IMAGE CAPTURING SYSTEM AND IMAGE CAPTURING METHOD

• US 20130265440A1
• Filed: 04/05/2013
• Published: 10/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: MIZUTA, Kazumasa
• Granted Patent: US 9,215,362 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/169
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices

Abstract

An image capturing system includes a sensor unit that is worn on an user and includes a first motion sensor that detects motion of the user and a subject tracking apparatus that is integrated with a camera platform on which an imaging apparatus is mounted, includes a second motion sensor that detects motion of the camera platform, and controls the motion of the camera platform by using the second motion sensor based on the motion of the user detected by the first motion sensor to allow the imaging apparatus to track a subject.

Claims

1. An image capturing system comprising:

a sensor unit that is worn on an user and includes a first motion sensor that detects motion of the user; and

a subject tracking apparatus that is provided in a camera platform on which an imaging apparatus is mounted, includes a second motion sensor that detects motion of the camera platform, and controls the motion of the camera platform by using the second motion sensor based on the motion of the user detected by the first motion sensor to allow the imaging apparatus to track a subject.

2. The image capturing system according to claim 1,

wherein the sensor unit is worn on the head of the user.

3. The image capturing system according to claim 1,

wherein the first motion sensor and the second motion sensor is at least one of an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, and a magnetic sensor.

4. The image capturing system according to claim 1,

wherein the subject tracking apparatus performs

first calibration in which an adjustment is so made that in a state in which the user and the imaging apparatus look at a reference point that is a still subject from the same position, the imaging apparatus captures an image of the reference point, and

second calibration in which an adjustment is so made that in a state in which the user looks at the reference point from a position away from the imaging apparatus, the imaging apparatus captures an image of the reference point.

5. The image capturing system according to claim 1,

wherein the sensor unit

is attached to a member worn on the head of the user and including a display section and

produces a display control signal that instructs the display section to display information according to at least one of an image capturing direction and an image capturing range of the imaging apparatus.

6. The image capturing system according to claim 5,

wherein the sensor unit is attached to glasses worn by the user.

7. An image capturing method using a sensor unit that is worn on an user and includes a first motion sensor that detects motion of the user and a subject tracking apparatus that is provided in a camera platform on which an imaging apparatus is mounted, includes a second motion sensor that detects motion of the camera platform, and controls the motion of the camera platform by using the second motion sensor based on the motion of the user detected by the first motion sensor to allow the imaging apparatus to track a subject, the method comprising:

making an adjustment in such a way that in a state in which the user and the imaging apparatus look at a reference point that is a still subject from the same position, the imaging apparatus captures an image of the reference point; and

making an adjustment in such a way that in a state in which the user looks at the reference point from a position away from the imaging apparatus, the imaging apparatus captures an image of the reference point.