JP4943866B2 - Network camera system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a network camera system that displays an image captured by a camera on a remote terminal device via a network, and more particularly to a technique for managing correspondence between the camera and the terminal device.

In recent years, it has become possible to display images taken by a camera on a remote terminal device via the Internet, and images taken by a specific camera can be viewed on a personal computer or mobile phone. Service is provided.
By using this service, for example, an image taken by a camera at home can be viewed on the display of the mobile phone from the outside.

With regard to such a service, techniques for improving operability and simultaneously distributing real-time video and stored video have been developed (see Patent Document 1).
When providing this service, link the camera to the mobile phone so that the image of the camera at home will not be seen on any device other than your mobile phone that you have contracted with. Yes, the image of the camera at home needs to be sent only to your mobile phone.
JP 2003-143578 A

However, if the contract is canceled, of course, the link between this home camera and your mobile phone will also be canceled, and you can sign a new contract between your home camera and another mobile phone. Become.
There is no problem if this other mobile phone is a new mobile phone, but it is a problem if it is a malicious third-party mobile phone.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a network camera system in which a new contract cannot be easily concluded even after the contract is canceled.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a network camera system of the present invention is a network camera system that transmits an image captured by a camera to an information terminal corresponding to the camera via a network. State information indicating a transmission state to the information terminal, the state information of either the first state or the second state, a camera identifier for identifying the camera, and a terminal identifier for identifying the information terminal When the state storage means for storing the information in association with the state information stored in the state storage means is the first state, the image captured by the corresponding camera is transmitted to the corresponding information terminal, and the second state The transmission control means for controlling the transmission of the image captured by the corresponding camera to the corresponding information terminal, and the state information is in the first state. When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the state information is changed to the second state, and the state information changing unit that does not update the association between the camera identifier and the terminal identifier stored in the state storage unit unless the specific condition is satisfied. It is characterized by providing.

  The network camera system according to the present invention has the above-described configuration so that the association between a camera and an information terminal that receives image data captured by the camera cannot be updated before a specific condition is satisfied. Therefore, before a specific condition is satisfied, the camera and other information terminals are prevented from being associated with each other even after the predetermined condition is satisfied and the information terminal no longer receives image data. Will be able to.

That is, before the specific condition is satisfied, the image data captured by the camera is not transmitted to other information terminals.
For example, if you associate your home camera with your mobile phone, even if you forget to renew the contract and the contract has been canceled (predetermined conditions) Under certain conditions), the home camera is not associated with the other person's mobile phone, so that it is possible to prevent others from seeing the image taken by the home camera.

  Further, the second state is state information of either the non-transmission state 1 or the non-transmission state 2, and the state information changing unit satisfies the condition 1 when the state information is the first state. When the state information is the non-transmission state 1, the state information is changed to the first state when the release condition is satisfied, and when the condition 2 is satisfied, the state information is changed to the non-transmission state 2. In the non-transmission state 2, even if the release condition is satisfied, the first state and the non-transmission state 1 may not be changed.

Thus, if the release condition is satisfied, the image data is sent again to the information terminal only in the non-transmission state 1, and in the non-transmission state 2, the image data is sent even if the release condition is satisfied. In any case, it is possible to prevent the image data from being sent as long as the release condition is satisfied.
In addition, the network camera system further includes a timing unit that detects the elapse of a predetermined period. The condition 1 is stored in the state storage unit in association with a camera and an information terminal, and the state information is the first. The time measuring means detects that the first time period has been detected since the first time has elapsed, or that the extended first time period has elapsed before the first time period has elapsed. The condition 2 is that the first period has elapsed and the time measuring means has detected that the second period has elapsed, and the release condition is that the state information is the second state. The change from the first state to the first state may be an indication of intention from the user of the information terminal indicated by the terminal identifier.

Thus, until the second period elapses after the image data is no longer transmitted, if the intention display from the user of the information terminal is received, the image data can be transmitted again. If the intention is displayed before the time elapses, an image can be displayed.
Here, the intention display means performing a predetermined operation from his / her mobile phone or informing the service provider of his / her intention by telephone.

In addition, the specific condition indicates an intention to store a camera identifier stored in the state storage unit and a terminal identifier stored in association with the terminal identifier or a different terminal identifier in association with each other. The input may be received from the user of the information terminal indicated by the terminal identifier.
Thereby, the intention display from the user of the information terminal associated with the camera can be associated with the camera and the information terminal or a different information terminal, so that the image data can be transmitted to a different information terminal, Transmission of image data to the information terminal can be resumed.

For example, a user who has forgotten to renew the contract and can no longer see the image can view the image again by performing intention display. In addition, when the user purchases a new mobile phone, the user can view images on the new mobile phone instead of the old mobile phone.
Here, the intention display of the user is to convey the intention to the service provider by telephone. In addition, after an operation for canceling an old contract is performed from his / her mobile phone, an operation for a new contract is performed using a new mobile phone.

The specific condition is indicated by an instruction to store the camera identifier stored in the state storage unit and the terminal identifier stored in association with each other in association with the specific condition. It may be received from an information terminal.
As a result, since the information terminal associated with the camera and associated with the information terminal that does not transmit image data can be associated again, the user can view the image again on the information terminal.

<Embodiment>
<Overview>
The network camera system according to the present invention stores association information between a camera and a terminal device once contracted even when the contract is lost and the association is lost. Termination of contract here refers to the case where the contract expires without renewal, for example, rather than following the normal cancellation procedure.

In this system, a mobile phone or the like (hereinafter referred to as an “old mobile phone”) associated with the camera is memorized, and whether the person who is going to make a new contract is the owner of the old mobile phone. By judging whether or not it is a related person, an illegal contract is eliminated as much as possible.
Therefore, for example, when trying to enter into a new contract with a camera that was previously contracted (hereinafter referred to as the “old camera”), a new contract will be made unless the old contract is canceled by a normal cancellation procedure. It becomes possible to make it impossible to tie, and the possibility that a malicious third party can prevent re-contracting against the intention of the old contractor becomes much higher.

In other words, those who had contracted with the old camera would be less worried about a new contract being signed by a malicious third party by performing a regular cancellation procedure and a new contract at the same time, and the contract would disappear. However, there is less anxiety that new contracts with third parties will be made against their will.
<Configuration>
First, the configuration of the network camera system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network camera system.
This network camera system includes an Internet network 100, a camera 200, a server 300, a mobile communication control station 400, a base station 500, and a mobile phone 600.
The mobile phone 600 is connected to the Internet network 100 via the mobile communication control station 400 and the base station 500.

In the present system, a procedure for a user to display an image captured by the camera 200 with the mobile phone 600 will be briefly described below, and the configuration of the server 300 and the like will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the user makes a contract to display an image captured by the camera 200 on the mobile phone 600. Assume that the partner with whom the contract is concluded is a service provider such as an administrator of the server 300.

By the contract, the camera 200 and the mobile phone 600 are linked to each other so that the user can view an image captured by the camera 200 with the mobile phone 600.
Images captured by the camera 200 are transmitted to the server 300 via the Internet network 100 and stored.

The user can access the server 300 via the base station 500 or the like by performing a specific operation on the mobile phone 600, obtain an image captured by the camera 200, and view the image displayed on the display. become.
In this example, a photographed image of the camera 200 is displayed on the mobile phone 600. Of course, a personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), an Internet-compatible television, or the like may be used.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the server 300.
The server 300 includes a communication unit 310, an image storage unit 320, an image transmission unit 330, a state determination unit 340, a timer 350, a state update unit 360, a user interface unit 370, a contract unit 380, an image storage unit 390, and a contract information storage unit 700. Consists of
The server 300 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and the like (not shown), and has a function as a normal server device in addition to the function of the function unit.

First, the communication unit 310 has a function of communicating with the camera 200 and the mobile phone 600 via the Internet network 100.
The image storage unit 320 has a function of causing the image storage unit 390 to store an image captured and transmitted by the camera 200. At the time of this accumulation, it is stored so that it can be identified which camera is the captured image.

The image transmission unit 330 has a function of transmitting an image stored in the image storage unit 390 to the mobile phone 600 via the communication unit 310 in response to a request from the mobile phone 600. In addition, the mobile phone 600 has a function of sending a message.
Next, the state determination unit 340 receives a request from the image transmission unit 330, determines the contract state of the mobile phone 600, and displays information serving as a basis for determining whether to transmit an image to the mobile phone 600. It has a function of returning to the transmission unit 330. In response to this information, the image transmission unit 330 transmits an image or a message.

The determination performed by the state determination unit 340 is performed by referring to information stored in the contract information storage unit 700.
The timer 350 has a function of measuring time and starting the state update unit 360 when a predetermined time is reached. Specifically, a task for realizing the function of the state update unit 360 is activated.
The state update unit 360 is activated by the timer 350 and has a function of updating information stored in the contract information storage unit 700. The information stored in the contract information storage unit 700 and the contents updated by the state update unit 360 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

The user interface unit 370 includes a display, a keyboard, and the like, and has a function of accepting an operator instruction and adding, updating, and deleting information stored in the contract information storage unit 700 according to the instruction.
Further, the contract unit 380 has a function of exchanging data with the mobile phone 600 in response to a request from the mobile phone 600 to update a contract or contract. The contract or contract update is reflected in the information stored in the contract information storage unit 700.

The contract information storage unit 700 has a function of storing information related to contracts, and details of the information will be described later with reference to FIGS.
Next, the configuration of the camera 200 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the camera 200.
The camera 200 includes a communication unit 210, an image transmission unit 220, an image processing unit 230, an imaging unit 231 and a camera identifier storage unit 240.

First, the communication unit 210 has a function of communicating with the server 300 via the Internet network 100.
The image transmission unit 220 has a function of transmitting the image data generated by the image processing unit 230 to the server 300 via the communication unit 210. At that time, a camera identifier for identifying the camera is added and transmitted. This is because the camera side identifies which image data is taken by the camera.

The image processing unit 230 has a function of generating image data from a signal output from the imaging unit 231.
The imaging unit 231 includes, for example, a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), converts external light into an electrical signal, and outputs the electrical signal to the image processing unit 230.

The camera identifier storage unit 240 has a function of storing a camera identifier that is information for identifying the own camera. This camera identifier is described on the surface of the camera body as a QR code. So that the user can use it.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile phone 600.
The mobile phone 600 includes a communication unit 610, an image display unit 620, a display 630, an image request unit 640, a user interface unit 650, a mobile identifier storage unit 660, and a contract request / update unit 670.

The cellular phone 600 includes a CPU (not shown), a memory, a speaker that outputs audio signals, a microphone that inputs external audio, and the like. In addition to functions unique to the present invention, general cellular phones required for cellular phones such as voice communication and mail transmission / reception Process.
First, the communication unit 610 has a function of communicating with the server 300 via the Internet network 100.

The image display unit 620 has a function of displaying image data acquired from the server 300 via the communication unit 610 on the display 630.
The display 630 is a display such as a liquid crystal display, and has a function of displaying the image data received from the image display unit 620 and displaying a menu of a mobile phone, a moving image, and the like.

The image request unit 640 has a function of requesting the server 300 to transmit image data via the communication unit 610 according to an instruction from the user interface unit 650.
When requesting image data, a mobile phone identifier for identifying the mobile phone is added and transmitted. This is because the server side knows which mobile phone is requesting image data.
The user interface unit 650 includes a button and the like, and has a function of accepting a user instruction and requesting the image request unit 640 to request image data in accordance with the instruction.

The mobile identifier storage unit 660 has a function of storing a mobile identifier that is information for identifying the mobile phone.
The contract request / update unit 670 has a function of performing a contract, contract update, and contract cancellation in response to a request from the user interface unit 650.
Here, all or part of the processes performed by the functional units of the server 300, the camera 200, and the mobile phone are realized by the CPU executing various programs.

<Data>
Hereinafter, main data used by the network camera system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example and content example of the contract information table 710.
The contract information table 710 includes a camera identifier 711, a terminal identifier 712, a folder 713, status information 714, and a contract end date 715.

The contract information table 710 is stored in the contract information storage unit 700 of the server 300.
First, the camera identifier 711 is information for identifying the camera 200, and is stored in the camera identifier storage unit 240 of the camera 200.
The terminal identifier 712 is information for identifying the mobile phone 600 in the present embodiment, and is stored in the mobile identifier storage unit 660 of the mobile phone 600. In the terminal identifier 712, information for identifying a device that displays image data such as a personal computer or a PDA is set.

The camera identifier 711 and the terminal identifier 712 are set as a pair at the time of contract. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the camera 200 and the mobile phone 600 can be contracted only on a one-to-one basis.
Next, the folder 713 is a folder name indicating a place where image data captured by the camera indicated by the camera identifier 711 is stored. This folder is created in the image storage unit 300 of the server 300.

The status information 714 is information indicating the contract status of the camera indicated by the camera identifier 711. Here, one of three types of “contracting”, “expiration 1”, and “expiration 2” is set. These states will be described later with reference to FIG.
The contract end date 715 indicates the date when the contract is canceled or when it is not renewed.
Here, the configuration of the image storage unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the image storage unit 300 and the folder 714.

In the image storage unit 300, a folder is created with a folder name indicated by the folder 713 corresponding to the camera identifier 711, and image data taken by the camera indicated by the camera identifier 711 is stored.
In this figure, a folder drawn with a dotted line indicates a folder that existed before but is now deleted.

For example, image data captured by the camera indicated by the camera identifier 711 “C001” is stored as image data “01AA.jpg” or the like in the folder 713 “F0001” corresponding to the camera identifier 711 “C001”. Yes.
Next, the relationship between the contract status and the contract status table 710 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the contract status and the contract status table 710.

  In this figure, it is assumed that the process indicated by the rectangle is an operation performed by the user. Further, the elapsed period column indicates an elapsed period, and the contract status column indicates a “contracting” period in which the contract is established and an “uncontracted” period in which the contract is extinguished. The image reception status column indicates whether or not the mobile phone 600 can receive an image taken by the camera 200, and the contract information status information column indicates the contents of the status information 714 of the contract information table 710. Further, the method column for re-receiving an image indicates an action to be taken by the user in order to receive the image again when the image cannot be received. The folder field indicates whether the corresponding folder exists in the image storage unit 390 of the server 300.

The contract according to the present embodiment is assumed to be extinguished unless the intention of renewal is displayed every “period 1” after the contract is made, for example, before the next one month elapses.
Here, a case where a camera with a camera identifier “C001” in the camera identifier storage unit 240 and a mobile phone with a mobile identifier “090001” in the mobile identifier storage unit 660 are contracted will be described as an example. The date of the contract is a day in November 2006.

  First, when the contract 10 is made, data of the camera identifier 711 “C001”, the terminal identifier 712 “090001”, the status information 714 “under contract”, and the contract end date 715 “2006/12/31” are stored in the contract information table 710. A table is added. In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that “period 1” is one month or more, and the contract end date 715 is the end date of the next month of the contract date. After that, “Period 1” is one month.

The user updates the contract period by performing update 11 before “period 1” ends. In this example, after the update 12 is performed, the update is not performed during the period 1 (20) and is not updated 13. Further, the next period 2 (21) is also not updated and the update 14 is performed. To do.
In this case, until the period 1 (20) in which the update 12 is valid ends, “contracted” as shown in the contract status column, and the image can be received as shown in the image reception status column. . After that, it becomes “unsigned” and the image cannot be received.

Looking at the status information 714 at this time, the period in which the contract status column is “contracting” is similarly “contracting”, but thereafter, “expiration 1” until the period 2 (21) elapses. "After the period 2 (21) has elapsed, it becomes" expired 2 ".
When the status information 714 becomes “expired 2”, this data is not updated or deleted until a formal cancellation procedure is performed.

The period in which the status information 714 is “expired 1” is a so-called grace period, and can be returned to “under contract” by a simple procedure. For example, as shown in the method for re-receiving an image, the user can view the image by making an update request 30.
When the status information 714 becomes “expiration 2”, an image cannot be viewed unless a formal cancellation and contract 31 are performed.

In this embodiment, both the period 1 and the period 2 are one month.
It should be noted that during the period when the status information 714 is “expired 1”, it is necessary to transmit an image upon receiving an update. Therefore, the image data folder is not deleted, and the image data from the camera is stored. It shall be.
<Operation>
Hereinafter, the operation of the above-described network camera system will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing image reception processing, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing image transmission processing, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing status information change processing.
These processes are both performed by the server 300.
First, a process for accumulating image data will be described with reference to FIG.
The image transmission unit 220 of the camera 200 adds the own camera identifier stored in the camera identifier storage unit 240 to the image data passed from the image processing unit 230 and transmits the image data to the server 300 via the communication unit 210.

The server 300 that has received the image data determines that the image data is image data, and requests the image storage unit 320 to store the image data (step S300: YES).
Upon receiving the request, the image storage unit 320 searches the camera identifier 711 in the contract information table with the camera identifier added to the image data. If there is the same camera identifier (step S310: present), the folder of the corresponding folder 713 is searched. The image storage unit 390 is requested to store the information in the storage device (step S320). On the other hand, if the camera identifier does not exist in the contract information table 710 (step S310: NO), an error process such as displaying a message is performed (step S330).

The folder name may be obtained from the camera identifier added to the image data, and the image storage unit 390 may be requested to store the received image data in the folder having the obtained folder name. Here, if the folder does not exist, an error occurs.
Next, processing for transmitting image data captured by the camera to the mobile phone will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the user of the mobile phone 600 gives an instruction to display a camera image via the user interface unit 650.
Upon receiving the instruction, the user interface unit 650 requests the image request unit 640 to request an image. Upon receiving the request, the image request unit 640 reads out the mobile phone identifier of the mobile phone stored in the mobile phone identifier storage unit 660 and requests an image from the server 300 via the communication unit 610. At the time of this request, the read portable identifier is also transmitted.

Upon receiving the request, the server 300 determines that the request is for an image, and requests the image transmission unit 330 to transmit image data (step S100: YES). At this time, the received mobile identifier is passed.
Upon receiving the request, the image transmission unit 330 searches the terminal identifier 712 in the contract information table 710 of the contract information storage unit 700 using the received mobile identifier, and reads the corresponding status information 714 (step S110).

When the status information 714 is “under contract” (step S110: under contract), the image data stored under the folder of the corresponding folder 713 is read from the image storage unit 390, and is transmitted via the communication unit 310. To the mobile phone 600 (step S120).
The image to be transmitted depends on the system and contract contents, and is a video or a moving image at a predetermined interval. Here, the image transmission unit 330 first transmits the latest image data in the folder, and when new image data is stored, the image data is read and transmitted. This processing is continued until a termination request is received from the user.

The user instructs the end of image display from the user interface unit 650. The fact is sent from the user interface unit 650 to the image request unit 640, and the image request unit 640 transmits an image end request to the server 300 via the communication unit 610. When this termination request is made, the self-portable identifier is also transmitted.
Upon receiving the image end request (step S130: YES), the server 3000 passes the received mobile identifier to the image transmission unit 330 and requests the end of image transmission.

The image transmission unit 330 that has received the request ends reading and transmission of image data (step S140).
When the status information 714 is “expiration 1” (step S110: expiration 1), the image transmission unit 330 displays a message that “update processing is required to display an image”. The data is transmitted to the mobile phone 600 (step S150).

When the status information 714 is “expiration 2” (step S110: expiration 2), the image transmission unit 330 indicates that “the contract has been terminated and a re-contract is necessary to display the image. Is transmitted to the mobile phone 600 (step S160).
Next, processing for changing the status information 714 in the contract information table will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the user of the mobile phone 600 makes a contract for viewing an image captured by the camera 200. Specifically, the user of the mobile phone 600 captures a QR code (two-dimensional code) written on the surface of the camera body or a packaging package on which the captured image is to be displayed, and uses an internal conversion function. The camera identifier is obtained and a predetermined operation for contracting is performed.
Upon receiving the user operation, the user interface unit 650 interprets that it is a network camera contract instruction, and requests the contract request / update unit 670 to process the contract. At that time, the camera identifier obtained from the QR code photographed by the user is passed. Instead of obtaining the camera identifier from the QR code, for example, the camera identifier, which is an alphanumeric string, is directly written on the main body of the camera 200 or the packaging package, and the user inputs this using the input key of the mobile phone 600. It is good also as performing.

Upon receiving the contract instruction, the contract request / update unit 670 requests the server 300 for data for requesting the contract via the communication unit 610. At the time of the request, the received camera identifier and the portable identifier of the mobile phone read from the portable identifier storage unit 660 are transmitted.
The server 3000 that has received the contract request via the communication unit 310 (step S200: YES) requests the contract unit 380 to process the contract.

When the contract unit 380 decides to contract after performing predetermined processing at the time of contract, for example, exchanging contract contents with the user of the mobile phone, the contract information storage unit 380 stores the received camera identifier and mobile identifier. 700 is added to the contract information table 710 (step S210).
Specifically, the received camera identifier is described in the camera identifier 711 of the contract information table 710, and the received mobile identifier is described in the terminal identifier 712. Further, “under contract” is set in the status information 714 (step S220), and the last day of the next month is set as the last day 715 of the contract.

Also, a folder name is determined based on the received camera identifier, and a folder is created in the image storage unit 390 with that name. After creation, a folder name is set in the corresponding folder 713.
Thus, if an image is sent from the camera indicated by the camera identifier set in the camera identifier 711, the image data can be stored in the folder indicated by the corresponding folder 713.

Next, when there is an update procedure before the period 1 (see FIG. 7) has passed (step S230: YES), the contract end date 715 of the corresponding contract in the contract information table 710 is updated. That is, it is the last day of the next month on the date of the update procedure.
This update procedure includes a method in which a user of the mobile phone 600 performs an update procedure using the mobile phone 600, a method that is performed through an operator, and the like.

The case where the update procedure is performed by the mobile phone 600 will be briefly described below.
The user operates the user interface unit 650 to issue an instruction to request an update. The user interface unit 650 that has determined that the request is an update request requests the contract request / update unit 670 to update, and the contract request / update unit 670 that receives the request transmits an update request to which the mobile phone identifier is added to the server 300. To do.

Upon receiving the update request, the contract unit 380 of the server 300 updates the contract end date 715 corresponding to the received mobile identifier.
In the case of an operator, the operator operates the user interface unit 370 of the server 300 to update the contract end date 715 corresponding to the portable identifier requested by telephone or the like.

If no update procedure is performed (step S230: NO), that is, if one month has elapsed (step S240: YES), “contracting” in the status information 714 is changed to “expired 1” (step S240: NO). Step S250).
After the change to “expiration 1”, the update procedure is not performed (step S260: NO), and if the period 2, ie, one month has passed (step S270: YES), the status information 714 “Expiration 1” is changed to “Expiration 2” (step S280).

These changes are performed by the state update unit 360.
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the timer 350 activates the state update unit 360 at 24:00 on the last day of every month.
The activated state updating unit 360 searches the contract information table 710 and sets the state information 714 of the data whose state information 714 is “contracting” and whose contract ending date 715 is the last day of this month to “expired 1”. Change to Further, the status information 714 of the data whose status information 714 is “expiration 1” is changed to “expiration 2”.

After the state information 714 is changed to “expiration 2”, it is not changed by the state update unit 360.
When the status information 714 is “expiration 2”, the correspondence between the camera identifier 711 and the terminal identifier 712 in the contract information table 710 is updated only when a formal cancellation and a new contract are consecutive (step S295). ).

Specifically, for example, the terminal identifier 712 “090001” corresponding to the camera identifier 711 “C001” is changed to the portable identifier “080001” of the new mobile phone.
If only a formal cancellation is performed and no new contract is made at the same time (step S290: cancellation only), the data of the corresponding camera identifier 711 in the contract information table 710 is deleted (step S296).

<Supplement>
The network camera system according to the present invention has been described above based on the embodiment. However, the mobile phone can be partially modified, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. That is,
(1) In the embodiment, the camera identifier and the terminal identifier have only one-to-one correspondence, but may be one-to-many.

However, in this case, when registering the camera identifier in the initial contract, it is necessary to apply certain restrictions, such as only when registering in association with a plurality of terminal identifiers.
(2) In the embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the last day of the contract 715 is the last day of the month.
That is, in the embodiment, “Period 1” is one month, and only the first “Period 1” contracted is an exception of one month or more until the end of the next month, but “Period 1” may be 30 days, for example. Good.

  In this case, for example, the timer 350 activates the state update unit 360 at 24:00 every day. The activated state updating unit 360 searches the contract information table 710 and changes the state information 714 of the data whose state information 714 is “contracting” and whose contract ending date 715 is today to “expired 1”. To do. In addition, the status information 714 of the data whose status information 714 is “expiration 1”, and the current date is “period 2” from the last day of the contract 715, for example, the status information 714 of data whose date is 30 days has passed. Change to 2 ”.

(3) A program for causing the CPU to execute each control process (see FIG. 8 and the like) for realizing each function of the network camera system shown in the embodiment is recorded on a recording medium or via various communication paths. Can be distributed and distributed. Such a recording medium includes an IC card, an optical disk, a flexible disk, a ROM, a flash memory, and the like. The distributed and distributed program is used by being stored in a memory or the like that can be read by the CPU in the device, and each function described in the embodiment is realized by the CPU executing the program.

  This is useful as a technique when it is desired to prevent the camera from being associated with another terminal device after the processing is completed when performing some processing by associating the camera with the terminal device.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the network camera system of this invention. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a server 300. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a camera 200. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile phone 600. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example and content example of a contract information table 710. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image storage unit 390 and a folder 713. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the state of a contract, and the contract state table 710. It is a flowchart which shows an image reception process. It is a flowchart which shows an image transmission process. It is a flowchart which shows the change process of status information.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Internet network 200 Camera 210 310 610 Communication part 220 Image transmission part 230 Image processing part 240 Camera identifier memory | storage part 300 Server 320 Image storage part 330 Image transmission part 340 State determination part 350 Timer 360 State update part 370 650 User interface part 380 Contract Unit 390 image storage unit 400 mobile communication control station 500 base station 600 mobile phone 620 image display unit 630 display 640 image request unit 660 portable identifier storage unit 670 contract request / update unit 700 contract information storage unit 710 contract information table

Claims (2)

A server that is connected to a camera and an information terminal via a network and transmits image data captured by the camera to the information terminal;
A receiver for receiving image data captured by the camera;
An image storage area for storing image data received by the receiving unit;
A transmission unit for transmitting image data stored in the image storage area to the information terminal;
A contract unit that receives instructions relating to a contract for the camera from a user who uses the server;
A contract information storage unit that stores contract information that is one of the first value, the second value, and the third value;
When the contract unit accepts an instruction to start a contract for the camera, the contract information stored in the contract information storage unit is the first value, and the contract stored in the contract information storage unit When the information is the first value, when the contract expiration date determined by the first predetermined algorithm elapses based on the date and time when the contract unit has received an instruction to start the contract, When the contract information stored in the contract information storage unit is the second value, and the contract information stored in the contract information storage unit is the second value, the contract unit starts the contract. The contract information stored in the contract information storage unit when the data deletion date and time after the contract expiration date and time determined by the second predetermined algorithm has passed based on the date and time when the instruction to accept is received A contract information setting unit to the third value,
Only when the contract information stored in the contract information storage unit is the first value, the image data received by the receiving unit is stored in the image storage area, and the contract stored in the contract information storage unit An image storage deletion unit that deletes image data stored in the image storage area when the information changes from a value other than the third value to the third value;
A server characterized by that. In the contract information setting unit, the contract information stored in the contract information storage unit is the first value, and the contract information stored in the contract information storage unit is the second value. When the contract unit receives an instruction to end the contract for the camera, the contract unit starts a new contract for the camera within a predetermined period from the date and time when the instruction is received. If no instruction is accepted, the contract information stored in the contract information storage unit is set as the third value.
The server according to claim 1.

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