JP2006013881A - Remote control system with image display, and its using method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new photographing system which solves the problem of a composition when carrying out self-photographing. <P>SOLUTION: The system includes a photographing device which catches image data by radio communication, and transmits; and a remote controller which includes a display, starts radio communication with the photographing device, controls the photographing device by the radio communication, receives image data from the photographing device, and displays the received image data on the display. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device, and more particularly to a remote controller that can display an image captured by the imaging device in real time.

  When taking a picture, the photographer can take a picture of himself with the remote control. Usually, the photographer adjusts the camera lens behind the camera. After adjustment, the photographer takes a picture using the remote control in front of the camera. The remote control does not require any other support, allows the photographer to take a picture of himself, and can replace the self-timer.

  However, the photographer in front of the camera cannot see the scene. Thus, the photographer usually does not focus when in front of the camera. Therefore, the remote control is usually used only for pressing the shutter.

  For example, some camera remote controls provide a zoom function. However, the zoom function does not make sense because the photographer cannot see the scene reflected in the camera.

  Also, a camera that includes a swivel device with a rotating lens or rotating display allows the photographer to see the camera scene when in front of the lens. However, the size of the display is not large enough to be easily seen when there is a distance from the photographer. When a group photographer takes a photographer, the photographer may be far from the camera. Therefore, the camera display cannot be used for self-photographing composition.

  A conventional camera remote control may be used for shutter control, but it is insufficient as an aid to composition. In fact, in the case described above, the photographer must return to the front of the camera to change its focus. Even if the remote controller provides an adjustment function such as a zoom function for a plurality of camera lenses, the adjustment function is insufficient. Therefore, the problem causes inconvenience in the efficient operation of the conventional photographing apparatus, and the remote control is inconvenient.

  Therefore, when composing a self-photographing, a new photographing system that can solve the above-described composition problem is required.

  In view of this, an object of the present invention is to provide a new imaging system that solves the above-described compositional problems when performing self-imaging.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an imaging system including an imaging device and a remote controller. The imaging device captures and outputs image data by wireless communication. The remote control includes a display that can control the photographing apparatus by wireless communication, and receives and displays real-time image data therefrom.

  The present invention also provides a remote control for controlling a photographing unit by wireless communication including a display for displaying an image, a communication unit and a processing unit. The communication unit receives image data captured by the photographing apparatus by wireless communication. The processing unit connects the display and the communication unit, and displays the received image data on the display.

  The present invention also provides a method implemented in a remote control that controls the imaging device by wireless communication. First, the remote control is provided with a display. Next, wireless communication of the photographing apparatus is started. Image data captured by the imaging device is received by wireless communication, and the received image data is displayed on a display.

  According to the remote controller of the present invention, it is possible to display real-time image data captured by the photographing apparatus, and to facilitate the composition of a photograph.

  In order that the objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood, embodiments will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The present invention provides a remote control shooting system that includes a display aid for composing self-shooting.

  FIG. 1 is an imaging system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The photographing system includes a camera 20 and a remote controller 10. It should be noted that the camera 20 may be another photographing device.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the camera of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The camera 20 includes a processing unit 21, a communication unit 22, an image capture unit 23 and a zoom unit 24. The processing unit 21 is connected to the communication unit 22, the image capture unit 23 and the zoom unit 24.

  The processing unit 21 adjusts the lens (not displayed) of the camera 20 by the zoom unit 24. The image capture unit 23 senses light, emits an image signal to the processing unit 21, and processes the image. The communication unit 22 transmits the processed image data to the remote controller 10.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a remote control according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The remote controller 10 includes a processing unit 1, a communication unit 2, a display 3 and an input unit 4. The processing unit 1 is connected to the communication unit 2, the display 3 and the input unit 4.

  The input unit 4 outputs a zoom or shutter signal based on a user operation. The communication unit 2 outputs a zoom or shutter signal to the camera 20 and receives image data therefrom. The processing unit 1 processes the image data, transmits the image data to the display 3, and displays it.

  4A and 4B are flowcharts of the operation of the photographing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, the remote controller 10 starts wireless communication with the camera 20 (step S1). The camera 20 starts wireless communication with the remote controller 10 (step S2). It should be noted that the start of wireless communication can be requested by the camera 20 or the remote controller 10. In the embodiment, the camera 20 and the remote controller 10 transmit image data in the form and arrangement of digital signals, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In another example, the image data can be transmitted by the camera 20 in another format, such as an analog signal. For example, when image data is transmitted as an analog signal, the image data is converted into a high-frequency signal after being captured by the image capture unit 23 and transmitted to the remote controller 10.

  The communication protocol is used to start wireless communication between the camera 20 and the remote controller 10. For example, a fixed frequency signal marker is issued, and the remote controller 10 searches for the signal marker. When the remote control 10 finds a signal sign, the remote control 10 communicates with the camera 20 at a fixed frequency. In the embodiment, the camera 20 and the remote controller communicate at a fixed frequency, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, other protocols or communication technologies such as frequency hopping can be applied.

  Subsequently, the image capture unit 23 of the camera 20 captures the image data 30 (step S4) and sends the image data 30 to the processing unit 21. The processing unit 21 processes the image data 30 (step S5). In an embodiment, the image processing step includes sampling of the image data and analog / digital conversion of the image data. Further, after the analog / digital conversion, the processing unit 21 divides the image data into data frames and compresses the data frames. Subsequently, the communication unit 22 transmits the data frame created by the processing unit 21. The image data processing steps have been described above, but do not limit the present invention. For example, the image data can be compressed and transmitted without division or analog-digital conversion.

  The communication unit 22 of the camera 20 transmits the compressed data frame including the image data 30 to the remote controller 10 by wireless communication (step 6). The camera 20 repeats image capture, processing, and transmission.

  The remote controller 10 receives a compressed data frame including the image data 30 by the communication unit 2 (step S10). The communication unit 2 transmits a compressed data frame including the image data 30 to the processing unit 1.

  The processing unit 1 of the remote controller 10 processes the image data 30 (step S12). During image processing, the processing unit 1 restores the compressed data frames and collects the data frames in the image data 30. In another case, if the image data 30 is not divided into data frames, the processing unit 1 restores the compressed image data directly to the image data 30 in an image processing step.

  In an embodiment, the display 3 can receive digital image data. After the image processing, the processing unit 1 outputs the image data 30 to the display 3, and the display 3 displays the image data 30 (step S14).

  It should be noted that, in the embodiment, the display 3 can receive digital image data, but this is not a limitation of the present invention. In another case, a display capable of receiving analog image data can be used, and the digital image data is converted to analog data before being transmitted and displayed on the display.

  In the embodiment, the remote controller 10 can display image data captured by the camera 20. Therefore, when the user of the remote controller 10 wants to take a picture of himself or a group, the remote controller 10 can assist the user's composition. When the remote controller 10 adjusts the focus of the camera 20, the remote controller 10 can display immediate (real-time) image data. An example in which the remote controller 10 provides a zoom function will be described below. Although the zoom function is described as an adjustment function, other functions can also be provided by the remote control 10.

  When the user operates the input unit 4, the input unit 4 emits a zoom signal 40. Receiving the zoom signal 40, the processing unit 1 transmits the zoom signal 40 to the camera 20 by the communication unit 2 by wireless communication (step S16).

  After receiving the zoom signal 40 (step S18), the processing unit 21 of the camera 20 adjusts the lens of the camera 20 based on the zoom signal 40 using the zoom unit 24 (step S20). In the zoom process, the image capture unit 23 captures image data of the zoomed scene. The processing unit 21 transmits zoom image data to the remote controller 10 by the communication unit 22 by wireless communication. When the adjustment of the camera lens is completed, the image capture unit 23 captures the zoomed image data 31 (step S22), and transmits the zoomed image data 31 to the processing unit 21. The processing unit 21 processes the zoomed image data 31 (step S24). The communication unit 22 transmits the zoomed image data 31 created by the processing unit 21 by wireless communication (step S26).

  The communication unit 2 of the remote controller 10 receives the zoomed image data 31 (step S28) and transmits the zoomed image data 31 to the processing unit 1. The processing unit 1 processes the zoomed image data 31 (step S30), and transmits the zoomed image data 31 to the display 3. The display 3 displays the zoomed image data 31 (step S32).

Therefore, the remote controller 10 displays the adjusted zoomed image data captured by the camera 20 and assists in the composition of the photograph. The photographer can further adjust the camera lens based on the image displayed on the display 3.
Communication between the camera 20 and the remote control 10 can be adapted to a wireless LAN (WLAN) framework or other methods such as, for example, Bluetooth or infrared.

  A remote control with a display of the present invention can include a mobile communication device or a mobile device including a mobile computing device, for example, both mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs), typically both equipped with a display. Provided. The mobile device including the remote control according to the present invention further has a feature of performance for controlling the camera, and the performance of the control can include shutter, zoom control or others, and image data captured by the camera by wireless communication. Receive and display. It should be noted that the mobile device of the present invention starts wireless communication integrally with the camera.

  The mobile device of the present invention performs a wireless communication function in addition to camera control and real-time image display, for example, when it includes short message communication, telephone, or other mobile phone, such as schedule editor, notebook, voice When it includes a recorder, calculator, document editor, or other mobile computing device, it performs information processing functions.

  In the embodiment, the remote controller 10 outputs the zoom signal 40 and adjusts the camera 20 as described above. However, the remote controller 10 can provide other adjustment functions such as flash control and diaphragm adjustment.

  Although the camera 20 has been described as an example of an imaging device of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the imaging device of the present invention can include other imaging devices such as, for example, a video camera.

  Therefore, the photographing apparatus of the present invention provides better convenience and flexibility to the photographer and enhances the functionality of the remote control device, the mobile device, and the photographing device.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but this does not limit the present invention, and a few changes and modifications that can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is possible to add. Accordingly, the scope of the protection claimed by the present invention is based on the scope of the claims.

1 is an imaging system based on a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a camera according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the remote control of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the photographing system based on the embodiment of the present invention. It is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 4A.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Processing unit 2 Communication unit 3 Display 10 Remote control 20 Camera 21 Processing unit 22 Communication unit 23 Image capture unit 4 Input unit 24 Zoom unit 30, 31 Image data 40 Zoom signal

Claims (19)

Including a photographic device that captures and transmits image data via wireless communication and a display;
An imaging system comprising: a remote controller that starts wireless communication with the imaging device, controls the imaging device by the wireless communication, receives image data from the imaging device, and displays the received image data on the display.   The system of claim 1, wherein the remote control includes a mobile device.   The system according to claim 2, wherein the remote control includes a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA).   The remote controller transmits a zoom signal to the photographing device by wireless communication, the photographing device receives the zoom signal, performs zooming, captures second image data, and the remote controller then continues from the photographing device. The system of claim 1, wherein the second image data is received and displayed on the display.   The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication is compatible with at least wireless LAN (WLAN), Bluetooth, or infrared.   The system according to claim 1, wherein the photographing apparatus further includes the image data before transmission, and the remote controller further restores the compressed image data before display.   The system according to claim 1, wherein the photographing apparatus further divides the image data into data frames, and the remote controller further collects the data frames into the image data. A display for displaying images,
A communication unit for receiving image data captured by the photographing apparatus by wireless communication;
A remote controller for connecting the display and the communication unit and controlling the photographing apparatus by wireless communication including a processing unit for displaying the received image data using the display.   The remote controller according to claim 8, wherein the remote controller includes a mobile device.   The remote controller according to claim 9, wherein the mobile device includes a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA).   The remote controller transmits a zoom signal to the photographing device by wireless communication, subsequently receives second image data from the photographing device, displays it on the display, and the second image data is received by the photographing device. The remote controller according to claim 8, wherein the remote controller is captured by the photographing apparatus after receiving the zoom signal and performing zooming based on the zoom signal.   The remote controller according to claim 8, wherein the wireless communication is compatible with at least a wireless LAN (WLAN), Bluetooth, or infrared rays. Providing the remote control with a display;
Starting wireless communication with the imaging device;
Receiving image data captured by the imaging device by the wireless communication;
A remote control method implemented in a remote control for controlling the photographing apparatus by wireless communication including the step of displaying the received image data on the display. Transmitting a zoom signal to the photographing apparatus by wireless communication;
Receiving second image data from the imaging device, the imaging device receiving the zoom signal, and performing a zoom based on the zoom signal, and then being captured by the imaging device;
The method of claim 13, further comprising displaying the second image data on the display.   14. The method of claim 13, wherein the remote control includes a mobile device and receives the image data as an analog signal.   The method according to claim 13, wherein the remote control includes a mobile device and receives the image data as a digital signal.   14. The method of claim 13, wherein the wireless communication is compatible with at least a wireless LAN (WLAN), Bluetooth, or infrared. Receiving compressed image data; and
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising restoring the compressed image data to the image data before the displaying step. Receiving a data frame;
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of collecting the data frame into the image data prior to the displaying step.

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