JP2007312209A - Surreptitious photographing preventing apparatus for stationary camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a surreptitious photographing preventing apparatus for a stationary camera such as door scope camera and crime prevention camera. <P>SOLUTION: Since an object of interest exists close to each of side walls 12c in four directions and the rear wall 12d of a chassis 12, when a door scope camera 1 is concealed inside a bag held in hand, or is hidden and installed in a narrow place to be used for unauthorized purpose, the nearby object of interest is detected by each of ranging sensors 13. At this time, a control unit 18 determines that a nearby object of interest exists, based on the detected output of each of the ranging sensors 13, and inhibits operations of the camera body 11 and an image processor 14. Moreover, the control unit 18 actuates an alarm 16 and emits alarm tones from the alarm 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a voyeurism prevention device for a stationary camera.

  In recent years, cameras and video cameras have been reduced in price and size, and their uses have also diversified. However, such cameras are not used for legitimate purposes and are used for purposes of voyeurism and privacy infringement. There is concern about being.

  For this reason, an apparatus or a method for preventing unauthorized use of a camera has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for preventing voyeurism by outputting a warning sound from a camera when shooting by remote control.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, when shooting with a camera of a mobile phone, a voice message is output from the mobile phone to prevent voyeurism, or the phone number of the mobile phone is added to the shot image, A technique for deterring voyeurism is disclosed.

Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for detecting that the camera is directed upward and issuing an alarm from the camera or prohibiting photographing.
JP 10-31265 A JP 2004-242096 A JP 2004-343434 A

  By the way, installation-type cameras such as door scope cameras and security cameras have also been reduced in price and size and can be easily purchased, and there is a concern about their use for illegal purposes.

  However, the stationary camera is for photographing visitors and unauthorized intruders, and the purpose of use is different from that of a general camera. Therefore, the techniques of Patent Documents 1 to 3 cannot be applied. .

  For example, door scope cameras usually start shooting in response to a switch operation, so if a warning sound or voice message is output when shooting with a camera as in Patent Documents 1 and 2, The visitor will be notified of the start. The user may want to confirm the visitor without knowing it, and such a confirmation cannot be made if a warning sound or a voice message is output during shooting.

  The technique of adding the telephone number of the mobile phone to the image as in Patent Document 2 is effective for the camera of the mobile phone, but cannot be applied to a door scope camera or a security camera. Furthermore, adding a telephone number to an image does not directly prevent voyeurism.

  In addition, as in Patent Document 3, the technology of issuing an alarm from a camera or prohibiting shooting when the camera is directed upward is not applicable to a security camera that requires shooting from various angles. Can not. Furthermore, since the shooting direction of the camera is specified, the usability of the camera becomes worse.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a voyeurism prevention device for a stationary camera such as a door scope camera or a security camera.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an anti-voyeurism device for an installation type camera, wherein the approach is provided in the camera and detects an approaching object in a specified peripheral region of the camera excluding at least the installation location side of the camera. An object detection means; and a restriction means for restricting photographing by the camera in response to a detection output of the approaching object detection means.

  Further, the camera is for a door scope, and is fixed to a surface of the door, and the approaching object detection means is a prescribed peripheral region of the camera excluding at least a surface side of the door to which the camera is fixed. An approaching object is detected at.

  Further, the restricting means notifies that the camera is shooting.

  Further, the notification that the image is being taken by the camera is made by sound. Alternatively, the notification that shooting is being performed by the camera is performed by light.

  Further, the restricting means notifies an external device that photographing is being performed by the camera.

  The restricting means prohibits photographing by the camera. Then, the restriction means notifies an external device that photographing by the camera is prohibited.

  According to the present invention as described above, an approaching object is detected in a prescribed peripheral region of the camera excluding at least the installation location side of the camera, and photographing by the camera is restricted when the approaching object is detected. Here, in the case of an installation type camera, there are walls, ceilings, pillars, etc. on the camera installation location side. In many cases, the specified peripheral area of the camera other than this installation location side is left open. There should be nothing. Therefore, if the camera is used for a legitimate purpose, nothing exists in the prescribed peripheral area of the camera, the approaching object is not detected, and shooting by the camera is not restricted. However, for example, when the camera is hidden in a bag, held in a hand, or hidden in a narrow place, an approaching object is detected in a specified peripheral area of the camera, and shooting by the camera is restricted. This restricts the use of the camera for illegal purposes such as voyeurism and privacy violations.

  In order to restrict the use of the stationary camera for an unauthorized purpose, it is conceivable to enlarge the stationary camera and limit the method of carrying and installing. However, an increase in the size of the camera is not easy to use as an installation type. If the approaching object is detected in the specified peripheral area of the camera as in the present invention, and the shooting by the camera is restricted, it can be carried and installed in the same way as when the stationary camera is enlarged without increasing the size of the stationary camera. The method can be limited.

  For example, a stationary camera is for a door scope. In this case, since the camera is fixed to the surface of the door, it is only necessary to detect the approaching object in the prescribed peripheral region of the camera excluding at least the surface side of the door to which the camera is fixed.

  For example, the camera may notify that the shooting is being performed, and the shooting by the camera may be restricted. This notification can be performed by sound or light. More specifically, an alarm, a voice message, flashing light, and the like.

  Alternatively, the camera may be notified that shooting is being performed by the camera and the shooting by the camera may be restricted.

  Furthermore, the camera photographing may be prohibited and the camera photographing may be restricted. In this case, it is preferable to notify the external device that shooting by the camera is prohibited. For example, the external device is notified and displayed that photographing by the camera is prohibited and the camera is not broken.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a monitor system to which an embodiment of a voyeurism prevention device of the present invention is applied. The system of this embodiment includes a door scope camera 1 that is attached to a front door 3 and photographs the outside of the door 3, and a monitor device 2 that is disposed indoors and displays an image photographed by the door scope camera 1. I have.

  2A and 2B are perspective views showing the door scope camera 1 as viewed from the front and the back, respectively. In this door scope camera 1, a camera body (video camera) 11 is housed in a housing 12, a hole 12b is formed in the front wall 12a of the housing 12, and a photographing lens of the camera body 11 is disposed in the hole 12b. The camera body 11 can take a picture through the hole 12b.

  A distance measuring sensor 13 is fixedly disposed on each of the upper, lower, left and right side walls 12 c and the rear wall 12 d of the housing 12. Each distance measuring sensor 13 is, for example, a reflection type optical sensor, and detects an object approaching each side wall 12c or back wall 12d of the housing 12. For example, an approaching object from the side wall 12c or the back wall 12d of the housing 12 to about 10 cm is detected. That is, an object that approaches the prescribed peripheral region around each side wall 12c or the back wall 12d is detected.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the magnet 4 is attached to the front wall 12 a of the housing 12 of the door scope camera 1, and the hole 12 b of the housing 12 is overlaid on the door scope 5 of the front door 3. The magnet 4 is attracted to the surface of the door 3 inside the entrance, and the door scope camera 1 is fixed. In this state, the photographing lens of the camera body 11 overlaps the door scope 5 through the hole 12 b of the housing 12, so that the camera body 11 can photograph the outside of the entrance through the door scope 5. The door scope camera 1 wirelessly transmits image data indicating an image photographed by the camera body 11 to the monitor device 2. The monitor device 2 receives the image data from the door scope camera 1 and displays an image indicated by the image data on the screen.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing configurations of the door scope camera 1 and the monitor device 2. The door scope camera 1 encodes and compresses an image signal output from the camera body 11, the distance measuring sensors 13 provided on the upper and lower side walls 12c and the rear wall 12d of the housing 12, and the camera body 11. An image processing unit 14 that converts image data into image data, a wireless communication unit 15 that transmits and receives image data to and from the monitor device 2, an alarm unit 16 that emits an alarm sound, and a memory that stores various programs, data, and the like 17 and a control unit 18 that controls the door scope camera 1 in an integrated manner.

  The monitor device 2 also includes a wireless communication unit 21 that transmits and receives image data and the like to and from the door scope camera 1, an image processing unit 22 that decodes and decompresses the image data and converts the image data into an image signal, and the image signal. A display unit 23 for displaying the displayed image, an input operation unit 24, a memory 25 for storing various programs, data, and the like, and a control unit 26 for comprehensively controlling the monitor device 2 are provided.

  Here, when the input operation unit 24 of the monitor device 2 is operated to instruct activation of the door scope camera 1, in response to this, the control unit 26 sends a control signal indicating activation of the door scope camera 1 to the wireless communication unit. 21, and this control signal is transmitted from the wireless communication unit 21.

  In the door scope camera 1, at least the wireless communication unit 15 and the control unit 18 are in a standby state, and a control signal from the monitor device 2 is received by the wireless communication unit 15 and input to the control unit 18. When the control unit 18 receives a control signal indicating activation of the door scope camera 1, the control unit 18 activates the camera body 11, each distance measuring sensor 13, the image processing unit 14, and the like. At this time, the camera body 11 starts photographing outside the entrance and outputs an image signal indicating the image to the image processing unit 14. When this image signal is input, the image processing unit 14 encodes and compresses the image signal to convert it into image data, and outputs the image data to the control unit 18. When the image data is input, the control unit 18 transmits the image data to the monitor device 2 through the wireless communication unit 15.

  In the monitor device 2, image data from the door scope camera 1 is received by the wireless communication unit 21, and this image data is input to the image processing unit 22 via the control unit 26. When the image processing unit 22 receives the image data, the image processing unit 22 decodes and decompresses the image data, converts the image data into an image signal, and outputs the image signal to the display unit 23. The display unit 23 displays an image outside the entrance indicated by the image signal on the screen of the display unit 23.

  Accordingly, when the activation of the door scope camera 1 is instructed on the monitor device 2 side, photographing of the outside of the entrance is started by the door scope camera 1, and an image on the outside of the entrance is displayed on the monitor device 2 side.

  Next, when the stop operation of the door scope camera 1 is instructed by operating the input operation unit 24 of the monitor device 2, in response to this, the control unit 26 sends a control signal indicating the stop of the door scope camera 1 to the wireless communication unit. 21 to transmit.

  In the door scope camera 1, the control signal from the monitor device 2 is received by the wireless communication unit 15 and input to the control unit 18. When the control signal indicating the stop of the door scope camera 1 is input, the control unit 18 stops the camera body 11, each distance measuring sensor 13, the image processing unit 14, and the like, and returns to the standby state.

  Therefore, when the stop of the door scope camera 1 is instructed on the monitor device 2 side, the photographing by the door scope camera 1 is stopped, and the display on the monitor device 2 side is also stopped.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1, when the door scope camera 1 is used for a legitimate purpose, there is no object that approaches the upper and lower side walls 12c and the rear wall 12d of the housing 12. For this reason, even if the activation of the door scope camera 1 is instructed and the camera body 11, each distance measuring sensor 13, and the image processing unit 14 are activated, the distance measuring sensor 13 detects the approaching object. There is no.

  In this case, the control unit 18 determines that the approaching object does not exist based on the detection output of each distance measuring sensor 13, permits the operation of the camera body 11 and the image processing unit 14, and performs shooting and image data. Send.

  Therefore, if the door scope camera 1 is used for a legitimate purpose, the door scope camera 1 can be used.

  However, when the door scope camera 1 is concealed in a bag, held in a hand, or concealed in a narrow place and the door scope camera 1 is used for an illegal purpose, the housing 12 Since there are objects that approach the upper, lower, left, and right side walls 12c and the rear wall 12d, the distance measuring sensors 13 detect the approaching objects.

  At this time, the control unit 18 determines that there is an approaching object based on the detection output of each distance measuring sensor 13 and prohibits the operations of the camera body 11 and the image processing unit 14.

  Further, the control unit 18 activates the alarm unit 16 and emits an alarm sound from the alarm unit 16.

  Further, the control unit 18 reads out image data indicating a message indicating that the photographing is prohibited and that there is no failure from the memory 17, and transmits the image data from the wireless communication unit 15 to the monitor device 2.

  In the monitor device 2, image data from the door scope camera 1 is received by the wireless communication unit 21, and this image data is input to the image processing unit 22 via the control unit 26. The image processing unit 22 decodes and decompresses the image data, converts the image data into an image signal, and outputs the image signal to the display unit 23. The display unit 23 displays on the screen a message indicating that the photographing is prohibited and is not a failure indicated by the image signal. As a result, the user can know that the photographing is not prohibited and is not a malfunction.

  Therefore, when the door scope camera 1 is used for an unauthorized purpose, photographing is prohibited and the unauthorized use is prohibited. In addition, an alarm sound is emitted from the alarm unit 16 of the door scope camera 1 and a warning recommendation is issued to surrounding people. Further, a message indicating that photography is prohibited and that there is no malfunction is displayed on the screen of the monitor device 2 to inform the user that there is no malfunction.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the door scope camera 1 is used for an illegal purpose, photographing is prohibited, an alarm is sounded, and a message indicating that photographing is prohibited and is not a malfunction is displayed. , And can be used for illegal purposes.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can deform | transform variously. For example, communication between the door scope camera 1 and the monitor device 2 may be performed by wire.

  4 is a door scope camera 1A in which the door scope 5 and the display unit 23 are integrated, and the door scope 5 is inserted into the hole 3a of the door 3 and installed. However, the present invention can be applied. In the door scope camera 1 </ b> A, an image photographed through the door scope 5 is displayed on the display unit 23.

  Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to other types of stationary cameras. For example, in a camera attached to a wall, ceiling, pillar, etc., a sensor for detecting an approaching object is provided in the specified peripheral area of the camera excluding at least the installation side of the wall, ceiling, pillar, etc. What is necessary is just to control imaging | photography with a camera, when is detected.

  Moreover, although the reflection type optical sensor is illustrated as the sensor for detecting the approaching object, other types of sensors may be used. For example, an ultrasonic sensor or the like may be used. Furthermore, although the approaching object up to about 10 cm from the surface of the housing is detected, the approaching object may be detected in a range of several centimeters to several meters.

  Further, instead of emitting an alarm sound, a voice message may be emitted or the light source may be blinked. Of course, sound and light may be used together. When a plurality of types of alarm sounds are selectively emitted from the camera, the alarm sound for notifying that the camera is being used for an illegal purpose may be set larger than other alarm sounds. Furthermore, it is also possible to prohibit photography by a camera without giving any alarm by sound or light.

It is a figure which shows roughly the monitor system to which one Embodiment of the voyeurism prevention apparatus of this invention is applied. (A) And (b) is a perspective view which shows the door scope camera in the system of FIG. 1 from the front and back, respectively. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the door scope camera and monitor apparatus in the system of FIG. It is a side view which shows the modification of a door scope camera.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Door scope camera 2 Monitor apparatus 3 Door 4 Magnet 5 Door scope 11 Camera main body 12 Case 13 Distance sensor 14, 22 Image processing part 15, 21 Wireless communication part 16 Alarm part 17, 25 Memory 18, 26 Control part 23 Display Part 24 Input operation part

Claims (8)

In the voyeurism prevention device for stationary cameras,
An approaching object detection means for detecting an approaching object in a prescribed peripheral region of the camera except for at least the installation location side of the camera provided on the camera;
A sneak shot prevention device for a stationary camera, comprising: a restricting means for restricting photographing by the camera in response to a detection output of the approaching object detecting means. The camera is for a door scope, and is fixed to the surface of the door,
2. The stationary camera according to claim 1, wherein the approaching object detection unit detects an approaching object in a prescribed peripheral region of the camera excluding at least a surface side of the door to which the camera is fixed. Voyeur prevention device.   The apparatus for preventing voyeurization of a stationary camera according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the restriction means notifies that photographing is being performed by the camera.   4. The voyeurism prevention apparatus for a stationary camera according to claim 3, wherein the notification that the photographing is being performed by the camera is performed by sound.   4. The voyeurism prevention apparatus for a stationary camera according to claim 3, wherein the notification that the photographing is performed by the camera is performed by light.   The apparatus for preventing voyeurization of a stationary camera according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the restriction means notifies an external device that photographing is being performed by the camera.   The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the restricting unit prohibits photographing by the camera.   8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the restricting unit notifies an external device that photographing by the camera is prohibited.

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