JP2012204862A - Imaging system, remote operation device, remote operation method, and remote operation program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging system capable of improving an operability in a remote operation.SOLUTION: An imaging system has an imaging device, and a remote operation device transmitting a control signal to the imaging device. The imaging device, in the case that no operation is performed for a predetermined time period in a first operation mode where a photographing operation is possible, transits to a second operation mode with a lower power consumption than the first operation mode. In the imaging system, the remote operation device has an operation state determination part determining whether or not an operation of the own device is in a state of being started, and a transmission controller transmitting to the imaging device a mode control signal that is the control signal for making a transition from the second operation mode to the first operation mode when the operation state determination part determines that the operation of the own device is in a state of being started. The imaging device has a reception part receiving the control signal transmitted from the remote operation device, and an operation mode controller making a transition from the second operation mode to the first operation mode when the reception part receives the mode control signal.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging system, a remote operation device, a remote operation method, and a remote operation program.

  Conventionally, when an image pickup apparatus is remotely operated by a remote controller (remote operation apparatus), the image pickup apparatus is always set to a state in which photographing can be performed according to a signal transmitted from the remote controller. However, the time for which the remote control is performed by the remote controller may be long, and when the imaging apparatus is always ready for shooting, power is consumed and the battery is consumed. For this reason, when the state in which the operation is not performed for a predetermined time continues, in the imaging apparatus, control for turning off the power to reduce power consumption is generally known. However, in this control, there is an annoyance that the operator cannot remotely operate the imaging device with the remote control unless the operator turns on the power of the imaging device again.

  In view of this, there has been proposed an imaging system in which the imaging apparatus can receive a power-on signal transmitted from a remote controller for a certain period of time after the imaging apparatus is turned off due to a state in which the imaging apparatus has not been operated for a predetermined time. In this case, the operator can turn on the power of the imaging apparatus by operating the remote controller and transmitting a power-on signal from the remote controller (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-138903 A

  However, even in the imaging system shown in Patent Document 1, when the power of the imaging apparatus is turned off because the state where the operation is not performed for a predetermined time continues, the operator turns on the power of the imaging apparatus with a remote controller or the imaging apparatus The photographing operation cannot be performed unless the power is turned on again. For this reason, there is a problem that the operator is troublesome in photographing and misses an opportunity for photographing.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an imaging system, a remote operation device, a remote operation method, and a remote operation program that can improve operability in remote operation. It is in.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem. When the operation is not performed for a predetermined time in the first operation mode in which a photographing operation is possible, the second operation mode has a lower power consumption than the first operation mode. An imaging system comprising: a transition imaging device; and a remote operation device that transmits a control signal to the imaging device, wherein the remote operation device determines whether or not an operation of the device itself is started When the operation state determination unit and the operation state determination unit determine that the operation of the own device is started, the first operation from the second operation mode is performed on the imaging device. A transmission control unit that transmits a mode control signal that is a control signal for transition to a mode, and the imaging device receives a control signal transmitted from the remote control device; and The mode control when the signal is received Ri is an imaging system characterized in that it comprises, an operation mode control unit for switching from the second operation mode to the first operation mode.

  Further, the present invention provides an operation state determination unit that determines whether or not an operation of the device itself is started, and when the operation state determination unit determines that the operation is started, And a transmission control unit for transmitting a predetermined control signal.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote operation method for a remote operation device, comprising: a procedure for transmitting a predetermined control signal when an operation of the own device is started. is there.

  According to the present invention, the computer as the remote operation device is in an operation state determination procedure for determining whether or not an operation is started, and in a state in which the operation is started by the operation state determination procedure. A remote control program for executing a transmission control procedure for transmitting a predetermined control signal when determined.

  According to the present invention, the imaging system can improve operability in remote operation.

1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the remote control by one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows a state when a remote control is pointed at the imaging device. It is a flowchart which shows the process which a remote control performs attitude | position detection and transmission control. It is explanatory drawing which shows a state when a finger is put on the operation part of a remote control. It is a flowchart which shows the process which a remote control detects a finger | toe and performs transmission control. It is a flowchart which shows the operation mode control process of an imaging device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example in which a remote control is provided with the triaxial acceleration sensor. It is a flowchart which shows the specific example of the attitude | position detection process in a remote control. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the operation part of a remote control, a pressure detection part, and a temperature detection part. It is a flowchart which shows the specific example of the finger detection process in a remote control. It is a flowchart which shows the specific example of the transmission control process in a remote control.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The imaging system 1 according to the present embodiment has a second operation mode (hereinafter, sleep mode) that consumes less power than the shooting operation mode when it is not operated for a predetermined time in a first operation mode (hereinafter, imaging mode) in which a shooting operation is possible. Imaging device 100 that transitions to (mode) and a remote controller 300 (remote operation device) that transmits a control signal to the imaging device.

First, the configuration of the imaging apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
An imaging apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an imaging unit 2, a camera control unit 3, an image processing unit 4, a storage unit 5, a buffer memory unit 6, a display unit 7, a receiving unit 10, an operation unit 11, a card connector 12, and a power supply unit. 13 and a bus 15.

The imaging unit 2 includes a lens unit 21, an imaging element 22, and an A / D conversion unit 23. The imaging unit 2 images a subject and generates image data. The imaging unit 2 is controlled by the camera control unit 3 based on the set imaging conditions (for example, aperture value, exposure, etc.), and the imaging device 22 captures the optical image of the subject input through the lens unit 21. Form an image on the surface. In addition, the imaging unit 2 converts the analog signal output from the imaging element 22 into a digital signal in the A / D conversion unit 23 to generate image data.
Note that the lens unit 21 described above may be attached to and integrated with the imaging apparatus 100, or may be detachably attached to the imaging apparatus 100.

  The imaging element 22 outputs an analog signal obtained by photoelectrically converting the optical image formed on the imaging surface to the A / D conversion unit 23. The A / D converter 23 converts the analog signal input from the image sensor 22 into a digital signal, and outputs image data that is the converted digital signal.

  For example, the imaging unit 2 outputs image data of a captured still image in response to a still image shooting operation on the operation unit 11. Further, the imaging unit 2 outputs image data of moving images continuously captured at a predetermined interval in accordance with a moving image shooting operation in the operation unit 11. Then, still image data and moving image data captured by the imaging unit 2 are recorded in the storage medium 200 via the buffer memory unit 6 and the image processing unit 4 under the control of the camera control unit 3. The imaging unit 2 outputs image data obtained continuously at a predetermined interval as through image data (through image) in a shooting standby state in which no shooting operation is performed in the operation unit 11. The through image data obtained by the imaging unit 2 is displayed on the display unit 7 via the buffer memory unit 6 and the image processing unit 4 under the control of the camera control unit 3.

  The image processing unit 4 performs image processing on the image data stored in the buffer memory unit 6 based on the image processing conditions stored in the storage unit 5. Here, the image data stored in the buffer memory unit 6 is read from, for example, still image data, through image data, or moving image data captured by the imaging unit 2 or the storage medium 200. Image data.

The storage unit 5 stores predetermined shooting conditions, image processing conditions, reproduction control conditions, display control conditions, recording control conditions, output control conditions, and the like for controlling the imaging apparatus 100. For example, the storage unit 5 is a ROM (Read Only Memory).
The storage unit 5 may record captured image data of moving images and image data of still images. In this case, for example, the storage unit 5 may be a flash memory or the like.

  The buffer memory unit 6 is used as a work area when the camera control unit 3 controls the imaging apparatus 100. The still image image data, the through image data, or the moving image data captured by the imaging unit 2 or the image data read from the storage medium 200 is buffered in the course of image processing under the control of the camera control unit 3. It is temporarily stored in the unit 6. The buffer memory unit 6 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

  The display unit 7 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and is an image based on the image data captured by the imaging unit 2 or an image based on the image data read from the storage medium 200, a menu screen, or the operation of the imaging device 100. Displays information about status and settings.

  The receiving unit 10 receives a control signal transmitted from the remote controller 300 (remote operation device). Then, the receiving unit 10 outputs the received control signal as an electric signal to the camera control unit 3. For example, the receiving unit 10 receives a control signal transmitted as an infrared signal from the remote controller 300, converts the received infrared signal control signal into an electrical signal, and outputs the electrical signal to the camera control unit 3. Here, the remote controller 300 is a remote operation device that remotely operates the imaging apparatus 100. For example, the remote controller 300 includes a release switch 301. When the operator operates the release switch 301, the remote controller 300 transmits a release signal indicating the operation of the release switch 301 as an infrared signal. Details of the configuration of the remote controller 300 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The operation unit 11 includes an operation switch for an operator to input an operation to the imaging apparatus 100. For example, the operation unit 11 includes a power switch, a release switch, a mode switch, a menu switch, an up / down / left / right selection switch, a confirmation switch, a cancel switch, and other operation switches. Each of the above-described switches provided in the operation unit 11 outputs an operation signal corresponding to each operation to the camera control unit 3 in response to the operation.

A removable storage medium 200 such as a card memory is inserted into the card connector 12. Writing, reading, or erasing of image data is executed on the storage medium 200 via the card connector 12.
The storage medium 200 is a storage unit that is detachably connected to the imaging apparatus 100, and stores, for example, image data generated by being captured by the imaging unit 2.

  The power supply unit 13 supplies power to each unit included in the imaging device 100. The power supply unit 13 includes, for example, a battery, and converts the voltage of power supplied from the battery into the operating voltage in each of the above-described units. Then, the power supply unit 13 supplies the converted power of the operating voltage to the above-described units under the control of the camera control unit 3 based on the operation mode (for example, the shooting operation mode or the sleep mode) of the imaging device 100.

  The bus 15 is connected to the imaging unit 2, the camera control unit 3, the image processing unit 4, the storage unit 5, the buffer memory unit 6, the display unit 7, the receiving unit 10, the operation unit 11, and the card connector 12, and outputs from each unit. The transferred image data and control signals are transferred.

The camera control unit 3 controls each unit included in the imaging device 100. In addition, the camera control unit 3 includes an operation mode control unit 31.
The operation mode control unit 31 performs control to shift to the sleep mode in which the power consumption is lower than that in the shooting operation mode when the imaging apparatus 100 is not operated for a predetermined time in the shooting operation mode in which the shooting operation is possible. In addition, the operation mode control unit 31 performs control to change from the sleep mode to the photographing operation mode based on a control signal transmitted from the remote controller 300 received by the reception unit 10.

  Here, the shooting operation mode and the sleep mode in the present embodiment are modes indicating the following states. The shooting operation mode is a state in which the imaging apparatus 100 can always perform a shooting operation, and power is supplied from the power supply unit 13 to each unit necessary for the shooting operation provided in the imaging apparatus 100. For example, when the imaging apparatus 100 is in the shooting operation mode, the imaging apparatus 100 immediately executes the shooting operation in response to the release signal transmitted from the remote controller 300 being received by the receiving unit 10. On the other hand, the sleep mode is a state in which the imaging apparatus 100 cannot perform a shooting operation. In the sleep mode, power is supplied from the power supply unit 13 only to the minimum units necessary for the reception unit 10 to receive the control signal transmitted from the remote controller 300 among the units included in the imaging apparatus 100. It is a state that has been. Therefore, the sleep mode is a mode in which power consumption is lower than that in the shooting operation mode, and is a mode in which the power consumption in the imaging apparatus 100 is reduced by transition when no operation is performed for a predetermined time in the shooting operation mode.

  For example, when the imaging apparatus 100 is in the sleep mode, the operation mode control unit 31 is configured to receive a mode control signal (a control signal for shifting from the sleep mode to the shooting operation mode), which will be described later, by the reception unit 10. The operation mode of the imaging apparatus 100 is changed from the sleep mode to the shooting operation mode. When the imaging apparatus 100 is in the sleep mode, the imaging apparatus 100 captures images after the operation mode control unit 31 shifts from the sleep mode to the imaging operation mode in response to the release signal being received by the receiving unit 10. Perform the action.

Next, the configuration of the remote controller 300 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the remote controller 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The remote controller 300 includes a remote controller control unit 310, a posture detection unit 320, a motion detection unit 321, a finger detection unit 330, an operation unit 335, a transmission unit 340, and a power supply unit 341.

  The transmission unit 340 transmits a control signal to the imaging apparatus 100 under the control of the remote control control unit 310. For example, the control signal transmitted from the transmission unit 340 is an infrared signal, and is a control signal for controlling the imaging apparatus 100 (for example, release control, operation mode control, etc.).

  The posture detection unit 320 detects whether or not the remote controller 300 is pointed at the imaging apparatus 100 and outputs the detection result to the remote control unit 310. Specifically, the posture detection unit 320 detects the movement of the remote controller 300 via the movement detection unit 321 and detects whether or not the remote control 300 is pointed at the imaging apparatus 100 based on the detected movement. For example, the motion detection unit 321 is an acceleration sensor. The posture detection unit 320 detects acceleration through the acceleration sensor, and detects the movement of the remote controller 300 based on the detected acceleration. Then, based on the detected movement of the remote controller 300, the posture detection unit 320 detects whether or not the remote controller 300 is pointed at the imaging device 100.

  The operation unit 335 includes an operation switch for an operator to input an operation to the remote controller 300. For example, the operation unit 335 includes a release switch 301, and outputs an operation signal indicating the operation of the release switch 301 to the remote control unit 310 and the finger detection unit 330 when the operator operates the release switch 301. .

  Finger detection unit 330 detects whether or not the operator's finger is in contact with operation unit 335, and outputs the detection result to remote control unit 310. The finger detection unit 330 includes a pressure detection unit 331 that detects pressure on the surface of the operation unit 335, and a temperature detection unit 332 that detects the temperature of the surface of the remote controller 300. Then, the finger detection unit 330 detects whether or not the operator's finger is in contact with the operation unit 335 based on the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit 331 and the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 332. To do.

  The remote control control unit 310 controls each unit of the remote control 300. The remote controller control unit 310 includes an operation state determination unit 311 and a transmission control unit 312. The operation state determination unit 311 determines whether or not the operation of the remote controller 300 is in a state to be started. Here, the state in which the operation is started is, for example, when the imaging apparatus 100 is caused to perform a shooting operation by operating the remote controller 300, or the operator points the remote controller 300 toward the imaging apparatus 100 or the remote controller 300 This is a state in which a preliminary operation for operation such as placing a finger on the release button of the operation unit 335 is performed and preparations for starting the operation are made.

  That is, the operation state determination unit 311 determines that the operation is started when the posture detection unit 320 detects that the remote controller 300 is pointed at the imaging apparatus 100. Further, when the finger detection unit 330 detects that a finger is in contact with the operation unit 335, it is determined that the operation is started. Furthermore, when the finger detection unit 330 continuously detects that the finger is in contact with the operation unit 335, it is determined that the state in which the operation is started continues.

  The transmission control unit 312 transmits a control signal from the remote control 300 to the imaging apparatus 100 via the transmission unit 340 in response to the operation unit 335 being operated. In addition, when the operation state determination unit 311 determines that the operation of the remote control 300 is started, a mode control signal that is a control signal for switching from the sleep mode to the shooting operation mode is transmitted to the imaging device 100. To do. Further, when the operation state determination unit 311 determines that the state in which the operation of the remote controller 300 is started continues, a mode control signal is continuously transmitted to the imaging apparatus 100 at a predetermined time interval.

  The power supply unit 341 supplies power to each unit provided in the remote controller 300. The power supply unit 341 includes, for example, a small primary battery, and converts the voltage of power supplied from the primary battery into the operating voltage in each of the above-described units and supplies the converted voltage.

In the imaging system 1 using the imaging device 100 and the remote controller 300 having the above-described configuration, when the camera is not operated for a predetermined time in a shooting operation mode in which a shooting operation is possible, the imaging device shifts to a sleep mode that consumes less power than the shooting operation mode. 100 and the remote controller 300 that transmits a control signal to the imaging device 100 execute the following controls (1) and (2).
(1) In the remote controller 300, when the operation state determination unit 311 determines that the operation of the remote controller 300 is started, this is a control signal that causes the imaging device 100 to transition from the sleep mode to the shooting operation mode. A mode control signal is transmitted. The operation mode control unit 31 of the imaging device 100 transitions from the sleep mode to the shooting operation mode when the reception unit 10 receives the mode control signal and the imaging device 100 is in the sleep mode. Further, the operation mode control unit 31 continues the shooting operation mode when the mode control signal is received by the receiving unit 10 and the imaging apparatus 100 is in the shooting operation mode.
(2) In the remote controller 300, when the operation state determination unit 311 determines that the state in which the operation of the remote controller 300 is started continues, the mode control signal is continuously transmitted to the imaging apparatus 100 at a predetermined interval. Send. In the imaging apparatus 100, when the mode control signal is received by the receiving unit 10, the operation mode control unit 31 switches from the shooting operation mode to the sleep mode even when the operation mode control unit 31 is not operated for a predetermined time in the shooting operation mode. The transition operation is prohibited.

  Note that the case where the operation of the remote controller 300 is in a state where the operation is started refers to the case where the posture detection unit 320 detects that the remote control 300 is pointed at the imaging apparatus 100 as described above, or the finger detection unit 330 operates the operation unit. This is a case where it is detected that a finger is in contact with 335.

Next, the operation of the imaging system 1 in the present embodiment will be described.
<Processing for Remote Controller 300 to Transmit Mode Control Signal when Remote Controller 300 is Directed to Imaging Device 100>
First, a process in which the remote controller control unit 310 transmits a mode control signal to the imaging device 100 when the posture detection unit 320 of the remote control 300 detects that the remote control 300 is directed toward the imaging device 100 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the remote controller 300 is pointed at the imaging apparatus 100 by the operator. As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the remote controller 300 is pointed at the imaging device 100 by the operator, the remote controller 300 first switches from the state where the remote controller 300 is not suitable for the imaging device 100 to the state where it is suitable for the imaging device 100. Then, the movement stops in a state of facing the imaging apparatus 100. Therefore, for example, it is assumed that the remote controller 300 is not yet suitable for the imaging device 100 while the remote controller 300 is in motion, and the remote controller 300 is directed to the imaging device 100 when the motion is stopped from a state where the remote controller 300 is in motion. Suppose that

  Therefore, the posture detection unit 320 detects a state where the remote controller 300 is moving via the motion detection unit 321 (for example, an acceleration sensor), and then detects a state where the movement of the remote control 300 is stopped. It is detected that the remote controller 300 is pointed at the imaging apparatus 100. On the other hand, the posture detection unit 320 detects that the remote controller 300 is not directed to the imaging apparatus 100 when the above-described movement when the remote controller 300 detects that the remote controller 300 is directed to the imaging apparatus 100 is not detected.

  Here, when the posture detection unit 320 detects whether the remote controller 300 is in a moving state or a state in which the movement of the remote control 300 is stopped, for example, a value indicating the amount of movement is a predetermined threshold value. If it is determined that it is larger, it is detected that there is a movement, and if it is determined that the value indicating the amount of movement is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, it is detected that the movement is stopped.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing in which the remote controller 300 according to the present embodiment detects the posture and performs transmission control.
Hereinafter, the transmission control process in the remote controller 300 when the remote controller 300 is pointed at the imaging apparatus 100 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in the remote control 300, the posture detection unit 320 detects the movement of the remote control 300 via the motion detection unit 321 (step S1). Next, posture detection unit 320 detects whether or not movement of remote controller 300 is stopped. Specifically, the posture detection unit 320 stops the movement of the remote controller 300 by determining whether or not the value indicating the amount of movement detected via the movement detection unit 321 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. It is detected whether it is in a state (step S2).

  If it is determined in step S2 that the value indicating the amount of movement detected by the posture detection unit 320 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, that is, if it is detected that the movement of the remote controller 300 is stopped, the remote controller Control unit 310 returns the process to step S1. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the value indicating the amount of movement detected by the posture detection unit 320 is not less than or equal to a predetermined threshold, that is, if it is detected that the remote control 300 is in a state of movement, the remote control control unit 310 advances the process to step S3.

  Next, posture detection unit 320 again detects the movement of remote controller 300 via movement detection unit 321 (step S3). Then, by the same processing as step S2, posture detection unit 320 detects whether or not the movement of remote controller 300 is stopped (step S4). If it is detected in step S4 that the remote controller 300 is in a moving state, the remote controller control unit 310 returns the process to step S1. On the other hand, when it is detected in step S4 that the movement of the remote controller 300 is stopped, the remote controller control unit 310 advances the process to step S5.

  In step S <b> 5, the posture detection unit 320 detects that the remote control 300 is directed toward the imaging device 100. That is, the posture detection unit 320 detects a state in which the movement of the remote control 300 is moving in steps S1 and S2, and then detects a state in which the movement of the remote control 300 is stopped in steps S3 and S4. Is directed to the imaging apparatus 100.

  Since the posture detection unit 320 detects that the remote control 300 is directed toward the imaging apparatus 100, the operation state determination unit 311 determines that the operation of the remote control 300 is in a state to be started. The transmission control unit 312 controls the imaging device 100 to shift from the sleep mode to the shooting operation mode when the operation state determination unit 311 determines that the operation of the remote controller 300 is started. The mode control signal is transmitted and the process is terminated (step S6).

  As a result, the posture detection unit 320 of the remote controller 300 detects whether or not the remote controller 300 is pointed at the imaging apparatus 100 based on the movement of the remote controller 300. When the posture detection unit 320 detects that the remote control 300 is directed to the imaging device 100, the transmission control unit 312 of the remote control 300 is a control signal that causes the operation mode of the imaging device 100 to transition from the sleep mode to the shooting operation mode. A certain mode control signal is transmitted. Therefore, even when the operator does not operate the operation unit 335 of the remote controller 300, when the operation is started by the preliminary operation before the operation, the remote controller 300 changes the imaging device 100 to the shooting operation mode. The mode control signal to be transmitted can be transmitted.

<Process in which remote controller 300 transmits a mode control signal when a finger is placed on operation unit 335 of remote controller 300>
Next, in the remote controller 300, when the finger detection unit 330 detects that a finger is in contact with the operation unit 335, a process in which the remote control unit 310 transmits a mode control signal to the imaging device 100 will be described. .

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where a finger is placed on the operation unit of the remote controller 300. As shown in FIG. 5, when the operator places a finger on the operation unit 335 of the remote controller 300, pressure is applied by the finger touching the operation unit 335. The pressure applied when the finger touches is smaller than the pressure applied by the operation of the operation unit 335 (for example, the operation of pressing the release switch 301). And the pressure detection part 331 detects this small pressure applied when a finger | toe contacts. Hereinafter, in the operation of the operation unit 335 (for example, the operation of pressing the release switch 301), when the finger is in contact with the operation unit 335 and the operation unit 335 is not pressed, the finger is put on the operation unit 335. It is described as a case.

  For example, the pressure detection unit 331 is a pressure detection switch that switches the contact point from OFF (blocking state) to ON (conduction state) by a pressure applied when a finger contacts the operation unit 335 of the remote controller 300. The pressure detection switch is disposed on the surface of the release switch 301. Therefore, when the operator places a finger on the release switch 301 as a preparatory operation for the operator to press the release switch 301, the pressure detection switch is turned on by the pressure due to the finger touching. On the other hand, when the operator does not place a finger on the release switch 301, the pressure detection switch is OFF.

Even if the pressure is detected by the pressure detection unit 331 described above, it may not actually be a finger. For example, there is a case where the pressure is detected by the pressure detection unit 331 when the remote controller 300 is in a bag and is in contact with another object. As a countermeasure for such a case, the temperature detection unit 332 in the present embodiment detects the temperature of the surface of the remote controller 300, that is, the temperature of the object that is in contact with the operation unit 335. For example, the temperature detection unit 332 determines whether the detected temperature is within a predetermined temperature range (a predetermined temperature range set in advance to determine that the temperature is a human finger). It is detected whether or not is a finger.
As described above, the finger detection unit 330 detects whether or not the operator's finger is in contact with the operation unit 335 based on the detection results of the pressure detection unit 331 and the temperature detection unit 332.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process in which the remote controller 300 in this embodiment detects a finger and performs transmission control.
Hereinafter, transmission control processing in the remote controller 300 when a finger is placed on the operation unit 335 of the remote controller 300 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, processing when a finger is put on the release switch 301 of the remote controller 300 will be described.

  The finger detection unit 330 detects the pressure on the surface of the release switch 301 via the pressure detection switch (pressure detection unit 331) (step S11). The finger detection unit 330 detects whether or not the pressure detection switch is turned on (step S12). If the result of detection in step S12 is that the pressure detection switch has not been turned ON, remote control control unit 310 returns the process to step S11. On the other hand, if the pressure detection switch is turned on as a result of detection in step S12, the remote controller control unit 310 proceeds to step S13 to detect whether the release switch 301 is turned on.

  If the release switch 301 is turned on in step S13, the transmission control unit 312 transmits a release signal indicating that the release switch 301 has been operated via the transmission unit 340, and the process ends (step S18). ). On the other hand, when the release switch 301 is not turned on in step S13, the finger detection unit 330, via the temperature detection unit 332, the temperature of the surface of the remote controller 300, that is, the temperature of the object in contact with the release switch 301. Is detected (step S14).

  Next, the finger detection unit 330 determines whether or not the temperature detected in step S14 is within a predetermined temperature range (a predetermined temperature range set in advance to determine that it is the temperature of a human finger). (Step S15). If the finger detection unit 330 determines that the temperature detected in step S15 is not within the predetermined temperature range, the remote control control unit 310 returns the process to step S11. On the other hand, when it is determined that the temperature detected in step S15 is within the predetermined temperature range, the finger detection unit 330 detects that the finger is in contact with the release switch 301 (step S16).

  Since the finger detection unit 330 detects that the finger is in contact with the release switch 301, the operation state determination unit 311 determines that the operation of the remote controller 300 is in a started state. The transmission control unit 312 controls the imaging device 100 to shift from the sleep mode to the shooting operation mode when the operation state determination unit 311 determines that the operation of the remote controller 300 is started. Is transmitted through the transmission unit 340, and the process is terminated (step S17).

  Note that the processing shown in FIG. 6 is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals. Therefore, when the finger is continuously placed on the operation unit 335 of the remote controller 300, the finger detection unit 330 continuously detects the state where the finger is in contact with the release switch 301 at a predetermined time interval. In this case, the transmission control unit 312 continuously transmits a mode control signal to the imaging apparatus 100 at a predetermined time interval. It should be noted that the predetermined time interval detected continuously by the finger detection unit 330 and the predetermined time interval transmitted continuously by the transmission control unit 312 may be the same time interval or different time intervals. .

  Thereby, finger detection unit 330 of remote controller 300 detects whether or not the finger is in contact with release switch 301 of remote controller 300. When the finger detection unit 330 detects that the finger is in contact with the release switch 301, the transmission control unit 312 of the remote controller 300 controls the operation mode of the imaging device 100 to transition from the sleep mode to the shooting operation mode. A mode control signal is transmitted. Therefore, even when the operator does not operate the operation unit 335 of the remote controller 300, when the operation is started by the preliminary operation before the operation, the remote controller 300 changes the imaging device 100 to the shooting operation mode. The mode control signal to be transmitted can be transmitted.

  In addition, when the finger detection unit 330 continuously detects that the finger is in contact with the release switch 301, the transmission control unit 312 continues the mode control signal to the imaging apparatus 100 at a predetermined time interval. To send. Therefore, when the operator continuously puts his finger on the operation unit 335 of the remote controller 300 and waits for the shooting timing, the mode control signal is continued at predetermined time intervals so that the imaging apparatus 100 is not shifted to the sleep mode. Can be sent.

  4 and 6, the operation state determination unit 311 of the remote control 300 starts operating the remote control 300 based on the respective detection results by the posture detection unit 320 or the finger detection unit 330. Although the control for determining whether or not there is has been described, it is not limited to this. The operation state determination unit 311 may determine whether or not the operation of the remote controller 300 is in a state where the operation of the remote control 300 is started based on both detection results by the posture detection unit 320 and the finger detection unit 330. That is, for example, when the remote controller 300 detects that the remote controller 300 is pointed at the imaging apparatus 100 and detects that the finger is in contact with the release switch 301 of the remote controller 300, the remote controller 300 determines that the operation is in a state to be started. Then, control for transmitting the mode control signal may be performed.

  The operation of the process in which the remote controller 300 transmits the mode control signal based on the operation state has been described above. Next, an operation of processing in which the imaging apparatus 100 controls the operation mode based on the mode control signal transmitted from the remote controller 300 will be described.

<Processing for Imaging Device 100 to Control Operation Mode Based on Mode Control Signal from Remote Control 300>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation mode control process of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.
Hereinafter, the operation mode control process in the imaging apparatus 100 based on the mode control signal transmitted from the remote controller 300 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The imaging apparatus 100 is in a shooting operation mode or a sleep mode, and is in a reception standby state in which a signal transmitted from the remote controller 300 can be received (step S21). The camera control unit 3 of the imaging apparatus 100 detects whether or not the receiving unit 10 has received a control signal transmitted from the remote controller 300 (step S22). When the receiving unit 10 receives a control signal transmitted from the remote controller 300, the camera control unit 3 advances the process to step S23, and determines whether or not the control signal received by the receiving unit 10 is a release signal. On the other hand, when the receiving unit 10 does not receive the control signal transmitted from the remote controller 300, the camera control unit 3 returns the process to step S21 and continues the reception standby state.

  If it is determined in step S23 that the control signal received by the receiving unit 10 is a release signal, the camera control unit 3 advances the process to step S25. On the other hand, if it is determined that the control signal received by the receiving unit 10 is not a release signal, the camera control unit 3 proceeds to step S24 and determines whether or not the control signal received by the receiving unit 10 is a mode control signal. Determine whether.

  If it is determined in step S24 that the control signal received by the receiving unit 10 is a mode control signal, the camera control unit 3 advances the process to step S25. On the other hand, when it is determined that the control signal received by the receiving unit 10 is not the mode control signal, the camera control unit 3 returns the process to step S21.

Next, the operation mode control unit 31 of the camera control unit 3 determines whether or not the operation mode of the imaging apparatus 100 is the sleep mode (step S25). When the operation mode control unit 31 determines in step S25 that the operation mode of the imaging device 100 is the sleep mode, the operation mode control unit 31 changes the operation mode of the imaging device 100 from the sleep mode to the shooting operation mode (step S26). On the other hand, when the operation mode control unit 31 determines in step S25 that the operation mode of the imaging device 100 is not the sleep mode, the operation mode of the imaging device 100 is the imaging operation mode, and thus the imaging operation mode is continued (step S27). ). Then, the camera control unit 3 ends the operation mode control process.
If it is determined in step S23 that the control signal received by the receiving unit 10 is a release signal, a shooting operation is performed in the imaging apparatus 100 after the above-described operation mode control process.

  Thereby, the operation mode control unit 31 of the imaging device 100 captures images from the sleep mode when the operation mode of the imaging device 100 is the sleep mode and the mode control signal transmitted from the remote controller 300 is received by the reception unit 10. Transition to operation mode. In addition, the operation mode control unit 31 is configured such that when the operation mode of the imaging apparatus 100 is a shooting operation mode and a mode control signal continuously transmitted from the remote controller 300 at a predetermined time interval is received by the reception unit 10, Even when the operation is not performed for a predetermined time, the operation for changing from the photographing operation mode to the sleep mode is prohibited.

  As described above, in the imaging system 1 including the remote controller 300 and the imaging apparatus 100 described above, when the remote control 300 transmits a mode control signal that causes the imaging apparatus 100 to transition to the shooting operation mode, the imaging apparatus 100 receives the mode control signal. As a result, the mode changes from the sleep mode to the shooting operation mode. In addition, when the remote controller 300 continuously transmits a mode control signal that causes the imaging apparatus 100 to transition to the shooting operation mode at a predetermined time interval, the imaging apparatus 100 receives the mode control signal to receive the predetermined mode control signal in the shooting operation mode. Even when the operation is not performed for a period of time, the operation for shifting from the shooting operation mode to the sleep mode is prohibited.

  As a result, the imaging system 1 according to the present embodiment is in a state where the operation is started by the preliminary operation before the operation without operating the operation unit 335 of the remote controller 300. Can be shifted from the sleep mode to the shooting operation mode. In addition, even when the operator continuously puts his finger on the operation unit 335 of the remote controller 300 and waits for the shooting timing, the imaging system 1 is not operated for a predetermined time, so that the imaging apparatus 100 is moved from the shooting operation mode. Transition to the sleep mode can be prevented. Therefore, in the case where the operator is not operated for a predetermined time, when the operator tries to operate the imaging device 100 with the remote controller 300 in the imaging device 100 that shifts to the sleep mode that reduces power consumption, Even if troublesome operations are not performed when taking a picture, it becomes possible to take a picture immediately. Therefore, the imaging system 1 can improve operability in remote operation.

Next, detailed specific examples of each of the posture detection processing, finger detection processing, and transmission control processing will be described with reference to FIGS.
<Detailed specific example of posture detection processing>
First, a detailed specific example of the posture detection process will be described.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which the remote controller 300 includes a triaxial acceleration sensor as the motion detection unit 321. In FIG. 8, when the transmission unit 340 of the remote controller 300 faces the image capturing apparatus 100, the three axes of the acceleration sensor are the left direction when facing the image capturing apparatus 100, the positive direction of the x axis, and the upward direction is the y axis direction. A certain direction of the imaging device 100 is defined as a positive direction of the z axis. When a motion occurs in the remote controller 300, a force obtained by combining the acceleration force due to gravity and motion is applied to each axis, resulting in a change in acceleration. The posture detection unit 320 detects the movement of the remote controller 300 by detecting this change in acceleration via an acceleration sensor. That is, the posture detection unit 320 detects a state in which the movement of the remote controller 300 is moving based on a change in acceleration detected through the acceleration sensor, and then detects the state in which the movement is stopped, It is detected that the remote controller 300 is pointed at the imaging device 100 when a state in which the movement is stopped is detected from a state in which the movement is moving.

Specifically, the posture detection unit 320 detects the posture as follows based on the value of the acceleration sensor provided as the motion detection unit 321.
The gravitational accelerations of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis in FIG. 8 are denoted by symbol α _x , symbol α _y , and symbol α _z , respectively. Then, the combined acceleration α in the three directions of the remote controller 300 is calculated by averaging the gravitational acceleration of each axis. That is, “α = (α _x ² + α _y ² + α _z ² ) ^1/2 ”. This combined acceleration α is approximately 1G when the movement of the remote controller 300 is stopped, and is larger than 1G at the moment when the movement is started, and smaller than 1G immediately before the movement is stopped. Therefore, when the combined acceleration α detected via the acceleration sensor is “1G → larger than 1G → (1G) → smaller than 1G → 1G”, the posture detection unit 320 is directed to the imaging apparatus 100. Detect that there was.

  Note that the posture detection unit 320 may detect that the remote controller 300 is directed to the imaging apparatus 100 when the resultant acceleration α is “smaller than 1G → 1G”. In this case, except for the case where a special movement such as a drop occurs in the remote controller 300, the posture detection unit 320 has a combined acceleration α of 1G → larger than 1G → (1G) → smaller than 1G → 1G ”. The movement of the remote controller 300 similar to the case can be detected.

  Further, the gravitational acceleration may change regardless of the movement of the remote controller 300 due to the influence of altitude, topography, or the like. Furthermore, the sensor output may not match the actual gravitational acceleration due to an error in the sensor output value of the acceleration sensor. Therefore, the posture detection unit 320 determines the states of “1G”, “greater than 1G”, and “smaller than 1G” of the combined acceleration α by comparing the sensor output of the acceleration sensor with a predetermined threshold value. .

For example, the posture detection unit 320 sets the combined acceleration α by the acceleration sensor to a low acceleration determination threshold value α _th1 (a preset threshold value for determining whether the combined acceleration α is “smaller than 1 G”) and high It is compared with an acceleration determination threshold value α _th2 (a preset threshold value for determining whether or not the combined acceleration α is “greater than 1 G”). Then, when the combined acceleration α is smaller than the low acceleration determination threshold α _th1 , the posture detection unit 320 determines that the combined acceleration α is “smaller than 1 G”, and when the combined acceleration α is larger than the high acceleration determination threshold α _th2. The combined acceleration α is determined to be “greater than 1 G”. Further, the posture detection unit 320 determines that the combined acceleration α is “1G” when the combined acceleration α is equal to or higher than the low acceleration determination threshold α _{th1 and} equal to or lower than the high acceleration determination threshold α _th2 .

Depending on the acceleration sensor, the sensor output may vary depending on the temperature. When such an acceleration sensor is used, there is a method in which the posture detection unit 320 corrects the sensor output by setting the combined acceleration α when the acceleration has not changed for a long time to “1G”. For example, the posture detection unit 320 calculates the acceleration correction value α _g as “α _g = 1 / α”. Specifically, for example, the posture detection unit 320 measures the combined acceleration α n times (n is a natural number) to remove the influence of noise in the sensor output of the acceleration sensor, and averages the combined acceleration average value after averaging. Based on α _ave , the acceleration correction value α _g is calculated as “α _g = 1 / α _ave ”. Then, the posture detection unit 320 calculates the corrected combined acceleration α (n) based on the sensor output of the acceleration sensor measured n times as “α (n) = α _g × α”.

Specifically, the difference between the corrected composite acceleration α (n) after the nth measurement and the corrected composite acceleration α (n) after the “n−1” measurement is equal to or less than the stop state determination threshold _αth3. The posture detection unit 320 determines that there is no change in acceleration between the n-th measurement and the “n-1” measurement. Then, the posture detection unit 320 counts the number of times of measurement in which there is no change in acceleration. Here, the number of times of continuous measurement in which there is no change in acceleration is defined as the constant number of consecutive acceleration states n _stay . Then, the posture detection unit 320 determines that the constant acceleration state continuous number n _stay is larger than the preset stop determination number threshold n _th , that is, a state where there is no change in acceleration continues for a predetermined threshold number of times. In this case, the acceleration correction value α _g is newly calculated. For example, in the n-th measurement, when the constant acceleration state continuous number n _stay is equal to or _larger than a preset stop determination number threshold n _th , the posture detection unit 320, for example, based on the measurement result for 10 times, The average value α _ave is calculated by “α _ave = (α (n) +... + Α (n−9)) / 10)”. Then, the posture detection unit 320 calculates the acceleration correction value α _g by “α _g = 1 / α _ave ”. Then, the posture detection unit 320 sets “α (n + 1) = α _g × α” as the corrected combined acceleration α (n + 1) based on the sensor output of the acceleration sensor measured after the nth measurement. .

  When the sensor output of the acceleration sensor fluctuates depending on the temperature, the posture detection unit 320 replaces the method of correcting the sensor output by setting the combined acceleration α when the acceleration is not changed for a long time to “1G”. The unit 320 may correct the sensor output based on the detected temperature of the acceleration sensor.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a specific example of posture detection processing in the remote controller.
Here, the flag indicating the state of the combined acceleration α detected by the posture detection unit 320 via the acceleration sensor will be described as an acceleration state flag Move. In this acceleration state flag Move, the case where the combined acceleration α is “less than 1G” is “acceleration state flag Move = −1”, and the case where the combined acceleration α is “1G” is “acceleration state flag Move = “0”, and the case where the combined acceleration α is “greater than 1 G” is set to “acceleration state flag Move = 1”. In addition, a flag indicating the setting of a control signal transmitted by the remote controller 300 will be described as a signal transmission mode flag Signal. The setting for transmitting the mode control signal is “signal transmission mode flag Signal = 1”, and the setting for not transmitting the control signal is “signal transmission mode flag Signal = 0”.
Hereinafter, the attitude detection process in the remote controller 300 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The posture detection unit 320 detects the gravitational acceleration (x-axis gravitational acceleration α _x , y-axis gravitational acceleration α _y , z-axis gravitational acceleration α _z ) of each axis via the acceleration sensor (step S31). Then, the posture detection unit 320 calculates the combined acceleration α. Specifically, the posture detection unit 320 considers the correction by the acceleration correction value α _{g and calculates} the corrected combined acceleration α (n) as “α (n) = α _g × (α _x ² + α _y ² + α _z ² ) ^1/2 ”(step S32). Next, the posture detection unit 320 determines whether or not the calculated corrected combined acceleration α (n) is greater than the high acceleration determination threshold α _th2 (step S33). In step S33, when the posture detection unit 320 determines that the corrected combined acceleration α (n) is not higher than the high acceleration determination threshold α _th2 , that is, “greater than 1G”, the corrected combined acceleration α (n) is low. It is determined whether or not the acceleration determination threshold value _{αth1 is} smaller (step S34).

In step S34, when the posture detection unit 320 determines that the corrected combined acceleration α (n) is not less than the low acceleration determination threshold _αth1 , that is, “less than 1G”, the current value of the acceleration state flag Move is −. It is determined whether or not 1 (“smaller than 1G”) (step S35). In step S35, when the value of the acceleration state flag Move is −1, the corrected combined acceleration α (n) is “smaller than 1G → 1G”. Detect that the camera is directed to 100. Then, posture detection unit 320 changes the value of acceleration state flag Move to 0 (“1G”) (step S41). Next, the posture detection unit 320 resets the constant acceleration state consecutive number n _stay to 0 (step S42). Next, posture detection unit 320 outputs the detection result to remote control control unit 310, and sets signal transmission mode flag Signal to 1 (transmits a mode control signal) (step S43). Then, posture detection unit 320 advances the process to step S52.

On the other hand, when the value of the acceleration state flag Move is not −1 in step S35, the posture detection unit 320 determines whether or not the current value of the acceleration state flag Move is 0 (“1G”) (step S36). ). If the value of the acceleration state flag Move is not 0 (“1G”) in step S36, the posture detection unit 320 changes the value of the acceleration state flag Move to 0 (“1G”) (step S44), and the process proceeds to step S50. Proceed with the process. On the other hand, when the value of the acceleration state flag Move is 0 (“1G”) in step S36, the posture detection unit 320 performs the corrected combined acceleration α (n) and the corrected combined acceleration after the measurement “n−1”. It is determined whether or not the difference from α (n) is equal to or less than the stop state determination threshold α _th3 (step S45). In step S45, the posture detection unit 320 determines that the difference between the corrected combined acceleration α (n) and the corrected “n−1” th corrected combined acceleration α (n) is not less than or equal to the stop state determination threshold α _th3. In this case, it is determined that there is no change in acceleration between the nth measurement and the “n−1” th measurement, and the constant acceleration state continuous number n _stay is reset to 0 (step S50). Next, posture detection section 320 outputs the detection result to remote control control section 310, and sets signal transmission mode flag Signal to 0 (does not transmit a control signal) (step S51). Then, posture detection unit 320 advances the process to step S52.

In step S45, the posture detection unit 320 determines that the difference between the corrected combined acceleration α (n) and the corrected “n−1” th corrected combined acceleration α (n) is equal to or less than the stop state determination threshold α _th3 . If it is determined that there is, 1 is added to the constant acceleration state continuous number n _stay (step S46). Next, the posture detection unit 320 determines whether or not the constant acceleration state continuous number n _stay is greater than a preset stop determination number threshold n _th (step S47). In step S47, when it is determined that the constant acceleration state continuous number n _stay is larger than the preset stop determination number threshold value n _th , the posture detection unit 320 calculates the composite acceleration average value α _ave (step S48). An acceleration correction value α _g is calculated based on the combined acceleration average value α _ave (step S49). Then, posture detection unit 320 advances the process to step S50. On the other hand, when the posture detection unit 320 determines in step S47 that the constant acceleration state continuous number n _stay is equal to or less than the preset stop determination number threshold n _th , the process proceeds to step S51.

In step S33, if the posture detection unit 320 determines that the corrected combined acceleration α (n) is greater than the high acceleration determination threshold α _th2 , that is, “greater than 1G”, the current acceleration state flag Move It is determined whether the value of 1 is 1 (“greater than 1G”) (step S37). If the value of the acceleration state flag Move is not 1 (“greater than 1G”) in step S37, the posture detection unit 320 changes the value of the acceleration state flag Move to 1 (“greater than 1G”) (step S38). Then, the process proceeds to step S50. On the other hand, when the value of the acceleration state flag Move is 1 (“greater than 1G”) in step S37, the posture detection unit 320 advances the process to step S45 because the value of the acceleration state flag Move does not change.

In step S34, if the posture detection unit 320 determines that the corrected combined acceleration α (n) is smaller than the low acceleration determination threshold α _th1 , that is, “less than 1G”, the current acceleration state flag Move is moved. It is determined whether or not the value of −1 is “less than 1G” (step S39). If the value of the acceleration state flag Move is not −1 (“smaller than 1G”) in step S39, the posture detection unit 320 changes the value of the acceleration state flag Move to −1 (“smaller than 1G”) (step S39). S40), the process proceeds to step S50. On the other hand, if the value of the acceleration state flag Move is −1 (“smaller than 1G”) in step S39, the value of the acceleration state flag Move does not change, so the process proceeds to step S45.
In step S <b> 52, the posture detection unit 320 adds 1 to the number of measurements n and ends the process.

  As described above, by the posture detection process illustrated in FIG. 9, the posture detection unit 320 detects whether or not the remote controller 300 is pointed at the imaging apparatus 100 by detecting the acceleration via the acceleration sensor. That is, the posture detection unit 320 detects whether or not the remote controller 300 is pointed at the imaging apparatus 100 by detecting acceleration via the motion detection unit 321. Then, a control signal transmitted from the remote controller 300 is selected based on whether or not the remote controller 300 is pointed at the imaging apparatus 100 by this attitude detection process.

  In addition, although the example in which the remote controller 300 includes an acceleration sensor as the motion detection unit 321 is shown, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the motion detection unit 321 may be a tilt sensor instead of the acceleration sensor. The remote controller 300 is in a horizontal state that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity when the remote controller 300 is pointed at the imaging device 100, but when it is carried, the horizontal state rarely continues and is in the direction of gravity. There are many. Here, when the motion detection unit 321 is a tilt sensor, the output of the tilt sensor changes when a predetermined angle is exceeded with respect to the direction of gravity. Therefore, for example, the posture detection unit 320 may detect whether or not the remote control 300 is pointed at the imaging apparatus 100 by determining whether or not the remote control 300 is in a horizontal state via an inclination sensor.

  Further, the motion detection unit 321 may be an angular velocity sensor instead of the acceleration sensor. When the operator points the remote controller 300 toward the imaging apparatus 100, the remote controller 300 often moves in a circular motion with a shoulder, elbow, wrist, or the like as a fulcrum. Therefore, for example, the posture detection unit 320 detects the movement of the remote controller 300 by detecting the angular velocity of each axis via a three-axis angular velocity sensor, and detects whether the remote controller 300 is pointed at the imaging device 100. May be.

<Detailed specific example of finger detection processing>
Next, a specific example of finger detection processing will be described.
FIG. 10 is a side view showing the arrangement of the operation unit 335, the pressure detection unit 331, and the temperature detection unit 332 of the remote controller 300.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the pressure detection unit 331 of the finger detection unit 330 is disposed on the surface of the release switch 301 in the operation unit 335 of the remote controller 300. Further, when the operator places a finger on the release switch 301 near the operation unit 335 on the surface of the remote controller 300, the finger detection unit 330 is positioned at a position where the operator's finger or part of the hand contacts. A temperature detector 332 is arranged.

  Since the pressure detection unit 331 detects a finger contact, it is desirable that the stroke at the time of operation is shallower than the release switch 301 and the operation force is light. Therefore, the pressure detection unit 331 is, for example, a pressure detection switch using a thin film switch, and two conductor patterns are formed on the surface of the release switch 301, and further, the pressure detection unit 331 is thin through a fine spacer. A conductive film is formed. And this pressure detection switch, when a finger contacts the pressure detection unit 331 and the pressure is applied, the distance between the two conductor patterns and the conductive film comes close to each other, so that the two conductor patterns are Conduction (ON) through the conductive film. Then, the finger detection unit 330 detects that the finger is placed on the release switch 301 and makes contact with the thin film switch by detecting a current that flows when the two conductor patterns are conducted through the conductive film. To do.

  Here, in the finger detection unit 330, the pressure detected through the pressure detection unit 331 is similarly detected even if the pressure is due to an object other than the finger. That is, when the remote controller 300 is put in a pocket or a bag or dropped, an unintended pressure may be detected due to pressure by an object other than a finger. Therefore, when the pressure is detected via the pressure detection unit 331, the finger detection unit 330 detects whether or not the finger is in contact using the temperature information detected by the temperature detection unit 332. Here, the temperature detection unit 332 is, for example, a thermistor, and is disposed at a position where a part of the operator's finger or hand contacts.

For example, the finger detection unit 330 determines that the temperature is the finger temperature when the thermistor temperature t detected via the thermistor is within the temperature range of the low temperature side temperature threshold value t _th1 and the high temperature side temperature threshold value t _th2 . In other words, the temperature range based on the low temperature side temperature threshold value t _th1 and the high temperature side temperature threshold value t _th2 in this case is a predetermined temperature range set in advance to determine that the temperature is a human finger. On the other hand, when the thermistor temperature t detected via the thermistor is not within the temperature range between the low temperature side temperature threshold value t _th1 and the high temperature side temperature threshold value t _th2 , the finger detection unit 330 determines that the temperature is not the finger temperature. That is, in this case, the finger detection unit 330 determines that an unintended pressure that is a pressure by an object other than the finger has been detected.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a specific example of finger detection processing in the remote controller.
Here, a flag indicating a contact state between the release switch 301 and the finger due to the finger placed on the release switch 301 will be described as a finger detection state flag Finger. If the finger is not touching, “finger detection state flag Finger = 0” is set. If the finger is touching, “finger detection state flag Finger = 1” is set. The state of the finger is “finger detection state flag Finger = 2”. The finger detection timer TM1 is a timer that measures the time during which the finger is continuously in contact. Further, the finger detection timer threshold value TM _th1 is a preset threshold value during the time that the finger is continuously in contact. A case where the finger detection timer TM1 exceeds the finger detection timer threshold value _TMth1 is set to “finger detection state flag Finger = 3”. Further, regarding the signal transmission mode flag Signal, in addition to the contents of the flag described with reference to FIG. 9, the setting for transmitting the release signal is “signal transmission mode flag Signal = 2”.
Hereinafter, the finger detection process in the remote controller 300 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The finger detection unit 330 determines whether or not pressure is detected via the pressure detection switch. That is, the finger detection unit 330 detects whether or not the pressure detection switch is ON (step S61). In step S61, when the finger detection unit 330 detects that the pressure detection switch is OFF, the finger detection unit 330 sets the finger detection state flag Finger to 0 (step S68), and stops the timing of the finger detection timer TM1. From (Step S69), the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when detecting that the pressure detection switch is ON in step S61, the finger detection unit 330 detects whether or not the release switch 301 is ON (step S62). If the release switch 301 is turned on in step S62, the finger detection unit 330 outputs the detection result to the remote control unit 310 and sets the signal transmission mode flag Signal to 2 (transmits a release signal) (step S62). S67). Then, the finger detection unit 330 ends the process after executing the processes of step S68 and step S69.

On the other hand, when the release switch 301 is OFF in step S62, the finger detection unit 330 indicates that the thermistor temperature t detected via the thermistor is within the temperature range between the low temperature side temperature threshold value t _th1 and the high temperature side temperature threshold value t _th2 . It is determined whether or not (step S63). In step S63, when the thermistor temperature t is not within the temperature range between the low temperature side temperature threshold value t _th1 and the high temperature side temperature threshold value t _th2 , the finger detection unit 330 determines that the object in contact with the release switch 301 is not a finger. Then, after executing the processing of step S68 and step S69, the processing is terminated.

On the other hand, when the thermistor temperature t is within the temperature range between the low temperature side temperature threshold value t _th1 and the high temperature side temperature threshold value t _th2 in step S63, the finger detection unit 330 is touched by placing the finger on the release switch 301. It is detected that the current finger detection state flag Finger is 2 (step S64). If the finger detection state flag Finger is not 2 in step S64, the finger detection unit 330 determines whether or not the current finger detection state flag Finger is 1 (step S65). If the finger detection state flag Finger is not 1 in step S65, the finger detection unit 330 sets the finger detection state flag Finger to 1, outputs the detection result to the remote control unit 310, and sets the signal transmission mode flag Signal. 1 (transmit a mode control signal) is set (step S66), and the process ends. That is, in this case, the finger detection unit 330 detects that the finger has been put on from the state where the release switch 301 is not put on the finger, and the remote control control unit 310 is set to transmit a mode control signal.

  On the other hand, when the finger detection state flag Finger is 1 in step S65, the finger detection unit 330 sets the finger detection state flag Finger to 2 (step S70). Next, the finger detection unit 330 sets the value of the finger detection timer TM1 to 0, starts the timer (step S71), and ends the process.

On the other hand, when the finger detection state flag Finger is 2 in step S64, the finger detection unit 330 determines whether or not the finger detection timer TM1 exceeds the finger detection timer threshold value _TMth1 (step S72). In step S72, the case where the finger detection timer TM1 exceeds a finger detection timer threshold TM _th1, finger detection unit 330 sets the finger detection status flag Finger 3 (step S73), the process ends. Further, in step S72, the case where the finger detection timer TM1 does not exceed the finger detection timer threshold TM _th1, finger detection unit 330 ends the process.

  As described above, the finger detection unit 330 detects the contact state between the release switch 301 and the finger due to the finger placed on the release switch 301 by the finger detection process shown in FIG. The finger detection unit 330 detects the contact state between the release switch 301 and the finger via the pressure detection switch and the thermistor. That is, the finger detection unit 330 detects the contact state between the release switch 301 and the finger via the pressure detection unit 331 and the temperature detection unit 332. Then, by this finger detection process, a control signal transmitted from the remote controller 300 is selected based on the contact state between the release switch 301 and the finger.

  In addition, although the example in which the remote controller 300 includes a pressure detection switch using a thin film switch as the pressure detection unit 331 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pressure detection unit 331 may be a capacitance sensor instead of the thin film switch. When an operator's finger approaches the capacitance sensor, a capacitor is formed between the capacitance sensor and the finger, and a weak current flows. By detecting this current, the finger detection unit 330 may detect that the finger has touched.

  Further, the pressure detection unit 331 may be a piezoelectric sensor instead of the thin film switch. That is, the finger detection unit 330 may detect that the finger is in contact by detecting the pressure via the piezoelectric sensor.

  Further, the pressure detection unit 331 may be a photoelectric switch instead of the thin film switch. In the photoelectric switch including the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, the amount of light received by the light receiving unit is changed by blocking light from the light emitting unit with a finger. For example, the finger detection unit 330 may detect that the finger has come into contact by using a reflective photoelectric switch and detecting that light is reflected and enters the light receiving unit when blocked by a finger.

<Detailed specific example of transmission control processing>
Next, a detailed specific example of the transmission control process will be described.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a specific example of transmission control processing in remote controller 300.
Here, the transmission interval timer TM2 is a timer that measures the time interval of the control signal transmitted from the remote controller 300. The transmission interval timer threshold value TM _th2 is a threshold value set in advance in the remote controller 300, and when the imaging apparatus 100 is not operated for a predetermined time, in the control for shifting from the shooting operation mode to the sleep mode, the predetermined interval is set. This is a threshold for detecting time.
Hereinafter, the transmission control process in the remote controller 300 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The remote controller 300 detects whether or not the remote controller 300 is pointed at the imaging apparatus 100 by the attitude detection process shown in FIG. 9 (step S81). Next, the remote controller 300 detects the contact state due to the finger placed on the release switch 301 by the finger detection process shown in FIG. 11 (step S82).

Next, remote control unit 310 determines whether or not signal transmission mode flag Signal is 2 based on the detection results of the posture detection process and finger detection process (step S83). In step S83, when the signal transmission mode flag Signal is 2, the remote controller control unit 310 determines whether or not the transmission interval timer TM2 exceeds the transmission interval timer threshold value _TMth2 , or whether or not the transmission interval timer TM2 is stopped. Is determined (step S84). In step S84, when the transmission interval timer TM2 does not exceed the transmission interval timer threshold value TM _th2 or when the transmission interval timer TM2 is not stopped, the remote control control unit 310 transmits a release signal via the transmission unit 340. (Step S86). On the other hand, in step 84, if the transmission interval timer TM2 exceeds the transmission interval timer threshold TM _th2, or if the transmission interval timer TM2 is stopped, the remote controller control unit 310, first, via the transmission unit 340 mode A control signal is transmitted (step S85), and then a release signal is transmitted via the transmitter 340 (step S86). Then, the remote control control unit 310 sets the transmission interval timer TM2 to 0 and then starts measuring the timer (step S87), sets the signal transmission mode flag Signal to 0 (step S97), and ends the process.

On the other hand, when the signal transmission mode flag Signal is not 2 in step S83, the remote control unit 310 determines whether or not the timer of the transmission interval timer TM2 is stopped (step S88). In step S88, when the timer of the transmission interval timer TM2 has not stopped, the remote control control unit 310 determines whether or not the transmission interval timer TM2 exceeds the transmission interval timer threshold value TM _th2 (step S89). In step S89, when the transmission interval timer TM2 does not exceed the transmission interval timer threshold value _TMth2 , the remote control control unit 310 sets the signal transmission mode flag Signal to 0 (step S97) and ends the process.

On the other hand, in step S88, if the timer counting of the transmission interval timer TM2 is stopped, or, in step S89, if the transmission interval timer TM2 exceeds the transmission interval timer threshold TM _th2, remote control unit 310, It is determined whether or not the acceleration state flag Move is 0 (“1G”) (step S90). In step S90, when the acceleration state flag Move is not 0 (“1G”), the remote controller control unit 310 sets the signal transmission mode flag Signal to 0 (step S97) and ends the process. On the other hand, if the acceleration state flag Move is 0 (“1G”) in step S90, the remote control unit 310 determines whether or not the finger detection state flag Finger is 3 (step S91).

  If the finger detection state flag Finger is not 3 in step S91, the remote control unit 310 determines whether or not the signal transmission mode flag Signal is 1 (step S92). If the signal transmission mode flag Signal is not 1 in step S92, the remote control unit 310 determines whether or not the finger detection state flag Finger is 0 (step S93). In step S93, when the finger detection state flag Finger is 0, the remote controller control unit 310 stops the transmission interval timer TM2 (step S94) and sets the signal transmission mode flag Signal to 0 (step S97). The process is terminated. If the finger detection state flag Finger is not 0 in step S93, the remote control control unit 310 sets the signal transmission mode flag Signal to 0 (step S97), and ends the process.

  On the other hand, when the finger detection state flag Finger is 3 in step S91 or when the signal transmission mode flag Signal is 1 in step S92, the remote controller control unit 310 transmits a mode control signal via the transmission unit 340. (Step S95). Then, the remote controller control unit 310 sets the transmission interval timer TM2 to 0 and then starts measuring the timer (step S96), sets the signal transmission mode flag Signal to 0 (step S97), and ends the process.

  As described above, the remote control control unit 310 transmits the mode control signal based on the results detected by the posture detection process and the finger detection process by the transmission control process shown in FIG. That is, the remote controller 300 transmits a mode control signal for causing the imaging device 100 to transition to the shooting operation mode based on the case where the remote control 300 is pointed at the imaging device 100 and the case where the release switch 301 is put on a finger. To do. Therefore, even when the operator does not operate the operation unit 335 of the remote controller 300, when the operation is started by the preliminary operation before the operation, the remote controller 300 changes the imaging device 100 to the shooting operation mode. The mode control signal to be transmitted can be transmitted.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes design and the like within a scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, an object to be remotely operated by the remote controller 300 may be an apparatus or device other than the imaging apparatus 100. For example, an object that is remotely operated by the remote controller 300 may be another electronic device that is remotely operated, such as a television, a recorder, or a game machine.
When the operation state determination unit 311 determines that the operation of the remote controller 300 is started, the transmission control unit 312 transmits not only the mode control signal but also a predetermined control signal set in advance. Also good.

  The operation mode control unit 31 in FIG. 1 or the operation state determination unit 311, transmission control unit 312, posture detection unit 320, and finger detection unit 330 in FIG. 2 are realized by dedicated hardware. Alternatively, it may be configured by a memory and a CPU (central processing unit), and a program for realizing the function of each unit described above may be loaded into the memory and executed to realize the function.

  In addition, a program for realizing the functions of the above-described units is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into a computer system and executed to execute the processing of the above-described units. You may go. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.

Further, the “computer system” includes a homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW system is used.
The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Furthermore, the “computer-readable recording medium” dynamically holds a program for a short time like a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In this case, a volatile memory in a computer system serving as a server or a client in that case, and a program that holds a program for a certain period of time are also included. The program may be a program for realizing a part of the functions described above, and may be a program capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging system, 10 Receiving part, 31 Operation mode control part, 300 Remote control, 311 Operation state determination part, 312 Transmission control part, 320 Posture detection part, 321 Motion detection part, 330 Finger detection part, 331 Pressure detection part, 332 Temperature Detection unit, 335 operation unit

Claims (11)

An imaging device that transitions to a second operation mode that consumes less power than the first operation mode when no operation is performed for a predetermined time in the first operation mode in which a photographing operation is possible, and a remote that transmits a control signal to the imaging device An imaging device comprising an operation device,
The remote control device is:
An operation state determination unit that determines whether or not the operation of the device itself is started;
A control signal for causing the imaging device to transition from the second operation mode to the first operation mode when the operation state determination unit determines that the operation of the device itself is to be started; A transmission control unit for transmitting a mode control signal;
With
The imaging device
A receiving unit for receiving a control signal transmitted from the remote control device;
When the mode control signal is received by the receiving unit, an operation mode control unit that transitions from the second operation mode to the first operation mode;
An imaging system comprising: The transmission control unit of the remote control device is
When the operation state determination unit determines that the state in which the operation is started is continued, the mode control signal is continuously transmitted to the imaging device at a predetermined time interval,
The operation mode control unit of the imaging device is
When the mode control signal is received by the receiving unit, an operation of transitioning from the first operation mode to the second operation mode even if the mode is not operated for the predetermined time in the first operation mode. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the imaging system is prohibited. The remote control device is:
A posture detection unit that detects whether or not the device itself is directed to the imaging device;
The operation state determination unit
The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein when the posture detection unit detects that the device is directed toward the imaging device, the posture detection unit determines that the operation is started. . The posture detection unit of the remote control device is
Detecting the movement of the device through a motion detector;
The imaging system according to claim 3, wherein whether or not the device itself is directed to the imaging device is detected based on the detected movement. The posture detection unit of the remote control device is
Acceleration is detected via an acceleration sensor as the motion detector,
Detecting the movement of the device based on the detected acceleration,
5. The imaging system according to claim 3, wherein whether or not the device itself is directed to the imaging device is detected based on the detected movement. 6. The remote control device is:
An operation unit operated by an operator;
A finger detection unit for detecting whether an operator's finger is in contact with the operation unit;
With
The operation state determination unit
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the operation is started when the finger detection unit detects that the finger is in contact with the operation unit. The imaging system according to item. The operation state determination unit of the remote control device is
When the finger detection unit continuously detects a state where the finger is in contact with the operation unit, it is determined that the state in which the operation is started is continued,
The transmission control unit of the remote control device is
When the operation state determination unit determines that the state in which the operation is started is continued, the mode control signal is continuously transmitted to the imaging device at a predetermined interval,
The operation mode control unit of the imaging device is
When the mode control signal is received by the receiving unit, an operation of transitioning from the first operation mode to the second operation mode even if the mode is not operated for the predetermined time in the first operation mode. The imaging system according to claim 6, wherein the imaging system is prohibited. The finger detection unit of the remote control device is
A pressure detection unit for detecting pressure on the surface of the operation unit;
A temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the surface of the remote control device;
With
The detection of whether or not the finger is in contact with the operation unit based on the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit and the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit. The imaging system according to claim 7. An operation state determination unit that determines whether or not the operation of the device itself is started;
A transmission control unit that transmits a predetermined control signal when the operation state determination unit determines that the operation is in a state to be started;
A remote control device comprising: A remote operation method in a remote operation device,
A procedure for transmitting a predetermined control signal when the operation of the device itself is started;
A remote operation method comprising: To a computer as a remote control device,
An operation state determination procedure for determining whether or not an operation is in a starting state;
A transmission control procedure for transmitting a predetermined control signal when it is determined by the operation state determination procedure that the operation is started;
Remote operation program to execute.

Images