Imaging device

Abstract

[Object] To provide an imaging device which can be applied in forms suitable for various purposes. [Solution] The imaging device includes: an elongated bendable section configured to be bendable; a reinforcing section that is arranged on an end portion of the bendable section in an elongated direction in which the bendable section extends, the reinforcing section having higher rigidity than the bendable section; and an imaging section that is held to be able to capture an image in the elongated direction with respect to the reinforcing section. The bendable section is configured to be able to store a power source in at least a part of the bendable section.

1 . An imaging device, comprising:
 an elongated bendable section configured to be bendable;   a reinforcing section that is arranged on an end portion of the bendable section in an elongated direction in which the bendable section extends, the reinforcing section having higher rigidity than the bendable section; and   an imaging section that is held to be able to capture an image in a predetermined direction with respect to the reinforcing section,   wherein the bendable section is configured to be able to store a power source in at least a part of the bendable section.   
     
     
         2 . The imaging device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the bendable section has a characteristic of retaining a deformed shape when the bendable section is deformed and bent by external pressure.   
     
     
         3 . The imaging device according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein at least a part of the bendable section is formed of plastic-deformable shape-retaining material.   
     
     
         4 . The imaging device according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein at least a part of the bendable section has a bendable structure.   
     
     
         5 . The imaging device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the bendable section includes a drive section configured to bend the bendable section.   
     
     
         6 . The imaging device according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a control section configured to control an operation of the drive section such that the bendable section is bent in accordance with a result of detection performed by a predetermined detecting section.   
     
     
         7 . The imaging device according to  claim 6 ,
 wherein the control section performs at least one of
 control for bending the bendable section by controlling the operation of the drive section such that a subject is included in an imaging range of the imaging section in accordance with a result of detecting the subject by the detecting section, 
 control for enlarging an image captured by the imaging section in accordance with the result of detecting the subject by the detecting section, and 
 control for rotating the image captured by the imaging section. 
   
     
     
         8 . The imaging device according to  claim 7 ,
 wherein the control section controls the operation of the drive section on the basis of a result of detecting a signal transmitted from a terminal held by the subject.   
     
     
         9 . The imaging device according to  claim 8 ,
 wherein the detecting section includes an antenna having directivity, and   the control section controls the operation of the drive section on the basis of a result of detecting the signal transmitted from the terminal by the antenna.   
     
     
         10 . The imaging device according to  claim 7 ,
 wherein the control section controls the operation of the drive section in accordance with a result of detecting a relative position relation between a first terminal held by the subject and a second terminal different from the first terminal.   
     
     
         11 . The imaging device according to  claim 7 ,
 wherein the control section controls the operation of the drive section on the basis of a result of analyzing the image obtained by imaging the subject.   
     
     
         12 . The imaging device according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the drive section is driven on the basis of the control of an external device.   
     
     
         13 . The imaging device according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the drive section includes a plurality of drive systems configured to bend the bendable sections in different directions.   
     
     
         14 . The imaging device according to  claim 13 ,
 wherein the drive system includes
 a shaft member that is arranged to be perpendicular to a direction in which the bendable section extends, 
 a plane-like planar member that is held by the shaft member to be perpendicular to the shaft member, 
 a holding member that is held to be rotatable around the shaft member in a circumferential direction with respect to the shaft member, and 
 a drive member configured to cause the holding member to rotate in a direction opposite to the circumferential direction relative to the planar member by driving the planar member to rotate in the circumferential direction. 
   
     
     
         15 . The imaging device according to  claim 14 ,
 wherein the drive member has a shape of a rotator whose axis is a linear direction parallel to at least one surface of the planar member and is held to be rotatable around the linear direction such that at least a part of a side surface of the rotator comes into contact with the one surface.   
     
     
         16 . The imaging device according to  claim 15 ,
 wherein the drive member rotates around the linear direction and drives the planar member to rotate in the circumferential direction by using friction force generated between the side surface of the rotator and the one surface of the planar member.   
     
     
         17 . The imaging device according to  claim 14 ,
 wherein the planar member of one drive system among the plurality of drive systems is fixed to the planar member of another drive system.   
     
     
         18 . The imaging device according to  claim 14 ,
 wherein the drive system includes an encoder configured to measure displacement of the planar member in the circumferential direction.   
     
     
         19 . The imaging device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the power source is stored near the reinforcing section located on a side opposite to the reinforcing section in which the imaging section is held, in the elongated direction.   
     
     
         20 . The imaging device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the power source is stored near the reinforcing section in which the imaging section is held.