JP2001258022A - Device remote control method and camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device remote control method by which a device can be controlled from a telephone line, without the need for a call trariff charge so as to activate the object device in a short time, after the arrival of an incoming call and to provide a camera system, that attains an unmanned monument photographing service in a theme park or the like. SOLUTION: A camera 10 is placed at a photographing spot in a theme park and registers a telephone number of a mobile phone 40 carried by a user. When the user uses a mobile phone 40 to make a phone call to the camera 10, the camera 10 executes photographing without setting up a speech, state after confirming the oneness of the telephone number of the user to the registered telephone number from caller information. The camera 10 transfers the photographed image via a LAN 76 or the telephone line to an image management unit 74, where the photographed image is recorded on a recording medium, in cross-reference with the registered telephone number. The camera system provides a photographed image to the user by printing out the photographed image, when the user leaves the theme park or transfers the photographed image to a provider designated by the user through the Internet distribution.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and a system for remotely controlling a device such as a camera using a telephone line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 8-237426 and 11-41669 disclose techniques for operating a camera using a telephone line. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 0-164254, a caller telephone number notification service has recently been introduced. If such a service is used, the receiver can know the telephone number of the transmitter before responding. , It is possible to respond to the other party.

[0003] The telephone disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-298573 determines an incoming call request from a pre-registered number and automatically receives an incoming call as a use form of a source telephone number notification service. The video camera can be remotely controlled by a DTMF signal from the transmitter.

[0004]

However, in the prior art, since a receiver for discriminating the incoming call from the telephone and the tone signal is required, it is not easy to reduce the size of the entire apparatus, or it is difficult to actually perform the operation after receiving the incoming call. Procedures such as establishment of a call state are required before a photograph can be taken, so it takes time to start a photographing operation. In addition, since the camera is operated by the DTMF signal, a call charge is charged.

[0005] In a theme park or the like, a service is provided in which a dedicated camera operator is arranged at a photographing spot where many visitors wish to take a commemorative photograph, a desired person is photographed, and the photograph is provided. I have. However, such photography services are labor intensive and inefficient.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a remote control method and a camera system for a device that does not require a call charge and can reduce the time from receiving a call to executing photographing (operation of the device). In addition, it is another object of the present invention to provide a camera system capable of unattended commemorative photographing without arranging a photographer in a theme park or the like.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote control method for a device, comprising: receiving a communication request signal notified via a telephone line; It is characterized in that the operation of the device is controlled without establishing the control.

According to the present invention, when a communication request signal transmitted from a transmission source is received, a device is operated based on an incoming signal without answering a call. The operator can activate the device to be controlled just by making a call to the device to be controlled or the communication terminal to which the device is connected before the communication state is established. Therefore, the device operates in a short time after dialing, and the call charge is not charged.

Further, as described in claim 2, the source information notified through the telephone line is detected, and the signal is transmitted only when a signal from a source corresponding to a telephone number registered in advance is received. The mode of operating the device is preferred. Thus, useless operation due to an unintended incoming call such as a wrong telephone call can be prevented.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera system, comprising: an imaging unit for converting an optical image into an electric signal; a signal processing unit for processing a signal output from the imaging unit; and a signal processed by the signal processing unit. Means for recording the image information as image information on a recording medium, communication means for connecting to a telephone line, and a communication state with a communication request partner based on a communication request signal notified through the telephone line. Control means for controlling the image pickup means to execute a photographing operation without using the control means.

As one mode of the camera system of the present invention,
As set forth in claim 4, there is provided a source information detecting means for detecting the source information notified through a telephone line, and the control means uses the detection result of the source information detecting means to register in advance. There is a mode in which the photographing operation is executed only when a signal from a transmission source having the same telephone number is received.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera system, comprising: an image pickup unit for converting an optical image into an electric signal; a transmission unit for transmitting an image picked up by the image pickup unit; and a communication for connecting to a telephone line. Means, source information detecting means for detecting source information notified via a telephone line, registered telephone number storing means for storing at least one telephone number registered in advance, and communication notified via a telephone line Control means for controlling the imaging means without establishing a call state with a communication request partner based on a request signal,
Using the detection result of the transmission source information detection unit, only when a signal from a transmission source that matches a telephone number registered in advance in the registered telephone number storage unit is received, the imaging operation by the imaging unit is executed. A camera having control means, and an image management apparatus having recording means for recording an image sent from the camera via the transmission means in a recording medium in association with the telephone number of the transmission source; And a mobile communication terminal to which a telephone number registered in the registration number storage means is assigned.

The camera is installed at a predetermined place such as a photographing spot in a theme park, and the telephone number of a mobile communication terminal (mobile phone) carried by the user is registered. When a user makes a call from a mobile phone to a camera, the camera executes a shooting operation after confirming the identity with the registered telephone number from the transmission source information. The captured image is transmitted to the image management device and provided to the user. Thereby, an unmanned commemorative photographing system can be realized.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a remote control method of a device and a camera system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the present invention, the "source telephone number notification service function" is used. The basic operation of this service is disclosed in detail in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-164254, but will be outlined with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

In FIG. 1, (1) to (9) are numbers assigned to each operation for convenience of explanation. The “ID receiving terminal” means a communication terminal such as a telephone or a facsimile machine that can use this service. When there is a call to a receiving terminal for which a service contract has been made in advance, the subscriber line exchange inverts the polarity of the subscriber line, which is a line on the receiving terminal side (1), and transmits an ID receiving terminal activation signal (2). ).

When the receiving terminal is ready to receive the source information, the DC circuit in the terminal is closed (DC loop is closed) and a primary response signal is transmitted (3). In contrast,
When the exchange determines the primary response signal from the DC resistance value, the exchange transmits information such as a source number, which is a modem signal, to the receiving terminal (4). When the receiving terminal has finished receiving this information, a receiving completion signal is sent from the receiving terminal by opening the DC circuit (DC loop open) (5). After receiving the reception completion signal, the exchange transmits a calling signal (6).

In the ID receiving terminal, when a call signal is received, a ringing tone is sounded to notify an incoming call. The function of displaying the telephone number and the like of the caller on the display in advance based on the received caller information allows the caller to make a call before calling. Since the telephone number or the like of the other party can be confirmed, it is possible to take measures (for example, switching to an answering machine, playing an automatic response message, rejecting a call, etc.) according to the other party. If the call signal is answered by picking up the handset, the DC circuit is closed again (DC loop is closed) and a secondary response signal is transmitted (7). Thereafter, the polarity is restored (8), and the telephone is ready to talk (9).

The modem signal containing the information of the caller number includes, in addition to the telephone number of the communication terminal device as the caller, number information such as a dial-in number when a dial-in contract is made. If the sender number cannot be notified, the reason is notified. Reasons for not being able to notify include outgoing calls from public phones and operations before entering the phone number ("184").
Dialing, etc., and outgoing calls from outside the service providing area.

Although FIG. 1 shows an example of a wired telephone network, a service for notifying a source telephone number is also provided for a wireless mobile communication network.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a camera system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The photographing lens 12 of the camera 10 includes one or a plurality of lenses, and may be a lens having a single focal length (fixed focus), or a focal length such as a zoom lens or a telephoto / wide-angle bifocal switchable lens. It may be variable.

Light incident through the photographing lens 12 forms an image on a light receiving surface of a CCD image sensor (hereinafter, referred to as a CCD) 14 as an image pickup device. The CCD 14 has a structure in which light receiving sensors corresponding to photosensitive pixels are two-dimensionally arranged, and has a predetermined color filter arrangement structure such as a G stripe or Bayer arrangement.

The CCD 14 is provided with a shutter drain via a shutter gate. By driving the shutter gate with a shutter gate pulse, accumulated signal charges can be swept out to the shutter drain. That is, the CCD 14 has a so-called electronic shutter function of controlling the accumulation time (shutter speed) of the electric charge accumulated in each sensor by the shutter gate pulse.

The subject image formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 14 is converted into signal charges of an amount corresponding to the amount of incident light by each light receiving sensor. The signal charge accumulated in this way is CC
It is read out by a CCD drive pulse applied from a D drive circuit (driver) 16 and sequentially output from the CCD 14 as a voltage signal (analog image signal) corresponding to the signal charge.

The signal read from the CCD 14 is applied to an analog processing section 18. The analog processing unit 18 includes a sampling hold circuit and a gain adjustment circuit,
The image signal output from D14 is subjected to correlated double sampling (CDS) processing and R,
Each of the G and B color signals is subjected to color separation processing, and the signal level of each color signal is adjusted (pre-white balance processing).

The signal output from the analog processing section 18 is converted into R, G, B digital signals by an A / D converter 20 and then sent to a digital signal processing section 22. The timing generation circuit 24 includes a system control unit 26
Drive circuit 16 and analog processing section 1
8, a timing signal is given to the A / D converter 20 and the signal processing unit 22, and each circuit is synchronized by the timing signal.

The signal processing section 22 is an image processing means constituted by a digital signal processor (DSP) including a gamma correction circuit, a sharpness correction circuit, a contrast correction circuit, a luminance / color difference signal generation circuit, a white balance correction circuit and the like. And processes the imaging signal in accordance with a command from the system control unit 26.

The R, G, B image data input to the signal processing unit 22 includes a luminance signal (Y signal) and a color difference signal (Cr, C
b), and after being subjected to predetermined processing such as gamma correction, is stored in the image memory 30 via the memory controller 28.

Release signal (corresponding to a shooting start instruction signal)
Is performed in response to the reception of the luminance and color difference signals (YC) stored in the image memory 30 by the photographing operation.
The signal is abbreviated as a signal), is read out via the memory controller 28 based on a command from the system controller 26, and is recorded on the recording medium 34 via the recording medium interface 32.

At this time, the image data is compressed if necessary, and the image data compressed according to JPEG or another predetermined format is written to the recording medium 34.

The recording medium 34 as a means for storing image data includes, for example, smart media (Solid-State
Floppy Disk Card) is used. The form of the recording medium is not limited to the above, but may be a PC card, a compact flash (registered trademark), a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a memory stick, or the like, and may be electronic, magnetic, optical, or any of these. Various readable and writable media can be used in accordance with a combination method. Signal processing means and interfaces corresponding to the medium used are applied.

A configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of media can be loaded regardless of the type of recording media of the same type. Alternatively, instead of or in combination with a recording medium (removable medium) detachable from the camera 10 as the recording medium 34, the captured image is stored in the internal memory of the camera 10, and a wired or wireless communication interface is used. The configuration may be such that image data can be transferred to an external device via the external device.

The system control unit 26 is a block including a central processing unit (CPU), and performs overall control of each circuit of the camera 10. The storage means of the nonvolatile memory 36 and the volatile memory 38 is connected to the system control unit 26. The non-volatile memory 36 stores programs to be processed by the CPU, various data necessary for control, and a mobile phone capable of operating the camera 10 (in this specification, P
It is used as a generic term for mobile communication terminals including HS terminals. )
Forty phone numbers and the like are stored. Volatile memory 38
Is used as a work area when the CPU performs various arithmetic processing and the like.

The system control unit 26 controls the operation of the corresponding circuit based on the input signal received from the operation unit 42, controls the zooming operation and the focus adjustment (AF) operation of the taking lens 12, and the automatic exposure adjustment ( AE) and the like. That is, the system control unit 26 controls the CCD 1
Various calculations such as focus evaluation calculation and AE calculation are performed based on the image pickup signal output from 4, and based on the calculation results, the drive unit such as a focus motor and an iris motor is controlled to move the lens to a focus position. At the same time, an appropriate aperture is set, and the charge accumulation time of the CCD 14 is controlled.
The AE and AF are controlled by a method based on an image signal acquired from the CCD 14, and include a well-known photometric sensor and AF.
A distance measuring sensor including a light emitting / receiving sensor may be used.

The system control unit 26 controls the recording photographing operation based on the reception of the release signal. At this time,
The system control unit 26 starts the light emission of the strobe light emitting device 44 as needed, and stops the strobe light emission when it is determined from the detection signal of the strobe light control sensor (not shown) that the light amount of the subject has become appropriate by the light emission. I do.

The communication section 46 is a block including an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves for connection to a telephone line.
Note that the communication unit 46 may be connected to a telephone line by wire. The signal received via the communication unit 46 is transmitted to the terminating circuit 50 or the modem 5 via the line interface 48.
Added to 2. The receiving circuit 50 detects a communication request signal sent from the mobile phone 40 that is the transmission source, and notifies the system control unit 26 of the communication request signal.

The modem 52 demodulates a communication signal input through the telephone line and supplies the demodulated signal to the system control unit 26, and also transmits transmission data (for example, data of a photographed image and an automatic response message) output from the system control unit 26. The signal is converted into a signal form that can be transmitted through a telephone line and output to the outside via the line interface 48 and the communication unit 46.

The originating telephone number notification service is provided by the camera 10.
When the incoming call is detected by the incoming call circuit 50, the image pickup system is immediately activated to execute photographing. On the other hand, when using the source telephone number notification service for controlling the camera 10, the system control unit 26 receives the source information signal via the modem 52, and receives the telephone number registered in the nonvolatile memory 36 and the incoming call number. Is compared with the transmission source information signal. Then, when it is determined that the incoming call is from the mobile phone 40 of the registered telephone number, the imaging system is activated to execute the shooting.

Image data obtained by photographing can be transferred to the server 56 via the communication unit 46. Note that the server 56 may be connected to a network via a telephone line, or may be connected to a LAN.

As the power supply of the camera 10, an external power supply connected to the battery 58 or an external power supply input terminal (not shown) can be used. The power supply unit 60 includes a DC / DC converter,
Power provided from the battery 58 or an external power supply connected to the external power input terminal is converted into a required voltage by the power supply unit 60 and supplied to a predetermined circuit block.

Next, the operation of the camera system configured as described above will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a first example of a control procedure for controlling the camera 10 with an incoming call signal.
The camera 10 is waiting for the reception of the ID receiving terminal activation signal in the communication standby state (step S300), and determines whether there is a call from the telephone network (step S310). If there is no call, the process of step S310 is looped. When the user makes a call to the camera 10 from the mobile phone 40 and the reception of the calling signal is detected in step S310, the determination is YES in step S310, and the process proceeds to step S312 to execute the photographing operation.

The photographing operation is automatically controlled according to a predetermined program. A subject image is fetched and recorded on the recording medium. When the photographing is completed, a reception process of the transmission source information signal is performed (step S31).
4) When the reception is completed, a reception completion signal is transmitted (step S316). As a result, a ringing tone is heard on the mobile phone 40 side, and the user can confirm that the shooting has been performed. The camera 10 returns no response to this call and returns to step S310. If the user disconnects the line, the camera 10
Can be taken.

If the caller telephone number notification service is not used, steps S314 and S316 are performed.
Is unnecessary. In this case, there is also a mode in which the camera 10 returns to the step S310 without returning a primary response signal. Also in such an embodiment, (3) described in FIG.
The subsequent operation is not performed, and the photographing by the camera 10 can be performed without any call charges.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a second example of a control procedure for controlling the camera 10 with an incoming call signal.
As described with reference to FIG. 1 (5), by using the fact that the telephone number of the caller is notified, by masking the telephone number here, it is possible to selectively control the incoming call from the telephone line. .

That is, according to FIG. 4, the camera 10 is waiting for the reception of the ID receiving terminal activation signal in the communication standby state (step S400), and determines whether there is a call from the telephone line network (step S410). If there is no call, the process of step S410 is looped. Step S410
When a calling signal is received in (YES), the process proceeds to step S412, and a receiving process of the transmission source information signal is performed.

Then, from the telephone number list registered in the camera 10 in advance, a search is made to determine whether or not the same caller identification number (ID) (here, telephone number) as the telephone number relating to the incoming call exists. Performed (Step S414). Then
The identity of the caller ID is determined (step S416), and if they match (when YES is determined), step S418 is performed.
Then, the photographing operation is executed (step S418). The photographing operation is automatically controlled according to a predetermined program. The subject image is captured by this photographing, subjected to necessary signal processing, and recorded on the recording medium 34.

When the photographing is completed, a reception completion signal is transmitted (step S420). Thereafter, a call signal is transmitted from the exchange, but the camera 10 returns to step S410 without returning a response signal.

The transmitting side, which is the operator, can determine whether or not the photographing is completed when the ringing tone is automatically transmitted after the reception completion signal has been received. After confirming the ringing tone, the operator (sender) may hang up the receiver or interrupt the transmission.

On the other hand, in step S416, the sender I
If D does not match (when the determination is NO), the process jumps to step S420, and performs transmission processing of the reception completion signal without performing image capturing.

A call signal is transmitted from the exchange by sending the reception completion signal. However, if the operation after (7) described in FIG. 1 is not performed without returning a response signal, no call fee is charged.

According to the above-described control sequence, the camera 10 can be controlled only when a telephone number registered in advance is received from the mobile phone 40, and unnecessary camera operation can be prevented.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a third example of a control procedure for controlling the camera 10 with an incoming call signal.
According to the figure, control of the camera 10 is started (step S500), and first, initial processing of the camera 10 is performed (step S510). After the necessary setting processing is completed, the circuit part necessary for communication standby is left, and the reception of the ID receiving terminal start signal is awaited with the power of the other imaging system (camera power supply) turned off (step S512).

If the ID receiving terminal activation signal has not been received from the telephone line network, the process of step S512 is looped.
If an ID receiving terminal activation signal has been received in step S512 (YES determination), the process proceeds to step S514. In step S514, the camera power is turned on, and the photographing preparation processing starts.

Next, reception processing of the transmission source information signal is performed (step S516). Then, a search is made as to whether or not there is a person with the same caller identification number (ID) from a caller list (registered telephone number) registered in the camera 10 in advance (step S518). Subsequently, the identity of the caller IDs is determined (step S520), and if they match (when YES is determined), the flow proceeds to step S522 to execute a shooting operation.

After the photographing is completed, a reception completion signal of the transmission source information signal is transmitted (step S524), and after the camera is turned off (step S526), step S512 is performed.
Return to

By transmitting the reception completion signal, a call signal is transmitted from the exchange, but the camera 10 returns to step S512 without returning a response signal. If the operation after (7) described in FIG. 1 is not performed, no call fee is charged.

The transmitting side, which is the operator, can determine whether or not the photographing is completed when the ringing tone is automatically transmitted after receiving the reception completion signal. After confirming the ringing tone, the receiver may hang up or interrupt the transmission.

On the other hand, in step S520, the caller I
If D does not match (when the determination is NO), the process jumps to step S524 to perform the transmission processing of the reception completion signal without performing photographing.

As shown in the control flow shown in FIG. 5, the power consumption of the camera can be suppressed by turning on the camera upon receiving an incoming call and turning off the camera upon receiving a completion signal.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 6 shows an example in which the camera system of the present invention is applied to a commemorative photographing system in a theme park.

The camera 10 described in FIG. 1 is installed at an appropriate place in the theme park (a so-called photographing spot suitable for commemorative photographing). At this time, the composition and the photographing conditions are set in advance so that the user (theme park visitor) 70 as the subject does not need to set the camera angle and the detailed photographing conditions. Note that Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
The technology disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 23746 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-41669 is applied to a telephone tone signal (DT).
The setting may be made by remote control using an MF signal or the like.

Further, a display device (monitor) 72 is provided near the camera 10 so that the user 70 can check the photographed image. An image management device 74 for managing images captured by the camera 10 is installed at a service window, a management room (office room), or the like. Camera 1
The display device 72, the display device 72, and the image management device 74 are connected to a LAN 76 built in the theme park. In addition, a mode in which information is transmitted and received via a telephone line without using the LAN 76 is also possible. In the figure, reference numeral 78 indicates a base station of the wireless telephone network.

A visitor of the theme park (hereinafter referred to as a visitor) performs a camera operation by calling the camera 10 from his or her own portable telephone 40. A visitor who does not own the mobile phone 40 may rent a mobile phone provided at the theme park.

When using the commemorative photographing service provided by the present system, the visitor registers at the service counter when entering, and the telephone number of the mobile phone 40 owned by the user (caller I)
D) is registered. Further, a telephone number (camera 1) for using the present system is provided to the mobile phone 40 owned by the user.
0 is provided, and this is registered in the mobile phone 40.

Alternatively, the telephone number of the camera 10 may be stored in a medium, and the medium may be lent to a visitor and carried. When a visitor wants to take a commemorative photograph at a photographing spot, the visitor can call the registered telephone number and dial to take the commemorative photograph.

The camera 1 responds to the call for the photographing instruction.
Since the 0 side does not answer the call, the photographing can be performed without charging the call charge. After the photographing by the camera 10 is executed, the line is cut off on the mobile phone 40 side to stop calling.

The visitor can confirm the photographed image on the display device 72 provided near the photographing point. The display unit of the display device 72 is provided with a touch panel (not shown). If the user does not like the captured image displayed on the display device 72, the visitor presses an “NG button” on the screen. The signal of the "NG button" is sent to the camera 10, and the data of the captured image is canceled. The visitor can again stand at the shooting spot, call the system from the mobile phone 10 and redo the shooting.

The photographed image displayed on the display device 72 is OK.
If so, the visitor presses the "OK button" on the screen.
The signal of the “OK button” is sent to the camera 10 and the camera 1
0 makes an automatic call to the mobile phone 40 of the visitor. A calling signal ((6) in FIG. 1) is transmitted from the camera 10 through a telephone line, and the calling sound of the visitor's mobile phone 40 sounds. When the visitor receives this call, an automatic message telling completion of the shooting flows, and the commemorative shooting is completed.

The captured image is transferred from the camera 10 to the image management device 74 using the LAN 76 or a telephone line, and is recorded on the recording medium (hard disk or removable medium) of the image management device 74 in association with the registered telephone number. . There is also a mode in which an image captured by the camera 10 is transferred to a server associated with the telephone number by using a caller telephone number notification service.

Further, when the visitor leaves the theme park, the photographed image may be printed out and provided, or may be distributed to the server of the provider with which the visitor has contracted by mail distribution via the Internet. After returning home, the visitor can access the server to which the data of the captured image is transferred, select an image from the server, and order a print of the captured data via the Internet. In this case, it is preferable to set a password for security.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the camera control procedure in the commemorative photographing system shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, the processing of steps S700 to S726 is the same as the processing of steps S500 to S500 described in FIG.
The description is omitted because it is the same as 526.

After the camera power is turned off in step S726, the flow advances to step S728 shown in FIG. Step S
At 728, the photographed image is determined to be OK / OK based on a signal from an input operation means such as a touch panel provided on the display device 72.
NG is determined. Determination that the captured image is NG (N
If (O determination) is obtained, the process branches to step S730, cancels the recording process of the captured image, returns to step S712 shown in FIG. 7, and waits for an instruction for re-imaging.

On the other hand, step S728 shown in FIG.
Determination that the captured image is OK in (YES determination)
If it is obtained, the process proceeds to step S732 to perform a line connection process for calling the mobile phone 40 that has received the shooting instruction (step S732). Then, it is determined whether or not the mobile phone 40 has accepted the call (step S734). If there is no response from the mobile phone 40 (NO determination), it is determined whether or not a specified time has elapsed in the calling state (step S736).

If the specified time has not elapsed in step S736, the process returns to step S734, and waits for a response from the mobile phone 40 in the calling state. If the specified time has elapsed without a response, Y is determined in step S736.
The ES determination is made, and the process returns to step S712 shown in FIG.

If the user responds to the call using the mobile phone 40 in response to the call from the camera 10, a YES determination is obtained in step S734 shown in FIG.
Proceed to 8. In step S738, the camera 10 transmits a message notifying the completion of shooting. The user can confirm that the shooting has been performed by listening to the message. After transmitting the predetermined message content, the camera 10 automatically disconnects the call state (step S740).

Then, the line connection process is started for the image transfer destination (step S742), and it is determined whether the line connection with the image transfer destination has been achieved (step S74).
4). If the connection state is not established (NO determination), the flow branches to step S746 to determine whether or not a specified time has elapsed. If the specified time has not elapsed in step S746, the process returns to step S744 to continue the line connection process and wait for the establishment of a connection.

If the specified time has elapsed without a connection being established, a YES determination is made in step S746, and the flow advances to step S748. In step S748, the connection with the image transfer destination is abandoned, and step S712 shown in FIG.
Return to For an image that could not be transferred, the line connection processing may be tried again after an appropriate time, or a notification message indicating that transfer was not possible may be automatically transmitted to the mobile phone 40.

When the line connection is established in step S744 shown in FIG. 8 (when YES is determined), the flow advances to step S750 to transfer the photographed image data to the server associated with the user's telephone number. Upon completion of the transfer process, the line is disconnected (step S752), and the process returns to step S712 shown in FIG.

According to the commemorative photographing system according to the present embodiment, since the camera 10 can be operated using the mobile phone 40 owned by the visitor, there is no need to prepare a special remote control device.

In the above description, a camera for photographing a still image has been described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to a camera for photographing a moving image. Further, the scope of application of the method for remotely controlling a device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described camera system. There is also a mode in which an electronic device such as an electronic cooker is operated.

[0083]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a communication request signal transmitted from a communication terminal such as a portable telephone is received, a device is activated based on an incoming signal without responding to a call. Since the operation is performed, the telephone charge is not charged, and the device can be remotely controlled from the telephone line. Further, there is an effect that the device operates in a short time after dialing.

In particular, when the source information notified through the telephone line is detected and the signal from the source corresponding to the telephone number registered in advance is received, the device is operated in an unintended manner. Useless equipment operation due to incoming calls can be prevented.

According to the camera system to which the present invention is applied, it is possible to realize an unmanned commemorative photographing system in which photographing can be controlled with a mobile phone owned by a visitor in a theme park or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing a basic operation of a caller telephone number notification service.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a camera system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first example of a control procedure for controlling a camera based on an incoming call signal of a telephone;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a second example of a control procedure for controlling the camera based on an incoming call signal;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a third example of a control procedure for controlling a camera based on an incoming call signal;

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example in which the camera system of the present invention is applied to a commemorative photographing system in a theme park.

7 is a flowchart showing a camera control procedure in the commemorative photographing system shown in FIG.

8 is a flowchart showing a camera control procedure in the commemorative photographing system shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 camera, 14 CCD (imaging means), 22 signal processing section (signal processing means), 26 system control section (control means, transmission source information detecting means), 32 recording medium interface (recording means), 36 ... non-volatile memory (registered telephone number storage means), 40 ... mobile phone (mobile communication terminal), 46 ... communication unit (communication means, transmission means), 48 ... line interface (communication means), 52 ... modem (communication means) ), 56: Server (image management device), 74: Image management device, 76: LAN

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04Q 9/00 301 H04B 7/26 109Q F-term (Reference) 5C022 AA13 AB65 AC69 5C054 AA01 CH02 EA01 EA07 HA14 5K048 AA05 BA10 BA13 CA08 DA01 DB01 DC01 DC03 EB15 FC01 HA01 HA02 HA05 HA07 HA21 5K067 AA21 BB04 BB28 DD13 DD16 DD52 EE02 GG01 GG11 HH05 HH22 HH23 5K101 KK11 LL01 LL03 LL12 MM05 MM07 NN02 NN06 NN18 NN06 NN18 NN06

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A method of remotely controlling a device, the method comprising: controlling a device operation without establishing a communication state with a communication partner based on reception of a communication request signal notified via a telephone line. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus detects said transmission source information notified via a telephone line and operates said apparatus only when a signal from a transmission source corresponding to a telephone number registered in advance is received. A method for remotely operating a device according to claim 1. 3. An imaging unit for converting an optical image into an electric signal, a signal processing unit for processing a signal output from the imaging unit, and recording the signal processed by the signal processing unit on a recording medium as image information. Recording means, a communication means for establishing a connection with a telephone line, and controlling the imaging means based on a communication request signal notified through the telephone line without establishing a communication state with a communication request partner. A camera system comprising: a control unit that executes a shooting operation by using a camera. 4. The camera system according to claim 3, wherein said system has a source information detecting unit for detecting a source information notified through a telephone line, and said control unit includes said source information detecting unit. A camera system that executes the photographing operation only when a signal from a source whose telephone number matches a pre-registered number is received using a detection result of the means. 5. An image pickup unit for converting an optical image into an electric signal, a transmission unit for transmitting an image picked up by the image pickup unit, a communication unit for connecting to a telephone line, and a notification via the telephone line. Source information detecting means for detecting source information to be transmitted, registered telephone number storing means for storing at least one telephone number registered in advance, and a communication request based on a communication request signal notified through a telephone line. Control means for controlling the imaging means without establishing a call state with the other party, wherein the control means uses a detection result of the transmission source information detection means to match a telephone number registered in advance in a registered telephone number storage means. A camera having control means for executing a photographing operation by the image pickup means only when a signal from a transmitting source is received, and a camera transmitted from the camera via the transmission means. An image management device including a recording unit that records an incoming image on a recording medium in association with the caller's telephone number; and a mobile communication terminal to which a telephone number registered in the registration number storage unit is assigned. A camera system comprising: