Surveillance camera

Abstract

To achieve downsizing of a monitor camera.SOLUTION: A monitor camera according to one embodiment of the disclosure includes: a housing having an opening; a tilt unit which has an internal space and is attached to the interior of the opening of the housing in a tiltable manner; an imaging part which is stored in the internal space and captures images; a detection part which is stored in the internal space and detects change of a heat source; and a control unit which causes the tilt unit to tilt to control positions of the imaging part and the detection part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a surveillance camera.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging device that activates an imaging means to image an object to be imaged when the object to be imaged is detected, and that detects the moving direction of the object to be imaged and moves the imaging range of the imaging means in the detected moving direction.

[0003] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 of Patent Document 1, in this imaging device, both an object detection means (infrared sensors 21A and 21B) for detecting an object to be imaged and an imaging means (CCD camera 19) for imaging the object to be imaged are arranged on the same end face of a camera housing (a casing).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, when the object detection means and the imaging means are arranged on the same end face of the casing, there is a risk that the casing (and thus the imaging device) becomes large-sized.

[0006] Non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure contribute to providing a surveillance camera capable of reducing the size.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A surveillance camera according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing having an opening, a tilt unit having an internal space and tilt-rotatably attached within the opening of the housing, an imaging unit housed within the internal space for imaging video, a detection unit housed within the internal space for detecting a heat source change, and a control unit for controlling the positions of the imaging unit and the detection unit by tilt-rotating the tilt unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, miniaturization of the size of the surveillance camera can be achieved.

[0009] Further advantages and effects in an embodiment of the present disclosure will be clarified from the specification and the drawings. Such advantages and / or effects are provided by some embodiments and the features described in the specification and the drawings respectively, but it is not necessarily required that all are provided to obtain one or more identical features.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1A

Figure 1B

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 2C

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with appropriate reference to the drawings. However, a more detailed description may be omitted as necessary. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters and redundant descriptions of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid making the following description unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0012] Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0013] (Embodiment) <Configuration of the Surveillance Camera> With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the configuration of the surveillance camera 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. For example, the surveillance camera 100 is installed indoors to image a pet kept at home. Note that the imaging target is not limited to a pet, and may be, for example, a person such as a child or an elderly person, generally a living body, and more generally a moving body.

[0014] Figures 1A and 1B are external perspective views of the surveillance camera 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The surveillance camera 100 includes a housing 101, a base portion 102, a tilt unit 103, an imaging unit 104, and a detection unit 105.

[0015] As shown in the figure, the housing 101 has, for example, a flat cylindrical shape. Many of the internal components of the surveillance camera 100, including the tilt unit 103, are housed within the housing 101. An opening is formed at one end of the housing 101 to expose a part (for example, half) of the cylindrical surface of the tilt unit 103. Hereinafter, the end side of the housing 101 where the opening is formed is referred to as the front, and the opposite end side of the housing 101 where the opening is formed is referred to as the rear. The housing 101 is attached to the base portion 102 so as to be pan-rotatable in the direction of arrow P (left and right direction) with respect to the base portion 102 via a pan mechanism described later based on a control signal input from a main board 106 (for example, a processor 11a described later with reference to FIG. 6).

[0016] The tilt unit 103 has, for example, a cylindrical shape. The tilt unit 103 is tilt-rotatable in the direction of arrow T (up and down direction) via a tilt mechanism described later based on a control signal input from the main board 106 (processor 11a).

[0017] As will be described later, the tilt unit 103 rotates 180 degrees, for example, in response to a determination that the movement of a pet has been detected based on a change in the heat source (hereinafter also referred to as a heat source change) detected by the detection unit 105, and a determination that it has been detected that the pet is not moving based on the captured image captured by the imaging unit 104. Thereby, the surveillance camera 100 switches between the imaging function and the detection function that the surveillance camera 100 has.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the imaging unit 104 and the detection unit 105 are housed in the internal space of the tilt unit 103.

[0019] FIG. 1A shows a mode in which the monitoring camera 100 exhibits an imaging function (hereinafter referred to as the camera mode). In the camera mode, the tilt unit 103 is tilt-rotatable so as to rotate the lens 117 of the imaging unit 104 within a predetermined range (for example, within 90 degrees in both the vertical and horizontal directions) at or approximately at the center of the opening of the housing 101, and the housing 101 is pan-rotatable, for example, 306 degrees with respect to the base unit 102. Thereby, the imaging unit 104 images the pet while following the vertical and horizontal movements of the pet. In the camera mode, the detection function of the monitoring camera 100, that is, the detection unit 105 is turned off.

[0020] On the other hand, FIG. 1B shows a mode in which the monitoring camera 100 exhibits a detection function (hereinafter referred to as the sensor mode). In the sensor mode, the detection unit 105 hidden and disposed inside the cylindrical surface of the tilt unit 103 detects a pet (specifically, a change in the heat source). In the sensor mode, the imaging function of the monitoring camera 100, that is, the imaging unit 104 is turned off.

[0021] The imaging unit 104 has at least a lens 117 and an image sensor (not shown). The lens 117 converts an optical object image formed by the light incident from the outside of the monitoring camera 100 onto the imaging surface of the image sensor into an imaging signal and outputs it. The image sensor is, for example, a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). The lens 117 is disposed in an opening provided at or approximately at the center in the cylindrical height direction of the cylindrical surface of the tilt unit 103.

[0022] The detection unit 105 has an infrared sensor 118. The infrared sensor 118 may be, for example, a PIR (Passive Infrared Ray) sensor. The PIR sensor 118 detects changes in a heat source (such as a pet) based on movement within the maximum imaging area that can be imaged by the imaging unit 104 from the imaging position of the imaging unit 104 when the imaging unit 104 is directed outside the housing 101. In the sensor mode, the PIR sensor 118 is disposed inside the center or substantially the center of the opening of the housing 101. In the present embodiment, an example using the PIR sensor 118 is described, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. Any sensor that can detect the movement of a moving object within the maximum imaging area that can be imaged by the imaging unit 104 from the imaging position of the imaging unit 104 may be used as the sensor included in the detection unit 105 instead of the PIR sensor.

[0023] FIG. 2A is an internal perspective view of the surveillance camera 100 with the housing 101 and the base portion 102 removed, from the front and one side. As shown in FIG. 2A, in addition to the tilt unit 103 and the like, the surveillance camera 100 further includes a main board 106, a tilt motor 107, a tilt rotation gear 108, a battery 109, a power supply board 110, a power supply line 111, a power supply cable 112, and a support member 113.

[0024] The tilt unit 103 is, for example, detachably attached to the support member 113 within the opening of the housing 101 and is disposed in the front within the housing 101.

[0025] The main board 106 is, for example, detachably attached to the support member 113 and is disposed above the battery 109. The main board 106 is connected to the camera board 119 of the imaging unit 104, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 5A, via a connection line 115, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 2B. The main board 106 receives the captured image (video) captured by the imaging unit 104 from the imaging unit 104 and processes the captured image. Further, the main board 106 is connected to the sensor board 120 of the detection unit 105, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 5B, via a connection line (not shown). The main board 106 receives the heat source change detected by the detection unit 105 from the detection unit 105 and processes the heat source change. The main board 106 transmits or communicates the processing result to a remote location via a router or the like as necessary.

[0026] The main board 106 outputs a control signal for driving the tilt motor 107 to the tilt motor 107 in order to tilt-rotate the tilt unit 103. In this way, the main board 106 controls the positions of the imaging unit 104 and the detection unit 105 so that either the imaging unit 104 or the detection unit 105 faces outside the housing 101 by tilt-rotating the tilt unit 103. Further, the main board 106 outputs a control signal for driving the pan motor 114, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 2C, to the pan motor 114 in order to pan-rotate the housing 101 with respect to the base unit 102.

[0027] The tilt motor 107 is, for example, screwed or otherwise detachably attached to the side surface of the support member 113. The tilt motor 107 tilt-rotates the tilt unit 103 via a tilt rotation gear 108 based on the control signal input from the main board 106.

[0028] The tilt rotation gear 108 transmits the power of the tilt motor 107 to the tilt unit 103. One of the tilt rotation gears 108 is attached to the side surface of the camera board 119 of the imaging unit 104.

[0029] The tilt motor 107 and the tilt rotation gear 108 constitute a tilt mechanism.

[0030] The battery 109 is, for example, detachably attached to the support member 113 and is disposed in the space below the main board 106. The battery 109 accumulates the charge supplied from an external commercial power source via the power supply board 110 and the like, and supplies electric power to the imaging unit 104, the detection unit 105, the main board 106, the tilt motor 107, the pan motor 114, and the like.

[0031] The power supply board 110 is, for example, detachably attached to the base portion 102 and is disposed below the support member 113. The power supply board 110 is connected to the main board 106 and the like via the power line 111. The power supply board 110 is also connected to an external commercial power source via the power cable 112. The power supply board 110 takes an external commercial power source as an input and outputs a specific DC voltage required for various components inside the surveillance camera 100.

[0032] FIG. 2B is an internal perspective view of the surveillance camera 100 with the housing 101 removed, from the front and the other side. As shown in FIG. 2B, the surveillance camera 100 further includes a pan motor 114 and a connection line 115.

[0033] The pan motor 114 is, for example, screwed or the like and is detachably attached to the rear upper surface of the support member 113. The pan motor 114 rotates the housing 101 in a pan direction with respect to the base portion 102 via a pan rotation gear 116 described later with reference to FIG. 2C based on a control signal input from the main board 106. The pan motor 114 and the pan rotation gear 116 constitute a pan mechanism.

[0034] As described above, the connection line 115 connects the main board 106 and the camera board 119 of the imaging unit 104.

[0035] Figure 2C is an internal perspective view of the surveillance camera 100 with the housing 101, the main board 106, and the battery 109 removed, as seen from the rear and one side. As shown in Figure 2C, the surveillance camera 100 further includes a pan rotation gear 116.

[0036] The pan rotation gear 116 transmits the power of the pan motor 114 to the base portion 102. One of the pan rotation gears 116 is attached to the upper surface of the base portion 102.

[0037] Figures 3A and 3B are perspective views of the tilt unit 103 provided in the surveillance camera 100. As shown in Figure 3A and as described above, the lens 117 of the imaging unit 104 is disposed in an opening provided on the cylindrical surface of the tilt unit 103. Further, as shown in Figure 3B, the PIR sensor 118 of the detection unit 105 is disposed hidden inside the cylindrical surface of the tilt unit 103. When the tilt unit 103 tilts and rotates 180 degrees from the state shown in Figure 3A, the PIR sensor 118 is disposed at a position corresponding to the lens 117 shown in Figure 3A, as shown in Figure 3B. That is, in the present embodiment, the central axis of the lens 117 and the central axis of the PIR sensor 118 are formed to be aligned on a straight line or substantially on a straight line.

[0038] Figures 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of the tilt unit 103 provided in the surveillance camera 100. As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the imaging unit 104 is housed in a first region that is half or substantially half of the internal space of the tilt unit 103, and the detection unit 105 is housed in a second region that is the remaining half or substantially half of the internal space of the tilt unit 103. As described above, the central axis of the lens 117 and the central axis of the PIR sensor 118 are formed to be aligned on a straight line or substantially on a straight line. In Figure 5B, although the PIR sensor 118 is illustrated as being disposed in an opening provided on the cylindrical surface of the tilt unit 103, actually, the PIR sensor 118 is disposed hidden inside the cylindrical surface of the tilt unit 103.

[0039] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are perspective views of the imaging unit 104 and the detection unit 105 housed in the tilt unit 103 provided in the surveillance camera 100, respectively. The captured image acquired via the lens 117 and the image sensor is output to the main board 106 via the camera board 119. The heat source change acquired via the PIR sensor 118 is output to the main board 106 via the sensor board 120.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the surveillance camera 100. The surveillance camera 100 includes a communication unit 10a, a BUS 10b, an external memory I / F (interface) unit 10c, a processor 11a, a video memory control unit 11b, an audio input control unit 11c, a microphone Mk and a speaker SP, a memory 12a, and a video memory 12b. For example, the communication unit 10a, the BUS 10b, the external memory I / F unit 10c, the processor 11a, the video memory control unit 11b, the audio input control unit 11c, the memory 12a, and the video memory 12b (especially the processor 11a) correspond to the main board 106 described above. Further, the processor 11a is an example of the control unit according to the present disclosure. Further, the surveillance camera 100 further includes an imaging unit 13, a detection unit 14 (including an infrared sensor 14a), an LED (light Emitting Diode) 15, a drive unit 16 (including a pan motor 16a and a tilt motor 16b), a temperature sensor 17, a power supply unit 18, and an illuminance sensor 19.

[0041] The communication unit 10a has an antenna Ant. The communication unit 10a is communicably connected to, for example, a router via wireless communication. The communication unit 10a transmits and receives data to and from a user computer device such as a smartphone, a tablet, or a personal computer (PC) via the router or a network. Note that the communication unit 10a may be communicably connected to the router via wired communication.

[0042] The BUS 10b executes input and output of data between the communication unit 10a, the processor 11a, the video memory control unit 11b, and the audio input control unit 11c.

[0043] The external memory I / F unit 10c can communicate with an external memory 12c, which is an example of a storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or an SD card. The external memory I / F unit 10c is provided so that an external memory 12c such as a USB memory or an SD card can be inserted and removed. Note that the external memory I / F unit 10c may be connectable to a plurality of external memories simultaneously.

[0044] The processor 11a is configured using, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and performs various processes and controls in cooperation with the memory 12a. Specifically, the processor 11a refers to programs and data recorded in the memory 12a, and by executing the programs, realizes functions such as detecting the position of the pet, detecting the movement of the pet, and imaging while following the pet. Further, the processor 11a realizes a function of generating a recorded video obtained by imaging the pet.

[0045] The processor 11a generates meta information including the recording start time indicating the outline of the recorded video data recorded in the memory 12a, information on the detection area, the recording length, etc. The processor 11a causes the memory 12a and the video memory 12b to record the generated meta information included in the recorded video. Note that when the processor 11a receives a signal designating the external memory 12c as the recording destination of the recorded video by a user operation from a user computer device via a router or a network, the processor 11a transmits the recorded video including the meta information to the external memory 12c via the external memory I / F unit 10c for recording.

[0046] When the video memory control unit 11b receives the recorded video imaged by the imaging unit 13 from the processor 11a, the video memory control unit 11b causes the video memory 12b to record the received recorded video.

[0047] The voice input control unit 11c converts the sound (voice) picked up by the microphone Mk into an electrical signal and outputs it to the processor 11a. Also, the voice input control unit 11c outputs the electrical signal input from the BUS10b to the speaker SP. The speaker SP converts the electrical signal input from the voice input control unit 11c into sound (voice) and outputs it.

[0048] The memory 12a as an example of the storage unit includes, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) as a work memory used when each process of the processor 11a is executed, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a program and data defining the operation of the processor 11a. Data or information generated or acquired by the processor 11a is temporarily stored in the RAM. A program defining the operation of the processor 11a is stored in the ROM. The memory 12a stores preset positions of the surveillance camera 100, recorded video images, and the like.

[0049] The video memory 12b as an example of the storage unit records the captured video images captured by the imaging unit 13 as recorded video images for each imaging date. The video memory 12b manages the imaging date based on the date information included in the data "recording start time" included in the meta information generated by the processor 11a.

[0050] The external memory 12c as an example of the storage unit is a storage medium such as a USB memory or an SD card. The external memory 12c also records the captured video images captured by the imaging unit 13. In FIG. 6, an example is shown in which the surveillance camera 100 includes one external memory I / F unit 10c and one external memory 12c, but a plurality of external memory I / F units 10c and a plurality of external memories 12c may exist. The external memory 12c manages the imaging date based on the date information included in the data "recording start time" included in the meta information generated by the processor 11a.

[0051] The imaging unit 13 has at least a lens (not shown) and an image sensor (not shown). The imaging unit 13 corresponds to the above-described imaging unit 104. The imaging unit 13 outputs the captured imaging video to the processor 11a.

[0052] The detection unit 14 has an infrared sensor 14a. The infrared sensor 14a may be a PIR sensor. The detection unit 14 corresponds to the above-described detection unit 105. The infrared sensor 14a corresponds to the above-described PIR sensor 118. Note that the number of infrared sensors 14a may be one or a plurality. The detection unit 14 including the infrared sensor 14a outputs the detected heat source change to the processor 11a as a detection result.

[0053] In the sensor mode, the processor 11a determines that the movement of the pet has been detected based on the detection result input from the detection unit 14, and outputs a control signal for driving the tilt motor 16b to the tilt motor 16b. As a result, the tilt unit 103 rotates so that the lens of the imaging unit 13 is disposed at the center or substantially the center of the opening of the housing 101, and the surveillance camera 100 shifts to the camera mode. That is, in a state where the detection unit 14 is directed to the outside of the housing 101, when the processor 11a detects the movement of the pet based on the detection result by the detection unit 14, the processor 11a tilts and rotates the tilt unit 103 so that the imaging unit 13 is directed to the outside of the housing 101.

[0054] In the camera mode, the processor 11a determines whether there is a region in each of a plurality of captured images continuously captured by the imaging unit 13 where the amount of change in brightness is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount of change. When there is a region where the amount of change in brightness is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount of change, the processor 11a determines that the movement of the pet has been detected, and starts recording (recording) the captured imaging video. Further, the processor 11a may start recording (recording) including the imaging video captured a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, etc.) before this timing when the movement of the pet is determined to be detected.

[0055] In the camera mode, the processor 11a detects the position of the pet in the captured image captured by the imaging unit 13, and generates a control signal for driving the drive unit 16 (that is, at least one of the pan motor 16a and the tilt motor 16b) so as to follow the detected position of the pet, and outputs the control signal to the drive unit 16.

[0056] In addition, when the processor 11a receives a signal for driving the drive unit 16 by a user operation from a user computer device via a router or a network, the processor 11a can also generate a control signal corresponding to the received signal and output the control signal to the drive unit 16. That is, the user can also manually tilt-rotate and pan-rotate the monitoring camera 100.

[0057] The processor 11a periodically repeats this determination process for detecting the movement and position of the pet, for example, every 200 milliseconds. The determination process for detecting the movement and position of the pet executed by the processor 11a may be executed, for example, every 100 milliseconds or every 300 milliseconds.

[0058] Furthermore, in the camera mode, when there is no area where the amount of change in brightness is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount of change, the processor 11a determines that it has detected that the pet is not moving (has not detected the movement of the pet), and ends the recording (recording) of the captured video captured by the imaging unit 13. The processor 11a ends the recording (recording) of the captured video and outputs a control signal for driving the tilt motor 16b to the tilt motor 16b. As a result, the tilt unit 103 rotates so that the infrared sensor 14a of the detection unit 14 is disposed at the center or substantially the center of the opening of the housing 101, and the monitoring camera 100 shifts to the sensor mode. That is, in a state where the imaging unit 13 is directed outside the housing 101, when the processor 11a does not detect the movement of the pet based on the captured video captured by the imaging unit 13, the processor 11a tilt-rotates the tilt unit 103 so that the detection unit 14 is directed outside the housing 101.

[0059] The LED 15 illuminates the imaging area of the imaging unit 13 when the interior is dark, such as at night, early in the morning, or on a rainy day, and is not suitable for imaging the pet. The LED 15 turns on or off according to the brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 19. Note that the imaging unit 13 may capture a black-and-white image while the LED 15 is on.

[0060] The driving unit 16 drives at least one of the pan motor 16a and the tilt motor 16b based on the control signal input from the processor 11a.

[0061] The pan motor 16a rotates the housing 101 in a pan rotation with respect to the base unit 102 based on the control signal input from the processor 11a, and changes the imaging area of the imaging unit 13. The pan motor 16a corresponds to the pan motor 114 described above.

[0062] The tilt motor 16b rotates the tilt unit 103 in a tilt rotation so that the monitoring camera 100 switches between the sensor mode and the camera mode based on the control signal input from the processor 11a. Also, the tilt motor 16b rotates the tilt unit 103 in a tilt rotation to change the imaging area of the imaging unit 13 based on the control signal input from the processor 11a.

[0063] The temperature sensor 17 measures the indoor air temperature (room temperature) where the monitoring camera 100 is installed. The temperature sensor 17 outputs the air temperature data as the measurement result to the processor 11a. The processor 11a stores the air temperature data input from the temperature sensor 17 in the memory 12a and transmits it to the user computer device via the communication unit 10a.

[0064] The power supply unit 18 supplies power to the surveillance camera 100 from an external commercial power supply. The power supply unit 18 may directly obtain the power supply from an external commercial power supply. Further, the power supply unit 18 may include a battery (for example, a cell) capable of accumulating the charge supplied from the external commercial power supply, or may be configured such that such a battery is detachable, and may be capable of supplying power to the surveillance camera 100 even in a state of being disconnected from the external commercial power supply. The power supply unit 18 corresponds to at least one of the battery 109 and the power supply board 110 described above.

[0065] <Operation of Surveillance Camera> FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the surveillance camera 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0066] When the surveillance camera 100 is powered on, in step S701, the main board 106 executes an initialization process to shift the surveillance camera 100 to the sensor mode.

[0067] In step S702, the main board 106 determines whether or not the movement of the pet has been detected based on the presence or absence of a change in the heat source detected by the detection unit 105.

[0068] When the movement of the pet has not been detected (NO in step S702), step S702 is repeated.

[0069] When the movement of the pet has been detected (YES in step S702), in step S703, the main board 106 controls the tilt mechanism so that the tilt unit 103 rotates, and shifts the surveillance camera 100 to the camera mode.

[0070] In step S704, the main board 106 determines whether or not the movement of the pet has been detected based on the captured video captured by the imaging unit 104.

[0071] When the movement of the pet is detected (YES in step S704), in step S705, the main board 106 records (records) the captured image captured by the imaging unit 104. Then, the process returns to step S704.

[0072] When the movement of the pet is not detected (NO in step S704), if the captured image is being recorded (recorded) in step S705, the recording (recording) of the captured image is terminated, and in step S706, the main board 106 controls the tilt mechanism so that the tilt unit 103 rotates, and shifts the surveillance camera 100 to the sensor mode. Then, the process returns to step S702.

[0073] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of mode transition of the surveillance camera 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] When the surveillance camera 100 is powered on, the surveillance camera 100 shifts to the sensor mode shown in the upper part of FIG. 8 (step S701 in FIG. 7).

[0075] Thereafter, when the movement of the pet is detected, the tilt unit 103 tilts and rotates as shown on the right side of FIG. 8, and the surveillance camera 100 shifts to the camera mode shown in the lower part of FIG. 8 (step S703 in FIG. 7).

[0076] The operation in the camera mode continues, and thereafter, when the movement of the pet is no longer detected, the tilt unit 103 tilts and rotates as shown on the left side of FIG. 8, and the surveillance camera 100 shifts to the sensor mode shown in the upper part of FIG. 8 (step S706 in FIG. 7). Thereafter, the above processing is repeated.

[0077] (Effects in the Embodiment) In this embodiment, the surveillance camera 100 includes a housing having an opening, a tilt unit having an internal space and tilt-rotatably attached within the opening of the housing, an imaging unit housed in the internal space for capturing an image, a detection unit housed in the internal space for detecting a change in heat source, and a control unit for controlling the positions of the imaging unit and the detection unit by tilt-rotating the tilt unit. According to this configuration, the control unit controls the positions of the imaging unit and the detection unit housed in the internal space of the tilt-rotatable tilt unit by tilt-rotating the tilt unit, so that the size of the housing, and thus the size of the surveillance camera 100, can be reduced.

[0078] In this embodiment, the control unit controls the positions of the imaging unit and the detection unit such that either the imaging unit or the detection unit housed in the internal space of the tilt unit faces the outside of the housing, so that the size of the housing, and thus the size of the surveillance camera 100, can be further reduced.

[0079] In an imaging device including an imaging unit and a detection unit, the power consumption of the imaging unit is greater than that of the detection unit. Also, when the imaging unit continues to operate, the power consumption becomes even greater. In this embodiment, the imaging unit is turned off when the detection unit faces the outside of the housing, and the imaging unit performs imaging as needed when the imaging unit faces the outside of the housing, so that the power consumption can be reduced. This is particularly advantageous when the surveillance camera 100 operates on battery power.

[0080] In this embodiment, since the lens of the imaging unit is not exposed when the detection unit faces the outside of the housing, the feeling that a person in a room or the like where the surveillance camera 100 is installed is being monitored can be reduced.

[0081] In this embodiment, since the sensor of the detection unit is not exposed, the feeling that a person in a room or the like where the surveillance camera 100 is installed is being monitored can be further reduced.

[0082] In the present embodiment, the control unit arranges the imaging unit or the detection unit to face the outside of the housing by tilting the tilt unit, so that the angle that the imaging unit can capture and the angle that the detection unit can capture can be made to coincide with each other.

[0083] <Modification Example> In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the central axis of the lens 117 and the central axis of the PIR sensor 118 are formed so as to be aligned on a straight line or substantially on a straight line. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this example.

[0084] For example, the sensor substrate 120 may be tilted with respect to the camera substrate 119, and the central axis of the lens 117 and the central axis of the PIR sensor 118 may be formed so as not to be aligned on a straight line or substantially on a straight line.

[0085] In this case, since it is not necessary to rotate the tilt unit 103 by approximately 180 degrees to switch between the camera mode and the sensor mode, the load due to the rotation of the wiring connected to the camera substrate 119 and the sensor substrate 120 can be reduced.

[0086] As described above, the embodiments have been described with reference to the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modification examples or correction examples within the scope described in the claims. Such modification examples or correction examples are also understood to belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure. Also, within the scope not departing from the gist of the present disclosure, the components in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined.

Industrial Applicability

[0087] One embodiment of the present disclosure is useful for a surveillance camera that detects and images moving objects such as pets.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0088] 100 Surveillance Camera 101 Housing 102 Base part 103 Tilt unit 104 Imaging unit 105 Detection unit 106 Main board 107 Tilt motor 108 Tilt rotation gear 114 Pan motor 116 Pan rotation gear 117 Lens 118 Infrared sensor (PIR sensor) 119 Camera board 120 Sensor board 11a Processor 11b Video memory control unit 12a Memory 12b Video memory 13 Imaging unit 14 Detection unit 14a Infrared sensor (PIR sensor) 16 Driving unit 16a Pan motor 16b Tilt motor

Claims

1. A housing having an opening, A tilt unit having an internal space and tilt-rotatably attached within the opening of the housing, An imaging unit fixed to the tilt unit for imaging a video, A detection unit fixed to the tilt unit for detecting a heat source change, A control unit for controlling a position at which either one of the imaging unit and the detection unit is exposed from the opening by tilt-rotating the tilt unit, A surveillance camera comprising the above.

2. In a state where the detection unit is directed toward the outside of the housing, when the control unit detects the movement of a moving object based on the detection result by the detection unit, the control unit tilt-rotates the tilt unit so that the imaging unit is directed toward the outside of the housing. The surveillance camera according to Claim 1.

3. In a state where the imaging unit is directed toward the outside of the housing, when the control unit does not detect the movement of a moving object based on the video imaged by the imaging unit, the control unit tilt-rotates the tilt unit so that the detection unit is directed toward the outside of the housing. The surveillance camera according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The central axis of the lens of the imaging unit and the central axis of the sensor of the detection unit are formed to be aligned substantially in a straight line. The surveillance camera according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. The sensor of the detection unit is not exposed. The surveillance camera according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

Images