Surveillance camera system

A camera transmits a DECT registration request including DECT camera information. A controller stores the DECT camera information and transmits a DECT registration response including DECT controller information. The camera stores the DECT controller information and transmits a wireless LAN registration request including wireless LAN camera information. The controller stores the wireless LAN camera information and transmits a wireless LAN registration response including wireless LAN controller information. The camera stores the wireless LAN controller information.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a surveillance camera system that inputs and outputs data with a camera.

2. Description of the Related Art

A surveillance camera system that monitors intruders who have entered the premises in a house is known. For example, the surveillance camera system is described in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2007-323533. In addition, a surveillance camera system in which a camera and a controller perform wireless communication has also been devised.

However, there has not been disclosed a surveillance camera system that allows a camera and a controller to perform wireless communication using any one of a plurality of communication methods.

SUMMARY

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a surveillance camera system that allows a camera and a controller performing wireless communication by using any one of a plurality of communication methods having different bandwidths to easily set and register all communication methods. A surveillance camera system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a surveillance camera that performs imaging and generates image data and a controller that receives and displays image data from the surveillance camera and controls the surveillance camera, in which the surveillance camera and the controller perform wireless communication by any one of a plurality of communication methods having different bandwidths, the controller performs registration processing of the surveillance camera using a first communication method, and in the registration processing, exchange of first information for connection by the first communication method and second information for connection by a second communication method is performed with the surveillance camera. In addition, a surveillance camera system according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a surveillance camera that performs imaging and generates image data and a controller that receives and displays image data from the surveillance camera and controls the surveillance camera, in which the surveillance camera and the controller perform wireless communication by any one of a plurality of communication methods having different bandwidths, the surveillance camera measures environmental values indicating an environment of a bandwidth of each communication method, determines a communication method to be used for communication with the controller based on each of the environmental values, and transmits image data to the controller according to the determined communication method.

According to the present disclosure, a camera and a controller that perform wireless communication using any one of a plurality of communication methods having different bandwidths may easily perform setting registration for all communication methods. In addition, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily select an optimum communication method from a plurality of communication methods having different bandwidths.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to drawings as appropriate. However, detailed explanation may be omitted more than necessary. For example, there are cases where a detailed description of well-known matters and redundant description on substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is for avoiding unnecessary redundancy of the following description and facilitating understanding by those skilled in the art.

The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the claimed subject matters.

System Configuration

FIG. 1is a diagram showing a system configuration of surveillance camera system1according to a first exemplary embodiment. Surveillance camera system1is mainly installed in a house and consists of one controller10and one or a plurality of cameras20.

Controller10performs processing for registering each camera20at the timing of receiving a connection request from each camera20. Details of the registration processing of camera20by controller10will be described later.

Controller10performs wireless communication with each of registered cameras20using one of the communication methods (1) a method conforming to a wireless local area network (LAN) standard using a 5 GHz bandwidth (hereinafter, referred to as “5 G wireless LAN method”), (2) a method conforming to the wireless LAN standard using a 2.4 GHz bandwidth (hereinafter, referred to as “2.4 G wireless LAN method”), and (3) a method conforming to the digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT) standard using a 1.9 GHz bandwidth (hereinafter, referred to as “DECT method”). Wireless LAN has higher throughput than DECT, and may transmit and receive a lot of data per unit time. However, DECT has higher interference resistance than wireless LAN. In addition, in the wireless LAN, using the 5 GHz bandwidth has higher throughput than using the 2.4 GHz band, and it is possible to transmit and receive a lot of data per unit time. However, using the 2.4 GHz bandwidth has better interference resistance than using the 5 GHz band.

Then, controller10receives image data from each camera20and displays the image data on a screen. At this time, controller10displays the image data received using the 5 G wireless LAN method in a screen mode of full high definition (HD) (resolution 1920×1080 pixels). In addition, controller10displays the image data received using the 2.4 G wireless LAN method in a screen mode of HD (resolution 1280×720 pixels). In addition, controller10displays the image data received using the DECT method in a screen mode of video graphics array (VGA) (resolution 640×480 pixels).

In addition, controller10transmits control data to each of cameras20and controls operations (data rate, pan, tilt, light, shutter, filter, and other operations of the cameras) of each camera20or the operations of various sensor devices included in each camera20. Controller10has a call function (microphone and speaker) and may transmit and receive audio data to and from each camera20.

In addition, controller10may perform wireless communication with in-home smartphone30(portable terminal) by using a wireless LAN. In addition, controller10may perform wireless communication with outside smartphone50(portable terminal) connected to public network40such as the Internet.

Each camera20captures an image by using a predetermined condition as a trigger and transmits image data to controller10by using any one communication method of the 5 G wireless LAN method, the 2.4 G wireless LAN method, and the DECT method. Each camera20has a call function (microphone and speaker) and may transmit and receive audio data to and from controller10. In addition, each of cameras20may be a part of another device such as an entrance slave device of a door phone or a doorbell.

Smartphones30and50may receive the image data captured by cameras20via controller10and display the data on a screen. In addition, smartphones30and50may control the operations of each camera20via controller10.

Internal Configuration of Controller

FIG. 2is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of controller10. Controller10includes control unit101, memory102, display103, operator104, 5 G wireless LAN communication I/F unit105, 2.4 G wireless LAN communication I/F unit106, DECT communication I/F unit107. InFIG. 2, illustration of the interface (I/F) portion for communication with smartphones30and50is omitted.

Control unit101receives an instruction of a user by an input operation of operator104of the user and controls each unit in controller10and each camera20based on the instruction of the user.

In addition, control unit101performs registration processing on camera20for which a connection request has been made and stores various types of information on each of registered cameras20in memory102.

In addition, control unit101inputs the image data captured by each camera20from an interface unit (any one of 5 G wireless LAN communication I/F unit105, 2.4 G wireless LAN communication I/F unit106, and DECT communication I/F unit107) corresponding to the communication bandwidth selected by camera20. Control unit101displays the input image data on display103and stores the image data in memory102.

5 G wireless LAN communication I/F unit105performs wireless communication with camera20by using the 5 G wireless LAN method. 2.4 G wireless LAN communication I/F unit106performs wireless communication with camera20by using the 2.4 G wireless LAN method. DECT communication I/F unit107performs wireless communication with camera20by using the DECT method.

Internal Configuration of Camera

FIG. 3is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of camera20. Camera20includes sensor201, control unit202, memory203, imaging unit204, image processor205, 5 G wireless LAN communication I/F unit206, 2.4 G wireless LAN communication I/F unit207, DECT communication I/F unit208. Camera20may include a plurality of sensors201.

Sensor201is a human sensor that senses changes in temperature, sound, movement, infrared ray, ultrasonic wave, visible light, illuminance, and the like to detect the location of a person (a person has entered the premises in a house). Sensor201outputs a detection signal indicating that the location of the person has been detected to control unit202.

Control unit202controls each unit in camera20based on a control signal input from controller10.

In addition, in a case of receiving an imaging start instruction from controller10or inputting a detection signal from sensor201, control unit202instructs imaging unit204to start imaging.

In addition, control unit202measures numerical values (hereinafter, referred to as “environmental values”) indicating the environment of each bandwidth and determines a communication method to be used for transmitting the image data based on the environmental values. Control unit202causes the interface unit (5 G wireless LAN communication I/F unit206, 2.4 G wireless LAN communication I/F unit207, and DECT communication I/F unit208) corresponding to the determined communication method (band) to transmit the image data obtained by image processor205. The processing flow from the selection of a communication bandwidth to the transmission of image data by camera20(control unit202) will be described later.

Memory203stores various types of information of camera20.

Imaging unit204includes a lens, an imaging element (for example, an image sensor such as a charged coupled device (CCD), or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)). Imaging unit204performs imaging according to an instruction of control unit202and outputs a captured frame image to image processor205.

Image processor205performs A/D conversion processing on the frame image output from imaging unit204and further performs various image processing such as white balance processing or y processing to obtain image data.

5 G wireless LAN communication I/F unit206performs wireless communication with controller10by using the 5 G wireless LAN method. 2.4 G wireless LAN communication I/F unit207performs wireless communication with controller10by using the 2.4 G wireless LAN method. DECT communication I/F unit208performs wireless communication with controller10by using the DECT method.

Registration Processing

Next, the registration processing of camera20by controller10will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 4. It is assumed that 5 G wireless LAN communication I/F unit105, 2.4 G wireless LAN communication I/F unit106, and DECT communication I/F unit107of controller10are activated as the premise of the registration processing.

First, after camera20is powered on, camera20activates DECT communication I/F unit208and transmits a connection request including an ID of camera20(hereinafter, referred to as “camera ID”) to controller10(ST101). When receiving a connection request, controller10stores the camera ID and transmits an authentication request including the camera ID and an ID of controller10(hereinafter, referred to as “controller ID”) to camera20(ST102).

When receiving the authentication request, camera20stores the controller ID and transmits an authentication response including the camera ID and the controller ID to controller10(ST103). When receiving the authentication response, controller10performs authentication processing, and when the authentication succeeds, controller10transmits an authentication completion including the camera ID and the controller ID to camera20(ST104).

When receiving the authentication completion, camera20transmits a DECT registration request including DECT camera information, which is information necessary for DECT communication with camera20, to controller10(ST105). When receiving the DECT registration request, controller10stores the DECT camera information and transmits a DECT registration response including the DECT controller information, which is information necessary for the DECT communication with controller10, to camera20(ST106).

When receiving the DECT registration response, camera20stores DECT controller information and transmits a wireless LAN registration request including wireless LAN camera information, which is information necessary for wireless LAN communication with camera20, to controller10(ST107). Upon receiving the wireless LAN registration request, controller10stores wireless LAN camera information and transmits a wireless LAN registration response including wireless LAN controller information, which is information necessary for wireless LAN communication with controller10, to camera20(ST108). When receiving the wireless LAN registration response, camera20stores the wireless LAN controller information.

As a result, information necessary for DECT communication and information necessary for wireless LAN communication may be exchanged between controller10and camera20. The information necessary for wireless LAN communication includes SSID security type, security key, MAC address, communication type, and the like.

By the steps of ST101to ST108, registration processing of camera20by controller10is completed. As a result, the wireless LAN communication may be started between controller10and camera20.

As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, in a relatively simple DECT registration processing, information necessary for wireless LAN communication may be exchanged and wireless LAN setting registration may also be performed.

State Transition

Next, the state transition from the completion of the registration processing of camera20to image transmission will be described with reference toFIG. 5.

Camera20performs the “registration processing” described above with controller10(ST201), and when “registration processing” is completed, camera20transitions to “bandwidth selection” for selecting a bandwidth used for communication with controller10(ST202). A specific processing flow in the “bandwidth selection” of camera20will be described later.

When “bandwidth selection” is completed, camera20transitions to “standby” preparing for communication with controller10(ST203). Camera20measures environmental values in a “standby” state and transitions to “bandwidth selection” when the environment changes (ST202). A specific processing flow in “standby” of camera20will be described later.

When “standby” is completed, camera20transitions to “activation processing” for performing communication establishment with controller10(ST204). In a case where communication with controller10may not be established in the “activation processing” and the “activation processing” fails, camera20transitions to “bandwidth selection” (ST202).

When the “activation processing” is successful and communication with controller10is established, camera20transitions to “image transmission” for transmitting image data to controller10(ST205). When “image transmission” is completed, camera20transitions to “standby” (ST203). In addition, camera20measures environmental values in “image transmission” state and transitions to “bandwidth selection” when the environment changes (ST202). A specific processing flow in “image transmission” of camera20will be described later.

Bandwidth Selection

Next, a processing flow in the bandwidth selection state of camera20will be described with reference toFIGS. 6, 7, and 8.

After the registration processing, in the “bandwidth selection” state, camera20activates 5 G wireless LAN communication I/F unit206and enable wireless LAN communication using the 5 GHz bandwidth (ST301) to measure environmental values in the 5 GHz bandwidth (in this example, packet error rate, electric field intensity (received signal strength indicator (RSSI)) (ST302).

Next, camera20activates 2.4 G wireless LAN communication I/F unit207and enable wireless LAN communication using the 2.4 GHz bandwidth (ST303) to measure environmental values in the 2.4 GHz bandwidth (ST304).

Next, camera20activates DECT communication I/F unit208and enables the DECT communication using the 1.9 GHz bandwidth (ST305) to measure environmental values in the 1.9 GHz bandwidth (ST306).

Next, camera20performs weight calculation for each bandwidth and calculates the weight sum of each bandwidth (ST307). A specific example of the weight calculation will be described later.

Next, camera20determines the order of the bandwidth to be selected based on the weight sum of each bandwidth (ST308). More specifically, camera20selects a bandwidth in descending order of weight sum.

In a case where the bandwidth selected first by camera20in ST308is the 5 GHz bandwidth (ST311: NO, ST312: YES), the flow proceeds to ST313. In addition, in a case where the bandwidth selected first by camera20is 2.4 GHz bandwidth (ST311: NO, ST312: NO), the flow proceeds to ST317. In addition, in a case where the bandwidth selected first by camera20is 1.9 GHz bandwidth (ST311: YES), the flow proceeds to ST331.

In ST313, camera20activates 5 G wireless LAN communication I/F unit206so as to enable wireless LAN communication using the 5 GHz band.

Then, in a case where the wireless LAN connection in the 5 GHz bandwidth is successful (ST314: YES) and the electric field intensity is equal to or higher than a threshold (hereinafter, referred to as “5 G first threshold”) necessary for communication in the 5 GHz bandwidth and the packet error rate is smaller than a threshold (hereinafter, referred to as “5 G second threshold”) necessary for communication in the 5 GHz bandwidth (ST315: NO), camera20finally determines the wireless LAN communication in the 5 GHz bandwidth and transitions to the “standby” state.

On the other hand, in a case where camera20fails in the 5 GHz bandwidth wireless LAN connection (ST314: NO) or the electric field intensity is smaller than the 5 G first threshold or the packet error rate is equal to or higher than the 5 G second threshold (ST314: YES, ST315: YES), the flow proceeds to ST316.

In ST316, in a case where the bandwidth selected next by camera20in ST308is the 2.4 GHz bandwidth (ST316: YES), the flow proceeds to ST317. In addition, in a case where the next selected bandwidth of camera20is the 1.9 GHz bandwidth (ST316: NO), the flow proceeds to ST331.

In ST317, camera20activates 2.4 G wireless LAN communication I/F unit207so as to enable wireless LAN communication using the 2.4 GHz band.

Then, in a case where the wireless LAN connection in the 2.4 GHz bandwidth is successful (ST318: YES) and the electric field intensity is equal to or higher than a threshold (hereinafter, referred to as “2.4 G first threshold”) necessary for communication in the 2.4 GHz bandwidth and the packet error rate is smaller than a threshold (hereinafter, referred to as “2.4 G second threshold”) necessary for communication in the 2.4 GHz bandwidth (ST319: NO), camera20finally determines the wireless LAN communication in the 2.4 GHz bandwidth and transitions to the “standby” state.

On the other hand, in a case where camera20fails in the 2.4 GHz bandwidth wireless LAN connection (ST318: NO) or the electric field intensity is smaller than the 2.4 G first threshold or the packet error rate is equal to or higher than the 2.4 G second threshold (ST318: YES, ST319: YES), the flow proceeds to ST320.

In ST320, in a case where the bandwidth selected next by camera20in ST308is the 5 GHz bandwidth (ST320: YES), the flow proceeds to ST313. In addition, in a case where the bandwidth selected next by camera20is 1.9 GHz bandwidth (ST320: NO), the flow proceeds to ST331.

In ST331, camera20activates DECT communication I/F unit208so as to enable the DECT communication using the 1.9 GHz band.

Then, in a case where the DECT connection in the 1.9 GHz bandwidth is successful (ST332: YES) and the electric field intensity is equal to or higher than a threshold (hereinafter, referred to as “DECT first threshold”) necessary for the DECT communication, and the packet error rate is smaller than a threshold (hereinafter, referred to as “DECT second threshold”) necessary for the DECT communication (ST333: NO), camera20finally determines the DECT communication in the 1.9 GHz bandwidth and transitions to the “standby” state.

On the other hand, in a case where camera20fails in DECT connection in the 1.9 GHz bandwidth (ST332: NO) or the electric field intensity is smaller than the DECT first threshold or the packet error rate is equal to or higher than the DECT second threshold (ST332: YES, ST333: YES), the flow proceeds to ST334.

In ST334, in a case where the bandwidth selected next by camera20in ST308is the 5 GHz bandwidth (ST334: YES), the flow proceeds to ST313. In addition, in a case where the next selected bandwidth of camera20is 2.4 GHz bandwidth (ST334: NO), the flow proceeds to ST317.

As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to easily select an optimum communication method based on the environmental values of each bandwidth by measuring the environmental values of the bandwidth of each communication method.

Standby

Next, a processing flow in the standby state of camera20will be described with reference toFIG. 9.

When receiving a beacon from controller10(ST401), camera20measures the environmental values of the selected bandwidth (ST402).

Then, in a case where the electric field intensity is equal to or higher than the first threshold (5 G first threshold, 2.4 G first threshold, DECT first threshold) necessary for the selected bandwidth and the packet error rate is less than the second threshold (5 G second threshold, 2.4 G second threshold, DECT second threshold) necessary for the selected bandwidth (ST403: NO), camera20performs the determination of ST404.

On the other hand, in a case where the electric field intensity is smaller than the first threshold or the packet error rate is equal to or higher than the second threshold (ST403: YES), camera20transitions to the “bandwidth selection” state.

In ST404, in a case where an imaging start instruction is received from controller10or a detection signal is input from sensor201(ST404: YES), camera20transitions to the “activation processing” state.

On the other hand, in ST404, in a case where the imaging start instruction is not received from controller10and the detection signal is not input from sensor201(ST404: NO), camera20sets a timer for starting the standby processing to activate (ST405).

When the state is maintained until the timer expires (ST405: NO) and the timer expires (ST406: YES), the flow returns to ST402.

Image Transmission

Next, a processing flow in a state of image transmission by camera20will be described with reference toFIG. 10.

When camera20transitions from the “activation state” to an “image transmission” state, camera20starts transmitting the image data to controller10according to the selected bandwidth (ST501).

Thereafter, camera20measures environmental values of the selected bandwidth (ST502).

In a case where the electric field intensity is equal to or higher than the first threshold and the packet error rate is smaller than the second threshold (ST503: NO), camera20sets to activate a timer for starting image transmission processing (ST504).

On the other hand, in a case where the electric field intensity is smaller than the first threshold or the packet error rate is equal to or higher than the second threshold (ST503: YES), camera20transitions to the “bandwidth selection” state.

After the ST504, when the image transmission is ended (ST505: YES), camera20transitions to the “standby” state.

When the state is maintained until the timer expires (ST506: NO) and the timer expires (ST506: YES), the flow returns to ST502.

Weight Calculation

Next, a specific example of the weight calculation in ST307will be described with reference toFIGS. 11A and 11B. As shown inFIGS. 11A and 11B, for each communication method (wireless LAN and DECT), camera20stores a weight table in which weighting coefficients are associated with allocated channels and the peripheral channels thereof, in memory203.

Control unit202calculates the weight sum of each bandwidth by multiplying and adding the weighting coefficient of each channel by the received power of the interference wave for each communication method.

Effects

As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, in a relatively simple DECT registration processing, information necessary for wireless LAN communication may be exchanged and wireless LAN setting registration may also be performed. Therefore, the cameras and the controllers that perform wireless communication using any one of a plurality of communication methods having different bandwidths may easily perform setting registration for all communication methods.

In addition, according to the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to easily select an optimum communication method from a plurality of communication methods having different bandwidths by measuring environmental values of the bandwidth of each communication method and selecting a communication method based on the environmental values of each band.

While various exemplary embodiments have been described with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. Within the category described in the claims, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changed examples or modification examples may be conceived, and it should be understood that such modifications naturally belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.

For example, controller10of the above exemplary embodiment may be referred to as an access point.

In addition, in the above exemplary embodiment, the case where camera20selects a bandwidth in descending order of the weight sum has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto and a bandwidth may be selected based on other criteria. For example, a bandwidth may be selected in the order of the bandwidths having higher throughput of the communication method from the bandwidths in which the environmental values satisfy a predetermined criterion.

The present invention is suitable for use in a surveillance camera system for monitoring an intruder who has entered a premise in a house.