WO2022004353A1 - Imaging device, transmission method, transmission device, cloud server, and imaging system - Google Patents

Abstract

An imaging device according to the present disclosure comprises an imaging unit that captures images, and a transmission unit that transmits a part of a captured image captured by the imaging unit to an external device that calculates a parameter relating to the processing of the captured image.

Description

Imaging device, transmission method, transmission device, cloud server and imaging system

The present disclosure relates to an image pickup device, a transmission method, a transmission device, a cloud server, and an image pickup system.

A technique for calculating parameters used by an image pickup device by a device other than the image pickup device is known. For example, the parameters calculated by the server that received the image captured by the image pickup device are transmitted to the image pickup device, and the image pickup device performs image processing using the parameters received from the server (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-239861

However, the prior art aims to generate high quality and high definition images even if the user has no knowledge or skills regarding settings or the performance of the camera is low, and is between the image pickup device and the server. No consideration is given to the amount of traffic. Therefore, in the prior art, the amount of communication between the image pickup apparatus and the server increases as the amount of image data increases. Therefore, it is desired to suppress the amount of communication when calculating parameters with a device other than the image pickup device.

Therefore, the present disclosure proposes an image pickup device, a transmission method, a transmission device, a cloud server, and an image pickup system that can suppress an increase in the amount of communication required for parameter calculation by a device other than the image pickup device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in one embodiment of the image pickup apparatus according to the present disclosure, parameters related to the processing of the image pickup image are calculated for a part of the image pickup unit that performs image pickup and the image pickup image captured by the image pickup unit. It is provided with a sending unit for sending to an external device.

It is a figure which shows an example of the image pickup system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of a transmission determination part. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process of transmission determination. It is a figure which shows an example of the image pickup system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows an example of the image pickup system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a hardware block diagram which shows an example of the computer which realizes the function of each device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that this embodiment does not limit the image pickup device, the transmission method, the transmission device, the cloud server, and the image pickup system according to the present application. Further, in each of the following embodiments, duplicate description will be omitted by assigning the same reference numerals to the same parts.

The present disclosure will be described according to the order of items shown below.
1. 1. First Embodiment 1-1. Configuration and processing of the imaging system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure 1-2. Sending judgment procedure 2. Second Embodiment 2-1. 2. Configuration and processing of the imaging system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Third Embodiment 3-1. 3. Configuration and processing of the imaging system according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. Processing according to the communication environment 5. Other Embodiments 5-1. Example of still image 5-2. Other processing examples 5-3. Others 6. Effect of embodiment 7. Hardware configuration

[1. First Embodiment]
[1-1. Configuration and processing of the imaging system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure]
The image pickup system 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an imaging system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the image pickup system 1 includes a camera 100, a cloud server 200, and a server device 300. The image pickup system 1 shown in FIG. 1 may include a plurality of cameras 100, a plurality of cloud servers 200, and a plurality of server devices 300. Hereinafter, the configuration and processing of each device will be described.

(Explanation of the configuration of the image pickup device)
The camera 100 is an imaging device that performs imaging. The camera 100 sends a part of the captured image to the cloud server 200 that calculates the image processing parameters (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “parameters”) used by the camera 100. The camera 100 performs image processing using the parameters received from the cloud server 200. The captured image captured by the camera 100 may be either a moving image or a still image, but in the following, when the camera 100 is a video camera and the captured image captured by the camera 100 is a moving image. Will be described as an example.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the camera 100 and the processing of each configuration will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the camera 100 includes an image pickup unit 110, an image processing unit 120, a transmission determination unit 130, and a communication unit 140.

The imaging unit 110 performs imaging. For example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor is used for the image pickup unit 110. The image pickup unit 110 is not limited to a CMOS image sensor, and various image sensors such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor may be used. The image pickup unit 110 may have an optical member such as a lens and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the focus, zoom, and aperture of the optical member. The image pickup unit 110 passes the captured captured image to the image processing unit 120.

In the image processing unit 120, for example, a program (for example, an image processing program, a transmission program, etc.) stored inside the camera 100 by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or the like is a RAM (Random Access Memory). It is realized by executing such as as a work area. Further, the image processing unit 120 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

The image processing unit 120 performs image processing of the captured image captured by the image pickup unit 110. The image processing unit 120 performs processing using the parameters received from the cloud server 200. The image processing unit 120 performs processing using parameters related to brightness and color tone. The image processing unit 120 performs processing for adjusting the brightness of the captured image by using the gain parameter. The image processing unit 120 performs processing for adjusting the brightness and contrast of the captured image by using the tone parameters.

The image processing unit 120 performs processing using parameters related to hue and saturation. The image processing unit 120 performs processing for emphasizing the high frequency component of the captured image by using the parameter related to the intensity of high frequency enhancement. The image processing unit 120 performs processing for removing noise in the captured image by using a parameter related to the strength of noise removal. As described above, as image processing, the image processing unit 120 performs a process of adjusting the brightness of the captured image, a process of adjusting the contrast of the captured image, a process of emphasizing a high frequency component of the captured image, or a noise of the captured image. Perform at least one of the removal processes. The above is an example, and the image processing performed by the image processing unit 120 is not limited to the above.

The image processing unit 120 passes the captured image that has undergone image processing to the transmission determination unit 130. The image processing unit 120 may pass the captured image before image processing to the transmission determination unit 130. As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing unit 120 passes the captured image to the determination data preprocessing unit 131 of the transmission determination unit 130.

The image processing unit 120 selects a part of the captured image, which is a moving image, as a transmission image. For example, the image processing unit 120 selects a predetermined number (for example, one or the like) of still images among the moving images as the transmission image. The predetermined number of still images referred to here also includes moving images cut out in a predetermined section (predetermined frame) in the moving image. That is, when the captured image is a moving image, a part of the captured image may be a moving image obtained by cutting out a predetermined section (predetermined frame) in the moving image. The image processing unit 120 may randomly select a predetermined number of still images as the transmission image, or may select a predetermined number of still images as the transmission image based on a predetermined reference.

For example, the image processing unit 120 may select a still image corresponding to the start of the moving image, a still image corresponding to the middle of the moving image, or a still image corresponding to the end of the moving image as the transmission image. The above is an example, and the image processing unit 120 may select any image as a transmission image as long as it is a part of the captured image. As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing unit 120 passes a part of the captured image as a transmission image to the transmission signal creation unit 133 of the transmission determination unit 130.

The image processing unit 120 passes the metadata related to the captured image to the transmission signal creation unit 133 of the transmission determination unit 130. The metadata is, for example, various settings of the camera 100 at the time of capturing an captured image, the number of pixels of the camera 100, a frame rate, a color gamut, a lens type, a focus position, an F value, a zoom ratio, and the like. Further, the metadata may include the orientation of the camera 100 and the position of the camera 100. The transmission determination unit 130 may acquire the metadata from the storage unit that stores the metadata.

The transmission determination unit 130 determines transmission to the cloud server 200 and creates a transmission signal to be transmitted to the cloud server 200. In the transmission determination unit 130, for example, a program stored inside the camera 100 (for example, a determination data generation program, a transmission determination program, a transmission signal creation program, etc.) is executed by a CPU, MPU, or the like using the RAM or the like as a work area. It will be realized by. Further, the transmission determination unit 130 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA.

As shown in FIG. 2, the transmission determination unit 130 includes a determination data preprocessing unit 131, a determination unit 132, and a transmission signal creation unit 133. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the transmission determination unit.

Judgment data preprocessing unit 131 generates judgment data used for judgment as to whether or not to send. The judgment data preprocessing unit 131 generates judgment data by processing the image captured by the image pickup unit 110. The judgment data preprocessing unit 131 passes the generated judgment data to the judgment unit 132.

The judgment data pre-processing unit 131 processes the image according to the judgment target in the judgment unit 132. The judgment data preprocessing unit 131 generates judgment data as a judgment criterion for whether or not to recalculate the parameters. The judgment data preprocessing unit 131 calculates the feature amount of the captured image and outputs the calculated feature amount as the judgment data. The judgment data preprocessing unit 131 calculates the average of the luminance values of the entire captured image, and outputs the average of the calculated luminance values as the determination data. The judgment data preprocessing unit 131 calculates the average of the luminance values of a part (specific portion) of the captured image, and outputs the average of the calculated luminance values as the determination data. For example, the judgment data preprocessing unit 131 may divide the captured image into a plurality of regions within a certain range and output the integration result in each region as judgment data. For example, the judgment data preprocessing unit 131 may detect a high frequency component in the captured image and output the integration result as judgment data.

The judgment data pre-processing unit 131 passes the judgment data generated based on the captured image at the time of judgment to the judgment unit 132 as transmission judgment target data. The judgment data preprocessing unit 131 sets an initial value in the reference judgment data by the initialization processing. Further, the judgment data preprocessing unit 131 replaces the reference judgment data with the transmission judgment target data when the judgment unit 132 determines that the transmission is to be performed. The judgment data preprocessing unit 131 passes the set standard judgment data to the judgment unit 132. The determination unit 132 may acquire the reference determination data from the storage unit that stores the reference determination data.

The determination unit 132 determines whether or not the transmission condition is satisfied. The transmission conditions may be set by the operator of the camera 100 or the like, or may be stored in the storage unit of the camera 100. The determination unit 132 determines whether or not the transmission condition is satisfied by using the determination data generated by the determination data preprocessing unit 131. The determination unit 132 determines whether or not the parameter needs to be recalculated by using the determination data sent from the determination data preprocessing unit 131.

The determination unit 132 determines whether or not the transmission condition is satisfied based on the comparison between the reference determination data and the transmission determination target data. The determination unit 132 determines that the transmission condition is satisfied when the difference between the reference determination data and the transmission determination target data is equal to or greater than the threshold value. The determination unit 132 determines whether or not the difference from the transmission determination target data, which is the current determination data, is equal to or greater than the threshold value, using the reference determination data which is the determination data when the parameter was recalculated last time. For example, the determination unit 132 determines that the transmission condition is satisfied when it is determined that the brightness of the entire captured image has changed by the threshold value or more as a result of comparison between the reference determination data and the transmission determination target data.

Further, the determination unit 132 may acquire operation information indicating the operation of the camera 100 operator with respect to the camera 100, and may determine whether or not the transmission condition is satisfied based on the acquired operation information. The determination unit 132 determines that the transmission condition is satisfied when the operator of the camera 100 performs a predetermined operation. The determination unit 132 determines that the transmission condition is satisfied when the power to the camera 100 is turned on. When the determination unit 132 determines that the transmission condition is satisfied, it issues a transmission trigger and transmits the transmission trigger to the transmission signal creation unit 133.

The transmission signal creation unit 133 receives a part of the captured image from the image processing unit 120. The transmission signal creation unit 133 receives a part of the captured image, which is a moving image, as the transmission image.

The transmission signal creation unit 133 creates a transmission signal including a transmission image and metadata. For example, the transmission signal creation unit 133 creates a transmission signal by packing the transmission image and the metadata. When the transmission trigger is applied, the transmission signal creation unit 133 transmits the transmission signal to the communication unit 140.

The communication unit 140 is realized by, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card), a communication circuit, or the like. The communication unit 140 is connected to a predetermined network wirelessly or by wire, and communicates with the cloud server 200 or the like via the predetermined network.

The communication unit 140 sends a part of the image captured by the image pickup unit 110 to the cloud server 200. The communication unit 140 transmits the transmission signal transmitted from the transmission signal creation unit 133 to the cloud server 200. That is, when the transmission unit 140 determines that the transmission determination unit 130 transmits to the cloud server 200, the communication unit 140 transmits the transmission signal created by the transmission signal creation unit 133 to the cloud server 200.

The communication unit 140 sends the transmission signal created by the transmission determination unit 130 to the cloud server 200. As a result, the communication unit 140 sends a part of the captured image (sending image) and the metadata related to the captured image to the cloud server 200. The communication unit 140 may separately send a part of the captured image and the metadata related to the captured image to the cloud server 200.

As described above, the camera 100 monitors the brightness of the entire image, the brightness of each area in the image, the change in color, and the like, and sends data to the cloud server 200 when a certain change is observed. Perform the processing for. As a result, the camera 100 can suppress the number of images to be transmitted to a small number, and can reduce the transmission band.

Further, the communication unit 140 receives the parameters from the cloud server 200. The communication unit 140 passes the received parameter to the image processing unit 120.

Further, the camera 100 outputs an image (also referred to as an “output image”) image-processed by the image processing unit 120 to the server device 300. For example, the camera 100 is wiredly connected to the server device 300 by a cable or the like, and outputs an output image to the server device 300. The camera 100 may be wirelessly connected to the server device 300 as long as the output image to the server device 300 can be output. For example, the camera 100 outputs an output image (main line image), which is a moving image to be output on the main line, to the server device 300.

(Cloud server configuration explanation)
Next, the configuration of the cloud server 200, which is an example of the external device for calculating the parameters, will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the cloud server 200 has a calculation unit 210 and a communication unit 220. For example, the cloud server 200 is a large-scale arithmetic unit provided outside the camera 100.

The cloud server 200 communicates with the camera 100 by, for example, a communication unit 220 such as a NIC or a communication circuit. The communication unit 220 receives a part of the captured image captured by the camera 100 from the camera 100. The communication unit 220 receives the transmission signal from the camera 100.

The calculation unit 210 is realized by, for example, a CPU, an MPU, or the like executing a program (for example, a parameter calculation program) stored inside the cloud server 200 with a RAM or the like as a work area. Further, the arithmetic unit 210 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA.

The calculation unit 210 calculates parameters related to the processing of the captured image by using a part of the captured image received by the communication unit 220. The calculation unit 210 calculates parameters related to processing of the captured image captured by the camera 100. The calculation unit 210 performs image analysis based on the image and metadata included in the transmission signal transmitted from the camera 100, and calculates parameters according to the characteristics and situations of the image.

The calculation unit 210 calculates parameters related to brightness and color tone. The calculation unit 210 calculates the gain parameter. The calculation unit 210 calculates the tone parameters. The calculation unit 210 calculates parameters related to hue and saturation. The calculation unit 210 calculates a parameter related to the strength of high frequency enhancement. The calculation unit 210 calculates a parameter related to the strength of noise removal.

The calculation unit 210 identifies the main subject from the image and calculates parameters that give brightness and color tones suitable for the subject. The calculation unit 210 recognizes the types of imaging objects such as humans, animals, and plants, and calculates parameters corresponding to the imaging objects.

The communication unit 220 transmits the calculation result of the calculation unit 210 to the external device. The communication unit 220 transmits the parameters calculated by the calculation unit 210 to the camera 100.

(Explanation of server device)
The server device 300 shown in FIG. 1 is a device that receives an output image from the camera 100. The server device 300 stores the received output image in the storage unit. For example, the server device 300 receives an output image (main line image) which is a moving image from the camera 100. The server device 300 may be connected to the camera 100 by wire or wirelessly as long as it can receive the output image from the camera 100.

[1-2. Sending judgment procedure]
Next, the flow of the transmission determination process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the transmission determination process.

As shown in FIG. 3, the camera 100 performs a standard determination data initialization process (step S101). For example, the judgment data preprocessing unit 131 of the camera 100 clears the reference judgment data as the initialization process and sets the initial value in the reference judgment data.

The camera 100 generates transmission determination target data (step S102). For example, the judgment data preprocessing unit 131 of the camera 100 generates the transmission judgment target data using the captured image.

The camera 100 calculates the difference from the reference determination data (step S103). For example, the judgment data preprocessing unit 131 of the camera 100 calculates the difference between the reference judgment data and the transmission judgment target data.

The camera 100 determines whether the difference is equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S104). For example, the determination unit 132 of the camera 100 determines whether the difference between the reference determination data and the transmission determination target data is equal to or greater than the threshold value.

When the difference is equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S104: Yes), the camera 100 replaces the reference determination data with the transmission determination target data (step S105). For example, the judgment data preprocessing unit 131 of the camera 100 sets the transmission judgment target data at that time as the reference judgment data.

Then, the camera 100 issues a transmission trigger (step S106). For example, the determination unit 132 of the camera 100 transmits the issued transmission trigger to the transmission signal creation unit 133, and the transmission signal creation unit 133 that receives the transmission trigger transmits the transmission signal including the transmission image and the metadata to the communication unit 140. To transmit to. As a result, the camera 100 sends the transmission signal to the cloud server 200. After that, the camera 100 returns to step S102 and repeats the process.

On the other hand, when the difference is less than the threshold value (step S104: No), the camera 100 returns to step S102 and repeats the process.

[2. Second embodiment]
The configuration of the image pickup apparatus is not limited to the configuration of the camera 100. In the transmission determination, not only the image but also the sensor data detected by the sensor may be used as the transmission determination material. This point will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an imaging system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The same points as in the first embodiment will be appropriately described by adding the same reference numerals.

[2-1. Configuration and processing of the imaging system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure]
As shown in FIG. 4, the image pickup system 1A includes a camera 100A, a cloud server 200, and a server device 300.

(Explanation of the configuration of the image pickup device)
The configuration of the camera 100A will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the camera 100A includes an image pickup unit 110, an image processing unit 120, a transmission determination unit 130, a communication unit 140, and a sensor unit 150.

Further, the sensor unit 150 has a position sensor that detects the position of the camera 100A such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor, and a posture sensor that detects the direction (posture) of the camera 100A such as a gyro sensor. The sensor included in the sensor unit 150 is not limited to the above, and any sensor may be included as long as it is a sensor that detects sensor data that can be used for transmission determination. For example, the sensor unit 150 may have a sensor such as a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

The transmission determination unit 130 of the camera 100A determines transmission using the sensor data detected by the sensor unit 150. For example, the judgment data preprocessing unit 131 generates judgment data by processing the sensor data detected by the sensor unit 150.

The judgment data pre-processing unit 131 processes the sensor data according to the judgment target in the judgment unit 132. The judgment data preprocessing unit 131 calculates the feature amount of the sensor data and outputs the calculated feature amount as the judgment data.

The judgment data preprocessing unit 131 passes the judgment data generated based on the sensor data at the time of judgment to the judgment unit 132 as transmission judgment target data. The judgment data preprocessing unit 131 passes the judgment data generated based on the sensor data detected by the position sensor to the judgment unit 132 as transmission judgment target data. For example, the judgment data preprocessing unit 131 passes the judgment data indicating the position of the camera 100A to the judgment unit 132 as the transmission judgment target data. The judgment data preprocessing unit 131 passes the judgment data generated based on the sensor data detected by the attitude sensor that detects the direction of the camera 100A to the judgment unit 132 as transmission judgment target data.

The determination unit 132 of the camera 100A determines whether or not the transmission condition is satisfied by using the determination data generated based on the sensor data. The determination unit 132 determines that the transmission condition is satisfied when the position of the camera 100A moves by using the position information of the camera 100A. When the difference between the position of the camera 100A indicated by the reference determination data and the position of the camera 100A indicated by the transmission determination target data is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the determination unit 132 determines that the position of the camera 100A moves and satisfies the transmission condition. do.

Further, the determination unit 132 determines that the transmission condition is satisfied when it is detected that the direction of the camera 100A has changed. When the difference between the orientation of the camera 100A indicated by the reference determination data and the orientation of the camera 100A indicated by the transmission determination target data is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the determination unit 132 changes the orientation of the camera 100A and satisfies the transmission condition. to decide. When the sensor is a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor, the determination unit 132 makes a determination using the temperature, humidity, or illuminance information. For example, the determination unit 132 determines that the transmission condition is satisfied when the difference between the temperature, humidity, or illuminance indicated by the reference determination data and the temperature, humidity, or illuminance indicated by the transmission determination target data is equal to or greater than the threshold value.

The communication unit 140 of the camera 100A transmits a transmission signal including the sensor data detected by the sensor unit 150 to the cloud server 200. The communication unit 140 sends a transmission signal including sensor data indicating the direction of the camera to the cloud server 200.

[3. Third Embodiment]
The system configuration of the imaging system is not limited to the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, and may be various system configurations. For example, the image pickup device for taking an image and the sending device for sending may be separate bodies. This point will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an imaging system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. The same points as those in the first embodiment or the second embodiment will be appropriately described by adding the same reference numerals.

[3-1. Configuration and processing of the imaging system according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure]
As shown in FIG. 5, the image pickup system 1B includes a camera 100B, a cloud server 200, a server device 300, and a transmission device 400.

(Explanation of the configuration of the image pickup device)
The configuration of the camera 100B will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the camera 100B has an image pickup unit 110, an image processing unit 120, and a communication unit 140. As described above, the camera 100B differs from the camera 100A in that it does not have the transmission determination unit 130 and the sensor unit 150.

For example, a transmission device 400, which is a separate housing, is attached to the camera 100B, and an image is transmitted from the image processing unit 120 of the camera 100B to the transmission determination unit 130 of the transmission device 400. As long as an image or the like can be transmitted from the camera 100B to the transmission device 400, the connection mode between the camera 100B and the transmission device 400 may be any mode. For example, the camera 100B and the transmission device 400 may be communicably connected by wire or wirelessly, or the camera 100B and the transmission device 400 may be arranged at separate positions.

(Explanation of the configuration of the sending device)
Next, the configuration of the transmission device 400 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the transmission device 400 includes a transmission determination unit 130, a sensor unit 150, and a communication unit 440. When the sensor data is not used, the transmission device 400 does not have to have the sensor unit 150.

The transmission determination unit 130 of the transmission device 400 makes a transmission determination using the image captured by the camera 100B. Since the transmission determination unit 130 of the transmission device 400 is the same as the transmission determination unit 130 of the camera 100 except that an image captured by the camera 100B, which is another device, is used, the description thereof will be omitted.

The communication unit 440 sends a part of the captured image captured by the camera 100B to the cloud server 200 that calculates the parameters related to the processing of the captured image. The communication unit 440 transmits the transmission signal transmitted from the transmission signal creation unit 133 to the cloud server 200.

The cloud server 200 receives a transmission signal from the transmission device 400. The cloud server 200 transmits the parameters calculated by the calculation unit 210 to the camera 100B.

[4. Processing according to the communication environment]
The cameras 100, 100A, 100B, and the transmission device 400 described above may switch the processing according to the communication environment. Although this point will be described by taking the camera 100 of the image pickup system 1 as an example, the same processing may be applied to the camera 100A of the image pickup system 1A, the camera 100B of the image pickup system 1B, and the transmission device 400.

The camera 100 is a terminal device that can use 4G (4th generation mobile communication standard), LTE (Long Term Evolution), and 5G (5th generation mobile communication standard). The camera 100 can use both the first communication by 4G or LTE and the second communication by 5G by the communication unit 140. For example, the camera 100 communicates with the cloud server 200 by the second communication in the case of a communication environment in which the second communication by 5G can be used, and by the first communication in the case of the communication environment in which the second communication cannot be used. Communicates with the cloud server 200.

The camera 100 switches the transmission mode to the cloud server 200 according to the communication environment. When the second communication by 5G is not available, the camera 100 transmits a part of the captured image to the cloud server 200 by the first communication. That is, when the captured image is transmitted to the cloud server 200 in a communication environment where only the first communication can be used, the camera 100 transmits a part of the captured image to the cloud server 200 as described above.

On the other hand, in the case of a communication environment in which the second communication by 5G can be used, the camera 100 transmits the entire captured image to the cloud server 200 by the second communication. For example, when the captured image is a moving image and a second communication by 5G can be used, the camera 100 transmits the entire moving image to the cloud server 200. That is, when the captured image is transmitted to the cloud server 200 in a communication environment where the second communication is available, the camera 100 transmits the entire captured image to the cloud server 200. In this way, the camera 100 can appropriately switch the transmission mode to the cloud server 200 according to the communication environment.

[5. Other embodiments]
The processing according to each of the above-described embodiments may be carried out in various different forms (modifications) other than the above-mentioned embodiments.

[5-1. Still image example]
As described above, the image pickup device captures not only a moving image but also a still image. The processing in this case will be described by taking the camera 100 as an example. In this case, the camera 100 may be a so-called digital camera. The same processing as the captured image is a moving image will be omitted as appropriate.

When the captured image is one still image, the image processing unit 120 of the camera 100 selects a part of the still image as the transmission image. For example, the image processing unit 120 selects a predetermined ratio (for example, 10% or the like) of a still image as a transmission image. The image processing unit 120 may randomly select a predetermined ratio area as a transmission image, or may select a predetermined ratio area as a transmission image based on a predetermined reference. For example, the image processing unit 120 may select a central region in one still image or an edge region in one still image as a transmission image.

When the captured image is one still image, the transmission signal creation unit 133 of the camera 100 receives an image of a part of the still image as a transmission image. When the transmission trigger is applied, the transmission signal creation unit 133 transmits the transmission signal including the transmission image and the metadata, which are images of a part of the still image, to the communication unit 140.

[5-2. Other processing examples]
For example, the parameters may be calculated for a plurality of image pickup devices. This point will be described by taking the imaging system 1A as an example. For example, the cloud server 200 receives a part of the captured image from each of the plurality of cameras 100A, performs a color matching calculation based on a part of the captured image from each of the received plurality of cameras 100A, and calculates a parameter. Then, the calculated parameters may be transmitted to each of the plurality of cameras 100A.

Each of the plurality of cameras 100A may transmit orientation information to the cloud server 200 together with a part of the captured image. The cloud server 200 may calculate parameters for each group of cameras 100A corresponding to the orientation. For example, the cloud server 200 may calculate a parameter (first parameter) according to the captured image of the sun, targeting the group of the cameras 100A facing the sun (first group). The cloud server 200 transmits the first parameter to the cameras 100A of the first group. Further, the cloud server 200 may calculate a parameter (second parameter) according to the captured image for capturing the shade for the group (second group) of the camera 100A facing the shade. The cloud server 200 transmits the second parameter to the camera 100A of the second group. The above-mentioned group (classification) of the camera 100A is an example, and desired grouping may be performed based on various conditions.

[5-3. others]
Further, among the processes described in each of the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being automatically performed can be manually performed, or the processes described as being manually performed. It is also possible to automatically perform all or part of the above by a known method. In addition, information including processing procedures, specific names, various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be arbitrarily changed unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each figure is not limited to the information shown in the figure.

Further, each component of each device shown in the figure is a functional concept, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. That is, the specific form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or part of them may be functionally or physically distributed / physically in arbitrary units according to various loads and usage conditions. Can be integrated and configured.

Further, each of the above-described embodiments and modifications can be appropriately combined as long as the processing contents do not contradict each other.

Further, the effects described in the present specification are merely examples and are not limited, and other effects may be obtained.

[6. Effect of embodiment]
As described above, the cameras 100 and 100A (imaging apparatus) according to the embodiment include an imaging unit 110 and a communication unit 140 (transmitting unit). The imaging unit 110 performs imaging. The communication unit 140 sends a part of the captured image captured by the imaging unit 110 to the cloud server 200 (external device) that calculates parameters related to the processing of the captured image.

As described above, the cameras 100 and 100A according to the embodiment are operated by devices other than the cameras 100 and 100A by sending only a part of the captured images to the cloud server 200 that calculates the parameters related to the processing of the captured images. It is possible to suppress an increase in the amount of communication required for parameter calculation.

Further, the communication unit 140 sends a part of the captured image to the cloud server 200 when the condition for sending to the cloud server 200 is satisfied. As described above, the cameras 100 and 100A can suppress an increase in the number of transmissions to the cloud server 200 by transmitting to the cloud server 200 when the transmission conditions are satisfied. Therefore, the cameras 100 and 100A can suppress an increase in the amount of communication required for parameter calculation by a device other than the cameras 100 and 100A.

Further, the cameras 100 and 100A have a determination unit 132. The determination unit 132 determines whether or not the transmission condition is satisfied. When the determination unit 132 determines that the transmission condition is satisfied, the communication unit 140 transmits a part of the captured image to the cloud server 200. As described above, the cameras 100 and 100A have a configuration for determining the transmission condition, and when it is determined that the transmission condition is satisfied, the camera 100 and 100A transmit to the cloud server 200 to increase the number of transmissions to the cloud server 200. Can be suppressed. Therefore, the cameras 100 and 100A can suppress an increase in the amount of communication required for parameter calculation by a device other than the cameras 100 and 100A.

Further, the cameras 100 and 100A have a judgment data preprocessing unit 131. The judgment data preprocessing unit 131 generates judgment data used for judging the transmission condition. The determination unit 132 determines whether or not the transmission condition is satisfied by using the determination data generated by the determination data preprocessing unit 131. As described above, the cameras 100 and 100A have a configuration for generating data used for determining the transmission conditions, determine transmission using the generated data, and transmit the data to the cloud server 200, thereby transmitting to the cloud server. It is possible to suppress an increase in the number of transmissions to 200. Therefore, the cameras 100 and 100A can suppress an increase in the amount of communication required for parameter calculation by a device other than the cameras 100 and 100A.

Further, the judgment data preprocessing unit 131 generates judgment data by processing the image or the sensor data detected by the sensor. In this way, the cameras 100 and 100A make a determination of transmission using the determination data (judgment signal) generated by processing the image (image signal) or the sensor data (sensor signal), and transmit the data to the cloud server 200. By doing so, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of transmissions to the cloud server 200. Therefore, the cameras 100 and 100A can suppress an increase in the amount of communication required for parameter calculation by a device other than the cameras 100 and 100A.

The sensor is a position sensor, an attitude sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor. In this way, the cameras 100 and 100A are transmitted using the judgment data (judgment signal) generated by processing the data (sensor signal) detected by the position sensor, the attitude sensor, the temperature sensor, the humidity sensor, or the illuminance sensor. By making a judgment and sending the data to the cloud server 200, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of times the data is sent to the cloud server 200. Therefore, the cameras 100 and 100A can suppress an increase in the amount of communication required for parameter calculation by a device other than the cameras 100 and 100A.

Further, the judgment unit 132 compares the first judgment data (standard judgment data) set as the judgment standard with the second judgment data (sending judgment target data) generated after the setting of the first judgment data. Based on this, it is determined whether or not the transmission condition is satisfied. As described above, when the cameras 100 and 100A determine that the transmission condition is satisfied based on the determination criteria, they can transmit to the cloud server 200 to suppress an increase in the number of transmissions to the cloud server 200. can. Therefore, the cameras 100 and 100A can suppress an increase in the amount of communication required for parameter calculation by a device other than the cameras 100 and 100A.

Further, the determination unit 132 determines that the transmission condition is satisfied when the difference between the first determination data and the second determination data is equal to or greater than the threshold value. As described above, the cameras 100 and 100A increase the number of transmissions to the cloud server 200 by transmitting the data to the cloud server 200 when the difference between the first determination data and the second determination data is equal to or greater than the threshold value. It can be suppressed. Therefore, the cameras 100 and 100A can suppress an increase in the amount of communication required for parameter calculation by a device other than the cameras 100 and 100A.

Further, the communication unit 140 sends a part of the captured image to the cloud server 200 when the operation to the cameras 100 and 100A satisfies the sending condition. As described above, when the operations to the cameras 100 and 100A satisfy the transmission conditions, the cameras 100 and 100A are likely to need to recalculate the parameters by transmitting to the cloud server 200. Can be sent to the cloud server 200 only. Therefore, the cameras 100 and 100A can suppress an increase in the amount of communication required for parameter calculation by a device other than the cameras 100 and 100A.

Further, when the operator of the cameras 100 and 100A performs a predetermined operation, the communication unit 140 sends a part of the captured image to the cloud server 200. As described above, it is highly possible that the parameters of the cameras 100 and 100A need to be recalculated by sending the cameras 100 and 100A to the cloud server 200 when the operator of the cameras 100 and 100A performs a predetermined operation. Only in this case can the transmission to the cloud server 200 be performed. Therefore, the cameras 100 and 100A can suppress an increase in the amount of communication required for parameter calculation by a device other than the cameras 100 and 100A.

Further, when the position or posture of the cameras 100 and 100A is changed, the communication unit 140 sends a part of the captured image to the cloud server 200. As described above, when the positions or postures of the cameras 100 and 100A are changed, the cameras 100 and 100A need to recalculate the parameters due to the change of the image pickup target by sending to the cloud server 200. It is possible to send to the cloud server 200 only when there is a high possibility. Therefore, the cameras 100 and 100A can suppress an increase in the amount of communication required for parameter calculation by a device other than the cameras 100 and 100A.

Further, when the power to the cameras 100 and 100A is turned on, the communication unit 140 sends a part of the captured image to the cloud server 200. As described above, the cameras 100 and 100A send out to the cloud server 200 when the power to the cameras 100 and 100A is turned on, so that the cloud server 200 is available only when there is a high possibility that the parameters need to be recalculated. Can be sent to. Therefore, the cameras 100 and 100A can suppress an increase in the amount of communication required for parameter calculation by a device other than the cameras 100 and 100A.

Further, the captured image is a moving image, and a part of the captured image is a part of the moving image. In this way, the cameras 100 and 100A send only a part of the moving image (for example, a still image or several frames of the moving image) to the cloud server 200, so that the parameters by the devices other than the cameras 100 and 100A are used. It is possible to suppress an increase in the amount of communication required for calculation.

Further, the captured image is one still image, and a part of the captured image is a part of a region in one still image. As described above, the cameras 100 and 100A are based on devices other than the cameras 100 and 100A by sending only a part of one still image (for example, a part of the area of one still image) to the cloud server 200. It is possible to suppress an increase in the amount of communication required for parameter calculation.

Further, the communication unit 140 sends metadata related to the captured image to the cloud server 200. As described above, the cameras 100 and 100A can send the metadata related to the captured image to the cloud server 200, thereby enabling the calculation of appropriate parameters in the cloud server 200.

Further, the communication unit 140 sends metadata indicating the state of the cameras 100 and 100A at the time of capturing the captured image, or the specifications of the cameras 100 and 100A. In this way, the cameras 100 and 100A send metadata related to the state (position, orientation, etc.) and specifications (number of pixels, frame rate, etc.) image at the time of imaging to the cloud server 200, thereby causing the cloud server 200. It is possible to calculate appropriate parameters.

Further, the cameras 100 and 100A have a transmission signal creating unit 133. The transmission signal creation unit 133 creates a transmission signal including the transmission image and the metadata which are a part of the captured image. The communication unit 140 sends the transmission signal created by the transmission signal creation unit 133 to the cloud server 200. As described above, the cameras 100 and 100A can send a part of the captured image to the cloud server 200 together with the corresponding metadata by sending the transmission signal including the transmission image and the metadata to the cloud server 200. .. As a result, the cameras 100 and 100A can suppress an increase in the number of transmissions to the cloud server 200 and enable calculation of appropriate parameters in the cloud server 200.

Further, the cameras 100 and 100A have an image processing unit 120. The image processing unit 120 performs image processing using the parameters received from the cloud server 200. As described above, the cameras 100 and 100A can perform appropriate image processing by performing pixel processing using the parameters calculated by the cloud server 200.

Further, as image processing, the image processing unit 120 has a process of adjusting the brightness of the captured image, a process of adjusting the contrast of the captured image, a process of emphasizing a high frequency component of the captured image, or a process of removing noise of the captured image. Do at least one of them. As described above, the cameras 100 and 100A are appropriate by performing pixel processing such as brightness adjustment, contrast adjustment, high frequency component enhancement, and noise removal on the captured image using the parameters calculated by the cloud server 200. Image processing can be performed.

For example, when considering processing by a cloud such as a cloud server 200 of a moving image captured by an image pickup device such as a camera 100 or 100A, advanced image processing becomes possible by utilizing abundant processing capacity on the cloud. Since image processing is performed after transmission, it is desirable to avoid image deterioration due to compression. Therefore, it is necessary to send all the raw data, which has a large amount of data, from the image pickup device to the cloud, which requires high transmission capacity. Due to such transmission, a delay may occur and an image may not be obtained in real time.

On the other hand, in the above-mentioned imaging systems 1 and 1A, the real-time image output can be ensured by incorporating the processing engine (image processing unit 120) into the cameras 100 and 100A. Further, in the imaging systems 1 and 1A, limited information of a part of the captured image (still image, etc.) is transmitted from the cameras 100 and 100A to the cloud server 200, and the optimum parameters are calculated on the cloud server 200. , The parameters are sent back to the cameras 100 and 100A. As a result, in the imaging systems 1 and 1A, the transmission band can be reduced.

Further, the transmission from the cameras 100 and 100A is a specific trigger condition such as when the power is turned on, when the shooting target changes such as shaking the camera greatly, or when the operator of the cameras 100 and 100A performs a specific menu operation. Only if it matches. As a result, the cameras 100 and 100A can immediately follow the situation where the processing parameters need to be changed while narrowing down the transmission information and reducing the band.

As described above, the transmission device 400 according to the embodiment includes a communication unit 440 (sending unit). The communication unit 440 sends a part of the captured image to the cloud server 200 (external device) that calculates the parameters related to the processing of the captured image.

As described above, the transmission device 400 according to the embodiment is a device other than the camera 100B that captures the captured image by transmitting only a part of the captured image to the cloud server 200 that calculates the parameters related to the processing of the captured image. It is possible to suppress an increase in the amount of communication required for parameter calculation.

As described above, the cloud server 200 according to the embodiment has a communication unit 220 that receives a part of an image captured by the cameras 100 and 100A (imaging device) from an external device, and an image pickup received by the communication unit 220. A calculation unit 210 for calculating parameters related to processing of a captured image by using a part of an image is provided.

As described above, the cloud server 200 according to the embodiment receives only a part of the captured image captured by the cameras 100 and 100A, and calculates the parameters related to the processing of the captured image by the device other than the cameras 100 and 100A. It is possible to suppress an increase in the amount of communication required for parameter calculation.

As described above, the imaging systems 1 and 1A capture images with the cameras 100 and 100A (imaging devices) that perform imaging and send a part of the captured images to an external device that calculates parameters related to the processing of the captured images. It has a cloud server 200 that receives a part of an image from an image pickup apparatus and calculates parameters related to processing of the captured image using a part of the received captured image.

As described above, the imaging systems 1 and 1A according to the embodiment receive only a part of the captured image captured by the cameras 100 and 100A, and calculate the parameters related to the processing of the captured image to obtain the parameters other than the cameras 100 and 100A. It is possible to suppress an increase in the amount of communication required for parameter calculation by the device.

[7. Hardware configuration]
Each device (information device) such as the cloud server 200, the server device 300, and the transmission device 400 according to each of the above-described embodiments is realized by, for example, a computer 1000 having a configuration as shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of each device. The functions of the cameras 100, 100A, and 100B as information devices may be realized by the computer 1000 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the transmission device 400 will be described as an example. The computer 1000 has a CPU 1100, a RAM 1200, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1300, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 1400, a communication interface 1500, and an input / output interface 1600. Each part of the computer 1000 is connected by a bus 1050.

The CPU 1100 operates based on the program stored in the ROM 1300 or the HDD 1400, and controls each part. For example, the CPU 1100 expands the program stored in the ROM 1300 or the HDD 1400 into the RAM 1200, and executes processing corresponding to various programs.

The ROM 1300 stores a boot program such as a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) executed by the CPU 1100 when the computer 1000 is started, a program depending on the hardware of the computer 1000, and the like.

The HDD 1400 is a computer-readable recording medium that non-temporarily records a program executed by the CPU 1100 and data used by such a program. Specifically, the HDD 1400 is a recording medium for recording an information processing program such as a signal processing program according to the present disclosure, which is an example of program data 1450.

The communication interface 1500 is an interface for the computer 1000 to connect to an external network 1550 (for example, the Internet). For example, the CPU 1100 receives data from another device or transmits data generated by the CPU 1100 to another device via the communication interface 1500.

The input / output interface 1600 is an interface for connecting the input / output device 1650 and the computer 1000. For example, the CPU 1100 receives data from an input device such as a keyboard or mouse via the input / output interface 1600. Further, the CPU 1100 transmits data to an output device such as a display, a speaker, or a printer via the input / output interface 1600. Further, the input / output interface 1600 may function as a media interface for reading a program or the like recorded on a predetermined recording medium (media). The media is, for example, an optical recording medium such as DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or PD (Phase change rewritable Disk), a magneto-optical recording medium such as MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. Is.

For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the transmission device 400 according to the embodiment, the CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 realizes the functions of the transmission determination unit 130 and the like by executing the information processing program loaded on the RAM 1200. Further, the information processing program according to the present disclosure and the data in the storage unit of the cloud server 200 are stored in the HDD 1400. The CPU 1100 reads the program data 1450 from the HDD 1400 and executes the program, but as another example, these programs may be acquired from another device via the external network 1550.

The present technology can also have the following configurations.
(1)
An imaging unit that performs imaging and
A transmission unit that sends a part of the captured image captured by the image pickup unit to an external device that calculates parameters related to the processing of the captured image.
An image pickup device equipped with.
(2)
The sending unit
The imaging device according to (1), wherein a part of the captured image is transmitted to the external device when the conditions for sending to the external device are satisfied.
(3)
Judgment unit for determining whether or not the transmission condition is satisfied,
Further prepare
The sending unit
The imaging device according to (2), wherein when the determination unit determines that the transmission condition is satisfied, a part of the captured image is transmitted to the external device.
(4)
Judgment data pre-processing unit that generates judgment data used to judge the transmission condition,
Further prepare
The judgment unit
The image pickup apparatus according to (3), wherein it is determined whether or not the transmission condition is satisfied by using the determination data generated by the determination data preprocessing unit.
(5)
The judgment data pre-processing unit
The image pickup apparatus according to (4), wherein the judgment data is generated by processing an image or sensor data detected by a sensor.
(6)
The sensor is
The image pickup apparatus according to (5), which is a position sensor, a posture sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.
(7)
The judgment unit
Based on the comparison between the first judgment data set as the judgment criterion and the second judgment data generated after the setting of the first judgment data, it is judged whether or not the transmission condition is satisfied (4) to. The imaging device according to any one of (6).
(8)
The judgment unit
The image pickup apparatus according to (7), wherein it is determined that the transmission condition is satisfied when the difference between the first determination data and the second determination data is equal to or greater than a threshold value.
(9)
The sending unit
The image pickup device according to any one of (2) to (8), wherein a part of the captured image is sent to the external device when the operation to the image pickup device satisfies the transmission condition.
(10)
The sending unit
The imaging device according to (9), wherein a part of the captured image is sent to the external device when the operator of the imaging device performs a predetermined operation.
(11)
The sending unit
The imaging device according to (9) or (10), wherein a part of the captured image is sent to the external device when the position or posture of the imaging device is changed.
(12)
The sending unit
The image pickup device according to any one of (9) to (11), wherein a part of the captured image is sent to the external device when the power to the image pickup device is turned on.
(13)
The captured image is a moving image and is
The image pickup apparatus according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein a part of the captured image is a part of the image in the moving image.
(14)
The captured image is one still image, and is
The image pickup apparatus according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein a part of the captured image is a part of a region in the one still image.
(15)
The sending unit
The imaging device according to any one of (1) to (14), which sends metadata related to the captured image to the external device.
(16)
The sending unit
The imaging device according to (15), which sends out the metadata indicating the state of the imaging device at the time of capturing the captured image or the specifications of the imaging device.
(17)
A transmission signal creating unit that creates a transmission signal including a transmission image that is a part of the captured image and the metadata.
Further prepare
The sending unit
The image pickup apparatus according to (15) or (16), wherein the transmission signal created by the transmission signal creation unit is transmitted to the external device.
(18)
An image processing unit that performs image processing using the parameters received from the external device.
The image pickup apparatus according to any one of (1) to (17).
(19)
The image processing unit
The image processing includes a process of adjusting the brightness of the captured image, a process of adjusting the contrast of the captured image, a process of emphasizing a high frequency component of the captured image, and a process of removing noise of the captured image. The image pickup apparatus according to (18), wherein at least one is performed.
(20)
Take an image and
A transmission method for executing a process of transmitting a part of an captured image to an external device that calculates parameters related to the processing of the captured image.
(21)
Take an image and
A transmission program that executes a process of transmitting a part of the captured image to an external device that calculates parameters related to the processing of the captured image.
(22)
A transmission unit that sends a part of the captured image to an external device that calculates parameters related to the processing of the captured image.
A sending device equipped with.
(23)
A communication unit that receives a part of the captured image captured by the image pickup device from an external device,
An arithmetic unit that calculates parameters related to the processing of the captured image using a part of the captured image received by the communication unit, and a calculation unit.
Cloud server with.
(24)
An imaging device that performs imaging and sends a part of the captured image to an external device that calculates parameters related to the processing of the captured image.
A cloud server that receives a part of the captured image from the image pickup device and calculates parameters related to the processing of the captured image by using a part of the received image.
Imaging system with.

1 Imaging system 100 camera (imaging device)
110 Imaging unit 120 Image processing unit 130 Transmission judgment unit 131 Judgment data preprocessing unit 132 Judgment unit 133 Transmission signal creation unit 140 Communication unit (transmission unit)
200 Cloud server (external device)
210 Calculation unit 220 Communication unit 300 Server device

Claims (23)

1. An imaging unit that performs imaging and
   A transmission unit that sends a part of the captured image captured by the image pickup unit to an external device that calculates parameters related to the processing of the captured image.
   An image pickup device equipped with.
2. The sending unit
   The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein a part of the captured image is transmitted to the external device when the conditions for sending to the external device are satisfied.
3. Judgment unit for determining whether or not the transmission condition is satisfied,
   Further prepare
   The sending unit
   The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein when the determination unit determines that the transmission condition is satisfied, a part of the captured image is transmitted to the external device.
4. Judgment data pre-processing unit that generates judgment data used to judge the transmission condition,
   Further prepare
   The judgment unit
   The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein the determination data generated by the determination data preprocessing unit is used to determine whether or not the transmission condition is satisfied.
5. The judgment data pre-processing unit
   The image pickup apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the judgment data is generated based on the image or the sensor data detected by the sensor.
6. The sensor is
   The image pickup apparatus according to claim 5, which is a position sensor, a posture sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.
7. The judgment unit
   According to claim 4, it is determined whether or not the transmission condition is satisfied based on the comparison between the first judgment data set as the judgment criterion and the second judgment data generated after the setting of the first judgment data. The imaging device described.
8. The judgment unit
   The imaging device according to claim 7, wherein when the difference between the first determination data and the second determination data is equal to or greater than a threshold value, it is determined that the transmission condition is satisfied.
9. The sending unit
   The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein when the operation to the imaging device satisfies the transmission condition, a part of the captured image is transmitted to the external device.
10. The sending unit
    The imaging device according to claim 9, wherein when the operator of the imaging device performs a predetermined operation, a part of the captured image is sent to the external device.
11. The sending unit
    The imaging device according to claim 9, wherein when the position or posture of the imaging device is changed, a part of the captured image is sent to the external device.
12. The sending unit
    The imaging device according to claim 9, wherein when the power to the imaging device is turned on, a part of the captured image is sent to the external device.
13. The captured image is a moving image and is
    The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a part of the captured image is a part of the image in the moving image.
14. The captured image is one still image, and is
    The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein a part of the captured image is a part of a region in the one still image.
15. The sending unit
    The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein metadata related to the captured image is transmitted to the external device.
16. The sending unit
    The imaging device according to claim 15, which sends out the metadata indicating the state of the imaging device at the time of capturing the captured image or the specifications of the imaging device.
17. A transmission signal creating unit that creates a transmission signal including a transmission image that is a part of the captured image and the metadata.
    Further prepare
    The sending unit
    The image pickup apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the transmission signal created by the transmission signal creation unit is transmitted to the external device.
18. An image processing unit that performs image processing using the parameters received from the external device.
    The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1.
19. The image processing unit
    The image processing includes a process of adjusting the brightness of the captured image, a process of adjusting the contrast of the captured image, a process of emphasizing a high frequency component of the captured image, and a process of removing noise of the captured image. The imaging apparatus according to claim 18, wherein at least one is performed.
20. Take an image and
    A transmission method for executing a process of transmitting a part of an captured image to an external device that calculates parameters related to the processing of the captured image.
21. A transmission unit that sends a part of the captured image to an external device that calculates parameters related to the processing of the captured image.
    A sending device equipped with.
22. A communication unit that receives a part of the captured image captured by the image pickup device from an external device,
    An arithmetic unit that calculates parameters related to the processing of the captured image using a part of the captured image received by the communication unit, and a calculation unit.
    Cloud server with.
23. An imaging device that performs imaging and sends a part of the captured image to an external device that calculates parameters related to the processing of the captured image.
    A cloud server that receives a part of the captured image from the image pickup device and calculates parameters related to the processing of the captured image by using the part of the received image.
    Imaging system with.

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