Patent Publication Number: US-2005140783-A1

Title: Surveillance camera and surveillance camera system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a surveillance camera. More particularly, the present invention relates to a surveillance camera for transmitting image data to a remote surveillance apparatus. Also, the present invention relates to a surveillance camera system having such surveillance camera and such remote surveillance apparatus, in which image data taken with the surveillance camera is transmitted to the remote surveillance apparatus.  
      2. Background Information  
      Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 10-285585 discloses a surveillance camera that is to be disposed outdoors, wherein the installation position of the surveillance camera is identified by using a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal transmitted from a satellite, and the installation position is output as position data together with pictures. When pictures and position data are received by a remote surveillance camera apparatus, the picture signal and position data are separated, an icon screen showing the orientation of the surveillance camera is created, and the picture, map information, and surveillance camera information are output to the monitor.  
      With this surveillance camera, map information indicating the installation position of each camera can be viewed together with the pictures. Therefore, when monitoring pictures from a plurality of surveillance cameras, it is easy to identify which picture corresponds to which location.  
      With the surveillance camera apparatus of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 10-285585, the position data representing the installation position is received using GPS signals when the surveillance cameras are installed outdoors. When the surveillance cameras need to be installed indoors, however, a GPS signal cannot be received. Therefore, the installation position cannot be identified using a GPS signal. For instance, when the surveillance camera is moved from one indoor room to another it is impossible to identify the room in which the surveillance camera is installed, since a GPS signal cannot be received by the surveillance camera.  
      It is possible to consider providing a Bluetooth or wireless LAN access point in each room and installing a Bluetooth or LAN terminal in the surveillance camera in order to allow the installation position of the surveillance camera to be identified. However, since the radio waves pass through the walls between rooms, the electric field strength varies depending on various factors such as the wall materials. Thus, it is difficult to accurately identify the installation position of the surveillance camera. Also, when it is necessary to distinguish between rooms on different floors, it is even more difficult to determine the installation position.  
      In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved surveillance camera system that overcomes the problems of the conventional art. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      An object of the present invention is to provide a surveillance camera that automatically identifies the optimal orientation when the installation position of the surveillance camera is moved between rooms indoors.  
      The surveillance camera according to the first aspect of the present invention is configured to receive an infrared signal from an infrared beacon and transmit image data to a remote surveillance apparatus. The surveillance camera includes an image capturing portion configured to capture image and create image data; an infrared receiver configured to receive an infrared signal containing current position data from the infrared beacon; a picture combining portion configured to combine the current position data contained in the infrared signal with the image data created by the image capturing portion; and a transmitter configured to transmit the combined data of the image data and the current position data to the surveillance apparatus.  
      With this surveillance camera, the infrared light transmitted from the infrared beacon disposed in each room does not pass through walls between rooms, but the surveillance camera can receive an infrared signal only from the infrared beacon disposed in the room in which the surveillance camera is disposed. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain accurate position data (in other words, the room in which the surveillance camera is disposed). The current position data is combined with the picture and is outputted, so image data containing the position data can be displayed on the surveillance apparatus.  
      In the surveillance camera according to the second aspect of the present invention, the surveillance camera according to the first aspect of the present invention, and further has a memory configured to store at least one optimal orientation data, the optimal orientation data corresponding to predetermined position data; an orientation sensor configured to obtain current orientation data of the surveillance camera; a control portion operatively coupled to the memory, the orientation sensor, and the infrared receiver and configured to retrieve from the memory the optimal orientation data that corresponds to the current position data and compare the current orientation data with the retrieved optimal orientation data; and an indicator unit operatively coupled to the control portion and configured to indicate whether the current orientation of the surveillance camera is the optimal orientation.  
      When the surveillance camera is to be installed in a predetermined installation position, the user can be informed that the surveillance camera is in an optimal orientation in the predetermined installation position. In other words, when the surveillance camera is installed in the optimal position and orientation for obtaining the best view, the user is notified of it through the indicator that, for instance, emits light. Thus, the user does not check the screen on the surveillance apparatus to adjust the orientation of the surveillance camera, and the surveillance camera can be easily disposed in the position and orientation that enable the best view in the room.  
      In the surveillance camera according to the third aspect of the present invention, the surveillance camera according to the first aspect of the present invention wherein the control portion is further configured to assume a security mode, and control the transmitter to transmit a theft notification signal to the surveillance apparatus if the current position changes or the infrared receiver fails to receive an infrared signal from the infrared beacon while the security mode is assumed.  
      With this surveillance camera, the infrared signal for transmitting current position data is used to enable a theft prevention procedure, which allows a theft signal to be transmitted to the surveillance apparatus as a theft prevention alarm. Therefore, a theft prevention function can be easily included.  
      In the surveillance camera according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the surveillance camera according to any of the first through third aspects of the present invention further has a GPS receiver configured to receive a GPS signal containing current position data from a satellite positioning system. The picture combining portion is configured to combine the current position data contained in the infrared signal or the GPS signal with the image data obtained by the image capturing portion.  
      With this surveillance camera, the installation position (the room in which a surveillance camera is disposed) can be identified by an infrared signal from an infrared beacon when the surveillance camera is installed indoors, and the installation position can be identified with a GPS signal when the surveillance camera is disposed outdoors.  
      In the surveillance camera according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the theft signal transmission device in the surveillance camera according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the control portion is further configured to assume a security mode, and control the transmitter to transmit a theft notification signal to the surveillance apparatus if the current position changes while the security mode is assumed.  
      With this surveillance camera, the GPS signal for transmitting current position data is used to enable a theft signal to be transmitted to the surveillance apparatus as a theft prevention alarm. Therefore, a theft prevention function can be easily included.  
      The surveillance camera system according to the sixth aspect of the present invention has a plurality of infrared beacons adapted to be disposed in different rooms and configured to send an infrared signal; a surveillance camera; and a surveillance apparatus configured to receive the combined data of the image data and the current position data from the surveillance camera. The surveillance camera includes an image capturing portion configured to capture image and create image data, an infrared receiver configured to receive the infrared signal from the infrared beacon, the infrared signal containing current position data of the surveillance camera, a picture combining portion configured to combine the position data contained in the infrared signal with the image data created by the image capturing portion, and a transmitter configured to transmit the combined data of the image data and the current position data to the surveillance apparatus.  
      With this surveillance camera, since the infrared light transmitted from the infrared beacons disposed in different rooms does not pass through walls between the rooms, the surveillance camera can receive infrared signals solely from the infrared beacon that is disposed in the room in which the surveillance camera is installed. Therefore, accurate current position data (the room in which the surveillance camera is disposed) can be obtained. The current position data is combined with the picture and is outputted. Therefore, an image data containing the position data can be displayed on the surveillance apparatus.  
      In the surveillance camera system according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the theft signal transmission device in the surveillance camera system according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, wherein the infrared receiver is further configured to send a position data request signal to the infrared beacon to request the infrared signal containing the current position data.  
      The surveillance camera according to the eighth aspect of the present invention has image capturing means for capturing image and creating image data; infrared receiving means for receiving an infrared signal from the infrared beacon, the infrared signal containing current position data of the surveillance camera; GPS receiving means for receiving a GPS signal from the satellite positioning system, the GPS signal containing current position data of the surveillance camera; picture combining means for combining position data contained in the infrared signal or the GPS signal with the imaged data created by the image capturing means; transmitting means for transmitting the combined data of the image data and the current position data to the surveillance apparatus; memory means for storing at least one optimal orientation data, the optimal orientation data corresponding to predetermined position data; an orientation sensor configured to obtain current orientation data of the surveillance camera; control means for retrieving the optimal orientation data that corresponds to the current position data and comparing the current orientation data with the retrieved optimal orientation data; and a light-emitting indicator unit operatively coupled to the control means and configured to indicate whether the current orientation of the surveillance camera is the optimal orientation by emitting light.  
      These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic structural diagram of the surveillance camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a schematic structural diagram of an infrared beacon in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a schematic structural diagram of a surveillance camera in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 4  is a schematic structural diagram of a surveillance apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram describing imaging by a surveillance camera in a child&#39;s room in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 6  is an example of an image screen shown at the surveillance apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart of the position data receiving routine in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart of the orientation data receiving routine in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart of the imaging capturing routine in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 10  is an example of data configuration for optimal orientation of the surveillance camera in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic structural diagram of the surveillance camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The surveillance camera system has a plurality of infrared beacons  200 , a surveillance camera  100  that obtains position data from the infrared beacon  200  and captures images to create picture signals, and a surveillance apparatus  400  for receiving picture signals combined with position data from the surveillance camera  100 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , one infrared beacon  200  is installed in each room, such as a child&#39;s room, the kitchen, office, and the living room. The installation position  300 , at which a surveillance camera  100  is to be installed, is preconfigured for each room. However, if there is no need to predetermine the best—position and orientation, which will be described below, in any particular room, there is no need to pre-configure the installation position  300  for that room.  
      As seen in  FIG. 2 , each of the infrared beacon  200  has an infrared transceiver unit  201 , a control circuit  202 , and a memory  203 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . When the infrared beacon  200  receives a transmit request signal from the surveillance camera  100 , the infrared beacon  200  transmits the position data to the surveillance camera  100 . Position data such as the name of the room (child&#39;s room, kitchen, office, living room) in which the infrared beacon  200  is placed is stored in the memory  203  of the infrared beacon  200  in a text format. The control circuit  202  is operatively coupled to the infrared transceiver  201  and the memory  203 , such that the control circuit  202  can selectively control and access any of the components of the infrared beacon  200 . The infrared transceiver unit  201  transmits and receives infrared signals from the surveillance camera  100 . When the infrared transceiver unit  201  receives an infrared signal containing a transmit request from the surveillance camera  100 , the transmit request is sent to the control circuit  202 . When the control circuit  202  receives a transmit request from the infrared transceiver unit  201 , the control circuit  202  reads the position data from the memory  203  and send the current position data to the infrared transceiver unit  201 . When the position data from the control circuit  202  is received, the infrared transceiver unit  201  creates an infrared signal that contains the current position data and sends the infrared signal to the surveillance camera  100 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 3 , the surveillance camera  100  has an imaging lens  101  (an example of the image capturing portion), an image processing circuit  102 , a picture combining circuit  103 , a transceiver circuit  104 , a control circuit  105 , a memory  106 , an infrared transceiver unit  107 , a magnetic orientation sensor  108 , and a GPS receiver  109 . The control circuit  105  is operatively coupled to the various components of the surveillance camera  100  so as to be able to selectively control and access any of these components.  
      The image processing circuit  102  generates a picture signal from the picture captured through the image lens  101 . For instance, the image processing circuit  102  converts the picture into an electric signal (picture signal) by using a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or another imaging element, for example. The picture combining circuit  103  combines the picture signal outputted from the image processing circuit  102  and the position data outputted from the control circuit  105 , and creates a combined signal that combines the picture signal with the position data. The transceiver circuit  104  transmits the combined signal to the surveillance apparatus  400 . The transmission from the transceiver circuit  104  to the surveillance apparatus  400  can be based on a wireless LAN, a wireless telephone line or other known wireless radio wave, or based on a wired or wireless local area network (Ethernet (IEEE 802.3), for example). Although the position data is combined with the picture signal and sent to the surveillance apparatus  400  here, the position data can be sent to the surveillance apparatus  400  separately from the picture signal and combined with the picture signal at the surveillance apparatus  400 .  
      The memory  106  stores the current position data obtained through the control circuit  105 , as well as the optimal orientation of the surveillance camera  100  for each room, which is the orientation in which the picture can be best obtained (best shot picture) when the surveillance camera  100  is placed at the installation position  300 . The optimal orientation is preconfigured for each indoor room, as shown in  FIG. 10 . The user sets the optimal orientation of the surveillance camera  100  in each room in advance. Also, when the surveillance camera  100  is to be placed outdoors and the position at which the surveillance camera  100  is to be placed is already known, the user pre-configures the optimal orientation at the outdoor installation position and stores the optimal orientation in the memory  106  so as to be associated with the outdoor installation position.  
      The infrared transceiver unit  107  transmits and receives infrared signals to and from the infrared beacon  200 . The infrared transceiver unit  107  transmits to the infrared beacon  200  a position data transmit request sent from the control circuit  105 , receives an infrared signal that contains position data from the infrared beacon  200 , and transmits the position data to the control circuit  105 .  
      The magnetic orientation sensor  108  detects the orientation of the main body of the surveillance camera  100 , creates orientation data, and outputs the detected orientation data to the control circuit  105 . The GPS receiver  109  receives a GPS signal from the satellite positioning system (GPS) and transmits the detected GPS signal to the control circuit  105 . An indicator  110  is provided on the outside wall of the main body of the surveillance camera  100 , and is lighted in response to the signal sent from the control circuit  105 .  
      The control circuit  105  sends a position data transmit request at predetermined time intervals to the infrared transceiver unit  107  and the GPS receiver  109 , and obtains the position data by receiving an infrared signal or a GPS signal. The position data contained in the infrared signal is location information in text format that indicates the name of each room, and the position data contained in the GPS signal is the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the installation position of the surveillance camera  100 .  
      The control circuit  105  outputs to the picture combining circuit  103  the position data contained in the infrared signal or the GPS signal and the current orientation data of the surveillance camera  100  obtained from the magnetic orientation sensor  108 . In the picture combining circuit  103 , the position data and the orientation data are combined with the picture signal output from the image processing circuit  102 , and the combined picture signal in which the position data and orientation are combined is transmitted to the surveillance apparatus  400  through the transceiver circuit  104 .  
      The control circuit  105  retrieves from the memory  106  the optimal orientation of the surveillance camera  100  that corresponds to the position data contained in the infrared signal or GPS signal, and determines whether the current orientation of the surveillance camera  100  obtained from the magnetic orientation sensor  108  matches the optimal orientation. The control circuit  105  outputs a light-up signal to the indicator  110  when the current orientation matches the optimal orientation, and the indicator  110  lights up.  
      Also, the control circuit  105  receives a configuration for a security mode, by which the movement of the surveillance camera  100  is restricted. When the surveillance camera  100  is moved while the security mode is activated, the control circuit  105  transmits a theft signal to the surveillance apparatus  400 , indicating that the surveillance camera  100  is being stolen. Such theft signal is transmitted particularly when the surveillance camera  100  is moved out of the area of the infrared signal reception and reception of the infrared signal is cut off, when the position data contained in the infrared signal has changed to indicate that the surveillance camera  100  is in another room; when the GPS signal is dropped because of the surveillance camera  100  moving out of the GPS reception area, or when the position data contained in the GPS signal has changed.  
      Referring to  FIG. 4 , the surveillance apparatus  400  is installed in the same house or building in which the surveillance camera  100  is located, or outside the house or building. The surveillance apparatus  400  has a transceiver circuit  401 , a display control circuit  402 , a control circuit  403 , and a monitor  404 . The control circuit  403  is operatively coupled to the transceiver circuit  401  and the display control circuit  402  so as to be able to selectively control and access any of the components in the surveillance apparatus  400 . The transceiver circuit  401  transmits and receives data from the surveillance camera  100  through a wireless telephone line or another wireless channel, or a wired or wireless local area network (Ethernet, for example). When the display control circuit  402  receives a combined picture signal that includes the position data and the orientation data in the transceiver circuit  401 , the combined picture signal is processed and outputted to the monitor  404 . The control circuit  403  controls the transceiver circuit  401  and the display control circuit  402 .  
      Operation  
       FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram depicting the image-capturing by a surveillance camera  100  in a child&#39;s room. When the user places the surveillance camera  100  in a predetermined installation position  300  with an installation pedestal  500  and turns on the surveillance camera  100 , the surveillance camera  100  sends a position data transmit request to the infrared beacon  200  and obtains position data from the infrared beacon  200 . When the position data is obtained, the optimal orientation of the surveillance camera  100  that corresponds to the position data is retrieved from the internal memory  106  of the surveillance camera  100 . Here, the optimal orientation is the orientation (for instance, northeast for child&#39;s room, in the case of the example shown in  FIG. 10 ) of the surveillance that allows the surveillance  100  to best capture the picture of the room. Then, the orientation of the main body of the surveillance camera  100  is compared with the optimal orientation (northeast). Accordingly, the user adjusts the orientation of the surveillance camera  100 . When the orientation of the main body of the surveillance camera  100  matches the optimal orientation, the indicator  110  lights up, and the user fixedly installs surveillance camera  100  so as to assume the optimal orientation.  
      The installation pedestal  500  is fixedly installed at the installation position  300  in each room in advance, such that the surveillance camera  100  can be fixedly installed on the installation position  300  by merely coupling the surveillance camera  100  to the installation pedestal  500 .  
      In this manner, when the image capturing is started by the surveillance camera  100 , the best view of the child&#39;s room is obtained by the lens  101  and the image processing circuit  102 . Also, the position data obtained from the infrared beacon  200  and the orientation data from the magnetic orientation sensor  108  are combined with the picture signal and transmitted to the surveillance apparatus  400 .  
      When the surveillance apparatus  400  receives the combined picture signal including the position data, the surveillance apparatus  400  displays a screen such as the one in  FIG. 6  on the monitor  404 . The position data “Image location: Childs&#39; room” and the orientation data “Orientation: Northeast” are displayed on the screen along with the image captured by the lens  101  and the image processing circuit  102 .  
      When the surveillance camera  100  is thereafter moved to the kitchen and fixedly installed at the installation position while assuming the optimal orientation, the surveillance camera  100  receives the position data from the infrared beacon  200  located in the kitchen, obtains the new orientation data from the magnetic orientation sensor  108 , combines the position data and the orientation with the picture signal, and transmits the combined picture signal to the surveillance apparatus  400 . The position data “Image location: Kitchen” and the orientation data “Orientation: Northwest” (in the example shown in  FIG. 10 ) are displayed together with the best viewed image of the kitchen on the monitor  404  of the surveillance apparatus  400 .  
      On the other hand, when the surveillance camera  100  is disposed outdoors, a GPS signal is received from the satellite positioning system, the position data (latitude, longitude, and altitude) is obtained, the orientation data is received from the magnetic orientation sensor  108 . The orientation data and the position data (latitude, longitude, and altitude) are combined with the picture signal and transmitted to the surveillance apparatus  400 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 7-9 , various routines of the surveillance camera  100  will now be explained. The control circuit  105  of the surveillance camera  100  performs the position data receiving routine shown in  FIG. 7  every predetermined period of time. The duration of the predetermined period time can be, for instance, shorter than one minute, or longer than several minutes. The surveillance camera  100  obtains its current position data through the position data receiving routine. An orientation data receiving routine shown in  FIG. 8  and an image capturing routine shown in  FIG. 9  are concurrently performed after the position data receiving routine, also every predetermined period of time, using the current position data obtained in the position data receiving routine.  
      Position Data Receiving Routine  
      The position data receiving routine in the surveillance camera  100  is described below with reference to  FIG. 7 . In the example of the position data receiving routine shown in  FIG. 7 , the surveillance camera  100  also performs the theft prevention function. When the surveillance camera  100  is fixedly coupled to the installation pedestal  500  on the installation position  300  of the child&#39;s room, for example, the processes in steps S 12  to S 19  are repeated every predetermined period of time. In step S 12 , the position data transmit request is transmitted from the surveillance camera  100  to the infrared beacon  200 . Then, the control circuit  105  determines whether an infrared signal has been received in step S 13 . If an infrared signal has been received, the position data is obtained in step S 15  from the infrared signal received from the infrared beacon  200 . When, on the other hand, an infrared signal is not received in step S 13 , the control circuit  105  determines whether a GPS signal has been received in step S 14 . If a GPS signal has been received, the position data is obtained from the GPS signal in step S 115 .  
      In the following steps S 16 -S 19 , the circuit control  105  performs the theft prevention function by determining whether the surveillance camera  100  has been moved to a different position or to outside the signal reception area of the infrared beacon  200  or the GPS satellite. In step S 16 , it is determined if the security mode is on. If it is on, the circuit control  105  determines in step S 18  whether the current position data has changed since the last-obtained position data. If the current position data did change, the circuit control  105  proceeds to step S 19  and transmits a theft signal to the surveillance apparatus  400 . If the security mode is not on in step S 15  or if the current position data did not change in step S 18 , then the circuit control  105  returns to step S 12 , and transmits a position data transmit request to the infrared beacon  200  after the predetermined period of time has passed since the last position data transmit request.  
      If a GPS signal is not received in step S 14 , the circuit control  105  proceeds to step S 17 , and determines whether the security mode is on. If the security mode is on, the circuit control  105  proceeds to step S 19  and transmits the theft signal to the surveillance apparatus  400 . If the security mode is not on in step S 17 , then the circuit control  105  returns to step S 12 , and transmits a position data transmit request to the infrared beacon  200  after the predetermined period of time has passed since the last position data transmit request.  
      The steps S 12  to S 19  described above are repeated every predetermined period of time. The most recent position data is used for the orienting data receiving routine and the image capturing routine described above.  
      Here, a transmit request is sent from the surveillance camera  100  to the infrared beacon  200  and the GPS satellite every predetermined period of time to obtain the position data. However, if the infrared beacon  200  or the GPS satellite is configured to transmit the position data every predetermined period of time, the surveillance camera  100  does not need to send a transmit request to the infrared beacon  200 .  
      Orientation Data Receiving Routine  
      The orientation data receiving routine by which the indicator  110  emits light is described below with reference to  FIG. 8 . In this routine, the steps S 21  to S 25  described below are repeated every predetermined period of time, after the position data receiving routine described above. In step S 21 , the optimal orientation (for example northeast, which is the orientation of the best view of the child&#39;s room), which corresponds to the position data that was obtained during the position data receiving routine, is retrieved from the memory  106 . In step S 22 , the current orientation data of the surveillance camera  100  is obtained from the magnetic orientation sensor  108 . Then, in step S 23 , the control circuit  105  determines whether the current orientation matches the optimal orientation. If the current orientation does not match the optimal orientation, the indicator  110  remains OFF (step S 25 ), and the control circuit  105  returns to step S 21 . In other words, when the current orientation is not the optimal orientation, the indicator  110  is switched off if it is on, and if the indicator  110  is already off, the indicator  110  remains off. On the other hand, when the current orientation is the optimal orientation, the indicator  110  is switched on if it is off, and if the indicator  110  is on it is kept on. Then, the control circuit  105  returns to step S 21 .  
      Image Capturing Routine  
      Concurrently with the orientation data receiving routine shown in  FIG. 8 , the control circuit  105  of the surveillance camera  100  performs an image capturing routine described below and shown in  FIG. 9 . In step S 31 , the surveillance camera  100  starts capturing images and creates a picture signal. Then, the current orientation data is obtained from magnetic orientation sensor  108  in step S 32 . Thereafter, using the current position data that has been obtained in the position data receiving routine, the control circuit  105  in step S 33  combines with the picture signal the current position data and the current orientation data. Then, the combined picture signal that includes the current position data and the current orientation data is transmitted to the surveillance apparatus  400  in step S 34 . In the surveillance apparatus  400 , the combined picture signal is displayed on the monitor  404 .  
      When the surveillance camera  100  is situated indoors in accordance with the present invention, the infrared signal transmitted from the infrared beacon  200  disposed in each room does not pass through walls and reach other rooms. Thus, only the infrared signal from the infrared beacon  200  disposed in the room can be received by the surveillance camera  100 . Therefore, accurate position data of the room in which the surveillance camera is disposed can be obtained. When, on the other hand, the surveillance camera  100  is disposed outdoors, accurate position data can be obtained from the GPS signal. Also, the position data is outputted after being combined with the picture and. Therefore, a picture containing the position data can be displayed at the surveillance apparatus  400 .  
      Also, when the surveillance camera  100  is placed in the installation position that is preconfigured for each room, or the outdoor installation position  300  that is preconfigured in an outdoor area, the user can ascertain that the surveillance camera  100  is disposed in the optimal position and orientation for the best view, by referring to the indicator  110  that indicates whether the surveillance camera  100  is positioned in the optimal orientation at the installation position  300 . Therefore, the user does not have to check the monitor of the surveillance apparatus  400  when he adjusts the position and the orientation of the surveillance camera  100  to ensure that the surveillance camera  100  has the best view. Thus, the surveillance camera  100  can be easily disposed in the position and orientation that provide the best view.  
      Also in this embodiment, a theft signal is transmitted as a theft prevention alarm using the infrared signal or GPS signal for transmitting position data. Therefore, a theft prevention function can be easily performed.  
     Other Embodiments  
      In the above described embodiments, the name of each room is sent in a text format from the infrared beacon  200  to the surveillance camera  100 , but it is also possible to employ an arrangement in which the latitude, longitude, and altitude of each room are stored in the infrared beacon  200  in a text format in advance. In that case; the latitude, longitude, and altitude of each room, instead of the name of the room, are combined with the picture signal by the surveillance camera  100 ; and the latitude, longitude, and altitude of each room are displayed on the monitor  404  of the surveillance apparatus  400  as the image location. Also, the latitude, longitude, and altitude of each room may be associated with the text data of the name of the room and stored in the surveillance camera  100  in advance; such that the latitude, longitude, and altitude of each room can be converted to the name of each room and combined with the picture signal. In this case, the name of the room is displayed on the monitor  404  of the surveillance apparatus  400  as the image location in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.  
      As used herein, the following directional terms “forward, rearward, above, downward, vertical, horizontal, below and transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those directions of a device equipped with the present invention. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the present invention should be interpreted relative to a device equipped with the present invention.  
      In accordance with the present invention, a surveillance camera that automatically obtains an installation position can be provided even when the surveillance camera is moved between indoor rooms.  
      The term “configured” as used herein to describe a component, section or part of a device includes hardware and/or software that is constructed and/or programmed to carry out the desired function.  
      Moreover, terms that are expressed as “means-plus function” in the claims should include any structure that can be utilized to carry out the function of that part of the present invention.  
      The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of at least ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.  
      This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-430884. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-430884 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.  
      While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Thus, the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.