JP2012186567A - Monitor system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a monitor system including a monitor camera with a non-limiting detection function.SOLUTION: A monitor system includes: a camera 100 for capturing the image of a monitor target area and transmitting the captured image; and a server 200 for detecting a detection target in the monitor target area from the image received from the camera 100, and transmitting a detection result. The camera 100 includes: a memory 4 for holding the captured image; an image conversion part 3 for converting the captured image in accordance with detection image information being the information related to the image to be used by the server 200 in order to detect the detection target; and a camera transmission part 8 for transmitting the converted image converted by the image conversion part 3 to the server 200. The server 200 includes: a detection image information notification part 16 for notifying the camera 100 of the detection image information; a detection part 14 for detecting presence/absence of the detection target in the converted image transmitted from the camera transmission part 8, based on registration information; and a detection result notification part 17 for transmitting the detection result detected by the detection part 14 to the camera 100.

Description

  The present invention relates to a surveillance system, and more particularly, to a surveillance system using a surveillance camera and a server that receives video from the surveillance camera.

  A system that records video from a surveillance camera with a server connected via a network or the like is generally known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a monitoring system that detects a motion from a low-quality video transmitted from a surveillance camera and transmits a high-quality video together with the low-quality video according to the detected degree of motion.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional monitoring system disclosed in Patent Document 1. In FIG.

  The monitoring system illustrated in FIG. 20 includes a camera 910, a network 920, and a receiving device 921.

  The camera 910 is, for example, a surveillance camera, and includes a lens unit 911, an image sensor 912, a video signal processing circuit 913, a motion amount detection circuit 914, a memory control circuit 915, a buffer memory 916, and a rate reduction circuit. 917, a video composition circuit 918, and a transmission processing circuit 919. On the other hand, the reception device 921 is a server that receives video from a surveillance camera, for example, and includes a network decoder 922, a low-quality video separation circuit 923, a monitor 924, a memory address control circuit 925, a recording device 926, A high-quality video recording area 927 and a high-quality video recording area 928 are provided.

  In the camera 910, an optical image transmitted through a lens unit 911 that captures a subject is photoelectrically converted by an image sensor 912 for converting it into a video signal, and the photoelectrically converted signal is converted into a video signal by a video signal processing circuit 913. . The video signal is sent to the motion amount detection circuit 914, the buffer memory 916, and the rate reduction circuit 917. The motion amount detection circuit 914 detects the amount of motion in units of frames, and sends a signal to the memory control circuit 915 when a frame with a large motion is detected. The memory control circuit 915 extracts a frame having motion from the buffer memory 916 in which a certain number of frames of video are recorded, and sends the frame to the video synthesis circuit 918. The low-rate circuit 917 converts the high-quality video signal into a low-quality video signal and sends it to the video synthesis circuit 918. The video synthesizing circuit 918 inserts the high-quality video signal read from the buffer memory into the rear part of the low-quality video signal sent from the rate reduction circuit 917 to generate a low-quality and high-quality synthesized signal. The low image quality and high image quality combined signal is sent to the transmission processing circuit 919, processed into a signal suitable for transmission, and sent to the network 920.

  The transmitted signal is received by the network decoder 922 of the reception device 921 via the transmission path of the network 920, and only the low quality video is extracted by the low quality video separation circuit 923 and displayed on the monitor 924. On the other hand, the low-quality / high-quality mixed video signal is divided into a low-quality video and a high-quality video under the control of the memory address control circuit 925, and the low-quality video recording area 927 of the recording device 926 and the high-quality video. It is recorded in the recording area 928.

  As described above, the monitoring system of Patent Document 1 is configured.

  In addition, monitoring cameras are not only installed as corporate monitoring systems, but are also increasingly installed for monitoring ordinary users' homes and the like. For this reason, there is an increasing demand not only for recording images for monitoring but also for detecting and setting individual objects on the user side.

JP 2003-319378 A

  However, in the conventional monitoring system, since the motion detection is performed by the monitoring camera, it is necessary to provide (built in) a dedicated motion detection circuit. Since the motion detection circuit built in the surveillance camera is usually mounted as a dedicated circuit, the detection capability and the like are limited to the function of the mounted circuit. That is, after manufacturing or installing a monitoring camera, for example, when it is desired to change motion detection to face detection, it is necessary to change the monitoring system including the monitoring camera. If the surveillance camera is installed in a remote place or a place where the installation difficulty is high, it cannot be easily changed. Further, when a general user uses a detection function in a monitoring system, in order to set detection according to individual requests, a monitoring camera according to those requests must be prepared and used. Furthermore, when it is desired to perform detection specific to each monitoring camera connected as a monitoring system, a dedicated camera for detecting each is required.

  Thus, in the conventional monitoring system, since it is necessary to provide a detection function in the monitoring camera, the detection function is limited and the application is limited.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to realize a monitoring system including a camera whose detection function is not limited.

  In order to achieve the above object, a monitoring system according to an aspect of the present invention is a monitoring system including a camera that captures a monitoring target area and a server, and the camera holds an image that holds a captured image. An image conversion unit that converts the captured image according to detected image information that is information related to an image used by the server to detect a detection target in the monitoring target region, and a conversion that is converted by the image conversion unit A converted image transmission unit that transmits a post-image to the server, and the server includes a detection image information notification unit that notifies the camera of the detection image information, and registration information that is information indicating the detection target. Based on a detection unit that detects the presence or absence of the detection target in the converted image transmitted from the converted image transmission unit, and the detection result detected by the detection unit Having a detection result notification unit to transmit.

  This configuration eliminates the need for a detection circuit for performing detection on the camera, and can perform detection according to the application and installation location with optimal information. Therefore, the monitoring system includes a monitoring camera that does not limit the detection function. Can be realized. Specifically, it is not necessary to replace the camera even when the detection target is changed. In addition, even when it is desired to perform detection specific to each camera connected as a monitoring system, a camera having the same configuration can be used. Furthermore, even when a new detection target is added, it is not necessary to replace the camera.

  Here, when the camera further receives a detection result indicating that the detection target is detected by the server, the camera records the captured image corresponding to the converted image from which the detection result is obtained. A recording unit may be provided.

  In addition, the camera may include a detection target setting unit that registers registration information, which is information indicating the detection target, in the server in advance.

  The server further includes a detection target notification unit that notifies the camera of target information related to a target that can be detected by the detection unit, and the camera sets the detection target setting according to the target information notified by the server. An update unit that updates the registration information set by the unit may be provided.

  In addition, when the camera receives a detection result indicating that the detection target has been detected by the server, the camera is the captured image held in the image holding unit, and the detection result is obtained. An image corresponding to the converted image may be specified and a retained image specifying unit that transmits the image to the server may be provided, and the server may include a recording unit that records the received corresponding captured image.

  The server may further include a detection target registration unit in which registration information that is information indicating the detection target is registered.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a monitoring system including a camera whose detection function is not limited. Specifically, a detection circuit for performing detection on the camera is unnecessary, and detection according to the application and installation location can be performed with optimal information, so even if the detection target is changed No camera replacement is required. In addition, even when it is desired to perform detection specific to each camera connected as a monitoring system, a camera having the same configuration can be used. Furthermore, even when a new detection target is added, it is not necessary to replace the camera.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the monitoring system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process of the monitoring system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the processing content of the monitoring system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the processing content of the monitoring system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the processing content of the monitoring system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the processing content of the monitoring system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the processing content of the monitoring system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the processing content of the monitoring system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the processing content of the monitoring system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the processing content of the monitoring system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the monitoring system in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process of the monitoring system in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the processing content of the monitoring system in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the processing content of the monitoring system in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the monitoring system in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process of the monitoring system in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the processing content of the monitoring system in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the processing content of the monitoring system in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the processing content of the monitoring system in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the conventional monitoring system disclosed by patent document 1. FIG.

  Embodiments of a monitoring system according to the present invention will be described below.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a monitoring system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The monitoring system shown in FIG. 1 includes a camera 100 and a server 200, and the camera 100 and the server 200 are connected via a transmission path 300.

  The camera 100 is used for a surveillance camera, photographs a monitoring target region, and transmits an image captured and encoded. The camera 100 includes an imaging unit 1, an image signal processing unit 2, an image conversion unit 3, a memory 4, an encoding unit 5, a detection target setting unit 6, a camera reception unit 7, and a camera transmission unit 8. And a camera recording unit 9.

  The imaging unit 1 captures a monitoring target area. Specifically, the imaging unit 1 accumulates signal charges corresponding to the amount of incident light in the monitoring target region, and generates an imaging signal by performing photoelectric conversion. The imaging unit 1 outputs the generated imaging signal to the image signal processing unit 2.

  The image signal processing unit 2 converts the imaging signal generated by the imaging unit 1 into image information.

  The image conversion unit 3 converts the captured image (image information) into a post-conversion image in accordance with detection image information that is information about an image used by the server 200 to detect a detection target in the monitoring target region. Specifically, the image conversion unit 3 converts the image information generated by the image signal processing unit 2 based on the detected image information from the camera reception unit 7. Here, the detected image information is information including at least one of resolution, frame rate, luminance information, color information, and bit accuracy information, for example.

  The memory 4 corresponds to the image holding unit of the present invention, and temporarily stores image information and converted images. Here, the image information and the converted image are preferably stored in a state encoded by the encoding unit 5.

  The encoding unit 5 encodes the image information and post-image conversion information stored in the memory 4 and stores them again in the memory 4.

  The detection target setting unit 6 registers registration information, which is information indicating the detection target, in the server 200 in advance. Specifically, in the detection target setting unit 6, registration information that is information indicating a target to be detected by the camera 100 and a detection target including accuracy is set. The detection target setting unit 6 sets the registration information in the server 200 by transmitting the registration information to the server 200 via the camera transmission unit 8.

  The camera transmission unit 8 corresponds to the converted image transmission unit of the present invention, and transmits the converted image converted by the image conversion unit 3 to the server 200. The converted image transmitted to the server 200 may be encoded by the encoding unit 5. Specifically, the camera transmission unit 8 transmits the encoded converted image to the server 200 via the transmission path 300. Further, the camera transmission unit 8 transmits registration information set in the detection target setting unit 6 to the server 200 via the transmission path 300.

  The camera receiving unit 7 receives information from the server 200 via the transmission path 300. For example, when receiving the detected image information from the server 200, the camera receiving unit 7 sends the detected image information to the image converting unit 3. When receiving the detected result from the server 200, the camera receiving unit 7 sends the detected result to the camera. The data is sent to the recording unit 9.

  The camera recording unit 9 corresponds to the recording unit of the present invention, and when receiving a detection result indicating that the detection target is detected by the server 200, the photographing corresponding to the converted image from which the detection result is obtained. The recorded image (image information) is recorded. That is, the camera recording unit 9 records the image information held in the memory 4 based on the detection result from the camera receiving unit 7. Here, it is preferable that the image information is recorded as the image information encoded by the encoding unit 5. For example, the camera recording unit 9 is a memory, an external storage device, an external medium, or the like built in the camera 100.

  On the other hand, the server 200 detects a detection target in the monitoring target region from the image received from the camera 100 and transmits a detection result. The server 200 includes a server reception unit 11, a decoding unit 12, a detection target holding unit 13, a detection unit 14, a server transmission unit 15, a detected image information notification unit 16, and a detection result notification unit 17. .

  The server reception unit 11 receives the converted image encoded from the transmission path 300 and outputs it to the decoding unit 12. In addition, the server reception unit 11 receives registration information transmitted by the camera 100 via the transmission path 300 and outputs the registration information to the detection target holding unit 13.

  The decoding unit 12 decodes the encoded post-conversion image.

  The detection target holding unit 13 holds registration information that is information indicating a detection target in the monitoring target area.

  The detection unit 14 detects the presence or absence of a detection target in the converted image transmitted from the camera transmission unit 8 based on the registration information. Specifically, the detection unit 14 detects the presence / absence of the detection target from the image information based on the registration information held by the detection target holding unit 13.

  The detected image information notification unit 16 corresponds to a detected image information notification unit, and notifies the camera 100 of detected image information. Specifically, the detected image information notification unit 16 notifies the camera 100 of detected image information, which is information about an image used by the server 200 for detecting a detection target, via the server transmission unit 15.

  The detection result notification unit 17 notifies the camera 100 of the detection result via the server transmission unit 15.

  The server transmission unit 15 transmits the detection image information and the detection result described above to the camera 100 via the transmission path 300.

  The camera 100 and the server 200 configured as described above communicate with each other about an object and accuracy to be detected in advance before starting detection, and obtain information necessary for detection. Then, detection is started.

  Next, the operation of this monitoring system will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the monitoring system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 3 to 10 are flowcharts for explaining the processing contents of the monitoring system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the process of this monitoring system is largely composed of a setting step and a detection step.

  First, the setting step will be described.

  The camera 100 notifies the server 200 of information related to the detection target to be detected in advance, thereby setting the detection target in the server 200 (S10). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3, first, the detection target setting unit 6 in the camera 100 determines information indicating a target to be detected by the camera 100 and a detection target including accuracy (S101), and is set as registration information. To do. Next, the camera transmission unit 8 transmits the registration information set by the detection target setting unit 6 to the server (S102). The server reception unit 11 in the server 200 receives the registration information transmitted by the camera 100 (S103). Then, the detection target holding unit 13 holds the registration information (S104).

  Next, the server 200 determines detected image information that is information regarding an image used to detect a detection target specified by the registration information. Here, as described above, the detected image information is information including at least one of resolution, frame rate, luminance information, color information, and bit accuracy information, for example. Then, the server 200 notifies the camera 100 of the detected image information (S11). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4, in the server 200, the detection unit 14 determines detection image information necessary for detecting a detection target based on registration information held by the detection target holding unit 13 ( S111). The determined detected image information is sent to the detected image information notifying unit 16, and the detected image information notifying unit 16 transmits the detected image information to the camera 100 via the server transmitting unit 15 (S112). The camera receiver 7 in the camera 100 receives the detected image information from the server 200 (S113). Next, the camera receiving unit 7 sends the received detected image information to the image converting unit 3, and the image converting unit 3 holds the detected image information in the memory 4 (S114). The stored detected image information is used as a parameter for image conversion processing performed by the image conversion unit 3.

  In this way, the camera 100 and the server 200 exchange information for detecting a detection target in advance before starting detection.

  In the above description, it has been described that information indicating an object to be detected by the camera 100 and a detection object including accuracy is determined, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The server 200 may determine information indicating a target to be detected by the camera 100 and a detection target including accuracy. In that case, the server 200 may determine the information from the unique information of the camera 100 and notify the determined information to the camera 100 as registration information.

  Subsequently, the detection step will be described.

  The detection step described below is processed in units of frames defined by the cycle in which the converted image is transmitted from the camera 100. An example in which image information is encoded by the camera 100 will be described below.

  First, the camera 100 stores the image (image information) by storing the image information generated by the image signal processing unit 2 in the memory 4 (S12). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the image signal processing unit 2 in the camera 100 converts the imaging signal acquired by the imaging unit 1 into image information. The encoding unit 5 encodes the image information generated by the image signal processing unit 2 (S121). Then, the encoding unit 5 stores the encoded image information in the memory 4 (S122). Here, the encoded image information is discarded when a predetermined time elapses. Further, this fixed time is defined by the time until the encoded converted image is detected by the server 200 and the detection result returns to the camera 100.

  Next, the camera 100 converts the image (image information) according to the detected image information from the server 200 (S13). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, first, in the camera 100, the image conversion unit 3 converts the image information into a converted image according to the detected image information notified from the server 200 in S11 (S131). Next, the image conversion unit 3 holds the converted image in the memory 4 (S132). This holding is effective until encoding is completed.

  Next, the camera 100 encodes the converted image and transmits it to the server 200 (S14). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, first, in the camera 100, the encoding unit 5 encodes the converted image (S141). Next, the camera transmission unit 8 transmits the encoded converted image to the server 200 (142). The server reception unit 11 in the server 200 receives the encoded converted image from the camera 100 (S143).

  Next, the server 200 decodes the encoded post-conversion image and detects the detection target based on the registration information held by the detection target holding unit (S15). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 8, first, the decoding unit 12 decodes the encoded post-conversion image (S151) and sends the decoded image to the detection unit 14. Next, the detection unit 14 detects a detection target based on the registration information held by the detection target holding unit 13 (S152).

  Next, the server 200 transmits the detection result to the camera 100 (S16). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the presence / absence of the detection target is detected from the image information based on the registration information held by the detection target holding unit 13 (S161). When the detection target is detected (Y in S161), the detection unit 14 outputs a detection result indicating that the detection target is detected to the detection result notification unit 17 (S162). On the other hand, when the detection target is not detected (N in S161), the detection unit 14 outputs a detection result indicating that the detection target is not detected to the detection result notification unit 17 (S163). The detection result notification unit 17 transmits the detection result to the camera 100 via the server transmission unit 15 (S164). Next, in the camera 100, the camera receiving unit 7 receives the detection result from the server 200 (S165).

  Next, the camera 100 determines the presence / absence of detection from the detection result, and if there is detection, the camera recording unit 9 records the encoded image information at the same time as the detected image (S17). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, first, the camera recording unit 9 sends the detection result received by the camera receiving unit 7, and when the sent detection result indicates that there is a detection (Y in S171). ), The encoded image at the same time as the detection result is recorded in itself (S172). Here, the camera recording unit 9 is a memory, an external storage device, an external medium, or the like built in the camera 100.

  As described above, the monitoring system operates.

  In the above description, the case of the configuration of the monitoring system in which one camera 100 is connected has been described. However, the configuration is not limited thereto. A configuration in which a plurality of cameras 100 are connected to the server 200 may be used. In that case, the server 200 may perform similar processing with each camera 100.

  In the above description, an example of recording with the camera 100 when the detection result indicates the presence of detection has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, when the detection result indicates that there is a detection, the encoded image information may be transmitted to the server 200 and recorded on the server 200 side.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, not only a detection circuit for performing detection in camera 100 is unnecessary, but also detection according to the application and installation location can be performed with optimum information. Thereby, even if it is a case where a detection target is changed, there exists an effect that replacement | exchange of the camera 100 is unnecessary.

  As described above, S10 and S11 are performed before the detection step including S12 to S17 starts. Further, S12 to S17 loop in units of frames of the camera 100.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, an example in which the detection unit for performing detection on the surveillance camera is not configured and the detection unit is configured on the server has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the second embodiment, a configuration example different from the configuration example described in the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the monitoring system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  The monitoring system illustrated in FIG. 11 includes a camera 102 and a server 202, and the camera 102 and the server 202 are connected via a transmission path 300. Elements similar to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The monitoring system shown in FIG. 11 differs from the monitoring system shown in FIG. 1 in that the camera 102 includes the detection target update unit 20 and the server 202 includes the detection target notification unit 29. The camera receiving unit 27 and the server transmitting unit 25 are partially different in function from the camera receiving unit 7 and the server transmitting unit 15 shown in FIG.

  The detection target notification unit 29 notifies the camera 102 of target information regarding a target that can be detected by the detection unit 14. Specifically, the detection target notification unit 29 is set with target information that can be detected by the server 202 and target information indicating accuracy, and notifies the camera 102 of the set target information.

  The server transmission unit 25 transmits the detection image information and the detection result described above to the camera 102 via the transmission path 300. In addition, the server transmission unit 25 transmits the target information to the camera 102 via the transmission path 300.

  The camera receiving unit 27 receives information from the server 202 via the transmission path 300. For example, when receiving the detected image information from the server 202, the camera receiving unit 27 sends the detected image information to the image converting unit 3. When receiving the detected result from the server 202, the camera receiving unit 27 sends the detected result to the camera. The data is sent to the recording unit 9. Further, when the target information is received from the server 202, the camera receiving unit 27 sends the received target information to the detection target update unit 20.

  The detection target update unit 20 corresponds to the update unit of the present invention, and updates the registration information set by the detection target setting unit 6 according to the target information notified by the server 202. Specifically, the detection target update unit 20 holds the target information received from the camera reception unit 27. The detection target update unit 20 updates the registration information of the detection target setting unit 6 according to the target information that is held, that is, the information that can be detected by the camera 102 and the information including the accuracy.

  As described above, the monitoring system according to the second embodiment is configured.

  Next, the operation of this monitoring system will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the monitoring system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 13 and 14 are flowcharts for explaining the processing contents of the monitoring system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same steps as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the process of the monitoring system according to the second embodiment includes a setting step and a detection step. Hereinafter, setting steps including steps different from those in the first embodiment will be described.

  First, the server 202 notifies the camera 102 of target information that is information including a detectable target object (S20). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 13, first, in the server 202, target information that is information including an object that can be detected by the server 202 and accuracy is set in the detection target notification unit 29 (S201). Next, the detection target notification unit 29 notifies the camera 102 of the set target information via the server transmission unit 25 (S202). In the camera 102, the camera receiving unit 27 receives the target information notified from the server 202 (S203).

  Next, the camera 102 updates the registration information according to the notified target information (S21). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, in the camera 102, the camera reception unit 27 sends the received target information to the detection target update unit 20. The detection target update unit 20 holds the received target information. The detection target update unit 20 updates the registration information of the detection target setting unit 6 according to the target information that is held, that is, the information that can be detected by the camera 102, and information that includes accuracy (S211).

  Next, the camera 102 notifies the server 202 of information related to the detection target to be detected in advance, thereby setting the detection target in the server 202 (S10).

  Next, the server 202 determines detected image information that is information regarding an image used to detect a detection target specified by the registration information. Here, as described above, the detected image information is information including at least one of resolution, frame rate, luminance information, color information, and bit accuracy information, for example. Then, the server 202 notifies the camera 102 of the detected image information (S11).

  In this manner, the camera 102 and the server 202 exchange information for detecting a detection target in advance before starting detection.

  In the above description, the information indicating the object to be detected by the camera 102 and the information indicating the detection object including the accuracy is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The server 202 may determine information indicating an object to be detected by the camera 102 and a detection object including accuracy. In that case, the server 202 may determine the information from the unique information of the camera 102 and notify the determined information to the camera 102 as registration information.

  Moreover, since the detection step is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the above description, the case of a monitoring system configuration in which one camera 102 is connected has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A configuration in which a plurality of cameras 102 are connected to the server 202 may be used. In that case, the server 202 may perform similar processing with each camera 102.

  In the above description, an example of recording with the camera 102 when the detection result indicates the presence of detection has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, when the detection result indicates that there is detection, the encoded image information may be transmitted to the server 202 and recorded on the server 202 side.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, not only the detection circuit for performing detection in the camera 102 is unnecessary, but also detection according to the application and installation location can be performed with optimum information. Thus, there is an effect that the camera 102 need not be replaced even when the detection target is changed. Further, even when a new detection target is added, it is not necessary to replace the camera 102, and the used camera 102 can be diverted.

(Embodiment 3)
In the first and second embodiments, an example has been described in which a detection unit for performing detection on a surveillance camera is not configured, and a detection unit is configured on a server. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In the third embodiment, a configuration example different from the configuration examples described in the first and second embodiments will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the monitoring system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

  The monitoring system illustrated in FIG. 15 includes a camera 103 and a server 203, and the camera 103 and the server 203 are connected via a transmission path 300. Elements similar to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The monitoring system shown in FIG. 15 is different from the monitoring system shown in FIG. 1 in that the camera 103 does not include the detection target setting unit 6 and the camera recording unit 9, but includes the retained image specifying unit 36. The difference is that the detection object holding unit 13 is not provided, but the detection information setting unit 32 and the server recording unit 33 are provided. Further, the server reception unit 31, the detection unit 34, the camera reception unit 37, and the camera transmission unit 38 are compared with the server reception unit 11, the detection unit 14, the camera reception unit 7, and the camera transmission unit 8 illustrated in FIG. Some functions are different.

  The held image specifying unit 36 corresponds to the held image specifying unit of the present invention, and is a captured image held in the memory 4 when receiving a detection result indicating that the detection target is detected by the server 203. Thus, an image corresponding to the converted image from which the detection result is obtained is identified and transmitted to the server 203. Specifically, the retained image specifying unit 36 reads the encoded image information retained in the memory 4 and transmits it to the server 203.

  The camera receiving unit 37 receives information from the server 203 via the transmission path 300. For example, when the detected image information is received from the server 203, the camera receiving unit 37 sends the detected image information to the image conversion unit 3, and when receiving the detected result from the server 203, the camera receiving unit 37 holds the detected result. The image is sent to the image specifying unit 36.

  The camera transmission unit 38 corresponds to the converted image transmission unit of the present invention, and transmits the converted image converted by the image conversion unit 3 to the server 203. Here, the converted image transmitted to the server 203 may be encoded by the encoding unit 5. Specifically, the camera transmission unit 38 transmits the encoded converted image to the server 203 via the transmission path 300. In addition, the camera transmission unit 38 transmits the retained image specified by the retained image specifying unit 36 to the server 203 via the transmission path 300.

  The server reception unit 31 receives the converted image encoded from the transmission path 300 and outputs it to the decoding unit 12. In addition, the server reception unit 31 receives a retained image transmitted from the camera 103 via the transmission path 300, and outputs the received retained image to the server recording unit 33.

  The detection information setting unit 32 corresponds to the detection target registration unit of the present invention, and registration information that is information indicating the detection target is registered. Specifically, in the detection information setting unit 32, registration information that is information indicating a detection target in the monitoring target area of the camera 102 is registered (set) in advance.

  The detection unit 34 detects the presence or absence of a detection target in the converted image transmitted from the camera transmission unit 38 based on the registration information. Specifically, the detection unit 34 detects the presence / absence of the detection target from the image information based on the registration information registered in the detection information setting unit 32.

  The server recording unit 33 corresponds to the recording unit of the present invention, and records the received corresponding captured image. Specifically, the retained image received from the server receiving unit 31 is recorded on itself.

  As described above, the monitoring system according to the third embodiment is configured.

  Next, the operation of this monitoring system will be described.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the monitoring system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 17 to 19 are flowcharts for explaining the processing contents of the monitoring system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The same steps as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the process of the monitoring system of the third embodiment includes a setting step and a detection step, as in the first embodiment. In the following, first, the setting step will be described.

  The server 203 sets registration information regarding a target to be detected in the monitoring target area of the camera 103 (S30). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, registration information, which is information indicating a detection target in the monitoring target area of the camera 103, is registered in advance in the detection information setting unit 32 (S301). Here, as described above, this registration information is information indicating a target to be detected by the camera 103 and a detection target including accuracy.

  Next, the server 203 determines detected image information that is information about an image used to detect a detection target specified by the registration information. Here, as described above, the detected image information is information including at least one of resolution, frame rate, luminance information, color information, and bit accuracy information, for example. Then, the server 203 notifies the camera 103 of the detected image information (S11). Specifically, in the server 203, the detection unit 14 determines detection image information necessary for detecting a detection target based on registration information registered in the detection information setting unit 32. Subsequent processing is the same as S112 to S114, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  In this way, the camera 103 and the server 203 exchange information for detecting a detection target in advance before starting detection.

  Subsequently, the detection step will be described. The detection step described below is processed in units of frames defined by the cycle in which the converted image is transmitted from the camera 103. In addition, about S12-S16, since it is the same as that of the content demonstrated in Embodiment 1, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In S <b> 16, the server 203 transmits the detection result to the camera 103.

  Next, the camera 103 determines the presence / absence of detection from the detection result, and in the case of detection, the camera 103 stores the image information held in the memory 4 at the same time as the detected image (held image). It transmits to 203 (S37). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, first, the detection result received by the camera receiving unit 37 is sent to the retained image specifying unit 36. When the sent detection result indicates that there is a detection (Y in S371), the retained image specifying unit 36 is the image information retained in the memory 4 and is an image (held image) at the same time as the detected image. Is read from the memory 4 (S372). Next, the held image specifying unit 36 transmits the specified held image to the server 203 via the camera transmission unit 38 (S373). Then, the server 203 receives the retained image transmitted from the camera 103 (S374).

  Next, the server 203 records the retained image received from the camera 103 by the server recording unit 33 (S38). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 19, the server reception unit 31 receives the retained image transmitted from the camera 103 and sends the received retained image to the server recording unit 33. The server recording unit 33 records the retained image received from the server receiving unit 31 on itself (S381). Here, the retained image may be an image encoded by the camera 103 as in the first and second embodiments.

  As described above, the monitoring system operates.

  Note that S30 and S11 are performed before the detection step including S12 to S38 starts, as in the first and second embodiments. Further, S12 to S38 loop in units of frames of the camera 103.

  In the above description, the case of the configuration of the monitoring system in which one camera 103 is connected has been described. However, the configuration is not limited thereto. A configuration in which a plurality of cameras 103 are connected to the server 203 may be used. In this case, the server 203 may perform similar processing with each camera 103.

  Moreover, although the example in the case of recording with the camera 103 when the detection result indicates the presence of detection has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, when the detection result indicates that there is a detection, the encoded image information may be transmitted to the server 203 and recorded on the server 203 side.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, not only the detection circuit for performing detection in the camera 103 is unnecessary, but also detection according to the application and installation location can be performed with optimum information. Thus, there is an effect that the camera 103 need not be replaced even when the detection target is changed.

  Furthermore, with this configuration, it is possible to use a camera having the same configuration even when it is desired to perform detection specific to each camera connected as a monitoring system.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a monitoring system including a monitoring camera whose detection function is not limited. Specifically, it does not require a special motion detection circuit or software for detection in the camera, and detection according to the application and installation location can be performed with optimal information. Even if the target is changed, the camera need not be replaced. In addition, even when it is desired to perform detection specific to each camera connected as a monitoring system, a camera having the same configuration can be used. Furthermore, even when a new detection target is added, it is not necessary to replace the camera.

  In other words, the server performs detection by setting so that information optimal for the detection function to be performed on the camera is output from the server. In addition, by setting an object to be detected from the camera, various detections can be performed using the same camera.

  Although the monitoring system of the present invention has been described based on the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention, the form which carried out the various deformation | transformation which those skilled in the art can think to this embodiment, and the structure constructed | assembled combining the component in different embodiment is also contained in the scope of the present invention. .

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in a monitoring system, and in particular, since a detection target can be changed or added even after the camera is installed, and the detection can be performed according to the installation location and situation of the camera using the same camera. As useful in various situations.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging part 2 Image signal processing part 3 Image conversion part 4 Memory 5 Encoding part 6 Detection target setting part 7, 27, 37 Camera receiving part 8, 38 Camera transmission part 9 Camera recording part 11, 31 Server receiving part 12 Decoding part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 Detection target holding | maintenance part 14, 34 Detection part 15, 25 Server transmission part 16 Detection image information notification part 17 Detection result notification part 20 Detection target update part 29 Detection target notification part 32 Detection information setting part 33 Server recording part 36 Holding | maintenance image specification Unit 100, 102, 103, 910 Camera 200, 202, 203 Server 300 Transmission path 911 Lens unit 912 Image sensor 913 Video signal processing circuit 914 Amount detection circuit 915 Memory control circuit 916 Buffer memory 917 Low-rate circuit 918 Video composition circuit 919 Transmission processing circuit 920 network 921 receiver 9 22 Network Decoder 923 Low Quality Video Separation Circuit 924 Monitor 925 Memory Address Control Circuit 926 Recording Device 927 Low Quality Video Recording Area 928 High Quality Video Recording Area

Claims (12)

A monitoring system including a camera that captures a monitoring target area and a server,
The camera
An image holding unit for holding the photographed image;
An image conversion unit that converts the captured image according to detected image information that is information about an image used by the server to detect a detection target in the monitoring target region;
A converted image transmission unit that transmits the converted image converted by the image conversion unit to the server,
The server
A detected image information notification unit for notifying the camera of the detected image information;
Based on registration information that is information indicating the detection target, a detection unit that detects the presence or absence of the detection target in the converted image transmitted from the converted image transmission unit;
A detection result notifying unit configured to transmit a detection result detected by the detection unit to the camera. The camera further includes:
The recording unit that records the photographed image corresponding to the converted image from which the detection result is obtained when the detection result indicating that the detection target is detected by the server is received. Monitoring system. The camera
The monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising: a detection target setting unit that registers in advance registration information, which is information indicating the detection target, in the server. The server further includes:
A detection target notification unit for notifying the camera of target information related to a target that can be detected by the detection unit;
The camera
The monitoring system according to claim 3, further comprising an updating unit that updates the registration information set by the detection target setting unit in accordance with the target information notified by the server. The camera
When the detection result indicating that the detection target is detected by the server is received, the captured image held in the image holding unit corresponds to the converted image from which the detection result is obtained. A holding image specifying unit for specifying an image to be transmitted to the server,
The server
The monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising: a recording unit that records the received corresponding captured image. The server further includes:
The monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising a detection target registration unit in which registration information that is information indicating the detection target is registered. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the detection image information notification unit notifies detection image information including resolution. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the detection image information notification unit notifies detection image information including a frame rate. The monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the detection image information notification unit notifies detection image information including luminance information. The monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the detection image information notification unit notifies detection image information including color information. The monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the detection image information notification unit notifies detection image information including bit accuracy information. The detection image information notification unit notifies detection image information including at least two of resolution, frame rate, luminance information, color information, and bit accuracy information. Monitoring system.

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