TWI896151B - Central recording device, distributed recording system and distributed recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

A central recording device is provided in present disclosure. The central recording device is coupled to at least one sub-recording device and comprises a recording unit, a processing unit, a storage unit and a connection unit. The recording unit is configured to generate central image data based on an environment. The processing unit is coupled to the recording unit and configured to: receiving at least one sub-image data from the at least one sub-recording device; performing an image synchronization process on the central image data and the at least one sub-image data, so as to generate streaming image data; and in response to receiving a trigger signal, retrieving a portion of the streaming image data corresponding to a specified time period, so as to generate a streaming video. The storage unit is coupled to the processing unit and configured to store the streaming video. The connection unit is coupled between the processing unit and a server and configured to upload the streaming image data and the streaming video to the server.

Description

Central photography device, distributed photography system and distributed photography method

This disclosure relates to distributed photography technology, and more particularly to a central camera capable of integrating data from multiple cameras, a distributed photography system, and a distributed photography method.

With the increasing awareness of safety in recent years, people are turning to video/surveillance systems to ensure they can record the situation when faced with an incident. This has led to an increasing demand for video/surveillance systems. To achieve more comprehensive image recording, distributed video systems using multiple cameras have become the preferred choice for many users.

However, in traditional distributed imaging systems, in addition to a central host computer receiving image data, at least one camera must be deployed to capture multiple scenes. In other words, if all cameras are lost or malfunction, the central host computer will not receive any image data from them, and thus will be unable to perform functions such as image synthesis, output, or streaming. Therefore, overcoming the problem of distributed imaging systems failing due to camera failures is a key challenge in this field.

This disclosure provides a central camera device coupled to at least one sub-camera device. The central camera device includes a camera unit, a processing unit, a storage unit, and a connection unit. The camera unit is used to generate central image data based on the environment. The processing unit is coupled to the camera unit and is used to: receive at least one sub-image data from at least one sub-camera device; execute an image synchronization process on the central image data and at least one sub-image data to generate streaming image data; and, in response to receiving a trigger signal, capture a portion of the streaming image data corresponding to a specified time period to generate a streaming video. The storage unit is coupled to the processing unit and is used to store the streaming video. The connection unit is coupled between the processing unit and the server and is used for uploading the streaming image data and the streaming video to the server.

The present disclosure provides a distributed photography system comprising at least one sub-camera device and a central camera device. The at least one sub-camera device is used to generate at least one sub-image data according to the environment. The central camera device is coupled to the at least one sub-camera device and comprises a camera unit, a processing unit, a storage unit and a connection unit. The camera unit is used to generate central image data according to the environment. The processing unit is coupled to the camera unit and is used to: receive at least one sub-image data from the at least one sub-camera device; execute an image synchronization program on the central image data and the at least one sub-image data to generate streaming image data; and in response to receiving a trigger signal, capture a portion of the streaming image data corresponding to a specified time period to generate a streaming video. The storage unit is coupled to the processing unit for storing streaming videos. The connection unit is coupled between the processing unit and the server for uploading streaming image data and streaming videos to the server.

This disclosure provides a distributed photography method applicable to a distributed photography system including at least one sub-photography device and a central photography device. The distributed photography method includes: generating central image data and at least one sub-image data according to the environment by a central camera and at least one sub-camera, respectively; receiving at least one sub-image data from at least one sub-camera by a processing unit of the central camera; executing an image synchronization procedure on the central image data and the at least one sub-image data by the processing unit to generate streaming image data; in response to a trigger signal received by the processing unit, capturing a portion of the streaming image data corresponding to a specified time period by the processing unit to generate a streaming video; storing the streaming video by a storage unit of the central camera; and uploading the streaming image data and the streaming video to a server by a connection unit of the central camera.

The central camera device, distributed camera system, and distributed camera method disclosed herein enable the central device to not only perform image integration, streaming, and uploading functions, but also capture images. This avoids the situation in traditional distributed camera systems where the central host computer is unable to output images due to camera loss or failure.

The following will be used to illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same or similar elements or method flows.

In this disclosure, when an element is referred to as "connected", it may refer to "electrically connected" or "optically connected", and when an element is referred to as "coupled", it may refer to "electrically coupled" or "optically coupled". "Connected" or "coupled" may also be used to indicate the coordinated operation or interaction between two or more elements. Unless the context specifically limits the articles, "one" and "the" may refer to one or more. It will be further understood that the words "include", "including", "have" and similar words used herein specify the features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components described therein, but do not exclude the described or additional one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.

FIG1 illustrates a functional block diagram of a distributed imaging system 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the distributed imaging system 100 includes sub-cameras 110A-110D, a central camera 120, and a network center 130.

Sub-camera devices 110A-110D are used to capture an environment (e.g., a closed room, an open space, or a specific object such as a safe or artwork) to generate sub-image data DATA1-DATA4. In some embodiments, sub-camera devices 110A-110D can be implemented as mobile cameras, fixed cameras (e.g., surveillance cameras), other devices with camera capabilities, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, sub-cameras 110A-110D are each coupled to a network hub 130 via multiple network cables. These sub-image data DATA1-DATA4 are transmitted from the network hub 130 to the central camera 120, and the sub-image data DATA1-DATA4 are received from a power source (not shown) via the network hub 130 for operating power PW. Because network cables can transmit both data and power, using network cables to connect sub-cameras 110A-110D and the network hub 130 (and the central camera 120, described below) can reduce the number of wires in the distributed camera system 100, thereby simplifying the wiring configuration of the distributed camera system 100.

It should be noted that the number of sub-cameras and sub-camera data in this disclosure is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. Other numbers of sub-cameras and sub-camera data are within the scope of this disclosure. In some embodiments, the distributed imaging system 100 includes more than four sub-cameras. In some embodiments, the distributed imaging system 100 includes fewer than four sub-cameras.

Central camera 120 is coupled to network center 130 via a network cable. Central camera 120 receives sub-image data DATA1-DATA4 from sub-cameras 110A-110D via network center 130, and receives operating power PW from a power source (not shown) via network center 130. In some embodiments, central camera 120 transmits configuration commands CT to sub-cameras 110A-110D to adjust imaging parameters (e.g., resolution, frame rate, exposure, etc.) of sub-cameras 110A-110D.

In some embodiments, the central camera 120 is further configured to capture the surrounding environment to generate central image data DATA_C (shown in FIG. 2 ). In other words, compared to the central host computer in a conventional distributed imaging system, the central camera 120 of the distributed imaging system 100 provided in this disclosure not only has the function of receiving the sub-image data DATA1 to DATA4 from the sub-cameras 110A to 110D, but also has the additional function of capturing the surrounding environment.

In some embodiments, the central camera device 120 is further coupled to a server 150 and, in response to receiving a trigger signal TRI, uploads streaming image data ST and streaming video STV generated based on the sub-image data DATA1-DATA4 and the central image data DATA_C (shown in FIG. 2 ) to the server 150. Details regarding the generation of the streaming image data ST and streaming video STV by the central camera device 120 based on the sub-image data DATA1-DATA4 and the central image data DATA_C (shown in FIG. 2 ) are described in the following paragraphs.

The network center 130 is coupled to the sub-cameras 110A-110D and the central camera 120 to facilitate the transmission of sub-image data DATA1-DATA4 and configuration commands CT between the sub-cameras 110A-110D and the central camera 120. In an embodiment not shown, the network center 130 is coupled to a power source to provide the sub-cameras 110A-110D and the central camera 120 with operating power PW.

In some embodiments, the distributed photography system 100 further includes a computer interface 140. The computer interface 140 is coupled to the network center 130 via a network cable, and is configured to receive operating power PW from the network center 130 and transmit a trigger signal TRI to the central camera 120. In some embodiments, the computer interface 140 can be implemented through an interactive webpage, application software, the like, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the sub-cameras 110A-110D, the central camera 120, the network center 130, and the computer interface 140 are located in the same network domain so as to transmit the sub-image data DATA1-DATA4, the setting command CT, and the trigger signal TRI to each other.

To illustrate the internal structure and operation details of the central camera 120, please refer to FIG2. FIG2 shows a functional block diagram of the central camera 120 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the central camera device 120 includes a camera unit 121, a network unit 122, a processing unit 123, a storage unit 124, and a connection unit 125. The camera unit 121 is coupled to the processing unit 123 to capture the environment and generate central image data DATA_C.

The network unit 122 is coupled to the network center 130 and the processing unit 123 to provide the central camera 120 with a connection (e.g., via a network cable) to the network center 130, thereby assisting the central camera 120 in receiving the sub-image data DATA1-DATA4 and the trigger signal TRI.

The processing unit 123 is coupled to the camera unit 121, the network unit 122, the storage unit 124, and the connection unit 125. It receives central image data DATA_C from the camera unit 121 and receives sub-image data DATA1-DATA4 and a trigger signal TRI from the network center 130 via the network unit 122. In some embodiments, the processing unit 123 performs an image synchronization process on the central image data DATA_C and the sub-image data DATA1-DATA4 to generate streaming image data ST.

In some embodiments, the central image data DATA_C and the sub-image data DATA1-DATA4 each include multiple entries of time information (used to record the time when the data was collected) and multiple entries of frame information corresponding to the multiple entries of time information (used to record the frame presented by the data). During the image synchronization process, the processing unit 123 first analyzes the time information and frame information of the central image data DATA_C and the sub-image data DATA1-DATA4.

Next, processing unit 123 selects each piece of frame information corresponding to each piece of time information from sub-image data DATA1-DATA4 based on each piece of time information in central image data DATA_C. Finally, processing unit 123 combines central image data DATA_C and the frame information of the selected sub-image data DATA1-DATA4 into streaming image data ST and outputs it to server 150 (e.g., for streaming playback).

Taking FIG. 3 as an example, FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of central image data DATA_C and sub-image data DATA1-DATA4 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The processing unit 123 can combine the image information corresponding to time information T1 of the central image data DATA_C and the sub-image data DATA1-DATA4 into stream image data ST and output it to the server 150. It can also combine the image information corresponding to time information T2 into another stream image data ST and output it to the server 150. It can also combine the image information corresponding to time information T3 into yet another stream image data ST and output it to the server 150, and so on.

Through the aforementioned image synchronization process, processing unit 123 can generate a continuous stream of image data ST that includes images captured by central camera 120 and sub-cameras 110A-110D. Furthermore, because each piece of stream image data ST is combined with frame information corresponding to the same time information, image asynchrony caused by data transmission delays between cameras or internal circuits can be mitigated, thereby ensuring that the images from multiple cameras are synchronized in the output stream image data ST.

In some embodiments, the image synchronization process is performed continuously. In other words, the processing unit 123 continuously receives the central image data DATA_C and the sub-image data DATA1-DATA4, and continuously generates and outputs the streaming image data ST to the server 150 for streaming playback.

Please refer to Figure 2 again. The storage unit 124 is coupled to the processing unit 123. In some embodiments, in response to receiving the trigger signal TRI, the processing unit 123 generates a streaming video STV based on the output streaming image data ST (e.g., capturing a specified time period) and transmits the streaming video STV to the storage unit 124 and the server 150. The streaming video STV corresponding to the specified time period (e.g., 5 minutes) is stored within the central camera 120 (i.e., via the storage unit 124) or externally (i.e., via the server 150). In some embodiments, the storage unit 124 can be implemented by dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), other components with storage functions, or a combination thereof.

The connection unit 125 is coupled between the processing unit 123 and the server 150 to provide a connection between the central camera 120 and the server 150, thereby transmitting the streaming image data ST and the streaming video STV from the central camera 120 to an external system for image streaming playback or storage.

In some embodiments, the central camera 120 further includes a trigger unit 126 coupled to the processing unit 123. The trigger unit 126 generates a trigger signal TRI to the processing unit 123 under specified circumstances, thereby causing the central camera 120 to manually or automatically record the streaming image data ST for a specific time period. In some embodiments, the trigger unit 126 can be implemented by a button, a collision sensor, an infrared sensor, a Bluetooth signal receiver, other sensing components, or a combination thereof.

For example, if the trigger unit 126 is implemented by a button, when the trigger unit 126 detects a trigger action (for example, pressing a button), the trigger unit 126 generates a trigger signal TRI to the processing unit 123, and the processing unit 123 captures the streaming image data ST of a specified time period (for example, 5 minutes) after receiving the trigger signal TRI as a streaming video STV.

In another example, if the trigger unit 126 is implemented by a collision sensor, when the trigger unit 126 detects a trigger action (for example, the central camera 120 is hit), the trigger unit 126 generates a trigger signal TRI to the processing unit 123, and the processing unit 123 captures the streaming image data ST of a specified time period (for example, 5 minutes) after receiving the trigger signal TRI as a streaming video STV.

In some embodiments, the trigger signal TRI is not only used to instruct the processing unit 123 to generate the streaming video STV based on the output streaming image data ST, but also can be used to instruct the processing unit 123 to upload the streaming image data ST and the streaming video STV to the server 150 to stream the streaming image data ST and store the streaming video STV in an external system.

FIG4 is a flow chart of a distributed photography method 400 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the distributed photography method 400 includes steps S410, S420, S430, S440, S450, S460, and S470.

Distributed photography method 400 proceeds to step S410. In step S410, at least one sub-image device (e.g., sub-image devices 110A-110D) and a central image device (e.g., central image device 120) generate at least one sub-image data (e.g., sub-image data DATA1-DATA4) and central image data (e.g., central image data DATA_C) based on the environment. Next, step S420 is executed.

In step S420, the processing unit of the central camera (e.g., processing unit 123) receives at least one sub-image data from at least one sub-camera. Then, step S430 is executed.

In step S430, the processing unit performs an image synchronization process on the central image data and at least one sub-image data to generate streaming image data (eg, streaming image data ST). Then, step S440 is executed.

In step S440, the processing unit determines whether a trigger signal (e.g., trigger signal TRI) has been received. If the processing unit determines that a trigger signal has been received, step S450 is executed; if the processing unit determines that a trigger signal has not been received, step S410 is executed again.

In step S450 , a portion of the streaming image data corresponding to a specified time period is captured by the processing unit to generate a streaming video (eg, streaming video STV), and the streaming video is stored in a storage unit (eg, storage unit 124 ) of the central camera device.

In step S460, the processing unit determines whether a command to upload the streaming video to a server (e.g., server 150) has been received. If the processing unit determines that the command has been received, step S470 is executed; if the processing unit determines that the command has not been received, step S410 is executed again.

In step S470, the streaming image data and streaming video are uploaded to the server via the central camera's connection unit (e.g., connection unit 125). After completing step S470, step S410 is re-executed.

It should be noted that the number and order of steps in the distributed photography method 400 of this disclosure are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Other numbers and orders of steps are within the scope of this disclosure. In some embodiments, step S460 may be omitted, and step S470 may be performed immediately after step S450.

The central camera, distributed camera system, and distributed camera method disclosed herein enable the central camera in a distributed camera system to not only integrate images from other cameras but also capture images. Therefore, even if all sub-cameras in the distributed camera system malfunction and are unable to produce images, the central camera itself can still capture and generate streaming images.

The above is merely a preferred embodiment of this disclosure. Various modifications and equivalent variations of the structure of this disclosure may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this disclosure. In summary, all modifications and equivalent variations of this disclosure made within the scope of the following claims are covered by this disclosure.

100: Distributed Photography System 110A-110D: Sub-Cameras 120: Central Camera 121: Camera Unit 122: Network Unit 123: Processing Unit 124: Storage Unit 125: Connection Unit 126: Trigger Unit 130: Network Center 140: Computer Interface 150: Server 400: Distributed Photography Method S410, S420, S430, S440: Steps S450, S460, S470: Steps CT: Configuration Command DATA1-DATA4: Sub-Image Data DATA_C: Central Image Data PW: Operating Power ST: Streaming Image Data STV: Streaming Video T1-T3: Time TRI: Trigger Signal

To facilitate understanding of the above and other objects, features, advantages, and embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings are described as follows: Figure 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of a distributed imaging system according to some embodiments of this disclosure; Figure 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of a central imaging device according to some embodiments of this disclosure; Figure 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of central image data and sub-image data according to some embodiments of this disclosure; and Figure 4 illustrates a flow chart of a distributed imaging method according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

Domestic Storage Information (Please enter in order by institution, date, and number) None International Storage Information (Please enter in order by country, institution, date, and number) None

120: Central camera

121: Photography Unit

122: Network unit

123: Processing unit

124: Storage Unit

125: Connection unit

126: Trigger Unit

130: Network Center

150: Server

DATA1~DATA4: Sub-image data

DATA_C: Central image data

ST: Streaming video data

STV: Streaming Videos

TRI: Trigger signal

Claims (20)

A central camera device is coupled to at least one sub-camera device, wherein the central camera device comprises: a camera unit for generating central image data based on an environment; a processing unit, coupled to the camera unit, for: receiving at least one sub-image data from the at least one sub-camera device; performing an image synchronization process on the central image data and the at least one sub-image data to generate a stream of image data; and in response to receiving a trigger signal, capturing a portion of the stream of image data corresponding to a specified time period to generate a stream of video; a storage unit, coupled to the processing unit, for storing the stream of video; and A connection unit is coupled between the processing unit and a server, and is configured to upload the streaming image data and the streaming video to the server. The central camera device is configured to control a camera parameter of the at least one sub-camera device. The central camera device of claim 1, wherein the image synchronization process comprises: analyzing time information and frame information of each of the central image data and the at least one sub-image data; selecting at least one synchronized sub-image data from the at least one sub-image data, wherein the time information of each of the at least one synchronized sub-image data is the same as the time information of each of the central image data; and combining the frame information of the central image data with the frame information of the at least one synchronized sub-image data to generate the streaming image data. The central camera device as described in claim 1 further includes a trigger unit coupled to the processing unit, wherein when the trigger unit detects a trigger action, the trigger unit is used to generate the trigger signal to the processing unit. The central camera device as described in claim 1, wherein the central camera device and the at least one sub-camera device are set in the same network domain. The central camera device as described in claim 4, wherein the central camera device and the at least one sub-camera device are respectively coupled to a network center via multiple network cables to receive operating power via the network center and transmit the at least one sub-image data via the multiple network cables and the network center, wherein the network center is located in the network domain. The central camera device as described in claim 4 further includes a network unit, wherein the network unit is coupled between the processing unit and a computer interface to receive the trigger signal from the computer interface, wherein the computer interface is set in the network domain. The central camera device as described in claim 1, wherein the processing unit is further used to transmit a setting instruction to the at least one sub-camera device to adjust the photography parameters of the at least one sub-camera device. A distributed imaging system comprises: At least one sub-camera device for generating at least one sub-image data based on an environment; and A central imaging device coupled to the at least one sub-camera device, wherein the central imaging device comprises: A imaging unit for generating central image data based on the environment; A processing unit coupled to the imaging unit for: Receiving the at least one sub-image data from the at least one sub-camera device; Performing an image synchronization process on the central image data and the at least one sub-image data to generate streaming image data; and In response to receiving a trigger signal, capturing a portion of the streaming image data corresponding to a specified time period to generate a streaming video; A storage unit coupled to the processing unit for storing the streaming video; and a connection unit coupled between the processing unit and a server for uploading the streaming image data and the streaming video to the server. The central camera device is configured to control a photography parameter of the at least one sub-camera device. The distributed imaging system of claim 8, wherein the image synchronization process comprises: analyzing time information and frame information of each of the central image data and the at least one sub-image data; selecting at least one synchronized sub-image data from the at least one sub-image data, wherein the time information of each of the at least one synchronized sub-image data is the same as the time information of each of the central image data; and combining the frame information of the central image data with the frame information of the at least one synchronized sub-image data to generate the streaming image data. The distributed photography system as described in claim 8, wherein the central photography device further includes a trigger unit coupled to the processing unit, wherein when the trigger unit detects a trigger action, the trigger unit is used to generate the trigger signal to the processing unit. The distributed photography system as described in claim 8, wherein the central photography device and the at least one sub-photography device are arranged in the same network domain. The distributed photography system as described in claim 11 further includes a network center, wherein the central photography device and the at least one sub-photography device are respectively coupled to the network center via multiple network cables to receive operating power via the network center and transmit the at least one sub-image data via the multiple network cables and the network center, wherein the network center is located in the network domain. A distributed photography system as described in claim 11, wherein the central photography device further includes a network unit, which is coupled between the processing unit and a computer interface for receiving the trigger signal from the computer interface, wherein the computer interface is set in the network domain. The distributed photography system as described in claim 8, wherein the processing unit is further configured to transmit a setting instruction to the at least one sub-photographic device to adjust the photography parameters of the at least one sub-photographic device. A distributed photography method, applicable to a distributed photography system including at least one sub-camera and a central camera, comprises: Controlling a photography parameter of the at least one sub-camera by the central camera; Generting central image data and at least one sub-image data by the central camera and the at least one sub-camera, respectively, based on an environment; Receiving the at least one sub-image data from the at least one sub-camera by a processing unit of the central camera; Executing an image synchronization process on the central image data and the at least one sub-image data by the processing unit to generate stream image data; In response to the processing unit receiving a trigger signal, the processing unit captures a portion of the streaming image data corresponding to a specified time period to generate a streaming video; a storage unit of the central camera stores the streaming video; and a connection unit of the central camera uploads the streaming image data and the streaming video to a server. The distributed photography method of claim 15, wherein the image synchronization process comprises: the processing unit analyzing time information and frame information of each of the central image data and the at least one sub-image data; the processing unit selecting at least one synchronized sub-image data from the at least one sub-image data, wherein the time information of each of the at least one synchronized sub-image data is the same as the time information of each of the central image data; and the processing unit combining the frame information of the central image data and the frame information of the at least one synchronized sub-image data to generate the streaming image data. The distributed photography method as described in claim 15, wherein the trigger signal is generated by a trigger unit of the central camera device when a trigger action is detected. A distributed photography method as described in claim 15, wherein the trigger signal is received by a network unit of the central camera device from a computer interface, wherein the central camera device, the at least one sub-camera device and the computer interface are arranged in the same network domain. The distributed photography method of claim 15, wherein the processing unit of the central camera receives the at least one sub-image data from the at least one sub-camera, comprising: the at least one sub-camera transmits the at least one sub-image data to a network center of the distributed photography system via a plurality of network cables; and the processing unit receives the at least one sub-image data from the network center via one of the plurality of network cables. The central camera, the at least one sub-camera, and the network center are located in the same network domain. The distributed photography method of claim 15 further comprises: The processing unit transmits a setting command to the at least one sub-camera device to adjust the photography parameters of the at least one sub-camera device.