JP2019041242A - Communication device, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to easily grasp a radio wave intensity at a position of an object. When a communication device that holds intensity information of a radio wave radiated when the device itself performs wireless communication captures an image and acquires distance information with respect to an object included in the image, the radio wave intensity information And intensity information of the radio wave at the position of the object is derived from the distance information. Then, information based on the derived radio wave intensity information is presented. [Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to the intensity of radio waves radiated from a communication device.

  A network camera equipped with a wireless device and capable of performing wireless communication is widely used (Patent Document 1). Such a network camera can be connected to a peripheral device including a wireless device such as a human sensor or a door opening / closing sensor. When connecting and using a network camera and peripheral device by performing wireless communication, the user installs the network camera and peripheral device, turns on the power of each, and confirms whether wireless communication can be performed. Was.

JP, 2006-208410, A

  If the strength of wireless communication between the installed network camera and peripheral device is insufficient, it is necessary for the user to re-install the network camera and peripheral device and turn on the power again to check whether wireless communication can be performed again. There is. In this way, when a user installs a peripheral device, it is necessary to reinstall the network camera and peripheral device and turn on the power until the network camera and peripheral device can perform wireless communication. It becomes a burden.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to enable a user to easily grasp the radio wave intensity at the position of an object.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a communication device of the present invention holds first intensity information corresponding to the intensity of radio waves radiated when the communication device performs wireless communication, and imaging means for capturing a first image. A first acquisition unit that acquires distance information corresponding to a distance between the holding unit, the communication device, and an object included in the first image captured by the imaging unit; and the holding unit holds the first acquisition unit. First deriving means for deriving second intensity information corresponding to the intensity of the radio wave at the position of the object based on the first intensity information and the distance information acquired by the first acquiring means. And presenting means for presenting predetermined information based on the second intensity information derived by the first deriving means.

  According to the present invention, the user can easily grasp the radio wave intensity at the position of the object.

It is a figure which shows the network structure of the network where the network camera 100 participates. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a network camera 100. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the intensity | strength information of the electromagnetic wave which the network camera 100 hold | maintains. 5 is a flowchart realized when the network camera 100 derives radio wave intensity information. It is a figure of the image displayed when the network camera 100 superimposes the intensity | strength information of a radio wave on the imaged image. 10 is another flowchart realized when the network camera 100 derives radio wave intensity information.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configurations shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the illustrated configurations.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 shows a network configuration of a network in which a network camera (hereinafter referred to as NW camera) 100 according to the present embodiment participates.

  In the present embodiment, the NW camera 100 performs wireless communication with the peripheral device 200 via the network 1001. The NW camera 100 captures an image and transmits the captured image to the terminal 400 via the network 1002. The NW camera 100 replaces or in addition to the captured image, an analysis result obtained by analyzing the captured image, information obtained from a sensor included in the own device, information transmitted from the peripheral device 200, and the like May be transmitted to the terminal 400. Further, the NW camera 100 may be operated from the terminal 400 via the network 1002.

  Examples of the sensor included in the NW camera 100 include a temperature sensor, a human sensor, a sound sensor, and an optical sensor. The NW camera 100 may control the peripheral device 200 based on information obtained from these sensors.

  In the network 1001, the NW camera 100 and the peripheral device 200 communicate with each other by a wireless communication method compliant with the IEEE 802.11 series standard. IEEE is an abbreviation for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. In addition to or in place of wireless communication compliant with the IEEE 802.11 series standard, each device is compliant with other wireless communication methods such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), UWB, ZigBee (registered trademark), and MBOA. A method may also be used. In addition, a communication method compliant with Z-Wave, Wi-SUN, Dust Networks, IP500, or the like may be used. UWB is an abbreviation for Ultra Wide Band, and MBOA is an abbreviation for Multi Band OFDM Alliance. Wi-SUN is an abbreviation for Wireless Smart Utility Network. UWB includes wireless USB, wireless 1394, WiNET, and the like.

  In the network 1002, the NW camera 100 and the terminal 400 communicate with each other by a wireless communication method compliant with the IEEE 802.11 series standard. Each device may use a communication method compliant with other wireless communication methods such as Bluetooth, UWB, ZigBee, MBOA in addition to or instead of the wireless communication compliant with the IEEE 802.11 series standard. In addition, a communication method compliant with Z-Wave, Wi-SUN, Dust Networks, IP500, or the like may be used. Each device may also use a communication method based on a wired communication method such as Ethernet (registered trademark).

  The peripheral device 200 is a device that expands the function of the NW camera 100 or assists the NW camera 100 by performing wireless communication with the NW camera 100. Specific examples of the peripheral device 200 include a human sensor, a door opening / closing sensor, a security buzzer, a dimmer, and a storage device. For example, when the peripheral device 200 is a human sensor, a notification is transmitted to the NW camera 100 when the peripheral device 200 detects the presence of a person, and recording is started when the NW camera 100 receives the notification. Operation is possible. Alternatively, if the peripheral device 200 is a storage device, the image captured by the NW camera 100 is stored by transmitting the image captured by the NW camera 100 to the peripheral device 200 and storing the image received by the peripheral device 200. I can keep it.

  Terminal 400 is a tablet that communicates with NW camera 100 via network 1002. The terminal 400 receives an image distributed by the NW camera 100 from the NW camera 100 via the network 1002. The terminal 400 may receive information transmitted from the peripheral device 200 to the NW camera 100 from the NW camera 100. Also, the terminal 400 may operate the NW camera 100 via the network 1002. The terminal 400 may be a communication device that can perform communication via a network, such as a PC or a smartphone.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the NW camera 100.

  The NW camera 100 includes a storage unit 201, an acquisition unit 202, a control unit 203, an image distribution unit 204, a function unit 205, and a communication unit 206.

  The storage unit 201 is configured by a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, and stores various information such as a program (computer program) for performing various operations described later and communication parameters. Further, the storage unit 201 holds intensity information of radio waves emitted from the communication unit 206 when the NW camera 100 performs wireless communication. Specifically, the intensity information of the radio wave emitted by the NW camera 100 at a point (measurement point) away from the NW camera 100 by a certain distance from the NW camera 100 is held.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of radio wave intensity information held in the storage unit 201 of the NW camera 100. The diagram shown in FIG. 3 shows the radio wave intensity information at measurement points that are separated by a predetermined distance from the NW camera 100 as a center, cut out on the xy plane, the yz plane, and the zx plane, respectively. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the direction perpendicular to the installation surface of the NW camera 100 coincides with the z-axis in FIG. The storage unit 201 may hold the intensity information as a plurality of two-dimensional models as shown in FIG. 3 or may hold them as a three-dimensional model.

  In addition to the memory such as ROM and RAM, the storage unit 201 is a storage medium such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, and a DVD. May be used. The storage unit 201 may include a plurality of memories.

  The acquisition unit 202 acquires distance information between the NW camera 100 and an object included in an image captured by the NW camera 100. Specifically, the acquisition unit 202 acquires distance information with respect to the object by the image plane phase difference AF method. AF is an abbreviation for Auto Focus. The acquisition unit 202 receives light emitted from the object by the imaging device, and acquires distance information from the object. The image sensor provided in the acquisition unit 202 is a CMOS or a CCD. CMOS is an abbreviation for Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor, and CCD is an abbreviation for Charge-Coupled Device. The acquisition unit 202 may be included in the function unit 205 described later.

  In addition, the acquisition unit 202 may acquire distance information using a phase difference AF method or a contrast AF method. In this case, the acquisition unit 202 may include an AF sensor in addition to the image sensor, and acquire distance information using the sensor. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 202 includes a light source, irradiates light from the light source, reflects the light to the object, and receives the reflected light with a light receiving unit included in the acquisition unit 202, thereby acquiring distance information from the object. May be. The light source included in the acquisition unit 202 is an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or a laser diode. The light receiving part is a CMOS, PSD (Position Sensitive Detector), or light receiving diode.

  The control unit 203 includes a processor such as a CPU or MPU, and controls the entire NW camera 100 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 201. Note that the control unit 203 may control the entire NW camera 100 in cooperation with a program stored in the storage unit 201 and an OS (Operating System). The control unit 203 may include a plurality of processors such as multi-cores, and the NW camera 100 may be controlled by the plurality of processors.

  The control unit 203 considers the attenuation of the radio wave due to the distance to the target object from the intensity information of the radio wave held by the storage unit 201 and the distance information of the target object acquired by the acquisition unit 202. Deriving the intensity information of the radio wave at the position.

  An expression for deriving the attenuation of the radio wave from the distance information with the object is shown below. The following formula is an example, and the formula for deriving attenuation differs depending on the antenna shape and the like.

  In the radio wave intensity information (FIG. 3) held in the storage unit 201, the radio wave intensity at the measurement point (point A0) is S0 [dBm], and the point A0 is a distance r0 [m] from the NW camera 100. It is assumed that the information includes that it is a distant point. It is assumed that the distance information between the object acquired by the acquisition unit 202 includes information that the distance between the NW camera 100 and the object is r [m] away.

In this case, assuming that the wavelength of the radio wave radiated from the antenna is λ [m], the attenuation amount LOS [dB] of the radio wave from the point A0 at the position of the object can be obtained by the following formula 1.
LOS = 20 × log {4π (r−r0) / λ} (Formula 1)
The radio wave intensity S [dBm] at the position of the object can be obtained by the following formula 2.
S = S0−LOS (Equation 2)
In the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 205 acquires distance information with respect to a plurality of objects included in an image captured by the NW camera 100. Then, from the acquired distance information and the radio wave intensity information held in the storage unit 201, the radio wave intensity information at the positions of the plurality of objects is derived. Therefore, the control unit 203 can obtain radio wave intensity information at each position of a plurality of objects included in the image captured by the NW camera 100. The radio wave intensity information derived here may be derived based on a table of distance information and radio wave intensity information held in advance in the storage unit 201 instead of being derived based on mathematical expressions.

  The control unit 203 presents information based on the radio wave intensity S by superimposing radio wave intensity information based on the radio wave intensity S obtained using Equation 2 on an image captured by the function unit 205 described later. In the present embodiment, the control unit 203 superimposes the derived plurality of radio wave intensity information. Specifically, the captured image is colored based on the radio wave intensity information obtained using Equation 2. Coloring may be performed with different colors based on the intensity of the radio wave, or the color intensity may be changed. Alternatively, the intensity information may be displayed as character information.

  The image distribution unit 204 distributes the image generated by superimposing the information on the radio wave intensity to the terminal 400 via the communication unit 206. The distributed image is displayed on the display unit of the terminal 400.

  The function unit 205 is hardware for the NW camera 100 to execute a predetermined process. In the present embodiment, the functional unit 205 is an imaging unit, and captures an image by performing an imaging process. Note that the functional unit 205 may include a sensor or may include hardware that executes other processing. The function unit 205 may include the acquisition unit 202.

  The function unit 205 may include an output unit and an input unit. The output unit performs various outputs to the user via a speaker or a monitor screen. The speaker and the monitor screen may be provided in the NW camera 100, or may be provided in another device connected to the NW camera 100. When the NW camera 100 has a monitor screen as an output unit, the image distributed by the image distribution unit 204 may be displayed on the screen of the monitor screen via the output unit. The input unit accepts various operations from the user. In addition, you may make it implement | achieve both an input part and an output part with one module like a touch panel.

  The communication unit 206 performs control of wireless communication conforming to the IEEE 802.11 series, control of wired communication such as a wired LAN, control of IP (Internet Protocol) communication, and the like. The communication unit 206 controls wireless communication with the peripheral device 200 via the network 1001, receives data from the peripheral device 200, and distributes images to the peripheral device 200. In addition, the communication unit 206 may control wireless communication with the terminal 400 via the network 1002, distribute an image to the terminal 400, or transmit information obtained from the peripheral device 200.

  FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of processing realized when the control unit 203 reads out and executes a program stored in the storage unit 201 when the NW camera 100 derives radio wave intensity information. This flowchart starts when the NW camera 100 and the terminal 400 start communication via the network 1002. Alternatively, this flowchart may be started when the NW camera 100 is powered on.

  First, the control unit 203 determines whether the peripheral device installation mode of the NW camera 100 has been selected (step S401). Here, the peripheral device installation mode is a mode for distributing an image generated by superimposing radio wave intensity information on an image captured by the NW camera 100, and is selected when the user installs the peripheral device 200. Mode. The peripheral device installation mode is selected, for example, when the user presses a control button for starting the peripheral device installation mode or when the NW camera 100 is activated for the first time. When the NW camera 100 has a monitor screen, the control button may be displayed as a soft key on the monitor screen, or may be a button switch as hardware that the NW camera 100 has. Or the control button which the terminal 400 connected with the NW camera 100 has may be sufficient. If the peripheral device installation mode is not selected (No in step S401), the control unit 203 performs the determination again (step S401).

  When the peripheral device installation mode is selected (Yes in step S401), the control unit 203 controls the function unit 205 to capture an image (step S402). Next, the acquisition unit 202 acquires distance information to the object included in the image captured in step S402 (step S403). The process of step S403 may be performed simultaneously with the process of step S402, or the process of step S403 may be performed before the process of step S402.

  Next, the control unit 203 derives the radio wave intensity information at the position of the target object included in the image captured in step S402 from the distance information acquired in step S403 and the radio wave intensity information stored in the storage unit 201. (Step S404). Then, the control unit 203 superimposes the radio wave intensity information at the position of the derived object on the image captured in step S402, and displays an image generated by the image distribution unit 204 superimposing the radio wave intensity information on the terminal 400. (Step S405). Alternatively, when the NW camera 100 has a monitor screen, the image distributed by the image distribution unit 204 may be displayed on the monitor screen.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram of an image displayed when the NW camera 100 superimposes the radio wave intensity information on the acquired image.

  In step S405 of FIG. 4, the image distributed by the image distribution unit 204 is displayed as an image as illustrated in FIG. 5 on the display unit of the terminal 400 or the monitor screen of the NW camera 100. In this embodiment, when superimposing the radio wave intensity information and the captured image in step S405 of FIG. 4, the superimposition is performed so as to be displayed in different colors depending on the radio wave intensity. The range in which the peripheral device 200 has sufficient radio wave intensity to communicate with the NW camera 100 is black, and the range in which communication is possible but difficult to communicate depending on the situation is colored in gray. The range having sufficient radio field strength is a range in which the peripheral device 200 installed in the range and the NW camera 100 have good radio wave conditions, that is, stable wireless communication or high-speed wireless communication can be performed. It is. Further, the range in which communication is difficult or impossible due to insufficient radio wave intensity is color-coded in a colorless color. Specifically, the range where the radio field intensity exceeds the first threshold is black, the range below the first threshold but below the first threshold is gray, the range below the second threshold is gray, Color is colorless. Or you may superimpose so that only the range with sufficient radio wave intensity, ie, the range exceeding a 1st threshold, may be colored and displayed.

  Instead of color-coding according to the intensity of the radio wave, the transparency of the color to be displayed superimposed on the image may be changed according to the intensity of the radio wave. Instead of or in addition to these, the radio wave intensity information may be displayed as character information.

  When the process of step S405 is completed, the control unit 203 determines whether the peripheral device installation mode has ended (step S406). This determination is made based on whether the user has pressed a control button for ending the peripheral device installation mode. When the NW camera 100 has a monitor screen, the control button may be displayed as a soft key on the monitor screen, or may be a button switch as hardware that the NW camera 100 has. Or the control button which the terminal 400 connected with the NW camera 100 has may be sufficient. Alternatively, this determination may be made based on whether communication between the NW camera 100 and the terminal 400 has been disconnected. When communication between NW camera 100 and terminal 400 is disconnected, it is determined that the peripheral device installation mode has ended. If it is determined that the peripheral device installation mode has been completed (Yes in step S406), this flowchart ends. If it is determined that the peripheral device installation mode has not ended (No in step S406), the control unit 203 performs a process in step S402.

  When it is determined that the peripheral device installation mode has not ended (No in step S406), when the same image as that in step S402 is captured, step S402 to step S404 may be skipped. In this case, the control unit 203 may superimpose the radio wave intensity derived in the previous step S404 on the image captured in the previous step S402 and distribute the generated image. On the other hand, when panning or tilting is performed and the image to be captured is changed, the control unit 203 performs the process of step S402.

  In the present embodiment, by displaying an image generated by superimposing radio wave intensity information on an image captured by the NW camera 100, the user can know the intensity of the radio wave emitted by the NW camera 100. Therefore, when installing the peripheral device 200, the user can install the peripheral device 200 at a position where the peripheral device 200 and the NW camera 100 have good radio wave conditions, that is, stable wireless communication or high-speed wireless communication. .

<Embodiment 2>
In the second embodiment, the installation direction of the NW camera 100 is poor with respect to the installation position of the peripheral device 200 and the installation direction of the NW camera 100 is not sufficient when sufficient radio wave intensity cannot be obtained at the installation position. This is an embodiment in which a sufficient radio wave intensity is obtained by changing. Depending on the installation position of the wireless device in the NW camera 100, a peripheral member affects the radio wave radiated from the wireless device, thereby causing a difference in the reach of the radio wave centered on the NW camera 100. Therefore, even if the installation position of the NW camera 100 is not changed, sufficient radio wave intensity may be obtained by changing the installation direction.

  In this embodiment, the network configuration of the network in which the NW camera 100, the peripheral device 200, and the terminal 400 participate is the same as that in FIG. The hardware configuration of the NW camera 100 is the same as that shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows another flowchart of processing realized when the control unit 203 reads and executes a program stored in the storage unit 201 when the NW camera 100 derives radio wave intensity information. This flowchart starts when the NW camera 100 and the terminal 400 start communication via the network 1002. Alternatively, this flowchart may be started when the NW camera 100 is powered on.

  First, the control unit 203 of the NW camera 100 determines whether the peripheral device installation mode is selected (step S601). This determination is performed in the same manner as step S401 in FIG. If the peripheral device installation mode is not selected (No in step S601), the control unit 203 performs the determination again (step S601).

  When the peripheral device installation mode is selected (Yes in step S601), the control unit 203 controls the function unit 205 to capture an image (step S602). Next, the acquisition unit 202 acquires distance information to the target object included in the image captured in step S602 (step S603). The process of step S603 may be performed simultaneously with the process of step S602, or the process of step S603 may be performed before the process of step S602.

  Next, the control unit 203 derives radio wave intensity information at the position of the object included in the image captured in step S602 from the distance information acquired in step S603 and the radio wave intensity information stored in the storage unit 201. (Step S604). Then, the control unit 203 superimposes the radio wave intensity information at the position of the derived object on the image captured in step S402, and displays an image generated by the image distribution unit 204 superimposing the radio wave intensity information on the terminal 400. (Step S605). The terminal 400 displays the distributed image on the display unit. Alternatively, when the NW camera 100 has a monitor screen, the image distributed by the image distribution unit 204 may be displayed on the monitor screen.

  Next, the control unit 203 acquires position information corresponding to the installation position of the peripheral device 200 (step S606). Specifically, when the image distributed in step S605 is displayed on the display unit of the terminal 400, the user selects an installation position for installing the peripheral device 200 from the displayed image. Then, the position information is transmitted from the terminal 400 to the NW camera 100 via the network 1002, so that the control unit 203 acquires the position information of the peripheral device 200. When the image distributed in step S605 is displayed on the monitor screen of the NW camera 100, the user determines the installation position where the peripheral device 200 is installed from the image displayed on the monitor screen. You may choose.

  Alternatively, appropriate position information may be acquired by analyzing the image acquired by the NW camera 100 in step S602 based on the type and function of the installed peripheral device 200. The analysis may be performed by the NW camera 100 or the terminal 400. Note that the types and functions of the peripheral devices 200 to be installed are input in advance to the NW camera 100 and the terminal 400 by the user in advance, or default settings are made in the NW camera 100 and the like.

  When the position information of the peripheral device 200 is acquired in step S606, the control unit 203 determines whether the radio wave intensity at the installation position is sufficiently strong (step S607). This determination is made based on whether the radio wave intensity at the installation position is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold among the radio wave intensity at the position of the object derived in step S604. If the radio field intensity at the installation position is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the radio field intensity at the installation position is sufficiently strong. Specifically, the peripheral device 200 installed at the installation position has good radio wave conditions with the NW camera 100, that is, can perform stable wireless communication or high-speed wireless communication. On the other hand, when the radio field intensity at the installation position is less than the predetermined threshold, the radio field intensity at the installation position is not sufficient. If it is determined that the radio wave intensity at the installation position is sufficiently strong (Yes in step S607), the control unit 203 executes the process in step S612. When it is determined Yes in step S607, the control unit 203 notifies the user that the radio wave intensity at the installation position is sufficiently strong. Specifically, the control unit 203 transmits to the terminal 400 that the radio wave intensity at the installation position is sufficiently strong, and displays it on the display unit. Alternatively, when the NW camera 100 has a monitor screen, it may be displayed on the monitor screen. Further, it may be notified that the peripheral device 200 can be installed at the installation position instead of the radio wave intensity at the installation position being sufficiently strong.

  If it is determined in step S607 that the radio wave intensity at the installation position of the peripheral device 200 is sufficiently strong (Yes in step S607), the control unit 203 determines whether the peripheral device installation mode has ended (step S612). This determination is performed in the same manner as step S406 in FIG. If the control unit 203 determines that the peripheral device installation mode has ended (Yes in step S612), the control unit 203 ends this flowchart. If it is determined that the peripheral device installation mode has not ended (No in step S612), the control unit 203 controls the function unit 205 and performs the process in step S602.

  When the control unit 203 determines that the peripheral device installation mode has not ended (No in step S612), when the same image as that in step S602 is captured, step S602 to step S604 may be skipped. In this case, the control unit 203 may distribute an image generated by superimposing the radio wave intensity derived in the previous step S604 on the image captured in the previous step S602 in step S605.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 203 determines that the radio wave intensity at the installation position is not sufficiently strong (No in step S607), the control unit 203 executes the process in step S608. The control unit 203 of the NW camera 100 derives the radio wave intensity at the installation position of the peripheral device 200 for each fixed angle when the NW camera 100 is rotated 360 ° at the current installation position (step S608). For example, the control unit 203 derives the radio wave intensity at the installation position of the peripheral device 200 every 45 ° when the NW camera 100 is rotated 360 °. In that case, the control unit 203 installs the peripheral device 200 at each angle when the NW camera 100 is rotated by 45 °, 90 °, 135 °, 180 °, 225 °, 270 °, 315 °, 360 °. Deriving the field strength at the location.

  Specifically, the radio wave intensity information (FIG. 3) held in the storage unit 201 is virtually rotated 360 °. When the z-axis of the radio wave intensity information in FIG. 3 coincides with the direction perpendicular to the installation surface of the NW camera 100, the radio wave intensity information is rotated 360 ° around the z-axis. Then, the radio wave intensity at the installation position when rotated by 45 ° is derived. In the case of 360 °, it is not necessary to derive the rotation because it is the same result as the derivation result obtained in step S604 when the rotation is not performed.

  Next, the control unit 203 determines whether there is an angle at which the radio wave intensity at the installation position of the peripheral device 200 is improved (step S609). Specifically, it is determined whether there is an angle of the NW camera 100 at which the radio wave intensity at the installation position is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. When the angle exists (Yes in step S609), the control unit 203 notifies the user of the angle (step S610). Specifically, angle information corresponding to the angle is transmitted to the terminal 400. The terminal 400 that has received the angle information causes the display unit of the terminal 400 to display that the NW camera 100 is rotated to the angle. When the NW camera 100 has a monitor screen, the monitor screen of the NW camera 100 may display that the NW camera 100 is rotated to the angle. Alternatively, if the NW camera 100 can rotate autonomously, it may rotate autonomously up to the angle, or the user is notified that the camera will rotate up to the angle, and the user's consent is obtained. You may rotate autonomously only in the case.

  On the other hand, when the angle does not exist (No in step S609), the control unit 203 notifies the user of an area where wireless communication can be performed without rotating the NW camera 100 (step S611). Specifically, information about the image distributed in step S605 and the region having sufficient radio wave intensity among the regions displayed in the image are transmitted to terminal 400. The terminal 400 receives the transmitted image and displays a notification of installing the peripheral device 200 in an area having sufficient radio field intensity. Alternatively, when the NW camera 100 has a monitor screen, the notification may be displayed on the monitor screen.

  In addition to or instead of the notification in step S611, the control unit 203 may notify the user that there is no angle at which wireless communication with the peripheral device 200 can be performed.

  The NW camera 100 that has completed the process of step S610 or step S611 performs the process of step S602.

  In this embodiment, in step S605, an image generated by superimposing the derived radio wave intensity information on the captured image is distributed. However, not limited to this, in step S605, an image captured without superimposing the derived radio wave intensity information may be distributed. In this case, when the process of step S611 is performed, an image generated by superimposing the derived radio wave intensity information on the captured image is distributed. In this case, in step S611, an area having sufficient radio wave intensity is acquired from the result derived in step S604, and information about the area is superimposed on the image captured in step S602. The NW camera 100 distributes an image generated by superimposing information on the area to the terminal 400 and causes the display unit of the terminal 400 to display the image.

  In the present embodiment, the radio wave intensity information when the NW camera 100 is rotated 360 ° is derived by virtually rotating the radio wave intensity information held in the storage unit 201 in step S608. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the NW camera 100 itself may actually be rotated 360 ° to acquire radio wave intensity information. The rotation of the NW camera 100 may be performed autonomously or manually by the user.

  In the present embodiment, when an image is captured, distance information with respect to the object included in the image is acquired, and intensity information of the radio wave at the position of the object is derived. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and after capturing an image, the image may be distributed, information on the installation position of the peripheral device 200 may be acquired, and distance information with respect to the installation position may be acquired. Then, based on the acquired distance information, the radio wave intensity information at the installation position may be derived to determine whether the radio wave intensity at the installation position is sufficiently strong.

  In this embodiment, in step S607, it is determined whether the radio field intensity at the installation position where the peripheral device 200 is installed is sufficiently strong. When the NW camera 100 is wirelessly communicated with a plurality of peripheral devices 200, the determination may be a determination as to whether the radio wave intensity at all installation positions is sufficiently strong. Alternatively, it may be determined whether the radio field intensity at the installation position of the specific peripheral device 200 selected by the user is sufficiently strong. The specific peripheral device 200 may be automatically selected by the NW camera 100 or the terminal 400 based on the type and function of the peripheral device 200.

  In the present embodiment, the information on the installation position of the peripheral device 200 is acquired, and when the radio wave intensity at the installation position is insufficient, the radio wave intensity when the NW camera 100 is rotated is derived to obtain the user Can easily solve the shortage of radio field strength.

  In addition, although Embodiment 1 and 2 demonstrated the network camera as an example, it is not limited to this. In addition, a communication device that includes an imaging unit that captures an image and a communication unit that performs wireless communication and communicates with an external device may be used. In addition, the imaging unit that captures an image and the communication unit that performs wireless communication may be separate from each other.

  In the first and second embodiments, a wireless communication relay device may be connected to the NW camera 100 in addition to or instead of the peripheral device 200. In the first and second embodiments, when a relay device is installed in an area that has sufficient radio field strength, the radio wave intensity information that also considers the relay device may be derived again. Then, the re-derived radio wave intensity information may be superimposed on the captured image. Or in Embodiment 2, you may determine whether the intensity | strength of the electromagnetic wave in the acquired installation position is enough based on the intensity | strength information of the derived | led-out electric wave again.

  Further, at least part or all of the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 6 may be realized by hardware. When realized by hardware, for example, by using a predetermined compiler, a dedicated circuit may be generated on the FPGA from a program for realizing each step and used. FPGA is an abbreviation for Field Programmable Gate Array. Further, a Gate Array circuit may be formed in the same manner as an FPGA and realized as hardware. Further, it may be realized by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

  Note that each step of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 may be performed in a distributed manner by a plurality of CPUs or devices (not shown). Alternatively, each step of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 may be performed in a distributed manner in each of the NW camera 100 and the terminal 400.

  Although the embodiment has been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as a system, apparatus, method, program, recording medium (storage medium), or the like. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, an imaging device, a web application, etc.), or may be applied to a device composed of a single device. good.

  The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Network camera 201 Memory | storage part 202 Acquisition part 203 Control part 204 Image delivery part 205 Function part 206 Communication part

Claims (15)

An imaging means for imaging the first image, the communication device;
Holding means for holding first intensity information corresponding to the intensity of radio waves emitted when the communication device performs wireless communication;
First acquisition means for acquiring distance information corresponding to a distance between the communication device and an object included in the first image captured by the imaging means;
Based on the first intensity information held by the holding means and the distance information acquired by the first acquisition means, second intensity information corresponding to the intensity of the radio wave at the position of the object is obtained. A first deriving means for deriving;
Presenting means for presenting predetermined information based on the second intensity information derived by the first deriving means;
A communication apparatus comprising:   The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the presenting unit presents a second image based on the first image and the second intensity information as the predetermined information.   The communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second image is an image to be displayed on a display unit by being color-coded according to the intensity of the radio wave based on the second intensity information.   The second image is an image for displaying on the display unit a region where the intensity of the radio wave is greater than a first threshold based on the second intensity information with a first color. The communication device according to claim 3.   In the second image, based on the second intensity information, an area in which the intensity of the radio wave is equal to or less than the first threshold and greater than a second threshold smaller than the first threshold is expressed in a second color. The communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the communication apparatus is an image that is colored and displayed on the display unit.   6. The second image according to claim 2, wherein the second image is an image for displaying character information representing the intensity of the radio wave on a display unit based on the second intensity information. The communication apparatus as described in. Second acquisition means for acquiring first position information corresponding to a first installation position for installing a first other communication apparatus that performs wireless communication with the communication apparatus;
From the second intensity information derived by the first deriving unit and the first position information acquired by the second acquiring unit, the intensity of the radio wave at the first installation position is a predetermined value. Determination means for determining whether or not,
The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus includes:   When the determination means determines that the intensity of the radio wave is greater than or equal to a predetermined value at the first installation position, the presentation means presents that the wireless communication can be performed at the first installation position as the predetermined information. The communication apparatus according to claim 7. When the determination means determines that the intensity of the radio wave is smaller than the predetermined value at the first installation position, the radio wave at the first installation position when the communication device is rotated by a predetermined angle. Second deriving means for deriving third intensity information corresponding to the intensity of
The determination unit is configured to detect the radio wave at the first installation position from the third intensity information derived by the second deriving unit and the first position information acquired by the second acquiring unit. The communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein it is determined whether or not there is an angle at which the intensity is a predetermined value or more.   The communication apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when the determination unit determines that the angle exists, the presentation unit presents angle information corresponding to the angle as the predetermined information.   11. The communication apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when the determination unit determines that the angle does not exist, the presentation unit presents the second image as the predetermined information.   The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the presentation by the presenting unit is a display based on the predetermined information.   The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the presentation by the presenting means is to transmit the predetermined information to a second other communication device. A communication device control method comprising:
An imaging step of capturing a first image;
Holding step of holding first intensity information corresponding to the intensity of radio waves radiated when the communication device performs wireless communication;
An acquisition step of acquiring distance information corresponding to a distance between the communication device and an object included in the first image captured in the imaging step;
Derivation for deriving second intensity information corresponding to the intensity of the radio wave at the position of the object based on the first intensity information held in the holding process and the distance information acquired in the acquisition process. Process,
A presenting step of presenting predetermined information based on the second intensity information derived in the deriving step;
A control method characterized by comprising:   The program for functioning a computer as each means of the communication apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-13.