JP2006054831A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device capable of simply returning a setting-changed set value to an initial set value without depending upon a specific operating member. <P>SOLUTION: A network camera 2A has an external output section 25 outputting a control signal to an external sensor or the like and, an external input section 26 to which a measuring signal is input. A specific discriminating signal is output from the external output 25 in the case of a camera starting by the ON of a power supply. When a connector for the external output section 25 and the connector for the external input 26 are connected by a connecting cable 3A in the case of the signal output, the discriminating signal is input to the external input section 26. However, the set value such as an IP address changed by a user is returned to the initial set value in the case of a factory shipment in this case. Consequently, the setting-changed set value can be returned simply to the initial set value without depending upon the operating member for an initialization set to the camera in conventional devices. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that generates an image signal related to a subject.

  Some network cameras and the like allow a user to set an IP address and a WEP code independently.

  However, if the user forgets the previously changed IP address or WEP code, there is a problem that access to and control of the camera becomes impossible.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above problem, a network camera provided with a dedicated button for returning the IP address and the like to the factory default values has been commercialized (see Non-Patent Document 1).

  Such a dedicated switch will be briefly described.

  FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of the network camera 9 according to the prior art.

  The network camera 9 includes an image input unit 90 that acquires a subject image, a pan driving unit 91 and a tilt driving unit 92 for changing the attitude of the image input unit 90, and a control unit 99 that is connected to these units so as to be able to transmit. And. The network camera 9 includes a storage unit 93 and a communication unit 94 connected to the control unit 99, and an external output unit 95 and an external input unit 96 that exchange signals with an external sensor or the like.

  Further, the network camera 9 has the initialization switch 97 for returning the IP address and the like to the initial setting values as described above. Even if the user forgets the changed IP address or the like by pressing the initialization switch 97, the network camera 9 is not accessible or controlled because it is easily restored to a known initial setting value.

"Panasonic Network Camera Instruction Manual (Application) KX-HCM1 KX-HCM2 KX-HCM130 KX-HCM170", Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd., 2003, p80

  However, in the above prior art, since the initialization switch 97 as a specific operation part needs to be mounted on the network camera 9, the camera is increased in size and costs are increased in order to secure this installation space.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that can easily return a setting value that has been changed to an initial setting value without using a specific operation member. .

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the invention of claim 1 is an imaging apparatus having an imaging unit that generates an image signal related to a subject, and (a) a setting value changed from an initial setting value for a predetermined setting item (B) an output means for outputting a signal to an external device via an output connector, (c) an input means for inputting a signal from the external device via an input connector, and (d) ) Output control means for outputting a specific signal from the output connector by the output means when the imaging device is in a specific state; and (e) a predetermined signal between the output connector and the input connector in the specific state. An imaging device comprising: initialization means for returning the setting value changed by the setting changing means to the initial setting value when the specific signal is input to the input connector by being connected via a connection device Location.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein (f) attitude changing means for changing the attitude of the imaging unit, and (g) an image signal generated by the imaging unit is transmitted. Transmitting means for transmitting.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the imaging device according to the first or second aspect, the specific state is a startup state of the imaging device when the power is turned on.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the output means outputs a sound signal via (b-1) a sound output connector. Output means, and the input means includes (c-1) voice input means for inputting a voice signal via a voice input connector, and the initialization means includes (e-1) the voice output connector. When the specific signal is input to the audio input connector by connecting the audio input connector and the audio input connector via a specific signal connection device, the setting value changed by the setting change unit is set to the initial value. Means for returning to the set value is provided.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the predetermined setting item is an item related to setting of an IP address and / or a WEP code.

  According to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, when the output connector and the input connector are connected via the predetermined signal connection device in the specific state of the imaging apparatus, the specific signal output from the output connector is received. In the case of input to the input connector, the changed setting value is returned to the initial setting value, so that it can be easily returned to the initial setting value without depending on a specific operation member.

  In particular, in the third aspect of the invention, the specific state is a startup state of the image pickup apparatus when the power is turned on.

  In the invention of claim 4, when a specific signal is input to the audio input connector by connecting the audio output connector and the audio input connector via the specific signal connection device, the setting is changed. Return the set value to the default value. As a result, since the voice connector can be used, the cost can be reduced.

  In the invention of claim 5, since the predetermined setting item is an item relating to the setting of the IP address and / or the WEP code, even when the user forgets the IP address or the WEP code, the image capturing apparatus can be accessed and controlled. It can prevent falling into an impossible state.

<First Embodiment>
<Configuration of image processing apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of a camera system 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The camera system 1A includes a network camera (hereinafter abbreviated as “camera”) 2A as an imaging device and a connection cable 3A.

  The camera 2A is configured as a surveillance camera, for example, and includes an image input unit 20 that acquires a subject image, a pan drive unit 21 and a tilt drive unit 22 for changing the attitude of the image input unit 20, and each of these units. And a control unit 29A connected so as to be able to transmit.

  The image input unit 20 includes, for example, a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD and a photographing lens, and functions as an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject and generates an image signal thereof.

  The pan driving unit 21 is driven by, for example, a step motor, and moves the image input unit 20 in the left-right direction.

  The tilt drive unit 22 is driven by, for example, a step motor, and moves the image input unit 20 in the vertical direction.

  Further, the camera 2A includes a storage unit 23, a communication unit 24, an external output unit 25, and an external input unit 26 that are connected to the control unit 29A.

  The storage unit 23 functions as a memory that stores captured image data, program data, communication data, and the like acquired by the image input unit 20.

  The communication unit 24 is a part for communicating with the outside of the camera 2A via the Internet or the like. For example, the communication unit 24 transmits the image signal of the subject generated by the image input unit 20 to a user's computer or the like that accesses the camera 2A. .

  The external output unit 25 includes a signal output connector (output connector), and outputs a control signal for controlling a sensor (external device) outside the camera 2A, such as an infrared sensor.

  The external input unit 26 has a signal input connector (input connector), and receives a measurement signal from a sensor (external device) outside the camera 2A, for example, an infrared sensor.

  The control unit 29A has a CPU and a memory, and is a part that performs overall control of the operation of the camera 2A.

  Further, the control unit 29A performs control for outputting the identification signal SG shown in FIG. 2 from the output connector of the external output unit 25 for a certain period of time when the camera 2A is in the activated state due to power-on. The identification signal SG becomes an “H” signal at a signal level 1 in the periods T1, T3, T5, and T8, and an “L” signal at a signal level 0 in the periods T2, T4, T6, and T7.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued.

  The connection cable 3A is connected to the output connector of the external output unit 25 and the input connector of the external input unit 26 and electrically short-circuits them.

  The signal output from the external output unit 25 by the connection cable 3A as such a signal connection device is directly input to the external input unit 26. This connection state will be described below. Initialization of the camera 2A is performed.

<Initialization of camera 2A>
In the camera 2A, as described above, the identification signal SG (FIG. 2) is output from the external output unit 25 at the time of activation. At this time, the external output unit 25 and the external input unit 26 are connected by the connection cable 3A. In this case, the identification signal SG is input to the external input unit 26.

  When the control unit 29A detects the identification signal SG input to the external input unit 26, the control unit 29A has set the set value set for the IP address when the camera 2A is shipped from the factory. Processing to return to the initial setting value is performed.

  Thereby, if the camera 2A is activated in a state where the connection cable 3A is connected to the camera 2A, the setting value set in the camera 2A can be easily initialized.

  When the external output unit 25 is connected to an external sensor, the identification signal SG is input to the external sensor when the camera 2A is activated, but the output time of the identification signal SG is set to a short time (instant). Therefore, the influence on the external sensor is substantially eliminated.

  The operation of the camera 2A having the above configuration will be described below.

<Operation of Camera 2A>
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of the camera 2A. This operation corresponds to the operation immediately after the activation of the camera, and is executed by the control unit 29A. In the camera 2A, it is assumed that the setting value changed from the initial setting value at the time of shipment from the factory is set for the IP address which is a setting item.

  When activated by turning on the camera 2A, the device is initialized (step S1). Here, for example, the communication rate and IP address of the communication unit 24 are set, the pan driving unit 21 and the tilt driving unit 22 are initialized, and the solid-state imaging device in the image input unit 20 is initialized.

  In step S2, an initialization check is performed (described later).

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the initialization check operation corresponding to step S2.

  In step S21, the identification signal SG (FIG. 2) is transmitted from the external output unit 25.

  In step S <b> 22, it is determined whether the identification signal SG is received by the external input unit 26. In other words, it is determined whether or not the output connector of the external output unit 25 and the input connector of the external input unit 26 are connected by the connection cable 3A. If the identification signal SG is received, the process proceeds to step S23. If not received, the process proceeds to step S24.

  In step S23, the setting value set in the camera 2A is changed to the initial setting value (for example, IP: 196.168. *. *) At the time of factory shipment. That is, when the identification signal SG is input to the input connector by connecting the output connector and the input connector so that signal transmission is possible via the connection cable 3A in the activated state of the camera 2A, the change is made in the camera 2A. The set value such as the IP address is returned to the initial set value. As a result, even if the user forgets the IP address whose setting has been changed from the initial setting value, it is possible to prevent the camera 2A from being in an inaccessible or controllable state.

  In step S24, it is determined whether a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) has elapsed. This is an operation for determining whether or not a time longer than the certain time has elapsed since the camera was activated, although the identification signal SG is output from the external output unit 25 for a certain time when the camera 2A is activated. is there. As a result, when there is no possibility of receiving the identification signal SG after a certain time, the initialization check operation is discontinued and the process proceeds to the next step.

  In step S24, if the predetermined time has elapsed, the process exits this flowchart, and if the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S22.

  Note that the initialization of the IP address has been described as an example, but when the setting value changed from the initial setting value for the WEP code is set in the camera 2A, the WEP code is returned to the initial setting value. Anyway.

  With the configuration and operation of the camera system 1A described above, the setting value of the camera can be returned to the initial setting value by connecting the external output unit and the external input unit with a connection cable. Therefore, regardless of the specific operation member provided in the camera It is easy to return to the initial setting value.

  That is, in the past, it was necessary to provide a dedicated initialization switch (see FIG. 8) for initialization, but this is not necessary in the camera 2A. A specific description will be given with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the effect of the first embodiment. 5A shows the appearance of the camera 2A of the present embodiment, and FIG. 5B shows the appearance of the conventional camera 9.

  The camera 2A and the camera 9 include a power connector CP, an output connector CO, and an input connector CI. The conventional camera 9 further includes an initializing switch 97 for initializing.

  Therefore, in the camera 2A of this embodiment, the space DS of the initialization switch 97 in the conventional camera 9 can be reduced, so that the camera can be reduced in size and cost can be reduced.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of a camera system 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the camera system 1B includes a network camera (hereinafter abbreviated as “camera”) 2B and a connection cable 3B.

  The camera 2B has a configuration similar to that of the camera 2A of the first embodiment, but the configuration of the control unit is different, and an audio signal output unit 27 is used instead of the external output unit 25 and the external input unit 26 of the camera 2A. An audio signal input unit 28 is provided.

  The audio signal output unit 27 has an audio output connector (audio output connector), and is a part for outputting an audio signal from the camera 2B.

  The audio signal input unit 28 has an audio input connector (audio input connector) and is a part for inputting an audio signal to the camera 2B.

  The control unit 29B has a CPU and a memory, and is a part that performs overall control of the operation of the camera 2B.

  Further, the control unit 29B performs control to output the identification signal SH shown in FIG. 7 from the audio signal output unit 27 for a predetermined time when the camera 2B is activated by turning on the power. This identification signal SH is, for example, a signal of 1 kHz (period Tc = 0.001 s shown in FIG. 7).

<Initialization of camera 2B>
In the camera 2B, like the camera 2A of the first embodiment, the identification signal SH (FIG. 7) is output from the audio signal output unit 27 at the time of activation. When the output connector and the audio input connector of the audio signal input unit 28 are connected, the identification signal SH is input to the audio signal input unit 28.

  When the control unit 29B detects the identification signal SH input to the audio signal input unit 28, the control unit 29B displays the setting value such as the IP address or WEP code changed from the initial setting value in the camera 2B. The process of returning to the initial setting value set at the time of factory shipment is performed.

  Thereby, if the camera 2B is activated in a state where the connection cable 3B is connected to the camera 2B, the setting value set in the camera 2B can be easily initialized. Further, since the connectors of the audio signal output unit 27 and the audio signal input unit 28 have a generally used connector shape for audio, the cost can be reduced.

  About the operation | movement of the above cameras 2A, the operation | movement similar to the flowchart shown to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 is performed. However, in step S21 and step S22 of FIG. 4, it is determined whether the identification signal SH (FIG. 7) is transmitted from the audio signal output unit 27 and the identification signal SH is received by the audio signal input unit 28.

  With the configuration and operation of the camera system 1B described above, the setting value of the camera can be returned to the initial setting value by connecting the audio signal output unit and the audio signal input unit with a connection cable. It is possible to easily return to the initial setting value without depending on it.

<Modification>
The external sensor in each of the above embodiments is not limited to an infrared sensor but may be a patrol light or a buzzer.

  As a means for connecting the input / output unit in each of the above embodiments, it is not essential to use a cable, and any signal connection device that can transmit a signal from the output unit to the input unit may be used.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the principal part structure of 1 A of camera systems which concern on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the identification signal SG output from the external output part 25. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement of the camera 2A. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of an initialization check. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect of 1st Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the camera system 1B which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the identification signal SH output from the audio | voice signal output part 27. FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the network camera 9 which concerns on a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

1A, 1B Camera system 2A, 2B Network camera 3A, 3B Connection cable 25 External output unit 26 External input unit 27 Audio signal output unit 28 Audio signal input unit 29A, 29B Control unit SG, SH Identification signal

Claims (5)

An imaging apparatus having an imaging unit that generates an image signal related to a subject,
(a) a setting changing means capable of setting a setting value changed from an initial setting value for a predetermined setting item;
(b) output means for outputting a signal to an external device via an output connector;
(c) input means for inputting a signal from an external device via an input connector;
(d) when the imaging device is in a specific state, output control means for outputting a specific signal from the output connector by the output means;
(e) When the specific signal is input to the input connector by connecting the output connector and the input connector via a predetermined signal connection device in the specific state, the setting change means Initialization means for returning the changed setting value to the initial setting value;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The imaging device according to claim 1,
(f) posture changing means for changing the posture of the imaging unit;
(g) transmitting means for transmitting the image signal generated by the imaging unit;
An image pickup apparatus further comprising: About the imaging device of Claim 1 or Claim 2,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific state is a startup state of the imaging apparatus when power is turned on. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The output means includes
(b-1) audio output means for outputting an audio signal via an audio output connector;
Have
The input means includes
(c-1) voice input means for inputting a voice signal via a voice input connector;
And having
The initialization means includes
(e-1) When the specific signal is input to the audio input connector by connecting the audio output connector and the audio input connector via a specific signal connection device, the setting changing unit Means for returning the setting value changed in step 1 to the initial setting value;
An imaging device comprising: The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined setting item is an item relating to an IP address and / or WEP code setting.

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