JP2003023564A - Imaging device for vehicle and control method therefor, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging pickup device for vehicle with which a user can photograph own image easily by himself. SOLUTION: Imaging operation by a camera 12 equipped in a vehicle 100 and a storing operation for storing a photographed image into a storing medium are controlled by an operating signal received from a portable device 2 according to an operation of depressing a switch by the user.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle image pickup device, and more particularly, to an image pickup device suitable for being mounted on an automobile, which is a typical vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 9-3327.
1, JP-A-9-142339, JP-A-9-11817
8, JP-A-9-163357, JP-A-9-039739
Proposes a technique for photographing the surroundings of a vehicle with a camera (imaging device) mounted on the vehicle.

[0003]

According to the above-mentioned conventional technique, the situation around the vehicle can be easily photographed and can be effectively used for analysis of the cause of the accident, driving assistance, etc. The conventional imaging device described above can be used only for its original purpose.

By the way, when a plurality of people go out for a drive by using an automobile, some passengers often have a camera or a video camera, so that they can photograph each other. However, when a driver uses a car to go out by himself, there are many restrictions and it is not easy to photograph himself / herself by using a camera or a video camera at a destination.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle-use image pickup apparatus, a control method therefor, and a computer program, by which an operator can easily photograph himself / herself by an image-pickup apparatus mounted on a vehicle. To do.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle image pickup device according to the present invention is characterized by the following configuration.

That is, a vehicle image pickup device comprising an image pickup device mounted on a vehicle and a control means for controlling the operation of the image pickup device in the vehicle, wherein the control means is an operation received from a portable unit. Image pickup by the image pickup device and storage of the picked-up image in a storage medium are controlled according to the signal.

In a preferred embodiment, the control means operates the locking / unlocking mechanism of the opening / closing body provided in the vehicle in accordance with a second operation signal received from the portable device at least in response to a switch operation. It is good to control.

In this case, preferably, the control means includes a setting means by which an occupant in the vehicle can set the permission / prohibition of the image pickup by the image pickup device, and the image pickup is permitted by the setting means, and Only when the signal indicating the standby state of the portable device is received,
It is advisable to control the unlocking mechanism so that it is locked.

[0010] Further, for example, the control means: Prior to the storage of the imaged image by the image pickup device in the storage medium, detection of a plurality of light emitting light sources which are included in the image pickup range in time series and which are different in position from each other. According to the result
The image capturing range of the captured image to be stored in the storage medium is determined, or, prior to the storage of the captured image in the storage medium by the imaging device, positions of different points received in time series from the portable device. It is preferable that the imaging range of the captured image to be stored in the storage medium is determined according to at least the altitude information included in the position information.

In each of the above device configurations, it is more preferable that the image pickup device further comprises an informing unit for informing the user who possesses the portable device of the image pickup range before the image pickup image is stored in the storage medium. And good.

In this case, the notifying means may notify the user of the image pickup range of the image pickup apparatus by transmitting the image pickup image before being stored in the storage medium to the portable device.

Further, for example, the notification means may notify whether or not the portable device is included in the imaging range.

In another preferred embodiment, the control means may detect the direction in which the portable device is present, and control the imaging device to perform imaging in the detected direction.

Further, for example, the control means includes a setting means by which an occupant in the vehicle can set the permission / prohibition of the image pickup by the image pickup device, and only when the image pickup is permitted by the setting means, Image pickup by the image pickup device and storage of the picked-up image may be performed according to an operation signal received from the portable device.

Further, preferably, in the case of including a position detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle, the control means controls the current position information of the vehicle acquired from the position detecting means and the operation from the image pickup device. The focus state of the image captured by the image pickup device may be adjusted based on the position information indicating the position of the image pickup device received together with the signal.

The same object can also be achieved by a control method corresponding to the vehicular image pickup apparatus having the above-mentioned configurations.

The same object can also be achieved by a computer-readable storage medium in which a program code for instructing an operation of a vehicle image pickup apparatus and a control method thereof having the above-mentioned respective configurations, and a computer code in which the program code is stored. To be done.

[0019]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image pickup apparatus for a vehicle, a control method therefor, and a computer program by which an operator can easily photograph himself / herself.

That is, according to the first aspect of the invention, an occupant (operator) such as a driver of a vehicle can easily photograph himself / herself by operating a portable device, which is highly convenient. .

According to the invention of claim 2, the function of the portable device for controlling the operation of the image pickup device mounted on the vehicle,
The function of the portable device of the so-called keyless entry system can be integrated together, and the operator can easily carry it. In addition, existing communication functions can be effectively used.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the operator can easily set the imaging range.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, prior to storage (recording) in a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, the operator can use, for example, an image displayed on the portable device (claim 5), The imaging range can be easily recognized.

According to the invention of claim 6, prior to storing (recording) in a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, the operator carrying the portable device does not include himself / herself in the imaging range. In addition, since it is possible to recognize this, it is possible to efficiently photograph oneself.

Further, according to the invention of claim 7, the image pickup device is automatically adjusted so as to face the direction of the operator carrying the portable device, so that the operator can easily set a desired image pickup range. Can be set to.

According to the inventions of claims 8 and 9, efficient shooting is realized.

Further, according to the invention of claim 10, the security can be secured without the operator being particularly aware.

[0028]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of a vehicle image pickup apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the image pickup system according to the present embodiment, in which an operator (occupant such as a driver) has a portable device (mobile phone) owned by the operator himself.
By operating 2, the vehicle-mounted camera 12 can be operated via the control of the vehicle-mounted device (not shown in FIG. 1, corresponding to the vehicle-mounted device 1 shown in FIG. 2) mounted on the vehicle 100.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structures of the vehicle-mounted device 1 and the portable device 2 which constitute the image pickup system in this embodiment.

In the vehicle-mounted device 1 shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 12 denotes a digital camera, a digital video camera, or an image pickup device having both functions (hereinafter, simply referred to as "camera 12").
In this embodiment, the camera 12
Operates according to the operation of the portable device 2, and the vehicle 10
When driving 0, the captured image is the driving support mechanism 1
8 is used for control processing.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a tilt / pan mechanism for performing a tilt operation and a pan operation of the vehicle-mounted camera 12. In the present embodiment, the camera 12 is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 as long as it can capture the surroundings of the vehicle 100. For example, the various configurations disclosed in the above-described related art are adopted. Therefore, it is possible to use an existing camera that images the front and rear sides of the vehicle in various driving support systems.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory (hereinafter, simply referred to as "memory 14") in which information on an image taken by the camera 12 and an operation control program for the vehicle-mounted device 1 are stored. Reference numeral 15 is a direction sensor that detects the direction of the vehicle 100.

Reference numeral 16 denotes an opening / closing body locking / unlocking operation for opening / closing, locking / unlocking an opening / closing body such as a door, a window glass (including a sunroof) and a trunk of the vehicle 100. It is an unlocking mechanism. Reference numeral 17 denotes a warning mechanism that warns an occupant of the vehicle 100 with a warning sound, a display, and the like. Reference numeral 18 denotes a driving support mechanism that assists the driver's driving operation by lane departure prevention control, curve entry speed control, and the like. 19 is a vehicle 1 using GPS (Global Positioning System) signals, etc.
00 (vehicle-mounted device 1) is a positioning sensor for detecting the current position.

Reference numeral 31 is a short-distance transmitter / receiver for communicating with the portable device 2. In this embodiment, Bluetooth is adopted as an example of the short-distance wireless communication system. 33 is
It is a transmitter / receiver (for telephone) that performs communication via a public wireless telephone line, and may be used for data communication with the portable device 2 as necessary.

Then, 11 executes the operation control program previously stored in the memory 14 or the like,
It is a CPU (micro computer) that controls the operation of each component of the vehicle-mounted device 1 described above.

Next, in the portable unit 2 shown in FIG.
Is a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory (hereinafter, simply referred to as “memory 22”) in which an operation control program of the portable device 2 and the like are stored. Reference numeral 23 denotes a light emitting mechanism such as an LED used to set the imaging range of the camera 12 (details will be described later). Reference numeral 24 denotes a display such as a liquid crystal display device that displays an image or the like received from the vehicle-mounted device 1. 25
Is a camera 12, a tilt / pan mechanism 13, an open / close lock
These are a plurality of operation switches that are operated for remote operation of the unlocking mechanism 16 and for a call through a public wireless telephone line.

Reference numeral 26 is a speaker for outputting a voice in a call through a public wireless telephone line, a confirmation signal for setting the image pickup range of the camera 12, and the like. Reference numeral 27 is a microphone through which an operator inputs voice during a call using a public wireless telephone line. Reference numeral 28 denotes a positioning sensor that detects the current position of the portable device 2 using a GPS signal or the like.

Reference numeral 32 is a short-distance transmitter / receiver for communicating with the vehicle-mounted device 1. In this embodiment, Bluetooth is adopted for the short-distance transmitter / receiver 31 on the vehicle-mounted device 1 side. Reference numeral 34 is a transmitter / receiver (for telephone) that performs communication via a public wireless telephone line, and may be used for data communication with the vehicle-mounted device 1 as necessary.

Then, 21 executes the operation control program previously stored in the memory 22 or the like,
The CPU (microcomputer) controls the operation of each component of the portable device 2 described above.

In the preferred embodiment, the form of the portable device 2 is a general portable telephone as shown in FIG. 1, an operation terminal in a keyless entry system, a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc., and has a plurality of functions. If they are integrated, it can be easily carried by the operator.

As for the individual constitutions (blocks) themselves of the vehicle-mounted device 1 and the portable device 2 described above with reference to FIG. 2, a general unit (module) can be adopted at present, so this embodiment is carried out. Detailed description of the form is omitted.

Here, the camera 12 is an image pickup device such as a digital camera or a digital video camera, and these image pickup devices generally have a CCD (Cha
A scan image by an imaging device such as a rge-coupled device) is displayed on the display regardless of whether a recording operation or a shutter operation is performed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, an operation state in which such a scan image is acquired by the operation of the camera 12 is referred to as “imaging”, and the captured image (captured image) corresponds to a recording operation or a shutter operation by the operator. It is expressed separately from the operating state stored (recorded) in the storage medium.

Next, signals transmitted and received between the vehicle-mounted device 1 and the portable device 2 in this embodiment will be described.

<In-vehicle device 1> FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining various signals transmitted and received between the in-vehicle device 1 and the portable device 2 in this embodiment. For convenience of explanation, the CPU of the in-vehicle device 1 shown on the left side.
11, the CPU 21 of the portable device 2 shown on the right side is mainly represented.

As shown in the figure, the signals transmitted / received between the vehicle-mounted device 1 and the portable device 2 are roughly classified into a keyless entry realized by controlling the operation of the opening / closing body locking / unlocking mechanism 16. It consists of a signal group related to functions and a signal group related to camera operation functions realized by controlling the operation of the camera 12.

In the keyless entry function, the opening / closing body locking / unlocking mechanism 16 that ensures security in response to a predetermined operation performed on the operation switch 25 of the portable device 2
In order to perform the reliable remote operation of, the pre-lock / unlock signal, the lock / unlock request signal, and the lock / unlock signal are transmitted and received between the vehicle-mounted device 1 and the portable device 2 in a predetermined order. Then, when the portable device 2 receives the lock / unlock confirmation signal sent from the vehicle-mounted device 1 in response to the completion of the operation of the opening / closing body locking / unlocking mechanism 16, the operation is completed by using the speaker 26 or the like. To inform.

The above-mentioned signal transmission / reception for the keyless entry function is an example, and various general procedures can be adopted at the present time. If it exists, the so-called smart keyless entry function may be adopted in which the locking / unlocking operation is automatically performed regardless of the switch operation.

In the camera operation function, the camera 12 and the tilt / pan mechanism 13 are provided in order to realize an image pickup state and an image pickup range desired by the operator in response to a predetermined operation performed on the operation switch 25 of the portable device 2. A plurality of types of control signals for remotely controlling the are transmitted / received using the transceivers 31 and 32.

The image pickup mode start signal is a signal for making the vehicle-mounted device 1 recognize that the image pickup of the camera 12 by remote control is started, and includes the current position information of the portable device 2 detected by the positioning sensor 28. . This current position information includes at least information indicating latitude, longitude, and altitude, and the coordinate system adopted by the positioning sensor 28 is
The coordinate system is the same as that used in the positioning sensor 19 of the vehicle-mounted device 1.

The zoom / direction / in-focus state (AF) / position signal includes the imaging state of the camera 12, the zoom, direction, in-focus state (AF), and the current position information of the portable unit 2, the in-vehicle unit 1.
It is a signal for making the robot recognize.

The light emission signal is a signal emitted from a light source provided in the light emitting mechanism 23, and is used by an operator a plurality of times in accordance with a predetermined operation procedure in order to set a desired image pickup range (angle of view) of the camera 12. Is output.

The picked-up image signal is used for the operator of the portable device 2 to confirm the picked-up state and the picked-up range by the image displayed on the display 24 before the picked-up image of the camera 12 is stored in the memory 14. Signal.

The in-range confirmation signal is transmitted to the portable device 2 when the captured image of the camera 12 is stored in the memory 14 before the portable device 2 is present in the captured image. Signal. The portable device 2 performs notification by the display 24 and / or the speaker 26 in response to the reception of the in-range confirmation signal.

The recording signal is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device 1 in response to a predetermined operation (shutter operation) performed on the operation switch 25 of the portable device 2 while the image captured by the camera 12 is displayed on the display 24. It is a signal to be transmitted. When the camera 12 is functioning as a digital camera and the camera 12 receives a recording signal, the vehicle-mounted device 1 stores the captured image of the camera 12 at that time in the memory 14 (the camera 12 functions as a digital video camera. If so, start storing the captured images in time series).

The recorded image signal is the image information of the recorded image stored in the memory 14 in response to the reception of the above recorded signal,
It is a signal to be transmitted to the portable device 2 in response to a predetermined operation performed on the operation switch 25 of the portable device 2. The portable device 2 displays the recorded image on the display 24 according to the received recorded image signal. The operator of the portable device 2 can visually confirm the state of the recorded image and the imaging range at the time of shooting from the displayed recorded image.

Then, the image pickup mode end signal is a signal for making the vehicle-mounted device 1 recognize that the image pickup of the camera 12 by remote control is ended.

Next, the control processing performed by the vehicle-mounted device 1 and the portable device 2 for realizing the transmission and reception of various signals described above will be described with reference to FIG.

4 and 5 are flow charts showing the control processing executed by the vehicle-mounted device 1 in this embodiment.
The procedure of the operation control program executed by the CPU 11 is shown. The control process in the vehicle-mounted device 1 is always executed while the predetermined voltage is being applied by the vehicle-mounted battery (not shown).

In FIG. 4, steps S1 to S
4: It is determined whether or not the operation state of the ignition (IG) key switch is the off state (step S1), and when it is determined to be the off state, for example, a plurality of types of signals outlined with reference to FIG. By transmitting and receiving, a control process for realizing a general keyless entry function is performed (step S2). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the IG key switch is in the position other than the off state, image recognition processing is performed based on the image captured by the camera 12 (step S3), and a warning is issued according to the recognition result. The operation of the mechanism 17 and / or the driving support mechanism 18 is controlled (step S4).

Step S5, Step S6: Camera 12
It is determined whether or not the operation switch (not shown) that can be set by the occupant in the vehicle 100 is set to the allowance mode (step S5).
If the prohibit mode is set, the process returns to step S1. If the allow mode is set, the camera 12
It is determined whether or not an imaging mode start signal indicating that the remote operation of is started has been received from the portable device 2 (step S
6). Step S6 is a process corresponding to step S34 of the control process (FIG. 5) of the portable device 2 described later.

Step S7: Since it is determined that the image pickup mode start signal has been received in step S6, in order to ensure the security of the vehicle 100, the opening / closing body locking / unlocking mechanism 16 is in the locked state (the closing operation of the window being opened). (Including).

Steps S8 and S9: Step S
6, based on the current position information of the portable device 2 included in the imaging mode start signal whose reception is detected, the orientation of the vehicle 100 detected by the azimuth sensor 15, and the current position of the vehicle 100 detected by the positioning sensor 19, The distance between the in-vehicle device 1 and the portable device 2 and the direction of existence of the portable device 2 with respect to the in-vehicle device 1 are calculated (step S8), and the calculated distance and existing direction are calculated using the camera 12 and the tilt / pan mechanism 13.
By setting to, the orientation and the focused state of the camera 12 are adjusted (step S9).

Steps S10 and S11: It is judged whether a zoom / direction / focus state (AF) / position signal has been received from the portable device 2 (step S10). If no such signal is received, the process proceeds to step S12. When received, the camera 1 is based on the control information included in the signal.
The orientation of 2, the in-focus state, and the imaging range are adjusted (step S
11). Step S10 is a process corresponding to step S36 of the control process (FIG. 5) of the portable device 2 described later. In the present embodiment, the camera 12 is automatically adjusted so as to face the direction of the operator carrying the portable device 2 based on the zoom / direction / focus state (AF) / position signal received from the portable device 2. Therefore, the operator can easily set a desired imaging range.

Steps S12 and S13: It is judged whether or not the light emission by the light emitting mechanism 23 of the portable device 2 is detected in the captured image in a time series more than a predetermined number of times (step S12). Step S1
If the number of detections is greater than or equal to the predetermined number of times, the orientation and the focus state of the camera 12 are adjusted so that the range including the plurality of light emission detected in the predetermined period becomes the imaging range (step S13). Step S12 is the portable device 2 described later.
This is a process corresponding to step S38 of the control process (FIG. 5).

Further, steps S12 and S13
When the portable device 2 does not include the light emitting mechanism 23, the setting of the image capturing range is position information included in a predetermined wireless signal, and may be determined according to at least altitude information included in the position information.

Step S14: The camera 1 set in step S9, step S11, or step S13
The image captured in the orientation of 2, the in-focus state, and the imaging range is transmitted to the portable device 2 as the above-described captured image signal in a state in which a comment that allows the operator to identify that the image is not a recorded image is added.

Next, in FIG. 5, step S15 to step S17: It is judged whether or not it is detected that light emission is included in the current captured image of the camera 12 or that a wireless signal including position information is received (step S15). S15), if this determination is NO (if not detected), step S18
If YES (when detected), it is determined whether the detected light emission is included in the imaging range desired by the operator set in steps S12 and S13 (step S16). Then, when it is determined in step S16 that the image capturing range is not included, step S18
When it is determined that the image pickup range is not included in the image pickup range, the above-described in-range confirmation signal is transmitted to the portable device 2.

Steps S18 to S20: It is judged whether a recording signal is received from the portable device 2 (step S1.
8) If the signal is not received, the process proceeds to step S21. If the signal is received, the image captured by the camera 12 is stored in the memory 14 as a recorded image (step S21).
19) The stored recorded image is transmitted to the portable device 2 (step S20). Step S18 is a process corresponding to step S40 of the control process (FIG. 5) of the portable device 2 described later. Step S20 is a process corresponding to step S43 of the control process (FIG. 5) of the portable device 2 described later.

When the camera 12 functions as a digital video camera, time-sequential storage of captured images in the memory 14 is started in step S19. Camera 12
Whether the camera functions as a digital camera or a digital video camera may be determined according to the type of a recording signal transmitted according to the operation of the operation switch 25 of the portable device 2. In a preferred embodiment,
Zoom / Direction / Focus state (AF) from the portable unit 2 during time-series recording as a digital video camera
/ When receiving the position signal, the vehicle-mounted device 1 detects the camera 12
While continuing the recording by the camera, the camera 12 and the tilt / pan mechanism 13 are controlled according to the control information included in the received signal.
Adjust the operating state of.

Steps S21 to S23: It is judged whether a recording end signal is received from the portable device 2 (step S
21), if the signal is not received, step S24
If it is received, the recording of the image captured by the camera 12 is terminated (step S22), and the stored recorded image is transmitted to the portable device 2 (step S23). Step S21 is a process corresponding to step S42 of the control process (FIG. 5) of the portable device 2 described later. Step S23
Is a step S of control processing (FIG. 5) of the portable device 2 described later.
This is a process corresponding to 43.

Steps S24 and S25: It is judged whether or not an image pickup mode end signal for ending the image pickup by the camera 12 is received from the portable device 2 (step S24). If the signal is not received, the process returns to step S10 to receive the signal. In that case, the opening / closing body locking / unlocking mechanism 16 is operated to the unlocked state, and the process returns to step S1. Step S24 is a process corresponding to step S48 of the control process (FIG. 5) of the portable device 2 described later.

<Portable Device 2> FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the control processing executed by the portable device 2 in this embodiment, and shows the procedure of the operation control program executed by the CPU 21.

In the figure, steps S31 and S32: control processing for realizing a general keyless entry function is performed by transmitting / receiving a signal to / from the vehicle-mounted device 1 (step S31), and the portable device 2 is used for telephone. If the transceiver 34 is installed, a general public wireless telephone communication process is performed (step S32). Furthermore, when the portable device 2 is a portable information terminal, it also executes general information processing such as schedule management.

Steps S33 and S34: It is judged whether or not the start operation of the image pickup mode for picking up an image by the remote operation of the camera 12 is performed (step S33). If the operation is not detected, the process returns to step S31 and the operation is performed. If is detected, the imaging mode start signal including the current position information detected by the positioning sensor 28,
It is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device 1 (step S34).

Steps S35 and S36: By operating the operation switch 25, the zoom / direction / direction of the camera 12 is changed.
It is determined whether or not a predetermined operation for operating the in-focus state (AF) / position has been performed (step S35). If these operations are not detected, the process proceeds to step S37, and if the operations are detected, the operation is detected. Control information according to the performed operation,
A zoom / direction / focus state (AF) / position signal including the current position information detected by the positioning sensor 28 is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device 1 (step S36).

Steps S37 and S38: It is judged whether or not a predetermined operation for starting light emission by the light emitting mechanism 23 is performed by operating the operation switch 25 (step S3).
7) If the operation is not detected, the process proceeds to step S39, and if the operation is detected, the light emitting operation of the light emitting mechanism 23 is executed (step S38). This operation is
In order for the operator to instruct the vehicle-mounted device 1 of a desired imaging range,
The portable device 2 is held over a plurality of positions different from each other, and the light emitting mechanism 23 is operated to emit light in that state. The portable device 2 sets the image capturing range by the light emitting mechanism 23.
When not provided, it may be determined according to the position information included in the predetermined wireless signal. As described above, in the present embodiment, the operator can easily set a desired imaging range by using the portable device 2.

Steps S39 and S40: It is judged whether or not a predetermined recording operation (shutter operation) for storing the image picked up by the camera 12 in the memory 14 is performed by operating the operation switch 25 (step S39). If it is not detected, the process proceeds to step S41, and if the operation is detected, a recording signal for instructing the start of recording is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device 1 (step S40).

Steps S41 and S42: It is judged whether or not a predetermined operation for ending the recording of the picked-up image is performed by operating the operation switch 25 (step S41). If this operation is not detected, the process proceeds to step S43, When the operation is detected, a recording end signal for ending the recording is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device 1 (step S4).
2).

Steps S43 and S44: It is judged whether or not the picked-up image signal for checking the picked-up range of the picked-up image or the recorded image signal for checking the recorded image is received from the vehicle-mounted device 1 (step S43). When these image signals are received, they are displayed on the display 24 (step S44). In the present embodiment, in the portable device 2, the memory 1 of the in-vehicle device 1 is received by the received captured image signal.
It is possible to easily recognize the imaging range prior to recording to No. 4.

Steps S45, S46: It is judged whether or not an in-range confirmation signal for confirming the image pickup range is received from the vehicle-mounted device 1 (step S45). If this signal is received, the speaker 26 is notified to that effect. To the operator by voice (guidance display may be displayed) (step S
46). In the present embodiment, depending on whether or not the in-range confirmation signal is received, whether the operator carrying the portable device 2 includes himself or herself in the imaging range prior to recording in the memory 14 of the vehicle-mounted device 1. Since it is possible to recognize whether or not it is also possible by voice, it is possible to efficiently photograph oneself.

Steps S47 and S48: It is judged whether or not a predetermined operation for ending the image pickup mode is performed by operating the operation switch 25 (step S47). If this operation is not detected, the process returns to step S35, and the operation is performed. If is detected, an imaging mode end signal for ending the imaging mode is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device 1 (step S4
8) and returns to step S31.

According to the above-described embodiment, an occupant (operator) such as a driver of a vehicle can easily photograph himself / herself by operating the portable device 2 outside the vehicle, which is convenient. Is high.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an image pickup system in the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle device step S and a portable device 2 which constitute an imaging system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating various signals transmitted and received between the vehicle-mounted device 1 and the portable device 2 in the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control process executed by the vehicle-mounted device 1 in the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control process executed by the vehicle-mounted device 1 in the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control process executed by the mobile device 2 in the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols] 1: In-vehicle device, 2: Portable device, 11,21: CPU, 12: In-vehicle camera, 13: Tilt / Pan mechanism, 14, 22: memory, 15: Direction sensor, 16: Opening / closing body locking / unlocking mechanism, 17: Warning mechanism, 18: Driving support mechanism, 19, 28: Positioning sensor, 23: light emitting mechanism, 24: Display, 25: Operation switch, 26: speaker, 27: Mike, 31, 32: Short range (Bluetooth) transceiver, 33, 34: Transceiver (for telephone), 100: vehicle,

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An imaging device for a vehicle, comprising: an imaging device mounted on a vehicle; and a control means for controlling the operation of the imaging device in the vehicle, wherein the control means is an operation received from a portable device. An imaging device for a vehicle, which controls imaging by the imaging device and storage of a captured image in a storage medium according to a signal. 2. The control means controls the operation of a locking / unlocking mechanism of an opening / closing body provided in the vehicle according to a second operation signal received from the portable device at least in response to a switch operation. The vehicle image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup device is a vehicle image pickup device. 3. The control means, according to a detection result of a plurality of light emitting sources different in position, which are included in a time series in the image pickup range, prior to storing the imaged image by the image pickup device in a storage medium. 3. The vehicle imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging range of the captured image to be stored in the storage medium is determined. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an informing unit for informing a user who possesses the portable device of the image capturing range prior to storing the image captured by the image capturing apparatus in a storage medium. The vehicle imaging device according to claim 3. 5. The informing means is arranged to
The vehicle imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the imaging range of the imaging apparatus is notified to the user by transmitting the captured image before being stored in the storage medium. 6. The vehicle imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the notification unit notifies whether or not the portable device is included in the imaging range. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control means detects a direction in which the portable device exists and controls the imaging device to perform imaging in the detected direction. Vehicle imaging device. 8. The control unit includes a setting unit that allows an occupant in the vehicle to set whether to permit or prohibit the image capturing by the image capturing device, and only when the image capturing is permitted by the setting unit. The vehicle image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus picks up an image and the picked-up image is stored according to an operation signal received from a portable device. 9. A position detecting means for detecting a current position of the vehicle is further provided, and the control means receives the current position information of the vehicle acquired from the position detecting means and the operation signal from the image pickup device. The vehicle image pickup apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a focus state of an image picked up by the image pickup apparatus is adjusted based on position information indicating a position of the image pickup apparatus. 10. The control unit includes a setting unit that allows an occupant in the vehicle to set whether to permit or prohibit the image capturing by the image capturing apparatus, the image capturing is permitted by the setting unit, and The vehicle imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the locking / unlocking mechanism is controlled to be in a locked state only when a signal representing a standby state is received. 11. A method of controlling an image pickup device for a vehicle, comprising: an image pickup device mounted on a vehicle; and a control means for controlling the operation of the image pickup device in the vehicle, the method being portable according to a switch operation of a user. A method of controlling a vehicle image pickup device, comprising: controlling an image pickup operation by the image pickup device and an operation of storing a picked-up image in a storage medium according to an operation signal received from a machine. 12. A computer program, which gives an operation instruction of the vehicle image pickup device according to claim 1. 13. A computer program, which gives an operation instruction for realizing the control method for a vehicle image pickup device according to claim 11.