JP2019126042A - Camera apparatus, indoor imaging system, and indoor information acquisition apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a camera apparatus, an indoor imaging system, and an indoor information acquisition apparatus which can acquire information in a room arbitrarily while suppressing power consumption.SOLUTION: A camera apparatus according to an embodiment includes an imaging means for imaging a room, a receiving means for receiving an imaging instruction for imaging the room, which is given from an external operation terminal, via a refrigerator that can communicate with the operation terminal, and a control means for always standing by in a low power mode in which less power than the normal operation mode is consumed, and returning to the normal operation mode when the receiving means receives the imaging instruction to image the room by the imaging means, and the camera apparatus includes the imaging means, the receiving means, and the control means is installed in the room of the refrigerator, and returns to the normal operation mode when the imaging instruction is detected by the receiving means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to a camera device, an indoor imaging system, and an indoor information acquisition apparatus.

  Conventionally, for example, there is known one that can acquire information such as food in a refrigerator even from a remote place, for example, by providing a camera in a refrigerator or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-226748 A

  However, since it is not possible to know when an instruction for acquiring information in a room is given from a remote user, it is necessary to always operate in a state where the instruction can be received, and power consumption increases. There was a problem.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a camera device, an indoor imaging system, and an indoor information acquisition device capable of acquiring information in the room arbitrarily while suppressing power consumption.

  The camera device according to the embodiment includes an imaging unit for imaging a room, a reception unit for receiving an imaging instruction for imaging a room given from an external operation terminal, via a refrigerator that can communicate with the operation terminal, The control means stands by in the low power mode, which consumes less power than the normal operation mode, and returns to the normal operation mode when the image receiving instruction is received by the receiving means, and controls the image of the room by the imaging means And a camera device including an imaging means, a receiving means, and a control means is installed in a room of the refrigerator, and returns to the normal operation mode when an imaging instruction is detected by the receiving means.

A diagram schematically illustrating an indoor imaging system according to an embodiment The figure which shows typically the external appearance of the camera apparatus of one Embodiment The figure which shows typically the inside of the camera apparatus of one Embodiment The figure which shows typically the electric constitution of the camera apparatus of one Embodiment, and an indoor imaging system The figure which shows the flow of processing of the refrigerator in one embodiment A diagram showing the flow of processing of the camera device in one embodiment A diagram showing an example of a blinking pattern when transmitting an imaging instruction by light energy in one embodiment The figure which shows an example of the ringing pattern at the time of transmitting an imaging instruction | indication by sound energy in one Embodiment A diagram showing a flow of processing of a refrigerator when transmitting an imaging instruction by vibration energy in one embodiment A diagram showing the flow of processing of the camera device when transmitting an imaging instruction by vibration energy in one embodiment A diagram showing the flow of processing of the camera apparatus when transmitting an imaging instruction by light energy and vibration energy in one embodiment

  Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the indoor imaging system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a refrigerator 1 as a home appliance, a camera device 2 for imaging an indoor room, and an access point 3 for communicating with the refrigerator 1 side. It comprises the portable terminal 4 etc. as an operation terminal. Among these, the access point 3 is connected to the external network 5 and is communicably connected via the external network 5 between the portable terminal 4 or the server 6 at a remote place and the refrigerator 1 side. In this embodiment, communication between the refrigerator 1 and the access point 3, communication between the access point 3 and the portable terminal 4, and communication between the camera device 2 and the access point 3 by wireless communication by Bluetooth (registered trademark) Is done.

  The portable terminal 4 is an operation terminal for inputting an imaging instruction for causing the camera device 2 to image a room, and assumes a so-called smart phone (high-performance mobile phone). However, the operation terminal is not limited to the portable terminal 4 and may be, for example, a tablet-type personal computer. When the portable terminal 4 is located in the house 7, the portable terminal 4 is communicably connected to the access point 3 by the short distance wireless method. When the portable terminal 4 is located outside the house 7, the portable terminal 4 is communicably connected to the access point 3 via the external network 5 by wide area communication. Moreover, the portable terminal 4 can be connected to the access point 3 via the external network 5 by wide area communication even from within the house 7, and in the house 7 without passing through the access point 3. It can also communicate directly with the refrigerator 1 side.

  The server 6 is configured by a well-known computer system, and stores information (for example, an IP address and the like) for accessing the refrigerator 1 and the like, and in the present embodiment, imaging data captured by the camera device 2 Remember. In addition, although only the refrigerator 1 is shown in figure in FIG. 1, other household appliances, such as an air-conditioner not shown, are also networked.

By networking home appliances in this way, the power consumption of each home appliance can be visually provided to the user in a visible manner, and the peak of reducing power consumption in a time zone where the power demand for summer daytime etc. increases We provide systems for providing ease of use, comfort, or convenience, such as shift control, peak-cut power control to avoid momentary use of power that exceeds general household ratings, fault diagnosis for home appliances, etc. It becomes possible. In addition, by installing the camera device 2 in, for example, a cold storage room, it is also possible to check the indoor situation (the storage state of articles, etc.) of the refrigerator 1 or the like. Then, by storing the various information, the imaging data, and the like in the server 6, even at a remote place, it is possible to refer to the information by the portable terminal 4 or the like via the external network 5 or the like.
Next, the camera device 2 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the camera device 2 has a lens 12 of the imaging unit 11 (see FIG. 4), two in the present embodiment, on the surface of the housing 10 formed in a substantially rectangular shape. The light 13 and the light sensor 14 are provided to be exposed. However, the lens 12, the imaging light 13, and the light sensor 14 may not be exposed to the outside of the housing 10 but may be in a mode in which the surface is covered with a cover or the like. Hereinafter, the side where the lens 12 and the like are exposed (right side in FIG. 3) will be described as the front of the camera device 2, and the opposite side (left side in FIG. 3) as the rear.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the camera device 2, a control board 15, a battery 16, a communication module 17, a sound sensor 19, a vibration sensor 20 and the like are accommodated in a housing 10. The control board 15 is provided with an imaging unit 11 having a lens 12 and an imaging device (not shown), an imaging light 13, a camera side control unit 18 (see FIG. 4) for controlling them, and the like. As an imaging device, a known imaging device such as a CCD or a CMOS is used. The imaging light 13 employs an LED. Although not shown, the camera device 2 is also provided with a power switch.

  The battery 16 supplies power to the control unit, the communication module 17, the light sensor 14, the sound sensor 19, the vibration sensor 20, and the like. That is, the camera device 2 is driven by the built-in battery 16. For this reason, the camera device 2 does not require a power cable or the like, and can be installed in any place. In the present embodiment, as described above, the camera device 2 is installed in the refrigerator compartment.

  The communication module 17 transmits the imaging data in the storage imaged by the imaging unit 11 to the portable terminal 4 or the server 6 via the access point 3. The reason for transmitting to the server 6 is to make the server 6 store the imaging data. Here, the imaging data is data including an image in the room, for example, data of a well-known format such as bitmap format, JPEG format or MPEG format (still image, moving image), compression or encryption of the data or image The data may be in any form as long as the data can be confirmed by the portable terminal 4 or the like, such as data converted by processing.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the camera side control unit 18 is constituted by a microcomputer having a CPU 18a, a ROM 18b, a RAM 18c, an RTC 18d and the like, and controls the entire camera device 2. Specifically, the camera-side control unit 18 controls the imaging timing by the imaging unit 11, controls the imaging environment at the time of imaging (lighting control of the imaging light 13), transmits imaging data by the communication module 17, and each sensor The control for receiving (accepting) an imaging instruction to be described later, etc. is performed. Further, in the present embodiment, the camera side control unit 18 also performs image processing for correcting the captured image. The camera side control unit 18 constitutes a control means.

  The light sensor 14 connected to the camera side control unit 18 is a so-called illuminance sensor, and detects the illuminance around the camera device 2. More specifically, the light sensor 14 detects light energy of a predetermined wavelength band (in the present embodiment, light energy emitted from an indoor LED described later). The light energy detected by the light sensor 14 is converted into an electric signal and output to the camera control unit 18.

  The sound sensor 19 detects a sound generated around the camera device 2. More specifically, the sound sensor 19 detects sound energy (in the present embodiment, sound energy emitted from a panel buzzer 29 or an indoor buzzer 33 described later) emitted in a preset frequency band. Sound energy detected by the sound sensor 19 is converted into an electrical signal and output to the camera control unit 18.

  The vibration sensor 20 detects the vibration applied to the camera device 2. The vibration sensor 20 is formed of, for example, a three-axis acceleration sensor, converts the detected vibration energy into an electric signal, and outputs the electric signal to the camera control unit 18. And the camera side control part 18 detects the vibration added to the camera apparatus 2 based on acceleration.

  The light sensor 14, the sound sensor 19, and the vibration sensor 20, which will be described in detail later, are sensors that detect physical energy, and constitute receiving means for receiving an imaging instruction. Note that it is not necessary to provide all of the light sensor 14, the sound sensor 19 and the vibration sensor 20, and only the light sensor 14 may be provided as long as the imaging instruction is received by only light energy, for example.

  The camera-side control unit 18 determines whether it is an imaging instruction as described later, based on the detected intensity or pattern of each energy. That is, in the case of the present embodiment, the imaging instruction from the user is configured to be indicated by the energy emitted in a predetermined pattern, and the camera side control unit 18 detects the energy pattern detected by each sensor and imaging It also functions as a determination unit that determines whether a pattern indicating an instruction matches.

  The camera device 2 having such a configuration always stands by in the low power mode, which consumes relatively less power than the normal operation mode, and when receiving an imaging instruction, returns to the normal operation mode and images the room Do. In the case of this embodiment, since the camera device 2 is provided in the cold storage room, the inside of the cold storage room is imaged.

  The refrigerator 1 in which the camera device 2 is installed has a storage side control unit 21. The storage-side control unit 21 is configured by a microcomputer having a CPU 21 a, a ROM 21 b, a RAM 21 c, a timer 21 d and the like, and controls the entire refrigerator 1. Specifically, the storage-side control unit 21 uses, for example, the temperature in the storage detected by the temperature sensor 23 or the open / close state of the door detected by the door sensor 24 so that the operation state set from the operation panel 22 is obtained. Based on this, the operating states of the refrigeration mechanism 25 for refrigeration and the refrigeration mechanism 26 for refrigeration that constitute a known refrigeration cycle are controlled.

  The operation panel 22 is provided with a panel display 27, a panel LED 28, and a panel buzzer 29. The panel display 27 displays setting values and the like. The panel LED 28 is provided to light the operation switch and the operating state. The panel buzzer 29 is configured of a piezoelectric buzzer or the like, and notifies the content of the operation by emitting a sound (sound energy) according to the operation. In the case of the present embodiment, the panel buzzer 29 can output a 6 kHz sound, and also functions as a transmission means for emitting sound energy to transmit an imaging instruction to the camera device 2 as described later. .

  The indoor light 30 is provided in a cold storage room or the like, and lights up when the door is opened. That is, the indoor light 30 generates light energy. The indoor light 30 can be blinked under the control of the storage control unit 21. The blower 31 is provided to circulate cold air in the refrigerator 1 in normal operation. The blower 31 can generate sound energy such as wind noise and motor noise by, for example, setting the number of rotations higher than that of the normal operation.

  The indoor LED 32 generates light energy to transmit an imaging instruction to the camera device 2. In the present embodiment, the indoor LED 32 emits light in a predetermined frequency band that can be detected by the light sensor 14 described above It has become. The indoor LED 32 is capable of blinking in a predetermined pattern, and constitutes transmitting means for transmitting an imaging instruction to the camera device 2 by blinking in a pattern corresponding to the imaging instruction. In addition, since the above-mentioned indoor illumination 30 also emits light energy, it can be used as a transmission means instead of the indoor LED 32. Moreover, when using the indoor lighting 30 as a transmission means, it is not necessary to provide indoor LED32.

  The indoor buzzer 33 is configured of, for example, a piezoelectric buzzer that generates sound energy to transmit an imaging instruction to the camera device 2. The indoor buzzer 33 can output, for example, a voice of 20 kHz (that is, a voice out of the audible range), and the sound emitted from the indoor buzzer 33 can be detected by the above-described sound sensor 19. It can not be heard. When the panel buzzer 29 is used as a transmission means or when the blower 31 is used as a transmission means, the indoor buzzer 33 may not be provided. The indoor buzzer constitutes a transmission means.

The communication adapter 34 communicates with the access point 3 and the portable terminal 4 and the like in the room, and is detachably provided to the refrigerator 1 in the present embodiment. In addition, although only the refrigerator 1 is illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication adapter 34 is provided also in other household appliances, such as an air conditioner, and makes household appliances network. The communication adapter 34 constitutes a communication means. The communication adapter 34 is also configured to be able to communicate directly with the camera device 2 without the access point 3. Since this communication adapter 34 is also used for visualizing as described above, it basically operates at all times when the refrigerator 1 is in operation.
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.

  By providing the camera device 2 described above, it is possible to image the room of the house 7 or the room such as the refrigerator compartment. In this case, by transmitting an imaging instruction from the portable terminal 4 to the camera device 2 via the external network 5, imaging data can be acquired at an arbitrary timing even from a remote place. However, since it is not clear when the imaging instruction is sent, it is necessary to keep the communication module 17 always operating, in which case power consumption increases. As a result, it is necessary to replace (or charge) the battery 16 in one day or several days.

Therefore, in the camera device 2 and the indoor imaging system 100, by transmitting an imaging instruction from a home appliance such as the refrigerator 1 (by cooperating with the home appliance), information on the room such as imaging data is suppressed while suppressing power consumption. It is possible to obtain any. Hereinafter, in order to simplify the description, an example of using light energy for transmitting an imaging instruction, using sound energy, using vibration energy, and a combination of them (light energy and energy Each of the examples to be used will be described individually.
<When using light energy>
When the imaging instruction is transmitted using light energy, the refrigerator 1 executes the storage-side processing shown in FIG. 5, and the camera device 2 executes the camera-side processing shown in FIG.

  The refrigerator 1 determines whether an imaging instruction has been received in the storage-side processing illustrated in FIG. 5 (R1). The imaging support from the user is received at the refrigerator 1 by the communication adapter 34 via the access point 3 (see FIG. 4). The refrigerator 1 waits as it is, when the imaging instruction | indication is not received (R1: NO). On the other hand, when the refrigerator 1 receives an imaging instruction (R1: YES), it determines whether the door is closed (R2), and when the door is opened (R2: NO), the door Wait until it is closed.

  When the door is closed (R2: YES), the refrigerator 1 reports that imaging is in progress from the operation panel 22 or the like (R3), and then emits energy (here, light energy). In this step R3, the refrigerator 1 emits light energy by causing the indoor LED 32 to blink in a predetermined pattern corresponding to the imaging instruction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, when the imaging instruction is received, the refrigerator 1 repeats ON / OFF of the indoor LED 32 during a blinking period set in advance. That is, in the present embodiment, a pattern in which light energy blinks at 5 Hz is adopted as a pattern indicating an imaging instruction. This blinking pattern is a pattern that can not occur in the general use condition of the refrigerator 1. That is, although it is considered that the door does not open and close at 5 Hz (0.2 s cycle) although the interior lighting 30 lights up when the door is opened, there is a possibility that the opening and closing of the door and an imaging instruction may be misjudged There is no

  Now, in the camera side process shown in FIG. 6, when the power is turned on (S1), the camera device 2 shifts to the sleep mode (S2). This sleep mode corresponds to a low power mode which consumes less power than the normal operation mode. Then, the camera device 2 determines whether energy has been detected (S3). In step S3, more specifically, the camera-side control unit 18 is in a standby state in the sleep mode, and it is determined whether the light sensor 14 has notified that light energy has been detected. This notification is notified by a microcomputer or the like by a known interrupt signal or the like.

  The camera device 2 stands by as it is when energy is not detected (S3: NO), while returning to the normal operation mode when energy is detected (S3: YES) (S4). Then, it is determined whether the detected energy pattern matches the imaging instruction pattern (S5). Specifically, the camera device 2 detects an ON / OFF edge of light energy, and when the edge is detected 10 times or more in 5 seconds, for example, it is determined to indicate an imaging instruction.

If the camera device 2 matches the pattern of the imaging instruction (S5: YES), the camera device 2 captures an image of the room (S6), transmits imaging data to the portable terminal 4 or the like, or stores it in the server 6 or the like ( S7), shift to step S2 and shift to the sleep mode. In addition, even when the camera device 2 does not match the pattern of the imaging instruction (S5: NO), the camera device 2 shifts to the sleep mode.
Thus, an imaging instruction can be transmitted to the camera device 2 in the sleep mode by the light energy.
<When using sound energy>

  When transmitting an imaging instruction using sound energy, the refrigerator 1 executes storage-side processing shown in FIG. 5 and the camera device 2 executes camera-side processing shown in FIG. 6 as in the case of light energy. Hereinafter, differences in processing content will be described in detail.

  When the refrigerator 1 receives an imaging instruction (R1: YES), the refrigerator 1 confirms whether the door is closed (R2: YES), and after notifying that imaging is in progress (R3), energy (here, sound energy) Emits In this case, the refrigerator 1 emits sound energy by ringing the panel buzzer 29 in a predetermined pattern. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, when the imaging instruction is received, the refrigerator 1 turns on (ringing) for 0.5 seconds, and turns off (stopping) for 0.5 seconds, during a preset ringing period. Then, the panel buzzer 29 sounds. That is, in the present embodiment, as a pattern indicating an imaging instruction, it is a frequency band of 6 kHz (20 kHz inaudible area in the case of the indoor buzzer 33) set in advance, and a predetermined cycle (0.5 seconds) A pattern of ringing intermittently in a cycle) is adopted. This ringing pattern is a pattern different from the normal operation (setting operation by the user), and is a pattern that can not occur except for the imaging instruction.

  Now, in the camera side process shown in FIG. 6, when the power is turned on (S1), the camera device 2 shifts to the sleep mode and stands by (S2). When the refrigerator 1 is notified by the sound sensor 19 that sound energy has been detected by an interrupt signal or the like, that is, when sound energy is detected (S3: YES), the normal operation mode is restored (S4), It is determined whether the sound energy pattern matches the pattern of the imaging instruction (S5). In this case, the camera device 2 detects an ON / OFF edge of sound energy, and when the edge is detected 10 times or more in 5 seconds, for example, it is determined to indicate an imaging instruction.

Then, when the camera device 2 matches the pattern of the imaging instruction (S5: YES), the camera device 2 captures an image of the room (S6), transmits the imaging data to the portable terminal 4 or the like, or stores it in the server 6 or the like After that (S7), the process proceeds to step S2 to shift to the sleep mode.
As described above, the imaging instruction can be transmitted to the camera device 2 in the sleep mode by the sound energy.
<When using vibration energy>

  In the case of the light energy and the sound energy described above, it was assumed that the user transmitted an imaging instruction in real time, but this time the door of the refrigerator 1 is opened and closed (that is, the storage state of the refrigerator 1 has changed It is assumed that an imaging instruction for imaging at a time (when there is a possibility) is set in advance. That is, the receiving means for receiving the imaging instruction is configured to be able to receive (accept) the imaging instruction based on the conditions set in advance as well as the imaging instruction in real time.

  At this time, the refrigerator 1 executes storage-side processing shown in FIG. 9, and the camera device 2 executes camera-side processing shown in FIG. Note that the flow of the camera-side process shown in FIG. 10 is generally the same as the camera-side process shown in FIG. 6, so different points will be described in detail.

  The refrigerator 1 determines whether the door is opened and closed in the storage-side processing shown in FIG. 9 (R10), and stands by when the door is not opened and closed (R10: NO). On the other hand, when the door is opened and closed (R10: YES), the refrigerator 1 sends an imaging instruction to the camera device 2 from the communication adapter 34 after notifying that imaging is in progress (R11) (R11) ).

  In the camera side process shown in FIG. 10, when the power is turned on (S10), the camera device 2 shifts to the sleep mode (S11), and determines whether vibration (vibration energy) is detected (S12). As described above, when the door of the refrigerator 1 is opened and closed, vibrations occur accordingly. Therefore, when the camera device 2 detects vibration (S12: YES), the camera device 2 returns to the normal operation mode (S13), and determines whether an imaging instruction has been received from the refrigerator 1 (S14). In this step S14, an imaging instruction is received via the communication module 17.

When the camera device 2 receives an imaging instruction (S14: YES), the camera device 2 captures an image of the room (S15), transmits imaging data, or stores the imaging data in the server 6 or the like (S16), and shifts to the sleep mode. The transmission destination in step S16 is the portable terminal 4 or the like. That is, when the door of the refrigerator 1 is opened and closed, the camera device 2 notifies the user of this as imaging data, on the assumption that the storage state of an article or the like may have changed.
Thus, the imaging instruction can be transmitted to the camera device 2 in the sleep mode by the vibration energy.
<When using light energy and vibration energy>

  This time, an example will be described in which a single camera device 2 captures an image using a light energy and a vibration energy in a situation where an imaging instruction to capture an image when the door of the refrigerator 1 is opened and closed is set in advance. At this time, the camera device 2 executes the camera side process shown in FIG. Note that the flow of the camera-side process shown in FIG. 11 is generally the same as the camera-side process shown in FIG.

  In the camera side process shown in FIG. 11, when the power is turned on (S20), the camera apparatus 2 shifts to the sleep mode (S21), and determines whether light energy is detected (S22). When the door of the refrigerator 1 is opened, the refrigerator 1 turns on, for example, the indoor light 30. In addition, when the door is opened, the camera device 2 is illuminated by the outside light. That is, by detecting light energy, the open / close state of the door can be detected. Therefore, when light energy is detected (S22: YES), the camera device 2 returns to the normal operation mode (S23), assuming that the door of the refrigerator 1 is opened.

Subsequently, the camera device 2 determines whether the door is closed (S24). Here, "a state corresponding to door closing" means a state in which the door is closed after the door is opened. More specifically, the following two points are determined in this step S24.
a) Whether the period during which light energy is detected is not instantaneous, but is a period necessary for taking out articles or the like.
b) Did you detect vibrational energy when the door was closed?

The camera device 2 determines that the door of the refrigerator 1 is opened or closed by determining these. Then, if it is determined that the door is closed (S24: YES), the room is imaged (S25), the imaging data is transmitted or stored in the server 6 or the like (S26), and then the sleep mode is entered. . The transmission destination in step S26 is the portable terminal 4 or the like.
As described above, an imaging instruction can also be transmitted to the camera device 2 in the sleep mode by combining light energy and vibration energy.
According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  The camera device 2 stands by in the low power mode in which the power consumption is relatively less than that in the normal operation mode, and the image pickup unit 11 that images the room, the reception unit that receives the image pickup instruction via the home appliance, And the camera-side control unit 18 that returns to the normal operation mode when the receiving unit receives the imaging instruction and performs control to image the room by the imaging unit, so when the imaging instruction is transmitted Even if it can not be assumed, there is no need to wait in the normal operating state. This can reduce power consumption during standby. In addition, since the receiving means is provided, the room can be imaged even when the imaging instruction is transmitted. Therefore, imaging data which is information in a room can be arbitrarily acquired while suppressing power consumption.

  Since the imaging instruction is transmitted by the physical energy emitted from the home appliance and the receiving means is constituted by the light sensor 14 for detecting the energy, the sound sensor 19, the vibration sensor 20 and the like, the panel buzzer 29 or the room It becomes possible to use the existing lighting appliance 30 such as the lighting 30 for transmitting an imaging instruction. Thereby, the imaging instruction can be transmitted to the camera device 2 without providing the additional component.

  A dedicated configuration may be provided as a transmission means, such as the indoor LED 32 and the indoor buzzer 33. In this case, for example, the indoor LED 32 is caused to emit light energy of a wavelength band other than visible light, or the indoor buzzer 33 is caused to emit sound energy of about 20 kHz or more exceeding the audible range. The imaging instruction can be transmitted without any problem.

  Since the imaging instruction is transmitted by emitting energy in a predetermined pattern, and whether or not the patterns match is added to the imaging condition, the imaging instruction can be transmitted reliably without being affected by the disturbance, which is an error. Detection and false imaging can be prevented.

  When the imaging ends, and when the detected energy pattern and the pattern indicating the imaging instruction do not match, transition to the sleep mode (low power mode) is performed, and therefore power consumption can be reduced.

  For example, when using what is previously provided in household appliances, such as the panel buzzer 29 and the indoor lighting 30, as a matter of course, energy may be emitted from them in cases other than the imaging instruction. Therefore, erroneous imaging can be prevented by setting the pattern of the imaging instruction to a pattern (such as the blinking pattern shown in FIG. 7 or the ringing pattern shown in FIG. 8) which can not be generated in the normal operation.

The camera device 2 described above, an operation terminal such as a portable terminal 4 for inputting the imaging instruction to the camera device 2, a communication adapter 34 for receiving the imaging instruction from the operation terminal, and the received imaging instruction to the camera device 2 Since the indoor imaging system 100 is configured by the home appliance having the transmitting means (indoor LED 32, panel buzzer 29 and the like), power consumption during standby can be reduced, and power consumption can be suppressed. The imaging data which is information in a room can be acquired arbitrarily.
(Other embodiments)

  The configuration exemplified in the above-described embodiment is not limited thereto, and, for example, the following modifications, combination changes, and the like can be performed. And the effect similar to one Embodiment can be acquired also by those structures.

  The numerical values such as the blinking cycle and the ringing cycle described in the embodiment are merely examples, and can be set as appropriate. Also, when detecting light energy, instead of detecting the edge of ON / OFF, whether the intensity (illuminance) of light energy exceeds a reference value, whether the period of ON / OFF matches, or ON / OFF Any pattern or determination criterion may be adopted as long as the influence of disturbance light can be suppressed, such as whether the pulse widths of the two coincide.

  In that case, light energy may be set to wavelength bands other than visible light, such as using infrared light. In addition, when the camera device 2 is provided in the room of the house 7 and the lighting device (visible light) is used as a transmission means, the flickering period can not be determined by human eyes (for example, 30 Hz or more). It is also possible to transmit the imaging instruction in a state where it can not be understood by the eye.

  In addition, when detecting sound energy, does the intensity of sound energy (so-called sound pressure or dB value) exceed a reference value, does the ON / OFF period coincide, or does the ON / OFF pulse width coincide? Any other pattern or determination criterion may be adopted as long as the influence of disturbance noise can be suppressed.

  In that case, if an ultrasonic wave in a wavelength range (for example, about 20 kHz or more) exceeding the audible range of a person is used, the user does not have to be concerned about the generation of sound even at home. Further, without using the panel buzzer 29 and the indoor buzzer 33, the above-described blower 31 may be raised to a rotational speed (for example, 2500 rpm) not used in the normal operation to generate sound energy.

  Although the refrigerator 1 was illustrated as a household appliance in one embodiment, other household appliances success or failure may be sufficient. For example, if the sound of an air conditioner or a television is used, not only the room of the refrigerator 1 but also the room of the house 7 of the camera device 2 can be imaged in the same manner. Furthermore, the frequency corresponding to the imaging instruction may be set in advance, for example, by transmitting the imaging instruction by sound energy in a frequency band that does not compete with the home appliance. Further, with regard to light energy, for example, since the air conditioner is provided with an infrared transmitting and receiving unit capable of performing two-way communication with infrared light between the remote control and the remote controller, the infrared transmitting and receiving unit can be used as a transmitting means. Further, even a washing machine can be used as a transmission means by using a buzzer for ending operation.

  In one embodiment, sensors for detecting light energy, sound energy and vibration energy are provided respectively, but any one or two sensors may be provided.

  Although the example which combined light energy and vibrational energy was shown in one embodiment, light energy and sound energy may be combined, sound energy and vibrational energy may be combined, or all of them are combined. It is also good. Of course, not only when the imaging instruction for imaging when the door of the refrigerator 1 is opened and closed is set in advance, but also when transmitting the imaging instruction transmitted in real time, each energy is combined and transmitted. May be

In the embodiment, the imaging data by the camera device 2 is shown as the information in the room, but other information may be acquired. That is, the information acquisition device for acquiring indoor information such as imaging data and audio data, the information acquisition means for acquiring indoor information, and the acquisition instruction for the information acquisition means are received with the same configuration as that of the embodiment. It stands by in the receiving means and the low power mode, which consumes relatively less power than the normal operating mode, and returns to the normal operating mode when the receiving instruction is received by the receiving means, and the information in the room is displayed. It may comprise by the control means which controls an information acquisition means in order to acquire. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the embodiment, such as being able to arbitrarily acquire indoor information while suppressing power consumption.
Also, the following inventions are described in the present specification.

  A camera apparatus characterized in that the control means images the room when the pattern of the light energy received by the receiving means matches the pattern indicating the imaging instruction.

The control means shifts to a low power mode when the light energy pattern received by the receiving means does not match the pattern indicating the imaging instruction, and when the imaging by the imaging means is completed. Camera device characterized by
The light energy has a flashing cycle set to 30 Hz or more.
A camera apparatus characterized in that the light energy is set to a wavelength band other than visible light.

  Waiting in imaging mode for imaging the room, reception means for receiving the imaging instruction for imaging the room via the refrigerator, and low power mode, which consumes relatively less power than the normal operation mode. A camera device having control means for returning to the normal operation mode when the image pickup instruction is received by the reception means and imaging the room by the image pickup means; and for inputting the image pickup instruction to the camera device And a communication unit for receiving the imaging instruction from the operation terminal, and a refrigerator having a transmitting unit for transmitting the imaging instruction received by the communication unit to the camera device, The means is provided in the room of the refrigerator and picks up an image of the room of the refrigerator, and returns to the normal operation mode when an image pickup instruction is detected by the reception means. Indoor imaging system comprising.

  The imaging instruction is transmitted by light energy of a predetermined pattern emitted from an indoor illumination provided in a room of the refrigerator, and the receiving means is constituted by an optical sensor for detecting the light energy. An indoor imaging system characterized in that the control means returns to the normal operation mode when the light energy of a predetermined pattern emitted from the indoor lighting is detected by the receiving means.

  An information acquisition means for acquiring information in the room, a reception means for receiving an acquisition instruction to the information acquisition means, and a standby mode in a low power mode that consumes relatively less power than the normal operation mode. The control unit returns to the normal operation mode when the acquisition instruction is received by the reception unit, and controls the information acquisition unit to acquire information in the room, and the information acquisition unit is installed in the refrigerator room An indoor imaging system, provided to acquire information in a room of the refrigerator, and returning to a normal operation mode when an imaging instruction is detected by the receiving means.

  The acquisition instruction is transmitted by the light energy of a predetermined pattern emitted from the indoor lighting provided in the room of the refrigerator, and the receiving means is constituted by an optical sensor for detecting the light energy. The indoor information acquisition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means returns to the normal operation mode when the light energy of the predetermined pattern emitted from the indoor lighting is detected by the receiving means.

  While certain embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and the gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

  In the drawings, 1 is a refrigerator (home appliance), 2 is a camera device, 4 is a portable terminal (operation terminal), 6 is a server (operation terminal), 11 is an imaging unit (imaging means, information acquisition means), 14 is an optical sensor (sensor, detection means, reception means), 18 is a camera side control unit (control means), 19 is a sound sensor (sensor, detection means, reception means), 20 is a vibration sensor (sensor, detection means, reception) Means, 28: panel LED (transmission means), 29: panel buzzer (transmission means), 30: indoor lighting (transmission means), 31: fan (transmission means) 32, 32: indoor LED (transmission means), 33: indoor A buzzer (transmission means), 34 indicates a communication adapter (communication means), and 100 indicates an indoor imaging system.

Claims (1)

Imaging means for imaging the room;
A receiving unit that receives an imaging instruction for imaging a room given from an external operation terminal via a refrigerator that can communicate with the operation terminal;
It always stands by in the low power mode where power consumption is relatively less than that in the normal operation mode, and when the image capturing instruction is received by the receiving means, it returns to the normal operation mode and picks up the room by the imaging means Control means, and
A camera device including the imaging means, the receiving means, and the control means is installed in a room of the refrigerator,
A camera apparatus characterized by returning to a normal operation mode when the imaging instruction is detected by the receiving means.

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