JP4576637B2 - Network camera, management server and video distribution system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for distributing video captured by a network camera connected to a router.

  In recent years when broadband Internet has become common, network devices such as network cameras have been actively used.

  If a network camera is connected to the Internet and used, video captured by a network camera installed at home or the like can be viewed from a remote location. The network camera has a function of distributing the captured video and audio via the Internet, and is picking up images by specifying the IP address of the network camera connected to the Internet on a Web browser such as another computer device. Can be viewed. For example, during long-term trips, there are various uses such as a monitoring camera usage method that checks whether an abnormal situation has occurred at home by viewing home images taken with a network camera at a travel destination. It is.

  In communication over the Internet, a system called DNS (Domain Name System) is generally used. The most basic purpose of the DNS is to provide a function of mutual conversion between a domain name and an IP address. DNS allows IP addresses, which are a series of 32-bit numbers, to be converted and associated with domain names that are easy for humans to remember and remember, so users can easily access the target IP address without being aware of the IP address. Can do.

  By using such a DNS, it is possible to view images captured by a network camera from a remote location.

  As a technique related to the present invention, a technique for assigning a port number is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

JP 2004-266320 A

  By the way, when receiving an image captured by a network camera at home while staying at a remote place, it is necessary to make a transmission request for the image from the receiving destination to the network camera at home.

  When using a network camera connected to the Internet by an individual, the global IP address of the network camera is generally not fixed, and an ISP (Internet Service Provider) server is used at a predetermined timing such as when connecting to the Internet. The dynamic IP address assigned by the user is used.

  Therefore, recently, as a name resolution service, a simple DDNS (Dynamic Domain Name System) service provided by a corporate server connected to the network is often used to deliver video captured by a network camera. . DDNS solves the problem by associating dynamically changed global IP addresses with subdomain names on the Internet.

  For example, when there is a DDNS server with a domain name “XXX.co.jp”, a subdomain name “xxx.XXX.co.jp” is assigned to a personal network camera. . In this case, when accessing the network camera from the outside, if an FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name (hereinafter referred to as an address)) “xxx.xxx.co.jp” is entered in the address input field, “ The DNS server having the domain name “OO.co.jp” converts the global IP address associated with the subdomain name “xxx.XXX.co.jp” into the global IP address. It becomes possible to connect to the network camera of the address.

  Each time the global IP address assigned to the network camera is changed, the network camera dynamically re-registers the global IP address associated with the subdomain name in the DDNS server, thereby replacing the global IP address. Domain names can be used for.

  In recent years, a plurality of network cameras are often used not only in companies and the like but also in individual homes. In addition to computer devices, home appliances such as hard disk recorders that support networks have also appeared in addition to network cameras. For this reason, a plurality of network devices including a network camera are often connected to a router to construct one network environment at home.

  In such a case, in order to distribute the video captured by the network camera via the Internet, it is necessary not only to use the DDNS server but also to use the port forward function of the router. The port forward function is a function of assigning and transferring access to a specific port number from the Internet side to a network device having a specific private IP address in the home. By using this function, the network camera can be used as a Web server on the Internet.

  However, in order to use the port forwarding function, the router must be set up. For this purpose, there are problems that knowledge and understanding of the network are required and setting operations are time-consuming.

  In order to solve this problem, some recent network cameras automatically perform a setting operation related to the port forward function of the router. As a result, in an environment where only one network camera is connected to the router, the port forward function of the router is automatically set by the network camera, so just connecting the network camera to the router It is possible to distribute video over the Internet.

  However, since the network camera only sets the port forward function for a fixed port number, if you want to use multiple network cameras, configure the router so that all network cameras use the same port number. Try to do. Even when one network camera is used, the port number to be used by the network camera may already be assigned to another network device such as a computer device under a router. In such a case, it is not possible to normally set the port forward function of the router.

  Therefore, even if the router setting operation is automatically performed, video distribution cannot be performed normally from the network camera via the Internet. After all, the user understands the IP address and port forwarding function. There was a problem that the operation had to be performed.

  In addition, with the recent spread of network devices such as computer devices and network cameras, there are an increasing number of users whose knowledge and understanding regarding networks are not sufficient. When such a user uses a plurality of network cameras, it is difficult to perform the router setting operation described above. Therefore, a specialized worker is requested to set the router and bears the work cost. There was also a problem that had to be done.

  Furthermore, when there are a large number of network cameras to be used, it is very troublesome to set the port forward function for all network cameras.

  Therefore, the problem of the present invention is that even when a plurality of network cameras are connected to a router and used, or even when a network device other than the network camera is connected under the router, the network camera It is to provide a technology capable of distributing video and audio captured by the network camera via the Internet simply by connecting to the router.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a first invention is a video distribution system that distributes captured video via a network, the router connected to the network, the router connected to the router, A network camera that transmits the global IP address of the router; a database that manages the identification information and the global IP address and a port number in association with each other; the global IP address received from the network camera; When the port number associated with the identification information different from the identification information received from is stored, the port number different from the port number is assigned to the network camera and assigned. Set the port number to the network camera Characterized in that it comprises a management server that signal.

  The second invention is the video distribution system according to the first invention, wherein when the network camera receives the port number from the management server, the router forwards the port so that the port number is assigned to itself. It is characterized by setting a function.

  The third invention is the video distribution system according to the first or second invention, wherein the network camera is configured such that when the port forward function of the router is not set within a predetermined time, The identification information, the global IP address and error information are transmitted to the management server, and when the management server receives the error information, the database is searched based on the global IP address received from the network camera, The port number different from the port number stored in association with the global IP address is reassigned to the network camera, and the reassigned port number is transmitted to the network camera.

  The fourth invention is a video distribution system according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the network camera, when the setting of the port forward function of the router is completed, sends the router to the management server. In response to a request from the network camera, the management server attempts to connect to the network camera using the port number transmitted to the network camera.

  The fifth invention is the video distribution system according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, and further manages the global IP address by assigning a subdomain name corresponding to the identification information. When the network camera recognizes that the connection by the port number has been established from the management server, the network camera transmits the identification information and the global IP address to the DDNS server and assigns the subdomain name. It is characterized by requiring.

  A sixth invention is a video distribution system according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, further comprising a DDNS server that assigns and manages a subdomain name to the identification information and the global IP address. When the network camera recognizes that the connection by the port number has been made from the management server, the network camera generates a subdomain name corresponding to the identification information, and also includes the identification information, the global IP address, and the subdomain. A name is transmitted to the DDNS server to request assignment of the subdomain name.

  A seventh invention is a video distribution system according to any one of the first to sixth inventions, wherein the DDNS server has completed the assignment of the subdomain name in response to a request from the network camera. This is notified to the network camera, and when the network camera receives the notification, the network camera notifies the completion of setting.

  The eighth invention is a network camera that distributes captured images via a network, and is connected to the network via a router, and the self-identification information and the global IP address of the router are transmitted to the network. Sending the request to the connected management server, requesting the port number assignment, and receiving the port number assigned by the management server, setting the port forward function of the router to assign the port number to itself. Features.

  A ninth invention is a network camera according to the eighth invention, wherein the global IP address and error information are managed when the port forward function of the router is not set within a predetermined time. A request to change the port number is transmitted to a server, and when the port number changed by the management server is received, the port forward function of the router is reset so that the port number is allocated to itself. And

  The tenth invention is the network camera according to the eighth or ninth invention, wherein when the setting of the port forward function of the router is completed, the management server is checked for connection via the router. It is characterized by requiring.

  An eleventh invention is a network camera according to any of the eighth to tenth inventions, and when the management server recognizes that the connection by the port number has been established, The global IP address is transmitted to request assignment of the subdomain name.

  A twelfth aspect of the present invention is the network camera according to any of the eighth to tenth aspects of the present invention, wherein when the management server recognizes that the connection has been established based on the port number, A domain name is generated, and the identification information, the global IP address, and the subdomain name are transmitted to a DDNS server to request assignment of the subdomain name.

  A thirteenth aspect of the invention is the network camera according to any of the eighth to twelfth aspects of the invention, wherein when the signal notifying that the assignment of the subdomain name is completed is received, the completion of setting is notified. It is characterized by.

  The fourteenth invention includes a database for managing identification information, a global IP address and a port number in association with each other. When the identification information and the global IP address are received, the received global IP address is received. When the port number associated with the identification information different from the identification information is stored, the port number different from the port number is determined, and the port number is determined as the identification information and the It transmits to the transmission source of a global IP address.

  A fifteenth aspect of the invention is the management server according to the fourteenth aspect of the invention, wherein when the data including the identification information, the global IP address, and error information is received, the database is stored based on the received global IP address. Searching, reassigning the port number different from the port number stored in association with the global IP address to the transmission source, and transmitting the reassigned port number to the transmission source of the error information. Features.

  According to the video distribution system according to the first aspect of the invention or the management server according to the fourteenth aspect of the invention, even when a plurality of network cameras are connected under the router, the port numbers of the respective network cameras are not duplicated. Therefore, the user need not consider and determine the port number for each network camera.

  According to the video distribution system of the second invention, since the setting of the port forward function of the router is automatically performed by the network camera, even when the user uses a plurality of network cameras, It is not necessary to set the port forwarding function of the router.

  According to any of the video distribution system according to the third invention, the network camera according to the ninth invention, and the management server according to the fifteenth invention, a network device other than the network camera is connected to the router, and the network camera is connected to the network camera. Even if the assigned port number is already assigned to another network device, the port number assigned to the network camera is automatically changed, so the user can use the port number used by the network device under the router. There is no need to check or determine the port number of the network camera.

  With the video distribution system according to the fourth aspect of the invention or the network camera according to the tenth aspect of the invention, it is possible to confirm whether or not video and audio can be distributed from the network camera with the determined port number.

  According to any of the video distribution system according to the fifth and sixth inventions and the network camera according to the eleventh and twelfth inventions, the user connects to the network camera using the domain name instead of the global IP address. can do.

  According to the video distribution system according to the seventh invention or the network camera according to the thirteenth invention, the user completes the setting of the port forward function of the router and the setting of the subdomain name by the DDNS server, and each network camera It is possible to recognize that it is now possible to view video and audio by connecting with the domain name.

  According to the network camera according to the eighth aspect of the invention, even when a plurality of network cameras are used, the port number assignment and the port forward function setting of the router are automatically performed. Video and audio can be distributed from all network cameras simply by connecting to the router.

  The objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the video delivery system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the network camera which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which concerns on the port number determination of the management server which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the video delivery system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a video distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As a basic configuration of the video distribution system, a modem 4 for connecting to the Internet 6 and performing communication using ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), FTTH (Fiber To The Home), etc., and a plurality of network devices are connected to the Internet. 6 includes a router 3 for connection to the network 6, network cameras 1A and 1B for distributing video and audio, and a management server 7A and a DDNS server 7B connected to the Internet 6. In addition to the network cameras 1A and 1B, a network device such as a computer device 2 is connected to the router 3. The network cameras 1A and 1B, the computer device 2, the router 3, and the modem 4 constitute a LAN (Local Area Network) 5. A mobile phone 8 in the figure is shown as an example of a terminal for viewing video and audio captured by the network camera 1 by connecting to the Internet 6 and using the video distribution system.

  In FIG. 1, two network cameras 1A and 1B are shown. However, this is an example, and one network camera may be used, or three or more network cameras may be used. Hereinafter, the network camera is collectively referred to as a network camera 1.

  The network camera 1 has a function of distributing captured video and audio as a Web server. As a result, the user uses a terminal such as the mobile phone 8 to connect to the network camera 1 via the Internet 6, and uses the Web browser or the like to capture the video and audio captured and distributed by the network camera 1. It becomes possible to watch.

  In addition, the network camera 1 also has a function of communicating with the management server 7A to determine a port number used for video distribution, a function of requesting the DDNS server 7B to assign a subdomain name, Various operations for realizing a function of performing connection authentication for a terminal such as the mobile phone 8 are performed.

  Furthermore, the network camera 1 has a UPnP (Universal Plug & Play) function, and can simply execute each of the above functions at a predetermined timing simply by connecting to the network. Details of these functions and operations will be described later.

  The computer apparatus 2 is an example of a general network apparatus that is connected to the Internet 6 like the network camera 1. Since the network camera 1 can be connected to the LAN using a private IP address via the router 3, the computer device 2 can view video and audio captured by the network camera 1, It can also be used to make various settings.

  The router 3 has a function of performing routing for using one global IP address assigned on the Internet 6 by a plurality of network devices 1 and 2 connected to the LAN 5. Specifically, a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) function for assigning private IP addresses to a plurality of network devices 1 and 2 connected to the LAN 5, and these network devices 1 and 2 communicate using the Internet 6. When performing, it has a function of mutually converting an IP address related to data to be transmitted and received into a private IP address in the LAN 5 and a global IP address on the Internet 6.

  The modem 4 is a device necessary for a network device such as the network camera 1 and the computer device 2 to perform data communication via the Internet 6 by using an assigned global IP address. Various devices such as ADSL and FTTH are used. It has a function to perform data communication by the method.

  The mobile phone 8 is connected to the network camera 1 via the Internet 6 and is used for viewing video and audio captured by the network camera 1. At this time, connection authentication may be performed on the mobile phone 8 in order to realize security for connection to the network camera 1.

  However, the mobile phone 8 is an example, and a terminal used for viewing video and audio may be another terminal such as a computer device, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), or a mobile game terminal.

  The router 3 also connects the network device and the network when there is a connection request from the network device on the Internet 6 for viewing the captured video and audio to the network camera 1 operating as a Web server. It has a port forward function for realizing transmission and reception of data with the camera 1. Specifically, a specific port is released from the router 3 to the Internet 6 side, and data is transmitted / received via the port.

  For example, by assigning the port number 80 to the private IP address of the network camera 1, the network camera 1 connected to the LAN 5 and assigned the private IP address in response to a connection request from the Internet 6 side specifying the global IP address. Can operate as a Web server.

  With this function, a terminal such as a mobile phone 8 connected to the network camera 1 from the outside via the Internet 6 can view video and audio captured by the network camera 1 using a Web browser or the like.

  Similarly, if the port numbers 20 and 21 are to be assigned to the private IP address of the network camera 1, FTP (File Transfer Protocol) transfer between the network camera 1 and a terminal connected from the outside via the Internet 6. It is also possible to realize such operations.

  Here, the global IP address used by the network camera 1 is assigned when the modem 4 connects to the Internet 6, but a new global IP address is assigned when the connection is once terminated and reconnected. Alternatively, the global IP address assigned every predetermined time may change. That is, the global IP address assigned to the network camera 1 is not fixed but dynamically changes.

  The management server 7A has a function of managing a port number used by the network camera 1 for video and audio distribution. An internal storage device (not shown) manages information such as network camera identification information, global IP addresses, and port numbers used for video and audio distribution as a database. And according to the request | requirement from the network camera 1, it has the function to perform the data search in the said database, and to determine the port number which the network camera 1 uses according to a search result. Details of these functions and operations will be described later.

  The DDNS server 7B has a function of assigning a subdomain name to a global IP address used by the network camera 1. As a result, it is possible to use an address including a subdomain name instead of an IP address that is a list of numerical values to connect to the network camera 1 from the outside.

  In the figure, the management server 7A and the DDNS server 7B are shown separately. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation of the one server realizing the operations and functions of the management server 7A and the DDNS server 7B. You may be the aspect to do.

  Next, the operation of the video distribution system shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the network camera 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method for determining a port number performed by the management server 7A. FIG. 4 shows the flow of the operation of the entire video distribution system, including the correspondence of the operations shown in FIGS. The operation of the video distribution system will be described below with reference to these drawings.

  The router 3 is connected to the Internet 6 via the modem 4. The router 3 is assigned a global IP address and can communicate on the Internet 6.

  First, when the network camera 1A is connected to the router 3 and powered on, a private IP address is assigned to the network camera 1A by the DHCP function of the router 3. When the network camera 1A recognizes the global IP address assigned to the router 3, the network camera 1A transmits data including its serial number, global IP address, and requested port number as parameters to the management server 7A (see FIG. 2 step S1).

  Here, the requested port number refers to a port number for which the network camera 1A requests assignment for use in video and audio distribution, and a predetermined port number stored as an initial value in the manufacturing stage. Show.

  The network camera identification information will be described using a serial number given at the manufacturing stage. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any unique information that can be identified by each network camera 1 is, for example, MAC. Information other than the serial number, such as an address, may be used.

  The management server 7A determines a port number used for distributing video and audio from the network camera 1A based on the data received from the network camera 1A.

  First, when the management server 7A receives the data transmitted from the network camera 1A, it extracts the serial number and global IP address of the network camera 1A as reception parameters (step S11 in FIG. 3).

  At this time, the operation in the case where error information is included in the parameters (Yes in step S22) will be described later.

  Next, the management server 7A starts searching the database stored in the internal storage device based on the extracted parameters (step S12).

  The database is composed of data in which the global IP address, serial number, and port number to be used of each network camera 1 are associated. That is, by referring to the database, it is possible to confirm which global IP address each network camera 1 identified by the serial number belongs to and which port number is used to distribute video and audio. .

  Further, in the data stored in the database, the same port number is assigned to the network camera 1 having the same global IP address in duplicate by the method for determining the port number described later and the method for registering the data in the database. It is managed so that there is no. That is, if the port number used by the network camera 1 is determined so as to match the data in the database, even if a plurality of network cameras 1 are connected and used under the router 3 in the LAN 5 at home, the port number is used. There is no number collision, and video and audio can be distributed from each network camera 1 via the Internet 6.

  The management server 7A first searches the database for data having an IP address that matches the global IP address of the network camera 1A (step S13).

  If there is data having the corresponding IP address as a result of the search, data that matches the serial number of the network camera 1A is further searched from the data (step S14).

  If the corresponding data does not exist as a result of the search, next, data that matches only the serial number with the network camera 1A is searched from the database (step S15).

  That is, by the operations in steps S13 to S15, the global IP address and serial number of the network camera 1A are compared with the data in the database, and there is data in which the global IP address matches and the serial number matches (first In the case of: Yes in step S14), if there is data that matches the global IP address but there is no data that matches the serial number (second case: No in step S14), the global IP address matches. If there is no data to be matched and no data with the same serial number exists (third case: No in step S15), there is no data with a matching global IP address, but there is data with a matching serial number. Case (fourth case: Y in step S15) It is divided into four cases of s).

  Hereinafter, the method for determining the port number used in the network camera 1A and the method for registering data in the database in the first to fourth cases will be described.

  First, the first case will be described.

  In this case, data including the global IP address and serial number of the network camera 1A is already stored in the database in the management server 7A. In other words, this corresponds to a case where the network camera 1A whose information has already been registered in the database of the management server 7A makes a port number assignment request again.

  Therefore, the management server 7A acquires the port number associated with the data matching the global IP address and serial number received from the network camera 1A from the database, and stores the port number (hereinafter referred to as the acquired port number) in the network. Transmit to the camera 1A (step S17).

  As described above, in the database, different port numbers are assigned when different serial numbers are assigned to the same global IP address so that duplicate port numbers are not assigned to the same global IP address. Data is managed. Therefore, if a port number is assigned to each network camera 1A, 1B in the same procedure, a duplicate port number will not be used.

  Next, the second case will be described.

  In this case, the serial number of the corresponding network camera 1A does not exist among the serial numbers of the network camera 1 managed in the database as having the same global IP address. That is, this corresponds to a case where a network camera 1A is newly added to the network camera 1 connected to the LAN 5 and being used.

  Therefore, the management server 7A searches for data to which the largest port number is assigned among data having the same IP address (step 16), and sets the number obtained by adding 1 to the maximum value of the searched port numbers. It transmits to the network camera 1A (step S18).

  Then, the management server 7A registers the global IP address, serial number, and assigned port number of the network camera 1A as new data in the database (step S21).

  As a result, in an environment where a plurality of network cameras 1 having the same global IP address are used, the newly added network camera 1A has a maximum port number used by the existing network camera 1. Since a port number added only is assigned, a duplicate port number is not assigned.

  Further, since the information related to the network camera 1A is newly registered in the database of the management server 7A, when the port number assignment request is next issued from the network camera 1A, the procedure described above in the first case. The port number is assigned.

  Next, the third case will be described.

  In this case, neither the global IP address information related to the network camera 1A nor the information related to the serial number exists in the database managed by the management server 7A. That is, this corresponds to a case where a user who newly purchases the network camera 1A connects the network camera 1A to the router 3 for the first time.

  Therefore, the management server 7A transmits the request port number received from the network camera 1A in step S11 to the network camera 1A as it can be used as it is (step S19).

  Then, the management server 7A registers the global IP address, serial number, and requested port number of the network camera 1A in the database as new data (step S21).

  As a result, the global IP address, serial number, and port number related to the network camera 1A are registered in the database as a new management target in the database. Next, when there is a port number assignment request from the network camera 1A In the first case, the port number is assigned by the procedure described above.

  When the user of the network camera 1A newly adds another network camera 1B, the port number is assigned by the procedure described above in the second case, and the data is newly registered in the database. Will be.

  Here, the network camera 1A transmits a predetermined request port number set as an initial value to the management server 7A, and the management server 7A transmits this to the network camera 1A. For example, only the serial number and the global IP address are transmitted from the network camera 1A, and in a case corresponding to the third case described above, a predetermined port number that the management server 7A has as an initial value is transmitted. It does not matter.

  Next, the fourth case will be described.

  In this case, there is data having the serial number of the network camera 1A in the database of the management server 7A, but the IP addresses do not match. That is, this corresponds to a case where the global IP address assigned to the LAN 5 using the network camera 1A is changed.

  Therefore, the management server 7A transmits the port number associated with the data with the matched serial number to the network camera 1A (step S20).

  Then, the management server 7A updates the database by rewriting the global IP address associated with the serial number of the network camera 1A registered in the database with the global IP address received from the network camera 1A (step S22). .

  As a result, the same port number as before the global IP address is changed is assigned to the network camera 1A. However, as described above, the same global IP address and a different serial number are used on the database. Since data associated with different port numbers is managed, the network camera 1A is not assigned a port number that is duplicated with that of the other network camera 1B.

  Further, since the information related to the network camera 1A is updated and registered in the database of the management server 7A, when the port number assignment request is received from the network camera 1A next, the procedure described above in the first case is performed. A port number is assigned.

  When using a plurality of network cameras 1, port numbers are assigned to all the network cameras 1 in the procedure shown in the first to fourth cases.

  As described above, the management server 7A responds to the network camera 1A that transmits the parameter including the global IP address and the serial number and requests the port number assignment as shown in the first to fourth cases. Thus, the port number overlapping with the other network camera 1B is not assigned to the network camera 1A.

  Therefore, it is possible to avoid the problem that the port forward function setting of the router 3 described later cannot be normally performed because an attempt is made to use a duplicate port number as in the prior art.

  In addition, since the operation related to the port number assignment described above is automatically performed only by connecting the network camera 1A to the router 3 connected to the Internet 6, the user can perform complicated operations on the network camera 1A. There is no need to do this, and no knowledge about the network or the like is required.

  If only the network camera 1 is connected to the router 3, the port number received by the network camera 1A is not duplicated with the port number assigned to the other network camera 1. Forward setting can be completed. So, for example, simply change the port number and repeat the port forward function setting, and complete the port forward function setting in a shorter time than when the port forward setting is completed when the port number is not duplicated. be able to.

  Next, the network camera 1A that has received the port number determined in the above-described procedure (step S2 in FIG. 2) automatically starts setting the port forward function of the router 3 using the UPnP function (step S2). S3).

  Specifically, for the router 3 using the global IP address, the port forward function is set so that the access to the port number received from the management server 7A is transferred to the private IP address assigned to the network camera 1A. I do.

  Accordingly, the network camera 1A can operate on the Internet 6 as a Web server using the assigned port number and global IP address.

  However, a problem arises when the port number for which the network camera 1A has set the port forward function for the router 3 has already been assigned to another network device on the router 3.

  Specifically, for example, when the port number assigned by the management server 7A to the network camera 1A is already used by another network device such as the computer device 2 connected to the LAN 5, or the present invention This is the case when a different network camera is used and the port number being used by the network camera is assigned to the network camera 1A. Since the management server 7A manages only the port number of the network camera 1, when other network devices such as the computer device 2 are used, the network number is assigned to these network devices and the management server 7A performs networking. There is a possibility that the port number to be assigned to the camera 1 is duplicated.

  In addition, a failure may occur in the operation or database of the management server 7A described above, and a port number duplicated with the other network camera 1B may be assigned to the network camera 1A.

  In such a case, since the network camera 1A tries to use the duplicate port number set in the router 3, the port forward function cannot be set normally. For this reason, the router 3 does not return a response indicating that the port forward function has been normally set to the network camera 1A, and returns no response or a response indicating that an error has occurred. .

  In order to cope with such a case, the network camera 1A attempts to set the port forward function for the port number determined by the management server 7A to the router 3, and within a predetermined time set in advance, the router 3 If there is no response indicating that the port forward function has been normally set, the operation returns to step S1 again, assuming that an error has occurred (No in step S4).

  However, in this case, the parameter transmitted from the network camera 1A to the management server 7A includes error information indicating that an error has occurred in the router 3 in addition to its own serial number and global IP address. .

  Then, the management server 7A that has received the operation operates differently from the first to fourth cases described above with reference to FIG.

  Specifically, if the management server 7A includes error information indicating that an error has occurred in the setting of the router 3 in the signal received from the network camera 1A (Yes in step S22), the management server 7A Data having the same global IP address as 1A is retrieved, and data having the maximum port number is retrieved (step S23). Then, the port number obtained by adding 1 to the maximum value of the searched port numbers is transmitted to the network camera 1A (step S24), and the data is rewritten using the port number as the port number of the network camera 1A to update the database ( Step S25).

  Then, the network camera 1A operates again in steps S3 and S4 as described above. That is, the operations in steps S1 to S4 are repeated until the setting of the port forward function of the router 3 is normally completed.

  When an error occurs in the setting operation of the port forward function of the router 3, a port number added by 1 to the maximum port number assigned to the network camera 1 connected to the LAN 5 is determined as the port number of the network camera 1A. Is done. Thereafter, the value determined as the port number of the network camera 1A is incremented by 1 while an error occurs in the router 3. This is continued until the port number assigned to the network camera 1A does not overlap with the port numbers of the other network cameras 1, the computer apparatus 2, etc., and the setting of the port forward function of the router can be completed normally. .

  In this embodiment, the management server 7A that has received the error information searches for data having the same global IP address and the maximum port number, and adds 1 to the port number to create a new one. Although the mode of determining the port number has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this. If the port number that is different from the port number assigned to the data having the same global IP address in the database of the management server 7A and different from the port number assigned when an error occurs is determined, the port number In addition to a mode in which a predetermined numerical value is added to the maximum value, a mode in which a port number is determined by performing a predetermined calculation may be used.

  Thereby, even when an error occurs in the setting operation of the port forward function of the router 3 because the duplicate port number is specified, the port number can be changed and the setting of the port forward function can be normally terminated.

  In addition, since the operations related to the change of the port number described above are all automatically performed by the network camera 1A and the management server 7A, the user does not need to operate the network camera 1A. Is not required.

  When the network camera 1 of the present invention and other network devices are mixed and connected to the router 3 as described above, the network camera 1A has a port number other than the port number assigned to the network camera 1. Set the port forward function. Therefore, the setting of the port forward function can be completed in a shorter time than when the port number is simply changed and the port forward function is repeatedly set.

  Next, the network camera 1A, in which the port number is determined and the setting of the port forward function for the router 3 has been completed normally, transmits a signal requesting an external connection confirmation test to the management server 7A (see FIG. 2 step S5).

  Receiving this, the management server 7A refers to the data in the database managed for the requested network camera 1A, specifies the global IP address and port number registered in the data, and connects to the network camera 1A. Try. That is, whether or not the video and audio captured by the network camera 1A can be distributed from the outside of the LAN 5 to the terminal that requests connection by designating the global IP address and port number via the Internet 6. Test it.

  When a signal transmitted from the management server 7A by designating a global IP address and a port number can be received by the network camera 1A via the router 3, the assignment of the global IP address and the port number, and the port forwarding of the router Means that the function has been set successfully.

  If a signal from the management server 7A is not received within a predetermined time despite the transmission of a signal requesting external connection confirmation to the management server 7A, the setting of the port forward function of the router 3 and the management server Assuming that the data in the database in 7A is not in a normal state, the network camera 1A returns to step S1 and operates (No in step S6). And operation | movement of step S1-S5 will be performed again.

  When the network camera 1A receives a signal from the management server 7A and confirms that all the settings related to the global IP address and port number have been normally completed, the network camera 1A sends a signal in response thereto Is transmitted to the management server 7A (step S7).

  In the management server 7A, in addition to the global IP address, the serial number, and the port number, information indicating that the external connection confirmation test has been normally performed is managed as data in the database regarding the network camera 1A.

  As a result, the network camera 1A uses the port number determined not to overlap, and not only sets the port forward function of the router 3 for the port number, but also uses the port number to transmit video and audio via the Internet 6. Can be confirmed.

  If the connection to the network camera 1A from the port number set for the router 3 cannot be made from the outside, the setting operation is automatically performed again so that the external connection can be normally performed.

  Since these operations are automatically performed by the network camera 1A and the management server 7A, the user does not need to operate the network camera 1A and is not required to have knowledge about the network or the like. .

  However, in this state, it is necessary to specify a global IP address that is a list of numbers in order to view video and audio captured by connecting to the network camera 1A from a terminal such as the mobile phone 8.

  Therefore, the network camera 1 starts connection to the DDNS server 7B via the Internet 6 so that a domain name can be assigned to this global IP address. Specifically, the global IP address and serial number are transmitted to the DDNS server 7B via the Internet 6 to request assignment of a subdomain name (step S8).

  When the DDNS server 7B receives the serial number and the global IP address from the network camera 1A, the DDNS server 7B assigns a subdomain name determined according to the serial number to the global IP address. Specifically, for example, when the DDNS server 7B has a domain name “XXX.co.jp”, the serial number of the network camera 1 that has requested the setting of the subdomain name is mcs0001. For example, the subdomain name mcs0001 is assigned, and the address “mcs0001.xxx.co.jp” is associated with the global IP address of the network camera 1 and managed.

  At this time, the DDNS server 7 manages the serial number, global IP address, and subdomain name of the network camera 1A in association with each other when there is a request for changing the subdomain name later.

  When the setting of the subdomain name is completed on the DDNS server 7B, the DDNS server 7B notifies the network camera 1A of the set subdomain name. The network camera 1A manages its own serial number, private IP address, global IP address, port number, and subdomain name.

  In addition, although the subdomain name showed the aspect determined by the DDNS server 7B, this invention is not limited to this, The network camera 1A determines a subdomain name based on a serial number etc., and this is used as a global IP address. The DDNS server 7B may be configured to only manage the setting so that the subdomain name received from the network camera 1A is assigned to the global IP address.

  Moreover, although the DDNS server 7B and the management server 7A exist separately and the information which manages the information regarding a subdomain etc. in the DDNS server 7B was shown, this invention is not limited to this, The management server 7A and the DDNS server 7B However, the information related to the subdomain name may be managed together with the information related to the port number managed by the management server 7A described above.

  When the setting of the subdomain name is completed, the web browser of the mobile phone 8 is used, and the address is not a global IP address that is an enumeration of numerical values, but “http://mcs0001.XXX.co.jp” By specifying an easy-to-understand address using a character string or the like, the network camera 1 can be connected. At this time, since the domain name is fixed in advance, the user can connect to the network camera 1 by inputting the serial number of the network camera 1 as the subdomain name.

  As described above, since the domain name is automatically set, the user does not need to operate the network camera 1A and is not required to know the network.

  When the network camera 1A completes all operations such as determination of the port number, setting of the port forward function of the router, confirmation of connection from the outside, setting of the subdomain name, etc., this is displayed on its own display device. Alternatively, the user is notified by lighting a lamp (not shown) such as an LED.

  As a result, the user can recognize that all the settings have been completed and the connection to the network camera 1A using the sub-domain name has become possible.

  The global IP address assigned to the router 3 via the modem 4 may be dynamically changed as described above. The network camera 1 transmits information such as a global IP address to the management server 7A and the DDNS server 7B every predetermined time. When the network camera 1 recognizes that the global IP address assigned to the router 3 has been changed, In addition to changing the contents of the global IP address managed in step 1, the serial number and the changed global IP address are transmitted to the management server 7A and the DDNS server 7B.

  In response, the DDNS server 7B changes the global IP address corresponding to the corresponding serial number. Also in the management server 7A, the global IP address of the corresponding serial number registered in the database is rewritten to update the database. The operations of the management server 7A and the DDNS server 7B related to the change of the global IP address are performed independently of the operations of the above-described steps S1 to S9.

  Thus, even when the global IP address is changed, the change is automatically reflected in the settings of the management server 7A and the DDNS server 7B without any operation by the user. Therefore, even in an environment where the global IP address is dynamically changed, the user can easily connect to the network camera 1 by using an address made up of a domain name.

  Also, when the private IP address assigned to itself is changed by the router 3 or the like, the network camera 1 that has recognized this updates the information managed internally and changes the setting of the port forward function of the router 3 Then, the connection request from the Internet 6 is correctly processed as for the network camera 1.

  Thus, even when the private IP address is changed, the change is automatically reflected in the setting of the router 3 without any operation by the user. Therefore, the user can easily connect to the network camera 1 using an address made up of a domain name.

  As described above, by simply connecting the network camera 1 to the router 3 connected to the Internet 6, the port number to be used is determined so as not to overlap with the network devices 1 and 2 such as other network cameras 1 and the like. The port forward function of the router 3 is set for the number, and all the processes up to the confirmation test of whether or not the external connection by the port number is normally performed are automatically performed.

  Therefore, the user can easily use the network camera 1 even when using a plurality of network cameras 1 or when newly introducing a network camera 1 in addition to other network devices that have already been installed. And knowledge of the network etc. is not required.

  In addition to the setting of the subdomain name, when the private IP address or the global IP address is changed, the change is automatically reflected in the settings of the DDNS server 7B and the router 3, so that the user can Since the address consisting of the domain name can be continuously used without changing the setting every time the IP address is changed, the network camera 1 can be easily used.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, the above description is illustrative in all aspects, and the present invention is not limited thereto. It is understood that countless variations that are not illustrated can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (17)

A video distribution system for distributing captured images via a network (6),
A router (4) connected to the network;
A network camera (1; 1A, 1B) connected to the router and transmitting its own identification information and the global IP address of the router;
A database that associates and manages the identification information and the global IP address and a port number; the global IP address received from the network camera; and the identification information different from the identification information received from the network camera; , The management server (7A) which assigns the port number different from the port number to the network camera and transmits the assigned port number to the network camera. )When,
A video distribution system comprising: The video distribution system according to claim 1,
When the network camera receives the port number from the management server, the network camera sets a port forward function of the router so as to assign the port number to itself. The video distribution system according to claim 2,
The network camera transmits the identification information, the global IP address, and error information to the management server when the port forwarding function of the router is not set within a predetermined time.
When receiving the error information, the management server searches the database based on the global IP address received from the network camera, and the port number different from the port number stored in association with the global IP address Is reassigned to the network camera, and the reassigned port number is transmitted to the network camera. The video distribution system according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein
When the setting of the port forward function of the router is completed, the network camera requests the management server to perform connection confirmation via the router,
In response to a request from the network camera, the management server attempts to connect to the network camera using the port number transmitted to the network camera. 5. The video distribution system according to claim 4, further comprising:
A DNS server (7B) that assigns and manages a subdomain name corresponding to the identification information to the global IP address;
With
When the network camera recognizes that the connection by the port number has been established from the management server, the network camera transmits the identification information and the global IP address to the DDNS server to request assignment of the subdomain name. Video distribution system. 5. The video distribution system according to claim 4, further comprising:
A DNS server (7B) that assigns and manages a subdomain name to the identification information and the global IP address;
With
When the network camera recognizes that the connection by the port number has been made from the management server, the network camera generates a subdomain name corresponding to the identification information, and the identification information, the global IP address and the subdomain name are generated. A video distribution system that transmits to the DDNS server and requests assignment of the subdomain name. The video distribution system according to claim 5,
The DDNS server notifies the network camera that assignment of the subdomain name is completed in response to a request from the network camera,
When the network camera receives the notification, the network camera notifies the completion of setting. The video distribution system according to claim 6,
The DDNS server notifies the network camera that assignment of the subdomain name is completed in response to a request from the network camera,
When the network camera receives the notification, the network camera notifies the completion of setting. A network camera (1; 1A, 1B) for distributing captured images via a network (6),
Connected to the network via the router (4), sends its own identification information and the global IP address of the router to the management server (7A) connected to the network to request port number assignment,
When receiving the port number assigned by the management server, the network camera sets a port forward function of the router so as to assign the port number to itself. The network camera according to claim 9,
When the setting of the port forward function of the router is not performed within a predetermined time, the global IP address and error information are transmitted to the management server to request the port number change,
When the port number changed by the management server is received, the port camera of the router is reset so that the port number is assigned to itself. The network camera according to claim 9 or 10, wherein
When the setting of the port forward function of the router is completed, the network camera is configured to request the management server to confirm connection through the router. The network camera according to claim 11,
When the management server recognizes that the connection by the port number has been established, the network camera transmits the identification information and the global IP address to the DDNS server (7B) to request assignment of a subdomain name. . The network camera according to claim 11,
When the management server recognizes that the connection by the port number has been established, it generates a subdomain name according to the identification information, and also sends the identification information, the global IP address, and the subdomain name to the DNS server (7B). And requesting the assignment of the sub-domain name. The network camera according to claim 12,
A network camera characterized in that, upon receiving a signal notifying that the assignment of the subdomain name is completed, the completion of setting is notified. The network camera according to claim 13,
A network camera characterized in that, upon receiving a signal notifying that the assignment of the subdomain name is completed, the completion of setting is notified. A database that manages identification information and a global IP address and port number in association with each other;
With
When the port number associated with the received global IP address and the identification information different from the received identification information is stored when the identification information and the global IP address are received, A management server that determines a port number different from a port number and transmits the port number to a transmission source of the identification information and the global IP address. The management server according to claim 16, wherein
When receiving data including the identification information, the global IP address and error information,
The database is searched based on the received global IP address, and the port number different from the port number stored in association with the global IP address is transmitted to the source of the error information. Management server.

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