JP3984125B2 - Network camera system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a network camera system having a file server, an image distribution type network camera capable of transferring image data to the file server, and a terminal device capable of browsing the image data transferred to the file server.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An example of a conventional network camera is described in Japanese Patent No. 3034243. The network camera described in the publication has a function of transferring digital data of captured images to a predetermined file server on the Internet according to a predetermined schedule.
[0003]
Therefore, a user who has an account in the predetermined file server can browse the image data stored in the predetermined file server by operating a terminal device having a client function of the predetermined file server.
[0004]
As an example of the above configuration, a plurality of network cameras, a file server, and a terminal device are interconnected on a network such as a LAN (local area network), and the terminal device is connected to a desired network camera out of the plurality of network cameras. A configuration in which images can be viewed is conceivable. In the case of such a configuration, if the number of network cameras and terminal devices is small, the user of the camera can view the captured image almost in real time by setting a schedule for transmitting digital image data at an extremely short interval (for example, 1 second). You can browse.
[0005]
However, as the number of network cameras and terminal devices increases, network traffic also increases. Therefore, each network camera is preferably operated according to a schedule for transmitting images at relatively long intervals (for example, 1 minute).
[0006]
However, when such a network camera is used as a surveillance camera, the image transmitted at a predetermined schedule is not only browsed on the terminal device, but the image can be acquired at a timing desired by the user of the camera. It is desirable that Therefore, in a network where a large number of network cameras and terminal devices are mixed as described above, even if the image transmission interval of the network camera is long, the user can view the video captured by the network camera at any timing. Network camera is desired.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In view of the circumstances described above, the present invention can view images captured by a camera in real time even when a plurality of network cameras, file servers, and terminal devices are used by being interconnected on a network such as a LAN. An object is to provide a network camera system.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a network camera system of the present invention has a transmission means for a terminal device to transmit predetermined data to the network camera. When the network camera receives predetermined data from the terminal device, It has a delivery control means for delivering a captured image, and the predetermined data is an ICMP ECHO_REQUEST packet.
[0009]
Therefore, by operating the terminal device, an image captured by the network camera at a desired timing can be displayed on the monitor of the terminal device.
[0010]
ICMP is a protocol defined by RFC 792, and is a protocol for transmitting data unreachable to a transmission source host when transmitted data does not reach the transmission destination host. The ECHO_REQUEST packet is used to determine whether or not a host having a certain IP address is in an active state. When the host receives the ECHO_REQUEST packet, it sends back an ECHO_RESPONSE packet to the source of the ECHO_REQUEST packet. The transmission source of the ECHO_REQUEST packet determines whether the ECHO_REQUEST packet transmission destination host is in an active state by confirming reception of the ECHO_RESPONSE packet. Host confirmation by ECHO_REQUEST packet transmission and ECHO_RESPONSE packet reception is implemented in many computers as a ping command, and ECHO_REQUEST packet reception and ECHO_RESPONSE packet transmission functions are standard on almost all hosts that implement TCP / IP. Yes. Therefore, according to the present invention, the above object can be achieved without disposing an image transmission trigger signal line between the network camera and the terminal device.
[0011]
Further, the terminal device has an input means, and this input means is a pointing device such as a mouse having a mechanism and a button for moving the pointer displayed on the monitor, for example. The terminal device may be configured to transmit an ECHO_REQUEST packet by moving to a position and pressing a button.
[0012]
Further, the network camera system has a plurality of network cameras, and the data requesting the image transfer of the different network cameras according to the position of the pointer when the pointing device button is pressed is transferred to the file via the Internet. It is good also as a structure transmitted to a server (Claim 6).
[0013]
With such a configuration, an image captured by a desired network camera among the plurality of network cameras can be browsed by a simple operation.
[0014]
Further, the network camera system includes a plurality of the network cameras, and operates the pointing device to move the pointer to a predetermined position and press the button, so that the terminal device receives all ECHO_REQUESTs from the plurality of network cameras. It is good also as a structure which transmits a packet.
[0015]
With such a configuration, it is possible to browse all images captured by each of the plurality of network cameras by a single operation.
[0016]
Further, the network camera may be configured not to transfer the captured image to the file server when the transmission source of the received ECHO_REQUEST packet is not a terminal device.
[0017]
By adopting such a configuration, image capture unintended by the user of the terminal device is prevented by transmitting the ECHO_REQUEST packet from a host other than the terminal device.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A network camera system comprising a network camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a file server for storing an image captured by the network camera, and a client PC as a terminal device for browsing the image stored in the file server. This is schematically shown in FIG. The network camera system of the present embodiment includes a plurality (six in FIG. 1) of network cameras 1, a file server 201, and at least one (two in FIG. 1) client PCs 301. The network camera 1, file server 201, and client PC 301 are arranged on a local area network (hereinafter referred to as LAN) 100 and are interconnected.
[0019]
Here, the network camera 1 is a device that transfers captured image data to the file server 201. Further, the network camera 1 includes a network interface 10 and is connected to the LAN 100 via the network interface 10. The network camera 1 can send and receive data to and from the file server 201 via the LAN 100.
[0020]
The file server 201 provides a file transfer protocol (FTP) service, a simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) service, a post office protocol (POP) service, a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), and the like. The file server 201 includes a network interface 203 and is connected to the LAN 100 via the network interface 203.
[0021]
The client PC 301 includes a network interface 310 such as an Ethernet (registered trademark) card. The client PC 301 can connect to the LAN 100 via the network interface 310 and send / receive data to / from the file server 201.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the network camera 1 of the present embodiment. The imaging device 3 is a device that outputs an image formed on an imaging device such as a CCD as a digital signal via an objective optical system. The control unit 2 can control the image pickup device 3 and the memory 4 to convert the digital signal output from the image pickup device 3 into an image file of a predetermined image format such as JPEG and store it in the memory 4.
[0023]
The memory 4 can also hold schedule data together with the image file, and the control means 2 converts the digital signal output from the imaging device 3 at the time based on the schedule data into an image file and stores it in the memory 4.
[0024]
Further, an FTP client program is expanded in the memory 4 of the network camera 1. After the image file is stored in the memory 4, the control unit 2 of the network camera 1 transfers the image file to the file server 201 using an FTP client program.
[0025]
In the memory 4 of the network camera 1, an e-mail client program for sending and receiving e-mail using SMTP and POP is developed. Here, the control means 2 of the network camera 1 confirms the mailbox provided by the SMTP service program and the POP service program of the file server 201 by an e-mail client program at a predetermined interval, and schedule data is received from the administrator of the network camera system. If the included e-mail is received, the schedule data is updated.
[0026]
The network camera 1 further has a trigger switch button 5. When the trigger switch button 5 is pressed, the digital signal output from the imaging device 3 at that time is immediately converted into an image file by the control unit 2 and the image file is transferred to the file server 201.
[0027]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the file server 201 of this embodiment. The file server 201 includes a network interface 203 that transmits and receives data via the LAN 100 and a storage device 205 that stores various files. Here, the control unit 202 of the file server 201 controls the network interface 203 to receive the image file transferred from the network camera 1 via the LAN 100 and further controls the storage device 205 to store the received image file. It is stored in a predetermined directory of the device 205.
[0028]
This image data storage operation is performed by an FTP service program developed in the memory 204 of the file server 201.
[0029]
The HTTP service program expanded in the memory 204 makes it possible to browse image data stored in a predetermined directory of the storage apparatus 205 from any or specific client PC 301 connected to the LAN 100.
[0030]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the client PC 301 of this embodiment. The client PC 301 includes a network interface 303 connected to the LAN 100. Further, the client PC 301 has a memory 304. In the memory 304, an HTTP client program for transmitting and receiving data from the file server 201 using HTTP is developed. The control unit 302 of the client PC 301 can execute this HTTP client program and control the network interface 303 to transfer an arbitrary image file stored in the storage device 205 of the file server 201 to the memory 304 of the client PC 301.
[0031]
The client PC 301 further includes a monitor 305. Further, the HTTP client program expanded in the memory 304 of the client PC 301 has a function of displaying the image file expanded in the memory on the monitor 305. Therefore, the client PC 301 in which the HTTP client program is executed can sequentially display the image file transferred from the network camera 1 to the file server 201 on the monitor 305 in accordance with the schedule data. That is, the user of the client PC 301 can view the image captured by the network camera 1 on the monitor 305 of the client PC 301 at the time according to the schedule data.
[0032]
Further, the client PC 301 has a pointing device 306 that moves a pointer displayed on the monitor 305, and the user of the client PC 301 can operate the HTTP client program by using the pointing device 306. Further, the pointing device 306 has at least one button, and can notify the control unit 302 of the client PC 301 of the position of the pointer on the screen when the button is pressed.
[0033]
A screen of the monitor 305 of the client PC 301 is shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the number of network cameras 1 that browse images on the monitor 305 is six. However, the number of network cameras 1 that can be simultaneously monitored by the user of the client PC 301 may be any number. The screen 400 displays image display areas 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, and 406, each of which displays an image file that has been transferred to the file server 201 by the network camera 1. The HTTP client program accesses the file server 201 at regular intervals (for example, 10 seconds), and the image display areas 401 to 406 include the latest image file transferred to the file server 201 by the corresponding network camera 1, respectively. The imaging time of the image file is displayed.
[0034]
In addition, first image capture buttons 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, and 416 are arranged below the image display areas 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, and 406. Here, the pointer 404 is pushed over any of the first image capture buttons 411 to 416 and the button of the pointing device 306 is pressed (hereinafter abbreviated as “press the first image capture button”). The digital signal output from the imaging device 3 of the network camera 1 corresponding to the first image capture button is immediately converted into an image file and transmitted to the file server 201, and the image file is pressed down to the first image. It is displayed in the image display area corresponding to the capture button.
[0035]
A second image capture button 420 is arranged at the bottom of the screen 400. When the pointer 404 is placed on the second image capture button 420 and the button of the pointing device 306 is pressed (hereinafter abbreviated as “pressing the second image capture button”), the image display areas 401 to 406 correspond. The digital signal output from the imaging device 3 of the network camera 1 is immediately converted into an image file, and the image file is displayed in each of the image display areas 401 to 406. That is, when the second image capture button 420 is pressed, the same effect as that when the first image capture button is pressed on all the first image capture buttons can be obtained.
[0036]
When the first capture buttons 411 to 416 or the second capture button 420 is pressed, the control unit 302 of the client PC 301 transmits an ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) ECHO_REQUEST packet to the camera corresponding to the capture button. ICMP is a protocol defined in RFC 792 and is a protocol for transmitting data unreachable to a transmission source host when transmitted data does not reach the transmission destination host. The ECHO_REQUEST packet is used to determine whether or not a host having a certain IP address is in an active state. When the host receives the ECHO_REQUEST packet, it sends back an ECHO_RESPONSE packet to the source of the ECHO_REQUEST packet. The transmission source of the ECHO_REQUEST packet determines whether the ECHO_REQUEST packet transmission destination host is in an active state by confirming reception of the ECHO_RESPONSE packet. Host confirmation by ECHO_REQUEST packet transmission and ECHO_RESPONSE packet reception is implemented in many computers as a ping command, and ECHO_REQUEST packet reception and ECHO_RESPONSE packet transmission functions are standard on almost all hosts that implement TCP / IP. Yes. The client PC 301 of this embodiment implements a ping command, and the network camera 1 implements an ECHO_REQUEST packet reception function and an ECHO_RESPONSE packet transmission function.
[0037]
The network camera 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to convert a digital signal output from the imaging device 3 into an image file triggered by reception of an ECHO_REQUEST packet and further transmit the image file to the file server 201. Further, after the image file is transmitted, the network camera 1 transmits a message notifying the completion of the image transmission to the host that has transmitted the ECHO_REQUEST packet (that is, the client PC 301 whose first or second capture button has been pressed). Upon receiving this message, the client PC 301 reads an image file corresponding to the pressed capture button from the file server 201 and further displays this image file in an image display area corresponding to the pressed capture button.
[0038]
The operation procedure of the client PC 301 and the network camera 1 when the first image capture button is pressed will be described using the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0039]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an interrupt routine executed by the client PC 301 when the first image capture button is pressed. When the first image capture button is pressed, the control unit 302 of the client PC 301 proceeds to step S301, and transmits an ECHO_REQUEST packet to the network camera 1 corresponding to the first image capture button. When the control means 2 of the network camera 1 receives this packet, it executes the interrupt routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. The control unit 302 of the client PC 301 executes step S302 and waits until a message for notifying completion of image transmission is received from the camera 1 (S302: Yes) (S302: No).
[0040]
When the network camera 1 receives the ECHO_REQUEST packet, the control means 2 of the network camera 1 executes step S101. In step S101, the control means 2 checks the IP address of the transmission source of the ECHO_REQUEST packet and confirms whether or not the transmission source of the packet is the client PC 301.
[0041]
If the packet transmission source is not the client PC 301 (S101: No), this routine ends. Therefore, the transmission of an ECHO_REQUEST packet from a host other than the client PC 301 prevents image capture unintended by the user of the client PC 301.
[0042]
On the other hand, if the transmission source of the packet is the client PC 301 (S101: Yes), the process proceeds to step S102, where the digital signal output from the imaging device 3 of the network camera 1 is converted into an image file and stored in the memory 4. In step S103, the image file is transferred to the file server 201.
[0043]
Next, the process proceeds to step S104. In step S104, the control means 2 of the network camera 1 transmits a message notifying the completion of image transmission to the host that has transmitted the ECHO_REQUEST packet (that is, the client PC 301 whose first or second capture button has been pressed). Next, this routine ends.
[0044]
Accordingly, since the client PC 301 has received a message notifying the completion of image transmission from the network camera 1, the control means 302 of the client PC 301 executes step S303 in the flowchart of FIG. That is, the client PC 301 accesses the file server 201, and downloads the image file transferred by the network camera 1 to the file server 201 in step S103.
[0045]
Next, the process proceeds to step S304, where the image file downloaded in step S303 is displayed in the image display area corresponding to the pressed first image capture button on the monitor 305, and this routine is terminated.
[0046]
When the second image capture button 420 is pressed, the interrupt routine shown in FIG. 7 is executed for all network cameras 1, and as a result, the images displayed in the image display areas 401 to 406 are as follows. Updated.
[0047]
In the network camera system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the network camera, the file server, and the client PC are arranged on the LAN, but each of them is connected via another network system. Also good. In the second embodiment of the present invention described below, each of a network camera, a file server, and a client PC transmits / receives various data / signals via the Internet.
[0048]
A network camera system according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the network interface 10 of the network camera 1 is connected to the ADSL modem 500. The ADSL modem 500 is always connected to the Internet using a public telephone line, and the network camera 1 can transmit / receive data to / from other computers on the Internet via the ADSL modem 500. Each ADSL modem 500 is assigned a fixed global address. A plurality (six in FIG. 8) of ADSL modems 500 to which the network camera 1 is connected are connected to the Internet. In this embodiment, a fixed global address is assigned to the network interface 10 of each network camera 1.
[0049]
The network network interface 310 of the client PC 301 is connected to the ADSL modem 501. The ADSL modem 501 is always connected to the Internet using a public telephone line, and the client PC 301 can transmit / receive data to / from other computers on the Internet via the ADSL modem 501.
[0050]
The file server 201 is connected to the Internet through a dedicated line.
[0051]
Since each configuration of the network camera 1, the file server 201, and the client PC 301, and their respective operation routines are the same as those in the first embodiment of the present invention, description thereof will be omitted. In the present embodiment, the Internet is interposed in a data transmission / reception route, and the client PC 301 transmits an ECHO_REQUEST packet to the network camera 1 via the ADSL modem 501, whereby the network camera 1 connected to the ADSL modem 500 is connected. Shoots and transmits images.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even when a plurality of network cameras, file servers, and terminal devices are connected to each other on a network such as a LAN, the captured images of the cameras are viewed in real time. It becomes possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 schematically shows an overall view of a network camera system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a network camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a file server according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a client PC according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows a screen displayed on the monitor of the client PC according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an interrupt routine executed by the client PC in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an interrupt routine executed by the network camera in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 schematically shows an overall view of a network camera system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network camera 2 Control means 3 Imaging device 4 Memory 5 Trigger switch button 10 Network interface 100 Local area network 201 Network camera 202 Control means 203 Network interface 204 Memory 205 Storage apparatus 301 Client PC
302 control means 303 network interface 304 memory 305 monitor 306 pointing device 500 ADSL modem

Claims (10)

A network camera system comprising: a file server on a network; a plurality of image distribution type network cameras that transfer captured images to the file server; and a terminal device that can view the images transferred to the file server Because
The terminal device has transmission means for transmitting predetermined data to at least one of the plurality of network cameras,
The network camera has distribution control means for distributing a captured image to the file server when receiving the predetermined data from the terminal device;
The predetermined data is an ICMP ECHO_REQUEST packet;
A network camera system characterized by that.   The network camera system according to claim 1, wherein the network is a local area network. The terminal device includes a monitor that displays an image transferred to the file server, and input means for operating the terminal device,
By the operation of the input means, the transmission means of the terminal device transmits the ECHO_REQUEST packet to at least one of the plurality of network cameras,
3. The network camera system according to claim 1, wherein when the network camera detects the ECHO_REQUEST packet, the network camera transfers a captured image to the file server. 4.   4. The network camera according to claim 1, wherein after the transfer of the captured image triggered by the detection of the ECHO_REQUEST packet is completed, the network camera notifies the terminal device of the completion of the image transfer. 5. The network camera system described. The input means of the terminal device is a pointing device that moves a pointer displayed on the monitor and has a button,
The terminal device transmits an ECHO_REQUEST packet to at least one of the plurality of network cameras by operating the pointing device to move the pointer to a predetermined position and pressing the button. The network camera system according to any one of claims 3 and 4.   The network camera system according to claim 5, wherein the terminal device transmits the ECHO_REQUEST packet to a different network camera according to a position of a pointer when a button of the pointing device is pressed.   The terminal device transmits the ECHO_REQUEST packet to all of the plurality of network cameras by operating the pointing device, moving the pointer to a predetermined position, and pressing the button. The network camera system according to claim 5 or 6.   8. The network camera according to claim 1, wherein the network camera does not transfer the captured image to the file server when the transmission source of the received ECHO_REQUEST packet is not the terminal device. 8. A network camera system according to the above.   The network camera system according to claim 1, wherein the network camera transfers a captured image according to a predetermined schedule. Each of the file server, the network camera, and the terminal device has a control means and a memory,
The said file server, the said network camera, and the said terminal device operate | move when the said control means runs the program expand | deployed by the said memory, The any one of Claim 1 to 9 characterized by the above-mentioned. The network camera system described.

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