JP3905740B2 - Internet camera system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a file server on the Internet, an image distribution type Internet camera that can connect to the Internet via a public telephone line network and transfer image data to the file server, and can view image data transferred to the file server The present invention relates to an Internet camera system having a terminal device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An example of a conventional internet camera system is described in Japanese Patent No. 3034243. The Internet camera included in the Internet camera system described in the publication has a function of transferring digital image data to a predetermined file server on the Internet according to a predetermined schedule.
[0003]
Therefore, a user who has an account on the predetermined file server operates a terminal device having a client function of the predetermined file server connected to the Internet to browse image data stored in the predetermined file server. Can do.
[0004]
However, in the conventional internet camera system, it is only possible to browse image data transferred from the internet camera according to a predetermined schedule such as one hour interval, and the user can arbitrarily select the video captured by the internet camera. It was not possible to browse at the timing.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an Internet camera system in which an Internet camera is operated from a terminal device and an image captured by the Internet camera can be viewed at an arbitrary timing.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the Internet camera system of the present invention provides:
The terminal device has transmission means for transmitting predetermined data to the file server,
The file server has calling means for making a telephone call to the modem device when receiving predetermined data from the terminal device,
When detecting an incoming call to the modem device, the Internet camera has distribution control means for picking up an image and distributing the picked-up image to the file server.
[0007]
Therefore, by operating the terminal device, an image captured by the Internet camera at a desired timing can be displayed on the monitor of the terminal device. Further, since the terminal device itself does not require a modem device connected to the public telephone line network, there is no possibility of intrusion into the terminal apparatus via the public telephone line network, which is preferable in terms of security.
[0008]
In addition, after the file server completes the transfer of the captured image from the Internet camera triggered by the incoming call to the modem device, the Internet camera transfers the image to the file server by notifying the terminal device of the completion of the image transfer. Thereafter, the terminal device can immediately display the image transferred by the Internet camera to the file server on the monitor.
[0009]
Further, the calling means is configured to disconnect the telephone line before the line connection is established after making a call to the modem apparatus by operating from the file server, so that the first modem apparatus is a public telephone. It is possible to request image transfer to an internet camera without using a line usage fee.
[0010]
Further, the terminal device has an input means, and the input means is a pointing device having a button for moving a pointer displayed on a monitor such as a mouse,
By operating the pointing device to move the pointer to a predetermined position and pressing the button, the terminal device may transmit data requesting image transfer of the Internet camera to the file server via the Internet.
[0011]
Furthermore, the internet camera system has a plurality of internet cameras,
The terminal device may be configured to transmit data requesting image transfer of a different Internet camera to a file server via the Internet according to the position of the pointer when the button of the pointing device is pressed.
[0012]
With such a configuration, an image captured by a desired Internet camera among a plurality of Internet cameras can be browsed by a simple operation.
[0013]
The internet camera system has a plurality of internet cameras,
By operating the pointing device, moving the pointer to a predetermined position and pressing the button, the terminal device transmits data requesting image transfer of all Internet cameras to the file server via the Internet. Also good.
[0014]
By setting it as such a structure, the image which all the some internet cameras imaged can be browsed by single operation.
[0015]
Furthermore, when the modem device has a function of detecting information specifying the call originator of the call coming to the modem device, the internet camera picks up the image when the call origination call to the modem device is not the calling means. An image captured by the apparatus may not be transferred to the file server. By adopting such a configuration, image capture unintended by the user of the terminal device due to an erroneous call or the like is prevented.
[0016]
Note that the information specifying the call originator of the telephone that has come to the modem apparatus includes the caller telephone number notified to the second modem apparatus by, for example, the NTT number display service.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An internet camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown in FIG. The internet camera system of the present invention is arranged on a plurality of (three in FIG. 1) internet cameras 1, a file server 201 arranged on the internet 200, and a local area network (hereinafter referred to as LAN) 300. And at least one client PC 301.
[0018]
Here, the Internet camera 1 is a device that transfers captured image data to a file server. The internet camera 1 includes a modem device 10. When the modem device 10 communicates with the first gateway 101 on the Internet via the public telephone line network 100, the Internet camera 1 establishes a connection to the Internet 200. The internet camera 1 can transmit and receive data to and from the file server 201 on the internet 200 by connecting to the internet 200.
[0019]
The file server 201 on the Internet 200 provides a file transfer protocol (FTP) service, a simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) service, a post office protocol (POP) service, and a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). . Further, the file server 201 includes a modem device 210 and has a function of making a call through the public telephone line 100.
[0020]
Further, the client PC 301 on the LAN 300 includes a network interface 303 such as an Ethernet (R) card. When the network interface 303 communicates with the second gateway 320 connected to both the Internet 200 and the LAN 300, the client PC 301 establishes a connection to the Internet 200 and connects to the file server 201 on the Internet 200. Can send and receive data.
[0021]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the Internet camera 1. The imaging device 3 is a device that outputs an image formed on an imaging device such as a CCD as a digital signal via an objective optical system. The control unit 2 can control the image pickup device 3 and the memory 4 to convert the digital signal output from the image pickup device 3 into an image file of a predetermined image format such as JPEG and store it in the memory 4.
[0022]
Further, the memory 4 can also hold schedule data together with the image file, and the control means 2 converts the digital signal output from the imaging device 3 at the time based on the schedule data into an image file and stores it in the memory 4. .
[0023]
Further, an FTP client program is developed in the memory 4 of the Internet camera 1. After the image file is stored in the memory 4, the control unit 2 of the Internet camera 1 establishes a connection to the Internet 200 and transfers the image file to the file server 201 on the Internet 200 using an FTP client program. Since the connection to the Internet 200 is forcibly disconnected after the image file transfer, the communication cost associated with the transfer of the image file can be minimized.
[0024]
In the memory 4 of the Internet camera 1, an e-mail client program that transmits and receives e-mails using SMTP and POP is developed. Here, the control means 2 of the internet camera 1 establishes a connection to the internet 200 at a predetermined interval, confirms the mailbox provided by the SMTP service program and the POP service program of the file server 201 by the e-mail client program, and When an email containing schedule data is received from the administrator of the camera system, the schedule data is updated. Note that after checking the mailbox, the connection to the Internet 200 is forcibly disconnected.
The internet camera 1 further has a trigger switch button 5. When the trigger switch button 5 is pressed, the digital signal output from the image pickup device 3 at that time is immediately converted into an image file by the control means 2, and after establishing a connection to the Internet 200, the file server 201 stores the above-mentioned digital signal. The image file is transferred. Note that after transferring the image file, the connection to the Internet 200 is forcibly disconnected.
[0026]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the file server 201 on the Internet 200. The file server 201 includes a network interface 203 that transmits and receives data via the Internet 200 and a storage device 205 that stores various files. Here, the control means 202 of the file server 201 controls the network interface 203 to receive the image file transferred from the Internet camera 1 via the Internet 200, and further controls the storage device 205 to receive the received image file. It is stored in a predetermined directory of the storage device 205.
[0027]
This image data storage operation is performed by an FTP service program developed in the memory 204 of the file server 201.
[0028]
The HTTP service program expanded in the memory 204 allows image data stored in a predetermined directory of the storage device 205 to be browsed from any or specific terminal device connected to the Internet 200.
[0029]
Further, the file server 201 includes a modem device 210, and the control unit 202 of the file server 201 can control the modem device 210 to make a call to any telephone number.
[0030]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the client PC 301 on the LAN 300. The client PC 301 has a network interface 303 that is always connected to the LAN 300 and can be connected to the Internet 200 via the second gateway 320 on the LAN 300. Further, the client PC 301 has a memory 304. In the memory 304, an HTTP client program for transmitting and receiving data from the file server 201 using HTTP is developed. The control unit 302 of the client PC 301 can execute this HTTP client program and control the network interface 303 to transfer an arbitrary image file stored in the storage device 205 of the file server 201 to the memory 304 of the client PC 301.
[0031]
The client PC 301 further includes a monitor 305. Further, the HTTP client program expanded in the memory 304 of the client PC 301 has a function of displaying the image file expanded in the memory on the monitor 305. Therefore, the client PC 301 on which the HTTP client program is executed can sequentially display the image file transferred from the Internet camera 1 to the file server 201 on the monitor 305 in accordance with the schedule data. That is, the user of the client PC 301 can view the image captured by the Internet camera 1 on the monitor 305 of the remote client PC 301 at the time according to the schedule data.
[0032]
Further, the client PC 301 has a pointing device 306 that moves a pointer displayed on the monitor 305, and the user of the client PC 301 can operate the HTTP client program by using the pointing device 306. Further, the pointing device 306 has at least one button, and can notify the control unit 302 of the client PC 301 of the position of the pointer on the screen when the button is pressed.
[0033]
A screen of the monitor 305 of the client PC 301 is shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the number of Internet cameras 1 that browse images on the monitor 305 is three, but the number of Internet cameras 1 that can be monitored simultaneously by the user of the client PC 301 is not limited. The screen 400 displays image display areas 401, 402, and 403, each of which displays an image file that has been transferred to the file server 201 by the Internet camera 1. The HTTP client program accesses the file server 201 at regular intervals (for example, 1 minute), and the image display areas 401, 402, and 403 include the latest image file transferred to the file server 201 by the corresponding Internet camera 1 and The imaging time of each image file is displayed.
[0034]
In addition, first image capture buttons 411, 412, and 413 are arranged below the image display areas 401, 402, and 403, respectively. Here, when the pointer 404 is pushed over any of the first image capture buttons 411, 412, and 413 and the button of the pointing device 306 is pressed (hereinafter abbreviated as “press the first image capture button”), The digital signal output from the imaging device 3 of the Internet camera 1 corresponding to the pressed first image capture button is immediately converted into an image file, and the image file corresponds to the first image capture button pressed. It is displayed in the image display area.
[0035]
A second image capture button 420 is arranged at the bottom of the screen 400. When the pointer 404 is placed on the second image capture button 420 and the button of the pointing device 306 is pressed (hereinafter abbreviated as “press the second image capture button”), the image display areas 401, 402, and 403 are displayed. A digital signal output from the imaging device 3 of the corresponding internet camera 1 is immediately converted into an image file, and the image file is displayed in each of the image display areas 401, 402, and 403. That is, when the second image capture button 420 is pressed, the same effect as that when the first image capture button is pressed on all the first image capture buttons can be obtained.
[0036]
The operation procedure of the client PC 301, the file server 201, and the Internet camera 1 when the first image capture button is pressed will be described using the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0037]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an interrupt routine executed by the client PC 301 when the first image capture button is pressed. When the first image capture button is pressed, the control unit 302 of the client PC 301 proceeds to step S301, and requests the file server 201 to capture an image to the Internet camera 1 according to the first image capture button. When the control unit 202 of the file server 201 receives this request, it executes the interrupt routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. Note that the control unit 302 of the client PC 301 executes step S302 and waits until receiving a capture completion message from the file server 201 (S302: Yes) (S302: No).
[0038]
The control unit 202 of the file server 201 that has received the request from the client PC 301 executes step S201, and checks whether the Internet camera 1 that is the target of the image capture request has transmitted the image file to the file server 201. If the image file is not being transferred (S201: No), the process proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, if the image file is being transferred (S201: Yes), the Internet camera 1 does not need to perform further imaging operation, and the process proceeds to step S203.
[0039]
In step S202, the control unit 202 of the file server 201 controls the modem device 210 to call the internet camera 1 that is the target of image capture, and after a predetermined time has elapsed (for example, after several ringing sounds). Stop a phone call. Here, when the modem device 10 of the internet camera 1 to be requested for image capture receives a telephone call, the control means of the internet camera 1 executes an interrupt routine shown in the flow of FIG. The control unit 202 of the file server 201 executes step S203 and waits until file transfer (described later) from the internet camera 1 is completed (S203: Yes) (S203: No).
[0040]
When the modem device 10 of the internet camera 1 receives a telephone call, the control means 2 of the internet camera 1 executes step S101. In step S101, it is confirmed whether or not the source of the incoming telephone call is the file server 201. That is, by using a caller telephone number notification service such as an NTT number display, it is checked whether the caller telephone number matches the telephone number of the line to which the modem device 210 of the file server 201 is connected. Is going.
[0041]
If the caller of the received telephone call is not the file server 201 (S101: No), the process proceeds to step S111 to disconnect the telephone line, and this routine is terminated. Therefore, image capture unintended by the user of the client PC 301 due to an erroneous call or the like is prevented.
[0042]
On the other hand, if the source of the incoming telephone call is the file server 201 (S101: Yes), the process proceeds to step S102, and the modem apparatus 210 makes a telephone call under the control of the control means 202 of the file server 201 without answering the telephone call. Wait until the call is stopped (S102: No). Accordingly, since the line is disconnected before the line is connected (that is, while the ringing tone continues to ring), the file server 201 does not incur a line usage fee.
[0043]
On the other hand, when the disconnection of the telephone line is confirmed in step 102 (S102: Yes), the process proceeds to step S103, where the digital signal output from the imaging device 3 of the Internet camera 1 is converted into an image file and stored in the memory 4. . In step S104, the control unit 2 of the internet camera 1 controls the modem device 10 to establish a connection to the internet 200. In step S105, the image file is transferred to the file server 201.
[0044]
Next, the process proceeds to step S106, the connection to the Internet 200 is disconnected, and this routine is terminated.
[0045]
At this point, since the internet camera 1 has completed the file transfer to the file server 201, the control unit 202 of the file server 201 executes step S204 in the flowchart of FIG. In step S204, the control unit 202 of the file server 201 transmits a capture completion message indicating that the Internet camera 1 has finished transferring the image file to the client PC 301, and the present routine is terminated.
[0046]
Accordingly, since the client PC 301 has received the capture completion message from the file server 201, the control unit 302 of the client PC 301 executes step S303 in the flowchart of FIG. That is, the client PC 301 accesses the file server 201 and downloads the image file transferred to the file server 201 by the Internet camera 1 in step S105.
[0047]
Next, the process proceeds to step S304, where the image file downloaded in step S303 is displayed in the image display area corresponding to the pressed first image capture button on the monitor 305, and this routine is terminated.
[0048]
When the second image capture button 420 is pressed, the interrupt routines shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 are executed for all the Internet cameras 1, and the results are displayed in the image display areas 401, 402, and 403, respectively. The image is updated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 schematically shows an Internet camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an Internet camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a file server in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a client PC in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows a screen displayed on the monitor of the client PC in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an interrupt routine executed by the client PC in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an interrupt routine executed by the file server in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an interrupt routine executed by the Internet camera in the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Internet camera 2 Control means 3 Imaging device 4 Memory 5 Trigger switch button 10 Modem apparatus 100 Public telephone line network 101 First gateway 200 Internet 201 Internet camera 202 Control means 203 Network interface 204 Memory 205 Storage apparatus 210 Modem apparatus 300 Local・ Area Network 301 Client PC
302 Control means 303 Network interface 304 Memory 305 Monitor 306 Pointing device 320 Second gateway

Claims (9)

An image distribution-type Internet camera that has a file server on the Internet and a modem device and transfers captured images to the file server according to a predetermined schedule, and a terminal device that can view the images transferred to the file server An internet camera system comprising:
The terminal device has a transmission means for transmitting predetermined data for requesting image capture of the Internet camera to the file server,
Said file server, said terminal said predetermined data to receive the image capture subject to request Internet camera from the apparatus determines whether or not being transferred the captured image, the request target of the image capture when not being transferred Having a calling means for making a call to a modem device of the Internet camera and then disconnecting the telephone line before the line connection is established;
When the internet camera detects an incoming call to the modem device, the internet camera has distribution control means for waiting for the telephone line to be disconnected without answering the incoming call, and then taking an image and transferring the taken image to the file server. An internet camera system characterized by that. A network interface for connecting the terminal device to the Internet via a local area network, a monitor for displaying an image transferred to the file server, and an input means for operating the terminal device;
By the operation of the input means, the transmission means of the terminal device transmits the predetermined data to the file server via the Internet,
The file server operates the calling means when the Internet camera targeted for image capture is not transferring a photographed image, calls the modem device of the Internet camera targeted for image capture , and then Disconnect the phone line before the line connection is established,
2. The Internet camera according to claim 1, wherein when receiving an incoming call to the modem device, the Internet camera waits for disconnection of the telephone line without answering the incoming call, and then picks up an image and transfers it to the file server. Internet camera system described in 1.   The file server notifies the terminal device of the completion of image transfer after the transfer of the captured image from the Internet camera triggered by an incoming call to the modem device is completed. 2. The internet camera system according to 2. The input device of the terminal device is a pointing device having a button for moving a pointer displayed on the monitor,
The terminal device transmits the predetermined data to the file server via the Internet by operating the pointing device, moving the pointer to a predetermined position, and pressing the button. The internet camera system according to claim 2 or claim 3. The internet camera system has a plurality of internet cameras,
In accordance with the position of the pointer when the button of the pointing device is pressed, the terminal device transmits the predetermined data for which a different Internet camera is a request for image capture to the file server via the Internet. The internet camera system according to claim 4. The internet camera system has a plurality of internet cameras,
By operating the pointing device, moving the pointer to a predetermined position and pressing the button, the terminal device makes all the Internet cameras subject to image capture requests to the file server via the Internet. 6. The internet camera system according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined data is transmitted. The modem device has a function of detecting information identifying a caller of a telephone that has been placed on the modem device;
The Internet camera does not transfer an image picked up by an image pickup device to the file server when a caller of the telephone set to the modem device is not the calling means. The internet camera system according to any one of the above.   8. The Internet camera system according to claim 7, wherein the information specifying the call originator of the telephone that has come to the modem device is a telephone number. Each of the file server, the Internet camera, and the terminal device includes a control unit and a memory,
The said file server, the said internet camera, and the said terminal device operate | move when the said control means runs the program expand | deployed in the said memory, The one in any one of Claim 1-8 characterized by the above-mentioned. The described internet camera system.

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