JP3608288B2 - Surveillance camera system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a surveillance camera system in which a surveillance device is provided with initial images of all surveillance targets.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 6 is an image diagram of the surveillance camera system. The surveillance camera system will be described with reference to this figure. Reference numeral 51 denotes a monitoring camera that captures an image of a monitoring target and outputs a video signal. A driving unit 52 changes the angle of view of the monitoring camera 51, performs zooming or focus adjustment, and the like. 53 is a transmission path for transmitting the video signal. Reference numeral 54 denotes a receiver that displays an image to be monitored. An operation unit 55 supplies setting instructions for photographing such as turning and zooming for changing the angle of view to the driving unit 52 via the transmission line.
[0003]
In the monitoring camera system shown in FIG. 6, based on a setting instruction such as an angle of view set in the drive unit 52, the monitoring camera 51 captures a monitoring target and sends the video signal to the receiver 54 via the transmission path 53. The image to be monitored can be confirmed by the receiver 54. Further, by inputting a required instruction from the operation unit 55, the angle of view of the monitoring camera 51 can be changed, and any point (target) in the line-of-sight range can be monitored with one camera.
When a monitoring room or the like where a receiver is installed is provided in a remote place, in addition to a method using an expensive dedicated line, a transmission line is a telephone line, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), etc. In many cases, the cost is reduced by using a public line and constructing a system using a commercially available connection device.
[0005]
However, in a system using a public line, even when an ISDN basic interface is used, the transmission speed is at most about 64 kbps (1B) to 128 kbps (2B). Even in image transmission using image compression such as JPEG, In many cases, it takes about several seconds to finish transmitting the image for the screen. Such a system has a transmission speed of about 1/100, for example, compared to a system using a dedicated line or a transmission path configured by a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like. There was a problem that the usability was extremely bad due to the large waiting time between sending.
[0006]
In particular, in systems where images are transmitted at high speed, when the camera is turned in the required direction, it is possible to display images in the middle of turning almost in real time, so monitoring is performed on the spot while monitoring at a remote location. Easy-to-use items that can be monitored with the same feeling as you do. On the other hand, since an inexpensive system using a public line takes time to transmit an image, as described above, the intuitive view of selecting a desired monitoring target while changing the shooting angle of view and displaying the image of the angle of view in real time. Operation was difficult.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a surveillance camera system in which a pseudo image (initial image) to be monitored is displayed in real time when the surveillance camera is panned. .
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an operation unit for inputting a setting instruction for photographing by a surveillance camera, an image memory unit for storing an image, a decompression unit for decompressing a compressed image and generating an original image, and the image A display unit that displays an image read from the memory unit, a first storage unit that stores an initial image, a selection unit that discriminates the instruction content input by the operation unit and selects a corresponding initial image, and a transmitted compression A monitoring device is configured with a communication unit that receives an image or transmits a setting instruction for monitoring camera shooting,
A camera unit that shoots an object, a drive unit that drives the camera unit, a memory unit that stores an image, a compression unit that compresses an image, and a second that stores setting instructions for shooting of the camera unit In a monitoring camera system that configures a camera device with a storage unit and a communication unit that transmits a setting instruction for a compressed image and a camera unit or receives a setting instruction for a transmitted monitoring camera,
A corresponding initial image is read from the first storage unit and displayed based on the setting instruction of the monitoring camera input from the operation unit.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Since it is configured as described above, (1) by performing an operation of inputting a setting instruction for photographing the monitoring camera from the operation unit, (2) the selection unit is configured to store the first storage unit based on the setting instruction of the monitoring camera. The image of the corresponding range in the initial image stored in advance is read out, (3) the expansion unit performs expansion processing via the image memory unit, and (4) the initial image (pseudo image) of the corresponding range is displayed on the display unit. ) Is displayed in real time.
[0010]
【Example】
Hereinafter, a surveillance camera system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a surveillance camera system according to the present invention.
Reference numeral 1 denotes an operation unit using, for example, a remote controller for intuitively inputting setting instructions for photographing by the monitoring camera, for example, a center position for photographing a monitoring target, a zooming value, or a focus. An image memory unit 2 stores an image, and stores a compressed image and an expanded display image. Reference numeral 3 denotes a decompression unit that decompresses a compressed image and generates an original image. For example, the decompression unit 3 decompresses the compressed image by a method based on a standard such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group) or MPEG (Moven Picture Coding Experts Group).
Reference numeral 4 denotes a display unit that displays an image read from the image memory unit 2. 5, for example, an initial image having a different angle of view is stored for each position in the monitoring area of the camera, or an initial image having a plurality of different resolutions is stored for each position in the monitoring area. A first storage unit for storing images, wherein the initial image is a natural image taken by a surveillance camera, and constitutes the first storage unit, for example, a hard disk (HD) having a capacity of about several Gbytes, a DVD (Digital (Versatile Disk) or the like.
[0011]
A selection unit 6 discriminates the setting instruction input from the operation unit 1 and selects and reads an initial image having a corresponding angle of view. Reference numeral 7 denotes a communication unit configured to receive a transmitted compressed image or transmit a setting instruction for photographing a surveillance camera, for example, to conform to the basic interface standard of ISDN or the telephone line standard. A control unit 9 controls each unit. The monitoring device is configured as described above.
[0012]
Reference numeral 11 denotes a camera unit for photographing an object. Reference numeral 12 denotes a camera body of the camera unit 11 that is panned (rotated in the vertical and horizontal directions) to adjust the telephoto and wide angle of the zoom lens (zooming) or adjust the focus. The drive unit uses a stepping motor as a drive source so that each operation can be driven with required accuracy. Reference numeral 13 denotes a memory unit that stores an image photographed by the camera unit 11 and a compressed image. Reference numeral 14 denotes a compression unit that compresses an image captured by the camera unit 11 using a method that conforms to a standard such as JPEG or MPEG.
[0013]
Reference numeral 15 denotes a second storage unit that stores setting instructions transmitted from the monitoring device to the camera unit 11. Reference numeral 16 denotes a communication unit that transmits a compressed image and a camera unit setting instruction or receives a transmitted monitoring camera setting instruction. Reference numeral 18 denotes a sensor unit for detecting an abnormality. A control unit 19 controls each unit. The camera device is configured as described above. Reference numeral 21 denotes a transmission line connected between the communication unit 7 of the monitoring apparatus and the communication unit 16 of the camera apparatus, such as the ISDN or telephone line.
[0014]
A monitoring operation by an image of the surveillance camera system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an initial image selection display operation by panning and zooming of the surveillance camera system according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an image for storing an image for each grid point of the surveillance camera system according to the present invention. Further, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of main keys of the operation unit of the surveillance camera system according to the present invention.
The operation unit 1 is, for example, a remote controller having keys as shown in FIG. 4 and can intuitively and simply carry out setting instructions for photographing with a surveillance camera. As a specific instruction method, the monitor mode is set and one of the “up”, “down”, “left”, and “right” arrow keys corresponding to the screen of the display unit 4 in FIG. 4 is pressed. For example, when the arrow key 31 in the “left” direction is pressed, as shown in FIG. 3, the image a (central monitoring standard image) centered on the center O of the screen is “left” along the X axis. The images move sequentially in the direction, and an image panning to the left like b,. At this time, the selection unit 6 determines an instruction for panning in the “left” direction, and sequentially reads out corresponding images from the initial images stored in advance in the HDD of the first storage unit 5 and displays them on the display unit 4. Also, the instruction for the pan operation in the “left” direction is encoded and transmitted from the communication unit 7.
[0015]
Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the monitoring area of the camera is 25, it starts from the state where the central monitoring image 26 is displayed, followed by the required time “left” direction and then panning in the “upward” direction. Then, the image 28 at the upper left position is displayed. Subsequently, when the zoom key 32 is pressed so as to obtain a wide angle of view, for example, a wide range (wide angle) image 27 in which the angle of view is enlarged from the standard angle of view is obtained. When it is desired to monitor a distant object in the image, a focus instruction is issued by pressing a required focus key 34. A required monitoring image is obtained. Next, when the end key 33 is pressed, the code of the end key is transmitted from the communication unit 7 via the telephone line (21).
[0016]
On the other hand, the camera device side receives the setting instruction for photographing transmitted from the communication unit 16, and stores the setting instruction in the second storage unit 15 via the control unit 19. Further, the setting instruction is supplied to the drive unit 12. Since the driving unit 12 performs a driving operation based on the setting instruction, the camera unit 11 captures an object according to the setting instruction, temporarily stores the image in the memory unit 13, and the compression unit 14 includes, for example, JPEG, MPEG, or the like. The image is compressed by a method compliant with the standard, and the compressed image is temporarily stored in the memory unit 13. The control unit 19 transmits the compressed image to the monitoring apparatus side via the communication unit 16 and the transmission path 21.
[0017]
On the monitoring device side, the initial image based on the setting instruction has already been displayed on the display unit 4, but the received compressed image is temporarily stored in the image memory unit 2, and the decompressing unit 3 performs a corresponding decompressing process. The original image is restored, and the initial image currently displayed on the display unit 4 is rewritten via the image memory unit 2.
[0018]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the initial image is a zooming image such as a standard image, a wide-angle image, a narrow-angle (enlarged) image, or the like for each required grid point of the XY coordinates in the camera unit 11 in advance. Is taken and stored in the first storage unit 5. Thus, as described above, a required image can be read out from the first storage unit 5 at high speed and displayed based on the setting instruction.
[0019]
Further, when the sensor unit 18 is installed on the camera device side and a sensor, for example, a temperature sensor, a smoke sensor, or a gas sensor detects an abnormality, a position where the sensor is installed in the second storage unit 15 in advance. If the corresponding shooting settings are stored, the driving unit 12 drives the camera unit 11 to a required angle of view and the like based on the shooting settings, and images the monitoring target, and encodes the setting instruction for monitoring. Based on this shooting setting, the monitoring apparatus can display that the image is an initial image and immediately display it together with a message such as “Danger occurrence”.
[0020]
The initial image is not limited to a natural image taken with a camera as described above. For example, as in the example of the initial image by CG of the surveillance camera system according to the present invention in FIG. 5, a meter or the like of the monitoring target meter is represented by a picture or CG (Computer Graphics), and an explanatory comment (word) ) May be superimposed or displayed as subtitles.
Also, the input operation of the setting instruction from the operation unit 1 may be instructed by pressing the end key 33, or the end may be determined when the zooming value input is completed, for example. Also good.
In addition, a method for storing coordinates in the first storage unit 5 in such a manner that coordinates are associated with images obtained by capturing all monitoring areas of the camera so that an image having a corresponding angle of view is obtained by calculation based on the setting instruction. It may be configured.
[0021]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention provides a monitoring camera system in which the monitoring device side stores an image of the entire monitoring area as an initial image so that a pseudo image can be displayed in real time on the pan of the monitoring camera.
Therefore, even in a surveillance camera system that uses a public line as a transmission line but is inexpensive but takes a long time to transmit an image, a corresponding initial image is displayed in real time according to panning, zooming, and focus adjustment of the surveillance camera. Therefore, there is an advantage that it is possible to realize an intuitive and easy-to-use surveillance camera system with easy setting of instructions.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a surveillance camera system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an initial image selection display operation by panning and zooming of the surveillance camera system according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an image for storing an image for each grid point of the surveillance camera system according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of main keys of an operation unit of the surveillance camera system according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an initial image by CG or the like of the surveillance camera system according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an image diagram of a surveillance camera system.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation part 2 Image memory part 3 Expansion part 4 Display part 5 1st memory | storage part 6 Selection part 7 Communication part 9 Control part 11 Camera part 12 Drive part 13 Memory part 14 Compression part 15 2nd memory | storage part 16 Communication part 18 Sensor part 19 control unit 25 camera monitoring area 26 central monitoring image 27 wide range (wide angle) image 28 upper left position image 31 arrow key 32 zoom key 33 end key 34 focus key 51 monitoring camera 52 drive unit 53 transmission path 54 receiver 55 operation unit

Claims (7)

An operation unit for inputting setting instructions for photographing with a surveillance camera, an image memory unit for storing images, an expansion unit for expanding compressed images and generating original images, and displaying images read from the image memory unit A display unit that stores the initial image, a selection unit that discriminates the content of the instruction input in the operation unit and selects a corresponding initial image, and receives the transmitted compressed image or shoots the surveillance camera A monitoring unit is configured with a communication unit that transmits a setting instruction for a camera, a camera unit that captures an object, a drive unit that drives the camera unit, a memory unit that stores an image, and a compression that compresses the image And a second storage unit that stores setting instructions for shooting of the camera unit, and a communication unit that transmits a setting instruction for the compressed image and the camera unit or receives a setting instruction for the transmitted surveillance camera. Configure the device In view camera system, surveillance camera system, characterized in that as based on that you have entered the setting instruction of the surveillance camera from the operation unit, reading and displaying corresponding initial image from the first storage unit. The surveillance camera system according to claim 1, wherein an initial image is stored in the first storage unit for each position in the surveillance area. 3. The surveillance camera system according to claim 2, wherein the position is a grid point having a required step size on the XY coordinates with the center of the entire surveillance area as a reference point. The monitoring camera system according to claim 1, wherein initial images of a plurality of zooming images are stored for each position in the monitoring area in the first storage unit. The above-mentioned operation unit includes keys indicating the “up”, “down”, “left”, and “right” directions on the display screen, a camera lens zooming key, a focusing key, and a setting instruction input end key. The surveillance camera system according to claim 1, comprising: 6. The surveillance camera system according to claim 1, wherein the setting instruction is performed by a remote controller. The surveillance camera system according to claim 1, wherein images of all surveillance areas are stored in the first storage unit, and corresponding images are obtained by calculation based on a center position and a zooming value of the setting instruction, and the same location is read out.

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