JP5223974B2 - Video camera and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a video camera and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a video camera having a network connection function and a camera automatic control function and a control method thereof.

As an automatic camera control function of a video camera, an iris control function for controlling an iris (iris) for adjusting the amount of light incident on the image sensor so that the average output level of the image sensor is within a predetermined range is known ( For example, refer to Patent Document 1), and based on the high frequency component level of the luminance signal obtained from the image sensor, the position of the focus lens provided on the incident light surface side of the image sensor is automatically controlled, and the incident light is A focus control function that focuses an image on a light receiving surface of an image sensor to form an image is known (for example, see Patent Document 2). With these iris control function and focus control function, the video camera can capture a focused image with appropriate brightness even if the subject changes.

In addition, a video camera having a network connection function configured to always be turned on and to be able to respond immediately when accessed through a network is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 3). A video camera with this network connection function is an integrated video camera that transmits digital images to an Internet address, and transfers digital image files to a destination shell account at a predetermined Internet address according to a predetermined file transfer protocol. This allows a user accessing the Internet to use the digital image file in the destination shell account.

Japanese Patent No. 3216022 Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 6-32501 Japanese Patent No. 3034243

However, when a conventional video camera with a VTR (video integrated type VTR) has the above-described conventional camera automatic control function and network connection function, it can be accessed via the network when attempting to connect to the network. Because it is necessary to react immediately, it is necessary to always turn on the power regardless of whether there is access or not so that the autofocus, auto iris, and auto white balance functions are operating.

For this reason, the above-mentioned video camera has an extremely long time when connected to the network, compared with the usage state of the video camera when recording on a normal video tape (for example, 20 days a year, about 1 hour per day). (For example, one month, one year or more when there are many), the video camera unit is kept on. At this time, since auto focus and auto iris that need to be mechanically operated using a motor or the like always operate according to the subject, the mechanical parts are consumed and deteriorated in proportion to the time the power is on. End up.

In addition, video cameras equipped with a network connection function dedicated for monitoring need to use only an electronic shutter exposure adjustment or focus instead of an iris with a mechanical control to deal with these wear and deterioration. This can be done by using a single-focus (pan-focus type) lens having no image, but it cannot be used in a video camera with a VTR for the purpose of recording a high-quality moving image on a recording medium such as a video tape. This is because a video camera with a VTR moves and shoots, so it is necessary to be able to shoot from a very bright outdoor to a very dark indoor, and an electronic shutter alone cannot cope. For this reason, in a video camera with a VTR, an electronic shutter and a mechanical shutter are usually used together.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is a video camera having a network connection function and a camera automatic control function, which is required to record a high-quality moving image on a recording medium. An object of the present invention is to provide a video camera and a control method thereof that can prevent the mechanical parts of the camera from being worn out and deteriorated.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a network connection means for connecting to an external client via a network, an image sensor having an electronic shutter, a focus control means for changing a focal length, and a request from the client. When the video signal captured by the imaging device is transmitted as a moving image stream to the client via the network, and connected to the client by the network connection unit, and when an access occurs from the client, Performing autofocus control using the focus control means and brightness adjustment of incident light of the image sensor using the electronic shutter, and controlling the sending means to send the video signal to the network; Access from If not, auto-focus control using the focus control means is not performed, and control means for controlling to enter a sleep mode for adjusting the brightness of incident light of the image sensor using the electronic shutter is provided. A video camera is provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a network connection means for connecting to an external client via a network, an image sensor, an iris control means for changing the aperture diameter, and according to a request from the client. Sending means for sending a video signal picked up by the image pickup device to the client via the network, and connecting to the client by the network connecting means, and when the access occurs from the client, the iris control means is The automatic iris control used is performed, and the video signal is controlled to be transmitted to the network by the transmission means. When there is no access from the client, the automatic iris control using the iris control means is performed from the client. Access occurs Providing a video camera, characterized in that it comprises a control means for controlling so as to intermittently or dormant mode for a slower than.

  Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for controlling a video camera including an image pickup device having an electronic shutter, wherein an image signal picked up by the image pickup device is connected via an external network. In the network mode that can be sent to the client, when there is an access from the client, the brightness of the incident light of the image sensor using the auto-focus control using the focus control means that changes the focal length and the electronic shutter In the network mode, when there is no access from the client, the autofocus control is not performed, and the brightness of the incident light of the image sensor using the electronic shutter is adjusted. A video camera control method is provided.

  Still further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a video camera control method including an iris control means for changing an aperture diameter, and connects a video signal picked up by the image pickup device via a network. When there is an access from the client in the network mode that can be sent to the external client, the auto iris control using the iris control means is performed, and there is no access from the client in the network mode. Provides a control method for a video camera, wherein auto iris control using the iris control means is performed intermittently or at a lower speed than when access from the client occurs.

The video camera according to the present embodiment is a video camera having network connection means for connecting to an external client via a network, and server means for sending a video signal to the network in accordance with a request from the client, and an electronic shutter. According to a request from the client, a determination unit for determining whether the network mode is to transmit a video signal to the network, and the aperture diameter is varied when the determination unit determines that the network mode is selected. Adjustment control that adjusts the brightness of the incident light of the image sensor using only the electronic shutter when one or both of the iris control means and the focus control means for changing the focal length is inactive and the iris control means is inactive Means.

In this embodiment, when the network mode is set, one or both of the iris control unit and the focus control unit are automatically deactivated, and when the iris control unit is deactivated, only the electronic shutter is used. By adjusting the brightness of the incident light, the movable mechanical components of the iris control means and the focus control means can be stopped.

The video camera of the present embodiment is a video camera having network connection means for connecting to an external client via a network, and server means for sending a video signal to the network according to a request from the client, In accordance with a request from the client, determination means for determining whether the network mode is to send a video signal to the network;
When the determination unit determines that the network mode is selected, at least one of the variable speed of the iris diameter of the iris control unit that changes the aperture diameter and the moving speed of the focus lens of the focus control unit that changes the focal length are And an adjustment control means for controlling the control slowly or intermittently as compared with the mode not connected to the control unit.

In this embodiment, when the network mode is set, at least one of the variable speed of the iris diameter of the iris control means and the moving speed of the focus lens of the focus control means is automatically set in the mode not connected to the client. In contrast, since the control is performed slowly or intermittently, the movable operation of the mechanical components of the iris control means and the focus control means that are movable can be delayed in the network mode as compared with other modes.

According to the present invention, when the network mode is set, or after access from the detected client is lost, or after a predetermined set time elapses after the transmission of the video signal requested to be transmitted to the client is completed, A mode in which one or both of the iris control means and the focus control means are deactivated, or at least one of the variable speed of the iris diameter of the iris control means and the moving speed of the focus lens of the focus control means is not connected to the client Compared to that at the time, the slow or intermittent control makes it possible to stop, slow control, or intermittent operation of the movable mechanical components of the iris control means and the focus control means. The movable mechanical components of the iris control means and the focus control means Worn, deterioration can turn greatly reduced to life than the conventional, and performance when used as an ordinary video camera, the durability can be compatible when used as a network camera connected.

It is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

Next, modes for carrying out the invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a video camera according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the image pickup device 12 has an electronic shutter, and the iris motor 34 stops the brightness of the optical image formed on the image pickup surface of the image pickup device 12 within a certain range at all times. Diaphragm with variable diameter control (iris)
Is provided in the optical system 11, and a focus lens whose stationary position is controlled by a focus motor 35 to form an optical image from the subject in focus on the imaging surface of the image sensor 12 is provided. It is provided in the optical system 11.

Furthermore, the video camera of the present embodiment is configured to be connectable to a network from a DSC (Digital Still Camera System) 30 via a wireless LAN card 41.
Note that the video camera of the present embodiment can be installed in a certain place and used for monitoring purposes, for example. Hereinafter, the operation of each mode of this embodiment will be described.

(1) Camera moving image tape recording mode Incident light from a subject whose angle of view, focus, and iris are adjusted by the optical system 11 is optically reflected on the imaging surface of the imaging device 12 constituted by a charge coupled device (CCD). Tie the statue. The imaging device 12 adjusts the brightness of incident light with an electronic shutter, and is driven by a vertical drive signal from the image processing circuit 14 and a horizontal drive signal from the AFE 13 to photoelectrically convert an optical image on the imaging surface. 2ch image data is output. The 2ch image data is divided into right and left at the center of the screen, and these image data are respectively subjected to S / N improvement and automatic gain control by correlated double sampling (CDS) in the next AFE13. AGC) gain adjustment and A / D conversion digital conversion are sequentially performed to obtain a 2-channel digital signal that is output in parallel.

The 2ch digital signals output in parallel from the AFE 13 are combined in the next stage image processing circuit 14 after gain and setup adjustment, respectively, combined into one image, and output to the camera / JPEG encoder 17.

Here, the oscillator (OSC) 15 generates a clock necessary for camera signal processing. With this clock as a reference, the image processing circuit 14 generates a clock used for CDS and A / D conversion in the AFE 13. A vertical drive signal for driving the image sensor 12 is generated by the image processing circuit 14, amplified, and then supplied to the image sensor 12. The horizontal drive signal is generated by AFE and given to the image sensor 12.

The image data that has become one image by the image processing circuit 14 is converted into the camera / JPEG encoder 1.
7 is subjected to camera signal processing and converted from complementary color CCD data to YUV data. The camera / JPEG encoder 17 performs electronic image processing such as zoom, mosaic, and solarization, and finally, the effective pixels (NTSC: 720 × 480, PAL / SECAM: 720 ×) that meet the standard of the digital video camera (DVC). 576), and the image data is output from the output terminal 18. Here, the camera / JPEG encoder 17 receives a clock from the image processing circuit 14 and outputs a synchronization signal to the image processing circuit 14.
Is output to.

The video encoder / decoder 19 is connected to the output terminal 18 of the camera / JPEG encoder 17.
The image data output from is output as it is as a video signal, and supplied to the DV codec 20. The DV codec 20 compresses the input video signal based on the DV standard, adds the audio signal input from the audio selector / microphone amplifier 21 by A / D conversion to the compressed video signal, and adds an error to the entire signal. After adding a correction code, the signal is modulated by a predetermined modulation method for recording, and then the modulated signal is output to the DVC deck 22 and recorded on a magnetic tape using a rotating head by a known helical scanning method. Let

At this time, in the video encoder / decoder 19, an OSD (on-screen display) 23 converts characters necessary for device operation to the input video signal in accordance with the synchronization signal.
Output from the OSD 23, and the signal from the OSD 23 is synthesized internally, and then the NTSC system or PA
It is modulated into an L / SECAM color video signal and output to a main body display (such as a viewfinder or a liquid crystal display device) 24 and also output to the outside as a video signal.

The sound collected by the microphone 25 is acoustic-electrically converted by the microphone 25 into an audio signal, and the audio signal is DV adjusted after gain adjustment by the audio selector / microphone amplifier 21.
The data is output to the codec 20 and recorded on the magnetic tape together with the video signal of the moving image as described above.

In the entire video camera, the system CPU 26 supplies power to a power circuit (REG) 28 based on data from a user interface (UI) 27 such as operation switches and sensors and an RTC (real time clock) signal from a clock circuit 29. Other blocks are controlled by a control signal or a signal line (not shown).

At the time of camera image processing, device motion information detected by the angular velocity detector (GYRO) 31 is taken into the camera / JPEG encoder 17 via the external buses 32 and 33 via the image processing circuit 14, and for one field. In the camera / JPEG encoder 17 having an image memory, a motion vector of an image between the current and past one field is calculated from the motion information, and a reading position from the image memory is controlled so that the motion vector is minimized. In this way, the moving image is prevented from being shaken finely due to camera shake or the like.

Next, the camera automatic control function will be described. Each time one field of image data is input from the image processing circuit 14 to the camera / JPEG encoder 17, the average luminance output level is calculated for each block obtained by dividing the one-field image. Camera / JP
Subsequently, the EG encoder 17 calculates the calculated average luminance output level to be within a certain range by a predetermined algorithm, generates a control signal according to the calculation result, and sets the external buses 33 and 32 to To the image processing circuit 14.

The drive signal output from the image processing circuit 14 drives and controls the iris motor 34, and the aperture of the iris in the optical system 11 can be changed according to the rotation angle and direction of the iris motor 34.
Iris adjustment is performed such that the neutral density filter is inserted into or removed from the incident optical path of the image sensor 12. Further, when the amount of incident light is large, adjustment is performed using the electronic shutter of the image sensor 12. With such auto iris control, the brightness of the optical image formed on the imaging surface of the image sensor 12 is always controlled within a certain range even if the brightness of the subject changes.

Similarly, the camera / JPEG encoder 17 calculates the high frequency component level of each luminance signal for each block obtained by dividing one field image, and calculates the focus position corresponding to the subject based on the calculated high frequency component level. Then, the calculation result is supplied to the image processing circuit 14 via the external buses 33 and 32, and an autofocus signal is generated from the image processing circuit 14, thereby generating the focus motor 3
5 is driven and controlled. In accordance with the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the focus motor 35, the optical system 1
The focus lens in 1 moves in the direction of the image sensor 12 or in the opposite direction by a distance corresponding to the amount of rotation described above so that incident light from the subject is focused on the image pickup surface of the image sensor and forms an image. Autofocus control is performed.

With the electronic shutter and auto iris control and auto focus control described above, it is possible to capture a moving image that is in focus at an appropriate brightness even when the brightness and position of the subject changes, and the captured moving image can be captured by the DVC deck 22. Can be recorded on magnetic tape.

(2) Tape reproduction mode The signal reproduced from the magnetic tape by the DVC deck 22 is supplied to the DV codec 20 to be demodulated and error-corrected, and the obtained reproduced moving image signal is once sent to the camera / JPEG encoder 17 after DV decompression. The reproduced audio data obtained and output is D / A converted, then amplified by the audio selector / microphone amplifier 21 and supplied to the speaker 36, where it is electro-acoustic converted to produce sound.

The reproduced moving image signal is subjected to processing such as zooming and still processing as required by the camera / JPEG encoder 17, and then output to the video encoder / decoder 19, where (
Similar to the tape recording mode of the camera moving image 1), the video is output to the display 24 and the video input / output terminal for viewing.

(3) Video recording mode to memory When the same operation as the camera video tape recording mode in (1) is performed, the camera / JPE
A moving image signal is output from the G encoder 17 to the DSC 30. Also, the microphone 25
After the audio signal input from is amplified by the audio selector / microphone amplifier 21, the audio A
The signal is A / D converted by the DC / DAC 37 to be converted into digital audio data and supplied to the DSC 30.

The DSC 30 receives the moving image signal input from the camera / JPEG encoder 17 as CIF (
352 × 288), QVGA (320 × 240), etc., and converted to a predetermined size / frame rate that can be handled by a personal computer (PC) tool.
And so on. The DSC 30 also performs compression after converting the audio data input from the audio ADC / DAC into a sampling rate and bit number that can be handled by a tool on the PC, as in the case of the moving image signal.

Then, the DSC 30 combines the compressed moving image data and audio data into one file and writes it to the SD memory card 38. At this time, a read only memory (ROM) 39 connected to the DSC 30 is used as a program code, and a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) 40 is used as an image buffer and a work area.

The memory recording at the time of tape playback is similar to the above-mentioned memory recording of the camera moving image.
The PEG encoder 17 outputs a tape playback moving image to the DSC 30, the tape playback audio signal is output from the audio selector / microphone amplifier 21 to the audio ADC / DAC 37, and is output to the DSC 30 after A / D conversion. As a result, it is possible to record the tape playback moving image on the SD memory card 38 as an MPEG4 moving image.

(4) Video playback mode from memory MPEG4 from the SD memory card 38 connected to the SDIO-I / F of the DSC 30
And the like, and after being separated into moving image compressed data and audio compressed data by the DSC 30, they are respectively decompressed. The DSC 30 converts the frame rate and size to the video encoder / decoder 19 so as to conform to the television standard such as NTSC, PAL, or SECAM after decompressing the moving image such as MPEG4 with respect to the moving image compressed data. After decompressing the audio compression data, the sampling frequency is converted in accordance with the frequency used by the audio ADC / DAC 37 and output.

The moving image data output from the DSC 30 is displayed on the display 24 via the video encoder / decoder 19 and also output to the video input / output terminal. The audio data output from the DSC 30 is D / A converted by the audio ADC / DAC 37, and then supplied to the speaker 36 via the audio selector / microphone amplifier 21 to be sounded.

(5) Still Image Recording Mode to Memory As in the above (1) camera moving image tape recording mode, the camera / JPEG encoder 17 captures an image and performs JPEG compression here. Thereafter, the JPEG compressed data is supplied to the image processing circuit 14 via the external buses 33 and 32, and further transmitted to the DSC 30 by high-speed serial transfer. The DSC 30 converts the received JPEG compressed data into a file and records it on the SD memory card 38.

(6) Still image playback mode from memory JPEG compressed data is read from the SD memory card 38 and supplied to the DSC 30.
Here, JPEG decompression is performed. Then, after converting the size to match the television standard such as NTSC, PAL, or SECAM, it is output to the video encoder / decoder 19 and displayed on the display 24 or as a video signal to the video input / output terminal. To do.

(7) Network Still Image Transfer Mode In the network mode, an external wireless access point or a computer 42 equipped with a wireless function is wirelessly connected by an SDIO wireless LAN card (SDIO-WLAN) 41. In DSC30, TCP / IP protocol stack and Web server are installed.
This video camera can be controlled by access from these external devices.

Specifically, the Web page recorded in the ROM 39 connected to the DSC 30 is accessed from the external computer 42 by using a Web browser or the like, and thereby, an item selection or button of the Web page displayed on the screen of the external computer 42 By clicking, the information is transmitted to the video camera side via the network, and a request (still image selection, moving image selection, VTR control, etc.) is made to the video camera.

When the external computer 42 selects a still image size on the still image Web page and issues a still image capture request to the video camera via the network, the DSC 3 in the video camera
A request for capturing a still image is issued from 0 to the system CPU 26 via the serial signal line, thereby starting the same operation as the still image recording mode to the memory of (5). At this time, the information selected on the Web page for the size of the still image is transmitted to the system CPU 26, and still image data of a specified size is created and input to the DSC 30.

In the DSC 30, still image data obtained by JPEG compression of a moving image obtained by imaging with the image sensor 12 is temporarily written in the SDRAM 40, and the still image data is stored in the external computer 4.
2 through the network. The external computer 42 receives the still image data, JPEG decompresses it with a web browser or a dedicated tool, and displays it on the web browser. As a result, a still image taken by the video camera via a network such as the Internet can be viewed on the screen of the external computer 42.

The operation of the camera automatic control function in the network still image transfer mode is as follows. When an access from the network occurs, an electronic shutter is used using an image for each field as in the tape recording mode of the camera moving image in (1). Auto iris control using iris is performed and auto focus control is performed at a normal speed. If there is access, the system CPU 26
When a certain time (for example, 5 minutes) elapses after the data is output to the network, the signal is not shown to the camera / JPEG encoder 17 using the internal timer. Send iris / focus pause command by line. As a result, the camera / JPEG encoder 17 enters a pause mode for iris and focus control.

Specifically, the control output of the iris motor 34 and the focus motor 35 is completely stopped. Alternatively, the control is performed intermittently (for example, every 10 fields). Or the iris motor 34,
By slowing down the control with respect to the focus motor 35, the operations of the iris motor 34 and the focus motor 35 are reduced, and the wear and deterioration of the mechanical part of the optical system 11 are prevented.

If there is access from the network again, the camera / J
By sending an iris / focus resumption command to the PEG encoder 17, it is possible to return to the normal high speed control of the iris motor 34 and the focus motor 35 for each field so that a high quality image can be captured.

It should be noted that auto iris control and autofocus control can be automatically put into the sleep mode by switching to the network mode regardless of access from the network. When switching to the network mode, all the mechanical controls are stopped in the auto iris control pause mode described above, and the brightness of the still image obtained by imaging with the image sensor 12 using only the electronic shutter is adjusted. Further, in the auto focus control pause mode, the drive control of the focus motor 35 is stopped.

In the network mode, the video camera according to the present embodiment is usually used for monitoring purposes, so the brightness of the subject should not change suddenly and can be adapted to the brightness of the place. Exposure adjustment may be performed and only an electronic shutter can be used. Therefore, the exposure adjustment amount by the mechanical shutter before entering the network mode may be held during the network mode.

(8) Network camera video stream transfer mode This mode is also the same as the network still image transfer mode of (7).
Thus, an external video camera is connected to the external computer 42 via the network. ROM connected to the DSC 30 from the external computer 42 using a Web browser or the like
By accessing the web page recorded at 39 and selecting an item on the web page or clicking a button, a request for camera moving image stream transfer is made to the video camera.

When the video camera receives a request to transfer a camera moving image stream from the external computer 42 by clicking a button on the Web page by the external computer 42, the DSC 30 sends the camera moving image tape recording mode setting (1) to the system CPU 26. The camera / JPEG encoder 1 is issued under the control of the system CPU 26 based on the request.
7 is supplied to the DSC 30.

The DSC 30 uses the input moving image data in the same manner as the moving image recording mode of the memory (3).
It compresses with the size set by the eb page, and sends it out as a moving picture stream to the external computer 42 using the SDRAM 40 as a buffer via the network. Also,
The DSC 30 outputs information such as a codec type, an image size, and a bit rate at the beginning of the moving image stream data, and based on this information, moving image reproducing software on the external computer 42 reproduces the moving image stream. Then, the video stream continues to be transferred until the connection with the external computer 42 is disconnected.

The operation of the camera automatic control function at this time uses an image for each field in the same manner as the camera moving image tape recording mode in (1) until access from the network occurs and connection of the video stream is completed. Thus, the auto iris control using the electronic shutter and the iris is performed and the auto focus control is performed at a normal speed. When a fixed time (for example, 5 minutes) elapses after the connection of the moving picture stream is disconnected, the iris control and focus control mechanical modes of the optical system 11 are set in a stop mode of iris control and focus control. Consumption and deterioration can be prevented. Alternatively, as described in the network still image transfer mode (7), a sleep mode may be entered in which iris control and focus control are delayed when the network mode is selected.

When the video camera receives a video stream transfer request of the SD memory card 38 from the external computer 42 via the Web page, the DSC 30 reads the video file from the SD memory card 38, and the format of the video file is the network. If it is a format that can be sent out, it is converted into a format that can be sent out as it is, otherwise it is sent out as a moving image stream to the external computer 42 using the SDRAM 40 as a buffer.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, when an access is made from an external client via the network, or the access mode from the network is set in the setting mode of the video camera. When it is, only one of the auto focus control and the auto iris control may be performed as described in the above embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Optical system 12 Image pick-up element 14 Image processing circuit 17 Camera / JPEG encoder 19 Video encoder / decoder 20 DV codec 22 DVC deck 25 Microphone 26 System CPU (central processing unit)
30 DSC (Digital Still Camera System)
31 Angular velocity detector (GYRO)
34 Iris motor 35 Focus motor 36 Speaker 38 SD memory card 41 Wireless LAN card 42 External computer

Claims (4)

Network connection means for connecting to an external client via a network;
An image sensor having an electronic shutter;
Focus control means for varying the focal length;
Sending means for sending a video signal imaged by the imaging device according to a request from the client to the client as a moving image stream via the network;
Connected to the client by the network connection means;
When access from the client occurs, autofocus control using the focus control unit and brightness adjustment of incident light of the image sensor using the electronic shutter are performed, and the video signal is transmitted by the sending unit. Control to send to the network,
When there is no access from the client, autofocus control using the focus control unit is not performed, and control is performed so as to enter a sleep mode in which the brightness of the incident light of the image sensor using the electronic shutter is adjusted. Control means and
A video camera comprising: Network connection means for connecting to an external client via a network;
An image sensor;
An iris control means for varying the aperture diameter;
Sending means for sending a video signal imaged by the imaging device according to a request from the client to the client via the network;
When the network connection means is connected to the client and an access occurs from the client, auto iris control using the iris control means is performed, and the video signal is sent to the network by the sending means. And control means for controlling auto-iris control using the iris control means to be in a pause mode that is performed intermittently or at a lower speed than when access from the client occurs when there is no access from the client. A video camera comprising: A method for controlling a video camera including an imaging device having an electronic shutter,
In a network mode in which a video signal imaged by the image sensor can be sent to an external client connected via a network, when there is an access from the client, a focus control means for changing a focal length is used. Adjust the brightness of the incident light of the image sensor using autofocus control and the electronic shutter,
In the network mode, when there is no access from the client, the autofocus control is not performed, and the brightness adjustment of incident light of the image pickup device using the electronic shutter is performed. Control method. A method for controlling a video camera comprising an iris control means for varying an aperture diameter,
When there is an access from the client in a network mode in which the video signal picked up by the image pickup device can be sent to an external client connected via a network, auto iris control using the iris control means is performed. ,
In the network mode, when there is no access from the client, the auto iris control using the iris control unit is performed intermittently or at a lower speed than when the access from the client occurs. Control method.

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