JP2776303B2 - Camera remote control method and camera remote control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video conference apparatus, a remote monitoring apparatus, and the like which are used by being connected to each other via a communication network, and more particularly to a camera remote control for controlling a camera direction to a desired direction. The present invention relates to a control method and a camera remote control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital high-speed communication networks have been improved, and standards for encoding and decoding of moving images and sounds have been unified. Based on such a background, a video conference device and a remote monitoring device using moving image communication are becoming widespread.

Hereinafter, a camera remote control device used in such a video conference device will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the description will proceed assuming that the camera remote control device of the present invention is mounted on each of the video conference devices connected via a communication line. In addition, since each of the video conference devices performs mutual communication, there is no master-slave relationship in the communication function. However, for convenience of explanation for specifying the camera remote control device, the TV that is currently being operated by the operator. Conference equipment (including camera remote control, of course)
The ranges related to are generally abbreviated to our side. Similarly, when viewed from the operator, a range related to a communication partner (video conference member) connected by a communication line is generally referred to as a partner.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a conventional camera remote control device. In the figure, reference numeral 23 denotes a communication line for connecting the camera remote control device on the other side and the camera remote control device on the other side. Reference numeral 24 denotes a communication device that performs communication via the communication line 23, and reference numeral 24a denotes a keyboard that inputs operation commands and the like to the communication device 24.

Reference numeral 25 denotes a camera device, which is a communication device 24.
In response to a signal such as an operation command sent from the camera, the camera is panned and tilted to shoot.

Further, the camera device 25 is configured as follows. That is, reference numeral 26 denotes a control circuit which includes a microprocessor unit (hereinafter abbreviated as MPU and is not shown) and outputs a pulse signal for controlling the operation of the camera device 25. Reference numeral 27 denotes a first pulse motor, which receives a pulse from the control circuit 26 to tilt-drive a lens 31 described later. Reference numeral 28 denotes a second pulse motor which pan-drives a lens 31, which will be described later, similarly to the first pulse motor 27.

Reference numeral 29 denotes a first support, which accommodates a photographing device (not shown) and supports the photographing device so as to be vertically rotatable. The figure shows a state in which the lens 31 is exposed from the first support table in a state where the photographing device is stored. 30
Is a second support base that supports the lens 31 so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction.

The operation of the conventional camera remote control device configured as described above will be described below. FIG.
FIG. 15A is a diagram showing an excitation pulse output by a control circuit when the camera device performs a pan operation and a tilt operation in a conventional camera remote control device, and FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing angular velocities when the camera device performs a pan operation and a tilt operation by the excitation pulse of FIG.

First, a description will be given of a case where the camera device 25 on the our side is tilted. First, keyboard 2
At 4a, an operation to output a tilt drive start command signal to the control circuit 26 of the camera device 25 is performed. Next, the control circuit 26 that has received the start command signal outputs an excitation pulse for excitation having a constant period t0 to the first pulse motor 27 as shown in FIG. Thus, during the period T during which the excitation pulse is being output, the first pulse motor 27 is driven at a constant angular velocity ω0, and the first support base 29 is moved at a constant angular velocity ω0 as shown in FIG. The lens 31 is rotated in the vertical direction, and the lens 31 performs a shooting operation while performing a tilt operation. The image captured by the lens 31 is displayed on the display device 32 or is encoded by the communication device 24 on the communication side and transmitted to the communication partner via the communication line 23 (not shown). Is displayed with.

Next, the camera device 25 is operated by the keyboard 24a.
To output a tilt stop command signal to the control circuit 26 of FIG. Next, the control circuit 26 that has received the tilt stop command signal stops outputting the excitation pulse.

Similarly, when the pan operation is performed, an operation for outputting a pan driving start command signal to the control circuit 26 of the camera device 25 on the local side is performed by the keyboard 24a on the local side. As a result, the second pulse motor 28 is driven at a constant speed, and the second support 30 is rotated at a constant angular speed ω.
Rotate to the left and right at 0 speed. Therefore, the lens 31
Performs shooting while panning.

On the other hand, when the camera device 25 on the other side is tilted by the keyboard (not shown) on the other side, first, the input command signal is encoded by the communication device on the other side (not shown). It is transmitted via the communication line 23. The communication device 24 on the our side decodes the received command signal and outputs it to the control circuit 26. The control circuit 26 performs a shooting operation by tilting the lens 31 based on the received command signal in the same manner as in the case of this side.

Next, the image photographed by the lens 31 is displayed on the display device 32 on our side or the communication line 2
3 to a communication device (not shown) on the other side. When transmitting the video signal to the communication device on the other side, the video signal is once encoded by the communication device 24 on the
Is transmitted to the communication device (not shown) of the other party via the communication device, and is decoded by the communication device (not shown) of the other party. The decoded video signal is displayed on a display device (not shown) of the other party.

Similarly, when the pan operation is performed, an operation for outputting a pan drive start command signal to the control circuit 26 of the camera device 25 on the other side is performed using the keyboard (not shown) on the other side. As a result, the second pulse motor 28 is driven at a constant speed, and the second support 30 is rotated left and right at a constant angular speed ω0. Therefore, the lens 31 performs photographing while performing a panning operation.

However, in the above-described conventional configuration, when operating the other party's camera device, the image processing required for the encoding and decoding process is always required compared to when the other party's camera device is operated. Time and transmission delay time for transmission over the communication line. As a result, a shift corresponding to the sum of the image processing time and the transmission delay time (abbreviated as processing delay time) occurs between the actual captured video and the display video.

This appears as the following operational influence. That is, while the other party looks at the display device of the other party,
It is assumed that a pan or tilt operation is performed on the camera device on the our side, and a stop command signal is output by operating the keyboard when the target object photographed by the camera device on the our side is displayed at the center of the screen. However, since the actual photographed image (that is, the direction of the camera device on our side) has already been rotated by the processing delay time, the image actually displayed on the display device on the other side when the camera device stops and the target object is displayed. Is an image that is too far beyond the center of the screen.

For this reason, there is a problem that the operator has to operate while taking into consideration the difference in the processing delay time between the photographed image and the displayed image.

When the camera device performs a panning operation and a tilting operation, the angular speed of the rotating operation is constant. Therefore, when the photographing direction of the camera device is far away from the target subject, the panning operation and the tilting operation are performed. Since the operation speed is too slow, it takes time until the target object is reflected somewhere in the screen. Alternatively, in the case where the target subject reflected somewhere in the screen is finely adjusted so as to be at a desired position on the screen, the speed of the pan operation and the tilt operation is too high, and the target subject is moved to a desired position on the screen. The position has gone too far, requiring many correction operations. Thus, there is a problem that the operability of the camera device is lacking.

[0019]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and displays a desired subject at a desired position when panning and tilting a camera remote control device. An object of the present invention is to provide a camera remote control method and a camera remote control device which are excellent in operability and do not need to consider the influence of a processing delay time or perform a correction operation.

[0020]

A camera remote control method and a camera remote control device according to the present invention include a communication line connected to a communication network, and an input unit for inputting operation commands and data for the entire camera remote control device. A communication device having an encoding / decoding unit for controlling the closing and opening of the communication line and encoding a signal to be transmitted to the communication line and decoding a received signal; and A display unit for displaying, a control unit for controlling the entire camera remote control device by an operation command, a driving unit whose operation is controlled by a pulse output from the control unit, and a panning and tilting operation performed by the driving unit. A camera remote control device having a photographing unit that performs photographing, wherein the control unit is configured to operate the camera device on the side by the operation on the side. When the control unit on the side outputs an excitation pulse having a short cycle, and when the camera apparatus on the side is operated by the operation of the partner, the control unit on the side outputs the excitation pulse having a long cycle. Means, a fixed period of initial startup when starting the pan operation and tilt operation of the camera device, output a long period of the excitation pulse of a constant period,
After a lapse of a certain period of the initial period of the start, the start is started when the pan control and the tilt operation of the camera device are stopped, and start control means for gradually shortening the cycle and outputting an excitation pulse having a short fixed cycle. A stop control unit that outputs an excitation pulse for performing a pan operation and a tilt operation in a direction opposite to the direction for a predetermined period, and a communication control unit that sets an excitation pulse output period by the stop control unit according to a processing delay time. It has.

[0021]

With the above arrangement, first, the pan operation and the tilt operation of the camera device are performed at a rotational angular velocity suitable for each operator. The camera can be operated without worrying about minute deviation, and a camera remote control device excellent in operability can be provided.

In the initial period when the pan and tilt operations of the camera device are started, the camera device rotates at a low speed suitable for fine adjustment of the position of the subject on the display screen, and gradually after the initial period elapses. The camera device can be rotated at a high speed suitable for coarse adjustment by increasing the speed.

Furthermore, since the rotation angle which has gone too far from the stop position with respect to the target subject can be corrected and the camera device can be stopped near the target stop position, the operation of setting the direction of the camera device again and the like can be performed. Becomes unnecessary. Thus, a camera remote control device excellent in operability can be provided.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A camera remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG.
1 is a functional block diagram of a camera remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a communication line which is connected to a video conference system including a camera remote control device via a communication line network. Reference numeral 2 denotes a communication device which transmits / receives a video signal via the communication line 1 and inputs operation commands and the like. An input unit 3 is included in the communication device 2 and inputs an operation command or the like to the entire camera remote control device. Reference numeral 4 denotes an encoding / decoding unit that performs encoding of a transmission signal, decoding of a reception signal, and the like.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a camera device, which receives a signal such as an operation command transmitted from the communication device 2 to perform panning and tilting operations of the camera to perform photographing. Reference numeral 6 denotes a control unit, which controls the entire camera device 5 according to an operation command or the like input from the input unit 3 on the one side or the other side.

Reference numeral 7 denotes operation source-specific control means, which outputs an excitation pulse having a short cycle when the camera device 5 on the operation side is operated by an operation command input from the input section 3 on the operation side. When the camera device 5 on our side is operated in accordance with the operation command input from the input unit 3, the excitation pulse having a long cycle is output.

Reference numeral 8 denotes activation control means, which activates the camera device 5 in response to an operation command input from the input unit 3 and outputs an excitation pulse having a constant interval with a long interval during the initial period of activation. After the period elapses, the interval is gradually shortened, and after the predetermined period elapses, an excitation pulse having a short period and a constant period is output.

Reference numeral 9 denotes stop control means for stopping the panning and tilting operations in response to an operation command input from the input unit 3 of the other party, and performing the panning and tilting operations in the direction opposite to the start-up operation. An excitation pulse is output for a predetermined period.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a driving unit which drives the motor to rotate by the excitation pulse output from the control unit 6. 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes a photographing unit, which performs photographing with the camera device 5 while performing a pan operation and a tilt operation driven by the driving unit 10. Reference numeral 12 denotes a display unit that displays a video or the like captured by the imaging unit 11.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a camera remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2, a communication line 13 corresponds to the communication line 1 in FIG. A communication device 14 corresponds to the communication device 2 in FIG. A keyboard 14a corresponds to the input unit 3 in FIG.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a camera device, which is a camera device 5 shown in FIG.
Is equivalent to Reference numeral 16 denotes a control circuit, which is a control unit 6 shown in FIG.
Is equivalent to Reference numeral 17 denotes a first pulse motor for tilt operation, which constitutes a part of the drive unit 10 in FIG. Reference numeral 18 denotes a second pulse motor for pan operation, which is a driving unit 1 shown in FIG.
0.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a first support, which corresponds to the first support 29 in FIG. Reference numeral 20 denotes a second support, which corresponds to the second support 30 in FIG. Reference numeral 21 denotes a lens constituting the photographing unit 11, which corresponds to the lens 31 in FIG. Reference numeral 22 denotes a display device constituting the display unit 12, and the display device 3 shown in FIG.
Equivalent to 2. Since these components are the same as those in the conventional example, the description is omitted.

The operation of the camera remote control device according to one embodiment of the present invention, constructed as described above, will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is an overall flowchart of the control unit of the camera remote control device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of a command signal output to the control unit by the communication device of the camera remote control device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a subroutine referred to in step 3 of FIG. FIG. 7 is a subroutine referred to in step 4 of FIG. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an output pulse when the camera device is activated by a user-side input operation.
(B) is a diagram showing the angular velocity of the camera device in (a). FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an output pulse when the camera device is activated by the other party's input operation, and FIG.
FIG. 3A is a diagram showing the angular velocity of the camera device in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a comparison diagram of the angular velocities of FIGS. 7B and 8B.

First, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.
Receives the command signal from the communication device 2, it analyzes the structure of the signal and determines whether the operation start command signal has been input based on the bit 0 information (S1). If No, it waits for the input of the command signal again.

If the answer is Yes, the activation control means 8 is activated and the process proceeds to step 2, where the operation source on the one side or the other side is determined based on the information of the bit 3 and the operation-source-specific control means 7 is activated (S2). ). If yes, go to step 3,
The camera activation control of the other party is performed (S3). If the answer is No, the process proceeds to step 4, and the camera activation control of the other party is performed (S4).

Next, after the start-up control, the control waits for the input of a command signal, and determines whether a command signal for stopping the operation has been input based on the information of bit 0 (S5). . If the determination is Yes, the process proceeds to step 6, where the stop of the camera is controlled.

In step 3 and step 4, the instruction signal includes the designation of the tilt operation or the pan operation, and the designation of the rotation direction. The description is omitted because it can be implemented by the same technology as that described above.

Next, the details of the activation of the camera on the our side in step 3 in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, as a result of analyzing the command signal of FIG. 4, it is assumed that the camera operation command is a tilt operation in the clockwise direction. When the process proceeds to step 3 in FIG. 3, the subroutine for starting the camera on the our side in FIG. 5 is started.

Then, the operation-source-specific control means 7 generates an excitation pulse according to the operation command on the application side, and outputs an excitation pulse to the first pulse motor 17 under the control of the activation control means 8 first. The tilt operation of No. 19 is started (S11). Further, it is determined whether or not a stop command signal has been input (S12). If the determination is Yes, the process immediately exits the activation subroutine and jumps to step 6. N
If it is o, it is determined whether the T1 period necessary to confirm the current position (direction) of the camera device 15 has elapsed (S1).
3). If No, go to Step 14; if Yes, go to Step 15.

In step 14, it is determined whether the time period t1 has elapsed (S14). If Yes, the process jumps to step 11 to continue the excitation pulse output,
If it is o, the process jumps to step 12. In this way, during the period T1, the excitation pulse is output to the first pulse motor 17 in the period t1, and the current position (direction) of the camera device 15 is confirmed while the tilt drive of the first support base 19 is continued.

Next, if Yes in step 13, an excitation pulse is output (S15), and the input of a stop command is monitored (S16). If the determination is Yes, the process immediately exits the activation subroutine and jumps to step 6. If No, it is determined whether the time period t2 has elapsed (S17). No
If so, the process jumps to step S16.

Next, if Yes in step 17, an excitation pulse is output (S18), and the input of a stop command is monitored (S19). If the determination is Yes, the process immediately exits the activation subroutine and jumps to step 6. If No, it is determined whether the time period t3 has elapsed (S20). No
If, then jump to step 19.

Thus, the same control is repeated by sequentially shortening the elapsed period (ie, pulse interval) under the control of the activation control means 8 (S21 to S23), and the pulse interval is shortened to the tn period (S23). In FIG. 6, during the T2 period in which the pulse interval is shortened, the first pulse motor 17 is accelerating, and the angular velocity changes from ω1 at the start to ω3 after the T2 period.
To increase.

Thereafter, a stop command is input (S22).
Steps 21 to 23 are repeated until, and a T3 period in which the first pulse motor 17 is driven in the tn cycle is set.

Further, the details of the activation of the other party's camera in step 4 in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. First, as a result of analyzing the command signal in FIG. 4, it is similarly assumed that the other party's camera operation command is a clockwise tilt operation. Proceeding to step 4 in FIG.
A subroutine for starting the other party's camera is started.

Then, the operation-source-specific control means 7 generates an excitation pulse according to the other party's operation command, and outputs an excitation pulse to the first pulse motor 17 under the control of the start-up control means 8. The tilt operation of the table 19 is started (S21). Further, it is determined whether or not a command signal of a stop command has been input (S22). If the determination is Yes, the process immediately exits the activation subroutine and jumps to step 6. N
If it is o, it is determined whether the T11 period necessary to confirm the current position (direction) of the camera device 15 has elapsed (S
23). If No, go to Step 24; if Yes, go to Step 25.

In step 24, it is determined whether the time period t11 has elapsed (S24). If yes, the process jumps to step 21 to continue the excitation pulse output,
If No, the process jumps to step 22. In this way, during the period T11, the current position (direction) of the camera device 15 is confirmed while outputting the excitation pulse to the first pulse motor 17 in the period t11 and continuing the tilt drive of the first support base 19.

Next, if Yes in step 23, an excitation pulse is output (S25), and the input of a stop command is monitored (S26). If the determination is Yes, the process immediately exits the activation subroutine and jumps to step 6. If No, it is determined whether the time period t12 has elapsed (S27). N
If it is o, the process jumps to step 26.

Next, if Yes in step 27, an excitation pulse is output (S28), and the input of a stop command is monitored (S29). If the determination is Yes, the process immediately exits the activation subroutine and jumps to step 6. If No, it is determined whether the time period t13 has elapsed (S30). N
If it is o, the process jumps to step 29.

Thus, under the control of the activation control means 8,
The same control is repeated by sequentially shortening the elapsed period (that is, the pulse interval), and the pulse interval is shortened until the period t1n (S33). In FIG. 8, T where the pulse interval is shortened
During the twelve periods, the first pulse motor 17 is accelerating,
The angular velocity increases from ω11 at the time of startup to ω13 after the period of T12.

Thereafter, a stop command is input (S32).
Steps 31 to 33 are repeated until t1n
The period T13 in which the first pulse motor 17 is driven in a cycle is set.

The operation-source-specific control means 7 has been described as an example in which the rotation speed of the camera device 5 is switched by changing the period of the excitation pulse in accordance with the operation command on the one side or the operation instruction on the other side. This is because the motor of this embodiment is a convenient stepping motor for control. However, the method of switching the speed is different from the embodiment,
For example, it can be replaced by switching the frequency of the motor, the voltage applied to the motor, the gear ratio of the reduction gear, or the like.
Therefore, since it is obvious that the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained, the description will be omitted by using another embodiment.

6, 8 and 9, the difference between step 3 and step 4 is that the pulse output cycle is longer for the opponent operation in FIG. It is getting longer. As a result, each speed ω in FIG.
As shown by the ratio between 1 and ω11 and between ω3 and ω13, the angular velocity is set to be slow in the case of the other-side drive.

Similarly, as indicated by the ratio between T1 and T11, the opponent's operation is set to a longer activation period. Each of these differences is a setting in which the operation is performed more slowly because the other party's operation is performed while looking at the display screen of the monitor, and the convenience of the operation is considered.

Next, camera stop control after step 6 in FIG. 3 will be described. When the control unit 6 receives the command signal from the communication device 2, the control unit 6 analyzes the structure of the signal and determines the operation source of the communication device 2 from the communication device 2 based on the information of the bit 3 (S6). If the determination is Yes, the process proceeds to step 7 to perform the camera side stop control (S7). If the determination is No, the process proceeds to step 8 to activate the stop control unit 9 and perform the camera stop control of the other party (S8). .

In the control for stopping the camera on the one side in step 7, the rotation of the camera device 5 is stopped by immediately stopping the drive pulse. At the time of stopping, the camera device 5
The drive pulse may be slowed down to absorb the inertia of the driving pulse.

Next, in step 8, the other party's camera stop control is performed. At this time, a description will be given of a delay time of an image peculiar to image communication such as a video conference device including a camera remote control device.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a communication system of a video conference device including a camera remote control device. In the figure, 1
Reference numerals 01 and 201 denote communication lines, which are connected to a video conference system including a camera remote control device via a communication line network. Communication devices 102 and 202 transmit and receive video signals and input operation commands and the like via the communication lines 101 and 201. 103 and 203 are input units,
It is included in the communication devices 102 and 202 and inputs operation commands and the like to the entire camera remote control device. 104, 204
Is an encoding / decoding unit that performs encoding of a transmission signal, decoding of a reception signal, and the like. Reference numerals 105 and 205 denote camera devices, which perform operations such as panning and tilting operations of the camera in response to signals such as operation commands transmitted from the communication devices 102 and 202 to perform photographing. Display units 106 and 206 are included in the communication devices 102 and 202 and monitor the camera devices 105 and 205 and display operation guidance.
107 and 207 are communication control units,
1, the interface with 201 and the communication device 102;
The connection with the terminal 202 is controlled.

Next, reference numeral 300 denotes a public network, which is a large-capacity trunk line 303 such as an optical fiber connecting large cities.
Are divided into lines 304 and 305 obtained by dividing the lines into small-capacity lines. A collective distributor 30 of a communication line called a router or the like is provided between the main line 303 and the lines 304 and 305.
1, 302 are connected.

In the communication system configured as described above, it is assumed that the user side input unit 103 is operated to stop and control the other party's camera device 205. Our side input unit 1
The operation signal of No. 03 is immediately transmitted as a control signal to the other-side camera device 205 via the communication control unit 107 and the public network 300.

On the other hand, the display unit 1 on which the operation on our side is based
The display content 06 is obtained by shooting with the camera device 205, encoding with the encoding / decoding unit 204, and decoding with the encoding / decoding unit 104. Actually, it takes time for the encoding / decoding section 204 to perform encoding and for the encoding / decoding section 104 to perform decoding processing.

The time required for the encoding process and the decoding process (referred to as ta1 and ta2, respectively) is generally called a frame rate. Then, the encoding / decoding unit 10
The time required for processing differs depending on the settings of 4, 204,
The time required to transmit one screen can be known by knowing the frame rate.

Further, the encoding / decoding sections 104 and 204
Since the frame rate can be known in an internal signal processing process, ta1 and ta2 are transmitted to the control units of the camera devices 105 and 205 as known values.

Next, the encoded photographing signal is transmitted through the public line network 300. At this time, the set distributor 301,
The transmission delay of 302 causes a certain delay time tb. This tb is also a substantially known value.

That is, 1
Assuming that the total delay time until display on the display unit 06 is tc, tc = ta2 + tb + ta1, which is obtained as a known value. Then, for the stop control described later, the value of the delay time tc is transmitted to the communication control units 107 and 207 and stored.

Using the communication system having the delay time tc as described above, the stop control of the other party's camera device 205 is performed. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a rotation angle of the camera device. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a display image on the side of the user and a captured image on the other side.

Therefore, in FIG. 11, the current position of the other party's camera device 205 is the position B, and while monitoring this on the display unit 106, the user input unit 103 is operated to stop at the position D. Shall be.

In FIG. 12, the other party's camera device 205
Is displayed on the display unit 106 with a delay of the above-described delay time tc. Accordingly, when a stop operation is performed at the position D on the display unit 106, the operation signal is immediately transmitted as a control signal to the other camera device 205 via the communication control unit 107 and the public network 300, and the other camera device 205 is transmitted. Stops.

However, at this time, the other party's camera device 20 has already been set.
5 has been rotated to the position of E, so that the
In FIG. 6, the image of E is seen after tc time.

Therefore, since the delay time tc can be grasped from the public line network and the frame rate, the rotation angle of the other camera device 205 corresponding to the delay time tc is rotated in the opposite direction. Can be solved.

FIG. 13 shows a subroutine for stopping the other party's camera referred to in step 8 of FIG. In the figure, first, the excitation pulse currently being driven is stopped (S31), and the slowdown control is sometimes performed in order to absorb the inertia of the camera device 205 in the same manner as described above.

Next, the delay time tc is read from the communication control unit 207 (S32). The excitation pulse is reset so as to rotate in the direction opposite to the rotation direction at the time of starting (S33).

In this way, a reverse rotation excitation pulse is output to the first pulse motor 17 (S34), and the elapse of the tc period is monitored (S35). If Yes, go to step 37.

If No, it is monitored in step 36 whether the t1n period has elapsed (S36). If the elapse of the cycle is No, the process returns to Step 35 again, and if Yes, the process returns to Step 34 to output the reverse rotation excitation pulse at the cycle of t1n (that is, the cycle at the time of driving in Step 33 of FIG. 7).

On the other hand, if Yes in step 35, the reverse rotation period ends, and the excitation pulse is immediately stopped (S3).
7). It is to be noted that slowdown control may be performed in the same manner as described above.

In this way, in FIG. 12, the operator does not need to perform the fine adjustment operation of returning to the position D after seeing the position E on the display unit 106, and the operability is dramatically improved.

In this embodiment, the tilt operation has been described as an example.
It is needless to say that the same operation can be performed by performing exactly the same control with respect to.

[0078]

As described above, the camera remote control device of the present invention outputs a pulse having a long cycle when the operation source-specific control means performs a panning operation and a tilting operation on the other side by operating the communication device on the other side. However, when a panning operation and a tilting operation are performed on the operation side by operating the communication device on the operation side, a pulse having a short cycle can be output.

Therefore, the "shift" between the display and the operation corresponding to the delay time can be reduced, and the operation can be performed without concern for the shift.

When the activation control means activates the pan operation and the tilt operation in the camera device, a pulse having a long cycle suitable for fine adjustment of the position of the subject on the display screen is output during the initial period. Can gradually shorten the cycle of the output pulse, and after a certain period of time, can output a pulse having a short cycle suitable for coarse adjustment, so that adjustment to the target object can be performed quickly and accurately.

When the panning operation and the tilting operation of the camera device on the communication side are stopped by operating the communication device on the communication side, the stop control means sets the pulse for performing the panning operation and the tilting operation in a direction opposite to the driving operation for a predetermined period. Since the output is performed, the deviation can be automatically corrected and the camera can be stopped near the target stop position, thereby realizing a camera remote control device excellent in workability, operability and reliability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a camera remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a camera remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an overall flowchart of a control unit of the camera remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of a command signal output to a control unit by a communication device of the camera remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a subroutine referred to in step 3 of FIG. 3;

6A is a diagram showing an output pulse when the camera device is activated by a user-side input operation; FIG. 6B is a diagram showing an angular velocity of the camera device in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a subroutine referred to in step 4 of FIG. 3;

8A is a diagram showing an output pulse when the camera device is activated by a partner input operation. FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an angular velocity of the camera device in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 is a comparison diagram of the angular velocities of FIGS. 7B and 8B.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a communication system of a video conference device including a camera remote control device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a rotation angle of the camera device.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a relationship between a display image on our side and a captured image on the other side;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a subroutine for stopping a camera on the other side.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a conventional camera remote control device.

15 (a) is a diagram showing an excitation pulse output by a control circuit when a panning operation and a tilting operation of the camera device are performed in the conventional camera remote control device. (B) The camera device is driven by the excitation pulse shown in FIG. 15 (a). Diagram showing angular velocity when performing panning and tilting operations

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 13, 23, 101, 201 Communication line 2, 14, 24, 102, 202 Communication device 3, 103, 203 Input unit 4, 104, 204 Encoding / decoding unit 5, 15, 25, 105, 205 Camera device Reference Signs List 6 Control unit 7 Control unit for each operation source 8 Start control unit 9 Stop control unit 10 Drive unit 11 Imaging unit 12, 106, 206 Display unit 14a, 24a Keyboard 16, 26 Control circuit 17, 27 First pulse motor 18, 28 2nd pulse motor 19,29 1st support stand 20,30 2nd support stand 21,31 lens 22,32 display device 107,207 communication control unit 300 public line network 301,302 collective distributor 303 trunk line 304 , 305 lines

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04N 5/225-5/232

Claims (13)

(57) [Claims] An operation command for a step of photographing an image by a photographing means to generate image information, a step of displaying the image information or information received from a communication line, and a step of photographing or displaying the information. An operation inputting step of inputting the information of the above, an imaging means rotating step of rotating the imaging means in a direction desired by the operator, and a communication control step of transmitting and receiving the image information and the operation command information via the communication line. And performing the photographing unit rotating step in accordance with the information of the operation command obtained from the communication control step with respect to the rotating speed when the photographing unit rotating step is performed according to the operation input step. A camera remote control method, characterized in that the rotation speed in the case is reduced. 2. An operation command for a step of photographing an image by photographing means to generate image information, a step of displaying the image information or information received from a communication line, and a step of photographing or displaying information. An operation inputting step of inputting the information of the above, an imaging means rotating step of rotating the imaging means in a direction desired by the operator, and a communication control step of transmitting and receiving the image information and the operation command information via the communication line. In the case where a plurality of communication control processes are linked by connecting to a communication line, the rotation speed is compared with the rotation speed when the rotation process of the photographing unit is performed according to the operation input process of the user. The rotation of the photographing means when the photographing means is rotated in accordance with information of an operation command obtained from the communication control step based on information received from a connection partner of the communication line. Camera remote control method characterized by rotating the degree at a slower rate. 3. An operation command for a step of photographing an image by a photographing means to generate image information, a step of displaying the image information or information received from a communication line, and a step of photographing or displaying the information. Inputting information, inputting the information, inputting the information, rotating the imaging unit in a direction desired by the operator, rotating the imaging unit, and transmitting and receiving the image information and the operation command information via the communication line. When linking a plurality of communication control processes by connecting to a communication line, the communication line is compared with a rotation speed when the photographing means on the side is rotated by an operation command on the side. connecting the photographing means of this one side to slow the rotation speed when rotating according to the information of the obtained operation command from the communication control process based on the received information from the other party, of the communication line When stopping the rotation of the photographing means during its rotation operation in accordance with the information of the operation command obtained from the communication control step based on the information received from the connection partner, the rotation of the photographing means is temporarily stopped. A camera remote control method, wherein the camera is rotated for a predetermined period in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation before stopping. 4. An operation command for a step of photographing an image by photographing means to generate image information, a step of displaying the image information or information received from a communication line, and a step of photographing or displaying information. An operation inputting step of inputting the information of the above, an imaging means rotating step of rotating the imaging means in a direction desired by the operator, and a communication control step of transmitting and receiving the image information and the operation command information via the communication line. In the case where a plurality of communication control processes are linked by connecting to a communication line, when the own photographing device rotating process is executed in accordance with the own operation input process, the photographing device is set to the first predetermined position. The photographing means is rotated at the first rotation speed only during the period, and thereafter, the photographing means is rotated at the second rotation speed higher than the first rotation speed, and the photographing means is rotated from the connection partner of the communication line. When the photographing means is rotated in accordance with the information of the operation command obtained from the communication control step based on the information, the photographing means is rotated at a third rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed for the first predetermined period. Moving the photographing means at a fourth rotation speed faster than the third rotation speed and slower than the second rotation speed. 5. A communication line, an input means for inputting an operation command and data for the entire camera remote control device, and controlling the closing and opening of the communication line and encoding and receiving a signal to be transmitted to the communication line. A communication device having an encoding / decoding unit for decoding a signal to be received, a display means for displaying a received or captured video, a control means for controlling the entire camera remote control device by an operation command, and the control A camera remote control device comprising: a driving unit that drives a photographing unit based on a driving signal output from the unit; and a photographing unit that performs photographing while rotating in a horizontal plane or a vertical plane by the driving unit. The means has an operation-source-dependent control means for outputting a different drive signal depending on whether the operation command is on our side or the scanning instruction on the other side. A camera remote control device characterized in that the rotation speed when rotating the photographing means on our side is made slower by the operation command of the other party than the rotation speed when rotating the photographing means on the side. 6. A communication line, an input means for inputting an operation command and data for the entire camera remote control device, and controlling the closing and opening of the communication line and encoding and receiving a signal to be transmitted to the communication line. A communication device having an encoding / decoding unit for decoding a signal to be received, a display means for displaying a received or captured video, a control means for controlling the entire camera remote control device by an operation command, and the control A camera remote control device comprising: a driving unit that drives a photographing unit based on a driving signal output from the unit; and a photographing unit that performs photographing while rotating in a horizontal plane or a vertical plane by the driving unit. In a case where at least two camera remote control devices are linked by connecting the communication device to a line, the control unit may include an operation command on our side. Or has a control means for each operation source that outputs a different drive signal depending on the difference between the scanning command of the other party and the rotation speed when the imaging means of the other party is rotated by the operation command of the other party. A camera remote control device characterized in that a turning speed at the time of turning a photographing means on the other side is turned at a low speed in response to an operation command from the other side. 7. A driving signal output by said operation source-specific control means is an excitation pulse for driving a motor, and said excitation signal is used when the photographing means on said side is rotated by an operation command on said side. Compared to the cycle, the cycle of the excitation pulse when the imaging means on the other side is rotated by an operation command of the other party is output at a long period by outputting a drive signal of a long cycle, thereby rotating at a slow speed. Claim 6
The camera remote control device according to claim 1. 8. A communication line, input means for inputting operation commands and data for the entire camera remote control device, control of closing and opening of the communication line, and encoding and receiving of a signal transmitted to the communication line. A communication device having an encoding / decoding unit for decoding a signal to be received, a display means for displaying a received or captured video, a control means for controlling the entire camera remote control device by an operation command, and the control A camera remote control device comprising: a driving unit that drives a photographing unit based on a driving signal output from the unit; and a photographing unit that performs photographing while rotating in a horizontal plane or a vertical plane by the driving unit. In a case where at least two camera remote control devices are linked by connecting the communication device to a line, the control unit may include an operation command on our side. Or an operation source-specific control unit that outputs a different drive signal depending on the difference between the scanning instruction of the other party and the scanning command of the other party. When the photographing means is rotated at a rotation speed of, then the photographing means is rotated at a second rotation speed higher than the first rotation speed, and the photographing means on our side is rotated by an operation command of the other party, first, The photographing means is rotated at a third rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed for a predetermined period of time, and then the imaging means is rotated at a fourth rotation speed higher than the third rotation speed and lower than the second rotation speed. Camera remote control device characterized by moving. 9. A communication line, an input means for inputting an operation command and data for the entire camera remote control device, and controlling the closing and opening of the communication line and encoding and receiving a signal to be transmitted to the communication line. A communication device having an encoding / decoding unit for decoding a signal to be received, a display means for displaying a received or photographed video, a control means for controlling the entire camera remote control device by an operation command, and the control A camera remote control device comprising: a driving unit that drives a photographing unit based on a driving signal output from the unit; and a photographing unit that performs photographing while rotating in a horizontal plane or a vertical plane by the driving unit. Means for rotating the photographing means on the other side by the operation command of the other party in comparison with the rotation speed when the photographing means on the other side is rotated by the operation command on the other side; An operation source by control means for rotating the rotational speed at a slower speed when that opponent
And a stop control means for outputting a drive signal for stopping the rotating operation once and then rotating in a direction opposite to the rotating direction for a predetermined period when an operation command for stopping the driving of the photographing means is given from the side. A remote control device for a camera. 10. A communication line, input means for inputting operation commands and data for the entire camera remote control device, and control of closing and opening of the communication line and encoding and receiving of a signal transmitted to the communication line. A communication device having an encoding / decoding unit for decoding a signal to be received, a display means for displaying a received or photographed video, a control means for controlling the entire camera remote control device by an operation command, and the control A camera remote control device comprising: a driving unit that drives a photographing unit based on a driving signal output from the unit; and a photographing unit that performs photographing while rotating in a horizontal plane or a vertical plane by the driving unit. In a case where at least two camera remote control devices are linked by connecting the communication device to a line, the control unit performs an operation on our side Command source-specific control means that outputs a different drive signal depending on whether the command is a command or a scanning command of the other party; Stop control means for outputting a drive signal for rotating in a direction opposite to the direction in which the image capturing means is rotated for a predetermined period, and a rotation speed when the photographing means on our side is rotated by an operation command on our side, When rotating the photographing means on our side according to the operation command of the other party, the rotation speed is rotated at a low speed, and when the photographing means is stopped, it is temporarily stopped and then rotated in the opposite direction to the direction rotated. A camera remote control device which rotates for a predetermined period. 11. The control means according to claim 1, wherein said control means is adapted to rotate said photographing means in response to an opera- tion operation command in comparison with a period of said excitation pulse when said radiographing means is rotated in response to said operation command. 10. The camera remote control device according to claim 9, wherein the excitation pulse is rotated at a low speed by outputting a drive signal having a long period when the excitation pulse is moved. 12. The predetermined period for rotating in the reverse direction is as follows:
The time is determined based on the sum of the image processing time required for the encoding and decoding processing and the transmission delay time transmitted through the communication line (processing delay time). 12. The camera remote control device according to item 11. 13. The predetermined period for rotating in the reverse direction is as follows:
When an operation command is input by the other party's input means and the photographing means on our side is stopped, an image required for the process of encoding and decoding is performed in a direction opposite to the direction in which the photographing means is temporarily stopped and then rotated. 13. The camera remote control device according to claim 12, wherein the camera is rotated for a time determined based on a sum of a processing time and a transmission delay time transmitted through a communication line (processing delay time).