JP2008294954A - Camera system and remote control unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera system capable of varying the photographic range of an electronic camera through remote operation. <P>SOLUTION: The camera system includes the electronic camera 2, a universal head 4, and a remote control unit (PC) 6, where the PC 6 has a reception unit which receives image data transmitted from the electronic camera 2, a display unit displaying an image represented with the received image data, a position specifying unit (mouse) specifying an arbitrary area on the image displayed on the display unit, a center calculation unit which calculates the center of the area specified with the mouse, a drive indication signal generation unit which generates a drive indication signal indicating driving of a pedestal so that the calculated center is positioned in the center of the display unit, and a transmission unit transmitting the drive indication signal to the universal head 4, which controls a drive unit by a drive control unit according to the drive indication signal transmitted from the PC 6 to drive and rotate it. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera system for remotely operating an electronic camera and a pan head, an electronic camera, and a remote control device capable of communicating with the pan head.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a photographing system that can specify an autofocus position on a subject photographed by an electronic camera by remote control (see Patent Document 1). In the photographing system described in Patent Document 1, an electronic camera that can arbitrarily designate an AF position on a subject by moving an autofocus (AF) cursor displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD), and the electronic camera are remotely controlled. The remote controller is operable, and the position of the AF cursor displayed on the LCD of the electronic camera is changed by the remote controller. That is, in this photographing system, the AF position can be designated by remote operation using a remote controller without the user touching the electronic camera.
JP 2003-125273 A

  Incidentally, in recent photographing systems, it is also required to change the angle of view and photographing range (or photographing object) of an electronic camera by remote control. That is, the angle of view is changed by driving the zoom lens of the electronic camera by remote control, or the orientation of the electronic camera is changed by driving the base of the camera platform on which the electronic camera is mounted by remote control. Is required to change.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a camera system capable of changing the angle of view and photographing range of an electronic camera by driving a platform of the camera platform by remote operation, an electronic camera, and a remote control device capable of remotely operating the camera platform. In particular, when changing the shooting range, the photographer can intuitively imagine the display image after the change and provide a user-friendly camera system or remote device.

  The camera system of the present invention is capable of communicating with an electronic camera including an image pickup device that picks up a subject image and generates an image pickup signal, a camera platform having a pedestal on which the electronic camera can be mounted, the electronic camera, and the camera platform. The electronic camera includes: a processing unit that processes the imaging signal and outputs image data; and a communication control unit that transmits the image data to the remote operation device. The pan head includes a drive unit that rotationally drives the pedestal in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, a drive control unit that controls the drive unit, and a communication control unit that controls communication between the remote control device The remote control device includes a receiving unit that receives the image data transmitted from the electronic camera, a display unit that displays an image indicated by the image data received by the receiving unit, A position designating device for designating an arbitrary region on the image displayed on the display unit, a center computing unit for computing the center of the region designated by the position designating device, and the center computed by the center computing unit Comprises a drive instruction signal generator for generating a drive instruction signal for instructing driving of the pedestal so as to be positioned at the center of the display unit, and a transmitter for transmitting the drive instruction signal to the camera platform, The camera platform is characterized in that, based on the drive instruction signal transmitted from the remote control device, the drive control unit controls the drive unit to rotationally drive the pedestal.

  The remote control device of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives image data transmitted from an electronic camera, a display unit that displays an image indicated by the image data received by the receiving unit, and a display on the display unit. A position designating device for designating an arbitrary area on the rendered image, a center calculating unit for computing the center of the area designated by the position designating device, and the center computed by the center computing unit comprising the display unit A drive instruction signal generator for generating a drive instruction signal for instructing driving of a platform base so as to be positioned at the center of the head, and a transmitter for transmitting the drive instruction signal to the camera platform. .

  According to the camera system of the present invention, based on the image data transmitted from the electronic camera to the remote control device, the center of an arbitrary area designated on the image displayed on the display unit of the remote control device is calculated, The platform base can be driven so that the center is located at the center of the display unit. Therefore, by driving the platform base with the remote control device, it is possible to change the direction of the electronic camera and change the photographing range of the electronic camera. In addition, an enlargement magnification instruction signal indicating an enlargement magnification for enlarging and displaying an arbitrary area designated on the display unit of the remote control device is transmitted to an electronic camera including a photographing optical system including a zoom lens, and designated. An arbitrary area can be enlarged and displayed. That is, the angle of view of the electronic camera can be changed by driving the zoom lens of the electronic camera by the remote control device.

  Further, according to the remote control device of the present invention, the image of the subject is displayed on the display unit based on the image data transmitted from the electronic camera, and the center of an arbitrary area designated on the displayed image is displayed. The drive instruction signal for the camera platform can be generated and transmitted so that the calculated center and the center of the display unit coincide with each other. Accordingly, it is possible to easily change the shooting range of the electronic camera by driving the platform of the camera platform by remote control. In addition, an enlargement magnification instruction signal for enlarging and displaying an arbitrary area designated for the electronic camera can be transmitted. That is, it is possible to change the angle of view of the electronic camera by driving the zoom lens of the electronic camera by remote control.

  Hereinafter, a camera system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a camera system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The camera system includes an electronic camera 2 for photographing a subject, a camera platform 4 having a pedestal (not shown) on which the electronic camera 2 can be mounted, a remote control device (personal computer: communicable with the electronic camera 2 and the camera platform 4). PC) 6. The electronic camera 2 and the camera platform 4 and the PC 6 are connected by a cable 8 and can communicate with each other. However, communication may be performed by other means, for example, wireless such as infrared rays.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electronic camera 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic camera 2 includes a photographing lens (photographing optical system) 10, a shutter 12, an image sensor 14, an analog signal processing unit 16, an image A / D conversion unit 18, and condition setting A / D conversion. Unit 20, focus detection unit 22, timing generator 24, shutter drive unit 26, MPU 28, operation unit 30, system bus 32, image processing unit 34, memory 36, monitor control unit 38, liquid crystal monitor 40, replaceable memory card ( An external recording medium) 42 and a communication control unit 44.

  The taking lens 10 includes a focusing lens 50 movable for focusing, a zoom lens (zoom lens) 52 movable for adjusting the angle of view, an encoder 54 for detecting the position of the moved lens, and a transmitted light amount. A diaphragm member 56 to be adjusted and a drive motor 58 for driving the lens and the diaphragm member 56 are provided. The focusing lens 50 and the zoom lens 52 may be configured to be driven by dedicated motors, respectively.

  Here, in the electronic camera 2 shown in FIG. 2, after a power button (not shown) provided on the operation unit 30 is turned on, the user presses various buttons (not shown) provided on the operation unit 30. By operating it, the shooting mode and the like are set. Note that in the photographing mode, the remote operation mode, that is, the image data is transmitted to the PC 6 shown in FIG. 1 via the communication control unit 44, and the focusing lens is based on a command transmitted from the PC 6. A remote operation mode for performing processing such as focusing by 50 and adjustment of the angle of view by the zoom lens 52 is included.

  The image sensor 14 receives subject light and outputs an image signal (analog signal as accumulated charge). The image signal is subjected to clamp processing and sensitivity correction processing by the analog signal processing unit 16 and then input to the image A / D conversion unit 18 and the condition setting A / D conversion unit 20.

  The condition setting A / D conversion unit 20 performs A / D conversion on continuously input image signals, and sets image data used when setting the focus position, white balance adjustment, and the like of the photographing lens 10. And input to the focus detection unit 22 and the MPU 28.

  The focus detection unit 22 obtains a contrast value of a predetermined focus area in the input image data, for example, a predetermined area centered on an object or person that is closest to the electronic camera 2 in the image data, and sends it to the MPU 28. introduce. The MPU 28 controls the position of the focusing lens 50 via the drive motor 58 so as to maximize the contrast value (contrast detection type autofocus). As a result, the subject in the focus area (the closest object or person) is focused. When the camera 2 is a single-lens reflex camera, the focus detection unit 22 detects a well-known phase difference provided on the bottom (not shown) of the mirror box of the camera body before displaying a through image. The output from the system AF sensor 15 may be received and the focusing lens 50 may be driven based on the output.

  The image A / D converter 18 A / D converts the image signal input from the analog signal processor 16 to generate image data. The image data is subjected to white balance adjustment, color process processing, and the like under the conditions set by the MPU 28 by the image processing unit 34, and then an image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40 via the monitor control unit 38.

  Here, when the remote operation mode is selected as the shooting mode, a subject image is captured at a predetermined sampling interval in the image sensor 14, and an image based on the image signal output from the image sensor 14, that is, A through image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40. At the same time, the same image as that displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40 is displayed on the PC 6. That is, image data (through image) that has been subjected to predetermined processing by the image processing unit 34 is transmitted to the PC 6 via the communication control unit 44, and is displayed on the display unit 74 (see FIGS. 1 and 6) of the PC 6 described later. Is displayed. Therefore, by referring to the image displayed on the display unit 74, the user can confirm the in-focus state and the angle of view.

  FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram of the pan head 4 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the camera platform 4 includes a drive control unit 60, a communication control unit 62, a drive motor 64, and a pedestal 66. The drive control unit 60 controls driving of the drive motor 64 based on a signal from the PC 6 received via the communication control unit 62. The drive motor 64 moves the pedestal 66 in the horizontal direction (the direction of the arrow R1 shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C) and the vertical direction (FIGS. 5A to 5C) based on the control by the drive control unit 60. (In the direction of arrow R2). The pedestal 66 includes a mounting portion on which the electronic camera 2 can be mounted, that is, a mounting portion (not shown) on which the electronic camera 2 can be placed and held. When the pedestal 66 is rotated about the Z axis in the direction of the arrow R1, it can take the state shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, and when it is rotated about the X axis in the direction of the arrow R2, FIG. A state as shown in A) to (C) can be taken.

  FIG. 6 is a block configuration diagram of a PC (remote operation device) 6 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the PC 6 includes a data control unit (CPU) 70, a communication control unit 72, a display unit 74 including a liquid crystal display panel, a data storage unit (memory) 76, and a mouse (position specifying device) 78. It has.

  In the PC 6, the image data of the through image of the subject transmitted from the electronic camera 2 is received via the communication control unit 72, and the received image data is temporarily stored in the data storage unit 76. The image data of the through image stored in the data storage unit 76 is taken out by the data control unit 70 and displayed on the display unit 74. That is, the same through image as the image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40 of the electronic camera 2 is displayed on the display unit 74.

  In addition to the image data transmitted from the electronic camera 2, the data storage unit 76 includes a movement amount conversion table used when generating a drive instruction signal for instructing driving of the platform 66 of the camera platform 4, and the electronic camera 2. A magnification conversion table used when generating an enlargement magnification instruction signal for instructing an enlargement magnification of an image is stored.

  Here, the movement amount conversion table indicates, for example, the correspondence between the number of pixels on the image displayed on the display unit 74 and the number of pixels in the image sensor 14 included in the electronic camera 2. Therefore, when an arbitrary position on the image is designated by the mouse 78, the difference between the center on the image displayed on the display unit 74 and the position designated by the mouse 78 is displayed in the data control unit 70. Calculated as the number of pixels in the unit 74. Next, with reference to the movement amount conversion table stored in the data storage unit 76, the calculated number of pixels is converted into the number of pixels in the image sensor 14 of the electronic camera 2. Then, a driving amount of the platform 66 of the camera platform 4 corresponding to the converted number of pixels in the image sensor 14, that is, a driving instruction signal indicating the rotation angle and direction of the platform 66 is generated, and is transmitted via the communication control unit 72. A drive instruction signal is transmitted to the camera platform 4.

  In addition, you may make it memorize | store the thing which shows a response | compatibility with the number of pixels in the display part 74, and the rotation angle of the base 66 as a movement amount conversion table. In this case, a drive instruction signal indicating the rotation angle and direction of the pedestal 66 directly from the number of pixels on the display unit 74 between the center on the displayed image and the position designated by the mouse 78. Can be generated.

  In addition, the magnification conversion table, for example, corresponds to the amount of wheel rotation of the mouse 78 and the enlargement magnification, and is used when an image displayed on the display unit 74 is enlarged and displayed. For example, when an image is displayed on the display unit 74, the cursor can be moved to an arbitrary point on the image and the wheel of the mouse 78 can be rotated to enlarge the image around the cursor position. it can. At this time, the data control unit 70 refers to the magnification conversion table to convert the rotation amount of the wheel into an enlargement magnification, generates an enlargement magnification instruction signal, and enlarges it to the electronic camera 2 via the communication control unit 72. A magnification instruction signal is transmitted. Therefore, in the electronic camera 2, the zoom lens 52 is driven based on the enlargement magnification instruction signal to change the angle of view. As a result, an enlarged image is displayed on the display unit 74 of the PC 6.

  In the magnification conversion table, the reduction magnification may be stored in addition to the enlargement magnification. That is, according to the direction in which the hole of the mouse 78 is rotated, for example, it is set so as to indicate reduction when rotated forward, and enlargement when rotated to the opposite side, and enlargement corresponding to the rotation direction and rotation amount. A reduction magnification instruction signal may be generated.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a display state of an image on the display unit 74. In the display unit 74, a plurality of AF indexes 75 (75 a to 75 d) indicating an autofocus (AF) position displayed on the finder of the electronic camera 2 along with the image of the subject based on the image data transmitted from the electronic camera 2. Is displayed. The AF index 75 indicates an autofocus area displayed at a position corresponding to the position of the phase difference autofocus sensor 15 provided in the electronic camera 2. It should be noted that even when contrast detection type autofocus is performed based on the image pickup signal obtained by the image pickup device 14, autofocus can be performed using the signal of an element substantially corresponding to the position of the AF index 75.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for describing remote operation processing in the camera system according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, on the image displayed on the display unit 74 of the PC 6, it is determined whether or not an arbitrary area has been designated by the user using the mouse 78 (step S20). That is, as shown in FIG. 9, by designating two points P1 and P2 on the image displayed on the display unit 74, it is determined whether or not the rectangular region S1 has been designated. This area S1 is displayed in a superimposed manner on the through image on the display unit 74 when P1 and P2 are designated.

  When the area is designated (step S20), the center P3 of the designated area is calculated (step S21). That is, as shown in FIG. 9, coordinates indicating the center position P3 of the area S1 designated by the two points P1 and P2 are calculated.

  Next, the distance between the calculated center position P3 and the center of the display unit 74 (the center of the image display area / the position of the AF index 75c in FIG. 9) is calculated (step S22). A drive instruction signal for instructing driving of the base 66 is generated based on the distance (step S23). In the process in step S22, the distance between the center of the display unit 74 and the calculated center P3 is calculated as the number of pixels in the display unit 74 as follows. Here, the number of pixels is calculated such that the number of pixels in the horizontal direction and the number of pixels in the vertical direction are, for example, 400 pixels to the right, 120 pixels to the top, etc., along with the shifted directions.

  Further, for example, when an image is displayed in a part of the display unit 74 in a window format, the center of the image display area displayed on the display unit 74 and the center of the area specified by the mouse 78 are displayed. The distance between them is calculated as the number of pixels in the display unit 74. Further, for example, when a plurality of images are divided and displayed on the display unit 74, the center of the divided display unit 74 and the center of the area designated by the mouse 78 on the divided display unit 74 are displayed. The distance between them is calculated as the number of pixels in the display unit 74.

  In the next step S23, the movement amount conversion table stored in the data storage unit 76 is referred to, and the horizontal pixel number and the vertical pixel number in the display unit 74 are set to the horizontal pixel number in the image sensor 14, respectively. And converted into the number of pixels in the vertical direction. Next, a movement amount of the pedestal 66 corresponding to the converted number of pixels, that is, a rotation angle indicating a rotational drive amount of the pedestal 66 is calculated for each of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and the horizontal direction (right direction or left direction). And a drive instruction signal indicating a rotation angle to and a rotation angle in the vertical direction (upward and downward).

  Next, an enlargement magnification instruction signal for instructing a magnification for enlarging and displaying the designated area on the display unit 74 is generated (step S24). That is, the display unit 74 calculates an enlargement magnification so as to display the region S1 designated by the two points P1 and P2 shown in FIG. 9 in the state shown in FIG. 10, and generates an enlargement magnification instruction signal. Specifically, the ratio between the length of the lateral side of the image area 74 displayed on the display unit 74 when the area S1 is designated and the length of the lateral side of the designated image area S1. Is calculated. Similarly, a ratio between the length of the side of the displayed image area 74 in the vertical direction and the length of the side of the specified image area S1 in the vertical direction is calculated. Next, calculate the average value of the ratio of the calculated horizontal side length and the calculated ratio of the vertical side length, and use the calculated average value as the magnification ratio. Generate a signal.

  Next, the generated drive instruction signal and the generated enlargement magnification instruction signal are transmitted via the communication control unit 72 (step S25). That is, the drive instruction signal is transmitted to the camera platform 4 and the enlargement magnification instruction signal is transmitted to the electronic camera 2.

  In the camera platform 4, the drive instruction signal transmitted from the PC 6 is received via the communication control unit 62, and the base 66 is driven based on the received drive instruction signal. That is, the pedestal 66 is rotationally driven to satisfy the rotation angle in the horizontal direction (right direction or left direction) and the rotation angle in the vertical direction (upward direction or downward direction) specified by the drive instruction signal.

  In the electronic camera 2, the enlargement magnification instruction signal transmitted from the PC 6 is received via the communication control unit 44, and the received enlargement magnification instruction signal is temporarily stored in the memory 36 via the MPU 28. Next, the zoom lens 52 is driven and controlled by driving the drive motor 58 based on the enlargement magnification instruction signal extracted from the memory 36 in the MPU 28. That is, by driving and controlling the zoom lens 52, the zoom lens 52 is driven so that the area designated in FIG. 9 is displayed in the state shown in FIG. In addition to the process of driving the zoom lens 52, a process of focusing on the subject in the designated area may be performed. For example, automatic focus adjustment may be performed in order to focus on an object or person that is closest to the electronic camera 2, that is, the closest object or person.

  According to the camera system of the present embodiment, the center P3 of the area S1 arbitrarily designated on the PC is calculated, and the pan head is remotely controlled so that the calculated center P3 becomes the center of the display unit 74. The direction of the electronic camera can be changed by driving and the angle of view is changed by remotely controlling the drive of the zoom lens of the electronic camera (by changing the optical angle of view). The displayed area can be enlarged and displayed on the display unit.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, when the photographer designates the area S1 to be enlarged and displayed on the display unit 74 of the PC 6, the designated area S1 is enlarged and displayed on the entire display screen of the display unit 74. Will be. This method has the following advantages. For example, if the location to be enlarged on the display 74 is specified by only specifying one of the center points (enlargement center position) of the location, the range of the image that is enlarged around the center position is enlarged. The photographer cannot recognize whether the image is displayed before executing the enlarged display. However, according to the method of the present embodiment, before the enlarged display is performed, the photographer recognizes (views) not only the center position of the enlarged image but also the area S1 on the display unit 74. Therefore, the method of designating the area S1 can designate an enlarged display area that accurately reflects the photographer's intention (an area that the photographer wants to enlarge and display) and can display the enlarged display.

  In this embodiment, when the wheel of the mouse 78 is rotated after the display of FIG. 10 is performed, the zoom lens is zoomed according to the operation amount. Then, a through image enlarged / reduced around the position of the AF index 75c is displayed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the rotation angle and the rotation direction of the base are instructed as the drive instruction signal, but only the rotation direction may be instructed as the drive instruction signal. That is, in the camera system according to the embodiment, image data is transmitted from the electronic camera to the PC in real time and displayed on the display unit. Therefore, in the PC, it is determined whether or not the designated position coincides with the center of the display unit, and when the center coincides, a driving stop signal is transmitted to the pan head to stop the driving of the base. May be.

  In the above-described embodiment, the enlargement ratio is calculated based on the ratio of the length of the vertical and horizontal sides of the displayed image area to the length of the vertical and horizontal sides of the specified area. The magnification may be calculated by this method. For example, when the shape of the image area displayed on the display unit when the area is specified and the specified image area are substantially similar, the area of the displayed image area And an enlargement ratio may be calculated based on a ratio between the image area and the area of the designated image area, and an enlargement ratio instruction signal may be generated.

  In the above-described embodiment, a mouse is used as the position specifying device. However, the position specifying device is not limited to the mouse. That is, other pointing devices such as a track pad and a track ball may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, focusing is performed to automatically focus on the closest object or person. However, focusing may be performed on a focus area arbitrarily selected by the user. Good.

It is a conceptual diagram of the camera system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block block diagram of the electronic camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block block diagram of the pan head which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the pan head which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the pan head which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block block diagram of the remote control apparatus (PC) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display state of the image which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the remote operation process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating designation | designated of the area | region which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the designated area | region which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  2 ... electronic camera, 4 ... pan head, 6 ... remote control device (PC), 8 ... cable, 10 ... photographic lens, 14 ... image sensor, 22 ... focus Detection unit, 28 ... MPU, 44 ... communication control unit, 50 ... focusing lens, 52 ... zoom lens, 58 ... drive motor, 60 ... drive control unit, 62 ... Communication control unit, 64 ... Drive motor, 66 ... Base, 70 ... Data control unit, 72 ... Communication control unit, 74 ... Display unit, 76 ... Data storage unit 78 ... Mouse.

Claims (6)

An electronic camera including an image pickup device that picks up a subject image and generates an image pickup signal, a camera platform having a pedestal on which the electronic camera can be mounted, and a remote control device capable of communicating with the electronic camera and the camera platform A camera system,
The electronic camera is
A processing unit that processes the imaging signal and outputs image data;
A communication control unit that transmits the image data to the remote control device;
The head is
A drive unit that rotationally drives the pedestal horizontally and vertically; and
A drive control unit for controlling the drive unit;
A communication control unit for controlling communication with the remote control device,
The remote control device is:
A receiving unit for receiving the image data transmitted from the electronic camera;
A display unit for displaying an image indicated by the image data received by the receiving unit;
A position specifying device for specifying an arbitrary area on the image displayed on the display unit;
A center calculation unit for calculating the center of the region designated by the position designation device;
A drive instruction signal generation unit that generates a drive instruction signal that instructs driving of the pedestal so that the center calculated by the center calculation unit is positioned at the center of the display unit;
A transmission unit for transmitting the drive instruction signal to the camera platform,
The camera system is characterized in that, based on the drive instruction signal transmitted from the remote operation device, the camera platform rotates the pedestal by controlling the drive unit by the drive control unit. The electronic camera includes a photographing optical system including a zoom lens;
A lens drive control unit that drives and controls the zoom lens;
The remote control device further includes an enlargement magnification instruction signal generation unit that generates an enlargement magnification instruction signal indicating an enlargement magnification for displaying an arbitrary region designated by the position designation device on the display unit.
The transmission unit of the remote control device transmits the magnification factor instruction signal to the electronic camera,
The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic camera controls driving of the zoom lens by the lens driving control unit based on the enlargement magnification instruction signal transmitted from the remote control device.   The enlargement factor instruction signal generation unit includes an enlargement factor calculation unit that calculates an enlargement factor for enlarging and displaying the arbitrary region in a size corresponding to the size of the display region of the display unit. The camera system according to claim 2. A receiving unit for receiving image data transmitted from the electronic camera;
A display unit for displaying an image indicated by the image data received by the receiving unit;
A position specifying device for specifying an arbitrary area on the image displayed on the display unit;
A center calculation unit for calculating the center of the region designated by the position designation device;
A drive instruction signal generator for generating a drive instruction signal for instructing driving of a platform base so that the center calculated by the center calculator is located at the center of the display;
A remote control device comprising: a transmission unit that transmits the drive instruction signal to the camera platform. An enlargement magnification instruction signal generation unit for generating an enlargement magnification instruction signal indicating an enlargement magnification for displaying an arbitrary region designated by the position designation device on the display unit;
The remote control device according to claim 4, wherein the transmission unit transmits an enlargement magnification instruction signal generated by the enlargement magnification instruction signal generation unit to an electronic camera.   The enlargement factor instruction signal generation unit includes an enlargement factor calculation unit that calculates an enlargement factor for enlarging and displaying the arbitrary region in a size corresponding to the size of the display region of the display unit. The remote control device according to claim 5.

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