JP2005176132A - IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING METHOD, AND IMAGING DEVICE PROGRAM - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus and an imaging method which can deliver an optimum image to a screen display of a personal computer by switching a system for reading an imaging signal from an imaging means to a suitable system when the delivered image is not restricted by a television format, and to provide a program for the imaging apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging method includes a step of reading a progressive signal or a signal of only strip field from a CCD in response to the transmission speed of a network when the output delivered from a video camera connected directly to the network is not restricted by the television format. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention compresses a signal from an image pickup means such as a CCD and records it on a recording means such as a tape or a disk, expands and reproduces a signal recorded on the recording means such as a tape or a disk, Alternatively, the present invention relates to a streaming-compatible imaging apparatus that distributes reproduced images to the outside through a network.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a streaming-capable imaging apparatus that limits an image area or the number of bits of an image when a network transmission speed is reduced by distributing an image is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-359100 A

  However, in the conventional streaming-capable imaging apparatus, when the network transmission speed decreases, the data amount is adjusted during image compression, but the reading method of the imaging signal of the imaging means such as a CCD is not changed. This is because the interlace signal is read in consideration of the television format.

  However, devices that display streaming video, such as personal computers (PCs), display video in a progressive format. For this reason, it is necessary to convert an interlace signal into a progressive signal on a PC.

  Therefore, when the image transmission rate and the number of bits are limited when the transmission speed of the network is reduced, there is a problem that deterioration and flickering of an image due to conversion from an interlace signal to a progressive signal are particularly noticeable.

  In view of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to switch the method for reading out the image pickup signal from the image pickup means to an appropriate method when the distribution video is not restricted by the television format, and obtain an image optimal for the screen display of the personal computer. An imaging device, an imaging method, and an imaging device program that can be distributed are provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image pickup apparatus according to claim 1 is an image pickup apparatus connected to an external device via a network, the image pickup means, a recording means for recording an image pickup signal picked up by the image pickup means, A transmission speed measuring means for measuring a signal transmission speed of the network when sending the imaging signal to an external apparatus; and recording the imaging signal in the recording means when sending the imaging signal to the external apparatus. When the image pickup signal is read out from the image pickup means by the first method and the image pickup signal is sent to the external device, the image pickup signal is not recorded in the recording means and the transmission speed is set. When the signal transmission speed of the network measured by the measuring unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the imaging signal is read out from the imaging unit by the second method and sent to the external device When the image pickup signal is transmitted, the image pickup signal is not recorded in the recording means, and if the signal transmission speed of the network measured by the transmission speed measurement means is less than a predetermined value, the image pickup Image pickup signal reading means for reading out the image pickup signal from the means by a third method.

  The imaging apparatus according to claim 2 includes request receiving means for receiving a request for a high-resolution imaging signal from the external apparatus according to claim 1, and when sending the imaging signal to the external apparatus, When the imaging signal is not recorded in the recording unit, and the request receiving unit receives a request for a high-resolution imaging signal from the external device, the imaging signal reading unit receives a second method from the imaging unit. And reading out the imaging signal.

  The imaging apparatus according to claim 3 is an imaging apparatus connected to a first external apparatus via a network and a second external apparatus that measures a signal transmission speed of the network, and an imaging signal captured by the imaging means. Recording means for recording the signal, receiving means for receiving a signal indicating the signal transmission speed of the network from the second external device, and when sending the imaging signal to the external device, the imaging signal to the recording means When recording, when the image pickup signal is read out from the image pickup unit by the first method, and the image pickup signal is sent to the external device, the image pickup signal is not recorded in the recording unit, and When the signal transmission speed of the network indicated by the signal received by the receiving unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the imaging signal is read out from the imaging unit by the second method, When the imaging signal is transmitted to the external device, the imaging signal is not recorded in the recording unit, and the signal transmission speed of the network indicated by the signal received by the receiving unit is less than a predetermined value Comprises image pickup signal reading means for reading out the image pickup signal from the image pickup means by a third method.

  5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the imaging apparatus is connected to the first external apparatus via a network and a second external apparatus that measures a signal transmission speed of the network. Recording means for recording the image signal, receiving means for receiving a signal designating the readout method of the imaging signal from the imaging means from the second external device, and the imaging signal when sending the imaging signal to the external device Is recorded in the recording means, when the imaging signal is read out from the imaging means by the first method and the imaging signal is transmitted to the external device, the imaging signal is recorded in the recording means. And when the readout method of the imaging signal indicated by the signal received by the receiving unit is the second method, the imaging unit performs the imaging using the second method. When the imaging signal is read out and the imaging signal is transmitted to the external device, the imaging signal is not recorded in the recording means, and the imaging signal reading method indicated by the signal received by the receiving means is a third method. In the case of the above-mentioned method, it is characterized by comprising imaging signal reading means for reading out the imaging signal from the imaging means by a third method.

  The imaging device according to claim 5 is the imaging device according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising request receiving means for receiving a request for a high-resolution imaging signal from the second external device, and the imaging signal to the second external device. When the image signal is not recorded in the recording means and the request receiving means receives a request for a high-resolution image signal from the second external device, the image signal reading means The imaging signal is read out from the imaging means by a second method.

  The imaging apparatus according to claim 6 is the imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first scheme is an interlace scheme, the second scheme is a progressive scheme, and the third scheme The system is a system in which a signal of only one of the two fields included in one frame of the imaging signal is read out.

  The imaging method according to claim 7 includes an imaging unit and a recording unit that records an imaging signal imaged by the imaging unit, and the imaging method of the imaging device connected to the external device via a network includes: A transmission rate measuring step for measuring a signal transmission rate of the network when the imaging signal is transmitted, and when the imaging signal is recorded in the recording unit when the imaging signal is transmitted to the external device. Reads out the imaging signal from the imaging means by the first method and sends the imaging signal to the external device without recording the imaging signal in the recording means and in the transmission speed measurement step. If the measured signal transmission speed of the network is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the imaging signal is read from the imaging means by the second method and the imaging signal is transmitted to the external device. If the network signal transmission speed measured in the transmission speed measurement step is less than a predetermined value without recording the imaging signal in the recording means, And an imaging signal readout step of reading out the imaging signal by the method of No. 3.

  The imaging method according to claim 8, comprising: an imaging unit; and a recording unit that records an imaging signal imaged by the imaging unit, and a second external device that measures a network and a signal transmission speed of the network in the first external device. In the imaging method of the imaging device connected via the receiving device, a receiving step of receiving a signal indicating the signal transmission speed of the network from the second external device, and the imaging signal when sending the imaging signal to the external device Is recorded in the recording means, when the imaging signal is read out from the imaging means by the first method and the imaging signal is transmitted to the external device, the imaging signal is recorded in the recording means. If the signal transmission speed of the network indicated by the signal received in the reception step is not less than a predetermined value, the imaging means performs the imaging using the second method. When the image signal is read out and sent to the external device, the image signal is not recorded in the recording means, and the signal transmission rate of the network indicated by the signal received in the reception step is a default value. If it is less, the imaging signal reading step of reading the imaging signal from the imaging means by a third method is provided.

  The imaging method according to claim 9 is provided with an imaging unit and a recording unit that records an imaging signal imaged by the imaging unit, and a second external device that measures a network and a signal transmission speed of the network in the first external device. In the imaging method of an imaging device connected via a signal, when receiving a signal specifying a readout method of an imaging signal from the imaging means from the second external device, and sending the imaging signal to the external device In addition, when the image pickup signal is recorded in the recording unit, the image pickup signal is read out from the image pickup unit by the first method, and the image pickup signal is output when the image pickup signal is transmitted to the external device. When recording is not performed on the recording unit and the readout method of the imaging signal indicated by the signal received in the reception step is the second method, the imaging unit performs the second operation. When the imaging signal is read out in a method and the imaging signal is sent to the external device, the imaging signal is not recorded in the recording unit, and the imaging signal indicated by the signal received in the reception process is read out In the case where the method is the third method, an imaging signal reading step of reading out the imaging signal from the imaging means by the third method is provided.

  The program for an imaging device according to claim 10 includes an imaging unit and a recording unit that records an imaging signal imaged by the imaging unit, and is executed by an imaging device connected to an external device via a network. In the program, a transmission speed measurement module for measuring a signal transmission speed of the network when the imaging signal is transmitted to the external device, and the recording means when the imaging signal is transmitted to the external device When the image pickup signal is read out from the image pickup means by the first method and the image pickup signal is sent to the external device, the image pickup signal is not recorded in the recording means, and When the signal transmission speed of the network measured by the transmission speed measurement module is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the second means from the imaging means When the imaging signal is read and the imaging signal is sent to the external device, the imaging signal is not recorded in the recording means, and the signal transmission rate of the network measured by the transmission rate measurement module is predetermined. When the value is less than the value, the image pickup means is provided with an image pickup signal reading module that reads out the image pickup signal from the image pickup means by a third method.

  The program for an imaging apparatus according to claim 11 comprises an imaging means and a recording means for recording an imaging signal imaged by the imaging means, and a second external device measures a network and a signal transmission speed of the network. In an imaging device program executed by an imaging device connected via an external device, a reception module that receives a signal indicating the signal transmission speed of the network from the second external device, and sends the imaging signal to the external device When the image pickup signal is recorded in the recording means, the image pickup signal is read out when the image pickup signal is read out from the image pickup means by the first method and sent to the external device. Is not recorded in the recording means, and the signal transmission speed of the network indicated by the signal received by the receiving module is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. In this case, when the image pickup signal is read from the image pickup unit by the second method and the image pickup signal is transmitted to the external device, the image pickup signal is not recorded in the recording unit, and the reception module When the signal transmission speed of the network indicated by the received signal is less than a predetermined value, the imaging signal reading module reads out the imaging signal from the imaging means by a third method.

  The imaging apparatus program according to claim 12 includes an imaging unit and a recording unit that records an imaging signal imaged by the imaging unit, and the second external device measures a network and a signal transmission speed of the network. In a program for an imaging device executed by an imaging device connected via an external device, a reception module that receives a signal specifying a readout method of an imaging signal from the imaging means from the second external device, and the external device to the external device When the image pickup signal is recorded in the recording means when the image pickup signal is sent out, the image pickup signal is read out from the image pickup means by the first method and the image pickup signal is sent out to the external device. In addition, the readout method of the imaging signal indicated by the signal received by the receiving module without recording the imaging signal in the recording unit is second. In the case of a method, when the image pickup signal is read out from the image pickup unit by the second method and the image pickup signal is sent to the external device, the image pickup signal is not recorded in the recording unit, and An imaging signal reading module that reads out the imaging signal from the imaging means by the third method when the method of reading the imaging signal indicated by the signal received by the receiving module is the third method; Features.

  According to the first, seventh, and tenth aspects of the present invention, the connection is made with an external device via a network, and only the streaming distribution is performed without recording the photographed image. When the format is not restricted, the method for reading out the image pickup signal from the image pickup means is switched to an appropriate method according to the transmission speed of the network, so that an image optimal for the screen display of the personal computer can be distributed.

  According to the inventions according to claims 3, 4, 8, 9, 11, and 12, when connected to the first external device via the network and the second external device, without recording a captured image, When only streaming distribution is performed, that is, when the distribution video is not restricted by the television format, the method of reading the imaging signal from the imaging means is switched to an appropriate method according to the transmission speed of the network. Images that are optimal for screen display can be distributed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system including an imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, an image pickup apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is a video camera 100.

  In this system, the video camera 100 is connected to the Internet 300, and a captured image or a reproduced image is streamed to a personal computer (PC) 400 via the Internet 300.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the video camera 100 of FIG.

  1 includes a lens 1, a charge coupled device (CCD) 2, a preprocessing circuit 3, an analog-digital (AD) converter 4, a camera signal processing circuit 5, a timing generator (TG) 6, and a digital-analog. (DA) converter 7, monitor 8, buffer memory 9, compression / decompression processing circuit 10, data bus 11, disk interface circuit 12, disk driver 13, disk 14, input key 15, CPU (Central Processing Unit) 16, connector 17 and a data transmitter / receiver 18 are provided.

  When the user inputs an instruction with the input key 15, the instruction is output from the input key 15 to the CPU 16, and the CPU 16 sends data based on the instruction to each component.

  The video signal that has passed through the lens 1 and photoelectrically converted by the charge coupled device (CCD) 2 driven by the clock of the timing generator (TG) 6 is subjected to processing such as noise removal and gain adjustment by the preprocessing circuit 3. The AD converter 4 performs AD conversion. Further, the camera signal processing circuit 5 performs image processing signal processing such as aperture correction, gamma correction, and white balance. The output signal of the camera signal processing circuit 5 is converted into an analog signal by the DA converter 7 and an image is displayed on the monitor 8.

  When recording a video signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD 2, the video signal is once written from the camera signal processing circuit 5 to the buffer memory 9 via the data bus 11, and then sequentially read from the buffer memory 9. The video signal is sent to the compression / decompression processing circuit 10 through the data bus 11. After the compression / decompression processing circuit 10 performs processing such as compression for recording the video signal, it is sent to the disk interface circuit 12 to execute processing for recording the compressed signal as data on the disk 14. . The disk driver 13 records the data processed by the disk interface circuit 12 on the disk 14 while controlling a disk motor (not shown).

  When the real-time video being shot from the video camera 100 is distributed to the PC 400 in FIG. 1 via the Internet, the signal compressed by the compression / decompression processing circuit 10 in the above-described recording operation is transferred to the data bus 11 as data. The data is transmitted to the transmission / reception unit 18, converted into a video signal in a format suitable for distribution by the data transmission / reception unit 18, and distributed to the PC 400 of FIG. 1 via the connector 17.

  When reproducing the data on the disk 14, the disk driver 13 drives a disk motor (not shown), reads the data from the disk 14, and performs processing for sending to the compression / decompression processing circuit 10 by the disk interface circuit 12. The compressed signal is sent to the compression / decompression processing circuit 10 via the data bus 11. The compression / expansion processing circuit 10 expands the received signal, that is, the signal compressed during recording. The decompressed signal is stored in the buffer memory 9 and then sent to the camera signal processing circuit 5 via the data bus 11 where blanking and color modulation are performed, and DA conversion is performed by the DA converter 7. Thus, the reproduced image is displayed on the monitor 8.

  When the reproduced image from the disk 14 is distributed to the PC 400 of FIG. 1 via the Internet, a signal sent from the disk interface circuit 12 to the compression / decompression processing circuit 10 is simultaneously transmitted to the data transmitting / receiving unit 18 in the above-described reproduction operation. 1 is also converted into a signal in a format suitable for distribution by the data transmitting / receiving unit 18 and distributed to the PC 400 of FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the PC 400 main body of FIG.

  The PC 400 includes an input key 401, a CPU 402, a data interface circuit 403, a connector 404, a memory 405, a hard disk 406, a data transmission / reception unit 407, a connector 408, and a data bus 409.

  When the user inputs an operation instruction with the input key 15, the input key 401 outputs the operation instruction to the CPU 402. The connector 404 performs data communication with an external device such as a video camera, and the data interface circuit 403 converts transmission data and reception data into a format suitable for each processing.

  Data, software, and the like are stored in the hard disk 406, and used data, software, and the like are temporarily stored in the memory 405 via the data bus 409. From the memory 405 when the CPU 402 executes various processes. Read out.

  The connector 408 performs data communication with the Internet 300, and the data transmitting / receiving unit 407 converts transmission data into a format suitable for transmission processing and converts received data into a format suitable for reception processing.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the color filters of the CCD 2 in FIG.

  In the color filter of the CCD 2, for example, 480 lines are formed in the vertical direction so as to correspond to the number of effective lines of NTSC. A line in which red (R) and green (G) are alternately arranged and a line in which green (G) and blue (B) are alternately arranged are arranged for each line.

  When recording a captured image on the disk 14 in the video camera 100, an interlace signal conforming to a television format such as NTSC or PAL must be read from the CCD 2 in consideration of reproduction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5A, the lines 1, 2, 5, 6... Are read in the field (1/60 seconds) determined by the pulse of the vertical synchronizing signal VD, and 3, 4, 4 are read in the other field. 7, 8 ... Read out the line. In this way, the interlace signal is read out by having the readout lines for each field, with the lines in which RGs are alternately arranged and the lines in which GB are alternately arranged.

  On the other hand, when the video camera 100 does not record the captured image on the disk 14, it only displays the image on the PC 400, so that it is not subject to the restrictions of the television format such as NTSC, PAL. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, only one field, that is, 1, 2, 5, 6... Line is read, and no signal is read from the CCD 2 in the other field. In this way, a progressive signal is generated from a signal of only one field. Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, it is also possible to read out all signals from the CCD 2 in the order of lines in the vertical direction in one frame (1/30 second) to obtain a progressive signal.

  5A to 5C can be switched when the TG 6 receiving a command from the CPU 16 supplies different drive signals to the CCD 2. In FIG. 5B, since the data amount is halved compared to FIG. 5C, the resolution of the image delivered to the PC 400 is reduced, but the transmission rate of the network (Internet 300) is reduced by the smaller amount of data. The risk of dropping frames will be reduced. 5B and 5C are progressive images, interlace-progressive (IP) conversion is not required on the PC 400 side. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an image that does not deteriorate or flicker due to the conversion operation.

  When only streaming is performed, the CPU 16 determines which line reading method shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C drives the CCD 2 according to the transmission speed of the network connecting the video camera 100 and the PC 400.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a network transmission rate measurement process. This process is mainly executed by the CPU 16.

  When the CPU 16 starts to measure the network transmission rate, the test data is transmitted from the video camera 100 to the PC 400 (step S601). At this time, the video camera 100 measures time with a timer (not shown) (step S602). When an incoming report indicating that the test data has been received from the PC 400 is received (step S603), the CPU 16 calculates the network transmission rate from the measurement time and the size of the test data (step S604). When the network transmission rate is calculated, the measurement ends.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the signal reading switching process of the CCD 2. This process is mainly executed by the CPU 16.

  When distribution of the photographed image, that is, streaming is started, it is determined whether or not an image is currently being recorded on the disk 14 (step S701). If the image is being recorded, the CCD 2 is driven by driving the TG 6 as described above. From FIG. 5A, the interlace signal is read (step S705), and this process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the image is not being recorded in step S701 (that is, only streaming), it is determined whether or not there is a request for a high resolution image from the PC 400 (step S702). When there is a request for a high resolution image from the PC 400, the progressive signal is read out from the CCD 2 unconditionally as shown in FIG. 5C (step S707), and this process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if there is no request for a high-resolution image from the PC 400 in step S702, the network transmission rate is measured according to the flowchart of FIG. 6 (step S703), and the measured network transmission rate is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. If the network transmission rate is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, there is little risk that the image will be interrupted even if the amount of data is large. Therefore, from the CCD 2 as shown in FIG. The progressive signal is read (step S707), and this process is terminated. When the network transmission speed is less than the predetermined value, in order to avoid the risk of the image being interrupted, in order to reduce the amount of data, the one-field signal in FIG. 5B is read (step S706), and this processing is performed. finish. 5B and 5C, in order to display an image on the monitor 8, in the camera signal processing circuit 5, the field image is interpolated to be converted into a frame image, or progressive-interlace (P- I) It is necessary to perform conversion, but in these cases, distribution video is not recorded, and it is only necessary to be able to confirm the distribution angle of view.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the PC 400 during streaming.

  It is determined whether or not the video received by streaming is interlaced (step S801). If the video received by streaming is interlaced, interlace-progressive (IP) conversion is performed from the hard disk 406. The software is started, temporarily expanded in the memory 405, and the IP conversion of the video received by streaming is executed (step S806), and this process is terminated.

  If the received video is not interlaced in step S801, it is determined whether or not the received video is a progressive image (FIG. 5C) (step S802).

  When the received video is a progressive image (FIG. 5 (c)), it is displayed on the monitor as it is. When the received video is a field image (FIG. 5 (b)), the interpolation is performed by software. A frame image is generated from the field image (step S803).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a request for a high resolution image has been input (step S804). If a request for a high resolution image has not been input, the present process is terminated while a request for a high resolution image is input. If so, a high image quality request signal is transmitted to the video camera 100 via the connector 408 (step S805), and this process ends.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the output delivered from the video camera directly connected to the network is not restricted by the television format, according to the transmission speed of the network, Since the progressive signal or the signal of only one field is read from the CCD, it is possible to distribute an image optimal for the screen display of a personal computer.

  In this embodiment, the disk 14 is taken as an example of the recording medium of the video camera 100. However, other recording media such as a tape and a semiconductor memory may be used. Further, although the primary color Bayer system as shown in FIG. 4 has been described as the color filter array of the image pickup means, the present invention is not limited to this, and other arrays such as a complementary color array may be used. In addition, although “480” is given as an example of the number of pixels in the vertical direction of the image sensor, other values may be used as long as they conform to a television format such as NTSC or PAL.

  In this embodiment, when the output of the video camera to be distributed is not restricted by the television format, a video signal suitable for display on a PC by reading out a progressive signal or a signal of only one field from the CCD. Can be delivered.

  Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system including a streaming-compatible imaging device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the video camera 100 does not have a function of directly connecting to the Internet 300, and is different from the first embodiment in that it is connected to the Internet 300 via the PC 200. Since the configuration of the PC 200 is the same as that of the PC 400 of FIG. 3, the description thereof is omitted.

  By connecting the connector 17 of the video camera 100 and the connector 404 of the PC 200 with a cable, the video camera 100 and the PC 200 can be connected to each other and perform data communication.

  The above-described measurement of the transmission speed of the network in FIG. 6 is executed by the PC 200, and a designation signal for the driving method of the CCD 2 is generated by the CPU 402 based on the measured transmission speed of the network, and the video camera 100 is connected via the connector 404. Sent to. At this time, a signal indicating the transmission speed may be transmitted from the PC 200 to the video camera 100, and the CPU 16 in the video camera 100 may specify the driving method of the CCD 2. The other operations of the PC 200 are the same as those of the PC 400 of the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the output distributed from the video camera 100 connected to the network via the PC 200 is not restricted by the television format, the transmission speed of the network Accordingly, since the progressive signal or the signal of only one field is read from the CCD 2, it is possible to distribute an image optimal for screen display of a personal computer.

  Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The third embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in the driving method of the CCD 2. Since the hardware configuration and various processes of the video camera 100 and the PCs 200 and 400 are the same as those described in the first and second embodiments described above, their descriptions are omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the vertical synchronization signal VD and the line read from the field of the CCD 2.

  When reading the interlace signal from the CCD 2, as shown in FIG. 10A, all the pixels shown in FIG. 4 are driven and read by the double speed clock during one field period. In this state, there is twice as much data as is necessary for the television format, so it is necessary to thin it out in half.

  The configuration of the camera signal processing circuit 5 is as shown in FIG. 11, the color component RGB of the data AD-converted by the AD converter 4 is synchronized by the synchronization / interpolation circuit 501, and the component RGB of the component RGB is synchronized by the thinning circuit 502. Decimate each to halve. The luminance / color signal processing circuit 503 performs the remaining camera signal processing on the data, and outputs the processed data to the data bus 11 or the DA converter 7.

  In the case of reading only one field image, the above-mentioned double speed reading is performed in only one of the even and odd fields and thinned out by the camera signal processing circuit 5 as shown in FIG.

  In the case of reading progressive images, the double speed clock is not used, as shown in FIG. 10C, which is the same as in the first embodiment.

  Also according to the third embodiment of the present invention, when the output distributed from the video camera 100 is not restricted by the television format, a progressive signal or a signal of only one field is output from the CCD 2 according to the transmission speed of the network. Since it is read out, an image optimal for the screen display of a personal computer can be distributed.

  A medium such as a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the medium in the storage medium or the like. It goes without saying that the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the medium such as a storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the medium such as the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. .

  As a medium such as a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a DVD-ROM, a DVD- RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or download via a network can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read out by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code performs the actual processing. Needless to say, the present invention includes a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from a medium such as a storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted in the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the present invention also includes a case where the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Absent.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the system containing the imaging device concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the video camera 100 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of PC400 main body of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the arrangement | sequence of the color filter of CCD2 of FIG. It is a figure showing the relationship between the vertical synchronizing signal VD and the line read from the field of CCD2. It is a flowchart which shows the measurement process of the transmission rate of a network. It is a flowchart which shows the signal reading switching process of CCD2. It is a flowchart which shows the process which PC400 performs at the time of streaming. It is a figure which shows the structure of the system containing the imaging apparatus of a streaming corresponding type concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the relationship between the vertical synchronizing signal VD and the line read from the field of CCD2. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a camera signal processing circuit 5. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Lens 2 Charge coupled device (CCD)
3 Processing Circuit 5 Camera Signal Processing Circuit 6 Timing Generator (TG)
8 Monitor 9 Buffer memory 10 Compression / decompression processing circuit 11 Data bus 14 Disk 15 Input key 16 CPU (Central Processing Unit)
17 Connector 18 Data transceiver

Claims (12)

In an imaging device connected to an external device via a network,
Imaging means;
Recording means for recording an imaging signal imaged by the imaging means;
A transmission rate measuring means for measuring a signal transmission rate of the network when sending the imaging signal to the external device;
When sending the imaging signal to the external device, if the imaging signal is recorded in the recording means, the imaging signal is read out from the imaging means by the first method,
When the imaging signal is sent to the external device, the imaging signal is not recorded in the recording means, and the signal transmission speed of the network measured by the transmission speed measuring means is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. Reads out the imaging signal from the imaging means in a second manner,
When the imaging signal is sent to the external device, the imaging signal is not recorded in the recording unit, and the network signal transmission rate measured by the transmission rate measuring unit is less than a predetermined value. An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging signal reading unit that reads out the imaging signal from the imaging unit by a third method.   Request receiving means for receiving a request for a high-resolution imaging signal from the external device, and when the imaging signal is sent to the external device, the imaging signal is not recorded in the recording means, and the request is received. 2. The imaging according to claim 1, wherein when the means receives a request for a high-resolution imaging signal from the external device, the imaging signal reading means reads the imaging signal from the imaging means by the second method. apparatus. In an imaging device connected to a first external device via a network and a second external device that measures the signal transmission speed of the network,
Imaging means;
Recording means for recording an imaging signal imaged by the imaging means;
Receiving means for receiving a signal indicating a signal transmission speed of the network from the second external device;
When sending the imaging signal to the external device, if the imaging signal is recorded in the recording means, the imaging signal is read out from the imaging means by the first method,
When the imaging signal is transmitted to the external device, the imaging signal is not recorded in the recording unit, and the signal transmission speed of the network indicated by the signal received by the receiving unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined value Read out the imaging signal from the imaging means by the second method,
When the imaging signal is sent to the external device, the imaging signal is not recorded in the recording unit, and the signal transmission speed of the network indicated by the signal received by the receiving unit is less than a predetermined value The imaging apparatus further comprises imaging signal reading means for reading out the imaging signal from the imaging means by a third method. In an imaging device connected to a first external device via a network and a second external device that measures the signal transmission speed of the network,
Imaging means;
Recording means for recording an imaging signal imaged by the imaging means;
Receiving means for receiving from the second external device a signal designating a readout method of an imaging signal from the imaging means;
When sending the imaging signal to the external device, if the imaging signal is recorded in the recording means, the imaging signal is read out from the imaging means by the first method,
When the imaging signal is transmitted to the external device, the imaging signal is not recorded in the recording unit, and the readout method of the imaging signal indicated by the signal received by the receiving unit is the second method In this case, the image pickup signal is read out from the image pickup means by the second method,
When the image pickup signal is sent to the external device, the image pickup signal is not recorded in the recording unit, and the method of reading the image pickup signal indicated by the signal received by the reception unit is a third method. In this case, an imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging signal reading unit that reads out the imaging signal from the imaging unit by a third method.   Request receiving means for receiving a request for a high-resolution imaging signal from the second external device, and when the imaging signal is sent to the second external device, do not record the imaging signal in the recording means; and When the request receiving unit receives a request for a high-resolution imaging signal from the second external device, the imaging signal reading unit reads the imaging signal from the imaging unit by the second method. The imaging device according to claim 3 or 4.   The first method is an interlace method, the second method is a progressive method, and the third method is a signal for only one field of two fields included in one frame of the imaging signal. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is a method for reading out the image. In an imaging method of an imaging apparatus comprising an imaging means and a recording means for recording an imaging signal imaged by the imaging means, and connected to an external device via a network,
A transmission rate measurement step of measuring a signal transmission rate of the network when the imaging signal is sent to the external device;
When sending the imaging signal to the external device, if the imaging signal is recorded in the recording means, the imaging signal is read out from the imaging means by the first method,
When the imaging signal is sent to the external device, the imaging signal is not recorded in the recording means, and the network signal transmission rate measured in the transmission rate measurement step is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. Reads out the imaging signal from the imaging means in a second manner,
When the imaging signal is sent to the external device, the imaging signal is not recorded in the recording unit, and the network signal transmission rate measured in the transmission rate measurement step is less than a predetermined value. Comprises an imaging signal reading step of reading out the imaging signal from the imaging means by a third method. An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging unit; and a recording unit that records an imaging signal imaged by the imaging unit, and connected to the first external device via a network and a second external device that measures a signal transmission speed of the network In the imaging method,
Receiving a signal indicating a signal transmission speed of the network from the second external device;
When sending the imaging signal to the external device, if the imaging signal is recorded in the recording means, the imaging signal is read out from the imaging means by the first method,
When the imaging signal is sent to the external device, the imaging signal is not recorded in the recording means, and the signal transmission speed of the network indicated by the signal received in the receiving step is equal to or higher than a predetermined value Read out the imaging signal from the imaging means by the second method,
When the imaging signal is transmitted to the external device, the imaging signal is not recorded in the recording unit, and the signal transmission speed of the network indicated by the signal received in the reception process is less than a predetermined value Comprises an imaging signal reading step of reading out the imaging signal from the imaging means by a third method. An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging unit; and a recording unit that records an imaging signal imaged by the imaging unit, and connected to the first external device via a network and a second external device that measures a signal transmission speed of the network In the imaging method,
A reception step of receiving a signal specifying the readout method of the imaging signal from the imaging means from the second external device;
When sending the imaging signal to the external device, if the imaging signal is recorded in the recording means, the imaging signal is read out from the imaging means by the first method,
When the imaging signal is sent to the external device, the imaging signal is not recorded in the recording means, and the readout method of the imaging signal indicated by the signal received in the reception step is the second method In this case, the image pickup signal is read out from the image pickup means by the second method,
When the image pickup signal is sent to the external device, the method of reading the image pickup signal indicated by the signal received in the reception step without recording the image pickup signal in the recording unit is a third method. In this case, an imaging method comprising: an imaging signal reading step of reading out the imaging signal from the imaging means by a third method. In a program for an imaging apparatus that includes an imaging unit and a recording unit that records an imaging signal captured by the imaging unit, and is executed by an imaging apparatus connected to an external device via a network.
A transmission rate measurement module that measures the signal transmission rate of the network when sending the imaging signal to the external device;
When sending the imaging signal to the external device, if the imaging signal is recorded in the recording means, the imaging signal is read out from the imaging means by the first method,
When the imaging signal is sent to the external device, the imaging signal is not recorded in the recording means, and the signal transmission speed of the network measured by the transmission speed measurement module is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. Reads out the imaging signal from the imaging means in a second manner,
When the imaging signal is sent to the external device, the imaging signal is not recorded in the recording means, and the signal transmission speed of the network measured by the transmission speed measurement module is less than a predetermined value. Comprises an imaging signal readout module that reads out the imaging signal from the imaging means by a third method. An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging unit; and a recording unit that records an imaging signal captured by the imaging unit, and connected to the first external device via a network and a second external device that measures a signal transmission speed of the network. In the imaging device program to be executed,
A receiving module for receiving a signal indicating a signal transmission speed of the network from the second external device;
When sending the imaging signal to the external device, if the imaging signal is recorded in the recording means, the imaging signal is read out from the imaging means by the first method,
When the imaging signal is sent to the external device, the imaging signal is not recorded in the recording unit, and the signal transmission speed of the network indicated by the signal received by the receiving module is equal to or higher than a predetermined value Read out the imaging signal from the imaging means by the second method,
When the imaging signal is sent to the external device, the imaging signal is not recorded in the recording unit, and the signal transmission speed of the network indicated by the signal received by the receiving module is less than a predetermined value Comprises an imaging signal readout module that reads out the imaging signal from the imaging means by a third method. An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging unit; and a recording unit that records an imaging signal captured by the imaging unit, and connected to the first external device via a network and a second external device that measures a signal transmission speed of the network. In the imaging device program to be executed,
A receiving module that receives a signal specifying a readout method of an imaging signal from the imaging means from the second external device;
When sending the imaging signal to the external device, if the imaging signal is recorded in the recording means, the imaging signal is read out from the imaging means by the first method,
When the image pickup signal is transmitted to the external device, the image pickup signal is not recorded in the recording unit, and the reading method of the image pickup signal indicated by the signal received by the reception module is the second method. In this case, the image pickup signal is read out from the image pickup means by the second method,
When the image pickup signal is sent to the external device, a method for reading the image pickup signal indicated by the signal received by the reception module without recording the image pickup signal in the recording unit is a third method. In this case, an imaging apparatus program comprising: an imaging signal reading module that reads out the imaging signal from the imaging means by a third method.

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