WO2007148503A1

WO2007148503A1 - Photographing apparatus, method for controlling photographing apparatus, program for controlling photographing apparatus and recording medium with program for controlling photographing apparatus recorded thereon

Info

Publication number: WO2007148503A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/060589
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hideki Kato
Original assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date: 2006-06-22
Filing date: 2007-05-24
Publication date: 2007-12-27
Also published as: JP2008005253A

Abstract

A door scope camera is a photographing apparatus which starts up by switching to different kinds of operations. The door scope camera is provided with an imaging section (11) for photographing an object; a color difference information acquiring section (23) for acquiring the color difference information of the photographed object; a color difference signal judging section (24) for checking a start-up mode table (32) and judging an operation which corresponds to the acquired color difference information; and a start-up instructing section (25) for instructing start-up of the operation in accordance with the judgment results obtained from the color difference signal judging section (24) to a communication control section (14) or a diagnosis control section (15). Thus, the different kinds of operations can be started up by switching, without having an extra inputting means.

Description

Imaging apparatus, imaging apparatus control method, imaging apparatus control program, and recording medium recording imaging apparatus control program

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device that is activated by switching different types of operations, a control method for the imaging device, a control program for the imaging device, and a recording medium on which the control program for the imaging device is recorded.

Background art

[0002] In recent years, interest in security has increased, and devices that implement various safety measures have been developed. For example, one of the devices that realizes such safety measures is a doorscope camera. This door scope camera is an imaging device that captures the appearance of a doorscope (a lens-attached hole) force provided on a door.

That is, the door scope camera has a CCD sensor attached to the door scope, and is configured to transmit image information obtained by the CCD sensor to a display device for display.

[0004] By the way, a photographing apparatus such as this door scope camera does not have a user interface that enables key input or the like. Therefore, when inputting information such as operation instructions to the door scope camera, it is necessary to prepare a dedicated key or dedicated jig as an input means.

[0005] However, since the door scope camera is used by being attached to the door, the size of the door scope camera must be made as small as possible so as not to prevent the door from being opened and closed. Therefore, it is preferable that the door scope camera has a configuration in which information such as instructions from the outside can be input without preparing the dedicated key or the dedicated jig described above. For example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-320167 (published on November 10, 1992)), the movement of a subject is observed based on image data output from a CCD sensor, and the subject is photographed when the subject moves. An automatic photographing camera that starts the operation is disclosed. In Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-102960 (published on April 16, 1996)), detection was made for each of a plurality of regions. A video camera that compares color evaluation values based on color information signal levels and switches between a correction operation mode and a stable mode is disclosed.

However, the above-described conventional configuration has a problem in that different types of operations cannot be switched and started based on image information obtained by photographing.

[0007] Specifically, in Patent Document 1, one operation can be activated by detecting the movement of the subject, but an appropriate operation can be selected and activated from a plurality of operations. Absent. Further, in Patent Document 2, although the setting in one operation of the photographing operation can be switched to the correction operation mode or the stable mode according to the color evaluation value based on the color information signal level, the operation is started by switching each different operation. I can't let you.

Disclosure of the invention

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device and an imaging device that can switch and start different types of operations without separately providing an input device. An apparatus control method, an imaging apparatus control program, and a recording medium on which an imaging apparatus control program is recorded.

[0009] In order to solve the above-described problem, the imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus that is activated by switching different types of operations, and an acquisition unit that acquires image information of a captured subject, Selection means for selecting an operation to be started based on the image information acquired by the acquisition means.

[0010] By the way, the different types of operations are operations different from normal imaging operations required when the imaging apparatus according to the present invention is used, for example, as described below. That is, the different operations include a setting operation for wirelessly connecting the photographing apparatus according to the present invention to a display device that displays the captured video, and abnormality of each part for maintenance management of the photographing apparatus according to the present invention. Diagnosis operation to diagnose, reset operation to return various setting values set in the imaging device to the initial state, and adjustment of optical system deviation caused by changes in the housing of the imaging device due to secular change Adjustment operation to adjust the reference value itself.

[0011] According to the above configuration, since the acquisition unit and the selection unit are provided, an operation to be activated can be selected based on the image information of the photographed subject. Here, image information and Includes, for example, information such as luminance information indicating the luminance value obtained from the photographed image of the subject, color difference information, and the shape of the subject.

As described above, the photographing apparatus according to the present invention can select an operation to be started by the selection unit based only on the image information of the photographed subject. That is, the above-described photographing apparatus can be started by switching to a desired operation in accordance with a subject that does not include an input unit.

[0013] Therefore, the imaging apparatus according to the present invention has an effect that it is possible to switch and start different types of operations without separately providing an input unit.

[0014] A method for controlling an imaging apparatus according to the present invention is a method for controlling an imaging apparatus that is activated by switching different types of operations in order to solve the above-described problem, and includes a step of imaging a subject. A step of acquiring image information of the photographed subject, and a step of selecting an operation to be activated based on the acquired image information.

[0015] In the above method, an operation to be activated can be selected based only on image information of a photographed subject. In other words, the above-described method for controlling the photographing apparatus can be started by switching to a desired operation according to the subject to be provided with an input unit.

[0016] Therefore, the method for controlling the photographing apparatus according to the present invention has an effect that it is possible to switch and start different types of operations without separately providing input means. Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a door scope camera.

FIG. 2, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a door scope camera system.

FIG. 3, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a door scope camera.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a startup mode table according to the present embodiment.

[FIG. 5] In the door scope camera according to the present embodiment, when the power is turned on, when the specific color is photographed within a predetermined time T and when the specific color is photographed outside the predetermined time T FIG. FIG. 6, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a flowchart showing an example of “mode switching processing”.

FIG. 7, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a flowchart showing another example of “mode switching processing”.

FIG. 8, showing another embodiment of the present invention, is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a door scope camera.

FIG. 9, showing another embodiment of the present invention, is a diagram showing an example of table information indicating a correspondence relationship between a setting range of each luminance prescribed value and an operation mode to be activated. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. That is, the door scope camera system (imaging device) 100 according to the present embodiment includes a door scope camera 1 and a door scope view connected to the door scope camera 1 through wireless communication as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a door scope camera system 100. As shown in FIG.

[0019] The door scope camera 1 is a photographing device that photographs an outdoor state through a door scope 4 provided in a door 3 that partitions indoors and outdoors. The door scope view ヮ 2 is a display device that displays images taken by the doscope camera 1, and information on the images to be displayed (image information) is received from the door scope camera 1 through wireless communication. It is.

[0020] It should be noted that a magnet is provided in the main body of the door scope camera 1, and the main body of the door scope camera 1 can be attached to the vicinity of the door scope 4 by this magnet. Yes.

Further, in FIG. 2, for convenience of explanation, the door scope camera 1 is configured to establish wireless communication with one door scope view ヮ 2 and transmit a photographed image. In the door scope camera system 100 according to the above, a plurality of door scope cameras 1... Can establish communication with one door scope view 2.

[0022] Specifically, the door scope view ヮ 2 and the door scope camera 1 ··· An identification ID is assigned to identify other devices. By registering the terminal ID of the communication partner that establishes wireless communication with the door scope view ヮ 2 as the master unit and the door scope camera 1 ··· as the slave unit, the parent and child of the door scope camera 1 and the door scope view ヮ 2 are registered. Establish a relationship. That is, in the door scope view 2, the identification ID of each door scope camera 1 ··· that establishes communication is registered, and in each door scope camera 1, the identification ID of the door scope view 2 is registered.

[0023] It should be noted that such a connection setting for establishing communication between the door scope view 2 and the door scope camera 1 is normally performed when the use of the door scope camera system 100 is started or when the door scope camera 1 is This is done when adding more.

Here, the configuration of the door scope camera 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the door scope camera 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the door scope camera 1 according to the present embodiment includes an imaging unit 11, an image encoding processing unit 12, a main control unit 13, a communication control unit 14, a diagnostic control unit 15, and a storage The device 16 includes an RF module 17, an RF module 17, and a timer unit 18.

The imaging unit 11 is a so-called camera for shooting a subject. When the power of the door scope camera 1 is turned on, the imaging unit 11 is activated and transmits the detected analog signal to the image encoding processing unit 12.

The image encoding processing unit 12 encodes the analog signal detected by the imaging unit 11 into a digital code, and transmits the encoded digital code to the main control unit 13.

The main controller 13 performs various controls of the door scope camera 1. For example, the main control unit 13 generates video data based on the digital code received from the image encoding processing unit 12 so that the video captured by the imaging unit 11 can be displayed on the door scope view 2. To do. Then, the main control unit 13 outputs the generated video data to the communication control unit 14 and instructs the door scope view 2 to transmit it.

The communication control unit 14 is configured to control the RF module 17 in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 13 so as to establish wireless communication with the door scope view 2. In addition, when the communication control unit 14 receives video data from the main control unit 13, the communication control unit 14 stores the video data. It is also converted to a format that can be transmitted wirelessly, and the RF module 17 is controlled to transmit to the door scope view ヮ 2.

In response to an instruction from the main control unit 13, the diagnosis control unit 15 includes each unit included in the door scope camera 1 (imaging unit 11, main control unit (for example, CPU or DSP module) 13, storage device 16, RF module 17 etc.) is used to diagnose performance. The contents diagnosed by the diagnosis control unit 15 include, for example, the radio wave intensity from the RF module 17 that establishes communication with the door scope view ヮ 2, the power consumption when the imaging unit 11 is activated, and the like. This diagnostic control unit 15 is set to notify a user by flashing a warning light (not shown) such as an LED provided in the door scope camera 1 when a failure is found in each part of the door scope camera 1. .

[0031] The storage device 16 is a memory for storing data and the like necessary for executing processing by the main control unit 13, and when the main control unit 13 is realized as a CPU, the CPU can directly read and write It can be realized by a semiconductor storage device such as RAM or ROM.

[0032] In response to an instruction from the main control unit 13, the time measuring unit 18 is, for example, an elapsed time after the power is turned on in the door scope camera 1, or an elapsed time since the end of a specific operation. Etc. are measured.

As described above, in the door scope camera 1 according to the present embodiment, when the power is turned on, the analog signal detected by the imaging unit 11 is encoded into a digital code by the image encoding processing unit 12. To the main control unit 13. The main control unit 13 is configured to generate video data based on the received digital code, and to transmit the video data to the door scope view 2 by the communication control unit 14.

[0034] For this reason, in the door scope camera system 100 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to display the appearance (outdoor scenery) seen through the door scope 4 on the door scope view 2. Therefore, the user who is indoors can know the state of the outdoors through this door scope view 2. The operation of the door scope camera 1 is referred to as a normal mode in order to display video data obtained by photographing an outdoor situation in this way.

[0035] Further, as described above, the door scope camera 1 according to the present embodiment does not simply display the captured video data on the door scope view 2; In other words, the diagnosis control unit 15 can be activated to diagnose the performance of the door scope camera 1. The diagnostic operation of the door scope camera 1 that diagnoses the performance in this way is referred to as a diagnostic mode. Furthermore, as described above, the door scope camera 1 can establish communication with the communication control unit 14 force door scope view ヮ 2 in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 13! / The setting operation of the door scope camera 1 that is set so as to establish communication with the door scope view 2 is referred to as an expansion mode.

By the way, the door scope camera 1 according to the present embodiment is not particularly equipped with an input unit for instructing switching to one of these operation modes, and when a specific color is photographed, An operation mode to be activated is selected and executed according to the color.

[0037] In the following, details of the normal mode, the diagnostic mode, the expansion mode, and the process of switching to any of the operation modes (mode switching process) will be described.

[0038] (Mode switching process)

First, the configuration of the door scope camera 1 related to the mode switching process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention and is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a door scope camera 1 related to mode switching processing. As shown in FIG. 1, the main control unit 13 includes, as functional blocks, a luminance information acquisition unit (acquisition unit) 21, a luminance signal determination processing unit (luminance determination unit / selection unit) 22, and a color difference information acquisition unit (acquisition unit) 23. The color difference signal determination processing unit (color determination unit 'selection unit) 24 and the activation instruction unit 25 are provided.

[0039] When the main control unit 13 is realized by a CPU, for example, each of these functional blocks is executed by the CPU reading a program stored in a ROM (not shown) or the like to a RAM (not shown) and executing it. realizable.

[0040] In addition, the storage device 16 includes a luminance prescribed value (luminance reference value) 31 that is a reference for determining whether or not the entire luminance in the captured image is uniform, as shown in FIG. In addition, an activation mode table (table information) 32 indicating a correspondence relationship between the values of the color difference signals U and V and the operation mode activated in the door scope camera 1 is stored. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the activation mode table 32 according to the present embodiment. [0041] In the startup mode table 32, the U value and the V value are classified as L when the value is in the range of 0 or more and less than 64, and H when the value is in the range of 64 or more and less than 128. Yes. An operation mode is assigned depending on whether the combination of the U value and the V value is L, L, L, H, H, L, or H, H. For example, when the combined force of the U value and the V value is L, L or H, H, the operation mode activated by the door scope camera 1 is the normal mode. When the combined force of the U and V values is L and H, the operation mode that the door scope camera 1 starts is the diagnostic mode, and when it is H and L, it is the expansion mode.

The luminance information acquisition unit 21 acquires luminance information (luminance signal Y) from the digital code received from the image encoding processing unit 12. When the luminance information is acquired, the luminance information acquisition unit 21 transmits the luminance information to the luminance signal determination processing unit 22.

The luminance signal determination processing unit 22 calculates a standard deviation of luminance in the entire image based on the luminance information acquired from the luminance information acquisition unit 21, and the calculated standard deviation value is stored in the storage device 16 in advance. It is determined whether the brightness is less than the specified value 31. If the luminance signal determination processing unit 22 determines that the calculated standard deviation of luminance in the entire image is less than the specified luminance value 31 (less than 10 in this embodiment), the color difference information acquisition unit 23 receives the color difference information. Instruct to get.

That is, when it is determined that the calculated standard deviation of luminance in the entire image is less than the prescribed luminance value 31 (less than 10 in this embodiment), the subject photographed by the imaging unit 11 is a single color. This is the case. Therefore, when the standard deviation of the brightness is less than the specified brightness value of 31 (less than 10 in this embodiment), the subject is artificially placed with a single-color sheet, etc., in a normal landscape that can be observed through the door scope 4. It can be seen that this is a landscape.

The color difference information acquisition unit 23 acquires the digital coding color difference information (color difference signal U value, V value) received from the image encoding processing unit 12 in response to an instruction from the luminance signal determination processing unit 22. It is. When acquiring the color difference information, the color difference information acquisition unit 23 transmits this information to the color difference signal determination processing unit 24. The color difference signal U value indicates the signal level value of the blue color difference signal (Cb), and the color difference signal V value indicates the signal level value of the red color difference signal (Cr).

The color difference signal determination processing unit 24 is based on the color difference information received from the color difference information acquisition unit 23, Color difference signal Calculate the average value of U value and V value. Then, the color difference signal determination processing unit 24 selects an operation mode to be activated based on each of the color difference signal U value and V value calculated with reference to the activation mode table 32 stored in the storage device 16. When the operation mode to be activated is selected in this way, information on this operation mode is transmitted to the activation instruction unit 25.

[0047] Based on the information on the operation mode received from the color difference signal determination processing unit 24, the activation instruction unit 25 performs communication control unit 14 or diagnostic control of the door scope camera 1 so as to activate in the operation mode. It controls part 15.

[0048] For example, when the operation mode information received from the color difference signal determination processing unit 24 indicates the diagnosis mode, the activation instruction unit 25 indicates that each part of the door scope camera 1 is normal with respect to the diagnosis control unit 15. Instruct to diagnose force / force failure. If the operation mode information indicates the expansion mode, the communication control unit 14 is negotiated with the door scope view 2 to instruct the wireless communication to be established.

[0049] Note that the activation instruction unit 25 stops the activation of the imaging unit 11 and instructs the communication control unit 14 to stop transmitting the video data captured by the imaging unit 11 when instructing any of these. Is instructed to stop the normal mode.

[0050] In addition, the door scope camera 1 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the time measuring unit 18 measures a predetermined time of the power-on power and a predetermined time of the operation mode start / end force. The time measuring unit 18 is configured to notify the main control unit 13 from the time measuring unit 18 when the passage of the predetermined time is measured.

Here, only when the imaging unit 11 captures a specific color within the predetermined time, in the door scope camera 1 according to the present embodiment, the luminance information acquisition unit 21 in the main control unit 13 displays the luminance information. Configured to start acquisition.

More specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the door scope camera 1 is configured to activate the normal mode when the power is turned on. FIG. 5 shows a case where a specific color is photographed within a predetermined time (predetermined period) T when the power is turned on, and a specific color is photographed outside the predetermined time T in the door scope camera 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a start mode with a case where a failure has occurred. [0053] Here, it is assumed that a specific color, for example, amber, is photographed for a predetermined time T after the power is turned on. In this case, the door scope camera 1 switches to the operation mode associated with the A color and activates the operation mode.

[0054] On the other hand, if a specific color, for example, A color is not shot during a predetermined time T when the power is turned on, even if the A color is shot after the predetermined time T has passed, the door scope camera 1 Continues normal mode.

[0055] In this way, by limiting the period for photographing the color for switching the operation mode to a specific period, a specific color (for example, A color) in the scene is intended to switch the operation mode. Even when the camera is shot, it is possible to prevent the operation mode from being switched accidentally. In other words, malfunction of the operation mode can be prevented.

[0056] In the door scope camera 1 according to the present embodiment, 5 seconds is set as the T time, but the present invention is not limited to this. This T time may be shorter than 5 seconds if the outdoor landscape obtained through Door Scope 4 changes drastically, such as a place where many people come and go, or a place where there is little change over a long period of time. In case of, it may be longer than 5 seconds.

[0057] Although FIG. 5 illustrates the case where a specific color A is captured within a predetermined time when the power is turned on, a specific color is captured within a predetermined time after the start of a specific operation mode. Similarly, the door scope camera 1 can be started by switching the operation mode to another mode.

For example, assume that the diagnostic mode is executed and the diagnostic mode is completed. When the activation of the operation mode other than the normal mode is thus completed, the door scope camera 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to return to the power-on state, that is, the normal mode activated state. Yes.

[0059] When a specific color is photographed before the predetermined time T elapses after the activation of the diagnostic mode, the operation mode set according to the color is activated. On the other hand, if the predetermined time T has elapsed, the normal mode is continued even if a specific color is shot.

Next, the process flow of “mode switching process” will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 6 shows the FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of “mode switching processing” according to the present embodiment. First, when the user turns on the power of the door scope camera 1 (step Sl l, hereinafter referred to as S 11), the main control unit 13 controls each part of the door scope camera 1 to start in the normal mode. (S 12).

In response to an instruction from the main control unit 13, the imaging unit 11 is activated to start shooting (S13). Then, the imaging unit 11 starts imaging and transmits the detected analog signal to the image encoding processing unit 12.

When the analog signal detected by the imaging unit 11 is received, the image encoding processing unit 12 encodes the analog signal into a digital code (S 14), and transmits this digital code to the main control unit 13. When a digital code is transmitted from the image encoding processing unit 12, in the main control unit 13, the luminance information acquisition unit 21 acquires luminance information (luminance signal Y) from the digital code. When the luminance information is acquired, the luminance information acquisition unit 21 transmits the luminance information to the luminance signal determination processing unit 22.

The luminance signal determination processing unit 22 calculates a standard deviation of luminance in the entire image based on the luminance information acquired from the luminance information acquisition unit 21 (S15), and the calculated standard deviation value is stored in the storage device 16. It is determined whether or not it is less than a pre-stored luminance prescribed value 31 (S16). The luminance signal determination processing unit 22 determines that the calculated standard deviation of luminance in the entire image is less than the luminance standard value 31 (less than 10 in this embodiment) (“YES” in S16). It is determined whether or not T is within time (SI 7). Here, when it is determined that T is within the predetermined time, the luminance signal determination processing unit 22 instructs the color difference information acquisition unit 23 to acquire color difference information.

The color difference information acquisition unit 23 acquires the digital coding color difference information (color difference signal U value and V value) received from the image code processing unit 12 in response to an instruction from the luminance signal determination processing unit 22. This information is transmitted to the color difference signal determination processing unit 24.

The color difference signal determination processing unit 24 calculates the average value of each of the color difference signal U value and V value based on the color difference information received from the color difference information acquisition unit 23 (S18). Then, the color difference signal determination processing unit 24 selects an operation mode to be activated based on each of the color difference signal U value and V value calculated with reference to the activation mode table 32 stored in the storage device 16 (S 19). When an operation mode to be activated is selected in this way, information on this operation mode is displayed. Send to display 25.

[0066] Based on the operation mode information received from the color-difference signal determination processing unit 24, the activation instruction unit 25 performs communication control unit 14 or diagnostic control of the door scope camera 1 to activate in the operation mode. The unit 15 is controlled (S20).

[0067] On the other hand, if the standard deviation of the luminance signal calculated in step S15 is equal to or greater than the prescribed luminance value 31 ("NO" in S16), or if it is outside the predetermined time T ("NO" in S17) The normal mode is continued (S21).

[0068] Subsequently, for example, a specific operation mode A other than the normal mode, such as a diagnosis mode, is activated.

The process flow of the “mode switching process” after the end of the activation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the present invention and is a flowchart showing another example of the “mode switching process”.

First, when the operation mode A ends (S31), the normal mode is started (S32). The end of the operation mode A is, for example, in the diagnosis mode, when the confirmation of the malfunction of each part of the door scope camera 1 is completed. In addition, in the expansion mode, communication with the door scope view IV 2 can be established.

[0069] When the processing in the operation mode A is completed in this way, the door scope camera 1 according to the present embodiment is set to activate the normal mode! When the normal mode is activated in step S32, the processing from step S33 to step S41 is the same as the processing from step S13 to step S21 shown in FIG.

[0070] In the above description, the operation modes that can be switched and activated by the door scope camera 1 are not limited to the normal mode, the diagnostic mode, and the expansion mode. For example, the door scope camera 1 may be configured to further activate other modes such as a reset mode and an image adjustment mode.

Note that the reset mode is a mode used when the operation of the door scope camera 1 becomes unstable. In other words, the reset mode stops the currently activated mode, returns the setting value set for the door scope camera 1 to the factory default value, and restarts the stopped mode. A reset operation is performed.

[0072] In addition, the image adjustment mode refers to the white balance and brightness shifting (power This mode adjusts the light amount difference between the peripheral part and the central part of the lens part of the lens. In other words, the CCD sensor (not shown) included in the imaging unit 11 is configured to be automatically adjustable. However, a lens unit or a housing unit (not shown) in the imaging unit 11 is deteriorated or deformed due to secular change. There is a case. In such a case, the reference value is deviated and automatic adjustment by the CCD sensor is insufficient. Therefore, the image quality adjustment mode is an adjustment operation that operates to adjust the arrangement of each part of the door scope camera 1 so as to cope with the shifted reference value.

[0073] When these reset mode and image quality adjustment mode are further added as modes that can be switched and started, the door scope camera 1 uses the U value and V value in the operation table shown in FIG. Increase the combination of these by subdividing the L and H values. Then, by increasing the combination of L value and H value in this way, it is possible to determine the key to activate any mode among normal mode, diagnostic mode, expansion mode, reset mode, and image adjustment mode. it can.

[0074] Further, the door scope camera 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to select and activate the operation mode to be activated according to the photographed color, but is not limited to this. For example, the information relating to the setting such as the predetermined time T described above or the setting value in the brightness setting value 31 and the start-up mode table 32 stored in the storage device 16 can be changed according to the photographed color. Moyo.

[0075] In this case, the storage device 16 stores the values of the color difference signals U and V, the setting item (for example, the predetermined time Τ) in the door scope camera 1, and the setting value of the setting item (for example, the predetermined time T = S Further, a table (not shown) showing a correspondence relationship with the second is stored.

[0076] Further, the door scope camera 1 according to the present embodiment is acquired by the luminance information acquired by the luminance information acquisition unit 21 and the color difference information acquisition unit 23 in order to select an operation mode to be activated. The color difference information is used.

[0077] The information acquired to select the operation mode to be activated while pressing is not limited to these. For example, in the case of a configuration in which the operation mode to be activated is selected only by the brightness of only white and black, the operation mode to be activated is selected based on only the luminance information acquired by the luminance information acquisition unit 21. Anyway. When configured in this manner, the color difference information acquisition unit 23 and the color difference signal determination processing unit 24 in FIG. 1 are not necessary. That is, the door scope camera 1 retains table information indicating the correspondence between the average value of the luminance values in the entire image and the operation mode to be activated, instead of the prescribed luminance value 31. Then, the luminance signal determination processing unit 22 calculates the average value of the luminance values based on the luminance information acquired by the luminance information acquisition unit 21. Then, the luminance signal determination processing unit 22 selects an operation mode corresponding to the average value of the luminance values calculated with reference to the table information, and notifies the activation instruction unit 25 of the operation mode. The activation instructing unit 25 controls each unit (for example, the communication control unit 14 or the diagnosis control unit 15) of the door scope camera 1 so as to activate the notified operation mode.

[0079] Also, in the door scope camera 1 according to the present embodiment, the activation mode table 32 is based on the average value of the color difference signals only when the standard deviation of the acquired luminance signal is less than the specified luminance value 31. The operation mode to be activated is selected with reference to FIG. However, it does not have the luminance information acquisition unit 21 and the luminance signal determination processing unit 22, and the activation mode table is based on the average value of the color difference signals obtained by the color difference information acquisition unit 23. The configuration may be such that the operation mode to be activated is selected with reference to FIG.

[0080] However, after obtaining the standard deviation of the luminance signal and determining whether or not this value is less than the luminance standard value 31, the configuration in which the color difference information is acquired incorrectly selects the operation mode. This is preferable in that malfunctions that can be activated can be reduced. That is, the configuration in which the color information of the subject is acquired after determining whether or not the subject is a single color by photographing from the luminance information is compared to the configuration in which only the color information of the subject is acquired. It is possible to accurately determine whether or not the object power to be photographed indicates an instruction of the operation mode to be activated.

[0081] Further, as described above, the door scope camera 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to select the operation mode to be activated using the luminance information and the color difference information. However, it is not limited to this, and an operation of recognizing an image such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark) or an image taken by the imaging unit 11 and starting up based on the recognition result. Even if the configuration is to select.

[0082] The operation mode to be activated is determined based on the images or characters taken in this way. In the case of the configuration, the door scope camera 1 can be realized by configuring as shown in FIG. In other words, the main control unit 13 analyzes the captured image or text instead of the luminance information acquisition unit 21, the luminance signal determination processing unit 22, the color difference information acquisition unit 23, and the color difference signal determination processing unit 24. An image analysis processing unit (analyzing unit) 41 for selecting the operation mode, and a selection processing unit (selecting unit) 42 for selecting an operation mode to be activated according to the result of analysis by the image analysis processing unit 41. Then, the storage device 16 stores a table (table information) 33 indicating a correspondence relationship between the analysis result for the captured image or character and the operation mode to be activated.

With this configuration, the selection processing unit 42 is activated with reference to the table 33 based on the analysis result of the image analysis processing unit 41 with respect to the photographed subject (graphic or character). A mode can be selected.

In addition, in the door scope camera 1 according to the present embodiment, the activation mode table 32 is based on the average value of the color difference signals only when the standard deviation of the acquired luminance signal is less than the luminance specified value 31. The operation mode to be activated is selected with reference to FIG. However, the configuration of the door scope camera 1 is not limited to this. Based on whether the standard deviation of the luminance signal acquired by the luminance information acquisition unit 21 is less than the specified luminance value 31, It is good also as a structure which selects the operation mode to start. When configured in this way, the door scope camera 1 can be realized by configuring as follows.

That is, the range of the standard deviation is divided into a plurality of sections, and a plurality of levels of luminance specified values 31... Are set as values indicating the boundaries of the sections. Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the correspondence relationship with the operation mode to be activated based on the set luminance specified values 31 (the specified luminance values are less than ex, α is greater than | 8, less than β) is set. The table information shown is further stored in the storage device 16. FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing an example of table information indicating a correspondence relationship between the setting range of each luminance prescribed value 31 and the operation mode to be activated.

Then, the luminance signal determination processing unit 22 selects an operation to be activated with reference to the table information shown in FIG. 9 based on the size of the luminance information acquired by the luminance information acquisition unit 21. Also good. In this way, the photographing apparatus according to the present invention can adjust the luminance of the photographed subject. Accordingly, different types of operations can be switched and activated.

However, the configuration in which the color difference information is obtained after obtaining the standard deviation of the luminance signal described above and determining whether or not this value is less than the prescribed luminance value 31 has an incorrect operation mode. This is preferable in that malfunctions that can be selected and activated can be reduced. In other words, rather than a configuration in which the operation mode is determined based only on the luminance information, the configuration in which the luminance information and color difference information of the subject are acquired and the operation mode to be activated based on these is selected is more accurately selected. This is advantageous in that it can be determined.

[0088] Further, in the door scope camera system 100 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the door scope camera 1 and the door scope view 2 are connected by radio.

The configuration may be such that both of these are connected by wire such as a cable.

However, in the configuration in which the door scope camera 1 and the door scope view 2 are connected by wire, it is necessary to perform wiring such as a cable so as not to hinder the user's traffic. For this reason

The above-described configuration in which the door scope camera 1 and the door scope view 2 are connected by radio is advantageous in that it is not necessary to attach a cable or the like.

As described above, the imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus that is activated by switching different types of operations, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires image information of a captured subject, and the above acquisition unit. A configuration includes a selection unit that selects an operation to be activated based on the acquired image information.

Therefore, the photographing apparatus according to the present invention has an effect that it can be started by switching different types of operations without separately providing input means.

Further, as described above, the imaging apparatus control method according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus control method that is activated by switching different types of operations, and includes a step of imaging a subject, Obtaining image information of the captured subject, and based on the obtained image information

Selecting an operation to be activated.

Therefore, the control method of the photographing apparatus according to the present invention has an effect that it is possible to switch and start different types of operations without separately providing input means.

[0094] In addition, the imaging apparatus according to the present invention is configured to select the operation to be activated based on the image information acquired in a predetermined period, based on the configuration described above. It is preferable.

[0095] According to the above configuration, the operation to be activated is selected based on the image information acquired during the predetermined period. For this reason, the photographing period of the subject as information for giving an instruction to switch the operation to be activated can be limited to a predetermined period.

[0096] Therefore, even when a specific subject including a motion switching instruction is shot in a scene with the intention of switching the motion! /, Na! /, The motion should not be switched accidentally. be able to. That is, malfunction in the operation mode can be prevented.

For this reason, the photographing apparatus according to the present invention can be started by switching different types of operations with high accuracy.

Further, in the imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the image information acquired by the acquisition unit is a color difference signal of a captured subject and has a configuration described above, and is based on the magnitude of the color difference signal. A color determination unit that determines the color of the subject, and a storage device that stores table information indicating a correspondence relationship between the color of the subject and operation information indicating an operation to be started. According to the color determined by the color determination means, the operation to be activated is selected with reference to the table information.

[0099] According to the above configuration, the color of the subject can be determined because the color determination means is provided. Further, the selecting means can select the operation to be activated with reference to the table information according to the determined subject color by referring to the table information. That is, the photographing apparatus according to the present invention can be started by switching different types of operations according to the color of the subject.

[0100] The color difference signals are a blue color difference signal and a red color difference signal.

The color of the subject may be determined based on a combination of the value of the blue color difference signal and the value of the red color difference signal.

[0101] Also, in the imaging device according to the present invention, in the above-described configuration, the image information acquired by the acquisition unit is a luminance signal obtained from a captured subject, and is based on the magnitude of the luminance signal. A luminance determination unit that determines the luminance of the subject; and a storage device that stores table information indicating a correspondence relationship between the luminance of the subject and operation information indicating an operation to be started, and the selection unit includes the luminance determination Depending on the brightness determined by the means. Then, it may be configured to select an operation to be activated with reference to the table information.

[0102] According to the above configuration, the luminance of the subject can be determined because the luminance determination means is provided. Further, the selection means can select the operation to be activated according to the determined luminance of the subject with reference to the table information. That is, the photographing apparatus according to the present invention can be activated by switching different types of operations according to the luminance of the object.

[0103] Further, in the imaging device according to the present invention, in the above-described configuration, the image information acquired by the acquisition unit is a color difference signal of a captured subject and a luminance signal obtained from the captured subject. Stores the luminance reference value, which is a reference based on the luminance signal, for determining whether or not the subject is a single color, and table information indicating the correspondence between the subject color and the operation information indicating the activation operation A luminance determination means for determining a dispersion value of the luminance signal based on the luminance signal and referring to the luminance reference value to determine whether or not the object is a single color from the dispersion value; A color determining unit configured to determine a color of the subject based on the color difference signal when the luminance determining unit determines that the subject has a single color; and the selecting unit includes the color determining unit. by Depending on the determination result, by referring to the table information, it may be configured to select the operation to be started.

[0104] According to the above configuration, since the brightness determination unit is provided, it is possible to determine whether the subject has a single color with reference to the brightness reference value. In addition, since the color determination means is provided, the color of the subject can be determined. Then, the selection means can select the operation to be activated with reference to the table information in accordance with the color of the subject determined by the color determination means.

[0105] In this way, when the subject is a specific single color, the operation to be activated can be selected according to the determination result of the color, so the operation to be activated according to the color of a part of the subject Can be selected by mistake.

Therefore, the photographing apparatus according to the present invention can select an operation to be activated with high accuracy. [0107] Further, in the above-described configuration, the photographing apparatus according to the present invention has an analysis unit that analyzes specific information for specifying the shape of the subject from the image information acquired by the acquisition unit, and the specific information and activation. A storage device that stores table information indicating a correspondence relationship with the operation to be performed, and the selecting unit refers to the table information according to the specific information analyzed by the analyzing unit, and is activated It is configured to select.

[0108] According to the above configuration, since the analyzing unit is provided, it is possible to grasp the specific information for specifying the shape of the subject photographed by the photographing unit. For example, when the subject is expressed by a specific shape such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark), specific information for specifying the shape can be grasped. Further, for example, when the subject is a character, it is possible to grasp specific information for specifying the shape forming the character.

[0109] Further, since the selecting means is provided, the operation corresponding to the specific information can be selected with reference to the table information.

Therefore, the photographing apparatus according to the present invention can select an operation to be activated according to the shape of the subject.

[0111] It should be noted that each means included in the photographing apparatus may be realized by a computer. In this case, the photographing apparatus that realizes the photographing apparatus on a computer by operating the computer as the respective means. A computer-readable recording medium in which the control program is recorded also falls within the scope of the present invention.

[0112] Finally, each block of the door scope camera 1, particularly each functional block included in the main control unit 13 (luminance information acquisition unit 21, luminance signal determination processing unit 22, color difference information acquisition unit 23, color difference signal determination processing unit 24 and the start instruction unit 25) may be configured by hardware logic! It can be realized by software using a CPU as follows!

That is, the door scope camera 1 has a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a read only memory (ROM) that stores the program, and a RAM ( random access memory), a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data, and the like. The object of the present invention is a door scope camera that is software that implements the functions described above. A recording medium in which the program code of the control program (executable program, intermediate code program, source program) is recorded so as to be readable by a computer is supplied to the photographing apparatus 1, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) is recorded on the recording medium. It can also be achieved by reading and executing the recorded program code.

[0114] The recording medium includes, for example, a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk Z hard disk, and an optical disk such as CD-ROMZMOZ MD / DVD / CD-R. A disk system, an IC card (including a memory card), a card system such as a Z optical card, or a semiconductor memory system such as a mask ROMZEPROMZEEPROMZ flash memory can be used.

[0115] Further, the door scope camera 1 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication A net or the like is available. Also, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, IEEE1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc. ooth (registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, etc. can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

[0116] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Industrial applicability

[0117] The photographing apparatus according to the present invention can be started by switching different types of operations without separately providing input means. For this reason, a WEB camera system that distributes video captured by an imaging unit over a network, not just a door scope camera. Depending on factors such as the purpose of use and the installation environment, such as a WEB camera in the system, it is equipped with an input means!

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] An imaging device that switches between different types of operations and starts up.

Acquisition means for acquiring image information of the photographed subject;

An imaging apparatus comprising: selection means for selecting an operation to be activated based on the image information acquired by the acquisition means.

[2] The photographing apparatus according to [1], wherein the selection unit selects an operation to be activated based on image information acquired during a predetermined period.

[3] The image information acquired by the acquisition unit is a color difference signal of the photographed subject, and a color determination unit that determines the color of the subject based on the magnitude of the color difference signal, a color of the subject, A storage device for storing table information indicating a correspondence relationship with operation information indicating an operation to be activated, and

3. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects an operation to be activated with reference to the table information in accordance with the color determined by the color determination unit.

[4] The color difference signal is a blue color difference signal and a red color difference signal,

4. The photographing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the color determination means determines the color of the subject based on a combination of the blue difference signal value and the red difference signal value.

[5] The image information acquired by the acquisition means is a luminance signal obtained from the photographed subject.

Brightness determining means for determining the brightness of the subject based on the magnitude of the brightness signal; and a storage device for storing table information indicating a correspondence relationship between the brightness of the subject and operation information indicating an operation to be started. Prepared,

3. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects an operation to be activated with reference to the table information according to the luminance determined by the luminance determination unit.

[6] The image information acquired by the acquisition means is a color difference signal of the photographed subject and a luminance signal obtained from the photographed subject.

A reference based on a luminance signal for determining whether the subject has a single color or not. A storage device for storing a luminance reference value and table information indicating a correspondence relationship between a subject color and operation information indicating an activation operation;

Based on the luminance signal, a dispersion value of the luminance signal is obtained, and with reference to the luminance reference value, a luminance determination unit that determines whether the subject is a single color from the dispersion value, and the luminance determination unit, Color determination means for determining the color of the subject based on the color difference signal when the subject is determined to be a single color;

3. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects an operation to be activated with reference to the table information according to a color determination result by the color determination unit.

[7] Analysis means for analyzing specific information for specifying the shape of the subject from the image information acquired by the acquisition means;

A storage device for storing table information indicating a correspondence relationship between the specific information and the operation to be started,

3. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects an operation to be activated with reference to the table information according to the specific information analyzed by the analysis unit.

[8] A method of controlling an imaging device that is activated by switching between different types of operations, the step of imaging a subject,

Obtaining image information of the photographed subject;

And a step of selecting an operation to be activated based on the acquired image information.

[9] A control program for operating the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and displacement 1, and a control program for the imaging apparatus for causing a computer to function as each of the above means.

[10] A computer-readable recording medium on which the control program for the photographing apparatus according to claim 9 is recorded.