JP5635253B2 - Network camera - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a network camera, and more particularly to a network camera capable of browsing a captured video on a network.

  A digital camera having a function of directly connecting to a network (hereinafter referred to as “network camera”) is known. In Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-172872), as an example of such a network camera, a camera that photographs a plant, a sensor that measures an environmental state where the plant is arranged, a camera and a sensor In a system having an apparatus main body having a Web server function for transmitting each information to a network, it is described that image information taken by a camera and environmental information measured by a sensor can be viewed on a specific site provided by the apparatus main body. Has been.

JP 2004-172872 A

  By the way, sites that provide services for users to share moving images on a network (hereinafter referred to as “moving image sharing sites”) are known. Users can enjoy sharing videos with other users by uploading videos taken by themselves or downloading and viewing videos uploaded by others via the video sharing site.

  Such video sharing sites are gaining popularity as a tool that makes it easy to share videos between users, and even network camera owners browse video captured by network cameras on video sharing sites. There is a need to share with friends.

  However, when the network camera described in Patent Document 1 described above is applied, it is configured to browse the video captured by the camera on a specific site provided by the apparatus main body. It is difficult to browse on any desired video sharing site.

  Thus, for example, there is a method in which the owner of the network camera copies the video captured by the network camera to a personal computer or the like, and uploads the video from the personal computer to a desired video sharing site, as with other digital cameras. Conceivable.

  However, the owner of the network camera often uses the network camera in order to confirm the subject to be photographed from a remote place in real time, for example, in order to confirm in real time the state of a pet who is away. Therefore, it is difficult for an owner at a remote location to copy the video from the network camera to the personal computer in real time and upload it to the video sharing site. Also, requesting such an operation from the owner of the network camera is not preferable because it reduces the convenience of the network camera in that the state of the remote place can be confirmed in real time.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a network camera that can automatically upload video captured by the network camera to a predetermined site desired by a user on the network.

  The present invention is a network camera that can be connected to a network, and includes photographing means for photographing a subject, acceptance means for accepting reservation information for photographing by the photographing means, and reservation information for storing reservation information accepted by the acceptance means Storage means; reservation execution means for notifying the photographing means of a photographing instruction based on the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage means; and the photographing means based on the photographing instruction notified from the reservation execution means. And uploading means for automatically uploading the video (image) taken by the camera to a predetermined site via the network.

  The reservation information received by the reception unit includes a start date / time and an end date / time of shooting, and further includes a measurement unit that measures the current date / time, and the reservation execution unit includes: a start date / time of shooting included in the reservation information; Based on the end date and time and the measurement date and time measured by the measuring means, the photographing means is notified of an instruction to start photographing and an instruction to end photographing, respectively.

  The accepting means accepts the reservation information transmitted from a terminal device connected via the network.

  When uploading of the video (image) photographed by the photographing unit to the predetermined site is normally completed by the uploading unit, a message indicating the normal completion is transmitted to the terminal device connected via the network. It is characterized by.

  The upload unit uploads a video (image) taken by the photographing unit in accordance with a specification defined by the predetermined site.

  The present invention is also established as a method for controlling a network camera connectable to a network. The network camera includes a camera for photographing a subject, reservation information storage means for storing reservation information, and measurement means for measuring the current date and time, and the control method determines the start date and end date and time of shooting by the camera. A step of receiving reservation information, a step of storing the received reservation information in the reservation information storage unit, a shooting start date and time included in the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit, and the measuring unit The step of notifying the camera of an instruction to start shooting based on the measurement date and time measured by the step, the shooting end date and time included in the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit, and the measurement unit Based on the measured date and time, a step of notifying the camera of an instruction to end shooting, and on the basis of the notified instruction, An image serial camera captured (image), and a step of automatically uploaded to a predetermined site via the network.

  The present invention is also realized as a program. The program includes a network camera including a camera that captures a subject, a reservation information storage unit that stores reservation information, and a measurement unit that measures the current date and time. , A step of storing the received reservation information in the reservation information storage unit, a shooting start date and time included in the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit, and the measurement unit A step of notifying the camera of an instruction to start shooting based on the measured date and time, an end date and time of shooting included in the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit, and the measurement unit A step of notifying the camera of an instruction to end shooting based on the measurement date and time; Video camera is captured (image), the steps of automatically uploaded to a predetermined site via the network, to the execution.

  The program of the present invention can be installed or loaded on a computer by downloading it through various recording media such as an optical disk such as a CD-ROM, a magnetic disk, or a semiconductor memory, or via a communication network. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a network camera capable of automatically uploading an image captured by the network camera to a predetermined site desired by a user on the network.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a network camera system. It is a figure which shows an example of a data structure of reservation data. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a recording reservation and upload process. It is a figure which shows an example of a video recording reservation screen.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same element and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

[Schematic configuration of network camera system]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network camera system according to the present embodiment. This network camera system includes a network camera 10, a terminal device 20, and a moving image sharing server 30, and is configured by being connected to each other via a network N (including wired and wireless).

  The network camera 10 has a function of automatically uploading moving image data captured based on reservation information designated by the user to an external moving image sharing server 30. The network camera 10 includes a CPU, a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, an external storage device that stores various types of information, an input interface, an output interface, a communication interface, and a bus connecting them. For example, the CPU is a memory or an external storage device By executing a predetermined program stored in the above, it functions as a Web server, and also functions as function realizing means described later.

  The network camera 10 mainly includes a main control unit 100, a communication unit 101, a photographing unit 102, a user registration unit 103, a date and time measurement unit 104, a reservation reception unit 105, a reservation execution unit 106, a storage unit 107, and an upload unit 112. Although not shown, the network camera 10 includes voice input / output means such as speakers, microphones, and earphones that control voice input / output, and input means such as switches, buttons, and a keyboard. Further, the means included in the network camera 10 is not limited to these, and various means included in the conventional network camera can be provided.

  The main control unit 100 controls the entire operation of the network camera 10 and the operation of each unit. The communication unit 101 is an interface for transmitting and receiving predetermined information by communicating with the terminal device 20 and the moving image sharing server 30 via the network N.

  The photographing unit 102 is a digital camera having a function of photographing a subject. For example, the subject is imaged by a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) image sensor, and A / D conversion processing, image processing, and the like are appropriately performed on the imaging result. Thus, moving image data is generated. In the present embodiment, the case where the data handled by the photographing unit 102 is a moving image is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a still image may be used.

  The user registration unit 103 has a function of receiving user information and registering it in the user data 108. The user registration unit 103 can accept user information transmitted from the terminal device 20 via the network N and user information input via an input interface provided in the network camera 10. The user information will be described later.

  The date / time measuring means 104 is a clock having a function of measuring the current date / time (year / month / day and time).

  The reservation receiving unit 105 has a function of receiving reservation information for shooting by the shooting unit 102 and a function of storing the received reservation information in the reservation data 109. The reservation accepting unit 105 can accept reservation information transmitted from the terminal device 20 via the network N and reservation information input via an input interface (not shown) included in the network camera 10. As will be described later, the reservation information includes at least a reservation date and time for specifying the shooting start date and time and the shooting end date and time. Furthermore, you may include the information which designates the video sharing site used as an upload destination.

  The reservation execution unit 106 has a function of notifying the shooting unit 102 of a shooting instruction based on reservation information stored in the reservation data 109. For example, the timing of the start of shooting and the end of shooting is determined based on the reservation date and time specifying the start date and time and the end date and time of the shooting included in the reservation information, and the measurement date and time measured by the date and time measuring means 104. In response to this, the photographing unit 102 is notified of a photographing start instruction and a photographing end instruction. Further, when shooting based on the reservation information is completed, the upload unit 112 is notified of this.

  The storage unit 107 is a storage device mainly including user data 108, reservation data 109, moving image data 110, upload destination data 111, and the like. The user data 108 is storage means for storing user information regarding the user, and the data structure is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the user data 108 is for uniquely identifying the network camera 10. Identification information (for example, camera ID) and identification information for uniquely identifying the user's terminal device 20 (for example, if the terminal device is a mobile phone, the terminal ID or telephone number registered in the SIM card) Etc.), a password (password), an e-mail address and the like are stored in association with each other. The user information can be registered, for example, when user registration is performed from the terminal device 20, but may be registered via an input interface (not shown) included in the network camera 10.

  The reservation data 109 is storage means for storing reservation information related to the shooting reservation of the network camera, and its data structure is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. Reservation date and time (date, start time, end time) for specifying the shooting end date and time, site ID, video ID for specifying the video that was reserved for shooting, completion information indicating whether or not uploading has been completed, and the like are stored in association with each other. . The site ID stores identification information for uniquely identifying a video sharing site for uploading a shot video, and when a plurality of video sharing sites are available, identification information specified by the user is stored. Is done. If an upload destination is designated in advance, information regarding the designated upload destination is stored. Further, the reservation information is not limited to that shown in the figure, and other items can be added according to the specifications. For example, when various types of information (name, tag, comment, etc.) given to the uploaded video are specified by the user, these pieces of information may be stored.

  The moving image data 110 is a storage unit that stores moving image data shot by the shooting unit 102. The data structure of the moving image data 110 is not particularly limited. For example, the moving image data 110 identifies moving image data that identifies moving image data, moving image data, imaging date and time, and the like. Store with attachments.

  The upload destination data 111 is storage means for storing upload destination information for uploading a shot video to the video sharing site, and the data structure is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. The site ID, IP address, upload specification, etc. of the video sharing site are stored in association with each other. The upload specification stores specifications (moving image format, size, etc.) prescribed by the video sharing site for uploading, and here, a pointer to the specification file is stored.

  The upload unit 112 has a function of automatically uploading the video shot by the shooting unit 102 based on the shooting instruction notified from the reservation execution unit 106 to an external video sharing site via the network N. That is, the upload unit 112 uploads a captured video in accordance with the specification prescribed by the specified upload destination video sharing site. Specifically, convert the video file format that was shot to a video file format that can be supported by the video sharing site, if necessary. It has a function to compress so that. Further, it may have a function of editing a captured moving image in accordance with a moving image specification (for example, resolution, bit rate, frame rate, codec) optimum for reproduction on a moving image sharing site. Furthermore, the upload unit 112 includes a module for uploading the captured video according to an upload procedure prescribed by the video sharing site. If the video sharing site provides an uploader, the provided uploader may be used.

  Further, the upload unit 112 determines whether or not the upload of the video to the video sharing site is normally completed in response to a response from the video sharing site. N has a function of transmitting to the terminal device 20 connected via N. The successful completion may include location information (URL) for viewing the video on the video sharing site, and is sent as an e-mail addressed to the e-mail address stored in the user data 108, for example. Is done.

  The terminal device 20 is a terminal device that can communicate with a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a personal computer, and other network cameras. The terminal device 20 can function as a Web client with respect to the network camera 10, and has a function of inputting reservation information of the network camera, a function of transmitting and receiving mail, and a function of accessing the video sharing server 30 and browsing a video. Etc.

  Although not shown, the terminal device 20 is a CPU that functions as a control means for controlling processing and operation of the terminal device, a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, an external storage device that stores various information, an input interface, and an output interface. A dedicated or general-purpose device including a communication interface and a bus connecting them can be applied. Although one terminal device 20 is illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of terminal devices 20 can be connected to the network camera 10 according to the usage mode.

  The moving image sharing server 30 has a function of accepting uploading and downloading of moving images via the network N, and includes a CPU, a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, an external storage device for storing various information, an input interface, an output interface, and a communication interface. In addition, a dedicated or general-purpose server computer including a bus connecting them can be applied.

  The network N is a line for transmitting and receiving information among the network camera 10, the terminal device 20, and the moving image sharing server 30. The network N may be, for example, the Internet, a dedicated line, a packet communication network, a telephone line, a LAN, a corporate network, other communication lines, a combination thereof, or the like. Regardless, it may be via a gateway.

[Flow of reservation processing and upload processing]
With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the reservation and upload processing according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of reservation and upload processing according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the terminal device in the reservation and upload processing according to the present embodiment.

  Note that each processing step shown in FIG. 3 can be executed in any order or in parallel as long as the processing contents do not contradict each other, and other steps may be added between the processing steps. . Further, a step described as one step for convenience can be executed by being divided into a plurality of steps, while a step described as being divided into a plurality of steps for convenience can be grasped as one step.

  It is assumed that the terminal device 20 has registered user information in the user data 108 of the network camera 10 by user registration processing. For example, when the IP address of the network camera 10 is input, the terminal device 20 accesses the network camera 10 via the network N and transmits a recording reservation request (S200). Note that recording reservation has the same meaning as imaging reservation.

  When receiving a recording reservation request transmitted from the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 101 (S201), the reservation receiving unit 105 of the network camera 10 transmits a recording reservation menu screen G1 to the terminal device 20 (S202).

  Upon receiving the recording reservation menu screen G1 transmitted from the network camera 10 (S203), the terminal device 20 displays it on the display of the terminal device 20.

  In FIG. 4A, an example of the recording reservation menu screen G1 is displayed. As shown in the figure, the recording reservation menu screen G1 is configured so that the user can arbitrarily input a video upload destination (video sharing site), a shooting date, a shooting start time, and a shooting time (specified in units of 5 minutes). Has been. The terminal device 20 accepts an input of reservation information in accordance with the user's operation. When the user inputs a transmission instruction by pressing a “reservation” button, for example, the terminal device 20 transmits the input reservation information to the network camera 10 (S204). ).

  When receiving the reservation information via the communication unit 101, the reservation receiving unit 105 of the network camera 10 attaches a reservation ID and stores it in the reservation data 109 (S205) (see FIG. 2). In addition, a notification that the reservation information has been received is sent back to the terminal device 20 (S205).

  When the terminal device 20 receives the notification that the reservation information has been received, the terminal device 20 displays this on the screen (S206). In FIG. 4B, an example of a screen G2 displayed on the terminal device 20 “Reservation of recording received ...” is displayed.

  On the other hand, the reservation execution unit 106 of the network camera 10 acquires the current date and time measured from the date and time measurement unit 104 at predetermined intervals, and the acquired current date and time is included in the reservation information stored in the reservation data 108. It is determined whether or not it substantially coincides with the shooting start date and time. When it is determined that they substantially coincide (= shooting start) (S207; Yes), the shooting unit 102 is instructed to start shooting (S208). When the photographing unit 102 receives an instruction to start photographing from the reservation execution unit 106, the photographing unit 102 starts photographing (recording).

  The reservation execution unit 106 acquires the measured current date and time from the date and time measurement unit 104 at predetermined intervals, and the acquired current date and time substantially matches the shooting end date and time included in the reservation information stored in the reservation data 108. When it is determined that they are substantially coincident (= end of shooting) (S209; Yes), the shooting unit 102 is instructed to end shooting (S210). Upon receiving an instruction to end shooting from the reservation execution unit 106, the shooting unit 102 ends shooting, assigns a moving image ID to the captured moving image data, and stores it in the moving image data 110. To that effect, the reservation execution unit 106 Notify

  When the reservation execution unit 106 receives a notification that the shooting has been completed, the reservation execution unit 106 determines that the upload is possible (S212; Yes), and instructs the upload unit 112 to upload the captured video.

  When the upload unit 112 receives an upload instruction for a video shot from the reservation execution unit 106, the upload unit 112 specifies the upload destination from the reservation data 109, reads the IP address and specifications of the upload destination specified from the upload destination data 110, and When the corresponding moving image data is read from the data 110, it is edited into moving image data according to the specifications of the upload destination as necessary, and then uploaded to the upload destination moving image sharing server 30 via the communication means 101 (S213).

  When the video sharing server 30 receives the video data uploaded from the network camera 10, the video sharing server 30 stores the video data in a predetermined database (S 214). When the upload is completed, the video sharing server 30 transmits an upload completion notification to the network camera 10 ( S215).

  Upon receiving the upload completion notification transmitted from the video sharing server 30, the upload unit 112 of the network camera 10 creates an upload completion report email including the storage location of the video data, and the email address stored in the user data 108 Is designated as a destination and transmitted (S216). The reservation data 109 stores that the upload has been completed normally.

  When the terminal device 20 receives the upload completion report mail transmitted from the upload unit 112, the terminal device 20 displays it on the display (S217). In FIG. 4C, an example of the upload completion report mail screen G3 displayed on the terminal device 20 is displayed. For example, the user can browse the moving image data captured by the network camera 10 on the moving image sharing site by selecting the URL displayed on the upload completion report mail screen G3.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a network camera that can automatically upload an image captured by the network camera to a predetermined site desired by a user on the network.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, since reservation of the network camera can be input from the terminal device 20, even when the user is in a remote place, it can be easily performed at a desired timing. Convenience is improved more.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the video shot by the network camera is uploaded to the video sharing site on the network, so that a user other than the owner of the network camera can easily view the video. Become.

[Other Embodiments]
In this specification and the like, the means does not simply mean a physical means, but includes a case where the functions of the means are realized by software. Further, the function of one means may be realized by two or more physical means, or the functions of two or more means may be realized by one physical means.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. For this reason, the said embodiment is only a mere illustration in all points, and is not interpreted limitedly.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a reserved video is uploaded to one video sharing site. However, the video may be uploaded to a plurality of video sharing sites. In this case, the reservation information received by the reservation receiving unit 105 includes a plurality of upload destinations, and the upload unit 112 uploads each captured video data to the plurality of upload destinations included in the reservation information. Can do.

  In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the moving image shot by the shooting unit 102 is stored in the moving image data 110, and the uploading unit 112 reads and uploads the moving image from the moving image data 110. The video may be directly uploaded to the video sharing site.

10 network camera 20 terminal device 30 video sharing server 100 main control means 101 communication means 102 photographing means 103 user registration means 104 date and time measurement means 105 reservation acceptance means 106 reservation execution means 107 storage means 108 user data 109 reservation data 110 video data 111 upload Destination data 112 upload means N network

Claims (7)

A network camera connectable to the network,
Photographing means for photographing the subject;
Receiving means for receiving reservation information for photographing by the photographing means;
Reservation information storage means for storing reservation information received by the reception means;
Reservation execution means for notifying the photographing means of a photographing instruction based on reservation information stored in the reservation information storage means;
Uploading means for uploading video shot by the shooting means to at least one of a plurality of video sharing sites via the network based on the shooting instruction notified from the reservation execution means; ,
The reservation information includes a site ID for identifying a specific video sharing site,
The upload unit uploads the video shot by the shooting unit based on the reservation information to the specific video sharing site specified according to the site ID.
A network camera characterized by that. The reservation information received by the receiving means includes the start date and time and the end date and time of shooting,
It further comprises a measuring means for measuring the current date and time,
The reservation execution means
An imaging start instruction and an imaging end instruction are respectively notified to the imaging unit based on the imaging start date and end date and time and the measurement date and time measured by the measuring unit included in the reservation information. The network camera according to claim 1. The accepting means is
The network camera according to claim 1, wherein the reservation information transmitted from a terminal device connected via the network is received.   When uploading of the video imaged by the imaging unit to the specific video sharing site is normally completed by the uploading unit, a message indicating the normal completion is transmitted to the terminal device connected via the network. The network camera according to claim 3, wherein The upload means
5. The network camera according to claim 1, wherein the video imaged by the imaging unit is uploaded in accordance with a specification defined by the specific video sharing site. A method for controlling a network camera connectable to a network,
The network camera includes a camera for photographing a subject, reservation information storage means for storing reservation information including a start ID and end date and time of shooting by the camera, and a site ID for identifying a specific video sharing site, and a current date and time Measuring means for measuring
Receiving the reservation information;
Storing the received reservation information in the reservation information storage means;
Informing the camera of an instruction to start shooting based on the shooting start date and time included in the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit and the measurement date and time measured by the measurement unit;
Informing the camera of an instruction to end shooting based on the shooting end date and time included in the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit and the measurement date and time measured by the measuring unit;
Uploading video captured by the camera based on the reservation information based on the notified instruction to at least one of a plurality of video sharing sites via the network, and
The uploading step uploads the video captured by the camera based on the reservation information to the specific video sharing site designated according to the site ID.
A control method for a network camera. A camera for photographing the subject, a reservation information storage means for storing reservation information including the start date and time and the end date and time of shooting by the camera and a site ID for identifying a specific video sharing site, and measurement for measuring the current date and time A network camera comprising means,
Receiving the reservation information;
Storing the received reservation information in the reservation information storage means;
Informing the camera of an instruction to start shooting based on the shooting start date and time included in the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit and the measurement date and time measured by the measurement unit;
Informing the camera of an instruction to end shooting based on the shooting end date and time included in the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit and the measurement date and time measured by the measuring unit;
Uploading video captured by the camera based on the reservation information based on the notified instruction to at least one of a plurality of video sharing sites via the network;
A program for executing
The uploading step uploads the video captured by the camera based on the reservation information to the specific video sharing site designated according to the site ID.
A program characterized by that.

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