JP2012065027A - Imaging apparatus and imaging apparatus control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus capable of urging a user to correctly perform area setting.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus includes: image input means for acquiring a video from an image pickup part of a camera; area setting means for setting a part of the picked-up image acquired from the image input means as an area; determination means for determining influence on a camera function which is caused by the change of a field angle of the camera; and alarm display means for determining the influence on the setting of the camera using the determination means when the area is set by the area setting means, and displaying an alarm when the camera function is influenced by the setting of the area. When the field angle of the camera is re-set, an alarm is displayed to correctly perform the area setting provided the area is set.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a method for controlling the imaging apparatus, and more particularly to a technique suitable for use in resetting the angle of view of a camera.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, surveillance cameras having pan, tilt, and zoom are configured so that an area having a specific meaning can be set in an image captured by the camera. Examples of areas include a mask area that hides a part of the image superimposed on a single color image for privacy protection, and a detection area that specifies an area in the image and issues an alarm when a moving object is detected and so on.

  A camera equipped with pan / tilt / zoom has a technique of tracking an area in accordance with its operation. There are techniques for calculating and displaying the coordinates of a mask area, which is an area to be hidden, in the video for pan / tilt operation, and changing the size of the area according to the zoom magnification.

  In a camera equipped with such a technique, the mask area is superimposed on a single-color image and hidden during normal shooting. However, when setting the mask area, only the outer frame of the mask area is displayed or made semi-transparent so that the original image can be understood, and the area to be masked is easily set. In addition, although the detection area is not displayed during shooting, an outer frame of the detection area is displayed during setting to facilitate setting of the detection area.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for calculating and setting the coordinates of a mask region. When panning or tilting is operated, there is a problem that an area that should not be seen by the mask can be seen due to a delay in calculation of a new mask position. For this reason, a method for improving the shift of the mask area by calculating and displaying the position of the next coordinate from the coordinates of the current mask area in consideration of the time delay required for mask display is disclosed. In addition, a method is disclosed in which the composition ratio of the video signal and the mask is changed to be translucent while the mask area is set, and the user can simultaneously check the video signal and the mask position when setting the mask.

JP 2009-027735 A

  However, the conventional technique disclosed in the above-described Patent Document 1 has a problem that it cannot follow when an unintended shift occurs in the pan or tilt position. For example, there is a possibility that the pan and tilt positions are shifted due to external impact on the camera when it is once removed and installed again as maintenance of the camera.

In addition, when a DC motor is used for driving pan and tilt, there is a possibility that the pan and tilt positions are shifted without returning to the original position depending on the stop position accuracy of the motor. In the case of a fixed camera, it cannot follow. In such a case, it is impossible to correctly follow the set position of the area, and it is necessary to have the user reset it. In the area setting, the influence on the setting of other areas and the function of the camera is not taken into consideration.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an imaging apparatus that can prompt the user to correctly set the area even when the area cannot be tracked or when the function of the camera is affected by the area setting. It aims to be able to provide.

  An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an image input unit that acquires video from an imaging unit of a camera, an area setting unit that sets a part of the captured image acquired from the image input unit, and an angle of view of the camera. When the region is set by the determination unit that determines the influence of the change on the camera function and the region setting unit, the determination unit determines the influence on the setting of the camera function, and the setting of the region affects the camera function. If there is, a warning display means for displaying a warning is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prompt the user to set the area correctly even when an unintentional deviation occurs in panning and tilting and tracking cannot be performed, or when the setting of the area affects the camera function. An imaging device can be provided.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the warning display by an area | region and a message. It is a flowchart which shows the warning display process by an area | region. It is a block diagram which shows 2nd Embodiment and demonstrates the structural example of an imaging device. It is a figure which shows the example of the warning display by an area | region and a message. It is a flowchart which shows the warning display process by an area | region and a message. It is a figure which shows the example of the warning display by a message.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating processing of each unit of the imaging apparatus and a user using the processing. The imaging device 100, which is the left block, includes a pan / tilt / zoom mechanism, and the user can remotely control the imaging device. A place desired to be hidden in the video can be masked as a mask area, or a place where motion in the video is to be detected can be set as a detection area.

  Normally, the pan / tilt / zoom positions are fixed, but if they are operated or the camera position itself deviates, the mask area and detection area do not follow and need to be reset. The block diagram on the right side of the network is a PTZ operation tool, which can display images, pan / tilt / zoom, and messages from the imaging device.

  A system control unit 101 controls the entire imaging apparatus 100. The imaging unit 102 includes a CCD, converts video into an image signal, and sends the image signal to the image synthesis unit 104. The mask processing unit 103 sets a part of the mask color information and the captured image from the imaging unit 102 as an area, and acquires coordinate information indicating which position in the area is masked from the system control unit 101. Then, a mask image is generated and sent to the image composition unit 104.

  The image composition unit 104 functions as an image input unit that acquires a captured image from the imaging unit 102, and an image signal obtained by superimposing the mask image received from the mask processing unit 103 on the captured image (video) acquired from the imaging unit 102. Is generated. The encoding unit 105 encodes the image signal generated by the image composition unit 104 in the JPEG format to generate video data, and transmits the video data to the network through the communication unit 106. The video display unit 107 receives video data sent through the network, decodes and displays it. When the mask area is set, an image on which the mask area is superimposed by the image composition unit 104 is displayed on the image display unit 107. Further, the message display unit 109 displays a message sent from the system control unit 101 to the user. That is, the system control unit 101 displays a message on the message display unit 109.

  The image signal from the imaging unit 102 is also sent to the detection processing unit 110 in parallel. The detection processing unit 110 acquires the coordinate position of the detection region from the system control unit 101, and detects a moving object by obtaining a change in the image in the detection region using an inter-frame difference method. The detection result of the moving object is sent to the system control unit 101 and transmitted to the user through the communication unit 106. The detection area indicates a range in which a moving object is detected, and the area is not displayed during normal video transmission.

  The imaging apparatus 100 includes a mechanism that performs pan, tilt, and zoom, and the PTZ control unit 112 can control the imaging direction and zoom magnification by controlling a motor. The pan / tilt / zoom control is performed by the user operating the PTZ operation unit 108, and the operation information reaches the system control unit 101 via the network and is transmitted to the PTZ control unit 112.

  Furthermore, the imaging apparatus 100 includes an impact sensor unit 113 that can detect an impact. When an impact is detected, the fact that the impact has occurred is recorded as an impact flag. The influence determination unit 111 determines the influence on the camera function based on the coordinate position of the mask area and the detection area and the information on the collision flag of the impact sensor unit 113. The determination method and the subsequent warning display will be described in detail below. In the present embodiment, the content of the warning display is changed depending on the type, position, and size of the area.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a user interface of a PTZ operation tool for displaying video to a user, PTZ operations, and messages. The video display unit 107, the PTZ operation unit 108, and the message display unit 109 are the same as those in the block diagram of FIG.

  The vibration mask area 21 is a highlight area displayed by vibrating the mask area. The mask processing unit 103 sequentially calculates the coordinates of the mask area so that the mask area vibrates, and sends it to the image composition unit 104. Since the mask area vibrates in the video display unit 107, the user can easily understand that the mask area is set. Instead of vibrating the mask area, it may be blinked.

  The translucent mask area 22 is a highlight display that makes the mask area translucent. The image synthesis unit 104 normally superimposes the mask image sent from the mask processing unit 103 on the video signal from the imaging unit 102, but by intermittently superimposing it, the video signal in the back is also obtained in the mask area. Can be made a translucent mask region. In this case, it becomes easy to grasp the positional shift between the mask area and the area to be hidden.

  The enlarged mask area 23 is a highlight display that enlarges the mask area. When the set mask area is smaller than a predetermined size and it is difficult for the user to confirm the presence of the mask area, the mask processing unit 103 enlarges the mask area to a size that can be recognized by the user. In this case, the system control unit 101 may display a warning on the message display unit 109 that the small mask region exists.

  The detection area 24 with an outer frame displays an outer frame of the detection area. Normally, the detection area is not displayed in the video, but displaying it when the operation of the PTZ or the camera position is changed makes it easier for the user to understand that the detection area is set.

  The system control unit 101 displays a message prompting the user to confirm the region setting on the message display unit 109 according to the region setting status and the collision flag information of the impact sensor unit 113. For example, if a mask area is set, a mask is created, and if a detection area is set, a message is created and a warning is displayed to confirm confirmation of the detection area setting. The impact sensor unit 113 records when there is an impact on the imaging apparatus 100. Since there is a possibility that the position of pan / tilt / zoom has shifted due to an impact, a warning message is displayed to that effect.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which the influence degree determination unit 111 determines the influence on the camera function and determines whether or not there is a warning display.
When the PTZ operation tool shown in FIG. 2 is started in S31, the influence determination unit 111 determines whether or not the mask area is set in S32, and if the mask area is set, the process proceeds to S33 and the existing mask area is set. Is released. In step S34, the existing mask area is highlighted.

  In S35, the influence degree determination unit 111 determines whether or not a detection area is set. When it is determined that the detection area is set, the system control unit 101 sends information indicating the coordinates of the outer frame of the detection area to the image composition unit 104 in S36, and the image composition unit is added to the video signal from the imaging unit 102. 104 is superimposed.

  In this way, by highlighting the area and displaying a warning message, it is possible to inform the user of the position shift of the set area due to the area setting change, pan / tilt / zoom operations, and the camera position shift due to impact. . Accordingly, it is possible to prompt the user to reset the image capturing apparatus 100 so that the correct area setting can be used.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7, an imaging apparatus 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a user who performs processing of each unit of the imaging apparatus 100 and setting of a mask area. Except for the mask area setting unit 41, the panorama image recording unit 42, the PTZ control unit 112, the system control unit 101, and the right block diagram from the network, the functions of the respective units are the same as those in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment.

  The block diagram on the right side of the network is a mask area setting tool, and the user can set the mask area by operating the mask area setting unit 41 while viewing the video on the video display unit 107. Details will be described later.

  The imaging apparatus 100 includes a mechanism for panning, tilting, and zooming, and the PTZ control unit 112 can control the imaging direction and zoom magnification by driving a motor. In response to a user instruction, the system control unit 101 controls the PTZ control unit 112 to sequentially capture all directions and combine images with a wide angle of view, so that the imaging apparatus 100 can capture all directions. A panoramic image including the entire area can be created. At this time, if a mask area is set, a panoramic image in which the mask area is reflected is created. When the panorama image is created, it is stored in the panorama image recording unit 42.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a user interface of the mask area setting tool. The video display unit 107 and the message display unit 109 are the same as those in the first embodiment.
The mask area setting unit 41 has three buttons.

  When the “Start mask setting” button 51 is pressed, a rectangular mask area 54 is displayed on the image display unit 107, and the mask area 54 is moved by drag and drop, and the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the mask area 54 are moved. Click to change the size of the mask area.

  When the “save mask setting” button 52 is pressed, the mask area 54 set by the “start mask setting” button 51 is transmitted to the system control unit 101, and the system control unit 101 coordinates the mask area 54. Store information.

  When the “delete mask setting” button 53 is pressed in a state where a set mask area is selected, the system control unit 101 is notified to delete the mask area, and the system control unit 101 designates the specified mask area. Is deleted.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the determination and control of the influence degree determination unit 111 regarding the detection area 55 with the outer frame and the warning display of the message display unit 109 in FIG. 5.
When the mask area setting tool is started in S61, it is determined whether or not a detection area is set in S62. If there is no detection area setting, the setting of the mask area is accepted in S63, and if there is a mask area setting by the "save mask setting" button 52, the system control unit records the change of the mask area in S64. Send instructions to 101.

  If it is determined in S62 that the detection area is set, the system control unit 101 controls the image composition unit 104 to display an outer frame of the detection area in S65. Next, in S66, the setting of the mask area is accepted, and if there is a mask area setting by the "Save mask setting" button 52, it is determined in S67 whether the mask area does not overlap with the detection area.

  If the result of this determination is that there is no overlap, the mask area is recorded in S64. If there is an overlap, it is determined that the detection result is affected, a message warning the overlap is displayed on the message display unit 109 in S68, and the mask area is recorded in S64. In the case of a system in which the mask area and the detection area cannot overlap, the process may return to S66 after S68 and accept the setting of the mask area again.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a user interface of the mask area setting tool showing warning display when a panoramic image is stored. If a panorama image has been created in the past, the panorama image is recorded in the panorama image recording unit 42. When a mask area is set like the mask area 71 by the “save mask setting” button 52, it is necessary to reflect the mask area in the panoramic image recorded in the panorama image recording unit 42.

  When the mask area 71 is stored, the influence degree determination unit 111 checks the presence / absence of a panoramic image taken in the past, and if it exists, determines that the generated panoramic image needs to be regenerated, and a message display unit A message is displayed as a warning at 109 so as to regenerate the panoramic image.

  When the imaging apparatus 100 is reinstalled at the same location, there is no mask area within the angle of view that is captured after activation, but there is a possibility that a mask area is set outside the angle of view. In that case, the user cannot grasp the shift of the mask area. The influence determination unit 111 determines that it is necessary to confirm the setting of the mask area if there is a mask area outside the angle of view in the case of re-installation, and the possibility that the mask area outside the angle of view is shifted is determined. A warning may be displayed on the message display unit 109. Similarly, in the case of re-installation, a warning may be displayed on the message display unit 109 that a panoramic image needs to be regenerated.

  Thus, by considering the positional relationship between the mask area and the detection area and the presence / absence of a panoramic image generated in the past, the influence of the area setting on the camera function can be conveyed to the user.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (computer program) that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various computer-readable storage media. Then, the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads out and executes the program.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Imaging device 101 System control part 102 Imaging part 103 Mask processing part 104 Image composition part 105 Coding part 106 Communication part 107 Video display part 108 PTZ operation part 109 Message display part 110 Detection processing , 111 Impact determination unit, 112 PTZ control unit, 113 Impact sensor unit

Claims (12)

  Image input means for acquiring video from the imaging unit of the camera, area setting means for setting a part of the captured image acquired from the image input means as an area, and a camera function affected by a change in the angle of view of the camera When an area is set by the determination means for determining influence and the area setting means, the determination means determines the influence on the setting of the camera function, and when the setting of the area affects the camera function, a warning is displayed. An image pickup apparatus comprising a warning display means.   The area setting means sets a mask area that fills the area, and the warning display means displays the mask area semi-transparently, blinking, or enlarged when smaller than a predetermined size. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is characterized.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the warning display unit changes a warning display content according to a type, a position, and a size of the area.   2. The area setting means sets a detection area that is an area for detecting a moving object, and the warning display means displays the detection area with a translucent or outer frame. The imaging device described.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the warning display unit displays a warning so as to prompt the user to reset the area when the determination unit detects a change in the angle of view of the camera or the possibility of the change.   Image input means for acquiring video from the imaging unit of the camera, area setting means for setting a part of the captured image acquired from the image input means as an area, and determination for determining the influence of the area on the camera function Means, a warning display means for displaying a warning by an area and a message, and when the area is set by the area setting means, the determination means determines the influence on the setting of the camera function, and the area setting sets the camera function. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a warning display unit that displays a warning when there is an influence.   The area setting means sets a mask area that fills the area and a detection area that is a moving object detection area, and the determination means affects the detection result when the mask area and the detection area overlap. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the warning display unit displays a warning.   When generating a panoramic image including a mask image obtained by capturing all areas that can be captured by the camera, if the position of the mask area is changed by the area setting unit, the panoramic image already generated by the determination unit is reproduced. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when it is determined that the image needs to be generated, the warning display unit performs display for prompting regeneration of a panoramic image.   An image input process for acquiring video from the imaging unit of the camera, an area setting process for setting a part of the captured image acquired in the image input process as an area, and a camera function affected by a change in the angle of view of the camera If an area is set by the determination step for determining the influence and the area setting step, the influence on the setting of the camera function is determined by the determination step, and if the setting of the area affects the camera function, a warning is displayed. An imaging device control method comprising: a warning display step.   An image input process for acquiring video from the imaging unit of the camera, an area setting process for setting a part of the captured image acquired in the image input process as an area, and a determination for determining the influence of the area on the camera function A step of displaying a warning when a region is set by the step of setting the region and determining the influence on the setting of the camera function by the step of determining, and if the setting of the region affects the camera function. An image pickup apparatus control method comprising:   An image input process for acquiring video from the imaging unit of the camera, an area setting process for setting a part of the captured image acquired in the image input process as an area, and a camera function affected by a change in the angle of view of the camera If an area is set by the determination step for determining the influence and the area setting step, the influence on the setting of the camera function is determined by the determination step, and if the setting of the area affects the camera function, a warning is displayed. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of a control method for an imaging apparatus including a warning display step.   An image input process for acquiring video from the imaging unit of the camera, an area setting process for setting a part of the captured image acquired in the image input process as an area, and a determination for determining the influence of the area on the camera function A step of displaying a warning when a region is set by the step of setting the region and determining the influence on the setting of the camera function by the step of determining, and if the setting of the region affects the camera function. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of a control method for an imaging apparatus provided.

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