JP2024065732A - Control device, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] The objective is to reduce the burden on a user in setting a route for controlling a shooting range. [Solution] Information on a setting window in which preset positions of a shooting range of a shooting means can be set is generated, and multiple routes are set according to multiple preset positions set in the setting window displayed on a display and an order set for each of the multiple preset positions, and the multiple routes include (a) a first route that controls the shooting range to go around each of the multiple preset positions in a first direction, and (b) a round-trip second route that controls the shooting range to go round trip with a first preset position of the multiple preset positions as a start position and a second preset position of the multiple shooting positions as a return position. [Selected Figure] Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to control processing of a photographing device.

In recent years, there has been technology that allows the imaging range of an imaging device capable of capturing images to be controlled by controlling at least one of the pan, tilt, and zoom of the imaging device. Such imaging devices are also called PTZ cameras. There is also technology that allows the imaging range of the imaging device to be controlled by registering the pan, tilt, and zoom positions as preset positions in advance and rotating between multiple registered preset positions.

Patent document 1 discloses a method for repeatedly controlling a shooting range designated in advance by a user by repeatedly zooming in and out of the shooting range to a first range and a second range.

JP 2012-15666 A

However, in Patent Document 1, when there are multiple routes for the shooting range when controlling the shooting range so that it passes through multiple registered preset positions, the task of setting the route for controlling the shooting range is cumbersome for the user.

The present invention aims to provide a technology that reduces the burden on users in setting routes that control the shooting range.

To solve the above problem, for example, the control device according to the present invention has the following configuration. That is, the control device has a generating means for generating information of a setting window in which preset positions of the shooting range of the shooting means can be set, and a setting means for setting multiple routes according to multiple preset positions set in the setting window displayed on a display and an order set for each of the multiple preset positions, and the multiple routes include (a) a first route that controls the shooting range to go around each of the multiple preset positions in a first direction, and (b) a reciprocating second route that controls the shooting range to go back and forth with a first preset position of the multiple preset positions as a starting position and a second preset position of the multiple shooting positions as a turning point.

The present invention can reduce the burden on the user in setting a route that controls the shooting range.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the imaging device. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the photographing device and the information processing device. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a setting window. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining control of the shooting range. 10 is a flowchart showing a process flow for controlling a shooting range. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a setting window. 10 is a flowchart showing a process flow for controlling a shooting range. 10 is a flowchart showing a process flow for controlling a shooting range. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of each device.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the configurations shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not limited to the configurations shown in the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of this embodiment. The system of this embodiment includes an image capturing apparatus 100, an information processing apparatus 200, a display 210, an input device 220, and a network 300.

The image capture device 100 and the information processing device 200 are connected to each other via a network 300. The network 300 is realized by a number of routers, switches, cables, etc. that comply with a communication standard such as ETHERNET (registered trademark).

The network 300 may be realized by the Internet, a wired LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless LAN (Wireless LAN), a WAN (Wide Area Network), etc.

The imaging device 100 is a device that captures images, and functions as a control device that can control the imaging range by controlling (changing) at least one of pan, tilt, and zoom. The imaging device 100 transmits image data of the captured image and information on the imaging range of the imaging device 100 to an external device such as an information processing device 200 via a network 300. The information processing device 200 is, for example, a client device such as a personal computer in which a program for realizing the processing functions described below is installed.

The display 210 is configured with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays images captured by the imaging device 100. The display 210 is connected to the information processing device 200 via a display cable that complies with a communication standard such as HDMI (registered trademark) (High Definition Multimedia Interface). The display 210 and the information processing device 200 may be provided in a single housing. The input device 220 is a device for inputting operations to the information processing device 200, and in this embodiment is a mouse.

Next, the imaging device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. FIG. 2 is an example of an external view of the imaging device 100 according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is an example of a functional block of the imaging device 100 and the information processing device 200 according to this embodiment. Among the functional blocks of the imaging device 100 shown in FIG. 3, the functions of the image processing unit 112, the system control unit 113, the PTZF control unit 114, the recording unit 115, the communication unit 116, etc. are realized as follows. That is, they are realized by the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1000 of the imaging device 100 executing a computer program stored in the ROM (Read Only Memory) 1020 of the imaging device 100, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 10.

The direction in which the optical axis of the lens 101 faces is the shooting direction of the imaging device 100, and the light beam that passes through the lens 101 forms an image on the image sensor of the imaging unit 111 of the imaging device 100. The lens driving unit 102 is composed of a drive system that drives the lens 101, and changes the focal length of the lens 101. The lens driving unit 102 can also control the focus value of the imaging device 100. The lens driving unit 102 is controlled by the PTZ control unit 114.

The pan drive unit 103 is composed of a mechanical drive system that controls the pan and a motor that is a drive source, and drives to control rotational drive for rotating the shooting direction of the imaging device 100 in the pan direction 105. The pan drive unit 103 is also controlled by the PTZ control unit 114.

The tilt drive unit 104 is composed of a mechanism drive that controls the tilt and a motor that is a drive source, and drives to control rotational drive for rotating the shooting direction of the imaging device 100 in the tilt direction 106. The tilt drive unit 104 is controlled by the PTZ control unit 114.

The imaging unit 111 is composed of an imaging element (not shown) such as a CCD (charge coupled device) sensor or a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor. The imaging unit 111 photoelectrically converts the subject image formed through the lens 101 to generate an electrical signal. The image processing unit 112 performs image processing such as converting the electrical signal photoelectrically converted by the imaging unit 111 into a digital signal and compression encoding, and generates image data that is data of the captured image.

The PTZ control unit 114 controls the pan, tilt, and zoom of the image capture device 100 by controlling the pan drive unit 103, the tilt drive unit 104, and the lens drive unit 102 based on instructions transmitted from the system control unit 113. The PTZ control unit 114 also controls the lens drive unit 102 based on instructions transmitted from the system control unit 113, thereby controlling the focus value of the image capture device 100.

The communication unit 116 communicates with the information processing device 200 via the I/F 1040, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 10. For example, the communication unit 116 transmits image data of an image captured by the image capture device 100 to the information processing device 200 via the network 300. The communication unit 116 also transmits information indicating the current shooting range of the image capture device 100 (current pan, tilt, and zoom information). The communication unit 116 also receives control commands, which are commands for controlling the image capture device 100 and transmitted from the information processing device 200, and transmits them to the system control unit 113.

The system control unit 113 controls the entire image capture device 100 according to the processing executed by the CPU 1000 described later with reference to FIG. 10, and performs the following processing, for example. That is, the system control unit 113 analyzes the control command for controlling the image capture device 100 transmitted from the information processing device 200, and performs processing according to the control command. The system control unit 113 also instructs the PTZ control unit 114 to control changing at least one of pan, tilt, and zoom. When transmitting image data generated by the image processing unit 112 to the information processing device 200, the system control unit 113 also adds information on the shooting time when the image data was captured and information on the shooting range to the image data.

The shooting range is determined by the pan value (hereinafter referred to as pan value), tilt value (hereinafter referred to as tilt value), and zoom value (hereinafter referred to as zoom value) of the imaging device 100. In this embodiment, the imaging device 100 is capable of controlling the pan value, tilt value, and zoom value, but only one or two of the pan value, tilt value, and zoom value may be controllable. Here, the pan value is the angle of the imaging direction (optical axis) in the pan direction 105 of the imaging device 100 when, for example, one of the driving ends of the pan drive unit 103 is set to 0°. In addition, the tilt value is the angle of the imaging direction (optical axis) in the tilt direction 106 of the imaging device 100 when, for example, one of the driving ends of the tilt drive unit 104 is set to 0°. In addition, the zoom value of the imaging device 100 when an image is captured by the imaging device 100 is calculated from the focal length of the lens 101.

The system control unit 113 also includes a setting unit 117. The setting unit 117 sets a preset position determined by a pan value, a tilt value, and a zoom value. The setting unit 117 also sets an order for each of the multiple preset positions. The setting unit 117 then sets multiple routes that pass through each preset position according to the multiple preset positions that have been set and the order of each of the multiple preset positions. The multiple routes include, for example, a forward loop route (first route), a round trip route (second route), and a reverse loop route (third route). Here, the forward loop route) is a route that controls the shooting range so as to tour each of the multiple preset positions that have been set in a first direction. The round trip route (second route) is a round trip route that controls the shooting range so as to tour each of the multiple preset positions that have been set in a round trip, with a first preset position of the multiple preset positions that has been set as a start position and a second preset position of the multiple shooting positions that has been set as a return position. The reverse loop route (third route) is a route that controls the shooting range so as to tour each of the multiple preset positions that have been set in a second direction that is different from the first direction. If the first direction is clockwise, the second direction is counterclockwise.

Next, the information processing of the information processing device 200 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the functional blocks of the information processing device 200 shown in FIG. 3. Note that each function of the information processing device 200 is realized as follows using the ROM 1020 and CPU 1000 described below with reference to FIG. 10. That is, each function shown in FIG. 3 is realized by the CPU 1000 of the information processing device 200 executing a computer program stored in the ROM 1020 of the information processing device 1000.

The display control unit 201 causes the display 210 to display a setting screen. The operation reception unit 202 receives information on operations performed by the user via the input device 220. For example, the display control unit 201 causes the display 210 to display a setting screen, and the operation reception unit 202 receives information on user operations performed on the GUI displayed on the display 210. The system control unit 203 transmits a control command to the imaging device 100 via the communication unit 204 in response to the user's operation.

The communication unit 204 transmits control commands for the image capturing device 100 to the image capturing device 100 via the I/F 1040 described later with reference to FIG. 10. The communication unit 204 also receives image data transmitted from the image capturing device 100 and responses from the image capturing device 100 to commands transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the image capturing device 100, and transmits these to the system control unit 203.

The system control unit 203 generates a control command based on the user operation accepted by the operation acceptance unit 202, and transmits the control command to the image capturing device 100 via the communication unit 204. If the received image data is encoded, the system control unit 203 decodes the encoded image data to obtain an image (an image captured by the image capturing device 100), and the display control unit 201 causes the display 210 to display the image.

The setting window generated by the system control unit 113 of the imaging device 100 in this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 4. Note that in this embodiment, the setting window information is generated by the system control unit 113 of the imaging device 100, but it may be generated by the system control unit 203 of the information processing device 200. Also, the setting window generated by the system control unit 113 (or the system control unit 203) is displayed on the display 210 by the display control unit 201. Note that when the setting window information is generated by the system control unit 113, the setting window information is transmitted to the information processing device 200 via the communication unit 116, and the display control unit 201 causes the setting window to be displayed on the display 210.

The image area 401 of the setting window 400 includes an image captured by the imaging device 100. The route No. area 402 can store a set of multiple preset positions. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the route No. 1 selected in the route No. area 402 is the currently selected target, and preset position A, preset position B, and preset position C are set in that order in the imaging route No. 1. If another number (e.g. No. 2) is selected in the route No. area 402, another preset position can be recorded in association with the other number. Each preset position is recorded in association with a pan value, a tilt value, and a zoom value. The setting unit 117 sets each preset position based on a user operation on the setting window displayed on the display, and the storage unit 115 records information on each preset position (information on the pan value, tilt value, and zoom value of each preset position). In this way, multiple preset positions can be set based on a user operation on the setting window 400. As shown in the order setting area 403, multiple preset positions are set, with preset position A being first in the order, preset position B being second in the order, and preset position C being third in the order, from the top. The setting unit 117 can change (set) the order of each preset position in response to a user operation to rearrange the order of the preset positions in the order setting area 403. For example, assume that preset position B is placed above preset position A and preset position C is placed below preset position A by a user operation in the order setting area 403. In this case, the setting unit 117 sets the order such that preset position B is number 1, preset position A is number 2, and preset position C is number 3. In the example shown in FIG. 4, three preset positions are set, but the setting unit 117 may set four or more preset positions.

The route selection area 404 allows the user to select one of a forward loop route icon 405, a round trip route icon 406, and a reverse loop route icon 407. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the forward loop route icon 405 is selected. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, when a certain route icon is selected in a state in which each preset position is set, information on each preset position and information on the certain route are transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the image capture device 100. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that preset position A is set as the first, preset position B is set as the second, and preset position C is set as the third. At this time, the storage unit 115 of the image capture device 100 holds information on each preset position (the pan value, tilt value, and zoom value of each preset position) and information on the order of each preset position.

Here, when the icon 405 of the forward loop route is selected, information indicating that the forward loop route has been selected is transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the image capture device 100. As shown in FIG. 5A, the setting unit 117 sets a route indicated by a solid arrow 504 such as "preset position A 501 ⇒ preset position B 502 ⇒ preset position C ⇒ preset position A 501 ⇒ ... (repeated below)". Here, when playback is instructed by the user pressing the play/stop 408 in the setting window 400 displayed on the display 210, a control command including information on the playback instruction is transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the image capture device 100. Then, in response to obtaining the control command, the PTZ control unit 114 of the image capture device 100 controls the image capture range so that the image capture range patrols each preset position in the first direction (the direction of the arrow 504), which is a clockwise direction, along the route of the set arrow 504.

Also, assume that preset position A is set as the first, preset position B as the second, and preset position C as the third, as shown in FIG. 4, and the icon 407 of the reverse loop route is selected. At this time, the setting unit 117 sets a route indicated by the dotted arrow 505, such as "preset position A 501 ⇒ preset position C 503 ⇒ preset position B 502 ⇒ preset position A 501 ⇒ ... (repeated below)" as shown in FIG. 5(a). When playback is instructed by the user pressing the play/stop 408 in the setting window 400 displayed on the display 210, a control command including information on the playback instruction is transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the imaging device 100. Then, in response to obtaining the control command, the PTZ control unit 114 of the imaging device 100 controls the imaging range so that each preset position is patrolled in the second direction (the direction of the arrow 505), which is the counterclockwise direction, along the route of the set arrow 505.

Also, assume that preset position A is set as the first, preset position B as the second, and preset position C as the third, as shown in FIG. 4, and furthermore, the round trip route icon 406 is selected. At this time, the setting unit 117 sets a route indicated by the arrow 506 such as "preset position A 501 ⇒ preset position B 502 ⇒ preset position C 503 ⇒ preset position B 502 ⇒ preset position A 501 ⇒ preset position B 502 ... (repeated below)" as shown in FIG. 5(b). Here, when playback is instructed by the user pressing the play/stop 408 in the setting window 400 displayed on the display 210, a control command including information on the playback instruction is transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the image capture device 100. Then, the PTZ control unit 114 of the image capture device 100 performs the following control in response to the acquisition of the control command. That is, the imaging range is controlled to go back and forth along the route of the set arrow 506, with preset position A 501 (first preset position) as the start position and preset position C 503 (second preset position) as the return position, and to pass through each preset position. As described above, the setting unit 117 sets a forward loop route (first route), a round trip route (second route), and a reverse loop route (third route) according to the multiple preset positions that have been set and the order set for each preset position. Then, the PTZ control unit 114 executes a process of controlling the imaging range along the selected route.

Next, the control process by the image capture device 100 in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow in FIG. 6. Note that the process of the flow shown in FIG. 6 is realized by the CPU 1000 of the image capture device 100 executing a computer program stored in the ROM 1020 of the image capture device 100.

In S601, the setting unit 117 registers multiple preset positions based on a user operation. Next, in S602, the setting unit 117 sets the order of each of the multiple preset positions based on the user operation. Next, in S603, the setting unit 117 sets a forward loop route, a round trip route, and a reverse loop route based on the multiple preset positions and the order of each preset position. Next, in S604, the system control unit 113 acquires information on the selected route. Note that in response to a playback instruction, the system control unit 113 acquires information on the selected route.

In S605, the system control unit 113 determines whether the forward loop route, the round trip route, or the reverse loop route has been selected by the user based on the information acquired in S604. If the forward loop route icon 405 shown in FIG. 4 is selected, the process transitions to S606. If the reverse loop route icon 406 shown in FIG. 4 is selected, the process transitions to S607. If the round trip route icon 407 shown in FIG. 4 is selected, the process transitions to S608.

In S606, the PTZ control unit 114 controls the shooting range in a route such as "preset position A501 ⇒ preset position B502 ⇒ preset position C503 ⇒ preset position A501 ⇒ ... (repeated below)" as shown in FIG. 5(a). Note that when a signal to stop the loop is received, the process of S606 ends at that point.

In S607, the PTZ control unit 114 controls the shooting range in the following route, "preset position A501 ⇒ preset position C503 ⇒ preset position B502 ⇒ preset position A501 ⇒ ... (repeated below)," as shown in FIG. 5(a). Note that when a signal to stop the loop is received, the process of S607 ends at that point.

In S608, the PTZ control unit 114 controls the shooting range in a route such as "preset position A501 ⇒ preset position B502 ⇒ preset position C503 ⇒ preset position B502 ⇒ preset position A501 ⇒ preset position B502... (repeated below)" as shown in FIG. 5B. Also, when a loop stop signal is received, the process ends at that point.

As described above, in this embodiment, when multiple preset positions and their order are set by the user, multiple routes (forward circular route, round trip route, reverse circular route) can be automatically set for the multiple preset positions. This makes it possible to easily set routes.

(Embodiment 2)
In this embodiment, it is possible to set the time to stop at a preset position, the speed of movement to the preset position, and easing between specified preset positions. Note that in this embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and components and processes that are the same as or equivalent to those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

In addition, the setting unit 117 in this embodiment can set the stop time for stopping the shooting range at each preset position when controlling the shooting range to pass through each preset position according to the selected route. In addition, in this embodiment, the setting unit 117 can set the movement speed when controlling the shooting range from one preset position to another preset position. In addition, in this embodiment, the setting unit 117 can set easing when controlling the shooting range from one preset position to another preset position. Note that easing represents the number of change points of acceleration, and the smaller the easing value, the less the acceleration change in the corresponding section, and the larger the easing value, the greater the change in acceleration.

Next, referring to FIG. 7, a setting window 700 generated by the system control unit 113 of the imaging device 100 will be described. Note that in this embodiment, the setting window information is generated by the system control unit 113 of the imaging device 100, but it may be generated by the system control unit 203 of the information processing device 200. Also, the setting window generated by the system control unit 113 (or the system control unit 203) is displayed on the display 210 by the display control unit 201. Note that when the setting window information is generated by the system control unit 113, the setting window information is transmitted to the information processing device 200 via the communication unit 116, and the display control unit 201 causes the setting window to be displayed on the display 210.

In addition, the image area 701, route No. area 702, and order setting area 703 of the setting window 700 are similar to the image area 401, route No. area 402, and order setting area 403 of FIG. 4, and therefore their explanations will be omitted. In addition, the route selection area 704 including the icons 705, 706, and 707 of FIG. 7 is similar to the route selection area 404 including the icons 405, 406, and 407 of FIG. 4, and therefore their explanations will be omitted.

Here, in the stop time area 709, when the shooting range reaches a corresponding preset position, the user can specify the stop time at that preset position before moving to the next preset position. For example, the example shown in FIG. 7 indicates that 5 seconds is specified at preset position B. Information on this specified stop time is transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the shooting device 100, and the setting unit 117 sets a stop time of 5 seconds for preset position B. Note that this process is similarly performed for preset position A and preset position C.

In the specified section area 710, a section from a specified preset position to another preset position is displayed. In FIG. 7, from the top, "a section between preset position A and preset position B", "a section between preset position B and preset position C", and "a section between preset position C and preset position A" are displayed. Here, in the movement speed area 711, the user can specify the movement speed of the shooting range when controlling the shooting range on the corresponding section. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a movement speed of 10 is set for the "section between preset position A and preset position B". In this case, when controlling the shooting range from preset position A to preset position B, or when controlling the shooting range from preset position B to preset position A, the shooting range is controlled at a movement speed of 10. In this embodiment, the maximum speed is 30 and the minimum speed is 0 as the movement speed for controlling each of pan, tilt, and zoom. In the easing setting area 712, the user can specify easing when controlling the shooting range on the corresponding section. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, easing 0 is set for the "section between preset position A and preset position B". In this case, when controlling the shooting range from preset position A to preset position B, or when controlling the shooting range from preset position B to preset position A, the shooting range is controlled with a constant acceleration.

Next, the route switching process of the loop function of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8. The process of the flow shown in FIG. 8 is realized by the CPU 1000 of the imaging device 100 executing a computer program stored in the ROM 1020 of the imaging device 100.

In S801, the setting unit 117 registers multiple preset positions based on a user operation. Next, in S802, the setting unit 117 sets the order of each of the multiple preset positions based on the user operation. Next, in S803, the setting unit 117 sets the stop time at each preset position based on the user operation. Next, in S805, the setting unit 117 sets easing at each preset position based on the user operation. Next, in S806, the setting unit 117 sets a forward loop route, a round trip route, and a reverse loop route based on the multiple preset positions and the order of each preset position. Next, in S807, the system control unit 113 acquires information on the selected route.

In S808, the system control unit 113 determines whether the user selected the forward loop route, the round trip route, or the reverse loop route based on the information acquired in S807. If the forward loop route icon 705 is selected, the process transitions to S809. If the reverse loop route icon 706 is selected, the process transitions to S810. If the round trip route icon 707 is selected, the process transitions to S811.

In S809, the PTZ control unit 114 controls the shooting range along a route such as "preset position A501 ⇒ preset position B502 ⇒ preset position C503 ⇒ preset position A501 ⇒ ... (repeated below)" as shown in FIG. 5(a). At this time, the PTZ control unit 114 temporarily stops the shooting range for the stop time set at each preset position and controls it to the next preset position. The PTZ control unit 114 also controls the shooting range with the easing and movement speed set for the section of each preset position. Note that when a loop stop signal is received, the processing of S809 ends at that point.

In addition, in S810, the PTZ control unit 114 controls the shooting range in the route "preset position A501 ⇒ preset position C503 ⇒ preset position B502 ⇒ preset position A501 ⇒ ... (repeated below)" as shown in FIG. 5(a). At this time, the PTZ control unit 114 temporarily stops the shooting range for the stop time set at each preset position and controls to the next preset position. The PTZ control unit 114 also controls the shooting range with the easing and movement speed set for the section of each preset position. Note that when a loop stop signal is received, the processing of S810 ends at that point.

In S811, the PTZ control unit 114 controls the shooting range along a route such as "preset position A501 ⇒ preset position B502 ⇒ preset position C503 ⇒ preset position B502 ⇒ preset position A501 ⇒ preset position B502... (repeated below)" as shown in FIG. 5(b). At this time, the PTZ control unit 114 temporarily stops the shooting range for the stop time set at each preset position and controls it to the next preset position. The PTZ control unit 114 also controls the shooting range with the easing and movement speed set for the section of each preset position. Also, when a stop signal is received, the processing ends at that point.

As described above, in this embodiment, when multiple preset positions and their order are set by the user, multiple routes (forward circular route, round trip route, reverse circular route) can be automatically set for the multiple preset positions. Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is also possible to set the stop time, movement speed, and easing.

(Embodiment 3)
In this embodiment, in addition to the processing of embodiment 1, the route can be changed while the shooting range is being controlled along the selected route. Note that in this embodiment, differences from embodiment 1 will be mainly described, and components and processing that are the same as or equivalent to those in embodiment 1 will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

The processing of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the setting window 400 in FIG. 4 and the processing flow in FIG. 9. Note that the processing flow shown in FIG. 9 is realized by the CPU 1000 of the imaging device 100 executing a computer program stored in the ROM 1020 of the imaging device 100.

The process in the flow in Figure 9 shows an example in which the route for controlling the shooting range is changed by the user after the shooting range reaches preset position C.

Note that the processing of S901 to S905 is the same as the processing of S601 to S605, so the description will be omitted. Also, in S905, it is assumed that the forward loop route is selected and the process transitions to S906. Then, in S906, in the process of controlling the shooting range on the forward loop route, after the shooting range reaches preset position C, the route is changed to a reverse loop route by a user operation on the route selection area 404. At this time, the PTZ control unit 114 transitions to the processing of S908, controls the shooting range to preset position B, and then controls the shooting range on a reverse loop route from "preset position B 502 ⇒ preset position A 501 ⇒ preset position C 503 ⇒ ... (repeated below)". Also, it is assumed that in S906, in the process of controlling the shooting range on the forward loop route, after the shooting range reaches preset position C, the route is changed to a round trip route by a user operation on the route selection area 404. At this time, the PTZ control unit 114 transitions to the process of S909, controls the shooting range to preset position B, and then controls the shooting range along a round trip route of "preset position B 502 ⇒ preset position A 501 ⇒ preset position B 502 ⇒ ... (repeated below)."

In the above explanation, the route is changed when the shooting range reaches preset position C, but this is not limited to the above, and the route may be changed when the shooting range reaches another preset position.

As described above, the processing of this embodiment makes it possible to adaptively switch to other routes in response to user operations even while controlling the shooting range along a certain route.

Other Embodiments
Next, a hardware configuration of the image capturing device 100 for realizing each function of each embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. In the following description, the hardware configuration of the image capturing device 100 will be described, but the information processing device 200 will also be realized by a similar hardware configuration.

The imaging device 100 in this embodiment has a CPU 1000, a RAM 1010, a ROM 1020, a HDD 1030, and an I/F 1040.

The CPU 1000 is a central processing unit that controls the imaging device 100. The RAM 1010 temporarily stores computer programs executed by the CPU 1000. The RAM 1010 also provides a work area used by the CPU 1000 when it executes processes. The RAM 1010 also functions as, for example, a frame memory or a buffer memory.

The ROM 1020 stores programs and the like that the CPU 1000 uses to control the imaging device 100. The HDD 1030 is a storage device that records image data and the like.

I/F 1040 communicates with external devices via network 300 according to TCP/IP, HTTP, etc.

In the above-described embodiments, an example is described in which the CPU 1000 executes the processing, but at least a part of the processing of the CPU 1000 may be performed by dedicated hardware. For example, the processing of reading program code from the ROM 1020 and loading it in the RAM 1010 may be performed by a DMA (Direct Memory Access) that functions as a transfer device.

The present invention can also be realized by a process in which one or more processors read and execute a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-mentioned embodiments. The program may be supplied to a system or device having a processor via a network or a storage medium. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions of the above-mentioned embodiments. Each unit of the imaging device 100 can be realized by hardware as shown in FIG. 10, or by software.

The present invention has been described above in conjunction with the embodiments, but the above embodiments merely show examples of the realization of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted in a limiting manner by these. In other words, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from its technical concept or main features. For example, combinations of the various embodiments are also included in the disclosure of this specification.

Reference Signs List 100: Imaging device 200: Information processing device 210: Display 220: Input device 300: Network

Claims (7)

A generating means for generating information on a setting window in which a preset position of a photographing range of the photographing means can be set;
a setting means for setting a plurality of routes in accordance with a plurality of preset positions set in the setting window displayed on a display and an order set for each of the plurality of preset positions,
The plurality of routes include:
(a) a first route for controlling a photographing range so as to rotate around each of the plurality of preset positions in a first direction;
(b) a second route for controlling an imaging range so as to travel back and forth with a first preset position among the plurality of preset positions as a start position and a second preset position among the plurality of imaging positions as a return position;
A control device comprising: The plurality of routes include:
2. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising: a third route that controls a shooting range so as to rotate around the first route, the second route, and each of the plurality of preset positions in a second direction different from the first direction. The control device according to claim 2, characterized in that the one direction is a clockwise direction and the second direction is a counterclockwise direction. The control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the setting means sets a stop time for each of the plurality of preset positions based on a user operation. The control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the setting means sets the moving speed of the shooting range in the section between a certain preset position and another preset position included in the plurality of preset positions based on a user operation. a generating step of generating information on a setting window in which a preset position of a photographing range of the photographing means can be set;
a setting means for setting a plurality of routes in accordance with a plurality of preset positions set in a setting window displayed on a display and an order set for each of the plurality of preset positions;
The plurality of routes include:
(a) a first route for controlling a photographing range so as to rotate around each of the plurality of preset positions in a first direction;
(b) a second route for controlling an imaging range so as to travel back and forth with a first preset position among the plurality of preset positions as a start position and a second preset position among the plurality of imaging positions as a return position;
A control method comprising: A computer program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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