JP4668056B2 - Remote camera device, remote camera operation device, and data generation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote camera device that receives a photographing request, captures an image, and transfers the captured image, and a remote camera operation device that operates the remote camera device.

  With the widespread use of digital cameras, camera-equipped mobile phones, etc., there are more and more scenes where cameras are used in daily life. Also, if you go to a sightseeing spot, you can have a local photographer or a permanent camera device take pictures.

  In Patent Document 1, a remote control box, a camera, a store monitor, and a printer are connected to each other. The remote control box is permanently installed near the shooting point, and the user presses the shooting button on the remote control box and stands by at the shooting point. After shooting, you will receive a receipt slip printed with information for identifying photos from the remote control box. When you take the receipt slip to the store, you will check the photo taken on the store monitor and print it on the store printer. It is possible to purchase.

In Patent Document 2, a remote control camera installed at a position suitable for photographing is operated to photograph itself, and it is detected that a receiving device carried by a visitor is within a predetermined position, A technique is disclosed in which a photograph is taken and a receiving apparatus receives the captured image.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-192082 (published July 14, 2005) JP 2004-40736 A (published February 5, 2004)

  However, with the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, in recent years when it is possible to walk with a device capable of storing photo data, such as a mobile phone, it is troublesome to go to the store to purchase the photo.

  Further, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, when a shooting request is received from a wide variety of terminals, the captured image cannot be in a state (size, image quality, etc.) suitable for the terminal that has issued the shooting request. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a remote camera device and a remote camera device capable of easily obtaining a captured image suitable for a remote camera operation device that has transmitted a photographing request. An object of the present invention is to provide a remote camera operating device for operating the camera.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the remote camera device of the present invention has a camera function and is a remote camera device that can be remotely operated. First communication for receiving a photographing request signal including identification information for identifying the remote camera operation device. Means, specifying means for specifying an external remote camera operating device that has transmitted the shooting request signal from the identification information, and conforming to the characteristics of the specified remote camera operating device or designated by the remote camera operating device In addition, an imaging unit that performs imaging according to imaging conditions, an image processing unit that performs image processing on the captured image based on the imaging conditions, and an image that is captured by the imaging unit with respect to the specified remote camera operation device. Communication control means for controlling the first communication means so as to transmit the picked-up image that has been performed. It is.

  The remote camera device has a camera function, and is a device that can capture and transmit / receive a captured image based on an instruction from the outside. The remote camera operation device is a general term for devices that can operate a remote camera device.

  The first communication means is an interface when the remote camera device transmits / receives data to / from the outside. The photographing request signal is a signal for receiving a photographing request from the remote camera operating device, and is received by the remote camera device through the first communication means.

  This photographing request signal includes identification information for identifying the remote camera operating device. Therefore, the remote camera device can return the captured image to the remote camera operating device and transmit it accurately and quickly on the spot. That is, the troublesomeness as in Patent Document 1 is eliminated.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, in particular, the imaging unit that performs imaging performs imaging according to the imaging conditions that match the specified characteristics of the remote camera operating device or that are designated from the remote camera operating device. Therefore, it is possible to take a picture under conditions suitable for the remote camera operating device or desired by an operator operating the remote camera operating device. Therefore, captured images suitable for the remote camera operation device can be transmitted even to users having various terminals (remote camera operation devices). Therefore, the problem as in Patent Document 2 can be solved.

  A simple supplement will be made regarding Patent Document 2. In Patent Document 2, the remote camera operation device according to the present invention is lent out in a museum or the like. Therefore, it is necessary for the user to print out once at a museum and take it home with paper or the like, or to save the data on a recording medium from a device that has been lent out and take it home. Also, there is a description of the technology of managing on the server, but even in this case, the troublesomeness of having to go to the server every time is not wiped out, and it is adjusted to the various terminals each user has. However, there is also a problem that it is not suitable for a terminal owned by the user because the user does not shoot. The present invention solves such a problem of Patent Document 2 by the above-described configuration.

  In the remote camera device of the present invention, it is preferable that the remote camera device further includes image processing means for performing image processing on the captured image based on the imaging condition. According to the above configuration, it is possible to perform image processing based on the shooting conditions on the captured image. Therefore, it is possible to further transmit a captured image that matches the shooting conditions from the remote camera operating device to the remote camera operating device.

  In the remote camera device of the present invention, it is preferable that the shooting request signal includes the shooting conditions, and the imaging unit performs shooting based on the shooting conditions.

  According to the above configuration, the imaging condition is included in the imaging request signal. Therefore, the remote camera device can more clearly grasp the shooting conditions required by the remote camera operation device, and can perform shooting according to the shooting conditions.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the remote camera device of the present invention further includes photographing condition setting means for setting the photographing condition from the identification information.

  According to the above configuration, the photographing condition setting means for setting the photographing condition from the identification information is provided. Therefore, by performing photographing and image processing based on this photographing condition, it is possible to perform photographing suitable for the remote camera operating device.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the remote camera device of the present invention further includes photographing condition setting means for setting the photographing condition from the signal state of the photographing request signal.

  According to the above configuration, the photographing condition setting means for setting the photographing condition from the signal state of the photographing request signal is provided. Therefore, by performing photographing and image processing based on this photographing condition, it is possible to perform photographing suitable for the remote camera operating device.

  In the remote camera device of the present invention, the shooting condition may be any of aperture, sensitivity, image quality, image size, presence / absence of flash emission, image format, and resolution, or any combination thereof. preferable.

  In the remote camera device of the present invention, an encryption key is further received from the remote camera operation device, the image processing means encrypts the captured image based on the encryption key, and the communication control means The captured image may be controlled to be transmitted to the remote camera operating device specified by the specifying means.

  According to the above configuration, the encryption key is received from the remote camera operation device, the captured image is encrypted with the encryption key, and the encrypted captured image is transmitted to the remote camera operation device. For this reason, after encryption, when a captured image is illegally acquired from a remote camera operation device, or the remote camera operation device is different from the remote camera operation device from which the remote camera device has erroneously sent a capture request signal. Even if the image is sent, it is possible to prevent the captured image from being seen.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the remote camera device of the present invention includes a first image storage unit that stores a captured image. According to the above configuration, the captured image can be stored in the remote camera device, so that the user of the remote camera operating device can later access and acquire the captured image.

  In the remote camera device of the present invention, an encryption key is further received from the remote camera operation device, the image processing means encrypts the captured image based on the encryption key, and the communication control means The captured image is controlled to be transmitted to the remote camera operating device identified by the identifying means, and the first image storage means can store the encrypted captured image. preferable.

  According to the above configuration, even if a stored captured image is illegally acquired by a third party, since the encrypted image is encrypted, it is possible to prevent the captured image from being viewed.

  The remote camera device of the present invention further includes first time measuring means for measuring time, and the first time measuring means measures a waiting time from reception of the photographing request signal to photographing, and the photographing. Photographing is performed after this waiting time has elapsed since the reception of the request signal.

  According to the above configuration, the first time measuring means for measuring the waiting time from the reception of the photographing request signal to the photographing is provided. Therefore, it is possible to secure a time from reception of the imaging request signal to imaging. Therefore, the user on the remote camera operating device side does not need to pose in a hurry after transmitting the shooting request signal.

  In the remote camera device of the present invention, it is preferable that when receiving the shooting instruction signal after receiving the shooting request signal, shooting is performed with the reception of the shooting instruction signal as a signal. According to the above configuration, after receiving the shooting request signal, shooting is further performed with the reception of the shooting instruction signal as a cue. Thus, by separating the timing of actual shooting from the timing of receiving the shooting request signal, the user on the remote camera operating device side can slowly prepare for shooting.

  The remote camera device of the present invention further includes first time measuring means for measuring time, and the first time measuring means measures a waiting time from reception of the photographing instruction signal to photographing, and the photographing. It is preferable that photographing is performed after this waiting time has elapsed since the reception of the instruction signal. According to the above configuration, the first time measuring unit is provided, and the photographing request signal and the photographing instruction signal are separately provided. Therefore, the user can prepare for photographing more slowly.

  Further, in the remote camera device of the present invention, after receiving the shooting request signal, the remote camera operating device specified by the specifying means transmits a shooting instruction signal pattern and receives the signal pattern. It is preferable that photographing is performed with the reception of this signal pattern as a signal.

  According to the above configuration, a signal pattern for photographing instruction is transmitted to the remote camera operating device, and this signal pattern is used for a signal for photographing. That is, the imaging instruction signal is designated from the remote camera device side to the remote camera operation device. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the photographing by the photographing instruction signal from other than the remote camera operating device that has sent the photographing request signal.

  The remote camera device of the present invention further includes first time measuring means for measuring time, and the first time measuring means measures the waiting time from reception of the signal pattern to photographing, and the signal pattern. It is preferable that photographing is performed after this waiting time has elapsed since the reception of. According to the above, since the first time measuring means is provided, it is possible to secure a time from reception of the signal pattern to shooting, and the user of the remote camera operating device slowly prepares for shooting. Can do.

  In the remote camera device of the present invention, it is preferable to detect the intensity of the imaging request signal and obtain an appropriate focal length from this intensity. According to the above configuration, the intensity of the imaging request signal is detected, and an appropriate focal length is obtained from this intensity. By adjusting the subject to this focal length, it is possible to perform more focused shooting.

  In the remote camera device of the present invention, the first communication means communicates with the remote camera operating device by directivity near field communication, and the communication control means transmits the photographing request signal. It is preferable that the direction in which the image is taken and the direction in which the image is taken be directed. According to the above configuration, the remote camera device can be directed in the shooting direction even in directivity near field communication.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the remote camera operation device of the present invention is a remote camera operation device that performs remote operation on the remote camera device, and sends a shooting request signal for requesting imaging to the remote camera operation device. An imaging request creating unit that creates identification information that identifies the device itself and a second communication unit that communicates with the remote camera device, and conforms to the characteristics of the remote camera operation device itself or is designated from the outside By transmitting the shooting request signal including the acquired shooting condition and the identification information to the remote camera device, the second communication means captures a captured image shot by the remote camera device that has transmitted the shooting request signal. It is characterized by receiving.

  The remote camera operation device is a device that can send an instruction from the outside to a remote camera device having a camera function, and can receive a captured image captured by the remote camera device. The remote camera device is a general term for devices that can be operated by the remote camera operation device of the present invention.

  The second communication means is an interface when the remote camera operating device transmits / receives data to / from the remote camera device. The photographing request signal is a signal for making a photographing request to the remote camera device created by the photographing request creating unit, and is transmitted to the remote camera device through the second communication unit.

  This photographing request signal includes identification information for identifying the remote camera operating device itself. Therefore, the remote camera apparatus can return and receive the captured image taken by the remote camera apparatus from the remote camera apparatus accurately and quickly on the spot. That is, the troublesomeness as in Patent Document 1 is eliminated.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, in particular, an imaging condition that matches the characteristics of the remote camera operating device itself or is designated from the outside is transmitted to the remote camera device. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a captured image that is photographed and processed under conditions suitable for the remote camera operating device or desired by an operator who operates the remote camera operating device. Therefore, even a user having various terminals (remote camera operation devices) can receive a captured image suitable for the remote camera operation device. Therefore, the problem as in Patent Document 2 can be solved.

  In the remote camera operating device of the present invention, the shooting condition is any one of aperture, sensitivity, image quality, image size, presence / absence of flash emission, image format, and resolution, or any combination thereof. Is preferred.

  In the remote camera operating device of the present invention, it is preferable that the remote camera operation device further includes second image storage means for storing the captured image received from the remote camera device. According to the above, the second image storage means for storing the captured image received from the remote camera device is provided. Therefore, the received image can be enjoyed at any time.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the remote camera operation device according to the present invention further includes an output unit that outputs a captured image received from the remote camera device.

  In the remote camera operating device of the present invention, it is preferable that the remote camera operation device further includes second time measuring means for measuring time until photographing is performed by the remote camera device. According to the said structure, time can be time-measured by the 2nd time measuring means. Therefore, it is possible to measure the time until photographing with the remote camera device.

  The remote camera operating device according to the present invention further comprises a second time measuring means for measuring the time until the photographing is performed by the remote camera device, and the state of time measurement by the second time measuring means is displayed on the output means. Output. According to the said structure, it has a 2nd time measuring means, and the mode of the time measuring by a 2nd time measuring means is output to an output means. Therefore, since the user can check the state of timekeeping, preparation for shooting can be surely performed.

  In the remote camera operating device of the present invention, when the remaining time until photographing is reduced, it is preferable that the output means outputs the elapsed time by voice. According to the above configuration, when the remaining time until photographing is reduced, the output means outputs the passage of the remaining time by voice. Therefore, it is possible to know the time when the image is surely taken without continuing to look at it while eliminating the trouble of continuing to look at the output means just before shooting.

  In the remote camera operating device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the second time measuring unit measures a time when photographing is performed, and the output unit outputs photographing sound when the time when photographing is performed. According to the above configuration, since the shooting sound is output at the time when shooting is performed, it is possible to experience a sense of presence due to shooting.

  In the remote camera operating device of the present invention, the second time measuring means measures the time at which the photographing is performed, and the output means indicates that when the time at which the photographing is performed elapses, the captured image is ready to be received. Is preferably output. According to the above configuration, it is possible to inform the user that shooting has been completed and allow the user to hold the captured image immediately from the remote camera device.

  In the remote camera operating device of the present invention, the encryption key is transmitted simultaneously with the transmission of the shooting request signal to the remote camera device, or the captured image encrypted with the encryption key. Is preferably received and the captured image is decoded. According to the above configuration, since the encryption key is transmitted to the remote camera device, an encrypted captured image can be obtained. Therefore, even if another captured image is intercepted by another remote camera operating device, it is possible to prevent the contents of the captured image from being notified.

  As described above, the remote camera device of the present invention includes a first communication unit that receives a shooting request signal including identification information for identifying a remote camera operating device, and an external device that has transmitted the shooting request signal from the identification information. An identification unit that identifies a remote camera operation device, an imaging unit that conforms to the characteristics of the identified remote camera operation device or that is designated by the remote camera operation device, and performs imaging according to imaging conditions, and a captured image On the other hand, the image processing means for performing image processing based on the shooting conditions and the first communication means to transmit the captured image processed by the image processing means to the specified remote camera operating device. Communication control means for controlling.

  Further, as described above, the remote camera operating device of the present invention is a remote camera operating device that performs remote operation on the remote camera device, and sends a shooting request signal for requesting imaging to the remote camera operating device itself. An imaging request generation unit that includes identification information to be identified, and a second communication unit that communicates with the remote camera device, and that conforms to the characteristics of the remote camera operation device itself or is designated externally By transmitting the shooting request signal including the condition and the identification information to the remote camera device, the second communication means receives the captured image shot by the remote camera device that has transmitted the shooting request signal. Yes.

  Therefore, it is possible to obtain a remote camera device and a remote camera operation device for operating the remote camera device, which can easily obtain a captured image suitable for the remote camera operation device that has transmitted the photographing request.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment 1]
(Overview of operation of remote camera operation device and remote camera device)
FIG. 1 is a timing chart showing an overview of the transmission / reception of information transmitted / received between the remote camera operation device 2 and the remote camera device 1 of the present embodiment and the operation of these devices.

  First, in response to a user instruction, the remote camera operation device 2 transmits a shooting request signal (shooting request) to the remote camera device 1. This shooting request includes request device specifying information (specific information; identification information) for recognizing (identifying) which remote camera operating device 2 is the shooting request. Here, the specific information is an address, a device ID, a terminal ID, and the like of the remote camera operating device 2.

  That is, when the remote camera operation device 2 transmits a photographing request to the remote camera device 1, the remote camera operation device 2 also transmits specific information for identifying itself to the remote camera device 1.

  The remote camera device 1 receives the photographing request and acquires specific information of the remote camera operating device 2 that has transmitted the photographing request. After the acquisition, the remote camera device 1 takes a photograph and transmits the photographed photographed image (photograph) to the remote camera operating device 2 specified by the acquired specific information.

(About remote cameras)
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the remote camera device 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing (operation) from when the remote camera device 1 receives a shooting request from the remote camera operating device 2 to when a captured image is transmitted to the remote camera operating device 2. The function and operation of the remote camera device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the remote camera device 1 includes a communication unit (first communication unit) 3, a control unit 4, an imaging unit 5, and a captured image storage unit 6. Further, the control unit 4 includes an imaging request processing unit (imaging condition setting unit) 7, a communication control unit (communication control unit) 8, a time measuring unit (first time measuring unit) 9, a captured image control unit (image processing unit) 10, and The operating device specifying unit (specifying means) 24 is provided.

  The communication unit 3 includes an IR light receiving unit that receives a photographing request and a light emitting unit that receives a remote control signal and transmits a captured image, and is controlled by the communication control unit 8. When the communication unit 3 receives the photographing request, the communication unit 3 sends this signal to the photographing request processing unit 7. The imaging request processing unit 7 performs imaging using the imaging unit 5. The captured image control unit 10 processes the image captured by the imaging unit 5 and stores the processed image in the captured image storage unit 6. The timer unit 9 functions as a counter that measures a clock inside the remote camera device 1 and measures (clocks) time until photographing. The communication control unit 8 is provided in the control unit 4, but may be provided outside the control unit 4.

  Next, the operation of the remote camera device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  Although not shown, first, the remote camera device 1 receives a connection request from the remote camera operation device 2. Next, when the remote camera device 1 receives a shooting request from the remote camera operation device 2 through the communication unit 3, the shooting request processing unit 7 specifies specific information and shooting condition information (shooting conditions; Information such as aperture, sensitivity, image quality, image size, presence / absence of flash emission, image format, and resolution are acquired (S1). After acquiring this specifying information, the operating device specifying unit 24 specifies the remote camera operating device 2 that has transmitted the photographing request.

  The above-mentioned shooting conditions refer to the shooting request in what kind of environment, JPEG or TIFF, or information such as XGA or SXGA. However, these “imaging conditions” do not necessarily need to be included in the imaging request, and it is sufficient that at least the specific information is included in the imaging request. If such information is included, the photographing request processing unit 7 acquires in S1.

  Next, the imaging request processing unit 7 prepares for imaging (specifically, the imaging unit 5 is activated; S2). Then, in response to a request from the remote camera operation device 2, communication with the remote camera operation device 2 is once disconnected.

  Thereafter, photographing is performed by the imaging unit 5 (S3; details will be described later), and the captured image control unit 10 processes the captured image in a transferable state (S4). Here, processing to a transferable state means, for example, quantization to digital data, compression to reduce the amount of data to be transferred, or a predetermined format (shooting conditions) so that the received device can display The format specified in the information). The “image processing” described in the claims includes processing the captured image described in S4 so as to be transferable. Then, the captured image control unit 10 processes the captured image in a transferable state and temporarily stores it in the captured image storage unit 6 (S5).

  The communication control unit 8 transmits a connection request to the “remote camera operating device 2 that has transmitted the photographing request specified by the operating device specifying unit 24”, and establishes a communication connection with the remote camera operating device 2. To do. The Destination Address at this time designates the address of the remote camera operating device (remote camera operating device that identifies the captured image based on the specific information) 2 that has transmitted the connection request first. When communication is established, the communication control unit 8 controls the communication unit 3 to transmit to the remote camera operating device 2 (S6), and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing in detail an example of the photographing step (S3) shown in FIG. That is, FIG. 4 is a subroutine of S3 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows a process of taking an image (releasing a shutter) after a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving a shooting request.

  When the photographing step is started, the photographing request processing unit 7 acquires a waiting time from when the photographing request is received until the actual photographing is performed from information (photographing conditions) included in the photographing request (S8). The waiting time here is not limited to the case where it is acquired from the information included in the shooting request, but may be stored in advance in the shooting request processing unit 7 as a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds; determined). . Then, the timing unit 9 starts measuring the waiting time (S9).

  When the waiting time elapses (YES in S10), the image capturing unit 5 captures an image (S11), and the process ends. If the waiting time has not elapsed (NO in S10), the timekeeping unit 9 continues timing. As described above, the captured image may be stored after being subjected to the above processing by the captured image control unit 10, but as shown in FIG. 4, the captured (captured) image is processed. Or may be saved (stored) before processing (S12).

(Second shooting step)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing in detail an example different from FIG. 4 of the photographing step (S3) shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows a process of taking an image (cutting a shutter) after receiving a shooting instruction signal (shooting instruction) for actually releasing a shutter after receiving a shooting request.

  When the shooting step is started, the shooting request processing unit 7 waits to receive a shooting instruction which is a signal for instructing shooting. Then, it is determined whether a photographing instruction has been received (S15). When receiving the shooting instruction (YES in S15), the shooting request processing unit 7 acquires a waiting time from when the shooting instruction is received until actual shooting (shutter is released) (S16). Here, the waiting time is the time from when the shooting instruction is received until the actual shooting is performed. In addition, after the shooting step is started, if the shooting instruction has not been received (NO in S15), the shooting request processing unit 7 continues to wait for the shooting instruction.

  Next, the time measuring unit 9 starts measuring the waiting time (S17). Next, the timing unit 9 determines whether or not the waiting time has elapsed, and when it has elapsed (in the case of YES in S18), the imaging unit 5 performs imaging (S19). Thereafter, the captured image is stored (S20), and the operation is terminated. In this case as well, the image may be stored after being processed by the captured image control unit 10 without being saved. If the waiting time has not elapsed (NO in S18), the time is continuously measured. Here, the elapse of a predetermined time is waited until the actual imaging is performed after the imaging instruction is received. However, it is possible to “take a picture as soon as the imaging instruction is received” without waiting for the elapse of the predetermined time. In this case, the steps from the waiting time acquisition step (S16) to the waiting time step (S18) can be omitted.

  FIG. 6A shows an example of shooting condition data included in the shooting request. Here, the imaging request is configured in an XML (extensible Markup Language) format, but it may be in a CSV (Camera Separated Value) format or an HTML format.

  Note that when a communication method that cannot transmit a large amount of data at a time, for example, a remote control signal having a long fundamental frequency is used, various shooting conditions as shown in FIG. Since it is not possible, it is conceivable to sequentially receive the shooting conditions through a plurality of communications.

  In the example of FIG. 6A, whether to wait for a shooting instruction (shutter command) for execution of shooting, how many seconds after shooting request or shooting instruction is received (second line), the format of the captured image ( What format (image format) is used (line 3), what is the size of the captured image (line 4), what is the image quality (line 5), and what is the sensitivity (ISO value) (line 6) ), A format for designating whether or not to decorate the captured image and how to decorate the captured image (line 7).

  As an example, the values set here are, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), taken 10 seconds after receiving the shooting instruction (second line), JPEG format (third line), The size is 1280 pixels × 960 pixels (line 4), the image quality is high quality (line 5), the sensitivity is ISO400 (line 6), and a decoration with a dolphin frame (line 7).

  Photographing conditions contained in these imaging request may be configured to pass or in advance which items can be set from the remote camera device 1 to the remote camera operation device 2. Further, even if the shooting condition item is requested from the remote camera operation device 2, the remote camera device 1 may ignore the item that is not permitted to be set. Of course, the shooting conditions not specified from the remote camera operating device 2 may be set using default values (default values).

  Further, the shooting condition is not limited to the case where it is explicitly received from the remote camera operating device 2 as described above. For example, the imaging request processing unit 7 may determine what characteristics of the remote camera operating device 2 have received the imaging request from the signal state of the imaging request, and set the imaging conditions (imaging condition information). . In addition, the imaging request processing unit 7 associates and manages the specific information and the characteristics of the remote camera operating device 2 specified by the specific information, and determines the associated characteristics based on the acquired specific information. You may get it. That is, the shooting request processing unit 7 can also set shooting conditions from the specific information. For example, this is effective when the model name of the remote camera operating device 2 can be specified by the specific information.

  FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example of data of a shooting instruction (shutter instruction).

  For the shooting instruction, a predetermined signal pattern is determined in advance. If any signal is received without determining anything, it is assumed that all received signals are shooting instructions, or the remote camera device 1 sends the remote camera operation device 2 For this, any one of designating a signal pattern of a photographing instruction can be considered.

  FIG. 6B shows a signal pattern for photographing instruction transmitted from the remote camera device 1 to the remote camera operation device 2. Here, as an example, the signal pattern is “0100100100” as shown in FIG.

  Further, in the method of designating a signal pattern for photographing instruction from the remote camera device 1 to the remote camera operating device 2, it is conceivable to change the signal pattern for photographing instruction every time a photographing request is received. Thus, by changing the signal pattern for the shooting instruction, only the remote camera operating device 2 that has transmitted the shooting request knows the signal pattern of the shooting instruction. Therefore, the remote camera operating device that has transmitted the shooting request. Even if some data is received from the remote camera operating device 2 other than 2, since this data is different from the designated signal pattern for the photographing instruction, it can be controlled not to regard it as a photographing instruction. . At this time, in order to transmit a shooting instruction signal pattern to the remote camera operating device 2 that has transmitted the shooting request, it is conceivable to transmit the shooting instruction signal pattern with specific information as a destination.

  If a remote control signal is used for the signal pattern of the imaging instruction signal received by the remote camera operating device 2, the data can be considered to be within about 256 bits. Further, for example, when the remote camera device 1 receives a photographing request, this signal pattern may be transmitted together with a response to the photographing request.

  In addition, the above-described timing unit 9 may be used to measure a predetermined waiting time after receiving the signal pattern for shooting instructions from the remote camera operating device, and perform shooting after the waiting time has elapsed. . In addition, you may comprise so that it may image | photograph reception of the signal pattern for imaging | photography instruction | indication, without using the time measuring part 9. FIG.

(About remote camera operation device)
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the remote camera operation device 2. On the other hand, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing from when the remote camera operating device 2 is instructed to transmit a shooting request by the user until the captured image is received and output.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the remote camera operating device 2 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit (second communication unit) 12, a captured image storage unit (second image storage unit) 13, an output unit (output unit) 14, and An instruction input receiving unit 15 is provided. In addition, the control unit 11 includes an imaging request creation unit (imaging request creation unit) 16, a communication control unit 17, a timing unit 18, and a captured image control unit 19.

  The instruction input receiving unit 15 includes buttons, a touch panel, and the like, and receives instructions from the user. The shooting request creation unit 16 creates a shooting request based on the signal from the instruction input reception unit 15. The communication control unit 17 receives the creation of the shooting request from the shooting request creation unit 16, prepares to send the shooting request to the remote camera device 1, and transmits the shooting request to the remote camera device 1 using the communication unit 12. To do. Further, the communication control unit 17 prepares to receive a captured image at the communication unit 12. The captured image control unit 19 stores the received captured image in the captured image storage unit 13. The output unit 14 includes a display, a speaker, an LED, a vibrator, and the like, and has a role of displaying a received captured image.

  Next, the operation of the remote camera operation device 2 will be described.

  First, when the instruction input receiving unit 15 is instructed by the user to issue a shooting request (accepting a shooting request), the shooting request creating unit 16 creates a shooting request. Next, an imaging request is transmitted from the communication unit 12 to the remote camera device 1 according to an instruction from the communication control unit 17 (S23).

  This photographing request includes at least specific information (identification information) specified (specified) by the address, device ID, terminal ID, and the like of the own device (remote camera operating device 2). The shooting request further includes shooting conditions (for example, aperture, sensitivity, image quality, image size, presence / absence of flash emission, image format, resolution, etc.) based on contents input by the instruction input receiving unit 15 as described later. ).

  Thereafter, when shooting is performed according to the shooting instruction, the communication unit 12 transmits the shooting instruction to the remote camera device 1 (S24). Note that when the remote camera device is configured to perform shooting with the reception of a shooting request as a trigger, it is not necessary to transmit a shooting instruction. When the photographing request (and the photographing instruction) is transmitted, the photographing request creating unit 16 acquires a waiting time until a time when photographing is performed (shutter is released) (S25).

  Although not shown, the waiting time at this time may be the waiting time input by the user operating the remote camera operating device 2. Alternatively, it is conceivable to set a waiting time (for example, 20 seconds) within the predetermined range.

  Thereafter, the waiting time acquired by the timer 18 is measured (timed) (S26).

  At this time, the output unit 14 presents (outputs; outputs) the progress of timekeeping and countdown (a mode in which the remaining time is sequentially displayed with time; including countdown until the shutter is pressed) (S27). . This presentation makes it possible to sufficiently prepare for the shutter being released, so that convenience is improved. The countdown may be performed on the remote camera device 1 side, and is not necessarily performed on the remote camera operation device 2 side.

  Then, measurement (timekeeping) is continued until the waiting time has elapsed in the timekeeping unit 18 (S28). On the other hand, when the remote camera apparatus 1 receives a shooting request or a shooting instruction and immediately takes a picture, the steps of measuring the waiting time (S26, S27, and S28) can be omitted.

  Thereafter, when the imaging request creation unit 16 instructs the communication control unit 17 to enter a state of waiting for reception of a captured image (instruction to enter a state of receiving a captured image), the communication control unit 17 The communication unit 12 enters a standby state for receiving a captured image (S29). Here, a message such as “Receive a photo. Please turn to the camera” may be displayed on the output unit 14.

  When the captured image is received by the communication unit 22 (S30), the captured image control unit 19 stores the received captured image in the captured image storage unit 23 (S31), and outputs (displays) it to the output unit 14 as necessary. (S32), and the process ends.

  FIG. 9A is a “screen display example” for setting shooting conditions for the user to input shooting conditions, which is presented to the user at the output unit 14 of the remote camera operation device 2.

  On the other hand, FIG. 9B is a “screen display example” of an operation for instructing the user to issue a photographing request, which is also presented to the user at the output unit 14 of the remote camera operation device 2. These screens can be acquired by connecting directly from the remote camera device 1 regardless of wired or wireless connection, and using a removable storage medium (such as a memory card) provided in the remote camera operation device 2 for remote camera operation. A method of obtaining by inserting into the device 2, a method of obtaining a homepage (HTML format or the like) by accessing a server for the remote camera device 1, or a two-dimensional barcode (Quick) attached in the vicinity of the remote camera device 1 A method of acquiring by reading Response: QR code (registered trademark) is conceivable.

  The data format of these screens may be expressed (description) in HTML format, SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) format, XML format, X-Forms format, Java (registered trademark) Script, etc. It is conceivable that the creation unit 16 interprets the screen configuration (format analysis and drawing) and outputs the screen configuration to the output unit 14.

  Further, in the shooting condition setting, based on which shooting condition is set by the user input, what data format is used for the shooting condition to be transmitted to the remote camera device 1, for example, as shown in FIG. It is conceivable that such an XML format is described, or transmission is sequentially performed separately for each set condition.

  In addition, about how these screens are operated, which item is set with which button is described in the description of the screen (“accesskey =“ 1 ”” in HTML) If it is described, the meaning of “when one button is pressed” can be described), or the cursor is displayed, and only the item on which the cursor is displayed can be operated with, for example, the determination button. It is possible to operate using

  In the screen display example for setting the shooting conditions, as shown in FIG. 9A, how to set the size of the captured image, set the shooting sensitivity (ISO value), determine whether or not to flash, or decorate It is shown that the user can set each item such as determination. In addition to the above, there may be a screen for setting a waiting time until execution of shooting or whether to wait without executing shooting until receiving a shooting instruction again.

  Here, it is desirable that the size setting display of the captured image is performed based on the output capability of the output unit 14 of the remote camera operation device 2.

  The example of FIG. 9A is an example when the output capability of the output unit 14 is limited to SXGA (1280 pixels × 1024 pixels), and UXGA (1600 pixels × 1200 pixels) cannot be displayed. Displays “cannot be displayed”.

  As a result, the remote camera device 1 may store the captured image in the UXGA size, and the remote camera operation device 2 may receive the captured image stored in the UXGA. It is possible to present to the user that it cannot be displayed on the device 2.

  This “cannot be displayed” is displayed on the items that the imaging request creation unit 16 determines to be insufficient in comparison with the output capability of the output unit 14 at the stage of presenting the image size setting item including UXGA to the user. The presentation screen can be configured so as to be presented as described above.

  In the screen display example (b) of the operation for instructing the transmission of the photographing request, it is suggested that the photographing request is transmitted when the “Take a picture!” Button is pressed. The shooting request to be transmitted includes at least specific information such as an address, a device ID, or a device ID that can be an identifier (identification information described in claims) of the own device (remote camera operation device 2) as described above. Yes. In addition, if the button here is a mobile phone, for example, an “F” key, a determination key, or the like may be used.

  FIG. 10A is a screen display example for transmitting a shooting instruction presented to the user at the output unit 14 of the remote camera operation device 2, and FIG. 10B is a diagram of the remote camera operation device 2. It is an example of a screen display which performs a countdown presentation until the photographing is executed, which is presented to the user by the output unit.

  In the screen display for sending the shooting instruction shown in FIG. 10A, when the shooting instruction is given, the shooting instruction is transmitted to the remote camera device 1 (S24; see FIG. 8). Specifically, the screen of the output unit 14 displays a screen “Please press the button again when you are ready to take a picture”, and the “Yes, cheese!” Button can be selected.

Here, when the “Yes, cheese!” Button is selected, a photographing instruction (shutter instruction) is issued to the remote camera device 1. This shooting instruction can be skipped by a remote control signal, but can be skipped by Ir simple at a distance of about 2 m.
At this time, as described with reference to FIG. 6B, when the signal pattern of the photographing instruction is designated in advance from the remote camera device 1, the photographing instruction is transmitted with the designated signal pattern.

  The countdown presentation shown in FIG. 10B is a presentation in the “countdown screen display” step shown in S27 in FIG. This countdown presentation may be performed on the remote camera device 1 side, but when the remote camera device 1 is away from the user (subject) near the remote camera operation device 2, the presentation becomes difficult to see. It is desirable to perform on the remote camera operating device 2 side.

  Further, when the shooting is performed (about 3 seconds before; the remaining time until the shooting is performed is short), not only the visual display as described above but also a speaker provided in the output unit 14 It is more preferable that the countdown is also presented by voice using. By doing so, it is not necessary to look into the screen just before shooting, and shooting can be performed with a sufficient attitude.

  This voice countdown is also desirably performed on the remote camera operating device 2 side for the same reason as described above. In addition to counting down, it is possible to tell the user that the photograph is being taken further by generating a sound of “shattering” that outputs the shutter at the moment of shooting (outputting the shooting sound). Become. The presentation of the countdown by voice can provide the same effect to a user with hearing impairment by tactile presentation using a vibrator or the like provided in the output unit 14.

  The “shooting moment” here refers to the estimated shooting time obtained as a result of timing the acquired waiting time by the timer 18. In other words, if the clock error between the remote camera operation device 2 and the remote camera device 1 is not large, even if the start is instructed by the infrared IR, the remote camera device 1 side does not care about strict synchronization. The timing of cutting can be assumed (measured) on the remote camera operating device 2 side.

  FIGS. 11A to 11C are screen display examples to be presented on the output unit 14 when the remote camera operating device 2 enters reception standby in order to receive a captured image from the remote camera device 1 after completion of shooting. is there. FIGS. 11A and 11B are screen display examples instructing to receive a captured image in a more favorable state, and FIG. 11C is a screen display example when reception of the captured image fails. .

  FIG. 11A shows a case where the remote camera device 1 and the remote camera operation device 2 are separated from each other when a captured image is received by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or IEEE802.11. In this example, the captured image cannot be received or is difficult to receive, and the screen is displayed so as to come close to the remote camera device 1. In this screen display example, a circle is drawn around the remote camera device 1 with a white line. If you are inside it, you can receive it. Please do ". In this case, the display may be performed by confirming in advance whether or not the communication is actually performed at a comfortable distance, but may be displayed when the communication is already within a comfortable communication distance.

  FIG. 11B is an example of a screen display when a captured image is received by directivity near field communication such as infrared communication or millimeter wave communication. In this case, the captured image cannot be received unless the remote camera operating device 2 is directed toward the device (remote camera device 1) from which the captured image is transmitted. For this reason, it is presented to the user so that the remote camera operation device 2 is directed toward the device (remote camera device 1) that transmits the captured image (to enter a state of receiving the captured image). Specifically, “Please point the infrared sensor toward the camera”. In this case as well, it is more preferable that a white line is drawn at a distance at which communication around the remote camera device 1 can be comfortably performed. Also, as in the case of FIG. 11 (a), it may be displayed by confirming in advance whether the communication can be performed comfortably or not, but the display is performed when the communication is already comfortable. It doesn't matter.

  FIG. 11 (c) shows a case where the captured image cannot be received for a certain period of time even though the captured image is received by short-range wireless communication as shown in FIG. 11 (a). It is the example of a screen display in. Again, it is displayed that the user is instructed to enter the white circle that is within a range where communication can be comfortably performed. Although not shown in the figure, if a captured image is not received for a certain period of time when a captured image is received by directional short-range wireless communication as in FIG. Needless to say, the remote camera operation device 2 is displayed so as to be directed toward the device (remote camera device 1) that transmits the image.

  FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing a flow of processing for transmitting a desired photograph by the remote camera operating device 2 among the photographed photographs when the remote camera apparatus 1 captures a plurality of photographs. The remote camera device 1 creates thumbnails of a plurality of captured images (captured images) and transmits them to the remote camera operation device 2. The user on the remote camera operation device 2 side views the received thumbnail, selects a desired photo, and transmits it to the remote camera device 1 as a selection signal.

  The remote camera device 1 sequentially transmits captured images selected by the received selection signal to the remote camera operation device 2. At this time, when a plurality of picked-up images are selected, the picked-up images may be transmitted in the order specified by the user, may be transmitted from the first captured image, or preparation for transmission is possible at all. It may be transmitted sequentially from the ones that are in order.

  FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example in which the remote camera device 1 charges the remote camera operation device 2 when shooting is performed for a fee. FIG. 13A shows the IC card reader device 20. The IC card reader device 20 can be installed on the remote camera device 1 side. On the other hand, an IC chip (not shown) storing charging information is built in or attached to the remote camera operating device 2 side, and this IC chip is held over the charging information communication unit 30 of the IC card reader device 20. As a result, the IC card reader device 20 and the IC chip communicate with each other, and information for charging is sent from the IC chip to the IC card reader device 20.

  For example, when the credit card company manages the credit card number and the ID specific to the IC chip in association with each other, the ID specific to the IC chip is passed to the IC card reader device 20. The IC card reader device 20 makes an inquiry to the credit card company based on the received ID unique to the IC chip, and instructs to make a settlement from the associated credit card number. Then, when it is determined whether approval is possible or when the approval is completed, the captured image is received by some communication means (for example, short-range wireless communication means).

  Thereby, since the remote camera device 1 transmits the captured image after confirming the charge, the charge can be reliably performed. As mentioned above, even if you do not exchange with IC chip as above, you can have a money slot like a vending machine and make sure that a predetermined amount has been inserted so that cash settlement can be done on the spot The captured image may be transmitted from.

  In FIG. 13B, before charging, a captured image that has been degraded to some extent or a processed captured image is transmitted in advance, and the received captured image is satisfied (reception of captured image and payment of money). The user who has accepted the account transmits the information necessary for charging (for example, terminal ID; ID unique to the IC chip), and after the charging process is performed on the remote camera device 1 side, the remote camera operation device 2 receives the remote camera operation device 2. The example which transmits a captured image with respect to is shown. At this time, the terminal ID necessary for billing may be included in the shooting request at the time of initial transmission of the shooting request, but is transmitted and received only during billing because it is important information related to billing. Desirable for security.

  In FIG. 13B, it is assumed that a photograph that has been deteriorated to some extent at first is sent. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the captured image is transmitted to the remote camera operating device 2 without any particular deterioration. However, the data processing of the captured image has not been charged even after a certain time has elapsed. When detected, the data may be deleted from the remote camera operating device 2 or may be scrambled.

  FIG. 14 is a timing chart illustrating an example of captured image transmission processing when the remote camera device 1 receives a shooting request from a plurality of devices (remote camera operation devices 2). Here, as an example, the remote camera device 1 is divided into three different remote camera operation devices 2 including a remote camera operation device (not shown) 2a, a remote camera operation device (not shown) 2b, and a remote camera operation (not shown) 2c. Assume that a shooting request is received. Each of the received photographing requests includes individual specific information for identifying the remote camera operation device 2a, the remote camera operation device 2b, and the remote camera operation 2c. In the following description, an example of the operation will be described on the assumption that shooting based on shooting requests from the devices 2a, 2b, and 2c has already been completed.

  First, the remote camera device 1 makes a communication connection request with the remote camera operation device 2a as a destination, and checks whether communication can be established. If communication with the remote camera operation device 2a cannot be established, communication establishment with the remote camera operation device 2b is attempted. When it is confirmed that the communication with the remote camera operating device 2b is established, that is, when an affirmative response is received from the remote camera operating device 2b, the captured image taken by the imaging request of the remote camera operating device 2b is displayed. Is transmitted based on the specific information. Thereafter, a communication connection request to the remote camera operating device 2c is made.

  In this example, the remote camera operation device 2 that can communicate with the remote camera device 1 at a certain point in time is assumed to be one device. However, depending on the capability of the communication means, communication to a plurality of devices may be performed simultaneously. . In addition, even when a captured image is being transmitted, if a shooting request is further received, shooting and transmission processing may be performed in parallel according to the capability.

[Embodiment 2]
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of this embodiment, only differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing information transmitted / received between the remote camera operation device 2 and the remote camera device 1 according to the present embodiment and the operation of these devices.

  The difference from the first embodiment is that (i) when transmitting a shooting request from the remote camera operating device 2 to the remote camera device 1, an encryption key used for encrypting the captured image is transmitted together with the specific information. And (ii) encrypting the captured image using the encryption key received when the remote camera device 1 receives the shooting request, and transmitting the encrypted captured image to the remote camera operating device 2; It is.

  As a result, even if a device other than the remote camera operating device 2 that has transmitted the photographing request receives the captured image, the captured image cannot be correctly browsed unless decoding is possible, and the secrecy is improved.

  As the “encryption key” used in the present embodiment, it is conceivable to use a simple encryption key such as Caesar encryption or substitution encryption. In order to know what encryption key is used and what kind of encryption is performed, a shooting request including an encryption key transmitted from the remote camera operation device 2 to the remote camera device 1 and remote control from the remote camera device 1 are performed. It is necessary to intercept both the encrypted captured image sent to the camera operating device 2. Therefore, since it is considered that few people want to look into other people's photos until doing such troublesomeness, confidentiality is ensured.

  On the other hand, a public key / private key encryption method called PGP (Pretty Good Privacy), which is a more secure and advanced key method, although the calculation amount is large, may be used.

  In this case, the public key is transmitted from the remote camera operating device 2 to the remote camera device 1 together with the photographing request. The remote camera device 1 encrypts the captured image with a public key and transmits the encrypted image to the remote camera operation device 2. In the public key private key cryptosystem, the encrypted key itself cannot be decrypted. Therefore, even if both the photographing request including the public key and the encrypted captured image are intercepted, the decryption cannot be performed. Since a possible key is not available, higher secrecy is ensured.

  Further, the captured image main body is not stored in the captured image storage unit 13 of the remote camera device 1 (including an example in which the captured image main body is deleted once and then stored), and only the encrypted captured image is stored. Good. As a result, even when the remote camera apparatus 1 is illegally entered and the encrypted captured image is obtained, there is a further effect that decryption is impossible.

  In the remote camera device 1, the imaging request processing unit 7 acquires the encryption key received when the imaging request is received, and the captured image control unit 10 uses the encryption key to encrypt the captured image. .

  The remote camera operating device 2 creates and manages an encryption key (or a public key / private key pair) by the photographing request creation unit 16 or generates it for each photographing request. The captured image control unit 19 decrypts the received encrypted captured image.

[Embodiment 3]
Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of this embodiment, only differences from the first and second embodiments will be described.

  FIG. 16A is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration (housing) of the remote camera device 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The difference from the first and second embodiments described above is that the remote camera is configured so that the subject (user) is detected in which direction the remote camera device 1 is (or is) and the subject enters the shooting region. The point is to control the orientation of the apparatus 1, more precisely, the orientation of the imaging unit 5.

  As a method of detecting in which direction the subject is located, a method of detecting by receiving a photographing request (or photographing instruction) with a directional short-range wireless communication means such as infrared or millimeter wave communication is considered. It is done.

  Next, the configuration and operation of the present embodiment for detecting a certain direction of a subject by receiving a photographing request (or photographing instruction) using directional infrared communication will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 16A, the remote camera device 1 of the present embodiment is arranged on the communication unit 3 having a plurality of infrared receiving lenses (lenses) 21 and the communication unit 3, and this communication unit 3 has an imaging unit 5 that can be driven independently of the image pickup unit 3.

  The lenses 21 are directed in different directions, and in FIG. 16A, they are arranged radially (in a fan shape) as viewed from above so that infrared rays incident from a range of approximately 90 degrees can be received (see FIG. 16A). (Refer FIG.16 (b)). The lens 21 may be arranged so as to be able to receive infrared rays incident from a range of 180 degrees or 360 degrees that is omnidirectional. Further, depending on the case, the lens 21 may be arranged in different directions in the vertical direction.

  Assume that infrared rays (IR) indicating a photographing request or a photographing instruction are incident at an angle as illustrated in FIG. In this case, the second lens 21a from the right receives the largest (strong) light, the rightmost lens 21b receives the light having the intensity next to the lens 21a, and the third lens 21c from the right receives the lens. Light having the intensity next to 21b is received. In the figure, “large”, “medium”, and “small” indicate the intensity of light (incident light) detected by the lenses 21a, 21b, and 21c.

  By detecting how much light is received by which lens 21 and comparing them, it is possible to detect the direction in which infrared rays are transmitted (the direction in which a photographing request or a photographing instruction has been given).

  Then, the direction in which the lens 21 with the strongest incident light is directed is the direction in which the infrared rays are transmitted (the direction in which the imaging request or the imaging instruction has been given), and the orientation of the imaging unit 5 is changed. The subject can be shown in the viewfinder (see FIG. 16A) 22.

  FIG. 16C is an image diagram in which the imaging unit 5 is directed in the direction in which the subject is detected. By rotating the imaging unit 5 from the state indicated by the broken line in the direction of arrow A, the imaging unit 5 is moved to the state indicated by the solid line, and imaging is performed. The state which moves the part 5 to the direction in which infrared rays inject is shown. At this time, the communication unit 3 may be moved together, or only the imaging unit 5 may be moved independently while the communication unit 3 is fixed.

  Next, the operation of the remote camera device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining processing for detecting the direction in which the infrared light is incident when the communication unit 3 receives the infrared light. This process is performed by the communication control unit 8.

  When a signal is received by any one of the plurality of devices (lens 21) constituting the communication unit 3, it is checked whether or not the received light (incident light) has a predetermined intensity or more (S35). This checking step can remove natural light and noise. If it is determined that the received light is less than or equal to the predetermined intensity (NO in S35), the received light is regarded as natural light or noise, and the process ends without any particular processing. Here, the predetermined strength is, for example, 10 μmW / cm ^ 2.

  If it is determined that the received light is greater than or equal to the predetermined intensity (YES in S35), the lens 21 having the strongest received signal is identified (S36). For convenience of explanation, the lens 21 is denoted by reference numeral 21A, and the reference numeral of the lens 21 disposed adjacent to the lens 21A is denoted by 21B. The intensity of the received signal of the lens 21B adjacent to the lens 21A (indicated by the device A in FIG. 17) is checked, and the lens 21B ′ (in the apparatus B in the figure) whose received signal has the next strongest intensity after the lens 21A. (Shown) is specified (S37).

  When they are arranged in a line as shown in FIG. 16B, the lens 21B adjacent to the lens 21A is checked, and the lens 21B 'having the stronger received signal is specified. When the lens 21A and the lens 21B are specified, the direction (incident angle) of the transmitted infrared rays is calculated from the intensity difference between the received signals of both (S38), and the operation is terminated.

  In addition, in the case where infrared rays are received by a plurality of lenses 21 as shown in FIGS. 16A to 16C, in addition to the method of comparing the light amount and the signal intensity as described above, signal reception detection is performed. The same result can be obtained by detecting which lens 21 is the earliest, that is, which one of the control chips of the receiving device (lens 21) has responded earliest.

  FIG. 18 is an example of a correspondence table (table) used for estimating not only the incident angle of the transmitted infrared rays but also the distance between the subject and the lens 21 and obtaining an appropriate focal length. The focal length is a term indicating the distance between the lens and the film, and the relationship between the zoom magnification and the focal length varies depending on the camera model. Depending on the intensity of the received light, decide how many times you want to zoom, and also determine the focal length. In FIG. 18, the light intensity may be zoomed or the light intensity may be focal length.

  In this example, the intensity of incident light and the zoom value are associated with each other so as to set the focal length by measuring the intensity of incident infrared light. For example, when the incident light is 50 mW / cm 2 (square), “2 ×” is associated with the zoom value. This correspondence table is managed by the communication unit 3 of the remote camera device 1, and the derived zoom value is set by the imaging request processing unit 7 controlling the imaging unit 5. Here, the zoom control is performed by the photographing request processing unit 7, but this control may be performed by separately providing a photographing condition control unit (not shown).

[Embodiment 4]
Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of this embodiment, only differences from the first to third embodiments will be described.

  FIG. 19 is an arrangement relationship between the imaging unit 5 of the remote camera device 1 of the present embodiment, the communication unit (also referred to as a remote control box in this embodiment) 3 of the remote camera device 1, and the remote camera operation device 2. FIG. In this embodiment, as can be seen from the figure, the imaging unit 5 and the communication unit 3 are arranged at positions separated from each other, and both are connected by a dedicated line 25.

  The difference between the present embodiment and the first to third embodiments is that when the distance between the imaging unit 5 of the remote camera device 1 and the remote camera operation device 2 is long, the imaging of the remote camera device 1 is performed. The unit 5 and the communication unit 3 of the remote camera device 1 are connected to each other by communication means such as a dedicated line 25, and the communication unit 3 and the remote camera operation device 2 are arranged close to each other. It is.

  This is particularly effective when the communication unit 3 of the remote camera device 1 and the remote camera operation device 2 communicate with each other by short-range wireless communication. For example, at a tourist attraction famous for cliffs such as Manzamo in Okinawa, Tojinbo in Fukui, and the three steps of Wakayama, the remote camera device 1 is located at the edge of the cliff and located far away (for example, on the opposite shore). It is conceivable to cause the unit 5 to perform shooting. In this case, the imaging unit 5 itself of the remote camera device 1 may be separated from the remote camera operation device 2. In other words, the communication unit 3 connected to the remote camera device 1 via a dedicated line is within a distance that allows the remote camera device 1 to communicate with each other so that a photographing request can be received and a captured image can be transmitted. That's fine. The user of the remote camera operation device 2 transmits a photographing request to the communication unit 3 and receives a captured image. In addition, since the imaging unit 5 of the remote camera device 1 and the communication unit 3 of the remote camera device 1 are connected to each other by the dedicated line 25, it is possible to prevent the communication between them from being intercepted.

[Embodiment 5]
Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of this embodiment, only differences from the above-described first to fourth embodiments will be described.

  FIG. 20A is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the remote camera device 1 and the remote camera operation device 2 according to the embodiment. In contrast to the fourth embodiment in which the remote camera operating device 2 and the imaging unit 5 are separated from each other, in the present embodiment, the image is taken by a camera (remote camera device 1) held by a person in front of the eyes. And receive a captured image.

  Cameras have different characteristics depending on the model for each manufacturer, and the camera that is most convenient for the user is their own camera. Therefore, even if you take your own camera at a sightseeing spot, you will rarely get a satisfactory picture. The user who is asked to shoot is also easy to use because it is his camera, and the camera's shutter is cut for now, but only. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20A, the remote camera operating device 2 held by the person who wants to take a picture (who wants to take a picture) issues a shooting request to the remote camera device 1 of the person in front of him. The received image is received from the remote camera device 1.

  This allows you to obtain captured images immediately, so that you can take photos in an environment that is as easy to use as you can with your own camera and that can be operated comfortably for the person taking the image. It becomes.

  FIG. 20B is an example of a post-photographing message displayed on the camera on the remote camera device 1 side that is the side requested to shoot. When the photographing is finished, the display is directed to the device (remote camera operating device 2) that has transmitted the photographing request. After the transmission, the captured photograph is deleted from the captured image storage unit 6 on the remote camera device 1 side in order to save memory in the camera or to protect the privacy of the photographed side. Is desirable. Alternatively, in order to protect the privacy, as shown in the second embodiment, only the encrypted captured image may be stored in the captured image storage unit 6.

[Embodiment 6]
(When communicating with IrSimple)
Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of this embodiment, only differences from the above-described first to fifth embodiments will be described.

  FIG. 21 illustrates in detail the signals transmitted and received when the imaging request and the captured image are transmitted and received between the remote camera device 1 and the remote camera operation device 2 according to the present embodiment using IrSimple. It is a timing chart.

  IrSimple is one of the standards for infrared communication, and is a communication method that simplifies the negotiation procedure at the start of communication in the standard IrDA and can transfer data at high speed. IrSimple can set a much larger amount of data that can be transmitted in one signal transmission than IrDA. This is a model led by the transmission side (primary), and the primary device can transmit a large amount of data in a short time.

  First, in order to transmit a photographing request, the remote camera operating device 2 transmits a connection request (Connect.request). The remote camera device 1 that has correctly received this connection request returns a response (Connect.response). Thereby, the remote camera operating device 2 becomes the primary device.

  When the remote camera operating device 2 receives the response, the remote camera operating device 2 transmits a photographing request (PUT.request). Here, it is possible to transmit a request for photographing, specific information, and photographing conditions together or separately. The remote camera device 1 preferably transmits a single response (PUT.response) for one data reception.

  If the remote camera apparatus 1 is configured not to explicitly transmit a shooting request and shooting conditions and the remote camera device 1 is configured to take a picture soon after receiving any connection request, the above connection request is regarded as a shooting request, and shooting is performed. The transmission of the request may be omitted.

When the remote camera operation device 2 finishes transmitting the imaging request or the like, the remote camera operation device 2 transmits a disconnection request for temporarily disconnecting communication (DISCONNECT.request) and receives a response (DISCONNECT.response) from the remote camera device 1. As a result, the remote camera operating device 2 once ends its position as a primary.
The remote camera device 1 transmits a connection request (CONNECT. Request) to the remote camera operation device 2 in order to transmit the captured image to the remote camera operation device 2 when shooting and the preparation of the captured image are completed. Then, a response (CONNECT.response) is received from the remote camera operating device 2. As a result, the remote camera device 1 becomes the primary device of IrSimple.

  When the connection is established as described above, a captured image is transmitted (PUT (DATE)). Depending on the size of the captured image, it may be transmitted in a plurality of times. It is desirable that the remote camera operating device 2 transmits a single response (PUT.response) for a single data reception. When the transmission of the captured image is finished, the remote camera device 1 transmits a disconnection request (DISCONNECT. Request) and receives a response (DISCONNECT. Response). IrSimple can perform one-way communication without receiving a response. By performing one-way communication, it is not necessary to wait for a response to be received, so that the time required for communication can be further shortened. In this case, the response (* .response) is not transmitted / received.

  FIG. 22 is a timing chart showing in more detail the signals to be transmitted and received at the time of transmission of the photographing request shown in FIG. In IrSimple, in the connection request, the device address (Source Address) of the own device, the device address (Destination Address) of the partner device, and the connection ID (Connection Address) can be included in the SNRM frame that is the connection request packet.

  When a connection request is transmitted from the remote camera operation device 2, the ID of the remote camera operation device 2 is set as the Source Address, a global address meaning "no partner is specified" is set as the Destination Address, and the Connection Address is set as appropriate . Here, the device address of the own device specified in the Source Address can be the specific information. If you know the destination device address, you can set it.

  The remote camera device 1 that has received the SNRM frame can include, in the response packet, a UA frame that can also specify the Source Address, Destination Address, and Connection Address. Here, the ID of the remote camera device 1 is set in the Source Address in the UA frame, the ID of the remote camera operating device 2 included in the received SNRM frame is set in the Destination Address, and the SNRM frame is set in the Connection Address. Sets the Connection Address specified in. In subsequent PUT and DISCONNECT, a Connection Address is designated.

  Here, the remote camera device 1 preferably stores the ID of the remote camera operation device 2 received in the SNRM frame. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a photograph from being sent to a remote camera operating device 2 other than the previously connected remote camera operating device 2 in a subsequent reconnection.

  FIG. 23 is a timing chart showing in more detail the signals transmitted and received in the captured image transmission / reception after photographing shown in FIG. The remote camera device 1 transmits an SNRM frame in which the ID of the remote camera operation device 2 stored previously is designated as the Destination Address to the remote camera operation device 2. In IrDA and IrSimple, it is stipulated that reception is rejected except when a signal designating its own device or a signal not specifying Destination Address (a global address is set) is received.

  For this reason, by specifying the remote camera operating device 2 in the destination address of the connection request, if the device conforms to the standard, the connection request is not accepted. As a result, only the remote camera operating device 2 receives the connection request. Can be received. The remote camera operating device 2 that has received the connection request transmits the UA frame set as shown in FIG. It should be noted that whether the ID set as the Source Address is permanently the same ID or is disposable depends on the device implementation. Here, when the remote camera operating device 2 uses a disposable ID, the local device ID used in the connection request transmitted to the remote camera device 1 is stored, and the connection request received from the remote camera operating device 2 is stored. It is conceivable that the destination address specified in (1) is matched with the stored device ID, and if it matches, it is received.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating details of signals when the transmission / reception unit is configured with IrSimple when the captured image is encrypted as in the second embodiment. The difference from FIG. 21 is that the aforementioned encryption key is included in the PUT at the time of the connection request. The key used at this time may be a very simple encryption key, or PGP (create a public / private key pair). In the case of PGP, the public key is transmitted to the remote camera device 1. Data encrypted with a public key can only be decrypted with a private key, and data encrypted with a private key can only be decrypted with a public key. It becomes quite difficult. In addition, although the example in infrared communication was mainly demonstrated above, when specific information is transmitted as a mail address, it is possible to transmit a captured image as a mail. In addition, when the specific information is transmitted as a facsimile number, it is conceivable to transmit the captured image by facsimile.

  Finally, each block of the remote camera device 1 and the remote camera operation device 2, in particular, the operation device specifying unit 24 and the communication control units 8 and 17 may be configured by hardware logic or using a CPU as follows. It may be realized by software.

  That is, the operation device specifying unit 24 and the communication control units 8 and 17 are a CPU (central processing unit) that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, and the program. A RAM (random access memory) to be developed, a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data, and the like are provided. The object of the present invention is to provide program codes (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of control programs for the operating device specifying unit 24 and the communication control units 8 and 17 which are software for realizing the functions described above on a computer. By supplying the readable recording medium to the operating device specifying unit 24 and the communication control units 8 and 17, the computer (or CPU or MPU) reads and executes the program code recorded on the recording medium. Is also achievable.

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Further, the controller device specifying unit 24 and the communication control units 8 and 17 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Further, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Further, although the embodiments and examples of the present invention have been described, the embodiments and examples disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, and includes meanings equivalent to the terms of the claims and all modifications within the scope.

  The remote camera operation device and the remote camera device of the present invention can be particularly preferably used for a camera-equipped mobile phone.

It is a timing chart which shows the outline | summary of the information transmitted / received between the remote camera operation apparatus and remote camera apparatus of this Embodiment, and operation | movement of these apparatuses. It is a functional block diagram showing the structure of a remote camera apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows a process after receiving an imaging | photography request | requirement from a remote camera operating device in a remote camera apparatus until it transmits a captured image to a remote camera operating device. 3 is a flowchart illustrating in detail an example of a photographing step (S3) illustrated in FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing in detail an example different from FIG. 4 of the photographing step (S3) shown in FIG. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the data of a photography request | requirement, (b) is a figure which shows an example of the data of a photography instruction | indication (shutter instruction | indication). It is a functional block diagram which shows the function structure of a remote camera operating device. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process after a remote camera operating device is instruct | indicated that a imaging | photography request | requirement is transmitted from a user until a captured image is received and output. (A) is a “screen display example” for setting shooting conditions for the user to input shooting conditions, which is presented to the user at the output unit of the remote camera operation device, and (b) is a remote camera operation. It is a “screen display example” of an operation for instructing the user to send a shooting request, which is presented to the user at the output unit of the apparatus. (A) is an example of a screen display for transmitting a shooting instruction presented to the user at the output unit of the remote camera operation device, and (b) is presented to the user at the output unit of the remote camera operation device. It is the example of a screen display which performs countdown presentation until imaging | photography is similarly performed. (A) is a screen table displayed so as to come close to the remote camera device 1 when the remote camera device and the remote camera operation device are separated from each other when the captured image is received by the short-range wireless communication. FIG. 11B is an example of a screen display when a captured image is received by directional short-range wireless communication. As shown in FIG. 11A, the captured image is received by short-range wireless communication. Thus, it is an example of a screen display when a captured image cannot be received for a certain period of time despite waiting. 10 is a timing chart showing a flow of processing for transmitting a photograph desired by the remote camera operating device among the photographed photographs when the remote camera apparatus captures a plurality of photographs. (A) is a figure which shows an IC card reader apparatus, (b) is the example which transmits a picked-up image from a remote camera apparatus with respect to a remote camera operation apparatus, after performing a charging process by the remote camera apparatus side. It is a timing chart which shows. 10 is a timing chart illustrating an example of captured image transmission processing when the remote camera device receives a shooting request from a plurality of devices (remote camera operation devices). 6 is a timing chart showing information transmitted and received between the remote camera operation device and the remote camera device of Embodiment 2 and the operation of these devices. (A)-(c) shows Embodiment 3, (a) is a figure which shows schematic structure of the remote camera apparatus of Embodiment 3, (b) is FIG. 16 (a). FIG. 4C is a plan view illustrating a state of movement of the imaging unit. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process for detecting a direction in which infrared rays are incident when an infrared ray is received by a communication unit according to a third embodiment. Embodiment 3 shows an example of a correspondence table (table) used for obtaining an appropriate focal length by estimating not only the incident angle of transmitted infrared rays but also the distance between a subject and a lens. is there. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a fourth embodiment and illustrating an arrangement relationship among an imaging unit of a remote camera device, a communication unit of the remote camera device, and a remote camera operation device. (A) (b) shows Embodiment 5, (a) is a figure which shows the relationship between the remote camera apparatus 1 and remote camera operation apparatus of Embodiment. (B) is an example of a post-shooting message displayed on the camera on the remote camera device side that is the side requested to shoot. The timing chart which shows Embodiment 6 and explains the signal transmitted / received in detail in the case of performing transmission / reception of an imaging | photography request | requirement and a captured image between a remote camera apparatus and a remote camera operation apparatus by IrSimple. is there. FIG. 22 is a timing chart showing in more detail a signal to be transmitted and received at the time of transmission of the imaging request shown in FIG. 21. FIG. 22 is a timing chart showing in more detail signals transmitted and received in the transmission / reception of a captured image after shooting shown in FIG. 21. FIG. 29 shows the sixth embodiment, and is a diagram showing details of signals when the transmission / reception means is configured by IrSimple when the captured image is encrypted as in the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Remote camera apparatus 2 Remote camera operation apparatus 3 Communication part (1st communication means)
5 Imaging unit (imaging means)
6 Captured image storage unit (first image storage means)
7 Shooting request processing unit (shooting condition setting means)
8 Communication control unit (communication control means)
9 Timekeeping section (first timekeeping means)
10 Image control unit (image processing means)
12 Communication unit (second communication means)
13 Captured image storage unit (second image storage means)
14 Output unit (output means)
16 Shooting request creation unit (shooting request creation means)
24 Operating device identification unit (identification means)

Claims (26)

In a remote camera device that has a camera function and can be operated remotely,
First communication means for receiving an imaging request signal from a remote camera operating device by short-range wireless communication having directivity;
Direction detecting means for detecting the direction in which the photographing request signal is transmitted;
Imaging means for taking a picture in the direction detected by the direction detection means;
A remote camera device comprising: a communication control unit that controls the first communication unit so as to transmit a captured image to the remote camera operation device. The shooting request signal includes identification information for identifying a remote camera operating device,
Furthermore, it has a specifying means for specifying an external remote camera operating device that has transmitted the shooting request signal from the identification information,
The remote camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication control unit controls the first communication unit to transmit a captured image to the remote camera operation device specified by the specifying unit. It has a shooting condition setting means for setting shooting conditions, designated from the remote camera operation device or from the characteristics of the remote camera operation device,
3. The remote camera device according to claim 2, wherein the imaging unit performs imaging according to the imaging condition set by the imaging condition setting unit.   4. The remote camera device according to claim 3, further comprising image processing means for performing image processing based on the shooting condition with respect to the captured image.   The remote camera apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the photographing request signal includes the photographing condition.   4. The remote camera device according to claim 3, wherein the photographing condition setting unit sets the photographing condition from the identification information.   4. The remote camera apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the photographing condition setting unit sets the photographing condition from a signal state of the photographing request signal. Further receiving an encryption key from the remote camera operating device,
The image processing means encrypts the captured image based on the encryption key,
8. The communication control unit according to claim 2, wherein the communication control unit controls the encrypted captured image to be transmitted to the remote camera operating device specified by the specifying unit. Remote camera device.   First time counting means for measuring time is provided, and the first time measuring means measures a waiting time from reception of the photographing request signal to photographing, and after the waiting time elapses from reception of the photographing request signal. 9. The remote camera device according to claim 1, wherein photographing is performed.   10. The remote camera device according to claim 1, wherein when a shooting instruction signal is received after receiving the shooting request signal, shooting is performed with the reception of the shooting instruction signal as a cue. .   First timing means for measuring time is provided. The first time measuring means measures a waiting time from reception of the shooting instruction signal to shooting, and after the waiting time elapses from reception of the shooting instruction signal. The remote camera device according to claim 10, wherein photographing is performed.   After receiving the shooting request signal, a signal pattern for shooting instruction is transmitted to the remote camera operating device specified by the specifying means, and when the signal pattern is received, shooting is performed with the reception of this signal pattern as a cue. The remote camera device according to claim 2, wherein the remote camera device is performed.   First time counting means for measuring time is provided, and the first time measuring means measures a waiting time from reception of the signal pattern to photographing, and photographing is performed after the waiting time from reception of the signal pattern. The remote camera apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the remote camera apparatus is performed.   The remote camera device according to claim 1, wherein an intensity of the photographing request signal is detected and an appropriate focal length is obtained from the intensity.   An IC card in which the information for charging is sent from the IC chip by being held over the IC chip that is built in or attached to the remote camera operating device and that records the information for charging The remote camera device according to claim 1, further comprising a reader device. A remote camera operation device that performs a remote operation on the remote camera device according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
An imaging request creating means for creating the imaging request signal for requesting imaging including identification information for identifying the remote camera operating device itself;
Second communication means for communicating with the remote camera device,
The remote camera that has transmitted the imaging request signal by transmitting the imaging request signal including the imaging conditions that match the characteristics of the remote camera operating device itself or specified from the outside and the identification information to the remote camera device A remote camera operating device, wherein a captured image taken by a camera device is received by the second communication means.   The remote camera operating device according to claim 16, further comprising output means for outputting a captured image received from the remote camera device.   18. The remote camera operating device according to claim 16, further comprising a second time measuring unit that measures time until photographing is performed by the remote camera device.   18. The apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising a second time measuring unit that measures a time until photographing is performed by the remote camera device, and outputs a state of time measurement by the second time measuring unit to the output unit. The remote camera operation device described. 20. The remote camera operating device according to claim 19, wherein when the remaining time until photographing is reduced, the output means outputs the elapsed time by voice. The second time measuring means measures the time at which the image is taken, and when the time at which the image is taken is reached,
21. The remote camera operating device according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the output means outputs a shooting sound. The second time measuring means measures the time at which the image is taken, and when the time at which the image is taken elapses,
The remote camera operating device according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a message indicating that a captured image is ready to be received is output to the output means. At the same time or sequentially sending the shooting request signal to the remote camera device, the encryption key is sent,
23. The remote camera operating device according to claim 16, wherein the captured image encrypted with the encryption key is received and the captured image is decrypted.   An IC chip that records information for billing and is held over the IC card reader device provided in the remote camera device so that the IC card reader sends information for billing is built in or attached to the IC card reader device. The remote camera operating device according to any one of claims 16 to 23. First communication means for receiving, from an external device, identification information for identifying the device and a data generation request signal for requesting generation of data by short-range wireless communication having directivity;
Direction detecting means for detecting the direction in which the data generation request signal is transmitted;
Identifying means for identifying the device that has transmitted the data generation request signal from the identification information;
Data generation means for generating image data ;
Possess respect to the specified device, a communication control means for controlling the first communication means to transmit the data generated, a
The data generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data is captured image data captured in a direction detected by the direction detection unit . The data generation request signal includes information specifying data attributes,
26. The data generation apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the data generation means generates data based on information designating the attribute of the data.

Images