JP2012129716A - Camera operation device, camera control method, and camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily perform an operation to simultaneously control two camera devices constituting a 3D camera pair.SOLUTION: A camera system is capable of setting two arbitrary camera devices among multiple camera devices as a 3D camera pair for an L channel and an R channel or setting one arbitrary camera device as a 2D camera, by the manual operation of a remote controller. During the operation of a 3D camera system, the remote controller adds IP addresses, which are allocated to two camera devices set as a 3D camera pair, to a control command corresponding to the operation of a user and transmits them to an IP network, to thereby simultaneously transmit the control command to the respective two camera devices. Consequently, the operation of the two camera devices can be performed just like operating one camera device.

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera operating device, a camera control method, and a camera system that operate two cameras that capture 3D video.

  In recent years, the demand for production of 3D content has been expanding to the working side, and various forms of 3D camera systems that capture 3D video images using two cameras have appeared. The 3D camera system includes two cameras as a 3D camera pair and a control system that controls these cameras.

  There is also a method of remotely controlling two cameras through a network such as a LAN. As described above, in a 3D camera system using a network, video signals captured by two cameras are integrated into a single network and transmitted to a display device or a recording device connected through the network. There is provided a camera control device that converts various control commands for camera adjustment sent from the remote control panel via the network into control commands in a format that can be executed by the camera and supplies them to the camera.

  Patent Document 1 includes a camera control unit that is a camera control device for controlling a video camera in a broadcasting business camera system, and a remote control panel for remotely controlling each video camera through the camera control unit. A configuration is disclosed in which control commands are input and output between the unit and the remote control panel. The user is supposed to perform various adjustments in the video camera by operating a remote control panel while looking at an image monitor or the like.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-285449

  However, according to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, one remote control panel is required for one camera. When two cameras are used as a 3D camera pair, it is necessary to operate two remote control panels corresponding to the two cameras at the same time. .

  In addition, there are various types of camera image adjustment items including white balance adjustment, iris adjustment, and gain adjustment. It is necessary for 3D camera control that the same adjustment control command is simultaneously transmitted to two cameras used as a 3D camera pair, and the respective cameras are simultaneously controlled. For this reason, when the control commands are transmitted to the two cameras by operating the two remote control panels corresponding to the respective cameras, means and equipment for synchronizing the control timing are separately required.

  Further, among the adjustment items that are determined to be effective for control to be simultaneously transmitted to the two cameras, there are actually some items that are inappropriate for simultaneous control. For example, black level adjustment, RPN (residual pattern noise) adjustment, etc., are individual differences among image sensors, for example, individual differences during manufacture of the image sensor (variation in output characteristics of the amplifier for each pixel) and differences in the degree of deterioration over time. Due to various circumstances such as the lighting environment of the installation site, it is difficult to perform reliable adjustment with a control command including the same adjustment parameters.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera operation device, a camera control method, and a camera system capable of easily performing an operation for simultaneously controlling two camera devices constituting a 3D camera pair. Is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, a camera operating device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first camera device and a second camera device capable of forming a 3D camera pair, an interface unit for connecting through a transmission path, An operation unit capable of receiving from the user an instruction to transmit a control command to the 3D camera pair, and the control command is generated according to the instruction received by the operation unit, and the first camera device is added to the control command. First control command information to which destination information is added and second control command information to which destination information of the second camera device is added to the control command are generated, respectively, and the generated first control command information is generated. The control command information and the second control command information are respectively sent to the first camera device and the second camera device through the interface unit. And a control unit for controlling to Shin.

  In the present invention, a control command according to a user operation can be simultaneously transmitted to the first camera device and the first camera device set as a 3D camera pair through a transmission path. Thereby, the operation of the two camera devices can be performed as if only one camera device is operated, and the operability is improved.

  The transmission path is an IP network, and the control unit adds a first IP address pre-assigned to the first camera device as destination information of the first camera device to the control command, and A second IP address previously assigned to the second camera device as destination information of the second camera device may be added to the control command.

The control unit allows a user to select one of a 3D mode and a 2D mode, and when the 3D mode is selected, a first camera device and a second camera device that constitute the 3D camera pair When the 2D mode is selected, one camera device used as a 2D camera is used as a third camera device among the plurality of camera devices. And generating third control command information in which the destination information of the third camera device is added to the control command generated according to the instruction received by the operation unit. In addition, control may be made so as to transmit to the third camera device through the interface unit.
Thereby, switching between the 3D camera system and the 2D camera system can be easily performed.

  The control unit invalidates transmission of the control command when an instruction to transmit a predetermined type of control command in which at least an individual difference of the imaging elements of the camera device appears in the adjustment result is received by the operation unit. A warning message may be presented to the user. Thereby, the reliability of 3D control using a camera operating device is improved.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera control method in which an interface unit is connected to a first camera device and a second camera device that can form a 3D camera pair through a transmission path, and the control unit is connected to an operation unit. The control command is generated in response to the instruction received from the user, the first control command information in which the destination information of the first camera device is added to the control command, and the second control command. Second control command information to which destination information of the camera device is added is generated, and the generated first control command information and the second control command information are transmitted to the first camera device and the second control command information through the interface unit. It transmits to said 2nd camera apparatus, respectively, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

Furthermore, a camera system according to another aspect of the present invention includes a first camera device and a second camera device that can form a 3D camera pair, and a camera operation device that transmits a control command for the 3D camera pair. The camera operation device accepts an interface unit for connecting to the first camera device and the second camera device through a transmission path, and an instruction to transmit the control command to the 3D camera pair from a user. An operation unit capable of
The control command is generated according to an instruction received by the operation unit, the first control command information in which destination information of the first camera device is added to the control command, and the second control command. Second control command information to which destination information of the camera device is added is generated, and the generated first control command information and the second control command information are transmitted through the interface unit to the first camera device. And a control unit that controls to transmit to each of the second camera devices.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily perform an operation for simultaneously controlling two camera devices that are 3D camera pairs.

It is a figure which shows the 3D camera system set in the camera system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the two camera apparatuses which comprise a 3D camera pair in the 3D camera system of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the remote controller in the 3D camera system of FIG. It is a figure which shows the connection state of each apparatus before a 3D camera system is set. It is a figure which shows the example of the camera setting table before a 3D camera system is set. It is a figure which shows a part of transition of the screen of the operation display until a 3D camera pair is set. It is a figure which shows the other part of the transition of the screen of the operation display until a 3D camera pair is set. It is a figure which shows the camera setting table after 3D camera pair is set. It is a figure which shows the 3D camera system corresponding to the content of the camera setting table of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of assignment operation of 2D camera. It is a figure which shows the camera setting table after a 2D camera is set. It is a figure which shows the 2D camera system corresponding to the content of the camera setting table of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of a control command. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the camera control by the remote controller in the camera system of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a warning message.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
<First Embodiment>
The present embodiment relates to a camera system including two camera devices that can form a 3D camera pair and a remote controller (camera operation device) that transmits a control command to the two camera devices via a network. Here, each camera device includes a camera and a camera control device that controls the camera.

In this camera system, any two camera devices among a plurality of camera devices can be set as 3D camera pairs for L channel and R channel by manual operation of a remote controller, or one arbitrary camera device can be set. Or set as a 2D camera.
A mode in which shooting is performed using two camera devices set as a pair of 3D cameras in this manner is referred to as a “3D mode”, and a mode in which shooting is performed using one camera device set as a 2D camera is “ This is called “2D mode”. A camera system in which the 3D mode is set is referred to as a “3D camera system”, and a camera system in which the 2D mode is set is referred to as a “2D camera system”.

During the operation of the 3D camera system, the remote controller simultaneously transmits control commands according to user operations to the two camera devices set as the 3D camera pair, so that the operation of the two camera devices can be controlled by one. This can be done as if the camera device of the machine is being operated. At that time, if a user inputs an instruction to transmit a predetermined type of control command in which at least the individual difference of the image sensor of the camera device appears in the adjustment result, the remote controller invalidates the transmission of the control command and prompts the user. Present a warning. This improves the reliability of 3D control using the remote controller.
Details of the camera system of this embodiment will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[3D camera system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a 3D camera system set in a camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The 3D camera system 100 includes two cameras 10L and 10R constituting a 3D camera pair, and a camera control unit (CCU: Camera Control Unit) connected to the cameras 10L and 10R and the cables 11L and 11R in a one-to-one relationship. 12L and 12R, and a remote controller 16 (camera operating device) connected to the respective camera control devices 12L and 12R through the IP network 14. For the cables 11L and 11R, a broadband digital optical transmission line capable of transmitting a large-capacity optical digital signal is used.

  The two cameras 10L and 10R constituting the 3D camera pair respectively correspond to the left and right channels in the 3D camera pair. The respective cameras 10L and 10R are controlled by control commands supplied from camera control devices 12L and 12R connected through cables 11L and 11R. Video signals obtained by the two cameras 10L and 10R constituting the 3D camera pair are transmitted to the camera control devices 12L and 12R through the cables 11L and 11R.

  The camera control devices 12L and 12R transmit control commands input from the remote controller 16 through the IP network 14 to the cameras 10L and 10R connected through the cables 11L and 11R, or the cameras 10L connected through the cables 11L and 11R. , 10R, the video signal of each channel is received and output to a display device (not shown) or a recording device (not shown) through the IP network 14.

  The remote controller 16 generates a control command for the cameras 10L and 10R constituting the 3D camera pair in response to an operation input from the user, and transmits the control command to the camera control devices 12L and 12R through the IP network 14.

[Configuration of camera device]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of two camera devices that constitute a 3D camera pair. Since the configuration of the two camera devices is the same, only the configuration of the L-channel camera device including the camera 10L and the camera control device 12L will be described here.

  The camera 10L includes an image sensor 21L, a PLL circuit 22L, a timing generation circuit 23L, a video processor 24L, a CPU (25L), an I / F (26L), and the like.

  The image sensor 21L receives the optical image and outputs a RAW signal as an electrical signal. The imaging element 21L is configured by, for example, a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, or the like.

  The PLL circuit 22L generates a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) clock based on the reference clock signal from the camera control device 12L, and supplies the PLL to the timing generation circuit 23L.

  The timing generation circuit 23L generates a timing signal for the image sensor 21L from the PLL clock.

  The video processor 24L digitizes the RAW signal from the image sensor 21L, and further compresses and encodes it to generate a video signal.

  The CPU (25L) performs overall control of the camera 10L and performs various adjustments of the camera 10L according to control commands supplied from the camera control device 12L.

  The I / F (26L) controls transmission / reception of a reference clock signal, a video signal, and a control command to / from the camera control device 12L through the cable 11L.

  Similarly, the configuration of the R channel camera 10R includes an image sensor 21R, a PLL circuit 22R, a timing generation circuit 23R, a video processor 24R, a CPU (25R), an I / F (26R), and the like.

  The camera control device 12L includes a PLL circuit 31L, a timing generation circuit 32L, a camera I / F (33L), an IP network I / F (34L), a CPU (35L), a buffer 36L, and the like.

  The PLL circuit 31L generates a PLL clock from the reference clock signal supplied from the master control unit 40.

  The timing generation circuit 32L generates a timing signal for controlling the operation timing of the camera 10L from the PLL clock, and supplies it as a reference clock signal to the camera 10L through the cable 11L.

  The camera I / F (33L) controls transmission / reception of a reference clock signal, a video signal, and a control command to / from the camera 10L through the cable 11L.

  The IP network I / F (34L) receives a control command from the remote controller 16 through the IP network 14, transmits the control command to the CPU (35L), and transmits the video signal transmitted from the camera 10L through the IP network 14 and the display device. The data is transmitted to an external device 50 such as a recording device. Further, the IP network I / F (34L) receives the reference clock signal from the master control unit 40 through the IP network 14 and supplies the reference clock signal to the PLL circuit 31L.

  The CPU (35L) performs overall control of the camera control device 12L.

  The buffer 36L temporarily holds the video signal transmitted from the camera 10L through the cable 11L and supplies it to the IP network I / F (34L).

  Similarly, the configuration of the camera control device 12R for the R channel includes a PLL circuit 31R, a timing generation circuit 32R, a camera I / F (33R), an IP network I / F (34R), a CPU (35R), a buffer 36R, and the like. Have

[Configuration of remote controller 16]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the remote controller 16.
The remote controller 16 includes an IP network I / F (41), an operation panel 42 (operation unit), an operation display 43, a CPU 44 (control unit), a storage unit 45, and the like.

  The IP network I / F (41) transmits a control command to one or two camera control apparatuses 12L and 12R through the IP network 14.

  The operation panel 42 receives instructions for inputting various control commands from the user.

  The operation display 43 includes a panel type display such as a liquid crystal display panel and a touch sensor panel provided on the panel type display. The operation display 43 displays an operation screen (operation unit) that can accept instructions for inputting various control commands from the user, or a predetermined type of control in which individual differences of at least image sensors appear in the adjustment result. A warning message is displayed when command transmission is disabled.

  The storage unit 45 stores programs necessary for controlling the remote controller 16 and various data.

  The CPU 44 (control unit) performs overall control of the remote controller 16. For example, the CPU 44 recognizes a user operation on an operation unit such as an operation screen displayed on the operation panel 42 or the operation display 43 and generates a control command corresponding to the recognized user operation. The IP address of the destination camera device is acquired from the camera setting table stored in the storage unit 45. This camera setting table will be described later. Then, the CPU 44 stores the generated control command in the payload portion, generates an IP packet having the IP address stored in the header portion, and performs control so as to be sent to the IP network 14 through the IP network I / F (41). .

  At this time, the CPU 44 performs the following processing when the two cameras 10L and 10R are set as a 3D camera pair for the L channel and the R channel (in the 3D mode). First, the CPU 44 acquires IP addresses assigned to the two cameras 10L and 10R from the camera setting table. Subsequently, the CPU 44 assigns an IP packet for L channel to which an IP address assigned to the camera 10L for L channel is added to the control command instructed to be transmitted by the user, and the camera 10R for R channel. IP packets for the R channel to which the IP address is added are generated. Then, the CPU 44 sends the IP packet for the L channel (first control command information) and the IP packet for the R channel (second control command information) to the IP network 14 through the IP network I / F (41). To control.

Next, the operation of the camera system of this embodiment will be described.
The explanation of the operation is
1. 1. Camera settings Perform in order of camera control.

[1. Camera settings]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a connection state of each device before the 3D camera system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 is set.
There are four cameras 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4 and four camera control devices 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 12-4 that individually control these cameras The four camera control devices 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, and 12-4 are connected to the network 14. The camera numbers of the four cameras 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, and 10-4 are “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4” from the top. In addition, different IP addresses are assigned to the four camera control devices 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, and 12-4, respectively.

  FIG. 5 is an example of the camera setting table 60 before setting of the 3D camera system 100. As shown in the figure, the camera setting table 60 includes a camera number, an IP address, a 3D validity flag, a 2D validity flag, and the like. The camera number is a unique number assigned in advance to each of the cameras 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, and 10-4. The IP address is an IP address assigned in advance on the IP network 14 to the camera control devices 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, and 12-4. The 3D valid flag is a flag that is set when use as a camera constituting a 3D camera pair is selected, and includes, for example, a value indicating an L or R channel. The 2D valid flag is a flag that is set when use as a 2D camera is selected. At the time when neither the 3D camera system nor the 2D camera system is set, the 3D valid flag and the 2D valid flag are all in a reset state.

Next, among the above four cameras 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4, two arbitrary cameras 10L, 10R used as a 3D camera pair are set by operating the remote controller 16 to perform 3D. An operation when setting the camera system 100 will be described.
6 and 7 are diagrams showing transition of the screen of the operation display 43 until the 3D camera pair is set.

  In FIG. 6, when the Config button 72 is operated from the Category Select screen 71 displayed on the operation display 43 of the remote controller 16, the Config screen (not shown) is displayed. When the RCP button is operated from this Config screen, the RCP is displayed. Switch to a screen (not shown). When the Mode button is operated on the RCP screen, the RCP Mode screen 73 is displayed. The RCP Mode screen 73 is provided with a 3D Setting button 74. When the 3D Setting button 74 is operated, the screen changes to a 3D Setting screen 75.

The 3D Setting screen 75 is provided with a 3D mode button 76, a 3D CAM Control button 77, and a camera number registration button 78.
The 3D mode button 76 is a button for switching between a mode in which the remote controller 16 can be used as a 2D-compatible remote controller and a mode in which the remote controller 16 can be used as a 3D-compatible remote controller. The display of the 3D mode button 76 is “OFF” in the initial state, and at this time, the remote controller 16 can be used as a 2D compatible remote controller. When the 3D mode button 76 is operated from this state, the display of the 3D mode button 76 is switched from “OFF” to “ON”, and the remote controller 16 can simultaneously control the two cameras 10L and 10R. Will be ready for use.

  The 3D CAM Control button 77 is a button for calling a 3D CAM Control screen 79 for selecting which of the L channel and the R channel in the 3D camera pair is assigned to the camera. The 3D CAM Control screen 77 displayed by operating this 3D CAM Control button 77 assigns a camera to the Left Only button 79a for selecting the camera to be assigned to the L channel and the LR both channels. Both button 79b for selecting this and Right Only button 79c for selecting assigning the camera to the R channel are provided. That is, when one of the three buttons 79a, 79b, and 79c is operated by the user, the user selects which of the L channel and the R channel in the 3D camera pair is assigned the camera. Can do.

  The camera number registration button 78 is a button for calling a camera number registration screen (FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 7, when the camera number registration button 78 is operated, the screen is switched to a camera number registration screen 80 for 3D camera setting. The camera number registration screen 80 is provided with camera number display portions 81 and 82 for displaying camera numbers that are candidates for assignment to the channel selected by the 3D CAM Control button 77. The user selects a number to be displayed on the camera number display portions 81 and 82 and operates the Set button 91 to assign an arbitrary camera number to the channel selected by the 3D CAM Control button 77. The operation of switching the numbers displayed on the camera number display sections 81 and 82 is performed by operating the adjustment knobs 85 and 86 provided on the remote controller 16.

  In the example of FIGS. 6 and 7, when the Both button 79b in the 3D CAM Control button 77 is operated, the camera is selected to be assigned to both LR channels. Shows a case in which camera number = 3 is assigned to and R number is assigned camera number = 4. As a result, the camera setting table is updated to the state shown in FIG. FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the 3D camera system 100 set by the above assignment operation.

  Next, an operation when one camera among the four cameras 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, and 10-4 is set as a 2D camera will be described.

  On the 3D Setting screen 75, the user turns off the 3D mode button 76 and calls the Config screen (not shown). When a button (not shown) for 2D camera setting is operated on this Config screen, a camera number registration screen for 2D camera setting opens. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a camera number registration screen 90 for 2D camera setting. The camera number registration screen 90 is provided with a camera number display unit 87 for displaying camera numbers as candidates for assignment to 2D cameras. The user selects a number to be displayed on the camera number display section 87 and operates the Set button 91, whereby a camera with an arbitrary camera number is assigned as a 2D camera. The operation of switching the number displayed on the camera number display unit 87 is performed by operating an adjustment knob 83 provided on the remote controller 16.

  The example of FIG. 10 illustrates a case where the camera 10-3 with the camera number = 3 is assigned as a 2D camera. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the 2D valid flag is set for the camera 10-3 with the camera number = 3 in the camera setting table. FIG. 12 shows the configuration of the 2D camera system 200 set by the above assignment operation.

  Further, even after the 3D camera system 100 is set as described above, the change to the 2D camera system 200 can be easily performed by operating the remote controller 16. In this case, the user switches the 3D mode button 76 on the 3D Setting screen 75 from the “ON” state to the “OFF” state, and then calls the Config screen (not shown) in the same manner as described above. Operate buttons (not shown) for camera setting. Then, a camera number registration screen 90 for setting the 2D camera is displayed. Select the camera number to be displayed on the camera number display section 87 of the camera number registration screen 90 by operating the adjustment knob 83, and finally the Set button. 91 may be operated.

[2. Camera control]
Before describing camera control, the configuration of control commands employed in the camera system of this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the structure of the control command.
The control command is
1. 1. Camera control command Broadly divided into remote controller control commands.

The camera control command is a command for controlling the camera during operation of the camera system.
The remote controller control command is a command processed in the remote controller 16 such as camera setting, 2D / 3D mode setting, various maintenance adjustments, and adjustments specific to the camera individual.

A “transmission address selector option” is prepared to identify these camera control commands and remote controller control commands.
That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the control command 1 includes a command body 2 and an option unit 3. The option part 3 is information for selecting or adjusting the execution contents of the control command 1. One of the options stored in the option section 3 is the transmission address selector option 4 described above. The transmission address selector option 4 is added to the option part 3 in the camera control command. Thereby, it is possible to easily determine whether the control command 1 is a camera control command or a remote controller control command.

  The transmission address selector option 4 is a control command that is effective in terms of control when the control command 1 that is a camera control command is simultaneously transmitted to the cameras 10L and 10R constituting the 3D camera pair, or individual cameras. Includes an identifier 5 for identifying whether it is a control command effective for control. An identifier 5 indicating that it is a control command effective for simultaneous transmission to the cameras 10L and 10R constituting the 3D camera pair is “multiple transmission identifier”, and it is effective for control to be individually transmitted to the camera. The identifier 5 indicating a control command is called “single transmission identifier”. The single transmission identifier is added with L / R identification information indicating which channel of the L / R camera is the destination of the control command in accordance with the operation content by the user.

  The control items determined to be effective for control to be simultaneously transmitted to the cameras 10L and 10R constituting the 3D camera pair are control items related to operations of the cameras 10L and 10R constituting the 3D camera pair in operation. For example, there are adjustment items for images taken by the camera. Examples of adjustment items for the captured image of the camera include white balance adjustment, iris adjustment, gain adjustment, black level adjustment, and RPN (residual pattern noise) adjustment. On the other hand, the control items that are determined to be effective for control to be individually transmitted to the camera include items relating to the setting of the IP address, and control items for which the object can be achieved only by sending it to one camera. Examples of control items that can be achieved only by sending to one camera include tally and preview. The tally is a control item related to a lamp that is turned on when the camera is used. The preview is a control item related to the viewfinder.

  The control command 1 having the above configuration is generated by the CPU 44 of the remote controller 16 in accordance with a user operation on an operation unit such as an operation screen on the operation panel 42 or the operation display 43.

  By the way, among the control items that are determined to be effective for control to be simultaneously transmitted to the cameras 10L and 10R constituting the 3D camera pair, there are actually some control items that are inappropriate for simultaneous control. . For example, black level adjustment, RPN (residual pattern noise) adjustment, etc., are individual differences among image sensors, for example, individual differences during manufacturing of image sensors (variations in output characteristics of amplifiers for each pixel), differences in aging, and installation. Due to various circumstances such as the lighting environment of the place, it is difficult to perform reliable adjustment with a control command including the same adjustment parameters.

Therefore, the CPU 44 of the remote controller 16 performs the following processing.
1. The CPU 44 determines a control command in which the transmission address selector option 4 having a plurality of transmission identifiers is included in the option unit 3 in the analysis process of the control command for executing the generated control command.
2. When the transmission address selector option 4 having a plurality of transmission identifiers determines the control command 1 included in the option unit 3, the CPU 44 compares the command body 2 of the control command 1 with the list stored in the storage unit 45. Here, a list of control items inappropriate for simultaneous control is stored in the list in advance.
3. When the command body 2 of the control command 1 matches any one of the control items in the list, the CPU 44 invalidates the transmission of the control command and the cameras 10L and 10R that make up the 3D camera pair. A warning message is displayed on the operation display 43 indicating that the command is inappropriate as a command for simultaneously controlling the two.

Next, the flow of camera control in the camera system of this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of camera control by the remote controller 16 in the camera system of this embodiment.

  First, the CPU 44 of the remote controller 16 recognizes the user's operation on the operation screen displayed on the operation panel 42 or the operation display 43 of the remote controller 16 (step S101), and sends a control command corresponding to the recognized operation. Generate (step S102).

  Next, the CPU 44 of the remote controller 16 acquires the option part of the generated control command (step S103), and determines whether or not the transmission address selector option is included in this option part (step S104). Here, since the control command in which the transmission address selector option is not included in the option part is a control command processed only in the remote controller 16 such as a setting item in the remote controller 16, this control command is a remote command. Processing is performed in the controller 16 (step S105). Thus, the process for the control command given by the user is completed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the transmission address selector option is included in the option part of the control command, the CPU 44 of the remote controller 16 continues from the state of the 3D valid flag and 2D valid flag in the camera setting table to the shooting mode ( 2D / 3D) is determined (step S106). When the 2D valid flag is set for the camera number of any camera, the CPU 44 determines that the 2D mode is set, and adds the IP address set for the camera number to the control command. (Step S107), and sending it to the network 14 to send a control command to the camera (step S108).

  If it is determined in step S106 that the 3D mode is set, the CPU 44 of the remote controller 16 acquires an identifier included in the transmission address selector option (step S109), and this identifier is a multiple transmission identifier. Or a single transmission identifier (step S110). If it is a single transmission identifier, an IP address corresponding to the corresponding camera is acquired from the camera setting table based on the L / R identification information included in the single transmission identifier (step S111), and this IP address is used as a control command. It is added (step S112) and sent to the network 14 to send a control command to the camera (step S113). Thereby, one camera of the 3D camera pair is controlled.

  When it is determined in step S110 that the identifier is a plurality of transmission identifiers, the CPU 44 of the remote controller 16 compares the command body of the control command with the list stored in the storage unit 45. If the command body of the control command does not match any control item in the list, the CPU 44 determines that the control command is appropriate as a control command for simultaneously controlling the cameras 10L and 10R that actually constitute the 3D camera pair. (NO in step S114). In this case, the CPU 44 creates a copy of the control command and prepares two control commands (step S115). In one control command, the camera number is set to the camera number in which the L channel value is set as the 3D valid flag in the camera setting table. The assigned IP address is added, and the IP address assigned to the camera number in which the R channel value is set as the 3D valid flag in the camera setting table is added to the other control command (step S116). Then, the CPU 44 transmits the same control command to the cameras 10L and 10R constituting the 3D camera pair at the same time by sending out the control command to which the IP address is added to the network 14 (step S117). Thereby, the cameras 10L and 10R constituting the 3D camera pair are controlled simultaneously. Thus, the process for the control command given by the user is completed.

  If the command body of the control command matches any control item in the list, the control command is actually inappropriate control for simultaneously controlling the cameras 10L and 10R constituting the 3D camera pair. It is determined that the command is an item control command (YES in step S114). In this case, the CPU 44 invalidates the transmission of the control command, and displays a warning message indicating that the control command is inappropriate as a command for simultaneously controlling the cameras 10L and 10R constituting the 3D camera pair. (Step S118). Thus, the process for the control command given by the user is completed.

  FIG. 15 shows a warning message displayed on the operation display 43 when an instruction is given from the user to the remote controller 16 to transmit a black level adjustment control command to the cameras 10L and 10R constituting the 3D camera pair. It is an example. In this example, a warning message 93 such as “Not both controllable item” is displayed.

  According to the embodiment described above, the 3D of the 3D camera system 100 can be easily operated by the remote controller 16 from the cameras 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4 prepared in two or more. The user can arbitrarily select and set the cameras 10L and 10R constituting the camera pair. Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the 3D camera system 100 and the 2D camera system 200 can be switched by a simple operation of the remote controller 16.

  In addition, the remote controller 16 sends a control command according to a user operation to the two camera control devices 12L and 12R that individually control the cameras 10L and 10R constituting the 3D camera pair set as the 3D camera pair. Can be sent simultaneously through. Thereby, the operations of the cameras 10L and 10R constituting the 3D camera pair can be performed as if only one camera is operated, and the operability is improved.

  In addition, in various control items of the camera, for example, a user inputs an instruction to transmit a predetermined type of control command in which individual differences of image pickup devices such as black level adjustment and RPN (residual pattern noise) adjustment appear in the adjustment result. In this case, the CPU 44 of the remote controller 16 invalidates the transmission of the control command and presents a warning to the user. Thereby, the reliability of 3D control using the remote controller 16 is improved.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control command 2 ... Command main body 3 ... Option part 4 ... Transmission address selector option 5 ... Identifier 10L, 10R ... Camera 11L, 11R ... Cable 12L, 12R ... Camera control apparatus 14 ... IP network 16 ... Remote controller 42 ... Operation panel 43 ... Operation display 44 ... CPU
45 ... Storage unit 100 ... 3D camera system 200 ... 2D camera system

Claims (6)

An interface unit for connecting to the first camera device and the second camera device that can form a 3D camera pair through a transmission path;
An operation unit capable of receiving from the user an instruction to transmit a control command to the 3D camera pair;
The control command is generated according to an instruction received by the operation unit, the first control command information in which destination information of the first camera device is added to the control command, and the second control command. Second control command information to which destination information of the camera device is added is generated, and the generated first control command information and the second control command information are transmitted through the interface unit to the first camera device. And a control unit that controls to transmit to each of the second camera devices. The camera operating device according to claim 1,
The transmission path is an IP network;
The control unit adds a first IP address previously assigned to the first camera device as destination information of the first camera device to the control command, and uses the first IP address as destination information of the second camera device. A camera operating device for adding a second IP address pre-assigned to a second camera device to the control command. The camera operating device according to claim 1 or 2,
The control unit allows a user to select one of a 3D mode and a 2D mode, and when the 3D mode is selected, a first camera device and a second camera device that constitute the 3D camera pair When the 2D mode is selected, one camera device used as a 2D camera is used as a third camera device among the plurality of camera devices. And generating third control command information in which the destination information of the third camera device is added to the control command generated according to the instruction received by the operation unit. A camera operating device that controls to transmit to the third camera device through the interface unit. The camera operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The control unit invalidates transmission of the control command when an instruction to transmit a predetermined type of control command in which at least an individual difference of the imaging elements of the camera device appears in the adjustment result is received by the operation unit. Camera operation device that presents a warning message to the user. The interface unit is connected to the first camera device and the second camera device that can form a 3D camera pair through a transmission path,
The control unit generates the control command in response to an instruction from the user received by the operation unit, and the first control command information in which the destination information of the first camera device is added to the control command; Second control command information is generated by adding destination information of the second camera device to the control command, and the generated first control command information and second control command information are transmitted through the interface unit. A camera control method for transmitting to each of the first camera device and the second camera device. A first camera device and a second camera device capable of forming a 3D camera pair;
A camera operation device that transmits a control command for the pair of 3D cameras,
The camera operating device is
An interface unit for connecting to the first camera device and the second camera device through a transmission line;
An operation unit capable of receiving an instruction to transmit the control command to the 3D camera pair from a user;
The control command is generated according to an instruction received by the operation unit, the first control command information in which destination information of the first camera device is added to the control command, and the second control command. Second control command information to which destination information of the camera device is added is generated, and the generated first control command information and the second control command information are transmitted through the interface unit to the first camera device. And a control unit that controls to transmit to each of the second camera devices.

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