JP2006038905A - Information terminal and its program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information terminal which can easily operate inexpensively in a security system using imaging devices. <P>SOLUTION: An inexpensive security system can be built by utilizing intervals while the information terminal 101 is operating, by displaying the images obtained from an imaging device 108 connected through an imaging device I/F 107 by using an image acquiring means 105 on a display 102 as the screen saver by a screen saver display 106 when there is no inputs from the input device 103 in the input terminal 101 for time longer than predetermined. Further, the user can build a simple security system without being conscious of the security when operating the information terminal 101, since it is a screen saver. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information terminal connected to an imaging apparatus and a program thereof.

  Conventionally, an information terminal in a security system using an imaging device is composed of a dedicated control terminal for controlling the imaging device, a dedicated display device for displaying an image of the imaging device, and a specialized operator for operating them. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 15 shows a security system including the conventional information terminal described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. 15, the imaging apparatus 1501 includes a control apparatus 1502 that controls the imaging apparatus 1501 and an information terminal 1503 that operates and monitors the imaging apparatus 1501. An operator 1504 controls the security system. Monitor.

On the other hand, security awareness in general households has increased due to recent changes in criminal circumstances, and there is a need for a security system that can be introduced into the house at a low cost and can be easily operated.
JP 2004-128646 A

  However, the above-described conventional configuration requires a dedicated control terminal and display device for the image pickup apparatus, and a specialized operator is required for these operations, and thus there is a problem that it is not suitable for use in a home. Was.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide an information terminal that constitutes a security system that can be operated inexpensively and easily, and a program therefor.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the information terminal of the present invention and the program thereof display an image of the imaging device using a screen saver, which is an interval between the original operations, even if the information terminal does not aim at security itself. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to provide an information terminal constituting a security system that can be operated inexpensively and easily.

  Since the information terminal and the program of the present invention realize the monitoring function of the imaging device as a screen saver, it is not necessary to be an information terminal dedicated to security, and a security system that can be operated inexpensively and easily can be constructed.

  A first invention includes a display device that displays information, an input device that inputs information, an imaging device connection unit that connects at least one imaging device, and an image acquisition unit that acquires an image from the imaging device. The information terminal itself does not need to be a dedicated information terminal for security by displaying the image of the imaging device as a screen saver on the display device when there is no input from the input device for a predetermined time or more. By utilizing the interval between the original operations, a security system that can be operated easily at low cost can be constructed.

  In particular, the second invention includes motion detection means for detecting a motion from the image of the imaging device of the first invention, and the image of the imaging device in which the motion is detected is displayed with priority over the image of the other imaging device. By configuring the device as a screen saver, images that are likely to be warned for security will be displayed preferentially, thereby constructing an efficient security system for the user to detect abnormalities. be able to.

  In the third invention, in particular, the imaging device of the first invention is an imaging device incorporating a sensor terminal for security purposes such as detecting an intruder, and includes a sensor terminal connection I / F for connecting the sensor terminal. The image of the imaging device to which the sensor terminal has reacted is displayed on the display device as a screen saver with priority over the image of the other imaging device, so that an image that is likely to be warned for security is displayed with priority. Thus, an efficient security system can be constructed for the user to detect an abnormality.

  In the fourth invention, in particular, it is possible to connect a sensor terminal for the purpose of security such as detecting an intruder in the information terminal of the first invention, and the device positional relationship information for associating the sensor terminal and the imaging device from the positional relationship etc. The image of the imaging device associated with the reacted sensor and the device positional relationship information is displayed on the display device as a screen saver with priority over the image of the other imaging device. An image that is highly likely to be displayed is preferentially displayed, so that an efficient security system can be constructed for the user to detect abnormality.

  In particular, the fifth invention is a program for causing a computer to execute at least a part of the functions of any one of the first to fourth information terminals. Since it is a program, it is possible to easily realize at least a part of the information terminal of the present invention by operating hardware resources such as an electric / information device, a computer, and a server. In addition, the program can be distributed / updated and installed easily by recording on a recording medium or distributing the program using a communication line.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing an information terminal and an imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an information terminal 101 of the present invention includes a display device 102 and an input device 103, and is connected to at least one imaging device 108 by an imaging device connection I / F 107. Further, the CPU 104 can acquire an image from the imaging device 108 using the image acquisition unit 105 and can display a screen saver using the screen saver display unit 106. The same applies to the imaging device 109 and the imaging device 110.

  The operation and action of the information terminal 101 configured as described above will be described below.

  Here, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an image of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams showing a screen saver image according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a flowchart of the screen saver display in the 1st-4th embodiment of this invention.

  First, in FIG. 5, in step 501, counting of the time when there is no input from the input device 103 is started. Naturally, the no-input time is reset when input from the input device 103 is received. Next, if the no-input time has reached a value determined by the system in step 502 or a set value set by the user, a screen saver is started in step 503. In step 502, if the no-input time has not reached the value determined by the system, the process returns and repeats until the set value is reached.

  Next, if there is no input from the input device 103 in step 504, images from the imaging device 108, the imaging device 109, and the imaging device 110 are acquired and displayed on the display device 102 in step 505, and if there is an input, the process returns to step 501. Start counting time without input.

  Here, since the monitoring by the imaging device is the purpose, in order to display it evenly, the display method of the image (FIG. 2) from the connected imaging device is a constant time interval such as 2 seconds as shown in FIG. And the method of displaying the screen in a divided manner as shown in FIG.

  When the images are displayed in order at regular time intervals in FIG. 3, the whole cannot be monitored at a time, but it is sufficient to acquire images from one imaging device at a time, and the load on the information terminal 101 can be reduced. In addition, when the screen of FIG. 4 is divided and displayed, images are acquired from the imaging device by the number of divisions at a time, so the load on the information terminal 101 is large, and the number of divisions is limited by the resolution of the display device 102. . Instead, many locations can be monitored at once.

  Note that the methods shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be combined to display images of the respective imaging devices displayed by dividing the screen at regular time intervals. This is effective when there are many imaging devices and when the resolution of the display device 102 is low.

  Further, it is preferable that the frame rate and the image quality can be selected for the acquired image so that the load on the information terminal is not too great.

  As described above, in this embodiment, by displaying the image of the imaging device 108 on the information terminal 101 as a screen saver, a security system that can be operated easily at low cost can be constructed.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 is a block configuration diagram showing an information terminal and an imaging device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 6, the information terminal 101 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention has a configuration in which a motion detection unit 601 that detects a motion of an image by adding a difference between time series data of the image is added. Description of the same parts as those in FIG. 1 is omitted.

  About the information terminal comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  Here, FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an image of the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams showing a screen saver image according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the display time change method of the image in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Here, in FIG. 7, a movement is seen in the image 702 of the imaging device 109.

  First, in FIG. 10, an image is acquired from the imaging device 108 in step 1001, and it is determined in step 1002 whether or not it is a timing for detecting motion. As for the timing of this motion detection, if the image to be acquired is a video with a low frame rate, the load on the information terminal 101 is small even if motion detection is performed every time the image is acquired, but the load is large when the frame rate is large. Become. Therefore, it is preferable that this timing can be designated by the number of frames or the number of seconds.

  If it is determined in step 1002 that the timing is to detect a motion, it is determined in step 1003 whether the image is an image of an imaging device whose motion is to be detected. Here, for example, in order to exclude a case where an image pickup device picks up a window and detects that the curtain swings as it is often open because it is on the second floor, the image pickup device indicates whether or not the object is to be detected. It is preferable to be able to set for each.

  If it is determined in step 1003 that the object is not subject to motion detection, a short time (2 seconds in this case) is set in step 1007 when displaying in order at time intervals as shown in FIG. 8, and motion detection is performed in step 1003. If it is determined that it is a target to be performed, in step 1004, the CPU detects motion using motion detection means.

  In step 1005, it is determined whether the detected motion has been determined by the system or has reached a set value set by the user. If not, the display time is set to a short time in step 1008. If it has been reached, that is, if it is determined that there is movement, the display time is set to a long time (here, 5 seconds) in step 1006. Emphasize that there is a high probability of anomalies.

  Here, when there is a motion in an image that is not displayed in FIG. 8, if an image is acquired only when the image is displayed, the chance of motion, that is, an abnormality is reduced. Therefore, it is preferable to change the display order by acquiring an image and detecting a motion even when there is no display.

  FIG. 9 shows a method of displaying a screen saver image by dividing the screen. The image in which the motion is detected is displayed in a large size and emphasized. In this method, it is possible to confirm other images while emphasizing a moving image.

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, by providing the motion detection means 601, it is possible to emphasize an image having a motion, that is, a high possibility of an abnormality, and it is efficient for the user to detect the abnormality. A secure security system.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 11 is a block configuration diagram showing an information terminal and an imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 11, the information terminal 101 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a configuration in which a sensor terminal I / F 1101 for connecting a sensor terminal 1102 built in the imaging apparatus 108 is added. The built-in sensor terminal 1102 includes an open / close sensor that detects an open / close state of an open / close unit such as a door or a window, and a human sensor using infrared rays. Description of the same parts as those in FIG. 1 is omitted. About the information terminal comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the method for changing the display time of an image in the third to fourth embodiments of the present invention.

  First, in FIG. 12, it is determined in step 1201 whether there is a response from the sensor terminal 1102 built in the imaging device 108. If the sensor is not responding, the time is set to a short time (2 seconds in this case) when displaying in order at time intervals as shown in FIG. 8 in step 1204. If the sensor is responding, the sensor response is detected in step 1202. It is judged whether it is a target to detect.

  Here, for example, in order to exclude a case where the imaging device 108 is installed at the front door and the built-in sensor terminal 1102 has a human sensor and the reaction is remarkable due to the heavy traffic, the sensor reaction is detected. It is preferable to be able to set for each imaging apparatus whether or not it is a target. It may also be effective to set whether or not to detect in the time zone so that only busy commuting and commuting time are not detected.

  If the sensor response is not detected in step 1202, the image display time is set to a short time (2 seconds in this case) in step 1206, and if it is determined to be the target, the display time is set to a long time (step 1203). Here, it is set to 5 seconds) and emphasized.

  Here, when the screen saver image is divided and displayed as shown in FIG. 9, the image of the imaging device in which the sensor reaction is detected is displayed in a large manner as in the second embodiment of the present invention and is emphasized.

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, by connecting the imaging device 108 including the sensor terminal 1102, it is possible to emphasize an image that has a sensor reaction, that is, a high possibility of an abnormality, and the user can An efficient security system can be constructed to detect

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 13 is a block configuration diagram showing an information terminal and an imaging apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 13, the sensor terminal I / F 1101 for connecting the sensor terminal 1303 and the like to the information terminal 101 in the first embodiment of the present invention, and the device position set based on the positional relationship between the sensor terminal and the imaging device, etc. The related information 1302 is stored in the memory device 1301. Examples of the sensor terminal 1303 include an open / close sensor that detects an open / close state of an open / close unit such as a door or a window, a human sensor using infrared rays, and the like. Description of the same parts as those in FIG. 1 is omitted.

  About the information terminal comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a method for changing the image display time in the third to fourth embodiments of the present invention.

  First, in FIG. 12, the flow of the method for changing the image display time is the same as that of the third embodiment of the present invention. The difference is that in the third embodiment of the present invention, since the sensor terminal 1102 is built in the imaging device 108, there is a one-to-one correspondence, but since the sensor terminal 1102 is independent, step 1203, The display time is changed in step 1204 and step 1205 in that the image of the imaging device associated with the reacted sensor terminal and the device positional relationship information 1302 is displayed.

  Here, FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the imaging device and the sensor terminal according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 14, a room 1402 has a door 1401, and a sensor terminal (open / close sensor) 1102 is installed in the door 1401. The imaging device 108 is installed in a positional relationship where the door 1401 is projected. A sensor terminal (human sensor) 1103 is installed in the room 1402, and the imaging device 109 is installed in a positional relationship that reflects the sensing range. In such a case, when the sensor terminal (opening / closing sensor) 1102 reacts, the image of the imaging device 108 is highlighted by changing the display time or the like, and when the sensor terminal (human sensor) 1103 reacts. The image of the imaging device 109 should be highlighted when the display time is changed. The device positional relationship information 1302 can be set by the user based on the positional relationship of the devices.

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the sensor terminal (open / close sensor) 1102 and the imaging device 108 are associated with each other by the device positional relationship information 1302, and the image of the imaging device 108 is highlighted during the sensor reaction. A certain image, that is, an image having a high possibility of abnormality can be emphasized, and an efficient security system can be constructed for the user to detect the abnormality.

  The means described in the first to fourth embodiments is a form of a program for cooperating hardware resources such as a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a storage / recording device, an electric / information device having an I / O, a computer, a server, and the like. You may carry out with. In the case of a program, the program can be distributed / updated and installed easily by recording on a recording medium such as a magnetic medium or an optical medium, or by using a communication line such as the Internet.

  As described above, since the information terminal and the program according to the present invention use the interval between the original operations of the information terminal as a screen saver, the information terminal does not need to be an information terminal dedicated to security. Or a remote controller for hot water supply or a door phone, and any other information terminal can be installed as an additional function. The user can check the baby's room from the hot water remote controller in the kitchen even in a state where the user cannot keep his hands while cooking using oil, for example, and can monitor a suspicious person at the entrance.

The block block diagram of the information terminal in Embodiment 1 of this invention Schematic which shows the image of the imaging device in Embodiment 1 of this invention. Schematic which shows the screen saver image in Embodiment 1 of this invention. Schematic which shows the screen saver image in Embodiment 1 of this invention. Flowchart of screen saver display in Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention The block block diagram of the information terminal in Embodiment 2 of this invention Schematic which shows the image of the imaging device in Embodiment 2-4 of this invention. Schematic which shows the screen saver image in Embodiment 2-4 of this invention Schematic which shows the screen saver image in Embodiment 2-4 of this invention The flowchart which shows the display time change method of the image in Embodiment 2 of this invention. The block block diagram of the information terminal in Embodiment 3 of this invention The flowchart which shows the display time change method of the image in Embodiment 3, 4 of this invention The block diagram of the information terminal in Embodiment 4 of this invention Schematic which shows arrangement | positioning of the imaging device and sensor terminal in Embodiment 4 of this invention Schematic configuration diagram showing a security system using a conventional imaging device

Explanation of symbols

101 Information Terminal 102 Display Device 103 Input Device 104 CPU
105 Image acquisition means 106 Screen saver display means 107 Imaging device connection I / F
108, 109, 110 Imaging device 201, 202, 203 Image of imaging device 601 Motion detection means 701, 702, 703 Image of imaging device 1101 Sensor terminal connection I / F
1102, 1103 Sensor terminal 1301 Memory device 1302 Device position relation information 1401 Door 1402 Room 1501 Imaging device 1502 Control device 1503 Information terminal 1504 Operator

Claims (5)

A display device that displays information; an input device that inputs information; an image acquisition unit that acquires an image from the imaging device by an imaging device connection I / F that connects at least one imaging device; An information terminal comprising: a screen saver display unit that displays a screen saver when an input is not made for a predetermined time or longer, and displays an image of the imaging device as a screen saver on the display device. The information terminal according to claim 1, further comprising a motion detection unit configured to detect a motion from an image of the imaging device, and displaying an image of the imaging device in which the motion is detected as a screen saver on a display device with priority over an image of another imaging device. . A sensor terminal connection I / F that connects a sensor terminal for security purposes is connected to an imaging device incorporating the sensor terminal, and the image of the imaging device that the sensor terminal has reacted with has priority over images of other imaging devices. The information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the information terminal is displayed as a screen saver on the display device. A sensor terminal connection I / F for connecting a sensor terminal for security purposes and device positional relationship information for associating the sensor terminal and the imaging device from a positional relationship are provided. The information terminal according to claim 1, wherein an image of the obtained imaging device is displayed as a screen saver on a display device in preference to an image of another imaging device. The program for making a computer perform at least one part of the function of the information terminal of any one of Claims 1-4.

Images