JP2004187106A - Base displaying method and network camera capable of using the method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a network storage type digital camera has trouble in usage unless a communication path of a radio network can be secured. <P>SOLUTION: In a network photographing system 10, an image pickup device 20 stores photographed images in a storage area of an image server 14 through an access point 18 via the radio network. The image pickup device 20 acquires the location information of the present location from a GPS satellite 24, acquires a base diagram showing the location of the access point from a base information server 22 and visually displays a positional relation between the present location and the access point on the screen. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a location display method and a network camera. The present invention particularly relates to a technique for storing a captured image via a wireless network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a communication infrastructure of a public wireless LAN that provides a communication area by installing a base station on a street or in a specific store has been improved. As the name implies, the public wireless LAN uses wireless LAN technology that was originally used indoors in a limited area, and uses wireless network communication outdoors by distributing it over a wide area. enable. The problem with interspersing relatively small wireless networks is the formation of valleys in the communication area. Various techniques have been developed to solve these problems (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-101104 A (full text)
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-10-276391 (full text)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Here, a digital still camera of a type in which captured images are stored in a server via a wireless network has a feature that a large number of images can be captured and stored without having a large storage area in the camera. However, in the current infrastructure situation, as described above, the mobile terminal may be out of the communication area, and in the communication stop state, it is necessary to refrain from photographing or to store the data in a recording medium such as a memory card as in the past. This makes it difficult to make the most of the original features.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to enhance the convenience of a digital camera. Another object of the present invention is to improve the use environment of a wireless network in a network storage type camera. Yet another object is to make it easier to visually find the location of a connection point of a wireless network.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a site display method. The method includes the steps of obtaining location information of a current location, obtaining a location map that geographically indicates the location of a wireless network connection base existing in the vicinity and the communicable range assumed for the connection base, A process of recognizing the positional relationship between the current location and the connection site based on the information and the site map, and a process of visually displaying the positional relationship on a display screen provided in a network camera that stores the captured image via a wireless network. And
[0007]
The “wireless network” mainly includes wireless LAN communication such as IEEE802.11a / b and communication system such as Bluetooth (trademark). The storage destination of the captured image is mainly assumed to be a storage area in an image server on a network. The “connection base” mainly indicates a base station of the public wireless LAN, but may geographically indicate a building or a land where the base station is installed. The “communicable range” indicates a geographical range in which the radio wave intensity of the public wireless LAN is assumed to maintain a level necessary for communication. It is not the purpose of asking whether or not there is. In that sense, the “base map” may be treated as a theoretical radio wave distribution map.
[0008]
Whether or not it is “neighborhood” is not intended to strictly limit the distance, and a relative standard may be determined for each region according to the distribution and the density of the connection bases. With the above method, the position of the connection point of the wireless network can be easily grasped visually, and the convenience of the network camera is improved.
[0009]
Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a network camera. The camera includes an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject, a communication unit that communicates with a connection base of a wireless network, an image transmission / reception unit that saves a captured image via a wireless network, and a position acquisition unit that acquires position information of a current location. A base acquisition unit that obtains a base map that geographically indicates the location of a nearby connection base and the communicable range assumed for the connection base; and the current location and the position of the connection base based on the location information and the base map. It has a position analyzing unit for recognizing the relationship and a display processing unit for generating an image visualizing the positional relationship.
[0010]
This network camera is mainly assumed to be a digital still camera, but may be capable of recording not only still images but also moving images and sounds. In this specification, these recording targets are generically described as "images". The network camera may be a mobile terminal having a camera function. The position acquisition unit may measure latitude, longitude, and altitude using a GPS (Global Positioning System, global positioning system). With the above configuration, the position of the connection point of the wireless network can be easily grasped visually, and the convenience of the network camera is improved.
[0011]
In addition, any combination of the above-described components and the components and expressions of the present invention, methods, devices, systems, computer programs, recording media storing the programs, and those which are mutually replaced among data structures, This is effective as an aspect of the present invention.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
In the present embodiment, the position of the connection point of the wireless network is visually displayed on the display screen of the digital still camera that stores the captured image via the wireless network. The display method includes a method of two-dimensionally indicating a relationship with the current position and a method of three-dimensional display in which a base position is superimposed on a subject image and displayed.
[0013]
FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of a network imaging system. The image server 14, the access point 18, the user terminal 12, and the base information server 22 are connected via the Internet 16. The imaging device 20 connects to the Internet 16 via the access point 18 and transmits and receives data to and from the image server 14 or the base information server 22. The imaging device 20 and the access point 18 perform communication using wireless LAN technology. The access point 18 is a base station of a public wireless LAN installed in a street or a specific store, for example, and its installation location is expressed as a “connection base”. The imaging device 20 acquires position information from the GPS satellite 24 by wireless communication.
[0014]
The user saves the image captured by the imaging device 20 in the image server 14 via the access point 18 and the Internet 16. After that, the image stored in the image server 14 is downloaded using the user terminal 12. The imaging device 20 acquires a location map indicating the location of the nearby access point 18 and its communicable range from the location information server 22. The site map mainly includes information such as a position including the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the access point 18, a radial distance of a communicable range around the position, a map image, and the like.
[0015]
The configuration of the imaging device 20 can be realized in terms of hardware by a CPU, a memory, a communication module, and other LSIs, and in terms of software, by a program having a data transmission / reception function and an image processing function loaded in the memory. However, the following describes the functional blocks realized by their cooperation. Therefore, it is understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of the imaging device. The imaging device 20 includes an imaging unit 30, a buffer memory 40, a display processing unit 42, an LCD 50, a direction detection unit 52, a position analysis unit 58, a data transmission / reception unit 64, an intensity detection unit 70, a communication unit 72, and a position acquisition unit 74. Have. The imaging unit 30 includes a lens 32 that captures light from a subject and forms an image, a CCD 34 that converts the formed image into an electric signal, an image processing unit 36 that performs A / D conversion of the electric signal and performs compression processing. ,including.
[0017]
The buffer memory 40 is a RAM for temporarily storing still image or moving image data compressed in the JPEG format or the MPEG format. The display processing unit 42 decodes the image stored in the buffer memory 40 and causes the LCD 50 to display the image. The display processing unit 42 also uses the buffer memory 40 as a video memory. The communication unit 72 includes a communication module for a wireless LAN, and communicates with the access point 18 via an antenna.
[0018]
The position acquisition unit 74 includes a communication module for GPS radio, and communicates with the GPS satellites 24 via an antenna. The position acquisition unit 74 inquires of the GPS satellite 24 about information on the current location, and receives information on the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the current location. The altitude may be measured using a barometric pressure sensor instead of the GPS. When the height difference from the access point 18 is small, it is not necessary to consider the altitude, but, for example, when the building has different floors, the greater the height difference, the greater the effect on determining the direction of the access point 18 is. The need to consider altitude increases.
[0019]
The direction detecting unit 52 detects the azimuth and the inclination as the direction information of the photographing direction. The direction detecting unit 52 includes an azimuth measuring unit 54 that measures the azimuth in the shooting direction using a geomagnetic sensor, and a tilt detecting unit 56 that measures the tilt in the shooting direction. The strength detecting unit 70 detects the strength of the radio wave received by the communication unit 72 from the access point 18. The communication unit 72 may have a communication function of a diversity system, and may select an access point having a better radio wave condition when radio waves can be received from a plurality of access points.
[0020]
The position analysis unit 58 includes a two-dimensional analysis unit 60 and a three-dimensional analysis unit 62. The two-dimensional analysis unit 60 recognizes a two-dimensional positional relationship between the current position and the access point 18 based on the position information and the base map. The three-dimensional analysis unit 62 recognizes the relationship between the direction to the access point 18 or its communicable range and the shooting direction based on the position information, the base map, and the direction information. Further, when the three-dimensional analysis unit 62 is located within the communicable range of the access point 18, the three-dimensional analysis unit 62 three-dimensionally analyzes the intensity of the radio wave from the access point 18 based on the position information, the base map, and the radio field intensity. An image to be represented may be generated.
[0021]
The data transmission / reception unit 64 includes an image transmission / reception unit 66, a site acquisition unit 67, and a history transmission / reception unit 68. The image transmitting / receiving unit 66 transmits the captured image stored in the buffer memory 40 to the image server 14. When image reproduction is instructed, the image transmission / reception unit 66 receives the image stored in the image server 14 and writes it in the buffer memory 40.
[0022]
The base acquisition unit 67 transmits the position information of the current location to the base information server 22, and receives a location map of an access point near the current location as a reply. The history transmission / reception unit 68 associates the position information of the current location with the radio wave intensity at the position, and stores these in the image server 14 as a history of the radio wave intensity. When referring to the stored history, the history transmitting / receiving unit 68 transmits the position information of the current location to the image server 14, and receives the corresponding history of the radio wave intensity as a reply. In this case, the two-dimensional analysis unit 60 recognizes the positional relationship between the current location and the connection base or its communicable range based on the position information, the base map, and the history. Since the history as the actual measurement result can supplement the base map which is the theoretical radio wave distribution map, the accuracy in displaying the position of the base can be improved.
[0023]
The display processing unit 42 includes an image generation unit 44, a synthesis processing unit 46, and a decoding unit 48. The decoding unit 48 decodes an encoded image such as JPEG or MPEG. The image generation unit 44 generates an image in which the positional relationship between the current location and the connection base or the communicable range thereof is two-dimensionally visualized.
[0024]
The image generation unit 44 further generates an image that three-dimensionally indicates the relationship between the connection base or the communicable range thereof and the shooting direction. The synthesis processing unit 46 synthesizes the image and the subject video imaged by the imaging unit 30. As a result, the image indicating the direction of the connection base is displayed so as to overlap the subject video.
[0025]
FIG. 3 shows an example in which the positional relationship between the current location and the connection base is displayed on the screen of the LCD 50 in the imaging device 20. A map image 120 covering the area near the current location is displayed on the screen of the LCD 50, and the positions of the plurality of connection bases 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 are indicated by white circles on the map image 120. At this time, the current location 100 is indicated by a black circle graphic, and the map image 120 and the plurality of connection points 102, 104, 106, 108, and 110 are displayed so that the current location 100 is located at the center. This makes it easy to intuitively grasp where the nearby connection base is.
[0026]
FIG. 4 shows an example in which the current location, the connection base, and the positional relationship of the communicable range are displayed on the screen of the LCD 50 in the imaging device 20. This figure differs from FIG. 3 in that the communicable range is further displayed. The communicable range is expressed by drawing a multiple circle having a size corresponding to the area around the connection base. The communicable ranges of the connection bases 102, 104, 108 partially overlap. Therefore, the optimal route 122 may be displayed so that the user can move while maintaining a good radio wave condition.
[0027]
FIG. 5 shows an example in which a subject image, a connection base, and a communicable range are displayed on the screen of the LCD 50 in the imaging device 20. The subject image 130 is displayed on the screen of the LCD 50, and an image schematically showing the connection base and the communicable range thereof is synthesized and displayed. In the figure, connection sites 132 and 134 are displayed. Since the communicable range of the connection base 132 is closer to the current location than the connection base 134, the multiplex circle indicating the communicable range of the connection base 132 is displayed larger. Further, by displaying an arrow 136 indicating the direction of the connection point 132, the user is guided in the direction of a closer connection point. Further, the magnitude of the radio wave intensity detected for each of the connection points 132 and 134 may be visually represented by a multiplex circle.
[0028]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for displaying the positional relationship or the directional relationship between the current location and the connection base. After securing the wireless communication path (S50), an instruction for position display is received (S52). The location information is acquired from the GPS satellite 14 (S53), the location map is acquired from the location information server 22 (S54), and the positional relationship between the current location and the connection location is recognized (S56).
[0029]
If the positional relationship is set to be displayed two-dimensionally (S58Y), a two-dimensional image of the positional relationship is generated (S60). If the display is set to display three-dimensionally (S58N), the direction information of the shooting direction is acquired (S62), and the relationship between the direction of the connection base and the shooting direction is recognized (S64). A three-dimensional image displaying the relationship between the directions is generated (S66), and this is combined with the subject image 130 (S68). The image thus generated is displayed on the screen of the LCD 50 (S70).
[0030]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of S50 in FIG. When starting wireless network communication, a plurality of receivable radio waves are inspected. First, it is determined whether the received radio wave is a radio wave communicable in the 2.4 GHz band. If the radio waves are communicable (S10Y), it is determined whether the communication modes match. The communication mode includes an ad hoc mode and an infrastructure mode. When the communication modes of the imaging device 20 and the access point 18 match (S12), the state of the designated channel is confirmed. If the channel is vacant, it is determined that the radio wave is available (S14Y). If a plurality of radio waves can be received, the processes from S10 to S14 are executed for all the radio waves (S16).
[0031]
After confirming all the radio waves (S16Y), if the access point with the strongest radio wave can be secured (S18Y), authentication is performed on the wireless network via the access point. After passing the authentication (S20), the wireless network communication is started (S22).
[0032]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for storing a history in which the positional information of the current location is associated with the radio wave intensity at that position. The flow shown in this figure progresses simultaneously and in parallel with the flow shown in FIG. First, the position information of the current position is acquired from the GPS satellite 24 (S100), the radio wave intensity at that position is detected (S102), and the position information and the radio wave intensity are stored in association with each other (S104). The storage destination is the image server 14 connected via a wireless network. The processes from S100 to S104 are repeated as long as such storage of the history is continued (S106).
[0033]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of S55 in FIG. The location information of the current location is transmitted (S110), and if there is a history corresponding to the location information (S112Y), the history is acquired (S114).
[0034]
The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. . Hereinafter, some modified examples will be described.
[0035]
In the embodiment, the radio field intensity is represented by the size of the multiplex circle on the screen of the LCD 50. In the modified example, it may be expressed by shading according to the magnitude of the radio wave intensity, or may be expressed by being divided into colors according to the magnitude of the radio wave intensity.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the convenience of a network storage camera can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of a network imaging system.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging device.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying a positional relationship between a current location and a connection base on an LCD screen of the imaging device.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a positional relationship among a current location, a connection base, and a communicable range is displayed on an LCD screen of the imaging apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a subject image, a connection base, and a communicable range are displayed on an LCD screen of the imaging apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for displaying a positional relationship or a directional relationship between a current location and a connection base.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of S50 in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for storing a history in which position information of a current location is associated with radio wave intensity at the position.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of S55 in FIG. 6;
[Explanation of symbols]
14 image server, 18 access point, 20 imaging device, 22 base information server, 24 GPS satellite, 30 imaging unit, 42 display processing unit, 52 direction detection unit, 58 position analysis unit, 64 data transmission / reception unit, 70 intensity detection unit, 74 Position acquisition unit.

Claims (5)

Obtaining location information of the current location;
A process of acquiring a location map that geographically indicates a location of a wireless network connection base existing in the vicinity and a communication range assumed for the connection base,
Based on the location information and the location map, a process of recognizing a positional relationship between a current location and the connection location,
A process of visually displaying the positional relationship on a display screen provided in a network camera that saves the captured image via a wireless network,
A method of displaying a base, comprising: An imaging unit for imaging a subject;
A communication unit that communicates with a connection point of the wireless network;
An image transmitting and receiving unit that stores the captured image via the wireless network,
A location acquisition unit for acquiring location information of the current location;
A base acquisition unit that obtains a base map that geographically indicates a position of a nearby connection base and a communication range assumed for the connection base,
Based on the location information and the location map, a location analysis unit that recognizes the positional relationship between the current location and the connection location,
A display processing unit that generates an image visualizing the positional relationship,
A network camera comprising: Further comprising a direction detection unit for detecting the azimuth and inclination as the direction information of the shooting direction,
The position acquisition unit acquires the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the current location as the position information,
The position analysis unit, based on the position information, site map, and direction information, recognizes the relationship between the direction to the connection base or its communicable range and the shooting direction,
The network camera according to claim 2, wherein the display processing unit generates an image in which the relationship between the directions is visualized. 4. The network camera according to claim 3, wherein the display processing unit combines a subject video imaged by the imaging unit and an image visualizing the relationship in the direction. 5. An intensity detection unit that detects the radio wave intensity of the connection point,
A history transmitting / receiving unit that stores a history in which the positional information of the current location and the radio wave intensity at the position are associated with each other via the wireless network,
5. The network camera according to claim 2, wherein the position analysis unit recognizes the positional relationship based on the position information, the location map, and the history.

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