JP2003101820A - Photographing device using plurality of cameras - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain images of the same size from a photographing object photographed from different positions by respective cameras of simple constitution while attaining cost down. SOLUTION: The photographing device using a plurality of cameras is provided with a main camera 1, a plurality of sub-cameras 2, an image area specification part 4, an image area operation part 5, an image data storage part 6, and an image data switching control part 7. Respective cameras 1, 2 are arranged on respectively different positions. The specification part 4 specifies an image area in which a photographing object is photographed on the basis of image data photographed by the main camera 1 and the operation part 5 operates the image areas of respective sub-cameras 2 corresponding to the image area of the main camera 1. The storage part 6 stores image data photographed in the image areas of respective cameras 1, 2 and the control part 7 stitches and displays respective image data stored in the storage part 6 in accordance with order based on the installation positions of respective cameras 1, 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographing device using a plurality of cameras, and more particularly to a photographing device for photographing the same object using a plurality of cameras installed at different positions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, viewers have been provided with images obtained by shooting athletes from various directions in television broadcasting such as sports games.

In this way, an object such as an athlete is
In order to shoot from various directions, it is necessary to use a plurality of cameras, and each camera simultaneously shoots the same object from different positions. In the case of sports broadcasting, as a matter of course, the player, which is the object, is accompanied by a motion according to the play. Therefore, the direction of each camera also needs to be moved according to the movement of the player.

Therefore, in a photographing apparatus using a plurality of cameras of this type, as shown in FIG. 7, panning is performed on each of, for example, three cameras 1 (# 1 to # 3) arranged around the photographing object 10. Mechanism 12 (# 1 to # 3) and tilt mechanism 13 (#
1 to # 3) are essential. As a result, when the photographing target 10, such as an athlete, moves, the direction of each camera 1 is adjusted by using the pan mechanism 12 and the tilt mechanism 13 according to the movement, and the camera of each camera 1 is adjusted. The subject 10 is photographed at the center to obtain an image.

[0005]

However, such a conventional photographing apparatus using a plurality of cameras has the following problems.

That is, in the conventional photographing apparatus using a plurality of cameras as described above, each camera 1 must be provided with the pan mechanism 12 and the tilt mechanism 13, respectively.
Further, the pan mechanism 12 and the tilt mechanism 13 are provided so that the moving object 10 can be quickly followed.
Both are required to have high performance capable of operating at high speed and with high accuracy. Furthermore, in the case of continuously broadcasting videos of the same shooting target 10 taken from different directions on the TV screen, the size of the shooting target 10 on the videos shot by the cameras 1 (# 1 to # 3). Need to match. Therefore, each camera 1 (# 1 to # 3) is also required to have a high-speed zoom function.

As described above, the conventional photographing apparatus using a plurality of cameras is required to have various high functions, which causes a problem of high cost.

Also, for example, in baseball
In some scenes, multiple players are involved, so it is expected that there will be demands to see the movements of multiple players from various angles. However,
In the first place, in a conventional photographing apparatus using a plurality of cameras, a single photographing target 10 is photographed by a plurality of cameras 1 (# 1 to # 3).
It is only intended to shoot multiple objects 1
You cannot shoot 0 at the same time.

Therefore, in order to simultaneously shoot a plurality of objects 10 to be photographed by the conventional photographing apparatus using a plurality of cameras, a larger number of cameras 1 are used and each camera 1 is used.
It is conceivable to allocate a certain number of players to a specific player and shoot. However, if this method is applied to sports such as soccer, American football, rugby, or baseball that have many players participating in the field, an extremely large number of cameras 1 are required, and a huge cost is required. The problem is that it is not realistic.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a plurality of fixed cameras provided at different positions are used to photograph the entire field including the object to be photographed, and different images are obtained based on the photographed data. By obtaining the image of the imaged object captured from the position, it is possible to obtain the image of the same size of the imaged object captured from different positions while reducing the cost by using the camera with a simple structure. An object is to provide a photographing device using a plurality of cameras.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following means.

That is, a photographing apparatus using a plurality of cameras according to the present invention comprises one main camera, a plurality of sub cameras, a video area designating means, a video area calculating means, a video data storing means, And image data display means.

One main camera and a plurality of sub-cameras are installed at different predesignated locations so that the subject can be photographed over the range in which the subject moves. Further, the video area designating means designates a video area in which the shooting target is shot based on the video data shot by the main camera, and the video area calculating means of the main camera designated by the video area designating means. The video area of each sub camera corresponding to the video area is calculated based on the location where the main camera and each sub camera are installed. The video data storage means stores the video data captured in the video areas of the main camera and each sub-camera in association with the installation locations of the main camera and each sub-camera. Each video data stored in the storage means is switched and displayed according to the order based on the installation location of the camera where the image was taken.

As a result, even with a camera that does not have a pan-tilt function or a zoom function, it is possible to obtain images obtained by shooting the object to be shot from various directions.

A photographing apparatus using a plurality of cameras according to a second aspect of the present invention is capable of simultaneously handling two photographing objects, and includes a first and a second main camera and a plurality of sub cameras. , First and second video area designating means, first and second video area calculating means, first and second video data storing means, and video data displaying means.

The first and second main cameras and the plurality of sub-cameras are capable of taking pictures of the respective photographing objects over the range in which the first and second photographing objects move.
They are installed in different locations designated in advance.

The first video area designating means is the first
Based on the video data captured by the main camera, the first video area in which the first imaging target is captured is designated, while the second video area designating unit captures the image by the second main camera. The second image area in which the second image capturing target is captured is specified based on the captured image data. Further, the first image area calculation means is the first main camera of the first main camera designated by the first image area designation means.
The first video area of each of the second main camera and each sub-camera corresponding to the video area of the second main camera and the sub-cameras are calculated based on the locations where the first and second main cameras and each sub-camera are installed. The image area calculating means of the second image area specifying means determines the second image areas of the first main camera and the respective sub cameras corresponding to the second image area of the second main camera designated by the second image area designating means, The calculation is performed based on the locations where the first and second main cameras and the respective sub cameras are installed.

Further, the first video data storage means is the first video data storage means.
And the second main camera, and the first of each sub-camera
Image data captured in the image area of the first and second main cameras and the sub-cameras are stored in association with the first and second main cameras and the sub-cameras.
And the second main camera, and the second of each sub-camera
The video data captured in the video area of is stored in association with the installation locations of the first and second main cameras and the sub cameras. And the video data display means is
The respective video data stored in the first or second video data storage means are switched and displayed according to the order based on the installation location of the camera where the image was taken.

As a result, even with a camera that does not have a pan-tilt function or a zoom function, it is possible to simultaneously obtain images of two image-capturing objects captured in various directions. By providing the main camera, the image area designating means, the image area calculating means, and the image data storing means respectively in the same number as the number of objects to be photographed, even more objects to be photographed are simultaneously obtained images from various directions at the same time. be able to.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

It is to be noted that the reference numerals used in the following description of each embodiment are given to the same portions as those in FIG.

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a photographing apparatus using a plurality of cameras according to the first embodiment.

That is, the photographing apparatus using a plurality of cameras according to the present embodiment has one main camera 1, a plurality of sub cameras 2 and a camera screen display section 3, a video area designation section 4, and a video area calculation. Unit 5 and video data storage unit 6
And a video data switching control unit 7 and a display screen 8.

As shown in FIG. 2, one main camera 1 and a plurality of sub-cameras 2 have different locations designated in advance so that the subject 10 can be photographed over the range in which the subject 10 moves. Installed in each.

The camera screen display unit 3 includes the cameras 1 and 1.
2 is provided for displaying the video data captured by the cameras 1 and 2.

The image area designating section 4 is provided in the main camera 1. Then, based on the video data captured by the main camera 1 displayed from the camera screen display unit 3, the video region A in which the imaging target 10 is captured is displayed.
Is designated on the screen using a pointer or the like not shown.

The image area calculation unit 5 determines the image area B of each sub camera 2 corresponding to the image area A designated by the image area designation unit 4 based on the location where the main camera 1 and each sub camera 2 are installed. To calculate. That is, since the installation locations of both the main camera 1 and the sub camera 2 are known, it is possible to calculate the video area B of each sub camera 2 corresponding to the video area A captured by the main camera 1.

The video data storage unit 6 stores the video data (cutout image) C captured in the video area A of the main camera 1 and the video area B of each sub camera 2 in the main camera 1 and each sub camera 2. Memorize it according to the installation location. It should be noted that the main camera 1 and each sub-camera 2 are provided with ID numbers corresponding to the installation locations in advance, and this ID
You may make it memorize | store in correspondence with a number.

The video data switching control unit 7 switches each video data C stored in the video data storage unit 6 according to the order based on the installation locations of the cameras 1 and 2 which have been photographed.
Display from the display screen 8. The video data storage unit 6
When each video data C is stored corresponding to the ID number, the video data C is switched according to the ID number and is sequentially displayed from the display screen 8.

Next, the operation of the photographing apparatus using the plural cameras according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in.

First, in order to photograph the photographing target 10 from different positions by the photographing device using a plurality of cameras according to the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIGS. , So that the subject 10 can be photographed over the range in which the subject 10 moves, 1
One main camera 1 and a plurality of sub cameras 2 are installed (S1).

By photographing the photographing target 10 using all of these cameras 1 and 2, video data is output from the cameras 1 and 2 to the camera screen display unit 3 and displayed there (S2). Among them, the video data taken by the main camera 1 is referred to by the operator, and the video area designating unit 4 designates the video area A where the shooting target 10 is shot on the screen by using a pointer or the like not shown. (S3).

Then, the image area calculation section 5 calculates the image area B of each sub-camera 2 corresponding to the image area A designated by the image area designation section 4 (S).
4). Since the installation locations of both the main camera 1 and the sub-camera 2 are known, the video area calculator 5 uses the information about the installation location to display the video of each sub-camera 2 corresponding to the video area A captured by the main camera 1. Area B is calculated.

The video data storage unit 6 stores video data (cutout image) C captured in the video area A of the main camera 1 and the video area B of each sub-camera 2.
Are stored in association with the installation locations of the main camera 1 and the sub cameras 2 (S5). The main camera 1
An ID number corresponding to the installation location may be attached to each sub-camera 2 in advance, and the sub-camera 2 may be stored in association with this ID number.

Further, in the video data switching control unit 7, each video data C stored in the video data storage unit 6 is switched according to the order based on the installation location of the cameras 1 and 2 and displayed from the display screen 8. (S6). When each video data C is stored in the video data storage unit 6 in correspondence with the ID number, each video data C is switched according to this ID number and displayed on the display screen 8.

As described above, in the photographing apparatus using a plurality of cameras according to the present embodiment, due to the above-mentioned operation, the fixed function does not have the advanced functions such as the pan function, the tilt function and the high speed zoom function. It is possible to obtain an image in which the periphery of the image capturing target 10 is captured in the same size using the mold cameras 1 and 2. Since the fixed cameras 1 and 2 are set in advance so that the moving range of the photographing target 10 can be photographed, the fixed cameras 1 and 2 can be applied to the photographing subject 10 moving fast. That is, since it is not necessary to follow the movement of the object 10 to be photographed by the cameras 1 and 2, it is possible to improve reliability and reduce costs.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a photographing apparatus using a plurality of cameras according to the second embodiment. The same parts as those in FIG. It is omitted and only different parts will be described here.

That is, the photographing apparatus using a plurality of cameras according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
While the camera screen display unit 3 and the video area designating unit 4 are provided in one system, the photographing apparatus using a plurality of cameras according to the present embodiment has a main camera 1 and a camera screen as shown in FIG. The difference is that two systems of the display unit 3 and the image area designation unit 4 are provided. Since the two systems are provided in this way, as shown in FIG.
It is possible to handle 1) and the object to be photographed 10 (# 2) at the same time.

The system consisting of the main camera 1 (# 1), the camera screen display unit 3 (# 1), and the video area designating unit 4 (# 1) is a system for obtaining a cut-out image of the photographing target 10 (# 1). The system including the main camera 1 (# 2), the camera screen display unit 3 (# 2), and the video area designating unit 4 (# 2) is a system for obtaining a clipped image of the imaging target 10 (# 2). Is.

That is, the video area designating section 4 (# 1)
Based on the video data captured by the main camera 1 (# 1) displayed from the camera screen display unit 3 (# 1), the video region A in which the capture target 10 (# 1) is captured.
(# 1) is designated on the screen using a pointer or the like not shown. In addition, the video area designating unit 4 (# 2) is displayed by the camera screen display unit 3 (# 2).
Based on the video data captured by (# 2), the video area A (#
2) is designated on the screen using a pointer or the like not shown.

The image area calculation unit 5 includes an image area designating unit 4
The video area B (# 1) of each of the sub cameras 2 corresponding to the video area A (# 1) designated by (# 1) is calculated based on the location where the main camera 1 and each sub camera 2 are installed. . Further, the main camera 1 and each sub-camera 2 are installed with the video area B (# 2) of each sub-camera 2 corresponding to the video area A (# 2) specified by the video area specifying unit 4 (# 2). Calculate based on the location.

The video data storage unit 6 is used for the main camera 1
(# 1) video area A (# 1) and each sub-camera 2
The video data (cutout image) C (# 1) captured in the video area B (# 1) of No. 2 is stored in association with the installation locations of the main camera 1 (# 1) and each sub-camera 2.
In addition, the video area A (# 2) of the main camera 1 (# 2),
And the video data (cutout image) C (# 2) captured in the video area B (# 2) of each sub-camera 2 in correspondence with the installation locations of the main camera 1 (# 2) and each sub-camera 2. Remember. It should be noted that the main camera 1 and each sub-camera 2 may be preliminarily provided with an ID number corresponding to the installation location and stored in association with this ID number.

The video data switching control section 7 controls the object 10 to be photographed.
For (# 1) or the shooting target 10 (# 2), each video data C stored in the video data storage unit 6 is switched according to the order based on the installation location of the cameras 1 and 2 and displayed from the display screen 8. Let When each video data C is stored in the video data storage unit 6 in association with the ID number, each video data C is switched according to this ID number and sequentially displayed from the display screen 8.

By providing the two systems of the main camera 1, the camera screen display section 3, and the image area designating section 4 in this way, it is possible to handle two photographing objects 10 at the same time. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the provision of three systems of the same type makes it possible to handle three imaging targets 10 at the same time.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such configurations. Within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, those skilled in the art can contemplate various modifications and modifications, and the modifications and modifications are also within the technical scope of the present invention. Be understood to belong to.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A plurality of fixed cameras provided at different positions can be used to photograph the entire field including the object to be photographed, and images of the object to be photographed from different positions can be obtained based on the photographed data.

As described above, it is possible to realize an image pickup apparatus using a plurality of cameras capable of obtaining images of the same size as the objects to be photographed from different positions while reducing the cost by using the cameras having a simple structure. can do.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an image capturing apparatus using a plurality of cameras according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an arrangement state of a main camera and a sub camera.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of a photographing device using a plurality of cameras according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which a camera is arranged around an object to be photographed.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing an example of an overall configuration of an image capturing apparatus using a plurality of cameras according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an arrangement state of a main camera and a sub camera.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a photographing device using a plurality of cameras according to a conventional technique

[Explanation of symbols] 1 ... Main camera 2 ... Sub camera 3 ... Camera screen display 4 ... Image area designation section 5 ... Image area calculator 6 ... Video data storage section 7 ... Video data switching control unit 8 ... Display screen 10 ... Object to be photographed 12 ... Bread mechanism 13 ... Tilt mechanism

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Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A main camera and a plurality of sub-cameras respectively installed at different predesignated locations so that the object can be photographed over a range in which the object moves, and the main camera. A video area designating unit that designates a video area in which the shooting target is shot, based on video data shot by the sub-object, and each of the sub units corresponding to the video area of the main camera designated by the video area designating unit. Video area calculation means for calculating the video area of each camera based on the location where the main camera and each of the sub cameras are installed; and the video data captured in the video areas of the main camera and each of the sub cameras. And video data storage means for storing the main camera and the sub cameras in association with the installation locations of the main camera and the sub cameras. , Each video data stored in the video data storage means,
An image pickup apparatus using a plurality of cameras, comprising: video data display means for switching and displaying in accordance with the order based on the installation location of the cameras that took the images. 2. An object to be photographed can be photographed over a range in which the first and second photographed objects move.
The first and second main cameras and a plurality of sub-cameras respectively installed in different locations designated in advance, and the first image-capturing target is based on video data captured by the first main camera. The first being photographed
A second image area designating means for designating a second image area of the second main camera, and a second image area of the second object to be imaged based on the image data imaged by the second main camera.
Second video area designating means for designating the video area of the first main camera, and the second video area designating means for designating the first video area of the first main camera designated by the first video area designating means.
The main camera and the first of each of the sub cameras
Is specified by the first image area calculation means for calculating the image area of the above based on the locations where the first and second main cameras and the respective sub cameras are installed, and the second image area specification means. The first image corresponding to the second image area of the second main camera
The main camera and the second of each of the sub cameras
A second image area calculating means for calculating the image area of the above based on the locations where the first and second main cameras and the respective sub cameras are installed, the first and second main cameras, and First video data storage for storing the video data captured in the first video area of each sub-camera in association with the installation locations of the first and second main cameras and each sub-camera Means, the first and second main cameras, and the video data captured in the second video area of each of the sub-cameras to the first and second main cameras and of each of the sub-cameras. A second video data storage means for storing the video data stored in the first or second video data storage means according to the installation location of the camera. Imaging apparatus using a plurality cameras, characterized in that a video data display means for switching displayed according Ku order.