Cameras and camera systems

Abstract

To provide a camera and a camera system that do not require time and effort for installation and that do not impose restrictions on installation locations.SOLUTION: A surveillance camera system 1 includes one surveillance camera 7a and another surveillance camera 7b. The other surveillance camera 7b includes a camera module 9b and a wireless LAN communication unit 43b that wirelessly transmits images generated by the camera module 9b to the one surveillance camera 7a. The one surveillance camera 7a includes a camera module 9a, a WAN communication unit 41 that transmits images generated by the camera module 9a, and a wireless LAN communication unit 43a that receives images from the other surveillance camera 7b. The WAN communication unit 41 has a SIM card 39 that stores communication information given by a communication company Mc, connects to a mobile phone communication network M based on the communication information read from the SIM card 39, and transmits images and received images via the mobile phone communication network M.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a camera and a camera system.

Background Art

[0002] Surveillance systems for monitoring stores, warehouses, etc. for security purposes are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a surveillance system in which a plurality of surveillance cameras and a surveillance server are communicably connected. The plurality of surveillance cameras transmit video information generated by shooting to the surveillance server, and the surveillance server stores the received video information in a storage device. This surveillance server also includes a display and displays the video information on the display while reading it from the storage device.

[0003] In the surveillance system of the above patent document, each surveillance camera and surveillance server has a SIM card. Each SIM card stores a key and an encryption algorithm for encrypting the video information to be transmitted and decrypting the received video information. Thereby, the security of the video information transmitted and received by the surveillance system is improved. Also, by replacing the SIM card storing a new key or encryption algorithm, the security method can be changed. Thus, the surveillance system of the patent document improves the security of the transmitted and received video information and realizes the encryption method by simple maintenance such as SIM card replacement.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The above monitoring system includes one router and another router connected to the network. Multiple monitoring cameras are connected to the first router, and a monitoring server is connected to the other router. Therefore, video information transmitted from each monitoring camera is sent to the monitoring server via the first and other routers.

[0006] The patent document does not specify whether the communication method between the router and each surveillance camera is wired or wireless. However, in the case of a wired method, it would require the effort of wiring LAN cables between the router and each surveillance camera, and depending on the wiring configuration of the LAN cables, there would be limitations on the placement of the surveillance cameras. On the other hand, in the case of a wireless method, each surveillance camera would need to be installed within the wireless communication area centered on the router, and depending on the location of the router, there is a risk that the placement of each surveillance camera would be limited.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a camera and camera system that require no effort to install and are not restricted by installation location. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the camera of the present invention comprises a camera module and a WAN communication unit that transmits images generated by the camera module, wherein the WAN communication unit has a SIM that stores communication information assigned by a telecommunications company, connects to a mobile phone network based on the communication information read from the SIM, and transmits the images via the mobile phone network.

[0009] Furthermore, the camera of the present invention comprises a housing that accommodates the WAN communication unit, and the SIM is of card type and is inserted into the housing through an opening that is openable and closable in the housing.

[0010] Furthermore, the camera of the present invention is characterized by having storage for storing images generated by the camera module.

[0011] Furthermore, the camera of the present invention is characterized in that, in the event of a connection failure with the mobile phone network or a communication failure of the mobile phone network itself, it transmits images that were generated during the connection failure or communication failure and stored in the storage after the connection failure or communication failure has been resolved.

[0012] Furthermore, the camera of the present invention is characterized in that the storage is a memory card, and the memory card is inserted into the housing through the opening.

[0013] Furthermore, the camera of the present invention is characterized by being equipped with a notification unit that notifies the user of a malfunction when such malfunction is detected.

[0014] The camera system of the present invention comprises one camera and another camera, wherein the other camera comprises a camera module and a wireless LAN communication unit that wirelessly transmits images generated by the camera module to the first camera, and the first camera comprises a camera module, a WAN communication unit that transmits images generated by the camera module, and a wireless LAN communication unit that receives images from the other camera, wherein the WAN communication unit has a SIM that stores communication information assigned by a telecommunications company, connects to a mobile phone network based on the communication information read from the SIM, and transmits the images and the received images via the mobile phone network.

[0015] Furthermore, the camera system of the present invention is characterized in that the WAN communication unit and the wireless LAN communication unit of the first camera are implemented by a router module. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the camera and camera system of the present invention, installation is easy and there are no restrictions on the installation location. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] System configuration diagram of a surveillance camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 2] External view of a surveillance camera included in the above surveillance camera system [Figure 3] Hardware configuration diagram of the above surveillance camera [Figure 4] Functional block diagram of the above surveillance camera

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings by taking a surveillance camera system as an example.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, a surveillance camera system 1 for monitoring a store, a warehouse, etc. is a client-server type system in which a personal computer 3 as a client terminal is communicably provided with a monitoring server 5 via the Internet N. A user of the surveillance camera system 1 accesses and logs in to the monitoring server 5 using the personal computer 3, downloads a video of a monitored location from the monitoring server 5, and plays back the video. The video provided from the monitoring server 5 in this way is generated based on images captured by surveillance cameras 7a and 7b included in the surveillance camera system 1.

[0020] In the present embodiment, in order to monitor a plurality of locations, surveillance cameras 7a and 7b are installed for each location. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, these plurality of surveillance cameras 7a and 7b include a housing 17 that houses a camera board on which camera modules 9a and 9b are mounted, a main board on which CPUs 11a and 11b and memories 31a and 31b are mounted, a network board on which a wireless LAN router module 13 and a wireless LAN module 15 are mounted, and a power supply board on which a power supply circuit is mounted, and mounting parts 19 for attaching the housing 17 to a building.

[0021] The camera module 9a includes an imaging device 21 typified by a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor, and an image processing processor 23 electrically connected to the imaging device 21. The imaging device 21 is a device that converts light imaged on a light receiving surface into an electrical signal according to its intensity, and is provided such that light that has passed through an optical component (lens 25) arranged on the front surface of the housing 17 is imaged on the light receiving surface. The imaging device 21 outputs an electrical signal converted at a predetermined frame rate to the image processing processor 23. The image processing processor 23 generates an image in a predetermined format from the electrical signal input from the imaging device 21, and inputs the generated image to the CPU 11a. Note that the camera module 9b has the same configuration as the camera module 9a, and the image generated by the camera module 9b is input to the CPU 11b.

[0022] The CPU 11a of the surveillance camera 7a loads and executes a program stored in the first storage 27a into the main memory 29a. The program causes the CPU 11a to execute an acquisition process of acquiring an image from the camera module 9a and a storage process of temporarily storing the acquired image in the main memory 29a. Therefore, the CPU 11a that executes the program functions as an acquisition unit 33a that acquires an image of a surveillance location and a storage processing unit 35a that stores the acquired image in the memory, as shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 4, and the main memory 29a functions as a first storage unit 37a that stores images. Note that the CPU 11b of the surveillance camera 7b is configured in the same manner as the CPU 11a of the surveillance camera 7a, and the CPU 11b functions as an acquisition unit 33b and a storage processing unit 35b. Also, the main memory 29b of the surveillance camera 7b functions as a first storage unit 37b.

[0023] The CPUs 11a and 11b that execute the above program perform a storage process and then perform a transmission process to send the acquired images to the monitoring server 5. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, one monitoring camera 7a (hereinafter referred to as the master camera 7a) connected to the Internet N is wirelessly connected to another monitoring camera 7b (hereinafter referred to as the slave camera 7b), and the slave cameras 7b are connected to the Internet N via the master camera 7a. That is, the master camera 7a transmits images it generates to the monitoring server 5 and also functions as an access point, transmitting images received from each slave camera 7b to the monitoring server 5.

[0024] Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the master camera 7a is equipped with a wireless LAN router module 13. This wireless LAN router module 13 wirelessly connects to a mobile phone network M, which is used for data communication on mobile phones such as smartphones, in order to communicate with the monitoring server 5 via the Internet N. Here, a SIM card 39 is installed in the wireless LAN router module 13 in order to connect to the mobile phone network M. The SIM card 39 is a card-type storage medium that stores a profile (such as the subscriber's identification number and APN setting information), which is communication information assigned when a service contract is made with the telecommunications company Mc (MNO, MVNO, or MVNE, etc.) that provides the mobile phone network M. After starting up, such a wireless LAN router module 13 receives radio waves from the nearest wireless base station Mc and starts communication. When starting communication, it reads the profile from the SIM card 39 and connects to the wireless base station Mc. Once the profile is authenticated by the telecommunications company Mc via the wireless base station Mc, the master camera 7a is connected to the Internet N and can start communication with the monitoring server 5. Thus, the wireless LAN router module 13 of the master camera 7a functions as a WAN communication unit 41 that communicates with the monitoring server 5 via the internet N, as shown in Figure 4.

[0025] Furthermore, the wireless LAN router module 13 of the master camera 7a forms a wireless LAN in a predetermined area centered on the installation location of the master camera 7a. Multiple slave cameras 7b installed within the communication area of ​​this wireless LAN are equipped with wireless LAN modules 15, as shown in Figure 3. These wireless LAN modules 15 are electrically connected to the CPU 11b for communication and are wirelessly connected to the wireless LAN router module 13 of the master camera 7a for wireless communication. Thus, the wireless LAN router module 13 of the master camera 7a and the wireless LAN modules 15 of the slave cameras 7b function as wireless LAN communication units 43a and 43b, as shown in Figure 4.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the master camera 7a has a LAN module 57 interposed between the wireless LAN router module 13 and the CPU 11a. The LAN module 57 is electrically connected to the wireless LAN router module 13 and the CPU 11a so as to be able to communicate with them, and receives images extracted from the main memory 29a by the CPU 11a and transmits these images to the monitoring server 5 via the wireless LAN router module 13. In this way, the LAN module 57 functions as a wired LAN communication unit 59, as shown in Figure 4.

[0027] Here, the wireless LAN router module 13 of the master camera 7a is assigned a global IP address, and communication with the monitoring server 5 is established using this global IP address. In addition, the master camera 7a and each of the slave cameras 7b are pre-configured with private IP addresses and ports for communication with the monitoring server 5, and the wireless LAN router module 13 uses port forwarding functionality to communicate between the monitoring server 5 and the master camera 7a and slave cameras 7b.

[0028] The monitoring server 5 has a CPU and memory (not shown), and the CPU of the monitoring server 5 receives images captured by the master camera 7a and the slave camera 7b, and transmits the received images to the personal computer 3 in response to a request from the personal computer 3.

[0029] As described above, the master camera 7a of this embodiment is equipped with a wireless LAN router module 13 (WAN communication unit 41) to which a SIM card 39 is installed, and the wireless LAN router module 13 enables communication with the wireless base station Mc. Therefore, the master camera 7a can be installed anywhere within the communication area of ​​the wireless base station Mc. Furthermore, a slave camera 7b is installed within the wireless LAN communication area of ​​the master camera 7a, and the slave camera 7b transmits images to the master camera 7a using a wireless LAN module 15 (wireless LAN communication unit 43b). Therefore, the slave camera 7b can be installed anywhere within the wireless LAN communication area of ​​the master camera 7a. In addition, since the master camera 7a and slave camera 7b of this embodiment do not require wiring work, they are easy to relocate.

[0030] The surveillance camera system according to the present invention has been described above based on embodiments, but of course the present invention is not limited to the above-described forms, and may be implemented in the following forms, for example.

[0031] <Variation>

[0032] (1) Each of the surveillance cameras 7a and 7b in this embodiment may be equipped with a second storage device 45a or 45b electrically connected to the CPUs 11a and 11b, as shown in Figure 3. The second storage devices 45a and 45b have a larger storage capacity than the main memory 29a and 29b and the first storage devices 27a and 27b, and each time the CPUs 11a and 11b acquire an image from the camera modules 9a and 9b, they store the image in the second storage devices 45a and 45b. In this way, the CPUs 11a and 11b of the master camera 7a and the slave camera 7b function as storage processing units 35a and 35b that store the images acquired from the camera modules 9a and 9b in the second storage devices 45a and 45b, and the second storage devices 45a and 45b may function as second storage units 47a and 47b that store the images. Furthermore, the second storage devices 45a and 45b may store not only the images acquired from the camera modules 9a and 9b, but also the date and time on which the images were acquired.

[0033] As described above, the images and acquisition dates and times stored in the second storage 45a and 45b are sent to the monitoring server 5 in response to a request from the monitoring server 5. For example, if the wireless LAN or the radio waves of the mobile phone network M become unstable, causing a failure in connection with the mobile phone network M, and images cannot be sent and received from the monitoring cameras 7a and 7b to the monitoring server 5, then image loss will occur at the monitoring server 5. When such image loss occurs, after the connection failure is restored, the CPU (not shown) of the monitoring server 5 requests the target monitoring cameras 7a and 7b to send the missing images, and also sends the date and time information of the loss. The CPUs 11a and 11b of the monitoring cameras 7a and 7b that receive this request extract the images corresponding to the received date and time information from the second storage 45a and 45b and send them to the monitoring server 5. This allows the monitoring server 5 to complete the missing images. The transmission of such missing images is processed similarly even if a communication failure occurs in the mobile phone network M itself.

[0034] Alternatively, the personal computer 3 may send an image transmission request to the monitoring server 5, and the monitoring server 5 may send image transmission requests to the monitoring cameras 7a and 7b based on the transmission request. In this embodiment, for example, the second storage 45a and 45b store images for about a week, and the monitoring cameras 7a and 7b transmit these images for about a week based on a request from the monitoring server 5. It is preferable that the process of transmitting the images stored in the second storage 45a and 45b to the monitoring server 5 is performed at night. Performing the transmission process at night can reduce the usage charges for the mobile phone communication network M.

[0035] (2) The second storage devices 45a and 45b described above may be memory cards. These memory cards are electrically connected to the CPUs 11a and 11b by being inserted into connectors mounted on the main board. Since the surveillance cameras 7a and 7b can be installed outdoors, it is preferable that the memory cards are housed inside the housings 17 of the surveillance cameras 7a and 7b. Furthermore, to allow the memory cards to be attached and detached after the surveillance cameras 7a and 7b are installed, an opening 55 that can be opened and closed by a cover 53 is provided on the bottom surface of the housings 17 of the surveillance cameras 7a and 7b, and it is preferable that the main board is positioned inside the housing 17 so that the connectors are exposed when the cover 53 is opened. Note that the opening is not limited to the bottom surface of the housing 17, but may also be formed on the side surface of the housing 17.

[0036] (3) The CPUs 11a and 11b of the surveillance cameras 7a and 7b may function as notification units that notify the monitoring server 5 of any malfunctions occurring in the surveillance cameras 7a and 7b, and the CPU of the monitoring server 5 may function as a transfer unit that transfers notifications received from the surveillance cameras 7a and 7b to the personal computer 3. A typical example of a malfunction in the surveillance cameras 7a and 7b is a write error (storage processing error) to the second storage devices 45a and 45b, where, when the CPUs 11a and 11b perform a write operation to the second storage devices 45a and 45b, a malfunction (failure, etc.) in the second storage devices 45a and 45b prevents some or all of the images to be written from being written. When the CPUs 11a and 11b detect such a malfunction, they send an error code corresponding to the symptoms of the malfunction to the monitoring server 5. In this case, CPUs 11a and 11b may send error codes corresponding to the individual identification numbers assigned to each of the surveillance cameras 7a and 7b. Furthermore, the malfunction may be due to a failure of the camera module 9 or a communication failure between the master camera 7a and the master camera 7b.

[0037] When the monitoring server 5 receives a notification (error code) from the monitoring cameras 7a and 7b, it identifies the monitoring camera 7a or 7b corresponding to the received notification. Identifying the monitoring cameras 7a and 7b involves extracting the MAC address and private IP address assigned to the LAN module 57 and wireless LAN module 15 of each monitoring camera 7a and 7b, as well as the individual identification number and corresponding unique device information of the monitoring camera 7a and 7b (location, installation date, and model number) from the monitoring server's memory. Furthermore, the CPU of the monitoring server 5 transmits the unique device information and notification (error code) of the identified monitoring cameras 7a and 7b to the personal computer 3.

[0038] In this way, malfunctions of the surveillance cameras 7a and 7b are transmitted to the personal computer 3 via the monitoring server 5, enabling the user to remotely monitor the status of the surveillance cameras 7a and 7b. Therefore, the conventional method of physically inspecting the surveillance cameras 7a and 7b to check their operating status is eliminated.

[0039] In the above modified example (3), the surveillance cameras 7a and 7b notify the monitoring server 5 when a malfunction is detected, but it is also acceptable for the monitoring servers 5 to notify the surveillance cameras 7a and 7b of their operating status (whether or not there is a malfunction) in response to a request from the monitoring server 5.

[0040] (4) It is preferable that the SIM card 39 is housed inside the housing 17 of the surveillance camera 7a, similar to the memory card. It is also preferable that the communication board is positioned inside the housing 17 such that the connector of the SIM card 39 is exposed when the cover 53 provided on the bottom surface of the surveillance camera 7 is opened, so that the SIM card 39 can be attached and detached after the surveillance camera 7a is installed.

[0041] (5) The surveillance cameras 7a and 7b of this embodiment may be equipped with a light source 49 (Figure 2). The light source 49 is positioned near optical components such as lenses provided in the housing 17 and emits light in the imaging direction of the surveillance cameras 7a and 7b. Such a light source 49 is electrically connected in a controllable manner by the CPUs 11a and 11b of the surveillance cameras 7a and 7b. When the CPUs 11a and 11b request an image from the camera modules 9a and 9b, they control the light source 49 to emit light. This enables the generation of clear images even in darkness.

[0042] (6) The surveillance camera 7 of this embodiment may also be equipped with a sensor 51 (hereinafter referred to as the brightness sensor 51 (Figure 2)) for detecting the brightness of the object being monitored. The brightness sensor 51 is an element such as a phototransistor that receives natural light and converts the amount of natural light into an electrical signal, and is mounted in a position that does not interfere with the light from the light source described above. The output of the brightness sensor 51 is converted into a digital signal by an analog-to-digital converter and input to the CPUs 11a and 11b. The CPUs 11a and 11b determine the ambient brightness based on the digital signal, and when it falls below a predetermined threshold, they determine that the surroundings are dark and control the light source 49 described above. This makes it possible to control the light emission so that the light source 49 is emitted only at night. The brightness sensor 51 functions as a brightness detection unit that detects the ambient brightness, but is not limited to a phototransistor, and may also determine the ambient brightness based on the brightness of the image generated by the camera module 9.

[0043] (7) In the above embodiment, the camera modules 9a and 9b were described as continuously taking images and generating images, but the camera modules 9a and 9b may take images based on a predetermined shooting schedule.

[0044] (8) In the above embodiment, the master camera was equipped with a SIM card 39, but it is not limited to the SIM card 39, and may be a UIM card or a USIM card. Also, the SIM is not limited to a card type, and may be an e-SIM that has been pre-installed on the network board. In other words, it is sufficient if it functions as a communication information storage unit that stores communication information assigned when a contract is made with a telecommunications company Mc.

[0045] (9) In the above embodiment, an infrastructure network was configured in which multiple other surveillance cameras 7b were connected in parallel to one surveillance camera 7a. However, the wireless LAN modules of the multiple other surveillance cameras 7b may be connected to each other wirelessly via mesh Wi-Fi, images may be transmitted between the other surveillance cameras 7b, and finally the images may be transmitted through the one surveillance camera 7a.

[0046] (10) In the above embodiments, the present invention has been described using the surveillance camera system 1 as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the surveillance camera system 1 and can be used in systems that can view images from remote locations using the Internet N, such as security camera systems and network camera systems.

[0047] (11) In the above embodiment, a LAN module 57 and a wireless LAN router module 13 are provided separately in one surveillance camera 7a, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and the LAN module and the wireless LAN router module may be provided as a single communication module.

[0048] (12) The monitoring system of the above embodiment may include a time server. The time server is connected to each monitoring camera 7a, 7b via the Internet N and transmits time information to each monitoring camera 7a, 7b. Each time the CPUs 11a, 11b of each monitoring camera 7a, 7b receive time information from the time server, they store the image in the second storage 45a, 45b in association with the time information. By including a time server in this way and storing the image in association with the time information received from the time server, it becomes possible to provide accurate video information that corresponds to time.

[0049] (13) In the above embodiments and modifications, images generated by each surveillance camera 7a, 7b were transmitted to the personal computer 3 via the surveillance server 5. However, the transmission method is not limited to this, and images may be transmitted from each surveillance camera 7a, 7b to the personal computer 3 without going through the surveillance server 5, by establishing a peer-to-peer connection between each surveillance camera 7a, 7b and the personal computer 3.

[0050] (14) The surveillance cameras 7a and 7b may further include a third storage for storing images generated by the camera modules 9a and 9b. In this embodiment, the CPUs 11a and 11b of the surveillance cameras 7a and 7b store the images acquired from the camera modules 9a and 9b in the second storage 45a and 45b and the third storage. In this embodiment, the same images are stored in the second storage 45a and 45b and the third storage, so even if one storage fails, the images will be stored in the other storage. The second storage 45a and 45b and the third storage are preferably removable storage media such as SD cards.

[0051] The present invention can be implemented in various forms with improvements, modifications, or alterations based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, without departing from its spirit. Furthermore, the invention may be implemented in a form in which any of its defining features is replaced with other technologies, within the scope of producing the same function or effect. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1. Surveillance camera system 7… Camera 7a ... Camera No. 1 7b... Other cameras 9… Camera module 39… SIM card 41 … WAN Communications Department 43… Wireless LAN Communication Section M... Mobile phone network Mc... Telecommunications company

Claims

[Claim 1] A base station camera having a router module that performs wireless communication to a mobile phone communication network and forms a wireless LAN in a predetermined area, Multiple sub-cameras installed in the predetermined area and communicating with the mobile phone communication network via the master camera, Equipped with, The aforementioned sub-camera is Camera module and The system includes a wireless LAN communication unit that wirelessly transmits images generated by the camera module to the master camera via the wireless LAN, The aforementioned master camera is Equipped with a camera module, The aforementioned router module is A WAN communication unit has a SIM that stores communication information assigned by a telecommunications company, and connects to the mobile phone communication network based on the communication information read from the SIM, A wireless LAN communication unit that receives images from the slave camera via the wireless LAN, Equipped with, A surveillance camera system characterized in that the WAN communication unit transmits images generated by the camera module of the master camera and images received from the slave camera to the mobile phone communication network.

Images