JPH11295783A - Image pickup device and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically obtain a panoramic image. SOLUTION: This device is equipped with a universal head 200 turning a camera 100, a control part(control means) 300 controlling the operation of the camera 100 and the turning operation of the universal head 200, and a host operation part(angle designating means) 302 designating the turning angle of the universal head 200. The control part 300 makes the camera 100 pick up the image by turning the universal head 200 at every turning angle designated by the host operation part 302.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus for picking up, for example, a 360.degree. Panoramic image using an electric pan head equipped with a camera or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a camera is mounted between a tripod and a camera, and a camera mounted thereon is rotated by a predetermined angle to stop the camera. Are known. this is,
Since rotation is performed at a predetermined angle, it is possible to capture images with much higher precision than when a human shakes an arbitrary angle by hand and captures several images, and it is possible to compose clearly. .

[0003]

However, in the conventional imaging apparatus as described above, since the imaging auxiliary tool is merely an auxiliary tool for taking a panoramic photograph, the camera platform rotates at a fixed angle. However, there is a problem in that the shutter operation for photographing is performed manually, and the rotation for the next photographing must be performed by a human, which is troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide an imaging apparatus capable of automatically obtaining a panoramic image and a control method thereof.

[0005]

An image pickup apparatus and a control method thereof according to the present invention are configured as follows.

(1) Rotation support means for rotating the imaging unit, control means for controlling the imaging operation of the imaging unit and the rotation operation of the rotation support means, and the imaging unit by the rotation support means Designating means for designating the rotation angle of the image pickup device, wherein the control means operates the rotation support means for each rotation angle designated by the designating means to rotate the imaging unit body, and The image is picked up by the image pickup unit in conjunction with the rotation.

(2) The control means prevents the total rotation angle of the imaging section by the rotation support means from exceeding 360 °.

(3) Rotation support means for mounting the imaging unit and rotating the imaging unit, control means for controlling the operation of the imaging unit and the rotation operation of the rotation support means, Means for designating the number of images to be designated, wherein the control means rotates the imaging section by the rotation supporting means in accordance with the designated number of images, and the imaging section interlocks with the rotation. An image was taken.

(4) In the image pickup apparatus of the above (3), the control means controls the rotation angle so as to cover the image of 360 ° by the designated number of images.

(5) Rotation support means for mounting the imaging unit and rotating the imaging unit, control means for controlling the operation of the imaging unit and the rotation operation of the rotation support means, An image capturing number designating means for designating, and a designating means for designating a rotation angle of the image capturing unit by the rotation supporting means, wherein the control means comprises: an image capturing number designated by the image capturing number designating means; The imaging unit is rotated by the rotation support means based on the designated rotation angle, and an image is captured by the imaging unit in conjunction with the rotation.

(6) In the image pickup apparatus of any one of the above (1) to (5), the control means automatically rotates the image pickup section by the rotation support means and causes the image pickup section to pick up an image. Control is performed so as to be repeated sequentially.

(7) The image pickup apparatus according to (5), further comprising an input unit for inputting a total rotation angle of the image pickup unit, wherein the control unit controls the number of images to be picked up and the image pickup unit in accordance with the total rotation angle. It is configured to control the rotation angle of.

(8) The image pickup section is rotated at a designated rotation angle by rotation support means for mounting the image pickup section and rotating the image pickup section, and the image pickup is performed in conjunction with the rotation. The image was taken by the unit.

(9) In the control method of the image pickup apparatus according to the above (8), the total rotation angle of the image pickup section by the rotation support means is set not to exceed 360 °.

(10) The image pickup section is rotated by the rotation supporting means for mounting the image pickup section and rotating the image pickup section in accordance with the designated number of images to be picked up. The image was taken by the unit.

(11) In the control method of the image pickup apparatus of the above (10), the control means controls the rotation angle so as to cover an image of 360 ° by the designated number of images.

(12) The image pickup section is rotated based on a specified number of images and a specified rotation angle by rotation support means for mounting the image pickup section and rotating the image pickup section. The image is picked up by the image pickup unit in conjunction with the movement.

(13) In the control method of any one of the above (8) to (12), the operation of rotating the image pickup unit by the rotation supporting means and causing the image pickup unit to pick up an image is automatically and sequentially performed. It was controlled to repeat.

(14) Rotation support means for mounting the imaging device main body and rotating the imaging device main body, control means for controlling the operation of the imaging device main body and the rotation operation of the rotation support means, Designation means for designating a rotation angle of the imaging device body by the rotation support means, wherein the control means comprises:
The imaging device main body is rotated by the rotation support means at each rotation angle specified by the specifying means, and an image is taken by the imaging device main body in conjunction with the rotation.

(15) In the imaging device of (14), the control means prevents the total rotation angle of the imaging device main body by the rotation support means from exceeding 360 °.

(16) Rotation support means for mounting the imaging apparatus main body and rotating the imaging apparatus main body, control means for controlling the operation of the imaging apparatus main body and the rotation operation of the rotation support means, An imaging number designation unit that designates the imaging number, wherein the control unit rotates the imaging device main body by the rotation support unit according to the designated imaging number,
In addition, an image is taken by the imaging device body in conjunction with the rotation.

(17) In the image pickup apparatus according to the above (16), the control means performs 360-degree operation according to the designated number of images.
The rotation angle is controlled so as to cover the image of °.

(18) Rotation support means for mounting the imaging apparatus main body and rotating the imaging apparatus main body, control means for controlling the operation of the imaging apparatus main body and the rotation operation of the rotation support means, An imaging number designation unit for designating the imaging number; and a designation unit for designating a rotation angle of the imaging apparatus main body by the rotation support unit. The control unit includes: an imaging number designated by the imaging number designation unit. The imaging device main body is rotated by the rotation support means based on the rotation angle designated by the designation means, and an image is taken by the imaging device body in conjunction with the rotation.

(19) In the imaging device according to any one of (14) to (18), the control means automatically rotates the imaging device main body by the rotation support means and causes the imaging device main body to perform imaging. Is controlled so as to be sequentially repeated.

(20) A rotatable image pickup unit, input means for inputting the number of images picked up by the image pickup unit and the total amount of rotation of the image pickup unit, information on the number of images input from the input means, A control unit that determines the amount of rotation of the imaging unit for each imaging operation from the information on the rotation range and the information on the overlapping area between the captured images.

(21) The imaging apparatus according to any one of (1) to (7), further comprising a synthesizing means for panoramic synthesizing a plurality of images picked up by the image pickup section.

(22) The imaging apparatus according to any one of the above (14) to (19), further comprising a synthesizing means for panoramic synthesizing a plurality of images taken by the imaging apparatus body.

[0028]

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a configuration of an image pickup apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the movement of, for example, a pan head as a rotation support unit according to the embodiment, and the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a camera which is a main body of the image pickup apparatus, 200 denotes a camera platform which is a rotating means for rotating the camera body in both directions, and 300 denotes an operation of the camera 100 and a rotation operation of the camera platform 200. It is a control unit (control means).

FIG. 2 shows a detailed configuration of the image pickup apparatus shown in FIG. 1. In FIG.
Reference numeral 02 denotes an image pickup device (CCD) for photoelectrically converting the formed optical image.
Etc.), 103, a signal processing unit for performing predetermined processing on the captured electric signal, 104, a storage unit for storing the signal-processed image, and 107, a captured image or a stored image. Display (LCD) 108 for performing
Denotes a camera control unit for controlling the operation of the camera, and 109 denotes a camera operation unit.

Reference numeral 201 denotes a stepping motor for controlling the rotation of the camera platform 200; 202, a motor driver;
Reference numeral denotes a pan head control unit that controls the rotation operation of the stepping motor 201. Reference numeral 301 denotes a host computer (host control unit); 302, the number of images taken by the camera 100;
A host operation unit (designation means for specifying the number of images to be taken, angle designation means) for designating the rotation angle of the camera, etc .;
Is a communication line connecting the camera and the control unit, and 306 is a communication line connecting the camera platform and the control unit.

In the camera 100, the optical image formed on the image sensor 102 by the taking optical system lens 101 is
The signal is processed by the signal processing unit 103 and displayed on the display unit 107. When a shutter operation is performed by the camera operation unit 109 or a shutter command is sent from the host computer 301, the camera control unit 108 stores the currently captured image in the storage unit 104. Also, when a rotation operation command is sent from the host computer 301, the camera platform control unit 203 rotates according to the command.

In the imaging apparatus having the above-described configuration, in the first embodiment, after an input for instructing the rotation angle is performed from the host operation unit 302, the host computer 301 moves the camera platform 2
The control unit 203 of the camera platform 200 instructs the camera 200 to rotate the stepping motor 201 to a predetermined position via the motor driver 202. After the rotation is completed, the host computer 301 sends a shutter command to the camera control unit 108 of the camera 100 to store a captured image. This rotation operation and shutter operation are repeated the required number of times.

The control operation shown in FIG. 3 is executed according to an instruction from the host computer 301 based on a program stored in advance in a ROM (not shown).

Next, the flow of control will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, initialization such as setting the home position of the camera platform 200 is performed (step S10).
1). Next, the camera 100 is set to the imaging mode (step S102). Thus, after the preparation is completed, the rotation angle is input (step S103). This specifies how many rotations to take one image each time, and is closely related to the angle of view of the camera. That is, it is determined so that adjacent images include 10 to 20% of the overlap.

Once the rotation angle of how many times the image is to be rotated is determined, the number of images required to capture 360 ° can be calculated (step S1).
04). Assuming that the rotation angle is ra, (3)
60 / ra). That is, if the horizontal angle of view of the lens is 60 ° and the rotation angle is 45 °,
It becomes eight. If the horizontal angle of view of the lens is 40 ° and the rotation angle is 32 °, the number of lenses becomes 11 sheets.

The total rotation angle is ra * (n-1).
In other words, it is a value obtained by multiplying the number of images one less than the number of captured images by the rotation angle. Next, communication is performed with the camera 100, and it is checked whether or not the number of images n can be captured in the storage unit of the camera (step S105). As a result, if the remaining number cannot be stored, a warning is displayed (step S1).
20). When all the number of captured images can be stored in the camera 100, the camera platform 200 is rotated to the first image capturing position (step S106). The imaging position of the first image is の of the total rotation angle, that is, −ra * (n−1) / 2. Here,-(minus) indicates that the home position is 0.
This is because for convenience, one direction is + and the opposite direction is-.

At this time, if the rotation angle of the camera platform 200 is not particularly limited and exceeds 360 ° and can be rotated any number of times,
You can start from any position. However, head 20
If there is a restriction that the camera cannot be rotated by 360 ° or more, it is necessary to adjust the rotation angle required for imaging to a range in which the camera platform 200 can rotate.

When the camera platform 200 is at the imaging position of the first image, a shutter command is sent to the camera 100, the shutter of the camera is released, and imaging and storage are performed (step S107). Next, it is confirmed whether or not the imaging of the final image has been completed (step S109).
The camera platform 200 is rotated by the rotation angle input in step S107 to the next imaging position (step S110). After the rotation, the previous storage operation previously performed by the camera 100 by the shutter command is completed, and the camera 100 checks whether the next imaging and storage is possible (step S11).
1). The last storage operation of the camera 100 has not been completed,
If the preparation for the next imaging and storage is not yet completed, step S111 is repeated until the preparation is completed, and wait is performed. When camera 100 is ready for the next memory,
Returning to step S107, the next imaging and storage operation is performed.
This is repeated for the number of image pickups, and after the last image pickup is completed, the camera platform 200 is returned to the home position (step S112), and the processing ends.

Next, the movement of the camera platform 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

For example, assuming that the horizontal angle of view of the lens is 60 ° and the rotation angle is 45 °, the number of captured images is eight as described above. The total rotation angle of the head at this time is 315
° (= 45 * 7). As a result, the imaging position of the first image is −157.5 ° with the home position set to 0 °. This is the direction of A in FIG. Since the angle of view of the lens is 60 °, 6
A range of 0 ° width (30 ° left and right) is imaged. FIG.
The middle hatched area is imaged first. Next, the image is rotated by 45 ° to the position B, and the second image is captured. Further, the image pickup is repeated by rotating the image by a rotation angle of 45 °. Finally, the eighth and final image is picked up at the position of H, and the image pickup of 360 ° around the entire circumference is completed.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configurations of the camera platform, camera, and control unit are the same as those in the first embodiment, and are the same as those shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the image pickup apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This control operation is performed based on a program stored in advance in a ROM (not shown) as in the first embodiment. Host computer 301
It is executed according to the instruction.

The second embodiment is an example in which the input of the rotation angle of the camera platform 200 set in the first embodiment is changed to the input of the number of images to be picked up.
The description will be given with the same step numbers as in FIG. As in the first embodiment, first, initialization such as setting the home position of the camera platform 200 is performed (step S101). Next, camera 10
0 is set to the imaging mode (step S102). Thus, after the preparation is completed, the number of images to be imaged when 360 ° is imaged is specified (step S131). When the number of images n is input, the rotation angle is calculated (step S132). This rotation angle is calculated as follows.

That is, one rotation angle ra is (360 / n) for the number n of images to be imaged. 8 shots
Assuming a single sheet, the rotation angle is 45 °. 11 shots
Assuming a single sheet, the rotation angle is 33 °. The total rotation angle is
ra * (n-1), which is the same as in the first embodiment.
In other words, it is a value obtained by multiplying the number of images one less than the number of captured images by the rotation angle. The following is the same as the first embodiment. Next, communication is performed with the camera 100, and it is checked whether or not the number of images n can be captured in the storage unit of the camera (step S10).
5). As a result, if the remaining number cannot be stored, a warning is displayed (step S120). Camera 10
When all the number of captured images can be stored at 0, the camera platform 200 is rotated to the first image capturing position (step S1).
06). The imaging position of the first image is の of the total rotation angle, that is, −ra * (n−1) / 2.

When the camera platform 200 is at the imaging position of the first image, a shutter command is sent to the camera 100, the shutter of the camera is released, and imaging and storage are performed (step S107). Next, it is confirmed whether or not the imaging of the final image has been completed (step S109).
The camera platform 200 is rotated by the rotation angle input in step S107 to the next imaging position (step S110). After the rotation, the previous storage operation previously performed by the camera 100 by the shutter command is completed, and the camera 100 checks whether the next imaging and storage is possible (step S11).
1). The last storage operation of the camera 100 has not been completed,
If the preparation for the next imaging and storage is not yet completed, step S111 is repeated until the preparation is completed, and wait is performed. When camera 100 is ready for the next memory,
Returning to step S107, the next imaging and storage operation is performed.
This is repeated for the number of image pickups, and after the last image pickup is completed, the camera platform 200 is returned to the home position (step S112), and the processing ends.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described. The configuration of the camera platform, camera, and control unit is as follows:
This is the same as the first embodiment, and is the same as that shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the image pickup apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. This control operation is based on a program stored in advance in a ROM (not shown) as in the first embodiment. Host computer 301
It is executed according to the instruction.

In the third embodiment, in addition to the input of the rotation angle of the camera platform set in the first embodiment, in addition to the input of the number of images to be taken, an image of a predetermined angle is used instead of an image of the entire 360 ° circumference. This is an example in which an attempt is made to capture an image. In FIG. 6, steps that are the same as those in FIG. 3 are described with the same step numbers as in FIG.

As in the first embodiment, first the head 200
Is performed (step S101). Next, the camera 100 is set to the imaging mode (step S102). Thus, after the preparation is completed, the rotation angle is input (step S103), and the number of images to be captured is input (step S131). Next, the rotation angle ra and the total rotation angle n of the number of images to be captured are calculated (step S141). The total rotation angle is ra * (n-1).
Based on the total rotation angle, it is determined whether the rotation is possible with respect to the maximum rotation angle of the camera platform 200 (step S14).
2) If the total rotation angle is larger and rotation is impossible, a warning is displayed (step S120). The following is the first
This is no different from the embodiment.

If it is possible to rotate, communication with the camera 100 is performed next, and it is checked whether or not the number of images n can be captured in the storage unit of the camera (step S105). as a result,
If the remaining number cannot be stored, a warning is displayed (step S120). When all the number of captured images can be stored in the camera 100, the camera platform 200 is rotated to the first image capturing position (step S106). The imaging position of the first image is の of the total rotation angle, that is, −ra *
(N-1) / 2.

When the camera platform 200 is at the imaging position of the first image, a shutter command is sent to the camera 100, the shutter of the camera is released, and the image is captured and stored (step S107). Next, it is confirmed whether or not the imaging of the final image has been completed (step S109).
The camera platform 200 is rotated by the rotation angle input in step S107 to the next imaging position (step S110). After the rotation, the previous storage operation previously performed by the camera 100 by the shutter command is completed, and the camera 100 checks whether the next imaging and storage is possible (step S11).
1).

If the previous storage operation of the camera 100 has not been completed and the preparation for the next imaging and storage has not yet been completed, step S111 is repeated and waited until the preparation is completed. When the camera 100 is ready for the next storage, the process returns to step S107 to perform the next imaging and storage operation. This is repeated for the number of image pickups, and after the last image pickup is completed, the camera platform 200 is returned to the home position (step S112), and the processing ends.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the structure of an image pickup apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 shows the detailed structure of the image pickup apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram, and what performs the same function as FIG. 1, FIG. 2 is attached | subjected and demonstrated.

In the fourth embodiment, instead of the control unit 300 of FIG. 1, the control unit 503 in the camera platform 500 of FIG.
The stepping motor 2 of the camera platform 500 based on the information input from the operation unit 504 instead of the host operation unit 302
01 and the communication line 505 with the camera 100 to control the camera 100.
The control operation described in the third embodiment is performed.

As described above, in this embodiment, the control unit for controlling both the shutter of the camera and the rotation of the camera platform is provided.
From this control unit, set the rotation angle of the camera platform, rotate the camera by this rotation angle, and then automatically release the camera shutter to take an image. It is possible to take an automatic panoramic image by releasing the shutter of the camera. Furthermore, the use of a camera platform allows the rotation surface to be kept constant compared to hand-held imaging. , Earn the overlap of each and every image,
In addition, since a fixed amount can be obtained, panorama synthesis can be performed more reliably.

Also, when trying to capture a 360 ° panoramic image, it is very difficult to secure the overlap between the first and last images, not to mention the overlap between adjacent images. But 3
By calculating the number of captured images so as to cover 60 °, the overlap between the first and last images can be ensured.

Further, by setting the number of images to be taken, a required dividing angle of 360 ° is calculated according to the number of images, and after rotating by the dividing angle, the camera shutter is automatically turned off to take an image. By repeating rotation and imaging, 360-degree images are automatically captured, so that panoramic images can be captured not only from the rotation angle but also from the number of images covering 360 degrees around one circumference. .

Further, by setting both the rotation angle and the number of images, even if the angle is less than 360 °,
By taking a plurality of images at an arbitrary angle, not only 360 ° panoramic imaging, but also efficiently dividing images in a range that cannot be covered by one image into several images And can be synthesized later.

In the above-described embodiment, the image pickup apparatus itself is mounted on a camera platform or the like as a rotation support means.
Provide a multifunctional panoramic composite camera by eliminating the need for a camera platform, etc., by enabling the imaging unit consisting of the imaging optical system and the image sensor of the imaging apparatus to rotate with respect to the imaging apparatus body without using a camera platform. can do.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Rotation support means for rotating the imaging unit, control means for controlling the operation of the imaging unit and the rotation operation of the rotation support means, and designation for specifying the rotation angle of the imaging unit by the rotation support means Means, wherein the control means causes the rotation support means to rotate the imaging unit at each rotation angle designated by the designation means, and causes the imaging unit to take an image in conjunction with the rotation. Thus, there is an effect that it is not necessary to manually release the shutter of the imaging unit, and a panoramic image can be obtained automatically.

In addition, since images are taken at a fixed rotation angle, when images are combined as a panoramic image, it is possible to surely and surely take a certain amount of overlap between images.
There is an effect that panorama synthesis can be performed more reliably.

Further, since the imaging unit is rotated in accordance with the designated number of images to be taken and the image is taken by the imaging unit in conjunction with the rotation, it is not necessary to manually release the shutter of the imaging unit. There is an effect that a panoramic image can be obtained automatically.

Further, depending on the designated number of images, 360 °
Since the rotation angle is controlled so as to cover the image of (1), there is an effect that a 360 ° panoramic image can be automatically obtained.

In addition, it is necessary to rotate the imaging unit based on the designated number of images and the rotation angle, and manually release the shutter of the imaging unit so that the imaging unit can take an image in conjunction with the rotation. However, there is an effect that panoramic images at various angles can be automatically obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an imaging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the imaging device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the movement of the camera platform according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of the imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an imaging device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of an imaging device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 camera (imaging apparatus main body) 200 pan head 300 control unit (control means) 301 host computer 302 host operation unit (image number designation means, angle designation means) 503 control unit (control means) 504 operation unit (image number designation means, Angle designation means)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Akihiro Tanigawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc.

Claims (22)

[Claims] A rotation support unit configured to rotate an imaging unit; a control unit configured to control an imaging operation of the imaging unit and a rotation operation of the rotation support unit; Designating means for designating a rotation angle, wherein the control means operates the rotation support means for each rotation angle designated by the designating means to rotate the imaging unit main body, and An image pickup apparatus, wherein the image pickup unit picks up an image in conjunction with movement. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit prevents the total rotation angle of the imaging unit by the rotation support unit from exceeding 360 °. 3. A rotation support means for mounting an imaging unit and rotating the imaging unit, a control means for controlling the operation of the imaging unit and the rotation operation of the rotation support means, and designating the number of images to be imaged. Means for specifying the number of images to be captured, wherein the control means rotates the imaging section by the rotation support means in accordance with the specified number of images to be captured, and captures images by the imaging section in conjunction with the rotation. An imaging device characterized by performing the following. 4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said control means controls the rotation angle so as to cover a 360 ° image by the designated number of images. 5. A rotation support unit mounted with an imaging unit for rotating the imaging unit, a control unit for controlling the operation of the imaging unit and the rotation operation of the rotation support unit, and designating the number of images to be captured. Means for designating the number of images to be taken, and designating means for designating the rotation angle of the imaging unit by the rotation support means, wherein the control means designates the number of images designated by the means for designating number of images and the designation by the designating means. An image pickup apparatus, wherein the image pickup section is turned by the turning support means based on the turned angle, and an image is picked up by the image pickup section in conjunction with the turn. 6. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the rotation of the imaging unit by the rotation support unit and automatically repeats an operation of imaging by the imaging unit. The imaging device according to any one of the above. 7. An input unit for inputting a total rotation angle of the imaging unit, wherein the control unit controls the number of images and the rotation angle of the imaging unit according to the total rotation angle. The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein: 8. An image pickup section mounted on the image pickup section, the image pickup section being rotated by a designated rotation angle by rotation support means for rotating the image pickup section, and the image pickup section being interlocked with the rotation. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus, characterized in that an image is captured by a computer. 9. The control method according to claim 8, wherein the total rotation angle of the imaging unit by the rotation support means does not exceed 360 °. 10. An image pickup unit mounted with an image pickup unit, the image pickup unit is turned according to a designated number of image pickups by turning support means for turning the image pickup unit, and the image pickup unit is interlocked with the turn. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus, characterized in that an image is captured by a computer. 11. The control method according to claim 10, wherein said control means controls a rotation angle so as to cover a 360-degree image according to a designated number of images to be taken. 12. An image pickup section mounted on the image pickup section, and the image pickup section is turned on the basis of a designated number of images and a designated turn angle by turning support means for turning the image pickup section. A method for controlling an imaging device, characterized in that an image is picked up by the imaging unit in conjunction with the control. 13. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the rotation support means controls the image pickup section to rotate so as to automatically and sequentially repeat the operation of causing the image pickup section to perform image pickup. How to control the device. 14. A rotation supporting means for mounting the imaging apparatus main body and rotating the imaging apparatus main body, a control means for controlling an operation of the imaging apparatus main body and a rotation operation of the rotation supporting means, Designating means for designating a rotation angle of the imaging device main body by rotation support means, wherein the control means controls the imaging device main body by the rotation support means for each rotation angle designated by the designation means. An image pickup apparatus characterized in that the image pickup apparatus is rotated and an image is taken by the image pickup apparatus main body in conjunction with the rotation. 15. The imaging apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the control unit prevents the total rotation angle of the imaging apparatus main body by the rotation support unit from exceeding 360 °. 16. An image pickup apparatus main body mounted with rotation support means for rotating the image pickup apparatus main body, an operation of the image pickup apparatus main body and a control means for controlling a rotation operation of the rotation support means, and an image pickup apparatus. An imaging number designation unit for designating the number of images, wherein the control unit rotates the imaging device body by the rotation support unit according to the designated imaging number, and interlocks with the rotation. An imaging apparatus characterized in that imaging is performed by an imaging apparatus main body. 17. The imaging apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said control means controls the rotation angle so as to cover a 360-degree image according to the designated number of images. 18. A rotation supporting means for mounting the imaging apparatus main body and rotating the imaging apparatus main body, a control means for controlling an operation of the imaging apparatus main body and a rotation operation of the rotation supporting means, An imaging number designation unit for designating the number of images, and a designation unit for designating a rotation angle of the imaging apparatus main body by the rotation support unit, wherein the control unit includes the imaging number designated by the imaging number designation unit. An image pickup apparatus, wherein the image pickup apparatus main body is rotated by the rotation support means based on a rotation angle designated by the designation means, and an image is taken by the image pickup apparatus main body in conjunction with the rotation. . 19. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said control means controls the rotation of the imaging device main body by the rotation supporting means so as to automatically and sequentially repeat an operation of imaging by the imaging device main body. 18. The imaging device according to any one of 18. 20. A rotatable imaging unit, input means for inputting the number of images taken by the imaging unit and the total amount of rotation of the imaging unit,
Control means for determining the amount of rotation of the imaging unit for each single imaging from the information on the number of captured images input from the input means, the information on the total rotation range, and the information on the overlapping area between the captured images; An imaging device comprising: 21. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a synthesizing unit that performs panoramic synthesis of a plurality of images captured by the imaging unit. 22. The imaging apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a combining unit configured to perform panoramic synthesis of a plurality of images captured by the imaging apparatus main body.