JP2004118087A - Photographing apparatus, flight photography system, and photographing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographing device with which an object can be photographed at an arbitrary desired position. <P>SOLUTION: When it is determined in step 502 that a photography request signal from a portable telephone 110 is received, a photoballoon 108, based on positional data representing the position of the portable telephone included in the photography request signal, moves in space in step 504 toward a specified area including the position of the portable telephone. When it is determined in step 506 that the photoballoon 108 is situated in the specified area, a photographing device 318 is used in step 508 to photograph the object. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an imaging device, an aerial imaging system, and an imaging method, and more particularly to an imaging device, an aerial imaging system, and an imaging method for imaging an object.
[0002]
[Prior art]
At amusement facilities such as theme parks and amusement parks, there are many visitors who want to take a commemorative photo near famous attractions. As a service for such visitors, a dedicated cameraman may be arranged at a position where commemorative photography is often desired. When the photographer desires to photograph, the photographer photographs the subject and provides the generated image to the visitor. However, such a photography service is labor intensive and not efficient.
[0003]
For this reason, the conventional photographing apparatus is fixedly installed at a position where commemorative photographing is often desired, and operates upon receiving a signal transmitted from a mobile phone of a visitor to photograph a subject. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). According to this, it is possible to photograph the subject and provide the generated image to the visitor as desired by the visitor without requiring labor costs. However, such a photographing apparatus can only photograph a subject at a predetermined position where the photographing apparatus is installed, and cannot photograph a subject at an arbitrary position desired by a visitor.
[0004]
As an imaging device using moving means for moving the imaging device in the space, for example, an airship that does not move the position of the cable mooring device mooring the airship and is not obstructed by the mooring cable, etc. An imaging device mounted on a helicopter that is used in a position interpretation system that performs real-time registration of damage points at the time of a disaster while viewing images from a helicopter (for example, see Patent Document 2) Apparatus (for example, refer to Patent Document 3).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-258022 A (paragraph numbers “0062” to “0
080 ”, FIG. 6)
[Patent Document 2]
Registered Utility Model No. 3020088 (paragraph numbers “0018” to “0
025 ", FIG. 1, FIG. 2)
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-11-331831 (paragraph numbers “0018” to “00”
25 ", Figures 1-3)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described facts, and an object thereof is to make it possible to photograph a subject at an arbitrary desired position.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a photographing apparatus for photographing a subject according to claim 1, a moving means for moving in a space, a photographing means for photographing a subject, and reception for receiving position data indicating the position of the subject. And the moving means is controlled to move the photographing apparatus into a predetermined area including the position indicated by the position data and the photographing apparatus is photographed when the photographing apparatus is located in the predetermined area. Control means for controlling the photographing means.
[0008]
That is, when receiving the position data indicating the position of the subject, the image capturing apparatus moves into a predetermined area including the position indicated by the position data, and captures the object when located in the predetermined area. According to this, since the photographing apparatus moves to an arbitrary desired position and photographs an object from the sky, it is possible to acquire an image captured and generated at an arbitrary desired position. It is also possible to acquire an image shot and generated at an angle that cannot be obtained.
[0009]
There may be a plurality of photographing apparatuses. In this case, each photographing apparatus further includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the photographing apparatus is closest to the position of the subject, and the control unit determines that the control is performed when the determination unit determines that the photographing device is closest to the subject. May be performed.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the photographing apparatus according to the first aspect, the control unit controls the photographing unit so as to perform photographing when the receiving unit receives a photographing instruction.
[0011]
As described above, since the imaging apparatus performs imaging when receiving an imaging instruction, it is possible to acquire an image captured and generated at a desired position in more detail.
[0012]
When the receiving unit receives an adjustment instruction that is at least one of movement by the moving unit and change of the shooting condition of the shooting unit in the shooting unit according to claim 1, According to the adjustment instruction, the control means adjusts at least one of the moving means and the photographing means.
[0013]
In this way, when the adjustment instruction is received, in order to adjust at least one of the moving means and the photographing means, the photographing apparatus moves to a desired position in more detail, or the focal length of the photographing means, zoom The subject is photographed by adjusting the above. According to this, it is possible to acquire an image that has been shot and generated at a desired position in more detail under desired shooting conditions.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the photographing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the receiving unit receives a signal transmitted from a mobile phone.
[0015]
In this way, the image capturing apparatus receives a signal transmitted from the mobile phone, that is, position data, an image capturing instruction, an adjustment instruction, and the like, and moves in accordance with this, or adjusts the image capturing unit to capture an object. Therefore, it is possible to acquire an image that is captured and generated under desired imaging conditions at any desired position in more detail. In addition, since a signal is transmitted from the mobile phone, the photographing device can easily recognize the owner of the mobile phone that wants to shoot, so the owner does not separately transmit the ID, The subject can be easily photographed by the photographing device, and the generated image can be acquired.
[0016]
A flight photographing system according to a fifth aspect includes the photographing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects and a mobile phone that communicates with the photographing apparatus.
[0017]
That is, when receiving the position data indicating the position of the subject, the photographing apparatus moves in the space including the position indicated by the position data, and shoots the subject when located in the predetermined region. . The mobile phone transmits signals, that is, position data, shooting instructions, adjustment instructions, and the like to the shooting apparatus. The imaging device receives the signal and moves in response to it, or adjusts the imaging means to shoot the subject, so that it is captured and generated at a desired position in more detail under desired imaging conditions. Images can be acquired. In addition, since the photographing apparatus photographs a subject from the sky, it is possible to acquire an image photographed and generated at an angle that cannot be obtained by a normal photographing apparatus.
[0018]
An imaging method for photographing a subject by moving in a space according to claim 6 includes a step of receiving position data indicating the position of the subject, and a step of causing the photographing device to fly through the space to the position indicated by the position data. And taking a picture with the photographing device when the photographing device is located within a predetermined area including the position.
[0019]
In other words, the imaging device receives position data indicating the position of the subject, flies and moves in the space to the position indicated by the position data, and performs imaging when it is located within a predetermined area including the position. . According to this, since the photographing apparatus moves to an arbitrary desired position and photographs an object from the sky, it is possible to acquire an image photographed and generated at an arbitrary desired position. It is also possible to acquire an image shot and generated at an angle that cannot be obtained.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, the flight imaging system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a photo balloon 108 (also see reference numeral 704 in FIG. 7), which is an imaging device having a function of imaging a subject, and A mobile phone 110 capable of transmitting signals such as position data, photographing instructions, and adjustment instructions to the photo balloon 108, and a transmitter 112, and a signal transmitted to and received from the photo balloon 108, the mobile phone 110, and the transmitter 112 wirelessly. A base station 106, and a server 104 that stores images captured and generated by the photo balloon 108. The server 104 and the base station 106 are wired to a network such as the Internet 102. .
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the server 104 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The server 104 includes a communication device 202 that performs communication via the Internet 102, a storage device 204 that stores images received via the communication device 202, a communication device 202, and a control device 206 that controls the storage device 204.
[0023]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the photo balloon 108 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The photo balloon 108 includes a communication device 302 that is a receiving unit that performs wireless communication, a GPS 306 that measures its own position, an orientation sensor 312 that measures its own orientation, a gyro 314 that measures its own inclination, and a self-subject and a subject. The shortest distance calculation circuit 310 that calculates the shortest distance, the driving device 308 that is a moving unit for moving the photo balloon 108 in the space, the photographing device 318 that is a photographing unit that photographs a subject, and the photographing device 318 are generated. A storage device 304 for storing the images is included, and these are connected via a bus to a control device 316 which is a control means for controlling them. The driving device 308 includes a balloon 702 as a floating means for floating the photo balloon 108 and a propeller (not shown) as a free moving means for moving the floating photo balloon 108 up and down, left and right and back and forth.
[0024]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the mobile phone 110 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The mobile phone 110 includes a communication device 402 that wirelessly transmits and receives signals, a storage device 404 that stores image data received by the communication device 402, a display device 408 such as an LCD that displays the image data, and the like. Input device 410 such as various keys including numeric keys capable of inputting GPS 406, shooting instructions, adjustment instructions, and the like, which are connected to a control device 412 that controls these via a bus. .
[0025]
Next, the operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0026]
First, with reference to FIG. 5, a photographing process performed by the photo balloon 108 in response to a photographing request by a mobile phone 110 of a visitor to an amusement facility or the like will be described.
[0027]
In step 502, the photo balloon 108 determines whether or not a photographing request signal from the mobile phone 110 is received via the communication device 302. Step 502 is repeated until the imaging request signal is received.
[0028]
If it is determined in step 502 that a photographing request signal from the mobile phone 110 has been received, in step 504, the camera moves to the position based on the position data indicating the position of the mobile phone 110 included in the photographing request signal. Thus, the control device 316 controls the driving device 308. In step 506, based on the position data indicating the position of the mobile phone 110 measured by the GPS 306, it is determined whether or not the mobile phone 110 is located within a predetermined area including the position of the mobile phone 110, for example, within 10 m from the mobile phone. If it is not within the predetermined area, the process returns to step 504 to continue the movement.
[0029]
If it is determined that the subject is located within the predetermined area, the subject is photographed using the photographing device 318 in step 508. The captured and generated image is stored in the storage device 304 in step 510 and transmitted to the mobile phone 110 via the communication device 302 in step 512. In step 514, it is determined whether or not a photographing end instruction signal from the mobile phone 110 has been received via the communication device 302. If it is determined that it has not been received, the processing in steps 508 to 512 is repeated.
[0030]
If it is determined in step 514 that an imaging end instruction signal has been received, in step 516, the image stored in the storage device 304 is displayed together with the telephone number of the mobile phone 110 that requested the imaging, in the base station 106. Then, the data is transmitted to the server 104 via the Internet 102, and the photo balloon 108 ends the photographing process.
[0031]
Next, a process performed by the mobile phone 110 that requests the photo balloon 108 for shooting in the above shooting request process will be described with reference to FIG.
[0032]
In step 602, the visitor operates a predetermined key of the mobile phone 110 to make a call to the photo balloon 108 as shown in FIG. When communication with the photo balloon 108 is established, the mobile phone 110 transmits a photographing request signal via the communication device 402 together with position data indicating its own position that is always measured by the GPS 406. As described above, the photo balloon 108 that has received the photographing request signal approaches toward the position of the mobile phone 110 (see FIG. 7). In step 604, when an image photographed by the photo balloon 108 based on the photographing request signal and transmitted is received via the communication device 402, the image is displayed on the display device 408 in step 606 as shown in FIG.
[0033]
In step 608, when the visitor operates a predetermined key of the mobile phone 110, the mobile phone 110 transmits an end instruction signal to the photo balloon 108 via the communication device 402. Note that the processing of steps 604 to 606 is not repeated for ease of explanation, but may be repeated as desired by the visitors.
[0034]
In step 516 of FIG. 5, the image transmitted from the photo balloon 108 to the server 104 is received by the communication device 202 of the server 104 via the base station 106 and the Internet 102. The received data is stored in a folder generated for the telephone number of the storage device 204 based on the telephone number of the mobile phone 110 transmitted together. When there is no folder for the telephone number, the control device 206 performs control so as to generate a folder.
[0035]
The server 104 distributes the image to the visitors by transmitting a mail with the image attached thereto to the mobile phone 110. The server 104 may upload an image to a web page and send a mail attached with the address of the web page to the mobile phone 110. When a visitor does not hold the mobile phone 110, the amusement facility can lend a transmitter 112 having the same configuration as the mobile phone 110.
[0036]
In the present embodiment, the mobile phone 110 makes a call directly to the photo balloon 108. However, for example, the mobile phone 110 communicates with the photo balloon 108 via a web phone via the base station 106 and the Internet 102. Also good. The photo balloon 108 and the server 104 are not limited to communicating with the base station 106 via the Internet 102. For example, the server 104 has a wireless communication function and directly communicates with the photo balloon 108 wirelessly. You may do it.
[0037]
That is, according to the first embodiment, when the photo balloon 108 receives position data indicating the position of the subject from the mobile phone 110, the photo balloon 108 moves into a predetermined area including the position indicated by the position data. A subject is photographed when positioned within a predetermined area. According to this, since the photo balloon 108 moves to an arbitrary position desired by the visitor and photographs the subject from above, an angle that cannot be obtained by an ordinary photographing apparatus at an arbitrary position desired by the attendant. The subject is photographed and the visitor can obtain the generated image.
[0038]
In addition, since the photographing request instruction signal is transmitted from the mobile phone 110, the photo balloon 108 can easily recognize the individual who wants to photograph by the telephone number of the mobile phone 110. The subject can be easily photographed by the photo balloon 108 and the generated image can be acquired without separately transmitting the above.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 7, a phone number or URL may be written on the side of the photo balloon 108. In this case, the visitor visually recognizes the phone number or URL on the side of the photo balloon 108. By inputting the telephone number or URL to the mobile phone 110 and making a call, a call can be made to the photo balloon 108.
[0040]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the configuration of the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. Note that the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that there are a plurality of photo balloons 108.
[0041]
The operation of the second example of the present embodiment will be described. First, with reference to FIG. 9, a photographing process performed by a plurality of photo balloons 108 in response to a photographing request by a mobile phone 110 of a visitor to an amusement facility or the like will be described.
[0042]
In step 702, the plurality of photo balloons 108 determine whether or not an imaging request signal from the mobile phone 110 is received via the communication device 302. Step 702 is repeated until an imaging request signal is received.
[0043]
If it is determined in step 702 that the photographing request signal from the mobile phone 110 has been received, in step 704, the position data indicating the position of the mobile phone 110 included in the photographing request signal and the GPS 306 are always measured. The shortest distance to the mobile phone 110 is calculated by the shortest distance calculation circuit 310 based on the position data indicating the position of the user. By communicating with each other between the photo balloons 108 via the communication device 302 and comparing the shortest distance calculated by the self with the shortest distance calculated by the other photo balloon 108, the shortest distance of the self is determined to be another photo balloon. If it is determined in step 706 that the distance is longer than the shortest distance of 108, the process ends.
[0044]
If it is determined that the shortest distance of the user is the shortest, in step 708, based on the position data indicating the position of the mobile phone 110 included in the imaging request signal, the movement is made in the direction of a predetermined area including the position. In addition, the control device 316 controls the driving device 308. After moving to a predetermined area including the position of the mobile phone 110 based on the position data indicating the position of itself measured by the GPS 306, the operation stops at step 710.
[0045]
In step 712, the subject is photographed using the photographing device 318. The captured and generated image is transmitted to the mobile phone 110 via the communication device 302 in step 714. In step 716, it is determined whether or not a shooting instruction from mobile phone 110 has been received. If it is determined that the shooting instruction has not been received, in step 718, the drive device 308 moves the position including the altitude of the photo balloon 108, changes its orientation, tilt, or the focal length, shooting angle, It is determined whether or not an adjustment instruction such as a change in shooting conditions such as zoom has been received.
[0046]
If it is determined that an adjustment instruction has been received, the control device 316 controls the driving device 308 or the imaging device 318 based on the adjustment instruction in step 720. The change of the orientation of the photo balloon 108 can be adjusted by the driving device 308 based on the orientation measured by the orientation sensor 312, and the change of the tilt can be adjusted based on the tilt measured by the gyro 314. After the adjustment, the process returns to step 712, and the processes of steps 712 and 714 are performed again.
[0047]
If it is determined in step 716 that a shooting instruction has been received, the subject is shot by the shooting device 318 in step 722, and the shot and generated image is stored in the storage device 304 in step 724. The Processing returns to step 716.
[0048]
If it is determined in step 718 that an adjustment instruction has not been received, it is determined in step 726 whether or not a photographing end instruction signal from the mobile phone 110 has been received via the communication device 302, and is determined not to be received. If so, the process returns to step 716. If it is determined in step 726 that an imaging end instruction signal has been received, it is determined in step 728 whether or not an image relating to the mobile phone 110 currently in communication is stored in the storage device 304. If it is determined that no image is stored, the process ends.
[0049]
If it is determined in step 728 that an image has been stored, the stored image is transmitted to the server 104 via the base station 106 and the Internet 102 together with the telephone number of the mobile phone 110 that requested the shooting. Then, the photo balloon 108 ends the photographing process.
[0050]
Next, with reference to FIG. 10, a process performed by the mobile phone 110 that requests the photo balloon 108 for shooting in the shooting request process will be described.
[0051]
In step 802, a visitor operates a predetermined key of the mobile phone 110 to make a call to a plurality of photo balloons 108 as shown in FIG. When communication with the photo balloon 108 located closest to the mobile phone 110 among the plurality of photo balloons 108 is established, the mobile phone 110 sends a photographing request signal to the position indicating its own position that is always measured by the GPS 406. Along with the data, it is transmitted via the communication device 402. In step 804, when the image captured and transmitted by the photo balloon 108 determined to be located at the closest distance is received via the communication device 402, the image is displayed on the display device 408 in step 806 as shown in FIG. Is displayed.
[0052]
In step 808, when the visitor operates a predetermined key of the mobile phone 110, the mobile phone 110 moves the position of the photo balloon 108, changes the direction or tilt, or changes the focal length of the photographing device 318 and the photographing angle. , Send adjustment instructions for changing shooting conditions such as zoom. In step 810, when an image photographed and transmitted by the adjusted photo balloon 108 is received via the communication device 402, in step 812, the image is displayed on the display device 408 as shown in FIG.
[0053]
In step 814, when the visitor operates a predetermined key of the mobile phone 110, the mobile phone 110 transmits a photographing instruction signal to the photo balloon 108 via the communication device 402. Next, in step 816, when the visitor operates a predetermined key of the mobile phone 110, the mobile phone 110 receives an end instruction signal via the communication device 402, and stores a photo generated by photographing the subject. Send to balloon 108. Note that the processing of steps 808 to 814 has not been repeated for ease of explanation, but may be repeated as desired by the visitors, or the processing of steps 808 to 812 may not be performed. Good.
[0054]
In step 714 of FIG. 9, the image transmitted from the photo balloon 108 to the server 104 is received by the communication device 202 of the server 104 via the base station 106 and the Internet 102. The received data is stored in a folder generated for the telephone number of the storage device 204 based on the telephone number of the mobile phone 110 transmitted together. When there is no folder for the telephone number, the control device 206 performs control so as to generate a folder.
[0055]
The server 104 distributes the image to the visitors by transmitting a mail with the image attached thereto to the mobile phone 110. The server 104 may upload an image to a web page and send a mail attached with the address of the web page to the mobile phone 110. When a visitor does not hold the mobile phone 110, the amusement facility can lend a transmitter 112 having the same configuration as the mobile phone 110.
[0056]
In the above description, the mobile phone 110 makes a call to a plurality of photo balloons 108 directly. It may be. In addition, the photo balloon 108 and the server 104 are not limited to communicating with the base station 106 via the Internet 102, but the server 104 has a wireless communication function and may directly communicate with the photo balloon 108. Good.
[0057]
In step 706, the plurality of photo balloons 108 communicate with each other and compare their own shortest distances with the shortest distances of the other photo balloons 108 to determine whether or not they are located closest to the mobile phone 110. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of photo balloons 108 transmit their shortest distance to the server 104, and the server 104 determines that the photo balloon is the shortest distance photo balloon based on these shortest distances. The balloon 108 may respond to an imaging request from the mobile phone 110.
[0058]
That is, since the photo balloon 108 performs shooting when it receives a shooting instruction from the mobile phone 110, a visitor can take a picture in a desired position in more detail and obtain a generated image. When the photo balloon 108 receives an adjustment instruction from the mobile phone 110, the photo balloon 108 adjusts at least one of the driving device 308 and the imaging device 318. Therefore, the photo balloon 108 is a position desired by the visitor in more detail. Or the subject is photographed by adjusting the focal length, zoom, or the like of the photographing device 318. According to this, the visitor can acquire an image generated by shooting at a desired position in more detail under desired shooting conditions.
[0059]
In addition, since the signal is transmitted from the mobile phone 110, the photo balloon 108 can easily recognize a visitor who wants to take an image, so that the visitor can easily transmit the ID without separately transmitting it. In addition, the subject can be photographed by the photo balloon 108 and the generated image can be acquired.
[0060]
In the first and second embodiments, the photo balloon 108 is used as the photographing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the subject is photographed from the sky by moving in the space in accordance with the instructions of the visitors. For example, a helicopter may be used.
[0061]
In the second embodiment, the number of photo balloons 108 that actually shoots is one, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of photo balloons 108 respond to a shooting request from the mobile phone 110. Then, you may make it image | photograph. In this case, the photo balloon 108 can transmit an image to the mobile phone 110 together with an ID signal for identifying itself. The image is displayed on the display device 408 of the cellular phone 110 by simultaneous display or switching display of a plurality of images together with the ID signal, and a visitor can select a desired image by operating a predetermined key or the like. You may be able to do it.
[0062]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, since the photographing apparatus of the present invention moves to any desired position and photographs the subject, there is an effect that an image photographed and generated at any desired position can be acquired. can get.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a flight imaging system according to first and second embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a server in the first and second embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows a photo balloon in the first and second embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows a mobile phone in the first and second embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows a photographing process on the photo balloon side in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 shows photographing processing on the mobile phone side according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 shows an image diagram of photographing request signal transmission in the first and second embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 8 shows an example of an image generated in the first and second embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 9 shows photographing processing on the photo balloon side according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 shows photographing processing on the mobile phone side in the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
108 Photo Balloon
110 Mobile phone
302 Communication device
308 Drive device
318 Imaging device
316 control device

Claims (6)

An imaging device for imaging a subject,
Moving means for moving the imaging device in space;
Photographing means for photographing the subject;
Receiving means for receiving position data indicating the position of the subject;
The moving means is controlled to move the photographing apparatus within a predetermined area including the position indicated by the position data, and the photographing means is configured to perform photographing when the photographing apparatus is located within the predetermined area. Control means for controlling
An imaging apparatus having The receiving means is further configured to receive a shooting instruction,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the imaging unit to perform imaging when the receiving unit receives an imaging instruction. The receiving means is further configured to be capable of receiving an adjustment instruction for instructing adjustment, which is at least one of movement by the moving means and change of photographing conditions of the photographing means,
3. The photographing according to claim 2, wherein when the receiving unit receives an adjustment instruction, the control unit adjusts at least one of the moving unit and the photographing unit according to the adjustment instruction. apparatus. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit receives a signal transmitted from a mobile phone. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A mobile phone communicating with the imaging device;
A flight photography system comprising: A shooting method for shooting a subject by moving in space,
Receiving position data indicating the position of the subject;
Flying the imaging device through space to a position indicated by the position data;
Photographing with the photographing device when the photographing device is located within a predetermined area including the position; and
A photographing method comprising:

Images