JP7319057B2 - Image pickup device and image pickup method - Google Patents

Description

The present embodiment relates to an image capturing apparatus and an image capturing method for capturing a moving image of an image capturing target.

2. Description of the Related Art An imaging apparatus is known that uses a monitoring camera or the like to capture a moving image of an object to be imaged.

JP 2016-111578 A

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image capturing apparatuses that capture moving images have been widely used. Image pickup devices are installed indoors and outdoors for security purposes in buildings and for specific monitoring purposes. When there is an abnormality such as an intruder in an object to be imaged, the imaging apparatus detects this abnormality and displays an alarm.

2. Description of the Related Art For the purpose of crime prevention and surveillance, a plurality of imaging devices are often installed for one imaging target. These multiple imaging devices are installed in close proximity, and images of the imaging target are overlapped. It is desirable to identify redundantly captured locations in the captured images. However, since the captured images are moving images, there are a large number of captured images, and there is a problem that it is both complicated and inaccurate to manually identify overlapping portions.

In addition, there is a problem that an alarm display output by one imaging apparatus that has detected an abnormality may be misidentified as an abnormality by another imaging apparatus, and an alarm may be output. It is extremely inconvenient for an alarm to be output when there is no abnormality in the object to be imaged. It is desirable that an alarm be output only when there is an abnormality in the object to be imaged.

An object of the present embodiment is to provide an imaging apparatus and an imaging method capable of mutual information transmission between apparatuses in order to solve the above problems.

The imaging apparatus of this embodiment is characterized by having the following configuration.
(1) An imaging unit that images an object to be imaged.
(2) A projection unit that projects transmission information onto an imaging target in the form of an optical signal unique to each imaging device.
(3) The transmission information projected by the projection unit includes non-detection area information indicating a portion not targeted for abnormality detection, and the non-detection region information is projected onto the portion not targeted for abnormality detection of the imaging target. be done.

The image pickup device receives the transfer information projected as an optical signal from the other image pickup device by the image pickup unit, and based on the transfer information received by the image pickup unit, the other image pickup device Information may be identified.

The image pickup device receives the non-detection area information projected from the other image pickup device by the image pickup unit, and detects a portion not to be an abnormality detection target based on the non-detection area information received by the image pickup unit. may be identified.

The image capturing device may project the transmission information by an optical signal having a wavelength within or outside the visible range predetermined uniquely for each image capturing device.

In the imaging device, the transmission information may be composed of at least one of colors, patterns, electronic watermarks, graphics, and characters that are predetermined for each imaging device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an installation state of the imaging device according to the first embodiment; 1 is an external view showing the configuration of an imaging device according to a first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an area imaged by an image capturing unit of the image capturing apparatus according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of transmission information projected by the imaging device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the program flow of the image analysis unit of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the program flow of the projection adjustment unit of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment;

[1. First Embodiment]
[1-1. composition]
An image capturing apparatus 1 as an example of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. The imaging device 1 is installed indoors or outdoors for crime prevention of a building or for specific monitoring, and always captures a moving image of an object to be imaged. The imaging device 1 detects an abnormality such as a suspicious person in a store or an intruder in power equipment, and outputs an alarm signal.

In this embodiment, when there are a plurality of devices, parts, and signals having the same configuration, they are described with the same symbols attached, and when individual devices, parts, and signals having the same configuration are described. are distinguished by adding alphabetical suffixes to common symbols. For example, the two imaging devices 1a and 1b in this embodiment have the same configuration.

In the imaging device 1, the following signals, data, and information are input, output, and stored.
Transmission information D0: Information transmitted between the imaging devices 1 Imaging area information D1: Information indicating an area to be imaged Non-detection area information D2: Information indicating a portion not targeted for abnormality detection Imaging data E1: Concerning a captured image Data Abnormality signal F1: a signal indicating that an abnormality has been detected in the captured image As an example, in the present embodiment, the transmission information D0 includes the imaging area information D1 and the non-detection area information D2. A portion of the object to be imaged that is not subject to abnormality detection is referred to as a non-detection region R1.

The imaging device 1 has an imaging unit 2 , a projection unit 3 , an image processing unit 4 and an alarm unit 5 . The image processing section 4 includes an image analysis section 41 , a projection adjustment section 42 , a storage section 43 and an output section 44 . The functions of the imaging device 1 are implemented by a computer program installed.

(Imaging unit 2)
The imaging unit 2 is a moving image imaging device configured by a CCD camera or the like. The imaging section 2 is connected to the image processing section 4 . The image capturing unit 2 captures a moving image of an object to be imaged, such as the inside of a store or power equipment, and transmits image data E1 related to the captured image to the image processing unit 4 as a digital signal.

(Projection unit 3)
The projection unit 3 is a device configured by a projector or the like that projects an image with light. The projection section 3 is connected to the image processing section 4 . The projection unit 3 captures optical signals related to the imaging area information D1 (information indicating the area to be imaged) and the non-detection area information D2 (information indicating the portion not targeted for abnormality detection) output from the image processing unit 4. Project on target.

(Alarm unit 5)
The alarm unit 5 is an alarm device including a warning indicator lamp such as a red revolving light and a display panel that displays the contents of the warning in characters and figures. The alarm section 5 is connected to the image processing section 4 . The alarm unit 5 outputs an alarm to the operator based on the abnormality signal F1 (signal indicating that an abnormality has been detected in the captured image) transmitted from the image processing unit 4 .

(Image processing unit 4)
The image processing unit 4 is a device configured by a microcomputer or the like. The image processing unit 4 is connected to the imaging unit 2, the projection unit 3, and the alarm unit 5 by signal lines or wirelessly. The image processing unit 4 receives the imaging data E1 (data related to the captured image), and when an abnormality is detected, outputs an abnormality signal F1 (a signal indicating that an abnormality has been detected in the captured image) to the alarm unit 5. do. The image processing unit 4 outputs imaging area information D<b>1 (information indicating an area to be imaged) and non-detection area information D<b>2 (information indicating a portion not targeted for abnormality detection) to the projection unit 3 . The image processing unit 4 has an image analysis unit 41 , a projection adjustment unit 42 , a storage unit 43 and an output unit 44 .

(Image analysis unit 41)
The image analysis unit 41 is composed of a DSP (digital signal processor), a microcomputer, and the like. The image analysis section 41 is connected to the imaging section 2 , the projection adjustment section 42 , the storage section 43 and the output section 44 . The image analysis unit 41 incorporates a computer program, which will be described later.

The image analysis unit 41 receives imaging data E<b>1 (data related to a captured image) from the imaging unit 2 . When an abnormality is detected in the captured image data E1, the image analysis unit 41 transmits an abnormality signal F1 (a signal indicating that an abnormality has been detected in the captured image) to the alarm unit 5 and the storage unit 43. FIG. The image analysis unit 41 sequentially transmits the imaging data E1 to the storage unit 43 and the projection adjustment unit 42 .

The image analysis unit 41 identifies the image pickup range imaged by the other image pickup device 1 in the image data E1 (data related to the image pickup image) imaged by the image pickup unit 2 . The image analysis unit 41 identifies portions of the imaging data E1 captured by the imaging unit 2 that are not subject to abnormality detection.

(storage unit 43)
The storage unit 43 is composed of a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk. The storage unit 43 is connected to the image analysis unit 41 and the projection adjustment unit 42 . The storage unit 43 stores, as a non-detection region R1, a portion of the object to be imaged that is not subject to abnormality detection. The non-detection region R1 is set in the storage unit 43 in advance by the operator when the imaging device 1 is installed. In addition, the storage unit 43 sequentially stores the imaging data E1 (data related to the captured image) transmitted from the image analysis unit 41 . The storage unit 43 stores the abnormality signal F1 (signal indicating that an abnormality has been detected in the captured image) transmitted from the image analysis unit 41 together with the date and time of occurrence of the abnormality.

(Output unit 44)
The output unit 44 is configured by a drive circuit that drives the alarm unit 5 . The output unit 44 is connected to the image analysis unit 41 . The output unit 44 drives the alarm unit 5 based on the abnormality signal F<b>1 (signal indicating that an abnormality has been detected in the captured image) transmitted from the image analysis unit 41 .

(Projection adjustment unit 42)
The projection adjustment unit 42 is composed of a DSP (digital signal processor), a microcomputer, or the like. The projection adjustment section 42 is connected to the projection section 3 , the image analysis section 41 and the storage section 43 . The projection adjustment unit 42 incorporates a computer program, which will be described later. The projection adjustment unit 42 may be configured separately from the image analysis unit 41, or may be configured integrally.

The projection adjustment unit 42 generates imaging area information D1 (information indicating the area to be imaged) based on the imaging data E1 (data related to the imaged image) received from the image analysis unit 41, adjusts the projection image, and outputs the projection image. Send to 3. The projection adjustment unit 42 performs non-detection region information D2 (information indicating a portion not targeted for abnormality detection) based on the non-detection region R1 (a portion of the imaging target not targeted for abnormality detection) stored in the storage unit 43 . is created and transmitted to the projection unit 3.

The above is the configuration of the imaging device 1 .

[1-2. action]
The operation of the imaging device 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG. As an example, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, two imaging devices 1a and 1b are arranged indoors of a store. The imaging devices 1a and 1b constantly capture images of the walls of the store for the purpose of detecting intruders.

(Overview of operation of imaging device 1)
As shown in FIG. 3, the image capturing unit 2a of the image capturing device 1a captures an image of an image capturing range Pa of the wall surface of the store, and the image capturing unit 2b of the image capturing device 1b captures an image of an image capturing range Pb of the wall surface of the store. do.

As shown in FIG. 4(a), the projection unit 3a of the image capturing device 1a projects image capturing area information D1a specific to the image capturing device 1a with respect to the image capturing range Pa of the shop wall captured by the image capturing unit 2a of the image capturing device 1a. (information indicating an area to be imaged) is projected. The imaging region information D1a is composed of a figure unique to the imaging device 1a and an optical signal having a unique wavelength. As the imaging area information D1a, for example, a hexagon, which is a figure unique to the imaging device 1a, is projected by infrared light of 900 nanometers, which is a wavelength unique to the imaging device 1a.

As shown in FIG. 4(b), the projection unit 3b of the image capturing device 1b sets the image capturing area information D1b unique to the image capturing device 1b to the image capturing range Pb of the store wall captured by the image capturing unit 2b of the image capturing device 1b. (information indicating an area to be imaged) is projected. The image pickup area information D1b is composed of a figure specific to the image pickup device 1b and an optical signal having a specific wavelength. As the imaging region information D1b, for example, a square, which is a figure unique to the imaging device 1b, is projected by infrared light of 950 nanometers, which is a wavelength unique to the imaging device 1b.

The image analysis unit 41a of the image capturing device 1a detects the image capturing area information D1b projected from the projection unit 3b of the image capturing device 1b by capturing an image of the image capturing range Pa using the image capturing unit 2a. A range imaged by the imaging device 1b is identified. Specifically, the image analysis unit 41a determines the area in which a square, which is a figure specific to the imaging device 1b, is projected by infrared light with a wavelength of 950 nanometers, which is a wavelength specific to the imaging device 1b, in the imaging range Pa. identify.

The image analysis unit 41b of the image pickup device 1b detects the image pickup area information D1a projected from the projection unit 3a of the image pickup device 1a by picking up the image pickup range Pb with the image pickup unit 2b. The range imaged by the imaging device 1a is identified. Specifically, the image analysis unit 41b determines that a hexagon, which is a figure specific to the imaging device 1a, in the imaging range Pb is projected by infrared light of 900 nanometers, which is a wavelength specific to the imaging device 1a. Identify the range.

An alarm unit 5a of the imaging device 1a and an alarming unit 5b of the imaging device 1b are arranged on the wall surface of the store. The alarm unit 5a and the alarm unit 5b are arranged within an imaging range Pa imaged by the imaging device 1a. The alarm unit 5a is arranged within an imaging range Pb imaged by the imaging device 1b.

In the prior art, even if the image pickup device 1a does not detect an abnormality such as an intrusion, when the alarm unit 5b of the image pickup device 1b outputs an alarm, it may be misidentified as an abnormality. Similarly, even if the imaging device 1b does not detect an abnormality such as an intrusion, when the alarm unit 5a of the imaging device 1a outputs an alarm, it may be misidentified as an abnormality. It is not preferable to misunderstand the warning from the warning unit 5 as being abnormal.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the projection unit 3a of the imaging device 1a provides non-detection region information D2a (abnormality detection information that indicates which part is not targeted). The non-detection area information D2a is composed of a figure unique to the imaging device 1a and an optical signal having a unique wavelength.

As the non-detection region information D2a, for example, a pentagon, which is a figure unique to the imaging device 1a, is projected by infrared light of 900 nm, which is a wavelength unique to the imaging device 1a. The non-detection area information D2a may be projected inside or outside the imaging range Pa imaged by the imaging unit 2a.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the projection unit 3b of the imaging device 1b provides non-detection region information D2b (abnormality detection information that indicates which part is not targeted). The non-detection area information D2b is composed of a figure unique to the imaging device 1b and an optical signal having a unique wavelength.

As the non-detection area information D2b, for example, a triangle, which is a figure unique to the imaging device 1b, is projected by infrared light of 950 nanometers, which is a wavelength unique to the imaging device 1b. The non-detection area information D2b may be projected inside or outside the imaging range Pb imaged by the imaging unit 2b.

The image analysis unit 41a of the image capturing device 1a acquires the non-detection area information D2b (a portion not targeted for abnormality detection) projected from the projection unit 3b of the image capturing device 1b by capturing an image of the image capturing range Pa using the image capturing unit 2a. information) is detected, and a portion that is not to be an abnormality detection target is identified from among the image pickup target within the image pickup range Pa. Specifically, the image analysis unit 41a determines the area in which the triangle, which is a figure specific to the imaging device 1b, is projected by infrared light of 950 nanometers, which is the wavelength specific to the imaging device 1b, within the imaging range Pa. identify.

The image analysis unit 41b of the imaging device 1b obtains the non-detection area information D2a projected from the projection unit 3a of the imaging device 1a (a portion not targeted for abnormality detection) by imaging the imaging range Pb with the imaging unit 2b. information) is detected, and a portion that is not subject to abnormality detection is identified from among the imaging target within the imaging range Pb. Specifically, the image analysis unit 41b determines the area in which the pentagon, which is a figure unique to the imaging device 1a, is projected by infrared light of 900 nanometers, which is the wavelength unique to the imaging device 1a, in the imaging range Pb. identify.

The outline of the operation of the imaging device 1 has been described above. Specifically, the above operation is realized by the following program. The programs of the image analysis section 41 and the projection adjustment section 42 are the same in both the image capturing apparatuses 1a and 1b.

(Operation of image analysis section 41)
The operation of the image analysis unit 41 will be described below. The image analysis unit 41 operates according to the program shown in FIG. The program shown in FIG. 5 is built in the image analysis section 41 . The program shown in FIG. 5 is repeatedly executed by the image analysis unit 41 .

(Step S01: Take an image by the imaging unit 2)
The image analysis unit 41 captures an image of the imaging target using the imaging unit 2 . By capturing an image of an image capturing target, the image analysis unit 41 obtains image capturing area information D1 (information indicating an imaged area) projected from another image capturing apparatus 1 and non-detection area information D2 (not to be an abnormality detection target). part) is received by the imaging unit 2 . The image analysis unit 41 sequentially stores the received imaging area information D1, non-detection area information D2, and imaging data E1 in the storage unit 43 .

The image capturing unit 2a of the image capturing device 1a captures an image of an image capturing range Pa, and the image capturing unit 2b of the image capturing device 1b captures an image of an image capturing range Pb. The imaging unit 2a of the imaging device 1a receives the imaging region information D1b and the non-detection region information D2b projected from the imaging device 1b. The imaging unit 2b of the imaging device 1b receives the imaging region information D1a and the non-detection region information D2a projected from the imaging device 1a.

(Step S02: Identify overlapping imaging ranges)
The image analysis unit 41 captures an image captured by the other image capturing device 1 based on the image capturing area information D1 (information indicating the imaged area) projected from the other image capturing device 1 received by the image capturing unit 2 . Identifies the imaging range to be used.

In the storage unit 43a of the image pickup device 1a, a figure unique to the image pickup device 1b and a unique optical signal wavelength of the image pickup region information D1b are set in advance. The image analysis unit 41a of the imaging device 1a detects the imaging area information D1b based on the figure unique to the imaging device 1b and the unique optical signal wavelength stored in the storage unit 43a. Similarly, the image analysis unit 41b of the imaging device 1b detects the imaging area information D1a based on the figure unique to the imaging device 1a and the unique optical signal wavelength stored in the storage unit 43b.

(Step S03: Remove overlapping imaging ranges)
Based on the imaging area information D1 (information indicating the area to be imaged), the image analysis unit 41 removes the overlapping imaging range imaged by the other image capturing device 1 from the imaging data E1 (data related to the captured image). . The removal of overlapping imaging ranges from the imaging data E1 (data related to the captured image) is performed based on a predetermined priority. The priority is set in the storage unit 43 in advance.

The storage unit 43a of the imaging device 1a and the storage unit 43b of the imaging device 1b are set such that the priority of the imaging device 1a is higher than that of the imaging device 1b. Based on the imaging area information D1a, the image analysis unit 41b of the imaging device 1b removes the imaging range overlapping the imaging range Pa captured by the imaging device 1a from the imaging data E1b. The image analysis unit 41a of the imaging device 1a having the highest priority does not remove the imaging range overlapping the imaging range Pb captured by the imaging device 1b from the imaging data E1a based on the imaging region information D1b.

(Step S04: Determine whether non-detection area information D2 is included in imaging data E1)
The image analysis unit 41 determines whether non-detection area information D2 (information indicating a portion not targeted for abnormality detection) is included in the imaging data E1 (data related to the captured image) captured by the imaging unit 2 . When it is determined that the non-detection area information D2 is included in the imaging data E1 (YES in step S04), the program proceeds to step S05. If it is not determined that the non-detection area information D2 is included in the imaging data E1 (NO in step S04), the program proceeds to step S06.

The image analysis unit 41a of the image capturing device 1a determines whether the non-detection area information D2b is included in the image capturing range Pa of the image data E1a captured by the image capturing unit 2a. The image analysis unit 41b of the image capturing device 1b determines whether or not the non-detection area information D2a is included in the image capturing range Pb of the image data E1b captured by the image capturing unit 2b.

(Step S05: Remove non-detection region R1)
In step S04, when it is determined that the non-detection area information D2 is included in the imaging data E1, the image analysis unit 41 extracts the imaging data including the non-detection area information D2 (information indicating a portion not targeted for abnormality detection). is removed from the imaging data E1.

The image analysis unit 41a of the imaging device 1a removes the non-detection region R1b pointed out by the non-detection region information D2b from the imaging data E1a. The image analysis unit 41b of the imaging device 1b removes the non-detection region R1a pointed out by the non-detection region information D2a from the imaging data E1b.

(Step S06: Determine if there is an abnormality)
The image analysis unit 41 determines whether there is an abnormality such as an intruder based on the imaging data E1. The determination is made based on the imaging data E1 from which the overlapping imaging range imaged by the other imaging device 1 has been removed in step S03 and the non-detection region R1 has been removed in step S05.

If it is determined that the imaging data E1 is abnormal (YES in step S06), the program proceeds to step S07. If it is determined that there is no abnormality in the imaging data E1 (NO in step S06), the series of programs is terminated.

(Step S07: output abnormal signal F1)
In step S06, when it is determined that there is an abnormality in the captured image data E1 (data related to the captured image), the image analysis unit 41 outputs an abnormality signal F1 (a signal indicating that an abnormality has been detected in the captured image). Output to unit 44 . The image analysis unit 41 also causes the storage unit 43 to store the abnormality signal F1 (a signal indicating that an abnormality has been detected in the captured image) together with the date and time of occurrence of the abnormality.

The details of the operation of the image analysis unit 41 have been described above.

(Operation of projection adjustment unit 42)
The operation of the projection adjustment unit 42 will be described below. The projection adjustment unit 42 operates according to the program shown in FIG. The program shown in FIG. 6 is built in the projection adjustment section 42. FIG. The program shown in FIG. 6 is repeatedly executed by the projection adjustment unit 42. FIG.

(Step S11: Specify the imaging range of the imaging unit 2)
The projection adjustment unit 42 receives the imaging data E<b>1 (data related to the captured image) from the image analysis unit 41 and specifies the imaging range to be imaged by the imaging unit 2 . The projection adjustment unit 42a of the imaging device 1a receives the imaging data E1a from the image analysis unit 41a and specifies the imaging range Pa to be imaged by the imaging unit 2a. The projection adjustment unit 42b of the image pickup device 1b receives the image data E1b from the image analysis unit 41b and specifies the image pickup range Pb imaged by the image pickup unit 2b.

(Step S12: Identify the non-detection region R1 that is not targeted for abnormality detection)
The projection adjustment unit 42 identifies a non-detection region R1, which is a portion of the imaging target that is not subject to abnormality detection. The non-detection region R1 is set in the storage unit 43 in advance. The non-detection region R1 is a portion of the imaging target, such as the alarm section 5 that changes due to the imaging device 1, for example.

The projection adjustment unit 42a of the imaging device 1a specifies the periphery of the alarm unit 5a as the non-detection area R1a. The projection adjustment unit 42b of the imaging device 1b identifies the periphery of the alarm unit 5b as the non-detection area R1b.

(Step S13: project imaging area information D1 and non-detection area information D2)
The projection adjustment unit 42 adjusts the projected image and sends the projection unit 3 imaging area information D1 (information indicating the area to be imaged) and non-detection area information D2 (information indicating the part not targeted for abnormality detection) to the imaging target. ) is projected. The imaging area information D1 and the non-detection area information D2 are composed of an optical signal having a unique figure and a unique wavelength for each imaging device 1. FIG. The non-detection area information D2 is created based on the non-detection area R1 specified in step S12.

The projection adjustment unit 42a of the imaging device 1a causes the projection unit 3a to project imaging area information D1a (information indicating an area to be imaged) shown in FIG. 4(a). As the imaging area information D1a, for example, a hexagon, which is a figure unique to the imaging device 1a, is projected by infrared light of 900 nanometers, which is a wavelength unique to the imaging device 1a. The imaging area information D1a is projected onto the imaging range Pa imaged by the imaging unit 2a.

Further, the projection adjustment unit 42a of the imaging device 1a causes the projection unit 3a to project non-detection area information D2a (information indicating a portion not targeted for abnormality detection) indicating the non-detection area R1a. As the non-detection region information D2a, for example, a pentagon, which is a figure unique to the imaging device 1a, is projected by infrared light of 900 nm, which is a wavelength unique to the imaging device 1a. The non-detection area information D2a is projected onto the portion where the alarm section 5a is arranged.

The projection adjustment unit 42b of the imaging device 1b causes the projection unit 3b to project imaging area information D1b (information indicating an area to be imaged) shown in FIG. 4(b). As the imaging region information D1b, for example, a square, which is a figure unique to the imaging device 1b, is projected by infrared light of 950 nanometers, which is a wavelength unique to the imaging device 1b. The imaging area information D1b is projected onto the imaging range Pb imaged by the imaging unit 2b.

Further, the projection adjustment unit 42b of the imaging device 1b causes the projection unit 3b to project non-detection area information D2b (information indicating a portion not targeted for abnormality detection) indicating the non-detection area R1b. As the non-detection area information D2b, for example, a triangle, which is a figure unique to the imaging device 1b, is projected by infrared light of 950 nanometers, which is a wavelength unique to the imaging device 1b. The non-detection area information D2b is projected onto the portion where the alarm section 5b is arranged.

The details of the operation of the projection adjustment unit 42 have been described above.

As described above, the imaging area information D1 unique to each imaging device 1 is projected by the projection unit 3 onto the range of the object to be imaged by the imaging unit 2, and based on the imaging region information D1, the other imaging devices 1 is identified. Non-detection region information D2 is projected by the projection unit 3 onto a portion of the imaging target that is not targeted for abnormality detection. Based on the non-detection area information D2, portions of the imaging target imaged by the imaging unit 2 that are not targeted for abnormality detection are identified.

[1-3. effect]
(1) According to the present embodiment, the imaging device 1 includes the imaging unit 2 that images an object to be imaged, and the projection unit that projects transmission information D0 onto the object to be imaged using an optical signal unique to each imaging device 1. 3, the imaging device 1 can notify other imaging devices 1 of the transmission information D0. As a result, it is possible to provide an imaging device and an imaging method capable of mutually transmitting information between devices.

(2) According to the present embodiment, the image pickup device 1 receives the transmission information D0 projected as an optical signal from the other image pickup device 1 by the image pickup unit 2, and receives the transmission information D0 received by the image pickup unit 2. Since the information of the other imaging device 1 is identified based on the information D0, the imaging device 1 can recognize the transmission information D0 transmitted from the other imaging device 1. FIG. As a result, it is possible to provide an imaging device and an imaging method capable of mutually transmitting information between devices.

(3) According to the present embodiment, the transmission information D0 projected by the projection unit 3 includes the imaging area information D1 indicating the range imaged by the imaging unit 2, and the imaging area information D1 is the imaging unit of the imaging target. 2, the image capturing device 1 can notify the other image capturing devices 1 of the image capturing range Pa captured by the image capturing device 1 . The other image capturing device 1 can identify overlapping portions captured by the image capturing device 1 in the captured image.

(4) According to the present embodiment, the image capturing device 1 receives the image capturing area information D1 projected from the other image capturing device 1 by the image capturing unit 2, and the image capturing area information D1 received by the image capturing unit 2. Since the image pickup range Pa imaged by the other image pickup device 1 is identified based on the above, the image pickup device 1 can identify the overlapping portion picked up by the other image pickup device 1 among the picked-up images. can.

(5) According to the present embodiment, the transmission information D0 projected by the projection unit 3 of the imaging device 1 includes non-detection area information D2 indicating a portion that is not subject to abnormality detection, and the non-detection area information D2 is Since the image is projected onto a portion of the imaging target that is not subject to abnormality detection, the imaging device 1 can notify other imaging devices 1 of the non-detection region R1, which is a portion that is not subject to abnormality detection. can. The non-detection region R1 is a portion of the imaging target, such as the alarm section 5 that changes due to the imaging device 1, for example. As a result, it is possible to prevent unnecessary alarms from being issued by the imaging device 1 .

(6) According to the present embodiment, the imaging device 1 receives the non-detection area information D2 projected from the other imaging device 1 by the imaging unit 2, and the non-detection area information D2 received by the imaging unit 2 is Based on the information D2, portions not subject to abnormality detection are identified, so unnecessary abnormality detection by the imaging device 1 is prevented. For example, it is possible to prevent the image pickup device 1 from erroneously recognizing that the movement of the alarm unit 5 or the like that changes due to the image pickup device 1 is abnormal.

(7) According to the present embodiment, the transmission information D0 is projected by an optical signal having a wavelength within or outside the visible range uniquely determined for each imaging device 1 in advance. It is possible to arbitrarily select whether or not to report that the information D1 is being projected.

(6) According to the present embodiment, the transmission information D0 is composed of at least one of colors, patterns, digital watermarks, graphics, and characters that are uniquely determined for each imaging device 1 in advance, so that flexible The imaging region information D1 can be projected. For example, by projecting the imaging area information D1 composed of codes such as digital watermarks, characters, and graphics, it is possible to prevent the viewer from knowing the data contents of the imaging area information D1. Further, by projecting the event information and the imaging region information D1 composed of characters and figures according to the season, information can be conveyed to the viewer, and the viewer can be entertained.

[2. Other embodiments]
While embodiments including variations have been described, these embodiments are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof. Below is an example.

(1) In the above embodiment, the transmission information D0 includes both the imaging area information D1 and the non-detection area information D2, but the information included in the transmission information D0 is not limited to this. Information included in the transmission information D0 may be either one of the imaging area information D1 and the non-detection area information D2, or may be other information. For example, the information included in the transmission information D0 may be maintenance information of the imaging device 1 .

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the imaging area information D1 and the non-detection area information D2, which are the transmission information D0, are composed of an optical signal having a figure and wavelength uniquely determined for each imaging apparatus 1 in advance. . However, the form of the transmission information D0, the imaging area information D1, and the non-detection area information D2 is not limited to this. The transmission information D0, the imaging area information D1, and the non-detection area information D2 may be composed only of optical signals having predetermined wavelengths, without figures or characters, for example. Also, the transmission information D0, the imaging area information D1, and the non-detection area information D2 may be composed of, for example, graphics, characters, etc. having arbitrary colors.

In the above embodiment, the transmission information D0, the imaging area information D1, and the non-detection area information D2 are assumed to be projected by infrared light having a wavelength of 900 nm or 950 nm. is not limited to The transmission information D0, the imaging area information D1, and the non-detection area information D2 may be projected by light other than the above, for example, light having a wavelength in the visible region. The transmission information D0, the imaging area information D1, and the non-detection area information D2 may be composed of arbitrary figures. For example, the imaging region information D1 may be configured with a flower pattern, and the non-detection region information D2 may be configured with a star pattern, and may be projected onto the imaging target by projection mapping. Further, the transmission information D0, the image pickup area information D1, and the non-detection area information D2 are not limited to figures. The transmission information D0, the imaging area information D1, and the non-detection area information D2 may be made up of colors, patterns, electronic watermarks, and characters that are uniquely determined for each imaging apparatus 1 in advance.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, one projection unit 3 is connected to one image processing unit 4 . can be For example, one projection unit 3 projects imaging area information D1 (information indicating an area to be imaged), and another projection unit 3 projects non-detection area information D2 (information indicating a portion not targeted for abnormality detection). may be made.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the non-detection region information D2 (information indicating a portion not to be subjected to abnormality detection) indicates that the alarm section 5 is the portion not to be subjected to abnormality detection among the imaging objects. However, the portion that is not subject to abnormality detection is not limited to the alarm unit 5 . An arbitrary portion in the imaging range may be designated by the non-detection region information D2 and may be set as a portion that is not targeted for abnormality detection. For example, the operating range of the cleaning robot may be designated by the non-detection area information D2.

(5) In the above embodiment, the alarm unit 5 is composed of a warning indicator lamp such as a red revolving lamp, a display panel that displays the content of the warning in characters, etc., but the alarm unit 5 may may be configured by an alarm device.

(6) In the above embodiment, the output section 44 is configured by a drive circuit that drives the alarm section 5, but the configuration of the output section 44 is not limited to this. For example, the output unit 44 is configured by a communication unit, and an abnormality signal F1 (a signal indicating that an abnormality has been detected in a captured image) and imaging data E1 (data related to the captured image) are transmitted via a communication line. may be made.

(7) In the above embodiment, the two imaging devices 1a and 1b are arranged for one imaging target, but the number of imaging devices 1 to be arranged is not limited to this. Three or more imaging devices 1a and 1b may be arranged for one imaging target.

(8) In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the overlapping image capturing range imaged by the other image capturing device 1 is removed from the image data E1a in step S03. However, the processing of step S03 is not limited to this. A portion of the imaging data E1a covering the overlapping imaging range imaged by the other imaging device 1 may be discolored.

(9) In the above embodiment, the non-detection region R1b indicated by the non-detection region information D2b in step S05 is removed from the imaging data E1a. However, the processing of step S05 is not limited to this. A portion of the imaging data E1a over the non-detection region R1b indicated by the non-detection region information D2b may be discolored.

(10) In the above embodiment, an abnormality such as an intruder is detected in step S06, but the detected abnormality is not limited to this. For example, malfunctions of facilities and equipment, and abnormalities such as traffic accidents may be detected.

1, 1a, 1b... image pickup devices 2, 2a, 2b... imaging units 3, 3a, 3b... projection units 4, 4a, 4b... image processing unit 41... image analysis unit 42 ... projection adjustment section 43 ... storage section 44 ... output section 5, 5a, 5b ... alarm section

Claims (6)

an imaging unit that captures an image of an imaging target;
a projection unit for projecting transmission information on the imaging target in the form of an optical signal unique to each imaging device ;
The transmission information projected by the projection unit includes non-detection area information indicating a portion not targeted for abnormality detection, and the non-detection region information is projected onto the portion not targeted for abnormality detection of the imaging target.
Image capture device. receiving the transmission information projected as an optical signal from the other imaging device by the imaging unit;
identifying information of the other imaging device based on the transmitted information received by the imaging unit;
The imaging device according to claim 1. receiving the non-detection area information projected from the other imaging device by the imaging unit;
Based on the non-detection area information received by the imaging unit, identifying a portion not targeted for abnormality detection;
The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2 . The transmission information is projected by an optical signal having a wavelength within the visible range or outside the visible range, which is predetermined for each image capturing device.
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The transmission information is composed of at least one of colors, patterns, digital watermarks, graphics, and characters that are predetermined for each image capturing device,
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . an imaging procedure for imaging an imaging target;
a projection procedure for projecting transmission information with an optical signal unique to each imaging device ;
The transmission information projected by the projection procedure includes non-detection area information indicating a portion not targeted for abnormality detection, and the non-detection region information is projected on the portion not targeted for abnormality detection of the imaging target.
Image capture method.

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