JP2009135683A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device which can perform masking processing which can appropriately conceal a position to be desired to conceal according to a state in the imaging device with the masking function. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging device includes: an imaging means which creates an optical image of an imaging area corresponding to an imaging direction on imaging elements through an optical lens, and outputs the image signal; a revolution means which performs revolution operation, and changes an imaging direction of the imaging means; a setting means which establishes a privacy area for masking a desired object in the imaging area; a detection means which detects that the revolution means reaches a predetermined reference point during the revolution operation; a masking means which creates a masking signal corresponding to the privacy area after detection by the detection means; an output means which outputs a composed signal which is carried out composing processing of the image signal obtained from the imaging means and the masking signal; and a control means which carries out blurring processing for the desired object for a period until the revolution means detects to have reached the predetermined reference point. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus having a function of imaging while hiding a desired place.

A conventional imaging apparatus, in particular, a rotating table that rotates a surveillance camera with a stepping motor in a pan direction and a tilt direction, for example, an image signal of a subject obtained from the surveillance camera, and a mask signal for hiding a desired location with respect to the subject There is known a surveillance camera device having a privacy mask function for generating an image and displaying an image signal and a mask signal superimposed on each other on a monitor.
JP 2001-69494 A [H04N 7/18]

  In the surveillance camera device of Prior Art 1 described in Patent Document 1, the pan angle and tilt angle are calculated from the number of pulses of the stepping motor, and the currently set mask position corresponds to turning in the pan direction and tilt direction. Calculate the mask position so that you can. By doing so, when an image is picked up while gently changing the direction, the mask position changes according to the movement of the camera, and the privacy zone can be kept hidden.

  In this monitoring camera device, in order to calculate the pan angle and tilt angle from the number of pulses of the stepping motor, the detection signals of the origin Hall element installed on the pan turntable and the end Hall element set on the tilt turntable are is necessary. This detection signal is output when a magnet installed in the surveillance camera passes over the element as the surveillance camera turns.

  In a surveillance camera that recognizes the position by using the detection signal and the number of pulses from the Hall element as a reference position, the number of pulses is reset when the power is turned off and the power is turned on again. In some cases, the current position cannot be recognized. In such a monitoring camera, when the power is turned on, initial processing including detection of the current imaging direction is performed. In this initial process, the surveillance camera is turned in the pan direction and the tilt direction, and the imaging direction of the surveillance camera when the power is turned on is recognized from the detection signal of the hall element and the number of pulses of the stepping motor. Further, since the mask position is stored as a relative position with respect to the reference position where the Hall element is installed, it is necessary to recognize the reference position in order to perform masking.

  Therefore, masking cannot be performed until the position of the Hall element is accurately known, and during that time, even when an image is output, even the place to be hidden is output.

  However, the prior art 1 does not disclose any masking processing at the time of such initial processing.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and provides an imaging apparatus capable of performing a masking process that can appropriately hide a place to be hidden according to a situation.

  An image pickup apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an image pickup unit that generates an optical image of an image pickup area corresponding to an image pickup direction on an image pickup element through an optical lens and outputs an image signal. Turning means for changing, setting means for setting a privacy area for masking a desired object in the imaging area, detecting means for detecting that the turning means has reached a predetermined reference position during the turning operation, and detecting means Masking means for generating a mask signal corresponding to the privacy area after detection by the detection means, output means for outputting a composite signal obtained by synthesizing the image signal obtained from the image pickup means and the mask signal, and the detection means turning means after the turning operation is started Is provided with a control means for performing a blurring process on a desired object during a period until it is detected that the camera has reached a predetermined reference position.

  According to this, after the turning operation is started, until the target position is detected by the turning operation, the desired object is blurred so that the desired object becomes difficult to see and the masking process is performed. In general, the same effect can be obtained.

  An image pickup apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention includes an image pickup unit that generates an optical image of an image pickup area corresponding to an image pickup direction on an image pickup element through an optical lens and outputs an image signal; A turning means for setting, a setting means for setting a privacy area for masking a desired object in the imaging area, a detecting means for detecting that the turning means has reached a predetermined reference position during the turning operation, and a detection means Mask means for generating a mask signal corresponding to the privacy area after detection, output means for outputting a composite signal obtained by combining the image signal obtained from the imaging means and the mask signal, and the turning means at the predetermined reference position by the detection means Imaging direction information detecting means for detecting the amount of turning of the turning means from the time when it is detected that the position has been reached and storing the imaging direction before turning in the memory as imaging direction information; After the start of the operation, the detection means performs blurring processing on the desired object during the period from when the turning means has reached the predetermined reference position until turning in the imaging direction before turning based on the imaging direction information. Control means is provided.

  According to this, after detecting that the predetermined reference position has been reached by the turning operation, the period from turning to the photographing direction before turning based on the imaging direction information is to blur the desired object. The desired object becomes difficult to see, and an effect similar to that obtained when the masking process is performed can be obtained.

  The image pickup apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2 of the invention of claim 3 further includes an adjusting unit that adjusts a distance from the optical lens to the image pickup element, and the blurring process is performed on the desired object. The distance between the optical lens and the image sensor is adjusted by the adjusting means so as to be out of focus.

  The image pickup apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 of the invention of claim 4 is characterized in that the composition processing is prohibited during a period until the detection means detects the predetermined reference position information.

  The image pickup apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 of the invention of claim 5 is characterized in that an image based on the synthesized signal output by the output means in a period until the detection means detects the predetermined reference position information has a high frequency. The component is removed.

  The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 of the invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the start timing of the turning motion in the detection means is a timing corresponding to a power-on operation to the main body. .

  An image pickup apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the invention is an image pickup means for picking up an image pickup area corresponding to the image pickup direction and generating an image signal, a turning means for performing a turning operation to change the image pickup direction of the image pickup means, and a desired image pickup area Setting means for setting a privacy area for masking an object, first detection means for detecting first predetermined reference position information by passing a predetermined reference position a plurality of times in association with a turning operation at a first speed, Second detection means for detecting second predetermined reference position information by passing through the predetermined reference position with a turning operation at a second speed higher than the first speed, and a second area corresponding to the privacy area after detection by the first detection means. A first mask means for generating one mask signal and a second mask signal for generating a second mask signal corresponding to an area larger than the area of the privacy area after detection by the second detection means. A disk unit, characterized in that it comprises an output means for outputting an image signal and a composite signal of the first mask signal and the second mask signal synthesizing processing obtained from the imaging means.

  According to this, the first mask signal is generated based on the first predetermined reference position obtained by passing the predetermined reference position a plurality of times at the first speed, and the predetermined reference position is set at the second speed higher than the first speed. In order to generate a second mask signal having an area larger than the area of the privacy area based on the second predetermined reference position obtained by passing, the mask is generated based on the second predetermined reference position shifted from the first predetermined reference position. Even if is generated, the desired object can always be masked.

  The image pickup apparatus according to claim 7 of the present invention is the image pickup apparatus, wherein the first detection unit detects the first predetermined reference position information after the second detection unit detects the second predetermined reference position information. It is further provided with the feature.

  The image pickup apparatus according to claim 8 of the present invention is characterized in that the start timing of detection of the second predetermined reference position information by the second detection means is a timing corresponding to a power-on operation to the main body. And

  According to the imaging apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to perform masking processing that can appropriately hide a place to be hidden according to the situation.

  Hereinafter, the embodiment implemented in the surveillance camera as an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the monitoring camera device 10 according to the first embodiment is a dome-type monitoring camera device that is installed on an indoor ceiling W <b> 1 and monitors the interior from above. The surveillance camera device 10 includes a camera unit 6 including a base 2 that can be attached to a ceiling W1, a lens group 18 covered with a transparent dome cover 4, and a shell body 20, and the camera unit 6 rotated about a pan axis L. A rotating unit 8 that is driven and rotated around a tilt axis (not shown), a cable 14 that transmits a video signal and an external signal from the camera unit 6 via the substrate 12, and an attachment that attaches the camera unit 6 to the ceiling W1 The unit 16 is configured.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the camera unit 6 of FIG. The camera unit 6 includes a lens group 18, a camera unit 22, a control unit 24, a pan direction turning motor 26, and a tilt direction turning motor 28. The camera unit 22 mainly performs image processing. This image processing will be described later with reference to FIG. The control unit 24 includes a microcomputer 30, a motor driver 32 and a motor driver 34, and the microcomputer 30 is connected to the camera unit 22. The camera unit 22 is connected to a controller 68 and a monitor 70. A command for operating the camera unit 22 is output from the controller 68, and a video signal output from the camera unit 22 is supplied to the monitor 70. The microcomputer 30 receives a command from the controller 68 via the camera unit 22. When the command is a command for turning the camera unit 6 in the pan direction or the tilt direction, the pan direction turning motor 26 and the tilt direction turning which are stepping motors via the motor driver 32 and the motor driver 34 connected thereto, respectively. The motor 28 is pulse-controlled, and the camera unit 6 is rotated in the pan direction and the tilt direction by the rotating unit 8 connected to the pan direction rotation motor 26 and the tilt direction rotation motor 28.

  A sensor 64 and a sensor 66 are connected to the camera unit 22, and the imaging direction of the camera unit 6 is determined based on the outputs of the sensor 64 and the sensor 66. This imaging direction determination process is executed mainly when the power is turned on.

  In more detail below, the sensor 64 and the sensor 66 are sensors that react to the magnetic field of the magnet. When the position of the magnets provided on the substrate 12 is set as a reference position and the sensor 64 and the sensor 66 provided in the rotating unit 8 that pivots on these magnets in the pan direction or the tilt direction pass, the sensor 64 and the sensor 66 are A detection signal is output. Then, the microcomputer 30 further reduces the width of the stepping pulse based on the detection signal, controls to rotate in the pan direction and the tilt direction, and determines the reference position from the detection signal and the number of pulses for driving the stepping motor. Then, the imaging direction of the camera unit 6 that is currently imaging and the imaging direction when the power is turned off are detected. Further, this detection signal is also required when generating a mask signal to be described later. In the monitoring camera device 10 according to the first embodiment, initial processing including determination processing of the reference position is executed when the power is turned on.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing details of the camera unit 22. The lens group 18 includes a focus lens. When an imaging operation is performed by the controller 68, an optical image of the subject is formed on the light receiving surface of a CCD imager 38 that is an imaging device via the lens group 18 and the diaphragm 36. The CPU 52 controls the motor drive unit 54 and the CCD drive unit 56. The CCD drive unit 56 gives various pulse waveforms necessary for driving the CCD imager 38 to the CCD imager 38. It is formed by two motors (not shown) that adjust the diaphragm 36 separately, and adjusts the position of the lens group 18 and the diaphragm amount of the diaphragm 36.

  The CCD imager 38 outputs the raw image signal to the camera processing circuit 40. The camera processing circuit 40 performs a series of processes such as correlated double sampling, automatic gain adjustment, A / D conversion, color separation, white balance adjustment, and YUV conversion on the raw image signal to generate image data in YUV format. To do. The generated image data is stored in the SDRAM 44 via the bus 100. At this time, if the camera unit 6 is set so that the autofocus processing is performed by the controller 68, the CPU 52 outputs the Y signal stored in the SDRAM 44 to the focus evaluation circuit 42. The focus evaluation circuit 42 integrates the high-frequency components of the input Y signal over one frame period, and calculates this integrated value as a focus evaluation value for each frame. The CPU 52 controls the motor drive unit 54 to move the focus lens (not shown) of the lens group 18 from the far point to the near point, calculate each focus evaluation value, and the focus evaluation value is calculated based on the evaluation value. The maximum position is determined as the focus position. In parallel with the autofocus process, the CPU 52 transfers the image data stored in the SDRAM 44 to the video encoder 46. The image data is converted into a video signal which is an NTSC signal by the video encoder 46 and is output to the video output terminal 50 via the external interface 48.

  In addition, the monitoring camera device 10 according to the first embodiment includes a privacy mask function for hiding a subject displayed on the monitor 70. The privacy mask performs a masking process on a place that is set by the user and is desired to be hidden by the user. An example of the privacy mask is shown in FIG. FIG. 4 illustrates the subject P and subject Q and the mask area M displayed on the monitor 70. The mask target of the mask area M is the subject P, and is recorded in the flash memory in the mask signal generation circuit 62. Therefore, a mask signal is generated by the mask processing circuit 62 with respect to the video signal output from the video encoder 46, superimposed on the video signal output from the video encoder 46, and output to the video output terminal 50 via the external interface 48. And displayed on the monitor 70.

  In addition, as described above, the camera unit 6 performs operations such as a turning operation by the operation of the controller 68. Specifically, the command output from the controller 68 is input to the signal input terminal 58 and output to the microcomputer 30 via the external interface 48. The microcomputer 30 analyzes the input command and performs an operation corresponding to the command. As an example of the operation corresponding to this command, there are the pan direction turning operation, the tilt direction turning operation of the camera unit 6 and the operation of determining the mask area M described above.

  Next, the operation for determining the mask area M will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, when the subject P and the subject Q are displayed on the monitor 70, the user wants to hide the subject P. As a determination operation method of the mask area M, first, an option menu is displayed on the monitor 70, and “privacy mask” is selected to shift to the privacy mask setting mode. In the privacy mask setting mode, either “set” or “off” is selected. When “SET” is selected, a divided screen obtained by dividing one screen into a plurality of areas R is displayed on the monitor 70, and the controller 68 is operated to display the divided screen based on the X direction and the Y direction as shown in FIG. An area of the privacy mask M where the subject P is hidden is set. The area M of the privacy mask is recorded in the flash memory in the mask processing circuit 62 with the position of the magnet provided on the substrate 12 described above as a relative position based on the reference position.

  Thus, the surveillance camera device 10 of the first embodiment has the above-described operation and function.

  Here, the privacy area M by the CPU 52 and the microcomputer 30 in the initial process executed when the monitoring camera device 10 in which the mode for displaying the privacy mask of the first embodiment is set is turned on is displayed on the monitor 70. Processing (1) not to be displayed will be described with reference to FIG. The reason why the process (1) is necessary is that the reference position stored in the monitoring camera device 10 is cleared when the power is turned off, and the monitoring camera device 10 is unknown even if the power is turned on again. For example, the imaging direction is not fixed, and the mask signal generated based on the reference position cannot be generated until the reference position is fixed.

Processing (1)
When the monitoring camera device 10 is powered on, the microcomputer 30 notifies the CPU 52 in step S1, and the CPU 52 controls the motor driving unit 54 so that the focus lens of the lens group 18 is in an out-of-focus state. Move. As a method of realizing this out-of-focus state, if the monitoring camera device 10 is set to monitor a subject that is 2 m or more in advance, the focus lens is adjusted so that the focus lens is focused at a near point of 50 cm. There is a method of forcibly moving. The monitoring camera device 10 is usually attached to the ceiling W1, and the photographing range is limited. Therefore, when the focus lens is at a position close to the near point, it is unlikely that the subject existing in the limited photographing range is in focus, so that the out-of-focus state can be realized. Then, the video signal is output in the out-of-focus state, and the process proceeds to step S7. In step S 7, the CPU 52 sends an instruction to the microcomputer 30, and the microcomputer 30 drives the pan direction turning motor and the tilt direction turning motor via the motor driver 32 and the motor driver 34, and the rotating unit 8 pans the camera unit 6. Turn in the direction and tilt direction. This turning is a turning for detecting a reference position indicating the position of the magnet provided on the substrate 12. Therefore, the turning operation is performed at various tilt angles and pan angles.

  In step S9, the microcomputer 30 counts the stepping pulses in the pan direction and the tilt direction based on the motor driver 32 and the motor driver 34. Then, the process proceeds to step S11, and when the microcomputer 30 detects the detection signal output from the sensor 64 and sensor 66 when it passes the reference position, the stepping pulse width is further reduced until the reference position is determined. Steps S7 to S11 are executed.

  If the reference position is determined in step S11 (YES), the process proceeds to step S13, and the microcomputer 30 determines the privacy mask area recorded in the mask processing circuit 62 based on the reference position determined in step S11. To do. In addition, the imaging direction when the power is turned off, which is immediately before the power is turned off, is determined.

  Next, proceeding to step S15, the microcomputer 30 controls the motor driver 32 and the motor driver 34 so as to rotate in the imaging direction when the power is turned off. And it progresses to step S17 and the microcomputer 30 discriminate | determines whether it reached | attained the imaging direction at the time of power-off.

  In step S17, it is determined whether or not the imaging direction at the time of power-off is reached until the microcomputer 30 determines YES. If YES, the process proceeds to step S19. In step S19, it is determined whether or not a mask is set in the imaging direction when the power is turned off, which is immediately before the power is turned off.

  If the microcomputer 30 determines YES in step S19, the process proceeds to step S25, the mask processing circuit 62 is controlled, the mask signal is superimposed on the video signal, and the process proceeds to step S27. If NO is determined in step S19, the process proceeds to step S27. In step S27, the microcomputer 30 notifies the CPU 52, and the CPU 52 executes the autofocus process, and the process (1) ends.

  It is determined whether or not the mask is set in steps S19 and S25, and the mask signal is generated when the mask is set from the near point to the ∞ far point in the autofocus process in step S27. This is because there is a possibility of focusing on a subject to be hidden when acquiring the in-focus evaluation value.

  As described above, since the monitoring camera device 10 according to the first embodiment keeps the subject out of focus until the reference position is recognized, the subject is blurred and displayed even if the masking process cannot be performed. Can do. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the masking function of hiding a desired place while displaying an image earlier at the time of initializing when the power is turned on.

  The monitoring camera device 80 according to the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the monitoring camera device 10 according to the first embodiment. Specifically, the surveillance camera device 80 has the same configuration as that of FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, but the configuration of the camera unit 22 shown in FIG. 2 is different. Therefore, the camera unit according to the second embodiment is denoted by reference numeral 82, and the configuration of the camera unit 82 is shown in FIG. However, blocks having the same functions as those of the camera unit 22 shown in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the same functions is omitted here, and the second embodiment and the second embodiment are implemented. Only differences from Example 1 will be described.

  The difference (1) from the first embodiment is that an image blur processing circuit 84 is added to the camera unit 22 shown in FIG. The image blur processing circuit 84 is connected to the bus 100 and controlled by the microcomputer 30. Then, a blurring process is performed on the image data so that the user cannot recognize the subject when displayed on the monitor 70. Specifically, this blurring process generates a blurred image by applying a mosaic to the video image. Therefore, when displaying the blurred image on the monitor 70, the microcomputer 30 gives an instruction to the image blur processing circuit 84, and the image blur processing circuit 84 performs the blur processing on the image data output from the SDRAM 44, and the video encoder Output to 46. The blurred image data is output to the video output terminal 50 via the external interface 48 and displayed on the monitor 70.

  The difference (2) from the first embodiment is that the control of the CPU 52 and the microcomputer 30 is different. Specifically, it is control of processing in which the privacy area by the CPU 52 and the microcomputer 30 is not displayed on the monitor 70 in the initial processing that is executed when the monitoring camera device 80 is powered on. This processing in the second embodiment is referred to as processing (2), and will be described below using the flowchart of FIG.

Processing (2)
The process (2) illustrated in FIG. 7 is denoted by the same reference numerals with respect to the same steps as the process (1) illustrated in FIG.

  When the monitoring camera device 80 is powered on, the microcomputer 30 notifies the CPU 52 in step S3, and controls the focus lens so that the CPU 52 object is in the pan focus state, and the microcomputer 30 performs image blurring processing. The circuit 84 is controlled to execute the blurring process described above, and the blurred video subjected to the blurring process is output, and the process proceeds to step S7.

  Since the process from step S7 to step S13 is the same as the process (1) in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  After the process of step S13, the process proceeds to step S33, and it is determined whether or not the video signal output to the video output terminal 50 has been subjected to the blurring process. Specifically, the microcomputer 30 determines whether or not blurring processing is being executed in the image blurring processing circuit 84. If YES is determined in the step S33, the microcomputer 19 controls the image blur processing circuit 84 to cancel the blur process, and the process proceeds to step S15. If NO is determined in step S33, the process proceeds to step S15, and the microcomputer 30 controls the motor driver 32 and the motor driver 34 so as to be rotationally driven in the imaging direction when the power is turned off.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S17. Since the processes from step S17 to step S27 are the same as the process (1) in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

In the blurring process described above, a blurred video is generated by applying a mosaic to the video signal. Alternatively, a blurred video may be generated by the following methods (a) to (d).
(A) A blurred image is generated by superimposing an original image and an image obtained by rotating the original image by a predetermined angle around the center.
(B) The blurred image is generated by superimposing the original image and the image obtained by enlarging or reducing the original image at a predetermined magnification.
(C) A blurred image is generated by superimposing an image obtained by moving the original image by a predetermined distance in a predetermined angular direction and the original image at the original position.
(D) Generate a blurred video by generating an image out of focus from the original image.

  As described above, the monitoring camera device 80 according to the second embodiment performs blurring processing on the entire video until the reference position is recognized. Therefore, even if the masking processing cannot be performed, the surveillance camera device 80 blurs the subject and displays the video. Can do. Therefore, the same effect as the masking function of hiding a desired place can be obtained while displaying an image earlier at the time of initial processing at the time of power-on or the like.

  The monitoring camera device according to the third embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the monitoring camera device 10 according to the first embodiment, and includes the functions described with reference to FIGS. The difference between the third embodiment and the first embodiment is the control of the CPU 52 and the microcomputer 30. Specifically, it is a control of the process in which the privacy area by the CPU 52 and the microcomputer 30 is not displayed on the monitor 70 in the initial process executed when the monitoring camera device is turned on. Therefore, hereinafter, the process (3) of the CPU 52 and the microcomputer 30 in the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG.

Processing (3)
When the monitoring camera device is powered on, the microcomputer 30 drives the pan direction turning motor and the tilt direction turning motor at high speed via the motor driver 32 and the motor driver 34 in step S31. Specifically, the high-speed driving is to increase the width of the stepping pulse and is hereinafter referred to as a high-speed stepping pulse. Then, the camera unit 6 is turned at high speed in the pan direction and the tilt direction by the rotating unit 8. This turning is a turning for detecting a virtual reference position indicating the position of the magnet provided on the substrate 12. Therefore, the turning operation is performed at various tilt angles and pan angles. In step S33, the microcomputer 30 counts high-speed stepping pulses in the pan direction and the tilt direction based on the motor driver 32 and the motor driver 34. Next, it progresses to step S35, and the microcomputer 30 repeats until it detects whether it detected the detection signal output from the sensor 64 and the sensor 66 when it passed the reference position.

  If YES in step S35, that is, if it is determined that it has been detected, the process proceeds to step S37, where the microcomputer 30 determines the virtual reference position based on the number of pulses counted in step S33, and is currently set based on the virtual reference position. Determine the privacy mask area and the imaging direction when the power is turned off.

  In step S39, the microcomputer 30 determines whether there is a mask setting in the current imaging direction. If YES is determined in the step S39, the process proceeds to a step S41, the microcomputer 30 controls the mask processing circuit 62 to generate a mask signal, and superimposes the mask signal on the video signal based on the virtual reference position. The mask signal at this time is generated so as to have an area larger than the area of the set privacy mask area, and the process proceeds to step S43.

  If NO is determined in step S39, the process proceeds to step S43, and a video signal in the current imaging direction is output via the video output terminal 50 in step S43. Specifically, if NO in step S39, the video signal in the current imaging direction is output, and if YES, the video signal on which the mask signal is superimposed is output.

  In step S45, the microcomputer 30 resets the high-speed stepping pulse counted in step S33. In step S47, the microcomputer 30 controls the motor driver 32 and the motor driver 34 in order to detect a reference position more detailed than that during high-speed turning, and based on a low-speed stepping pulse smaller than the width of the high-speed stepping pulse. The panning direction turning motor 26 and the tilting direction turning motor are driven, and the rotating unit 8 causes the camera unit 6 to turn at a low speed in the panning and tilting directions. Then, the process proceeds to step S49, and the low speed stepping pulse is counted.

  In step S51, the microcomputer 30 performs an operation of detecting a detection signal output from the sensor 64 and the sensor 66 when passing the reference position a plurality of times until the reference position is determined. If the reference position is confirmed in step S51 (YES), the process proceeds to step S53, and the privacy mask area currently set and the imaging direction when the power is turned off are updated based on the reference position, and the process proceeds to step S55. In step S55, the microcomputer 30 controls the motor driver 32 and the motor driver 34 so as to rotate in the imaging direction when the power is turned off. Then, the process proceeds to step S57, and the microcomputer 30 determines whether or not it has reached the imaging direction at the time of power-off immediately before the power is turned off.

  If the microcomputer 30 determines NO in step S57, the microcomputer 30 proceeds to step S59, and the microcomputer 30 sets the position information of the set privacy mask area stored in the flash memory of the mask signal processing circuit 62 and the current imaging direction. Are compared to determine whether or not the area corresponds to the current imaging direction. If NO is determined in the step S59, the process returns to the step S57.

  If YES is determined in step S59, the microcomputer 30 proceeds to step S61, controls the mask processing circuit 62 to generate a mask signal, and returns to step S57.

  If the microcomputer 30 determines YES in step S57, the process proceeds to step S63 to determine whether the privacy mask area corresponds to the imaging direction at the time of power-off immediately before the power is turned off. In S65, a mask signal is generated and the process (3) is terminated. Moreover, also when it determines with NO in step S63, a process (3) is complete | finished.

  As described above, when the monitoring camera apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment recognizes the reference position, the rotary table 8 is driven at a high speed to determine the temporary reference position, and the mask area set based on the temporary reference position is determined. By generating a mask signal having an area larger than the area, an image can be output at an early stage before the reference position is determined, and a desired place can be hidden.

The monitoring camera device according to the fourth embodiment is different in part of the process (1) of the monitoring camera device 10 according to the first embodiment. Specifically, the subject is kept out of focus until the reference position is recognized, and after the reference position is recognized, if there is a mask setting in the current imaging direction, masking processing is performed and autofocus processing is performed. Then, it is rotated in the imaging direction immediately before the power is turned off, that is, when the power is turned off. The image displayed on the monitor 70 at the time of turning is an image that is focused and the mask signal is superimposed.
Hereinafter, the above-described operation will be described as processing (4) with reference to FIG.

Processing (4)
In each step of the process (4) shown in FIG. 10, steps having the same reference numerals as those in the process (1) of FIG. 5 perform the same process, specifically, steps S1 to S13. The process is the same as process (1), and the subsequent process is different from process (1).

  When the monitoring camera device is powered on, the same processing as the processing (1) is executed from step S1 to step S13. In step S13, the privacy mask area recorded in the mask processing circuit 62 is determined based on the reference position determined in step S11 by the microcomputer 30, and immediately before the power is turned off, that is, the imaging direction when the power is turned off. When it is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S71, and it is determined whether or not mask setting is made in the current imaging direction.

  If the microcomputer 30 determines YES in step S71, the process proceeds to step S73, the mask processing circuit 62 is controlled, a mask signal is generated and superimposed on the video signal, and the process proceeds to step S75. If NO is determined in step S71, the process proceeds to step S75, the microcomputer 30 notifies the CPU 52, and the CPU 52 executes an autofocus process, and the process proceeds to step S77.

  In step S77, the microcomputer 30 controls the motor driver 32 and the motor driver 34 so as to rotate in the imaging direction when the power is turned off. In step S79, the microcomputer 30 determines whether or not the imaging direction at the time of power-off has been reached. Steps S81 to S83 are repeated until YES is determined in step S79. Specifically, if the microcomputer 30 determines NO, the process proceeds to step S81 to determine whether or not a mask is set in the current imaging direction. If YES is determined in the step S81, the process proceeds to a step S83 so as to control the mask processing circuit 62 to generate a mask signal and superimpose it on the video signal, and the process returns to the step S79. If NO is determined in the step S81, the process returns to the step S79. If YES is determined in the step S79, the process (4) is ended.

  As described above, since the monitoring camera device according to the fourth embodiment keeps the subject out of focus until the reference position is recognized, the subject can be displayed in a blurred manner even if the masking process cannot be performed. it can. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the masking function of hiding a desired place while displaying an image earlier at the time of initializing when the power is turned on.

  The surveillance camera device of this embodiment has a function of turning both the pan direction and the tilt direction, but may have a function of turning only the pan direction and only the tilt direction.

  In the surveillance camera device of this embodiment, the camera unit 6 is protected by a dome cover and attached to the ceiling. However, the surveillance camera device may be attached to the wall side, and the attachment location is not limited. Further, the camera unit 6 may be protected by anything as long as it does not affect imaging, and may not be particularly protected depending on the mounting location.

  In addition, the monitoring camera device of the present embodiment includes the turntable 8 and the camera unit 6 and is an integrated monitoring camera device by including the base 2 and the dome cover 4. However, for example, the rotating unit 8 may be a pan head and the camera unit 6 may be a digital camera.

It is an illustration figure which shows the surveillance camera apparatus which concerns on a present Example. It is a block diagram which shows the surveillance camera apparatus which concerns on a present Example. 1 is a part of a block diagram illustrating a monitoring camera device according to a first embodiment. It is an illustration figure which shows a part of video signal with which the mask signal output from the surveillance camera apparatus based on a present Example was superimposed. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a part of initial processing in the monitoring camera device according to the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the surveillance camera apparatus which concerns on the present Example 2. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a part of initial processing in the monitoring camera device according to the second embodiment. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a part of an initial process in the monitoring camera device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart continued from the flowchart showing a part of the initial process in the monitoring camera device according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 8. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a part of an initial process in the monitoring camera device according to the fourth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

2 ... Base 4 ... Dome cover 6 ... Camera unit 8 ... Rotating unit 10 ... Monitoring camera device 12 ... Substrate 14 ... Cable 18 ... Lens group 22 ... Camera unit 24 ... Control unit 26 ... Pan direction turning motor 28 ... Tilt direction turning motor 30 ... Microcomputer 32 ... Motor driver 34 ... Motor driver 38 ... CCD imager 40 ... Camera processing circuit 42 ... Focus evaluation circuit 44 ... SDRAM
46 ... Video encoder 48 ... External interface 50 ... Output terminal 52 ... CPU
54 ... Motor drive unit 56 ... CCD drive unit 62 ... Mask processing circuit 64 ... Sensor 66 ... Sensor 70 ... Monitor 84 ... Image blur processing circuit

Claims (9)

An imaging means for generating an optical image of an imaging area corresponding to an imaging direction on an imaging element through an optical lens and outputting an image signal;
A turning means for performing a turning operation and changing an imaging direction of the imaging means;
Setting means for setting a privacy area for masking a desired object in the imaging area;
Detecting means for detecting that the turning means has reached a predetermined reference position during turning operation;
Mask means for generating a mask signal corresponding to the privacy area after detection by the detection means;
Output means for outputting a combined signal obtained by combining the image signal obtained from the imaging means and the mask signal;
An imaging apparatus comprising: control means for performing blur processing on the desired object during a period until the detecting means detects that the turning means has reached the predetermined reference position after the turning operation is started. . An imaging means for generating an optical image of an imaging area corresponding to an imaging direction on an imaging element through an optical lens and outputting an image signal;
A turning means for performing a turning operation and changing an imaging direction of the imaging means;
Setting means for setting a privacy area for masking a desired object in the imaging area;
Detecting means for detecting that the turning means has reached a predetermined reference position during turning operation;
Mask means for generating a mask signal corresponding to the privacy area after detection by the detection means;
Output means for outputting a combined signal obtained by combining the image signal obtained from the imaging means and the mask signal;
Imaging direction information detecting means for detecting the turning amount of the turning means from the time point when the turning means detects that the turning means has reached a predetermined reference position, and storing the imaging direction before turning in the memory as imaging direction information. When,
After the turning operation is started, the detection means detects that the turning means has reached the predetermined reference position, and then a period until the turning in the imaging direction before the turning based on the imaging direction information is the desired object. An image pickup apparatus comprising control means for performing a blurring process on the image pickup apparatus. An adjustment means for adjusting a distance from the optical lens to the image sensor;
2. The blurring process is performed by adjusting a distance between the optical lens and the imaging element by the adjusting unit so that the desired object is out of focus. The imaging device according to claim 2.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the combining process is prohibited during a period until the detection unit detects the predetermined reference position information.   5. The high frequency component is removed from the image based on the synthesized signal output by the output means in a period until the predetermined reference position information is detected by the detection means. Any one of imaging devices described in 1.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the timing of starting the turning motion in the detection unit is a timing corresponding to a power-on operation to the main body. Imaging means for imaging an imaging area corresponding to the imaging direction and generating an image signal; turning means for performing a turning operation to change the imaging direction of the imaging means;
Setting means for setting a privacy area for masking a desired object in the imaging area;
First detection means for detecting first predetermined reference position information by passing a predetermined reference position a plurality of times with the turning operation at a first speed;
Second detection means for detecting second predetermined reference position information by passing through the predetermined reference position in association with the turning operation at a second speed higher than the first speed;
First mask means for generating a first mask signal corresponding to the privacy area after detection by the first detection means;
Second mask means for generating a second mask signal corresponding to an area larger than the area of the privacy area after detection by the second detection means;
An imaging apparatus comprising: an output unit that outputs a synthesized signal obtained by synthesizing the image signal obtained from the imaging unit and the first mask signal or the second mask signal.   The detection of the first predetermined reference position information by the first detection means further comprises a control means that is executed after detection of the second predetermined reference position information by the second detection means. Imaging device.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the start timing of the detection of the second predetermined reference position information by the second detection unit is a timing corresponding to a power-on operation to the main body.

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