JP2018117305A - Monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a monitoring system for preventing forgetting to carry a photographing device such as a digital camera.SOLUTION: A digital camera 100 can be connected with a smartphone 200 via Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi, and public wireless communication and can communicate with it. When a control unit 101 detects that a communication unit 111 is separated from the digital camera smartphone 200 by a predetermined distance or more, the control unit images surroundings and transmits the captured image to the smartphone 200 via Bluetooth within a Bluetooth range and via Wi-Fi and public wireless communication outside the Bluetooth range. The smartphone 200 displays the received captured image on a display unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a monitoring system for monitoring an imaging device in order to prevent the user from forgetting to carry the imaging device.

  In recent years, with the advent of smartphones equipped with cameras, it has become possible to record and play back images and videos wherever you like. However, a dedicated digital camera is more suitable than a camera attached to a smartphone to record more beautiful images and videos.

  Smartphones are always carried and used for daily snapshot photography, and require maintenance such as daily charging, data backup and organization. Digital cameras, on the other hand, record special events as photos or videos by bringing them to special events. Charge the battery and prepare a recording medium with enough space before use. There is a need. In other words, advance preparation is essential for digital cameras.

  As a system for preventing the key holder from being forgotten, a technology is known in which a smartphone and a key holder are paired with Bluetooth (registered trademark), and a warning is output when the key holder is separated from the smartphone by a certain distance. There are a method in which a smartphone outputs a warning by sound, light, vibration, or the like, and a method in which a Bluetooth device integrated with a key holder outputs a warning by sound, light, vibration, or the like.

  Patent Document 1 describes a sound generation / light emission system using short-range wireless communication technology such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) (standard of Wi-Fi Alliance). When a wireless device wirelessly connected to a smartphone leaves a certain distance from the smartphone, the wireless device generates a predetermined sound or light, or transmits a notification signal to the smartphone.

JP 2003-323682 A

  In the forgetfulness prevention system using conventional short-range wireless communication technology, if wireless devices are separated from each other by a certain distance or more, the content of the alarm cannot be controlled, and it is difficult to further search for the lost side.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a monitoring system that eliminates such inconveniences and relaxes distance constraints.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a monitoring system according to the present invention is a monitoring system including an imaging device and a monitoring device that monitors the imaging device, and the imaging device is wirelessly connected to the imaging unit, the monitoring device, and the monitoring device. A first wireless communication means for communicating, a wireless communication means for wirelessly communicating with the monitoring device, wherein a second wireless communication means capable of wireless communication at a longer distance than the first wireless communication means; A determination unit that determines whether a distance between the monitoring device and the monitoring device is within a range of a distance threshold by a first wireless communication unit; and a distance between the monitoring device that is a distance threshold by the first wireless communication unit. Control that activates imaging by the imaging unit when the image is determined to be out of range, and causes the monitoring apparatus to transmit the captured image to the monitoring apparatus via one of the first and second wireless communication units Means, The visual device includes a third wireless communication unit corresponding to the first wireless communication unit, a fourth wireless communication unit corresponding to the second wireless communication unit, and the captured image transmitted from the imaging device. Display means for displaying.

  According to the present invention, forgetting to carry a portable device such as a digital camera can be prevented.

1 is a schematic block diagram and an external perspective view of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of a smart phone. 2 is a schematic configuration block diagram of a server 300. FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining the notification area forgetting to carry. It is an operation | movement flowchart of a digital camera and a smart phone. It is a sequence diagram between a digital camera, a smart phone, and a server.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is an example as means for realizing the present invention, and may be appropriately modified or changed depending on the configuration of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. Moreover, it is also possible to combine each embodiment suitably.

  One embodiment of the monitoring system according to the present invention is set to be communicable with a digital camera 100 having a short-range wireless communication function and a long-range wireless communication function, and the digital camera 100 with short-range wireless communication and long-range wireless communication. It consists of a smartphone 200. The short-range wireless communication is, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) which is a kind of wireless LAN. The long-distance wireless communication is, for example, Wi-Fi, a public wireless communication system (3G / LTE), or a communication system based on these, which enables long-distance communication compared to short-range wireless communication. The digital camera 100 is an example of a mobile device, and the smartphone 200 is an example of a wireless communication terminal that monitors forgetting to carry the digital camera 100 as a mobile device. Instead of the digital camera 100, an information processing apparatus such as a portable media player, a so-called tablet device or a personal computer may be used.

  1A is a schematic block diagram of the digital camera 100, FIG. 1B is a front perspective view, and FIG. 1C is a rear perspective view. The digital camera 100 is an example of an imaging device having a short-range wireless communication function and a long-range wireless communication function.

  The control unit 101 controls each unit of the digital camera 100 in accordance with a user operation and a program. The control unit 101 may have a configuration in which a plurality of pieces of hardware share control and processing.

  The imaging unit 102 includes, for example, an optical lens unit, an optical control system that controls the aperture, zoom, and focus of the optical lens unit, and an imaging device that converts an optical image by the optical lens unit into an electrical signal (image signal). . The imaging unit 102 further includes camera image processing means for removing noise from the output signal of the imaging device and digitizing the image signal. The image sensor is composed of, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor. Under the control of the control unit 101, the image pickup unit 102 converts the subject optical image into an electrical signal, and the camera image processing unit removes noise from the analog image signal output by the image pickup device and digitizes the image. Output data. The control unit 101 records the image data output from the imaging unit 102 on the recording medium 110 in accordance with the DCF (Design Rule for Camera File system) standard.

  The non-volatile memory 103 is an electrically erasable / recordable non-volatile memory, and stores a program to be described later executed by the control unit 101.

  The work memory 104 is used as a buffer memory that temporarily holds image data picked up by the image pickup unit 102, an image display memory of the display unit 106, a work area of the control unit 101, and the like.

  The operation unit 105 is used to receive an instruction for the digital camera 100 from a user. The operation unit 105 includes a power button for instructing to turn on / off the digital camera 100, a release switch 105a for instructing photographing, and a reproduction button 105b for instructing reproduction of a recorded image.

  The release switch 105a includes a first switch that is turned on when half-pressed and instructs the control unit 101 to prepare for shooting, and a second switch that is turned on when pressed fully and instructs the control unit 101 to perform shooting. The shooting preparation includes, for example, AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (flash pre-flash) processing. The operation unit 105 further includes an operation member such as a dedicated connection button for starting communication with an external device (here, the smartphone 200) via the communication unit 111, and is a touch panel 105d arranged on the screen of the display unit 106. Including. The user can use the direction key 105c of the operation unit 105 to instruct the control unit 101 to select a menu or the like.

  The display unit 106 is used for displaying a viewfinder image at the time of photographing, displaying a photographed image, and displaying characters for interactive operation. The display unit 106 is not necessarily built in the digital camera 100. The digital camera 100 has a display control function that allows an external display unit to function in the same manner as the display unit 106.

  An RTC (Real Time Clock) 107 outputs current date and time data. The control unit 101 manages operation timing and elapsed time based on the output of the RTC 107. The control unit 101 sets the time specified by the user through the operation unit 105 or the standard time acquired via the communication unit 111 in the RTC 107. The RTC 107 may also be a clock means that receives a radio wave carrying a standard time and synchronizes with the standard time.

  The recording medium 110 is a medium capable of recording image data, and may be detachable from the digital camera 100 or may be fixedly connected.

  The communication unit 111 is an interface that communicates with an external device. The digital camera 100 can exchange data (including image data and control signals) with an external device via the communication unit 111. The communication unit 111 includes an interface for communicating with an external device via a so-called wireless LAN in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard. The control unit 101 realizes wireless communication with an external device by controlling the communication unit 111. Note that the communication method is not limited to the wireless LAN, and includes, for example, an infrared communication method.

  The communication unit 111 has an AP mode that operates as an access point in the infrastructure mode, and a CL mode that operates as a client in the infrastructure mode. By operating the communication unit 111 in the CL mode, the digital camera 100 operates as a CL device in the infrastructure mode. When the digital camera 100 operates as a CL device, the digital camera 100 can participate in a network formed by the AP device by connecting to a peripheral AP device. By operating the communication unit 111 in the AP mode, the digital camera 100 operates as a simple access point (hereinafter referred to as “simple AP”) that is a kind of AP but has a more limited function. When the digital camera 100 operates as a simple AP, the digital camera 100 forms a network by itself. Devices around the digital camera 100 can recognize the digital camera 100 as an AP device and participate in a network formed by the digital camera 100. Even in the AP mode, the digital camera 100 does not have a gateway function for transferring data received from the CL device to an Internet provider or the like. Therefore, even if data is received from other devices participating in the network formed by the communication unit 111, the data cannot be transferred to a network such as the Internet. A program for operating the digital camera 100 in this way is held in the nonvolatile memory 103.

  The communication unit 112 is an interface that communicates with an external device according to a communication standard having a communication distance shorter than that of the communication unit 111. The digital camera 100 can exchange data (including image data and control signals) with an external device via the communication unit 112. The communication unit 112 includes an interface for communicating with an external device by so-called Bluetooth (registered trademark) in accordance with the IEEE 802.15.1 standard. The control unit 101 realizes wireless communication with an external device by controlling the communication unit 112. Note that the communication method is not limited to Bluetooth, and includes, for example, a wireless LAN or an infrared communication method known from the IEEE 802.11 standard.

  The public network connection unit 113 is a public wireless communication interface. The digital camera 100 can make a call / communication with other communication devices (for example, the smartphone 200 and the server 300) through the network including the public wireless communication network from the public network connection unit 113. The public network connection unit 113 has an antenna for public wireless communication, and the control unit 101 connects to the public network via the antenna. The digital camera 100 can communicate with the server 300 from the public network connection unit 113 via the Guangzhou wireless communication network and the Internet. One antenna may be shared by the communication units 111 and 112 and the public network connection unit 113.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of the smartphone 200. The smartphone 200 is an example of an information processing device. The information processing apparatus that is a wireless communication terminal applicable to the present invention may be a digital camera with a wireless function, a tablet device, a personal computer, or the like.

  The control unit 201 controls each unit of the smartphone 200 according to the input signal and a user instruction. The processing of the control unit 201 may be configured to be shared by a plurality of hardware.

  The imaging unit 202 converts a subject optical image formed by an optical lens included in the imaging unit 202 into an electrical signal, and outputs image data obtained by performing noise reduction processing or the like. The control unit 201 temporarily stores the captured image data output from the imaging unit 202 in a buffer memory, performs a predetermined calculation, and records it in the recording medium 210.

  The nonvolatile memory 203 is an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory 203 stores an OS (Operating System) that is basic software executed by the control unit 201 and an application program that realizes an applied function in cooperation with the OS. The nonvolatile memory 203 stores an application program (hereinafter abbreviated as “application”) for communicating with the digital camera 100.

  The work memory 204 is used as an image display memory of the display unit 206, a work area of the control unit 201, and the like.

  The operation unit 205 is used to receive an instruction for the smartphone 200 from the user. The operation unit 205 includes, for example, an operation member such as a touch panel formed on the display unit 206 and a power button for the user to turn on / off the power of the smartphone 200.

  The display unit 206 is used for image display and character display for interactive operation. The display unit 206 is not necessarily built in the smartphone 200. The smartphone 200 includes a display control function that allows an external display unit to function in the same manner as the display unit 206.

  The recording medium 210 is a medium capable of recording image data picked up by the image pickup unit 202, and may be detachable from the smartphone 200 or may be fixedly connected. That is, the smartphone 200 only needs to have at least means for accessing the recording medium 210.

  A communication unit 211 is an interface that communicates with an external device (here, the digital camera 100), and corresponds to the communication unit 111. The smartphone 200 can exchange data (including image data and control signals) with an external device through the communication unit 211. The communication unit 211 includes an antenna for communication with the communication unit 111 directly or via another device. As a communication protocol, for example, PTP / IP (Picture Transfer Protocol over Internet Protocol) through a wireless LAN can be used. In addition to the wireless LAN, a wireless communication method such as infrared communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or WirelessUSB can be used, and a wired communication method such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or IEEE1394 can also be used.

  The communication unit 212 is an interface that communicates with an external device (here, the digital camera 100) according to a communication standard having a communication distance shorter than that of the communication unit 211. The smartphone 200 can exchange data (including image data and control signals) with an external device via the communication unit 212. The communication unit 212 includes an interface for communicating with an external device according to the IEEE 802.15.1 standard, so-called Bluetooth (registered trademark). The control unit 201 realizes wireless communication with an external device by controlling the communication unit 212. Note that the communication method is not limited to Bluetooth, and includes, for example, a wireless LAN or an infrared communication method known from the IEEE 802.11 standard.

  The public network connection unit 213 is a public wireless communication interface. The smartphone 200 can communicate with and communicate with other communication devices (for example, the digital camera 100) from the public network connection unit 213 via the public communication network. A microphone 214 and a speaker 215 are used for a voice call. The public network connection unit 213 has a public wireless communication antenna, and the control unit 201 connects to the public network via the antenna. The smartphone 200 can communicate with the server 300 from the public network connection unit 213 via the Internet. One antenna may be shared by the communication units 211 and 212 and the public network connection unit 213.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of the server 300. The server 300 is an example of an information processing device. A digital camera, a tablet device, and a personal computer with a wireless function can also be used as the server 300.

  The control unit 301 controls each unit of the server 300 in accordance with an input signal and a user instruction. The processing of the control unit 301 may be configured to be shared by a plurality of hardware.

  The imaging unit 202 converts a subject optical image formed by an optical lens included in the imaging unit 202 into an electrical signal, and outputs image data obtained by performing noise reduction processing or the like. The control unit 201 temporarily stores the captured image data output from the imaging unit 202 in a buffer memory, performs a predetermined calculation, and records it in the recording medium 210.

  The nonvolatile memory 303 is an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory 303 stores an OS (Operating System) that is basic software executed by the control unit 301 and an application program that realizes an applied function in cooperation with the OS. The nonvolatile memory 303 stores an application program (hereinafter, abbreviated as “application”) for communicating with the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 200. The work memory 304 is used as a work area or the like for the control unit 301.

  The operation unit 305 includes a power button for starting the server 300.

  The recording medium 310 is a medium capable of recording various data including image data, and may be detachable from the server 300 or may be fixedly connected. In other words, the server 300 only needs to have at least means for accessing the recording medium 310.

  The communication unit 311 is an interface that communicates with an external device (here, the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 200). The server 300 can exchange data (including image data and control signals) with an external device (here, the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 200) via the communication unit 311. The communication unit 311 is a wired connection using a LAN cable that can be connected to the Internet, and may employ a cable such as USB, HDMI, or IEEE1394. The communication unit 311 can also include a wireless communication module such as public wireless communication, infrared communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication, or WirelessUSB.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating connection or communication between the digital camera 100, the smartphone 200, and the server 300. Here, it is assumed that the user is carrying the smart phone 200 and moving while carrying the digital camera 100. It is assumed that the smartphone 200 is moving like the smartphones 200a, 200b, and 200c.

  An arrow 400 indicates that the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 200 can communicate with each other by the communication unit 111 and the communication unit 211 or the communication unit 112 and the communication unit 212.

  A circle 401 indicates a distance range around the digital camera 100 where the smartphone 200 determines that the digital camera 100 is not carried. Specifically, the control unit 201 compares the radio field intensity or communication distance information of the communication unit 111 detected by the communication unit 211 with a short-range threshold value (first threshold value) stored in the nonvolatile memory 203. By doing so, it is determined whether or not it is within the circle 401. When the radio field intensity is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold or when the communication distance is within the range of the predetermined distance threshold, the smartphone 200 is in the circle 401, otherwise the smartphone 200 is outside the circle 401. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the smartphone 200 a is within the range of the circle 401, but the smartphones 200 b and 200 c are outside the range of the circle 401.

  A circle 402 indicates a limit distance range from the digital camera 100 in which the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 200 can communicate. Specifically, a circle 402 indicates a communication area of BlueTooth (registered trademark). The smartphones 200a and 200b can communicate with the digital camera 100 via the communication units 111 and 211.

  The public network 403 is a network that enables the public network connection unit 113 of the digital camera 100 and the public network connection unit 213 of the smartphone 200 to communicate with each other. The communication unit 311 of the server 300 is connected to the public network 403. To do. All of the smartphones 200 a, 200 b, and 200 c can be connected to the public network 403 and can communicate with a communication terminal connected to the public network 403.

  A procedure in which the digital camera 100 transmits captured image data to the smartphone 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A shows an operation flowchart of the digital camera 100, and FIG. 5B shows an operation flowchart of the smartphone 200. In FIG. 5, the “bull tag function” refers to a function that performs operations such as sound generation, light emission, and vibration to notify the user when it is determined that the user does not carry the digital camera 100. As a precondition, the control unit 101 of the digital camera 100 and the control unit 201 of the smartphone 200 are in a state where they can communicate with each other via the communication unit 111 and the communication unit 211.

  The operation of the digital camera 100 will be described. In step S501, the control unit 101 starts a pull tag function. Specifically, the control unit 101 receives a bull tag function start request from the smartphone 200 via the communication unit 111. Then, the control unit 101 loads the program in the nonvolatile memory 103 into the work memory 104 and activates the application of the bull tag function. Thereafter, the control unit 101 makes a transition to S502.

  In step S502, the control unit 101 determines whether the distance to the communication partner (here, the smartphone 200) by the communication unit 111 is within a predetermined distance threshold range. The distance threshold value may be a definition value stored in the nonvolatile memory 103 or a value obtained by an instruction from the smartphone 200 via the communication unit 111. If the communication partner is within the distance threshold, the control unit 101 transitions to S502, otherwise transitions to S503. That is, if the distance from the smartphone 200 exceeds the threshold, the control unit 101 transitions to S503.

  In step S <b> 503, the control unit 101 issues a shooting command to the imaging unit 102 to indicate the current location, stores the image data of the shooting result in the work memory 104, and stores the image data in the recording medium 110 as necessary. Thereafter, the control unit 101 makes a transition to S504.

  In step S <b> 504, the control unit 101 determines whether the communication unit 111 can communicate with the communication unit 211 of the smartphone 200, that is, whether the communication unit 111 is in the circle 402 (within the communication range of BlueTooth (registered trademark)). If it is inside the circle 402, the control unit 101 makes a transition to S505, and if it is outside the circle 402, makes a transition to S506.

  In step S505, the control unit 101 transmits captured image data from the work memory 104 (or the recording medium 110) to the smartphone 200 via the communication unit 111, and the process proceeds to step S507. In S506, the control unit 101 transmits the captured image data from the work memory 104 (or the recording medium 110) to the smartphone 200 via the communication unit 112 or the public network connection unit 113, and the process proceeds to S507. The image data transmitted from the digital camera 100 to the smartphone 200 may be thumbnail data of a captured image or reduced image data obtained by thinning out the number of pixels.

  In step S507, the control unit 101 determines whether to continue the bull tag function. When continuing, control part 101 changes to S502, and when not continuing, changes to S508.

  In step S <b> 508, the control unit 101 transmits a bull tag function stop request to the smartphone 200. Specifically, the control unit 101 sends a pull-tab stop request to the smartphone 200 using the communication units 111 and 112 or the public network connection unit 113 in the same manner as S505 and S506, depending on whether or not the communication range is BlueTooth (registered trademark). Send.

  With the process illustrated in FIG. 5A, the digital camera 100 notifies the smartphone 200 that it has been separated from the smartphone 200 by a predetermined distance together with an image obtained by photographing the surroundings. By this notification, the user of the smartphone 200 can notice that he / she has forgotten to carry the digital camera 100, and can guess where the digital camera 100 is located from the image received at the same time.

  With reference to FIG.5 (b), the process by the side of the smart phone 200 corresponding to the process shown to Fig.5 (a) is demonstrated.

  In step S <b> 521, the control unit 201 starts the pull tab function according to the bull tag function start request from the digital camera 100. Specifically, the control unit 201 receives a bull tag function start request from the digital camera 100 via the communication unit 211. The control unit 201 loads an application having a pull tab function stored in the nonvolatile memory 203 into the work memory 204 and executes it. After starting the bull tag function, the control unit 201 transitions to S522.

  In step S522, the control unit 201 determines whether the distance to the communication partner (here, the digital camera 100) by the communication unit 211 is within a predetermined distance threshold range. The distance threshold value may be a definition value stored in the nonvolatile memory 103 or a value set by the user via the operation unit 205. If the communication partner is within the distance threshold, the control unit 201 transitions to S522, and if not, the control unit 201 transitions to S523.

  In step S <b> 523, the control unit 201 determines whether the communication unit 211 can communicate with the communication unit 111 of the digital camera 100, that is, whether the communication unit 211 is in the circle 402 (within the communication range of BlueTooth (registered trademark)). If it is within the circle 402, the control unit 201 transitions to S524, and if it is outside the circle 402, it transitions to S525.

  In step S524, the control unit 201 receives captured image data from the digital camera 100 via the communication unit 211, stores the captured image data in the work memory 204 (or the recording medium 210), and proceeds to step S526. In step S525, the control unit 201 receives captured image data from the digital camera 100 via the communication unit 212 or the public network connection unit 213, stores the captured image data in the work memory 204 (or the recording medium 210), and proceeds to step S526. .

  In step S526, the control unit 201 supplies the received image data stored in the work memory 204 (or the recording medium 210) to the display unit 206, displays the image, and proceeds to step S527.

  In step S <b> 527, the control unit 201 determines whether there is a bull tag function stop request from the digital camera 100. When the digital camera 100 is in the circle 402, the control unit 201 receives a pull tab function stop request at the communication unit 211, and otherwise receives a pull tab function stop request at the communication unit 212 or the public network connection unit 213.

  In step S528, the control unit 201 notifies the digital camera 100 that the bull tag function is stopped. When the digital camera 100 is in the circle 402, the control unit 201 notifies the digital camera 100 of the stop of the pull tab function from the communication unit 211, and otherwise notifies the stop of the pull tab function from the communication unit 212 or the public network connection unit 213. To do.

  FIG. 6 shows a sequence diagram of processing between the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 200 described in FIG. Also in the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 6, as a premise, the control unit 101 of the digital camera 100 and the control unit 201 of the smartphone 200 are connected via the communication unit 111 and the communication unit 211, and either of them performs S501 and S521. It is assumed that it has started. In no particular order.

  The sequence 600 corresponds to the start of FIG. 5B, and the sequence 601 corresponds to the start of FIG.

  The sequence 602 corresponds to S501 in FIG. 5A and S521 in FIG.

  The sequence 603 corresponds to S522 in FIG. 5B, and the sequence 604 corresponds to S502 in FIG. Both sequences 603 and 604 are loop sequences that are repeatedly executed. Here, when it is determined that it is not within the communication distance range, that is, when it is determined No in S502 and S522, S503 is executed.

  The sequence 605 corresponds to S504 in FIG. 5A and S523 in FIG. Here, processing S505 and S524 when it is determined that it is within the Bluetooth communication range are executed. Since it is a replaceable sequence, it is an Alt sequence.

  The sequence 606 corresponds to S504 in FIG. 5A and S523 in FIG. Here, Wi-Fi communication is performed in steps S506 and S525 when it is determined that it is out of the Bluetooth communication range. Since it is a replaceable sequence, it is an Alt sequence. In this Alt sequence, the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 200 communicate directly. That is, the control unit 101 and the control unit 201 perform Wi-Fi communication using the communication units 112 and 212.

  In sequences 607 and 608, communication via a public line is performed in S506 in FIG. 5A and S523 in FIG. 5B. Since it is a replaceable sequence, it is an Alt sequence. In this Alt sequence, the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 200 communicate via the server 300. That is, the control unit 101 communicates with the server 300 via the public network connection unit 113, the control unit 201 communicates with the server 300 via the public network connection unit 213, and the server 300 communicates between the digital camera 100 and the smartphone 200. Mediate. The sequence 608 may be performed by a notification mechanism from the server 300, or may be based on a polling method performed by the control unit 201 of the smartphone 200.

  Although the digital camera 100 explained the function of photographing the surroundings at a stage away from the predetermined distance and transmitting the photographed image to the smartphone 200, the digital camera 100 emits a predetermined sound and emits light within the predetermined distance. May be. This leads to quick discovery of the digital camera 100. When located at a long distance, the digital camera 100 may transmit its own position information to the smartphone 200 directly or via the server 300. The position information can be acquired from, for example, a public network base station, or from a GPS satellite if a GPS receiver is provided. As described above, when the notification method or the notification unit is changed according to the distance, convenience is improved.

  The Bulltag function is difficult to use if it is always activated. The smartphone 200 is for everyday use, and the digital camera 100 is for non-daily use. Therefore, it is inconvenient to always operate the pull tag function because it operates even when the digital camera 100 is unnecessary. In such a case, the operation may be performed according to the scheduler of the smartphone 200. That is, the control unit 201 may control the operation date and time of the bull tag function according to an application program stored in the nonvolatile memory 103.

  In addition to the user registering as a schedule, the user may be able to manually specify on / off of the bull tag function. For example, the control unit 201 displays the operation date and time of the bull tag function on the display unit 206 in accordance with the application program in the nonvolatile memory 103, and can be freely designated and turned ON / OFF by the operation unit 205. The control unit 201 can move the bull tag function in accordance with an instruction from the operation unit 205 of the user.

  In this embodiment, even if the user forgets to carry the digital camera 100 when he / she wants to use it, the smartphone 200 can easily know that the digital camera 100 is forgotten to be carried and the location of the digital camera 100.

  Although the digital camera 100 transmits the captured image when the digital camera 100 is out of the preset distance range to the smartphone 200, an email having a predetermined content may be transmitted to an email address that can be received by the smartphone 200. When using a public network, SMS may be used.

  If the smartphone 200 can instruct the digital camera 100 to emit a flash and turn it off via the Bluetooth / Wi-Fi / public network, the digital camera 100 can be easily found.

  The control of the control units 101, 201, and 301 may be performed by one hardware, or the entire apparatus may be controlled by a plurality of hardware sharing the processing.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a digital camera has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and can be applied to any portable device having an imaging unit. That is, the present invention can be applied to a mobile device equipped with a camera, such as a personal computer or PDA, a mobile phone terminal, a portable image viewer, a digital photo frame, a music player, a game machine, or an electronic book reader.

  The object of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to the apparatus. At this time, the computer (or CPU or MPU) including the control unit of the supplied apparatus reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium. The program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a magnetic disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, or a ROM can be used.

  In some cases, an OS (basic system or operating system) running on the apparatus performs part or all of the processing based on the above-described program code instructions, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. included.

  Furthermore, the case where the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the apparatus or a function expansion unit connected to a computer, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized. It is. At this time, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing.

  The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail based on preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention. . Furthermore, each embodiment mentioned above shows only one embodiment of this invention, and it is also possible to combine each embodiment suitably.

Claims (6)

A monitoring system comprising an imaging device and a monitoring device that monitors the imaging device,
The imaging device is
An imaging unit;
First wireless communication means for wirelessly communicating with the monitoring device;
Wireless communication means for wirelessly communicating with the monitoring device, second wireless communication means capable of performing wireless communication at a longer distance than the first wireless communication means;
A determination unit that determines whether the distance between the first wireless communication unit and the monitoring device is within a range of a distance threshold;
When it is determined by the first wireless communication means that the distance to the monitoring device is outside the range of the distance threshold, imaging is started by the imaging unit, and the captured image is sent to the monitoring device. And a control means for transmitting to the monitoring device via any of the second wireless communication means,
The monitoring device is
Third wireless communication means corresponding to the first wireless communication means;
A fourth wireless communication means corresponding to the second wireless communication means;
And a display unit that displays the captured image transmitted from the imaging apparatus.   2. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether the distance is within a range of the distance threshold based on a radio wave intensity from the third wireless communication unit detected by the first wireless communication unit. Monitoring system.   2. The monitoring according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether the distance is within a range of the distance threshold based on a communication distance with the monitoring apparatus detected by the first wireless communication unit. system.   When the control means can communicate with the monitoring apparatus using the first wireless communication means, the control means transmits the captured image to the monitoring apparatus via the first wireless communication means, and the first wireless communication means 4. If the wireless communication means cannot communicate with the monitoring device, the captured image is transmitted to the monitoring device via the second wireless communication means. The monitoring system according to item.   The wireless communication method of the first and third wireless communication means is Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the wireless communication method of the first and third wireless communication means is either a wireless LAN or a public wireless communication method. The monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:   2. The wireless communication system of the first and third wireless communication means is a wireless LAN, and the wireless communication system of the first and third wireless communication means is a public wireless communication system. 5. The monitoring system according to any one of 4.

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