JPH0514895A - Automatic tracking device for camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect a tracking object in all directions by mounting receiving parts on the surfaces in four directions of an omnidirectional receiver provided on a camera so as to eliminate a dead angle in tracking. CONSTITUTION:The signal from a signal transmitter 1 attached to an object P is received by receiving parts 2a-2d of an omnidirectional receiver 2, and then it is outputted to a direction detecting circuit 3. At the direction detecting circuit 3, the output voltages Va-Vd from the receiving parts 2a-2b of the omnidirectional receiver 2 are processed by comparative calculation and the direction of the signal transmitter 1 is identified so as to generate a tracking information. At a motor control circuit 4, a motor 5 is controlled based upon the tracking information and through a transmission mechanism 6, the omnidirectional receiver 2 and a camera 7 are driven as one body. Since the front face of a device main body 8 on which the receiving part 2a is mounted is controlled to face against the signal transmitter 1, and in addition, the camera 7 is set to face in the same direction as the front face of the device main body 8 does, the object P can be automatically tracked at all times.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic tracking device for photographing equipment such as a video camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an automatic tracking device for a camera is usually equipped with a signal transmitter on a tracking target as described in JP-A-1-134351 and the like, and the signal is attached to the front surface of a camera. The direction of the tracking target was detected by receiving with the receiving device directed in the same direction.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, since the receiving device is provided only in the same direction on the front surface, the range in which the tracking target can be detected is very narrow, and the tracking that comes from outside the front direction is performed. The target cannot be captured. Also, when the tracking target is lost and the automatic tracking is restarted, the tracking target cannot be returned unless it returns to the front.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic tracking device for a camera which eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art and eliminates a blind spot for tracking.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is provided with means capable of receiving signals from a signal transmitter attached to a tracking target in all directions.

[0006]

Since the automatic tracking device for a camera having the above-described structure can receive the signal from the signal transmitter in all directions, the blind spot for detecting tracking information can be eliminated.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a system block diagram showing a tracking mechanism of a camera. In FIG. 1, P is a subject as a tracking target, 1 is a signal transmitter attached to the subject P, and 2 is a signal from the signal transmitter 1. Is an omnidirectional receiving device that receives four
It is composed of 2b, 2c and 2d, 2a is attached to the front surface, 2b is attached to the right side surface, 2c is attached to the rear surface, and 2d is attached to the left side surface.
Reference numeral 3 denotes a direction detection circuit that detects the directions of the tracking target P from the outputs of the four receiving devices of the omnidirectional reception device 2 and outputs tracking information. Reference numeral 4 receives the tracking information of the direction detection circuit 3 and drives the motor 5. A motor control circuit for controlling, the motor 5 receives the output of the motor control circuit 4 and integrally drives the omnidirectional receiver 2 and the camera 7 via a transmission mechanism 6. Reference numeral 8 denotes an apparatus main body having an omnidirectional receiver 2, a direction detection circuit 3, a motor control circuit 4, a motor 5 and a transmission mechanism 6.

2 to 4 are external views of a camera provided with a tracking device. FIG. 2 is a top view, FIG. 3 is a front view, and FIG. 4 is a side view. In the figure, reference numeral 9 denotes a fixed tripod which points the camera 7 and the apparatus body 8, and the receiving portions 2a, 2b, 2 are provided on the front, right side, rear and left sides of the apparatus body 8, respectively.
c and 2d are attached.

In this embodiment having the above-mentioned structure, the signals from the signal transmitter 1 attached to the subject P, which is a tracking target, are received by the receivers 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of the omnidirectional receiver 2 and the direction is received. Output to the detection circuit 3. Output voltage V _a from the receiving unit 2a~2d of the direction detecting circuit 3, the omnidirectional receiving apparatus 2, V _b, V _c, and comparison operation V _d, the tracking information to determine the direction of the signal transmitter 1 create. Motor control circuit 4
Then, the motor 5 is controlled based on this tracking information, and the omnidirectional receiver 2 and the camera 7 are driven integrally via the transmission mechanism 6. That is, the driving is controlled so that the signal transmitter 1 faces the front of the device body 8 to which the receiver 2a of the omnidirectional receiver 2 is attached, and the camera 7 faces the same direction as the front of the device body 8. Since it is set, it is possible to automatically track the subject P, which is a tracking target, at all times.

[0010]

As described above, according to the present invention, the means for receiving the signal of the signal transmitter attached to the tracking target object in all directions is provided, so that the blind spot of the tracking can be eliminated and the tracking target object can be widely spread. Can be detected. Furthermore, even if the tracking target is lost, it can be quickly returned, and high reliability can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of an automatic tracking device for a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a camera provided with the automatic tracking device.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the same.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the same.

[Explanation of symbols]

 P Tracking target object 1 Signal transmitter 2 Omnidirectional receiver 2a Receiver (front) 2b Receiver (right side) 2c Receiver (rear) 2d Receiver (left side) 3 Direction detection circuit 4 Motor control circuit 5 Motor 6 Transmission mechanism 7 Camera 8 Device body

Claims (1)

Claim: What is claimed is: 1. An automatic tracking device for a camera, comprising means for receiving signals from a signal transmitter attached to a tracking target in all directions.