JP2005129999A - Monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a monitoring system which enables information of each of apparatuses arranged distributedly to be grasped on one image screen, to thereby enable incident events to be recognized easily. <P>SOLUTION: The monitoring system for monitoring images by distributingly arranging a plurality of network cameras, an image recording apparatus and a log management apparatus on a network is provided with a plurality of the network cameras for photographic images; the image recording apparatus, to which a plurality of sensors are connected and for collecting and recording the images photographed by the network cameras; the log management apparatus for managing logs; and an overall console that divides the display screen into three regions, comprising an image contents switching region, a contents display menu region, and a contents display region, displays a list of displayable contents on the image contents switching region and a list of a display method of contents on the contents display menu region, and displays the selected contents on the contents display region by a selected contents and selected display method. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a monitoring system that performs image monitoring by distributing a plurality of network cameras, image recording devices, and log management devices on a network, and in particular, it is possible to grasp information on each of the distributed devices on one screen and generate an event. It is related with the monitoring system which can recognize easily.

  Prior art documents related to a monitoring system that performs image monitoring by distributing a plurality of network cameras, image recording devices, and log management devices on a conventional network include the following.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-049952 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-158995 JP 2002-268785 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-223689

  In a conventional monitoring system, a plurality of network cameras, image recording devices, log management devices, and the like are distributed on a network, and images and images captured by a network camera using a monitor device installed in a central monitoring room or the like. By acquiring and displaying event information and the like recorded in the log management device, for example, monitoring such as intrusion monitoring is performed.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of such a conventional monitoring system. In FIG. 14, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 are network cameras having a Web server function, and 4 and 8 are image recording apparatuses which have a Web server function and collect and record images taken by the network camera. , 9 is a sensor such as an intrusion sensor, 10 is a log management device that has a Web server function and manages events and system-related logs, 11 is a monitor device installed in a central monitoring room, and 100 is a LAN (Local A general-purpose network such as an area network or the Internet.

  The network cameras 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 are distributed in the monitoring target area and connected to the network 100, and the image recording apparatuses 4 and 8 are also distributed and connected to the network 100.

  The sensor 9 is connected to the image recording device 8, and the log management device 10 and the monitor device 11 are connected to the network 100.

  Here, the conventional example shown in FIG. 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the monitor device 11, and FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display screen of the monitor device 11.

  In “S001” in FIG. 15, the monitor device 11 determines whether or not the recorded image display is selected by operating the input means such as a keyboard and a mouse, and if it is determined that the recorded image display is selected, In “S002” in FIG. 15, the monitor device 11 accesses the Web server of the image recording device 4 or the image recording device 8 using a Web browser to display a necessary image.

  If it is determined that the recorded image display is not selected in “S001” in FIG. 15, the monitor device 11 selects the camera operation by operating the input means such as a keyboard and a mouse in “S003” in FIG. If it is determined that the camera operation has been selected, the monitor device 11 uses the Web browser to access the Web server of the network camera in “S004” in FIG. Perform the operation.

  If it is determined that the camera operation is not selected in “S003” in FIG. 15, whether or not the log management is selected by the monitor device 11 by operating the input means such as a keyboard or a mouse in “S005” in FIG. 15. If it is determined that log management has been selected, the monitor device 11 needs to access the Web server of the log management device 10 using a Web browser in “S006” in FIG. Log information to be acquired and displayed.

  For example, on the display screen of the monitor device 11 indicated by “DS01” in FIG. 16, the screen of the Web server of the image recording device indicated by “WD01” in FIG. 16, and the Web server of the network camera indicated by “WD02” in FIG. The screen and the screen of the web server of the log management apparatus indicated by “WD03” in FIG. 16 are displayed, and by performing necessary operations on each screen, it is possible to perform display of recorded images, camera operation, and the like.

  As a result, each device distributed on the network is provided with a Web server function, and the monitor device 11 installed in the central monitoring room is used to access each Web server using a Web browser and perform necessary operations. This makes it possible to centrally manage a plurality of distributed devices.

  However, in the conventional example as shown in FIG. 14, in order to acquire necessary information by the monitor device 11, the Web server of the corresponding device must be individually accessed using a Web browser. There is a problem that complicated operations such as setting all URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) are required, and the Web server screen of each device must be individually confirmed.

In addition, since each information displayed on the Web browser is not related to each other, for example, even when an event or the like occurs in the sensor 9, information other than the image recording device 8 to which the sensor 9 is connected is referred to. However, there was a problem that the event that occurred could not be recognized.
Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to realize a monitoring system capable of grasping information of each device arranged in a distributed manner on one screen and easily recognizing an occurrence event.

In order to achieve such a problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is:
In a monitoring system that performs image monitoring by distributing a plurality of network cameras, image recording devices, and log management devices on a network,
A plurality of network cameras that capture images, an image recording device that is connected to a plurality of sensors and that collects and records images captured by the network cameras, a log management device that manages logs, and a display screen that displays image content The display area is divided into three areas, a switching area, a content display menu area, and a content display area, a list of contents that can be displayed in the image content switching area, and a list of content display methods in the content display menu area, respectively. By providing an overall console that displays and displays content in the content display area in accordance with the selected content and display method, it is possible to grasp information on each of the distributed devices on a single screen.

The invention according to claim 2
In the monitoring system according to claim 1,
The content is
Captured images of a plurality of network cameras under management of a monitoring system, images recorded in the image recording device, recorded image playback screen, camera operation screen, log list screen, or
By including any one or more of the operation status monitoring screens, it is possible to grasp information on each of the distributed devices on one screen.

The invention described in claim 3
In the monitoring system according to claim 1,
The content display method is:
By including any one or more of live image display, patrol image display, camera operation screen display, playback image display, log information display, and related information display, information on each distributed device can be displayed on a single screen. It becomes possible to grasp.

The invention according to claim 4
In the monitoring system according to claim 1,
The central console is
A step of transmitting an image acquisition request to any one of the plurality of network cameras and waiting until an image is received when it is determined that a preset period has been reached, By repeating the above steps until images are acquired from all of the network cameras, it is possible to grasp information on each of the distributed devices on one screen.

The invention according to claim 5
In the monitoring system which is the invention according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The central console is
By displaying the contents that can be displayed in the image content switching area in groups, it is possible to grasp information on each of the distributed devices on one screen.

The invention described in claim 6
In the monitoring system according to claim 5,
The central console is
By displaying the network cameras belonging to the group in a tree shape, it is possible to grasp information on each of the distributed devices on one screen.

The invention described in claim 7
In the monitoring system according to claim 5 or claim 6,
The central console is
By registering the specified network cameras as a group when there is a group registration and redisplaying the display of the image content switching area, it is possible to grasp the information of each distributed device on one screen Is possible.

The invention described in claim 8
In the monitoring system which is the invention according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The central console is
By dividing and displaying a plurality of the contents in the content display area, it becomes possible to grasp information on each of the distributed devices on one screen.

The invention according to claim 9
In the monitoring system which is the invention according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The central console is
When event information is received from the image recording device via the log management device, the network camera image display screen associated with the event information is highlighted, so that the generated event can be easily recognized.

The invention according to claim 10 is:
In the monitoring system of the invention according to claim 9,
The image recording apparatus is
When the connected sensor operates, it records an image of the network camera related to the operated sensor, notifies the log management device of the operation notification of the sensor via the network, and the event information. Is transmitted to the log management device, the generated event can be easily recognized.

The invention according to claim 11
In the monitoring system according to claim 10,
The log management device is
When the operation notification is received via the network, the event information received together with the operation notification is stored and managed as a log, and the received event information is transferred to the central console via the network It is possible to easily recognize the event that has occurred.

The invention according to claim 12
The monitoring system according to claim 11,
The central console is
When the event information is received from the log management device via the network, the network camera related to the event is identified based on the event information, and the display screen corresponding to the identified network camera is highlighted, Events can be easily recognized.

The invention according to claim 13
In the monitoring system which is the invention according to any one of claims 9 to 12,
The event information is
By including the date and time of event occurrence, the name of the sensor that operated, and the name of the associated network camera, it is possible to easily recognize the occurrence event.

The invention according to claim 14
In the monitoring system which is the invention according to claim 9 or claim 12,
The central console is
Surrounding the display screen of the related network camera image with a frame, flashing the periphery of the display screen, flashing the display screen itself, or changing the display color of the display screen Thus, it is possible to easily recognize the generated event by highlighting.

The present invention has the following effects.
According to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh and eighth aspects of the invention, the overall console displays the display screen in three areas: an image content switching area, a content display menu area and a content display area. In addition to dividing, a list of contents that can be displayed in the image content switching area, a list of content display methods in the content display menu area, and a content in the content display area in accordance with the selected content and display method are displayed. As a result, it is possible to grasp information on each of the distributed devices on one screen.

  According to the ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth aspects of the present invention, the event information such as the event occurrence date and time, the name of the operated sensor, and the name of the associated network camera is recorded by the central console. It is possible to easily recognize the generated event by highlighting the display screen of the image of the network camera related to the case of receiving from the log management device.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a monitoring system according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, and 18 are network cameras, 15 and 19 are image recording devices that collect and record images taken by the network camera, 20 is a sensor such as an intrusion sensor, and 21 is A log management device for managing events and system-related logs that occur, 22 is a general console installed in a central monitoring room, and 101 is a general-purpose network such as a LAN or the Internet.

  The network cameras 12, 13, 14, 16, 17 and 18 are distributed in the monitoring target area and connected to the network 101, and the image recording devices 15 and 19 are also distributed and connected to the network 101.

  The sensor 20 is connected to the image recording device 19, and the log management device 21 and the overall console 22 are connected to the network 101.

  Here, the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the image acquisition operation of the overall console 22, FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the image display operation of the overall console 22, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an example of the display screen of the overall console 22. is there.

  First, in “S101” in FIG. 2, the overall console 22 determines whether or not a preset period has been reached. If it is determined that the set period has been reached, “S102” in FIG. The central console 22 transmits an image acquisition request to any of the network cameras 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, and 18 and waits until an image is received in "S103" in FIG.

  Then, in “S104” in FIG. 2, the overall console 22 determines whether images have been acquired from all the network cameras under management, and has finished acquiring images from all the network cameras under management. If not, the process returns to the “S102” step in FIG. 2, and if image acquisition has been completed from all the network cameras under management, the process returns to the “S101” step in FIG.

  After acquiring images from a plurality of network cameras in this way, the overall console 22 divides the display screen into three areas in “S201” in FIG.

  For example, as shown by “WD11” in FIG. 4, the overall console 22 displays a display screen, an image content switching area indicated by “CC11” in FIG. 4, a menu area for content display indicated by “CM11” in FIG. The area is divided into three areas of the content display area indicated by “CD11”.

  In “S202” in FIG. 3, the overall console 22 displays a list of contents that can be displayed in the image content switching area.

  For example, the overall console 22 displays, in the image content switching area indicated by “CC11” in FIG. 4, a captured image of the network camera under the management of the monitoring system, an image recorded in the image recording device, a recorded image playback screen, and a camera operation. A list of contents such as a screen, a log list screen, an operation status monitoring screen, and other screens is displayed.

  Similarly, in "S203" in FIG. 3, the overall console 22 displays a list of content display methods that can be displayed in the content display menu area.

  For example, in the content display menu area indicated by “CM11” in FIG. 4, the overall console 22 says live image display, patrol image display, camera operation screen display, playback image display, log information display, related information display, and the like. Display a list of display methods for the selected content.

  Then, in “S204” in FIG. 3, the overall console 22 selects a content or display method in the image content switching area indicated by “CC11” in FIG. 4 or the content display menu area indicated by “CM11” in FIG. It is determined whether or not.

  For example, the overall console 22 determines whether the content to be displayed has been selected from the above-described content list or the content display method has been selected by operating an input unit such as a keyboard or a mouse.

  If it is determined that content or the like is selected in “S204” in FIG. 3, the central console 22 in “S205” in FIG. 3 uses “CD11” in FIG. 4 with the selected content or the selected display method. The content is displayed in the content display area indicated by “”.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in “S204” in FIG. 3 that content or the like has not been selected, the overall console 22 displays in the “S206” in FIG. 3 using the preset default content and display method. 4, the content is displayed in the content display area indicated by “CD11”.

  As a result, the overall console 22 divides the display screen into three areas: an image content switching area, a content display menu area, and a content display area, and a list of contents that can be displayed in the image content switching area is displayed for content display. By displaying a list of content display methods in the menu area and displaying the content in the content display area with the selected content and display method, it is possible to grasp information on each distributed device on a single screen. become.

  In the description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a list of contents that can be displayed is displayed in the content switching area indicated by “CC11” in FIG. 4, but the contents may be displayed in groups. I do not care.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display screen of the overall console 22 when such content grouping is performed, and a tree-like content list such as “TR21” in FIG. 5 is displayed in the content switching area. Is displayed.

  Here, content grouping as shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the grouping operation of the overall console 22, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a tree-like content list.

  Assume that the network cameras 12, 13 and 14 in FIG. 1 are grouped into "Group 1", and the network cameras 16, 17 and 18 are grouped into "Group 2".

  In “S301” in FIG. 6, the central console 22 determines whether or not group registration has been performed. If there is group registration, the central console 22 selects the designated network camera in “S302” in FIG. In addition to registering as one group, the display of the image content switching area is displayed again in “S303” in FIG.

  For example, the overall console 22 displays “Group 1” and “Group 2” as indicated by “GR31” and “GR32” in FIG. 7 in the image content switching area, and network cameras belonging to the group in a tree shape. Display.

  That is, under “Group 1” shown in “GR31” in FIG. 7, the network cameras 12, 13, and 14 belonging to the group are displayed as shown in “CM31”, “CM32”, and “CM33” in FIG. .

  Similarly, under “Group 2” shown in “GR32” in FIG. 7, the network cameras 16, 17 and 18 belonging to the group are displayed as shown in “CM34”, “CM35” and “CM36” in FIG. Let

  Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, it has been described that the selected content is displayed in the content display area, but it goes without saying that a plurality of contents may be divided and displayed in the content display area.

  For example, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of split display of images taken by such nine network cameras.

  That is, the overall console 22 displays “DS41”, “DS42”, “DS43”, “DS44”, “DS45”, “DS46”, “DS47” in FIG. 8 within the content display area indicated by “CD11” in FIG. , “DS48” and “DS49” as shown in FIG.

  Further, instead of simply dividing and displaying as shown in FIG. 8, the display is divided and displayed (divided display) between preset groups (for example, network camera groups as defined in FIG. 7). By sequentially switching (cyclic display) at regular intervals, it becomes possible to display images from a number of network cameras within a certain time.

  Further, by selecting “camera operation screen display” in the content display menu area, a display screen as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display means of the overall console 22. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen when a display method based on camera operation screen display is selected.

  That is, the overall console 22 displays an image photographed by a certain network camera as indicated by “DS51” in FIG. 9 in the content display area indicated by “CD11” in FIG. 9 and “BT51” or “ By displaying various operation buttons and switches as shown in BT52 "and operating the operation buttons, it is possible to modify / change parameters such as zoom, pan, tilt, and angle of view of the network camera. Become.

  Here, the operation of the monitoring system accompanying the occurrence of an event will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image recording device 19 connected to the sensor 20 for detecting an event, FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the log management device 21, and FIG. 12 explains the operation of the central console 22. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen of the overall console 22.

  In “S401” in FIG. 10, the image recording apparatus 19 determines whether or not the connected sensor 20 has operated, in other words, determines whether or not an event has occurred, and if the sensor 20 operates. If it is determined that the event has occurred (event occurrence), an image of the network camera related to the sensor operated in “S402” in FIG. 10 is recorded.

  Then, in “S403” in FIG. 10, the image recording device 19 notifies the log management device 21 of sensor operation notification via the network 101, and in “S404” in FIG. Event information such as a related network camera name is also transmitted to the log management device 21.

  On the other hand, in “S501” in FIG. 11, the log management device 21 determines whether or not a sensor operation notification is received from the image recording device 19 via the network 101, and if the sensor operation notification is received. In FIG. 11, in “S502”, the log management device 21 stores and manages the event information received together with the sensor operation notification as a log.

  Further, in “S503” in FIG. 11, the log management apparatus 21 transfers the received event information to the overall console 22 via the network 101.

  Then, in “S601” in FIG. 12, the overall console 22 determines whether or not event information has been received from the log management apparatus 21 via the network 101, and if event information is received, in FIG. In “S602”, the overall console 22 identifies a network camera related to the event based on the event information transferred from the log management device 21, and displays a display screen corresponding to the network camera identified in “S603” in FIG. Highlight with a red frame.

  For example, the sensor detects the occurrence of an event as indicated by “EV61” in FIG. 13, and the image of the network camera related to the event is “DS61” in FIG. 13 in the content display area indicated by “CD11” in FIG. If the overall console 22 determines that the image is displayed on the display screen shown in FIG. 13, the periphery of the display screen is highlighted with a red frame as shown by “EM61” in FIG.

  That is, when a sensor operates (an event occurs), the image recording device 19 to which the sensor is connected sends event information such as the event occurrence date and time, the name of the operated sensor, and the associated network camera name via the log management device 21. When the information is transferred to the general console 22 and the general console 22 highlights the image display screen of the related network camera, the information other than the image recording device 19 to which the conventional sensor 20 is connected is referred to. The problem of not being able to recognize the event that occurred is improved.

  As a result, when the general console 22 receives event information such as the event occurrence date and time, the name of the sensor that has been operated, and the name of the associated network camera from the image recording device via the log management device, By highlighting the image display screen, the generated event can be easily recognized.

  In the example shown in FIG. 13 and the like, the periphery of the network camera image display screen related to the occurrence event is highlighted with a red frame or the like, but the periphery of the display screen is flashed or the display screen itself is displayed. Of course, it is also possible to highlight the display by blinking or changing the display color of the display screen.

1 is a configuration block diagram showing an embodiment of a monitoring system according to the present invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the image acquisition of a management console. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of the image display of a management console. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the display screen of a management console. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the display screen of the control console at the time of carrying out content grouping. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of grouping of a management console. It is explanatory drawing which shows the detail of a tree-shaped content list. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the division | segmentation display of the image image | photographed with nine network cameras. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the display screen at the time of selecting the display method by camera operation screen display. The sensor for detecting an event is a flow diagram for explaining the operation of the connected image recording apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of a log management apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of a management console. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the display screen of a management console. It is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional monitoring system. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of a monitor apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the display screen of a monitor apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18 Network camera 4, 8, 15, 19 Image recording device 9, 20 Sensor 10, 21 Log management device 11 Monitor device 22 General Console 100, 101 network

Claims (14)

In a monitoring system that performs image monitoring by distributing a plurality of network cameras, image recording devices, and log management devices on a network,
Multiple network cameras that take images,
An image recording apparatus for collecting and recording an image captured by the network camera while being connected to a plurality of sensors;
A log management device for managing logs;
The display screen is divided into three areas: an image content switching area, a content display menu area, and a content display area, and a list of contents that can be displayed in the image content switching area is displayed in the content display menu area. A monitoring system, comprising: a central console for displaying a list of methods and displaying content in the content display area according to a selected content and display method. The content is
Captured images of a plurality of network cameras under management of a monitoring system, images recorded in the image recording device, recorded image playback screen, camera operation screen, log list screen, or
The monitoring system according to claim 1, comprising any one or more of operating status monitoring screens. The content display method is:
The monitoring system according to claim 1, comprising at least one of live image display, patrol image display, camera operation screen display, playback image display, log information display, and related information display. The central console is
When it is determined that a preset period has been reached, the method includes a step of waiting until an image acquisition request is transmitted to any of the plurality of network cameras and an image is received;
The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the steps are repeated until images are acquired from all of the plurality of network cameras under management of the monitoring system. The central console is
The monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contents that can be displayed in the image content switching area are displayed in groups. The central console is
6. The monitoring system according to claim 5, wherein the network cameras belonging to the group are displayed in a tree shape. The central console is
Register the specified network camera as a group when there is a group registration,
7. The monitoring system according to claim 5, wherein the display of the image content switching area is displayed again. The central console is
The monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of the contents are divided and displayed in the content display area. The central console is
The monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a display screen of an image of a network camera associated with event information received from the image recording device via the log management device is highlighted. The image recording apparatus is
When the connected sensor operates, record an image of the network camera related to the operated sensor,
Notifying the log management device of the operation notification of the sensor via the network,
The monitoring system according to claim 9, wherein the event information is also transmitted to the log management apparatus. The log management device is
When the operation notification is received via the network, the event information received together with the operation notification is stored and managed as a log,
The monitoring system according to claim 10, wherein the received event information is transferred to the central console via the network. The central console is
When the event information is received from the log management device via the network, the network camera related to the event is identified based on the event information,
The monitoring system according to claim 11, wherein a display screen corresponding to the identified network camera is highlighted. The event information is
The monitoring system according to any one of claims 9 to 12, including an event occurrence date and time, a name of an operated sensor, and a related network camera name. The central console is
Surrounding the display screen of the related network camera image with a frame, flashing the periphery of the display screen, flashing the display screen itself, or changing the display color of the display screen The monitoring system according to claim 9 or 12, wherein the monitoring system is highlighted.

Images