JP2003274360A - Apparatus and method for imaging, and device and system for imaging management - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable video imaging of high quality upon occasion without letting a user be aware of that. <P>SOLUTION: The quality and amount of video data which are recorded or sent out are varied by varying the compression rate of compression processing for an imaged video signal and/or the frame rate of frame processing. Rate change conditions include all or some of rate changing operation by the user, emergency operation, reception of a signal of a rate change indication, a sound volume state above a specified value, input of a specified target voice, a specified moving state of an image, a specified target image, a shock, and being in a specified area to obtain video data of a proper quality state upon occasion and handle even cases wherein it is hard for the user to operate. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus, an image pickup method, an image pickup management apparatus, and an image pickup management system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, an image pickup device is widely used as a portable video camera and is used for business use or general household use.

[0003]

In the conventional video camera, when a user takes an image, the user, various operations of the video camera, the battery capacity, the recordable capacity of the recording medium (recordable remaining time), etc. , We must be aware of a great variety of things. This means that the user has to concentrate on the imaging work, and does not mean, for example, that he / she can perform the imaging without concentrating on the imaging work while doing other things.

Video cameras have a wide variety of uses. For example, they are used for shooting athletic events and other events in general homes and for recording the growth of children. In reality, the user takes an image of the process while performing a certain work. There are many situations where it is not possible to concentrate on imaging, such as when it is desired to keep it. Further, although the video camera is effective as a surveillance / security application, a surveillance camera fixed at a specific position is usually used. Moreover, if it is a portable video camera, it can be carried by a security officer or a police officer, but it is not easy to use. That is, security guards, police officers, and the like must originally pay attention to the surroundings for monitoring and security, and cannot concentrate on the video camera to perform image capturing operation. For this reason, guards and police officers usually do not always carry video cameras and carry out patrols. However, it is considered effective for security to take video images at the same time during patrol. For these reasons, there is a demand for an imaging device that can take an image without particularly focusing on the operation.

Further, considering the above patrol, etc., the importance of the image pickup data is not so much in normal times, but when an abnormal situation occurs or when special caution is required,
Imaging data can be important. For example, it is of great value to be able to record the crime scene, the criminal, the caution person, the accident situation, etc. as a video image. In particular, it is desired that these images can be left as high quality image data. On the other hand, constantly capturing high-quality video data leads to an increase in unnecessary normal video data amount and unnecessary consumption of recording medium capacity and battery capacity. Therefore, it is not appropriate to always continue to capture high-quality video data. Therefore, it is conceivable that a user such as a police officer performs an image capturing operation as necessary, or an operation of switching to high quality image capturing, but if this is done, it is necessary to pay attention to the operation. In addition, it is not appropriate, and when an abnormal situation occurs, there is no room to operate the video camera more than in normal times, which is not realistic.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to make it possible to pick up a high quality image when necessary and to make an appropriate image pick-up even if the user does not concentrate on the operation. And

Therefore, the image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes an image pickup means for picking up an image and outputting the picked-up video signal, and a signal processing for performing compression processing on the picked-up video signal and / or frame processing of the picked-up video signal for output. Means, a detection means for detecting a rate changing condition, and a rate control means for changing the compression rate of the compression processing and / or the frame rate of the frame processing in the signal processing means according to the detection by the detection means. Be prepared. Further, a recording means for recording on the recording medium is further provided, and the signal subjected to the compression processing and / or the frame processing by the signal processing means is recorded on the recording medium by the recording means.
Further, the communication means is further provided, and the communication means transmits and outputs the signal subjected to the compression processing and / or the frame processing by the signal processing means.

The rate change condition is detected as follows. That is, the operating means is further provided, and the detecting means detects the rate changing operation by the operating means as the rate changing condition. Further, the communication means is further provided, and the detection means detects the rate change instruction signal received by the communication means as the rate change condition. Further, the emergency operation means and the communication means are further provided, and the detection means detects the operation of the emergency operation means as the rate change condition. At this time, the communication means transmits an emergency signal according to the operation of the emergency operation means. Further, the current position information is also transmitted. Further, it further comprises a microphone means for inputting ambient sound, and a voice inspecting means for inspecting the volume level of the voice signal input from the microphone means. The detection is detected as the rate change condition. Further, it further comprises a microphone means for inputting ambient sound, and a voice inspecting means for inspecting whether or not a specific target voice is input as an audio signal input from the microphone means, wherein the detecting means is the voice inspection. The detection of the input of the specific target voice by the means is detected as the rate changing condition. Further, it further comprises image analysis means for performing an image analysis process on the imaged video signal output from the image pickup means, and the detection means uses a condition that the predetermined motion state is detected by the image analysis means as the rate change condition. To detect. Further, the detection means detects that a specific target image is detected by the image analysis means as the rate change condition. In addition, a shock sensor means for detecting a shock is further provided, and the detecting means detects that a shock is detected by the shock sensor means as the rate changing condition. In addition, an emergency signal and further current position information are transmitted in response to impact detection. Further, it further comprises a current position detection means and a determination means for determining whether or not the current position detected by the current position detection means is within a predetermined area, and the detection means is within the predetermined area by the determination means. The determination is detected as the rate change condition.

The rate control means lowers the compression rate of the compression processing in the signal processing means and / or increases the frame rate of the frame processing in accordance with the detection of the rate change condition by the detection means as described above. To control.

Further, the detecting means detects that the recordable capacity of the recording medium in the recording means is not more than a predetermined value as the rate changing condition, and the rate control means determines the recordable capacity by the detecting means. In response to the detection that the value is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the compression rate of the compression processing in the signal processing means is increased and / or the frame rate of the frame processing is controlled to be decreased. In addition, a power supply unit that uses a battery as an operating power supply is further provided,
The detection means detects that the battery capacity of the power supply means is below a predetermined value as the rate changing condition, and the rate control means detects the battery capacity of the detection means is below a predetermined value. Accordingly, the compression rate of the compression processing in the signal processing means is increased and / or the frame rate of the frame processing is controlled to be decreased.

According to the image pickup method of the present invention, the image pickup video signal obtained by image pickup is subjected to compression processing and / or frame processing and output, and at the same time, the rate change condition is detected, and the rate change condition is detected. , The compression rate of the compression processing and / or the frame rate of the frame processing are changed. Further, the imaged video signal that has been subjected to the above compression processing and / or frame processing is recorded in a recording medium. Further, the imaged video signal that has been subjected to the above-described compression processing and / or frame processing is transmitted and output to the outside.

Further, the rate changing condition of the image pickup method is such that a rate changing operation by a user, an emergency operation, a signal of a rate changing instruction is received, a volume state of a predetermined value or more, a specific target voice is input, and a predetermined image is displayed. The motion state, a specific target image, an impact, a predetermined area, etc. In case of emergency operation or shock detection, an emergency signal and current position information are also transmitted. Then, according to the detection of the rate change condition, the compression rate of the compression processing is lowered and / or the frame rate of the frame processing is increased. In addition, the fact that the recordable capacity of the recording medium becomes less than or equal to a predetermined value or the battery capacity becomes less than or equal to a predetermined value is detected as the rate change condition, and the compression rate of the compression process is determined according to these detections. Increase and / or decrease the frame rate of the frame processing.

The image pickup management apparatus of the present invention comprises a communication unit capable of communicating with one or a plurality of image pickup apparatuses, an operation unit,
Depending on the operation of the operation means, the compression rate of the compression processing for the imaged video signal and / or the frame rate of the frame processing for the imaged video signal may be set for all or some of the image pickup devices communicable by the communication means. Transmission control means for causing the communication means to transmit a rate change instruction signal. Further, it is provided with monitor means for outputting the video data transmitted from the image pickup device and received by the communication means.

The image-capturing management apparatus of the present invention is capable of capturing image-capturing video with respect to communication means capable of communicating with one or a plurality of image-capturing apparatuses and all or some of the image-capturing apparatuses capable of communicating with the communication means. Transmission control means for causing the communication means to transmit information for setting a rate change condition regarding a compression rate of a compression processing of a signal and / or a frame rate of a frame processing of an imaged video signal. Further, it is provided with monitor means for outputting the video data transmitted from the image pickup device and received by the communication means.

Further, the image pickup management apparatus of the present invention responds to a communication means capable of communicating with one or a plurality of image pickup apparatuses and an emergency signal transmitted from a certain image pickup apparatus and received by the communication means. , A signal for instructing the image pickup device that has transmitted the emergency signal or another image pickup device to change the compression rate of the compression process for the picked-up image signal and / or the frame rate of the frame process for the picked-up image signal. Transmission control means for transmitting from the communication means.
Further, it is provided with monitor means for outputting the video data transmitted from the image pickup device and received by the communication means. In this case, the emergency signal is a signal transmitted by the imaging device in response to an emergency operation or impact detection. Further, the transmission control means selects an image pickup device based on the current position information transmitted together with the emergency signal from the image pickup device that has transmitted the emergency signal, and sends the rate change instruction signal to the selected image pickup device. Is transmitted from the communication means. Further, the transmission control unit causes the communication unit to transmit the information transmitted from the image pickup apparatus that has transmitted the emergency signal to another image pickup apparatus.

The image pickup management system of the present invention comprises one or a plurality of image pickup devices and an image pickup management device capable of communicating with each of the image pickup devices. The above-mentioned image pickup device includes an image pickup means for performing image pickup and outputting a picked-up video signal, a signal processing means for performing compression processing on the picked-up video signal and / or frame processing for the picked-up video signal, and outputting the signal, and the signal processing means. The communication means capable of transmitting the captured image signal processed by the above as image data to the image capturing management device and enabling various data communication with the image capturing management device, and the rate change instruction received by the communication means. A detection unit that detects a signal as a rate change condition, and a rate control unit that changes the compression rate of the compression process and / or the frame rate of the frame process in the signal processing unit according to the detection by the detection unit are provided. . The image capturing management apparatus is provided with a communication unit capable of communicating with the image capturing apparatus, an operating unit, and all or some of the image capturing apparatuses communicable with the communication unit according to an operation of the operating unit. And a transmission control unit that causes the communication unit to transmit the rate change instruction signal. Further, the image capturing management device includes monitor means for outputting the video data transmitted from the image capturing device and received by the communication means.

The image pickup management system of the present invention comprises one or a plurality of image pickup devices and an image pickup management device capable of communicating with each of the image pickup devices. The above-mentioned image pickup device includes an image pickup means for performing image pickup and outputting a picked-up video signal, a signal processing means for performing compression processing on the picked-up video signal and / or frame processing for the picked-up video signal, and outputting the signal, and the signal processing means. A communication means capable of transmitting the imaged video signal processed by the above as image data to the imaging management device, and capable of various data communication with the imaging management device;
In the signal processing means, the rate change condition is set according to the rate change condition setting information received by the communication means, and the detection means detects the occurrence of the rate change condition; and the signal processing means in response to the detection by the detection means. Rate control means for changing the compression rate of the compression processing and / or the frame rate of the frame processing. The image capturing management apparatus communicates information for setting the rate change condition to the communication unit capable of communicating with the image capturing apparatus and all or some of the image capturing apparatuses capable of communicating with the communication unit. And a transmission control means for causing the means to transmit. Further, the image capturing management device includes monitor means for outputting the video data transmitted from the image capturing device and received by the communication means.

The image pickup management system of the present invention comprises one or a plurality of image pickup devices and an image pickup management device capable of communicating with each of the image pickup devices. The above-mentioned image pickup device includes an image pickup means for performing image pickup and outputting a picked-up video signal, a signal processing means for performing compression processing on the picked-up video signal and / or frame processing for the picked-up video signal, and outputting the signal, and the signal processing means. A communication means capable of transmitting the imaged video signal processed by the above as image data to the imaging management device, and capable of various data communication with the imaging management device;
An emergency signal transmission control means for transmitting an emergency signal from the communication means in response to an emergency operation or shock detection; a detection means for detecting a rate change instruction signal received by the communication means as a rate change condition; Rate control means for changing the compression rate of the compression processing and / or the frame rate of the frame processing in the signal processing means according to the detection by the means. The imaging management apparatus transmits a urgent signal in response to a communication unit capable of communicating with the imaging apparatus and an urgent signal transmitted from a certain imaging apparatus and received by the communication unit. And a transmission control unit that causes the communication unit to transmit the signal of the rate change instruction to the device or another imaging device. Further, the image capturing management device includes monitor means for outputting the video data transmitted from the image capturing device and received by the communication means. Further, in this imaging management system, the imaging device further includes a current position detection means, and the emergency signal transmission control means of the imaging device displays the current position information detected by the current position detection means together with the emergency signal. While controlling to transmit, the transmission control means of the image capturing management device selects the image capturing device based on the current position information transmitted together with the emergency signal from the image capturing device that has transmitted the emergency signal, and selects the image capturing device. A signal of a rate change instruction is transmitted from the communication means to the image pickup apparatus. Further, in this imaging management system, the transmission control means of the imaging management device causes the communication means to transmit the information transmitted from the imaging device that has transmitted the emergency signal to another imaging device.

In the above-described image pickup apparatus, image pickup method, image pickup management apparatus, and image pickup management system of the present invention, recording or transmission is performed by changing either or both of the compression rate of compression processing and the frame rate of frame processing. The quality and amount of output video data can be changed. In particular, the rate changing condition is a rate changing operation by the user, an emergency operation, a signal of a rate changing instruction is received, a volume state of a predetermined value or more, a specific target voice input, a predetermined motion state of an image, a specific target image, By making a shock or the whole or a part of the predetermined area, it is possible to obtain video data in an appropriate quality state depending on the case, and it is possible to handle even if it is difficult for the user to operate. Further, since the compression rate and the frame rate of the image pickup apparatus can be controlled from the image pickup management apparatus side, it becomes possible to appropriately take an image according to the situation or take an appropriate emergency.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A video camera as an embodiment of an image pickup apparatus and an image pickup method of the present invention will be described below in the following order. 1. Mode of video camera and system configuration 2. 2. Configuration of video camera Imaging operation mode 4. Rate switching by operation or instruction 5. Rate switching by voice inspection 6. Rate switching by image analysis 7. Rate switching during emergencies 8. Rate switching by impact detection 9. Rate switching by position detection 10. Modification

1. Aspect of Video Camera and System Configuration FIG. 1 shows an example of the appearance of the video camera of the present embodiment. This video camera comprises a camera unit 1 and a control unit 10. The camera unit 1 and the control unit 10 are connected by a cable 31 so that signals can be transmitted.

The camera unit 1 is mounted on the shoulder of the user, for example, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the control unit 10 is mounted or held on the waist of the user, a pocket of clothes, or the like, that is, the user can take an image while carrying it without using his or her hands. There are various possible methods for mounting the camera unit 1 on the shoulder, and although not described in detail here, a mechanism for holding the pedestal portion 6 of the camera unit 1 is formed on the user's clothes (jacket for security, etc.). Alternatively, it may be worn on the shoulder portion by a wearing belt or the like. The camera unit 1 may be fixed to, for example, the top or side of a helmet worn by the user, or may be attached to the chest or arm, but the shoulder portion is most likely to be used even when the user is walking. Since it is a portion with little shaking, it is optimal as a portion to which the camera unit 1 for image pickup is attached.

As shown in FIG. 1, the camera unit 1 is provided with two camera sections, a front camera section 2a and a rear camera section 2b. In addition, a front microphone 3a and a rear microphone 3b corresponding to the front and rear camera units 2a and 2b.
Is also provided. The front camera unit 2a is assumed to capture the front scene of the user in the mounted state of FIG. 2, and the rear camera unit 2b is assumed to capture the rear scene of the user. The front camera section 2a and the rear camera section 2b are equipped with wide-angle lenses, respectively, and their imaging viewing angles are relatively wide as shown in FIG. The user's surroundings can be imaged almost all around. The front microphone 3a is a microphone having high directivity in the front direction of the user in the state of FIG.
The sound corresponding to the scene to be imaged is collected. The rear microphone 3b is a microphone having high directivity behind the user in the state of FIG. 2, and collects a sound corresponding to the scene imaged by the rear camera unit 2b.

The front camera section 2a and the rear camera section 2
It goes without saying that the degree of the front view angle and the rear view angle as the image pickup ranges of b can be variously set depending on the design of the lens system to be adopted. The viewing angle may be set according to the situation in which the video camera is supposed to be used. Of course, it is not necessary to make the front view angle and the rear view angle the same, and depending on the model, the view angle may be designed to be narrow. Front microphone 3
The same applies to the directivity of the a and the rear microphone 3b, and various designs can be considered depending on the application. For example, a configuration in which one omnidirectional microphone is arranged can be considered.

A light emitting portion 4 is formed on the camera unit 1. For example, an LED element or the like emits light. The light emitting unit 4 emits light while the front and rear camera units 2a and 2b are capturing images. The light emission mode may be continuous light emission or blinking operation. When the light emitting unit 4 emits light,
It clearly indicates to the surrounding people that the video camera is performing an imaging operation. This informs the surroundings that the video camera is not used for voyeur purposes. In addition, for example, when used by a security guard or a police officer, the light emitting unit 4 indicates that image capturing is being performed, thereby enhancing the crime prevention effect.

The control unit 10 has a recording function of recording a video signal (and an audio signal) picked up by the camera unit 1 in the memory card 30, a function of transmitting and outputting from the antenna 12 to a management station which will be described later, and further displaying / operating. It has user interface functions such as.

For example, on the front surface of the control unit 10, a display section 11 such as a liquid crystal panel is provided. Further, an antenna 12 for communication is formed at a required position. In addition, a card slot 13 for mounting the memory card 30 is formed. Further, a portion for outputting electronic sound or voice is formed as the speaker unit 14 or the headphone terminal 19. Further, a cable connection terminal 15 for performing data transmission with an information device according to a predetermined transmission standard such as USB or IEEE1394 is provided.

As an operator for the user to operate, a power switch 16, various operation keys 18, an emergency switch 17 and the like are formed. Operation key 18
May be, for example, a cursor key, an enter key, a cancel key, or the like for performing a cursor operation on the display of the display unit 11 to perform an operation input, and various operation inputs may be possible. Dedicated keys for stop, mode setting, and other basic operations may be provided. Regarding the power switch 16 and the operation keys 18,
As shown in the figure, in addition to the slide switch form or the push switch (or in combination with these), an operator such as a jog dial or a trackball may be adopted.

The emergency switch 17 is supposed to be operated by the user especially in an emergency, and a large operation button may be adopted so that the emergency switch 17 can be surely operated without being visually recognized when there is no operating margin. It is suitable. Also, to prevent accidental operation during normal times,
It is advisable that a certain amount of pressing force is required, or that the button surface is set lower than the surface of the control unit 10 as shown in the drawing. Of course, instead of the push button form, various forms such as detecting the user hitting the control unit 10 and recognizing the user's voice as an emergency operation can be considered.

The configuration of the video camera of this example will be described later with reference to FIG.
By mounting the video camera of this example formed by the control unit 10 and the user as shown in FIG.
It enables hands-free and almost unconscious imaging. Therefore, it is suitable for capturing an image of the work scene while performing some work, capturing an image while enjoying an event, or capturing an image during patrol of a security guard or a police officer.

The video camera of this example has a function of recording the picked-up image data in the memory card 30 and a function of transmitting and outputting, but a system for activating these functions depending on, for example, security and police applications. An example is shown in FIG.

Video camera control unit 10
Can communicate with the management station 40 via the public line 32, for example. For this purpose, for example, the control unit 10 is provided with a communication function such as a mobile phone or PHS. It should be noted that communication may be possible via a dedicated line instead of the public line 32.

The management station 40 includes, for example, one or a plurality of police officers who wear the video camera of this example and perform patrol.
An organization that directs and manages security guards. The management station includes a controller 41, a monitor unit 42, an operation unit 43, a storage unit 44, a remote access server 45, a memory card slot 46 and the like.

The controller 41 controls the system in the management station 40. The monitor unit 42 includes, for example, a display and a speaker, and outputs video and audio to the operator. The operation unit 43 is provided with an operation of a keyboard and the like, a microphone, a camera, and the like, so that the operator can perform various operation inputs and information inputs. The storage unit 44 is an HDD (hard disk drive), an optical disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, or the like, and records / reproduces information on / from a recording medium. The remote access server 45 performs a communication operation between the management station 40 and the control unit 10 of the video camera via the public line 32. The memory card slot 46 is a slot for the memory card 30 which is a recording medium in the control unit 10 of the video camera, and the controller 41 allows access to the memory card 30.

The control unit 10 carried by a security guard or the like has a function of transmitting video data (and audio data) picked up by the camera unit 1. The video data is transmitted via the public line 32 to the management station 40. Sent to. Under the control of the controller 41, the management station 40 stores the transmitted video data in the storage unit 44.
Can be stored in the memory or can be output to the monitor unit 42 as video / audio. That is, in the management station 40, when a security guard or the like carries a patrol with a video camera, the operator on the management station side can also check the image and voice of the place where the security guard or the like is patroled, and also during the patrol. By accumulating the video and audio of the as data, it can be used for later investigation, analysis, and evidence.
Further, the video (and audio) captured by the video camera used by the security guards is displayed in this way in the management station 40.
If it is made known to the public that it is also monitored by, the effect of crime control and the effect of improving the safety of security guards will be further increased.

The image (and sound) taken by a security guard or the like with a video camera can be recorded in the memory card 30 loaded in the control unit 10, but the security guard or the like manages the memory card 30 after patrol. By passing it to the station 40, it will also be patrol report material. In the management station 40, the memory card 30 handed over from a security guard or the like is loaded into the memory card slot 46, and the video or audio recorded in the memory card 30 is read out under the control of the controller 41, thereby Can be output to the monitor unit 42 or stored in the storage unit 44.

Various instruction information and data can be transmitted from the management station 40 to the video camera (control unit 10). As will be described later, instruction information for instructing the rate switching of the imaging operation can be transmitted to the control unit 10 based on the operation of the operator by the operation unit 43, the operation program of the controller 41, or the like. In addition, security instructions can be transmitted as voice data, image data, and text data, and images and voices such as maps, pictures of criminals and montages can be transmitted as patrol materials. Further, as will be described later, rate change condition data such as target audio and target image can be transmitted to the control unit 10 of the video camera and set.

Video camera control unit 10
Then, the operator's instruction and voice as a material are output from the speaker 14 or the headphone terminal 19 to the user. Further, the image data and text data transmitted as instructions and materials are displayed on the display unit 11 and presented to the user.

The video camera and the management station 40 are used here.
Although the communication between the above has been described, for example, a plurality of guards may directly perform the data communication. For example, the communication function of the control unit 10 may be used for a mobile phone or PHS.
With this communication function, communication becomes possible through the general public line. At that time, the management station 40 may function as a so-called relay station.

Although the system of FIG. 4 has been described as a security / police application, it can also be applied as a system used by general users. For example, a personal computer at the user's home is provided with a function corresponding to the management station 40 so that video / audio picked up by a video camera can be transmitted. Then, the video data captured by the user can be stored in the HDD or the like of the personal computer at home. By doing so, for example, even when the user does not have the memory card 30 at the time of image capturing or when the memory card capacity is insufficient, the image can be captured without worrying about it.

2. Configuration of Video Camera FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the video camera. As described above, the camera unit 1 includes the front camera section 2a and the rear camera section 2
b is provided. The imaging light from the front camera section 2a is CC
The D section 5a converts the imaged video signal. Then, predetermined signal processing such as gain adjustment is performed, and the signal is supplied to the control unit 10 by the cable 31. Similarly, the image pickup light from the rear camera section 2b is converted into an image pickup video signal by the CCD section 5b. Then, predetermined signal processing such as gain adjustment is performed, and the signal is supplied to the control unit 10 by the cable 31. The audio signals obtained by the front microphone 3a and the rear microphone 3b are also supplied to the control unit 10 by the cable 31.

In the control unit 10, the controller 51 controls the overall operation. Controller 5
1 is formed by a microcomputer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a flash ROM, and the like.

A video signal picked up by the front camera section 2a transmitted from the camera unit 1 through the cable 31,
The audio signal from the front microphone 3a is input to the storage encoding unit 53a and the communication encoding unit 54a. The image pickup video signal from the rear camera section 2b and the audio signal from the rear microphone 3b are stored in the storage encoding section 53b and the communication encoding section 54.
Input to b.

Storage encoding units 53a and 53b
Performs a data compression process, a frame extraction process, and an encoding process to a recording format for recording on the memory card 30 with respect to the input captured video signal (and audio signal). The rate control signal CR from the controller 51 is used for the compression rate in the data compression processing and the frame rate in the frame extraction processing.
Controlled by. Storage encoding units 53a, 5
The output of 3b is selected by the multiplexer 55 and supplied to the recording unit 57. The operation of the multiplexer 55 is controlled by the selection control signal CX from the controller 51.

The recording section 57 performs recording and reproduction on the memory card 30 loaded in the memory card slot 13 shown in FIG. The access operation is controlled by a read / write control signal from the controller 51. The recording unit 57, based on the control of the controller 51,
The data supplied via the multiplexer 55 is recorded in the memory card 30. Therefore, in the memory card 30,
The video data of the quality level according to the compression rate and the frame rate in the storage encoding units 53a and 53b controlled by the controller 51 is recorded.

Further, the recording section 57 performs an operation of reading out the video data (and audio data) recorded in the memory card 30 under the control of the controller 51. The video data and audio data read from the memory card 30 are supplied to the controller 51,
This can be supplied to the display unit 11 for display output, or can be supplied to the speaker 14 (headphone terminal 19) for audio output. Further, the video data and the audio data read from the memory card 30 by the recording unit 57 may be decoded by the decoder 58, then encoded by the encoder 59 for communication and supplied to the transmission signal processing unit 60. it can.

The communication encoders 54a and 54b perform data compression processing, frame extraction processing, and encoding processing to a communication format when transmitting and outputting the input captured video signal (and audio signal) by a predetermined compression method. I do. The compression rate in the data compression process and the frame rate in the frame extraction process are controlled by the rate control signal CR from the controller 51. The outputs of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b are selected by the multiplexer 56 and supplied to the transmission signal processing unit 60. The operation of the multiplexer 56 is controlled by the selection control signal CX from the controller 51.

The transmission signal processing unit 60 includes the multiplexer 5
When the video data (and audio data) supplied via 6 is supplied, the data is subjected to a modulation process for transmission and supplied to the communication unit 62. The communication unit 62 performs processing such as high frequency modulation and amplification, and transmits data from the antenna 12. This transmission data is received by the management station 40. Therefore, the management station 40 transmits the video data of the quality level according to the compression rate and the frame rate in the communication encoding units 54a and 54b controlled by the controller 51. Then, the management station 40 can monitor the surrounding scenes and voices of the security guard or the like, or the voice of the security guard himself.

In addition, when the video data (and audio data) reproduced from the memory card 30 by the recording unit 57 as described above is supplied to the transmission signal processing unit 60, the transmission signal processing unit 60 also receives the video data. (And audio data)
Is subjected to modulation processing for transmission, and the communication unit 62 performs processing such as high frequency modulation / amplification, and data transmission is performed from the antenna 12 to the management station 40. Therefore, the management station 40 transmits the video data of the quality level according to the compression rate and the frame rate recorded in the memory card 30.

Further, the controller 51 can send notification information to the management station 40 in addition to the imaged / played video / audio data. For example, emergency switch 1
When 7 is operated, an emergency notification, current location information,
The notification information such as the ID is supplied to the encoder 59. Then, the encoder 59, the transmission signal processing unit 60, and the communication unit 62
The notification information is transmitted to the management station 40 by the processing of. The current position information is position information obtained by the GPS decoder 65. The ID is an ID uniquely given to the video camera, and is information stored in the internal flash ROM or the like by the controller 51.

The instruction information and various data transmitted from the management station 40 are received by the antenna 12 and the communication section 6
After being subjected to high frequency demodulation, amplification, etc. in 2, the received signal processing section 61 decodes it. Then, it is supplied to the controller 51 or the recording unit 57. The controller 51 is the management station 4
When the instruction information from 0 is received, the control according to the instruction information is performed. When image data, voice data, text data, etc. are transmitted from the management station 40, the received information is output to the user via the display unit 11, the speaker 14, etc., or the recording unit. 5
7, the memory card 30 can be recorded.

The operations of the transmission signal processing unit 60, the reception signal processing unit 61 and the communication unit 62 are controlled by the communication control signal CT from the controller 51. Controller 51
Controls call and line connection processing, data transmission / reception processing, and the like to execute communication. Then, the transmission signal processing unit 6
0, the reception signal processing unit 61, and the communication unit 62, by adopting the processing method used in the mobile phone or PHS, it becomes possible to perform communication using a public line network that is currently popular.

The data transmission destination by this communication function,
The data receiving source may not be the management station 40.
For example, it is naturally possible to perform communication with the control unit 10 of the video camera of this example carried by another security guard or the like.

The operation key 18 is an operator provided on the housing of the control unit 10 as described with reference to FIG. For example, the controller 51 displays various operation menus on the display unit 11, and the user inputs an operation on the menu by operating the cursor or the enter operation using the operation keys 18. The controller 51 performs a predetermined control according to a user's operation using the operation keys 18. For example, various controls such as start / stop of image pickup operation, operation mode, recording / reproduction, communication, and rate control are executed according to user's operation. Of course, the operation key 18 does not have to be an operator corresponding to the operation menu on the display unit 11, and may be prepared as an imaging start key, a stop key, a mode key, or the like.

A GPS antenna 66 and a GPS decoder 65 are mounted on the control unit 10. GPS
The antenna 66 is a GPS (Global Positioning System).
m) The signal from the satellite is received, the GPS decoder decodes the received signal, and outputs the latitude and longitude as the current position information. The controller 51 can grasp the current position from the latitude and longitude data from the GPS decoder, determine whether or not the current position is within a predetermined area, and can transmit and output the current position information.

When the emergency switch 17 is operated, the controller 51 performs an emergency process. For example, rate control for the storage encoding units 53a and 53b and the communication encoding units 54a and 54b, emergency notification,
Transmission control for ID notification and notification of current position information obtained from the GPS decoder 65 is performed.

An impact sensor 67 is mounted on the control unit 10. The shock sensor 67 outputs a detection signal to the controller 51 when the shock applied from the outside to the user or the control unit 10 itself is more than a predetermined value. The controller 51 performs predetermined control processing such as rate control according to the impact detection.

The display section 11 performs various display operations under the control of the controller 51. That is, the operation menu display, the operation state display, the image and text received from the management station 40, and the like, the image reproduced from the memory card 30 in the recording unit 57, and the like are displayed. Although the signal paths are not shown in FIG. 5, the image pickup state can be displayed on the monitor by supplying and displaying the image pickup image signals picked up by the front camera unit 2a and the rear camera unit 2b.

Speaker section 14 (and headphone terminal 1
Various sounds are output from 9) under the control of the controller 51. For example, voice output based on voice data received from the management station 40 or the like, alarm sound output, ring tone output for notifying the user of data reception, etc. are performed. Although the signal path is not shown in FIG. 5, the audio monitor output at the time of image pickup is also possible by supplying and outputting the audio signals collected by the front microphone 3a and the rear microphone 3b.

The cable connection terminal 15 enables data transmission according to a predetermined interface standard by connecting a cable to an external information device. For example, uploading for upgrading the operation program of the controller 51, transmission of data reproduced from the memory card 30 to an external device, and data loading of target voice or data as a target image described later are possible. .

The control unit 10 is provided with an image analysis section 63. The image analysis unit 63 is supplied with the captured video signals captured by the front camera unit 2a and the rear camera unit 2b, and performs various analysis processes on the supplied captured video signals. For example, by detecting the movement of the subject from the comparison processing of each frame as the imaged video signal, or by setting a specific image, for example, a specific color, a building, a scene, or a person as a target image by the controller 51, the target image Processing such as detecting whether or not an image matching or similar to is captured is performed. The detection information of the image analysis unit 63 is output to the controller 51, and the controller 51
Performs predetermined control such as rate control according to the detection information.

The control unit 10 is also provided with a voice inspection section 64. The audio signal collected by the front microphone 3a and the rear microphone 3b is supplied to the audio inspection unit 64. Then, the inspection process is performed on the supplied audio signal. For example, an inspection process is performed to determine whether the volume level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. Further, a specific voice, for example, an alarm sound such as an emergency bell, an explosion sound, an accident sound, a vehicle sound, a voiceprint of a specific person, or the like is set as a target voice by the controller 51 so as to match or be similar to the target voice. A process for detecting whether or not voice is input is performed. The detection information obtained by these inspection processes is supplied to the controller 51, and the controller 51 performs predetermined control such as rate control according to the detection information.

When the power switch 16 is turned on,
The power supply unit 52 starts the operation of supplying the operating power supply voltage VDD to each unit, and turns on the video camera. The power source unit 52 has a built-in battery such as a dry battery or a rechargeable battery, and supplies power to each unit by using the battery as a power source.

The light emitting section 4 of the camera unit 1 starts the light emitting operation when, for example, the power is turned on and the power supply voltage VDD is supplied. On the camera unit 1 side, the power supply is turned on and the power supply voltage VDD is supplied to perform the imaging and sound collecting operations. That is, the image pickup video signal and the audio signal are output to the control unit 10 side. In this case, recording or transmission output to the memory card 30 is not performed, and the imaging monitor video may be simply output to the display unit 11. The actual recording and transmission may be performed after the user performs an imaging start operation using the operation keys 18.
However, the recording and transmission of the picked-up image signal and the audio signal may be executed when the power is turned on. That is, when the user turns on the power with the power switch 16 to start the imaging operation including recording and transmission, the operation can be significantly simplified.

The controller 51 may control the light emission of the light emitting unit 4 so that the light emission is performed during the period when the recording or the transmission is further executed in the power-on state. The operation of the power switch 16 may be detected by the controller 51, and the power supply unit 52 may be controlled so as to start the power supply in response to the detection.

The video camera of this example is configured as described above, for example, but various modifications of the video camera configuration can be considered as follows.

First, it goes without saying that the appearances of the camera unit 1 and the control unit 10 as shown in FIG. 1 are merely examples, and the operating elements for the actual user interface, the layout for the display, and the housing shape. Are not limited. Of course, various shapes are possible depending on the difference in the configuration.

Although the camera unit 1 and the control unit 10 are connected by the cable 31, the picked-up video signal and the audio signal may be wirelessly transmitted by a transmitter using radio waves or infrared rays.
Alternatively, the camera unit 1 and the control unit 10
May be integrally formed instead of being a separate body as shown in FIG.

Although the front camera section 2a and the rear camera section 2b are provided in this example, at least one camera section may be provided. Also, three or more camera units may be provided. Regarding the microphones, a microphone may be provided corresponding to each of the two or more camera units, and a common microphone may be provided for all or some of the camera units. Of course, at least one microphone may be provided. In addition, pan or
A tilt mechanism may be formed so that the imaging direction can be changed vertically and horizontally. The pan / tilt operation may be performed according to the operation of the user, or may be automatically controlled by the controller 51. A plurality of light emitting units 4 in the camera unit 1 may be provided.

In this example, the recording medium is the memory card 30, but the control unit 10 includes, for example, an optical disk,
A disk drive device corresponding to the magneto-optical disk may be provided to record the captured image on the disk recording medium. Of course, a magnetic tape medium may be used as the recording medium.

All the blocks as the constituent elements shown in FIG. 5 are not essential, and constituent elements other than these may be added. In some cases, the storage encoding unit and the communication encoding unit can be shared as one circuit unit. Further, the captured image data may be transmitted and output only without providing the recording function, or conversely, the captured image data may be recorded only without providing the communication function. The image analysis unit 63, the voice inspection unit 64, the emergency switch 17, the GPS antenna 66, the GPS decoder 65, and the impact sensor each have a function of detecting a rate change condition that triggers rate control described later, but all of them have the function. It need not be provided.
It is also possible to detect a rate change condition by providing a temperature sensor, an acceleration sensor, or the like. Further, when the purpose is not for security / police but for general purpose, it is conceivable that the emergency switch 17 is unnecessary.
Further, as not-shown components, a short-range wireless communication function such as Bluetooth, another device interface function, a user interface function, or the like may be provided.

3. Imaging Operation Mode In the video camera of this example, three modes of operation, that is, a storage mode, a transmission mode, and a multi mode shown in FIG. The storage mode is a mode in which only the imaged data is recorded in the memory card 30 and is not transmitted to the management station 40. The transmission mode is a mode in which only the image data is transmitted and output to the management station 40, and recording on the memory card 30 is not executed. In the multi-mode, the memory card 30 for the imaging data
It is a mode in which both the recording to and the transmission to the management station 40 are executed. In this example, it is basically possible to operate in multi-mode and switch to the storage mode or transmission mode depending on the situation.

The mode switching is performed by the user operating the operation keys 18, or, for example, the management station 40 may transmit the mode control instruction information to cause the controller 51 to perform the mode switching. Good. Of course, the video camera of this example can be configured as a device that can execute only the multi mode, only the storage mode, or only the transmission mode. Alternatively, the device may be capable of operating in two modes: multi-mode and transmission mode, multi-mode and storage mode, and storage mode and transmission mode.

In any of the modes, in this example, the controller 51 uses the storage encoding units 53a, 5a, 5c.
3b or the rate control for the communication encoding units 54a and 54b is performed. Rate control means each encoding unit 5
3a, 53b, 54a, 54b, frame rate switching and compression rate rate switching control.

Here, for the sake of explanation, it is assumed that the rate can be switched between two stages of the first rate and the second rate. The second rate is a rate for obtaining imaging data having a higher quality and a larger data amount than the first rate.

In the storage mode or the multi-mode, when the controller 51 instructs the storage encoding units 53a and 53b by the rate control signal CR to the first rate, the storage encoding unit 53.
a and 53b perform frame extraction processing at a low frame rate on the picked-up video signal, and perform data compression processing at a high compression rate. When the second rate is designated, frame extraction processing is performed at a frame rate higher than that of the first rate, and data compression processing is performed at a high compression rate lower than the first rate. That is, when the second rate is designated, video data having a larger number of frames in a unit time and a lower compression rate than that at the first rate, that is, data having a high image quality is recorded in the memory card 30.

In the transmission mode or the multi mode, when the controller 51 instructs the communication encoding units 54a and 54b by the rate control signal CR to the first rate, the communication encoding units 54a and 54b respond to the picked-up video signal. Frame extraction processing is performed at a low frame rate, and data compression processing is performed at a high compression rate. When the second rate is designated, frame extraction processing is performed at a frame rate higher than that of the first rate, and data compression processing is performed at a high compression rate lower than the first rate. That is, when the second rate is instructed, video data having a larger number of frames per unit time and a lower compression rate than that at the first rate, that is, data having high image quality is transmitted and output to the management station 40 or the like. It

FIG. 7 schematically shows how the frame rate is changed. For example, it is assumed that FIG. 7A shows the frame extraction timing at the first rate for the imaged video signal by the front camera unit 2a and the rear camera unit 2b. In this case, front and rear video data at a low frame rate, such as one frame per second, can be obtained. On the other hand, FIG.
(B) is the case of the second rate, and a large number of frames are extracted within a unit time such as one second. In other words, the resolution of the moving image in the time series direction is increased to improve the quality of the image data. The actual number of frames extracted within the unit time at the first rate and the second rate can be variously set as a design item. Of course, the CCD section 5a,
It may be designed according to the transfer clock frequency in 5b, the required image quality, and the like. Regarding the compression rate, of course, video data with a low compression rate has a higher video quality.

In the description, the first rate is a low frame rate and a high compression rate, and the second rate is a high frame rate and a low compression rate.
Various modes can be considered as to what kind of rate switching is to be performed. It is also possible to switch to another stage up to the third rate or higher. These will be described later as modified examples with reference to FIG.

By the way, in the example of FIG. 7, the front camera section 2a
Although the frame extraction rate for the imaged video signal of No. 2 and the frame extraction rate for the imaged video signal of the rear camera unit 2b are made equal, the frame rate ratio before and after is taken into consideration, for example, when it is desired to image the front image with higher quality. May be different. 8 (a) and 8 (b) are shown in FIG.
Similarly, the state of changing the frame rate at the first rate and the second rate is schematically shown. However, in FIG. 8, the frame extraction rate for the image signal captured by the front camera unit 2a and the image capture by the rear camera unit 2b. The frame extraction rate for the video signal is set to a ratio of 2: 1. That is, the first rate and the second rate can be switched while the 2: 1 state is maintained.

Thus, the rates before and after are always 1:
Instead of 1, either one may be set so as to have a higher quality image. This front-to-back ratio may be set in advance in the apparatus, may be set by the user arbitrarily, or may be switched depending on which of the front and the rear is focused. The compression rate can be considered in the same manner. For example, according to the example shown in FIG. 8, the compression rate for the imaged video signal of the front camera unit 2a is
It may be set to be lower than the compression rate for the imaged video signal of the rear camera section 2b.

4. Rate switching by operation or instruction As described above, the controller 51 includes the storage encoding units 53a and 53b and the communication encoding units 54a and 54b.
On the other hand, rate control for switching the frame rate and the compression rate between the first rate and the second rate is performed. Therefore, the controller 51 determines various rate changing conditions and performs rate changing control according to the detection of the rate changing conditions. Below, each example as a process regarding rate change control by the controller 51 will be described.

First, referring to FIG. 9, a process in which the controller 51 performs rate change control in response to a user operation or an instruction from the management station 40 will be described. 9 and FIG. 10, which will be described later, FIG. 12, FIG. 14, FIG. 15, and FIG. This is processing relating to rate change control of the controller 51.

In FIG. 9, when the image pickup (recording / transmission) is started, the controller 51 executes the step F101.
As encoding units 53a, 53b, 54a, 54b
, The first rate is instructed. In this case, the controller 51 monitors whether or not the user has performed a rate switching operation in step F102 as a rate changing condition, and whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the second rate is received from the management station 40 in step F103. We are monitoring whether or not.

The rate switching operation by the user or the management station 4
When the rate switching instruction from 0 is detected, the controller 5
1 proceeds to step F104, where each of the encoding units 53a, 5a and
The second rate is instructed to 3b, 54a and 54b.
As a result, high-quality image pickup data is recorded or transmitted. The controller 51 starts time counting from the time of shifting to the second rate.

The period during which the image is picked up at the second rate is
The controller 51 will monitor the rate change condition for returning to the first rate. That is, in step F105,
It is monitored whether the user has performed the rate switching operation. Further, in step F106, it is monitored whether or not the count value of the time count passed at the time of shifting to the second rate exceeds the predetermined time tover. In step F107, the management station 4
From 0, it is monitored whether or not a rate switching instruction for switching to the first rate is received. In step F108, it is monitored whether or not the remaining recording capacity of the recording memory card 30 is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The monitoring in step F108 is a process only in the multi mode or the storage mode. In step F109,
It is monitored whether or not the battery capacity of the power supply unit 52 has become less than or equal to a predetermined value.

While continuing the monitoring processing of steps F105 to F109, the image pickup processing at the second rate in step F104 is continued. When the user's rate switching operation is detected in step F105, the process proceeds to step F101, in which each of the encoding units 53a, 53b, 54a, 54b.
Controls to perform processing at the first rate.

Also, when it is detected in step F106 that the count value exceeds the predetermined time tover, the process proceeds to step F101, and each of the encoding units 53a, 53b, 54.
a and 54b are returned to the first rate processing. This is the second
The continuous image capturing by the rate process is a process for limiting the time to some extent in consideration of the capacity of the memory card 30 and the battery capacity.

Also in step F107, when the rate switching instruction from the management station 40 to switch to the first rate is detected, the process also proceeds to step F101, and each encoding unit 53 is operated.
a, 53b, 54a, 54b are returned to the first rate process. Even when it is detected in step F108 that the remaining recording capacity of the memory card 30 is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step F101, and the encoding units 53a, 53b,
54a and 54b are returned to the first rate process. Even when it is detected in step F109 that the battery capacity of the power supply unit 52 is equal to or less than the predetermined value, step F10 is performed.
1, the encoding units 53a, 53b, 54a, 5
4b is returned to the first rate process.

As described above, basically, the controller 51 controls the encoding units 53a, 53b, 54a, 54b in accordance with the user's operation and the rate switching instruction from the management station 40.
The compression rate of the data compression process and the frame rate of the frame extraction process are controlled to be switched between the first rate and the second rate. Therefore, if the user wants to capture higher quality video data, he or she may perform the rate switching operation with the operation key 18. For example, if the user can afford the operation, it is possible to arbitrarily switch the rates and perform imaging with desired video quality. Further, for example, the operator of the management station 40 who is monitoring the video data transmitted from the video camera can switch to the second rate at a desired time so that higher-quality video can be monitored. . For example, when a security guard enters a security priority area, or when a video that the security staff is not aware of but the operator's attention is monitored, the operator of the management station 40 can instruct the second rate. By doing so, more detailed video information can be obtained at the management station 40, and the security effect can be greatly improved.

Further, the second rate continuation time is time-counted, and when the upper limit time tover is reached, it is automatically returned to the first rate, so that the capacity of the memory card 30 can be saved. In addition, by limiting the duration of the second rate process that has a large amount of data to be recorded or transmitted, there is also an effect of reducing unnecessary consumption of battery capacity. Note that, of course, the process of step F106 for limiting the second rate duration does not necessarily have to be performed. Alternatively, when the user desires to save such memory capacity or battery capacity, the process may be selectively set to be executed. Further, the upper limit time tover may be arbitrarily set / selected by the user.

Further, by returning to the first rate when the remaining recording capacity of the memory card 30 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, it is suitable for the case where it is desired to extend the image capturing time as much as possible. That is, the imaging time (recording time) is extended by returning to the first rate and reducing the amount of recording data. Further, when the battery capacity of the power supply unit 52 becomes less than or equal to a predetermined value, the effect of extending the imaging time can be obtained by returning to the first rate that consumes less power. Note that the processing of steps F108 and F109 for returning to the first rate according to the memory card capacity and the battery capacity in this way may be processing that can be selectively set by the user's operation.

5. Rate switching by voice inspection Next, the controller 51 determines the rate changing condition from the process of the voice inspecting unit 64, and according to the detection of the rate changing condition, the storage encoding units 53a and 53b and the communication encoding units 54a and 54b are instructed. The rate control for switching the frame rate and the compression rate between the first rate and the second rate will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the voice inspection unit 61
Is the front microphone 3a and the rear microphone 3
The audio signal supplied from b is compared with a threshold value as a preset predetermined volume level, and the microphone 3
When the volume of the audio signals input from a and 3b exceeds the threshold value (when a large volume is detected), the detection signal is output to the controller 51.

At the time when the image pickup (recording / transmission) is started, the controller 51 executes the first step for each of the encoding sections 53a, 53b, 54a, 54b as step F201.
The rate is instructed. Further, the controller 51 monitors whether or not there is a detection signal for detecting a large volume from the audio inspection unit 64 as a rate change condition.

During the period when there is no large volume detection, the image pickup control at the first rate is continued. However, if there is a detection signal for detecting a high volume from the audio inspection unit 64, the process of the controller 51 proceeds from step F202 to F103, and each encoding unit 53a, so that imaging (recording / transmission) is performed at the second rate. The second rate is instructed to 53b, 54a and 54b. As a result, high-quality image pickup data is recorded or transmitted. The controller 51 starts time counting from the time of shifting to the second rate. Further, the process of monitoring the detection signal from the voice inspection unit 64 continues. Regarding the time count, the internal timer is reset when the detection signal from the voice inspection unit 64 is supplied, and at the same time, the count is started again.

The period during which the image is picked up at the second rate is
The controller 51 will monitor the rate change condition for returning to the first rate. That is, in step F204,
It is monitored whether the user has performed the rate switching operation. Further, in step F205, after the time point when the second rate is entered, whether a period in which a volume exceeding the threshold value is not detected, that is, a period in which a large volume is not detected by the audio inspection unit 64 is a predetermined time or more. Monitor whether or not. This is because the time count value of the internal timer, which is reset / started by the detection of the large volume as described above, is the predetermined time t.
It suffices to monitor whether or not over is exceeded. Step F20
In step 6, the management station 40 monitors whether or not a rate switching instruction for switching to the first rate has been received. In step F207, the memory card 3 that is recording
It is monitored whether the remaining recording capacity of 0 has become equal to or less than a predetermined value. The monitoring in step F207 is a process only in the multi mode or the storage mode. In step F208, it is monitored whether or not the battery capacity of the power supply unit 52 has become equal to or lower than a predetermined value.

While continuing the monitoring processing of steps F204 to F208, the image pickup processing at the second rate in step F203 is continued. When the rate switching operation of the user is detected in step F204, the process proceeds to step F201, and the encoding units 53a, 53b, 54a, 54b are performed.
Controls to perform processing at the first rate.

Also, when it is detected in step F205 that the count value exceeds the predetermined time period tover, the process proceeds to step F201, in which each of the encoding units 53a, 53b, 54.
a and 54b are returned to the first rate processing. This is the second
The continuous image capturing by the rate process is a process for limiting the time to some extent in consideration of the capacity of the memory card 30 and the battery capacity.

In step F206, when a rate switching instruction from the management station 40 to switch to the first rate is detected, or in step F207, it is detected that the remaining recording capacity of the memory card 30 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. If done,
Alternatively, when it is detected in step F208 that the battery capacity of the power supply unit 52 is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the process also proceeds to step F201, and each encoding unit 53 is operated.
a, 53b, 54a, 54b are returned to the first rate process. These are the same as the processing described in FIG. 9 above.

According to the processing of FIG. 10, the alarm sound, the explosion sound, the accident sound, the angry sound,
When there is a large volume of sound that predicts another abnormal situation, high-quality video image capturing is automatically performed. If an abnormal situation occurs in particular, security personnel cannot afford to operate the video camera, but since the rate is automatically switched by volume detection in this way, high-quality images for emergency situations can be displayed. It becomes possible to record and send. It is also useful in general applications, for example, in that high-quality image pickup can be performed when a loud cheer is generated at an event or the like.

Further, during the image pickup at the second rate, if the state in which no loud sound is generated exceeds the predetermined time tover, it is determined that the original situation was not an abnormal situation, or that the abnormal situation has converged so that the first rate is restored. Therefore, even if the user does not perform any operation, useless high-quality imaging is ended, which is preferable. The predetermined time tover may be a fixed value or may be set and selected by the user. In addition, during image capturing at the second rate, it is also possible to return to the first rate according to the user's operation, the rate switching instruction from the management station 40, the memory card capacity, and the battery capacity, as described with reference to FIG. This is useful in the same meaning as in the case (such as lengthening of imageable time). In particular, since the occurrence of a large volume is not always an abnormal situation, when the user or the operator of the management station 40 determines that there is no abnormal situation, the first rate is set by the operation of the user or the instruction from the management station 40. It is preferable to be able to return.

It should be noted that the second volume is detected by detecting the large volume in this way.
After shifting to the rate, return processing to the first rate by checking the memory card capacity and battery capacity (F20
7, F208) may not be performed. Alternatively,
If the user wants to save the memory capacity or the battery capacity, the process may be selectively set. Further, the processing of the duration of the period with no loud sound in step F205 may be either not executed or may be selectively set to be executed.

By the way, depending on the use environment, large volume detection that is not an abnormal situation may frequently occur. Therefore, the voice inspection unit 64 analyzes the voice signal based on, for example, the frequency component, the level characteristic for each frequency, the attenuation pattern, etc., and when it is determined that the voice is a specific voice, a detection signal is generated even if the volume is high. It is also possible not to allow it, that is, not switch to the second rate. For example, assuming airport security, the arrival and departure sound of an aircraft would be detected as a loud volume.However, if the frequency characteristics of the arrival and departure sound are set in advance and the input voice is the same or similar to the arrival and departure sound by signal analysis. If it is determined that it is not, it is conceivable not to switch to the second rate because it is not a large volume as an abnormal situation.

The threshold for detecting a large volume may be a preset fixed value, but the threshold level may be set by the user. For example, when it is used for security in a noisy place, by raising the threshold value, it is possible to more accurately determine the large volume as an abnormal situation.

In the processing of FIG. 10, the sound volume level is detected and the second rate is set. However, when the predetermined target sound is detected instead of the sound level, the second rate is set. You can also That is, the voice inspection unit 64 sets the frequency component, frequency characteristic, attenuation pattern, etc. of the target voice. Then, frequency components, frequency characteristics, attenuation patterns, and the like of the input voices from the microphones 3a and 3b are analyzed, and it is determined whether or not they match or are similar to the target voice. When it is determined that the target voice is input, the detection signal is sent to the controller 51.
And the controller 51 switches to the second rate as the process of steps F202 → F203 of FIG.

For example, if a warning sound of a security district or a building, a collision sound of a vehicle, an explosion sound, etc. are set as the target sounds, a high-quality image is picked up by the second rate when those sounds occur. Will be automatically executed. In addition, by providing the voice inspecting unit 64 with a voiceprint analysis function and setting a voiceprint of a specific person in advance, the second rate can be obtained when the specific person is asked when the police officer asks a job. It is also possible to take high-quality images with.

As a set of target voices, for example, the user sets the video camera to the target voice setting mode to generate the target voices, and the microphone 3
It is sufficient to input from a and 3b, and the voice inspection unit 64 may store the result of analysis. Or an alarm sound,
A pattern such as a collision sound may be preset so that the user can select which is used as the target voice. Further, the management station 40 transmits the data as the target voice, that is, the data such as the specific alarm sound and the voiceprint of the wanted criminal to the video camera, and the controller 51 receives the data and sets it in the voice inspection unit 64. May be.

6. Rate Switching by Image Analysis Next, the controller 51 determines the rate changing condition from the process of the image analyzing unit 63, and in response to the detection of the rate changing condition, the storage encoding units 53a and 53b and the communication encoding units 54a and 54b. The rate control for switching the frame rate and the compression rate between the first rate and the second rate will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the image analysis unit 63
Performs image analysis on the picked-up video signals supplied from the front camera unit 2a and the rear camera unit 2b, and checks whether or not motion detection or target image input has been performed.

Regarding the motion detection, it is possible to detect whether or not there is a motion considered to be an abnormal situation, for example, by performing a comparison process in the time series direction of the frames of the sequentially input imaged video signals. With respect to the target image, the image analysis unit 63 presets the data as the target image. For example, an image of a specific building, a person, a vehicle, or the like, or a target image as a specific color is set. Then, an image analysis process is performed to determine whether or not these target images are included in the input captured video signal. The image analysis unit 63 supplies the detection signal to the controller 51 in response to a predetermined motion state or detection of a target image.

As a set of target images, for example, the user sets a video camera in the target image setting mode in advance, and a specific photograph or an actual image is picked up at that place, and the image analysis unit 63 displays the picked-up image. It should be remembered. Alternatively, data such as color and brightness as a target image, vehicle type, and building may be preset so that the user can select which one is used as the target image. Further, the management station 40 transmits the data as the target image, that is, the image of the criminal, the building, the vehicle type, etc., and the data of the specific color, etc. to the video camera, and the controller 51 receives it and sets it in the image analysis section 63. You may do it.

In FIG. 11, when the image pickup (recording / transmission) is started, the controller 51 executes the step F30.
1, each encoding unit 53a, 53b, 54a, 54
The first rate is instructed to b. Further, the controller 51 monitors whether or not there is a motion or a detection signal of the target image from the image analysis unit 63 as the rate changing condition.

During the period when there is no motion or detection of the target image, the image pickup control at the first rate is continued. However, if there is a detection signal of the motion state or the target image from the image analysis unit 63, the process of the controller 51 proceeds to step F3.
From 02 to F303, each of the encoding units 53a and 53a so that imaging (recording / transmission) is performed at the second rate.
The second rate is instructed to b, 54a and 54b. As a result, high-quality image pickup data is recorded or transmitted.

[0113] The period during which imaging is performed at the second rate is
The controller 51 will monitor the rate change condition for returning to the first rate. That is, in step F304,
It is monitored whether the user has performed the rate switching operation. Further, in step F305, it is monitored whether or not a rate switching instruction for switching to the first rate is received from the management station 40. Then, while continuing the monitoring processing in steps F304 and F305, the imaging processing at the second rate in step F303 is continued. If the user's rate switching operation is detected in step F304, or step F30
When the rate switching instruction from the management station 40 to switch to the first rate is detected in 5, the process proceeds to step F301, and each encoding unit 53a, 53b, 54a, 54b.
Controls to perform processing at the first rate.

According to the processing shown in FIG. 11, the rate is automatically switched when the scene where the user wants to obtain a high-quality image falls within the image capturing range, so that a high-quality image can be recorded and transmitted. Becomes For example, when a violent motion such as being attacked by a thief is detected during patrol, it is possible to record and transmit the situation of the thug or the like with high image quality. Of course, in this case, since the user has no margin for operation, it is very suitable that the second rate is automatically set. In addition, the neighborhood of the building you want to focus on, or a person similar to the wanted criminal,
In addition, high-definition image data can be obtained in response to the color of clothes worn by the escape criminal, which is useful for security and investigation. Also in general use, for example, when you want to take high-quality images in a specific area, such as during a walk or a hike, you can set a photograph such as the place (building) as a target image so that the user can A desired image can be taken without being aware of the operation.

Further, during the imaging at the second rate, the user and the management station 40 are made to return to the first rate according to the operation of the user and the rate switching instruction from the management station 40.
It is possible for the operator to determine that high-quality imaging is not required. In FIG. 11, after shifting to the second rate, the rate is returned to the first rate by the rate switching operation of the user or the rate switching instruction from the management station 40, but after shifting to the second rate further. The first rate may be automatically restored when a predetermined time has passed or when a state in which no motion or target image is detected continues for a predetermined time. Of course, a process of monitoring the memory card capacity or the battery capacity and returning to the first rate when the capacity becomes a predetermined value or less can be considered.

7. The rate switching controller 51 at the time of emergency detects the emergency state as a rate change condition, and the storage encoding units 53a, 5a, 5
The rate control for switching the frame rate and the compression rate between the first rate and the second rate for the communication encoding units 54a and 54b will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

The emergency state is when the user presses the emergency switch 17 or when an emergency instruction is received. In FIG.
At the time when the image pickup (recording / transmission) is started, the controller 51 performs each encoding unit 53 as step F401.
The first rate is instructed to a, 53b, 54a, and 54b. Further, the controller 51 monitors whether or not the emergency state is set in step F402 as a rate change condition. The imaging control at the first rate is continued during the period in which the emergency state is not set.

For example, security guards, police officers, etc.
When a situation such as a criminal chase occurs, the emergency switch 17 is pressed. As described above, the emergency switch 17 is a large-sized switch so that the user can operate it without paying much attention to the control unit 10. Alternatively, if another security guard or the like is in an emergency, the management station 4
0 or another emergency instruction is received from a video camera owned by another security guard or the like.

When it is detected that the emergency state is entered by the operation of the emergency switch 17 or the reception of the emergency instruction, the process of the controller 51 proceeds from step F402 to F403, and the image pickup (recording / transmission) is performed at the second rate. Thus, the second rate is instructed to each of the encoding units 53a, 53b, 54a, 54b. As a result, high-quality image pickup data is recorded or transmitted.

The period during which the image is picked up at the second rate is
The controller 51 will monitor the rate change condition for returning to the first rate. That is, in step F404,
It is monitored whether the user has performed the operation to release the emergency state. Further, in step F405, it is monitored whether or not an instruction to cancel the emergency state is received from the management station 40. Then, steps F404 and F405
The imaging process at the second rate in step F403 is continued while continuing the monitoring process of. If the user's emergency canceling operation is detected in step F404, or if the emergency canceling instruction from the management station 40 is detected in step F405, the process proceeds to step F401, and each encoding unit 53a, 53b, 54a, 54b.
Controls to perform processing at the first rate.

According to the processing of FIG. 12 as described above, the rate is switched when the emergency state is set, so that it is possible to record / transmit a high quality image. For example, if you encounter an accident or incident during patrol,
The situation can be recorded and transmitted with high image quality. In this case, the user only has to push the emergency switch 17. In some cases, the user may not even be able to simply press the emergency switch 17, but if the operator of the management station 40 monitors the transmitted video, a video will be displayed if an emergency condition is discovered. Emergency instructions can be given to the camera. Therefore, even if the emergency switch 17 cannot be operated due to a user being attacked by a thug, an emergency instruction from the management station 40 makes it possible to capture high-quality image data.

Further, when a plurality of guards / police officers are patroling, one person can operate the emergency switch 17 to put each video camera into an emergency state. The controller 51 controls the imaging at the second rate as shown in FIG. 12 according to the operation of the emergency switch 17, but also controls the transmission of the emergency notification as shown in FIG. For example, in the case of FIG. 13A, the controller 51 of the video camera used by the user A, according to the operation of the emergency switch 17, the emergency notification data, the ID of the video camera, and the GPS decoder 65.
Each of the current position information detected at is supplied to the encoder 59 as transmission data, and is transmitted to the management station 40 by the processing of the transmission signal processing unit 60 and the communication unit 62.

By receiving the transmission data from such a video camera at the management station 40, the management station 40 identifies the occurrence of an emergency, the security guard (video camera ID) who has encountered the emergency, and the place of occurrence. it can. Accordingly
The controller 41 of the management station 40 sends an emergency instruction to the video camera (users B, C, D, ...) Of the security guards or the like in the vicinity of the emergency situation or all of the security guards jointly. Control.

For example, when the controller 41 receives the emergency notification data, the video camera ID, and the current position information via the remote access server 45, first, the corresponding video camera (security guard, etc.) is identified from the video camera ID.
Can be specified. In addition, the location of the emergency can be specified from the current location information. Further, since the image data is sent from the imaging device, the state of the emergency occurrence place can be confirmed. The controller 41 causes the monitor 42 to display video data and map data of the site based on the current position information, so that the operator of the management station 40 can confirm the place and status. Particularly in the case of an emergency notification, the image pickup apparatus is switched in the rate as described above and a high-quality image is transmitted, which is suitable for the situation confirmation on the management station 40 side. Then, the controller 41 further transmits an emergency instruction to another video camera in response to the reception of the emergency notification data. The emergency instruction is instruction information for changing to the second rate for the video camera of this example. Therefore, each video camera that has received the emergency instruction shifts to the imaging at the second rate by the processing of FIG. 12, which is convenient for collecting peripheral information. Of course, instructions and commands from the management station 40 are transmitted to the video cameras of the respective security personnel, and images transmitted from the video cameras that have encountered an emergency are transmitted to the video cameras of the respective security personnel for display. By doing so, it becomes possible to respond promptly and appropriately.

At this time, the controller 41 may transmit the emergency instruction to all the managed video cameras, but it may be a part thereof. Especially, since the location of the scene can be confirmed from the GPS data of the emergency scene, it is necessary to select a video camera carried by a security guard who guards the area and send an emergency instruction to the selected video camera. You may For example, when security areas are shared by groups such as security guards, each video camera of the group in charge of the place where the emergency occurs is selected and an emergency instruction is transmitted. Alternatively, if the ID and GPS data are constantly received from each video camera, the current position of each security guard or the like can be grasped. Therefore, it is also possible to select a video camera of a security guard or the like in the vicinity of the emergency occurrence location and send the emergency instruction.

FIG. 13B shows a state in which the emergency occurrence notification from the video camera of the user A is directly transmitted to the video cameras of the users B, C, D ... With the management station 40. It is shown schematically. In this case as well, the video cameras of the guards B, C, D, ... Similarly enter the emergency state and start imaging at the second rate. Also in this case, the management station 40 similarly transmits the video data from the video camera of the user A to the video cameras of the users B, C, D ... Can be easily grasped.

By the way, the controller 5 of the video camera
1 controls the imaging at the second rate also by an emergency instruction from another security guard or the management station 40. In such a case, an emergency ring tone may be output from the speaker unit 14. It is preferable to output a voice instruction from the management station 40. Further, the occurrence site may be transmitted from the management station 40 or the like as GPS current position information, and a map display or the like may be performed on the display unit 11 so that each security guard or the like can accurately grasp the occurrence site of the incident or the like. Good.

Further, there is a case in which the video camera is operating in the storage mode at the time when the user operates the emergency switch 17 and the captured video data is not transmitted to the management station 40. In that case, the management station 40 (or other guards) may not be able to accurately grasp the situation at the site only by the emergency notification, so the controller 51 automatically switches to the transmission mode or the multi mode. Should be transmitted to the management station 40.

After the emergency state is entered and the second rate is set, the emergency state is released in accordance with the user's operation and the instruction from the management station 40, and the rate is returned to the first rate. This can be dealt with when the user or the operator of the management station 40 determines that high-quality imaging is not required. In addition, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the transfer to the second rate, the memory card capacity or the battery capacity may be monitored, and when the predetermined value or less is reached, the first rate may be restored. Alternatively, since an emergency situation has occurred, for example, even if the memory card capacity becomes small, the first rate is not restored, and recording and transmission at the second rate are continued until the memory card capacity is exhausted. When the capacity of the memory card is used up, it is possible to switch to the transmission mode while maintaining the second rate so that only the video data is transmitted to the management station 40.

8. Rate Switching by Impact Detection Next, the controller 51 uses the impact detection signal from the impact sensor 67 as a rate change condition for the storage encoding units 53a and 53b and the communication encoding units 54a and 54b to set the frame rate and compression rate to the first rate. rate,
Rate control for switching at the second rate will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 14, when the image pickup (recording / transmission) is started, the controller 51 executes step F50.
1, each encoding unit 53a, 53b, 54a, 54
The first rate is instructed to b. Further, the controller 51 monitors the impact detection signal from the impact sensor 67 in step F502 as a rate change condition. During the period when the impact sensor 67 does not detect the impact, the imaging control at the first rate is continued.

For example, a user may be attacked by a thug, or the user himself may encounter an accident, which may cause an external shock to the video camera. When a shock is detected due to such a situation, the processing of the controller 51 proceeds from step F502 to step F503, and each encoding unit 53 is set so that imaging (recording / transmission) is performed at the second rate.
The second rate is instructed to a, 53b, 54a, and 54b. As a result, high-quality image pickup data is recorded or transmitted.

The period during which the image is picked up at the second rate is
The controller 51 will monitor the rate change condition for returning to the first rate. That is, in step F504,
It is monitored whether the user has performed the rate switching operation. Further, in step F505, it is monitored whether or not a rate switching instruction for switching to the first rate is received from the management station 40. Then, while continuing the monitoring processing in steps F504 and F505, the imaging processing at the second rate in step F503 is continued. When the rate switching operation by the user is detected in step F504, or in step F50
When a rate switching instruction from the management station 40 to switch to the first rate is detected in 5, the process proceeds to step F501, and each encoding unit 53a, 53b, 54a, 54b.
Controls to perform processing at the first rate.

According to the processing shown in FIG. 14, the rate is automatically switched when a shock occurs, so that a high quality image can be recorded / transmitted in the event of some abnormal situation. Further, after the shift to the second rate due to the impact, the user and the operator of the management station 40 are made to return to the first rate in response to a user's operation and a rate switching instruction from the management station 40. This can be dealt with when it is determined that high-quality imaging is not required. It should be noted that if a predetermined time has passed after the transfer to the second rate, if the impact is not continuously detected for a predetermined time or longer, or if the memory card capacity or the battery capacity falls below a predetermined rate, You may make it return to.

Further, when the shift to the second rate is made by the impact detection as described above, it is regarded as an abnormal situation,
As in the case of the emergency state, the controller 51 sends an emergency notification to the management station 40 (or another user's video camera) so that each person such as the management station 40 and security personnel can deal with it. Good. That is, the operation as shown in FIG. 13 is performed as in the emergency operation.
It is executed according to the impact detection.

9. Rate switching by position detection Next, the controller 51 determines the rate changing condition based on the current position information from the GPS decoder 65, and the storage encoding units 53a and 53b and the communication encoding unit 5
The rate control for switching the frame rate and the compression rate between the first rate and the second rate for 4a and 54b will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 15, when the image pickup (recording / transmission) is started, the controller 51 executes the step F60.
1, each encoding unit 53a, 53b, 54a, 54
The first rate is instructed to b. In this case, the controller 51 is provided with information for specifying the area in advance,
For example, information as a latitude range and a longitude range is set as a judgment standard. Then, the controller 51 constantly displays the latitude / position as the current position information from the GPS decoder 65.
Compare the longitude with the information of the designated area, and then step F60.
In step 2, it is determined whether or not the current position is within the designated area. The imaging control at the first rate is continued during the period other than the designated area.

Regarding the information on the designated area, for example, the user operates the video camera in advance to input the designated area.
There are various input modes. For example, a map is displayed on the display unit 11 and the user designates a range on the map, or the user inputs or selects a place name or the like to correspond to the place name. The latitude / longitude range may be set as the information of the designated area. Also the management station 4
0 may transmit the data of the latitude / longitude range as the designated area to the video camera, and the controller 51 may receive the data and use it as the information of the designated area.

If it is determined in step F602 that the current position is within the designated area, the controller 51
The process proceeds from step F602 to step F603, and instructs the encoding units 53a, 53b, 54a, 54b to the second rate so that imaging (recording / transmission) is performed at the second rate. As a result, high-quality image pickup data is recorded or transmitted.

The period during which the image is picked up at the second rate is
The controller 51 will monitor the rate change condition for returning to the first rate. That is, even during the imaging period at the second rate, the controller 51 compares the current position information with the information of the designated area, and in step F604, it is determined whether or not the current position is outside the designated area. Step F6
If it is determined in 04 that it is outside the designated area,
Proceeding to step F601, the encoding units 53a, 53
b, 54a, and 54b are controlled to perform processing at the first rate.

According to the processing of FIG. 15 as described above, high quality image data is automatically picked up in the designated area.
Therefore, for example, when the patrol includes a security priority area or a dangerous area, high-quality images can be automatically obtained in those areas, which is suitable for patrol.
Also in general use, if you want to take high-quality images in a specific area, such as during a walk or a hike, you can set that location as a designated area so that the user does not need to be aware of the operation. Can be imaged.

In FIG. 15, the first rate is restored when the vehicle is outside the designated area. However, the rate switching operation by the user, the rate switching instruction from the management station 40, the memory card capacity, the battery capacity, etc. Accordingly, a process of returning to the first rate may be considered.

10. Modifications Although the respective examples have been described as the processing for switching the frame rate and the compression rate, more various examples can be considered as the processing of the video camera.

First, it is assumed that the first rate and the second rate are switched by the rate control. However, there are various states at the first rate and the second rate, and more than the third rate, that is, three stages or more. You may make it switchable. Each rate state that can be switched is shown in FIG.
This is exemplified as (6).

Example (1) in FIG. 16 is the example described in the description of the above embodiment. That is, the first rate is a low frame rate and a high compression rate, and the second rate is a high frame rate and a low compression rate.

In the example (2) of FIG. 16, rate switching is performed in three stages. In this case, the first rate is a low frame rate and a high compression rate, the second rate is a medium frame rate and a medium compression rate, and the third rate is a high frame rate and a low compression rate. That is, each of the frame rate and the compression rate is switched to three stages of high, medium, and low.

In the example (3) of FIG. 16 as well, the rate switching is performed in three stages, but each of the frame rate and the compression rate can be switched in two stages of high and low. In this case, the first rate is a low frame rate and a high compression rate, and the second rate is a low compression rate without changing the frame rate at the low frame rate. And the third rate is a high frame rate,
The compression rate is low.

In the example (4) of FIG. 16 as well, the rate switching is performed in three stages, but each of the frame rate and the compression rate is switched to two stages of high and low. In this case, the first rate is a low frame rate and a high compression rate, and the second rate is a high compression rate without changing the compression rate as a high compression rate. The third rate is a high frame rate and a low compression rate.

The example (5) in FIG. 16 is an example in which the target of rate switching is only the compression rate. In this case, the first rate is a fixed frame rate and a high compression rate, and the second rate is a fixed frame rate and a low compression rate. Further, the example (6) of FIG. 16 is an example in which the target of the rate switching is only the frame rate. In this case, the first rate is a low frame rate and a fixed compression rate, and the second rate is a high frame rate and a fixed compression rate.

In each of the examples shown in FIG. 16, the first rate is the video data with the lowest video quality, and the second rate (or the third rate) is the high quality video data. of course,
Even when both the frame rate and the compression rate are changed as in Examples (1) to (4), or when either the frame rate or the compression rate is changed as in Examples (5) and (6), a further 4 It is also possible to change it in more steps. That is, the quality of the video data to be recorded or transmitted may be switched in multiple stages.

Further, it is naturally assumed that the rate changing conditions for performing the rate switching are combined with the rate changing conditions shown in the above examples. For example, the user operation, the instruction from the management station 40, the loud sound detection, the voice target detection, the image motion detection, the image target detection, the emergency state, the shock detection, and the detection in the designated area are described, but all or a part of them is described. You may always check. Further, a temperature sensor, an acceleration sensor, or the like may be provided to detect a temperature situation, an acceleration situation, or the like as a rate change condition.

Further, when performing rate change control in three or more stages, the rate to be controlled is determined by the detection state of a plurality of rate change conditions and the number of detections, and the rate is determined by which rate change condition is detected. It is possible to do it. An example will be given assuming three stages of a first rate to a third rate.

When one of the rate changing conditions is detected, the second rate is entered, and when one of the rate changing conditions is detected during the second rate, the third rate is entered. -If one rate change condition is detected during the first rate, the second rate is entered, and if multiple rate change conditions are detected during the first rate, the third rate is entered. As the rate changing condition, for example, in the case of any one of loud sound detection, voice target detection, image motion detection, image target detection, and detection in a designated area, the second rate is entered, and in the emergency state and impact detection, the third rate is set. The rate is determined according to the type of the detected rate changing condition, such as shifting to the rate.

Similarly, various rate changing conditions for changing the rate in the direction of low image quality can be considered.
That is, the rate changing condition when changing to the low image quality direction is a user operation, an instruction from the management station 40, a predetermined time elapses, a predetermined time elapses without detection of a loud volume or target sound, a motion or a target image is not present. The predetermined time has passed,
Although the memory card capacity, the battery capacity, the emergency canceling operation / instruction, and the detection outside the designated area have been taken as examples, all or part of these may be checked, or other conditions may be set.

In the processing of each of the flowcharts, the image pickup (recording / transmission) is first started at the first rate, but the image pickup is first performed at the second rate, and the predetermined rate changing condition is set. May be changed to the first rate to reduce the quality of the video data.

Further, in the above example, the storage mode, the transmission mode, and the multi mode are used as the operation modes, but the operation mode may be automatically changed in response to the detection of the rate change condition. . For example, in the designated area, the mode is automatically set to the multi-mode or the transmission mode so that the video data is surely transmitted to the management station 40, or the remaining memory capacity decreases, so that the storage mode or the multi-mode is switched to the transmission mode. This is processing such as switching to the transmission mode or the storage mode when the battery capacity becomes lower than a predetermined value in the multi mode.

By the way, in the embodiment, the example of the frame processing for changing the frame rate is described as the frame extraction processing. That is, this is an example in which the image quality is changed depending on how many frames are extracted from the frame sequence of the captured image signal obtained by the CCD units 5a and 5b. However, CCD part 5
It is also possible to switch the operation so that a and 5b themselves have different frame rates. For example, the CCD transfer clock is variably controlled. Even with such frame processing, the frame rate is variable, that is, the operation of the present invention can be realized.

Further, as processing subsequent to the recording encoding or the communication encoding, frame thinning / frame interpolation is performed to set the frame rate, or pixel thinning / pixel interpolation is performed to set the compression rate. You can also Therefore, frame processing and compression processing are performed by the storage encoding units 53a and 53b and the communication encoding unit 5.
It does not have to be done at 4a, 54b.
Therefore, various device configurations are possible.

Furthermore, for example, it is conceivable that the frame processing and the compression processing are respectively performed in a plurality of stages. For example, if a circuit system capable of executing two-stage processing as compression processing is configured,
The compression rates can be different when performing both the first-stage compression process and the second-stage compression process. Therefore, 1
It is also possible to realize rate switching (that is, change of image quality) when performing the compression process of the first stage and when performing the compression process of the first stage and the second stage. Of course, compression processing in three or more stages may be possible. The compression processing at each stage may be the same compression method or different compression methods. The same applies to the frame rate.

[0160]

As can be understood from the above description, according to the present invention, recording or transmission output can be performed by changing either or both of the compression rate of the compression processing and the frame rate of the frame processing for the picked-up video signal. It is possible to change the quality and amount of video data to be played. And the rate changing condition is, in particular, the rate changing operation by the user, the emergency operation, the reception of the signal of the rate changing instruction, the volume state above a predetermined value, the input of a specific target voice, the predetermined motion state of the image, the specific target image. It is possible to obtain video data in an appropriate quality state depending on the case by using all or part of the impact, the impact, the inside of the predetermined area, etc., and it is difficult for the user to operate. Can handle. That is, it becomes possible to obtain an image of appropriate quality according to the time and the case without imposing a burden on the user for the image capturing operation, and performing image capturing while performing other work, for example, for a police officer or a security guard. It is very suitable for applications such as mobile imaging during patrol. In addition, since a rate change instruction can be given to the image pickup apparatus from the image pickup management apparatus (management station), it is suitable for commanding security, grasping the situation, responding to an emergency, and the like. In addition, rate change conditions such as a target image and a target voice can be set in the imaging device from the imaging management device side, which is suitable for imaging according to the purpose of security or investigation.

If the signal subjected to the compression processing and / or the frame processing is recorded on the recording medium, for example, the image during patrol can be stored and can be used as a subsequent investigation material or evidence image. Further, by transmitting and outputting a signal that has been subjected to compression processing and / or frame processing, it is possible to monitor, for example, a patrol image in an imaging management device (management station or the like) or save it in a recording medium. This makes it possible for the management station to control the security status, security status, incident scene, etc., or to improve the security of the security personnel themselves.

The rate of compression processing and / or frame processing can be changed by the operation of the user, so that the image can be picked up with the quality and the data amount according to the convenience of the user. In addition, the rate is changed by the signal of the rate change instruction received by the communication means, which is desirable according to the convenience of the management station as the imaging management apparatus or the side of another user (another security guard or the like). Capable of capturing images with quality and data volume. Especially when an incident occurs, high-quality imaging can be performed by instructing the imaging device used by each security officer or police officer around the scene to reduce the compression rate and / or increase the frame rate of frame processing. Since it is possible to perform, it is very effective for situation confirmation and case resolution. In addition, if the user performs an emergency operation, changing the rate and executing high-quality imaging is also appropriate as an emergency process. Further, in this case, by sending emergency information to the management station, other security guards, etc., it is also suitable for case resolution and security of guards.

Further, the rate is changed according to the detection of a sound volume above a predetermined value, a specific target voice input, a predetermined motion state of a picked-up image, a specific target image, and a shock,
Perform high quality imaging. This is also appropriate as an emergency process because it is a case in which something unusual occurs. Further, when the current position is within the predetermined area, the rate is changed and high quality imaging is executed. This is suitable, for example, when the patrol area includes a dangerous area, an important caution area, and the like.

If the current position information is also transmitted when the image pickup device sends an emergency signal to the image pickup management device or the like in response to an emergency operation or shock detection, the image pickup management device side can accurately identify the location of the emergency. Can be recognized and can take appropriate measures. If information from the image pickup device in an emergency state, such as video data and current position information, is transmitted to the other image pickup device, other security guards and the like can accurately recognize the situation, and It is possible to respond appropriately.

[0165] Also, while the effect of using in security / police was described, the compression rate is lowered and / or the frame processing is performed by detecting the volume, the movement of the picked-up image, the target sound, the target image, the inside of the designated area and the like. Performing high quality imaging by increasing the frame rate of is also suitable for general applications. For example, by capturing high-quality images when cheers become loud during competitions, events, etc., it becomes possible to capture important scenes with high quality. There are many occasions where the effects of the present invention can be effectively used, such as high-quality imaging of landscapes.

Further, when the recordable capacity of the recording medium is below a predetermined level or when the battery capacity is below a predetermined level, the compression rate of the compression process is increased and / or the frame rate of the frame process is decreased. By doing so, it is possible to save the capacity consumption and extend the image capturing time as long as possible, which is suitable when the user performs image capturing for a long time without concentrating on the operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an external appearance of a video camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a usage state of the video camera according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an imaging viewing angle of the video camera according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a system configuration using the video camera according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a configuration of the video camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of operation modes and rate switching of the video camera according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of frame rate switching of the video camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of frame rate switching of the video camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of rate switching processing according to an operation or an instruction according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of rate switching processing based on the voice inspection of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of rate switching processing based on image analysis according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of rate switching processing during an emergency according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a communication operation during an emergency according to the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a rate switching process based on impact detection according to the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of rate switching processing based on current position detection according to the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of various examples of rate switching operation according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 camera unit, 2a front camera part, 2b rear camera part, 3a front microphone, 3b rear microphone, 4 light emitting part, 5a, 5b CCD part, 10
Control unit, 11 display section, 12 antenna, 13 memory card slot, 14 speaker, 1
6 power switch, 17 emergency switch,
18 operation keys, 30 memory card, 31 cable, 32 public line, 40 management station, 41 controller, 42 monitor section, 43 operation section, 44 storage section, 45 remote access server, 46 memory card slot, 51 controller, 52 power supply section , 53
a, 53b storage encoding unit, 54a, 54b
Communication encoder, 55, 56 multiplexer, 5
7 recording unit, 60 transmission signal processing unit, 61 reception signal processing unit, 62 communication unit, 63 image analysis unit, 64 voice inspection unit, 65 GPS decoder, 66 GPS antenna,
67 Impact sensor

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 5/232 H04N 7/18 D 5/915 E 7/18 5/92 H 5/91 K F term ( reference) 5C022 AA05 AA11 AB61 AB65 AB67 AC00 AC69 AC72 5C053 FA23 FA27 GA18 GB17 GB21 KA24 LA01 LA14 5C054 CG08 DA01 DA07 DA09 FC12 FC13 FC14 HA18 5C087 AA03 AA09 AA10 AA11 AA21 AA23 AA25 AA33 AA37 AA44 BB12 BB13 BB20 BB65 BB74 CC12 CC48 DD05 EE05 FF01 FF04 FF05 FF13 FF17 FF19 FF20 GG02 GG07 GG12 GG18 GG24 GG30 GG51 GG57 GG70 GG81

Claims (53)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup means for picking up an image and outputting a picked-up video signal, a signal processing means for performing a compression process on the picked-up video signal and / or a frame process for the picked-up video signal, and outputting the rate change condition. Detection means for detecting, and rate control means for changing the compression rate of the compression processing and / or the frame rate of the frame processing in the signal processing means according to the detection by the detection means. Imaging device. 2. A recording means for recording on a recording medium, further comprising: an imaged video signal processed by the signal processing means is supplied to the recording means, and the recording means stores the supplied imaged video signal. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is recorded on a recording medium. 3. The image pickup video signal processed by the signal processing means is supplied to the communication means, and the communication means transmits and outputs the supplied image pickup video signal. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1. 4. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operating unit, wherein the detecting unit detects a rate changing operation by the operating unit as the rate changing condition. 5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit, wherein the detection unit detects a rate change instruction signal received by the communication unit as the rate change condition. . 6. An emergency operation means and a communication means are further provided, wherein the detection means detects an operation of the emergency operation means as the rate change condition, and the communication means responds to the operation of the emergency operation means. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus transmits an emergency signal. 7. The imaging device according to claim 6, further comprising a current position detecting means, wherein the communication means transmits information on the current position detected by the current position detecting means together with the emergency signal. apparatus. 8. A microphone means for inputting ambient sound, and a voice inspecting means for inspecting a volume level of a voice signal input from the microphone means, wherein the detecting means is a predetermined value or more by the voice inspecting means. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection of the sound volume state is detected as the rate changing condition. 9. A microphone means for inputting ambient sound, and a voice signal input from the microphone means,
A voice inspecting unit for inspecting whether or not a specific target voice is input, wherein the detecting unit detects that the input of the specific target voice is detected by the voice inspecting unit as the rate changing condition. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 10. An image analysis means for performing an image analysis process on an imaged video signal output from the image pickup means, wherein the detection means detects that a predetermined motion state is detected by the image analysis means. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus detects the rate change condition. 11. An image analysis means for performing an image analysis process on an imaged video signal outputted from said image pickup means, wherein said detection means is configured to detect that a specific target image is detected by said image analysis means. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus detects the rate change condition. 12. The shock sensor means for detecting a shock is further provided, and the detecting means detects that a shock is detected by the shock sensor means as the rate changing condition. The imaging device described. 13. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a communication unit, wherein the communication unit transmits an emergency signal in response to the impact detected by the impact sensor unit. 14. The imaging device according to claim 13, further comprising a current position detecting means, wherein the communication means transmits information on the current position detected by the current position detecting means together with the emergency signal. apparatus. 15. A current position detecting means and a determining means for determining whether or not the current position detected by the current position detecting means is within a predetermined area, and the detecting means is configured by the determining means. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination of being in a predetermined area is detected as the rate changing condition. 16. The rate control means controls the compression rate of the compression processing by the signal processing means to decrease and / or to increase the frame rate of frame processing in response to the detection by the detection means. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1. 17. The detection means detects that the recordable capacity of the recording medium in the recording means is not more than a predetermined value as the rate change condition, and the rate control means causes the recordable capacity by the detection means. 3. The control according to claim 2, wherein the compression rate of the compression processing by the signal processing means is increased and / or the frame rate of the frame processing is controlled in response to the detection that the value is less than or equal to a predetermined value. Imaging device. 18. A power supply means for using a battery as an operating power supply is further provided, wherein the detection means detects that the battery capacity of the power supply means is below a predetermined value as the rate change condition, and the rate control means is Controlling the compression rate of the compression processing by the signal processing means and / or decreasing the frame rate of the frame processing in response to the detection by the detection means that the battery capacity has fallen below a predetermined level. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1. 19. An image pickup video signal obtained by image pickup is subjected to compression processing and / or frame processing and output, and rate change conditions are detected, and in accordance with the detection of the rate change conditions, the compression processing of the compression processing is performed. An imaging method characterized by changing a compression rate and / or a frame rate of frame processing. 20. The image pickup method according to claim 19, wherein the image pickup video signal subjected to the compression processing and / or the frame processing is recorded in a recording medium. 21. The image pickup method according to claim 19, wherein the image pickup video signal subjected to the compression processing and / or the frame processing is transmitted and output to the outside. 22. The imaging method according to claim 19, wherein a rate changing operation by a user is detected as the rate changing condition. 23. The imaging method according to claim 19, wherein a rate change instruction signal transmitted from the outside and received is detected as the rate change condition. 24. The imaging method according to claim 19, wherein an emergency operation by a user is detected as the rate changing condition, and an emergency signal is externally transmitted and output according to the emergency operation. 25. The image pickup method according to claim 24, wherein the current position when the emergency operation is performed is detected, and the current position information is transmitted and output to the outside together with the emergency signal. 26. The volume level of a voice signal collected as ambient voice is inspected, and the detection of a volume state of a predetermined value or more is detected as the rate changing condition. Imaging method. 27. The imaging method according to claim 19, wherein an audio signal collected as ambient audio is inspected, and the detection of the input of a specific target audio is detected as the rate changing condition. . 28. The rate change condition according to claim 19, wherein image analysis processing is performed on the captured video signal, and detection of a predetermined motion state by the image analysis processing is detected as the rate changing condition. Imaging method. 29. The rate change condition according to claim 19, wherein image analysis processing is performed on the captured video signal, and detection of a specific target image by the image analysis processing is detected as the rate changing condition. Imaging method. 30. The imaging method according to claim 19, wherein detection of an impact by an impact sensor is detected as the rate changing condition. 31. The image pickup method according to claim 30, wherein an emergency signal is transmitted and output to the outside in response to the impact being detected by the impact sensor. 32. The image pickup method according to claim 31, wherein the current position when the impact is detected is detected, and the current position information is transmitted and output to the outside together with the emergency signal. 33. A current position is detected, whether or not the detected current position is within a predetermined area is determined, and the determination that the current position is within the predetermined area is detected as the rate change condition. 20. The imaging method according to claim 19. 34. In response to detection of the rate change condition,
20. The image pickup method according to claim 19, wherein the compression rate of the compression processing is reduced and / or the frame rate of the frame processing is increased. 35. The rate change condition is detected when the recordable capacity of the recording medium is not more than a predetermined value, and in response to the detection that the recordable capacity is not more than a predetermined value.
The imaging method according to claim 20, wherein the compression rate of the compression processing is increased and / or the frame rate of the frame processing is decreased. 36. A battery is used as an operating power source, and when the battery capacity is below a predetermined level is detected as the rate changing condition, and the compression processing is performed in response to the detection that the battery capacity is below a predetermined level. 20. The image pickup method according to claim 19, wherein the compression rate is increased and / or the frame rate for frame processing is decreased. 37. A communication unit capable of communicating with one or a plurality of image pickup devices, an operation unit, and all or a part of image pickup devices capable of communicating with the communication unit according to an operation of the operation unit. On the other hand, a transmission control unit that causes the communication unit to transmit a signal of a rate change instruction regarding a compression rate of a compression process for an imaged video signal and / or a frame rate of a frame process of an imaged video signal. And an imaging management device. 38. Monitor means for outputting video data transmitted from the imaging device and received by the communication means,
38. The imaging management device according to claim 37, further comprising: 39. A compression rate of a compression process for a captured video signal for a communication unit capable of communicating with one or a plurality of image pickup devices and all or some of the image pickup devices capable of communicating with the communication unit. And / or a transmission control unit that causes the communication unit to transmit information for setting a rate change condition related to a frame rate of frame processing of an imaged video signal, the image pickup management apparatus. 40. Monitor means for outputting the video data transmitted from the image pickup device and received by the communication means,
40. The imaging management device according to claim 39, further comprising: 41. A communication means capable of communicating with one or a plurality of imaging devices, and an emergency signal transmitted in response to an emergency signal transmitted from a certain imaging device and received by the communication means. A transmission control that causes the communication unit to transmit a signal of a rate change instruction for the compression rate of the compression processing for the captured video signal and / or the frame rate of the frame processing for the captured video signal to another imaging apparatus or another imaging apparatus. An image pickup management apparatus comprising: 42. Monitor means for outputting the video data transmitted from the imaging device and received by the communication means,
The imaging management apparatus according to claim 41, further comprising: 43. The image pickup management apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the emergency signal is a signal transmitted in response to an emergency operation or impact detection in the image pickup apparatus. 44. The transmission control means selects an image pickup device based on current position information transmitted together with the emergency signal from the image pickup device which has transmitted the emergency signal, and the rate with respect to the selected image pickup device. 42. A change instruction signal is transmitted from the communication means.
The imaging management device according to. 45. The transmission control means causes the communication means to transmit the information transmitted from the imaging device that has transmitted the emergency signal to another imaging device. The imaging management device described. 46. An imaging device, comprising one or a plurality of imaging devices and an imaging management device capable of communicating with each of said imaging devices, said imaging device comprising: an imaging means for performing imaging and outputting an imaging video signal; A signal processing unit that performs compression processing on the captured image signal and / or frame processing of the captured image signal to output, and the captured image signal processed by the signal processing unit can be transmitted as image data to the image capturing management device. A communication means capable of various data communication with the image pickup management device; a detection means for detecting a rate change instruction signal received by the communication means as a rate change condition; and a detection by the detection means. A rate control means for changing the compression rate of the compression processing and / or the frame rate of the frame processing in the signal processing means, The imaging management apparatus includes a communication unit capable of communicating with the imaging apparatus, an operating unit, and all or part of the imaging apparatus capable of communicating with the communication unit according to an operation of the operating unit. On the other hand, an imaging management system, comprising: a transmission control unit that transmits the rate change instruction signal from the communication unit. 47. The imaging management system according to claim 46, wherein the imaging management device further comprises monitor means for outputting the video data transmitted from the imaging device and received by the communication means. . 48. One or a plurality of image pickup devices, and an image pickup management device capable of communicating with each of the image pickup devices, wherein the image pickup device picks up an image and outputs an image pickup video signal, A signal processing unit that performs compression processing on the captured image signal and / or frame processing of the captured image signal to output, and the captured image signal processed by the signal processing unit can be transmitted as image data to the image capturing management device. , A rate change condition is set in accordance with communication means capable of various data communication with the image pickup management device and the rate change condition setting information received by the communication means, and the rate change condition is generated. And a frame rate of the frame processing of the frame processing in the signal processing means according to the detection by the detecting means. A rate control means for changing the rate of change of the rate, and the image capturing management apparatus is provided for communication means capable of communicating with the image capturing apparatus and for all or some of the image capturing apparatuses capable of communicating with the communication means. And a transmission control means for transmitting information for setting the rate changing condition from the communication means, the imaging management system. 49. The imaging management system according to claim 48, wherein the imaging management device further comprises monitor means for outputting the video data transmitted from the imaging device and received by the communication means. . 50. One or a plurality of image pickup devices, and an image pickup management device capable of communicating with each of the image pickup devices, wherein the image pickup device picks up an image and outputs an image pickup video signal. A signal processing unit that performs compression processing on the captured image signal and / or frame processing of the captured image signal to output, and the captured image signal processed by the signal processing unit can be transmitted as image data to the image capturing management device. A communication means capable of various data communication with the imaging management device; an emergency signal transmission control means for transmitting an emergency signal from the communication means in response to an emergency operation or shock detection; Detection means for detecting the generated signal of the rate change instruction as a rate change condition, and compression in the signal processing means according to the detection by the detecting means. A rate control means for changing the physical compression rate and / or the frame rate of the frame processing; and the imaging management apparatus, a communication means capable of communicating with the imaging apparatus, and a certain imaging apparatus. In response to the emergency signal transmitted and received by the communication means, a transmission control for causing the communication means to transmit the rate change instruction signal to the imaging device that has transmitted the emergency signal or another imaging device. An imaging management system comprising: 51. The imaging management system according to claim 50, wherein the imaging management device further comprises monitor means for outputting the video data transmitted from the imaging device and received by the communication means. . 52. The image pickup device further comprises a current position detection means, and the emergency signal transmission control means of the image pickup device transmits the current position information detected by the current position detection means together with the emergency signal. While controlling to, the transmission control means of the imaging management device selects an imaging device based on the current position information transmitted together with the emergency signal from the imaging device that has transmitted the emergency signal,
6. The communication unit transmits the rate change instruction signal to the selected image pickup apparatus.
The imaging management system according to 0. 53. The transmission control means of the imaging management apparatus causes the communication means to transmit the information transmitted from the imaging apparatus that has transmitted the emergency signal to another imaging apparatus. The imaging management system according to claim 50.