Photographing device, photographing system, mobile body, control method and program

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11070735-B2
Application number	US-201916728709-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 27, 2019
Priority date	Jun 29, 2017
Publication date	Jul 20, 2021
Grant date	Jul 20, 2021

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a control device for controlling an imaging device. The control device includes an operation unit configured to be operated by an external force; a detection unit configured to detect an operation state of the operation unit; a processor configured to execute a program to: perform a predetermined operation based on the operation state of the operation unit; and invalidate an execution of the predetermined operation performed by the processor based on the operation state of the operation unit when the imaging device is connected to an object satisfying a condition.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A control device for controlling an imaging device, comprising:
an operation unit configured to be operated by an external force;
a detection unit configured to detect an operation state of the operation unit; and
a processor configured to execute a program to:
perform a predetermined operation based on the operation state of the operation unit;
determine whether the imaging device is connected to an object satisfying a condition by determining whether the imaging device is mounted on a support mechanism configured to rotatably support the imaging device, wherein:
the support mechanism is configured to operate in a first mode in which a rotation of the imaging device is validated and a second mode in which the rotation of the imaging device is invalidated; and
the imaging device is determined to be connected to the object satisfying the condition when the imaging device is mounted on the support mechanism operating in the first mode; and

invalidate an execution of the predetermined operation performed by the processor based on the operation state of the operation unit when the processor determines that the imaging device is connected to the object satisfying the condition.

2. The control device of claim 1 , wherein the processor validates the execution of the predetermined operation when the processor determines that the imaging device is not connected to the object satisfying the condition.

3. The control device of claim 1 , wherein the object satisfying the condition includes a mobile device.

4. The control device of claim 1 , wherein the object satisfying the condition includes a mobile device in flight.

5. The control device of claim 1 , wherein the processor determines the imaging device is not connected to the object satisfying the condition when the imaging device is mounted on the support mechanism operating in the second mode.

6. The control device of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined operation includes an operation of moving a lens disposed in the imaging device.

7. The control device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program to validate another predetermined operation executed by the processor based on the operation state of the operation unit when the processor invalidates the predetermined operation.

8. The control device of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program to invalidate the predetermined operation and validate another predetermined operation when the imaging device is mounted on a mobile device.

9. The control device of claim 8 , wherein the processor invalidates the predetermined another operation when the mobile device has started flying.

10. The control device of claim 1 , wherein the operation unit includes at least one of a focus operation ring, a zoom operation ring, an operation ring, or an operation switch.

11. The control device of claim 1 , wherein the detection unit includes a photo interrupter.

12. The control device of claim 1 , wherein the support mechanism includes a gimbal.

13. An imaging device comprising the control device of claim 1 .

14. An imaging system comprising the imaging device of claim 13 .

15. A mobile object movable corresponding to a movable imaging system, wherein the movable imaging system has an imaging device including a control device and a support mechanism configured to rotatably support the imaging device, the control device including:
an operation unit being operated by an external force; and
a detection unit configured to detect an operation state of the operation unit;
a processor configured to execute a program to:
perform a predetermined operation based on the operation state of the operation unit;
determine whether the imaging device is connected to an object satisfying a condition by determining whether the imaging device is mounted on a support mechanism configured to rotatably support the imaging device, wherein:
the support mechanism is configured to operate in a first mode in which a rotation of the imaging device is validated and a second mode in which the rotation of the imaging device is invalidated; and
the imaging device is determined to be connected to the object satisfying the condition when the imaging device is mounted on the support mechanism operating in the first mode; and

invalidate an execution of the predetermined operation performed by the processor based on the operation state of the operation unit when the processor determines that the imaging device is connected to the object satisfying the condition.

16. The mobile object of claim 15 , wherein the mobile object includes an unmanned aerial vehicle.

17. A control method for controlling an imaging device:
performing a predetermined operation based on an operation state of an operation unit;
determining whether the imaging device is connected to an object satisfying a condition by determining whether the imaging device is mounted on a support mechanism configured to rotatably support the imaging device, wherein:
the support mechanism is configured to operate in a first mode in which a rotation of the imaging device is validated and a second mode in which the rotation of the imaging device is invalidated; and
the imaging device is determined to be connected to the object satisfying the condition when the imaging device is mounted on the support mechanism operating in the first mode; and

invalidating an execution of the predetermined operation performed by a program based on the operation state of the operation unit when the imaging device is connected to the object satisfying the condition.

18. A control device for controlling an imaging device, comprising:
an operation unit configured to be operated by an external force;
a detection unit configured to detect an operation state of the operation unit; and
a processor configured to execute a program to:
perform a predetermined operation based on the operation state of the operation unit;
invalidate an execution of the predetermined operation performed by the processor based on the operation state of the operation unit when the imaging device is connected to a mobile device;
in response to the processor invalidating the predetermined operation, validate another predetermined operation executed by the processor based on the operation state of the operation unit; and
in response to the mobile device having started flying, invalidate the predetermined another operation.

Assignees

• Sz Dji Technology Co Ltd

Inventors

• Koyama Takashi
• Ohno Naoyuki
• Honjo Kenichi

Classifications

• H04N23/67

  Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals · CPC title

• H04N23/69 Primary

  Control of means for changing angle of the field of view, e.g. optical zoom objectives or electronic zooming · CPC title

• H04N23/54

  Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils · CPC title

• H04N23/55

  Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof · CPC title

• H04N23/60

  Control of cameras or camera modules · CPC title