JP2007201777A - Charging device and imaging apparatus with automatic tracking universal head function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology which makes an imaging apparatus track a motion of a photographing object, and makes tracking photographing possible while performing charging of the imaging apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus includes a universal head means which mounts the imaging apparatus 8, a charging means 22 which charges a battery which is a power source of the imaging apparatus mounted to the universal head means, and driving means 25 to 29 which drive the universal head means and change an imaging range of the imaging apparatus by inputting a tracking signal for tracking the imaging apparatus to a motion of the photographing object from the imaging apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging technique with an automatic tracking pan / tilt head function for automatically tracking a subject.

  A pan / tilt head device that automatically picks up a subject by driving the image pickup device by panning and tilting driving means when receiving a command signal for detecting the movement of the subject and performing automatic tracking photographing from the imaging device. Has already been proposed (Patent Document 1). And this pan head apparatus charges to the secondary battery in the said imaging device.

Here, this type of conventional pan head apparatus will be described. An imaging device such as a digital still camera placed on the camera platform device and the camera platform device are connected by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable which is a first interface. The pan head apparatus is connected to a PC (personal computer) as an external device by a USB cable as a second interface. In such a configuration, based on the command output from the PC, the pan / tilt head device pans and tilts the image pickup apparatus by the panning and tilting driving means provided therein. At this time, the pan / tilt head device supplies power from the PC to the image pickup apparatus to charge the image pickup apparatus at the same time. Further, the pan head apparatus prohibits the charging operation while performing the panning and tilting operations of the imaging apparatus based on the output command from the PC.
JP 2002-199251 A

  In the above conventional example, it is possible to pan and tilt the imaging device based on a command from the PC, and to capture a moving image or a still image by the imaging device. However, it has been impossible to automatically perform tracking shooting by detecting the movement of a subject without using a PC. For this reason, it is necessary to always perform panning and tilting operations of the imaging apparatus via the PC, and the photographer is restricted by the operation of operating the PC and cannot perform other operations.

(Object of invention)
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a charging device with an automatic tracking head function and an imaging device that enables tracking imaging by tracking the imaging device according to the movement of a subject while charging the imaging device. is there.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a pan head unit for mounting an imaging device, a charging unit for charging a battery serving as a power source of the imaging device mounted by the pan head unit, and the imaging in motion of a subject. A charging device with an automatic tracking pan head function having driving means for driving the pan head means to change the imaging range of the imaging device when a tracking signal for tracking the device is input from the imaging device It is what.

  Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a platform means for attaching an imaging device, a charging means for charging a battery serving as a power source for the imaging device attached by the platform means, A tracking signal generating unit configured to detect a movement of a subject based on the video signal and generate a tracking signal for tracking the imaging apparatus according to the movement of the subject; and driving the pan head unit based on the tracking signal to A charging device with an automatic tracking head function having driving means for changing the imaging range of the imaging device is provided.

  Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an imaging means for converting light from a subject into an electrical signal, a power storage means for receiving power supply from a pan means for supplying power, and an electric power from the imaging means. The imaging apparatus includes a supply unit that supplies a tracking signal for tracking the movement of the subject based on the signal to the pan head unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a charging technique with an automatic tracking pan / tilt head function that enables tracking imaging by tracking an imaging device according to the movement of a subject while charging the imaging device.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention is as shown in Example 1 and Example 2 below.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a charging device having an automatic tracking head function according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a charging device. A panning table 2 and a tilting table 3 are rotatably attached to the main body 1a of the charging device 1, respectively. Reference numeral 4 denotes a tripod screw for attaching and fixing an imaging apparatus such as a digital still camera to be described later to the apparatus main body 1 via the tripod screw 4. The panning table 2 and the tilting table 3 constitute a pan head means. Reference numeral 5 denotes a connector, which is inserted into a later-described connector provided on the other side of the image pickup apparatus, and is used when supplying power to a secondary battery built in the image pickup apparatus for charging. Further, at the time of imaging during charging, it is also possible to detect a video signal from the imaging device or a motion of a subject detected by the imaging device and receive a command signal (tracking signal) for tracking shooting. is there. Reference numeral 6 denotes an external power connector for supplying power from the external power source to the charging device 1 through the power cable 7.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an automatic tracking photographing system in which an imaging device is attached to the charging device of FIG.

  Reference numeral 8 denotes an imaging device, which is fixed to the tilting table 3 of the charging device 1 by a tripod screw 4. At this time, as described above, the connector 5 shown in FIG. 1 is engaged with a corresponding connector (not shown) provided in the imaging device 8 so that data such as a video signal can be transmitted and received.

  In the above configuration, tracking shooting is performed by detecting the movement of the subject from the information of the video signal obtained on the imaging device 8 side. In this case, the tilting table 3 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow A (vertical direction) by a drive mechanism (not shown) so that the imaging device 8 can be tilted and driven with the rotation center 3a as a fulcrum. Further, the panning table 2 is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow B together with the tilting table 3 by the imaging device 8 placed on the tilting table 3 by a drive mechanism (not shown).

  By rotating the tilting table 3 and the panning table 2, it is possible to perform tracking shooting of a subject even while the imaging device 8 is being charged.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the charging device 1 having the automatic tracking head function and the imaging device 8 attached to the charging device 1.

  First, the configuration within the imaging device 8 will be described.

  Reference numeral 9 denotes an image pickup optical system. A subject image via the image pickup optical system 9 is formed on an image pickup element (hereinafter referred to as a CCD) 10, and an image pickup signal from the CCD 10 is taken into the image pickup unit 11. Reference numeral 12 denotes a central processing circuit. Reference numeral 13 denotes a subject detection circuit, which detects the movement of the subject by comparing the video signals of the first frame and the second frame recorded in the video signal recording unit 15 (described later) sent from the central processing circuit 12; The information is output to the central processing circuit 12. Then, the central processing circuit 12 outputs subject detection information, that is, a tracking signal to the charging device 1 side via the pan / tilt control signal output circuit 14.

  Reference numeral 15 denotes a known video signal recording unit such as a magnetic tape, on which imaging data is recorded. Reference numeral 16 denotes a memory for temporarily storing various data such as the image pickup signal, and temporarily stores an image pickup signal for detecting a subject. A power control circuit 17 supplies power from the battery 18 as a secondary battery to the central processing unit 12 when the main switch 19 is turned on. The power supply control circuit 17 also supplies power to a known zooming mechanism and focusing mechanism provided in the imaging optical system 9. Further, when the video signal is recorded in the video signal recording unit 15, which is a magnetic recording tape, for example, which is performed when the recording switch 20 is turned on, power is also supplied to the winding drive source of the magnetic recording tape.

  Next, the circuit configuration in the charging device 1 that supplies power to the imaging device 8 and transfers control data to the imaging device 8 when the connection connector 8a of the imaging device 8 is engaged with the connector 5 will be described. To do.

  Reference numeral 21 denotes an external power connector (corresponding to the external power connector 6 in FIG. 1), which is connected to a household power outlet (not shown) and supplies external power to a power control circuit 22 described later. Reference numeral 22 denotes a power supply control circuit, and the power supplied to the power supply control circuit 22 is supplied to a battery 23 that is a secondary battery built in the charging apparatus 1, and the battery 23 is charged. The power supply control circuit 22 supplies power to the later-described panning drive circuit 26, tilting drive circuit 28 and the like when the main switch 24 is turned on when no power is supplied from the external power supply. Used as a power source. The power supply control circuit 22 also supplies power from the external power supply or the battery 23 to the battery 18 of the imaging device 8 via the connector 5 to charge the battery 18.

  A central processing circuit 25 receives the power output from the power supply control circuit 22 and operates. When a tracking signal is received from the pan / tilt control signal output circuit 14 on the image pickup apparatus 8 side, a tracking signal is described below based on the tracking signal. Drive command signals for the panning drive circuit 26 and the tilting drive circuit 28 are generated and output. A panning drive circuit 26 receives a command signal from the central processing circuit 25 and drives the panning motor 27. A tilting drive circuit 28 receives a command signal from the central processing circuit 25 and drives the tilting motor 29.

  Next, the operation of the main part in the automatic tracking imaging system (the operation when performing tracking imaging by automatically determining the movement of the subject) will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  Tracking control is started from step S101, and in step S102, a timer is initialized. Then, in the next step S 103, the video signal of the first frame is captured and the video data is recorded in the memory 16. In the subsequent step S104, the video signal is output to a liquid crystal monitor (not shown) provided in the imaging device 8, and a monitoring image is provided to the photographer.

  In the next step S <b> 105, the video signal of the second frame is captured and the video data is stored in the memory 16. Then, in the next step S106, a video signal is output to a liquid crystal monitor (not shown) as in step S104, and a monitoring image is provided to the photographer. In the next step S107, the subject detection circuit 13 compares the two video data captured in steps S103 and S105, and a range in which the positions of singular points of the subject, such as eyes, mouth, and nose, are determined. It is determined whether or not it has been moved. If the singular point movement is within the specified range, it is determined that the subject is not moving and the process proceeds to step S108. In step S108, it is determined whether or not the predetermined time has passed. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S103, and the same operation is repeated thereafter. If the predetermined time has passed, the process exits the subroutine and returns to the main process routine in step S109.

  If it is determined in step S107 that the movement of the singular point has exceeded the specified value, that is, the subject is moving, the process proceeds to step S110, and the moving direction and moving speed of the singular point are calculated by a known method. Then, in the next step S111, the tilting driving amount and the tracking speed necessary for the tracking shooting are determined, and in the subsequent step S112, the panning driving amount and the tracking speed required for the tracking shooting are determined. Then, in the next step S113, each of the above data is transmitted from the pan / tilt control signal output circuit 14 to the central processing circuit 25 of the charging apparatus 1.

  In step S113, the central processing unit 25 on the charging device 1 side uses the panning drive circuit 26 and the tilting drive circuit 28 to send each of the data (the panning / tilting drive amount and the tracking speed necessary for the tracking shooting) transmitted above. Output to. As a result, the panning motor 27 and the tilting motor 29 are driven and controlled, and the panning table 2 and the tilting table 3 are rotationally driven at a speed that allows tracking in the direction of tracking the subject. Therefore, it is possible to perform tracking shooting of a moving subject. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S108, where it is determined whether a certain time has elapsed. If the certain time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S103, and the same operation is repeated thereafter. If the predetermined time has passed, the process exits the subroutine and returns to the main process routine in step S109.

  According to the first embodiment, the imaging device 8 that is placed on the charging device 1 and the built-in battery 18 is charged by the charging device 1 detects the movement of the subject and moves the subject to the movement of the subject. A tracking signal is generated to track 8. On the other hand, when the tracking signal is input, the charging device 1 drives the imaging device by panning and tilting driving means to enable tracking shooting. The panning and tilting driving means includes a panning drive circuit 26, a panning motor 27, a tilting drive circuit 28, and a tilting motor 29.

  Therefore, it is possible to provide an automatic tracking shooting system that can automatically determine the movement of the subject and perform tracking shooting while charging the imaging device without operating an external device such as a PC as in the past. It becomes.

  In addition, the charging device 1 includes connection means (connector 5) for supplying power to the imaging device 8 and exchanging signals with the imaging device 8 at a mechanical attachment portion of the imaging device 8. Therefore, the battery of the imaging device 8 can be charged via the output means, and automatic tracking shooting can be performed during the charging.

  The charging device 1 further includes power input means (external power connector 6 (21)) for receiving power from an external power source. Therefore, the battery 18 of the imaging device 8 can be charged using an external power source, and automatic tracking shooting can be performed during the charging.

  Further, the charging device 1 supplies power from the built-in battery 23 to the placed imaging device 8 and supplies power to the panning driving means and the tilting driving means for enabling tracking shooting. It is possible. Accordingly, for example, when the camera is used outdoors, it is possible to perform tracking shooting of a subject even when power is not supplied from an external power source.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an imaging apparatus and a charging apparatus having an automatic tracking head function that constitute an automatic tracking imaging system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. In addition, regarding the operation, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

  In the second embodiment, the subject detection circuit 13 provided in the imaging device in the first embodiment is provided on the charging device 1 side. In the second embodiment, the image signal output circuit 30 that captures and outputs the video signals of the first and second frames is provided in the imaging device 8. Then, a new video signal input circuit 31 is provided in the charging device 1 so that the video data from the video signal output circuit 30 is captured. Then, the video data captured by the video signal input circuit 31 is output to the subject detection circuit 13, where the two video data are compared to determine the position of the singular point of the subject, such as the eyes, mouth, and nose. It is determined whether it has moved beyond the specified range.

  With the configuration as described above, it is not necessary to provide a means for discriminating the movement of the subject on the imaging device side 8, and processing for performing tracking shooting only on the charging device 1 side, panning and tilting drive Can be performed. In the case of this configuration, it goes without saying that the tracking signal is generated by the central processing circuit 25 on the charging device 1 side.

  According to the second embodiment, the charging device 1 charges the battery 18 of the imaging device and receives a video signal from the imaging device 8 to detect the movement of the subject and to change the subject movement. A tracking signal for tracking the imaging device 8 is generated. Then, based on the tracking signal, the imaging device is driven by panning driving means and tilting driving means to enable tracking imaging.

  Therefore, charging with an auto-tracking head function that automatically determines the movement of the subject and enables tracking shooting while charging the imaging device without operating an external device such as a PC as in the past. A device can be provided.

  The panning table 2 can be raised and lowered by the raising and lowering driving means.

  The imaging device and the charging device that constitute the automatic tracking imaging system of the present invention are not limited to the configurations of the first and second embodiments. It goes without saying that any form can be adopted as long as it does not deviate from the contents of claims 1 and 2.

It is a perspective view which shows the charging device concerning Example 1 of this invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state where an imaging device is attached to the charging device of FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the charging device concerning Example 1 of this invention, and the imaging device attached to this charging device. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of tracking imaging | photography in Example 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the charging device concerning Example 2 of this invention, and the imaging device attached to this charging device.

Explanation of symbols

1 Charging Device 2 Panning Table 3 Tilting Table 4 Tripod Screw 5 Connector 6 External Power Connector 8 Imaging Device
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Central processing unit 13 Subject detection circuit 14 Pan / tilt control signal output circuit 17 Power control circuit 18 Battery 21 External power connector 22 Power control circuit 23 Battery 25 Central processing unit 26 Panning drive circuit 27 Panning motor 28 Tilt drive circuit 29 Chill Ting motor 30 Video signal output circuit 31 Video signal input circuit

Claims (3)

A platform means for mounting the imaging device;
Charging means for charging a battery serving as a power source of the imaging device attached by the pan head means;
Driving means for driving the camera platform means to change the imaging range of the imaging device by inputting a tracking signal for tracking the imaging device to the movement of the subject from the imaging device;
A charging device with an automatic tracking head function, characterized by comprising: A platform means for mounting the imaging device;
Charging means for charging a battery serving as a power source of the imaging device attached by the pan head means;
Tracking signal generation means for detecting a movement of a subject based on a video signal from the imaging device and generating a tracking signal for tracking the imaging device according to the movement of the subject;
Driving means for driving the camera platform means based on the tracking signal to change the imaging range of the imaging device;
A charging device with an automatic tracking head function, characterized by comprising: Imaging means for converting light from the subject into an electrical signal;
Power storage means for receiving power supply from a pan head means for supplying power; and
Supply means for supplying a tracking signal for tracking the movement of a subject based on an electrical signal from the imaging means to the pan head means;
An imaging device comprising:

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