JP2007266821A - Imaging unit and monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging unit and a monitoring system capable of reducing an economical or managerial load of a user. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging unit includes a second coil unit 29, a secondary battery 26, a detector circuit 24, a camera 21, a CPU 20, a tuner unit 22 and an antenna 23. The second coil unit 29 relays power from a power supply. The secondary battery 26 stores the power. The detector circuit 24 detects the presence or non-presence of a power relay. The camera 21 performs imaging by the use of the power stored in the secondary battery 26. The CPU 20 controls the camera 21 to initiate when the detector circuit 24 detects the interruption of the power relay. The tuner unit 22 and the antenna 23 output image data imaged by the camera 21 by using the power stored in the secondary battery 26. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a monitoring system, and more particularly, to an imaging apparatus and a monitoring system that allow a user or the like to attach to a door and capture an image of a room occupant.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging device that captures an image on the surface side disposed on one surface of a box, and a display device that displays an image captured by the imaging device disposed on the opposite surface of the imaging device. And a power supply terminal for connecting the imaging device and the display device.

  According to the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a person visits, the person who has come to the entrance to the entrance is surely visited because the visitor is projected on the display device in front of himself / herself. Can be confirmed. In addition, according to the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the user only has to open the entrance after confirmation, the crime prevention effect is enhanced.

  In Patent Document 2, a refrigerator main body is provided with a high frequency generation circuit and a first coil connected to the high frequency generation circuit, a door is provided with a second coil that is electromagnetically coupled to the first coil, and the first and second coils are interposed therebetween. Thus, a refrigerator is disclosed in which information is exchanged between the refrigerator body and the door.

  According to the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2, the manufacturing process is simplified by reducing the number of components, and a low-cost refrigerator can be produced.

  Patent Document 3 discloses an electric lock device in which an electric lock and its control circuit are arranged in a door, and the electric lock is locked and unlocked by a signal from an external control panel. The electric lock device is provided in the door, and charges the secondary battery by connecting a secondary battery as a power source of the electric lock device, a secondary battery, and an external power supply device that supplies power to the secondary battery when the door is closed. Locking and unlocking from the control panel from the primary side to the secondary side of the contactless transformer by superimposing the unlocking signal from the control panel on the charging current of the contactless transformer and the primary side of the contactless transformer Signal transmission means for transmitting signals.

According to the invention disclosed in Patent Document 3, it is possible to provide an electric lock device that does not require a current-carrying metal fitting, can reduce construction costs, and does not have to worry about running out of a battery.
JP-A-8-251454 JP 2001-33136 A JP 2003-129713 A

  A door phone system with a camera has been put into practical use as a system for confirming a visitor's video. In the past, in order to install a door phone system with a camera in an existing house, electrical work was required. Since electrical work is required, it was difficult to newly install such a system in an existing house. The invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 provides a door phone system with a camera that can be easily attached and can check a visitor's video. In the case of this system, power supply to the camera unit is realized by any one of a primary battery, a wire, or a contact terminal. This contact terminal is attached to the door frame and the door. This contact terminal supplies power when the door is closed.

  However, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the burden on the user is increased. Hereinafter, this problem will be described.

  When the primary battery is a power source for the camera unit, the user must change the battery frequently. This is because enormous power is required to activate the camera unit and take an image. Since the battery must be changed frequently, the user is burdened with an economic burden. Moreover, since there is a possibility that the battery has run out when it is desired to use it, the user must manage the battery sufficiently.

  When power is supplied to the camera unit by wire, there is a risk that the electric wire prevents the door from being opened or closed, or that the electric wire is broken by the door. Thereby, the user must manage the electric wire and the door sufficiently.

  When power is supplied to the camera unit through the contact terminal, the contact terminal changes over time due to friction when the door opens and closes. Contact terminals that have changed over time may cause poor contact. As a result, the user must manage the contact terminals sufficiently.

  Visitors are detected by various sensors such as an infrared sensor. Such sensors are expensive. Since the sensor is expensive, the price of the entire product increases. Such a sensor requires a great deal of labor for adjustment. This also increases the burden on the user.

  The invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 and the invention disclosed in Patent Document 3 have a problem that the burden on the user regarding sensor adjustment is increased.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an imaging apparatus and a monitoring system that can reduce the burden on the user.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to an aspect of the present invention, an imaging apparatus includes a relay unit, a storage unit, a detection unit, an imaging unit, a control unit, and an output unit. The relay means relays power from the power source. The storage means stores power. The detecting means detects whether or not power is relayed. The image pickup means picks up an image using the electric power stored by the storage means. The control means controls the imaging means so as to be activated when the detection means detects the interruption of power relay. The output unit outputs data of an image captured by the imaging unit using the power stored by the storage unit.

Moreover, it is desirable that the above-described detection means includes means for detecting a physical quantity of power.
Alternatively, it is desirable that the means for detecting the physical quantity of the electric power includes means for detecting the presence or absence of an induced voltage.

  Moreover, it is desirable that the above-mentioned relay means includes means for relaying power by electromagnetic induction.

  Alternatively, it is desirable that the means for relaying electric power by the above-described electromagnetic induction includes a coil.

Moreover, it is desirable that the above-mentioned storage means includes a secondary battery.
Moreover, it is desirable that the above-described imaging apparatus further includes a storage unit for storing image data.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the monitoring system includes a power feeding device, an imaging device, and a transfer device. The power supply apparatus includes a supply unit and a connection unit. The supply unit supplies power to the imaging apparatus. The connecting means connects the supplying means and the power source. The imaging apparatus includes relay means, storage means, detection means, imaging means, control means, and first transmission means. The relay unit relays power from the power supply apparatus. The storage means stores power. The detecting means detects whether or not power is relayed. The image pickup means picks up an image using the electric power stored by the storage means. The control means controls the imaging means so as to be activated when the detection means detects the interruption of power relay. The first transmission unit transmits the data of the image captured by the imaging unit using the power stored by the storage unit. The transfer device includes a receiving unit and a second transmitting unit. The receiving unit receives image data from the imaging apparatus. The second transmission means transmits image data.

  The transfer device described above preferably further includes display means for displaying an image represented by the image data.

  The imaging apparatus and monitoring system according to the present invention can reduce the burden on the user.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a monitoring system according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the monitoring system according to the present embodiment includes a camera unit 10 and a power feeder installed at a position near a power receiver 12 that is a part of the camera unit 10 in the outer frame of the entrance door. 11 and a display unit 13. The camera unit 10 is an imaging device that images through a door scope. The power feeder 11 is a supply device that supplies power to the camera unit 10 via the power receiver 12. The display unit 13 displays image data transmitted by the camera unit 10. The display unit 13 is also a transfer device that transfers image data transmitted by the camera unit 10.

  FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing the configuration of the camera unit 10 and the like according to the present embodiment.

  The camera unit 10 includes a power receiver 12, a CPU 20, a camera 21, a tuner unit 22, an antenna 23, a detection circuit 24, a charging circuit 25, a secondary battery 26, and a memory 27. The power receiver 12 supplies the power supplied from the power feeder 11 to the charging circuit 25. The CPU 20 controls operations of the camera 21, the tuner unit 22, the charging circuit 25, and the memory 27. When receiving a request signal from the display unit 13, the CPU 20 activates each unit of the camera unit 10. The camera 21 images the outside of the entrance door through a door scope. Thereby, image data representing an image outside the entrance door is generated. The tuner unit 22 extracts a signal from the display unit 13. The tuner unit 22 is also a device that performs control for the antenna 23 to transmit a signal to the display unit 13. The antenna 23 communicates with the display unit 13. The detection circuit 24 detects the presence or absence of an induced voltage generated in the second coil unit 29 described later. Since the presence / absence of an induced voltage, that is, a physical quantity of power (which may be an induced current or other physical quantity but is assumed to be an induced voltage in the present embodiment), the detection circuit 24 includes a power feeder 11, a power receiver 12, It operates as a circuit that detects the presence / absence of relaying of power via the. The detection circuit 24 is also a circuit that outputs a signal according to the presence or absence of an induced voltage detected by itself. This signal corresponds to whether the front door is open or not. The detected signal is monitored by the CPU 20. Since the signal is monitored by the CPU 20, the CPU 20 can determine whether or not the entrance door is open. The charging circuit 25 is a circuit that controls charging. When the charging circuit 25 detects that the output voltage of the secondary battery 26 is lower than the first voltage level, the charging circuit 25 starts charging. The charging circuit 25 stops charging when the output voltage of the secondary battery 26 reaches a certain value. As a result, the charging circuit 25 starts charging when the remaining amount of the secondary battery 26 becomes small, and stops charging when the power accumulated in the secondary battery 26 reaches a sufficient amount. The secondary battery 26 stores electric power. The memory 27 stores image data of an image captured by the camera 21. In the case of the present embodiment, when all the storage areas of the memory 27 store data, the memory 27 erases image data in the order of old data. Thereafter, the memory 27 sequentially stores new image data.

  The power receiver 12 includes a second coil unit 29. The second coil unit 29 includes a coil that generates an induced current by the magnetic field generated by the first coil unit 31. The generated induced current is supplied to the secondary battery 26. Accordingly, the second coil unit 29 becomes a device that relays the power from the power source, that is, the power from the power feeder 11 to the secondary battery 26 by electromagnetic induction.

  The power feeder 11 includes a transformer rectifier circuit 30 and a first coil unit 31. The transformer rectifier circuit 30 connects the power source and the first coil unit 31. The transformer rectifier circuit 30 is also a circuit that converts the power supplied from the power source into a voltage suitable for the first coil unit 31. The first coil unit 31 supplies electric power to the camera unit 10 via the power receiver 12 by generating a magnetic field.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the power feeder 11 is installed on the indoor side of the door frame of the entrance. The power receiver 12 is installed on the indoor side of the entrance door so as to be close to the power feeder 11. Thus, the power receiver 12 does not generate an induced current while the entrance door is open. This is because the distance between the power feeder 11 and the power receiver 12 is large. While the entrance door is closed, the power receiver 12 generates an induced current. Thereby, the power receiver 12 supplies power to the secondary battery 26 of the camera unit 10 only while the entrance door is closed. When power is supplied in this way, the camera unit 10 can receive power supply without hindering the opening and closing of the front door.

  Referring to FIG. 3, display unit 13 includes an input device 40, a control device 41, a receiving device 42, a memory 43, a transmitting device 44, and a display device 45. The input device 40 is a device for a user to input an instruction. The control device 41 controls the reception device 42, the memory 43, the transmission device 44, and the display device 45. The receiving device 42 receives image data from the camera unit 10. The memory 43 stores image data. The transmission device 44 transmits the image data stored in the memory 43 to a terminal having a predetermined address. The display device 45 displays an image. The image displayed by the display device 45 is an image represented by image data. The image data is stored in the memory 43.

  Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the monitoring system according to the present embodiment executes the following control regarding the transmission of image data.

In step S100, the CPU 20 monitors the detection signal of the detection circuit 24.
In step S101, the memory 27 holds the image data stored by itself.

  In step S102, the CPU 20 monitors a signal output from the detection circuit 24. The CPU 20 determines whether an induced voltage has been detected based on a signal output from the detection circuit 24. If it is determined that the induced voltage has been detected (YES in step S102), the process proceeds to step S100. If not (NO in step S102), the process proceeds to step S103.

In step S103, the CPU 20 calls image data from the memory 27.
In step S104, the CPU 20 transmits image data stored in the memory 27 via the tuner unit 22 and the antenna 23.

  In step S105, the CPU 20 refers to the data stored in the memory 27 to determine whether the transmission of the image data has been completed. If it is determined that the transmission of the image data has been completed (YES in step S105), the process proceeds to step S106. If not (NO in step S105), the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S <b> 106, the camera 21 captures an image according to the control of the CPU 20. Since the process of step S102 has been performed at this time, the CPU 20 controls the camera 21 so that it starts when the detection circuit 24 detects the interruption of the power relay. The camera 21 captures an image using the power stored in the secondary battery 26. When an image is captured, the camera 21 outputs image data generated by the imaging to the CPU 20. The CPU 20 stores image data in the memory 27.

  In step S107, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the detection circuit 24 has detected an induced voltage. If it is determined that the induced voltage has been detected (YES in step S107), the process proceeds to step S108. If not (NO in step S107), the process proceeds to step S106.

In step S108, CPU 20 starts counting the timer.
In step S109, the tuner unit 22 and the antenna 23 start transmitting image data at the same time as the CPU 20 starts counting the timer. The image data to be transmitted is image data captured by the camera 21. The tuner unit 22 and the antenna 23 transmit image data captured by the camera 21 using the power stored in the secondary battery 26.

  In step S110, the CPU determines whether or not the count number of the timer has reached the set value N. If it is determined that the count number has reached set value N (YES in step S110), the process proceeds to step S111. If not (NO in step S110), the process proceeds to step S109.

  In step S <b> 111, the CPU 20 ends transmission of image data to the tuner unit 22 and the antenna 23.

  In step S112, the CPU 20 causes the memory 27 to resume saving image data.

  The operation of the monitoring system based on the structure and flowchart as described above will be described.

  The CPU 20 monitors the detection signal (step S100). After the detection signal is monitored, the memory 27 holds image data (step S101). When the image data is held, the CPU 20 determines whether an induced voltage has been detected (step S102). While the induced voltage is detected (YES in step S102), the processes in steps S100 to S102 are repeated.

  Thereafter, when the entrance door is opened and no induced voltage is detected (NO in step S102), CPU 20 calls up image data from memory 27 (step S103). The data to be called is data of an image captured before the entrance door is opened. The user can freely set how much previous data is called. When the image data is called up, the tuner unit 22 and the antenna 23 transmit the image data to the display unit 13 (step S104). When the image data is transmitted, the CPU 20 determines whether or not to end the transmission (step S105). Initially, transmission does not end (NO in S105), and therefore the processing in steps S104 to S105 is repeated.

  Thereafter, transmission ends (YES in step S105), and camera 21 captures an image (step S106). When the image is captured, the CPU 20 determines whether an induced voltage is detected (step S107). If initially no induced voltage is detected (NO in step S107), the processes in steps S106 and S107 are repeated.

  Thereafter, if an induced voltage is detected because the door is closed (YES in step S107), CPU 20 starts counting the timer (step S108). When the counting is started, the tuner unit 22 and the antenna 23 transmit image data (step S109). When the image data is transmitted, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the count has reached the set value N (step S110). Since the initial count value has not reached set value N (NO in step S110), the processes in steps S109 to S110 are repeated.

  Thereafter, since the count value reaches set value N (YES in step S110), tuner unit 22 and antenna 23 end the transmission of image data (step S111). When the transmission of the image data is completed, the memory 27 resumes the storage of the image data (step S112). Thereby, images immediately before and after the door is opened are automatically transmitted to the display unit 13. When the display unit 13 transmits image data to a terminal designated in advance by the user, the user who owns the terminal can check a person entering or leaving the house at a place where the user is out.

  As described above, the monitoring system according to the present embodiment can stably supply power to the camera unit without the user feeling bothered by managing the battery life and opening / closing the front door. Also, the camera unit can achieve imaging and transmission of image data to the display unit with a natural structure of entering and leaving the room.

  Further, the display unit 13 according to the modification of the embodiment of the present invention may transfer image data received from the camera unit 10 to a predetermined terminal. Thereby, the user holding the terminal can check the image data of the person entering and leaving the room while away from home. Since the entry / exit is confirmed, the intrusion of the suspicious person can be confirmed or reported when absent. You can check the status of your family's return home or going out.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of the monitoring system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a control block diagram showing the structure of the camera unit etc. which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is a control block diagram showing the structure of the display unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st flowchart which shows the procedure of control of the transmission process of the image data which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd flowchart which shows the procedure of control of the transmission process of the image data which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Camera unit, 11 Power feeder, 12 Power receiver, 13 Display unit, 20 CPU, 21 Camera, 22 Tuner unit, 23 Antenna, 24 Detection circuit, 25 Charging circuit, 26 Secondary battery, 27, 43 Memory, 28 Electric wire, 29 second coil unit, 30 transformer rectifier circuit, 31 first coil unit, 40 input device, 41 control device, 42 receiving device, 44 transmitting device, 45 display device.

Claims (9)

Relay means for relaying power from the power source;
Storage means for storing the power;
Detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of relay of the power;
Imaging means for imaging using the power stored in the storage means;
Control means for controlling the imaging means so as to be activated when the detection means detects the interruption of relay of the power;
An image pickup apparatus comprising: output means for outputting data of an image picked up by the image pickup means using the electric power stored by the storage means.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit includes a unit for detecting a physical quantity of the power.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the means for detecting the physical quantity of power includes means for detecting the presence or absence of an induced voltage.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relay unit includes a unit for relaying electric power by electromagnetic induction.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the means for relaying electric power by electromagnetic induction includes a coil.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit includes a secondary battery.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing data of the image. A monitoring system including a power feeding device, an imaging device, and a transfer device,
The power supply device
Supply means for supplying power to the imaging device;
Connection means for connecting the supply means and a power source,
The imaging device
Relay means for relaying power from the power supply device;
Storage means for storing the power;
Detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of relay of the power;
Imaging means for imaging using the power stored in the storage means;
Control means for controlling the imaging means so as to be activated when the detection means detects the interruption of relay of the power;
A first transmission unit for transmitting data of an image captured by the imaging unit using the power stored by the storage unit;
The transfer device is
Receiving means for receiving image data from the imaging device;
And a second transmission means for transmitting the image data.   The monitoring system according to claim 8, wherein the transfer device further includes display means for displaying an image represented by the image data.

Images