JP2007201876A - Camera system and network camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera system capable of removing a person who is not required to be monitored from monitoring objects without error, and to provide a network camera. <P>SOLUTION: The network camera 2 includes: an imaging part 13 for imaging a subject; a video signal processing part 15 for processing the output signal of the imaging part 13; and a human perceivable sensor 6 for detecting a human. When the human perceivable sensor 6 reacts, the network camera 2 performs a security operation including at least video-recording. A security information determining part 23e for determining the necessity of the security operation is arranged so as to release the security operation for a fixed time when the human perceivable sensor 6 reacts and the security information of a security releasing means 22 is detected and to perform the security operation when the security information is not detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera device that can remove a person who does not need to be monitored from a monitoring target without error, and a network camera that can transmit an image recorded by the camera device via a network.

  Recently, network cameras that distribute images when accessed from a large number of communication terminals via an IP network have become widespread. The network camera uses, for example, the protocol HTTP, and a web server communicates with a web browser of a communication terminal via an IP network, and transmits a captured image, and in some cases, audio to each communication terminal using a microphone and a speaker. .

  This network camera is often used as a surveillance camera. At this time, a human sensor, for example, an infrared sensor such as a pyroelectric sensor, is installed and can be operated and recorded only when a heat source such as a person approaches. Has been done. The human sensor has a filter that passes only light within a predetermined range in order to avoid disturbances other than human movement, and excludes light in other frequency bands.

  In addition to this, sensor lights that are turned on in conjunction with human sensors and alarm devices are often installed. Therefore, when the human sensor reacts at night, the sensor light is turned on, an image is recorded, and the alarm device is operated to notify the administrator. Note that such equipment is not limited to the network camera, and other camera devices, such as a video camera that only records recordings, may be similarly equipped.

  Such surveillance cameras, such as network cameras, operate in the same way when the human sensor reacts to a heat source that seems to be human, whether the other party is a suspicious person or, in some cases, by mistake. , Record, turn on sensor light and activate alarm device. This is certainly safe in that it reacts to everything that happens, but it's over-monitoring for families who come and go on a daily basis.

  Therefore, a security system is proposed in which indoor abnormalities are reported by sensors, and the administrator himself / herself checks with a monitoring camera and interphone for visitors from the entrance, and the server authenticates the administrator and unlocks it. (See Patent Document 1). In this security system, a surveillance camera, a security sensor, and a disaster prevention sensor are connected to the power line network. In the absence mode, the surveillance camera at the entrance sends images and audio to the mobile phone terminal, and the administrator unlocks it. It is unlocked only when a permission signal is input and the server authenticates it.

  When the security sensor or the disaster prevention sensor reacts, the administrator's mobile phone is set in accordance with the pre-registered ID unique to this sensor, the installation location corresponding to this ID, and the notification conditions set including the security or disaster prevention. E-mail to the terminal. Thereby, the room condition can be monitored even when the manager is out.

However, in this security system, an administrator can only see whether the unlocking or unlocking is actually performed by looking at the image of the monitoring camera, and can detect and report a room abnormality with a sensor. It is not determined by the system itself. That is, monitoring by the monitoring camera can be said to be a judgment of the manager himself / herself, and a judgment of abnormality is a reaction of the security sensor or the disaster prevention sensor itself. A system that frequently makes unnecessary notifications and prompts judgment is troublesome, and there is a risk that the sensor may malfunction, and it is troublesome to report each time a malfunction occurs. And unnecessary reports that are repeated are also false reports in a sense.

Similarly, an automatic test system has been proposed in which an application form / identity confirmation image from a document camera and an actual face image from a TV conference unit are communicated to a management terminal via a network, and identity confirmation is performed from both. (Refer to Patent Document 2) In this case as well, the identity verification is an actual judgment by the administrator and is not an intelligent system.
JP 2003-331371 A JP 2001-290412 A

  When a human sensor reacts, a conventional network camera operates regardless of who the other party is, automatically records, turns on a sensor light, and activates an alarm device. However, there are more people who go in and out than suspicious people, such as family members and cohabitants, who do not need to be supervised, and managers are swayed by unnecessary false information and remain annoying in a sense It was a thing.

  Moreover, although the security system of patent document 1 is monitoring with the surveillance camera, the administrator himself / herself judges with the eyes and ears substantially, and the judgment of abnormality is also based on the reaction of the security sensor or the disaster prevention sensor itself. is there. In this way, it is desirable that the security system itself is intelligent and that it is necessary to reliably determine whether security operations are necessary, instead of leaving the judgment to the administrator through communication or making immediate notifications.

  When a daily event occurs when a family member goes home, recording and reporting is not only informatively worthless information, but also consumes wasteful power in terms of performance and traffic. Will also increase.

  However, in order to avoid such misinformation, malfunctions, and waste, it is not preferable to force troublesome operations and procedures every time people go in and out, such as family members. For example, it is cumbersome to enter a password every time you go home, and it cannot be said that it is safe for security. Moreover, the sensor lights are already lit when the password is entered, and it cannot be said that the system is very intelligent. These systems must also be widely disseminated.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera device and a network camera that can remove a person who does not need to be monitored from a monitoring target without error.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes an imaging unit that images a subject, a video signal processing unit that processes an output signal of the imaging unit, and a human sensor that can detect a person. When it reacts, it is a camera device that performs security operations including at least recording, and is provided with a security information determination unit that determines whether or not security operations are necessary, and can detect the security information of the security release means when the human sensor responds In this case, the main feature is that the security information determination unit cancels the security operation for a certain period of time and performs the security operation when the security information cannot be detected.

  According to the present invention, a person who can be trusted without error can be excluded from monitoring targets.

A first embodiment for implementing the present invention includes an imaging unit that images a subject, a video signal processing unit that processes an output signal of the imaging unit, and a human sensor that can detect a person, Is a camera device that performs security operations including recording at least, and a security information determination unit that determines whether security operations are necessary is provided to detect security information of the security release means when the human sensor responds If it is possible, the security information determination unit cancels the security operation for a certain period of time, and if the security information cannot be detected, the camera device is characterized in that the security operation is performed. However, only when the security information can be detected from the security release means and it matches the registered security information Since releasing the fixed time security, can be removed from malfunction without the monitored person need not monitor that the mobile security releasing means.

  A second mode for carrying out the present invention is a mode subordinate to the first mode, and the security operation includes an operation for performing an alarm and / or an operation for transmitting a notification mail. This is a camera device that notifies the user with an alarm or sends a notification mail so that security can be reliably ensured.

  A third form for implementing the present invention is a form subordinate to the first or second form, wherein the security release means is a non-contact IC card or an RFID tag, and the security information is transmitted by radio waves. Since the security information can be detected from the security release means by radio waves, the security can be released for a certain time without any special operation.

  A fourth form for carrying out the present invention is a form subordinate to the first or second form, wherein the security release means is an infrared transmitter / receiver, and transmits security information by infrared rays. Since it is a camera device and security information can be detected from the security release means by infrared rays, security can be released reliably and safely for a certain period of time.

  A fifth mode for carrying out the present invention is a mode subordinate to the first mode or the second mode, wherein the security release means displays the two-dimensional security information, and the two-dimensional security is displayed by the imaging unit. It is a camera device characterized in that after performing image recognition of information, the security information determination unit determines whether or not a security operation is necessary. Since the two-dimensional security information can be detected by the original function of the camera device, Security can be safely released for a certain period of time. If the display body itself is part of the human body, there is no need to carry a display body of special two-dimensional security information.

  A sixth mode for carrying out the present invention is a mode subordinate to any one of the first to fifth modes. When seed information is input, the seed information is encrypted to generate security information. A camera apparatus comprising a security information generation unit, wherein the security information is registered or updated as seed information is input, and the seed information can be automatically encrypted into security information inside the camera apparatus. So it is easy to handle and safe.

  A seventh embodiment for implementing the present invention is connected to the camera device of any one of the first to sixth embodiments, an image signal compression unit that compresses the video signal processed by the video signal processing unit, and a network. The network camera is characterized in that an image recorded by the camera device can be transmitted to the network, and the image recorded via the network can be transmitted and used as a surveillance camera.

An eighth mode for carrying out the present invention is a mode subordinate to the seventh mode, wherein security information is generated by a server having a security information generation unit, and seed information is input via a network. The network camera is characterized in that the security information is registered or updated, the image can be transmitted through the network, and the security information of the network camera and the security release means can also be updated by the server through the network. it can.

Example 1
A camera device equipped with a security release function unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention, particularly a network camera equipped with this camera device will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to the network camera, and the same applies to video cameras equipped with a security release function unit, surveillance cameras such as door phones, and the like.

  Here, FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a network camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the network camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram when generating two-dimensional security information from character string seed information, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the security operation of the network camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for updating security information according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, 1 is a TCP / UDP such as the Internet or an intranet, an IP network (network of the present invention) that communicates via IP, and 2 is a network camera that records and distributes image information captured by a camera unit 12 (described later). 2a is a network camera body, and 3 is a communication terminal capable of accessing the network camera 2 via the IP network 1.

  4 is an AF (automatic focusing) control and can be moved to a focusing position, or in some cases a fixed-focus lens. 5 is equipped with a lens 4 and a camera unit 12 and is rotatably supported by the network camera body 2a. It is a spherical pan / tilt changing unit that changes pan (horizontal direction) and tilt (vertical direction).

  Reference numeral 6 denotes a human sensor for detecting heat radiated from a human or an animal. In the first embodiment, the human sensor 6 is a pyroelectric sensor capable of temperature compensation as an infrared sensor. Although the human sensor 6 is a sensor built in the network camera 2, the human sensor 6 may be provided by externally attaching the human sensor 6 to the network camera 2 without the sensor. When the camera device is a door phone or the like, the human sensor 6 is a sensor provided in the door phone or the like. The human sensor 6 is not limited to an infrared sensor or the like, and is based on image processing that estimates the presence of a person by the movement of an image by detecting a change in image data output for each exposure time from a video signal processing unit 14 described later. A human sensor may be used.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes a sensor light that is automatically turned on when the human sensor 6 detects a person in the dark and illuminates the front of the network camera 2 and is turned off when the surroundings are bright.

  Reference numeral 8 denotes an antenna for wirelessly communicating with a security releasing means 22 (detailed later) such as an RFID (radio frequency identification) tag or a non-contact IC card, and 9 denotes security from the communication terminal 3 or the network camera 2. This is a server that can generate security information by encrypting seed information for obtaining information, ID unique to the security release means 22 and the like. The server 9 is not necessarily required when the network camera 2 itself can generate security information as in the first embodiment.

When the server 9 is used, when the server 9 is accessed from the communication terminal 3 and seeds information and ID are input, a security information generation unit 23b, which will be described later, installed in the server 9 generates security information and communicates it. It transmits to the terminal 3 and the network camera 2. Thereby, the communication terminal 3 and the network camera 2 can register the received security information in the security release means 22 and the network camera 2 itself.

  Next, the internal configuration of the network camera 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, 11 is a communication unit that performs communication with the IP network 1 of the network camera 2, 11 a is a Web that receives a request from the Web browser of the communication terminal 3 and transmits image information recorded by the network camera 2. The server unit 11b is a lower layer line interface (hereinafter, line I / F).

  The communication unit 11, the Web server unit 11a, and the line I / F 11b constitute a network interface in the present invention. In addition, when a protocol other than HTTP, such as FTP or RTP, is used, a server that communicates with these protocols is mounted instead of the Web server unit 11a. In the first embodiment, a notification mail is transmitted to the administrator, but a mail means using the protocol SMTP for performing mail is also installed. Mail information for this purpose is stored in the storage unit 24.

  The camera device of the present invention is a camera device in which the communication unit 11, the Web server unit 11a, and the line I / F 11b (that is, the network interface) provided in the network camera 2 are not essential components, and further compresses data. This is a camera device that does not necessarily require the image signal compression unit 15 (described later). Of course, a camera device including these may be used to register or update security information via a network.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes a camera unit, 13 an image pickup unit that performs photoelectric conversion such as a CCD or CMOS image pickup device that receives light from the lens 4 and picks up an object, and 14 denotes an R, G, B signal that is a video signal from the image pickup unit 13. Alternatively, it is a video signal processing unit that processes a complementary color signal, generates a luminance signal Y and color difference signals Cr and Cb, and performs gain adjustment. The video signal processing unit 14 performs contour correction, γ correction processing, and the like.

  An image signal compression unit 15 captures the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals Cr and Cb output from the video signal processing unit 24 at a predetermined timing, and compresses these signals into a JPEG format, an MPEG format, and the like. This is a buffer for buffering the output from the compression unit 15. The image signal compression unit 15 quantizes, encodes, and outputs the result of DCT processing, for example. Reference numeral 16 denotes a camera control unit that controls an electronic shutter function, an exposure time, and the like for the imaging unit 13. When the person enters the predetermined distance, the camera control unit 16 records the person.

  Reference numeral 17 denotes a light emission processing unit for turning on / off the sensor light 7 and controlling lighting thereof. When the human sensor 6 detects a person, 18 amplifies the output signal to extract only a frequency band in which a human or the like can be sensed, and the comparator 23 (described later) is configured only when the signal is within a predetermined width. A detection processing unit that generates an interrupt signal for a CPU (central processing unit). When a human crosses or approaches the front, the output signal of the human sensor 6 is in a specific frequency band depending on the walking speed. The frequency band using such a human as a heat source is in the range of 0.74 Hz to 10 Hz. Generally fits within. Therefore, when the detection processing unit 18 extracts this frequency band, it is estimated that noise other than human motion is eliminated and that the human is operating in front of the human sensor 6. In the case of the above-described human sensor based on image processing, the detection processing unit 18 is provided in the control unit 23 and configured as software as means for detecting a change in image data output from the video signal processing unit 14.

  Reference numeral 19 denotes an alarm processing unit, and 20 denotes an alarm device such as a buzzer sounded by the alarm processing unit 19. Note that a speaker provided in the network camera 2 can also be used as the alarm device 20. In this case, the sound data for alarm may be converted into a sound signal using a sound processing function unit (not shown) mounted on the control unit 23 and output from the speaker. At this time, the alarm device 20 becomes a speaker.

  Next, 21 is a wireless unit that performs wireless communication, and 22 is a security release unit that can perform wireless communication using radio waves such as an RFID tag or a non-contact IC card that can wirelessly communicate with the wireless unit 21. The security canceling means 22 has the following configuration regardless of whether it is an RFID tag or a non-contact IC card. 22a is a wireless unit for performing wireless communication with the wireless unit 21 by radio waves, 22b is a control unit that performs system control of the security release unit 22, and 22c is a storage unit that performs memory for the security release unit 22. Although not shown in the drawings, the security release means 22 is also provided with a power supply unit composed of a coil or the like for obtaining a power supply based on radio waves.

  Reference numeral 23 denotes a control unit to which the above-described interrupt signal is input, and is configured as a function realizing unit that reads a control program into the CPU and performs each function. Various function realizing means are mounted on the control unit 23, and at least the following function realizing means are mounted. 23a is a security information input unit that inputs seed information such as character string information for generating security information for each security release means 22, and 23b is a security that encrypts the seed information input from the security information input unit 23a into security information. The information generation unit 23c registers the security information generated by the security information generation unit 23b in the cancellation information storage unit 24a, and the security registration unit 22c registers the security information in the storage unit 22c (described later) via the wireless unit 21. It is an information output unit.

  This security information is generated as shown in FIG. When a character string, which is seed information such as “Tokita Taro”, is input to the security information input unit 23a from the input unit 25 described later, the security information input unit 23a passes the seed information to the security information generation unit 23b. The generation unit 23b encrypts this character string by calling an information encryption function.

  There are various information encryption functions. For example, a crypto function, MD4, 5 (Message Digest 4, 5), and other character string encryption functions may be used. These functions are preferably encrypted using the ID given to each security release means 22 as a password in addition to the character string of the seed information. This ID is registered by the administrator. At this time, the above-described seeds information, for example, “Tokutaro”, for example, is converted into security information of a character string such as “abcklmn” with ID of the security release means 22, for example, ID = “123”, and the security release means 22 Are registered in the storage unit 22c and the release information storage unit 24a of the network camera 2.

  The release information storage unit 24a is provided with a security information table, and the ID of the security release means 22 and the security information are associated and registered in the table. In addition, as an information encryption function for encryption, not only a function that cannot be decrypted as described above but also a decryptable algorithm such as a PN code can be used. In this case, the security information is canceled. The seeds information is registered without registering in the information storage unit 24a. Further, the case where the seed information, which is a character string, is encrypted into the graphic information will be described in the third embodiment.

Next, 23d is a security information detection unit that detects the packet transmitted from the security release means 22 via the wireless unit 21 and extracts the ID and security information, and 23e is the security information detected by the security information detection unit 23d. A security information determination unit that compares the security information registered and determines whether or not the security operation is necessary based on whether or not the two match. 17 is a reporting unit that turns on the sensor light 7 and commands the alarm processing unit 19 to issue an alarm.

  Here, reference numeral 23g denotes a security release function unit including a security information detection unit 23d and a security information determination unit 23e. The security information determination unit 23e of the security release function unit 23g obtains detection information from the human sensor 6, obtains time information from the time measurement unit 26, and time measurement time information (function as a timer) to release the security. The security information of the means 22 determines whether to cancel the security or not.

  If the detected security information matches the registered security information, the security information unit 23e instructs the reporting unit 23f to temporarily release the security for a certain period of time, and does not issue the security release if they do not match. As a result, although the sensor light 7 is not turned on, the alarm device 20 is sounded, and the notification mail is not notified to the person carrying the security release means 22, the security release means 22 is retained. Those who do not respond will react.

  24 is a built-in storage unit for storing control programs and various data, and 24a is a release information storage unit that is provided in the network camera 2 and stores a security information table in which the ID of the security release unit 22 is associated with security information. is there. An input unit 25 inputs seed information such as a character string to generate security information in the security information input unit 23a. Reference numeral 26 denotes a time measuring unit that measures the time when the release of the curity is canceled for a certain time. The time measuring unit 26 also measures the time for determining whether or not the sensor light 7 is simultaneously turned on when it becomes dark.

  Next, the security operation of the network camera 2 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 shows a security operation after the human sensor 6 operates. In the network camera 2 being monitored, the human sensor 6 waits until someone approaches (step 1), the person carries the security release means 22, and a request for security information from the wireless unit 21 of the network camera 2 is made. In response, the security release means 22 responds to determine whether the network camera 2 has been able to detect the security information (step 2).

  If security information can be detected in step 2, it is determined whether or not this security information matches the registered security information (step 3). If they match, the security operation of the network camera 2 is canceled for a certain time. (Step 4). Thereafter, when this time elapses, the process returns to step 1 and waits.

  When the security information cannot be detected at step 2 and when the security information does not match at step 3, the network camera 2 starts recording an image (step 5). At step 5, the sensor light 7 is also turned on at night. Further, the alarm device 20 is operated and a notification mail is transmitted from the communication unit 11. Thereafter, the process returns to step 1 and waits. In addition to recording by the network camera 2, operating the alarm device 20 or sending a notification mail from the communication unit 11 is the security operation of the present invention in the first embodiment.

Next, the case where the security information of the security release means 22 is updated will be described. Since the network camera 2 according to the first embodiment includes the security information input unit 23a, the security information generation unit 23b, and the security information output unit 23c, new seed information for updating the security information from the input unit 25 is provided. Is input to the security information input unit 23a, the seed information is transferred from the security information input unit 23a to the security information generation unit 23b. The security information generation unit 23b calls an information encryption function to encrypt the character string of the seed information. Turn into. The encrypted security information is replaced and updated in place of the already registered security information in the storage unit 22c of the security release unit 22 and the release information storage unit 24a of the network camera 2.

  On the other hand, when the network camera 2 is not provided with the security information input unit 23a, the security information generation unit 23b, and the security information output unit 23c (including the case where these are provided but not used). The security information is updated via the network by using the communication terminal 3 equipped with the security information input unit and the security information output unit and capable of communicating with the security release means 22 and the server 9 equipped with the security information generation unit. You can also Note that the detailed configurations of the communication terminal 3 and the server 9 are not shown (see, for example, FIG. 7).

  That is, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, new seed information and security releasing means for accessing the server 9 from the communication terminal 3 via the IP network 1 and updating the security information from the input unit (not shown) of the communication terminal 3. When the ID of 22 is input and transmitted to the server 9, the security information input unit 23a of the server 9 encrypts this character string by the information encryption function. The encrypted security information is first transmitted from the server 9 to the communication terminal 3.

  In the communication terminal 3, the security information output unit 23c transmits the newly generated security information to the security release means 22 together with the ID input for the generation. In the security canceling means 22, when the unique ID assigned to itself matches the transmitted ID, the control unit 22b updates the security information in the storage unit 22c, and when the ID does not match. Reject update.

  When the security release means 22 transmits this result to the communication terminal 3, the communication terminal 3 notifies the server 9 of this fact, and the server 9 updates the network camera 2 only when updated by the security release means 22. Send new security information for. When the update is rejected by the security release means 22, the server 9 does not transmit security information. In the network camera 2 that has received the new security information, the security information in the security information table in the release information storage unit 24a is updated with the new security information received from the server 9.

  A procedure for updating the security information described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 5, it is determined whether the security information is updated from the network camera 2 or from the communication terminal 3 using the server 9 via the network (step 11). The new seed information and the ID of the security release means 22 are input (step 12). As a result, the security information generation unit 23b generates new security information (step 13), and instructs the security release unit 22 to perform this update.

  The security release means 22 confirms whether or not the input ID and its own ID match (step 14). If they match, the security release means 22 updates the security information, and the network camera 2 also The security information is updated (step 15). If the IDs do not match at step 14, the process ends.

In step 1, when updating from the communication terminal 3 using the server 9 via the network, the server 9 is accessed from the communication terminal 3 (step 16), and new seed information and the ID of the security release means 22 are input from the input unit of the communication terminal. (Step 17). As a result, the security information generation unit 23b of the server 9 generates new security information (step 18), and the communication terminal 3 that has received this security information instructs the security release means 22 to perform this update.

  The security canceling means 22 checks whether or not the input ID and its own ID match (step 19). If they match, the security information is updated (step 20). If they do not match, the security information is updated. A rejection notification is transmitted to the communication terminal 3, and the communication terminal 3 notifies the server 3 of this (step 21), and the process ends.

  When the security information is updated in step 20, the security release unit 22 transmits a notification of updating the security information to the communication terminal 3, and the communication terminal 3 notifies the server 3 of this (step 22). Based on this, the server 9 also updates the security information of the network camera 2 (step 23), and the process ends.

  Through such a series of procedures, the security information of the network camera 2 and the security release means 22 can be updated by the network camera 2 alone or by using the communication terminal 3 and the server 9 via the network.

  As described above, in the network camera 2 according to the first embodiment, the person detected by the human sensor 6 carries the security release unit 22 and can detect the security information from the security release unit 22. Only when they match, security is released for a certain period of time. Therefore, it is possible to remove a person carrying security release means 22 that does not need to be monitored from an object to be monitored without error.

  Further, the security information of the network camera 2 and the security release means 22 can be updated by the network camera 2 alone or by the server 9 and the communication terminal 3 via the IP network 1.

(Example 2)
A camera apparatus equipped with a security release function unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention, particularly a network camera equipped with this camera apparatus will be described. The network camera according to the second embodiment operates the security release function unit using infrared rays. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of the network camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Also in the second embodiment, FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5 are referred to. In addition, the configuration of the network camera of the second embodiment, which is the same as that of the first embodiment, indicates the same configuration in the second embodiment, so that the description thereof will be omitted to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 6, reference numeral 27 denotes an infrared transmission / reception unit that performs wireless communication with infrared rays, and 28 denotes an infrared transmission / reception unit that can wirelessly communicate with the infrared transmission / reception unit 27 using infrared rays. The infrared transmitter / receiver 28 is security releasing means of the second embodiment.

  Reference numeral 28 a denotes a transmission / reception unit that communicates with the infrared transmission / reception unit 27 by infrared, 28 b denotes a control unit that controls the infrared transmission / reception device 28, and 28 c denotes a storage unit that serves as a memory for the infrared transmission / reception device 28.

In the network camera 2 according to the second embodiment, when the human sensor 6 detects a person approaching, the timer unit 26 starts counting, and if the security information is not notified from the infrared transmitter / receiver 28 within a predetermined time, the security information determination unit 23e determines that the security information detection unit 23d has not been able to detect the security information, and starts the security operation.
6 starts image recording, and the notification unit 23f causes the mail processing means 19 and the communication unit 11 to function, so that notification by the alarm device 20 and notification by mail are performed.

  In addition, when the timer 26 measures the time when the evening is dark, for example, 18:00, when a person is detected, the security information determination unit 23e turns on the sensor light 7 by the light emission processing unit 17 simultaneously with the start of recording.

  When the security information is notified from the infrared transmitter / receiver 28 within a predetermined time, the security information determination unit 23e stops the image recording to the camera control unit 16, and the alarm processing unit 19 by the notification unit 23f and the mail unit of the communication unit 11 Cancel the function for a certain period of time.

  Thus, only when a person detected by the human sensor 6 carries the infrared transmitter / receiver 28, transmits security information from the infrared transmitter / receiver 28, and matches the registered security information, security is maintained for a certain period of time. It can be canceled.

  Note that the security information registered in the network camera 2 and the infrared transmitter / receiver 28 is updated by the network camera 2 or the server 9 and the communication terminal 3 via the IP network 1 as in the network camera 2 of the first embodiment. Can do.

  As described above, the network camera 2 according to the second embodiment releases the security for a certain period only when the person detected by the human sensor 6 transmits the security information from the infrared transmitter / receiver 28 and matches the registered security information. Therefore, a person who does not need to be monitored can be excluded from the monitoring target. Since the infrared rays are used, the release operation can be performed reliably.

(Example 3)
A camera device equipped with a security release function unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention, particularly a network camera equipped with this camera device will be described. The network camera according to the third embodiment operates the security release function unit using the imaging function of the network camera. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a network camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Also in the third embodiment, FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5 are referred to. In addition, the configuration of the network camera of the third embodiment, which is the same as that of the first embodiment, indicates the same configuration in the third embodiment.

In FIG. 7, 3a is a security information input unit for inputting seed information such as a character string for generating security information mounted on the communication terminal 3, and 3a ^* is a seed information such as this character string in the security information input unit 3a. Is an input unit for inputting. 3b is a security information output unit that outputs the generated two-dimensional security information such as a two-dimensional barcode and performs printing, and 3b ^* is a card such as a sheet (two-dimensional security information of the present invention). Output unit of a printer or the like that is used as a security release means. In the case of an electronic device equipped with a display, the output downloads data for display. Reference numeral 30 denotes two-dimensional security information printed or displayed on the security release means.

  In the network camera 2 according to the third embodiment, the security release unit facing the lens 4 is captured as an image, and the security information determination unit 23e reads the two-dimensional security information 30 printed or displayed on the security release unit. It is determined whether or not the security information 30 matches the registered two-dimensional security information 30.

If the two match, the security information determination unit 23e cancels the security operation of the network camera 2 for a certain period of time. If they do not match, or the timer 2
6, the security information determination unit 23e determines that the security information detection unit 23d has not detected the security information, and starts the camera control unit 16 to record an image, and the notification unit 23f. Thus, the alarm processing unit 19 and the mail means of the communication unit 11 are made to function, and the alarm device 20 performs notification and notification by mail. When the timekeeping unit 26 times the evening darkness, the security information determination unit 23e causes the light emission processing unit 17 to turn on the sensor light 7 simultaneously with the start of recording.

Here, a procedure for updating the two-dimensional security information 30 will be described. In the case of the third embodiment, the two-dimensional security information 30 to be updated must be printed on a card by the output unit 3b ^* of the communication terminal 3. When new seed information and security release means ID are input from the input unit 25 of the network camera 2 or the input unit 3a ^* of the communication terminal 3, the security information generation unit 23b of the server 9 generates new security information via the network, and communication is performed. Printing or the like is performed on the card of the security release means by the output unit 3b ^* of the terminal 3.

The two-dimensional security information 30 is transmitted to the network camera 2 by the server 9, and the security information output unit 23c updates the security information table in the release information storage unit 24a. The security release means printed by the output unit 3b ^* is carried by a person who does not need to be monitored, such as a family member or a housemate.

  The two-dimensional security information 30 is not limited to a two-dimensional bar code, but can be used without using a card or the like by performing image processing on biological information such as veins and face information of hands taken by the network camera 2. It may be image information. Further, instead of the terminal device 3 and the server 9, it is preferable to provide a dedicated device that performs printing or the like on a card as a security release means.

  As described above, in the network camera 2 according to the third embodiment, the person detected by the human sensor 6 carries the security release unit, detects the two-dimensional security information 30 from the security release unit, and the registered two-dimensional security information. Since the security is released for a certain time only when it matches 30, the person who does not need to be monitored can be removed from the monitoring target. If the image information of the human body information unique to the person is used, or if the vein or face of this person is used as the security release means, this person can be excluded from the monitoring target without carrying the security release means. . Since the two-dimensional security information 30 can be detected by the original function of the network camera 2, security can be released reliably and safely for a certain period of time. If the display body itself is part of the human body, there is no need to carry a display body of special two-dimensional security information.

  The present invention can be applied to a camera device and a network camera that can remove a person who does not need to be monitored from a monitoring target without error.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a network camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram of a network camera in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. (A) Explanatory diagram when generating security information from seed information of character string, (b) Explanatory diagram when generating two-dimensional security information from seed information of character string Flowchart of network camera security operation in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Flowchart for updating security information in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Configuration diagram of a network camera in Embodiment 2 of the present invention Configuration diagram of a network camera in Embodiment 3 of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 IP network 2 Network camera 3 Communication terminal 4 Lens 5 Pan / tilt change part 6 Human sensor 7 Sensor light 8 Antenna 9 Server 11 Communication part 11a Web server part 11b Line interface (line I / F)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Camera part 13 Image pick-up part 14 Video signal processing part 15 Image signal compression part 16 Camera control part 17 Light emission processing part 18 Detection processing part 19 Alarm processing part 20 Alarm 21 Radio | wireless part 22 Security cancellation means 22a Radio | wireless part 22b Control part 22c Storage Unit 23 control unit 23a security information input unit 23b security information generation unit 23c security information output unit 23d security information detection unit 23e security information determination unit 23f reporting unit 23g security release function unit 24 storage unit 24a release information storage unit 25 input unit 26 timing Unit 27 infrared transmission / reception unit 28 infrared transmission / reception unit 28a transmission / reception unit 28b control unit 28c storage unit 3a security information input unit 3a ^* input unit 3b security information output unit 3b ^* output unit 30 two-dimensional security information

Claims (8)

Security release means for detecting a security operation release signal from outside the camera device;
A security information determination unit for determining whether the security operation is necessary;
When the security sensor detects the security information of the security release means, the security information determination unit cancels the security operation including the recording operation for a predetermined time, and the security information cannot be detected. And a control unit that performs the security operation in the case of the camera device. The camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the security operation includes at least one of an operation of performing an alarm and an operation of transmitting a notification mail. 3. The camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the security release unit is a non-contact IC card or an RFID tag, and transmits the security information by radio waves. The camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the security release unit is an infrared transmitter / receiver, and transmits the security information by infrared rays. The security release means is a display body displaying two-dimensional security information, and after the image recognition of the two-dimensional security information is performed by the imaging unit, the security information determination unit determines whether a security operation is necessary. The camera apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein When seed information is input, a security information generation unit that encrypts the seed information to generate the security information is provided, and the security information is registered or updated as the seed information is input. The camera device according to claim 1. A camera device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, an image signal compression unit that compresses a video signal processed by the video signal processing unit, and a network interface for connecting to a network. A network camera capable of transmitting a recorded image to the network. The network camera according to claim 7, wherein the security information is generated by a server including the security information generation unit, seeds information is input via the network, and the security information is registered or updated. .

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