JP2006191162A - Cleaner for camera housing and cleaning control method of dome portion - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To freely clean the external peripheral surface of a dome lower part without inhibiting photography field of view of a camera, even if a photographing operation of the camera over the dome lower part is being executed. <P>SOLUTION: This cleaner has a supporting member 1 for supporting an opening of a dome upper part 11 so that the opening moves toward a vertical direction. The cleaner has a configuration wherein: a base 13 of a circular shape for installing a camera body so that the opening of the dome upper part 11 is concealed, is fixed; an annular rotator 14 is engaged with a periphery in the upper part of the base 13; the dome lower part 12 is engaged with the external edge side of the rotator 14; the rotator 14 is rotated in a predetermined direction by a driving force transmitted by a motor 45 provided on the base 13 side, a gear, a decelerating unit 41 and a pinion gear 48; and a wiper unit for cleaning the spherical surface of the dome lower part 12 rotating by the rotation so as to slide on the spherical surface, is fixed outside of a photographing region of the camera body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a housing that houses a camera body that can adjust an angle of view, and relates to a camera housing cleaning device that forms a housing portion by engaging a dome portion joined in two upper and lower stages, and a method for cleaning a camera housing. Is.

  Conventionally, when this type of camera device is installed outdoors, the camera device is housed in a sphere called “housing”.

  And since the outside of the sphere is always exposed to the outside world, the surface of the housing portion is soiled by natural conditions such as wind and snow.

  For this reason, the following patent documents 1-3 provided with the member which cleans such a housing part are already published.

  In Patent Document 1, a wiper member having an arc surface along the clear dome window is attached to the wiper arm, and both ends of the wiper arm are rotatably held near the central axis of the clear dome window of the dome cover to drive motor. It can be driven via motor gear and arm gear, and reciprocated by two micro switches to clean the spherical clear dome window on the front of the housing that houses TV cameras and video cameras installed in buildings. A spherical housing wiper is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 includes a front window formed of a single surface in which a curved surface portion and a flat surface portion are continuously combined in a specific direction, and includes a wiper mechanism for cleaning the front window. There has been disclosed a camera housing that can be more widely secured and can effectively remove dirt in the camera field of view of the camera housing due to the external environment.

In Patent Document 3, a pair of light-emitting elements and light-receiving elements that detect the transmittance (or reflectance) of a protective glass provided on the front surface of a housing that houses a camera is arranged, and the protective glass is transmitted at regular intervals. Check rates. If the transmittance is lowered, the defroster is automatically activated. Further, the temperature is measured by a temperature sensor, and it is determined whether the abnormal transmittance is due to fogging on the inner surface of the glass or freezing on the outer side of the glass. When it is determined that the transmittance is abnormal due to the outside icing, the state of the protective glass placed on the front surface of the camera housing is detected by spraying hot water washer liquid, and the transmittance of the protective glass is abnormal. Has been disclosed, a pan head device that can automatically and reliably remove icing or the like by automatically operating a defroster or a hot water washer device is disclosed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-216049 JP 2003-046827 A JP 2000-115587 A

  However, according to the conventional techniques described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, there are problems that the wiper arm has low rigidity and lacks durability, and that if the wiper moves during shooting, the shooting field of view is obstructed.

  In addition, with a single wiper blade, there is a problem that water droplets cannot be removed due to changes in weather, particularly during heavy rain. Furthermore, according to the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that a plurality of wiper motors are required and the cost is increased.

  Furthermore, according to the prior art described in Patent Document 3, although effective in removing freezing, there is a problem that the field of view is unclear due to dirt that cannot be removed by the hot water washer device.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. Even when the camera over the bottom of the dome is being photographed, it does not hinder the field of view of the camera, has excellent durability, and is compact. By rotating the lower part of the dome itself with a single drive means, the outside air surface of the lower part of the dome is slid and cleaned on the wiper part that is fixed at a position that does not affect the camera position. It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera housing cleaning device and a camera housing cleaning method which are excellent in convenience.

  The camera housing cleaning device of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.

  A cleaning device for a camera housing that engages an upper portion of a dome with a lower portion of the dome to form a housing portion that accommodates the camera body, and includes a support member that supports the opening portion of the dome upper portion in a vertical direction. A circular base for mounting the camera body is fixed so as to conceal the opening at the top of the dome, and a ring-shaped rotating part is engaged in the vicinity of the circumference of the upper part of the base. The lower part of the dome is locked to the outer peripheral edge side, and the rotating part is rotated in a predetermined direction by the driving force transmitted by the driving means provided on the base side, and slides on the spherical surface of the lower part of the dome rotated by the rotation. The wiper portion for cleaning the spherical surface is fixed outside the photographing area of the camera body.

  The dome cleaning control method of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.

  A housing part for accommodating the camera body can be formed by engaging the upper part of the dome and the lower part of the dome, and has a support member that supports the opening part of the upper part of the dome in the vertical direction. A circular base for mounting the camera body is fixed so as to conceal the opening, a ring-shaped rotating part is engaged in the vicinity of the circumference of the upper part of the base, and the dome is positioned on the outer peripheral side of the rotating part. The lower portion is locked, and the rotating portion is rotated in a predetermined direction by the driving force transmitted by the driving means provided on the base side, and slides on the spherical surface of the lower dome that rotates by the rotation. A dome portion cleaning control method in a camera housing cleaning device in which a wiper portion for cleaning a camera is fixed outside a photographing area of the camera body, and a plurality of different types of sensors for detecting environmental information under the dome Based on the information to al detection, and having a control step of controlling the driving state of said driving means.

  According to the present invention, even when the camera is performing a photographing operation over the lower part of the dome, the lower part of the dome itself is rotated by a small single driving means that does not hinder the field of view of the camera and has excellent durability. Thus, the outside air surface under the dome slides and is cleaned by the wiper portion fixed at a position that does not affect the camera position, and dirt that is hard to fall can be removed freely.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Description of system configuration>
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a camera system showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the camera system supplies power from an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 6a. The uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 6a is charged by electric power generated by AC or DC (solar, wind power). 5 is a wind power generation unit.

  The housing 3 is configured to be separable into an upper portion of the dome and a lower portion of the dome, and the lower portion of the housing 3 is supported by the housing support portion 2. A plurality of wipers are arranged at the camera blind spot position on the back surface of the housing 3, and a water supply tank 4 for supplying water to the wet wiper is provided. For example, water supply to the water supply tank 4 is performed once every three months or when a water supply alarm is issued from the control device 6b. In addition, a tank drain is provided with a filter to use rainwater.

  The rotation speed of the housing 3 is variable by control from the control device 6b, and is configured to be capable of intermittent control. Further, a temperature sensor, a rainwater sensor, and the like are disposed in the vicinity of the dome of the housing 3, and the information is output to the control device 6b. In addition to automatic control from the control device 6b, the housing 3 performs a cleaning process based on a previously stored control program by operating a forced cleaning instruction button (not shown) or the like.

  For example, when the rainwater sensor is not responding at a temperature of 30 ° C. or more (summer season), the control device 6b performs control such as 5 rotations / day in the early morning, and always rotating when the rainwater sensor reacts (same for snow). Is stored in advance in the ROM or the like, and the CPU executes the control program in conjunction with the timer circuit or the like.

  Further, the control device 6b includes an alarm for insufficient power supply and a vibration alarm due to an intruder's attack in addition to the control of the entire camera system. A predetermined signal is used to cause the monitoring base to detect the alarm via the wireless network. Is provided with a transmission means for transmitting. Also, each wiper replacement span constituting the streaky wiper group to be described later is set in a rewritable memory, and the wiper replacement span timing is notified to the management base in the same manner as described above, The cleaning member can be maintained in a timely manner.

  FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view for explaining the main configuration of the housing portion of the camera system shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, 10 is a housing part, and the dome upper part and the dome lower part are arrange | positioned so that isolation | separation is possible. Reference numeral 11 denotes an upper portion of the dome, which is fixed to the support 16 and is provided with a pan / tilt zoom camera (not shown) via a base 13. The camera body receives a remote monitoring control signal from a management server or the like, adjusts the angle of view to the subject to be monitored, automatically focuses, a CCD for clearly shooting a target with a zoom function, A lens mechanism is provided, and the entire azimuth excluding the camera blind spot from the lower dome 12 can be imaged. In addition, the dome lower part 12 is supported by the support part mentioned later.

  Reference numeral 140 denotes a wiper support portion which is configured such that the wiper group 15 slides on the glass surface of the dome lower portion 12 via the elastic bodies 140a and 140b. The elastic bodies 140a and 140b may be anything as long as they are coil spring mechanisms, other leaf spring mechanisms, or other elastic members.

  The dome lower portion 12 is configured to be rotatable rightward and leftward independently of the camera as a rotating body via a rack and opinion mechanism described later.

  Further, the wiper group 15 is fixed at a predetermined position, and the self-rotating dome lower part 12 slides and rotates on the wiper group 15 so that the entire hemispherical surface of the dome lower part 12 can be cleaned. . Note that it is arbitrary whether the wiper group 15 can clean the entire hemispherical surface of the dome lower part 12 or only the necessary spherical surface according to the imaging angle due to the limitation of the imaging angle of the camera.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a configuration of a main part of the housing part 10 shown in FIG. 2, and the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 3, reference numerals 21 to 23 denote wiper portions, which are arranged so that the stripe-like wiper member slides at a predetermined pressure along the spherical surface of the dome lower portion 12 in the vertical direction. 21 to 23 are configured such that they can be independently removed and replaced, or can be replaced together.

  Each of the wiper parts 21 to 23 has a different cleaning application, and the wiper part 21 is formed of a dry wiper member. The cleaning application is to dry fine water droplets attached to the lower portion of the dome. Further, the wet type wiper portion 22 (configured so that a predetermined amount of water can be replenished by operating a water supply valve from a water supply pipe or a water supply tube from the water supply tank 4 shown in FIG. The purpose of cleaning is to remove fine dust and muddy water stains that could not be removed with a cloth wiper.

  Further, the wiper portion 23 functions as a solid matter removing wiper and is intended to scrape snow, rain, and dust adhering to the dome lower portion 12. In the present embodiment, the three types of wiper portions having different uses are arranged so as to be adjacent in a streak shape, but the arrangement order is not limited to this embodiment. In the present embodiment, the wiper portion has a streak shape, but may be configured as a patch portion. Moreover, you may increase further the thing from which the cleaning use differs.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes a dome support, which plays a role of stable support of the housing constituted by the dome upper portion 11 and the dome lower portion 12, and a wiper base and wiper support. As will be described later, the dome lower portion 12 is configured so that the dome lower portion 12 can be smoothly rotated and moved without any hindrance with respect to the dome job 11 by using a bearing with respect to a predetermined support portion.

  4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the dome lower portion 12 and the base 13 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4A shows the state of the base 13 viewed from above, and FIG. 4B shows the state of the dome lower portion 12. A side section is shown. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same thing as FIG.

  In FIG. 4, reference numeral 14 a denotes a rack that is rotated by a pinion gear 48 that is fixed to the rotating shaft of the speed reduction unit 41. The pinion gear 48 rotates the rotating unit 14 at a predetermined speed with the rotating force transmitted to the speed reducing unit 41 through the pinion gear 47 and the spur gear 42 by the rotating force of the motor 45. The motor 45 is configured to be able to rotate forward and backward. Reference numeral 43 denotes a heater mechanism that keeps the rotating unit 14 warm with electric power from a power source unit (not shown). Reference numeral 44 denotes a fan mechanism that exhausts moist air stored in the dome lower portion 12 through an air vent (not shown) from the exhaust port, thereby improving the cloudy state of the glass surface of the dome lower portion 12. 46 is a wiring mall for power transmission.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the main part for explaining the engaged state between the rotating portion 14 and the base 13 shown in FIG. 4, and the same components as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 5, the rotating portion 14 is constituted by a crank mechanism and is supported by the base 13 via the bearing member B. A rack 14a is disposed on the upper surface side of the rotating unit 14, and the pinion gear 48 shown in FIG. 4 rotates to rotate in a predetermined direction.

  Accordingly, the glass surface of the dome lower portion 12 is configured to be rotatable independently of the base 13, and the glass surface of the dome lower portion 12 slides on the wiper portion by the rotation. Is automatically cleaned. It is also possible to remove frozen ice and ice / snow by controlling the rotation of the motor 45 and the water supply operation. S is a shielding member for waterproofing and dustproofing.

  In addition, although the dome lower part 12 is set as the structure easily attached to the rotation part 14, you may be comprised so that it may mesh | engage and adhere.

  Further, the dome lower portion 12 is a transparent member, for example, a lightweight material made of glass or polycarbonate for the camera device to monitor the surroundings, and has a hemispherical shape with high transparency. Moreover, since the dome lower part 12 hits the imaging | photography part of a network camera, the sphericity close | similar to a perfect circle is ensured.

  The rotating portion 14 of the dome lower portion 12 is rotated in a predetermined direction by a motor 45 laid in the dome upper portion 11. Moreover, the contact part of the upper and lower dome is equipped with a bearing to reduce rolling resistance.

  In addition, when the dome lower part 12 rotates, the wiper parts 21 to 23 having the dome surface fixed to the housing support part slide to wipe off rain, snow, mud, dust, etc., and hinder the monitoring work. Always ensure good visibility so that it does not.

  The camera housing cleaning device according to the present invention has the following characteristic configuration.

  A camera housing cleaning device that engages the dome upper portion 11 and the dome lower portion 12 to form a housing portion that accommodates the camera body, and supports the opening portion of the dome upper portion 11 so as to face in the vertical direction. A circular base 13 on which the camera body is set is fixed so as to conceal the opening of the dome upper part 11, and the ring-shaped rotating part 14 is engaged in the vicinity of the circumference of the upper part of the base 13. The rack 14a of the rotating part 14 is pinned by the driving force transmitted by the motor 45, the gear, the speed reducing part 41, and the pinion gear 48 provided on the base 13 side. The wiper portion 15 that meshes with the gear 48 and rotates in a predetermined direction, slides on the spherical surface of the dome lower portion 12 rotated by the rotation, and cleans the spherical surface is fixed outside the photographing area of the camera body. It is.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the control configuration of the camera system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. For example, it is provided near the base 13 and operates upon receiving power from the UPS 6a. The control device 6b performs basic control, and can be configured as a sub-control unit that controls camera drive and drive of the dome lower portion 12.

  In FIG. 6, reference numeral 51 denotes a CPU, which loads a control program (according to the control procedure shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 described later) stored in the ROM 52 or the like to the RAM 53 and executes it to monitor tracking for camera monitoring. Responsible for control and cleaning control of the bottom of the dome. The monitoring and tracking control mechanism for monitoring the camera can be incorporated into the camera product or supplied as a separate ROM. An optional hard disk 54 is configured to store video data picked up by the camera 58 cyclically for a predetermined time or to store an application for driving an optional alarm device (not shown).

  An I / F 55 spools video data captured by the camera 58 to the hard disk 54 and outputs a drive signal to the camera drive motor 59. Further, the I / F 55 outputs a drive signal to the dome lower motor driver 60. The dome lower motor driver 60 drives the motor 45 to rotate the rotating unit 14 or the pinion gear 41 in a predetermined direction. A sensor group 61 includes a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, a drought sensor, and the like, and notifies the CPU 51 of detection signals, respectively. A network controller 56 is configured to be able to communicate with a server device on a monitoring network (not shown), and notifies the server device of the driving state of the camera 58 and the driving state of the motor 45. A wireless I / F 57 is configured to be able to communicate with an external terminal device using a predetermined wireless communication protocol.

  Hereinafter, the dome cleaning control including the rotation control operation of the dome lower portion 12 illustrated in FIG. 2 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a first dome control procedure in the camera control system according to the present invention, and corresponds to a procedure for controlling the cleaning of the lower dome 12 by driving the motor 45 to be driven. In addition, (11)-(15) shows each step. Each step is realized by the CPU 51 loading a control program stored in the ROM 52 into the RAM 53 and executing it.

  First, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the sensor has detected an abnormality from the environmental information acquired from the sensor group 61 via the I / F 55 (11). The control of the lower part of the dome according to conditions described later is executed (15), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step (11) that the sensor has not detected an abnormality, the motor 45 that has driven the lower dome 12 of the previous time is turned on, and then a predetermined time (settable), for example, 12 hours. Whether or not the time has elapsed is determined by comparing the date and time information acquired from a timer circuit (not shown) with the original time information (12). If it is determined that 12 hours have not elapsed, it is determined whether or not there is an end trigger. If it is determined that there is no end trigger (13), the process returns to step (11).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step (12) that 12 hours have passed, the housing (dome lower portion 12) is driven, for example, five times at a normal speed (14), and the process proceeds to step (13).

  8 and 9 are flowcharts showing an example of the second dome control procedure in the camera control system according to the present invention, corresponding to the detailed procedure of the control of the dome lower part by condition in step (15) shown in FIG. To do. In addition, (21)-(51) shows each step. Each step is realized by the CPU 51 loading a control program stored in the ROM 52 into the RAM 53 and executing it.

  First, it is determined whether or not a plurality of sensor information, which is environmental information detected in the vicinity of the lower dome 12 acquired via the I / F 55, is all normal (21), and when all are determined to be normal This process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step (21) that any one piece of sensor information is abnormal, first, if it is determined that the water droplet sensor is abnormal (water droplet detected), the temperature is 0 in step (22). If it is determined whether the temperature is equal to or less than degree C, and YES is determined, power is supplied to the fan mechanism 44 and the heater mechanism 43 shown in FIG. Raise (28).

  Then, the motor 45 is turned on and the rotating unit 14 is continuously rotated at a low speed in order to rotate the lower dome 12 (29), and the process returns to step (21).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step (22) that the temperature is not below 0 ° C., power is supplied to the fan mechanism 44 and the heater mechanism 43 shown in FIG. 4, and power is supplied to a heating wire (not shown). Without increasing the temperature around the dome lower part 12 (30). Then, the motor 45 is turned on to rotate the rotating unit 14 at a low speed to rotate the lower dome 12 (31), and the process returns to step (21).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step (21) that an abnormal signal has been received from the UPS 6a, it is determined whether the power is supplied by the battery for power failure (23), and if YES is determined, Information on the fan mechanism 44 and the heater mechanism 43 is stored in the hard disk 54 and the like, the fan mechanism 44 and the heater mechanism 43 are stopped, power supply to a heating wire (not shown) is stopped, and alert information is sent via the NIC 56. Then, the data is transmitted to a management server (not shown), and the process returns to step (21).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step (23) that the operation is normal, the stored value at the time of power restoration is restored, and the operation is resumed in the state before the storage of the fan mechanism 44, the heater mechanism 43, etc. (33) Return to step (21).

  On the other hand, in step (21), it is determined whether the temperature information from the temperature sensor is 30 degrees C or more (24), and if it is determined that the temperature information is 30 degrees C or more, the fan mechanism 44 is forcibly driven strongly. Then, the heater mechanism 43 is stopped, and the supply of power to the heating wire (not shown) is stopped (34). Then, the motor 45 is turned on, and the rotating unit 14 is continuously rotated at a low speed to rotate the lower dome 12 (35), and the process returns to step (21). By doing in this way, the effect which the fall of a housing temperature falls by the heat of vaporization by rotating a housing and supplying water | moisture content to the dome surface can be anticipated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step (24) that the temperature is 30 ° C. or lower, the fan mechanism 44 is turned off, the heater mechanism 43 is stopped, and the supply of power to the heating wire (not shown) is stopped (36 ), And returns to step (21).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step (21) that the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor are abnormal, it is determined whether or not the condensation condition is satisfied (25) and it is determined that the condensation condition is satisfied. In this case, the fan mechanism 44 is strongly driven, the heater mechanism 43 is normally driven, the supply of power to the heating wire (not shown) is stopped (37), and the process returns to step (21).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step (25) that the dew condensation condition is not satisfied, the fan mechanism 44 is turned off, the heater mechanism 43 is normally driven, and the supply of power to the heating wire (not shown) is stopped (39). Then, the process returns to step (21).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step (21) that the drought sensor indicates an abnormality, it is further determined whether or not the water supply is abnormal (26), and if it is determined that there is no abnormality in the water supply, the process proceeds to step (21). Return.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step (26) that there is an abnormality in the water supply, it is determined whether there is water in the water supply tank (41). If it is determined that there is water, the operation status is stored in the hard disk 54. (42), water is supplied to the specified water level (43), the dome lower part 12 is rotated by trial (44), and the process returns to step (21).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step (41) that there is no water, the rotation of the lower dome 12 is stopped (45), the management server is notified of the water supply abnormality via the NIC 56, and the process returns to step (21).

  On the other hand, in step (21), it is determined whether abnormality is detected again from the sensor information (27). If it is determined that no abnormality is detected, the process returns to step (21).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step (27) that an abnormality has been detected, the current operation status around the dome is stored in the hard disk 54 (47), the rotation of the dome lower portion 12 is stopped, and the fan mechanism 44, the heater mechanism 43 is stopped, and the supply of power to the heating wire (not shown) is stopped (48).

  Next, it is determined whether communication is possible via the NIC 56 or the wireless I / F 57 (49). If it is determined that communication is possible, the current abnormality is notified to the management server (51), and the step ( Return to 21).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step (49) that communication is not possible, a buzzer (not shown) is turned on (50), and the process returns to step (21).

[Third Embodiment]
The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by the camera control system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs readable by the camera control system according to the present invention.

  Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Therefore, as long as it has the function of the program, the form of the program such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS is not limited.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD, etc. Can be used.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As another program supply method, a browser of a client computer is used to connect to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is stored on a recording medium such as a hard disk from the homepage. It can also be supplied by downloading. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server, an ftp server, and the like that allow a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer are also included in the claims of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

  Although various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will recognize that the spirit and scope of the present invention are not limited to the specific descriptions in the present specification, but the following embodiments. Needless to say, is also included. Hereinafter, Embodiments 1 to 6 will be described.

[Embodiment 1]
2. A camera housing cleaning device for engaging a dome upper part and a dome lower part to form a housing part for accommodating a camera body, wherein an opening of the dome upper part (dome upper part 11 shown in FIG. 2) is directed in a vertical direction. A circular base on which the camera body is placed is fixed so as to conceal the opening of the dome upper portion 11, and the upper portion of the base is fixed. A ring-shaped rotating portion (rotating portion 14 shown in FIG. 4) is engaged in the vicinity of the circumference of the rotating portion, the lower portion of the dome is locked to the outer peripheral edge side of the rotating portion, and driving means provided on the base side (FIG. The rotating part is rotated in a predetermined direction by a driving force transmitted by the motor 45) shown in FIG. 4, and the wiper part that slides on the spherical surface under the dome that rotates by the rotation to clean the spherical surface is the camera body. Outside the shooting range Wear and cleaning device for a camera housing, characterized by comprising.

[Embodiment 2]
2. The camera housing cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the wiper portion (the wiper portion 15 shown in FIG. 2) includes a plurality of different types of stripe-shaped wiper members arranged to slide on the spherical surface. .

[Embodiment 3]
Provided with a plurality of different types of sensors for detecting environmental information under the dome (for example, sensor means adapted for temperature, humidity, drought, etc.), and controls the driving state of the driving means based on information detected from each sensor The camera housing cleaning device according to the first embodiment, further comprising a control means (CPU 51 shown in FIG. 6).

[Embodiment 4]
It has exhaust means (fan mechanism 44 shown in FIG. 4) for exhausting the inside of the dome lower part and heating means (heater mechanism 43 shown in FIG. 4) for heating the inside of the dome lower part. 2. The camera housing cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein driving states of the driving unit, the exhaust unit, and the heating unit are controlled based on information that can be detected from the camera.

[Embodiment 5]
A housing part for accommodating the camera body can be formed by engaging the upper part of the dome and the lower part of the dome, and has a support member that supports the opening part of the upper part of the dome in the vertical direction. A circular base for mounting the camera body is fixed so as to conceal the opening, a ring-shaped rotating part is engaged in the vicinity of the circumference of the upper part of the base, and the dome is positioned on the outer peripheral side of the rotating part. The lower portion is locked, and the rotating portion is rotated in a predetermined direction by the driving force transmitted by the driving means provided on the base side, and slides on the spherical surface of the lower dome that rotates by the rotation. A dome portion cleaning control method in a camera housing cleaning device in which a wiper portion for cleaning a camera is fixed outside a photographing area of the camera body, and a plurality of different types of sensors for detecting environmental information under the dome Based on the information to al detection, the dome-part cleaning control method characterized by comprising a control step of controlling the driving state of said driving means (step shown in FIG. 7 (11) - (15)).

[Embodiment 6]
The control step controls a driving state of the driving means, a heating means for heating in the lower part of the dome, and an exhausting means for exhausting the inside of the lower part of the dome based on information detected from each sensor. Item 6. The dome cleaning control method according to Item 5.

  As a result, even if the camera is performing a shooting operation over the lower part of the dome, the camera's field of view is not obstructed, and it has excellent durability. The outside air surface under the dome slides and is cleaned by the wiper portion fixed at a position that does not affect the position, and dirt that is hard to fall can be removed freely.

It is a figure explaining the structure of the camera system which shows 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sectional side view explaining the principal part structure of the housing part of the camera system shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing explaining the principal part structure of the housing part shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the structure of the dome lower part shown in FIG. 3, and a base. It is principal part sectional drawing explaining the engagement state of the rotation part shown in FIG. 4, and a base. It is a block diagram explaining the control structure of the camera system which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 1st dome control procedure in the camera control system which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 2nd dome control procedure in the camera control system which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 2nd dome control procedure in the camera control system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the storage medium which stores the various data processing program which can be read with the camera control system which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

11 Dome upper part 12 Dome lower part 13 Base 15 Wiper group 140 Wiper support part

Claims (6)

A camera housing cleaning device for engaging a dome upper part and a dome lower part to form a housing part for accommodating a camera body,
A support member for supporting the opening at the top of the dome so as to face in the vertical direction;
A circular base for mounting the camera body is fixed so as to conceal the opening at the top of the dome, and a ring-shaped rotating part is engaged in the vicinity of the circumference of the upper part of the base, and the outer periphery of the rotating part The lower part of the dome is locked on the edge side, the rotating part is rotated in a predetermined direction by the driving force transmitted by the driving means provided on the base side, and slides on the spherical surface of the lower part of the dome rotated by the rotation. A cleaning device for a camera housing, wherein a wiper portion for cleaning the spherical surface is fixed outside the photographing area of the camera body.   2. The camera housing cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the wiper portion includes a plurality of different types of stripe-shaped wiper members arranged to slide on the spherical surface. A plurality of different types of sensors for detecting environmental information under the dome,
2. The camera housing cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling a driving state of the driving means based on information detected from each sensor. Exhaust means for exhausting the inside of the lower dome;
Heating means for heating the inside of the lower dome,
2. The camera housing cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls driving states of the driving unit, the exhaust unit, and the heating unit based on information detected by each sensor.   A housing part for accommodating the camera body can be formed by engaging the upper part of the dome and the lower part of the dome, and has a support member that supports the opening part of the upper part of the dome in the vertical direction. A circular base for mounting the camera body is fixed so as to conceal the opening, a ring-shaped rotating part is engaged in the vicinity of the circumference of the upper part of the base, and the dome is positioned on the outer peripheral side of the rotating part. The lower portion is locked, and the rotating portion is rotated in a predetermined direction by the driving force transmitted by the driving means provided on the base side, and slides on the spherical surface of the lower dome that rotates by the rotation. A dome portion cleaning control method in a camera housing cleaning device in which a wiper portion for cleaning a camera is fixed outside a photographing area of the camera body, and a plurality of different types of sensors for detecting environmental information under the dome Based on the information to al detection, the dome-part cleaning control method characterized by comprising a control step of controlling the driving state of said driving means.   The control step controls a driving state of the driving means, a heating means for heating the inside of the dome lower part, and an exhausting means for exhausting the inside of the dome lower part based on information detected from each sensor. Item 6. The dome cleaning control method according to Item 5.

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