An overall motion detecting device (1) includes a search region
variable-shaped motion detector (2) and an overall motion information
generator (3). The overall motion information generator (3) controls a
surveillance camera (5) which is an external image capturing system and
supplies control information of the surveillance camera (5) (such as
moving direction, angular speed and focal length) to the search region
variable-shaped motion detector (2) as overall motion information (S3).
The search region variable-shaped motion detector (2) calculates a motion
vector (mv) while renewing, by picture, a search region having a search
shape determined by the overall motion information (S3) and a region area
suitable for its operational capability.