JP4281812B2 - Image communication device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus that transmits image data in accordance with a request signal transmitted from a network.

  In recent years, network cameras connected to a network such as a LAN and transmitting image data in accordance with a request signal received via the network have been developed.

  This network camera has a server function and can be accessed from other devices connected to the network. When the network camera is accessed, it transmits a predetermined html file to the device that has received the file. The installed browser requests an image from the network camera according to the description of the HTML file.

  Conventionally, however, there is a problem that an Html file as an initial screen to be transmitted for access cannot be provided with image data or the like under optimum conditions depending on the device to be accessed.

  In view of the above-described conventional problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image communication apparatus capable of providing image data and the like under optimum conditions depending on an accessing device.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the present invention provides an imaging unit that images a subject, a communication unit that transmits the captured image to the client device at a predetermined cycle based on access from the client device, and a predetermined cycle Control means for transmitting to the communication means the image whose brightness has been changed before a predetermined period elapses when there is an instruction to change the brightness of the image to be captured from the client device in the middle of , With.

  In the present invention, when there is an instruction from the client device to change the brightness of the captured image in the middle of a predetermined cycle, the image whose brightness has been changed is communicated before the predetermined cycle elapses. By transmitting to the client device, an image whose brightness has been changed regardless of the predetermined period is transmitted to the client device. Therefore, even if a still image is displayed at the predetermined period, the image is displayed until the next period. It is possible to check an image whose brightness has been changed without waiting for the display of.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging unit that images a subject, a communication unit that transmits an image captured based on access from the client device to the client device at a predetermined cycle, and a middle of the predetermined cycle. And a control unit that, when instructed by the client device to change the brightness of the image to be captured, transmits to the communication unit the image whose brightness has been changed before a predetermined period elapses. A communication device that, when instructed to change the brightness of an image to be captured from a client device in the middle of a predetermined cycle, communicates the image whose brightness has been changed before the predetermined cycle has passed. By transmitting to the client device, an image whose image brightness has been changed is transmitted to the client device regardless of the predetermined cycle, so even if a still image is displayed at the predetermined cycle Without waiting for the image is displayed until the next cycle has the effect of being able to view the images change the brightness.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image communication apparatus system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, 10 is an image communication apparatus according to the present invention, 20 is a public telephone line network for connecting a large number of terminal devices by a telephone exchange, 30 is an Internet network, 40 is a public telephone line network 20 and an Internet network 30. ISP (Internet service provider) including a CTI server device for connecting to a wireless base station 50 connected to the public telephone line network 20 for wireless communication with a wireless terminal apparatus to be described later, and 60 connected to the public telephone line network 20 , A wireless terminal device that wirelessly communicates with a wireless base station and communicates with the image communication device 10 and the like via the wireless communication terminal 60 and ISP 40, and a computer device that is connected to the Internet network 30. It is.

  The image communication apparatus 10 has the functions and imaging of the image server, and when accessed from the wireless terminal apparatus 70 or the computer apparatus 80, the image communication apparatus 10 stores the image data captured by the imaging unit, etc. Send to computer device 80.

  Note that these communications are performed using the TCP / IP protocol.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the image communication apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes image input means for inputting image data taken from an image pickup unit (not shown) capable of various controls such as panning, tilting, zooming, and brightness adjustment. Luminance (Y) and color difference signals are used as image data. Conversion processing to (Cb, Cr) is performed. Reference numeral 12 denotes image data generation means for compressing image data obtained by conversion by image processing in the image input unit. In the present embodiment, the image data is converted to JPEG format data. In the present image data generation means, the resolution and image quality can be adjusted and output as compressed data. For example, when transmitting an image to a large screen such as a personal computer device, the resolution can be 640 × 480, and when transmitting an image to a mobile phone or the like, the resolution can be 320 × 240. Further, when sending a moving image, the image quality can be made coarse, and when sending a still image, the image quality can be improved.

  Reference numeral 13 denotes a memory for storing the image data generated by the image data generation means 12 or a program. Reference numeral 13a denotes a memory area in the memory 13, and display information to be transmitted to a computer device or the like, for example, an HTML file. It is a display information data storage unit to be accumulated. In this display information data storage unit, display information data for the computer device 80 and display information data for the wireless terminal device 70 are stored in advance, and whether predetermined character information is included by the determination means 16 described later. Which display information data is to be used is determined depending on why. 13b is a user setting information storage unit that stores information such as preset positions that can be set from the client device, 14 is an interface that performs transmission and reception between the Internet network 30 such as the Internet and the image communication device 10, and 15 is image communication. The control means 16 for controlling the entire apparatus 10 includes a predetermined character information (in this embodiment, “Mobile” character) in the data transmission request in the data transmission request transmitted from the client via the network. A determination means 17 for determining whether or not the request signal is requested, and a pan / tilt drive section 17 for driving the position of an image pickup section (not shown), which operate according to a command from the control means 15. Reference numeral 30 denotes a general-purpose Internet network such as the Internet. In this embodiment, the imaging unit is a separate body, but the imaging unit may be integrated.

  Further, 80 is a client computer device, 81 is an interface that can transmit and receive according to the protocol between the Internet network 30 such as the Internet and the image communication device 10, 82 is a browser program, an OS program, etc. Or a memory such as a ROM or RAM that is used as a primary memory as a work memory, and 83 is used to display image data generated by a browser program or image data transmitted from the image communication apparatus 10. A display unit such as a CRT or LCD, 84 is an input unit used to input the address of a terminal or server that accesses the displayed browser means, and 85 is a control unit that controls the entire computer device 80.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the portable wireless terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  60 is a radio communication terminal, 61 is an antenna used for transmitting and receiving radio signals for radio communication with the base station 50, and 62 is a radio signal for demodulating the received radio signal or transmitting it to the base station A wireless transmission / reception unit 63 that modulates to a storage unit 63 stores an operation program of the wireless communication terminal 60, information set by the user (phone book, incoming call notification method, setting values of other functions that can be freely set by the user), and the like , 64 is a dial number for calling, a call time, a display unit used to display visual information according to display information data transmitted when accessing the network, 65 is an input of a dial number, and is input to a telephone directory An input unit 66 for inputting to operate according to the content included in the display information data (Html file) transmitted from the network A control unit for controlling the entire line communication terminal 60.

  The operation of the image communication apparatus configured as described above will be described below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 showing the operation of the image communication apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  When a request signal is transmitted from the computer apparatus 80 or the wireless communication terminal 60 to the image communication apparatus 10 via the Internet network 30, the image communication apparatus 10 receives this request signal via the interface 14, and first requests this request. It is determined by the determination means 16 whether the signal is a pan / tilt request (Step 1). When the determination unit 16 determines that the request signal is a request for pan / tilt (a request to move the imaging position of the imaging unit in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction), the control unit 15 confirms whether the pan / tilt operation is being performed at this time. However, if the pan / tilt operation is being performed, the end of the pan / tilt operation is waited while waiting for a predetermined time until the operation is completed (Step 3). When the pan / tilt operation being performed at the time of receiving the pan / tilt operation is completed, the pan / tilt operation is started in accordance with the received pan / tilt command (Step 4). When the pan / tilt operation ends (Steps 5 and 6), the pan / tilt operation completion notification is transmitted as an Html file to the computer device 80 or the like that has requested pan / tilt, and the computer device 80 that has received the Html file receives the Html file. The “pan / tilt operation completion notification” is displayed on the display unit 83 or the like. Accordingly, the user of the computer device 80 can know that the operation of the image communication device 10 based on the pan / tilt operation request instructed by the user has been completed.

  Similarly, when the received request signal is a brightness adjustment request (Step 8), if the brightness adjustment is performed at the time of reception, wait until it is finished (Steps 9 and 10). The brightness adjustment (Steps 11 to 13) is performed in accordance with the brightness adjustment request, and when the brightness adjustment is completed, “brightness adjustment completion notification” is transmitted as an Html file to the computer device 80 or the like that has requested the brightness adjustment (Step 14). ).

  If the reception request signal is a moving image request (Step 15), image data captured by the imaging unit is acquired by the image input means 11 (Step 16) until communication is disconnected (Step 18). After a predetermined compression process by the data generation means 12, the image is sequentially transmitted to the computer device 80 or the like that transmitted the request signal via the network (Step 17). When the communication is disconnected (for example, when the computer device is released from the network or the power is turned off), the communication is completed and the image transmission is stopped (Step 19).

  When the reception request signal is a transmission request for a frame image (Html file) (this request indicates that only the port 80 is designated), a predetermined character code (here, “mobile” is included in the request signal). Is determined by the determination means 16 (Step 20). The predetermined character code is not limited as long as it can be received and recognized according to the communication protocol between the computer device and the image communication device. In the present embodiment, the data part of the IP packet addressed to the image communication apparatus 10 transmitted from the computer apparatus 80 or the like contains “Get” followed by the character code, and the determination means 16 receives the HTTP request. It is determined whether or not this “Mobile” has been detected in accordance with the header method “GET” (Step 21). If it is determined that the character code “Mobile” has been detected, the first html file, which is the first display information data, is extracted from the display information data storage unit 13a, and the request signal is sent to the transmission source device. The first html file is transmitted (Step 22). On the other hand, if it is determined that the character code “Mobile” cannot be detected, the second html file, which is the second display information data, is extracted from the display information data storage unit 13a, and a request signal is sent to the transmission source device. The second Html file is transmitted (Step 23).

  Here, in the first html file, a request to select and send a compression format with a resolution of 320 × 240 pixels and an image quality as a motion priority (rough image quality and high compression ratio) is described in a cgi description format. Yes. For example, <REF = “Http://AAA.co.jp/Mobile-Quality=Low&Size=320×240”> is described in the source of the Html file. When this Html file is received, the image is read according to this description. A still image data request signal is transmitted to the communication device 10. The image communication apparatus 10 accessed in accordance with this description takes out the Quality argument Low and the Size argument 320 × 240 according to the cgi program “Mobile”, and the image data generation means 12 compresses the image according to the contents, thereby generating image data. Is done. In the second html file, a request to select and send a compression format with a resolution of 620 × 480 pixels and an image quality priority (image quality is good, but compression ratio is low) is described in a cgi description format. Yes. For example, <REF = “Http://AAA.co.jp/Mobile-Quality=High&Size=620×480”> is described in the source of the Html file, and image communication is performed according to this description when this file is received. A still image data request signal is transmitted to the apparatus 10. The image communication apparatus 10 accessed according to this description takes out the Quality argument High and the Size argument 620 × 480 according to the cgi program “Mobile”, and the image data generation means 12 compresses the image according to the contents to generate image data. Is done.

  Specifically, when the reception request signal is a still image request, that is, when there is an operation request for a cgi program “Mobile” (Step 24), the control means 15 is operating the pan / tilt operation or brightness adjustment operation. If it is in operation (if the received request signal includes an operation request such as pan / tilt, etc., it is also considered to be in operation), it will remain stationary until this operation is stopped. It waits without transmitting the image (Step 26). When the pan / tilt operation or the like is completed, or when the pan / tilt operation or the like is not performed when the request signal is received (Step 25), the cgi Quality and Size arguments in the received request signal are extracted (Step 27). The image data generation means 12 generates compressed image data of a still image according to the argument, and transmits the generated compressed image data to the apparatus that has transmitted the still image request signal (Step 28).

  Therefore, even when the data transmission speed between the wireless communication terminal 60 and the base station 50 is low, when acquiring a still image from the image communication device 10, the data amount is automatically reduced by simply adding Mobile characters to the URL. Still image data is selected, and it is possible to quickly receive still image data transmitted from the image communication apparatus 10 to the display unit. On the other hand, in the case of a device that can be immediately received with respect to data reception of a capacity equivalent to still image data, such as a computer device 80 connected directly to a network or connected to a large-capacity communication line such as ADSL, By requesting the image communication apparatus 10 without adding the word “Mobile” to the URL, it is possible to automatically receive still image data having a resolution and image quality suitable for a general computer apparatus. Note that access from the wireless communication terminal 60 is <http: // AAA. co. jp / Mobile> is input to the URL input field of the browser screen displayed on the display unit 64 by the browser 66a via the input unit 65, so that the browser means sends "AAA." to the DNS server (not shown). co.jp "is inquired, and the obtained IP address is added to the header portion of the IP packet with the obtained IP address as the destination, and" Get http://AAA.co.jp/Mobile HTTP / 1.0 " This is performed by putting the IP packet in the data portion and transmitting it to the image communication apparatus 10 having the destination IP address.

  When the reception request signal is a still image cycle request (Step 29), and when the signal is received and the pan / tilt operation or the brightness adjustment operation is being performed (Step 30), the image data transmission interval is set to 1 second. The period information (a new html file including a description requesting transmission of still image data every 1 second) is transmitted together with the image data so as to shorten the image data. Only (Steps 31, 32, 33). With this operation, when the pan / tilt operation is being performed, a change in the operation can be easily known, and the image communication apparatus 10 can be operated. That is, when the pan / tilt request is transmitted simultaneously with the image cycle request from the client device connected to the network, the image transmission interval is automatically shortened based on the cycle information transmitted from the image communication device 10. Can be grasped immediately. On the other hand, in other cases, the cycle of image transmission is long. Therefore, in this way, image data is always transmitted sequentially when it is desired to view the image, and when there is no need to view the image, there is an interval for receiving the image data, which is bothersome. There is no.

  Next, the display and operation of the wireless communication terminal 60 when the first html file is received will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the appearance of the wireless communication terminal 60 and the display content of the display unit in one embodiment of the present invention. When the first html file is received, the browser means 66a of the wireless communication terminal 60 displays a screen according to the contents described in the first html file. Still image data transmitted from the image communication apparatus 10 is displayed in the portion 3a, and character data described in the first Html file is displayed in the portion 3b. The user of the wireless communication device 10 wirelessly presses the input means 4 that is a dial key to request the pan / tilt operation of the imaging unit of the image communication device 10 and move to the preset position according to the content displayed on 3b. Various request commands to the communication device 10 can be transmitted. Specifically, when the dial key 4 is pressed, a signal requesting that the imaging unit pan to the right side and a signal requesting still image transmission are transmitted to the image communication apparatus 10 according to the description of the Html file. When the dial key 4 is pressed, the information requests a signal for requesting the operation of the imaging unit and a signal for requesting still image transmission at a preset position and a still image transmission according to the description of the HTML file. A signal is transmitted to the image communication apparatus 10.

  As described above, the image communication apparatus 10 described in the embodiment of the present invention inputs predetermined character information as a URL even if it is a wireless terminal apparatus that has a low communication speed and is difficult to receive large-capacity data. In this case, when a still image is obtained from the image communication apparatus 10, still image data with a small amount of data is automatically selected, and the still image data transmitted from the image communication apparatus 10 is quickly received on the display unit. Is possible. In addition, a wireless terminal device such as a cellular phone device has a mechanism in which an infrastructure provider charges for each IP packet when connecting to a network such as the Internet. When accessing the image communication device 10, image data with a small amount of data is stored. Since only one sheet (set number) is transmitted, image data is not received more than necessary and there is no need to be charged unnecessarily, which is excellent in convenience. In addition, the pan / tilt operation, the preset operation, the update operation, and the like can be easily performed by an input unit such as a dial key of the wireless terminal device, so that operability is excellent.

  Further, when pan / tilt control is performed using a dial key based on the first html file transmitted to the wireless terminal device, a still image request is embedded in the IP packet and transmitted together with the pan / tilt request command to the image communication device. When receiving this, the image communication apparatus first performs a pan / tilt operation in accordance with the pan / tilt request, and after the pan / tilt operation is finished, compresses the image data from the imaging unit and transmits the image data. A data request and a pan / tilt operation request can be separated as respective request signals, and the processing of each request signal is facilitated.

  On the other hand, in the case of a device that can receive data about a still image data amount immediately, such as a computer device connected directly to a network or connected to a large-capacity communication line such as ADSL, By requesting the image communication apparatus without adding the word “Mobile”, still image data having a resolution and image quality suitable for a general computer apparatus can be automatically received.

  The present invention can be applied to an image communication apparatus that transmits captured images at a predetermined cycle.

The block diagram of the image communication apparatus system in one embodiment of this invention 1 is a configuration diagram of an image communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram of a portable wireless terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the image communication apparatus in one embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the image communication apparatus in one embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the external appearance of the wireless terminal device in one embodiment of this invention, and the display content of a display part

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image communication apparatus 11 Image input means 12 Image data generation means 13 Memory 13a Display information data storage part 13b User setting information storage part 14 Interface 15 Control means 16 Judgment means 20 Public telephone line network 30 Internet network 40 ISP
50 base station 60 wireless communication terminal 70 wireless terminal device 80 computer device

Claims (1)

Imaging means for imaging a subject;
Communication means for transmitting the captured image to the client device in a predetermined cycle based on access from the client client device;
When there is an instruction from the client device to change the brightness of the captured image in the middle of the predetermined period,
An image communication apparatus comprising: control means for transmitting to the communication means an image whose brightness has been changed before the predetermined period has elapsed.

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