JP2017079492A - Imaging device, client device, imaging system, control method of imaging device, control method of client device, and control method of imaging system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability of a user by reducing need to set consciously of a level of brightness of environment or existence of a delay time related to insertion and removal of an infrared cut-off filter.SOLUTION: An imaging device including control means for inserting and removing an infrared cut-off filter on an optical path in an imaging optical system further includes: reception means for receiving a third instruction for instructing the control means to perform automatic control of insertion and removal of the infrared cut-off filter; and determination means for determining whether or not the third instruction includes additional information on the basis of output from the reception means. The control means controls insertion and removal of the infrared cut-off filter on the basis of the additional information if the determination means determines that the third instruction includes the additional information, and controls insertion and removal of the infrared cut-off filter on the basis of control information which is previously possessed by the control means if the determination means determines that the third instruction does not include additional information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus that operates differently when shooting a bright subject and when shooting a dark subject, and a control method thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an imaging apparatus configured to be able to perform visible light imaging and infrared imaging by inserting and removing an infrared blocking filter from an optical path of an imaging optical system.

  In such an image pickup apparatus, normally, when an infrared cut filter is inserted into the optical path of the image pickup optical system and imaging is performed, imaging is performed with visible light, and when the infrared cut filter is removed from the optical path. It is configured to perform infrared imaging. In such an imaging apparatus, the imaging apparatus itself determines the brightness of the outside world and controls the insertion / removal of the infrared cut-off filter from the imaging optical system optical path. (Patent Document 1)

  Further, along with the rapid spread of network technology, there is an increasing need for users who want to control an imaging device from an external control device via a network via a network interface attached to the imaging device. The insertion / removal control of the infrared blocking filter from the optical path of the imaging optical system is no exception. There has been a user's request to make it possible to set the infrared blocking filter via the network as described above so that the imaging apparatus automatically controls the insertion and removal of the infrared blocking filter from the optical path of the imaging optical system.

  In addition, an imaging apparatus that switches between visible light imaging and infrared imaging by controlling insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter from the imaging optical system optical path according to an instruction transmitted from a control apparatus connected to the imaging apparatus via a network is known. It has been. There is also known an imaging apparatus configured so that the imaging apparatus can automatically control insertion / removal of an infrared cutoff filter in accordance with an instruction transmitted from a control apparatus connected to the imaging apparatus via a network.

  Among the imaging apparatuses that can be set to automatically control the insertion and removal of the infrared shielding filter, additional information is set to insert and remove the infrared shielding filter during the automatic control setting. Imaging devices are also known. Here, the additional information is, for example, the brightness level of the outside world, delay time information related to the insertion / removal of the infrared blocking filter, and the like.

JP 7-107355 A

  However, in the above-described conventional example, there is a problem in that it is not possible to perform control so that the imaging apparatus automatically performs insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter from an external client apparatus via a network.

  In addition, when the imaging device itself is set to automatically control the insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter, in order to insert / remove the infrared cutoff filter, the brightness level of the outside world and the delay time related to the insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter are added. There may be a user request to be able to set it to "."

  However, in the above-described conventional example, when the user sets automatic control for the insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter, the user is conscious of the additional external brightness level and the existence of a delay time for the insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter. Therefore, the operation may be complicated.

  For example, it is difficult for the user operating the client device to understand how additional information such as the brightness level of the external environment and the delay time related to the insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter is used by the imaging device connected to the client device. The operation becomes complicated.

  An imaging device that automatically selects a first imaging mode for imaging a bright subject and a second imaging mode for imaging a dark subject is also conceivable. Even in such an imaging apparatus, when setting the automatic selection of the imaging mode, the user must set it taking into account the presence of an additional external brightness level and a delay time related to the selection of the imaging mode. Operation may be complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points. That is, it is a client device connected to an imaging device via a network, and provides a client device that grasps the case where the imaging device uses additional information related to insertion / removal of an infrared cutoff filter and improves user operability. It can be done.

  An imaging device connected to a client device via a network, which causes the client device to grasp when the imaging device uses additional information related to insertion / removal of an infrared blocking filter, and improves user operability. It can be provided.

  In addition, it is possible to provide an imaging system that improves the operability for the user by causing the client device connected to the imaging device to connect to the imaging device when the imaging device uses additional information related to the insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter. is there.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus of the present invention is an imaging apparatus connected to an external client apparatus via a network, and captures an image of an imaging optical system and a subject formed by the imaging optical system. Imaging means, infrared blocking filter for blocking infrared, insertion / removal means for inserting / removing the infrared blocking filter with respect to the optical path of the imaging optical system, and insertion / removal of the infrared blocking filter by the insertion / removal means for imaging Automatic adjustment information regarding insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter together with an automatic insertion / removal control command for automatically controlling the apparatus is received from the external client device via the network, and received by the reception unit. Control means for automatically controlling the insertion / removal means based on the automatic insertion / removal control command, and insertion / removal designation information relating to the automatic adjustment information Transmission means for transmitting to the external client via the network, and the insertion / removal designation information transmitted by the transmission means includes the case where the infrared blocking filter is inserted into the optical path and the infrared blocking filter. It is characterized by indicating whether or not the automatic adjustment information used by the control means can be specified for each of the cases where the optical path is extracted.

  In order to achieve the above object, the client device of the present invention includes an imaging optical system, an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject formed by the imaging optical system, an infrared blocking filter that blocks infrared rays, and the imaging optical. A client device connected via a network to an external imaging device having an insertion / removal unit for inserting / removing the infrared blocking filter with respect to the optical path of the system and a control unit for automatically controlling the insertion / removal unit, Automatic adjustment information on insertion / removal of the infrared blocking filter together with an automatic insertion / removal control command for causing the imaging apparatus to automatically control insertion / removal of the infrared blocking filter by the insertion / removal unit, and the network to the external imaging apparatus The transmission means for transmitting via the network, and the insertion / removal designation information regarding the automatic adjustment information used by the control unit via the network. Acquisition means for acquiring from an image device, and the insertion / removal designation information acquired by the acquisition means includes a case where the infrared blocking filter is inserted into the optical path and a case where the infrared blocking filter is removed from the optical path, respectively. The automatic adjustment information used by the controller can be designated as to whether or not it can be designated.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging system of the present invention is an imaging system including an imaging device and a client device connected to the imaging device via a network, and the imaging device includes an imaging optical system. An imaging unit that captures an image of a subject formed by the imaging optical system, an infrared blocking filter that blocks infrared rays, and an insertion / removal unit that inserts and removes the infrared blocking filter with respect to the optical path of the imaging optical system And automatic adjustment information on insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter together with an automatic insertion / removal control command for causing the imaging apparatus to automatically control insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter by the insertion / removal means, via the network, the client Based on the receiving means received from the apparatus, the automatic insertion / removal control command and the automatic adjustment information received by the receiving means, Control means for automatically controlling the removal means, and the client device comprises acquisition means for obtaining insertion / removal designation information relating to automatic adjustment information used by the control means from the imaging device via the network. Whether the insertion / removal designation information can designate automatic adjustment information used by the control means for each of the case where the infrared cutoff filter is inserted into the optical path and the case where the infrared cutoff filter is removed from the optical path. It is characterized by indicating whether or not.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus control method according to the present invention includes an imaging optical system, an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject formed by the imaging optical system, an infrared blocking filter that blocks infrared rays, An imaging apparatus control method comprising: an insertion / removal unit that inserts / removes the infrared blocking filter into / from the optical path of the imaging optical system; and a control unit that is connected to an external client device via a network. And automatic adjustment information regarding insertion / removal of the infrared blocking filter, together with an automatic insertion / removal control command for causing the imaging device to automatically control insertion / removal of the infrared blocking filter by the unit, from the external client device via the network Based on the reception step of receiving and the automatic insertion / removal control command received in the reception step, the control unit is automatically controlled by the control unit. And a transmission step of transmitting insertion / removal designation information related to the automatic adjustment information to the external client via the network, and the insertion / removal designation information transmitted in the transmission step includes: Whether or not the automatic adjustment information used by the control means can be specified for each of the case of inserting an infrared cut-off filter into the optical path and the case of removing the infrared cut-off filter from the optical path. .

  In order to achieve the above object, a client device control method according to the present invention includes an imaging optical system, an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject formed by the imaging optical system, an infrared blocking filter that blocks infrared rays, A client device connected via a network to an external imaging device including an insertion / removal unit that inserts / removes the infrared blocking filter with respect to the optical path of the imaging optical system and a control unit that automatically controls the insertion / removal unit. A control method comprising: an automatic insertion / removal instruction for automatically causing the imaging device to automatically control insertion / removal of the infrared blocking filter by the insertion / removal unit, and automatic adjustment information regarding insertion / removal of the infrared blocking filter, A transmission step of transmitting to the imaging device via the network, and insertion / removal designation information relating to automatic adjustment information used by the control unit; An acquisition step of acquiring from the external image pickup device via an optical path, and the insertion / removal designation information acquired in the acquisition step includes the case where the infrared blocking filter is inserted into the optical path and the infrared blocking filter It is characterized by showing whether the automatic adjustment information used by the said control part can be designated about each when extracting from a said optical path.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging system control method according to the present invention is an imaging system control method including an imaging device and a client device connected to the imaging device via a network. The apparatus includes: an imaging optical system; an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject formed by the imaging optical system; an infrared blocking filter that blocks infrared; and the infrared blocking filter with respect to an optical path of the imaging optical system An insertion / removal unit for inserting / removing, and in the imaging device, the infrared cutoff filter of the infrared cutoff filter together with an automatic insertion / removal control command for causing the imaging device to automatically control insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter by the insertion / removal unit A receiving step for receiving automatic adjustment information relating to insertion / removal from the client device via the network; and an automatic reception information received in the receiving step. Based on an insertion / removal control command and automatic adjustment information, a control step for automatically controlling the insertion / removal unit, and insertion / removal designation information related to automatic adjustment information used in the control step at the client device, Through the acquisition step, and the insertion / removal designation information is obtained when the infrared blocking filter is inserted into the optical path and when the infrared blocking filter is removed from the optical path. It is characterized by indicating whether or not the automatic adjustment information used in the step can be designated.

  In order to achieve the above object, the imaging apparatus of the present invention includes an imaging optical system, imaging means, and control means for inserting / removing an infrared blocking filter on an optical path in the imaging optical system. A first command for inserting the infrared blocking filter into the optical path of the imaging optical system and a second command for removing the infrared blocking filter from the optical path of the imaging optical system, the imaging apparatus Receiving means for automatically causing the control means to control insertion / removal of the infrared blocking filter, and whether the third instruction includes additional information based on the output of the receiving means Determining means for determining whether or not the control means determines the infrared ray shielding filter based on the additional information when the determining means determines that the third instruction includes additional information. When the determination means determines that the third command does not include additional information, the infrared cutoff filter is inserted / removed based on the control information that the control means has in advance. It is characterized by controlling.

  In order to achieve the above object, the imaging apparatus of the present invention includes an imaging optical system, imaging means, and control means for inserting / removing an infrared blocking filter on an optical path in the imaging optical system. A first command for inserting the infrared blocking filter into the optical path of the imaging optical system and a second command for removing the infrared blocking filter from the optical path of the imaging optical system, the imaging apparatus Receiving means for causing the control means to automatically control insertion of the infrared blocking filter into the optical path, and the third instruction includes additional information based on the output of the receiving means Determining means for determining whether or not the control means is configured to determine whether the third instruction includes the additional information when the determining means includes the additional information. Control the insertion of the filter, and when the determination means determines that the third command does not include additional information, the control means controls the insertion of the infrared blocking filter based on the control information that the control means has in advance It is characterized by that.

  In order to achieve the above object, the imaging apparatus of the present invention includes an imaging optical system, imaging means, and control means for inserting / removing an infrared blocking filter on an optical path in the imaging optical system. A first command for inserting the infrared blocking filter into the optical path of the imaging optical system and a second command for removing the infrared blocking filter from the optical path of the imaging optical system, the imaging apparatus Receiving means for receiving the third instruction for causing the control means to automatically control removal of the infrared blocking filter from the optical path, and the third instruction includes additional information based on the output of the receiving means. Determination means for determining whether or not the infrared ray is based on the additional information when the determination means determines that the third instruction includes additional information. Automatically removing the cutoff filter, and if the determination means determines that the third command does not include additional information, the infrared cutoff filter is removed based on the control information that the control means has in advance. It is characterized by automatic control.

  In order to achieve the above object, the imaging apparatus of the present invention transmits and receives data according to the ONVIF specification, and the first imaging mode for imaging a bright subject and the second imaging mode for imaging a dark subject. And a SetImagingSettings command in which the value of the IrCutFilter field is set to AUTO, which is a command for causing the imaging apparatus to automatically control insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter with respect to the optical path of the imaging optical system. Receiving means, an Adjustment field determining means for determining whether or not the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field is included in the received SetImagingSettings command, and the first imaging mode or the second imaging mode. A selection means for selecting an object, and the selection means determines the brightness of the subject and the value of the BoundaryOffset field included in the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field when the Adjustment field determination means determines that the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field is included. According to the above, the first imaging mode or the second imaging mode is selected.

  In order to achieve the above object, the control method of the image pickup apparatus of the present invention transmits and receives data according to the ONVIF specification, and the first image pickup mode for picking up a bright subject and the second method for picking up a dark subject. Of IrCutFilter field, which is a command for automatically causing the imaging apparatus to control the insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter with respect to the optical path of the imaging optical system. A receiving step for receiving the received SetImagingSettings command, an adjustment field determining step for determining whether or not the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field is included in the received SetImagingSettings command, and the first imaging A selection step for selecting the mode or the second imaging mode, and the selection step includes the luminance of the subject and the luminance when the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field is determined to be included in the Adjustment field determination step. The first imaging mode or the second imaging mode is selected according to the value of the BoundaryOffset field included in the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a client device that is connected to an imaging device via a network, and grasps a case where the imaging device uses additional information related to insertion / removal of an infrared cutoff filter, thereby improving user operability. Can be provided.

  Further, according to the present invention, the following imaging apparatus can be provided. In other words, an imaging device connected to a client device via a network, which causes the client device to grasp when the imaging device uses additional information related to insertion / removal of an infrared blocking filter, thereby improving user operability. is there.

  Further, according to the present invention, the following imaging system can be provided. That is, the imaging system improves the user operability by allowing a client device connected to the imaging device to connect to the imaging device when the imaging device uses additional information relating to the insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter.

  In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform control so that the imaging apparatus automatically performs insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter from an external client apparatus via a network.

  In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the necessity of setting the above-mentioned additional external brightness level and the presence of a delay time related to the insertion / removal of the infrared cut-off filter (or the selection of the imaging mode). There is an effect that user operability is improved.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data structure used for the command which the imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention receives. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the command which the imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention receives. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the imaging device which concerns on embodiment of this invention when a brightness | luminance threshold value and a delay time parameter are set. It is a figure for demonstrating the transmission / reception operation | movement of a command and a response between an imaging device and a client based on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the detailed structural example of the command which an imaging device receives based on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the detailed structural example of the command which an imaging device receives based on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the client apparatus based on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the detailed structural example of the command which an imaging device receives based on embodiment of this invention, and the detailed structural example of the response which an imaging device transmits. It is a flowchart for demonstrating insertion / removal control of the infrared rays shielding filter by the imaging device based on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in the case where the present invention is applied to an imaging apparatus such as a network camera will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, 2 is an imaging optical system, 4 is an infrared cut filter (hereinafter also referred to as IRCF), 6 is an image sensor, 8 is a video signal processing circuit, and 10 is a code. The conversion circuit 12 is a buffer.

  In FIG. 1, 14 is a communication circuit (hereinafter sometimes referred to as I / F), 16 is a communication terminal, 18 is a luminance measurement circuit, 20 is a determination circuit, 22 is a timing circuit, and 24 is a timing circuit. , An infrared cut filter drive circuit (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an IRCF drive circuit). Further, reference numeral 26 in FIG. 1 denotes a central processing circuit (hereinafter sometimes referred to as CPU). Note that reference numeral 28 in FIG. 1 denotes an electrically erasable nonvolatile memory (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory; hereinafter referred to as EEPROM).

  The operation will be described below with reference to FIG. Light rays from the subject to be imaged enter the image sensor 6 via the imaging optical system 2 and the IRCF 4 and are photoelectrically converted. The IRCF 4 is inserted into and removed from the optical path between the image pickup optical system 2 and the image pickup device 6 by a drive mechanism (not shown) based on a drive signal from the IRCF drive circuit 24. In the present embodiment, when IRCF 4 is inserted on the optical path, normal imaging (visible light imaging) is performed, and when IRCF 4 is removed from the optical path, infrared imaging is performed. Configured.

  Note that the image sensor 6 in the present embodiment is configured by a CCD, a CMOS, or the like. The image sensor 6 in the present embodiment corresponds to an image capturing unit that outputs an image of a subject imaged by the image capturing optical system 2 as a video signal.

  In addition, normal photographing (visible light photographing) in this specification means photographing by making light from a subject incident on the image sensor 6 via the IRCF 4. In addition, infrared imaging in this specification means that imaging is performed with light from a subject incident on the image sensor 6 without passing through the IRCF 4. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the state in which normal shooting is performed corresponds to the first imaging mode, and the state in which infrared shooting is performed corresponds to the second imaging mode.

  In the present embodiment, when infrared imaging is performed, only the luminance signal is output from the video signal processing circuit 8 to the encoding circuit 10 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 26. The encoded luminance signal is output to the buffer 12, packetized by the I / F 14, and transmitted to the outside via the communication terminal 16. On the other hand, when normal shooting is performed, the video signal processing circuit 8 outputs a luminance signal and a color difference signal to the encoding circuit 10 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 26. Similarly, the encoded video signal is transmitted to the outside through the buffer 12, the I / F 14, and the communication terminal 16.

  In addition, the communication terminal 16 in this embodiment is comprised by the terminal (LAN terminal) etc. to which a LAN cable is connected, for example.

  A setting command related to insertion / removal of the IRCF 4 is transmitted to the I / F 14 from an external client (not shown).

  When an external client (not shown) transmits an IRCF 4 insertion instruction command to the optical path, the command is subjected to appropriate packet processing at the I / F 14 and input to the CPU 26. The insertion instruction command is decoded by the CPU 26. The CPU 26 inserts the IRCF 4 on the optical path via the IRCF drive circuit 24.

  Note that this insertion instruction command is, for example, a SetImagingSettings command in which the value of the IrCutFilter field is set to On, which will be described later.

  When an external client (not shown) transmits an IRCF removal instruction command from the optical path, the command is similarly subjected to appropriate packet processing at the I / F 14 and input to the CPU 26. The removal instruction command is decoded by the CPU 26, and the CPU 26 removes the IRCF 4 from the optical path via the IRCF drive circuit 24.

  This removal instruction command is, for example, a SetImagingSettings command in which the value of the IrCutFilter field is set to Off, which will be described later.

  In the present embodiment, an external client (not shown) can send a command for setting the image pickup apparatus of the present embodiment to determine the removal of the IRCF 4 from the optical path. This command is called, for example, an Auto setting command.

  This Auto setting command (Auto setting command) is, for example, a SetImagingSettings command in which the value of the IrCutFilter field is set to Auto, which will be described later.

  In this embodiment, an optional operation parameter related to IRCF4 insertion / removal can be added to the option field in the Auto setting command.

  In the present embodiment, the omissible parameter is, for example, a luminance threshold value for determining whether the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment inserts or removes the IRCF in the optical path according to a change in subject luminance. It is.

  The option field in the Auto setting command is, for example, an IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field, which will be described later. The luminance threshold (parameter thereof) is, for example, a value of a BrightnessOffset field described later.

  When the parameter exists in the option field in the Auto setting command, the CPU 26 in FIG. 1 sets the threshold value in the determination circuit 20. The luminance measurement circuit 18 measures the current subject luminance based on the luminance signal output from the video signal processing circuit 8 and outputs it to the determination circuit 20. Therefore, the luminance measuring circuit 18 in the present embodiment corresponds to a photometric unit for measuring the subject luminance.

  Note that the CPU 26 in this embodiment is configured to calculate a threshold value by adding a luminance threshold parameter to the value of threshold information stored in advance in the EEPROM 28 and set the calculated threshold value in the determination circuit 20, for example. May be.

  Further, the EEPROM 28 in the present embodiment may be configured to store, for example, a plurality of threshold information and luminance threshold parameters associated with each of the plurality of threshold information. Further, for example, the CPU 26 in the present embodiment may be configured to read threshold information corresponding to the luminance threshold parameter from the EEPROM 28 and set the threshold indicated by the read threshold information in the determination circuit 20.

  The determination circuit 20 compares the set luminance threshold value with the current luminance value output from the luminance measurement circuit, and outputs the determination result to the CPU 26. When the output determination result is a determination result that the current luminance value exceeds the threshold value, the CPU 26 inserts the IRCF 4 on the optical path to perform normal imaging. If the determination result input to the CPU 26 is a determination result that the current luminance value is equal to or less than the threshold value, the CPU 26 removes the IRCF 4 from the optical path and performs infrared imaging.

  When the parameter of the subject brightness threshold that can be omitted does not exist in the option field in the Auto setting command, the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment determines the threshold based on threshold information stored in advance. . In this embodiment, the threshold value is stored in advance in, for example, the EEPROM 28, and the CPU 26 reads the threshold value from the EEPROM 28 and sets it in the determination circuit 20.

  Therefore, the CPU 26 in this embodiment functions as a luminance threshold parameter determination unit that determines whether or not a luminance threshold parameter exists in the option field in the Auto setting command. More specifically, the CPU 26 functions as an Adjustment field determination unit that determines whether or not an IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field described later is included in a SetImagingSettings command described later.

  In the present embodiment, data such as threshold information stored in advance in the EEPROM 28 corresponds to control information. In the present embodiment, the threshold information stored in advance in the EEPROM 28 corresponds to predetermined threshold information.

  Further, another optional parameter in the Auto setting command described above may be a delay time for delaying the IRCF insertion / removal operation, for example. When the parameter exists in the option field in the Auto setting command, the CPU 26 sets the delay time parameter in the time measuring circuit 22. The delay time parameter is, for example, a ResponseTime field described later.

  The timer circuit 22 measures time, and outputs a signal indicating the passage of time to the CPU 26 when a set delay time has elapsed. The CPU 26 to which the time lapse signal is input inserts and removes the IRCF 4 through the IRCF drive circuit 24.

  When the delay time parameter does not exist in the option field in the Auto setting command, the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment determines the threshold value based on delay time information stored in advance. In this embodiment, the delay time is stored in advance in, for example, the EEPROM 28, and the CPU 26 reads the delay time from the EEPROM 28 and sets it in the determination circuit 20. Note that if the delay time parameter does not exist in the option field in the Auto setting command, the IRCF may be inserted / removed immediately and the delay time may not be set.

  Therefore, the CPU 26 in this embodiment functions as a delay time parameter determination unit that determines whether or not a delay time parameter exists in the option field in the Auto setting command. More specifically, the CPU 26 functions as a ResponseTime field determination unit that determines whether or not a ResponseTime field is included in an IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field described later.

  In the present embodiment, the above-described command for inserting / removing the IRCF into / from the optical path is determined based on, for example, the Open Network Video Interface Forum (hereinafter sometimes referred to as ONVIF) standard. In the ONVIF standard, for example, the above commands are defined using XML Schema Definition language (hereinafter sometimes referred to as XSD).

  Note that the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment operates as the above-mentioned ONVIF standard Network Video Transmitter (hereinafter also referred to as NVT). That is, the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment can transmit and receive data according to the ONVIF specification.

  FIG. 2A to FIG. 2E show examples of data structure definition for defining the command by the XSD. In FIG. 2A, data having the name IrCutFilterModes is defined in the data type ImagingSettings20. Data having the name IrCutFilterModes is data having an IrCutFilterMode type, and the data type is defined in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, in this embodiment, the IrCutFilterMode type is a data type that can take any one of ON, OFF, and AUTO values.

  FIG. 2C defines data having the name IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment type IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment. In the present embodiment, the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment data is set in the option field when the IrCutFilterMode type has an AUTO value. This data is defined, for example, in the data type ImagingSettings 20 described above.

  FIG. 2D is a diagram showing the contents of the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment type. The data type is defined as a complex type by the XSD complexType declaration. In this data type example, the sequence specifier specifies that the order of the elements appears as defined.

  In the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment type, BoundaryType as the first element is data having an IrCutFilterAutoBoundaryType type, which will be described later. One piece of the data BoundaryType must appear in the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment type.

  The next element is BrightnessOffset, which indicates that the data is a float single precision floating point data type defined in Primitive Datatype in XSD. The BrightnessOffset is the aforementioned brightness threshold parameter. The data BrightnessOffset can be omitted by the XSD minOccurs specifier.

  The third element is ResponseTime, which is a duration time interval data type defined in Primitive Datatype in XSD. The data ResponseTime also has a structure that may be omitted by the XSD minOccurs specifier. The above-mentioned delay time parameter is designated by the data ResponseTime.

  FIG. 2E is a diagram illustrating a definition example of the IrCutFilterAutoBoundaryType type described above. The data type is defined as a simple type by the XSD simpleType declaration. In addition, the data type is defined as a character string type whose value is limited by a restriction specifier. In the IrCutFilterAutoBoundaryType type, as shown in FIG. 2E, the value is a character string type that can take the values of Common, Off, On, and Extended.

As described above, in this embodiment, an optional parameter can be added to the Auto setting command for controlling IRCF insertion / removal. The option may be, for example, the following option.
Option 1. 1. Brightness threshold for removing IRCF when subject brightness changes from high to low 2. Delay time from when the subject brightness falls below the brightness threshold of option 1 to when the operation of actually removing the IRCF is completed when the subject brightness changes from high brightness to low brightness. 3. Luminance threshold for inserting IRCF when subject luminance changes from low to high luminance. When the subject brightness changes from low brightness to high brightness, the delay time from when the subject brightness exceeds the option 3 brightness threshold until the operation for actually removing the IRCF is completed

  In the present embodiment, the above options 1 to 4 in the above Auto setting command can be expressed by the data definition using the above XSD. In the ONVIF standard, the Auto setting command is issued as a SetImagingSettings command, for example.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the SetImagingSettings command. FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a SetImagingSettings command including the option field. In FIG. 3A, when the value of the IrCutFilter field is AUTO, the imaging apparatus itself is instructed to automatically control IRCF insertion / removal. In this embodiment, when the value of the IrCutFilter field is AUTO, the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field can be described thereafter. As described above, the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field can be omitted.

  As described above, the BoundaryType field, the BrightnessOffset field, and the ResponseTime field are described inside the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field. Further, as described above, the BrightnessOffset field and the ResponseTime field can be omitted.

  With the BoundaryType field, it is possible to specify whether the operation specified in the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field is to be valid when IRCF is inserted or removed. When the value of the BoundaryType field is On, it becomes valid when the IRCF is inserted, and when the value of the BoundaryType field is Off, it becomes valid when the IRCF is removed. In addition, when the value of the BoundaryType field is Common, the value is valid for both insertion and removal. Further, as described above, the luminance threshold is set by the value of the BrightnessOffset, and the delay time is set by the ResponseTime field.

  FIG. 3B shows the configuration of the SetImagingSettings command when the ResponseTime field is omitted. Thus, when the ResponseTime field is omitted, as described above, in the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment, the imaging apparatus itself determines the operation of the delay time parameter. In this embodiment, for example, it is stored in advance in the EEPROM 28, and the CPU 26 reads out the delay time from the EEPROM 28 and sets it in the determination circuit 20. Also, in FIG. 3B, the value of On is set in the value of the BoundaryType field so that the operation specified in the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field becomes valid when IRCF is inserted.

  FIG. 3C shows the configuration of the SetImagingSettings command when the BrightnessOffset field and the ResponseTime field are omitted. As described above, when the BrightnessOffset field is omitted, the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment determines the luminance threshold value based on threshold information stored in advance in the imaging apparatus. As described above, the luminance threshold value is stored in advance in the EEPROM 28 in this embodiment, for example, and the CPU 26 reads the threshold value from the EEPROM 28 and sets it in the determination circuit 20.

  FIG. 3D shows the configuration of the SetImagingSettings command when the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field is omitted. When the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment receives a SetImagingSettings command for automatically setting an IRCF in which the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field is omitted, the imaging apparatus itself determines all IRCF insertion / removal controls.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, an operation when the luminance threshold value and the delay time parameter are set in the present embodiment will be described.

  In FIG. 4, 101 is a graph showing temporal changes in subject brightness, 102 is a brightness threshold for inserting IRCF4, and 103 is a brightness threshold for removing IRCF4. FIG. 4 shows a case where the subject brightness decreases with time, such as during a sunset. As shown in FIG. 4, when the subject brightness decreases and falls below the brightness threshold 103 for removing the IRCF 4, the CPU 26 sets a delay time in the time measuring circuit 22 and starts a time measuring operation.

In FIG. 4, the subject luminance is lower than the luminance threshold 103 at point A. Time at this time is t _1. In the present embodiment, the CPU 26 does not remove the IRCF 4 until the delay time elapses due to the delay time set in the timer circuit 22. That is, the CPU 26 determines the IRCF 4 from the optical path of the imaging optical system 2 when the delay time set in the timer circuit 22 is not longer than the time during which the subject brightness is kept below the brightness threshold 103. Do not remove.

  With this operation, even when the subject brightness frequently crosses the brightness threshold 103, normal shooting and infrared shooting are not frequently switched.

Thereafter, when the delay time reaches the time _{t 2} has elapsed, CPU 26 causes the shift to infrared imaging by removing the IRCF. That is, the CPU 26 removes the IRCF 4 from the optical path of the imaging optical system 2 when the delay time set in the timer circuit 22 is longer than the time during which the subject brightness is kept below the brightness threshold 103. To do.

  The subject luminance value at this time can increase the probability of being stably below the luminance threshold 103 as shown by point B, for example. This operation is the same when there is an influence of flicker due to illumination such as a fluorescent lamp.

  With this operation, in the present embodiment, the user can make detailed settings related to IRCF insertion / removal. In addition, this operation has an effect of preventing frequent insertion / removal of IRCF even when the luminance level of the imaging subject is near the threshold. In addition, this operation has an effect of preventing frequent IRCF insertion / removal even when the luminance value of the imaging subject changes due to lighting flicker or the like.

  Note that the CPU 26 sets the IRCF 4 on the optical path of the imaging optical system 2 when the delay time set in the timer circuit 22 is not longer than the time during which the subject brightness is maintained above the brightness threshold 102. Do not insert. On the other hand, the CPU 26 inserts the IRCF 4 into the optical path of the imaging optical system 2 when the delay time set in the timer circuit 22 is longer than the time during which the subject brightness is higher than the brightness threshold 102. To do.

  Next, a command / response transmission / reception operation (command transaction) typical of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5, ITU-T Recommendation Z. The command transaction is described using a so-called message sequence chart defined in the 120 standard.

  First, a client (not shown) and the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment are connected via a network. The client operates as follows in order to check the presence / absence of the command (SetImagingSettings command) for setting the IRCF described above. First, a GetServices command is transmitted to the imaging device to check for the presence of an Imaging Service.

  In FIG. 5, GetServicesResponse indicates that the imaging apparatus supports Imaging Service. Next, the client transmits a GetVideoSources command in order to check a token indicating a video source that can be set for IRCF. In FIG. 5, the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment returns the token in GetVideoSourcesResponse.

  The token indicating the video source is information that can uniquely identify the video source, and is information represented by alphanumeric characters.

  Next, the client transmits a GetOptions command including a token indicating the video source to an address indicating the imaging service of the imaging apparatus. This is to check the presence / absence of a command for setting the IRCF and the options related to the command for setting the IRCF.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment returns a GetOptionsResponse including the IrCutFilter field and its options to the client. Next, in order to inquire about the current IRCF state, the client transmits a GetImagingSettings command including a token indicating the Video Source to an address indicating the Imaging Service of the imaging apparatus.

  In response to the GetImagingSettings command, the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the current IRCF state in the IrCutFilter field and returns a GetImagingSettingsResponse. By this response, the client detects the current state of the imaging device. In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the IRCF is inserted on the optical path.

  Next, the client transmits a SetImagingSettings command including a token indicating the Video Source to an address indicating the Imaging Service of the imaging apparatus in order to automatically control the IRCF setting. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the client sets the value of AUTO in the IrCutFilter field, sets the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field, and transmits a SetImagingSettings command.

  In FIG. 5, the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment returns a SetImagingSettingsResponse with no argument to the client to indicate that the SetImagingSettings command has been executed successfully.

  Here, in the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field in the SetImagingSettings command, the brightness threshold value can be set in the BrightnessOffset field, and the delay time can be set in the ResponseTime field. Also, the BrightnessOffset field and the ResponseTime field can be omitted. Further, in the SetImagingSettings command of the present embodiment, the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field itself can be omitted.

  In FIG. 5, when the SetImagingSettings command is executed successfully, the IR setting of the imaging apparatus itself is determined by the imaging apparatus itself.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field can be omitted for the SetImagingSettings command. Accordingly, since the user can set the IRCF control to Auto without being aware of the brightness threshold value, the delay time, etc., there is an effect that the operability of the user can be improved.

  Note that the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment allows IRCF settings regardless of the current IRCF state. Accordingly, in FIG. 5, the command transaction between the GetImagingSettings command and the GetImagingSettingsResponse can be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the SetImagingSettings command in which the value corresponding to the IrCutFilter field (IrCutFilter tag) is set to ON corresponds to the first command. The SetImagingSettings command in which the value corresponding to the IrCutFilter tag is set to OFF corresponds to the second command. Furthermore, the SetImagingSettings command in which the value corresponding to the IrCutFilter tag is set to AUTO corresponds to a third instruction.

  In the present embodiment, the value corresponding to the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field (IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment tag) included in the SetImagingSettings command corresponds to additional information. A value corresponding to the ResponseTime field (ResponseTime tag) included in the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment tag corresponds to reaction time information.

  In this embodiment, BrightnessOffset is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of BrightnessOffset, data having the name BoundaryOffset may be used.

  This BoundaryOffset is IrCutFilterAutoBoundaryOffset type data. The IrCutFilterAutoBoundaryOffset type value is a float single-precision floating-point data type value. Furthermore, the value of the IrCutFilterAutoBoundaryOffset type is limited to between -1.0 and 1.0.

  Further, the value of the BoundaryOffset field is 0 as an initial value (default). Further, the value of BoundaryOffset indicates that the luminance threshold is corrected so as to become lower (smaller) as it approaches -1.0. On the other hand, the value of BoundaryOffset indicates that the luminance threshold value is corrected to be higher (larger) as it approaches 1.0.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent a value in a range that cannot be handled by the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment (that is, a value that is too large or too small) from being set as BoundaryOffset by an external client (not shown). .

  In addition, for the present embodiment, for example, data having the name IrCutFilterAutoAdjustmentOptions may be further defined in the data type ImagingOptions 20 by XSD. The data having the name IrCutFilterAutoAdjustmentOptions is data of the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustmentOptions type.

  Here, the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustmentOptions type is defined as a complex type by the XSD complexType declaration. The IrCutFilterAutoAdjustmentOptions type is specified by a sequence specifier so that the order of the elements appears (describes) as defined.

  For example, the first element of the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustmentOptions type is data having the name BoundaryType of the IrCutFilterAutoBoundaryType type. The second element of the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustmentOptions type is data having the name BoundaryOffset of the float single-precision floating-point data type. Note that the range of values of this data is limited.

  Further, the third element of the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustmentOptions type is data having the name ResponseTime of the duration time interval data type defined in the Primitive Datatype in XSD.

  Note that the second element and the third element in the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustmentOptions type can be omitted by being specified by the XSD minOcurs specifier.

  Further, when a GetOptions command including Token indicating Video Source is received from an external client (not shown), the imaging apparatus of this embodiment may be configured to perform the following operation. That is, the operation is to return (send) a GetOptionsResponse including data having the name IrCutFilterAutoAdjustmentOptions to an external client (not shown).

  In addition, when the GetImagingSettings command including a token indicating Video Source is received from an external client (not shown), the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment may be configured to perform the following operation. That is, an operation of returning (transmitting) a GetImagingSettingsResponse including data having a name of IrCutFilterAutoAdjustmentOptions to an external client (not shown).

  This makes it possible to notify an external client (not shown) of data supported by the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment among IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment type data.

  In this embodiment, the CPU 26 is configured to perform the following operation when the I / F 14 inputs the SetImagingSettings command in which the value of the IrCutFilter field is set to On to the CPU 26. That is, the CPU 26 operates to control the IRCF drive circuit 24 so that the IRCF 4 is disposed in the optical path of the imaging optical system 2. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration.

  For example, when the I / F 14 inputs a SetImagingSettings command in which the value of the IrCutFilter field is set to On, the CPU 26 may be configured to perform the following operation.

  That is, the CPU 26 may be configured to instruct the video signal processing circuit 8 to lower the gain with respect to the video signal output from the image sensor 6 in a later-described digital night mode. More specifically, the CPU 26 may be configured to instruct the video signal processing circuit 8 to lower the gain of each color of the video signal output from the image sensor 6 in a digital night mode described later.

  Here, the state in which the gain of each color of the video signal output from the image sensor 6 is lower than that of the digital night mode described later means that the gain calculated based on the value corresponding to each color of the video signal is used. This video signal is being corrected (referred to as day mode). The video signal processing circuit 8 in the present embodiment functions as a white balance adjustment unit that adjusts the white balance of the video signal output from the image sensor 6.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the I / F 14 inputs the SetImagingSettings command in which the value of the IrCutFilter field is set to Off, the CPU 26 is configured to perform the following operation. That is, the CPU 26 operates to control the IRCF drive circuit 24 so that the IRCF 4 is disposed outside the optical path of the imaging optical system 2. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration.

  For example, when the I / F 14 inputs the SetImagingSettings command in which the value of the IrCutFilter field is set to Off, the CPU 26 may be configured to perform the following operation.

  That is, the CPU 26 may be configured to instruct the video signal processing circuit 8 to amplify the gain for the video signal output from the image sensor 6 as compared with the day mode. More specifically, the CPU 26 may be configured to instruct the video signal processing circuit 8 to amplify the gain of each color of the video signal output from the image sensor 6 as compared with the day mode.

  In the present specification, a state in which the gain of each color of the video signal output from the image sensor 6 is amplified more than the day mode is referred to as a digital night mode.

  When the CPU 26 is configured in this manner, the CPU 26 functions as a selection unit that selects a day mode or a digital night mode.

  In addition, a power source such as a stepping motor may be added to the image pickup apparatus according to the present embodiment, and the image pickup optical system 2 may be rotated in the pan direction or the tilt direction by the added power source. Furthermore, you may add the dome cover formed in hemispherical shape with respect to the imaging device in this embodiment. This dome cover has transparency and is formed in a hemispherical shape.

  In addition, the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment may receive a SetImagingSettings command including an IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field in which the order such as the BoundaryType field is not described as defined. For example, this is a case where the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment receives a SetImagingSettings command including an IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field in which the BoundaryOffset field is described first.

  In such a case, the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment may be configured to transmit a SetImagingSettingsResponse including information indicating an error to an external client (not shown).

  Next, the above embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements as those corresponding to the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof may be omitted.

  In this specification, the field value means a value corresponding to a tag. For example, the value of the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field means a value corresponding to the <IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment> tag.

  For example, the value of the BoundaryType field means a value corresponding to the <BoundaryType> tag. For example, the value of the BoundaryOffset field means a value corresponding to the <BoundaryType> tag. For example, the value of the ResponseTime field means a value corresponding to a <ResponseTime> tag.

  Next, the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment is a monitoring camera that captures a moving image, and more specifically, a network camera used for monitoring. Moreover, the imaging device in this embodiment shall be installed in a wall surface or a ceiling. In addition, the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment is compatible with PoE (Power Over Ethernet), and is supplied with power via a LAN cable.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the imaging device and the external client device constitute an imaging system.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. The gain setting circuit 7 in FIG. 6 sets the gain for the video signal output from the image sensor 6 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 26.

  For example, the CPU 26 instructs the IRCF drive circuit 24 to insert the IRCF 4 in the optical path of the imaging optical system 2 and sets the gain for the video signal output from the imaging device 6 to the first gain. Instruct the circuit 7.

  Further, the CPU 26 instructs the IRCF drive circuit 24 to remove the IRCF 4 from the optical path of the image pickup optical system 2 and sets the gain for the video signal output from the image pickup device 6 to the second gain. Instruct the circuit 7. Note that the second gain is larger than the first gain.

  Next, the video signal processing circuit 8 in FIG. 6 changes the dynamic range of the video signal output from the image sensor 6 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 26. For example, the CPU 26 instructs the video signal processing circuit 8 to instruct the IRCF driving circuit 24 to insert the IRCF 4 in the optical path of the imaging optical system 2 and sets the dynamic range of the video signal output from the imaging element 6 to the first. Change to 1 dynamic range.

  In addition, the CPU 26 instructs the video signal processing circuit 8 to instruct the IRCF drive circuit 24 to remove the IRCF 4 from the optical path of the imaging optical system 2, and sets the dynamic range of the video signal output from the imaging device 6. Change to 2 dynamic range. Note that the second dynamic range is wider than the first dynamic range.

  6 drives the image pickup device 6 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 26. For example, the CPU 26 instructs the IRCF drive circuit 24 to insert the IRCF 4 in the optical path of the imaging optical system 2 and sets the charge accumulation time of the image sensor 6 to the first charge accumulation time. 23.

  In addition, the CPU 26 instructs the IRCF drive circuit 24 to remove the IRCF 4 from the optical path of the imaging optical system 2 and sets the charge accumulation time of the image sensor 6 to the second charge accumulation time. 23. Note that the second charge accumulation time is longer than the first charge accumulation time.

  In addition, the CPU 26 in FIG. 6 has an image processing function. For example, the CPU 26 instructs the IRCF drive circuit 24 to insert the IRCF 4 in the optical path of the imaging optical system 2 and the video signal output from the imaging device 6 has the first brightness (level). Apply image processing.

  In addition, the CPU 26 instructs the IRCF drive circuit 24 to remove the IRCF 4 from the optical path of the imaging optical system 2, and the video signal output from the imaging element 6 has the second brightness (level). Apply image processing. Note that the second brightness is brighter than the first brightness.

  Further, the CPU 26 in the present embodiment makes the video signal output from the image sensor 6 black and white video signal because the color balance of the video signal output from the image sensor 6 is lost when infrared imaging is performed. Assume that transmission is performed from the I / F 14. At this time, the imaging mode of the imaging apparatus in the present embodiment is referred to as a black and white mode.

  Further, the CPU 26 in this embodiment places importance on the color reproducibility of the video signal output from the image sensor 6 when normal shooting is performed, and converts the video signal output from the image sensor 6 into a color video signal. The I / F 14 is assumed to transmit. At this time, the imaging mode of the imaging apparatus in the present embodiment is referred to as a color mode.

  Subsequently, FIG. 7 shows in detail a definition example of a data structure for defining a command in XSD. Since FIG. 7A is the same as FIG. 2A, the description thereof is omitted. Moreover, since FIG.7 (b) is the same as that of FIG.2 (b), the description is abbreviate | omitted. Moreover, since FIG.7 (c) is the same as that of FIG.2 (c), the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 7D is a diagram illustrating the contents of the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment type. The data type is defined as a complex type by the XSD complexType declaration. In this data type example, the sequence specifier specifies that the order of the elements appears as defined.

  In the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment type, BoundaryType, which is the first element, is the same as BoundaryType in FIG. The BoundaryType is data having an IrCutFilterAutoBoundaryType type, which will be described later.

  The next element is BoundaryOffset, which indicates that the data is a float single-precision floating point data type defined in Primitive Datatype in XSD. The BoundaryOffset is the aforementioned brightness threshold parameter. The data BoundaryOffset may be omitted by the XSD minOcurs specifier.

  Note that the value corresponding to the <BoundaryOffset> tag in the present embodiment corresponds to brightness information related to the brightness of the subject imaged by the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment. The range of values corresponding to the <BoundaryOffset> tag is limited to a predetermined range. Specifically, the range of values corresponding to the <BoundaryOffset> tag is limited to -1.0 to 1.0.

  Since the third element is the same as the ResponseTime in FIG. 2D, the description thereof is omitted. Note that the value corresponding to the <ResponseTime> tag in the present embodiment corresponds to reaction time information regarding the reaction time of IRCF4 insertion / removal by the IRCF drive circuit 24.

  Therefore, the value corresponding to the <BoundaryOffset> tag and the value corresponding to the <ResponseTime> tag in the present embodiment correspond to automatic adjustment information related to IRCF4 insertion / removal.

  FIG. 7E is a diagram showing in detail an example definition of the above IrCutFilterAutoBoundaryType type. The data type is defined as a simple type by the XSD simpleType declaration. In addition, the data type is defined as a character string type whose value is limited by a restriction specifier.

  In the IrCutFilterAutoBoundaryType type, as shown in FIG. 7E, the value is a character string type that can take the values of Common, ToOn, ToOff, and Extended.

  Note that “Common” in FIG. 7E corresponds to “Common” in FIG. Further, ToOn in FIG. 7 (e) corresponds to On in FIG. 2 (e). Furthermore, ToOff in FIG. 7 (e) corresponds to Off in FIG. 2 (e).

  Next, FIG. 8 shows a detailed configuration example of the SetImagingSettings command. FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a SetImagingSettings command including the option field. In FIG. 8A, when the value of the IrCutFilter field is AUTO, the imaging apparatus itself is instructed to automatically control IRCF insertion / removal.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the SetImagingSettings command in which the value of the IrCutFilter field is AUTO corresponds to an automatic insertion / removal control command. Note that the automatic insertion / removal control command is a command for causing the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment to automatically control the insertion / removal of the IRCF 4 by the IRCF drive circuit 24.

  In this embodiment, when the value of the IrCutFilter field is AUTO, the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field can be described thereafter. As described above, the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field can be omitted.

  As described above, the BoundaryType field, the BoundaryOffset field, and the ResponseTime field are described in the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8A, in the SetImagingSettings command, the <BoundaryType> tag, the <BoundaryOffset> tag, and the <ResponseTime> tag can be described in this order.

  Furthermore, as described above, the BoundaryOffset field and the ResponseTime field can be omitted.

  As described above, the BoundaryType field can specify whether the operation specified in the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field is to be valid when IRCF is inserted or removed.

  That is, when the value of the BoundaryType field is ToOn, it becomes valid when the IRCF is inserted, and when the value of the BoundaryType field is ToOff, it becomes valid when the IRCF is removed.

  In addition, when the value of the BoundaryType field is Common, the value is valid for both insertion and removal. Further, as described above, the luminance threshold is set by the value of BoundaryOffset, and the delay time is set by the ResponseTime field.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the <BoundaryType> tag associated with ToOn as a value corresponds to information that can be specified for insertion. This insertion designation possible information can designate that the CPU 26 performs the following determination based on the value of the <BoundaryOffset> tag and the value of the <ResponseTime> tag associated with the <BoundaryType> tag. That is, it is a determination as to whether or not the IRCF 4 is inserted into the optical path of the imaging optical system 2.

  In the present embodiment, a <BoundaryType> tag associated with ToOff as a value corresponds to information that can be specified for extraction. This extraction designation possible information can specify that the CPU 26 performs the following determination based on the value of the <BoundaryOffset> tag and the value of the <ResponseTime> tag associated with the <BoundaryType> tag. That is, it is a determination of whether or not to remove the IRCF 4 from the optical path of the imaging optical system 2.

  In the present embodiment, the <BoundaryType> tag associated with “Common” as a value corresponds to information that can be commonly specified. This common specifiable information specifies that the CPU 26 uses the value of the <BoundaryOffset> tag and the value of the <ResponseTime> tag associated with the <BoundaryType> tag in common for the following two determinations. That is, it is a determination whether to insert the IRCF 4 in the optical path of the imaging optical system 2 and a determination whether to remove the IRCF 4 from the optical path of the imaging optical system 2.

  FIG. 8B shows the configuration of the SetImagingSettings command when the ResponseTime field is omitted. Thus, when the ResponseTime field is omitted, as described above, in the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment, the imaging apparatus itself determines the operation of the delay time parameter.

  In this embodiment, for example, it is stored in advance in the EEPROM 28, and the CPU 26 reads out the delay time from the EEPROM 28 and sets it in the determination circuit 20. Further, in FIG. 8B, the value of ToOn is set in the value of the BoundaryType field so that the operation specified in the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field becomes valid when the IRCF is inserted.

  FIG. 8C shows the configuration of the SetImagingSettings command when the value of the BoundaryType field is Common. In this case, the value of BoundaryOffset and the value of ResponseTime are valid when both IRCF4 is inserted and removed.

  Further, as described above, the luminance threshold is set by the value of BoundaryOffset, and the delay time is set by the ResponseTime field.

  FIG. 8D shows the configuration of the SetImagingSettings command when the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field is omitted.

  Here, when the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment receives the following SetImagingSettings command, the imaging apparatus itself determines all IRCF insertion / removal control. In other words, this is a SetImagingSettings command that automatically sets an IRCF in which the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field is omitted.

  FIG. 8E shows the configuration of the SetImagingSettings command when the value of the IrCutFilter field is ON. FIG. 8F shows the configuration of the SetImagingSettings command when the value of the IrCutFilter field is OFF.

  In this embodiment, the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field is not set in the cases shown in FIGS. 8E and 8F.

  FIG. 8G shows the configuration of the SetImagingSettings command when the value corresponding to the IrCutFilter tag is AUTO.

  This SetImagingSettings command includes a first IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment tag corresponding to a BoundaryType tag in which ToOn is set as a value. Furthermore, the SetImagingSettings command also includes a second IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment tag corresponding to the BoundaryType tag in which “ToOff” is set as a value.

  Therefore, the CPU 26 uses values corresponding to each of the BoundaryOffset tag and the ResponseTime tag corresponding to the first IrCutFilterAutoAdjustmentType tag to determine whether to insert IRCF4.

  Further, the CPU 26 uses values corresponding to each of the BoundaryOffset tag and the ResponseTime tag corresponding to the second IrCutFilterAutoAdjustmentType tag to determine whether or not to remove the IRCF4.

  In the SetImagingSettings command, a <BoundaryType> tag associated with a ToOn value and a <BoundaryType> tag associated with a ToOff value can be described in this order. (The SetImagingSettings command can describe each of a <BoundaryType> tag associated with a value of ToOn and a <BoundaryType> tag associated with a value of ToOff in this order.)

  Next, the configuration of the client device of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the client device according to the embodiment of the present invention. Note that the client device of this embodiment operates as the above-mentioned ONVIF standard Network Video Receiver (hereinafter also referred to as NVR). That is, the client device of this embodiment can transmit and receive data according to the ONVIF specification.

  In FIG. 9, 408 is an input unit, 414 is a digital interface unit (hereinafter sometimes referred to as I / F), 416 is an interface terminal, 422 is a display unit, and 426 is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU). 428 is a memory.

  The client apparatus shown in FIG. 9 is typically a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a PC). For the input unit 408, for example, a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse is used. As the display unit 422, for example, a liquid crystal display device, a plasma display display device, a cathode ray tube (hereinafter sometimes referred to as CRT) display device such as a cathode ray tube, or the like is used.

  For example, the CPU 26 instructs the I / F 414 and transmits a GetOptions command to the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment. In addition, the CPU 26 instructs the I / F 414 to acquire the GetOptionsResponse from the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  Further, the CPU 26 instructs the I / F 414 to transmit a SetImagingSettings command to the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment. The value corresponding to the <BoundaryType> tag included in the SetImagingSettings command matches the value corresponding to the <img20: Mode> tag (described later) included in the GetOptionsResponse.

  Next, the GetOptions command and GetOptionsResponse in FIG. 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 10A shows a GetOptions command with a value 0 corresponding to the VideoSourceToken tag.

  Each of FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C shows an example of GetOptionsResponse.

  Here, it is assumed that the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment can be commonly designated for inserting the IRCF 4 into the optical path of the imaging optical system 2 and for removing the IRCF 4 from the optical path of the imaging optical system 2. FIG. 10B is a GetOptionsResponse transmitted by such an assumed imaging apparatus.

  Also, an imaging apparatus is assumed in which the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment can be separately specified for inserting the IRCF 4 into the optical path of the imaging optical system 2 and removing the IRCF 4 from the optical path of the imaging optical system 2. FIG. 10C shows a GetOptionsResponse transmitted by such an assumed imaging apparatus.

  In FIG. 10B, the <ImagingOptions20> tag is associated with three <img20: IrCutFilterModes> tags. Each of the three <Img20: IrCutFilterModes> tags is associated with ON, OFF, and AUTO.

  Therefore, the imaging apparatus assumed in FIG. 10B can operate according to the SetImagingSettings command in which ON, OFF, and AUTO are set as the value of the IrCutFilter field.

  In FIG. 10B, the following three tags are associated with the <IrCutFilterAutoAdjustmentOptions> tag. That is, <img20: Mode> tag, <img20: BoundaryOffset> tag, and <img20: ResponseTime> tag.

  Here, the <img20: Mode> tag is associated with Common. Thus, GetOptionsResponse shown in FIG. 10B indicates the following.

  That is, the information of the <IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment> tag used by the CPU 26 can be specified in common for the case where the IRCF 4 is inserted into the optical path of the imaging optical system 2 and the case where the IRCF 4 is removed from the optical path.

  Moreover, true is associated with the <img20: BoundaryOffset> tag. Therefore, the imaging apparatus assumed in FIG. 10B can operate in accordance with the SetImagingSettings command in which a value corresponding to the <BoundaryOffset> tag is set.

  Furthermore, the <img20: ResponseTime> tag is associated with the <img20: Min> tag and the <img20: Max> tag. Therefore, the imaging apparatus assumed in FIG. 10B can operate based on a SetImagingSettings command in which a time corresponding to 0 to 30 minutes is set as a value corresponding to <ResponseTime>.

  Also, in FIG. 10C (as in FIG. 10B), the <ImagingOptions20> tag is associated with three <img20: IrCutFilterModes> tags. Each of the three <Img20: IrCutFilterModes> tags is associated with ON, OFF, and AUTO.

  In FIG. 10C, the following four tags are associated with the <IrCutFilterAutoAdjustmentOptions> tag. That is, two <img20: Mode> tags, an <img20: BoundaryOffset> tag, and an <img20: ResponseTime> tag.

  Here, each of the two <img20: Mode> tags is associated with ToOn and ToOff. As a result, the GetOptionsResponse shown in FIG. 10C indicates the following.

  That is, the information of the <IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment> tag used by the CPU 26 can be specified separately for each of the case where the IRCF 4 is inserted into the optical path of the imaging optical system 2 and the case where the IRCF 4 is removed from the optical path.

  Further, true is associated with the <img20: Mode> tag. Furthermore, the <img20: ResponseTime> tag is associated with the <img20: Min> tag and the <img20: Max> tag.

  In addition, as shown in FIG.10 (b) and FIG.10 (c), in this embodiment, the information matched with the <img20: Mode> tag is equivalent to insertion / removal designation information.

  Next, IRCF4 insertion / removal control by the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining IRCF4 insertion / removal control processing by the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment.

  Here, the imaging device of the present embodiment is assumed to be the imaging device assumed in FIG. Furthermore, it is assumed that this imaging apparatus has received the SetImagingSettings command shown in FIG. The processing shown in FIG. 11 is assumed to be executed by the CPU 26 after receiving the SetImagingSettings command.

  In step S <b> 1101, the CPU 26 determines whether the IRCF 4 is inserted in the optical path of the imaging optical system 2.

  If the CPU 26 determines that the IRCF 4 is inserted in the optical path of the imaging optical system 2, the process proceeds to step S1102. On the other hand, if the CPU 26 determines that the IRCF 4 is not inserted in the optical path of the imaging optical system 2, the process proceeds to step S1107.

  In step S1102, the CPU 26 determines whether the subject luminance is lower than a predetermined luminance threshold. Specifically, the CPU 26 determines based on the subject luminance output from the luminance measurement circuit 18 and the value corresponding to the <BoundaryOffset> tag associated with the <BoundaryType> tag whose value is set to ToOn. The circuit 20 is determined.

  For example, the CPU 26 reads the threshold information corresponding to the value (0.16) of the <BoundaryOffset> tag associated with the <BoundaryType> tag whose value is set to ToOn from the EEPROM 28. Next, the CPU 26 sets a luminance threshold indicated by the read threshold information in the determination circuit 20.

  Then, the determination circuit 20 determines whether the subject luminance output from the luminance measurement circuit 18 is lower than the luminance threshold set by the CPU 26.

  If the determination circuit 20 determines that the subject luminance output from the luminance measurement circuit 18 is lower than the luminance threshold set in the CPU 26, the CPU 26 advances the process to step S1103. On the other hand, when the determination circuit 20 determines that the subject luminance output from the luminance measurement circuit 18 is not lower than the luminance threshold set in the CPU 26, the CPU 26 returns the process to step S1101.

  In step S1103, the CPU 26 instructs the timing circuit 22 to start timing. Specifically, the CPU 26 sets the value (1 minute 30 seconds) corresponding to the <ResponseTime> tag associated with the <BoundaryType> tag whose value is set to ToOn in the time counting circuit 22 and starts the time counting. Let

  Step S1104 is the same as step S1102, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In step S1105, the CPU 26 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the time measurement was started in step S1103. Specifically, the CPU 26 determines whether or not a time lapse signal has been input by the timer circuit 22.

  When the time elapse signal is input from the time measuring circuit 22, the CPU 26 determines that a predetermined time has elapsed since the time measurement was started in step S1103, and advances the process to step S1106. On the other hand, if the time lapse signal is not input by the timing circuit 22, the CPU 26 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the time measurement was started in step S1103, and returns the process to step S1104.

  In step S <b> 1106, the CPU 26 instructs the IRCF drive circuit 24 to insert the IRCF 4 into the optical path of the imaging optical system 2. Note that the IRCF drive circuit 24 in this embodiment corresponds to an insertion / removal unit that inserts / removes the IRCF 4 into / from the optical path of the imaging optical system 2. The CPU 26 in the present embodiment corresponds to a control unit that automatically controls the IRCF drive circuit 24.

  In step S1107, the CPU 26 determines whether the subject brightness is higher than a predetermined brightness threshold. Specifically, the CPU 26 determines based on the subject brightness output from the brightness measurement circuit 18 and the value corresponding to the <BoundaryOffset> tag associated with the <BoundaryType> tag whose value is set to ToOff. The circuit 20 is determined.

  For example, the CPU 26 reads threshold information corresponding to the value (−0.62) of the <BoundaryOffset> tag associated with the <BoundaryType> tag whose value is set to ToOff from the EEPROM 28. Next, the CPU 26 sets a luminance threshold indicated by the read threshold information in the determination circuit 20.

  Then, the determination circuit 20 determines whether or not the subject brightness output from the brightness measurement circuit 18 is higher than the brightness threshold set by the CPU 26.

  If the determination circuit 20 determines that the subject luminance output from the luminance measurement circuit 18 is higher than the luminance threshold set in the CPU 26, the CPU 26 advances the process to step S1108. On the other hand, when the determination circuit 20 determines that the subject luminance output from the luminance measurement circuit 18 is not higher than the luminance threshold set in the CPU 26, the CPU 26 returns the process to step S1101.

  In step S1108, the CPU 26 instructs the timing circuit 22 to start timing. Specifically, the CPU 26 sets the value (1 minute 10 seconds) corresponding to the <ResponseTime> tag associated with the <BoundaryType> tag whose value is set to ToOff in the time counting circuit 22 and starts timing. Let

  Since step S1109 is similar to step S1107, the description thereof is omitted.

  Since step S1110 is the same as step S1105, description thereof is omitted.

  In step S <b> 1111, the CPU 26 instructs the IRCF drive circuit 24 to remove the IRCF 4 from the optical path of the imaging optical system 2.

  Next, the case where the imaging apparatus assumed in FIG. 10B is the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, it is assumed that the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment has received the SetImagingSettings command illustrated in FIG. In the following description regarding FIG. 11, only differences from the above description of FIG. 11 will be described.

  In step S1102, the CPU 26 determines whether the subject luminance is lower than a predetermined luminance threshold. Specifically, the CPU 26 determines based on the subject brightness output from the brightness measurement circuit 18 and the value corresponding to the <BoundaryOffset> tag associated with the <BoundaryType> tag whose value is set to Common. The circuit 20 is determined.

  For example, the CPU 26 reads out threshold information corresponding to the value (0.52) of the <BoundaryOffset> tag associated with the <BoundaryType> tag whose value is set to Common from the EEPROM 28. Next, the CPU 26 sets a luminance threshold indicated by the read threshold information in the determination circuit 20.

  Then, the determination circuit 20 determines whether the subject luminance output from the luminance measurement circuit 18 is lower than the luminance threshold set by the CPU 26.

  If the determination circuit 20 determines that the subject luminance output from the luminance measurement circuit 18 is lower than the luminance threshold set in the CPU 26, the CPU 26 advances the process to step S1103. On the other hand, when the determination circuit 20 determines that the subject luminance output from the luminance measurement circuit 18 is not lower than the luminance threshold set in the CPU 26, the CPU 26 returns the process to step S1101.

  In step S1103, the CPU 26 instructs the timing circuit 22 to start timing. Specifically, the CPU 26 sets the value (1 minute 15 seconds) corresponding to the <ResponseTime> tag associated with the <BoundaryType> tag whose value is set to Common in the time counting circuit 22 and starts timing. Let

  In step S1107, the CPU 26 determines whether the subject brightness is higher than a predetermined brightness threshold. Specifically, the CPU 26 determines based on the subject luminance output from the luminance measurement circuit 18 and the value corresponding to the <BoundaryOffset> tag associated with the <BoundaryType> tag whose value is set to Common. The circuit 20 is determined.

  For example, the CPU 26 reads threshold information corresponding to the value (−0.52) of the <BoundaryOffset> tag associated with the <BoundaryType> tag whose value is set to Common from the EEPROM 28. Next, the CPU 26 sets a luminance threshold indicated by the read threshold information in the determination circuit 20.

  Then, the determination circuit 20 determines whether or not the subject brightness output from the brightness measurement circuit 18 is higher than the brightness threshold set by the CPU 26.

  If the determination circuit 20 determines that the subject luminance output from the luminance measurement circuit 18 is higher than the luminance threshold set in the CPU 26, the CPU 26 advances the process to step S1108. On the other hand, when the determination circuit 20 determines that the subject luminance output from the luminance measurement circuit 18 is not higher than the luminance threshold set in the CPU 26, the CPU 26 returns the process to step S1101.

  In step S1108, the CPU 26 instructs the timing circuit 22 to start timing. Specifically, the CPU 26 sets the value (1 minute 15 seconds) corresponding to the <ResponseTime> tag associated with the <BoundaryType> tag whose value is set to Common in the time counting circuit 22 and starts timing. Let

  As described with reference to FIG. 5, the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment transmits a GetOptions Response to an external client apparatus via the network, and then transmits the following from the external client apparatus via the network. Receive commands.

  For example, a SetImagingSettings command in which an AUTO value is described as a value corresponding to an <IrCutFilter> tag and an <IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment> tag is described. Furthermore, a <BoundaryType> tag is described in the <IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment> tag.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, one <BoundaryType> tag must be associated with the <IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment> tag.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the CPU 26 may be configured to make the following determination when a SetImagingSettings command including the <IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment> tag is received.

  That is, it is a determination as to whether or not one <BoundaryType> tag is included in the <IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment> tag included in the received SetImagingSettings command. If it is determined that the CPU 26 is not included, the CPU 26 may be configured to control the communication circuit 14 so that error information is returned to an external client device as a reply to the SetImagingSettings command.

  In this embodiment, the CPU 26 of the imaging apparatus that has transmitted a GetOptionsResponse associated with the <img20: Mode> tag associated with Common as a value to an external client apparatus may be configured as follows. Good.

  In other words, when the SetImagingSettings command including the <IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment> tag is received, the CPU 26 may be configured to make the following determination.

  That is, it is a determination as to whether or not the <IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment> tag included in the received SetImagingSettings command includes a <BoundaryType> tag associated with Common as a value.

  If the CPU 26 determines that it is not included, the CPU 26 may be configured to control the communication circuit 14 so that error information is returned to an external client device as a reply to the SetImagingSettings command. . In the present embodiment, the CPU 26 corresponds to a first determination unit.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 26 of the imaging apparatus that has transmitted the GetOptionsResponse shown in FIG. 10C to an external client apparatus may be configured as follows.

  In other words, when the SetImagingSettings command including the <IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment> tag is received, the CPU 26 may be configured to make the following determination.

  That is, it is a determination as to whether or not two <BoundaryType> tags are included in the <IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment> tag included in the received SetImagingSettings command. Specifically, these two <BoundaryType> tags are a <BoundaryType> tag associated with ToOn as a value and a <BoundaryType> tag associated with ToOff as a value.

  If the CPU 26 determines that it is not included, the CPU 26 may be configured to control the communication circuit 14 so that error information is returned to an external client device as a reply to the SetImagingSettings command. . In the present embodiment, the CPU 26 corresponds to a second determination unit.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 26 of the imaging apparatus that has transmitted the GetOptionsResponse shown in FIG. 10C to an external client apparatus may be configured as follows.

  In other words, when the SetImagingSettings command including the <IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment> tag is received, the CPU 26 may be configured to make the following determination.

  That is, it is a determination as to whether or not the <IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment> tag included in the received SetImagingSettings command includes a <BoundaryType> tag associated with Common as a value. If the CPU 26 determines that it is included, the CPU 26 may be configured to control the communication circuit 14 so that error information is returned to an external client device as a reply to the SetImagingSettings command. .

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 26 of the imaging apparatus that has transmitted the GetOptionsResponse shown in FIG. 10B to an external client apparatus may be configured as follows.

  In other words, when the SetImagingSettings command including the <IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment> tag is received, the CPU 26 may be configured to make the following determination.

  That is, it is a determination as to whether or not a <BoundaryType> tag associated with a value other than Common is included in the <IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment> tag included in the received SetImagingSettings command.

  For example, a <BoundaryType> tag associated with a value other than Common is a <BoundaryType> tag associated with ToOn as a value and a <BoundaryType> tag associated with ToOff as a value.

  If the CPU 26 determines that it is included, the CPU 26 may be configured to control the communication circuit 14 so that error information is returned to an external client device as a reply to the SetImagingSettings command. .

  In the present embodiment, the luminance threshold is normally set from an external client by normalizing the luminance threshold that can be set in the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment to a value of −1.0 to 1.0. However, it is also conceivable that a numerical value outside the above range is set due to a malfunction of the external client. In order to cope with such a case, for example, when a numerical value outside the above-described value range is set, the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment rounds it to a settable upper limit value or lower limit value.

  When a value less than −1.0, for example, −2.5, is received as the value of BoundaryOffset, the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment uses the BoundaryOffset value as −1.0. Further, when a value larger than 1.0, for example, 3.1, is received as the value of BoundaryOffset, the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment uses the BoundaryOffset value as 1.0.

  In the above embodiment, when a value outside the settable range is set as the value of BoundaryOffset, it is configured to be used by rounding to a settable upper limit value or lower limit value. This is not a limitation.

  For example, an error may be returned in response to the SetImagingSettings command received from an external client. In this case, in the SetImagingSettingsResponse returned by the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment, a response code indicating that the BoundaryOffset value is invalid is described and transmitted.

  Accordingly, in this embodiment, SetImagingSettingsResponse in which a response code indicating that the BoundaryOffset value is invalid is equivalent to error information. Here, the error information is a reply to the SetImagingSettings command in which the value of the IrCutFilter field is set to Auto.

  Further, the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field in the present embodiment can be said to be an optional parameter for adjusting the switching timing of the infrared cut filter used only in the Auto mode, for example.

  Further, BoundaryType in the present embodiment specifies at which boundary a parameter such as BoundaryOffset or ResponseTime is used. Here, the specified boundary is, for example, a boundary for automatically switching the infrared blocking filter. Here, the value “Common” of BoundaryType means that these parameters are used not only at the boundary when the infrared cut-off filter is effectively switched automatically but also at the boundary when the infrared cut-off filter is automatically switched invalid. To do. The BoundaryType values “ToOn” and “ToOff” are used as one of the boundary for effectively automatically switching the infrared cutoff filter and the boundary for automatically switching the infrared cutoff filter invalid. Means that

  In the present embodiment, the BoundaryOffset field adjusts the boundary exposure level for switching between effective (On) and invalid (Off) of the infrared cut-off filter, for example. The value of the BoundaryOffset field is a value normalized from −1.0 to +1.0, for example, and has no unit. Further, the value of the BoundaryOffset field is 0 as an initial value, -1.0 is the darkest, and +1.0 is the brightest.

  Note that the Get Services command in this embodiment is a command for inquiring about a function provided by a device (for example, the imaging device of the present embodiment) that has received this command. Also, “Imaging Service” in the present embodiment is a service for performing settings relating to imaging such as exposure, shutter speed, and image stabilization.

  In addition, the imaging apparatus and the client apparatus according to the present embodiment save commands defined by XSD according to the present embodiment in a file format.

  In addition, the address indicating Imaging Service of the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as the address indicating Video Analytics Service of the imaging apparatus and the address indicating PTZ Service of the imaging apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each of these addresses may be different from each other.

  The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

4 Infrared blocking filter (IRCF)
18 Brightness measurement circuit 20 Judgment circuit 14 Communication circuit (I / F)
22 Timekeeping Circuit 24 IRCF Drive Circuit 26 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

In order to achieve the above object, an operation method of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an operation method of an imaging apparatus capable of performing normal imaging and infrared imaging based on adjustment information received from a client apparatus via a network. A step of transmitting information indicating whether or not adjustment information for switching from normal shooting to infrared shooting and adjustment information for switching from infrared shooting to normal shooting can be individually set to the client device; And shooting a subject by switching between normal shooting and infrared shooting based on the adjustment information received from the camera .

In order to achieve the above object, the operation method of the client device of the present invention is an operation method of a client device that controls an imaging device capable of automatically controlling switching between normal shooting and infrared shooting via a network. Obtaining from the imaging device information indicating whether or not the first adjustment information for switching from normal shooting to infrared shooting and the second adjustment information for switching from infrared shooting to normal shooting can be individually set; And a step of transmitting at least one of the first adjustment information and the second adjustment information to the imaging device according to the acquired information .

In order to achieve the above object, the operation method of the imaging system of the present invention can perform normal shooting and infrared shooting based on the client device and adjustment information received from the client device via the network. The first adjustment information for switching from normal shooting to infrared shooting and the second adjustment information for switching from infrared shooting to normal shooting can be individually set. A step of transmitting insertion / removal designation information indicating whether or not from the imaging device to the client device, and according to the insertion / removal designation information, at least one adjustment information of the first adjustment information and the second adjustment information, Based on the step of transmitting from the client device to the imaging device and the adjustment information received from the client device, the imaging device performs normal imaging and infrared imaging. Switch in dynamic and characterized by a step of photographing an object.

Claims (62)

An imaging device connected to an external client device via a network,
An imaging optical system;
Imaging means for capturing an image of a subject imaged by the imaging optical system;
An infrared blocking filter that blocks infrared;
Insertion / removal means for inserting / removing the infrared blocking filter with respect to the optical path of the imaging optical system;
Automatic adjustment information on insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter together with an automatic insertion / removal control command for causing the imaging apparatus to automatically control insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter by the insertion / removal means, Receiving means for receiving via,
Control means for automatically controlling the insertion / removal means based on the automatic insertion / removal control command received by the reception means;
Transmission means for transmitting insertion / removal designation information related to the automatic adjustment information to the external client via the network;
With
The insertion / removal designation information transmitted by the transmission means includes automatic adjustment information used by the control means for each of the case where the infrared cutoff filter is inserted into the optical path and the case where the infrared cutoff filter is removed from the optical path. An imaging apparatus characterized by indicating whether or not designation is possible.   The insertion / removal designation information can separately designate automatic adjustment information used by the control means for each of the case where the infrared cutoff filter is inserted into the optical path and the case where the infrared cutoff filter is removed from the optical path. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus indicates whether the automatic adjustment information can be designated in common.   The insertion / removal designation information includes insertion designation enable information indicating that automatic adjustment information used by the control means can be designated when the infrared cutoff filter is inserted into the optical path, and the infrared cutoff filter from the optical path. 3. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each of the extraction specifiable information indicating that automatic adjustment information used by the control unit can be specified in the case of extraction can be described in this order.   The reception unit receives the automatic adjustment information together with the automatic insertion / removal control command from the external client device via the network after the transmission / reception designation information is transmitted by the transmission unit. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit receives the insertion / removal designation information together with the automatic adjustment information from the external client device via the network. 6. . First determination means for determining whether or not the reception means has received the insertion / removal designation information together with the automatic adjustment information;
A reply unit that returns error information as a reply to the automatic insertion / removal control command received by the receiving unit when it is determined that the first determining unit has not received the received information;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A second determination unit for determining whether or not the insertion / removal designation information received by the reception unit and the insertion / removal designation information transmitted by the transmission unit match;
The reply means returns error information as a reply to the automatic insertion / removal control command received by the receiving means when it is judged that the second judging means does not match. 6. The imaging device according to 6.   The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the automatic insertion / removal control instruction can describe each of the insertion / removal designation information and the automatic adjustment information in this order.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automatic adjustment information includes brightness information regarding brightness of the subject.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a range of values of the brightness information is limited to a predetermined range.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the automatic adjustment information includes reaction time information related to a reaction time of insertion / removal of the infrared blocking filter. An imaging optical system, an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject formed by the imaging optical system, an infrared blocking filter that blocks infrared rays, and an insertion / removal unit that inserts and removes the infrared blocking filter with respect to the optical path of the imaging optical system A client device connected via a network to an external imaging device including a control unit that automatically controls the insertion / removal unit,
Automatic adjustment information on insertion / removal of the infrared blocking filter together with an automatic insertion / removal control command for causing the imaging apparatus to automatically control insertion / removal of the infrared blocking filter by the insertion / removal unit, and the network to the external imaging apparatus Transmitting means for transmitting via,
Acquisition means for acquiring insertion / removal designation information related to automatic adjustment information used by the control unit from the external imaging device via the network;
With
The insertion / removal designation information acquired by the acquisition means includes automatic adjustment information used by the control unit for each of the case where the infrared blocking filter is inserted into the optical path and the case where the infrared blocking filter is removed from the optical path. A client apparatus characterized by indicating whether or not designation is possible.   The insertion / removal designation information can separately designate automatic adjustment information used by the control means for each of the case where the infrared cutoff filter is inserted into the optical path and the case where the infrared cutoff filter is removed from the optical path. 13. The client apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the client apparatus indicates whether the automatic adjustment information can be designated in common.   The insertion / removal designation information includes insertion designation enable information indicating that automatic adjustment information used by the control means can be designated when the infrared cutoff filter is inserted into the optical path, and the infrared cutoff filter from the optical path. 14. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 13, wherein each of extraction specifying information indicating that automatic adjustment information used by the control means can be specified in the case of extraction can be described in this order.   The transmission unit transmits the automatic adjustment information together with the automatic insertion / removal control command to the external imaging apparatus via the network after the insertion / removal designation information is acquired by the acquisition unit. The imaging device according to any one of claims 12 to 14.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the transmission unit transmits the insertion / removal designation information together with the automatic adjustment information to the external imaging apparatus via the network. .   The transmission means transmits the insertion / removal designation information that matches the insertion / removal designation information acquired by the acquisition means to the external imaging apparatus via the network. Imaging device.   The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the automatic insertion / removal control instruction can describe each of the insertion / removal designation information and the automatic adjustment information in this order.   19. The imaging apparatus according to claim 18, wherein a range of the brightness information value is limited to a predetermined range.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the automatic adjustment information includes reaction time information related to a reaction time of insertion / removal of the infrared cut filter. An imaging system comprising an imaging device and a client device connected to the imaging device via a network,
The imaging device
An imaging optical system;
Imaging means for capturing an image of a subject imaged by the imaging optical system;
An infrared blocking filter that blocks infrared;
Insertion / removal means for inserting / removing the infrared blocking filter with respect to the optical path of the imaging optical system;
Automatic adjustment information regarding insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter together with an automatic insertion / removal control command for causing the imaging apparatus to automatically control insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter by the insertion / removal means is transmitted from the client device via the network. Receiving means for receiving;
Control means for automatically controlling the insertion / removal means based on the automatic insertion / removal control command and automatic adjustment information received by the reception means;
With
The client device is
An acquisition means for acquiring insertion / removal designation information related to automatic adjustment information used by the control means from the imaging device via the network,
Whether the insertion / removal designation information can designate automatic adjustment information used by the control means for each of the case where the infrared cutoff filter is inserted into the optical path and the case where the infrared cutoff filter is removed from the optical path. An imaging system characterized by showing the above. An imaging optical system, an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject formed by the imaging optical system, an infrared blocking filter that blocks infrared rays, and an insertion / removal unit that inserts and removes the infrared blocking filter with respect to the optical path of the imaging optical system And a control unit, and a method for controlling an imaging device connected to an external client device via a network,
Automatic adjustment information on insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter together with an automatic insertion / removal control command for causing the imaging apparatus to automatically control insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter by the insertion / removal unit is sent from the external client device to the network. Receiving step via the control step, based on the automatic insertion / removal control command received by the reception step, a control step for causing the control unit to automatically control the insertion / removal unit,
A step of transmitting insertion / removal designation information related to the automatic adjustment information to the external client via the network;
With
The insertion / removal designation information transmitted in the transmission step includes automatic adjustment information used by the control unit for each of the case where the infrared blocking filter is inserted into the optical path and the case where the infrared blocking filter is removed from the optical path. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus, characterized by indicating whether or not can be specified. An imaging optical system, an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject formed by the imaging optical system, an infrared blocking filter that blocks infrared rays, and an insertion / removal unit that inserts and removes the infrared blocking filter with respect to the optical path of the imaging optical system And a method for controlling a client device connected to an external imaging device including a controller that automatically controls the insertion / removal unit via a network,
Automatic adjustment information on insertion / removal of the infrared blocking filter together with an automatic insertion / removal control command for causing the imaging apparatus to automatically control insertion / removal of the infrared blocking filter by the insertion / removal unit, and the network to the external imaging apparatus A sending step for sending through,
An acquisition step of acquiring insertion / removal designation information related to automatic adjustment information used by the control unit from the external imaging device via the network;
With
The insertion / removal designation information acquired in the acquisition step includes automatic adjustment information used by the control unit for each of the case where the infrared blocking filter is inserted into the optical path and the case where the infrared blocking filter is removed from the optical path. A method for controlling a client device, characterized by indicating whether or not can be specified. An imaging system control method comprising an imaging device and a client device connected to the imaging device via a network,
The imaging device
An imaging optical system;
An imaging unit that captures an image of a subject formed by the imaging optical system;
An infrared blocking filter that blocks infrared;
An insertion / removal unit for inserting / removing the infrared blocking filter with respect to the optical path of the imaging optical system;
With
In the imaging device,
Automatic adjustment information regarding insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter together with an automatic insertion / removal control command for causing the imaging device to automatically control insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter by the insertion / removal unit is transmitted from the client device via the network. A receiving step for receiving;
Based on the automatic insertion / removal control command and automatic adjustment information received in the reception step, a control step for automatically controlling the insertion / removal unit;
In the client device,
Including an acquisition step of acquiring insertion / removal designation information regarding the automatic adjustment information used in the control step from the imaging device via the network;
Whether the insertion / removal designation information can designate automatic adjustment information used in the control step for each of the case where the infrared cutoff filter is inserted into the optical path and the case where the infrared cutoff filter is removed from the optical path. An imaging system control method characterized by indicating whether or not. An imaging optical system;
Imaging means;
A control means for inserting and removing an infrared blocking filter on an optical path in the imaging optical system,
A first command for inserting the infrared blocking filter into the optical path of the imaging optical system, a second command for removing the infrared blocking filter from the optical path of the imaging optical system, and the infrared blocking filter Receiving means for receiving a third command for causing the control means to automatically control insertion / removal of
Determination means for determining whether the third instruction includes additional information based on the output of the reception means;
Further comprising
The control means controls the insertion / removal of the infrared blocking filter based on the additional information when the determination means determines that the third instruction includes additional information, and the determination means controls the third instruction When it is determined that does not contain additional information, the image pickup apparatus controls insertion / removal of the infrared blocking filter based on control information that the control means has in advance. A photometric means for measuring subject brightness;
The additional information of the third command includes threshold information on the subject brightness,
26. The imaging apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the control unit controls insertion / removal of the infrared blocking filter based on an output of the photometry unit and the threshold information. It further comprises a timing means for measuring the passage of time,
The additional information of the third command includes reaction time information,
27. The imaging apparatus according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the control unit performs control so as to delay insertion / removal of the infrared blocking filter based on an output of the timing unit and the reaction time information. An imaging optical system;
Imaging means;
A control means for inserting and removing an infrared blocking filter on an optical path in the imaging optical system,
A first command for inserting the infrared blocking filter into the optical path of the imaging optical system, a second command for removing the infrared blocking filter from the optical path of the imaging optical system, and the infrared blocking filter Receiving means for receiving a third command for causing the control means to automatically control insertion into the optical path;
Determination means for determining whether the third instruction includes additional information based on the output of the reception means;
Further comprising
When the determination means determines that the third instruction includes additional information, the control means controls insertion of the infrared blocking filter based on the additional information, and the determination means determines that the third instruction An imaging apparatus characterized by controlling insertion of the infrared blocking filter based on control information previously held by the control means when it is determined that additional information is not included. A photometric means for measuring subject brightness;
The additional information of the third command includes subject luminance threshold information,
29. The imaging apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the control unit controls insertion of the infrared blocking filter into an optical path of the imaging optical system based on an output of the photometry unit and the threshold information. It further comprises a timing means for measuring the passage of time,
The additional information of the third command includes reaction time information,
30. The imaging apparatus according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the control means controls to delay insertion of the infrared blocking filter based on an output of the time measuring means and the reaction time information. An imaging optical system;
Imaging means;
A control means for inserting and removing an infrared blocking filter on an optical path in the imaging optical system,
A first command for inserting the infrared blocking filter into the optical path of the imaging optical system, a second command for removing the infrared blocking filter from the optical path of the imaging optical system, and the infrared blocking filter Receiving means for receiving a third command for causing the control means to automatically control removal from the optical path;
Determination means for determining whether the third instruction includes additional information based on the output of the reception means;
Further comprising
When the determination means determines that the third instruction includes additional information, the control means automatically controls removal of the infrared blocking filter based on the additional information, and the determination means determines that the third instruction The image pickup apparatus is characterized by automatically controlling the removal of the infrared blocking filter based on the control information that the control means has in advance when it is determined that does not include additional information. A photometric means for measuring subject brightness;
The additional information of the third command includes threshold information on the subject brightness,
32. The imaging apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the control unit controls removal of the infrared blocking filter from the optical path of the imaging optical system based on an output of the photometry unit and the threshold information. It further comprises a timing means for measuring the passage of time,
The additional information of the third command includes reaction time information,
The image pickup apparatus according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the control means controls to delay the removal of the infrared blocking filter based on the output of the time measuring means and the reaction time information. An imaging apparatus that transmits and receives data according to the ONVIF specification and has a first imaging mode for imaging a bright subject and a second imaging mode for imaging a dark subject,
Receiving means for receiving a SetImagingSettings command in which the value of the IrCutFilter field is set to AUTO, which is a command for causing the imaging apparatus to automatically control insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter with respect to the optical path of the imaging optical system;
Adjustment field determination means for determining whether or not the received SetImagingSettings command includes an IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field;
Selecting means for selecting the first imaging mode or the second imaging mode;
Have
The selection unit determines whether the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field is included by the Adjustment field determination unit, according to the luminance of the subject and the value of the BoundaryOffset field included in the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field. An image pickup apparatus that selects the second image pickup mode. The receiving means receives a SetImagingSettings command in which an IrCutFilter field value is set to On, which is a command for placing an infrared cut filter in the optical path of the imaging optical system,
The imaging unit according to claim 34, wherein the selection unit selects the first imaging mode when the receiving unit receives a SetImagingSettings command in which the value of the IrCutFilter field is set to On. apparatus. The receiving means receives a SetImagingSettings command in which the value of the IrCutFilter field is set to Off, which is a command for placing an infrared cut filter outside the optical path of the imaging optical system.
36. The imaging according to claim 35, wherein the selection unit selects the second imaging mode when the receiving unit receives a SetImagingSettings command in which the value of the IrCutFilter field is set to Off. apparatus.   The selection unit determines the first imaging mode or the second imaging mode according to the luminance and a predetermined threshold when it is determined by the Adjustment field determination unit that the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field is not included. The imaging device according to claim 36, wherein the imaging device is selected.   The selection unit selects the first imaging mode when the Adjustment field determination unit determines that the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field is not included, and the luminance value is higher than the predetermined threshold value. The imaging apparatus according to claim 37, characterized in that:   The selection means selects the second imaging mode when the Adjustment field determination means determines that the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field is not included and the luminance value is not higher than the predetermined threshold value. 40. The imaging device according to claim 38. Threshold value means for obtaining a threshold value according to the value of the BoundaryOffset field;
The selection unit selects the first imaging mode when the value of the BoundaryType field is On and the luminance value is higher than the obtained threshold value. The imaging device described.   The selection means selects the second imaging mode when the value of the BoundaryType field is On and the luminance value is not higher than the determined threshold value. The imaging device described in 1.   The selection unit selects the second imaging mode when the value of the BoundaryType field is Off and the luminance value is lower than the obtained threshold value. The imaging device described.   The selection unit selects the first imaging mode when the value of the BoundaryType field is Common and the luminance value is higher than the obtained threshold value. The imaging device described.   The selection unit selects the second imaging mode when the value of the BoundaryType field is Common and the luminance value is lower than the obtained threshold value. The imaging device described.   45. The imaging apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the value of the BoundaryType field is On, Off, Common, or Extended.   46. The imaging apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the range of the value of the BoundaryOffset field is limited to -1 to 1. ResponseTime field determination means for determining whether or not the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field includes a ResponseTime field;
Threshold value means for obtaining a threshold value according to the value of the BoundaryOffset field,
The selection means is determined that the ResponseTime field is included by the ResponseTime field determination means, the value of the BoundaryType field is On, and the state where the luminance value is higher than the obtained threshold value is maintained. 40. The imaging apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the first imaging mode is selected when a time is longer than a time indicated by the ResponseTime field.   The selection means is determined that the ResponseTime field is included by the ResponseTime field determination means, the value of the BoundaryType field is On, and the state where the luminance value is higher than the obtained threshold value is maintained. 48. The imaging apparatus according to claim 47, wherein when the time is not longer than the time indicated by the ResponseTime field, the current imaging mode selected by the selection unit is maintained.   The selection means is determined that the ResponseTime field is included by the ResponseTime field determination means, the value of the BoundaryType field is Off, and the state where the luminance value is lower than the obtained threshold value is maintained. 49. The imaging apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the second imaging mode is selected when the time is longer than the time indicated by the ResponseTime field.   The selection means is determined that the ResponseTime field is included by the ResponseTime field determination means, the value of the BoundaryType field is Off, and the state where the luminance value is lower than the obtained threshold value is maintained. 50. The imaging apparatus according to claim 49, wherein when the time is not longer than the time indicated by the ResponseTime field, the current imaging mode selected by the selection unit is maintained.   The selection means is determined that the ResponseTime field is included by the ResponseTime field determination means, the value of the BoundaryType field is Common, and the state where the luminance value is higher than the obtained threshold value is maintained. 51. The imaging apparatus according to claim 50, wherein when the time is longer than the time indicated by the ResponseTime field, the first imaging mode is selected.   The selection means is determined that the ResponseTime field is included by the ResponseTime field determination means, the value of the BoundaryType field is Common, and the state where the luminance value is higher than the obtained threshold value is maintained. 52. The imaging apparatus according to claim 51, wherein when the time is not longer than the time indicated by the ResponseTime field, the current imaging mode selected by the selection unit is maintained.   The selection means is determined that the ResponseTime field is included by the ResponseTime field determination means, the value of the BoundaryType field is Common, and the state where the luminance value is lower than the obtained threshold value is maintained. 53. The imaging apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the second imaging mode is selected when the time is longer than the time indicated by the ResponseTime field.   The selection means is determined that the ResponseTime field is included by the ResponseTime field determination means, the value of the BoundaryType field is Common, and the state where the luminance value is lower than the obtained threshold value is maintained. 54. The imaging apparatus according to claim 53, wherein when the time is not longer than the time indicated by the ResponseTime field, the current imaging mode selected by the selection unit is maintained.   55. The imaging apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the threshold value unit obtains a threshold value by adding a value of the BoundaryOffset field to the predetermined threshold value. A storage unit for storing a plurality of the predetermined threshold values and a value of a BoundaryOffset field corresponding to each of the plurality of the predetermined threshold values;
55. The threshold value unit according to claim 40, wherein the threshold value unit obtains the threshold value by reading the predetermined threshold value corresponding to the value of the BoundaryOffset field included in the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field from the storage unit. The imaging device according to item. An imaging optical system;
Imaging means for outputting an image of a subject imaged by the imaging optical system as a video signal, an infrared cutoff filter for blocking infrared rays,
Further comprising
The first imaging mode is a mode for imaging in a state where the infrared blocking filter is disposed in the optical path of the imaging optical system,
57. The second imaging mode according to any one of claims 34 to 56, wherein the second imaging mode is a mode in which imaging is performed in a state where the infrared blocking filter is disposed outside an optical path of the imaging optical system. Imaging device. An imaging optical system;
Imaging means for outputting an image of a subject imaged by the imaging optical system as a video signal;
Video signal processing means for processing the video signal output from the imaging means;
Further comprising
57. The second imaging mode is a mode in which the video signal processing means operates so that a gain for the video signal is higher than that of the first imaging mode. The imaging device according to item. An imaging optical system;
Imaging means for outputting an image of a subject imaged by the imaging optical system as a video signal;
White balance adjustment means for adjusting white balance of the video signal output from the imaging means;
Further comprising
57. The second imaging mode is a mode in which the white balance adjusting means operates so as to amplify the gain of each color of the video signal more than the first imaging mode. The imaging device according to any one of the above.   The imaging device according to any one of claims 34 to 59, wherein the imaging device is a network camera.   60. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 34 to 59, wherein the imaging apparatus is a Network Video Transmitter. A control method for an imaging apparatus that transmits and receives data according to an ONVIF specification and has a first imaging mode for imaging a bright subject and a second imaging mode for imaging a dark subject,
A reception step of receiving a SetImagingSettings command in which the value of the IrCutFilter field is set to AUTO, which is a command for causing the imaging apparatus to automatically control insertion / removal of the infrared cutoff filter with respect to the optical path of the imaging optical system;
An Adjustment field determination step of determining whether or not an IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field is included in the received SetImagingSettings command;
A selection step of selecting the first imaging mode or the second imaging mode;
Have
In the selection step, when it is determined in the Adjustment field determination step that the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field is included, the selection step determines the first imaging mode according to the luminance of the subject and the value of the BoundaryOffset field included in the IrCutFilterAutoAdjustment field. Alternatively, a method for controlling an imaging apparatus, wherein the second imaging mode is selected.

Images