Patent Publication Number: US-2011063449-A1

Title: Surveillance camera device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a surveillance camera device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a surveillance camera device capable of photographing subjects around the surveillance camera device by sequentially scanning the surveillance region in a line unit. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     The security and surveillance system has become more important because the protection and surveillance for the human resources and technical resources are increasingly required as the modern society is rapidly changed. For example, security cameras are installed at the ceiling or walls of banks or public buildings that require the security to photograph and record persons of improper behavior, thereby preventing the accident or the crime in advance. Data recorded in the security cameras are very useful to find the cause of the accident or the crime. Recently, the security cameras have been extensively used at factories and parks for the purpose of crime prevention and fire protection. 
     When the security camera is used in the building, the security camera is installed at the ceiling or the upper portion of the inner wall of the building. In addition, when the security camera is used in the outdoors, the security camera is installed to the outer wall of the building at a proper height by using a support to surveil the predetermined region. In particular, a panorama surveillance camera having the omni-directional surveillance function is installed in a display of a base station, which monitors the surveillance region, to photograph the wide surveillance region and to monitor the surveillance region at a time. 
     The panorama surveillance camera includes a photographing part, which is rotatably installed to photograph subjects existing in the surveillance region. For instance, the photographing part is attached to a rotating plate that rotates without moving, so that the photographing part may rotate together with the rotating plate while photographing the subjects existing in the surveillance region. 
     The panorama surveillance camera includes a lens to focus the subjects existing in the surveillance region, and an image sensor for sensing images of the subjects focused by the lens. An area image sensor having a plurality of pixels arranged in a rectangular configuration is mainly used as the image sensor. 
     Meanwhile, the panorama surveillance camera employing the area image sensor photographs the first region corresponding to the area where the pixels are arranged, and then rotates by a predetermined angle to photograph the second region adjacent to the first region. In addition, the panorama surveillance camera combines the image of the first region with the image of the second region for the purpose of the omni-directional surveillance. At this time, distortion may occur between the images of the first and second regions obtained by the panorama surveillance camera. In addition, the image processing work must be additionally performed to combine the images of the first and second regions with each other, so that the photographing speed is remarkably delayed and the photographing cost is increased. 
     DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Problem 
     The present invention has been made to solve the problems occurring in the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a surveillance camera device capable of providing photographing images having no distortion while reducing the photographing time and photographing cost by sequentially scanning subjects existing in the surveillance region in a line unit. 
     Technical Solution 
     In order to accomplish the above object, according to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a surveillance camera device to surveil the surveillance region by photographing at least one subject located around the surveillance camera device. The surveillance camera device includes a rotating module, a rotation driving module and a camera module. The rotating module is rotatably provided to support the camera module. The rotation driving module rotates the rotating module in parallel to the ground. The camera module is disposed on one side of the rotating module to rotate together with the rotating module in the same direction and continuously photographs the subject by sequentially scanning the subject in a line unit through rotation of the rotating module. 
     According to the embodiment of the present invention, the rotating module rotates without moving and includes a rotating plate connected to the rotation driving module to rotate in one direction or bi-direction. The camera module is disposed at one side of a top surface or a bottom surface of the rotating plate to sequentially scan the subject in a line unit through the rotation of the rotating plate. 
     According to the embodiment of the present invention, the rotation driving module includes a driving motor for generating rotational force to rotate the rotating module and a rotating gear for transferring the rotational force of the driving motor to the rotating module. 
     According to the embodiment of the present invention, the camera module includes a lens part and a sensor part. The lens part focuses an image of the subject and the sensor part senses the image of the subject focused by the lens part in a line unit. For instance, the sensor part includes a linear image sensor having a plurality of pixels arranged in at least one line to sense the image of the subject in a line unit. The linear image sensor may include a CCD (charged coupled device) image sensor. In addition, the sensor part includes an area image sensor having a plurality of pixels arranged in a rectangular configuration. The area image sensor senses the image of the subject in a line unit by using several pixels arranged in a line unit. 
     According to the embodiment of the present invention, the surveillance camera device further includes a tilt driving unit. The tilt driving unit tilts the camera module up and down toward the subject in such a manner that the camera module is able to photograph the subject located below the camera module. 
     According to the embodiment of the present invention, the surveillance camera device further includes a logic part. The logic part processes the image of the subject sensed by the camera module. The logic part is disposed at one side of the rotating module in opposition to the camera module about a rotating shaft of the rotating module to keep a weight balance with the camera module. In addition, the surveillance camera device may further include a power supply part, a controller, and a data transmission part. The power supply part supplies power to the camera module and the logic part. The controller digitally controls the logic part and controls the rotation driving module and the tilt driving unit to adjust rotation and tilting of the camera module. The data transmission part transmits image data processed by the logic part to the controller. 
     In order to accomplish the above object, according to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a surveillance camera device to surveil the surveillance region by photographing at least one subject located around the surveillance camera device. The surveillance camera device may include a support, a rotating plate, a rotation driving module, and a plurality of camera modules. The rotating plate is rotatably installed on the support. The rotation driving module is connected to the rotating plate to rotate the rotating plate in parallel to the ground. The camera modules are disposed on a top surface or a bottom surface of the rotating plate while being spaced apart from each other to rotate together with the rotating plate in the same direction and continuously photograph the subject by sequentially scanning the subject in a line unit through rotation of the rotating plate. 
     According to the embodiment of the present invention, each camera module includes a leans part and a sensor part. The lens part focuses an image of the subject and the sensor part senses the image of the subject focused by the lens part in a line unit. For instance, the sensor part includes a linear image sensor having a plurality of pixels arranged in at least one line to sense the image of the subject in a line unit. In addition, the sensor part may include an area image sensor having a plurality of pixels arranged in a rectangular configuration. The area image sensor senses the image of the subject in a line unit by using several pixels arranged in a line unit. 
     According to the embodiment of the present invention, the surveillance camera device may further include a tilt driving unit. The tilt driving unit tilts the camera module up and down toward the subject in such a manner that the camera module is able to photograph the subject located below the camera module. 
     ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS 
     As described above, according to the surveillance camera device of the present invention, the camera module photographs the surveillance region while rotating, so that the surveillance camera device can omni-directionally surveil the surveillance region. 
     In addition, the surveillance camera device can continuously photograph the subjects by sequentially scanning the subjects existing in the surveillance region in a line unit, so that the dynamic images and still pictures can be continuously and rapidly obtained without distortion. 
     Further, since the camera module can be tilted up and down, the photographing angle of the camera module with respect to the ground can be variously adjusted, so that the wide photographing range can be ensured. In particular, the camera module is installed at the lower portion of the surveillance camera device so that the camera module can effectively photograph the subjects even if the subjects are located out of the photographing region, thereby minimizing the photographing dead zone and widening the surveillance region. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing the structure of a surveillance camera device according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  are views showing examples of a sensor part shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a view showing an operational state of a surveillance camera device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view showing the structure of a surveillance camera device according to another embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view showing the structure of a surveillance camera device according to still another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE 
     Mode for Invention 
     Hereinafter, a surveillance camera device according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims and their equivalents. The same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same elements through the drawings. In addition, the thickness and size of some components shown in the drawings can be magnified, reduced or schematically drawn to clarify or comprehend the present invention. 
     The terms “first” and “second” can be used to explain various elements but the elements are not limited to such terms. The terms are used to distinguish one element from the other element. Thus, an element referred to as a first element in one embodiment can be referred to as a second element in another embodiment. 
     Unless defined otherwise, the terms including technical terms or scientific terms used herein may have the meanings normally understandable by the person having the ordinary skill in the art. The terms defined in the dictionary may be interpreted based on the context thereof available in the related technology and they must not be ideally or excessively interpreted unless the context otherwise requires. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing the structure of a surveillance camera device according to one embodiment of the present invention,  FIGS. 2 and 3  are views showing examples of a sensor part shown in  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 4  is a view showing the operational state of the surveillance camera device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the surveillance camera device  1000  according to one embodiment of the present invention photographs at least one subject located around the surveillance camera device  1000 . For instance, the surveillance camera device  1000  continuously and omni-directionally photographs the subjects existing in the surveillance region. To this end, the surveillance camera device  1000  includes a rotating module  100 , a rotation driving module  200  and a camera module  300 . 
     The rotating module  100  supports the camera module  300  and rotates in one direction or bi-direction. The rotating module  100  includes a support  110 , a rotating plate  120  and a rotating shaft  130 . 
     The support  110  is installed in the surveillance camera device  1000 . For instance, the support  110  is installed in a middle part in the internal cavity of the surveillance camera device  1000  and fixed to an inner wall of the surveillance camera device  1000 . In addition, the support  110  may have a hollow structure such that the rotating shaft  130  can extend through the support  110 . Since a bearing  140  is disposed between the support  110  and the rotating shaft  130 , the rotating shaft  130  can be stably inserted into the support  110  and rotated therein. 
     In addition, the support  110  divides the internal cavity of the surveillance camera device  1000  into an operation region where the camera module  300  is operated and an installation region where the rotation driving module  200  is installed. 
     The rotating plate  120  is rotatably coupled with the support  110 . For instance, the rotating plate  120  is connected to a lower end of the rotating shaft  130  extending through the support  110 . That is, the rotating plate  120  is connected to the support  110  by the rotating shaft  130 . Meanwhile, the rotating plate  120  is rotated without moving or the rotating plate  120  moves around the rotating shaft  130  in a predetermined orbit. Since the main function of the rotating plate  120  is the rotation, the rotating plate  120  moving along the predetermined orbit is also within the scope of the present invention. 
     The rotation driving module  200  rotates the rotating module  100 . According to the embodiment of the present invention, the rotation driving module  200  may rotate the rotating module  100  in parallel to the ground. To this end, the rotation driving module  200  includes a driving motor  210  for generating rotational force to rotate the rotating module  100  and a rotating gear  220  for transferring the rotational force of the driving motor  210  to the rotating module  100 . 
     The rotation driving module  200  is fixedly installed on the support  110  of the rotating module  100 . In addition, the rotation driving module  200  can be fixed to the inner wall of the surveillance camera device  1000 . 
     The camera module  300  is installed at one side of the rotating module  100 . According to the embodiment of the present invention, the camera module  300  is installed at one side of the top surface or the bottom surface of the rotating plate  120  of the rotating module  100 . For example, the camera module  300  is fixedly installed at an edge of the bottom surface of the rotating plate  120 . Therefore, as the rotating module  100  rotates, the camera module  300  is rotated together with the rotating module  100  in the same direction. Thus, the camera module  300  can omni-directionally photograph the surveillance region. 
     The camera module  300  for photographing the subjects located around the camera module  300  includes a lens part for focusing the image of the subject and a sensor part  320  for sensing the image of the subject. 
     The lens part  310  is provided at a front end of the camera module  300  on the basis of the subject to focus the image signal of the subject to the sensor part  320 . The lens part  310  obtains the image signal for the subject according to the predetermined control signal. The lens part  310  may include a convex lens. 
     The sensor part  320  is provided at a rear end of the camera module  300  on the basis of the subject. For instance, the sensor part  320  can be located at a position where the image of the subject is focused by the lens part  310 . 
     The sensor part  320  converts the optical signal, which is the image signal of the subject obtained by the lens part  310 , into the electric signal. For instance, the lens part  320  may include a CCD (charge coupled device) image sensor, or a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) image sensor. If the sensor part  320  includes the CCD image sensor, the sensor part  320  outputs current in response to light to sense the image of the subject. 
     According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the sensor part  320  scans the subject in a line unit. That is, the sensor part  320  including a plurality of pixels senses the optical signal of the lens part  310  by using pixels arranged in a line unit. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the sensor part  320  includes a linear image sensor  321  having a plurality of pixels  323  arranged in a line unit. That is, since the linear image sensor  321  includes pixels  323  arranged in a line unit, the linear image sensor  321  senses the optical signal for the image of the subject, which is obtained by the lens part  310 , in a line unit. 
     Although not shown in the drawings, three lines are prepared as a set in the linear image sensor  321 , in which each line includes a plurality of pixels  323 . The three lines may correspond to red R, green G and blue B, respectively. That is, the linear image sensor  321  may include a color image sensor as well as a monochromatic image sensor. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the sensor part  320  may include an area image sensor  325  including a plurality of pixels  327  arranged in a rectangular configuration. The area image sensor  325  can sense the optical signal for the image of the subject in a line unit by using several pixels arranged in a line unit. For instance, the area image sensor  325  can sense the optical signal of the lens part  310  using some pixels  327  arranged in a line unit I-I′ without using all pixels  327 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the second part  320  of the rotatable camera module  300  can continuously photograph the subject by sequentially scanning the subjects in a line unit. For instance, the camera module  300  is rotatable at an angle of 360° about the rotating shaft  130  to scan and photograph the subjects existing in the surveillance region. That is, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the camera module  300  scans the subjects, such as wood, a woman with one-piece dress and a person with patient cloth, in a line unit to continuously photograph the subjects. That is, the camera module  300  can repeatedly and continuously photograph the subjects in a line unit. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the surveillance camera device  1000  may further include a logic part  400 , a power supply part  410 , a controller  420 , a data transmission part  430  and a transparent window  440 . 
     The logic part  400  processes the image of the subject sensed by the camera module  300  into the digital signal. In detail, the logic part  400  converts the image signal of the subject, which is converted into the electric signal through the sensor part  320 , into the digital image signal. The logic part  400  may include a typical digital logic unit capable of converting the electric signal into the digital signal. 
     In addition, the logic part  400  may balance the weight with the camera module  300  about the rotating shaft of the rotating module  100 . If the center of gravity of the rotating module  100  is biased due to the camera module  300  installed at one side of the rotating module  100 , the rotating module  100  may not normally rotate. Thus, the logic part  400  is located in opposition to the camera module  300  about the rotating shaft  130  to balance the center of gravity. 
     The power supply part  410  supplies power to the camera module  300  and the logic part  400 . The power supply part  410  can be installed inside or outside the surveillance camera device  1000 . The power supply part  410  supplies power to the camera module  300  and the logic part  400  through a power supply line (not shown). The power supply line can be formed by passing through the inside of the rotating shaft  130 . The power supply part  410  may include a portable power supply device employing a rechargeable battery. 
     The controller  420  controls the operation, the function and the signal processing of the surveillance camera device  1000 . The controller digitally controls the logic part  400 . That is, the controller  420  controls the signal processing operation of the logic part  400  and transmits the digital signal from the logic part  400  to the external display device. At this time, the controller  420  may amplify or convent the digital signal transmitted to the external display device. 
     In addition, the controller  420  controls the rotation driving module  200  to control the rotation of the rotating plate  120  of the rotating module  100 . As a result, the controller  420  controls the rotation of the camera module  300  suitably for the surveillance region and surveillance targets, so that the surveillance capability can be improved. 
     The data transmission part  430  transmits the digital signal processed by the logic part  400  to the controller  420 . That is, the data transmission part  430  is a signal transmission part for transmitting the digital image signal processed by the logic part  400  to the controller  420 . Meanwhile, the data transmission part  430  can be formed by utilizing the internal cavity of the rotating shaft  130  having the hollow structure. 
     The transparent window  440  surrounds the camera module  300 . The transparent window  440  includes a transparent material which does not interfere with the photographing operation of the camera module  300 . In addition, the transparent window  440  protects the camera module  300  from external impact. Thus, the transparent window  440  may have predetermined strength. 
     As described above, the surveillance camera device  1000  scans the subjects existing in the surveillance region in a line unit while rotating, so that the surveillance camera device  1000  can continuously photographs the subjects without distortion. Thus, the surveillance camera device  1000  can omni-directionally surveil the surveillance region and can continuously provide the still pictures and dynamic images without distortion. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic view showing the structure of a surveillance camera device according to another embodiment of the present invention. The surveillance camera device according to another embodiment of the present invention is identical to the surveillance camera device  1000  shown in  FIG. 1 , except for a tilt driving unit. Thus, details of the elements and structures that have been described with reference to  FIG. 1  will be omitted in order to avoid redundancy and the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same elements. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the surveillance camera device  2000  according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the tilt driving unit  500  for tilting the camera module  300  up and down. 
     The tilt driving unit  500  tilts the camera module  300  toward the subject to photograph the subject located below the surveillance camera device  2000 . That is, the tilt driving unit  500  adjusts the photographing angle of the camera module  300  up and down to photograph the subject located in the dead zone of the surveillance camera device  2000 . The term. “photographing angle” refers to the photographing range of the camera module  300 . The photographing angle includes the vertical photographing angle as well as the horizontal photographing angle. The tilt driving unit  500  tilts the camera module  300  in the longitudinal direction. 
     Meanwhile, the tilt driving unit  500  includes a stepping motor to allow the camera module  300  to be tilted up and down step by step. In addition, the tilt driving unit  500  may include a tilt motor or a driving motor to continuously operate the camera module  300  up and down. 
     The controller  420  controls the tilt driving unit  500  to adjust the up-down movement of the camera module  300 . The controller  420  can periodically controls the up-down movement of the camera module  300 . In addition, if the subject located in the dead zone is detected by an additional sensor, the controller  420  controls the up-down movement of the camera module  300 . Further, the controller  420  can control the tilt driving unit in various manners depending on the parameters, such as the tilt angle and the photographing angle of the camera module  300 . 
     Since the tilt driving unit  500  tilts the camera module  300  up and down, the photographing angle can be widened, so that the dead zone of the surveillance region can be minimized and the surveillance region can be expanded. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic view showing the structure of a surveillance camera device according to still another embodiment of the present invention. 
     The surveillance camera device according to still another embodiment of the present invention is identical to the surveillance camera device  1000  shown in  FIG. 1 , except for the camera module. Thus, details of the elements and structures that have been described with reference to  FIG. 1  will be omitted in order to avoid redundancy and the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same elements. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the surveillance camera device  3000  according to still another embodiment of the present invention includes first and second camera modules  600  and  700  installed at both sides of the rotating module  100 . 
     The first camera module  600  is installed at one side of the rotating plate  120  of the rotating module  100  and the second camera module  700  is installed at the other side of the rotating plate  120  of the rotating module  100  in opposition to the first camera module  600 . The first and second camera modules  600  and  700  are identical to the camera module  300  described with reference to  FIG. 1 , details thereof will be omitted in order to avoid redundancy. 
     Meanwhile, the surveillance camera device  3000  may include at least three camera modules which are regularly spaced apart from each other on the top surface or the bottom surface of the rotating plate  120 . 
     In detail, the surveillance camera device  3000  includes first and second tilt driving units  610  and  710  for driving the first and second camera modules  600  and  700  up and down. The first and second tilt driving units  610  and  710  adjust the photographing angle of the first and second camera modules  600  and  700  up and down to photograph the subjects located below the surveillance camera device  3000 . The first and second tilt driving units  610  and  710  are identical to the tilt driving unit  500  described with reference to  FIG. 4 , so details thereof will be omitted in order to avoid redundancy. 
     According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the controller  420  controls the rotational speed and the number of rotations of the first and second camera modules  600  and  700  rotatably attached to the rotating plate  120 . In addition, the controller  420  controls the first and second tilt driving units  610  and  710  to adjust the vertical photographing angles of the first and second camera modules  600  and  700 . The controller  420  can synchronously or differentially control the first and second tilt driving units  610  and  710 . That is, the controller  420  can simultaneously control the up-down movement of the first and second camera modules  600  and  700 , or selectively or sequentially control up-down movement of the first and second camera modules  600  and  700  depending on situations. 
     The logic part  800  converts the image signal transmitted from the first and second camera modules  600  and  700  into the digital signal. The logic part  800  and/or the controller  420  can perform the image processing work to combine the image signals, which are transmitted from various camera modules, with each other. 
     Meanwhile, the logic part  800 , which converts the image signal of the first and second camera modules  600  and  700  into the digital signal, is disposed adjacent to the center of the rotating plate  120  in order to prevent the rotational center of the rotating plate  120  from being biased or shifted caused by the logic part  800 . According to the embodiment of the present invention, the logic part  800  is disposed in line with the rotating shaft  130 . 
     As described above, the surveillance camera device  3000  includes a plurality of camera modules such that the photographing range of each camera module can be minimized, thereby improving the photographing speed. In addition, the surveillance camera device  3000  can individually control the vertical photographing angle of the camera modules, so that the photographing range can be maximized. 
     Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     According to the surveillance camera device of the present invention, the camera module photographs the surveillance region while rotating, so the camera module can omni-directionally photograph the surveillance region. In addition, since the camera module can continuously photograph the subjects by scanning the subjects existing in the surveillance region in a line unit, the image can be obtained without distortion, the photographing speed can be improved and the photographing cost can be reduced. In addition, since the photographing angle of the camera module can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction by tilting the camera module up and down, the dead zone of the surveillance camera device may be minimized and the wide surveillance region can be ensured. Further, the surveillance region can be divisionally photographed by a plurality of camera modules, so that the photographing speed can be improved.