JP2005086609A - Camera device and camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a surveillance camera device capable of preventing a camera device body or a zoom lens installed within a camera housing of the surveillance camera device from stealing. <P>SOLUTION: The surveillance camera device comprises an optical system, a camera unit for photographing an object image through the optical system, a sensor, a first alarm unit, a camera housing for accommodating at least the optical system, the camera unit, and the sensor, a lid section of the camera housing attached at the camera housing detachably, and a drive means for the first alarm unit. The sensor is linked with the lid section of the camera housing, to generate a detection signal in response to attachment and detachment of the camera housing and drive the drive means for the first alarm unit in response to the detection signal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera device and a camera system, and more particularly to a camera device and a camera system in which the camera device is protected by a camera housing or the like.

  A monitoring device using a camera device is, for example, an intruder or an intruding object (hereinafter referred to as an intruding object) to a public building or place, a bank, a store such as a supermarket, a dam, a base, or a restricted area such as an airfield. Many are used for monitoring purposes. In particular, recently, the installation of unmanned surveillance camera devices has increased, and even in that case, there is a tendency that the installation of surveillance cameras having a wide range of surveillance area within the field of view and high resolution is increasing. In such a wide monitoring area, a high-resolution monitoring camera device is used, but there are many very expensive optical systems such as a camera device main body and a zoom lens. On the other hand, these surveillance camera devices are structured such that the lid of the camera housing part of the surveillance camera device can be easily opened for regular maintenance and inspection.

  However, such an expensive surveillance camera device can easily open the lid of the camera housing part, and the opportunity for the camera device body and the zoom lens to be stolen increases, and even if the lid of the camera housing part is opened. The monitoring office does not know anything, so countermeasures are desired.

In particular, it has not been discovered.

  An object of the present invention is to prevent the camera device body and the optical system placed inside the camera housing of the monitoring camera device from being stolen.

  The camera device of the present invention includes an optical system, a camera unit that captures a subject image via the optical system, a sensor and a first alarm device, and at least the optical system, the camera unit, and the sensor. The camera housing comprises a camera housing lid portion detachably attached to the camera housing and a driving means for the first alarm device. The sensor cooperates with the camera housing lid portion, A detection signal is generated in accordance with the attachment / detachment, and the driving means of the first alarm device is driven based on the detection signal.

  In the camera device of the present invention, the driving means of the first alarm device includes an external power supply means, an internal storage battery means, a switching means for switching between the external power supply means and the internal storage battery means, and the above And a control circuit for controlling the switching means, wherein the control means is configured to control the switching means in response to the stop of the power supply of the external power supply means.

  In the camera device of the present invention, the control circuit further includes input means for predetermined information, and is configured to stop the operation of the drive means of the first alarm device based on the input of the predetermined information. Is done.

  The camera system of the present invention further includes a camera device and a monitoring terminal device coupled to the camera device via a transmission path, and the camera device captures an object image via the optical system and the optical system. A camera unit, a sensor and a first alarm device, a camera housing containing at least the optical system, the camera unit, and the sensor, a lid of the camera housing detachably attached to the camera housing, and the first The alarm device driving means, the sensor cooperates with the lid of the camera housing, generates a detection signal in response to the attachment or detachment of the camera housing, and the first alarm based on the detection signal. While driving the drive means of an apparatus, the said monitoring terminal device has a signal processing part and a 2nd alarm device, and said 2nd based on the said detection signal Configured to drive an alarm device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the theft of expensive parts such as the camera device main body and the optical system in the camera device.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the camera device includes a camera unit 100, a pan head 107, and a fixed base 114. The camera unit 100 includes a housing unit 101 of the camera unit 100, an optical system 102 such as a zoom lens for enlarging the subject, a camera main body 103 that captures an image of the subject, a lid unit 104 of the camera housing unit, and a lid unit state of the camera housing unit Sensor 105 for detecting the first alarm device 106 and a first alarm device 106 such as a buzzer. Note that parts and the like not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The camera unit 100 enlarges a subject, and is converted into a video signal by a camera body 103 via an optical system 102 such as a zoom lens that captures an image, and a monitoring office or the like to be described later via a transmission path (not shown). Is transmitted. The cover 104 of the camera housing portion is detachably attached to the camera housing portion 101 with screws or the like for periodic inspection, maintenance, or repair at the time of failure.

  The camera platform 107 is coupled to the camera unit 100 and includes a drive mechanism unit (not shown) that drives the camera unit 100 in the pan and tilt directions for directing the camera unit 100 in a predetermined monitoring direction. The camera platform 107 converts a power supplied from an AC power source through a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 108 that performs various controls and an external terminal 117 to voltage conversion necessary for various devices of the camera unit 100 and the camera platform 107. The relay 110, the battery or the storage battery 112 (hereinafter referred to as battery means), and the sensor 105 for turning on / off the power supply to the power supply circuit 109, the sensor 105, and the first alarm device 106 such as a buzzer. The buzzer 106 includes a changeover switch 111 and an encryption input device 113 for switching between power supply from the power supply circuit 109 and the battery 112. The relay 110 can be configured by an on / off switch and a switch control circuit that operates in accordance with a signal from the microcomputer 108. The power supply unit 109, the battery means 112, the microcomputer 108, the switch 111, the relay 110, the first alarm device 106 such as a buzzer, and the sensor 105 constitute an alarm system. In the above embodiment, the first alarm device 106 is provided in the camera housing 101. However, it is needless to say that the first alarm device 106 can be installed in another place such as the pan head 107.

  Reference numeral 114 denotes a fixed base for supporting the pan head in a predetermined department. Reference numeral 115 denotes a communication transceiver IC for communicating with an external control terminal device (which will be described later) via the input / output terminal 116.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and is composed of a camera device 100, a pan head 107, and a fixing unit 114. In this apparatus, the camera device 100 has a zoom lens 102 and a camera unit 103 built in a camera housing unit 101, and a lid unit 104 is fixed to the camera housing unit 101 with screws or the like.

  FIG. 3 shows a specific configuration of one embodiment of the sensor 105. In FIG. 3, 301 is a sensor box, 302 is a conductive sensor protrusion, and 303 is a spring member. The sensor protrusion 302 is movably attached to the sensor box 301 by the action of the spring member 303. Reference numerals 304 a and 304 b denote electrode terminals, and reference numeral 305 denotes a signal terminal, which is connected to the microcomputer 108. Reference numeral 104 denotes a lid portion of the camera housing portion.

  The operation of the sensor 105 will be described. In a state where the lid 104 of the camera housing is attached to the camera housing 101, the conductive sensor protrusion 302 is pushed by the lid 104, and the electrode terminals 304a and 304b are pressed. Have been separated. Therefore, in this state, the signal terminal 305 is open and is turned off. On the other hand, when the lid 104 of the camera housing part is detached from the camera housing part 101, the conductive sensor protrusion 302 is pushed by the spring member 303, and the conductive sensor protrusion 302 is interposed between the electrode terminals 304a and 304b. A short circuit occurs, and the signal terminal 305 is turned on. In the present embodiment, the sensor having the structure of FIG. 3 has been described as the sensor 105, but various sensors other than those described above can be used, and the present invention is not particularly limited thereto.

  Next, the operation of the camera apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described. When power is supplied to the external terminal 117 and the power supply circuit 109 is in an operating state, the microcomputer 108 detects the operating state of the power supply circuit 109 and connects the switch terminal of the changeover switch 111 to the a side. The relay 110 is normally kept in an ON state under the control of the microcomputer 108. Accordingly, the sensor 105 and the buzzer 106 are supplied with power from the power supply circuit 109.

  In this state, when the lid 104 of the camera housing is normally attached to the camera housing 101, the conductive sensor projection 302 is pushed by the lid 104 as shown in FIG. , Is open and turned off. Therefore, the microcomputer 108 does not detect any signal from the sensor 105. On the other hand, when the lid 104 of the camera housing part is removed or removed for some reason, the conductive sensor protrusion 302 is pushed by the spring member 303 to short-circuit between the electrode terminals 304a and 304b. Thus, the signal terminal 305 is turned on. As a result, the microcomputer 108 detects a signal from the signal terminal 305, drives a drive circuit (not shown) of the buzzer 106, and operates to sound an alarm. This reveals that the lid 104 of the camera housing part has been removed, and the theft of the optical system 102 such as an expensive zoom lens and the camera part 103 inside the camera housing part 101 can be prevented. The microcomputer 108 is configured not only to drive the buzzer 106 with this detection signal, but also to transmit alarm information from the signal output terminal 116 to the monitoring terminal as will be described later.

  Thus, a camera device with an anti-theft device is realized by issuing an alarm when the lid 104 of the camera housing portion is removed as described above. In many cases, inspection and maintenance are required. Accordingly, when an inspection / maintenance worker removes the cover 104 of the camera housing and performs the inspection / maintenance, if the buzzer 106 sounds every time the cover 104 is removed, the inspection / maintenance cannot be performed. The buzzer can be switched off at the same time as the cover 104 is removed, but the buzzer continues to sound until the buzzer 106 is switched off. On the other hand, by providing the switch, the switch is turned off at the time of theft, and the role of theft prevention is not achieved.

  Therefore, in the present invention, at the time of inspection and maintenance, the relay 110 is configured to be turned off under the control of the microcomputer 108. That is, 113 is an encryption input device, for example. When an inspector inputs a specific number, for example, an ID number, with this encryption input device 113, the microcomputer 108 detects this ID number and turns on the drive circuit of the relay 110. Energize to turn off the relay 110. As a result, the buzzer 106 is not supplied with power from the power supply circuit 109, and the buzzer 106 does not sound. Therefore, before the inspection and maintenance, the inspector turns off the relay 110 and then removes the cover 104 of the camera housing portion to perform the inspection and maintenance. By returning to the on state, the camera device is reactivated as an alarm.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, it has been described that the present invention includes the battery means 112 in addition to the power supply circuit 109. As the battery means 112, various types such as a battery, a storage battery, and a fuel cell can be used. That is, the power source that is supplied with power from the external power supply terminal 117 such as the power supply circuit 109 is independent, and generates power in the battery unit 112 itself without supplying power from the outside. Such battery means 112 may be any type of battery means. Of course, it is desirable that the battery means be a charge type. The battery means can also be called an auxiliary power source.

  The operation of the battery unit 112 will be described. For example, if power is not supplied to the power supply terminal 117 for some reason, the microcomputer 108 detects this, connects the terminal of the switch circuit 111 to the b side, and the power from the battery means 112 is sent to the buzzer 106 and the relay. It is comprised so that it may be supplied to 105. Therefore, even when power is not supplied to the power supply terminal 117 due to a failure of the power transmission line or when the power supply line to the power supply circuit 109 is intentionally disconnected, the alarm system of the camera device is stopped by the auxiliary power supply 112. There is nothing. As a result, the alarm system operates normally, and the zoom lens 102 and the camera unit 103 can be prevented from being stolen. When the power supply to the power supply circuit 109 is stopped, the microcomputer 108 is also stopped. However, when the power supply to the power supply circuit 109 is stopped, the auxiliary power supply 112 is switched to only the control circuit and alarm system of the microcomputer 108. It is apparent that the apparatus is configured to be stopped so that the power supply to the devices that require electric power, such as the driving unit of the camera unit 103 and the pan head 107, is stopped. Further, the control circuit of the microcomputer 108 is also turned off. However, when the power source of the driving circuit of the switch 111 is turned off, for example, the initial setting of the switch 111 is performed so that the terminal of the switch 111 is automatically connected to the b side. If it is configured to be connected to the terminal b side, only the alarm system can be operated.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows a block configuration of the camera system of the present invention. 4, 401-1,..., 401-n are connected to the service center 403 and the monitoring office 404 by a plurality of transmission lines 402 such as a LAN (Local Area Network). Shows the case. In particular, in an area or building that requires a wide range of monitoring, it is common to install several to several tens of monitoring camera devices 401 (referred to as 401 when the monitoring camera devices are collectively referred to). It should be noted that the monitoring camera devices 401-1 to 401-n send the monitoring video captured by the camera unit 100 to the service center 403 and the monitoring office 404, as well as each monitoring camera device. The operation state of each monitoring camera device 401 is also sent from the microcomputer 108.

  The service center 403 performs maintenance management of the monitoring system. The service center 403 includes a CPU 405 for grasping the operating status of the monitoring cameras 401-1... 401-n, making various settings, and changing settings. It has. The CPU 405 includes a monitor 406 for grasping the operation state of each of the monitoring camera devices 401-1,... 401-n, and an operating device (keyboard, mouse, etc.) 407 for various settings. These are collectively referred to as a control terminal device. The CPU 405 has a function of controlling the operation of the microcomputer 108 of each of the monitoring camera devices 401-1,. That is, at the time of periodic inspection, in the above description, the inspector stopped the alarm system by inputting the ID to the encryption input device 113 provided in the camera device, and performed the inspection and maintenance of the camera device. It is also possible to designate a monitoring camera that requires inspection from the operation unit 407 of the CPU 405 of the service center 403 and control the microcomputer 108 to stop the alarm system.

  The monitoring office 404 is provided with a plurality of CPUs 409 (also referred to as control terminal devices) for obtaining monitoring images sent from the monitoring camera devices 401-1. Video is displayed. The operation device 411 is an input unit to the CPU 409, and can also monitor and monitor a monitoring image of a camera device installed in a place where the monitor wants to monitor. Reference numeral 412 denotes a second alarm device. On the surveillance camera device side, the first alarm device 106 such as a buzzer sounds when the camera housing cover 104 is removed, and the microcomputer 108 inputs and outputs. Alarm information is sent from the terminal 116 to the CPU 409 via the network 402, and the second alarm device 412 is configured to issue an alarm. Thereby, a monitoring camera system with an alarm can be configured. When the second alarm device is activated, information on which surveillance camera device's alarm system is activated, for example, the number or installation location of the surveillance camera device can be displayed on the monitor 410.

  Needless to say, the CPU 409 and the monitor 410 also have a function of displaying a plurality of monitoring images from the plurality of monitoring camera devices 401 as necessary. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, a plurality of control terminal devices are installed in the monitoring office, but can be installed in a plurality of locations.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the surveillance camera and surveillance camera system described herein, and can be widely applied to camera devices and camera systems other than those described above. Needless to say.

It is a block block diagram which shows one Example of this invention. The external view of one Example of this invention is shown. It is a figure which shows the specific structure of the sensor used for one Example of this invention. It is a block block diagram which shows another one Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100: Camera part, 101: Camera housing part, 102: Zoom lens, 103: Camera part, 104: Cover part of camera housing part, 105: Sensor, 106: Buzzer, 107: Head, 108: Microcomputer, 109: Power supply Circuit: 110: Relay, 111: Switch, 112: Battery means, 113: Encryption input device, 114: Fixed base, 115: Communication transceiver IC, 116: Signal input / output terminal, 117: External power input terminal, 401: Monitoring Camera, 402: Transmission line, 403: Service center, 404: Monitoring office, 405, 409: CPU, 406, 410: Monitor, 407, 411: Controller, 412: Alarm device.

Claims (1)

An optical system, a camera unit that captures a subject image via the optical system, a sensor and a first alarm device, a camera housing including at least the optical system, the camera unit, and the sensor, and the camera housing The camera housing lid is detachably attached to the first alarm device driving means, and the sensor cooperates with the camera housing lid portion to output a detection signal in accordance with the camera housing attachment / detachment. A camera device which is generated and drives the driving means of the first alarm device based on the detection signal.

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