JP2008011411A - Camera controller, camera control method, control program, and camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for acquiring high quality pictures during the preset operation of a camera for picking up dynamic pictures. <P>SOLUTION: A camera controller can control a camera device for taking dynamic pictures that can vary magnification factor of zooming and picture taking direction. The camera controller includes a storage means for storing at least an angle information, an indicating means for indicating the angle information, and a control means for changing, when the angle information is indicated, the magnification factor of zooming of the camera device to the factor equal to or lower than the preset magnification factor, starting movement of the camera device to the picture taking direction in accordance with the angle information, continuing movement to the picture taking direction in accordance with the angle information, and also starting change of the magnification factor in the zooming of the camera device to the magnification factor in the zooming indicated by the angle information indicated with the indicating means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control technique for a camera device having a zoom function.

  A moving image capturing system such as a television camera system (hereinafter referred to as a camera system) mainly includes a camera device and a turning device. The camera device includes a lens, an image sensor unit including an image sensor such as a CCD, and a signal processing unit that outputs a captured image signal. The camera device also includes a focus lens moving motor for moving the lens to adjust the focus and a zoom lens moving motor for moving the (zoom) lens during zooming. On the other hand, a turning device for turning the camera device in the horizontal (horizontal) and vertical (vertical) directions includes a pan direction rotation motor for driving the entire camera device in a horizontal (pan) direction (panning), and a camera device. And a tilt direction rotation motor for driving (tilting) in the vertical (tilt) direction. In addition, by specifying preset parameters (position direction, zoom position, focus position, etc.) for such a camera system, a control operation (hereinafter referred to as a preset operation) is automatically performed based on the automatically specified parameters. ), There is a control device.

  In the conventional preset operation, the position direction, zoom position, focus position, and the like are controlled in steps as shown in FIG. First, it is determined whether or not an instruction for preset operation has been input by the operator via the operation unit (step S101). When there is an instruction input, the corresponding position direction, zoom position, and focus position are read (step S102). Further, the current camera system position direction, zoom position, and focus position are read (step S103). Then, based on the parameters read in step S102 and step S103, drive control of each part is started (step S104). Thereafter, drive control of each unit is continued until the current position of the camera system reaches the position specified in step S102. When the position designated in step S102 is reached, the preset operation is terminated.

In Patent Document 1, trace data for storing a series of pan, tilt and focus operations of a TV camera is created and registered, and the pan position is controlled based on the barycentric coordinates of a moving object to be tracked. An automatic tracking device that automatically tracks a moving object with an easy-to-view video by controlling the zoom and focus positions based on trace data is disclosed.
JP 2002-247440 A

  However, in the conventional image pickup apparatus and the control method thereof as described above, there are cases where the moving image picked up during the preset operation may be uncomfortable for the viewer.

  For example, if the backlash of the pan system drive member of the swivel device is large at the start of the preset operation, it takes time until the gears come into contact with each other, and the impact when the gears mesh with each other becomes large. Due to the impact, there may be a phenomenon in which the image changes at a stroke immediately after the turning device is driven to pan. Furthermore, when the zoom position of the camera device is near the telephoto end, a phenomenon in which the image changes at a stroke appears significantly because the image is enlarged. There were cases where viewers watching the video of this camera system were uncomfortable with the phenomenon of the video changing at a stroke.

  For this problem, when panning the swivel device, it is necessary to reduce the backlash between the pan drive gear and the drive gear as much as possible so that the image of the camera device does not change at a stretch. For this reason, it is necessary to improve the dimensional accuracy so that backlash is reduced in the design stage, or to perform fine adjustment on the production line. Furthermore, if the swivel device is used for a long time, the backlash grows due to gear and gear wear. When driving, a phenomenon occurs in which the image changes at a stroke. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically collect the swivel device and adjust the backlash of the pan system drive gear of the swivel device, and there is a problem in that the adjustment man-hours and the cost of removing / attaching the camera system occur. .

  Also, this problem can be avoided by acquiring the zoom position information and performing the preset operation to suppress the influence of the backlash of the pan gear by making the pan driving speed extremely low in the vicinity of the tele. A method can be considered. However, with this method, it takes time to complete the preset operation, or during the preset operation to move from the tele end to the tele end, the telephoto image will be continuous, so it will not be clear where you are shooting. There is a problem of becoming. In particular, recent zoom lenses are increasing in magnification year by year in order to differentiate them from other companies. For this reason, the focal length at the telephoto end becomes long, and such a problem is likely to occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of acquiring a better video during a preset operation in a camera device for moving image shooting.

  In order to solve the above problems, a camera control device according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement.

  That is, a camera control device that controls a camera device for moving image shooting in which a zoom magnification and a shooting direction can be changed, and an angle configured by zoom information for specifying a zoom magnification and shooting direction information for specifying a shooting direction Storage means for storing at least one information, instruction means for instructing angle information stored in the storage means, and when one of the angle information is instructed by the instruction means, it is instructed from the current shooting direction of the camera. When the time required to change to the shooting direction indicated by the angle information is divided into the first to third phases, the zoom of the camera device is set to be equal to or less than a preset zoom magnification in the first phase. In addition to changing the magnification, the camera apparatus starts to move so as to obtain a shooting direction according to the angle information. Control means for starting to change the zoom magnification of the camera device to the zoom magnification indicated by the angle information instructed by the instruction means in the third phase. Is provided.

  Further, whether or not the difference between the shooting direction of the current camera device and the shooting direction of the specified angle information when one of the angle information specified by the indicating means is specified is equal to or less than a preset threshold value. And determining that the difference is equal to or smaller than the threshold value, the control means starts changing to the zoom magnification indicated by the instructed angle information and changing to the photographing direction.

  The control means further comprises second storage means for storing a plurality of zoom magnifications, and selection means for selecting one of the plurality of zoom magnifications stored in the second storage means. The zoom magnification selected by the selection means is set as the target zoom magnification in the first stage.

  The control means changes the moving speed in the photographing direction at each time point based on the zoom magnification at each time point when the control means is executed.

  Here, the shooting direction included in the angle information stored in the storage means is expressed by a pan angle and a tilt angle.

  In order to solve the above problems, a camera control method according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement.

  That is, a camera control method for controlling a camera device for moving image shooting in which a zoom magnification and a shooting direction can be changed, the zoom information specifying the zoom magnification and the shooting direction information specifying the shooting direction stored in the storage unit An instruction process for instructing one angle information from at least one angle information composed of: and when one of the angle information is instructed in the instruction process, the angle information instructed from the shooting direction of the current camera When the time required for changing to the indicated shooting direction is divided into the first to third phases, in the first phase, the zoom magnification of the camera device is changed so as to be equal to or less than a preset zoom magnification. And the movement of the camera device is started so that the shooting direction is in accordance with the angle information. In the second phase, the angle information is followed. Continuing the movement of the shading direction, in the third phase, and a control step of starting the change of the indicated zoom magnification by the said angle information a zoom magnification of the camera device is instructed by said instruction means.

  In order to solve the above problems, a camera control program according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement.

  That is, a camera control program for controlling a camera device for moving image shooting in which the zoom magnification and the shooting direction can be changed, the zoom information for specifying the zoom magnification and the shooting direction information for specifying the shooting direction stored in the storage unit A program code for executing an instruction process for instructing one angle information from at least one angle information composed of: and when one of the angle information is instructed in the instruction process, the current shooting direction of the camera When the time required to change to the shooting direction indicated by the angle information instructed from is divided into first to third phases, in the first phase, the camera is set to be equal to or smaller than a preset zoom magnification. The zoom magnification of the apparatus is changed, and the camera apparatus starts to move so that the shooting direction conforms to the angle information. In the phase, the movement in the shooting direction according to the angle information is continued, and in the third phase, the zoom magnification of the camera device is changed to the zoom magnification indicated by the angle information instructed by the instruction means. Program code for executing the control process.

  In order to solve the above problems, a camera system according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement.

  That is, a camera system including a camera device for shooting a moving image in which a zoom magnification can be changed, a turning device that loads the camera device and controls a shooting direction, and a control device that controls the camera device and the turning device. The control device stores at least one angle information composed of zoom information for specifying a zoom magnification and shooting direction information for specifying a shooting direction; and angle information stored in the storage means. When one of the angle information is instructed by the instructing means and the instruction means, the time required to change from the current camera photographing direction to the photographing direction indicated by the designated angle information is set to When divided into the third phase, in the first phase, when the zoom magnification of the camera device is changed to be equal to or less than a preset zoom magnification, In addition, the movement of the swivel device is started so that the shooting direction is in accordance with the angle information. In the second phase, the movement in the shooting direction in accordance with the angle information is continued. Control means for starting to change the zoom magnification to the zoom magnification indicated by the angle information instructed by the instruction means.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the technique which can acquire a favorable image | video at the time of the preset operation | movement in the camera device for video recording can be provided.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the constituent elements described in this embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them.

(First embodiment)
<Overview>
In the first embodiment, the zoom position is temporarily changed to the wide side during the preset operation. By operating in this way, the relative movement amount of the object within the shooting range is reduced, so that it is possible to obtain a video that is easy for the viewer to see.

<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the camera system in the first embodiment. Reference numeral 1 denotes a lens unit having a zoom function, 2 denotes an image sensor unit made up of a photographing element such as a CCD, and 3 denotes a signal processing unit that outputs a video signal of the camera device. Reference numeral 5 denotes a focus lens moving motor for moving the focus lens, and reference numeral 6 denotes a zoom lens moving motor for moving the zoom lens during zooming.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes a pan motor for rotating (panning) the camera unit housing the above parts in the horizontal direction. Reference numeral 8 denotes a tilt motor for rotating the camera unit in the vertical direction (tilting). Reference numerals 9, 10, 11 and 12 are position sensors for detecting the movement and rotation positions of the respective motors.

  Reference numerals 13, 14, 15 and 16 denote motor drive circuits for driving the respective motors. Reference numeral 17 denotes a microcomputer that controls the entire camera unit such as motor control, reading of preset data, and reading of operation keys. The microcomputer 17 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. The ROM stores a preset operation processing program to be described later. Reference numeral 18 denotes a preset memory unit for storing preset data, and 19 denotes an operation unit for executing a preset operation and the like.

  As the preset data stored in the preset memory unit 18, one or more angle information including zoom information for specifying a zoom magnification and shooting direction information for specifying a shooting direction is stored. Further, focus information may be stored together. In the first embodiment, a combination of pan position and tilt position is used as shooting direction information.

  The operation unit 19 may be, for example, a button arranged on a GUI displayed on a display unit (not shown), or may be operated by a physical button or a switch.

<Preset operation overview>
As described in the background art, in the preset operation, the drive circuit for the focus motor 5, the zoom motor 6, the pan motor 7 and the tilt motor 8 is controlled based on the designated preset data. Specifically, the positions of the focus motor 5, the zoom motor 6, the pan motor 7 and the tilt motor 8 are read by the respective position sensors, and control is performed until they are the same as the positions in the designated preset data. For this reason, when the zoom position is on the tele side, the image acquired when the shooting direction of the camera device is moved becomes very difficult to see. Further, as described above, when the zoom position is on the tele side, the influence of the backlash of the turning device is greatly displayed as an image.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the relative movement amount within the photographing range when the photographing direction of the camera device is moved. Here, (a) shows an example at the tele end, and (b) shows an example at the wide end. As can be seen from the figure, the relative movement changes in inverse proportion to the angle of view. Therefore, even if the absolute amount of the backlash of the swivel device is the same amount, it can be made less noticeable if the zoom position is on the wide side. For example, when the tele side (for example, horizontal angle of view 10 °), the wide side (for example, horizontal angle of view 60 °) and the backlash is 30 ′ (= 0.5 °),
For tele-side shooting 30 '÷ 10 ° = 0.05 (5% change in screen width)
When shooting on the wide side 30 '÷ 60 ° = 0.008 (1% change in screen width)
It becomes. That is, by performing shooting on the wide side, the amount of change on the screen is relatively 1/5 compared to that on the tele side. Therefore, the amount of movement on the screen is suppressed, and it is possible to shoot a video that is easier to see. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the zoom position is moved to the preset wide side while the shooting direction of the camera device is moved. Hereinafter, all “focal lengths” indicate focal lengths in terms of a 35 mm camera.

<Detailed flowchart when executing preset operation>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the preset operation process according to the first embodiment. The following operation is realized by the microcomputer 17 executing a preset operation processing program, for example.

  In step S401, it is determined whether or not a preset execution instruction is given from the operator in the operation unit 19. If a preset execution instruction has been given, the process proceeds to step S402. If not, the flow ends.

  In step S <b> 402, the current position information of the zoom lens 1 or the zoom motor 6 is acquired by the position sensor 10.

  In step S403, it is determined whether or not the position information acquired in step S402 is on the tele side from the position designated in advance. For example, it is determined whether or not the position is the telephoto side from the position of the zoom lens 1 where the focal length is 40 mm. If it is the tele side, the process proceeds to step S404, and if it is the wide side, the process proceeds to step S405. The reference focal length for determination may be set to other values depending on the application, but is generally wider than the standard angle of view (focal length 50 mm).

  In step S404, the zoom drive circuit 14 is controlled to drive the zoom motor 6 so as to be on the wide side. Steps S402 to S404 are continued until the zoom position is less than the focal length of 40 mm.

  In step S405, the preset data instructed in step S401 is read from the preset memory unit 18. That is, the target zoom position, focus position, pan position, and tilt position of the movement destination are acquired and stored in the work area of the microcomputer 17 RAM.

  In step S406, the current zoom position, focus position, pan position, and tilt position are acquired with reference to the focus position sensor 9, zoom position sensor 10, pan position sensor 11, and tilt position sensor 12, and the RAM of the microcomputer 17 stores them. Store in work area.

  In step S407, driving of the zoom, focus, pan, and tilt motors is started by controlling the drive circuits in the direction of the preset designated position.

  In step S408, it is determined whether or not the zoom position has reached a preset zoom position. If it is at the preset position, the zoom motor is stopped (step S409), and the process proceeds to step S410. If it is not at the preset position, the process proceeds to step S410 without stopping the zoom motor.

  In step S410, it is determined whether or not the focus position has reached a preset focus position. If it is at the preset position, the focus motor is stopped (step S411), and the process proceeds to step S412. If it is not at the preset position, the process proceeds to step S412 without stopping the focus motor.

  In step S412, it is determined whether the pan position has reached the preset pan position. If the preset position is reached, the pan motor is stopped (step S413), and the process proceeds to step S414. If the preset position is not reached, the pan motor is not stopped and the process proceeds to step S414.

  In step S414, it is determined whether or not the tilt position has reached a preset tilt position. If the preset position is reached, the tilt motor is stopped (step S415), and the process proceeds to step S416. If the preset position is not reached, the pan motor is not stopped and the process proceeds to step S416.

  In step S416, it is determined whether zoom, focus, pan, and tilt are all at the preset instructed positions. If all the preset positions are reached, the flow ends. If even one is not at the preset position, the process returns to step S408. That is, steps S408 to S416 are repeatedly executed until the position corresponding to the preset data instructed in step S401 is reached.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the zoom position and time during the preset operation according to the first embodiment. A solid line indicates a conventional preset operation, and a dotted line indicates a preset operation according to the first embodiment. That is, in the first embodiment, it is indicated that the zoom position is on the wide side (here, 40 mm) in most of the period during the panning of the swivel device.

  By performing the above-described operation, during the preset operation, the zoom position of the lens 1 is on the wide side (focal length 40 mm in this case), so that the image changes at a stroke due to the backlash of the turning device. The phenomenon will be greatly reduced. Further, since the turning device pans in the shooting state on the wide side, the viewer can easily grasp the position where the camera device is shooting.

  In MPEG-2, video data is grouped (GOP), for example, in units of 15 frames, and the reference frame is recorded as a frame, but the other video data is only difference data from the previous (or previous) video data. High compression ratio is realized by recording. For this reason, in the case of a video that moves rapidly, such as a panning operation on the tele side, the difference data becomes large, and if the difference data amount does not fall within the encoding rate, block noise or the like occurs. However, by performing the operation shown in the first embodiment, difference data can be suppressed, and an improvement in image quality is expected.

  In the above description, the change of the zoom position, that is, the change of the angle of view has been described so as to be realized by moving the lens by the zoom motor. However, the angle of view may be changed by image processing (so-called digital zoom).

(Second Embodiment)
<Overview>
In the second embodiment, whether or not to perform the same operation as the operation described in the first embodiment based on the difference between the shooting direction of the camera device in the designated preset data and the current shooting direction. decide. In this way, it is possible to suppress a useless zoom operation when the amount of movement in the shooting direction is small. Since the system configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

<Detailed flowchart when executing preset operation>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the preset operation process according to the second embodiment. The following operation is realized by the microcomputer 17 executing a preset operation processing program, for example.

  In step S601, it is determined whether or not a preset execution instruction is given from the operator in the operation unit 19. If a preset execution instruction is given, the process proceeds to step S602. If not, the flow ends.

  In step S602, the current zoom position, focus position, pan position, and tilt position are obtained by referring to the focus position sensor 9, the zoom position sensor 10, the pan position sensor 11, and the tilt position sensor 12, and stored in the RAM of the microcomputer 17. Store in work area.

  In step S603, the preset data instructed in step S601 is read from the preset memory unit 18. That is, the target zoom position, focus position, pan position, and tilt position of the movement destination are acquired and stored in the work area of the microcomputer 17 RAM.

  In step S604, it is determined whether the difference between the pan position acquired in step S602 and the pan position acquired in step S603 is smaller than a predetermined angle. For example, it is determined whether or not the necessary pan movement angle is 5 ° or less. If it is less than 5 °, the process proceeds to step S607, and if it is 5 ° or more, the process proceeds to step S605. The reference angle for determination may be set to another value depending on the application, but is an angle that can be moved by a short panning operation.

  In step S605, it is determined whether the zoom position information acquired in step S402 is on the tele side with respect to a position designated in advance. For example, it is determined whether or not the position is the telephoto side from the position of the zoom lens 1 where the focal length is 40 mm (35 mm camera equivalent). If it is the tele side, the process proceeds to step S606, and if it is the wide side, the process proceeds to step S607. Here, the reference focal length for determination may be set to other values depending on the application, but is generally wider than the standard angle of view (focal length 50 mm).

  In step S606, the zoom drive circuit 14 is controlled to drive the zoom motor 6 so as to be on the wide side. Steps S602 to S606 are continued until the zoom position is less than the focal length of 40 mm.

  In step S607, the driving of the zoom, focus, pan, and tilt motors is started by controlling the drive circuits in the direction of the preset designated position. Subsequent operations are the same as those in steps S408 to S416 in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  By performing the above-described operation, the zoom operation to the wide side described in the first embodiment can be suppressed when the necessary panning angle is sufficiently small during the preset operation. Therefore, the time to reach the preset position is shortened. In addition, since the angle is sufficiently small, the panning operation is very short, so that viewer discomfort often does not occur.

  Further, it is possible to avoid a zoom operation that occurs after the operator manually operates the pan of the swivel device and then returns the pan position using memory.

(Third embodiment)
<Overview>
The third embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in that the zoom position is temporarily changed to the wide side during the preset operation. However, the zoom position at the time of panning can be selected by the user. Then, based on the determination as to whether or not the current zoom position is on the tele side compared to the selected zoom position, it is determined whether or not to perform the same operation as that described in the first embodiment. This is characterized in that a video with an angle of view based on the video production intention of the user can be set freely. Since the system configuration is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

<Detailed flowchart when executing preset operation>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of preset operation processing according to the third embodiment. The following operation is realized by the microcomputer 17 executing a preset operation processing program, for example. Prior to the start of the following flowchart, the setting of the zoom position (that is, the angle of view) used in the preset operation is received from the user in advance by the operation unit 19 and stored in the RAM in the microcomputer 17.

  In step S <b> 701, it is determined whether or not a preset execution instruction is given from the operator in the operation unit 19. If a preset execution instruction has been given, the process proceeds to step S702. If not, the flow ends.

  In step S702, the current position information of the zoom lens 1 or zoom motor 6 is acquired by the position sensor 10 and stored in the work area of the microcomputer 17 RAM.

  In step S703, it is determined whether the position information acquired in step S702 is on the tele side with respect to the position stored in the RAM. For example, it is determined whether or not the zoom lens 1 is at the telephoto side with a focal length of 20 mm. If it is the tele side, the process proceeds to step S704, and if it is the wide side, the process proceeds to step S705.

  In step S704, the zoom drive circuit 14 is controlled to drive the zoom motor 6 so as to be on the wide side. Steps S702 to S704 are continued until the zoom position becomes less than the focal length specified in advance by the user.

  In step S705, the preset data instructed in step S701 is read from the preset memory unit 18. That is, the target zoom position, focus position, pan position, and tilt position of the movement destination are acquired and stored in the work area of the microcomputer 17 RAM.

  In step S706, the current zoom position, focus position, pan position, and tilt position are obtained by referring to the focus position sensor 9, zoom position sensor 10, pan position sensor 11, and tilt position sensor 12, and stored in the RAM of the microcomputer 17. Store in work area. Subsequent operations are the same as those in steps S408 to S416 in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the zoom position and time during the preset operation according to the third embodiment. A solid line indicates a conventional preset operation, and a dotted line indicates a preset operation (three types of 10, 20, and 40 mm) according to the third embodiment. That is, it is possible to freely specify the wide-side limit of the zoom position during the panning operation.

  By performing the above-described operation, it is possible to perform a preset operation in accordance with the user's intention of shooting (here, the shooting angle of view). Further, by setting the tele side (for example, 40 mm), it is possible to shorten the preset operation time when the zoom position at the start of the preset operation is near the tele end.

(Fourth embodiment)
<Overview>
The fourth embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in that the zoom position is temporarily changed to the wide side during the preset operation. However, the part where the panning operation speed is variable is different based on the zoom position at the time of panning. By doing so, it is possible to obtain a video that is easier for the viewer to view. Since the system configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

<Detailed flowchart when executing preset operation>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of preset operation processing according to the fourth embodiment. The following operation is realized by the microcomputer 17 executing a preset operation processing program, for example. Note that information on the zoom position (Zth), which is a threshold for changing the panning speed, is received by the operation unit 19 and stored in the RAM of the microcomputer 17 in advance.

  In step S <b> 901, it is determined whether or not a preset execution instruction is given from the operator in the operation unit 19. If a preset execution instruction is given, the process proceeds to step S902. If not, the flow ends.

  In step S902, the preset data instructed in step S901 is read from the preset memory unit 18. That is, the target zoom position, focus position, pan position, and tilt position of the movement destination are acquired and stored in the work area of the microcomputer 17 RAM.

  In step S903, the focus position sensor 9, the zoom position sensor 10, the pan position sensor 11, and the tilt position sensor 12 are referred to obtain the current zoom position, focus position, pan position, and tilt position, and are stored in the RAM of the microcomputer 17. Store in work area.

  In step S904, it is determined whether or not the position information acquired in step S403 is on the tele side from the position specified in advance. For example, it is determined whether or not the position is the telephoto side from the position of the zoom lens 1 where the focal length is 40 mm (35 mm camera equivalent). If it is the tele side, the process proceeds to step S905, and if it is the wide side, the process proceeds to step S405. The reference focal length for determination may be set to other values depending on the application, but is generally wider than the standard angle of view (focal length 50 mm).

  In step S905, the zoom drive circuit 14 is controlled to drive the zoom motor 6 so as to be on the wide side.

  In step S906, the drive circuit 15 of the pan motor 7 is controlled to move the pan position to the preset position. At this time, if the current zoom position read in S903 is on the tele side compared with Zth stored in the RAM, the pan motor is driven at a slower speed than usual. On the other hand, if the current zoom position read in S903 is wider than Zth, the pan motor is driven at a normal speed. Steps S902 to S906 are continued until the zoom position is less than the focal length of 40 mm.

  In step S907, the driving of the zoom, focus, pan, and tilt motors is started by controlling the drive circuits in the direction of the preset designated position. Subsequent operations are the same as those in steps S408 to S416 in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the zoom position and the pan angle (position) during the preset operation according to the fourth embodiment. Unlike the case of the first embodiment, the pan position is moved even when the zoom position is being moved to the wide side. And in the case of the tele side, it turns out that it is moving at a slower speed (here, the lowest speed).

  By performing the above operation, the pan operation moves at the lowest speed while the zoom is driven in the wide direction at the time of presetting. Therefore, the user who uses this camera system has the pan element whether the preset operation has no pan component. It is possible to easily determine whether a preset operation is performed.

(Other embodiments)
Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention supplies a program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment directly or remotely to a system or apparatus, and the system or apparatus is supplied with the program. It is also achieved by reading and executing the code. Accordingly, the program code itself installed in the computer in order to realize the functional processing of the present invention by the computer is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program is a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the camera system in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of conventional preset operation processing. It is a figure explaining the relative movement amount within the imaging | photography range at the time of moving the imaging | photography direction of a camera apparatus. 4 is a flowchart of preset operation processing according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the zoom position at the time of the preset operation | movement which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and time. It is a flowchart of the preset operation process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the preset operation process which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the zoom position at the time of the preset operation | movement which concerns on 3rd Embodiment, and time. It is a flowchart of the preset operation process which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the zoom position at the time of the preset operation | movement which concerns on 4th Embodiment, and a pan position.

Explanation of symbols

1 lens (zoom lens)
2 CCD (imaging device)
5 Focus motor 6 Zoom motor 7 Pan motor 8 Tilt motor 9, 10, 11, 12 Position sensor 17 Microcomputer
18 Preset memory section

Claims (8)

A camera control device that controls a camera device for moving image shooting in which a zoom magnification and a shooting direction can be changed,
Storage means for storing at least one angle information composed of zoom information for specifying a zoom magnification and shooting direction information for specifying a shooting direction;
Instruction means for instructing angle information stored in the storage means;
When one of the angle information is instructed by the instruction means, the time required to change from the current camera photographing direction to the photographing direction indicated by the designated angle information is divided into first to third phases. At the time of the first phase, the zoom magnification of the camera device is changed so as to be equal to or less than a preset zoom magnification, and the camera device is started to move in a shooting direction according to the angle information. In the second phase, the movement in the photographing direction according to the angle information is continued, and in the third phase, the zoom magnification of the camera device is changed to the zoom magnification indicated by the angle information instructed by the instruction means. Control means for starting
A camera control device comprising: Further, whether or not the difference between the shooting direction of the current camera device and the shooting direction of the specified angle information when one of the angle information specified by the indicating means is specified is equal to or less than a preset threshold value. Determination means for determining
2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the difference is determined to be equal to or less than the threshold value, the control unit starts changing to the zoom magnification indicated by the instructed angle information and changing to the photographing direction. The camera control device described. A second storage means for storing a plurality of zoom magnifications;
Selection means for selecting one of a plurality of zoom magnifications stored in the second storage means;
The camera control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets the zoom magnification selected by the selection unit as a target zoom magnification in the first stage.   4. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the control unit is executed, the moving speed in the photographing direction at each time point is changed based on a zoom magnification at each time point. The camera control device according to Item.   The camera control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shooting direction included in the angle information stored in the storage unit is expressed by a pan angle and a tilt angle. A camera control method for controlling a camera device for moving image shooting capable of changing a zoom magnification and a shooting direction,
An instruction step for instructing one angle information from at least one angle information composed of zoom information for specifying a zoom magnification and shooting direction information for specifying a shooting direction, which is stored in the storage unit;
When one of the angle information is instructed in the instruction step, the time required to change from the current camera photographing direction to the photographing direction indicated by the designated angle information is divided into the first to third phases. At the time of the first phase, the zoom magnification of the camera device is changed so as to be equal to or less than a preset zoom magnification, and the camera device is started to move in a shooting direction according to the angle information. In the second phase, the movement in the photographing direction according to the angle information is continued, and in the third phase, the zoom magnification of the camera device is changed to the zoom magnification indicated by the angle information instructed by the instruction means. A control process to start,
A camera control method comprising: A camera control program for controlling a camera device for moving image shooting in which a zoom magnification and a shooting direction can be changed,
A program for executing an instruction process for instructing one angle information from at least one angle information configured by zoom information for specifying a zoom magnification and shooting direction information for specifying a shooting direction, stored in a storage unit Code,
When one of the angle information is instructed in the instruction step, the time required to change from the current camera photographing direction to the photographing direction indicated by the designated angle information is divided into the first to third phases. At the time of the first phase, the zoom magnification of the camera device is changed so as to be equal to or less than a preset zoom magnification, and the camera device is started to move in a shooting direction according to the angle information. In the second phase, the movement in the photographing direction according to the angle information is continued, and in the third phase, the zoom magnification of the camera device is changed to the zoom magnification indicated by the angle information instructed by the instruction means. Program code for executing a control process for starting
A camera control program comprising: A camera device for moving image shooting capable of changing zoom magnification, a turning device for loading the camera device and controlling a shooting direction, and a camera system including the camera device and a control device for controlling the turning device,
The controller is
Storage means for storing at least one angle information composed of zoom information for specifying a zoom magnification and shooting direction information for specifying a shooting direction;
Instruction means for instructing angle information stored in the storage means;
When one of the angle information is instructed by the instruction means, the time required to change from the current camera photographing direction to the photographing direction indicated by the designated angle information is divided into first to third phases. At the time of the first phase, the zoom magnification of the camera device is changed so as to be equal to or less than a preset zoom magnification, and the swiveling device is started to move in a shooting direction according to the angle information. In the second phase, the movement in the photographing direction according to the angle information is continued, and in the third phase, the zoom magnification of the camera device is changed to the zoom magnification indicated by the angle information instructed by the instruction means. Control means for starting
A camera system comprising:

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