JP2004289669A - Image delivering camera and its setting and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image delivering camera that can be supplied at a low price by enabling its initial setting and control, and also eliminating an input terminal or the like for the setting, while heightening security capability; and to provide an image delivering camera setting or control method. <P>SOLUTION: There is provided the image delivering camera that is made up by providing a downsized pan tilt camera with communication capability of a mobile phone and is connected with the Internet via this communication capability to deliver picture images by using the Internet network. In the picture image delivering camera, permission for the control and setting of this picture image delivering camera is allowed using no password with security heightened. Further, the setting procedure for enabling the Internet connection can be performed by using the cellular network of the mobile phone, and that is easy to use and low in price. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image distribution camera for distributing photographed image information via a network and a method for setting or controlling the image distribution camera, and more particularly, to improving security performance by using a call via a telephone network. The present invention relates to an image delivery camera and a method of setting or controlling the image delivery camera, which can control and set the image delivery camera by remote control.
[0002]
[Prior art]
With the development of communication technology in recent years, the spread of communication devices, and the enhancement of communication infrastructure, Internet cameras and live cameras that take images of remote places such as overseas with an electronic camera and distribute the captured images through a network are used. It is becoming. In an image distribution camera for distributing image information of a remote place using a communication network such as the Internet, an initial setting of the image distribution camera (an image distribution server which is an upload destination of image data obtained by photographing). IP address, telephone number of an access point for connecting to the image distribution server by dial-up, ISP (Internet Service Provider) user ID, password, and the like) and instructions for changing such setting items and photographing. Controls such as (instruction of image capturing timing and its change, instruction of imaging direction and its change, etc.) need to be permitted only to a specific administrator from the viewpoint of security.
[0003]
As a technique for enabling only a specific administrator to set and control the image distribution camera, a method of setting a password and an ID number is generally used. For example, [Patent Document 1] discloses a monitoring camera device. Discloses a technology for setting an ID number to prevent unauthorized use by a third party. Such setting of the ID and password in the camera device is performed by directly connecting a dedicated input device or a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) to the camera device at the time of initial setting of the camera device, and setting and inputting the ID and password. ing.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3060309 (Paragraph [0004])
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional techniques as described above have the following problems.
An image distribution camera connected to the Internet or the like can be accessed by an unspecified number of people. In such an environment, with the above-described technology, a person other than the administrator illegally obtains the password due to leakage of the password, guess of the password, accidental identification, or password cracking by a computer program, and the image distribution camera. However, it is not possible to cope with the problem that the image distribution camera is used, so that higher security performance is required for setting and controlling the image distribution camera.
[0006]
Further, in the technology for setting a password or the like by directly connecting a PC or a dedicated input device to the image delivery camera, it is necessary to provide a PC connection terminal or a connection terminal to the dedicated input device on the image delivery camera side. The components such as the connection terminals are used only for setting the image distribution camera, and are also factors that increase the price of the image distribution camera.
[0007]
In view of the above problems, the present invention makes it possible to perform initial setting and control of an image distribution camera while improving security performance, and furthermore, it is possible to supply an image at a low cost by eliminating the need for input terminals and the like for the setting. A distribution camera and a setting or control method thereof are provided.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As means for solving the above problems, the present invention has the following features. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication unit connectable to a telephone network and an IP network, and an electronic camera that captures an image and generates image information, and the image information is transmitted by the communication unit via the IP network. And an image distribution camera for distributing the image.
[0009]
An "image distribution camera" is a device that can be connected to a network and is used to distribute image information obtained by capturing surrounding images to a user via the network. The image information to be distributed may be a still image or a moving image. Also, in this specification, the "telephone network" employs a communication method of establishing a line connection after calling the called terminal in advance and establishing a connection with the called terminal when establishing a connection between the calling terminal and the called terminal. Communication network. The “telephone network” in this specification includes a fixed telephone network, a mobile telephone network, a PHS (Personal Handy-phone Service) network, and other mobile communication networks. Further, a communication network that performs communication with a non-telephone-type terminal device in addition to a telephone, for example, an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) network is also included in the “telephone network”. In addition, when establishing a connection between a calling terminal and a called terminal, a telephone communication network using an IP network is also used as long as a communication method in which a call is made to the called terminal in advance and a line connection is established after a response from the called terminal is adopted. A communication network for an IP telephone (VoIP), for example, is also included in the “telephone network”.
[0010]
The “communication unit” has a function capable of connecting to a telephone network and an IP network, and is, for example, a communication unit having a function equivalent to a mobile phone. The connection between the telephone network and the IP network and the communication unit may be a wireless connection or a wired connection. The connection to the IP network may be a dial-up connection via a telephone network or a connection using a dedicated line. Note that the communication unit does not necessarily need to be wireless, but a wireless communication unit such as a mobile phone or a PHS is preferable in order to increase the degree of freedom of the installation location of the image distribution camera.
[0011]
The delivery of the image information may be a so-called PUSH type delivery using an e-mail, or the image information may be transferred in response to a request from an image browsing terminal using HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) or FTP (File Transfer Protocol). PULL-type distribution transmitted by the above protocol. In the present invention, there is no limitation on the distribution method of image information.
[0012]
The communication unit of the image distribution camera sets a telephone number so that a call from another telephone can be received. The user makes a call from a telephone (hereinafter referred to as a user telephone) by calling the image distribution camera. If the call via the telephone network meets a predetermined condition, the image distribution camera registers the telephone number of the telephone terminal device (user telephone) for the call. The predetermined condition is, for example, that no more than three calls have been made after setting the telephone number to the image distribution camera. In this way, the user can register the telephone number of the user's own telephone as the telephone number having the setting and control authority while the third party does not know the telephone number assigned to the image distribution camera. . Thereafter, the call from the registered telephone number (telephone number of the user telephone) is treated as a notification from a person having the authority to set or control the image distribution camera. The image distribution camera permits the setting and control of the image distribution camera for a call from a registered telephone number, but does not respond to a call from a user telephone other than an unregistered user telephone. After registering the telephone number, the image distribution camera executes at least one of control and setting of the image distribution camera in response to a call from a telephone having this telephone number via a telephone network.
[0013]
The setting and control of the image distribution camera is performed based on the permitted incoming telephone line signal. As the telephone line signal, a signal generated in accordance with the operation of the input means provided on the telephone, for example, a tone signal or a push signal can be adopted. Note that the telephone line signal may be any signal as long as it can be transmitted during communication connection between the user's telephone and the image distribution camera. The telephone line signal is not necessarily an analog signal such as a tone signal or a push signal, but may be a packet signal used in VoIP (Voice over IP), for example.
[0014]
“Telephone line signal” is a signal generated by a user operating input means of a telephone. The telephone line signal received by the image distribution camera may not be a signal directly generated by the telephone, but may be a signal relayed by a repeater (including a router) or an exchange constituting the telephone network.
[0015]
The "input means" is a means capable of passing information according to a user's operation to the telephone, for example, dials "0" to "9", "*", "#", and dials provided on the telephone. Buttons and other input buttons, keyboards, keypads, pointing devices, and the like.
[0016]
A second aspect of the present invention includes a communication unit connectable to a telephone network and an IP network, and an electronic camera that captures an image and generates image information, and distributes the image information to the IP network by the communication unit. It is proposed as a method of setting or controlling an image distribution camera for performing the setting. The meanings of “telephone network” and “communication unit” in this method are the same as in the first embodiment.
[0017]
In the method according to the second aspect, when a call is received from a telephone set as a notification setting of a telephone number, it is determined whether or not the call meets a predetermined condition, and if the call is registered, the telephone number is registered. And a step of, when a call from the telephone is received, determining whether to permit or disallow setting or control according to the call.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
[Image distribution system]
First, an image distribution system using an image distribution camera according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the image distribution camera according to the present embodiment. This image distribution camera is configured by adding a communication function of a mobile phone to a small pan-tilt camera. Since a communication function is not required for communication from the image distribution camera, there is no need to provide a telephone number input button, a telephone microphone, a speaker, and the like. By omitting these, an inexpensive and compact image distribution camera can be obtained. However, an input connector for the telephone carrier to assign a telephone number is required so that the image distribution camera can receive an incoming call from the user telephone.
[0021]
The image distribution camera 10 includes an imaging unit (camera unit) 30 in the outer case 20, and the imaging direction of the imaging unit 30 is configured to perform pan-tilt movement. Further, an orientation detection sensor (not shown) including a hall sensor and the like, which is attached so as to change the direction integrally with the imaging unit 30, is incorporated. The image distribution camera 10 has a built-in communication unit (not shown) based on a mobile communication system, and this communication unit uses image data captured by the imaging unit 30 as image information via a telephone network such as a mobile telephone network. To send. The image distribution camera 10 includes an antenna 40 for transmitting a radio signal to a base station by a communication unit and receiving a radio signal from the base station, and an input interface for registering settings such as a telephone number in the communication unit. And a dedicated connector 50 for connecting to an input device of a telephone carrier. Further, the image distribution camera 10 has a DC power input 70 for connecting a power cord 60 for supplying power.
[0022]
A power lamp 80 and a communication status display lamp 90 are provided at the lower front part of the image distribution camera 10. The power lamp 80 is turned on when power is supplied, and the communication status indicator lamp 90 is used when the communication unit is making a call for connection to the telephone network or receiving a call. It flashes and lights up when connection with the telephone network is established and data is being transmitted and received.
[0023]
FIG. 2 shows an example of installation of the image distribution camera 10. In this example, the image distribution camera 10 whose shooting direction is set is installed in the house 201 so as to shoot the vicinity of the gate 200. The user can change the shooting direction of the image distribution camera 10 by remote control. The image distribution camera 10 changes the direction of the imaging unit within the photographable range 202 in accordance with the imaging direction change command received from the communication unit.
[0024]
FIG. 3 is a network diagram of an image distribution system using the image distribution camera 10. The image distribution camera 10 can be connected to the telephone network 302 by communicating with the base station 301. The image distribution camera 10 can be connected via a user telephone (mobile telephone in this example) 304 functioning as a terminal for remote control, a telephone network (telephone line) 302, and a base station 305 on the user telephone 304 side.
[0025]
Company A, which is a communication carrier (mobile phone carrier), has an IP network 303 for data communication as well as a telephone network 302. An image distribution server 306 for receiving image information from the image distribution camera 10 and distributing the image information to the image browsing terminal is connected to the IP network 303. The image browsing terminal for receiving image information from the image distribution server 306 includes a user telephone 304, a mobile telephone 307 connected to a communication network of a company B (mobile phone carrier) different from the company A, and an Internet 308. The personal computer 309 or the like connected to the company A IP network 303 via the Internet, and any device capable of receiving image information from the image distribution server 306 can be used for image browsing of this system. Can be a terminal.
[0026]
In the following description, it is assumed that the user telephone 304 functioning as a terminal for setting and controlling the image distribution camera 10 is also used as an image browsing terminal for receiving image information from the image distribution server 306. In the present invention, the terminal device (user telephone 304) for setting and controlling the image distribution camera 10 and the image browsing terminal for receiving image information from the image distribution server 306 need not be the same device. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the user telephone 304 is used as a terminal device for setting and controlling the distribution camera 10, and another information terminal device, for example, a mobile telephone 307 or a personal computer 310 is used as an image browsing terminal.
[0027]
Although the image distribution server 306 is described as being connected to the company A IP network 303, the image distribution system according to the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Any network may be used as long as it can receive the image information sent from the Internet and can provide the image information to the image viewing terminal. For example, the image distribution server 306 may be a server device connected to the Internet 308, or may be a server device connected to the company B IP network 309.
[0028]
The image distribution server 306 stores the image information transmitted from the image distribution camera 10, and when the user requests image distribution from the user mobile phone 304 to the image distribution server 306, via the company A IP network 303 and the company A base station 305. Then, the image information is transmitted to the user mobile phone 304. The user can browse the image information displayed on the screen of the user mobile phone 304 and obtain information around the place where the image distribution camera 10 is arranged. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of image information transmitted from the image distribution camera 10, wherein the image information displayed on the display 401 of the mobile phone 304 and the information indicating the installation position of the image distribution camera “XX prefecture” XX city XX neighborhood ”and shooting direction information“ shooting direction / northeast ”are displayed.
[0029]
[Configuration example of image distribution camera system]
Next, a configuration example of the image distribution camera system according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image distribution camera system according to the present embodiment. The system includes an image distribution camera 10, an image distribution server 306, a user telephone 506 (corresponding to the telephone 304 in FIG. 3), and an image browsing terminal 507. The user telephone 506 can call the image distribution camera 10 via the base station (BS) 501B, the telephone network 502, and the base station 501A. The image distribution camera 10 can be connected to the image distribution server 306 via the base station 501A, the telephone network 502, the gateway 503, the access point 504, and the IP network 505, and uploads image information obtained by shooting. The image browsing terminal 507 can be connected to the IP network 505 and can receive the image information stored in the image distribution server 306.
[0030]
Hereinafter, components of the system will be described.
[Telephone Network]
The telephone network 502 is a communication network capable of calling the image distribution camera 10 in response to a call from the user telephone 506 and transmitting the telephone number of the user telephone 506 to the image distribution camera. The telephone network 502 of the present system may be either a fixed telephone network or a mobile telephone network, or may be a communication network combining a plurality of telephone networks via a gateway.
[0031]
[IP network]
When the IP network 505 establishes a session with a target device regardless of a wired / wireless network, a dedicated line / switched line for transmitting data based on IP (Internet Protocol), and a device connected thereto. To allow information to be sent and received between them. The IP network 505 may be a communication network realized by combining a plurality of networks (for example, the company A IP network 303, the Internet 308, and the company B IP network 309 shown in FIG. 3) via a gateway. Regarding the connection, even if the connection is not directly connected to the main line called a so-called backbone, but is temporarily connected by a PPP connection or the like, information can be transmitted and received during the session when the session is established. It does not matter.
[0032]
[Image distribution camera]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image distribution camera 10. The image distribution camera 10 receives an image capturing unit 601 including an electronic camera, image information captured by the image capturing unit 601, an image storage unit 602 storing the image information, and a call corresponding to a call of the user telephone 506. A communication unit 603 for transmitting the image information stored in the image storage unit 602 to the image distribution server 306, a photographing command to the imaging unit 601 and a command to transmit the image information to the communication unit 603; The central control unit 604 for registering setting information and executing control in response to the call notification, the image capturing time, the image information transmitting time, and the address and URL of the image distribution server 303 to which the image information is transmitted. A memory unit 605 for storing information necessary for the image distribution camera 10 to function, and an azimuth detection sensor 6 for detecting a shooting direction of the imaging unit 601. 6, a photographing direction control unit 607 for driving the driving unit 608 in response to a control command from the user telephone 506, and an image pickup unit 601 being rotated in response to a driving command from the photographing direction control unit 607 to change the photographing direction. And a drive unit (actuator) 608 for performing a change.
[0033]
The central control unit 604 instructs the imaging unit 601 to execute photographing when a predetermined time comes. The image capturing unit 601 captures an image according to the command, outputs image information, and stores the image information in the image information storage unit 602. When the image information is stored, the central control unit 604 instructs the communication unit 603 to transmit the image information. The communication unit 603 establishes a connection with the base station 501A in response to the command, and transmits image information to the image distribution server 306 via the base station 501A.
[0034]
Note that the photographing and transmission of the image information may be performed in response to a request from the image browsing terminal 507. In this case, the communication unit 603 receives the request from the image browsing terminal 507 and passes the request to the central control unit 604. When the central control unit 604 determines that the request is a request for photographing and transmitting image information, the central control unit 604 issues a photographing command to the image capturing unit 601 and operates to instruct the communication unit 603 to transmit image information. Also, the central control unit 604 receives the information regarding the call from the communication unit 603, determines whether to permit the control and setting of the image distribution camera 10 in accordance with the information, and writes the setting information and the like into the memory unit 605 if the permission is given. Or controls the imaging unit 601, the image storage unit 602, the communication unit 603, and the imaging direction control unit 604 to perform predetermined operations.
[0035]
The imaging direction control unit 607 gives a driving instruction to the driving unit 608 in response to an imaging direction change instruction from the user telephone 506. The drive unit 608 changes the shooting direction of the imaging unit 601 with a direction and a drive amount according to the drive command. Thus, the shooting direction of the image distribution camera 10 is changed according to a shooting direction change command from the user telephone 506.
[0036]
[Central control unit and memory unit]
The central control unit 604 and the memory unit 605 are components that mainly function to set or control the image distribution camera in response to a call from the user telephone 506. FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of the central control unit 604 and the memory unit 605. The central control unit 604 includes a counter process 701, a permission / rejection determination process 702, a telephone number registration process 703, a connection setting data registration process 704, an image shooting execution process 705, and an image transmission execution process 706.
[0037]
The counter process 701 acquires a signal related to the call from the communication unit 603, counts the signal, and passes the counted value to the permission / rejection determination process 702. Signals related to calls to be counted include an incoming signal (IR), a disconnect signal, and the like.
[0038]
The permission / rejection determination process 702 receives information indicating a telephone number and a counted value of a signal related to a call, and determines permission / prohibition of setting or control based on the information and / or the count value. The condition serving as a criterion for determination is written in the condition storage area 709 of the memory unit 605. If it is determined to permit, an instruction is issued to each unit and each process that executes the corresponding process.
[0039]
If the permission / rejection determination process 702 determines that the count value matches the condition for permitting the registration of the telephone number of the user telephone 506, it instructs the telephone number registration process 703 to execute a telephone number registration process. The telephone number registration process 703 receives the telephone number of the user telephone 506 acquired from the communication unit 603, and writes the telephone number in the telephone number storage area 707 of the memory unit 605. Note that the telephone number is obtained using a signal that is transmitted from a telephone network (more specifically, a control station (CS)) and notifies the telephone number of the transmission line.
[0040]
After the registration of the telephone number, if the communication unit 603 receives a call from a telephone via the telephone network 502, the permission / rejection determination process 702 obtains the telephone number of the telephone line associated with the call, and The number is compared with the telephone number stored in the telephone number storage area 707, and if the obtained telephone number matches any of the stored telephone numbers, the other processes 703 to 706 are started, and a predetermined process is performed. Allow processing to take place. On the other hand, if they do not match, the call is abandoned without any operation, or after a voice message stating that "there is no administrative authority" is returned, a call end signal is transmitted to the telephone network 502 to disconnect the telephone line. May be performed.
[0041]
After determining that the telephone numbers match, a permission / rejection determination process 702 determines whether a call from the user telephone 506 matches a predetermined condition, and if so, executes a process corresponding to the condition. To work. This condition is stored in the condition storage area 709 of the memory unit 605. In the present embodiment, whether or not the call meets the condition is determined using the count value counted by the counter process 701, that is, the number of receptions of the incoming signal and the number of receptions of the disconnection signal for the call. The present invention is not limited to the number of times of reception of the incoming signal and the number of times of reception of the disconnection signal, and is a signal that can be acquired by the image distribution camera 10 via the telephone line 502. Can be used to determine For example, a push button dial signal (PB signal) or a dial pulse signal (DP signal) emitted from a control station of the image distribution camera 10 in response to an operation of the user telephone 506 is used instead of the incoming signal and the disconnection signal. Is also good.
[0042]
In the following, the main processing executed when the call meets the condition will be described.
[Connection setting data registration]
If it is determined that the count value satisfies the condition for permitting connection setting data registration, the permission / refusal determination process 702 instructs the connection setting data registration process 704 to execute connection setting data registration processing. The connection setting data registration process 704 transmits a voice message or an input screen prompting input of connection setting data to the user telephone 506 via the communication unit 603. The input connection setting data includes, for example, the telephone number of the access point 504 to which a dial-up connection is to be made, a user ID for receiving an Internet connection service through the access point 504, a password, the IP address of the image distribution server 306, and the like. The user transmits the connection setting data to the image distribution camera 10 by using a selection signal such as a PB signal pressed by a push button such as “0” to “9” “*” “#” of the user telephone 506 or a DP signal. When a selection signal as connection setting data is transmitted from the user telephone 506, the connection setting data registration process 704 acquires this selection signal via the communication unit 603, and sets the selection signal to “0” to “9” “*”. The data is converted into character string data such as “#”, and the data is written to the connection setting data storage area 708 of the memory unit 605.
[0043]
[Image shooting]
If it is determined that the count value satisfies the condition for permitting image photographing, the permission / refusal determination process 702 instructs the image photographing execution process 705 to execute image photographing processing. The image capturing execution process 705 receiving this instruction causes the image capturing unit 601 to execute image capturing. In response to this command, the image capturing unit 601 captures an image, outputs image information, and causes the image storage unit 602 to store the image information.
[0044]
[Image transmission]
If it is determined that the count value satisfies the condition for permitting image transmission, the permission / refusal determination process 702 instructs the image transmission execution process 706 to execute image transmission processing. The image transmission process 706 obtains data in the connection setting data storage area 708 of the memory unit 605, and using this data, the communication unit 603 attempts to connect to the access point 504 via the base station 501A and the telephone line 502. . When notified that the connection has been established from the communication unit 603, the image transmission execution process 706 instructs the communication unit 603 to transmit the image information stored in the image storage unit 602 to the image distribution server 306. . The communication unit 603 generates an IP packet addressed to the image distribution server 306 from the image information according to the instruction, and transmits the IP packet to the image distribution server 306 via the telephone line 502, the access point 504, and the IP network 505.
[0045]
[Change shooting direction]
If it is determined that the count value satisfies the condition for permitting the imaging unit to change the imaging direction, the permission / refusal determination process 702 instructs the imaging direction control unit 607 to execute the imaging direction change. The imaging direction control unit 607 generates a drive signal corresponding to the specified drive amount and drive direction, and sends the drive signal to the drive unit 608. Upon receiving the drive signal, the drive unit 608 rotates the imaging unit 601 according to the designated drive amount and drive direction. The drive amount and drive direction may be specified by a method of transmitting the count value (the number of incoming signals and disconnection signals) to the image distribution camera, or by using a selection signal. May be.
[0046]
Returning to FIG. 5 again, the description of the configuration example of the image distribution camera system will be continued.
[0047]
[Image distribution server]
The image distribution server 303 is, for example, an information processing device such as a computer or a workstation, and includes an arithmetic processing unit (CPU), a main memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an input / output device (I / O), and a hard disk. It is composed of a device having an external storage device such as a device. The image distribution server 303 has a function of receiving image information from the image distribution camera 10 and transmitting the image information to the image viewing terminal 306.
[0048]
[Image viewing terminal]
The image browsing terminal 507 is a device that receives image information from the image distribution server 306 via the IP network 505 and displays the image information to a user. TV devices, mobile phones, and the like having a connection function. Note that the user telephone 506 may be used as the image viewing terminal 507, of course.
[0049]
[Operation example of image distribution camera and image distribution camera system]
Next, an example of an operation example of the image distribution camera 10, the image distribution camera system, and a setting / control method of the image distribution camera 10 will be described.
[0050]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a main setting / control flow performed for the image distribution camera 10. The main setting / control flow performed for the image distribution camera 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the user (or the administrator of the image distribution camera) installs the image distribution camera 10 at a desired place (step S801). The image distribution camera 10 is installed at a target place, and wiring for power supply is performed. When the communication unit 603 is based on the wireless communication system, there is an advantage that installation is easier. In addition, the power supply may be a battery (including a fuel cell) other than the electric wiring, or a power supply using a solar cell. When such a power supply is used, the degree of freedom of an installation place is further increased. The advantage that movement is also easy is obtained.
[0051]
When the image distribution camera 10 is installed, the user has a telephone number provided by a telephone communication carrier, and sets the telephone number in the communication unit 603. The user makes a call from the user telephone 506 to this telephone number. Only the user (administrator) can know the telephone number given here, and it is possible to prevent a third party from connecting to the image distribution camera 10. Note that it is preferable to perform a reception test several times at the time of assigning a telephone number, and confirm that the reception has been successfully performed by the incoming lamp.
[0052]
Next, the administrator makes a call from the user telephone 506 to the image distribution camera 10 so as to meet a predetermined condition, makes a call, and registers the telephone number of the user telephone 506 in the image distribution camera 10. (Step S802). The predetermined condition is, for example, that the image distribution camera receives the telephone number within the Mth time from the assignment of the telephone number to the image distribution camera and disconnects after calling N times. In this case, the telephone number of the user telephone set 10 is not registered.
[0053]
In step S802, the telephone number of the user telephone 506 has been registered in the image distribution camera 10 as a telephone number for which setting and control are permitted. After that, the user dials the image distribution camera again from the user telephone 506 and connects via the telephone network 502, and the image distribution camera 10 connects to the image distribution server 306 and transmits the connection setting data for transmitting the image information. Registration is performed (step S803). The setting items of the connection setting data include “Internet service provider (ISP) dial-up number, user ID and password”.
[0054]
By step S803, the registration of the connection setting data is completed, and the image distribution camera 10 can transmit image information to the image distribution server 306. Thereafter, the image distribution camera 10 receives various control commands for the image distribution camera 10 from the user by calling from the user telephone 506 (steps S804, S805, and S806). The image distribution camera 10 identifies a control command instructed by the user based on the number of times of telephone calls from the user telephone 506, and executes processing and operations corresponding to the control command. The relationship between the number of calls and the control command is determined, for example, as follows, and is stored in the condition storage area 709 of the image distribution camera.
(1) Disconnect after 1-2 calls… No control command
(2) When the call is disconnected three times: Change of shooting direction
(3) When the call is disconnected four times: Image shooting and image distribution
(4) When the call is disconnected after 5 calls: Change of connection setting data
(5) When disconnecting after 6 or more calls: No control command
The user makes a call to the image distribution camera 10 from the user telephone 506 and hangs up the telephone at the number of calls corresponding to the desired control command, whereby the image distribution camera can execute a desired process or operation.
Next, a specific process of registering the telephone number of the user telephone 506 (step 802), registering the connection setting data (step S803), and accepting or rejecting each control command (steps S804 to S806) will be described.
[0055]
[Phone number registration for user phone]
A specific processing example of the telephone number registration of the user telephone set 506 (FIG. 8, step S802) will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing for registering a telephone number in the image distribution camera system, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of determining whether to permit or not register the telephone number. In this example, it is assumed that the condition that the registration of the telephone number of the user's telephone is permitted when the number of calls from the telephone is two or less and the number of calls is two is set. Reference numeral 10 denotes a state in which no call is received from any telephone after the telephone number is set.
First, the user transmits a call signal 1 (SG901) to the base station 501B to call the image distribution camera 10 from the user telephone 506. The telephone network 502 that has received the call signal 1 (SG901) from the base station 501B transmits the telephone number information SG902 to the image distribution camera 10 via the base station 501A. The telephone number information SG902 is information including the telephone number of the user telephone 506. Upon completing the reception of the telephone number information SG902, the image distribution camera 10 returns a reception completion signal SG903 to the telephone network 502 via the base station 501A. Upon receiving the reception completion signal SG903, the telephone network 502 returns a ringing tone (RBT) 1 (SG904) to the user telephone 506 via the base station 501B, and an incoming signal 1 (SG904) to the image distribution camera 10 via the base station 501A. SG905). The user understands that the call is made once by the ring tone SG904.
[0056]
Subsequently, the user causes the user telephone 506 to transmit a second call signal 2 (SG906) so as to make a second call. The telephone network 502 returns a ringing tone (RBT) 2 (SG907) to the user telephone 506 via the base station 501B in response to the call signal 2 (SG906), and receives a call to the image distribution camera 10 via the base station 501A. The signal 2 (SG908) is transmitted.
[0057]
The user confirms that the call has been made twice from the ringtones 1 and 2 (SG904, SG907) and hangs up the telephone. Then, the user telephone set 506 sends a disconnection signal SG909 to the base station 501B, and the telephone network 502 that has received the disconnection signal SG909 from the base station 501B transmits a disconnection signal SG910 to the image distribution camera 10 via the base station 501A.
[0058]
After receiving the disconnection signal SG910, the image distribution camera 10 determines whether setting or control is permitted (step STP911). FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation example of determining whether or not to permit telephone number registration. The image distribution camera 10 is in a telephone waiting state (S1001) and can receive a call from the user telephone 506. Thereafter, image distribution camera 10 receives an incoming call from user telephone 506 (step 1002). Here, the term "incoming call" refers to the reception of a series of signals from the telephone number information SG902 to the disconnection signal SG910.
[0059]
The image distribution camera 10 first determines whether or not the telephone number of the user telephone 506 (the other party) has been notified (step S1003). If not notified, the telephone line is disconnected (step S1004) and the telephone returns to the telephone waiting state in preparation for the next incoming call (step S1001).
[0060]
If the telephone number has been notified, it is determined whether the number is within a predetermined number of incoming calls (step S1005). In this example, the number of incoming calls is counted based on the number of disconnection signals received in the past, but may be counted by another method. If the number of incoming calls exceeds a predetermined number, the telephone line is disconnected (step S1004), and a telephone standby state is set in preparation for the next incoming call (step S1001). On the other hand, if the number of incoming calls up to the present is within the predetermined number, the process proceeds to the next step, and it is determined whether the number of calls included in the current incoming call is within the predetermined number of calls (step S1006). In this example, the number of calls included in the current incoming call is determined based on the number of times the incoming signal is received. However, the number of calls may be counted by another method.
[0061]
If the number of calls included in the current incoming call is within the predetermined number of calls, the process proceeds to the next step, and it is determined whether the number of registered telephone numbers already registered exceeds the predetermined number (step S1007). . The image distribution camera 10 defines the number of user telephones that can be registered as the remote operation terminal, and can register until the number reaches a predetermined number. For example, if up to four telephone numbers of user telephones can be registered in the image distribution camera 10 used by a family of four, each family can use the image distribution camera 10. In step 1007, if the number of registered telephone numbers exceeds a predetermined number, the line is disconnected without performing registration (step S1009). On the other hand, if the number is within the predetermined number, the telephone number included in the telephone number information SG902 is written in the telephone number storage area 707 of the memory unit 605, and the telephone number is registered (step S1008). Thus, the processing from the determination of the permission of the telephone number registration to the registration is completed.
[0062]
In this example, the telephone number registration permission / prohibition determination processing (step STP911) and the registration processing (step STP912) as illustrated in FIG. 10 are completed. This incoming call is counted by the counter process 701 as one reception (the disconnect signal SG910) and two calls (the incoming signals SG908 and SG910), and passed to the permission / rejection determination process 702 as a count value. Since this count value satisfies the condition for permitting the registration of the telephone number of the user telephone (the reception is within two times and the number of calls is two), the telephone number is registered.
[0063]
Returning to FIG. After registering the telephone number (step STP912), the user calls the image distribution camera 10 again from the user telephone set 506 (calling signal SG913) and disconnects after calling once (disconnection signal SG914). In response, the image distribution camera 10 receives the incoming signal SG916 from the telephone network 502 via the base station 501A, and determines whether or not to permit telephone number registration (STP917). In the case of this incoming call, the number of receptions is counted twice (two of the disconnection signals SG910 and SG916) and the number of calls is counted once (the incoming signal SG915). Since this count value does not satisfy the condition for permitting the registration of the telephone number (it is within two receptions and the number of calls is two), the telephone number registration is not performed.
[0064]
Since the number of receptions is two, the telephone number registration is not performed even if the telephone number registration is attempted by calling the image distribution camera 10 from any telephone including the user telephone 506 thereafter. It is possible to prevent a person from illegally acquiring the authority to operate the image distribution camera 10.
[0065]
[Registration of connection setting data]
Next, a specific processing example of registration of connection setting data (FIG. 8, step S803) will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing for registering connection setting data in the image distribution camera system, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of determining whether to permit registration of connection setting data. It is assumed that the image distribution camera 10 has already registered the telephone number of the user telephone 506 and the telephone number of another user telephone 1101 has not been registered.
First, the user transmits a call signal (SG1101) to the base station 501B to call the image distribution camera 10 from the user telephone 506. The telephone network 502 that has received the calling signal (SG1101) from the base station 501B transmits the telephone number information SG1102 to the image distribution camera 10 via the base station 501A. The telephone number information SG1102 is information including the telephone number of the user telephone 506, and the telephone number has already been registered in the image distribution camera 10. Upon completing the reception of the telephone number information SG1102, the image distribution camera 10 returns a reception completion signal SG1103 to the telephone network 502 via the base station 501A. Upon receiving the reception completion signal SG1103, the telephone network 502 returns a ring tone (RBT) (SG1104) to the user telephone set 506 via the base station 501B, and transmits an incoming signal SG1105 to the image distribution camera 10 via the base station 501A. I do.
[0066]
The image distribution camera 10 understands that the incoming call has been received from the incoming signal SG1105, and performs a permission / rejection determination process for registration of connection setting data (STP1106). Hereinafter, an example of the registration permission / non-permission judgment processing of the connection setting data will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the image distribution camera 10 is in a call waiting state (step S1201), and can receive a call from the user telephone 506. Thereafter, the image distribution camera 10 receives an incoming call from the user telephone 506 (step S1202).
[0067]
The image distribution camera 10 first determines whether or not the telephone number of the user telephone 506 (the other party) has been notified (step S1203). If not notified, registration of the connection setting data is not permitted, and the process returns to the telephone waiting state in preparation for the next incoming call (step S1201).
[0068]
If the telephone number has been notified, it is determined whether the notified telephone number matches any of the already registered telephone numbers (step S1204). If there is no match, registration of the connection setting data is not permitted, and the process returns to the telephone waiting state in preparation for the next incoming call (step S1201).
[0069]
On the other hand, if the notified telephone number matches any of the already registered telephone numbers, the flow shifts to the connection setting data registration mode (step S1205). After shifting to the connection setting data registration mode, the user inputs connection setting data such as a dial-up destination telephone number, a user ID, a password, and the like from the user telephone 506, and the input data is transmitted via the telephone line 502 to the image distribution camera 10. The image distribution camera 10 receives this data (step S1206), and registers the connection setting data by writing it in the connection setting data storage area 708 of the memory unit 605 (step S1207). After the writing is completed, the telephone line is disconnected (step S1208), and the process of registering the connection setting data is completed.
[0070]
Returning to FIG. 11, the description will be continued. When the determinations in steps S1203 and S1204 shown in FIG. 12 are completed (FIG. 11, step STP1106), and it is determined that the registration of the connection setting data is permitted, the image distribution camera 10 shifts to the setting mode and connects with the user telephone 506 and the line. A response signal SG1107 is issued for connection. In response, telephone network 502 sends response signal SG1108 to user telephone 506, and as a result, a telephone line connection between user telephone 506 and image distribution camera 10 is established. Through this telephone line, the user telephone 506 transmits the connection setting data to be registered to the image distribution camera 10 (STP1109). In this example, the connection setting data is transmitted as voice data such as a DP signal or a PB signal by a dial button of the user telephone 506.
[0071]
After completing the transmission of the connection setting data, the image distribution camera 10 writes the received data into the connection setting data storage area 708 of the memory unit 605 (step STP1110). Thereafter, the image distribution camera 10 sends an end signal SG1111 to the telephone network 502 to disconnect the line, and the telephone network disconnects the telephone line accordingly. Thus, the registration of the setting connection data is completed.
[0072]
Next, a case where registration of connection setting data is attempted from a telephone whose telephone number is not registered will be described.
First, user telephone 1100, which is a telephone whose telephone number is not registered, transmits call signal SG1112 to base station 501B to call image distribution camera 10. The telephone network 502 that has received the call signal SG1112 from the base station 501B transmits the telephone number information SG1113 to the image distribution camera 10 via the base station 501A. The telephone number information SG1113 is information including the telephone number of the user telephone 1100, and this telephone number is not registered in the image distribution camera 10. Upon completing the reception of the telephone number information, the image distribution camera 10 returns a reception completion signal SG1114 to the telephone network 502 via the base station 501A. Upon receiving the reception completion signal SG1114, the telephone network 502 transmits an incoming signal SG1115 to the image distribution camera 10 via the base station 501A.
[0073]
The image distribution camera 10 understands that the incoming call has been matched by the incoming signal SG1115, and performs a permission / rejection determination process for registration of connection setting data (step STP1116).
[0074]
In this case, the notified telephone number does not match any of the registered telephone numbers. The image distribution camera 10 does not permit the registration of the connection setting data, and returns to the telephone waiting state in preparation for the next incoming call.
As described above, connection setting data registration from a telephone without registration of a telephone number is not permitted. For example, even if a third party illegally knows the telephone number of the image distribution camera 10, this third party can It is prevented that ten connection settings are made.
[0075]
[Permission of acceptance of each control instruction]
Next, a specific processing example of whether or not each control command is accepted (steps S804, S805, and S806 in FIG. 8) will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing for receiving a control command in the image distribution camera system, and FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation for determining whether or not to accept a control command. It is assumed that the image distribution camera 10 has already completed the registration of the telephone number of the user telephone 506 and the registration of the setting connection data.
First, the user transmits a calling signal 1 (SG1301) to the base station 501B to call the image distribution camera 10 from the user telephone 506. The telephone network 502 that has received the calling signal 1 (SG1301) from the base station 501B transmits the telephone number information SG1302 to the image distribution camera 10 via the base station 501A. The telephone number information SG1302 is information including the telephone number of the user telephone 506. Upon completing the reception of the telephone number information SG1302, the image distribution camera 10 returns a reception completion signal SG1303 to the telephone network 502 via the base station 501A. Upon receiving the reception completion signal SG1303, the telephone network 502 returns a ringing tone (RBT) 1 (SG1304) to the user telephone 506 via the base station 501B and an incoming signal 1 (SG1304) to the image distribution camera 10 via the base station 501A. SG1305). The user understands that the call is made once by the ring tone SG1304.
[0076]
Thereafter, the user repeatedly transmits the call signal L times. In the figure, an L-th calling signal L (SG1306), a ringing tone L (RBT) L (SG1307), and an incoming signal L (SG1308) are shown, and these signals from the second to L-1 times are omitted.
[0077]
The user confirms that L (SG1304 to SG1307) has made L calls from ringtone 1 and hangs up. The user telephone 506 sends a disconnection signal SG1309 to the base station 501B, and the telephone network 502 that has received the disconnection signal SG1309 from the base station 501B transmits a disconnection signal SG1310 to the image distribution camera 10 via the base station 501A.
[0078]
After receiving the disconnection signal SG1310, the image distribution camera 10 determines whether to accept the control command (step STP1311). FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the control permission / non-permission determination. The image distribution camera 10 is in a telephone waiting state (step S1401), and can receive a call from the user telephone 506.
[0079]
Image distribution camera 10 receives an incoming call from user telephone 506 (step S1402). The image distribution camera 10 first determines whether the telephone number of the user telephone 506 (the other party) has been notified (step S1403). If not notified, execution of any control is not permitted, and the process returns to the telephone waiting state in preparation for the next incoming call (step S1401).
[0080]
If the telephone number has been notified, it is determined whether the notified telephone number matches any of the already registered telephone numbers (step S1404). If there is no match, registration of the connection setting data is not permitted, and the process returns to the telephone waiting state in preparation for the next incoming call (step S1401). On the other hand, if the notified phone number matches one of the registered phone numbers,
The number of calls included in the current incoming call is counted (step S1405). In this example, the number of calls included in the current incoming call is determined based on the number of times the incoming signal has been received since the last received disconnection signal, but the number of calls may be counted by another method. .
[0081]
The permission / rejection determination process 702 of the image distribution camera 10 receives the count value from the counter process, compares the count value with the condition stored in the condition storage area 709 of the memory unit 605, and executes a process corresponding to the count value. (Step S1407). For example, if the conditions stored in the condition storage area 709 have the following contents:
(1) Disconnect after 1-2 calls… No control command
(2) When the call is disconnected three times: Change of shooting direction
(3) When the call is disconnected four times: Image shooting and image distribution
(4) When the call is disconnected after 5 calls: Change of connection setting data
(5) When disconnecting after 6 or more calls: No control command
If the number of calls L = 3, a process of changing the shooting direction is executed. If the number of calls L = 4, a process of starting shooting and image distribution is executed. If the number of calls L = 5, the connection setting data is changed. Then, the connection setting data is changed.
[0082]
In this way, by making a call from the user telephone 506 to the number of calls corresponding to the control to be executed to the image distribution camera 10, the desired control can be executed by the image distribution camera 10. If the number of calls, L = 2 or less, or 6 or more, execution of any control is not permitted, and the process returns to the telephone waiting state in preparation for the next incoming call (step S1401).
[0083]
Steps S1403 to S406 in FIG. 14 are processes performed in STP 1311 in FIG. 13, and steps S1407 and S1408 in FIG. 14 are processes performed in process STP 1312 in FIG.
[0084]
[Modification]
In the above example, the connection setting data was transmitted by making a telephone connection to the image distribution camera 10, but the image distribution camera 10 was connected to the IP network by IP connection by a point-to-point protocol (PPP) connection. Other necessary detailed settings (switching of image quality mode, change of image parameters such as white balance, sharpness, contrast, etc.) and camera control may be performed via the IP network.
[0085]
In the network example shown in FIG. 3, the same IP address as the telephone number is assigned to the image distribution camera 10 on the IP network 303 in the communication company A. (It becomes possible with a global IP address in IPV6 or a private IP address in the telecommunications carrier A company.) For example, if the call is disconnected five times, the image distribution camera 10 permits setting and control by IP connection. Then, a telephone number is input as an IP address from the mobile phone 304, and an IP connection is made with the image distribution camera 10 via the IP network 304. With such a connection, it is possible to perform other necessary detailed settings and control the camera from the display screen of the mobile phone 10 using the Web browser. Various methods are conceivable for the IP connection to the image distribution camera 10, but the URL of the image distribution camera 10 is determined, and the user is notified of the URL. The connection from the URL may be registered as the “permitted telephone number” from the mobile phone 307 of a different telephone carrier B, and the connection may be established.
[0086]
[Advantages in the present embodiment]
(1) Improvement of security
Since the image distribution camera according to the present embodiment permits setting and control without using a password, there is no danger that a third party will be permitted due to leakage of the password or accidental identity. Also, there is no need to enter a password. Also, once the telephone number of the user's telephone is registered in the image distribution camera, it can only be performed from the telephone with the registered telephone number. No changes are made.
The security performance (prevention of unauthorized use of the image distribution camera by a third party) of the image distribution camera according to the present invention depends on the management state of the telephone (user telephone) of the registered telephone number. Therefore, if the user phone is a mobile phone, it is highly likely that the user is constantly wearing and managing the user phone, so that others use the user phone to illegally set or control the image distribution camera. It is easy to prevent the problem, and as a result, higher security performance can be expected as compared with the conventional image distribution camera.
(2) Omission of input devices
Further, according to the image distribution camera according to the present embodiment, since setting and control operations can be performed from the user telephone, a PC or a dedicated input device for performing data input or the like for setting by the user on the image distribution camera is required. Become useless.
(3) Downsizing and price reduction of image distribution camera
Furthermore, according to the image distribution camera of the present embodiment, the user performs the above-described setting and control via the communication unit for distributing the image. An input terminal for setting is unnecessary, and as a result, the image distribution camera is small and inexpensive.
(4) Improvement of freedom of installation location
Since the above setting and control can be performed by remote control, even if the installation location of the image distribution camera is a place where it is difficult for people to reach such as the roof of a house, the roof of a building, a mountainous area, the setting of the image distribution camera Control can be performed easily and quickly at any time.
[0087]
(5) Other uses
Further, it is conceivable to use the setting or control method of the image distribution camera and the image monitoring camera according to the present invention as a remote monitoring camera and a control method thereof. Since it can be used as a receiving terminal device, it can be monitored at any time while changing or correcting the photographing direction while monitoring on the display screen of the mobile phone.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an image distribution camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an installation example of an image distribution camera.
FIG. 3 is a network diagram of an image distribution system using an image distribution camera.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of image information transmitted from an image distribution camera.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image distribution camera system.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image distribution camera.
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a central control unit and a memory unit;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a main setting / control flow performed for the image distribution camera.
FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing example of telephone number registration in the image distribution camera system.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation example of determining whether or not to permit telephone number registration.
FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing for registering connection setting data in the image distribution camera system.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation example of determining whether to permit registration of connection setting data.
FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing example of receiving a control command in the image distribution camera system.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of determining whether to accept a control command.
[Explanation of symbols]
10. Image distribution camera
302, 502… telephone network
304, 506… telephone
306… Image distribution server
308,505 ... IP network
601 ... imaging unit
602: Image storage unit
603… Communication unit
604 Central control unit
605… memory section
606… azimuth detection sensor
607… shooting direction control unit
608… drive unit

Claims (15)

An image distribution camera, comprising: a communication unit connectable to a telephone network and an IP network; and an electronic camera that captures an image to generate image information, and distributes the image information by the communication unit via the IP network. ,
The image distribution camera is:
If an incoming call via the telephone network meets a predetermined condition, register the telephone number of the telephone corresponding to the incoming call,
After the registration of the telephone number, the telephone number of the incoming call through the telephone network is compared with the registered telephone number to determine whether or not to permit, and the setting or control of the image distribution camera based on the permitted incoming telephone line signal. An image delivery camera characterized by performing: An image distribution camera, comprising: a communication unit connectable to a telephone network and an IP network; and an electronic camera that captures an image to generate image information, and distributes the image information by the communication unit via the IP network. ,
The image distribution camera is:
When an incoming call to the communication unit via the telephone network meets a predetermined condition, the telephone number of the telephone corresponding to the incoming call is recorded,
After the registration of the telephone number, an IP address for distributing image information based on the telephone line signal of the permitted incoming call is determined by comparing the incoming telephone number via the telephone network with the registered telephone number. An image distribution camera for performing initial setting or setting change relating to a network connection. 3. The image distribution camera according to claim 2, wherein the telephone line signal is a signal generated in response to an operation of an input unit provided on the telephone. The image distribution camera according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that the number of calls to the communication unit is within a predetermined number of times since the registration of the telephone number of the image distribution camera. 3. The predetermined condition according to claim 1, wherein the number of calls to the communication unit is within a predetermined number from the registration of the telephone number, and the number of calls for the call is the predetermined number. An image distribution camera according to claim 1. 3. The image distribution camera according to claim 1, wherein the registered telephone number is within a predetermined number. The image distribution camera according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit is a mobile phone. A communication unit connectable to a telephone network and an IP network, and an electronic camera that captures an image to generate image information, and sets or sets an image distribution camera for distributing the image information to the IP network by the communication unit. A method of performing control,
When receiving a call from a telephone set to a telephone number notification setting, determine whether this call matches a predetermined condition, and if the call matches, register the phone number,
When a call from the telephone is received, a step of determining whether setting or control is permitted according to the call,
A method for setting or controlling an image distribution camera, comprising: 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the determining step includes a step of determining whether or not the telephone number of the called telephone matches the telephone number registered in the registering step. A method for setting or controlling an image distribution camera. The method according to claim 8 or 9,
The method further includes a step of receiving, as an input for the setting and the control, a signal generated by operating an input means of the telephone when it is determined in the determining that the setting or the control is permitted. A method for setting or controlling an image distribution camera. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the signal generated by operating the input unit of the telephone is a tone signal or a push signal. 11. The image delivery apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined condition is that the number of calls to the communication unit is within a predetermined number of times since the registration of the telephone number of the image delivery camera. A method for setting or controlling a camera. 11. The predetermined condition, wherein the number of calls to the communication unit is within a predetermined number of times from the registration of the telephone number, and the number of calls for the call is a predetermined number of times. A method for setting or controlling the image distribution camera according to any one of the above. The method for setting or controlling an image distribution camera according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the registered telephone number is within a predetermined number. The method for setting or controlling an image distribution camera according to any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the telephone is a mobile telephone.

Images