PHOTOGRAPHING DEVICE, PHOTOGRAPHING SYSTEM, MOBILE BODY, CONTROL METHOD AND PROGRAM

• US 20200137312A1
• Filed: 12/27/2019
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. (d/b/a DJI) (iFlight Technology Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. (d/b/a DJI) (iFlight Technology Company Limited)
• Inventors: KOYAMA, Takashi, OHNO, Naoyuki, HONJO, Kenichi
• Granted Patent: US 11,070,735 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/87 Mounting of imaging devices, e.g. mounting of gimbals
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/128 for panning and rolling F16M11/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/041 for balancing rotational movement of the head
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/044 for balancing rotational movement of the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 13/32 Means for focusing
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/006 Apparatus mounted on flying objects
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/14 interchangeably
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 Control of cameras or camera modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/67 Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/685 performed by mechanical compensation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/69 Control of means for changing angle of the field of view, e.g. optical zoom objectives or electronic zooming

Abstract

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

Claims

1. A control device for controlling an imaging device, comprising:

an operation unit configured to be operated by an external force;

a detection unit configured to detect an operation state of the operation unit; and

a processor configured to execute a program to;

perform a predetermined operation based on the operation state of the operation unit; and

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

2. The control device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program to

determine whether the imaging device is connected to the object satisfying the condition, wherein the processor invalidates the execution of the predetermined operation when the processor determines the imaging device is connected to the object satisfying the condition.

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

4. The control device of claim 2, wherein the processor determines the imaging device is connected to the object satisfying the condition when the processor is mounted on a mobile device.

5. The control device of claim 2, wherein the processor determines the imaging device is connected to the object satisfying the condition when the imaging device is mounted on a mobile device in flight.

6. The control device of claim 2, wherein the processor determines the imaging device is connected to the object satisfying the condition when the imaging device is mounted on a support mechanism configured to rotatably support the imaging device.

7. The control device of claim 6, wherein the support mechanism is configured to operate in a first mode in which a rotation of the imaging device is validated and a second mode in which the rotation of the imaging device is invalidated;

and the processor determines the imaging device is connected to the object satisfying the condition when the imaging device is mounted on the support mechanism operating in the first mode.

8. The control device of claim 7, wherein the processor determines the imaging device is not connected to the object satisfying the condition when the imaging device is mounted on the support mechanism operating in the second mode.

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

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

11. The control device of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program to invalidate the predetermined operation and validate another predetermined operation when the imaging device is mounted on the mobile device.

12. The control device of claim 11, wherein the processor invalidates the predetermined another operation when the mobile device has started flying.

13. The control device of claim 1, wherein the operation unit is at least one of a focus operation ring, a zoom operation ring, an operation ring, and an operation switch.

14. The control device of claim 1, wherein the detection unit is a photo interrupter.

15. The control device of claim 6, wherein the support mechanism is a gimbal.

16. An imaging device comprises a control device of claim 1.

17. An imaging system comprises the imaging device of claim 16.

18. A mobile object movable corresponding to a movable imaging system, wherein the movable imaging system having an imaging device including a control device and a support mechanism configured to rotatably support the imaging device, the control device including:

an operation unit being operated by an external force; and

a detection unit configured to detect an operation state of the operation unit;

a processor configured to execute a program to;

perform a predetermined operation based on the operation state of the operation unit; and

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

19. The mobile object of claim 18 is an unmanned aerial vehicle.

20. A control method for controlling an imaging device, the imaging device comprising an operation unit being operated by an external force;

a detection unit configured to detect an operation state of the operation unit; and

a processor configured to execute a program to;

perform a predetermined operation based on the operation state of the operation unit; and

a processor configured to invalidate an execution of the predetermined operation performed by the program based on the operation state of the operation unit when the imaging device is connected to an object satisfying a condition, and the control method comprising;

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