JP2017184182A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology capable of limiting shooting in an invisible region in a simple method without stopping distribution while enabling to change a shooting direction in the shortest distance, even when there is a region limited by visible range limitation.SOLUTION: An imaging device includes a PT drive section driving a shooting direction into any direction, and a visible range setting means limiting a region where shooting can be performed while driving the PT drive section. In the imaging device, when an invisible region having been set by the visible range setting means is included in an imaging angle of view, imaging parameters are changed to perform blurring processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, and more particularly to control of the imaging apparatus.

  Conventionally, cameras equipped with a pan / tilt / rotation (PTR) mechanism have been widely used as a mechanism for changing the shooting direction of a camera in the surveillance camera market.

  With this PTR mechanism, it is possible to freely change the shooting direction of the camera even from a remote location, and the degree of freedom of shooting by the user can be greatly increased.

  However, since the shooting direction can be freely changed, a shooting direction that is not preferably taken due to privacy problems or the like may be shot depending on the installation position of the camera.

  In view of this, some surveillance cameras have a function of restricting the area where the camera can obtain images by partially restricting the PTR operation so that the camera cannot capture images in an unfavorable direction. (Hereafter referred to as the visible range restriction.)

  With regard to such a visible range restriction function, Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which, when the visible range restriction is set, the PTR operation of the camera is performed while detouring so as not to cross the region. .

JP 2004-343498 A

  However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, there is a problem that it is impossible to move at the shortest distance depending on how the visible range is restricted, and it takes time to move to the target shooting area.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to limit the imaging of the invisible region by a simple method without delaying the responsiveness by bypassing the region (invisible region) limited by the visible range limitation and without stopping the video distribution. It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging device capable of performing

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an imaging means for imaging a subject, a PT control means for controlling the imaging direction so as to be movable in a panning direction or a tilting direction, and an invisible region within the angle of view of imaging. Control means for restricting the movement range by the PT control means so as not to be included, and during the movement control of the PT control means, the control means releases the restriction of the movement range by the PT control means, The imaging means is characterized by executing blurring processing when the invisible region is included in the angle of view being imaged.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to limit photographing of an invisible region by a simple method without detouring the invisible region and delaying responsiveness and without stopping video distribution.

The figure which shows the method of the visible range setting which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the mode of the camera control at the time of the conventional visible range setting The figure which shows the example of a setting of the visible range setting which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention Flowchart according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the warning example which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention Flowchart according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
A camera equipped with a pan / tilt / rotation (PTR) mechanism is widely used as a mechanism for changing the shooting direction of the camera. With the PTR mechanism, the camera's shooting direction can be moved freely in the pan direction or tilt direction even from a remote location, and the vertical relationship of the angle of view can be changed by rotating, greatly increasing the freedom of shooting by the user. It can be given to.

  In contrast to this PTR mechanism, some surveillance cameras have a function to limit the area that can be photographed by partially restricting the movement range of the PTR mechanism so that the camera cannot shoot in an unfavorable direction. Hereinafter, the visible range is limited.) By limiting the visible range, the area that can be imaged is limited, and conversely, an invisible area that cannot be imaged can be set.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a visible range setting method for limiting the visible range. FIG. 1-1 illustrates a range (photographable area) that can be captured by the camera. Desirably, by displaying a photographed image (so-called panoramic image) that matches the photographing range, the visible range can be set after the subject is recognized.

  As in the example described in FIG. 1, the user sets an arbitrary position as an invisible area with respect to an area that can be photographed by the camera. By setting the area in this manner, the camera can be moved and captured only in the visible range area, and the camera can be controlled in consideration of privacy.

  As a specific example of the visible range setting, for example, as shown in FIG. 1A, a cursor 102 is used on a panoramic image and an area 103 is selected to limit the visible range of the camera. It is common. The area 103 becomes an invisible region set by the visible range setting.

  The invisible area set in this way is an area that is not desired to be photographed in the prior art. By restricting the PTR operation so that the invisible area is not included in the imaging angle of view of the camera, photographing cannot be performed. It was.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a video setting screen in which the visible range is limited. In FIG. 2A, the shooting area 201 is a panoramic image of 360 ° around the camera, and is a continuous image in which the right end and the left end are connected. 202 and 203 are set as invisible areas for the imaging area 201. If the camera can change the shooting direction from the current shooting position 204 to the shooting target position 205 across the invisible region via the arrow 209 and the following arrow 210, it is possible to quickly switch to the image at the desired position. However, in the past, the camera could not be directed to the invisible region, and the imaging field angle had to be changed by making a detour via the arrow 211.

  In such a situation, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), even if an attempt is made to quickly move from the current position 206 to the target position 207 at the shortest distance, the invisible area 208 is interposed, so that it must move around the periphery. In addition, the operability is also poor, and the responsiveness to instantly photograph the subject to be seen is also poor.

  Further, in the case of being surrounded by the invisible area 301 as shown in FIG. 3, it is impossible to change the shooting direction from the current position 302 to the target position 303 in the area surrounded by the invisible area 301. End up.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the photographing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 420 denotes an imaging device.

  The lens group 401 is an optical system that condenses incident light from the subject on the image sensor 405. The lens group 401 includes a focus lens that performs a focusing operation on a subject, a zoom lens that adjusts an angle of view, and the like.

  The light that has entered the imaging device 420 through the lens group 401 passes through the optical filter 402, and the amount of light is adjusted by the diaphragm 403 that adjusts the amount of light incident on the imaging element 405. As the optical filter 402, for example, an infrared cut filter (IRCF) or the like is installed.

  The image information whose light amount has been adjusted passes through the color filter 404 arranged in a predetermined order for each pixel on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 405 and is received by the image sensor 405. The image sensor 405 outputs captured image information to be captured as an analog signal.

  The video imaged by the image sensor 405 is gain-controlled by the AGC 406 to adjust the luminance of the video signal, and the A / D converter 407 converts the analog image signal into a digital signal.

  The video signal processing unit 408 performs predetermined processing on the digital image pickup signal from the A / D conversion unit 407 and outputs a luminance signal and a color signal for each pixel, and creates an output video and performs camera control. Each parameter to do is created. Examples of the parameters for performing camera control include those used in aperture control, focus adjustment control, white balance control for adjusting color, and the like.

  The image quality adjustment unit 409 adjusts the image quality of the video data generated by the video signal processing unit 408. Specifically, noise reduction (NR) processing for reducing noise components in video data and video quality (Q value) are set.

  The video signal output unit 410 outputs a video signal to the outside. The exposure control unit 411 calculates luminance information in the shooting screen from the luminance information output from the video signal processing unit 408, and controls the diaphragm 403 and the AGC 406 to adjust the shot image to a desired brightness. Further, the brightness can be adjusted by adjusting the accumulation time of the image sensor 405 by adjusting the shutter speed.

  In the focusing operation, a high frequency component is extracted from the video signal created by the video signal processing unit 408, and the value of the high frequency component is used as focus focus information (focus evaluation value) so that the focus evaluation value is maximized. Thus, the lens group 401 is controlled.

  The optical control unit 412 also performs the insertion / extraction operation of the optical filter 402. As a specific example of the insertion / extraction operation of the optical filter 402, a day / night function is known.

  The day / night function inserts an IRCF in a bright environment and performs color photography with light in the visible wavelength range, and in a dark environment removes the IRCF and captures light in the infrared wavelength range to increase brightness and perform monochrome photography. Is.

  The PT control unit 413 controls the shooting direction pan and tilt of the camera and sends the position information to the camera side. The PT control unit 413 receives an operation command from an operation terminal of a user at a remote place via a communication unit (not shown), and controls the shooting direction of the camera in response to the received operation command.

  The camera control unit 414 is a generic term for setting means for performing camera settings, and is a means for performing camera operations such as focusing, brightness designation, and zoom magnification designation. The camera control unit 414 receives an operation command from an operation terminal of a user at a remote place via a communication unit (not shown), and performs camera control by adjusting camera settings in response to the received operation command.

  The mask control unit 415 performs a masking process on the photographed image, and corrects the image so that a part of the photographed image is masked so that an image cannot be seen.

  The audio control unit 416 adjusts the audio input from the microphone 417 and outputs an audio signal from the audio signal output unit 418 to the outside.

  The control unit 419 is a control unit that controls the entire imaging apparatus 420, and includes a CPU and a memory (ROM, RAM).

  FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of processing according to the present embodiment. The flowchart in FIG. 5 illustrates a processing procedure executed by controlling each processing block of the imaging apparatus 420, and a program stored in a memory (ROM) included in the control unit 419 is expanded in the memory (RAM). However, this is realized by the execution of the CPU.

  First, in step S501, a visible range is set as a camera operation, and a prohibited area for camera shooting is set. The visible range setting can be set on an operation terminal such as a PC, and information on the set area is transmitted to the imaging apparatus 420 via a communication unit (not shown).

  Thereafter, when the PT operation is performed during camera photographing in step S502, the movement restriction due to the visible range restriction is temporarily released during the PT movement control.

  Next, it progresses to step S503 and it is determined whether the imaging direction of the imaging device 420 straddles an invisible area during PT movement control. This determination can also be made inside the imaging apparatus 420, but it may be made on the operation terminal side such as a PC connected via a communication unit (not shown), and information on visible range setting and It is also possible to make the determination at the server that has received the PT information.

  Here, if the invisible region does not cross, the process proceeds to step S504, and the camera control unit 414 performs normal shooting parameter control to perform shooting. For example, the shooting process is executed with the camera setting value set in advance as the camera setting value (parameter) during normal shooting or with the camera setting value obtained by automatically adjusting the camera setting value according to the subject.

  On the other hand, when straddling the invisible region, the process proceeds to step S505, and the camera control unit 414 adjusts the camera setting value (parameter) set in advance as the setting value when the invisible region passes or adjustment for passing the invisible region. Change to the camera setting value (parameter). At this time, camera setting items whose parameters are changed are, for example, focus position, zoom magnification, aperture, shutter speed, noise reduction intensity, video quality, camera moving speed, masking process, voice recording, and the like.

  Here, a specific method for changing the above-described camera setting parameter will be described. By setting camera setting parameters so that the video is blurred, blur processing is executed on the video.

  When changing the focus position, the focus position is shifted by a predetermined amount so as to be out of focus with respect to the previous focus position. Specifically, it is conceivable to control the lens group 401 and shift a predetermined focus movement amount. Desirably, control is performed so that fine recognition is not possible by shifting the focus position beyond the depth of field.

  Regarding the zoom magnification change, similarly to the focus position change, the lens group 401 is controlled to change the magnification by a predetermined amount. Desirably, the magnification is set lower than the current magnification so as to reduce the object to be photographed, and control is performed so that detailed recognition cannot be performed. When control is performed to change the zoom magnification to reduce the shooting target, the server does not allow operations such as electronic zoom or clipping processing for invisible areas to be performed on images after video distribution. Also put a limit on the side.

  As for the aperture change, a predetermined amount of aperture change predetermined for the current setting is performed. Desirably, the diaphragm 403 is closed so that no image is displayed.

  Further, the exposure control unit 411 changes the shutter speed by a predetermined amount that is determined in advance with respect to the current shutter speed setting. Desirably, the control is performed so that detailed recognition cannot be performed by making a setting such that the subject is blurred while the camera is moving in the PTR by shooting at a low shutter speed.

  Conversely, by taking a picture at a high shutter speed, it is possible to control so that fine recognition is not possible by dare to darken the image due to insufficient exposure.

  The video signal processing unit 408 changes the noise reduction intensity by a predetermined amount that is predetermined with respect to the current setting. The noise reduction process described here indicates a method of correcting a pixel from a correlation with a peripheral pixel for each pixel in a captured image. For this reason, it is used for the purpose of removing noise appearing on the screen. On the other hand, as the resolution of the image, the edge portion becomes blurred, so that the subject is unfocused. Therefore, by performing noise reduction processing, control is performed so that the focus of the subject is blurred and fine recognition cannot be performed. Desirably, control is performed so that fine recognition is not possible by increasing the intensity of the noise reduction process compared to the current level.

  The image quality adjustment unit 409 performs a predetermined amount of change on the current setting with respect to the current setting. Desirably, the video quality is deteriorated by lowering the video quality so that fine recognition cannot be performed.

  The PT control unit changes the moving speed in the shooting direction of the imaging device 420 by a predetermined amount that is predetermined with respect to the current setting. Preferably, the moving speed in the shooting direction is changed to a high speed so that shooting is performed so that the subject flows, and control is performed so that detailed recognition cannot be performed.

  By performing the above processing, blur processing is performed in various ways so that the image is blurred so that proper shooting processing is not performed in the invisible region, so that it is difficult to recognize the subject in the invisible region. It is something to control.

  The mask control unit 415 performs a masking process when the imaging direction of the imaging device 420 is moved to the invisible region so that a normal captured image in the invisible region is not output.

  The voice control unit 416 does not perform voice recording when the shooting direction of the imaging device 420 moves to the invisible region, particularly when a microphone having directivity is mounted, or the recorded voice level. To make it difficult to identify sounds.

  The example of the method for changing the camera setting value (shooting parameter) has been described above. However, if the subject can be hardly recognized by the captured image and video without stopping the video distribution, the camera setting value (shooting parameter) is changed. The content is not limited to the method described above.

  Thereafter, during the PT operation, the invisible region determination process is repeated (S506).

  When the PT operation is stopped, the visible range restriction (limit of the movement range of the PT mechanism) that has been temporarily released is returned to the state before the PT operation, and the movement in the imaging direction to the invisible region is restricted. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S507, and similarly to the determination during the PT operation, it is determined whether or not the stop position of the PT is an imaging prohibited area (invisible area). If it is not an invisible region, the process proceeds to step S508, and the camera control unit 414 performs normal shooting parameter control to perform shooting. For example, the shooting process is executed with the camera setting value set in advance as the camera setting value (parameter) during normal shooting or with the camera setting value obtained by automatically adjusting the camera setting value according to the subject.

  On the other hand, if the stop position of the PT is on the invisible area, the process proceeds to step S509, and the camera control unit 414 sets the camera setting value (parameter) set in advance as the setting value when passing through the invisible area, or is invisible. Change to the camera setting value adjusted for passing through the area. The camera settings to be changed at this time include parameters such as focus position, zoom magnification, aperture, shutter speed, noise reduction intensity, video quality, camera moving speed, masking processing, and voice recording.

  In this embodiment, the imaging apparatus 420 determines whether or not the shooting direction includes an invisible region and performs control of the camera control unit 414. However, the determination and the camera setting value (shooting parameter) are externally performed. Judgment and setting are also possible. For example, determination is performed by an external device such as a PC or a server, camera setting values (imaging parameters) are determined, and transmitted to the imaging device 420 via a communication unit (not shown). With the received camera setting value (imaging parameter), the camera control unit 414 can perform processing for performing imaging.

  By performing the above processing, it is possible to change the shooting direction without the user being aware of the invisible area, and to limit the images and videos in the limited visible area without stopping the video distribution. It is possible.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Since the configuration of the imaging apparatus 420 is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here. In addition, the part which performs the same process as 1st Embodiment is shown with the same symbol, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the second embodiment, when the setting of the invisible region is very small with respect to the entire shooting area, the original setting is maintained without changing the camera setting value originally set on the invisible region. The photographing is performed with the control of the normal camera setting value as it is.

  This is because shooting is performed considering that it is difficult to recognize the subject itself when the invisible region is small, and in this way, the shooting parameters of the camera fluctuate and the captured image is lost in continuity. Can be prevented.

  For example, when a subject that has been zoomed up 20 times and photographed at 100 × 100 pix is zoomed out and the result is 5 × 5 pix, the recognizability of the subject is significantly reduced. In such a case, an effect equivalent to the masking process or the like can be sufficiently obtained without performing a special shooting effect on the shot image.

  With reference to FIG. 6, a processing flow in the case where the setting of the invisible region is minute with respect to the entire imaging area will be described. The flowchart in FIG. 6 illustrates a processing procedure executed by controlling each processing block of the imaging apparatus 420, and a program stored in a memory (ROM) included in the control unit 419 is expanded in the memory (RAM). However, this is realized by the execution of the CPU.

  Since steps S601 to S604 are the same as steps S501 to S504 of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  If it is determined in step S603 that the invisible area is crossed, the process proceeds to step S605, and it is further determined whether or not the invisible area to be covered is large.

  Here, the determination of the size of the invisible region can be made by comparing with the size determined in advance by the user. For example, the size of the target area can be determined based on what percentage of the invisible area is set with respect to the shooting angle of view. Also, the determination criterion may be changed in conjunction with the zoom position.

  When the invisible area is determined to be small or small (below a predetermined value), the camera setting value set in advance in the camera is maintained, or the normal camera setting value (imaging parameter) is controlled. To perform shooting (S604). On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination of the size of the invisible area (S605) that the area is large (predetermined or larger), the setting value set in the camera in advance is changed to the camera setting when passing through the invisible area ( S606).

  Steps S606 to S609 are the same as steps S505 to S508 of the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the invisible region determination (S608) that the position where the PT operation has stopped is on the invisible region, the process proceeds to step S610 to determine whether the invisible region is large. When it is determined that the invisible region is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the camera setting value set in advance in the camera is maintained, or the normal camera setting value (imaging parameter) is controlled to perform shooting (S609). On the other hand, if the size of the invisible region is determined (S610) and the region is determined to be greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the setting value set in advance in the camera is changed to the camera setting when passing through the invisible region (S611).

  By performing the processing as described above, it is possible to operate a camera that restricts shooting of a region with a limited visible range while suppressing a change in video even when passing through an invisible region.

(Third embodiment)
In this example, in relation to the first and second embodiments described so far, a UI for warning the user when the imaging direction of the camera includes an invisible region or is included in the invisible region. It is about display. Portions that perform the same processing as in the first and second embodiments described above are denoted by the same symbols, and description thereof is omitted.

  In each embodiment, there is a step of determining whether or not the currently invisible region is present (S503, S507, S603, S608).

  In the first embodiment, when changing camera setting parameters in steps S505 and S509, a UI for warning is displayed to the user. In the second embodiment, similarly to steps S606 and S611, a warning screen for the user is displayed.

  A specific example of the UI for warning is as shown in FIG. FIG. 7A shows an example in which a photographing prohibited area is photographed, and is an area where photographing is not originally performed as a photographing target.

  For this reason, as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, the above-described camera setting (imaging parameter) changing process is performed such as hiding the subject by masking process or performing blurring process such as mosaic. However, if such a process is performed without any warning, it is impossible to determine whether a camera failure or mischief has occurred, which makes it unusable for the user.

  Therefore, by displaying a warning 701 on the captured image as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, the camera setting change function on the invisible region can be correctly used to avoid confusion.

  By performing the above processing, when it is difficult to recognize an image due to a change in the camera setting value, it is possible to notify the user that there is no failure, and the function is also easy to use.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, control of the shooting direction of the imaging apparatus 420 on the shooting prohibited area will be described instead of the method for setting the camera on the shooting prohibited area described above.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, the camera can be finally stopped even when the shooting direction of the camera is in an invisible region. However, continuing to stop and shoot in an invisible region continues to deliver or record unrecognizable images and videos that are difficult to see.

  Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, when the PT operation is performed, it is determined whether or not the designated stop position is an invisible region. When the final stop position is an invisible region, the shooting direction of the camera is determined. Is stopped in a direction different from the designated stop position. In other words, when the invisible area is designated as the stop position of the PT operation, control is performed so that the invisible area is not imaged and a nearby imageable area is imaged.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a specific processing flow according to the fourth embodiment. The flowchart in FIG. 8 illustrates a processing procedure executed by controlling each processing block of the imaging apparatus 420, and a program stored in a memory (ROM) included in the control unit 419 is expanded in the memory (RAM). However, this is realized by the execution of the CPU.

  First, in step S801, the invisible region is set by setting the visible range.

  Thereafter, in step S802, the PT operation is designated to determine the shooting direction of the imaging device 420.

  Then, the process proceeds to step S803, and it is determined whether or not the shooting direction specified in step S802 is an invisible region where shooting is prohibited by the setting of the visible range setting (S801).

  When the shooting direction of the designated camera is not an invisible region, the imaging apparatus 420 controls the PT control unit 413 to take a picture with the lens group 401 directed in the designated shooting direction.

  On the other hand, if the shooting direction of the designated camera is an invisible region, the process advances to step S805, and the imaging apparatus 420 performs PT movement restriction processing so as not to stop at the designated position. Specifically, the lens group 401 is driven to the position in front of the invisible area with respect to the position in the designated invisible area to stop the movement in the imaging direction. Further, after moving the direction of the lens group 401 to a position exceeding the invisible region, the movement in the photographing direction is stopped, or when the invisible region is designated, PT control is stopped and the photographing direction is not changed. It may be. Through the above processing, the camera can be operated without stopping the camera in the photographing prohibited area (invisible area) and continuing to capture or record a blurred image.

  In the above embodiment, the determination of the shooting direction and the determination of the camera setting value (shooting parameter) are not limited to being executed by the imaging device 420, but the determination is performed by an external device such as a PC, and the camera setting value (shooting parameter) Can be determined and transmitted to the imaging apparatus 420. In that case, the camera control unit 414 performs the shooting process using the received shooting parameters without calculating or determining the shooting parameters.

  The above is a description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, and is adapted as appropriate according to the target circuit form. What to do.

  The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

101 Imaging Area 102 Cursor 103 Invisible Area 201 Imaging Area 202, 203, 208 Invisible Area 301 Invisible Area

Claims (9)

Imaging means for imaging a subject;
PT control means for controlling the imaging direction to be movable in the pan direction or tilt direction;
Control means for limiting a moving range by the PT control means so that an invisible region is not included in the angle of view of imaging,
The control means releases the restriction of the movement range by the PT control means during the movement control of the PT control means,
The imaging apparatus performs blurring processing when the invisible region is included in an angle of view of imaging.   The blur processing is characterized in that at least one shooting parameter among a focus position, zoom magnification, aperture, shutter speed, noise reduction intensity, video quality, camera moving speed, and masking processing is set to a predetermined value. Item 2. The imaging device according to Item 1.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blurring process moves the lens to a position where the subject is not focused.   The imaging according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the blurring process changes the imaging field angle so that a ratio of the size of the invisible region to the imaging field angle is equal to or less than a predetermined value. apparatus.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines whether to perform the blurring process based on a size of the invisible region.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether to perform the blurring process based on a ratio of the invisible region to the imaging field angle. .   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blurring process is performed on the invisible region.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify a warning when the invisible region is included in the imaging field angle. Imaging means for imaging a subject, PT control means for controlling the imaging direction so as to be movable in the pan direction or tilt direction, and a movement range by the PT control means so that an invisible area is not included in the angle of view being imaged. An image pickup apparatus control method comprising:
The control means releases the restriction of the movement range by the PT control means during the movement control of the PT control means,
The method for controlling an imaging apparatus, wherein the imaging unit performs blurring processing when the invisible region is included in an angle of view of imaging.