JP2014075695A - Camera unit, synchronization period setting method and monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to prolong the battery life of a camera slave unit while speeding up the response time from the camera slave unit to image transmission to a monitor master unit by adaptively setting the synchronization period of the camera slave unit.
An image pickup unit 206 picks up image data to be transmitted to a monitor base unit (monitoring device) that operates in synchronization with a camera slave unit 200 (camera device), and a detection sensor unit 208 has a first detection range. When the movement of the person is detected and the movement of the person is not detected in the first detection range, the control unit 213 sets the synchronization period for the intermittent communication between the camera slave unit 200 and the monitor master unit to the first If the movement of a person is detected in the first detection range, the synchronization period is set to a second period shorter than the first period.
[Selection] Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera device, a synchronization cycle setting method, and a monitoring system.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a monitor system composed of a camera slave unit equipped with an image sensor that captures an image and a monitor master unit that receives image data from the camera slave unit and displays the image data on a monitor has become widespread. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). Communication between the monitor master unit and the camera slave unit is performed by, for example, DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (registered trademark)) communication.

  As an example of use of the monitor system, a case where a camera slave unit is installed at the entrance of a building and the monitor master unit is installed in the room of the building will be described. In this case, when a visitor from outside presses a call button provided at the entrance of the building, the user in the building knows the presence of the visitor. When the user presses a communication button provided on the monitor base unit (monitor request operation), the monitor base unit transmits control information indicating a call to the camera slave unit. When receiving the call, the camera slave unit requests the monitor master unit to start communication. Upon receiving the communication start response from the monitor master unit, the camera slave unit activates the imaging unit, captures the visitor image, transmits the captured image data to the monitor master unit, and communicates with the monitor master unit. Perform voice communication. As a result, the user can check the image of the visitor displayed on the monitor base unit.

  Further, the camera slave unit and the monitor master unit are synchronized with each other at a predetermined cycle (see, for example, FIGS. 1 and 2). Specifically, the monitor base unit transmits a control signal (control channel) including a call using a slot (slot S1 in FIG. 1) having a predetermined frame period (for example, 10 ms period). On the other hand, the camera slave unit receives one control signal for every predetermined number of control signals (control channels) from the monitor master unit and maintains synchronization (synchronization cycle T in FIG. 1). For example, the synchronization period T is a predetermined number of times the frame period of the monitor base unit. As shown in FIG. 1, the camera slave unit realizes battery driving by performing a sleep operation with low power consumption (for example, several μA) except for a synchronization timing (synchronization timing). That is, the camera slave unit realizes the synchronization operation by turning the power of the communication unit on / off for each synchronization cycle. Such an operation in the camera slave unit is sometimes referred to as “intermittent communication”.

JP 2007-208608 A

  In general, since the camera slave unit is driven by a battery, it is also important to increase the battery life of the camera slave unit. Therefore, from the viewpoint of the battery life of the camera slave unit, it is preferable to set a sufficiently long cycle as the synchronization cycle (cycle 1 in FIG. 2).

  However, as shown in FIG. 2, even when a monitor request operation such as pressing a communication button is performed on the monitor base unit, the monitor base unit includes a call until the synchronization timing immediately after the occurrence of the monitor request operation. The control signal cannot be sent to the camera slave unit. That is, a waiting time is generated between the generation of the monitor request operation and the start of communication. The longer the synchronization period, the more likely this waiting time will be. That is, the longer the synchronization period, the slower the response time from the camera slave unit to the image transmission from the monitor master unit.

  An object of the present invention is to increase the battery life of a camera slave unit while speeding up the response time from the camera slave unit to image transmission to the monitor master unit by adaptively setting the synchronization period of the camera slave unit. A camera apparatus, a synchronization period setting method, and a monitoring system.

  A camera device according to an aspect of the present invention includes an imaging unit that acquires image data to be transmitted to a monitoring device that operates in synchronization with the camera device, and a first detection unit that detects the movement of a person in the first detection range. When the movement of a person is not detected in the first detection range, a synchronization cycle for intermittent communication between the camera device and the monitoring device is set to the first cycle, and the first detection range When the movement of a person is detected, the control unit is configured to set the synchronization period to a second period shorter than the first period.

  A camera device according to an aspect of the present invention includes an imaging unit that acquires image data to be transmitted to a monitoring device that operates in synchronization with the camera device, and a first detection unit that detects the movement of a person in the first detection range. And second detection means for detecting the movement of the person in the second detection range, which is a range closer to the camera device than the first detection range, and the movement of the person in the first detection range. Is detected, the synchronization cycle for intermittent communication between the camera device and the monitoring device is set to the first cycle, and when the movement of a person is detected in the first detection range The synchronization cycle is set to a second cycle shorter than the first cycle, and when a person's movement is detected in the second detection range, the synchronization cycle is set to a second cycle shorter than the second cycle. Control means for setting the period to 3 Take the deposition.

  The synchronization cycle setting method according to one aspect of the present invention acquires image data to be transmitted to a monitoring device that operates in synchronization with a camera device, detects a person's movement in a first detection range, and performs the first detection. If no movement of a person is detected in the range, the synchronization period for intermittent communication between the camera device and the monitoring apparatus is set to the first period, and the movement of the person is detected in the first detection range. The synchronization period is set to a second period shorter than the first period.

  A monitoring system according to an aspect of the present invention is a monitoring system including a camera device that acquires image data and a monitoring device that communicates with the camera device, and the camera device that operates in synchronization with the monitoring device. Performs intermittent communication with the monitoring device, and switches to continuous communication when a communication start request is sent from the monitoring device during the intermittent communication, and the camera device transmits to the monitoring device. Imaging means for acquiring image data to be performed, first detection means for detecting the movement of a person in a first detection range, and if the movement of a person is not detected in the first detection range, the camera device and the A synchronization cycle for the intermittent communication with the monitoring device is set to a first cycle, and when a movement of a person is detected in the first detection range, the synchronization cycle is set based on the first cycle. Too short Comprising a control means for setting the second period, wherein the monitoring device has a configuration having a display means, for displaying the image data transmitted from the camera device.

  According to the present invention, by adaptively setting the synchronization period of the camera slave unit, the battery life of the camera slave unit can be increased while the response time from the camera slave unit to the monitor master unit being transmitted is increased. Can do.

Diagram for explaining the synchronization between the monitor master unit and the camera slave unit Sequence diagram showing the connection procedure between the monitor master unit and the camera slave unit The figure which shows the structure of the monitor system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a camera slave unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a monitor base unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camera slave unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The figure which shows the setting process of the synchronous period which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the monitor main | base station which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the camera subunit which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing operations of the monitor master unit and the camera slave unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing operations of the monitor master unit and the camera slave unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the camera subunit which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the detection range of each detection sensor part which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the setting process of the synchronous period which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the camera subunit which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the structure of the door phone system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the camera subunit which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the camera subunit which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the camera subunit which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted because it is duplicated.

(Embodiment 1)
[Monitor system configuration]
FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the monitor system according to the present embodiment. The monitor system according to the present embodiment includes a monitoring device and a camera device. In particular, in the present embodiment, the monitoring device is described as the monitor master device 100, and the camera device is described as the camera slave device 200. The camera slave device 200 includes a sensor that detects the movement of an object.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of camera slave device 200 according to the present embodiment. In the camera slave unit 200 illustrated in FIG. 4, the imaging unit 206 acquires image data to be transmitted to the monitor master unit 100 (monitoring device) that operates in synchronization with the camera slave unit 200 (camera device), and the detection sensor unit 208. Detects the movement of a person in the first detection range, and the control unit 213 performs intermittent communication between the camera slave unit 200 and the monitor master unit 100 when no person movement is detected in the first detection range. When the movement period of the person is detected in the first detection range, the synchronization period is set to a second period shorter than the first period.

[Configuration of monitor base unit 100]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of monitor master device 100 according to the present embodiment. 5 includes an antenna 101, a wireless unit 102, an audio processing unit 103, a microphone 104, a speaker 105, a display unit 106, a memory unit 107, an operation unit 108, a power supply unit 109, a control unit 110, and a system clock. 111.

  The wireless unit 102 transmits a signal input from the control unit 110 to the camera slave device 200 via the antenna 101. In addition, the wireless unit 102 receives a signal from the camera slave device 200 via the antenna 101. The signal from the control unit 110 includes, for example, a control signal including a call to the camera slave unit 200 when a monitor request operation occurs, a response to a communication start request from the camera slave unit 200 (hereinafter referred to as a communication start response). ), A signal requesting the end of communication (hereinafter referred to as a communication end request), audio data, and the like. The signal from the camera slave unit 200 includes, for example, image data, audio data, a communication start request, and the like.

  The audio processing unit 103 performs audio processing on the audio data input from the control unit 110 and transmitted from the camera slave unit 200, and outputs the audio data subjected to the audio processing to the speaker 105. The audio processing unit 103 performs audio processing on the audio data acquired by the microphone 104 and outputs the audio data subjected to the audio processing to the control unit 110.

  The display unit 106 displays the image data input from the control unit 110 and transmitted from the camera slave unit 200 on a display or the like.

  The memory unit 107 is used for program storage or information processing execution by the control unit 110 that controls the entire monitor base unit 100.

  The operation unit 108 outputs the content of the user's operation input to the control unit 110. The user's operation input includes, for example, an operation for starting or ending communication with the camera slave device 200 (for example, pressing a communication button (not shown)).

  The power supply unit 109 supplies power to each component unit under the control of the control unit 110.

  The control unit 110 controls the entire monitor base unit 100. For example, when a communication start or communication end operation is input in the operation unit 108, the control unit 110 generates a control signal including a call or communication end request for the camera slave unit 200, and the generated control signal is transmitted to the wireless unit 102. Output to. When a communication start request is sent from the camera slave unit 200 during intermittent communication, the control unit 110 generates a control signal including a communication start response and outputs the control signal to the wireless unit 102. The communication with the monitor base unit 100 is switched from intermittent communication to continuous communication. Further, the control unit 110 controls the exchange of audio data and image data between the monitor parent device 100 and the camera slave device 200 during communication with the camera slave device 200. In addition, the control unit 110 controls the power supply of each component to the power supply unit 109.

  Note that the control unit 110 operates based on a clock output from the system clock 111.

[Configuration of Camera Slave Unit 200]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of camera slave device 200 according to the present embodiment. 6 includes an antenna 201, a wireless unit 202, an audio processing unit 203, a microphone 204, a speaker 205, an imaging unit 206, an image data processing unit 207, a detection sensor unit 208, a memory unit 209, and a timer control unit. 210, a power control unit 211, a battery 212, a control unit 213, a high-speed clock 214, and a low-speed clock 215. Note that the high-speed clock 214 generates a clock having a higher period than the low-speed clock 215.

  Radio section 202 transmits the signal input from control section 213 to monitor base unit 100 via antenna 201. Further, the wireless unit 202 receives a signal from the monitor base unit 100 via the antenna 201. The signal from the control unit 213 includes, for example, image data, audio data, or a communication start request. In addition, the signal from the monitor base unit 100 includes, for example, voice data, a call, a communication start response, or a communication end request.

  The audio processing unit 203 performs audio processing on the audio data input from the control unit 213 and transmitted from the monitor base unit 100, and outputs the audio data subjected to the audio processing to the speaker 205. In addition, the voice processing unit 203 performs voice processing on the voice data input from the microphone 204 and outputs the voice data subjected to the voice processing to the control unit 213.

  The imaging unit 206 acquires image data transmitted to the monitor base unit 100 according to an instruction (not shown) of the control unit 213, and outputs the acquired image data to the image data processing unit 207.

  The image data processing unit 207 performs image data processing on the image data input from the imaging unit 206, and outputs the processed image data to the control unit 213.

  The detection sensor unit 208 detects the movement of a person around the camera slave unit 200 (detection range of the detection sensor unit 208). The detection sensor unit 208 outputs a signal (hereinafter referred to as a detection signal) indicating that the movement of the person has been detected to the control unit 213. For example, the detection sensor unit 208 may perform human motion detection (sensing) only at the synchronization timing based on the synchronization cycle in the intermittent communication with the monitor base unit 100.

  For example, a pyroelectric sensor using the pyroelectric effect may be used as the detection sensor unit 208. In addition, the detection sensor unit 208 may perform temperature detection, and may determine that the movement of a person has been detected when the temperature difference between the previous detection and the current detection is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. In addition, the detection sensor unit 208 may measure the distance from the person using ultrasonic waves, infrared rays, or the like, and detect the movement of the person based on the distance difference between the previous detection and the current detection. Note that the detection method in the detection sensor unit 208 is not limited to the above-described method as long as it can detect the movement of a person around the camera slave unit 200.

  The memory unit 209 is used for program storage or information processing execution by the control unit 213 that controls the entire camera slave unit 200.

  The timer control unit 210 operates based on the clock output from the low speed clock 215. The timer control unit 210 counts the synchronization period instructed from the control unit 213 and notifies the power supply control unit 211 of the synchronization timing.

  The power control unit 211 controls power supply to each component function of the battery 212 according to the control of the control unit 213 and the synchronization timing notified from the timer control unit 210. Specifically, the power supply control unit 211 supplies the power of the battery 212 to components (for example, the timer control unit 210, the power supply control unit 211, etc.) that operate based on the low-speed clock 215 at timings other than the synchronization timing. To do. Thereby, the operation of the camera slave unit 200 is a sleep operation (see, for example, FIG. 1). On the other hand, the power supply control unit 211 supplies the power of the battery 212 to all the components including the components that communicate with the monitor base unit 100 such as the wireless unit 202 at the synchronization timing. As a result, the camera slave unit 200 can communicate with the monitor master unit 100 (see, for example, FIG. 1).

  The control unit 213 controls the entire camera slave device 200. For example, when the control unit 213 receives a call from the monitor base unit 100, the control unit 213 generates a communication start request, outputs the request to the wireless unit 202, and intermittently communicates between the camera slave unit 200 and the monitor base unit 100. Switch from communication to continuous communication. Further, when receiving a communication start response (communication end request) from the monitor base unit 100, the control unit 213 starts (ends) the communication. Further, the control unit 213 controls the exchange of audio data and image data between the monitor master unit 100 and the camera slave unit 200 during communication with the monitor master unit 100. In addition, the control unit 213 controls the power supply control unit 211 to supply power to each component unit.

  In addition, when a detection signal is input from the detection sensor unit 208, the control unit 213 changes the synchronization period in the camera slave unit 200 to a shorter period. For example, when the detection sensor unit 208 does not detect a person's movement, the control unit 213 sets the synchronization cycle between the monitor base unit 100 and the camera slave unit 200 to cycle 1, and the detection sensor unit 208 sets the person's movement. Is detected, the synchronization cycle is set to cycle 2 shorter than cycle 1.

  Note that the control unit 213 operates based on the clock output from the high-speed clock 214.

[Operations of Monitor Master Unit 100 and Camera Slave Unit 200]
Hereinafter, operations of the monitor parent device 100 and the camera slave device 200 configured as described above will be described.

  In the following description, as shown in FIG. 7, the synchronization period of the camera slave unit 200 in a normal state where the detection sensor unit 208 does not detect a person's movement is assumed to be a period 1 (for example, 5 seconds). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the synchronization period of the camera slave unit 200 in a state where the detection sensor unit 208 detects the movement of a person is set to a period 2 (for example, 2.5 seconds). The operation cycle of the monitor base unit 100 is a frame cycle (for example, 10 ms).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the monitor base unit 100, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the camera slave unit 200. At the start of the processing shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, it is assumed that the cycle 1 is set as the synchronization cycle of the camera slave unit 200.

  In FIG. 8, in step (hereinafter referred to as “ST”) 101, monitor master device 100 operates in a frame cycle (10 ms).

  In ST102, control unit 110 of monitor base unit 100 determines whether or not there is a monitor operation request (for example, pressing of a communication button). If there is no monitor operation request (ST102: No), control unit 110 returns to the process of ST102.

  When there is a monitor operation request (ST102: Yes), in ST103, the control unit 110 prepares for transmission of a call to the camera slave unit 200.

  In ST104, control unit 110 determines whether or not the timing of cycle 2, which is a synchronization cycle of intermittent communication with camera slave device 200, has arrived. Here, the monitor base unit 100 is not notified of the synchronization cycle (cycle 1 or 2 in this case) set in the camera slave unit 200. Therefore, the control unit 110 performs call transmission processing assuming the timing of the shortest cycle (here, cycle 2) among the synchronization cycles that can be set in the camera slave unit 200. When the timing of the period 2 has not arrived (ST104: No), the control part 110 returns to the process of ST104.

  When the timing of cycle 2 has arrived (ST104: Yes), in ST105, control unit 110 transmits a call to camera slave device 200 via wireless unit 102.

  In ST106, control section 110 determines whether or not a communication start request for the call transmitted in ST105 has been received from camera slave device 200. When a communication start request is not received (ST106: No), in ST107, control unit 110 determines whether or not the timing of cycle 2 has arrived, as in ST104. When the timing of the period 2 has not arrived (ST107: No), the control part 110 returns to the process of ST106. On the other hand, when the timing of cycle 2 has arrived (ST107: Yes), in ST108, control unit 110 transmits a call to camera slave unit 200 via wireless unit 102, as in ST105, and performs the processing in ST106. Return.

  When a communication start request is received (ST106: Yes), in ST109, control unit 110 transmits a communication start response to camera slave device 200. In addition, the control unit 110 switches communication between the camera slave unit 200 and the monitor master unit 100 from intermittent communication to continuous communication.

  In ST110, control unit 110 transmits / receives audio data to / from camera slave unit 200 and receives image data.

  In ST111, control unit 110 determines whether or not there is a monitor end operation (for example, pressing of a communication button). When there is no monitor end operation (ST111: No), the control part 110 continues the process of ST110.

  When there is a monitor end operation (ST111: Yes), in ST112, control unit 110 transmits a communication end request to camera slave unit 200. At this time, the control unit 110 may transmit the communication end request twice.

  In FIG. 9, in ST 201, the camera slave device 200 establishes synchronization with the monitor master device 100 at the timing of cycle 1.

  In ST202, the control unit 213 of the camera slave unit 200 determines whether or not the detection sensor unit 208 has detected the movement of a person around the camera slave unit 200.

  When the detection sensor unit 208 has not detected the movement of a person (ST202: No), the control unit 213 sets the synchronization cycle with the monitor base unit 100 to cycle 1. That is, the control unit 213 sets the activation time for cycle 1 as a sleep timer in the timer control unit 210. Thereby, the timer control unit 210 notifies the power supply control unit 211 of the synchronization timing of cycle 1 (for example, 5 seconds), and the power supply control unit 211 communicates with the wireless unit 202 or the like according to the notified synchronization timing. The power supply of the component which performs is controlled.

  On the other hand, when the detection sensor unit 208 detects a person's movement (ST202: Yes), the control unit 213 sets the synchronization cycle with the monitor base unit 100 to cycle 2. That is, the control unit 213 sets the activation time for the cycle 2 as a sleep timer in the timer control unit 210. As a result, the timer control unit 210 notifies the power supply control unit 211 of the synchronization timing of cycle 2 (for example, 2.5 seconds), and the power supply control unit 211 communicates with the wireless unit 202 or the like according to the notified synchronization timing. The power supply of the component which performs is controlled.

  In ST205, the control unit 213 causes the power supply control unit 211 to shift the camera slave unit 200 to the sleep state (sleep operation shown in FIG. 7).

  In ST206, control section 213 determines whether or not the sleep timer counted by timer control section 210 based on the synchronization period set in ST203 or ST204 has expired. If the sleep timer has not expired (ST206: No), control unit 213 returns to the process of ST206.

  When the sleep timer has expired (ST206: Yes), in ST207, the control unit 213 instructs the power supply control unit 211 to turn on the power, so that the camera slave unit 200 starts a reception operation.

  In ST208, control unit 213 determines whether or not a call from monitor base unit 100 has been received in the communication section (see FIG. 7). If no call has been received (ST208: No), control unit 213 returns to the process of ST202.

  When the call is received (ST208: Yes), in ST209, control unit 213 transmits a communication start request to monitor base unit 100 via wireless unit 202.

  In ST210, control section 213 determines whether or not a response (communication start response) to the communication start request transmitted in ST209 has been received. When the communication start response has not been received (ST210: No), control unit 213 returns to the process of ST209.

  When the communication start response is received (ST210: Yes), in ST211, the control unit 213 transmits / receives audio data to / from the monitor base unit 100 and transmits image data.

  In ST212, control unit 213 determines whether a communication end request has been received from monitor base unit 100 or not. When the communication end request has not been received (ST212: No), control unit 213 continues the process of ST211. On the other hand, when the communication end request is received (ST212: Yes), the process ends.

  Next, FIG. 10 shows a sequence diagram of processing between the monitor master device 100 and the camera slave device 200.

  In FIG. 10, it is assumed that the monitor base unit 100 transmits a control signal every frame period (for example, 10 ms), and the camera slave unit 200 receives the control signal from the monitor base unit 100 every period 1.

  Here, in the camera slave unit 200, it is assumed that the detection sensor unit 208 detects a motion of a person around the camera slave unit 200 (detection signal generation) (ST202: Yes shown in FIG. 9). In this case, camera slave unit 200 sets the synchronization period with monitor base unit 100 to period 2 (a relatively short period) (ST204 shown in FIG. 9). Accordingly, the camera slave unit 200 receives the control signal from the monitor master unit 100 every cycle 2.

  By doing so, the camera slave device 200 can monitor using a relatively short period when a person is present around the camera slave device 200, that is, when there is a high possibility of communication with the monitor master device 100. Synchronous operation with the parent device 100 is performed. As a result, the time from when the communication start operation is performed by the user in the monitor base unit 100 until the instruction based on the operation reaches the camera slave unit 200 is within the cycle 2 at the longest. Therefore, it is possible to further shorten the response time from when the user's operation is performed until the camera slave unit 200 starts image transmission to the monitor master unit 100. That is, the waiting time from the occurrence of the monitor request operation in the monitor base unit 100 to the start of communication can be further shortened.

  On the other hand, when the detection sensor unit 208 does not detect the movement of the person, the camera slave device 200 sets the synchronization cycle to cycle 1 (a relatively long cycle) (ST203 shown in FIG. 9). By doing so, the camera slave device 200 can monitor using a relatively long cycle when no person is present around the camera slave device 200, that is, when the possibility of communication with the monitor master device 100 is low. Synchronous operation with the parent device 100 is performed. Thereby, the power consumption in the camera subunit 200 can be kept low, and the battery life can be extended.

  Here, in the monitor system of the present embodiment (FIG. 3), when a call button (not shown) provided near the camera slave unit 200 (or the camera slave unit 200 itself) is pressed by a visitor, It is assumed that the usage pattern in which a user in a building confirms a visitor by using the monitor base unit 100 is almost all. Therefore, when there is a high possibility that the call button is pressed, that is, when a person is detected around the camera slave device 200, the response speed of the camera slave device 200 with respect to the call from the monitor master device 100 is high. Fast is preferred.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the camera slave unit 200, when detecting a person in the vicinity of the camera slave unit 200 (with a detection signal), indicates “response until image transmission from the camera slave unit 200 to the monitor master unit 100”. Considering “time”, the synchronization cycle is set to a short cycle (cycle 2) (see FIG. 11). On the other hand, when the camera slave unit 200 does not detect a person around the camera slave unit 200 (no detection signal), the camera slave unit 200 takes into account the “battery life of the camera slave unit 200” and has a long synchronization cycle (cycle 1). Set to. That is, the synchronization period of the camera slave unit 200 is adaptively set according to whether or not the communication between the monitor master unit 100 and the camera slave unit 200 is likely to be started.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, by adaptively setting the synchronization period of the camera slave unit 200, when a person approaches the camera slave unit 200, an image from the camera slave unit 200 to the monitor master unit 100 is displayed. While shortening the response time until transmission, in other cases, the cycle can be lengthened to extend the battery life of the camera slave unit 200.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the camera slave unit 200 detects a person around by only the synchronization timing of intermittent communication between the monitor master unit 100 and the camera slave unit 200, thereby detecting sensors. The power consumed in the unit 208 can be suppressed, and the battery life of the camera slave unit 200 can be extended.

(Embodiment 2)
In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the camera slave unit includes a plurality of detection sensor units having different detection ranges.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of camera slave device 300 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 12, the detection sensor unit 301 and the detection sensor unit 302 detect the movement of a person in the vicinity of the camera slave unit 300 and indicate that the movement of the person has been detected, similarly to the detection sensor unit 208 of the first embodiment. A signal (detection signal) is output to the control unit 303.

  However, the detection sensor unit 301 and the detection sensor unit 302 have different detection ranges. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the detection range of the detection sensor unit 302 may be closer to the camera slave unit 300 than the detection range of the detection sensor unit 301. The range may be narrower than the 301 detection range. That is, the detection sensor unit 301 detects the movement of a wide range of people, and the detection sensor unit 302 detects the movement of a narrow range of people.

  The control unit 303 sets the synchronization period of the camera slave unit 300 according to the detection signal input from the detection sensor unit 301 or the detection sensor unit 302.

  In the following description, a plurality of synchronization periods shown in FIG. 14 are used. For example, in FIG. 14, the relationship between the synchronization periods of the monitor master device 100 (FIG. 5) and the camera slave device 300 is cycle 3 <cycle 2 <cycle 1 (synchronization frequency: cycle 1 <cycle 2 <cycle 3).

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of the cycle setting process in the camera slave unit 300. In FIG. 15, the same processes as those in the first embodiment (FIG. 9) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  For example, when no movement of a person is detected in any of the detection sensor unit 301 and the detection sensor unit 302 (ST301: No and ST302: No), the control unit 303 sets the synchronization period of the camera slave unit 300 as a cycle. 1 is set (ST203). As shown in FIG. 14, period 1 is the longest compared to other periods. That is, the control unit 303 can suppress the power consumption in the camera slave unit 300 by setting the synchronization period to this cycle 1 in a state where there is no person in the vicinity of the camera slave unit 300.

  When the detection signal is input only from the detection sensor unit 301 having a wide detection range (ST301: No, and ST302: Yes), the control unit 303 sets the synchronization cycle to a cycle 2 shorter than the cycle 1 ( ST204). In addition, when a detection signal is input from detection sensor unit 302 having a narrow detection range (ST301: Yes), control unit 303 sets the synchronization cycle to cycle 3 shorter than cycle 2 (ST303).

  That is, the control unit 303 sets the synchronization cycle to a cycle 2 shorter than the cycle 1 when a person is nearby and a detection signal is input only from the detection sensor unit 301, If the movement of the camera is detected, it is determined that there is a person very close to the camera slave unit 300, and the synchronization cycle is set to the shortest cycle 3.

  By doing so, at the time when the user actually performs the communication start operation on the monitor base unit 100 (for example, when the visitor presses the call button near the camera slave unit 300 and the user presses the call button). The synchronization cycle between the monitor base unit 100 and the camera slave unit 300 is very short. As a result, the time from when the communication start operation is performed by the user in the monitor base unit 100 until the instruction based on the operation arrives at the camera slave unit 300 falls within the shortest synchronization cycle of the cycle 3. Therefore, it is possible to further shorten the response time from when the user operation is performed until the camera slave unit 300 starts image transmission to the monitor master unit 100.

  Here, when the synchronization cycle is set to cycle 3, the response time becomes very fast, but the battery of the camera slave unit 300 is also consumed extremely. Therefore, it is desirable that the period 3 is set as the synchronization period immediately before the monitor base unit 100 is actually operated by the user. On the other hand, when the synchronization cycle is set to cycle 1, the response time is very slow. Therefore, if the synchronization cycle is changed from cycle 1 to cycle 3 using only the detection sensor unit 302, detection is performed. Before the period change is completed after the sensor unit 302 detects the movement of the person, the call button is pushed by the visitor.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, first, when a movement of a person is detected only by the detection sensor unit 301, a cycle 2 is set as a synchronization signal. Then, when the motion of the person is detected by the detection sensor unit 302 (that is, when the person is actually pressing the call button near the camera slave unit 300), the cycle 3 is set as the synchronization signal. By doing so, extreme battery consumption due to setting the synchronization period to period 3 can be avoided. Furthermore, by changing the synchronization cycle from cycle 2 to cycle 3, the response time can be shortened compared to the case of changing the synchronization cycle from cycle 1 to cycle 3. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to change the synchronization period in consideration of the balance between the response time and the battery life of the camera slave unit 300.

  Furthermore, for example, when the synchronization period is rapidly changed from period 1 to period 3, the monitor base unit 100 and the camera slave unit 300 may not be synchronized. For example, it is known that in a practical system, the period can be changed only theoretically up to 4 times or 1/4. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the synchronization period is gradually switched between period 1, period 2, and period 3 according to the movement of the person, so that the abrupt synchronization period change described above does not occur. It is possible to prevent the synchronization between the monitor base unit 100 and the camera slave unit 300 from being lost.

  In this embodiment, the case where two types of detection sensors having different detection ranges are used has been described. However, the number of detection sensors included in the camera slave unit 300 is not limited to two, and three or more detection ranges having different detection ranges. The detection sensor may be provided. For example, it is effective when combined with different types of sensors such as a pyroelectric sensor (human sensor) and an infrared sensor (distance sensor).

(Embodiment 3)
In the present embodiment, an example of a door phone system including the monitor master unit and the camera slave unit described above will be described.

  FIG. 16 shows a configuration example of the door phone system according to the present embodiment. The door phone system according to the present embodiment includes a camera slave unit 400, a wired camera slave unit 500, a monitor slave unit 600, and a door phone master unit 700.

  The camera slave unit 400 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 6) or the second embodiment (FIG. 12). That is, the camera slave device 400 sets the synchronization cycle to a cycle shorter than normal when the detection sensor unit detects the movement of a person. Thereby, the response time from when the operation by the user is performed to when the camera slave unit 400 starts image transmission to the doorphone master unit 700 can be further shortened.

  Doorphone master device 700 has a configuration similar to that of monitor master device 100 (FIG. 5) according to the first or second embodiment. The wired camera slave device 500 includes an imaging unit, a call button for a visitor to press, and a voice call unit. The intercom base unit 700 is wired to the wired camera slave unit 500 and can receive an image captured by the wired camera slave unit 500. Of the image captured by the camera slave unit 400 or the image captured by the wired camera slave unit 500, the image displayed on the display unit of the doorphone master unit 700 can be switched by the user. Further, door phone master device 700 transfers an image captured by camera slave device 400 or wired camera slave device 500 to monitor slave device 600.

  Information on pressing the call button from the wired camera slave unit 500 is transmitted to the doorphone master unit 700, and the doorphone master unit 700 transmits the call information to the monitor slave unit 600 connected wirelessly. Furthermore, door phone master device 700 transfers the image from wired camera slave device 500 to monitor slave device 600. The monitor slave unit 600 receives an image from the doorphone master unit 700 and displays the received image on a display.

  Further, according to the call button press information from wired camera slave unit 500, door phone base unit 700 transmits the call button press information to camera slave unit 400, and camera slave unit 400 is the same as ST 204 shown in FIG. Alternatively, the synchronization period with the doorphone parent device 700 may be set to period 2 (a relatively short period). As a result, the camera slave unit 400 receives the control signal from the doorphone master unit 700 every cycle 2 and can respond to the call from the doorphone master unit 700 relatively quickly. Similarly to FIG. 9, camera slave unit 400 is in a state of waiting for call information from the parent unit in ST208 while it is out of the sleep state. When receiving call information from door phone base unit 700 (ST208: Yes), camera slave unit 400 sends a communication start request to door phone base unit 700 and enters a communication state (ST209). Transmits the captured image to door phone base unit 700.

  For example, in the door phone system shown in FIG. 16, when a visitor presses the call button of the wired camera slave unit 500 provided at the entrance of the building, the call button information is sent to the door phone master unit 700 and called by the door phone master unit 700. There is a sound. The image is picked up by the wired camera slave unit 500 and the image is sent to the doorphone master unit 700. In addition, an image from the camera slave unit 400 is also sent to the doorphone master unit 700 in accordance with a user operation. Then, the intercom master device 700 displays image data (that is, a visitor's video) acquired from the camera slave device 400 or the wired camera slave device 500 according to the operation of the user. Thereby, the user can confirm a visitor from a different angle by switching the image of the camera slave unit 400 or the wired camera slave unit 500.

  Further, the doorphone base unit 700 also transfers the image data acquired from the camera slave unit 400 or the wired camera slave unit 500 to the monitor slave unit 600, so that the user can use the monitor slave unit 600 as a visitor. It is also possible to confirm.

  Note that the camera slave unit 400 and the wired camera slave unit 500 may be provided in different places (for example, the entrance and the entrance). By doing so, the door phone system can cope with confirmation of visitors at a plurality of places.

(Embodiment 4)
In the first and second embodiments, the case has been described in which the camera slave unit changes the synchronization cycle of the camera slave unit to a shorter cycle when the camera parent device detects the movement of a person.

  However, if there is a person at the last position of whether or not the detection sensor can be detected, the presence / absence of detection of the detection sensor frequently changes, and switching between cycle 1 and cycle 2 is repeated frequently. If this continues, it may be impossible to synchronize with the base unit.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the period 2 is configured to maintain the period 2 once the period is changed to the period 2 so that the switching between the period 1 and the period 2 is not repeated frequently.

  Since the basic configuration of the monitor base unit and the camera slave unit according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the monitor base unit 100 and the camera slave unit 200 according to the first embodiment, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. To do. Alternatively, the camera slave device according to the present embodiment may be the camera slave device 300 (FIG. 12) according to the second embodiment.

  When the detection sensor unit 208 detects a person's movement, the control unit 213 of the camera slave device 200 according to the present embodiment sets the synchronization cycle of the camera slave device 200 to a shorter cycle (for example, as in the first embodiment). Set to cycle 2) shown in FIG. Further, the control unit 213 sets the synchronization cycle to cycle 2, and if the operation for starting communication (pressing the communication button) does not occur in the monitor base unit 100 within a predetermined period, that is, the control unit 213 calls the camera slave unit 300. When the control signal is not received, the synchronization period of the camera slave unit 200 is changed to the original period (for example, period 1 shown in FIG. 7).

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of the synchronization cycle setting process in the camera slave unit 200. In FIG. 17, the same processes as those in the first embodiment (FIG. 9) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 17, in ST201, the camera slave unit 200 establishes synchronization with the monitor master unit 100 at the timing of cycle 1 as in FIG. In ST202, the control unit 213 of the camera slave unit 200 determines whether or not the detection sensor unit 208 has detected the movement of a person around the camera slave unit 200.

  When the detection sensor unit 208 has not detected the movement of the person (ST202: No), the control unit 213 sets the synchronization cycle to cycle 1. When the detection sensor unit 208 detects the movement of a person (ST202: Yes), in ST401, the control unit 213 determines whether to return the synchronization cycle to the original cycle (for example, cycle 1) (see FIG. (Not shown) starts counting the elapsed time after the completion of the synchronization cycle setting process for cycle 2.

  In ST204, control unit 213 sets the synchronization period with monitor base unit 100 to period 2.

  In ST205, control unit 213 instructs power supply control unit 211 to turn off the power, and causes camera slave device 200 to enter a sleep state. In ST206, control section 213 determines whether or not the sleep timer counted by timer control section 210 has expired. If the sleep timer has not expired (ST206: No), the process returns to ST206.

  When the sleep timer has expired (ST206: Yes), in ST207, the control unit 213 instructs the power supply control unit 211 to turn on the power, whereby the camera slave unit 200 starts a reception operation. In ST208, control unit 213 determines whether or not a call from monitor parent device 200 has been received. When the call is received (ST208: Yes), in ST209, control unit 213 transmits a communication start request to monitor base unit 200 via wireless unit 202. If no call is received (ST208: No), the process proceeds to ST402.

  In ST402, control unit 213 determines whether or not the elapsed time that started timing in ST401 has exceeded a predetermined period (whether or not the timer has expired). When the timer is not started in ST401, control unit 213 returns to ST202 (not shown) without performing ST402.

  If the timer has not expired (ST402: No), control unit 213 returns to the process of ST204 and maintains the state in which the synchronization period is set to period 2. When the timer has expired (ST402: Yes), the control unit 213 returns to the process of ST202 and determines whether or not the detection sensor unit 208 has detected the movement of a person in the vicinity.

  As shown in FIG. 17, in the fourth embodiment, the change of the sensor is detected and the synchronization period is changed to a short period of a certain time. For example, when Embodiment 4 shown in FIG. 17 is used, when an ultrasonic sensor that measures the distance to the object is used as a detection sensor, the camera slave unit 200 changes (becomes closer) when the distance to the object changes. The synchronization period can be changed to a short period. Moreover, in Embodiment 4 shown in FIG. 17, even if the state where the person stopped near the camera continues, it becomes a short period of time for a certain period. Further, as the sensor control, reading the change based on the difference from the previous time is simpler than the threshold determination.

  That is, when a movement of a person is detected, the camera slave device 200 changes the synchronization cycle to a shorter cycle for a limited period and maintains the cycle regardless of the detection state of the detection sensor. Thereby, even when there is a person at the last position of whether or not the detection sensor can detect, it is possible to prevent the synchronization cycle changing process from being frequently performed.

(Embodiment 5)
In this embodiment, the operation of the camera slave unit after returning the synchronization period to the original period (period 1) will be described.

  Since the basic configuration of the monitor base unit and the camera slave unit according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the monitor base unit 100 and the camera slave unit 200 according to the first embodiment, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. To do. Alternatively, the camera slave device according to the present embodiment may be the camera slave device 300 (FIG. 12) according to the second embodiment.

  Specifically, when the control unit 213 of the camera slave device 200 according to the present embodiment changes the synchronization cycle to the shorter cycle 2 and then changes to the original cycle 1 again, the control unit 213 changes the cycle to the cycle 1. After a predetermined period has elapsed and the detection sensor unit 208 detects a person, the synchronization cycle is changed to cycle 2. In other words, when the control unit 213 changes the synchronization cycle to a shorter cycle and then returns to the original cycle, the control sensor 213 detects the detection sensor as described above until the predetermined period elapses after returning to the original cycle. The period change according to the detection of the unit 208 is not performed.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of the synchronization cycle setting process in the camera slave unit 200. In FIG. 18, the same processes as those in the fourth embodiment (FIG. 17) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 18, in ST202, the control unit 213 of the camera slave unit 200 determines whether or not the detection sensor unit 208 has detected the movement of a person around the camera slave unit 200. When the detection sensor unit 208 has not detected the movement of the person (ST202: No), the control unit 213 sets the synchronization cycle to cycle 1. On the other hand, when the detection sensor unit 208 detects the movement of a person (ST202: Yes), in ST501, the control unit 213 starts measuring the first timer and the second timer. Here, the second timer is used to measure the time (time until returning to cycle 1 again) after the synchronization cycle is changed to cycle 2 (ST204). The first timer is used to measure the time from when the synchronization period is changed to period 2 to when human motion detection is performed again. The first timer value (time until the first timer expires) is larger than the second timer value (time until the second timer expires).

  In ST204, control unit 213 sets the synchronization period to period 2.

  In ST205, the control unit 213 shifts the camera slave device 200 to the sleep state. In ST206, control section 213 determines whether or not the sleep timer has expired. When the sleep timer has expired (ST206: Yes), power is turned on to camera slave device 200 in ST207, and camera slave device 200 receives the signal. Start operation. In ST208, control unit 213 determines whether or not a call is received from monitor base unit 200. If a call is received (ST208: Yes), the process proceeds to ST209, and if a call is not received (ST208: No). Moves to ST502.

  In ST502, control section 213 determines whether or not the elapsed time that started counting in ST501 has exceeded the second timer value (whether or not the second timer has expired). When the second timer has not expired (ST502: No), control unit 213 returns to the process of ST204. In other words, the camera slave device 200 operates in the cycle 2. If the second timer has expired (ST502: Yes), control unit 213 moves to the process of ST503.

  In ST503, control unit 213 determines whether or not the elapsed time that started counting in ST501 has exceeded the first timer value (whether or not the first timer has expired). If the first timer has not expired (ST503: No), control unit 213 returns to the process of ST203. In other words, the camera slave device 200 operates in the cycle 1. When the first timer has expired (ST503: Yes), control unit 213 proceeds to the process of ST202. That is, the camera slave device 200 resumes the detection of the person's motion.

  For example, a case where the first timer value is 100 seconds and the second timer value is 30 seconds will be described. In this case, for 30 seconds after the detection sensor unit 208 detects a person (starts the first timer and the second timer), the camera slave unit 200 operates at a cycle 2 and then 70 seconds (first timer value−first time). 2 timer value), the camera slave device 200 operates in a cycle 1 without detecting the movement of a person. Then, after 100 seconds have elapsed from the start of the timer, the camera slave device 200 repeats the sleep operation and the reception operation while detecting the motion of the person in period 1.

  By doing so, after the second timer expires (after the synchronization period is returned from the early period 2 to the late period 1, the person's motion detection (ST202) is not performed while the first timer does not expire. It is possible to prevent the cycle changing process from being frequently performed.

  For example, even if the synchronization cycle is changed from cycle 1 to cycle 2 based on detection of a person's movement and the synchronization cycle is returned from cycle 2 to cycle 1 after a predetermined period, the same movement of the person continues. There is also a possibility that it has been. That is, even after the synchronization cycle is returned to cycle 1, the detection sensor unit 208 detects the same movement of the person again. However, since the predetermined period has elapsed after the synchronization period is changed to the fast period 2, the movement of the person is not likely to be a movement related to the start of communication (for example, a movement of pressing the call button). For this reason, even if the synchronization period is changed again from period 1 to period 2 when the camera slave device 200 detects the same movement of the person again, the synchronization period is changed from period 2 to period 2 after a predetermined period. It will return to 1, and a useless period change process will be repeated.

  On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the camera slave unit 200 is synchronized until the predetermined period elapses after the synchronization period is returned from the period 2 to the period 1 (ST502: Yes and ST503: No). Period change processing (human motion detection) is not performed. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the camera slave device 200 from re-detecting the same movement of the person detected last time and repeating the useless cycle changing process. Since power is consumed even in the process of changing the synchronization cycle, it is possible to prevent the synchronization process from being changed frequently, thereby preventing the synchronization with the master unit and shortening the battery life. It becomes possible.

(Embodiment 6)
In the second embodiment, a case has been described in which the camera slave unit adaptively switches between three types of synchronization periods (periods 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 14) based on detection of a person's movement. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which a restriction is provided for a period during which the synchronization operation with the shortest cycle 3 is performed.

  Since the basic configuration of the monitor base unit and the camera slave unit according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the monitor base unit 100 and the camera slave unit 300 according to the second embodiment, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 5 and 12. To do. In the following, as in the second embodiment, the case where the cycles 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 14 are used as the synchronization cycle will be described.

  Specifically, the control unit 303 of the camera slave device 300 according to the present embodiment performs a synchronous operation at a cycle 3 in a predetermined period (for example, one day) when the detection sensor unit 302 detects a person's movement. It is determined whether or not the total time (total time in which the period 3 is set) is within a preset threshold. And the control part 303 changes a synchronous period to the period 3, when total time is less than a threshold value. On the other hand, when the total time exceeds the threshold, the control unit 303 does not change the synchronization period and keeps the period 2.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of the synchronization cycle setting process in the camera slave unit 300. In FIG. 19, the same processes as those of the second embodiment (FIG. 15) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 19, the predetermined period is one day (24 hours). In the camera slave unit 300, the start time and end time of a predetermined period are set. Further, the camera slave unit 300 counts the total time during which the camera slave unit 300 performs the synchronization operation in the cycle 3 in the predetermined period (one day) (not shown). In addition, the camera slave device 300 sets in advance a time (threshold value) in which synchronization operation can be performed in a cycle 3 in one day.

  19, in ST601, control section 303 determines whether or not the current time has passed the end time of one day. When one day has passed (ST601: Yes), in ST602, control unit 303 resets the count of the total time during which the synchronization operation is performed in period 3 (set to 0). If one day has not elapsed (ST601: No), control unit 303 proceeds to the process of ST301.

  When the motion of the person is detected by the detection sensor unit 302 (ST301: Yes), in ST603, the control unit 303 has counted the total time of the synchronous operation in the cycle 3 that has exceeded the total time that is a threshold value. Judge whether or not. When the total time of the synchronous operation in period 3 exceeds the threshold (ST603: Yes), control unit 303 proceeds to the process of ST204. That is, when the total time of the synchronization operation in the cycle 3 in the day exceeds the upper limit time of the day, the control unit 303 performs the synchronization in the cycle 3 even when the detection sensor unit 302 detects the movement of the person. The period is not changed, and the synchronization period remains as period 2.

  On the other hand, when the total time of the synchronous operation in period 3 is within the threshold (ST603: No), control unit 303 proceeds to ST303. That is, when the total time of the synchronization operation in the cycle 3 in the day is within the upper limit time of the day, the control unit 303 synchronizes with the cycle 3 when the detection sensor unit 302 detects the movement of the person. Change the cycle.

  Here, when the camera slave unit 300 performs the synchronization operation in the cycle 3, the response time of image data communication from the camera slave unit 300 to the monitor master unit 100 becomes very fast, but the power consumption in the camera slave unit 300 is increased. The amount increases and the battery life becomes very short.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, camera slave unit 300 sets an upper limit of a time during which a synchronous operation can be performed in period 3 in a predetermined period. That is, the camera slave unit 300 has a restriction that the change to the cycle 3 is not performed when the total time of the synchronization operation in the cycle 3 exceeds the upper limit. By doing so, the camera slave unit 300 changes the synchronization period to the period 3 based on the detection of the movement of the person, thereby increasing the communication response speed and increasing the upper limit time of the synchronization operation in the period 3. By setting, it is possible to prevent the battery life of the camera slave unit 300 from becoming extremely short.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the total time of performing the synchronization operation in cycle 3 exceeds a threshold, camera slave device 300 performs the synchronization operation in cycle 2. However, although the synchronization operation in cycle 2 is inferior to the synchronization operation in cycle 3, the communication response speed is sufficiently faster than the synchronization operation in cycle 1. That is, when the synchronous operation in the period 3 cannot be performed due to the above-described restriction, the influence of the decrease in the response speed by using the period 2 instead of the period 3 on the performance of the entire system is small.

  In the present embodiment, the case has been described in which the period for limiting the total time in which the synchronous operation in period 3 is possible is one day. However, the period for limiting the total time during which the synchronous operation can be performed in the cycle 3 is not limited to one day, and may be, for example, a predetermined number of days or a predetermined time.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above.

  The present invention is useful when applied to all camera devices that communicate with a monitoring device.

100 monitor master unit 200,300 camera slave unit 101, 201 antenna 102, 202 wireless unit 103, 203 audio processing unit 104, 204 microphone 105, 205 speaker 106 display unit 107, 209 memory unit 108 operation unit 109 power source unit 110, 213 , 303 Control unit 111 System clock 206 Imaging unit 207 Image data processing unit 208, 301, 302 Detection sensor unit 210 Timer control unit 211 Power supply control unit 212 Battery 214 High-speed clock 215 Low-speed clock

Claims (10)

Imaging means for acquiring image data to be transmitted to a monitoring device operating in synchronization with the camera device;
First detection means for detecting the movement of a person in the first detection range;
If no movement of a person is detected in the first detection range, a synchronization period for intermittent communication between the camera device and the monitoring device is set to the first period, and a person is detected in the first detection range. Control means for setting the synchronization period to a second period shorter than the first period,
A camera apparatus comprising: Further comprising second detection means for detecting movement of a person in a second detection range that is closer to the camera device than the first detection range;
When the movement of a person is detected in the second detection range, the control means sets the synchronization period to a third period shorter than the second period.
The camera device according to claim 1. When the movement of a person is detected in the second detection range, and the total time for which the third period is set within a predetermined period is within a threshold, the control means sets the synchronization period to the first period. Set to a period of 3,
The camera device according to claim 2. The control means changes the synchronization period to the first period when the communication device does not start the communication within a predetermined period after the synchronization period is set to the second period. ,
The camera device according to claim 1. The control means sets the synchronization period to the second period when a predetermined period has elapsed since the synchronization signal was changed to the first period and when a movement of a person is detected in the first detection range. Set to cycle,
The camera device according to claim 4. The first detection means detects a person's movement only with a synchronization timing based on the synchronization period in the intermittent communication.
The camera device according to claim 1. When a communication start request is sent from the camera device to the monitoring device during the intermittent communication, the communication between the camera device and the monitoring device is switched from intermittent communication to continuous communication.
The camera device according to claim 1. Imaging means for acquiring image data to be transmitted to a monitoring device operating in synchronization with the camera device;
First detection means for detecting the movement of a person in the first detection range;
Second detection means for detecting the movement of a person in a second detection range, which is a range closer to the camera device than the first detection range;
When the movement of a person is not detected in the first detection range, the synchronization cycle for intermittent communication between the camera device and the monitoring device is set to the first cycle,
When the movement of a person is detected in the first detection range, the synchronization period is set to a second period shorter than the first period,
Control means for setting the synchronization period to a third period shorter than the second period when the movement of a person is detected in the second detection range;
A camera apparatus comprising: Obtain image data to be sent to a monitoring device that operates in synchronization with the camera device,
Detecting the movement of a person in the first detection range,
If no movement of a person is detected in the first detection range, a synchronization period for intermittent communication between the camera device and the monitoring device is set to the first period, and a person is detected in the first detection range. When the movement of the second is detected, the synchronization period is set to a second period shorter than the first period.
Synchronization cycle setting method. A monitoring system comprising a camera device that acquires image data and a monitoring device that communicates with the camera device,
The camera device operating in synchronization with the monitoring device performs intermittent communication with the monitoring device, and performs continuous communication when a communication start request is sent from the monitoring device during the intermittent communication. Switching,
The camera device is
Imaging means for acquiring image data to be transmitted to the monitoring device;
First detection means for detecting the movement of a person in the first detection range;
If no movement of a person is detected in the first detection range, a synchronization cycle for the intermittent communication is set to the first cycle between the camera device and the monitoring device, and the first detection range Control means for setting the synchronization period to a second period shorter than the first period when the movement of a person is detected in
The monitoring device
Display means for displaying the image data transmitted from the camera device;
Monitoring system.

Images