U.S. patent application number 11/031284 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-14 for ip device, management server, and network system.
This patent application is currently assigned to MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Arima, Yuji, Ogawa, Hirofumi, Shuto, Hideki, Tanaka, Masataka, Yokomitsu, Yasushi.
Application Number | 20050152287 11/031284 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34743484 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050152287 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yokomitsu, Yasushi ; et
al. |
July 14, 2005 |
IP device, management server, and network system
Abstract
An IP device (for example, network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c)
connectable to a router (for example, a router 2) makes a request
to the router for assignment of a port number when a predetermined
operation is performed, and notifies a management server 6
connected to a wide area network of address data containing an
assigned port number when the port number is assigned from the
router, wherein address data containing the port number can be
registered in the management server 6 on the wide area network, so
that, even when access is made from the terminal 4 on the wide area
network side with a port number that is locally updated, access is
made possible by transmitting address data of the IP device to the
terminal 4.
Inventors: |
Yokomitsu, Yasushi;
(Chikushino-shi, JP) ; Shuto, Hideki;
(Fukuoka-shi, JP) ; Arima, Yuji; (Ogouri-shi,
JP) ; Tanaka, Masataka; (Kasuga-shi, JP) ;
Ogawa, Hirofumi; (Kasuga-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEVENS DAVIS MILLER & MOSHER, LLP
1615 L STREET, NW
SUITE 850
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Assignee: |
MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO.,
LTD.
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
34743484 |
Appl. No.: |
11/031284 |
Filed: |
January 10, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
370/255 ;
370/395.52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 29/12009 20130101;
H04L 29/12047 20130101; H04L 61/15 20130101; H04L 29/06027
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/255 ;
370/395.52 |
International
Class: |
H04L 012/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 9, 2004 |
JP |
2004-003868 |
Apr 14, 2004 |
JP |
2004-118616 |
Apr 14, 2004 |
JP |
2003-118617 |
Claims
1. An IP device connectable to a router, comprising: a control part
which requests the router to assign a port number when a
predetermined operation is performed, and when a port number is
assigned from the router, notifies a management server connected to
a wide area network of address data containing the assigned port
number.
2. An IP device, comprising a camera, wherein an image taken by the
camera is transmitted to other terminals via the router through a
wide area network.
3. The IP device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined
operation is connection to the router, or turning-ON of a power
source, or manual operation.
4. The IP device according to claim 1, wherein the router has a
port forwarding function for assigning a port number by request
from a connected IP device.
5. The IP device according to claim 1, wherein the control part
notifies a management server of IP device data and/or a domain name
to be used in DDNS service as well as the address data.
6. The IP device according to claim 1, wherein the IP device data
contains authentication data.
7. An IP device connectable to a router, comprising: a management
server data storage part storing an address of destination
management server to which address data is transmitted; a control
part which has a function for managing port data, performs
registration when it is assigned with a port number, and notifies a
management server of the registered port number; and an address
data storage part for storing assigned port data, wherein the
control part makes a request for assignment of a port number to the
router when a predetermined operation is performed, and stores port
data in the address data storage part when a port number is
assigned from the router, and notifies a management server on a
wide area network of address data containing the assigned port
number according to data of the management server data storage
part.
8. The IP device according to claim 7, comprising: a camera; a web
server part for communicating with a wide area network by the
protocol TCP/IP; and an HTML generating part which generates a web
page composed by HTML, etc., when access is made from a browser of
an external terminal, and transmits the web page to the browser of
the terminal, and having a function for transmitting an image taken
by the camera to other terminals through a wide area network via
the router.
9. A data management method for an IP device connectable to a
router, wherein a request for assignment of a port number is made
to the router when a predetermined operation is performed, and when
the router assigns a port number, a management server connected to
a wide area network is notified of address data containing the
assigned port number.
10. A management server which is connected to a wide area network
and stores address data of IP devices placed under a router having
a port forwarding function, wherein when access is made from a
terminal via the wide area network, a control part extracts address
data of a corresponding IP device from a storage device and
transmits page data of an IP device list added with a hyperlink to
the address data to the terminal, and the terminal can be connected
to the IP device by following the hyperlink.
11. The management server according to claim 10, wherein the
storage device is provided with an IP device management table for
registering IP device data and address data of IP devices placed
under the router.
12. The management server according to claim 11, wherein in the IP
device management table, the IP device data and/or a domain name to
be used in the DDNS service are registered in addition to the
address data.
13. A management server which registers IP device data containing
ID data in an IP device management table when it is notified of the
data from an IP device, returns data requesting user authentication
to a terminal when access is made from the terminal via a wide area
network, and searches within the IP device management table on the
basis of an ID supplied in response to user authentication and
returns page data indicating a list of IP devices.
14. A management server which returns a list of connectable IP
devices in response to a connection request from a terminal, makes
an authentication request to an IP device when the terminal selects
one among the IP devices, transmits page data containing a link to
the IP device only when authentication is successfully made,
whereby it becomes possible for the terminal to automatically jump
to and be connected to the IP device.
15. A network system, wherein a router having a port forwarding
function and a management server are connected to a wide area
network, IP devices are connected under the router, and when the IP
devices are operated by the router, turned ON or manually operated,
they make a request to the router for assignment of port numbers,
and the router notifies the management server of address data
containing port numbers assigned to the respective subordinate IP
devices and IP device data received from the IP devices, and when a
terminal makes an access via the wide area network, the management
server transmits address data of a corresponding IP device to the
terminal.
16. The network system according to claim 15, wherein when access
is made from a terminal via a wide area network, the management
server transmits page data for specifying the IP device, and when
data for specifying the IP device is transmitted from the terminal,
address data of the IP device is extracted from a storage device
and page data added with a link thereto is transmitted.
17. The network system according to claim 15, wherein when access
is made from a terminal via a wide area network, access is made by
containing a name corresponding to an IP device connected under the
router, whereby the management server specifies an IP device group
or an IP device and returns page data containing a hyperlink to the
specified IP device.
18. The network system according to clam 15, wherein when access is
made from a terminal via a wide area network, access is made by
containing a domain name corresponding to a WAN side IP address of
the router and a name provided for each of the IP devices connected
under the router, whereby the management server specifies an IP
device and returns page data containing a hyperlink to the
specified IP device.
19. A data management method for IP devices connectable to a
router, wherein the IP devices make a request to the router for
assignment of port numbers when a predetermined operation is
performed, the router assigns port numbers to the subordinate IP
devices in response to the request, the IP devices notify address
data containing assigned port numbers to a management server
connected to a wide area network when the port numbers are assigned
from the router, and when access is made from a terminal via the
wide area network, the management server transmits address data of
a corresponding IP device to the access source terminal.
20. An IP device which is provided under a router that has a port
forwarding function and is connected to a wide area network, and
notifies the router of an IP address and a port number for the port
forwarding setting, comprising a control part which transmits a
connection check request to a management server on the wide area
network, transmits an affirmative response when it can respond to a
connection request from the management server, and judges the end
of automatic setting from data of an affirmative response being
made contained in a connection check result response from the
management server.
21. The IP device according to claim 20, wherein a storage device
is provided for storing an exclusive file for making a response to
a connection request from the management server, and the control
part contains access destination data of the file in the connection
check request to be transmitted to the management server.
22. The IP device according to claim 20, wherein when the control
part transmits a negative response on a connection request, it
judges failure of automatic setting from data of the negative
response being made contained in the connection check result
response.
23. The IP device according to claim 20, wherein the control part
judges failure of automatic setting on the basis of data of no
response being made contained in a connection check result response
when the management server does not respond in a predetermined
time.
24. The IP device according to claim 20, wherein the affirmative
response is "OK" of the status code 200 in the protocol HTTP.
25. The IP device according to claim 20, wherein the control part
notifies a MAC address as well as an IP address and a port number
when it makes the connection check request, and also notifies the
MAC address when it transmits the affirmative response on a
connection request from the management server.
26. A management server which is provided on a wide area network
together with a router and receives and processes a request from an
IP device under the router via the wide area network, comprising a
control part which, when the IP device performs port forwarding
setting to the router and the IP device transmits a connection
check request, makes a connection request to the IP device on the
basis of the connection check request, and transmits a connection
check result response containing data of an affirmative response
being made to the IP device when the affirmative response meaning
that a response that can be made is transmitted from the IP
device.
27. The management server according to claim 26, wherein the
control part makes a connection request on the basis of access
destination data of an exclusive file of the IP device contained in
a connection check request from the IP device.
28. The management server according to claim 26, wherein the
affirmative response is "OK" of the status code 200 in the protocol
HTTP.
29. The management server according to claim 26, which transmits a
connection check result response containing data of a negative
response being made to the IP device when the negative response is
transmitted from the IP device.
30. The management server according to claim 26, comprising a
timekeeping means, wherein when no response can be received in a
predetermined time from the IP device, a connection check result
response containing data of no response being made is transmitted
to the IP device.
31. The management server according to claim 26, wherein the
control part compares a MAC address notified by the connection
check request from the IP device and a MAC address received
together with an affirmative response from the IP device, and when
they match each other, it transmits a connection check result
response containing data of an affirmative response being made to
the IP device.
32. A network system comprising a router that has a port forwarding
function and is provided on a wide area network, IP devices
connected under the router, and a management server that is
provided on the wide area network and receives and processes
requests from the IP devices via the wide area network, wherein
when the IP device performs port forwarding setting to the router
and a connection check request is transmitted from the IP device,
the management server makes a connection request to the IP device
on the basis of the connection check request, and when the IP
device transmits an affirmative response meaning that it can
respond, the management server transmits a connection check result
response containing data of the affirmative response being made to
the IP device.
33. The network system according to claim 32, wherein the
affirmative response is "OK" of the status code 200 in the protocol
HTTP.
34. The network system according to claim 32, wherein when a
negative response is transmitted from the IP device, the management
server transmits a connection check result response containing data
of a negative response being made to the IP device.
35. The network system according to claim 32, comprising a
timekeeping means, wherein when no response can be received in a
predetermined time from the IP device, the management server
transmits a connection check result response containing data of no
response being made to the IP device.
36. The network system according to claim 32, wherein the
management server compares a MAC address of the IP device notified
by the connection check request from the IP device and a MAC
address in the affirmative response received from the IP device,
and when they match each other, the management server transmits a
connection check result response containing data of an affirmative
response being made to the IP device.
37. An IP device which has an image data transmission function, and
transmits portal screen display data when it is accessed from a
terminal via a network, and can transmit an image outputted by
itself or other devices within a local area network to an external
terminal via the network, wherein when network data for acquiring
the image is registered, in a case of registration by automatic
setting, the control part broadcasts a network data acquiring
request, receives a network data acquiring response from other
devices within the local area network, and registers the network
data in the display camera management table.
38. The IP device (network camera) according to claim 37, wherein
the network data contains an IP address, a port number, and a MAC
address.
39. The IP device (network camera) according to claim 38, wherein
the network data contains a host name.
40. The IP device (network camera) according to claim 37, wherein
in the case of registration by manual setting, the control part
inputs the network data by the input means for each of other
network cameras, the control part uni-casts a network data
acquiring request to the network camera that has inputted the
network data, receives a network data acquiring response, and
registers it into the display camera management table.
41. The IP device according to claim 40, wherein in setting screen
display data for displaying a setting screen, an automatic setting
input button and a manual setting input button enabling inputs by a
graphical user interface are provided.
42. The IP device according to claim 41, wherein the network data
is displayed in a template of the setting screen data in a
list.
43. A program which operates a computer as an automatic setting
means for broadcasting a network data acquiring request in the case
of registration by automatic setting and as a table registration
means for registering network data in a display camera management
table when a network data acquiring response is received from other
IP devices within a local area network.
44. The program according to claim 43, which operates a computer as
a data reflection means for describing network data of a display
camera management table in a template of setting screen display
data.
45. A network camera comprising: a camera part; an interface for
transmitting an image taken by the camera part to other terminals
via a network; and a control part which transmits portal screen
display data when access is made from a terminal via a network,
broadcasts a network data acquiring request to register network
data for acquiring the image by automatic setting, receives a
network data acquiring response from other devices within a local
area network, and registers the network data in a display camera
management table.
46. A network system comprising a first network camera that is
connected to a local area network and transmits portal screen
display data when it is accessed, a second network camera connected
to the local area network, and a terminal which accesses the first
network camera via a network containing the local area network,
where the portal screen display data describes that images taken by
the first network camera and the second network camera are
displayed, wherein when network data for acquiring the images is
registered by automatic setting, the first network camera
broadcasts a network data acquiring request, and when the second
network camera receives a network data acquiring response, the
first network camera registers the network data in a display camera
management table.
47. The IP device according to claim 2, wherein the IP device data
contains authentication data.
48. The IP device according to claim 3, wherein the IP device data
contains authentication data.
49. The IP device according to claim 4, wherein the IP device data
contains authentication data.
50. The IP device according to claim 5, wherein the IP device data
contains authentication data.
51. The IP device according to claim 24, wherein the control part
notifies a MAC address as well as an IP address and a port number
when it makes the connection check request, and also notifies the
MAC address when it transmits the affirmative response on a
connection request from the management server.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an IP device which can
register access data in a management server by being connected to a
router and assigned with a port number for port forwarding, a
management server which registers this access data and provides
address data of this IP device to a terminal that accesses via a
wide area network, and a network system comprising these.
[0002] ADSL and CATV for constant connection to a wide area network
such as the Internet have spread on a full scale, and broadband
routers have widely spread. However, with the current IP protocol
IPv4, the absolute number of global IP addresses is insufficient,
so that the shortage of global IP addresses is covered by using the
NAT (Network Address Translation) function and the port forwarding
function (static IP masquerade). This NAT function converts a local
IP address of a LAN-side device into a global IP address of the WAN
side of a router when the LAN-side device accesses the
Internet.
[0003] Furthermore, when access is made to a specific device on the
LAN side from the Internet, the access can be made by using a port
forwarding function (static IP masquerade) of a router. Namely, for
this, a conversion table of port numbers and local IP addresses
must be set in the router in advance. When access is made from the
Internet, a global IP address and a port number of the router are
specified. The router that has accepted this access converts the
global IP address into a local IP address according to the
conversion table set in advance. By this conversion, access can be
made to one device having the local IP address within a LAN from
the Internet.
[0004] Thus, a conventional router connects a plurality of user
devices and the Internet by alleviating the exhaustion of global IP
addresses by the port forwarding function and the NAT function,
however, a user must know the port number of the LAN side device
and manually set and change it.
[0005] Therefore, by the UPnP forum, standards for dynamic port
forwarding (port mapping) are created (refer to UPnP standards). In
the settings of the standards, a subordinate terminal inquires to a
router whether or not a port is usable, and when it is usable, the
router registers it, and when it is unusable, the terminal inquires
whether or not the port is usable again, and this is repeated until
usability is determined. According to the UPNP standards, a manual
port forwarding setting is not necessary, and the port number of
the Internet side can be automatically set without depending on the
vendor of the router.
[0006] The UPnP standards can be browsed at URL:
http://www.upnp.org/stand- ardizeddcps/default.asp (searched on
Nov. 29, 2002).
[0007] However, since the port number is automatically selected, a
user on the Internet side cannot know which port number is assigned
to which of the terminals. In order for a user on the Internet side
to access a device on the LAN side, he/she must know the port
number thereof. From the inside of the LAN, port numbers to be used
by each of the terminals can be confirmed by using a user interface
(web page) of a router or a terminal, however, from the Internet
side (outside), a user interface of a router cannot be used by
reason of security.
[0008] Therefore, the present applicant proposed a method in which,
when a plurality of IP devices exist under the router and make
communications by being assigned with ports, respectively,
according to the UPnP standards, a representative device is
selected among the devices and made to manage address data and
provide address data of other devices for access from a wide area
network (Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-12241, equivalent to
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/760,552). For example, a
representative device is selected among a plurality of IP devices
(for example, network cameras) under a router, and is provided with
a fixed port number "80." Thereby, by accessing the representative
device from a wide area network side, access to other devices
becomes possible.
[0009] However, when images of the plurality of network cameras are
browsed from a client terminal, the terminal must access the
network cameras one by one, and the access time becomes long and
this is troublesome and inconvenient. Therefore, it is convenient
if a plurality of images can be displayed at a time in a list and
image data can be acquired from the network by accessing by using
the list. For example, conventionally, a system for displaying a
list of thumbnails of a plurality of images has been proposed
(Japanese Unexamined Patent No. 2002-82957).
[0010] Furthermore, an image communications method has also been
proposed in which a desired image is selected while displaying a
plurality of images (Japanese Unexamined Patent No. 2002-351771).
In this method, when a client sends a request while any of the
images held by an image server are displayed or the images are
displayed in order, the image server sends the image being
displayed to the client.
[0011] As described above, the conventional port forwarding
function (static IP masquerade) of a router can make access to a
LAN side device by using a port number, however, a user on the
Internet side must know the port number of the LAN side device, and
when the port number is changed due to a system change on the LAN
side, the change must be manually followed up.
[0012] Furthermore, when port forwarding setting is dynamically
made according to the standards of the UPnP forum, a terminal
inquires to a router whether a port is usable, and when it is
usable, it is registered, and when it is unusable, the terminal
repeatedly inquires, however, the router automatically selects a
port number, so that a user on the Internet side cannot know which
of the port numbers is assigned to the terminal.
[0013] The present applicant also proposed an access method by
using a representative device, however, in the access method, the
port number of the representative device must be fixed, and when a
fixed port number is unusable, access to the representative device
is impossible, and as a matter of course, access to all devices
becomes impossible. For example, a port number "80" is used for
communications by HTTP, however, in a case where this port number
is reserved by a router for another use, this port number cannot be
assigned to the representative device, so that access becomes
impossible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a device
which can be assigned with a port number for port forwarding and
can be accessed from a wide area network side by registering
address data in a management server on the wide area network.
Furthermore, another object of the invention is to provide a
management server which is connected to a wide area network,
registers address data of an IP device that has been assigned with
a port number for port forwarding to make it easy to access this IP
device from the wide area network side.
[0015] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, the
invention relates to an IP device connectable to a router, which
requests the router to assign a port number when a predetermined
operation is performed, and when a port number is assigned from the
router, notifies a management server connected to a wide area
network of address data containing the assigned port number,
wherein the IP device is assigned with a port number for port
forwarding and can register address data containing the port number
that is to be updated in the management server on the wide area
network, so that even with a port number that is locally updated,
access from the wide area network side can be made. Furthermore,
the IP device notifies the management server of IP device data
and/or a domain name to be used in the DDNS service in addition to
the address data, whereby the IP device is easily specified.
[0016] Furthermore, the management server searches within an IP
device management table on the basis of an ID supplied by user
authentication and returns page data for displaying a list of IP
devices, whereby authentication is performed before the management
server transmits page data for displaying a list for specifying an
IP device, so that it becomes unnecessary to transmit the IP device
list data to unauthorized users, and this reduces the burden on the
management server and realizes high security without connection to
the IP device itself.
[0017] Furthermore, the IP device requests the router to assign a
port number, performs automatic setting concerning the network, and
transmits a connection check request meaning a request for
connection to itself to the management server and judges the end of
automatic setting by an affirmative response that is outputted when
the IP device can respond to a connection request from the
management server, whereby access from the wide area network side
can be made even with a port number that is locally updated, and
the end of automatic setting can be reliably judged.
[0018] Furthermore, in a case where an IP device has an image data
transmission function and can transmit portal screen display data
when it is accessed from a terminal through a network, and can
transmit images outputted by itself or other devices within a local
area network to external terminals through the network, when the
network data is registered by automatic setting, a network data
acquiring request is broadcasted, a network data acquiring response
is received from other devices within the local area network, and
the network data is registered in the display camera management
table within the IP device, whereby a plurality of images to be
displayed on a portal screen display can be displayed easily in a
list.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a construction diagram of a network system that
accesses network cameras under a router in Embodiment 1 of the
invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a function block diagram of the network camera in
Embodiment 1 of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a construction diagram of a management server in
Embodiment 1 of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a composition diagram of an IP device management
table in Embodiment 1 of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of sequences among the network
camera, the management server and a terminal in Embodiment 1 of the
invention;
[0024] FIGS. 6(a) is an explanatory view of a network camera
specification and authentication web page to be transmitted by the
management server of Embodiment 1 of the invention, FIG. 6(b) is an
explanatory view of a network camera list specification web page to
be transmitted by the management server of Embodiment 1 of the
invention, and FIG. 6(c) is an explanatory view of a network camera
individual specification web page to be transmitted by the
management server of Embodiment 1 of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a function block diagram of a network camera in
Embodiment 2 of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a construction diagram of a management server in
Embodiment 2 of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a composition diagram of a management table of the
management server in Embodiment 2 of the invention;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a construction diagram of a router in Embodiment
2 of the invention;
[0029] FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of setting and image request
sequences among a network camera, the management server, and a
terminal in Embodiment 2 of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 12 is a detailed sequence chart for Internet connection
check in Embodiment 2 of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 13 is a flowchart followed among the network camera,
the management server, and the terminal in Embodiment 2 of the
invention;
[0032] FIG. 14 is a construction diagram of a network system
containing network cameras in Embodiment 3 of the invention;
[0033] FIGS. 15(a) is a function block diagram of a network camera
in Embodiment 3 of the invention, and FIG. 15(b) is an explanatory
view of the functional configuration of a program for automatic
setting installed in the network camera of FIG. 15(a);
[0034] FIGS. 16 are explanatory views of portal image display data
in Embodiment 3 of the invention;
[0035] FIGS. 17(a) is an explanatory view of a setting screen in
Embodiment 3 of the invention, and FIG. 17(b) is an explanatory
view of a display camera registration screen in Embodiment 3 of the
invention;
[0036] FIG. 18 is an explanatory view of a display camera
management table;
[0037] FIG. 19 is an automatic setting sequence chart in Embodiment
3 of the invention; and
[0038] FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a detailed construction
realizing the functions of network cameras of embodiments of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment 1
[0039] IP devices under a router and a management server on the
Internet in Embodiment 1 of the invention are described. FIG. 1 is
a construction diagram of a network system in which access to
network cameras under the router is made in Embodiment 1 of the
invention, and FIG. 2 is a function block diagram of the network
camera in Embodiment 1 of the invention, and FIG. 3 is a
construction diagram of a management server in Embodiment 1 of the
invention.
[0040] In FIG. 1, the reference numeral 1 denotes the Internet (a
wide area network of the invention). The reference numeral 2
denotes a router (a router of the invention) that has an interface
connectable to the Internet 1, has a plurality of LAN side ports,
and performs routing for subordinate IP devices (for example,
network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c described later), and has a function
of dynamic port forwarding of an IP packet according to, in
particular, the UPnP standards. The reference numerals 3a, 3b, and
3c denote network cameras (IP devices of the invention).
[0041] The terminal 4 can access the network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c
by being connected to the Internet 1, the DHCP (Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol) server 5 assigns IP addresses to the
network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c among predetermined local IP
addresses (hereinafter, referred to as IP addresses) within a
LAN.
[0042] The management server 6 becomes a first access destination
in the case of accessing the network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c from
the terminal 4. When access is made from the terminal 4 to the
network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c, first, the management server is
accessed, and the management server 6 replies with a web page
containing links to global IP addresses (hereinafter, referred to
as external IP addresses) to the terminal 4.
[0043] In Embodiment 1, when the network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c are
connected to the router 2, the cameras detect connection to the
router 2, and accordingly, they automatically request the router 2
to assign ports. The router 2 that has received the assignment
request gives the cameras assignable port numbers and registers
them. For example, when the network camera 3a is connected to the
router 2 and requests assignment of a port number, the router 2
assigns, for example, "8080" among assignable predetermined port
numbers. By this assignment and the port forwarding function of the
router 2, access can be made to the network camera 3a assigned with
this port number "8080" from the Internet 1 side. Likewise, the
network cameras 3b and 3c request assignment of port numbers and
are assigned with port numbers, for example, "8081" and "8082,"
respectively, whereby access to the network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c
with these port numbers from the Internet 1 side becomes possible.
Furthermore, the network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c notify the
management server 6 of the assigned port numbers after the network
cameras are assigned with the port numbers. Thereby, when a user
wants to access the network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c from the
terminal 4, the access becomes possible by accessing the management
server 6 from the terminal 4.
[0044] In the above-mentioned example, connection to a router is
detected and port assignment is accordingly automatically requested
to the router 2, and it is also possible that port assignment is
requested by turning the power sources of the network cameras ON
after they are connected to the router, or port assignment is
requested by easy manual operation.
[0045] Then, the internal constructions of the network cameras 3a,
3b, and 3c and the management server 6 of Embodiment 1 are
described with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. First, the network
cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c are described. In FIG. 2, the reference
numeral 11 denotes a network interface between the network cameras
3a, 3b, and 3c and the Internet 1, which transmits a request from a
browser of the terminal 4 to the network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c and
transmits files described in markup language such as HTML, etc.,
for displaying a web page from the network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c
to the Internet 1. The reference numeral 12 denotes a camera part,
and the reference numeral 13 denotes an image data generating part
which processes video signals from a CCD or CMOS image pickup
device provided in the camera part 12 and compresses the signals
into the JPEG-format, MPEG format, or other compression format.
[0046] The storage device 14 memorizes control programs and various
data, and the HTML storage device 14a stores a plurality of web
pages (web information) describing display instructions and link
data in a markup language such as HTML, etc., the image storage
device 14b stores image data compressed by the image data
generating part 13, and the address data storage part 14c stores
assigned port data. The management server data storage part 14d
stores an address and the like of the destination management server
6 for transmitting address data of the network cameras 3a, 3b, and
3c to the management server 6.
[0047] The web server part 15 communicates with the Internet 1 by
the protocol TCP/IP. The HTML generating part 16 extracts and
generates a web page composed by HTML, etc., for a browser from the
storage device 14 when the browser of an external (Internet 1 side)
terminal 4 accesses the web server part 15, and transmits the web
page. The control part 17 is constructed as a function realizing
means for performing various functions by reading control programs
into a central processing unit (CPU). The port management means 17a
manages port data. The port management means 17a performs
registration processing for port number assignment, and when
registration is finished, it notifies the management server 6 of
the port numbers. The drive part 18 consists of a motor, etc., for
operation such as panning and tilting of the camera part 12, and
the camera control part 19 drives the drive part 18.
[0048] The control part 17 generates a web page by processing a
request from a browser and operating the HTML generating part 16,
extracts image data to be transmitted to the browser from the
storage device, and furthermore, makes the camera control part 18
operate by specifying a mode. The power source part 27 is for
supplying electrical power to the respective parts.
[0049] Next, the internal construction of the management server 6
is described. In FIG. 3, the reference numeral 21 denotes a network
interface to the Internet, 22 denotes a web communications part
which communicates with the Internet 1 by the protocol TCP/IP, and
23 denotes a control part. The control part 23 is also constructed
as the above-mentioned function realizing means. The HTML
generating part 24 extracts, generates, and transmits a web page
composed by HTML, etc., from the storage device 14 to a browser of
a terminal 4 when it is accessed by the browser, and when ID data
(authentication data of the invention) such as an ID and password,
etc., sent from the terminal 4 are authenticated, the HTML
generating part extracts address data of the corresponding network
camera 3a, 3b, or 3c from a management table storage device 25b
described later, generates a web page provided with a link to this
URL and transmits the web page to the terminal 4.
[0050] The storage device 25 memorizes control programs and various
data, the HTML storage device 25a stores a plurality of web pages
for authentication and access to network cameras described in a
markup language such as HTML, etc., and the management table
storage device 25b stores a server management table composed of
port data, IP addresses, ID data, and passwords, etc., assigned to
the network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c. The management table storage
device 25b also stores an external IP address of the router 2.
[0051] The management server 6 updates the port numbers of the
management table storage device 25b when being notified of port
numbers from the network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c, and transmits a
web page for server specification and authentication when being
accessed from the terminal 4 through the Internet 1, and when ID
data inputted therein and memorized authentication data match, the
management server generates and transmits a web page provided with
a link to the URL of a corresponding network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c
to the terminal 4.
[0052] When access is made from the terminal 4 through the Internet
1, it is also preferable that a web page for server specification
and authentication is returned back to the terminal 4, a server
management table is searched based on the ID supplied by user
authentication, and a web page displaying a list of the network
cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c is transmitted. Authentication is made
before the web page for displaying a list for specifying the
network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c is transmitted, so that it becomes
unnecessary to transmit the server list data to unauthorized users,
this reduces the burden on the management server 6 and increases
the security without connection to the server itself. Furthermore,
on the basis of the results of authentication, it becomes possible
to judge which of servers is to be displayed in the list, and only
servers corresponding to users who access from the wide area
network side can be displayed in a list.
[0053] Furthermore, it is also possible that, when the list of the
network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c connectable in response to a
connection request from the terminal 4 is returned and the terminal
4 selects one of these, a request for authentication of the network
cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c is made, and only when authentication
succeeds, a web page containing a link to the network cameras 3a,
3b, and 3c is transmitted. When the terminal 4 is connected to the
server by automatic jumping, the burden in authentication on the
management server is reduced.
[0054] Furthermore, it is also possible that, when access is made
from the terminal 4, for example, a keyword "camera001" containing
an authentication keyword corresponding to the network camera 3a,
3b, or 3c connected under the router 2 is taken into the URL and
access is made with http://www.service.co.jp/camera001, whereby the
management server 6 specifies a server group or a server and
returns a web page containing a hyperlink to the specified network
camera 3a, 3b, or 3c. In this case, when access is made from the
terminal 4 through the Internet 1, one name (authentication
keyword) corresponding to the server is contained in the URL for
specifying the network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c. By using this keyword
as a key, the management server 6 displays a list of a server group
containing a link to connectable servers, or transmits page data
for automatically jumping to the network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c when
only one corresponding server exists. Thereby, the step of
operation for specifying the server can be omitted. Furthermore,
for security, it is also possible that a user authentication
procedure (ID and password confirmation) is taken before
displaying.
[0055] Likewise, it is possible that, by accessing with, for
example, http://YYY.service.co.jp/camera001 containing a domain
name corresponding to the WAN side IP address of the router 2 and
each name provided for the network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c connected
under the router 2, the management server 6 specifies the network
camera 3a, 3b, or 3c and returns a web page containing a hyperlink
to a specified server. In this case, each name (authentication
keyword) for specifying the network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c is
contained in the URL. By using this keyword as a key, the
management server 6 displays a list containing a link to the
connectable network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c, or when only one
corresponding server exists, the management server transmits page
data for automatically jumping to the server. Thereby, the step of
operation for specifying the server can be omitted. For security,
it is also possible that a user authentication procedure (ID and
password confirmation) is taken before displaying.
[0056] Hereinafter, the composition of the server management table
is described. FIG. 4 is a composition diagram of a server
management table in Embodiment 1 of the invention. In the server
management table shown in FIG. 4, the reference numeral 41
indicates a camera ID such as a MAC address of a network camera
(for example, "00:02:2F:92:D7:32") or a unique ID (for example, a
unique URL "miemasu.net/camera001/). Other codes may be used as
long as they are unique, however, the MAC address unique to the
product is desirable.
[0057] The reference numeral 42 indicates an access ID. When a user
buys the product, an ID number, for example, "35178913" is entered
by the manufacturer side on a document attached by the
manufacturer, and at the time of shipment, this ID and a MAC
address are registered in the management server 6, and the user who
has been authenticated with this ID number "35178913" is allowed to
access the network camera. Even if the access ID 42 is not
provided, the MAC address of the camera IID 41 can be used
instead.
[0058] The reference numeral 43 indicates a password, and at the
time of shipment, a default password is set and entered on an
attached document as well as the ID, and after the user is
successfully authenticated, the password can be changed to a user
unique value, for example, "3ZD45E," by using an interface that can
be set by the user side. The camera ID (for example, MAC address)
41, the access ID 42, and the password 43 correspond to the server
data of the invention, and among these pieces of data, the access
ID 42 and the password 43 are authentication data of the
invention.
[0059] The reference numeral 44 indicates a port number assigned by
the UPnP-enabled router 2, and is notified from the network camera
3a, 3b, or 3c. The router 2 has predetermined assignable port
numbers, and updates each port number in response to a request from
each network camera, and each network camera notifies the
management server 6 of this number. Therefore, the port number is
updated for each notification.
[0060] The reference numeral 45 indicates a local IP address of the
network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c. The local IP address 45 is assigned
by the DHC server 5, and for example, when the IP address of the
router 2 is "192.168.0.1," the network camera 3a is set to, for
example, "192.168.0.2" and this is notified as well as the
above-mentioned port number. The reference numeral 46 indicates a
LAN side port number. The port number 44, the local IP address 45,
and the LAN side port number 46 compose the address data of the
invention. The reference numeral 47 indicates an external (WAN
side) IP address of the router 2, and the reference numeral 49
indicates a group ID to be provided for a server group.
[0061] In Embodiment 1, when the network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c are
connected (or the power sources thereof are turned ON), they are
assigned with IP addresses and port numbers by the router 2, and
the management server 6 is notified of these address data and the
camera IDs (for example, MAC addresses) 41, the access IDs 42, and
the passwords 43, and these are registered in the server management
table. The access IDs 42 and the passwords 43 are set in
advance.
[0062] In this state, when the terminal 4 accesses the management
server 6 through the Internet 1, the management server 6 transmits
a web page for network camera specification and authentication,
specifies a network camera by the camera ID (for example, the MAC
address) 41 transmitted from the terminal 4 side, and performs
authentication with the access ID 42 and the password 43. When
these are authenticated, a web page added with a link to the URL of
the corresponding network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c is transmitted, and
the terminal 4 automatically accesses the link destination, so that
the terminal 4 side can make accesses even without knowing the port
numbers of the network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c.
[0063] Next, sequences to be taken among the network cameras 3a,
3b, and 3c, the router 2, the management server 6, and the terminal
4 are described on the basis of FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is an explanatory
view of sequences among the network cameras, the management server,
and the terminal in Embodiment 1 of the invention. As shown in FIG.
5, for example, the network camera 3a is connected to a LAN, turned
ON, or manually operated, and requests the DHCP server 5 to assign
an IP address, and makes a forwarding request to the UPnP-enabled
router 2 (sq1), the router 2 assigns a port number and transmits
port number setting notification to the network camera 3a (sq2).
The network camera 3a transmits the initially set camera ID (for
example, MAC address) 41, access ID 42, and password 43 to the
management server 6 as well as the port number 44, the local IP
address 45, the local port number 46, and the external IP address
47 of the router 2 as a global IP address (sq3). In the management
server 6, these data are registered in the server management table.
It is also possible that the external IP address of the router 2 is
not contained in the data to be transmitted by the network camera
3a, and the management server 6 gets the external IP address of the
router from the source IP address of the received packet.
[0064] Thereafter, when access is made to the management server 6
from the terminal 4 (sq4), the management server 6 makes a server
specification and authentication request (sq5), and the terminal 4
specifies a network camera, inputs authentication data, and
transmits it as notification of server specification and
authentication data (sq6). Even when the terminal 4 makes access
with an ID unique to the network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c, the
management server 6 replies a web page provided with a link to the
global IP address (hereinafter, referred to as an external IP
address) to the terminal 4.
[0065] Hereinafter, the processes until the terminal is connected
to a target network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c through a web page
transmitted to the terminal 4 from the management server 6 by
accessing the management server 6 through the Internet 1 are
described.
[0066] There are three types of web pages to be transmitted to the
terminal 4 from the management server 6 as shown in FIG. 6(a), FIG.
6(b), and FIG. 6(c). First, when the terminal 4 accesses the
management server 6, connection can be made by using a domain name
of the management server 6 such as http://www.miemasu.net/.
[0067] FIG. 6(a) is an explanatory view of a network camera
specification and authentication web page to be transmitted by the
management server of Embodiment 1 of the invention, FIG. 6(b) is an
explanatory view of a network camera list specification web page to
be transmitted by the management server of Embodiment 1 of the
invention, and FIG. 6(c) is an explanatory view of a network camera
individual specification web page to be transmitted by the
management server of Embodiment 1 of the invention. On the network
camera specification and authentication web page shown in FIG.
6(a), the reference numeral 51 denotes a camera ID enter box, 52
denotes an access ID enter box, and 53 denotes a password enter
box, and network camera specification and authentication are
performed by using these. The reference numeral 54 denotes a list
request button for requesting a network camera list specification
web page described below, and 55 denotes a send button. When a
camera ID (for example, a MAC address), an access ID, and a
password are inputted and the send button 55 is depressed, network
camera specification and authentication are performed.
[0068] On the network camera list specification web page shown in
FIG. 6(b), the reference numeral 56 denotes a list in which host
names of the network cameras are linked to URLs. This network
camera list specification web page is for linkage to a URL
"http//:miemasu.net/camera- 001/" by selecting, for example, the
"camera 1" from the displayed list of the host names "camera 1"
through "camera 3" of the network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c and
simultaneous authentication by an access ID and a password. In FIG.
6(b), when the "camera 1" is clicked, a web page in which
"miemasu.net/camera001/" has been entered by default in the camera
ID enter box 51 of FIG. 6(a) is transmitted from the management
server 6, and then authentication is performed. At this point, it
is also possible that a web page without the camera ID enter box 51
is transmitted.
[0069] On the network camera individual specification web page
shown in FIG. 6(c), the reference numeral 57 denotes a URL input
box in which the URL of the network camera to be accessed is
inputted, and 58 denotes a settlement button. As a URL,
"http//:miemasu.net/camera001/" is inputted and the settlement
button 58 is depressed, whereby as in the case of FIG. 6(b), a web
page in which "miemasu.net/camera001/" has been entered by default
in the camera ID enter box 51 of the network camera specification
and authentication web page is transmitted from the management
server 6, and authentication is performed by an access ID and a
password. It is also possible that a web page without the camera ID
enter box 51 is transmitted.
[0070] Another manner of connection from the terminal 4 to the
network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c is described below.
[0071] (1) Access by grouping these
[0072] When "http://www.miemasu.net/camera001/" is specified, the
terminal 4 is connected to the management server 6 having a domain
name of "miemasu.net" with a TCP port number 80, and notifies
"camera00" by the GET method. The management server 6 retrieves a
network camera having the ID of camera001 from the database, and
when there are a plurality of network cameras having the ID, an
HTML page for displaying in the form of FIG. 6(b) is transmitted,
and the terminal 4 makes connection by click-selection of an
arbitrary network camera. When only one corresponding network
camera exists, an HTML page to be redirected to the corresponding
network camera is transmitted, whereby the terminal is connected to
the network camera. For security, a user authentication procedure
(password confirmation) may be taken before displaying.
[0073] (2) Access by Using an Exclusive Domain
[0074] Furthermore, it is also possible that specification is
performed by http://camera001.miemasu.net/. When many network
cameras are management targets as in the case of large-scale
customers, an exclusive management server 6 is set, and a domain
name is assigned thereto. This becomes possible by acquiring an
official domain or using the DDNS service. When the terminal 4 is
connected by "http://camera001.miemasu.net/," it is connected to a
management server 6 having a domain name of "camera001.miemasu.net"
with a TCP port number 80, and when a plurality of network cameras
exist on the database, the management server 6 transmits an HTML
page for displaying in the form of FIG. 6(b), and when only one
corresponding network camera exists, an HTML page to be redirected
to the corresponding network camera is transmitted, whereby the
terminal is connected to the network camera. For security, a user
authentication procedure (password confirmation) may be taken
before displaying.
[0075] (3) Access by Using an Exclusive Domain and a Unique ID
[0076] Furthermore, specification as
"http://camera001.miemasu.net/3517891- 3/" is also possible. The
terminal 4 is connected to the management server 6 having a domain
name "camera001.miemasu.net," and notifies "35178913" by the GET
method. Herein, "35178913" is the access ID 42 in FIG. 4. A user
can change this ID to an arbitrary value by using a user interface
provided by the access destination database server 6, and can
change it to an arbitrary value by using a user interface of the
network camera. The notified management server 6 retrieves a
network camera having the ID "35178913" from the database, and when
a plurality of corresponding network cameras exist, the management
server transmits an HTML page for displaying in the form of FIG.
6(b), and the terminal 4 click-selects an arbitrary network camera
to make connection. When the number of corresponding cameras is
only one, the terminal makes connection to the network camera by
transmitting an HTML page for redirecting to the corresponding
network camera. For security, a user authentication procedure
(password confirmation) may be taken before displaying.
[0077] In sq6, when the server specification and authentication
data notification is transmitted, the management server 6 takes
data of an access ID 42 and a password 43 out of the management
table storage device 25b, and when the data matches the
authentication data, the management server 6 transmits a transfer
web page (sq7). The transfer web page is provided with a link to
the URL of the destination network camera, and the terminal 4
automatically accesses the network camera 3a as the link
destination (sq8). The network camera 3a transmits a control screen
web page accordingly (sq9), and can acquire an image from the
network camera 3a by inputting into the web page.
[0078] Thus, by inquiring to the management server 6 for the URL of
the network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c, the terminal 4 side can access
the network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c even if it does not know the port
number of the network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c. In the description
given above, the management server 6 performs authentication,
however, it is also possible that the management server 6 only
transmits the URL of the network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c, and
authentication is performed by the network camera 3a, 3b, or
3c.
Embodiment 2
[0079] The network cameras, the management server on the Internet,
and the router in Embodiment 2 of the invention are described. Even
in Embodiment 2, the router 2 has a WAN (Wide Area Network)
interface connectable to the Internet 1, and has a plurality of LAN
side ports and performs routing for each subordinate IP device, and
further has a UPnP function for dynamically setting of port
forwarding according to the UPnP standards. The network cameras (IP
devices of the invention) 3a, 3b, and 3c are provided with DHCP and
UPnP functions for delivering images by protocol TCP/IP. The
management server 6 is also provided with a DDNS (Dynamic DNS)
function for replying the global IP addresses (hereinafter,
referred to as WAN side IP addresses) of the network cameras 3a,
3b, and 3c. When domain names are provided and registered for the
network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c, by accessing with the domain name,
connection to each network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c can be made without
being conscious of the global IP addresses.
[0080] In Embodiment 2, the network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c are
described as IP devices, however, as a matter of course, other
devices can be used instead as long as they are computer devices
provided with DHCP and UPnP functions that can make communications
by protocol TCP/IP.
[0081] FIG. 1 used for description of Embodiment 2 is referred to
as the construction diagram of the network system of this
embodiment, and parts different from Embodiment 2 are described
hereinafter. FIG. 7 is a function block diagram of the network
camera in Embodiment 2 of the invention, FIG. 8 is a construction
diagram of the management server in Embodiment 2 of the invention,
FIG. 9 is a composition diagram of a management table of the
management server in Embodiment 2 of the invention, FIG. 10 is a
construction diagram of the router in Embodiment 2 of the
invention, and FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of setting and image
request sequences among the network camera, the management server,
and the terminal.
[0082] In this Embodiment 2, the computer device 65 placed under
the router 2 is connected within a LAN and assists network setting
of the network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c. The router 2 has a DHCP
(Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server function for
assigning, among predetermined local IP addresses (hereinafter,
referred to as IP addresses), IP addresses to the IP devices within
the LAN, that is, the network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c and the
computer device 65 as well as the above-mentioned UPnP
function.
[0083] Then, a series of sequences for operations of automatic
setting, connection check, image confirmation, and image browsing
in normal conditions to be performed among the network cameras 3a,
3b, and 3c, the router 2, the management server 6, and the terminal
4 of this Embodiment 2 are described. Among these sequences, (B)
the Internet connection check sequence is additionally described
later. FIG. 11 shows sequences among the network camera, the
management server, and the terminal. As shown in FIG. 11, sq1
through sq4 are (A) setting sequences, and subsequent sequences sq5
through sq9 are (B) Internet connection check sequences.
Furthermore, sq10 and sq11 are (C) confirmation sequences, and Sq12
is (D) a domain name setting sequence, and sq13 through sq15 are
(E) image browsing sequences. sq00 is (F) an update sequence.
[0084] First, the (A) setting sequence shown in FIG. 11 is
executed. When the network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c is connected to a
LAN or the power sources thereof are turned ON, the network cameras
3a, 3b, and 3c request the router 2 for IP addresses, and the
router 2 assigns IP addresses (sq1). The network cameras 3a, 3b,
and 3c transmit network setting notification to the computer device
65 (sq2). The computer device 65 confirms user's intention of
connection to the Internet, and sets access IDs and passwords for
the network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c (sq3). Next, the network cameras
3a, 3b, and 3c make a request for port assignment to the router 2
by the UPNP function. In this request, MAC addresses, IP addresses,
and port numbers of the network cameras 3 are contained, and the
router 2 sets the port numbers in a port forwarding table 34a
described later as well as the MAC addresses and IP addresses
(sq4).
[0085] Next, the (B) Internet connection check sequence is
executed. When an Internet connection check request is transmitted
to the management server 6 from the network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c as
well as URL data for access check (sq5), the management server 6
that has received this request transmits an HTTP request in a
session different from the sq5 to the access check URL of the
network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c (sq6). The router 2 performs routing
of this HTTP request to the network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c specified
according to the settings of the port forwarding table 34a. In
response to this HTTP request, the network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c
transmits an HTTP response composed of a status code 200 of OK
(hereinafter, referred to as 2000K) as an affirmative response and
MAC address data as a reply for the session of sq6 (sq7). When
settings of the port forwarding table 34a by the router 2 are not
correct, this HTTP request is not transmitted to the specified
network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c from the router 2, and no response is
made. The router 2 that has received 2000K transmits a response of
results of Internet connection check to the network camera 3a, 3b,
or 3c (sq8).
[0086] The results response to the Internet connection check
notifies each response data, and (a) data of an affirmative
response being made meaning success of connection, (b) data of a
negative response being made meaning connection failure, and (c)
data of no response being made meaning connection failure are
notified. When this response contains data meaning an affirmative
response, the network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c transmits a registration
message (signal) meaning that the set MAC address, IP address, and
port number are to be settled (sq9). On the other hand, in the case
where a negative response is received or no response is received,
the results of the Internet connection check which only notify data
of a negative response received or data of no response received are
transmitted to the network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c, and by notifying
this, connection of the router 2 to the Internet 1 is urged again
or port forwarding setting, etc., is manually urged.
[0087] When the connection of (B) is successfully made, the (C)
confirmation sequence is executed. When access is made to the URL
storing the confirmation screen page data of the management server
6 from the terminal 4 (sq10), confirmation screen page data
described in HTML, etc., is readout and transmitted (sq11). At this
point, the URL to be accessed contains a file name showing the
confirmation screen page data, and as the file name, a file name
obtained by encoding the MAC address is employed. In the management
server 6, this encoded MAC address is decoded, and an IP address
and port number of the network camera are readout from this MAC
address. Furthermore, in order to make it possible to readout a
sample image stored in the network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c, the
management server 6 generates confirmation screen page data linked
to a directory of this image and transmits this data to the
terminal 4. On the terminal 4, this sample image is browsed by
displaying the confirmation screen page. When the confirmation
sequence is executed for several days, it is possible that imaging
is carried out by the network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c and the sample
image is updated.
[0088] It is preferable that encoded MAC addresses as
above-described are entered on documents attached by the
manufacturer to the network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c as well as the
URL, packaged, and sold. They can be commonly used as the ID
numbers of the access IDs 42 described later. For example, when
access is made by assuming a file name obtained by encoding a MAC
address "00223344D732" as "FFFF35178913" and the URL as
"http://camera.c.net/FFFF35178913/," the management server 6
decodes "FFFF35178913" to the MAC address "00223344D732," and a
corresponding IP address and a port number of the network camera
3a, 3b, or 3c can be readout. Herein, the code up to the URL
"http://camera.c.net" is commonly determined, and a user accesses
by attaching the encoded file name "FFFF35178913" unique to the
network camera, whereby the management server 6 can specify the
network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c.
[0089] Furthermore, the (D) domain name setting sequence can also
be executed. The management server 6 provides domain names for the
network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c and registers these, and the
computer device 65 is notified of the domain names from the network
cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c. The management server 6 registers by
relating the MAC addresses and IP addresses to the domain names.
The domain names completely registered are transmitted from the
computer device 65 to the terminal 4 (sq12). In this sq12, other
procedures can be performed simultaneously. By this registration,
the DDNS function becomes executable in the management server 6.
Therefore, the subsequent (C) confirmation sequence can be executed
by the domain names.
[0090] In this state, when access is made by using the domain name,
the (E) image browsing sequence becomes executable. Namely, when
access is made from the terminal 4 by using the domain name (sq13),
the management server 6 transmits a URL described by using the WAN
side IP address and the WAN side port number of the network camera
3a, 3b, or 3c (sq14), and when the terminal 4 accesses the network
camera 3a, 3b, or 3c by this URL, an image is delivered (sq15). The
(F) update sequence is for periodically updating the WAN side IP
addresses and the WAN side port numbers of the network cameras 3a,
3b, and 3c after sending a registration message in sq9. The
management server 6 is notified of the details of updating at
predetermined time intervals as well as the MAC addresses
(sq00).
[0091] Then, the internal construction of the network cameras 3a,
3b, and 3c and the management server 6 which execute the
above-mentioned sequences and the internal construction of the
router 2 which executes port forwarding setting are described with
reference to FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 10. First, the network
cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c are described. In FIG. 7, the interface 11
conforms to the IEEE802.3 standards, which transmits a request from
a communications means such as a browser of the terminal 4 sent
through the router 2 to the network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c, and
transmits display data (hereinafter, referred to as page data)
described in a markup language such as HTML for displaying a web
page from the network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c to the Internet 1
through the router 2. The reference numeral 12 denotes a camera
part, and the reference numeral 13 denotes an image data generating
part which processes video signals from a CCD or CMOS image pickup
device provided in the camera part 12 and compresses the signals
into a compression format such as the JPEG or MPEG format.
[0092] The storage device 14 memorizes control programs and various
data, the HTML storage device 14a stores page data describing
display instructions and link data in HTML, the image storage
device 14b stores image data compressed by the image data
generating part 13, and the address data storage part 14c stores
assigned port data, MAC addresses, IP addresses, and the address of
the management server 6.
[0093] The web server part 15 communicates with the Internet 1 by
the protocol TCP/IP, and the HTML generating part 16 extracts page
data from the storage device 14 for a communications means when the
web server part 15 is accessed from the communications means of the
terminal 4, further generates page data and transmits the page data
from the web server part 15. In Embodiment 2, in the (B) Internet
connection check sequence, an HTTP request is transmitted from the
management server 6, and in response to this, the HTML generating
part 16 reads-out page data of the access destination, generates an
HTTP response describing the MAC address, and transmits it from the
web server part 15.
[0094] The control part 17 is constructed as a function realizing
means for performing functions by reading control programs into the
central processing unit (CPU). The port management means 17a
executes the UPnP function and manages port data, the DHCP
management means 17b transmits a DHCP discover packet and is
assigned with an IP address from a DHCP server or the like. The
DHCP management means 17b and the port management means 17a request
the router 2 having the DHCP function and the UPnP function to
assign an IP address and a port number, and when an IP address and
a port number are assigned, these are registered in the address
data storage part 14c.
[0095] The DHCP server not always have to be provided in the router
2, and the DHCP server may be disposed within a LAN which can
receive a DHCP discover packet transmitted from the DHCP management
means 17b. Thereafter, when an Internet connection check is made
and connection is successfully made, the control part 17 notifies
the management server 6 of the MAC address, the IP address, and the
port number through the web server part 15, and periodically
updates the contents of this registration.
[0096] The drive part 18 performs operations such as panning and
tilting of the camera part 12, the camera control part 19 drives
the drive part 18 and controls the camera part. The control part 17
processes a request from a communications means and generates page
data by operating the HTML generating part 16, extracts image data
to be transmitted to the communications means from the storage
device, and operates the camera control part 19 upon specifying an
imaging mode.
[0097] Next, the internal construction of the management server 6
is described with reference to FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, the reference
numeral 21 denotes a network interface to the Internet 1, 22
denotes a web communications part which communicates with the
Internet 1 by the protocol TCP/IP, and 23 denotes a control part.
The control part 23 is also constructed as the above-mentioned
function realizing means. The reference numeral 23a denotes a timer
(timekeeping means of the invention) for judging no response in the
case of timeout when the Internet connection check is made. When
the Internet connection is successfully made, the success is judged
by receiving an HTTP response of 2000K, and an HTTP response is
also received in the case of a negative response, however, such
judgement cannot be made in the case of no response, so that no
response and connection failure are judged by timeout. The HTML
generating part 24 extracts page data composed by HTML, etc., from
the storage device 14 for a communications means when access is
made from the communications means of the terminal 4, and further
generates page data and transmits it from the web communications
part 22.
[0098] The storage device 25 memorizes control programs and various
data, the HTML storage device 25a stores a plurality of pieces of
page data for authentication and network camera access described in
HTML, etc., and the management table storage device 25b stores a
management table containing port numbers, MAC addresses, IP
addresses, access IDs, and passwords assigned to the network
cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c, and domain names of the network cameras.
The management table storage device 25b also stores the WAN side IP
address of the router 2.
[0099] The DDNS function part 26 extracts address data (the MAC
address, the IP address, the port number, and the WAN side IP
address of the router 2) from the management table when inquiry is
made with a domain name and a port number, and notifies a URL.
[0100] An example of this management table is shown in FIG. 9. The
reference numeral 41 denotes an ID of the IP device (the network
camera 3a, 3b, or 3c in this embodiment) as an access target, and
is, for example, the MAC address "00:22:33:44:D7:32" of this
device. The reference numeral 42 denotes an access ID, and 43
denotes a password. When a user buys the product, an ID number such
as "35178913" is entered on a document attached by the
manufacturer, and the user who is authenticated with this ID number
is allowed to access, and at the time of shipment, a default
password is also set and is changed to, for example, "3zD45E" by
the user side after success of authentication. Data for
authentication is inputted from the computer device 65 (see sq3 of
FIG. 11).
[0101] The reference numeral 44 denotes a WAN side port number
assigned by a UPnP-enabled router 2, 45 denotes an IP address of
the network camera 3a, 3b, or 3c, 46 denotes a LAN side port
number, 47 denotes a WAN side IP address of the router 2, and 48
denotes a domain name. For the MAC address 41, the IP address, and
the port number, update notification is periodically sent at
intervals of approximately 10 minutes from the network camera 3a,
3b, or 3c, and the data are updated. For making management easy,
operation by making the WAN side port number identical to the LAN
side port number is possible.
[0102] Next, the internal construction of the router 2 is described
based on FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, the LAN interface 31 is provided with
a port for the LAN side, and the WAN interface 32 is provided with
a port for the Internet 1 side. The control part 33 is constructed
as the above-mentioned function realizing means. The DHCP function
means 33a assigns an IP address in response to an IP address
request made from a client, the UPNP function means 33b dynamically
assigns a port number for port forwarding according to the UPnP
standards, and the web server part 33c is for communications by
TCP/IP. The reference numeral 34 denotes a storage part, 34a
denotes a port forwarding table provided in the storage part 34,
and 35 denotes a display means for displaying on an LCD or the
like.
[0103] The router 2 is thus constructed, so that when the network
cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c are connected to the LAN interface 31 or the
power sources thereof are turned ON, the DHCP management means 17b
of each network camera transmits a packet for requesting an IP
address, and the DHCP function means 33a that has received this
packet assigns IP addresses to the network cameras 3a, 3b, and 3c
that have transmitted the packet, and registers the IP addresses in
the port forwarding table 34a.
[0104] When setting of the IP address is finished, each network
camera requests the UPNP function means 33b to assign ports by the
UPnP function, and the router 2 registers assignable port numbers
in the port forwarding table 34a, and then ends setting of the
router. For example, when "8080" is assigned, by the port
forwarding function of the router 2, by using the WAN side IP
address "60.1.2.3" of the router 2 and the WAN side port number
"8080," access can be made to the network camera 3a by means of
"http:/60.1.2.3:8080/" from the Internet 1 side. Then, by
registering a domain name of the management server 6 as this port
number in the address data storage part 14c of the management
server 6, access can be made by the domain name.
[0105] During the Internet connection check sequence, no domain
name is registered, so that the control part 17 of the network
camera 3a transmits a packet of an Internet connection check
request to the management server 6 by using the WAN side IP address
"60.1.2.2" of the management server 6 and a predetermined HTTP port
number "60001" for this service. On the other hand, in the image
browsing sequence in normal use for requesting image delivery, when
the terminal 4 of the Internet 1 accesses by the URL
"http://camera001.c.net/" by using, for example, a domain name
"camera001" and the HTTP port number "8080," the management server
6 converts it into "http://60.1.2.3:8080/" by referring to the
management table by the DDNS function part 26, and notifies the
terminal 4 of this. The terminal 4 accesses the router 2 by this
WAN side IP address, and the router 2 performs port forwarding by
converting the address into "http://192.168.0.2:8080," and it is
received by the network camera 3a.
[0106] The (B) Internet connection check sequence of Embodiment 2
is described in greater detail. FIG. 12 is a detailed sequence
chart of the Internet connection check in Embodiment 2 of the
invention. sq5 through sq8 are sequence numbers shown in FIG. 11,
and the same numbers are also used in FIG. 12.
[0107] As shown in FIG. 12, when the network camera 3a is connected
to the router 2, the control part 17 of the network camera 3a makes
an Internet connection check request by the protocol HTTP in "sq5."
The IP address of the network camera 3a is "192.168.0.2," the LAN
side port number is "8080," and the WAN side IP address of the
management server 6 is "60.1.2.2," and the HTTP port number is
"60001." The WAN side IP address of the router 2 is "60.1.2.3."
Therefore, as the Internet connection check request, the network
camera 3a composes a TCP packet by, for example, a destination IP
address "60.1.2.2:60001" and a source IP address
"192.168.0.2:8080," and transmits it by containing the MAC address
41 that is for authentication and simultaneously indicates that
connection has been reliably made in the data area. At the router
2, conversion into the WAN side IP address is performed by using
the port forwarding table 34a, and an IP packet composed of the IP
address "60.1.2.2:60001" and the source IP address "60.1.2.3:8080"
is transmitted.
[0108] In response to this, at the management server 6, the control
part 23 extracts the WAN side IP address, the port number, and the
MAC address 41 of the source and stores these in the management
table storage device 25b, and transmits an HTTP request for
accessing the URL "Access Check.html" of the network camera 3a by
the GET method in "sq6." The HTTP request is transmitted with the
destination IP address "60.1.2.3:8080" and the source IP address
"60.1.2.2:60001," and at the router 2, these are converted into a
destination IP address "192.138.0.2.:8080" and a source IP address
"60.1.2.2:60001" and then the request is received by the network
camera 3a.
[0109] When IP address setting and port forwarding setting are
properly performed, the management server 6 can correctly access
the access check file (exclusive file of the invention, for
example, the file name "Access Check.html" in FIG. 12) of the
network camera 3a, and in "sq7," the network camera 3a notifies the
management server 6 of 2000K and the MAC address as an HTTP
response. Most of the other cases mean that port forwarding setting
has a problem.
[0110] In order to judge no HTT response (no response), the
management server 6 counts the time by the timer 23a since the HTTP
request is transmitted, and when settings are properly performed,
an HTTP response is received in time, and the control part 23
extracts the MAC address from the HTTP response. By comparing this
MAC address with the MAC address that was transmitted according to
an Internet connection check request and stored in the management
table storage device 25b, and when these match each other, the
control part 23 judges that connection to the Internet has been
successfully made, and the HTML generating part 24 generates data
of an affirmative response being made meaning success of
connection. If no MAC address is notified or the MAC addresses do
not match each other, it is judged that a negative response is
notified instead of 2000K, and the HTML generating part 24
generates data of a negative response being made meaning connection
failure. When no response is made, the timer 23a times out, whereby
judging no HTTP response made, and the HTML generating part 24
generates data of no response being made meaning connection
failure.
[0111] In "sq8," as an Internet connection check result response,
the web communications part 22 transmits a packet containing data
of an affirmative response being made, data of a negative response
being made, or data of no response being made. In the case of
success, as shown in "sq9" of FIG. 11, a registration message
informing settlement of registration of the MAC address, IP
address, and the port number set from the network camera 3a is
transmitted. In the description given above, by informing the MAC
addresses, it is confirmed whether or not the MAC addresses match
each other, however, this confirmation may be omitted.
[0112] Next, a flowchart of a series of operations for automatic
setting, connection check, confirmation, and image browsing in
normal conditions to be performed among the network cameras, the
management server, and the terminal in Embodiment 2 of the
invention is described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of operations to be
performed among the network cameras, the management server, and the
terminal in Embodiment 2 of the invention.
[0113] In FIG. 13, when the network camera 3a is connected to a LAN
or the power source thereof is turned ON, the DHCP management means
17b of each network camera 3a makes a request for an IP address to
the DHCP function means 33a of the router 2, and the DHCP function
means 33a assigns an IP address and sets the IP address (step 1).
Next, the network camera 3a makes a request for assignment of a
port to the UPnP function means 33b of the router 2 by the port
management means 17a, and performs port forwarding setting (step
2).
[0114] The control part 17 of the network camera 3a transmits an
Internet connection check request, and simultaneously transmits the
MAC address, the IP address, and the port number to the management
server 6 (step 3). The control part 23 of the management server 6
that has received these checks whether or not the IP address and
the port number of the destination have a problem, and confirms
whether or not it is possible to transmit an HTTP request to the
network camera 3a (step 4).
[0115] When it is possible to transmit an HTTP request in step 4,
it is judged whether or not it is possible to transmit an HTTP
response at the control part 17 of the network camera 3a (step 5).
When it is not possible to transmit an HTTP request in step 4, the
process advances to step 8. When an HTTP response is notified in
step 5, the control part 23 of the management server 6 extracts the
MAC address notified by the HTTP response, compares it with the MAC
address transmitted in step 3, and judges whether or not these MAC
addresses match each other (step 6). When an HTTP response is not
transmitted in step 5 (in the case of no response), and when the
MAC addresses do not match (when a negative response is notified)
in step 6, the process advances to step 8.
[0116] When the MAC addresses match each other in step 6, the
control part 23 judges that connection to the Internet has been
successfully made (step 7), and when the MAC addresses do not match
each other, connection to the Internet is judged as being failed
(step 8). The control part 23 of the management server 6 transmits
an Internet connection check result response from the web
communications part 22 to the network camera 3a by containing data
of an affirmative response being made, data of a negative response
being made, and data of no response being made in step 7 or 8 in a
packet (step 9).
[0117] In step 9, in the network camera 3a, it is confirmed whether
or not notification containing data of an affirmative response
being made indicating success of connection as a judgement result
has been transmitted (step 10), and when success of connection is
notified, the end of automatic setting is judged, and the control
part 17 transmits a registration message informing settlement of
the MAC address, the IP address, and the port number (step 11). In
step 10, when the notified data is not data of an affirmative
response being made, it is confirmed whether or not data of a
negative response being made has been notified (step 12). In this
step 12, when data of a negative response being made is notified,
failure of automatic setting is judged, and port forwarding setting
is manually made (step 13), and then the process returns to step 3.
In step 12, when data of a negative response being made is not
notified, that is, when data of no response being made is notified,
failure of automatic setting is judged, and the process returns to
step 1, the user connects the network camera 3a to the router 2
again, or confirms connection of the router 2 to the Internet 1,
and repeats operations from turning ON of the power source.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the user is informed of the end
and failure of automatic setting by means of an informing means
(not shown) such as a speaker or an LCD, etc.
[0118] After the MAC address, the IP address, and the port number
are registered in step 11, the confirmation sequence for receiving
a confirmation image by the terminal 4 is performed (step 14).
Next, the DDNS function part 26 of the management server 6
registers the domain name "camera001" in the management table
storage device 25b by associating it with the MAC address, the IP
address, and the port number so that access can be made from the
terminal 4 of the Internet 1 by the domain name "camera001" (step
15). Thereafter, when the terminal 4 makes a request for an image
to the network camera 3a by using the domain name "camera001" and
the MAC address, it is converted into an IP address by the
management server 6, and the network camera 3a that has received
the IP address delivers an image (step 17).
[0119] Thus, the network camera and the management server in
Embodiment 2 of the invention are constructed so that IP address
setting and port forwarding setting are automatically performed,
and furthermore a connection check request is transmitted to the
management server, an affirmative response is transmitted when
response to the connection request from the management server is
possible, and the end of automatic setting is judged from data of
an affirmative response being made contained in the connection
check result response from the management server, and therefore,
the connection to the Internet is automatically checked, so that
even a user who has no expertise can set a network camera.
Embodiment 3
[0120] Hereinafter, an embodiment which makes it possible to
display a list of images from a plurality of cameras on a portal
screen is described. FIG. 14 is a construction diagram of a network
system containing network cameras in Embodiment 3 of the invention,
FIG. 15(a) is a functional block diagram of a network camera in
Embodiment 3 of the invention, FIG. 15(b) is an explanatory view of
the functional configuration of programs for automatic setting to
be installed in the network camera of (a), FIG. 16 is an
explanatory view of portal screen display data in Embodiment 3 of
the invention, FIG. 17(a) is an explanatory view of a setting
screen in Embodiment 3 of the invention, FIG. 17(b) is an
explanatory view of a display camera registration screen in
Embodiment 3 of the invention, FIG. 18 is an explanatory view of a
display camera management table, and FIG. 19 is a sequence chart of
automatic setting in Embodiment 3 of the invention.
[0121] In FIG. 14, the reference numeral 1 denotes the Internet.
The reference numeral 61 denotes a local area network (hereinafter,
referred to as LAN), and 63 denotes a router provided with a UPNP
function which is provided with a plurality of LAN side ports and
performs routing for each subordinate IP device, in particular, for
dynamic port forwarding setting according to the UPNP
standards.
[0122] The reference numerals 64a, 64b, and 64c are network cameras
provided with DHCP and UPNP functions for delivering images by the
protocol TCP/IP. The network of the invention is not limited to the
LAN 61, and may contain a network consisting of a wide area network
such as the Internet 1, etc., and the LAN 61 according to the
position of a terminal that makes access thereto.
[0123] The computer device 65 is connected within the LAN to
perform management for administration of the network cameras 64a,
64b, and 64c.
[0124] The reference numeral 66 denotes a router, and 67 denotes a
terminal that can access the network cameras 64a, 64b, and 64c by
being connected to the Internet 1.
[0125] The computer device 65 and the terminal 67 both correspond
to the terminal of the invention. The router 63 of Embodiment 3 is
provided with, in addition to the UPnP function, a DHCP (Dynamic
Host Configuration Protocol) server function for assigning IP
addresses to the IP devices within the LAN, that is, the network
cameras 64a, 64b, and 64c and the computer device among
predetermined local IP addresses (hereinafter, referred to as IP
addresses).
[0126] The construction of the network cameras 64a, 64b, and 64c is
described hereinafter. In FIGS. 15, the reference numeral 71
denotes an interface conforming to the IEEE802.3 standards, which
transmits a request from a communications means such as a browser
of the terminal 67 to the network cameras 64a, 64b, and 64c, and
transmits screen display data described in a markup language such
as HTML, etc., for displaying web pages, etc., from the network
cameras 64a, 64b, and 64c to the Internet 1.
[0127] The camera part 72 has a CCD or CMOS image pickup device,
etc., the image data generating part 73 processes video signals
from the camera part 72 and compresses these into a compression
format such as the JPEG format or the MPEG format.
[0128] The storage device 74 memorizes control programs and various
data, and the image display data storage part 74a stores screen
display data describing display instructions and link data for
displaying portal screen display data, setting screen pages
(setting screen display data of the invention), and other screens.
The screen display data is described in a markup language such as
HTML, etc., and Java (registered mark) applet, etc. Not limited to
HTML, description in other markup languages such as XML, XTML,
etc., is also possible.
[0129] The image storage device 74b stores image data compressed by
the image data generating part 73, the address data storage part
74c stores port numbers assigned in the port forwarding table of
the router 63 according to the UPnP standards, a WAN side IP
address of the router 63, and a MAC address, an IP address, and a
host name of this device, and the display camera management table
storage device 74d stores a display camera management table that
records data for displaying a single image or a list of images in
the portal screen display data. The above-mentioned screen display
data described in the HTML or the like is stored in the screen
display data storage part 74a, and image data displaying in this
case are stored in the image storage device 7 of each network
camera.
[0130] The web server part 75 communicates with the network by the
protocol TCP/IP or UDP, etc., and the screen display data
generating part 76 generates screen display data and extracts the
screen display data from the storage device 74 and transmits it
when access to the web server part 75 is made from the
communications means of the terminal 4. The multi-image screen
display data described later is generated by the image display data
generating part 76 on the basis of the display camera management
table and transmitted.
[0131] The reference numeral 77 denotes a control part, and is
constructed as a function realizing means which performs functions
by reading control programs into the central processing unit (CPU).
The port management means 77a performs the UPNP function, stores
the WAN side port numbers assigned in the port forwarding table of
the router 63 and the WAN side IP address, etc., of the router 63
acquired by a request in the address data storage part 74c and
manages these, and the DHCP management means 77b transmits a DHCP
discover packet and is assigned with an IP address from a DHCP
server or the like. The DHCP management means 77b and the port
management means 77a request assignment of WAN side IP addresses
and WAN side port numbers to the router 63 provided with the DHCP
function and the UPNP function, and they register these in the
address data storage part 74c when being assigned. The DHCP server
is not necessarily provided in the router 63, and may be disposed
within the LAN.
[0132] The automatic setting execution means 77c broadcasts a UDP
packet into the LAN 61 for automatic setting of images of portal
screen display data to be displayed on the computer device 65 when
the computer device 65 makes a request for automatic setting to the
network camera 4a, and the table registration means 77d creates a
display camera management table by extracting registration data
from packets replied from the network cameras that have received
this packet. By the automatic setting execution means 77c and the
table registration means 77d, without manually inputting the IP
addresses, port numbers, and host names, these can be registered in
the display camera management table only by broadcasting the
registration data transmission request.
[0133] The data reflection execution means 77e displays data in a
template of setting screen display data by the screen display data
generating part 76 for reflecting the data on the setting screen
when the display camera management table is completed by
broadcasting. The screen display data generating part 76
automatically generates screen display data containing the data
displayed in the template of the setting screen display data, and
the control part 77 registers the generated screen display data in
the storage device 74. Thereby, screen display data for a list
(access multi-image screen) 22 of its own images or images of other
network cameras shown in FIG. 16(b) can be generated and
registered.
[0134] Like A of FIG. 15(b), the program for automatic setting
comprises the automatic setting execution means 77c, the table
registration means 77d, and the data reflection execution means
77e, and is installed in the network camera 64a, and it is also
possible that the program is installed by communications by using a
program of the above-mentioned applet or plug-in. The data
reflection execution means 77e functions integrally with the image
display data generating part 76 for screen display data generation
that reflects the data so as to operate the screen display data
generating part 76.
[0135] The registration data transmission means 77f executes
processing to extract network data registered in the address data
storage part 74c. When the registration data transmission means 77f
receives a registration data transmission request (network data
acquiring request for the invention) for requesting an IP address,
a port number, a MAC address, and a host name via the network
interface 11, the registration data transmission means 77f extracts
these data registered in the address data storage part 74c and
transmits these as a registration data response (network data
acquiring response of the invention). The automatic setting
execution means 77c, the table registration means 77d, the data
reflection execution means 77e, and the registration data
transmission means 77f are all function realizing means composed by
programs by using the CPU as hardware.
[0136] The drive part 78 is a motor or the like for operations such
as panning and tilting of the camera part 72, the camera control
part 79 drives the drive part 78. The control part 77 processes a
request from a communications means and generates page data by
operating the HTML generating part 76, extracts image data to be
transmitted to the communications means from the storage device,
and operates the camera control part 78 upon specifying an imaging
mode.
[0137] When a screen setting request is made for changing the
portal screen from the computer device 65, the control part 77 of
the network camera 64a reads-out setting screen display data stored
in the screen display data storage part 74a, and transmits the data
to the computer device 65. By using a setting screen (see FIG.
17(a) described later) displayed based on this, when an automatic
setting request is made through a graphical interface, the
automatic setting execution means 77c of the network camera 64a
that received this request broadcasts a registration data
transmission request for requesting registration data into the LAN
61.
[0138] The network cameras 64b and 64c within the LAN 61 receive
this UDP packet, and the registration data transmission part 77f
extracts IP addresses, port numbers, MC addresses, and host names
registered in the address data storage part 74c, and generates and
uni-casts a registration data response to the network camera 64a.
The table registration means 77d of the network camera 64a extracts
MAC addresses, IP addresses, port numbers, and host names from the
data area of the received packet, and completes the display camera
management table shown in FIG. 18. It is also possible that the MAC
addresses, IP addresses, and port numbers are extracted from the
header area of the received packet.
[0139] Furthermore, describing the setting screen to be inputted by
the graphical user interface, the screen display shown in FIG.
17(a) is a setting screen that displays the setting screen display
data in HTML, etc., on the computer device 65. IP address boxes 83,
port boxes 84, registration data display boxes of the host name
boxes 84, and delete buttons 86 for deleting data displayed in
these boxes, an automatic setting button 87 for making an automatic
setting request, and a manual setting button 88 are displayed.
Furthermore, a register button 89 is provided which, when
registration data is displayed, can settle the contents thereof by
being depressed:
[0140] A cancel button 80 which can cancel all of the registration
data displayed on the setting screen is provided. The reference
numeral 31 denotes registration numbers of the network cameras 64a,
64b, and 64c which can display images, and are associated with
layout of images of portal screen display data. The network camera
64a is always registered as a registration number 1. All inputs on
the delete buttons 86, the automatic setting button 87, the manual
setting button 88, the register button 90, and the cancel button 80
can be made by using a mouse, etc.
[0141] Subsequently, operation for reflecting network data on the
setting screen is described. When a screen setting request is made,
on a setting screen displayed on the computer device 65, as shown
in FIG. 17(a), a template is displayed as it is while leaving the
IP address boxes 83, the port boxes 84, and the host name boxes 85
as blank. Thereafter, the automatic setting execution means 77c
broadcasts the registration data request, the table registration
means 77d extracts the MAC addresses, the IP addresses, the port
numbers, and the host names of the source network cameras 64 from
the registration data response to create a display camera
management table. Then, the control part 77 registers the display
camera management table in the network camera table storage device
74d.
[0142] Thereafter, when the data reflection execution means 77e
commands the image display data generating part 76 to display
network data on a template of setting screen display data, the
screen display data generating part 76 reads setting screen display
data from the screen display data storage part 74a, and reads
network data from the display camera management table storage
device 74d, generates and transmits setting screen display data as
shown in FIG. 17(b) indicating the network data on the template,
and the computer device 65 displays the setting screen display data
(display camera registration screen display data).
[0143] For example, on the display camera registration screen shown
in FIG. 17(b), the IP address "192.168.0.151," the port number
"8001," and the host name "camera001" are indicated for the network
camera 64a, the IP address "192.168.0.152," the port number "8002,"
the host name "camera002" are indicated for the network camera 64b,
and the IP address "192.168.0.153," the port number "8003," and the
host name "camera003" are indicated for the network camera 64c. In
the display camera management table shown in FIG. 18, MAC addresses
that are not indicated on the display camera registration screen
are registered in the registration sequence.
[0144] Namely, for the network camera 64a, the MAC address
"0080FF445510" extracted from the registration data response is
registered by being associated with the IP address, the port
number, and the host name. Likewise, the MAC address "0080FF445520"
is registered for the network camera 64b and the MAC address
"0080FF445530" is registered for the network camera 64c while being
associated. The network data of the network camera 64a is extracted
from the mapping table of the address data storage part 94c and
displayed.
[0145] By using these, for example, images named "image.jpg" can be
requested for the network cameras 64b and 64c by describing <img
src=http://192.168.0.152:8002/image/image.jpg>, etc., by using
the IP addresses and the port numbers by the screen display data
generating part 76, and when a DDNS server (not shown) is usable,
images can be requested by <img
src=http://xxx.net/camera002/image/image.jpg> by using the host
names.
[0146] When portal screen display data listing images of the
network cameras 64a, 64b, and 64c is generated, by registering this
by depressing the register button 89, a display camera management
table of the display camera management table storage device 74d is
settled. Then, the multi-image screen shown in FIG. 16(b) is
displayed. The reference numeral 21 denotes a single image screen,
and 22 denotes a multi-image screen.
[0147] To display portal screen display data listing images of the
network cameras 64a, 64b, and 64c, access to a predetermined URL
of, for example, the network camera 64a is made from a terminal
within the LAN 61 (for example, the computer device 65). When
access is made from the terminal within the LAN 61 by specifying a
predetermined URL, the control parts 77 of the network cameras 64
extract screen display data of an access multi-image screen 22 from
the storage devices 74, and transmits the data to the terminal
within the LAN 61.
[0148] On the other hand, the data is transmitted by deleting the
data of the network cameras 64b and 64c and depressing the delete
button 89, the single image screen shown in FIG. 16(a) while
displaying the image of the network camera 64a singly is
displayed.
[0149] Manual setting is made by inputting letters and numerals
into the boxes (IP address boxes 83, the port boxes 84, and host
name boxes 85) of the display camera registration screen from an
input means (not shown) of the computer device 65 and depressing
the manual setting button 88. By this operation on the input means,
a manual setting request containing data inputted in the boxes is
transmitted to the network cameras 64a, 64b, and 64c. The network
cameras 64a, 64b, and 64c register the input data transmitted from
the computer device 65 into the display camera management
table.
[0150] Next, the automatic setting sequence of Embodiment 3 is
described. FIG. 19 shows a sequence chart for automatic setting. A
screen setting request is made by the computer device 65 (sq1). The
control part 77 of the network camera 64a reads setting screen
display data, and transmits it to the computer device 65 (sq2).
When an automatic setting request is made based on this (sq3), the
automatic setting execution means 77c of the network camera 64a
which has received this request broadcasts a registration data
transmission request (sq4). The network camera 64b uni-casts a
registration data response to the network camera 64a (sq5).
Likewise, the network camera 64c also uni-casts a registration data
response to the network camera 64a (sq6).
[0151] The table registration means 77d of the network camera 64a
extracts a MAC address, an IP address, and a port number of the
source from the received packet, completes a display camera
registration table, generates display camera registration screen
display data, and transmits an automatic setting response to the
computer device 65 (sq7). When a registration request is made
through the display camera registration screen (sq8), the network
camera 64a settles the display camera management table (sq9).
[0152] Thus, the network camera and programs and the network system
of Embodiment 3 of the invention can be applied to a network camera
which can realize image display of portal screen display data in a
list of a plurality of images easily, and sets single display
also.
[0153] In Embodiment 3, when an automatic setting request is
received from the computer device 65, the operation of automatic
setting is started, however, it is also possible that the automatic
setting is started by timing of turning-ON or resetting of the
network cameras 64.
[0154] Furthermore, in Embodiment 3 of the invention, automatic
generation of screen display data of the access multi-image screen
72 from the inside of the LAN 61 is described, however, screen
display data of the access multi-image screen 22 from the Internet
1 may be automatically generated. In this case, the automatic
setting execution means 77c of the network camera 64a requests port
numbers for the network cameras 64b and 64c assigned in the port
forwarding table of the router 63, the WAN side IP address and the
host name of the router 63 as a registration data transmission
request to the network cameras 64b and 64c, and on the other hand,
the table registration means 77d completes a display camera
management table by extracting these data from the received packet,
generates a display camera registration screen display data, and
transmits an automatic setting response to the computer device 65.
Then, when a registration request is made through the display
camera registration screen, the network camera 64a settles the
display camera management table. Thereby, screen display data of
the access multi-image screen 22 from the Internet 1 is
automatically generated.
[0155] It is also possible that the screen display data of the
access multi-image screen 22 from the inside of the LAN 61 and the
screen display data of the access multi-image screen 22 from the
Internet 1 are both automatically generated. In this case, for
example, the automatic setting execution means 77c of the network
camera 64a makes a request for, as a registration data transmission
request to the network cameras 64b and 64c, port numbers of the
network cameras 64b and 64c assigned in the port forwarding table
of the router 63, the WAN side IP address of the router 63, and the
IP address, the port number, and the host name of the requesting
network camera 64a, and on the other hand, the table registration
means 77d extracts these data from the received packet, completes a
display camera management table for access from the inside of the
LAN 61 and a display camera management table for access from the
Internet 1, generates display camera registration screen display
data, and transmits an automatic setting response to the computer
device 65. Then, when a registration request is made through the
display camera registration screen, the network camera 64a settles
the display camera management table. Thereby, a multi-image screen
for access from the inside of the LAN 61 and a multi-image screen
for access from the Internet 1 are automatically generated. Then,
by providing an access source detection means (not shown) in the
network camera 64, it is determined which of the multi screens is
to be displayed on the basis of the IP address of the multi-image
screen request source.
[0156] When the IP address of the multi-image request source screen
is the IP address within the LAN 61, the multi-image screen for
access from the inside of the LAN 61 is displayed, and when it is
not the IP address within the LAN 61, the multi-image screen for
access from the Internet 1 is displayed.
[0157] Thus, this embodiment can be applied to a network camera and
programs, and a network system which can easily display the
plurality of images to be displayed on portal screen display in a
list, and can also set display of a single image.
Embodiment 4
[0158] Hereinafter, a network camera in each embodiment of the
invention is described in detail. The detailed hardware
configuration realizing the functions of the network camera shown
in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7 is shown in FIG. 20. In FIG. 20, the CMOS
sensor module 101 realizes the camera part 12, which is, for
example, HV7131GP made by Hynix. The motor driver IC 102 realizes
the camera control part 19, which is, for example, uPD168101MA made
by NEC.
[0159] The system LSI 103 realizes the image data generating part
13, the camera control part 19, the drive part 18, the control part
17, the HTML generating part 16, the web server part 15, and the
network I/F 11. This system LSI 103 is S1S65000 made by EPSON, and
realizes various functions by reading control programs into a
central processing unit (CPU Core).
[0160] The reference numerals 104 and 105 denote a Flash ROM and
SDRAM realizing the storage device 14. The Flash ROM IC-104 is, for
example, a 16 Mbit Flash ROM (MX29LV160ATXEC-70G) made by MACRONIX,
and the SDRAM IC-105 is, for example, a 64 Mbit SDRAM
(HY57V641620HGTP-H) made by HYNIX.
[0161] The reference numeral 106 denotes an Ethernet PHY IC
realizing the network I/F 11, and is, for example, ICS1893Y-10LF
made by ICS. The reference numerals 107, 108, and 109 denote power
source ICs realizing the power source part 27, and 107 denotes, for
example, a 1.8V regulator XC6209B182Mk made by TOREX SEMICONDUCTOR.
The reference numeral 108 denotes, for example, a 2.8V regulator
XC6209B182MR made by TOREX SEMICONDUCTOR.
[0162] The reference numeral 109 denotes, for example, a 3.3V DC-DC
converter R1224N332G-TR-FA made by RICOH. The reference numeral 110
denotes an Ethernet transformer as a part of the network I/F 11,
and is, for example, NT-84020T made by GOLDEN REGENT ELECTRONICS
INDUSTRIAL.
[0163] The hardware configuration realizing the functions of the
network camera shown in FIG. 15 is also similar to that of FIG.
20.
[0164] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priorities of Japanese Patent Applications No. 2004-3868 filed on
Jan. 9, 2004, and Nos. 2004-118616 and 2004-118617 both filed on
Apr. 14, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
* * * * *
References