JP2005167694A - Photographing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographing device, capable of preventing a general user who is not accustomed to the operation of the device from selecting an image size capable of unsetting, and photographing with the same image size, despite the replacement of a camera part, since the setting is troublesome for the user and the user uses the device without setting the image size, and capable of making full use of the advantages due to the replacement of the camera part. <P>SOLUTION: An imaging section is provided with photographable resolution information, and its body is provided with a timer for photographing setting information at photographing by a timer and sensor photographing setting information at photographing by a sensor. The minimum size of the resolution information at the imaging section is set to the resolution at photographing, and the maximum size is set to the resolution at sensor photographing, respectively, as an initial value preceding the setting operation of the timer photographing setting information and the sensor photographing setting information by the user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for setting and controlling a captured image size corresponding to an imaging unit in an imaging device.

  With recent advances in communication technology and digital image processing technology, images taken by cameras are connected to the Internet via a public communication line such as PHS or a wireless LAN, and are connected to remote communication terminals or servers via the Internet. Internet cameras that send images and view them remotely are now available.

  Such an Internet camera compresses an image captured by the camera into encoded data by an encoding device, and connects to a public wireless line using PHS or the like, and performs a procedure such as PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol). Is used to connect to the Internet via an access point of an Internet service provider, and send the encoded data to a remote terminal via the Internet or transfer it to a server.

  Data transferred to a server on the Internet is accessed from a PC or the like connected to the Internet, and can be viewed only by users who are authorized by a preset authentication process.

  Such an image communication apparatus has been proposed to be used as a remote surveillance camera for individuals due to the recent increase in security awareness.

  In such surveillance cameras, images are captured and stored or transmitted at predetermined time intervals or time intervals according to timer settings, or images are synchronized with trigger inputs from external sensors attached to doors and windows. The operation is to shoot and store or transmit.

  Further, in recent years, in order to cope with various uses, it has been proposed that a camera unit be configured to be replaceable according to the use and image processing according to the replaced camera unit is performed as in Patent Document 1. Yes.

For example, if you want to shoot a landscape, replace it with a camera unit with a wide-angle lens.If you want to use it for observing a pet, replace it with a camera unit with a telephoto lens. If you want to monitor the whole room or the like, you can replace it with a camera unit equipped with a zoom lens, and if you want to use it for dark night monitoring, you can replace it with an infrared camera.
JP-A-11-346325

  With a camera unit exchangeable camera, it is necessary for an operator to select and set the size of a photographed image that can be used for the camera body while viewing the operation manual each time the camera unit is replaced.

  In timer shooting, which periodically shoots images, the same screen is shot several times, so it is generally only necessary to convey the atmosphere of the place rather than high definition of image quality, so it is used with a camera connected to the operator Choose a smaller size among the possible image sizes.

  In addition, because the shooting by sensor detection is shooting at a single timing, generally, in order to shoot a high-definition image, among the image sizes that can be used with the camera to which the operator is connected, Choose a larger size.

  However, some users are unfamiliar with the operation and have chosen an image size that is not a settable image size, or have changed the camera part because the settings are cumbersome and they are used without setting the image size. However, there was a problem that the advantages of replacing the camera part could not be utilized because the camera always shot with the same image size.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention shows a photographing means for photographing an image, a data compression means for compressing the number of pixels and the amount of data of the photographed image, a structure of the photographing means, and a structure of the data compressing means. A first storage means having first setting information, and a photographing device capable of attaching and detaching an image photographing unit, a timer means for generating photographing timing at an arbitrary time or time interval, and a photographing operation Trigger detection means for detecting an external trigger input to be activated, communication means for transmitting photographed image data to a remote location via a communication line, and a second operation setting for photographing according to the timer means Second storage means for storing setting information and third setting information indicating operation settings when photographing according to the trigger detection means; and the second setting information according to the first setting information. Characterized in that it has a setting means for setting a preliminary third setting information.

  Also, photographing means for photographing an image, data compression means for compressing the number of pixels of the photographed image, timer means for generating photographing timing at an arbitrary time or time interval, and external trigger input for starting the photographing operation Trigger detecting means for detecting the first and second pixels, wherein the first number of pixels when shooting is performed according to the timer means is smaller than the second number of pixels when shooting is performed according to the trigger detection means.

  Also, photographing means for photographing an image, data compression means for compressing the data amount of the photographed image, timer means for generating photographing timing at an arbitrary time or time interval, and external trigger input for starting the photographing operation Trigger detecting means for detecting the first data amount, wherein the first data amount when shooting is performed according to the timer means is smaller than the second data amount when shooting is performed according to the trigger detection means.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even a general user who is unfamiliar with the operation selects an image size that is not a settable image size, or the setting is troublesome and the image size is not set. Even if the camera unit is replaced for use, it is possible to prevent the image from being always shot at the same image size, and it is possible to take advantage of the advantages of the camera unit replacement.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows an external view of a network camera that is an imaging unit exchangeable photographing apparatus according to the present invention.

  101 is a base unit, 102 is a standard zoom camera head, 103 is a telephoto camera head, 104 is a wide-angle camera head, 105 is a CF communication card, 106 is a connector, 107 is a CF card slot, 108 is an external trigger input, 109 is SD A memory card 110 is an SD card slot.

  101 has a connection connector (106) connected to one of the camera heads 102 to 104, a CF card slot (107) connected to a CF communication card, and an SD card slot (110) connected to an SD card. The memory card (109) is connected, and the image data taken by controlling the operation of the camera head and the CF communication card (105) is stored in the SD memory card (109) or transferred to the outside via the CF communication card. .

  A standard zoom camera head 102 is an imaging camera including a zoom lens, and transfers image data obtained by JPEG compression of a captured image to the base unit (101).

  Similarly, the telephoto camera head 102 (103) is an imaging camera equipped with a telephoto lens, and 103 is an imaging camera equipped with a wide-angle lens. The photographed image is converted into JPEG-compressed image data, and the base unit (101) is used. Forward.

  As the CF communication card (105), various CF card type wireless communication cards or wired communication cards can be used. In this embodiment, a wireless PHS communication card will be described.

  When the operator replaces the camera head according to the situation that the operator wants to photograph, the base unit (101) identifies the camera head connected to the connection connector (106) each time and informs the operator of a photographing mode that can be set.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal block configuration of the camera head (102) and the base portion (101).

  201 is a control unit 1 for controlling the operation of the camera head unit, 202 is a memory 1 connected to the control unit 1, 203 is profile data in the memory 1, 204 is a zoom lens, 205 is a CCD image sensor, and 206 is an analog signal. An AD conversion unit that converts digital signals, 207 is an RBG-YC conversion unit that converts color data into luminance data and color difference data, and 208 is an image compression unit that performs pixel number conversion and JPEG compression.

  Also, 210 is a control unit 2 that controls the operation of the base unit (101) and the camera head, 211 is a memory 2 connected to the control unit 2, 212 is a timer shooting profile that stores operation settings during timer shooting, and 213 is a sensor. Sensor shooting profile storing operation settings at the time of shooting, 214 is an operation unit, 215 is a display unit, 216 is a timer, 217 is a CF card interface having a CF card slot, 218 is an external trigger detection unit, and 219 is an SD card slot An SD card i / f.

  The camera head of FIG. 2 has been described with the standard zoom camera head (102), but the telephoto camera head (103) and the wide-angle camera head (104) also have the same internal block configuration, and the difference is the configuration of the lens (204). The operations of the profile data (203) and the control unit 1 (201) are different.

  The image compression unit (208) performs resolution conversion processing for thinning out the number of pixels and converting the image into an image of an arbitrary resolution, and JPEG compression processing for encoding the image data by the JPEG method and compressing the data amount.

  The memory 1 (202) is used as a work area for the control unit 1 (201) and includes information on the camera head as profile data (203). Profile data (203) is information indicating a lens configuration and a function of the image compression unit that are different for each camera head, and is stored in a non-volatile area.

  The memory 2 (211) is used as a work memory of the control unit 2 (210), and also includes a timer shooting profile (212) in which operation settings at the time of timer shooting are stored, and sensor shooting in which operation settings at the time of sensor shooting are stored. A profile (213) is provided. The timer shooting profile (212) and the sensor shooting profile (213) are appropriately changed by setting operation by the operator.

  The operator sets operation settings of the network camera by operating from the operation unit (214), and the setting state is displayed on the display unit (215).

  Parameters to be set include time, mail transmission address, Internet provider access point telephone number, external trigger setting, mail transmission condition setting, camera photographing condition setting, and the like.

  The timer (216) has a calendar function for measuring the state of year, month, day, hour, minute, and second, and notifies the control unit 2 (210) of an interrupt signal according to the date, time, or time interval set by the operator.

  The external trigger detection unit (218) detects a detection signal from an external sensor connected to the external trigger input (108), and notifies the control unit 2 (210) with an interrupt signal.

  The external trigger input (108) is composed of two-pole connection terminals, and the external trigger detection unit (218) determines whether the connection between the two pole terminals is open or short-circuited. Detect with.

  Sensors connected to the external trigger input (108) include a door sensor that detects the opening of the door, a light sensor that detects and reacts to the brightness of light, and a human body sensor that detects the movement of the human body. These network cameras also use these sensors.

  The CF card interface (217) is an interface for the control unit 2 (210) to control the CF communication card (105) connected to the CF card slot (107).

  The CF communication card (105) has a function of connecting to a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) network, which is a wireless public network, and connects to an access point of an Internet provider via a PIAFS (PHS Internet access forum standard) and passes through the access point. Connect to the Internet.

  Via this communication unit (105), the network camera can attach the photographed image data as an attached file by e-mail and send the e-mail to a preset destination via the Internet.

  Next, profile data (203) in the camera head (102 to 104) will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the profile data (203) in detail. Various information blocks (301 to 304) are divided into information types (305, 310, 315, 323) and information lengths (306, 311, 316). 324) and information elements (307 to 309, 312 to 314, 317 to 322, 325 to 327).

  Information blocks are sequentially added as necessary, and an information type END (328) indicating the end of the chain and information (329) indicating that the data length is 0 are contained at the end of the information block.

  The first information block (301) is a block of information indicating the model of the camera head, and the information length is 3. The first information includes type information indicating the type of the interchangeable camera head, the second information includes the model number of the camera head, and the third information includes a manufacturing number that is an individual serial number of the camera head.

  The next information block (310) contains three types (311) of information about each lens image (310). The first is information on the type of lens. In the case of the standard zoom camera head (102), the zoom lens Information (312) indicating the zoom function, followed by information (313) of the maximum field angle and information (314) of the minimum field angle of the zoom function.

  The next information block (303) contains information on the number of pixels (315) that can be generated by the image compression unit (208). The information on the number of pixels is a pair of two, that is, the number of horizontal pixels and the number of vertical pixels. In this embodiment, the information length corresponds to three types of pixels (317 to 322), so the information length is 6 (316). Become.

  The next information block (304) contains three types of information relating to the shooting processing time (323) of the camera head unit (102). The first is the shutter response time (325) of the camera head unit when shooting control is performed from the base unit (101), and the second is the image processing time (JPEG compression required for JPEG compression of the shot image by the image compression unit (208)). 326) The third is the minimum photographing interval (327) when photographing repeatedly.

  In addition, information such as operating power supply voltage, current consumption, program version, and the like are entered, and finally END information (328) indicating the end is entered.

  The profile data (203) described above is read and notified from the memory 1 (202) by the control unit 1 (201) in accordance with a request from the control unit 2 (210).

  FIG. 4 shows the data structure of the timer shooting profile (212). The timer shooting profile (212) includes a shot image size (401) to be shot when a shooting trigger by the timer (216) occurs, shooting trigger timing setting information (402) of the timer (216), and a shot image by the timer. The storage mode (412), the mail mode (416), and the FTP mode (420) are configured.

  The captured image size (401) includes type information (403) indicating that the captured image size is information, an information length (404), a horizontal pixel number (405), and a vertical pixel number (406). . The number of horizontal pixels (405) and the number of vertical pixels (406) are selected from any number of pixels that can be photographed described in profile data (203) of any camera head connected to the base unit (101). The shooting pixel size (401) is set.

  The time setting (402) is type information (407) indicating that it is time setting information, an information length (408), a timer shooting start time (409) indicating a shooting start time by the timer (216), The timer shooting end time (410) indicating the shooting end time of the timer (216) and the shooting time interval (411) indicating the shooting interval of the shooting by the timer (216) are configured.

  As an example of this time setting, if the timer shooting start time (409) is set to 10:00, the timer shooting end time is set to 14:30, and the shooting time interval (411) is set to 50 minutes, the network camera has 10 The timer shooting operation of the shot image size (401) is executed at the time of 0:00, 10:50, 11:40, 12:30, 13:20, 14:10.

  The accumulation mode (413) indicates information on whether or not to store a captured image by a timer and information on the setting of the storage location.

  In this network camera, when the information value 415 is 0, the setting is not stored. When the information value 415 is 1, the setting is stored in the memory 2. When the information value 415 is 2, the setting is stored in the SD memory card. When 415 is 3, it is determined that the setting is stored in the CF memory card.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the information value is set to 2 and stored in the SD memory card will be described.

  The mail mode (416) indicates a setting as to whether or not a photographed image by a timer is added as attached data to mail and transmitted, and designation information of a destination mail address.

  The first information (419) in the mail mode is set with information indicating whether or not to send mail. If it is set not to send mail here, the information in this mail mode ends, and if it is set to send mail, then one or more pieces of information indicating the destination mail address are included. to be continued.

  As the mail address, a reference number of the mail address set in advance by the operator in the address book provided in the network camera is set as information.

  The FTP mode (420) indicates a setting as to whether or not to transfer FTP data to a server on the Internet in which a photographed image by a timer is set in advance.

  The information of the FTP server is set as initial setting information in advance by the operator, and here, only whether or not to perform FTP transfer to the setting address is set.

  In the present embodiment, the description will be made with the setting that FTP transfer is not performed.

  FIG. 5 shows the data structure of the sensor imaging profile (213). The sensor shooting profile (213) is a captured image size (501) to be shot when a shooting trigger is generated by a sensor connected to the external trigger input (108), and a sensor input signal determination criterion of the external trigger detection unit (218). Similar to the trigger setting (502) and the timer shooting profile (212), the storage mode (512), the mail mode (516), and the FTP mode (522) are configured.

  The photographed image size (501) is composed of type information (503) indicating information on the photographed image size, an information length (504), the number of horizontal pixels (505), and the number of vertical pixels (506). . The number of horizontal pixels (505) and the number of vertical pixels (506) are selected from the number of pixels that can be photographed described in the profile data (203) of any camera head connected to the base unit (101). The shooting pixel size (501) is set.

  The trigger setting (502) is a type information (507) indicating that it is trigger setting information, an information length (508), and a logic of logic level at the time of trigger generation of a signal connected to the external trigger input (108). A trigger logic (509) to be set, a determination mode (510) for setting whether to be valid at the edge timing of the signal pattern at the time of the trigger occurrence or valid at the level state, and when the trigger is generated a plurality of times , And a repeat mode (511) for setting whether to perform shooting only once at the time of the first trigger occurrence or each time the trigger is generated.

  When the trigger set in the trigger setting (507) is input to the external trigger input (108), the network camera executes a trigger shooting operation of the shot image size (503).

  The accumulation mode (512) indicates information on whether or not to accumulate a captured image by the sensor and information on the setting of the accumulation location.

  In this network camera, when the information value 515 is 0, the setting is not stored. When the information value 515 is 1, the setting is stored in the memory 2. When the information value 515 is 2, the setting is stored in the SD memory card. When 515 is 3, it is determined that the setting is stored in the CF memory card.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the information value is 0 and it is set not to accumulate will be described.

  The mail mode (517) indicates a setting as to whether or not to send an image captured by the sensor as attached data to the mail and designation information for the destination mail address.

  The first information (519) in the mail mode is set to information indicating whether or not to send mail. If it is set not to send mail here, the information in this mail mode ends, and if it is set to send mail, then one or more pieces of information indicating the destination mail address are included. to be continued.

  As the mail address, the reference number of the mail address set by the operator in advance in the address book data provided in the network camera is set as information.

  In this embodiment, an example in which two mail address reference numbers, mail address 1 (520) and mail address 2 (521) are set, will be described.

  The FTP mode (523) indicates a setting as to whether or not to transfer FTP data to a server on the Internet in which an image captured by the sensor is set in advance.

  The information of the FTP server is set as initial setting information in advance by the operator, and here, only whether or not to perform FTP transfer to the setting address is set.

  In the present embodiment, the description will be made with the setting that FTP transfer is not performed.

  Next, the setting operation of the timer shooting operation of the network camera according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, when the operator operates the operation unit (214) to enter the timer shooting setting mode, the network camera enters the timer shooting ON / OFF setting state (S1). At this time, the operator turns off the timer shooting. When set to, this process ends.

  When the operator sets the timer shooting to ON, the control unit 2 (210) instructs the control unit 1 (201) of the camera head (102) to read the profile data (203).

  Then, the control unit 1 (201) reads the profile data (203) from the memory 1 (202) and transfers it to the control unit 2 (210), and the control unit 2 (210) calculates the number of pixels from the transferred profile data. Information (303) regarding is acquired (S2).

  Then, the control unit 2 (210) reads the minimum image size from the acquired information (303) on the number of pixels, and sets the value to the number of horizontal pixels (405) and the number of vertical pixels (406) of the timer shooting profile (212). Overwrite setting (S3).

  Then, the control unit 2 (210) inputs an image size setting input (S4), a start time and end time setting input (S6), a shooting interval setting input (S8), an accumulation setting (S10), and an e-mail setting (S12). ) And FTP setting (S14), each input operation waiting is repeated.

  When the operator performs an input operation of the image size (S4), the control unit 2 (210), according to the value input from the operation unit (214), the number of horizontal pixels (405) and vertical pixels of the timer shooting profile (212). The value of the number (406) is overwritten (S5).

  When the operator performs an input operation of the start / end time (S6), the control unit 2 (210) determines the timer shooting start time (409) of the timer shooting profile (212) according to the value input from the operation unit (214). The value of the timer photographing end time (410) is set (S7).

  When the operator performs an input operation of the shooting interval (S8), the control unit 2 (210) sets the value of the shooting time interval (411) of the timer shooting profile (212) according to the value input from the operation unit (214). Set (S7).

  Further, when the operator performs an input operation of accumulation setting for setting whether or not the captured image at the time of timer imaging is accumulated in the memory (S10), the control unit 2 (210) determines the timer according to the value input from the operation unit. The value of the accumulation mode (412) of the shooting profile (212) is set (S11).

  When the operator performs an e-mail setting input operation for setting whether or not to send a photographed image at the time of timer shooting (S12), the control unit 2 (210) follows the timer shooting profile (in accordance with the value input from the operation unit). The value of the mail mode (416) of 212) is set (S13).

  When the operator performs an FTP setting input operation for setting whether or not to transfer the captured image at the time of the timer shooting (S14), the control unit 2 (210), according to the value input from the operation unit, the timer shooting profile ( The value of the FTP mode (420) of 212) is set (S15).

  When the operator finishes the setting operation (S16), the timer shooting profile (212) created according to the set value is stored in the memory 2 (211) (17), and according to the set timer shooting profile (212). The control unit 2 (210) sets the operation of the timer (216) (S18), and ends the setting.

  Subsequently, the setting operation of the sensor photographing operation of the network camera according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, when the operator operates the operation unit (214) to enter the sensor shooting setting mode, the network camera enters the sensor shooting ON / OFF setting state (S21). At this time, the operator turns off the sensor shooting. When set to, this process ends.

  When the operator sets sensor imaging to ON, the control unit 2 (210) instructs the control unit 1 (201) of the camera head (102) to read the profile data (203).

  Then, the control unit 1 (201) reads the profile data (203) from the memory 1 (202) and transfers it to the control unit 2 (210), and the control unit 2 (210) calculates the number of pixels from the transferred profile data. Information (303) regarding is acquired (S22).

  Then, the control unit 2 (210) reads the maximum image size from the acquired information (303) regarding the number of pixels, and sets the value of the number of horizontal pixels (505) and the number of vertical pixels (506) of the sensor imaging profile (213). Overwrite is set (S23).

  Then, the control unit 2 (210) inputs an image size setting input (S24), a trigger logic setting input (S26), a determination mode setting input (S28), a repetition mode setting input (S30), and an accumulation setting (S32). ), Mail setting (S34), FTP setting (S36), and waiting for each input operation.

  When the operator performs an input operation of the image size (S24), the control unit 2 (210), according to the value input from the operation unit (214), the number of horizontal pixels (505) and vertical pixels of the sensor shooting profile (213). The value of the number (506) is overwritten (S25).

  When the operator performs an input operation of the trigger logic setting (S26), the control unit 2 (210) sets the value of the trigger logic (509) of the sensor imaging profile (213) according to the value input from the operation unit (214). Set (S27).

  When the operator performs an input operation of the determination mode (S28), the control unit 2 (210) sets the value of the determination mode (510) of the trigger imaging profile (213) according to the value input from the operation unit (214). (S29).

  When the operator performs an input operation in the repeat mode (S30), the control unit 2 (210) sets the value of the repeat mode (511) of the trigger imaging profile (213) according to the value input from the operation unit (214). (S31).

  Further, when the operator performs an input operation of accumulation setting for setting whether or not the captured image at the time of trigger imaging is accumulated in the memory (S32), the control unit 2 (210) triggers according to the value input from the operation unit. The value of the accumulation mode (512) of the shooting profile (213) is set (S33).

  When the operator performs an e-mail setting input operation for setting whether to send a photographed image at the time of trigger photographing (S34), the control unit 2 (210), according to the value inputted from the operation unit, trigger photographing profile ( The value of the mail mode (516) of 213) is set (S33).

  When the operator performs an FTP setting input operation for setting whether or not the captured image at the time of trigger shooting is FTP-transferred (S36), the control unit 2 (210), according to the value input from the operation unit, trigger shooting profile ( The value of the FTP mode (522) of 213) is set (S37).

  When the operator completes the setting operation (S38), a sensor shooting profile (213) according to the set value is created and stored in the memory 2 (211) (S39), and the set sensor shooting profile (213) is set. ), The control unit 2 (210) sets an interrupt detection mode from the external trigger detection unit (218) (S40), and ends the setting operation.

  Only one of the timer shooting setting and the sensor shooting setting may be set, or both settings can be performed simultaneously.

  When the operator performs a shooting start operation after setting the shooting trigger as described above, the network camera enters a shooting standby state. The operation in the photographing standby state will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the operator starts shooting of the network camera, first, the control unit 2 (210) starts the operation of the timer (216) (S51).

  Then, it is checked whether the trigger is detected by the external trigger detection unit (218) (S52). If it is not detected, it is checked whether the timer (216) has notified the timer interrupt (S53), and the timer interrupt is also notified. If not, the trigger detection determination process S52 and the timer interrupt determination process S53 are repeated until the operator performs a stop operation (S54).

  When the sensor connected to the external trigger input (108) is turned ON in the trigger detection determination process S52 and an interrupt from the external trigger determination unit (218) is detected, the control unit 2 (210) follows the sensor imaging profile (213). The setting of the photographed image size (501) is set in the image compression unit (208) via the control unit 1 (201), the photographing operation is instructed to the control unit 1 (201), and the photographed image is taken. Is compressed into JPEG image data of a preset photographed image size in the image compression unit (207) and stored in the memory 2 (211) via the control unit 1 (201) (S55).

  Subsequently, the control unit 2 (210) creates a mail in which image data stored in the memory 2 (211) is attached as an attached file to a message prepared in advance (S56).

  Then, the control unit 2 (210) controls the CF communication card (105) via the CF card interface (217), transmits and connects to a preset access point, and is preset via the access point. The created mail is transmitted to the mail server on the Internet, and the image data remaining in the memory 2 (211) is deleted (S57).

  When the transmission is completed, the process returns to the operator's stop waiting determination in step S54.

  Next, when an interrupt is generated from the timer (216) set according to the timer shooting profile (212), the control unit 2 (210) changes the setting of the shot image size (401) according to the timer shooting profile (212). The image is set in the image compression unit (208) via (201), the shooting operation is instructed to the control unit 1 (201), and the captured image is set in the image compression unit (207). The image data of the size is JPEG compressed and stored in the memory 2 (211) via the control unit 1 (201) (S58).

  The control unit 2 (210) writes the image data stored in the memory 2 (211) to the SD memory card (109) via the SD card interface (219) and remains in the memory 2 (211). The image data is deleted (S59).

  When the writing to the SD memory card (109) is completed, the process returns to the determination of waiting for the operator's stop operation in step S54 again.

  Here, the mail transmission process (S57) described above will be described in more detail.

  This network camera is equipped with an address book function. When an operator inputs an operation from the operation unit (214), a plurality of mail addresses are set in the address book in advance and stored in the memory 2 (211). I can leave.

  The mail address reference number set in the mail mode (417, 517) of the timer shooting profile (212) and the sensor shooting profile (213) indicates the registration number of the mail address registered in the address book. .

  Further, the telephone number of the access point, DNS server name, mail server name, FTP server name, user name, and user password are set and stored in the memory 2 (211) as initial setting information of the network function.

  When the external trigger input or the photographing by the timer is executed and the data for mail transmission is generated, the control unit 2 (210) executes the mail transmission by the following procedure.

  First, the control unit 2 (210) reads a preset access point telephone number from the memory 2 (211), and makes a call to the access point using the PHS communication card (105) connected to the card interface (217). To do.

  When the access point responds and the line is connected, the user name and the user password are transmitted to the access point, and the Internet is connected via the access point.

  When connected to the Internet, the above-mentioned mail transmission data is transmitted to the mail server. When the transmission is completed, the connection with the access point is disconnected.

  Further, the shooting profile (212, 213) of the present embodiment is described as an example in which FTP transfer is not performed. However, when FTP transfer is set, data transfer processing is performed as follows in the same manner as when mail is transmitted.

  When image data for FTP transfer is generated by executing an external trigger input or shooting by a timer, the control unit 2 (210) executes FTP transfer according to the following procedure.

  First, the control unit 2 (210) reads a preset access point telephone number from the memory 2 (211), and makes a call to the access point using the PHS communication card (105) connected to the card interface (217). To do.

  When the access point responds and the line is connected, the user name and the user password are transmitted to the access point, and the Internet is connected via the access point.

  When connected to the Internet, the user name and user password are transmitted to the FTP server for authentication connection. When the authentication connection is established, the above-mentioned image data for FTP transmission is transmitted to the FTP server. Disconnect the connection.

(Other examples)
In the first embodiment, the camera head serving as the image capturing unit has been described with different models of the lens configuration and the image compression unit. However, a camera head that differs only in the number of pixels of the CCD may be replaced. Only a different lens configuration may be used.

  Further, the image compression unit serving as the data compression unit may be an MPEG image compression unit that captures a moving image, or any other still image or moving image compression method. When handling moving images, in addition to the number of pixels, some of the amount of generated data depending on the frame rate may be an option.

  If a plurality of compression methods are provided, the amount of data generated by the compression method may be an option.

  The communication card is not limited to PHS but may be a mobile phone such as PDC or CDMA, may be a wired PSTN or ISDN, and may be a wireless LAN or a wired LAN.

  In the case of a LAN, the PPP connection procedure to the access point is not necessary in the procedure for connecting to the Internet.

  The memory 1 and the memory 2 may be shared with the work area as in the embodiment, or may be provided with an independent nonvolatile memory to store information.

  Further, the timer may be realized by an independent function as in the first embodiment, and the clock function may be realized by software processing that generates an interrupt signal periodically and is activated by the interrupt signal.

  The trigger detection means may detect not only an external trigger but also a built-in optical sensor, vibration sensor, etc., or may receive a trigger signal from an external sensor in a wireless manner.

1 is an external view of a network camera according to the present invention. The internal block diagram of the network camera by this invention. The figure which showed the structure of profile data in detail. The figure which showed the data structure of the timer imaging | photography profile. The figure which showed the data structure of the sensor imaging | photography profile. The figure which showed the setting operation flow of timer imaging operation. The figure which showed the setting operation flow of sensor imaging | photography operation | movement. The figure which showed the flow of the imaging | photography standby state of this network camera.

Explanation of symbols

102, 103, 104 An image capturing unit, a camera head 105, a PHS communication card as a communication unit 202, a memory 1 as a first storage unit
203 Profile data as first setting information 204 Lens as part of photographing means 205 CCD as part of photographing means
208 Image compression unit 211 as data compression means 211 Memory 2 as second storage means
212 Timer shooting profile as the second setting information 213 Sensor shooting profile as the third setting information 216 Timer as the timer means 218 External trigger detection section as the trigger detection means 303 Image shooting section Size information that can be generated

Claims (8)

An image capturing unit that captures an image, a data compression unit that compresses the number of pixels and the data amount of the captured image, a first setting information that includes the configuration of the image capturing unit and the configuration of the data compression unit A photographic device capable of attaching and detaching an image photographing unit comprising storage means,
Timer means for generating shooting timing at an arbitrary time or time interval;
Trigger detection means for detecting an external trigger input that activates the photographing operation;
A communication means for transmitting captured image data to a remote location via a communication line;
Second storage means for storing second setting information indicating operation settings when shooting is performed according to the timer means; and third setting information indicating operation settings when shooting is performed according to the trigger detection means;
An imaging apparatus, comprising: setting means for setting the second setting information and the third setting information according to the first setting information. The imaging device according to claim 1,
The first setting information includes information of a plurality of image formats that can be generated by the image capturing unit,
Selecting an image format having the minimum data amount from the plurality of image formats and setting the second setting information;
An imaging apparatus, wherein an image format having a maximum data amount is selected from the plurality of image formats and set in the third setting information. The imaging device according to claim 1,
The first setting information includes information of a plurality of image formats that can be generated by the image capturing unit,
Prior to the setting of the second setting information and the third setting information by the operator, an image format having the minimum data capacity is selected from the plurality of image formats, and an initial value is set as the second setting information. Set,
An image capturing apparatus, wherein an image format having a maximum data capacity is selected from the plurality of image formats and set as an initial value in the third setting information. The photographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image format is a pixel size. The photographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:
The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image format is an encoding method having a different compression rate. The photographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:
The photographing apparatus characterized in that the image format is an image frame rate. Photographing means for photographing an image;
Data compression means for compressing the number of pixels of the captured image;
Timer means for generating shooting timing at an arbitrary time or time interval;
Trigger detection means for detecting a trigger input from the outside that activates the photographing operation, and
An imaging apparatus characterized in that the first number of pixels when photographing according to the timer means is smaller than the second number of pixels when photographing according to the trigger detection means. Photographing means for photographing an image;
Data compression means for compressing the data amount of the captured image;
Timer means for generating shooting timing at an arbitrary time or time interval;
Trigger detection means for detecting a trigger input from the outside that activates the photographing operation, and
An imaging apparatus characterized in that a first data amount when photographing according to the timer means is made smaller than a second data amount when photographing according to the trigger detection means.

Images