JPH0937140A - Photographing simulator and photographing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control a camera so that an unwanted object can not be photographed. SOLUTION: An image pickup range calculating part 104a calculates an image pickup range by inputting the lens focal distance of a camera 101 and the direction of the camera depending on a universal head 103a. Then, an alarm signal generating part 105a compares the image pickup range inputted from the image pickup range calculating part 104a with photographing permitted area data stored in an image pickup limitation map 106a and when the image pickup range gets out of a photographing permitted area, an alarm signal is outputted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographing simulation device for simulating photographing by a camera and a photographing device provided with a camera and a moving means for changing the position or direction of the camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional photographing apparatus comprises a television camera and a pan head, and in many cases, a zoom lens is mounted. The television camera mounted on the platform can be rotated in the horizontal direction (pan direction) or in the vertical direction (tilt direction), and the focal length can be continuously changed from the wide angle to the telephoto by the zoom lens. In many cases, the platform itself is mounted on a movable platform, and can be moved back and forth, left and right and up and down on the floor.

For example, in shooting in a studio of a television station, it is not desirable to shoot a device in the studio depending on the type of program. In such cases, it was left to the cameraman's technique to operate a television camera to avoid shooting things that were undesirable to shoot.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 153458/1993 discloses an attempt to limit the amount of zoom depending on the direction of the camera.
In this conventional example, the widening of the angle of view is not taken into consideration, and the only purpose is not to take a telephoto image of an object near the center of the screen.

[0005]

In the above-mentioned conventional photographing apparatus, the spread of the angle of view is not taken into consideration. Therefore, when the camera is panned / tilted or the lens is zoomed to the short focus side, the microphone or the illuminator is used. It was impossible to prevent the device in the studio from being caught at the edge of the screen.

The sun is another example where you should avoid taking pictures even at the edge of the screen. When the sun was shot inadvertently while shooting outdoors on a nice day, the automatic exposure adjustment function moved the aperture value, causing the entire screen to suddenly darken.

When the sun is photographed,
The afterimage of the sun image may remain on the screen, giving the viewer an unsightly impression. Another example of what you should avoid shooting is the shadow of the camera itself, which is created by sunlight.

It should be noted that there has been no means for knowing whether or not a photographed object should be photographed until the photographing is actually started.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a photographing simulation apparatus and a photographing apparatus capable of preventing the photographing of an undesired subject. .

[0010]

Therefore, the photographing simulation apparatus according to the present invention is a photographing simulation apparatus for simulating photographing by a camera, and the photographing range is assumed from the photographing direction and the focal length of the lens. Assuming means, positional relationship detecting means for detecting the positional relationship between the imaging range assumed by the imaging range estimating means and a predetermined spatial range, and a warning for outputting a warning signal corresponding to the detection result by the positional relationship detecting means. And a positional relationship detecting means for detecting a positional relationship between a predetermined spatial range set in the stored photographing restriction map and the assumed imaging range. It is intended to achieve the above object.

A photographing device according to the present invention is a photographing device equipped with a camera and a moving means for changing the direction of the camera,
Direction detecting means for detecting an image capturing direction, image capturing range detecting means for obtaining an image capturing range in space from the image capturing direction detected by the direction detecting means and the focal length of the lens, and an image capturing range determined by the image capturing range detecting means. A positional relationship detecting means for detecting a positional relationship with the spatial range of, and a warning means for outputting a warning signal corresponding to the detection result by the positional relationship detecting means, or A photographing apparatus comprising a camera and a moving means for changing the position and the direction of the camera, the position and direction detecting means for detecting the photographing position and the photographing direction, and the photographing position, the photographing direction and the lens detected by the position and direction detecting means. Imaging range detection means for obtaining the imaging range in space from the focal length of the imaging range, and the position of the imaging range determined by the imaging range detection means and the predetermined spatial range With a configuration characterized by including a positional relationship detecting means for detecting the engagement, and a warning means for outputting a warning signal corresponding to the detection result by the positional relationship detecting means, and the positional relationship detecting means, A configuration characterized by detecting the positional relationship between a predetermined spatial range set in the stored photographing restriction map and the image capturing range determined by the image capturing range detecting means, or in addition to the above configuration, from the warning means. In response to the warning signal of, the configuration including a control means for transmitting at least one of a video signal transmission, a camera rotation, or a lens focal length movement amount,
Alternatively, the control means limits the focal length of the lens so as not to move to the wide-angle side in response to the warning signal from the warning means, thereby achieving the above object. Is.

[0012]

With the structure of the photographing simulation device and the structure of the photographing device, the positional relationship detecting means detects the positional relationship between the imaging range and the predetermined spatial range,
The warning means outputs a warning signal corresponding to the detection result by the positional relationship detection means, so that it is possible to prevent the camera from photographing an unwanted object.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a photographing simulation apparatus and a photographing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of embodiment 1 which is an embodiment of a photographing simulation apparatus of the present invention.

In this embodiment, when the television camera has only the freedom of rotation, that is, the television camera is translated,
This is an embodiment applied when it cannot be moved up and down.

Reference numeral 1 is a keyboard for inputting parameters indicating a shooting state. In this embodiment, there are two parameters indicating the shooting state, one is the direction of the television camera, and the other is the focal length of the zoom lens. Reference numeral 2 is a parameter memory for storing the above-mentioned parameter indicating the shooting state. Reference numeral 3 denotes an assumed imaging range calculation unit, which calculates and outputs a range (defined as an assumed imaging range) in which an image is actually taken by a television camera in the state indicated by the contents of the parameter memory 2. The method of expressing the coordinates and the method of expressing the assumed imaging range in this embodiment will be described later.

The assumed imaging range calculated by the assumed imaging range calculation unit 3 is input to the warning signal generation unit 4. The warning signal generation unit 4 refers to the above-mentioned assumed imaging range and the photographing permission area data extracted from the photographing restriction map 5, and generates a warning signal if necessary.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a method of expressing coordinates in this embodiment.

O is an origin centered on the television camera. X, Y, and Z are coordinate axes that are orthogonal to each other. The direction of the vector OR coincides with the direction of the TV camera.
The line segment OR ₁ is a projection of the line segment OR on the XY plane. θ is the angle between the X axis and OR ₁ , and φ is the angle between OR ₁ and OR. The direction of the television camera can be expressed as (θ, φ) using these values. These two angle components are defined as Θ coordinate component and Φ coordinate component, respectively.

The expression of the angle of view will be described with reference to FIG. The angle of view to be imaged can be arbitrarily determined from the size of the imaging device in the television camera assumed to be used and the focal length f of the lens in the parameter memory 2. The angle of view to be captured is divided into a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, where α is the horizontal angle of view and β is the vertical angle of view.

The assumed imaging range when the television camera is oriented in the direction of OR is an infinite quadrangular pyramid surrounded by straight lines OA, OB, OC and OD. At this time, the φ coordinate component of the assumed imaging range is obviously φ−β / 2 to φ + β / 2. On the other hand, the θ coordinate component of the assumed imaging range becomes a function of φ and is more complicated, but when φ is small, that is, when the television camera is close to horizontal, it can be approximated by θ−α / 2 to θ + α / 2.

If the television camera is used only in a state in which it is almost horizontal, the assumed imaging range calculation section 3 may be configured to output an approximate value as described above. However, when the television camera is largely shaken in the vertical direction, the assumed imaging range calculation unit 3 must be configured to calculate an accurate assumed imaging range.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the structure of the image pickup restriction map 5 in this embodiment. In the shooting restriction map 5, the ranges of Θ and Φ are determined so that the zoom lens has a full focal length on the wide-angle side and includes the entire range shot when the TV camera is shaken up, down, left, and right to the maximum. . A map is constructed with an appropriate angular step width within the range thus determined.

What the photographing restriction map 5 expresses is whether or not imaging at that position is permitted when the Θ and Φ coordinate components of the imaging position are given. In the present embodiment, it is expressed that photographing at that position is permitted = 0, and photographing at that position is not permitted = 1.

When creating the photographing restriction map 5, first, the entire area is filled with the value 0. Next, information on the direction and size of the object which should not be photographed is obtained. A value 1 is set in the area on the shooting restriction map 5 corresponding to the direction and size of the object that should not be shot. The photographing restriction map 5 is created by the above operation. An area where the value 1 is placed on the shooting restriction map 5 is defined as a shooting prohibited area, and other areas are defined as a shooting permitted area.

The assumed image pickup range calculated by the image pickup range calculation unit 3 is input to the warning signal generation unit 4. Of the shooting restriction data on the shooting restriction map 5, the data existing within the above-mentioned assumed imaging range is taken out by the warning signal generating unit 4. The warning signal generation unit 4 generates a warning signal when the captured photographing limit data includes a value of 1.

For example, in FIG. 4, 20 is one of the photographing prohibited areas. When the current assumed imaging range is plotted on the shooting restriction map 5, it is assumed that the range shown in the area 21 is reached. The warning signal generation unit 4 detects that the photographing restriction data within the current assumed imaging range 21 is taken out and that the data of value 1 is included therein, and generates a warning signal.

In the present embodiment, the parameter memory 2
Data was input to the keyboard 1 using the keyboard 1. For this, a value prepared in advance on the table may be read at fixed time intervals and written in the parameter memory 2.

For example, suppose you do not want to photograph the sun.
The position of a celestial body at any time can generally be easily calculated. Therefore, it is easy to pre-calculate the position of the sun that changes during the shooting period at appropriate time intervals. If the positions of the sun calculated in advance are sequentially captured in the photographing restriction map 5, it is possible to prevent the sun from being photographed for a long time.

Alternatively, the movement of the camera may be described in advance as a scenario, and shooting parameters that change as the scenario progresses may be written in the parameter memory 2.

(Embodiment 2) In Embodiment 2, the warning signal generator 4 and the photographing restriction map 5 of Embodiment 1 are improved.

In the second embodiment, the method of expressing the direction of the television camera and the method of expressing the assumed imaging range are the same as in the first embodiment. The operation of the assumed imaging range calculation unit 3 is similar to that of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the structure of the photographing restriction map 5 in this embodiment. In FIG. 5, the ranges of Θ and Φ are determined as in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, what is expressed by the photographing restriction map 5 is a restriction that should be given to the movement of the camera at the position when the Θ coordinate component and the Φ coordinate component of the image pickup position are given. FIG. 6 shows the shooting restriction map 5.
It is an explanatory view showing correspondence between the value of and the contents of the above-mentioned restriction. An area in which shooting is not permitted is defined as a shooting prohibited area (1), the other area is defined as a shooting permitted area (0), and areas where some kind of restriction is imposed on shooting are defined as shooting restricted areas (2) to (9).

In this embodiment, when the photographing restriction map 5 is created, first, the entire area of the photographing restriction map 5 is set to 0.
Fill in. The direction and size of what is not desired to be photographed is checked, and the value 1 is set in the corresponding area on the photographing restriction map 5. The operation up to this point is the same as the creation procedure in the first embodiment.

Next, a position to the right of the position where the value 1 is written on the shooting restriction map 5, that is, a position where if the TV camera is further panned to the left while shooting that position, the position will enter the shooting prohibited area. Put the value 2 into.

Next, the value 3 is set at a position where if the television camera is tilted further up while the position below the value 1 on the shooting restriction map 5 is being imaged, the image will enter the shooting prohibited area.

Similarly, the photographing restriction data having the content shown in FIG. 6 can be arranged on the photographing restriction map 5.

In the present embodiment, the warning signal generator 4 generates a warning signal when the taken-out photographing restriction data includes a value other than 0. The warning signal expresses the warning content by a numerical sequence, and in the simplest case, it can be generated according to the following rules.

1. 1. Output non-zero captured shooting limit data. Do not output the same value more than once 2. The one with the smaller value is output first.

In FIG. 5, 30 is one of the photographing prohibited areas arranged as described above, and 32 is one of the photographing restricted areas. It is assumed that when the current assumed imaging range is plotted on the shooting restriction map 5, the range becomes 31.
The warning signal generating unit 4 extracts the data included in the range 31 from the photographing restriction data shown in FIG. The warning signal generator 4 detects that the taken-out photographing restriction data includes data other than the value 0, and generates the warning signal {3,8} by the above procedure.

As shown in FIG. 6, this is a warning signal which means that "tilt up", "pan rightward and simultaneously tilt up", "zoom out" must not be performed.

As described above, in the first and second embodiments, when the photographing direction angle of the television camera and the focal length of the lens are given to the embodiment as data, a means for obtaining a photographing range when photographing is performed under the conditions. have. When the image pickup range deviates from the predetermined range, a warning signal is issued, so that it is possible to prevent the television camera from shooting an undesired image.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of embodiment 3 which is an embodiment of the image pickup apparatus of the present invention. In this embodiment, when the camera has only the rotational degree of freedom,
That is, this is an embodiment applied when the camera cannot be translated or moved vertically.

Reference numeral 101 denotes a television camera, which has an optical system 10.
An image of the subject is obtained through 2a and output as a video signal. The optical system 102a includes a zoom lens and means for detecting the current focal length. Reference numeral 103a is a platform that enables the TV camera 101 to be rotated vertically and horizontally. The platform 103a includes a direction sensor that detects the current direction of the TV camera. An imaging range calculation unit 104a inputs the current focal length of the lens and the current camera direction, calculates and outputs the current imaging range of the television camera 101.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a method of expressing coordinates in this embodiment.

O is an origin centered on the camera. X,
Y and Z are coordinate axes that are orthogonal to each other. Vector OR
The direction of corresponds to the direction of the television camera 101. The line segment OR ₁ is a projection of the line segment OR on the XY plane. θ is X
The angle between the axis and OR ₁ and φ is the angle between OR ₁ and OR. The direction of the TV camera uses these values (θ,
φ) can be expressed. These two angle components are defined as Θ coordinate component and Φ coordinate component, respectively.

The expression of the angle of view will be described with reference to FIG. The angle of view to be picked up can be arbitrarily determined from the size of the image pickup device in the television camera 101 and the focal length f of the lens in the optical system 102a. The angle of view to be captured is divided into a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, where α is the horizontal angle of view and β is the vertical angle of view.

The assumed imaging range when the television camera 101 is oriented in the direction of OR is an infinite quadrangular pyramid surrounded by straight lines OA, OB, OC and OD. At this time, the Φ coordinate component of the imaging range is apparently Φ−β / 2 to Φ + β / 2. On the other hand, the θ coordinate component of the imaging range becomes a function of φ and is more complicated, but when φ is small, that is, when the television camera is close to horizontal, it can be approximated by θ−α / 2 to θ + α / 2.

If the television camera 101 is used only in a state in which it is almost horizontal, the imaging range calculation unit 104a may be configured to output an approximate value as described above. However, when the TV camera 101 is shaken greatly in the vertical direction,
The imaging range calculation unit 104a must be configured to calculate an accurate imaging range.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration example of the image pickup restriction map 106a in this embodiment. Shooting restriction map 1
In the case of 06a, the ranges of Θ and Φ are determined so that the zoom lens has the full focal length on the wide-angle side and includes the entire range photographed when the television camera is shaken up, down, left, and right to the maximum. A map is constructed with an appropriate angular step width within the range thus determined.

What the photographing restriction map 106a expresses is that when the Θ coordinate component and the Φ coordinate component of the image pickup position are given,
Whether or not imaging at that position is permitted. In the present embodiment, it is expressed that photographing at that position is permitted = 0, and photographing at that position is not permitted = 1.

When creating the photographing restriction map 106a, first, the entire area is filled with the value 0. Next, check the direction and size of the object that should not be photographed.
The shooting restriction map 106a is created by performing an operation of setting a value of 1 in the area on the shooting restriction map 106a corresponding to the direction and size of the examined object which is not desired to be shot. An area where a value of 1 is placed on the shooting restriction map 106a is defined as a shooting prohibited area, and other areas are defined as a shooting permitted area.

The image pickup range calculated by the image pickup range calculation unit 104a is input to the warning signal generation unit 105a. Of the shooting restriction data on the shooting restriction map 106a, the warning signal generating section 105a is the one that exists within the above-mentioned imaging range.
Retrieved by The warning signal generation unit 105a generates a warning signal when the taken-out photography restriction data includes a value of 1. When the warning signal is generated, the switch SW shuts off the video signal output from the television camera 101.

In FIG. 10, 120 is one of the photographing prohibited areas. The current imaging range is set to the shooting restriction map 106.
It is assumed that the range shown in the area 121 is reached when plotted on a. The warning signal generation unit 105a detects that the photographing restriction data within the current imaging range 121 is taken out, and that the data of value 1 is included therein, and generates a warning signal. The switch SW receiving the warning signal cuts off the video signal from the television camera 101.

(Fourth Embodiment) In the third embodiment, the video signal is cut off when the camera is directed to the photographing prohibited area. If the system has a device for transmitting a video signal other than the television camera 101, the video signal may be blocked, but this may cause a problem. In consideration of this point, it is the fourth embodiment described below.

In this embodiment, the photographing range is prevented from entering the photographing prohibited area. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the fourth embodiment.

This embodiment is also applied when the camera has only the rotational degree of freedom, that is, when the camera cannot be translated or moved up and down.

Reference numeral 101 shown in FIG. 11 is a television camera similar to that of the third embodiment, which obtains an image of a subject through the optical system 102b and outputs it as a video signal. The optical system 102b includes a zoom lens, a motor that drives the zoom lens, and a unit that detects the focal length of the zoom lens. 103b
Is an electric pan head, which enables the TV camera 101 to rotate vertically and horizontally.

The electric pan head 103b includes a motor and a direction sensor for detecting the current direction of the television camera 101. 130 is a remote controller for moving the zoom lens,
It is connected to the zoom control unit 140. Zoom control unit 1
40 receives a signal from the remote controller 130 and receives the optical system 1
A voltage is generated to zoom in or zoom out the zoom lens in 02b. 131 is an electric pan head 10
It is a remote controller for moving 3b and is connected to the platform control section 141. The platform controller 141 receives a signal from the remote controller 131 and generates a voltage for moving the electric platform 103b.

In the fourth embodiment, the method of expressing the direction of the television camera 101 and the method of expressing the imaging range are the same as those in the third embodiment. The operation of the imaging range calculation unit 104a is also the third embodiment.
Is the same as

The shooting range calculated by the shooting range calculation unit 104a is input to the warning signal generation unit 105b. Of the shooting restriction data on the shooting restriction map 106b, the data existing within the shooting range is taken out by the warning signal generator 105b. The warning signal generation unit 105b generates a warning signal according to the content of the taken photographing restriction data. This warning signal is input to the restriction signal generator 107b. The limit signal generator 107b sends a limit signal to the zoom controller 140, the platform controller 141, or the switch SW according to the value of the warning signal. The side receiving the limit signal limits its operation according to the value of the limit signal.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration example of the photographing restriction map 106b in this embodiment.

In the photographing restriction map 106b, the ranges of Θ and Φ are set so that the focal length of the zoom lens is set to the wide angle side and the television camera 101 is swung up and down and left and right to the maximum extent. It has been decided. A map is constructed with an appropriate angular step width within the range thus determined.

What the photographing restriction map 106b represents is that when the Θ coordinate component and the Φ coordinate component of the image pickup position are given,
It is a restriction that should be given to the platform and optical system at that position. FIG. 13 shows the correspondence between the content of the above-mentioned limitation and the photographing limitation data value. An area where photography is not permitted is defined as a photography prohibition area, an area other than that is defined as a photography permission area, and an area where some limitation is imposed on photography is defined as a photography restriction area.

When creating the photographing restriction map 106b, first, the entire area of the photographing restriction map 106b is filled with the value 0. The direction and size of what is not desired to be photographed is checked, and the value 1 is set in the corresponding area on the photographing restriction map. The operations up to this point are the shooting restriction map 106 of the third embodiment.
This is the same as the procedure for creating a.

Next, a value of 1 is set on the photographing restriction map 106b.
A value of 2 is set at a position to the right of the position where is placed, that is, a position where if the television camera 101 is further panned to the left while the position is being imaged, it will enter the shooting prohibited area. Next,
The value 3 is set below the value 1 on the shooting restriction map 106b, that is, at a position where if the television camera 101 is tilted further up while the position is being imaged, the television camera 101 enters the shooting prohibited area.

Similarly, the photographing restriction data having the contents shown in FIG. 13 can be arranged on the photographing restriction map 106b.

The warning signal generator 105b generates a warning signal when the taken-out photographing restriction data includes a value other than 0. The warning signal expresses the warning content by a numerical sequence, and in the simplest case, it can be generated according to the following rules. 1. Output non-zero captured shooting limit data. Do not output the same value more than once 2. The one with the smaller value is output first.

The restriction signal generator 107b receives the warning signal and outputs the restriction signal corresponding to the warning signal by the method shown in FIG.

When the zoom control section 140 receives the zoom limit signal, the zoom control section 140 is configured so as not to zoom to the wide angle side from the current focal length. When the platform control unit 141 receives the platform control signal, the platform control unit 141 is configured to limit the movement of at least one of pan and tilt according to the value.
The switch SW is configured to cut off the video signal when receiving the video cutoff signal.

In FIG. 12, 50 is one of the photographing prohibited areas arranged as described above, and 52 is one of the photographing restricted areas. It is assumed that when the current imaging range is plotted on the imaging restriction map 106b, the range becomes 51. The warning signal generator 105b detects that the shooting restriction data within the current shooting range 51 is taken out, and that the data other than the value 0 is included therein, and generates the warning signal {3,8}.

The warning signal is input to the limiting signal generator 107b, and the limiting signal is generated by the method shown in FIG. In this case, the following signals are generated as the limiting signals: Pan head control signal that prohibits tilting upwards Pan head control signal that prohibits tilting upwards simultaneously with panning to the right Banning zoom out Zoom control signal The zoom control unit 140 and the pan head control unit 141 that have received the limiting signal have their operations restricted as instructed by the limiting signal, and can prevent the photographing prohibited area from being photographed.

(Fifth Embodiment) In the fifth embodiment, the contents of the image-capturing range determining means are not fixed, and the contents may change during operation.

For example, suppose that one does not want to photograph the shadow of the camera formed by the sun and sunlight. The position of a celestial body at any time can generally be easily calculated. Therefore, it is easy to pre-calculate the position of the sun that changes during the shooting period at appropriate time intervals. If the topography of the shooting location is known, the position of the changing camera shadow can be calculated in advance at appropriate time intervals. If the positions of the sun and the shadow of the camera are sequentially captured in the shooting restriction map 106a or the shooting restriction map 106b, it is possible to prevent the shadow of the sun and the camera from being shot for a long time.

(Embodiment 6) In the above embodiment, since the photographing restriction map is represented by only two components, the Θ coordinate component and the Φ coordinate component, it is easy to realize, but when the camera moves in the photographing space, It was not applicable.

This problem can be solved by expressing the position of the camera and the outside world of the camera in a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system fixed to the earth.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the essential structure of the sixth embodiment constructed in consideration of the above points.

The operations of the television camera 101, the optical system 102b, the platform 103b, the remote controller 130, the remote controller 131, the zoom controller 140 and the platform controller 141 are the same as those in the fourth embodiment.

Reference numeral 132 denotes a remote controller for moving the camera within the photographing space, which is connected to the dolly controller 142. The dolly controller 142 receives a signal from the remote controller 132 and generates a voltage for moving the moving means 110. The moving unit 110 includes a motor, wheels, and a position sensor, and outputs the position coordinates (x, y, z) of the camera 101 to the shooting range calculation unit 104c.

The photographing range calculation unit 104c has a lens focal length f, a camera direction (θ, φ), and a camera position coordinate (x,
y, z) is received and the photographing range is calculated. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the space of the moving range of the camera and the space in which the subject exists are separated by a cubic mesh of an appropriate size. The imaging range calculation unit 104c outputs, as an imaging range, the coordinates of the mesh that is visible from the camera. The imaging range can be calculated by a method similar to the ray tracing method used in computer graphics. The image pickup range, the direction of the TV camera 101, and the position of the TV camera are input to the warning signal generation unit 105c.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing a part of the constitutional example of the photographing restriction map 106c in this embodiment.
Is one of the shooting prohibited areas defined as follows. Here, X, Y, and Z have the length of one side of the mesh as a unit.

What the photographing restriction map 106c expresses is, when the coordinates of the image pickup position are given, whether or not the image pickup at that position is permitted. In the present embodiment, it is expressed that photographing at that position is permitted = 0, and photographing at that position is not permitted = 1.

When the photographing restriction map 106c is created, first, the entire area is filled with the value 0. Next, check the position and size of the object that should not be photographed.
The shooting restriction map 106c is created by performing the operation of setting the value 1 in the area on the map corresponding to the examined position and size. Similar to the third embodiment, the shooting restriction map 106
The area in which the value 1 on c is set is defined as the photographing prohibited area, and the other areas are defined as the photographing permitted area.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram in which the current photographing range 61 is plotted on the same photographing restriction map 106c as shown in FIG.

The warning signal generator 105c extracts the photographing restriction data within the current photographing range 61. Value 0 in it
If data other than the above is included, the warning signal generation unit 105c
Generates a warning signal.

In the photographing restriction map of the fourth embodiment, the photographing restricted area is defined to prevent the photographing area from entering the photographing prohibited area. In the sixth embodiment,
Alternatively, the warning signal generator 105c can be configured to output the warning signal in the following procedure.

1. When the current image pickup area 61 includes the shooting prohibition area 60, a warning signal indicating that the video signal should be cut off is generated. 2. Calculate the distance L where the imaging region 61 and the photography prohibited region 60 are closest to each other. If the value of the distance L is less than or equal to a threshold value, it is recognized that it is necessary to generate a warning signal because the current imaging area 61 is too close to the imaging prohibited area 60. When it is recognized that it is necessary to generate a warning signal, it is checked in which direction the pan head 103b is moved so that the current imaging area 61 enters the shooting prohibited area 60.
It is checked in which direction the dolly of the moving means 110 causes the current imaging area 61 to enter the imaging prohibited area 60. Similarly, when zooming out, it is checked whether or not the current imaging area 61 enters the imaging prohibited area 60. A warning signal is generated according to the contents checked in the previous steps.

Similar to the fourth embodiment, the warning signal in this embodiment is a sequence of numerical values including a plurality of warning contents. FIG.
In the example shown in (1), since the photographing prohibited area 60 and the current imaging area 61 are in contact with each other, the warning signal generation unit 105c generates a warning signal for prohibiting zoom-out.

Next, the operation of the limiting signal generator 107c will be described.

Similar to the limiting signal generator 107c of the fourth embodiment, a limiting signal, that is, a zoom limiting signal, a pan head limiting signal, a dolly limiting signal, and a video cutoff signal is generated according to the value of the received warning signal.

The zoom controller 14 that has received the limit signal
0, the platform control unit 141, and the dolly control unit 142 have their operations restricted as instructed by the restriction signal. The switch SW cuts off the video signal when receiving the video cutoff signal. With these, it is possible to prevent the photographing prohibited area from being photographed.

(Seventh Embodiment) In the sixth embodiment, the photographing restriction map 1 is used for a very distant object such as the sun.
It cannot be directly expressed on 06c. This is because the size of the shooting restriction map 106c is finite. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a seventh embodiment of the present invention configured in consideration of this point.

In FIG. 18, the television camera 101 and the like operate in the same manner as the operations described up to the sixth embodiment. The photographing restriction maps 106b and 106c are configured by the method described in the third to sixth embodiments. However, in the shooting restriction map 106b, only information about objects that are far enough to be considered as infinity among those that should not be shot is recorded. Here, an object that is far enough to be considered as infinity refers to an object whose direction viewed from the television camera 101 does not change even if the television camera 101 is translated within a movable range.

The image pickup range calculation unit 104d calculates the image pickup range by the same method as that shown in the third to sixth embodiments.

The warning signal generator 105d uses the same method as that shown in the third to sixth embodiments to take the photographing restriction map 10.
If appropriate shooting restriction data is retrieved from 6b and 106c and it is judged that a warning is required, a warning signal is generated. The warning signal in this embodiment has the same definition as that shown in the sixth embodiment.

As described above, by having two of the photographing restriction map 106b representing the angle component and the photographing restriction map 106c represented by the three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, the photographing prohibited area can be set even at a position far from the point of infinity. You can

As described above, the third to seventh embodiments are provided with means for obtaining the image pickup range from the position and orientation of the television camera and the focal length of the lens, and the current image pickup range deviates from the predetermined range. If it is, the warning signal is issued and the sending of the video signal is stopped.

Alternatively, when the current photographing range is about to deviate from the predetermined range, the movement of the platform is restricted so as to prevent the imaging range from deviating from the predetermined range. You can

[0099]

As described above, the photographing simulation apparatus of the present invention determines an assumed imaging range determined by the direction angle of the camera and the focal length of the lens, and determines whether or not it is outside the predetermined range. I'm testing if that is the case. As a result, there is an effect of preventing photographing of a subject that is not desirable to photograph.

As described above, the photographing apparatus of the present invention determines the image pickup range determined by the position or direction of the camera and the focal length of the lens, and disconnects the video signal depending on whether the image pickup range is out of the predetermined range. , Or the movement or rotation of the camera or the zoom amount of the lens is restricted. This has the effect of preventing the shooting of images that are not desirable to shoot.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a method of expressing a camera direction according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of calculating an imaging range according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a shooting restriction map according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a shooting restriction map according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of shooting restriction data according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a method of expressing a camera direction according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of calculating an imaging range according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a shooting restriction map according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a shooting restriction map according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of shooting restriction data according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the limit signal generator according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a shooting restriction map according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a shooting restriction map according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Keyboard 2 Parameter Memory 3 Assumed Imaging Range Calculator 4 Warning Signal Generator 5 Shooting Restriction Map 20, 30, 50, 60 Shooting Prohibited Area 21, 31 Current Assumed Imaging Range 32, 52 Shooting Restricted Area 51, 61 Current Imaging Range 101 Television camera 102a, 102b Optical system 103a, 103b Pan head 104a, 104c, 104d Imaging range calculator 105a, 105b, 105c, 105d Warning signal generator 106a, 106b, 106c Shooting restriction map 107b, 107c Limit signal generation unit 110 Moving means 130, 131, 132 Remote control 140 Zoom control unit 140 Pan head control unit 142 Dolly control unit SW switch

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yasuyuki Ogawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Watanabe 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Within the corporation

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A photographing simulation apparatus for simulating photographing by a camera, the photographing range estimating means for estimating a photographing range from a photographing direction and a focal length of a lens, and a photographing range estimated by the photographing range estimating means. An imaging simulation apparatus, comprising: a positional relationship detecting means for detecting a positional relationship with the spatial range of 1. and a warning means for outputting a warning signal corresponding to a detection result of the positional relationship detecting means. 2. The shooting simulation according to claim 1, wherein the positional relationship detecting means detects a positional relationship between a predetermined spatial range set in a stored shooting restriction map and the assumed shooting range. apparatus. 3. A photographing apparatus comprising a camera and a moving means for changing the direction of the camera, wherein the direction detecting means for detecting the photographing direction and the space from the photographing direction detected by the direction detecting means and the focal length of the lens. Corresponding to the detection result by the positional relationship detecting means for detecting the positional relationship between the imaging range detected by the imaging range detecting means and the predetermined spatial range, and the detection result by the positional relationship detecting means And a warning unit that outputs a warning signal. 4. A photographing device comprising a camera and a moving means for changing the position and the direction of the camera, the position and direction detecting means for detecting the photographing position and the photographing direction, and the photographing position detected by the position and direction detecting means. An image pickup range detecting means for obtaining an image pickup range in space from the image pickup direction and the focal length of the lens; and a positional relationship detecting means for detecting a positional relationship between the image pickup range determined by the image pickup range detecting means and a predetermined spatial range, An image pickup apparatus comprising: a warning unit that outputs a warning signal corresponding to a detection result of the positional relationship detection unit. 5. The positional relationship detecting means detects a positional relationship between a predetermined spatial range set in a stored photographing restriction map and an image capturing range determined by the image capturing range detecting means. The imaging device according to 3 or 4. 6. In addition to the structure according to any one of claims 3 to 5, a video signal is sent out in response to a warning signal from the warning means, or a camera is rotated or a focal length movement amount of a lens is changed. An image pickup apparatus comprising a control means for limiting at least one. 7. The photographing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit limits the focal length of the lens so as not to move to the wide-angle side in response to the warning signal from the warning unit.