KR20010076538A - Apparatus for image inputting having automatic tracking and method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A video input device including automatic pursuing function and a control method of the same are provided to perform a video transmission conveniently by controlling a video input position at a remote place and pursuing a subject automatically. CONSTITUTION: A camera module(11) processes digital video information of a corresponding pointing direction. A driving unit(12) adjusts the pointing direction, a focus and an illumination of the camera module(11). A server(15) grasps a moving direction of an image which a user appoints to adjust the pointing direction of the camera module(11) in an automatic pursuing mode, or controls the driving unit(12) to adjust the pointing direction of the camera module(11) according to a direct position adjusting command of the user. The server(15) displays on a screen or transmits to outside through a network(13) the digital video information processed through the camera module(11) according to the user's selection.

Description

Image input device with automatic tracking function and control method thereof {APPARATUS FOR IMAGE INPUTTING HAVING AUTOMATIC TRACKING AND METHOD OF THE SAME}

The present invention relates to an image input apparatus having an automatic tracking function capable of adjusting the position of a camera and automatically tracking a predetermined image at a corresponding place and a remote place, and a control method thereof.

With the rapid expansion of various technologies based on the Internet, the field of online video transmission technology such as video conferencing, video telephony, and video chat has been rapidly emerging. There is an urgent need for technical development of image input devices such as cameras and surveillance cameras and software for controlling them.

As shown in FIG. 1, an image input apparatus such as a video telephone, an internet camera, and a surveillance camera according to the related art receives an image corresponding to a current fixed position through a lens and processes the signal into digital image information. The camera module 1 and the digital image information processed through the camera module 1 to be processed on the screen and displayed on a monitor or to a communication network 2 such as the Internet, a LAN, a dedicated host, or the like. It comprises a server 4 for interfacing with the remote server 3 via.

At this time, the camera module 1 is connected to the server 4 through a hardware interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) or SCSI (Smal Computer System Interface), and when the user wants to change the input target, the user is directed to the camera module 1. You need to adjust the direction.

Referring to the operation of the prior art configured as described above is as follows.

First, the user connects the camera module 1 to the server 4, that is, his computer, installs the corresponding driving program in the computer, and then adjusts the direction of the lens of the camera module 1 to his Lock to the subject.

Subsequently, when the image input operation is started according to the user's operation command, the camera module 1 processes the image of the direction in which the lens is directed into digital image information and transmits the image to the server 4 through the hardware interface.

The server 4 screens and displays the digital image information transmitted from the camera module 1 on a monitor so as to correspond to a default value or a screen setting content set by a user.

In addition, when a user inputs a corresponding digital image information transmission command to a server 3 of a predetermined remote location, the server 4 transmits the digital image information to a predetermined remote server 3 through a communication network 2 such as the Internet. The remote server 3 can view the digital image information transmitted from the server 4 through the screen.

The image input device according to the prior art has the following problems.

First, since the user transmits only the image of the corresponding position before the user directly adjusts the position of the camera module by hand, the image input position cannot be easily adjusted. For example, if a video communication is performed with the other party, The user has to keep his position so that focusing is not misaligned.

Secondly, when establishing a surveillance system, only certain directions can be monitored for each camera. Therefore, for accurate surveillance, multiple cameras must be installed for each element, and the cost is increased, and installation and control are complicated.

Third, it is difficult to secure an image of a subject at night when the camera module installation space is dark or there is no light.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, it is possible to automatically or manually adjust the focusing and illuminance for a predetermined subject and can be automatically tracked using the image input position, the location of use and remote It is an object of the present invention to provide an image input device having an automatic tracking function and a control method thereof, which can be freely adjusted in the present invention.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video information transmission system of an image input apparatus according to the related art.

2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image input apparatus having an automatic tracking function according to the present invention.

3A is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a camera module and a driver of FIG. 2.

Figure 3b is a side view showing an embodiment of the camera module and the driver of Figure 2

4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of an image input apparatus having an automatic tracking function according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

11: camera module 11-1: lens

11-2: Light 11-3: Light Sensor

11-4: zoom motor 12: drive unit

12-1: Y-axis driver 12-2: X-axis driver

12-3: Illumination and Focus Control Unit 13: Communication Network

14: remote server 15: server

An image input apparatus having an automatic tracking function according to the present invention includes a camera module for processing digital image information of a corresponding orientation direction, a driver for adjusting a orientation direction of the camera module, and a user-designated image in automatic tracking mode. Determines the moving direction and controls the driving unit to adjust the directing direction of the camera module in the corresponding moving direction or adjusts the directing direction of the camera module according to the position adjustment command of the user, and controls the image processed by the digital image information through the camera module. Optionally, it comprises a computer for displaying on the screen or transmitting to the outside via a communication network.

An image input apparatus having an automatic tracking function according to the present invention includes a camera module for processing digital image information of a corresponding orientation direction, a driver for adjusting a orientation direction of the camera module, and a user-designated image in automatic tracking mode. Determines the moving direction and controls the driving unit to adjust the directing direction of the camera module in the corresponding moving direction or adjusts the directing direction of the camera module according to the position adjustment command of the user, and controls the image processed by the digital image information through the camera module. Optionally, a computer for displaying on the screen or transmitting to the outside via a communication network, and a remote for controlling the directing direction of the camera module by setting an automatic tracking mode or inputting a position adjustment command at a remote location through an interface with the computer. Another feature is that it includes a computer. do.

A control method of an image input apparatus having an automatic tracking function according to the present invention includes a camera module, a driver for adjusting the direction of the camera module, and a computer for controlling the driver according to a user's adjustment command or an embedded automatic tracking program. A control method of an image input apparatus having an automatic tracking function, comprising the steps of: a user inputting an image of a predetermined subject and setting an automatic tracking function; and a computer grasping the movement of a subject input by the user according to an automatic tracking program. Calculating and transmitting the position data to the driver; driving the camera module to correspond to the position data transmitted from the computer; and displaying image information input through the camera module according to a user's selection. Displaying on or transmitting over a network It characterized by more than true.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an image input device having an automatic tracking function and a control method thereof according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image input apparatus having an automatic tracking function according to the present invention, FIG. 3A is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camera module and a driving unit of FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B is a diagram of a camera module and a driving unit of FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating an embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of an image input apparatus having an automatic tracking function according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, an image input device having an automatic tracking function according to the present invention includes a camera module 11 for processing digital image information of an image of a corresponding direction and a direction and focus of the camera module 11. And a driving unit 12 for adjusting illuminance, to grasp a moving direction of an image designated by a user in the automatic tracking mode, and to adjust a direction of the camera module 11 in a corresponding moving direction or according to a user's direct position adjustment command. The driving unit 12 is controlled to adjust the directing direction of the camera module 11 and the digital image information processed through the camera module 11 is displayed on the screen according to a user's selection or the communication network 13 is connected. Server 15 for transmission to the outside through the interface with the server 15 using the communication network 13, setting the automatic tracking mode or direct positioning It is configured to include a remote server 14 for performing the determination.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 3A, the camera module 11 includes a lens 11-1 for capturing an image of a predetermined subject, an optical sensor 11-2 for detecting peripheral illumination of the subject, and the subject. It comprises a light (11-3) for maintaining the peripheral illuminance of a predetermined level or more, and a focusing motor (11-4) for adjusting the focus of the lens (11-1).

As shown in FIG. 3A, the driving unit 12 adjusts the directing direction of the lens 11-1 of the camera module 11 in the Y-axis, ie, in the vertical direction within a range of 180 °. -1) and X-axis, i.e., X-axis driving unit 12-2 for adjusting within the range of 180 degrees in the horizontal direction, the light 11-3 of the camera module 11 and the focusing motor 11-4. The illuminance and focus control unit 12-3 for controlling the operation is configured.

The camera module 11 and the driver 12 have an optical sensor 11-under the lens 11-1, as shown in FIG. 3B of an embodiment of the camera module 11 and the driver 12 according to the present invention. 2) is installed and built-in module of the shape of the lamp 11-3 is installed on the upper side of the lens 11-1, or the independent drive unit to drive up / down, left / right by mounting the existing camera module Also produced.

The server 15 has an automatic tracking program for executing the automatic tracking mode. The automatic tracking program stored in the server 15 provides a position control window for image input and displays the input image on the screen. An image input program for performing an image capture program, an image analysis program automatically executed when capturing an image of a predetermined subject, and an image analysis program for analyzing and analyzing motion of the image and calculating position data according to the image, and position data and preset screen adjustment data. A camera module driving program for outputting to the camera module and an image compression / restore program for compressing / restoring image information transmitted through the camera module 11, and in the form of a CD, a floppy disk. It can be provided as software or downloaded and installed through the Internet.

A method of controlling an image input apparatus having an automatic tracking function according to the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the user connects the camera module 11 and the drive unit 12 to the server 15, and then installs the automatic tracking program on the server through the CD, floppy disk or the Internet.

Then, when power is applied to the server, the server 15 initializes the position of the camera module 11 (S40).

That is, the lens 11-1 of the camera module 11 is oriented at 0 degrees in the horizontal direction and 0 degrees in the vertical direction.

Subsequently, the user of the current server or the remote site selects an image input mode and wants to be automatically tracked through a control window provided on the monitor screen of the server 15 by the image input program by an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse or a joystick. After designating the subject and adjusting the focusing, the image is input to the server 15 through the camera module 11 (S41), and then the auto tracking mode is set to 'on'.

The focusing motor 11-4 of the camera module 11 is driven by the illuminance of the driving unit 12 and the focus control unit 12-3 according to the focusing control command of the user, thereby achieving focusing desired by the user.

In addition, the peripheral illuminance value detected by the optical sensor 11-2 of the camera module 11 is transmitted to the server 15 or the remote server 14 through the driving unit 12, and the corresponding server 14 or 15 receives this. Compared to the preset illuminance reference value, if the reference value is less than or equal to the reference value, the illuminance and focus control unit 12-3 of the driving unit 12 turns on the light 11-3 so that the ambient illuminance of the subject is greater than or equal to the reference value. Ensure accurate image input and automatic tracking regardless of illuminance.

At this time, the present invention, as described above, the remote user also connects his server 14 with the server 15 through a communication network, such as the Internet, LAN to set the automatic tracking mode or adjust the position of the camera module 11 Can be. That is, a remote user may access and boot the other party's server 15 through a communication network, and then turn on the automatic tracking mode or issue a position adjustment command.

However, there may be a problem such as privacy infringement, so the scope of use may be limited to the parties to which the mutual agreement is made.

Accordingly, the server 15 determines whether the auto tracking mode is 'on' (S42), and when the auto tracking mode is 'on', an image of a subject input by a user using an image analysis program that is automatically performed when the image is input. The information is analyzed (S43), the movement of the subject is detected (S44), position data corresponding to the movement is calculated, and output to the driver 12 (S45).

At this time, the basic operation of analyzing the image information of the subject and grasping the movement to calculate the corresponding position data is a known technique, for example, 1877 of "Pattern Recognition Vol. 29, No. 11" published in 1996 edition "Pattern Recognition Society". The "AUTOMATIC HUMAN FACE LOCATION" algorithm for recognizing the face of a particular person using color information or motion information, described on page 1889, 1996.

Subsequently, the driver 12 drives the X-axis driver 12-2 and the Y-axis driver 12-1 according to the position data transmitted from the server 15 so that the camera module ( The lens 11-1 of 11 is directed (S46).

In addition, as described above, the focusing motor 11-4 and the light 11-3 are driven in accordance with a user's direct operation command.

Accordingly, the camera module 11 transmits the image in the corresponding direction to the server 15 by processing digital information such as compression, and the server 15 restores the image and displays the image on the screen by analog image processing.

The server 15 determines whether the auto tracking mode is 'off' (S47). If the auto tracking mode is 'off', the server 15 returns to the camera module position initialization step (S40), and if the auto tracking mode is not 'off'. The process returns to the step S43 and the steps S44 to S47 are repeated.

On the other hand, the server 15 determines whether the position adjustment command is input from the current user or the remote server 14 user if the automatic tracking mode is not 'on' (S48), and the position adjustment command is determined. If input, the position data according to the position adjustment of the user is output to the driver 12.

Subsequently, the driver 12 drives the X-axis driver 12-2 and the Y-axis driver 12-1 according to the position data transmitted from the server 15 so that the camera module ( The lens 11-1 of 11 is directed (S46).

Accordingly, the camera module 11 transmits the image in the corresponding direction to the server 15 by processing digital information such as compression, and the server 15 restores the image and displays the image on the screen by analog image processing.

After all, the present invention is to control the automatic tracking function as well as the focusing and positioning of the counterpart image input device in the current location or remote location, it is possible to control the local image input device from the remote site to look at the desired subject It is a breakthrough that the subject can be automatically tracked without any further key manipulation with a simple key input. The scope of application such as internet video conferencing, video telephony, and surveillance camera can be infinite. For example, if a usage agreement is established between a shopping mall and a consumer, the consumer can remotely look at the corresponding product in the shopping mall at a desired location and make a purchase decision. It is easy and free to explore.

An image input device having an automatic tracking function and a control method thereof according to the present invention have the following effects.

First, it is easy to install and can control the image input position at the current place or remote place or automatically track a certain subject, so that the parties can freely move when performing image transfer-related operations. Can be.

Second, since the image input position can be controlled and automatically tracked, a wide range of surveillance operations are possible, thus reducing the cost and easy installation and control of the surveillance system.

Third, since the focusing function and the lighting function are provided, uniform image input performance can be maintained regardless of the surrounding environment.

Claims (9)

A camera module for processing digital image information of a corresponding direction image; A driving unit for adjusting the directing direction of the camera module, In the automatic tracking mode, grasp the moving direction of the user-specified image and control the driving unit so that the direction of the camera module is adjusted in the corresponding moving direction or the direction of the camera module is adjusted according to the position adjustment command of the user. And a computer for displaying a digital image information processed through a camera module on a screen according to a user's selection or transmitting the image to the outside via a communication network. According to claim 1, The camera module and the lens is taken of the image; An optical sensor for detecting peripheral illumination of a subject to which the lens is directed; A light for adjusting the peripheral illumination of the subject, And a focusing motor for adjusting focusing of the lens. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The driving unit X-axis driving unit for driving the camera module in the X-axis direction, A Y-axis driver for driving the camera module in the Y-axis direction; And an illuminance and focus control unit for controlling the operation of the light and focusing motor. A camera module for processing digital image information of a corresponding direction image; A driving unit for adjusting the directing direction of the camera module, In the automatic tracking mode, grasp the moving direction of the user-specified image and control the driving unit so that the direction of the camera module is adjusted in the corresponding moving direction or the direction of the camera module is adjusted according to the position adjustment command of the user. A computer for displaying digital image information processed through a camera module on a screen or transmitting it externally through a communication network according to a user's selection; An image input device having an automatic tracking function, characterized in that it further comprises a remote computer for controlling the directing direction of the camera module by setting an automatic tracking mode or inputting a position adjustment command at a remote location through the interface with the computer. . In the control method of the image input device having an automatic tracking function having a camera module, a drive unit for adjusting the direction of the camera module, a computer for controlling the drive unit according to a user's adjustment command or a built-in automatic tracking program. , The user inputting an image of a predetermined subject and setting an automatic tracking function; Acquiring, by the computer, the movement of the subject input by the user according to the automatic tracking program, calculating position data according to the movement, and transmitting the calculated position data to the driving unit; Driving the camera module to correspond to the position data transmitted from the computer by the driving unit; And displaying, by the computer, image information input through a camera module on a screen according to a user's selection or transmitting the image information through a communication network. The method of claim 5, Inputting a direct position adjustment command by the user; Transmitting, by the computer, position data corresponding to the position adjustment command to the driver; Driving the camera module to correspond to the position data transmitted from the computer by the driving unit; And displaying the image information input through the camera module on a computer screen according to a user's selection or transmitting the image information through a communication network. The method of claim 5, And setting the automatic tracking function further comprises a step of setting a automatic tracking function by accessing the computer through a communication network to a remote computer user. The method of claim 7, wherein The remote computer user of the remote computer user is not allowed to set the automatic tracking function through the current computer, the control method of the image input device having an automatic tracking function. The method of claim 5, The automatic tracking program includes an image input program for providing a position control window for image input and for displaying an input image on a screen; An image analysis program which is executed automatically when the image of the predetermined subject is input and analyzes the image, identifies movement and calculates position data accordingly; A camera module driving program for outputting position data and preset screen adjustment data to the camera module through the driving unit; And a video compression / restoration program for compressing / restoring the video information transmitted through the camera module.