes a cordless link 4, a communication control unit 25, a link disconnection detection unit 27, and an alarm 28. When the communication control unit 25 abnormally disconnects the data link due to a communication error, the link disconnection detection unit 27 detects the operation and notifies the alarm 28 of the operation. The alarm 28 is connected to the remote controller 2 by a buzzer or the like.
The user 0 is notified that the link has been abnormally disconnected. As described above, the above-described electronic camera device can have not only a cordless control function but also a lost object prevention function.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a specific example of use of an electronic camera device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a main part of the electronic camera.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the electronic camera of the present invention, and (a)
Shows an example of controlling one camera body by a plurality of remote controllers, and (b) shows an example of controlling a plurality of camera bodies by one remote controller.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example when a mobile phone is used as a remote controller.

5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams showing various specific examples of the electronic camera device, wherein FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a mobile phone is used in a security system, and FIG. Explanatory drawing showing an example, (c) is a circuit example block diagram of a remote controller.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 camera body 11 shutter 12 lens 13 antenna 14 tripod 15 mount 16 antenna 20A, 20B remote controller 21 display 22 key 23 microphone 24 antenna

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C022 AA01 AA13 AB61 AB65 AC01 AC27 AC52 AC54 AC71 AC72 AC74 AC78 5C054 AA01 CA04 CC02 CG00 CH01 CH02 DA07 DA09 EA01 EA03 EA05 HA18 5C056 AA01 BA10 CA13 CA19 CA20 EA06 EA02 EA02 EA02 EA02 EA02

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A camera comprising: a camera body; and a remote controller that is independent of the camera body and includes a display that monitors a captured image of the camera body. The camera body and the remote controller are connected by short-range wireless data communication. An electronic camera device characterized by being linked. 2. The electronic camera device according to claim 1, wherein the remote controller has a function of controlling accessories of the camera. 3. The electronic camera device according to claim 1, wherein the camera body and the remote controller are connected by a detachable connector for exchanging control data with each other. 4. The electronic camera device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of remote controllers each having a function of independently controlling a camera body. 5. The electronic camera device according to claim 1, wherein the remote controller includes a microphone for voice input recorded together with a captured image. 6. The electronic camera device according to claim 1, wherein the remote controller includes a speaker that monitors a sound recorded during shooting. 7. A camera system comprising: a camera body; and a remote controller that is independent of the camera body and includes a display that monitors a captured image of the camera body. The remote controller has a mobile phone function. An electronic camera device, wherein the controller and the controller are linked by wireless data communication. 8. The electronic camera device according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of cameras are provided, and the remote controller has a function of selecting and controlling the plurality of cameras. 9. The electronic camera device according to claim 7, wherein the remote controller controls the camera by dial tone. 10. The electronic camera device according to claim 7, wherein a short-range wireless data communication function is added to the mobile phone. 11. The electronic camera device according to claim 1, wherein an alarm that issues an alarm when a link by short-range wireless data communication is abnormally disconnected is provided on a remote controller side. Electronic camera device.