Abstract:
The present invention discloses an auxiliary focusing system for an IP camera. The auxiliary focusing system utilizes an image sensor module to determine whether the focusing is accomplished. Display devices (such as indicator lights, displays) and audio devices (such as buzzers, speakers) are used to inform a user whether the images have been focused clearly.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    a) Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an auxiliary focusing system for an IP (Internet Protocol) camera, and more particularly to a system using an indication or audio device to display the focus state. 
         [0003]    b) Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    The IP cameras are divided into a manual focusing type and an automatic focusing type, wherein the manual focusing needs to be done by a person. Depending upon applications, the camera is installed at a high place or a specific location; whereas, an operator needs to wear a computer or a small analog screen with him or her to ensure the images are focused. Hence, it is difficult to accomplish the focusing accurately in a short time, thereby wasting a lot of labor hours. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, how to develop a convenient and accurate focusing method is to be pursued by the present inventor. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary focusing system for an IP camera, wherein an indication or audio device (such as an indicator light or a buzzer that is used hereinafter) is installed on an IP camera assembly, so that when the images manifest various focus states during the focusing operation, the focus states can be informed to a user by the indicator light or buzzer. 
         [0007]    To enable a further understanding of the said objectives and the technological methods of the invention herein, the brief description of the drawings below is followed by the detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a simplified functional diagram of a preferred embodiment of an IP camera module, according to the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a focusing device for an IP camera, according to the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a focusing device for an IP camera, according to the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of a lens module of an IP camera focusing device, according to the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  shows a flow diagram of an image data of a preferred embodiment, according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an IP camera module  1  comprises an image sensor module  11 , a microcomputer control unit  12 , a computer processing unit  13  and a memory unit  14 . The image sensor module  11  processes images through the computer processing unit  13 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , the image sensor module  11  is installed on a lens module  22  of a camera assembly  2 ; whereas, the microcomputer control unit  12 , the computer processing unit  13  and the memory unit  14  are installed on a circuit module  24  of the camera assembly  2 . The microcomputer control unit  12  is connected electrically with the image sensor module  11  and a buzzer  121  respectively, which allows the buzzer  121  or focus indicator lights  111 ,  112  to prompt in an audio or light effect. On the other hand, the computer processing unit  13  is connected electrically with the microcomputer control unit  12  and the memory unit  14 , respectively. 
         [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the camera assembly  2  includes a front cap  21 , the lens module  22 , a camera body  23 , the circuit module  24  and a rear cap  25 . An end of the front cap  21  is provided with a cover plate  211  and the other end is provided with a male thread  212 . The cover plate  211  is a piece of flat glass, allowing light to pass through and stopping impurities, such as dust, from entering into and contaminating the lens module  22 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , an interior of the lens module  22  is installed with a zoom lens  223  and an image light sensor  224 . An end of the computer processing unit  13  is connected with a signal processor  131 , and the signal processor  131  is connected electrically with the image light sensor  224 . Three long screws A penetrate from an interior side of the front cap  21  into the lens module  22  and the circuit module  24 , and are then locked and positioned into bolt holes  251  of the rear cap  25 . A front rim of the camera body  23  is provided with a female thread  231  which is locked with the male thread  212  of the front cap  21 . An end of the rear cap  25  is connected with a network cable  252  to connect to the network. The primary characteristics of the present invention are disclosed below. 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the image sensor module  11  is installed with a red and green focus indicator light  111 ,  112  and a focus button  113  which is connected electrically with the focus indicator lights  111 ,  112 . On the other hand, an end of the microcomputer control unit  12  is connected electrically with the buzzer  121 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , the lens module  22  is provided with a focus control lever  221  and a zoom control lever  222 . The flow of image data of the present invention is described briefly below: 
         [0016]    1. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the image light sensor  224  converts light transmitted from the zoom lens  223  into an analog induction voltage and transmits this voltage to the signal processor  131  of the circuit module  24 ; whereas, the signal processor  131  converts this voltage into a digital image signal and conducts image data processing. After the image data has been compressed by the computer processing unit  13 , the image data is stored in the memory unit  14  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0017]    2. The computer processing unit  13  performs a focusing algorithm calculation to the image data for a zoom control, the microcomputer control unit  12  controls a prompt in an audio or light effect  15  and the zoom lens  223  is adjusted manually to zoom out or zoom in. 
         [0018]    3. For a variable focus control of the zoom lens  223 , when the user activates the focus button  113  to set the zoom control lever  222  at Tele or Wide, he or she rotates manually the focus control lever  221  to focus conveniently. 
         [0019]    4. When the focus state is vague, the red focus indicator light  111  will flash continuously and the buzzer  121  will buzz constantly. 
         [0020]    5. When the focus state is close to a clear state, the red focus indicator light  111  will extinguish and the green focus indicator light  112  will flash continuously, but the buzzer  121  will silence. 
         [0021]    6. When the focus state is clear, the green focus indicator light  112  will illuminate constantly. 
         [0022]    As is apparent from the foregoing, the primary object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary focusing system for an IP camera, when manually adjusting the zoom lens, the user can accurately accomplish the focusing operation only by the flashing or illumination of the focus indicator lights or by the sound of the buzzer, which is an easy and accurate focusing process. Therefore the present invention is an innovated creation. 
         [0023]    It is of course to be understood that the embodiments described herein is merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and that a wide variety of modifications thereto may be effected by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.