JP2003122591A - Internet camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a service person for an Internet camera to update a firmware without visiting an Internet camera installation place in the Internet camera for transferring an image photographed by an imaging means to a file server on the Internet according to a specified schedule. SOLUTION: The version of the firmware stored in a second file server or a first file server is later than the version of the firmware stored in a storage element, the Internet camera acquires the updated data of the firmware from the file server, and the firmware is updated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an internet camera for transferring an image picked up by an image pickup means to a file server on the internet according to a predetermined schedule, and a firmware updating method for the internet camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional Internet camera,
For example, there is one described in Japanese Patent No. 3034243.
The Internet camera described in the publication has a function of transferring digital image data to a predetermined file server on the Internet according to a predetermined schedule.

Therefore, a user who has an account in the predetermined file server operates a terminal device having a client function of the predetermined file server connected to the Internet to operate the image data stored in the predetermined file server. You can browse.

In such an Internet camera, the above-mentioned functions are generally realized by a control means such as a CPU executing a predetermined program. This program is normally stored in the storage element in the Internet camera as firmware.

In order to meet demands for bug fixes and addition of Internet camera functions, the above firmware is usually stored in a rewritable storage element such as a flash memory and can be updated.

Here, in the conventional Internet camera, the firmware is stored by disassembling the Internet camera, taking out the storage element in which the firmware is stored, and writing the updated firmware in the storage element that is read out by using a ROM writer or the like. Was being updated. Or RS-232 to the Internet camera
Firmware is updated by connecting a PC to an external communication port such as C and executing a firmware update program on the PC.

Therefore, in the conventional Internet camera, it was necessary for the service person of the Internet camera to visit the installation location of the Internet camera and update the firmware.

[0008]

In view of the above problems, the present invention allows an Internet camera service person to update the firmware of the camera itself without visiting the installation location of the Internet camera. And an object of the present invention is to provide a method of updating the firmware of the Internet camera.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the Internet camera of the present invention includes a firmware updating means for updating firmware stored in a storage element and a version of the firmware stored in the storage element. When the version of the firmware stored in the second file server or the first file server is newer than that, the firmware update means is controlled to obtain the update data of the firmware from a predetermined file server on the Internet, A control means for updating the firmware using the update data.

According to the Internet camera of the present invention,
Firmware update work is performed using update data stored on a file server on the Internet.
Therefore, it becomes possible for a service person of the Internet camera to update the firmware by operating the Internet camera from a remote place via the Internet. As a result, it becomes possible for the service person of the Internet camera to update the firmware without visiting the installation location of the Internet camera. Further, by setting the Internet camera to regularly check the firmware stored in the file server, it becomes possible to automatically obtain the update data of the firmware and perform the update work.

As a method of detecting the version of the firmware stored in the file server and the version of the firmware stored in the storage element, there is a method of determining the version of the firmware from the time stamp of the firmware.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 schematically shows an Internet camera system comprising an Internet camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a file server on the Internet and a client PC on the Internet. This Internet camera system uses the public telephone network 100 to make a PPP connection to an ISP 102 (Internet service provider) on the Internet 200, and is arranged on the Internet camera 1 and the Internet 200 capable of communicating with a computer on the Internet 200. First file server 20
1. It has at least one client PC 301 which is PPP-connected to the ISP 302 on the Internet 200 using a public telephone line and can communicate with a computer on the Internet 200. Also, client PC
301 has a modem and is a client PC 301
Can use this modem to make a PPP connection to the ISP 302.

The first file server 201 of this embodiment is an FTP server using FTP (file transfer protocol), and the Internet camera 1 and the client PC 301 execute the FTP client program to execute the first file server. Server 201
The data file can be stored in the first file server 201, or the data file can be acquired from the first file server 201.

In the present embodiment, the client PC 301 uses a modem to communicate with a computer on the Internet 200 using a public telephone line, but the present invention is not limited to this structure. For example, the client PC 301 may communicate with a computer on the Internet 200 via a router that is always connected to the Internet 200 on the LAN.

Similarly, in the present embodiment, the Internet camera 1 is configured to communicate with a computer on the Internet 200 using a public telephone line using a modem, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Alternatively, for example, the Internet camera 1 may be always connected to the Internet 200 by a dedicated line via a network interface such as an Ethernet (R) interface.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the Internet camera 1. In this embodiment, the Internet camera 1 includes an objective optical system 2, CCD 3, image processing circuit 4, storage device 5, RAM 6, CPU 7, modem 8, RTC.
It has a (real time clock) 9 and a flash memory 10. Here, the image obtained by the objective optical system 2 is the CCD 3
The image processing circuit 4 converts the image into predetermined digital image data. Next, the CPU 7 converts the digital image data into a JPEG format file. This file is stored in the storage device 5.

Here, the CPU 7 controls the image processing circuit 4 every 10 seconds to obtain digital image data, and further processes the digital image data to obtain "image".
e. A JPEG file with the file name “jpg” is created and stored in the storage device 5. That is, the file “image.jpg” is always C after 10 seconds.
The image is captured by the CD3.

The RAM 6 also stores a schedule. In this schedule, the file “image.jpg” saved in the storage device 5 is first
The time of transmission to the file server 201 is stored. That is, the CPU 7 controls the modem 8 at the time described in this schedule to make a PPP connection to the ISP 102, and then to the first file server 201, the file “i
mag. jpg ”is transmitted. After sending the file, the CPU 7 controls the modem 8 to disconnect the line,
At times other than file transfer, the modem 8 is ready to receive an incoming call.

In the internet camera 1 of the present embodiment, the modem 8 is a card modem which is installed in the PC card slot provided in the internet camera 1. In this embodiment, the Internet camera 1 uses the public telephone line network 100 to access the Internet 20.
Because it is configured to communicate with the computer on 0,
The modem 8 is installed in the PC card slot,
When the Internet camera 1 is constantly connected to the Internet 200 using a dedicated line, an Ethernet (R) interface card is attached to this PC card slot.

The above-described processing is executed by expanding the program stored in the flash memory 10 as firmware on the RAM 6 and executing the expanded program by the CPU 7. The firmware is stored in the flash memory 10 as a program file, and the CPU 7 can detect the date and time when the firmware was created by checking the time stamp of this file.

FIG. 3 shows the main routine of the Internet camera 1 in this embodiment. This routine is a kind of resident program that is loaded from the flash memory 10 to the RAM 6 and activated when the internet camera 1 is turned on. Further, this routine supports both cases in which the Internet camera 1 is dialed up to the Internet using the modem 8 and is always connected to the Internet using the Ethernet interface card.

When this routine starts, step S101 is first executed. In step S101, the current time is acquired from the RTC 9, and whether the current time is the image capturing time (that is, the previous file “image
e. 10 after "jpg" is stored in the storage device 5
Whether or not more than a second has passed) is determined. If the current time is the image capturing time (S101: Ye
s), proceeding to step S102, the CPU 7 controls the image processing circuit 4, and the image processing circuit 4 processes the signal obtained by the CCD 3 to create digital image data.
Further, the CPU 7 executes an image conversion subroutine to generate an image file “image.jpg” in the JPEG format from this digital image data, and saves it in the storage device 5. Then, the process proceeds to step S103.

On the other hand, if the current time is not the image pickup time in step S101 (S101: No), step S101 is continuously executed. That is, it waits until the current time reaches the image capturing time.

In step S103, it is determined whether the card installed in the PC card slot of the Internet camera 1 is a modem or an Ethernet interface card. Internet camera 1
If the card installed in the PC card slot of is a modem (S103: Yes), step S104
After establishing a dial-up connection to the Internet, proceed to step S105. On the other hand, if the card installed in the PC card slot of the Internet camera 1 is an Ethernet interface card (S
103: No), since the Internet camera 1 is always connected to the Internet through a dedicated line, the process proceeds to step S105. Since it has a branching step such as step S103, it is possible to execute various processes with the same program regardless of whether the Internet camera 1 is connected to the Internet by a dial-up / dedicated line.

In step S105, the CPU 105 activates a predetermined FTP client program and connects to the first file server 201. Then, step S1
06, the image file “image.jpg” is stored in the first file server 201. Then step S1
Proceed to 07.

In step S107, the time stamp of the firmware stored on the first file server 201 and the time stamp of the firmware stored in the flash memory 10 are compared. That is, if the firmware stored in the first file server 201 is newer than the firmware stored in the flash memory 10 (S107: Y).
es), since it is necessary to update the firmware currently specified by the Internet camera, step S10
Go to 8.

In step S108, the download of the firmware stored in the first file server 201 is started. The downloaded firmware is stored in the RAM 6. Then, the process proceeds to step S109. In step S109, it is determined whether the download is completed. In this embodiment, the capacity of the firmware is constant regardless of the version. Therefore, the capacity of the firmware stored in the RAM 6 is periodically checked, and when the capacity reaches a predetermined value, it is determined that the download is completed. To do. If the download is not completed yet (S10
9: No), the step S109 is repeated again, and the RAM
Check the capacity of the firmware stored in 6.
On the other hand, if the download is normally completed (S10
9: Yes), and proceeds to step S110.

If the time stamp of the firmware stored in the first file server 201 is the same as the time stamp of the firmware stored in the flash memory 10 in step S107 (S107: No), Since it is not necessary to update the firmware, the process proceeds to step S110.

In step S110, the FTP client program is operated to disconnect the connection with the first file server 201. Then, the execution of the FTP client program ends. Then, the process proceeds to step S111.

In step S111, it is determined whether the card installed in the PC card slot of the Internet camera 1 is a modem or an Ethernet interface card. Internet camera 1
If the card installed in the PC card slot of is a modem (S111: Yes), step S112
After terminating the dial-up connection to the Internet, proceed to step S113. On the other hand, if the card installed in the PC card slot of the Internet camera 1 is an Ethernet interface card (S
111: No), and proceeds to step S113.

In step S113, it is checked whether or not the firmware downloaded from the first file server 201 in step S108 is stored in the RAM 6. If the firmware is stored in the RAM 6 (S113: Yes), the firmware in the flash memory 10 is updated.
It proceeds to step S114. On the other hand, if the firmware is not stored in the RAM 6 (S113: No), there is no need to update the firmware in the flash memory 10, and the process returns to step S101.

In step S114, the firmware stored in the RAM 6 is overwritten on the area of the flash memory in which the firmware is stored. Then R
Erase the firmware stored in AM6. Next, in step S115, the Internet camera is restarted.

As described above, according to this routine, the firmware stored in the file server on the Internet is periodically checked, and the firmware stored in the file server is more than the firmware currently used. If new, download the firmware from the file server. In addition, replace the downloaded firmware with the currently used firmware. Therefore, since the firmware is automatically updated, it is not necessary for the service person of the Internet camera to visit the installation location of the Internet camera to perform the update work.

In the above-described first embodiment, there is only one transfer destination file server for captured images, and the file server in which the latest firmware is stored and the transfer destination file server for captured images are the same. is there. Therefore, the process of comparing the firmware versions can be executed subsequent to the process of transferring the captured image. Therefore,
This is a desirable form in that the control process can easily and quickly check and update the firmware.

However, the file server to which the Internet camera transfers the image data is not limited to one location, and the data may be transferred to a plurality of file servers. In such a case, it is necessary to store the latest firmware in each file server, and when the number of image transfer destination file servers increases, the service person of the Internet camera needs to update the latest firmware to all of the many file servers. Must be distributed.

In the second embodiment of the present invention described below, this problem is solved. FIG. 4 shows an Internet camera system including the Internet camera of this embodiment, a file server on the Internet, and a client PC on the Internet. In the present embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the second file server 202 arranged on the Internet 200 is used. The latest firmware is the second file server 2 different from the first file server 201 of the image transfer destination.
02, the internet camera 1 is configured to compare the version of the firmware in the second file server 202 with the version of the firmware currently used.

The hardware configuration of the Internet camera 1 according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, and therefore its explanation is omitted. In the case of the present embodiment, the flash memory 10 is used. Information such as an address of a second file server as a firmware dedicated file server storing the latest firmware, an account name of the second file server, and a password is stored in advance.

FIG. 5 shows the main routine of the Internet camera 1 in this embodiment. Also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment of the present invention, this routine is a kind of resident program that is loaded into the RAM 6 from the flash memory 10 and activated when the internet camera 1 is turned on. The same steps as those of the main routine of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, step S106.
After the processing of step S1061, the process proceeds to step S1061 and, after the connection to the first file server is terminated based on the address information of the second file server stored in advance in the flash memory 10, Connecting. Next, proceeding to step S1062, the firmware existing in the second file server is searched. Then, the process proceeds to step S107.

In step S107, step S1062
The time stamps of the firmware extracted in step 1 and the time stamps of the firmware stored in the flash memory 10 are compared. That is, if the firmware stored in the second file server 202 is newer than the firmware stored in the flash memory 10 (S107: Yes), it is necessary to update the firmware currently specified by the Internet camera. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S108.

On the other hand, if the time stamp of the firmware stored in the second file server 202 is the same as the time stamp of the firmware stored in the flash memory 10 in step S107 (S107: No), Since it is not necessary to update the firmware, the process proceeds to step S110. After that, the operation is similar to that of the first embodiment.

As described above, according to the routine of the second embodiment, the firmware stored in the second file server, which is different from the image transfer destination on the Internet, is periodically checked, and the file is stored. If the firmware stored on the server is newer than the firmware you are currently using, download the firmware from the file server. In addition, replace the downloaded firmware with the currently used firmware. Therefore, you only need to install one file server to store the latest firmware,
A plurality of cameras can automatically update the firmware, which eliminates the need for a service person to store the latest firmware for each image transfer file server.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the number of first file servers 201 for transferring images is set to 1.
However, it is obvious that the present invention includes a configuration having a plurality of first file servers 201.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 schematically shows an Internet camera system including an Internet camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a file server on the Internet, and a client PC on the Internet.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the Internet camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the Internet camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an Internet camera system including an Internet camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of file servers on the Internet, and a client PC on the Internet net.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the internet camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Internet camera 2 Objective optical system 3 CCD 4 Image processing circuit 5 Storage device 6 RAM 7 CPU 8 modem 9 RTC 10 flash memory 100 public telephone line network 102 ISP 200 Internet 201 First file server 202 second file server 301 Client PC 302 ISP

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An Internet camera that transfers an image captured by an image capturing unit to a first file server on the Internet according to a predetermined schedule, wherein the Internet camera stores firmware of the Internet camera.
A rewritable storage element, a network interface capable of transmitting and receiving data via the Internet, and updating firmware stored in the storage element,
The firmware updating unit, the network interface, the comparing unit, and the firmware updating unit are controlled so that the second file server or the first file server has a version higher than the version of the firmware stored in the storage element. When the version of the stored firmware is new, a control for obtaining the update data of the firmware from the first or second file server and using the update data to activate the updating means to update the firmware An internet camera, characterized in that it has means. 2. The Internet camera according to claim 1, wherein the update data is firmware that is overwritten in an area in which the firmware of the storage element is stored. 3. The Internet camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the version of the firmware from a time stamp of the firmware. 4. A firmware update method for an internet camera, which transfers an image captured by an image capturing means to a first file server on the internet in accordance with a predetermined schedule, the firmware update method comprising: A comparing step of comparing the version with the old version of the firmware version stored in the second file server or the first file server; and the first or second version of the firmware version stored in the storage element. When the version of the firmware stored in the file server is new, the update data acquisition step of acquiring the update data of the firmware stored in the first or second file server, and acquired in the update data acquisition step The updated data And a firmware updating step of updating the firmware by using the method. 5. The method for updating the firmware of an internet camera according to claim 4, wherein the update data is firmware that is overwritten in an area where the firmware of the storage element is stored. 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the comparing step determines a version of the firmware from a time stamp of the firmware.
Internet camera firmware update method described in. 7. A storage medium in which the method according to any one of claims 4 to 6 is stored as a program executable by a CPU.