JP4958600B2 - Watch system and masking method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a watching system that can protect the privacy of a person who is not a watching target.

  In recent years, the spread of the Internet has made it possible to implement a remote monitoring system via a network at a low cost. On the other hand, the number of crimes is steadily increasing, and particularly violent crimes targeting children are a major social problem.

  Under such circumstances, many monitoring systems have been developed by local governments and companies to protect the safety of children. As a monitoring system, a monitoring system for watching children attending school has been proposed. In the watching system, a child who is a person to be watched has a wireless IC tag that can identify an individual, and a surveillance camera is installed on the street centering on the school route of the child. When a child holding a wireless IC tag approaches the surveillance camera, the approach of the child is detected by wireless communication with the wireless IC tag, and the surveillance camera captures an image of the child and stores the image on a Web server. The child guardian accesses the Web server from a personal computer at home and obtains the child's image and position information. In this way, the child's guardian can watch the child's safety from a remote location. However, in such a system, if there are other children near the child to be watched over, even the children not to be watched are included in the image. In such a case, an image of a child who is not the target of watching is viewed by a third party, which may infringe on the privacy of the child who is not the target of watching.

Therefore, conventionally, the position information is obtained from the wireless IC tag held by the child, and the pan / tilt / zoom operation of the camera is performed based on the position information to shoot an image showing only the child to be watched. Has proposed a system for browsing the image (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this conventional system, it is possible to avoid a child who is not the object of watching from appearing in the image, and the privacy of the child who is not the object of watching is ensured.
JP 2002-269209 A (page 5-9, FIG. 2)

  However, in the above conventional system, it is difficult to accurately grasp the position information of the child from the information of the wireless IC tag, and there is a problem that it is not always possible to photograph only the child to be watched over. In addition, when a large number of children with wireless IC tags enter the shooting range of the camera at the same time, it is necessary to zoom and photograph the children in order with a single camera. There was a problem of missing. Further, since a camera capable of pan / tilt / zoom operation is expensive, there is a problem in that it is difficult to install a system by installing cameras at many surveillance points.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and when a person who is not a watching target is included in the monitoring area image of the watching target person, an appropriate masking process is performed on the portion of the person who is not the watching target. It is an object of the present invention to provide a watching system that can be applied and can protect the privacy of a person not being watched over.

  The watch system of the present invention is a watch system comprising a watch terminal for monitoring the periphery of a watch target person and a watch center connected to the watch terminal via a network so as to be communicable, and is provided in the watch terminal. A signal receiving means for receiving a transmission signal from a wireless tag device possessed by the person to be watched, a photographing means for photographing a monitoring area image including the person to be watched when the transmission signal is received, and an image A moving object included in the monitoring area image is detected by the processing, and the position information of the moving object in the monitoring area image and the distance information from the signal receiving means to the moving object are masked information. Moving object detection means associated with data and included in the masking information Based on the position information and the distance information, according to the distance from the signal receiving means to the moving object, a non-target object that is not the watching target is detected from the moving object, and masking processing is performed on the non-target object. And providing the masking image data to a masking means for generating masking image data from the image data and a user provided in the watching center and registered in association with the watching target person as a data providing destination. And a data providing means.

  With this configuration, when the signal receiving unit receives a transmission signal from the wireless tag device held by the watching target person, a monitoring area image including the watching target person is captured. A moving object is detected from the monitoring area image by image processing, and a non-target object is detected according to the distance from the signal receiving means to the moving object based on the position information and distance information associated with the image data, and masking processing is performed. Applied. Thereby, based on the position information and distance information of the moving object acquired from the monitoring area image, it is possible to distinguish between the watching target person and the person who is not the watching target. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately perform masking processing on the portion of the person who is not the watch target (non-target object), and it is possible to protect the privacy of the person who is not the watch target.

  The watching system of the present invention includes the identification information of the person to be watched included in the transmission signal from the wireless tag device, terminal ID information for specifying the watching terminal that has received the identification information, and the identification information. Data transmission means for transmitting time information indicating the received time to the monitoring center in association with the image data as passage history information is provided, and the data providing means of the watching center provides the masking image to the user. The passage history information is provided together with the data.

  With this configuration, a user (eg, a child's guardian) can obtain passing history information together with masking image data, and not only the current situation (current position, current image, etc.) of the person being watched over (eg, a child). , You can also know the past situation (routes taken so far).

  Further, in the watching system of the present invention, the masking means is provided in the watching center, and when receiving a request for providing the masking image data from the user, the masking means performs masking processing on the non-target object, and It has a configuration for generating image data.

  With this configuration, the masking process is performed at the watching center in response to a request from the user. By performing the watch terminal on the masking process with a large load during processing, the load on the watch terminal is reduced. Further, by performing the masking process only when a request from the user is accepted, the burden on the watching center is reduced.

  In the watching system of the present invention, the masking unit detects a moving object whose distance from the signal receiving unit to the moving object is larger than a communicable distance of the signal receiving unit as the non-target object, and A masking process is performed on the masking area surrounding the object.

  With this configuration, when the distance to the moving object is larger than the communicable distance, the moving object is detected as a non-target object, and a masking process is performed on a masking region surrounding the non-target object. It is clear that a moving object that is outside the communicable distance range with the signal receiving means is not a person to be watched over. Thereby, it is possible to distinguish a moving object (non-target object) that is clearly not a person to be watched over and appropriately perform a masking process on a masking region of the non-target object.

  In the watching system according to the present invention, the moving object detection unit associates the feature information indicating the feature of the moving object with the image data as the masking information, and the masking unit includes the feature information included in the masking information. Based on the above, a moving object whose features of the moving object do not match those of the person being watched over is detected as the non-target object, and a masking process is performed on a masking region surrounding the non-target object.

  With this configuration, when the feature of the moving object does not match the feature of the person being watched over, the moving object is detected as a non-target object, and a masking process is performed on the masking region surrounding the non-target object. For example, if the height (height) of a moving object or the color of belongings or clothes (the color of a school bag or hat) does not match that of the person being watched over, there is a high possibility that the moving object is not the person being watched over. . As a result, it is possible to distinguish a moving object (non-target object) that is highly likely not to be a watching target person and appropriately perform a masking process on the masking area of the non-target object.

  In the watching system of the present invention, the feature information is height information of the moving object, and the masking means applies the moving object whose height does not match the height of the watching target person to the target. It has a configuration in which a masking process is performed on a masking region that is detected as an outside object and surrounds the outside object.

  With this configuration, when the height of the moving object does not match the height of the person being watched over, the moving object is detected as a non-target object, and masking processing is performed on the masking region surrounding the non-target object. As a result, it is possible to distinguish a moving object (non-target object) that is highly likely not to be a watching target person and appropriately perform a masking process on the masking area of the non-target object.

  In the watching system of the present invention, the masking process is performed in two stages, and the masking means is composed of primary masking means provided in the watching terminal and secondary masking means provided in the watching center. It has a configuration.

  With this configuration, the masking process can be divided into a masking process performed at the watching terminal and a masking process performed at the watching center according to the load required for the process. For example, watch the masking process with a relatively low load (simple masking process) on the terminal and watch the masking process with a relatively high load (advanced masking process) at the center to balance the load required for the masking process. Can be adjusted.

  In the watching system of the present invention, the primary masking means detects a moving object whose distance from the signal receiving means to the moving object is larger than a communicable distance of the signal receiving means as the non-target object, and A masking process is performed on the masking area surrounding the outer object.

  With this configuration, the primary masking means of the watching terminal detects a moving object whose distance to the moving object is larger than the communicable distance as a non-target object, and performs a masking process on a masking region surrounding the non-target object. The process of detecting a moving object whose distance to the moving object is larger than the communicable distance as a non-target object has a relatively small load. In this way, the balance of the load required for the masking process can be adjusted by watching the masking process (simple masking process) with a relatively small load on the terminal.

  In the watching system of the present invention, the moving object detecting means associates characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the moving object with the image data as the masking information, and the secondary masking means is included in the masking information. Based on feature information, the moving object has a configuration in which a moving object whose feature does not match that of the person being watched over is detected as the non-target object, and a masking region surrounding the non-target object is masked. Yes.

  With this configuration, the secondary masking means of the watching center detects a non-target object whose features of the moving object do not match those of the watching target person, and performs a masking process on the masking region surrounding the non-target object. The process of detecting a moving object that does not match the characteristics of the person being watched over as a non-target object is relatively heavy. In this way, the balance of the load required for the masking process can be adjusted by watching the masking process (advanced masking process) with a relatively large load at the center.

  In the watching system of the present invention, the feature information is height information of the moving object, and the secondary masking means detects a moving object whose height does not coincide with the height of the person being watched over. A masking process is performed on a masking region that is detected as the non-target object and surrounds the non-target object.

  With this configuration, the secondary masking means of the watching center detects a non-target object whose height of the moving object does not match the height of the watching target person, and performs a masking process on the masking region surrounding the non-target object. The process of detecting a moving object that does not match the height of the person being watched over as a non-target object is relatively heavy. In this way, the balance of the load required for the masking process can be adjusted by watching the masking process (advanced masking process) with a relatively large load at the center.

  The watch terminal of the present invention is a watch terminal used in the watch system described above, and when receiving the send signal, the signal receiving means for receiving the send signal from the wireless tag device possessed by the watch target person, From the photographing means for photographing the monitoring area image including the watching target person, the moving object included in the monitoring area image is detected by image processing, the position information of the moving object in the monitoring area image, and the signal receiving means Based on the position information and distance information included in the masking information, the moving object detection means for associating the distance information to the moving object with the image data of the monitoring area image as masking information, from the signal receiving means to the moving object Depending on the distance of the moving object Detecting the non-target object that is not a subject is subjected to a masking process on the non-target object, and has a configuration including a masking means for generating a masking image data from the image data.

  Also with this configuration, it is possible to distinguish a person to be watched from and a person not to be watched based on the position information and distance information of the moving object acquired from the monitoring area image in the same manner as described above. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately perform masking processing on the portion of the person who is not the watch target (non-target object), and it is possible to protect the privacy of the person who is not the watch target.

  The masking processing method of the present invention is a masking processing method used in the above monitoring system, and is a monitoring area image taken when the signal receiving means receives a transmission signal from a wireless tag device possessed by the person being watched over. The moving object included in the monitoring area image is detected by image processing from the monitoring area image including the watching target person, and the position information of the moving object in the monitoring area image and the signal receiving unit The distance information to the moving object is associated with the image data of the monitoring area image as masking information, and based on the position information and distance information included in the masking information, according to the distance from the signal receiving means to the moving object, A pair that is not the watching target from among the moving objects. Detecting the external object, the masking treatment is applied to the non-target object.

  Also by this method, it is possible to distinguish a person to be watched from and a person not to be watched based on the position information and distance information of the moving object acquired from the monitoring area image in the same manner as described above. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately perform masking processing on the portion of the person who is not the watch target (non-target object), and it is possible to protect the privacy of the person who is not the watch target.

  The present invention detects a non-target object from a moving object based on the position information and distance information of the moving object acquired from a monitoring area image, according to the distance from the signal receiving means to the moving object. By providing a masking means for performing masking processing, it is possible to appropriately perform masking processing on a portion of a person who is not to be watched (non-target object), and to protect the privacy of a person who is not to be watched. It is possible to provide a watching system having the effect of.

  Hereinafter, a monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a case of a child watching system or the like in which a guardian (user) at home or at the workplace can watch the state of a child (person to be watched) attending a school or a cram school.

(First embodiment)
The monitoring system of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated using FIGS. Here, first, an outline of the overall configuration of the watching system will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the watching system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a child who is a person to be watched by the watch system 1 has a wireless tag device 2. The wireless tag device 2 is, for example, a device such as an IC card such as a student ID card or a cram school certificate provided with a wireless IC tag, or a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or PDA.

  The watching system 1 includes a watching node 3 that monitors the vicinity of a child who is a watching target, and a watching center 4 that is connected to the watching node 3 through a network so as to be able to communicate. The watching node 3 is a tag reader device that can wirelessly communicate with the wireless tag device 2 possessed by the child and reads information from the wireless tag device 2. The watching node 3 is installed on a street such as a school road for children, for example, at an intersection in the middle of the school road, on the side of the road, at a school gate or entrance to a cram school. This watching node 3 corresponds to the watching terminal of the present invention.

  In the example of FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, one wireless tag device 2, three watching nodes 3 (watching nodes A, B, and C) and one watching center 4 are illustrated. The numbers of the tag device 2, the watching node 3, and the watching center 4 are not limited to this. In FIG. 1, the detailed configuration is shown only for the monitoring node A among the three monitoring nodes 3, and the detailed configuration is omitted for the other monitoring nodes B and C.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the watching node 3 includes a signal receiving unit 6 having an antenna 5 that receives a transmission signal from a wireless tag device 2 possessed by a child, and a photographing unit 7 that captures a monitoring area image around the child. It has. The image capturing unit 7 captures a monitoring area image around the child when the signal receiving unit 6 receives a transmission signal from the wireless tag device 2. In addition, the photographing unit 7 may have a function of constantly photographing a monitoring image. For example, the photographing unit 7 may periodically shoot a monitoring image at a cycle of 100 ms (once every 0.1 second). Here, the signal receiving unit 6 corresponds to the signal receiving unit of the present invention, and the imaging unit 7 corresponds to the imaging unit of the present invention.

  The watching node 3 includes a moving object detection unit 8 that detects a moving object (also referred to as a moving object) included in the monitoring area image by image processing. In the moving object detection unit 8, information on the rectangular coordinates of the moving object, the distance from the antenna 5 to the moving object, and the height of the moving object, which will be described later, is used as metadata (also referred to as meta information) in the image data of the monitoring area image. Added. In this case, it can be said that the metadata is associated with the image data. Here, the metadata corresponds to the masking information of the present invention, and the moving object detection unit 8 corresponds to the moving object detection means of the present invention.

  The watching node 3 includes a control unit 9 that transmits image data to the watching center 4. In this transfer control unit 9, tag ID (child identification information) included in the transmission signal of the wireless tag device 2, node ID information of the watching node 3 that has received the tag ID, and time information that indicates the time at which the tag ID is received. Is added to the image data as passage information. Since this passing information is information obtained from the wireless tag device 2, it is also called tag data (or tag information). In this case, it can be said that the passage information is associated with the image data. Here, the passage information corresponds to the passage history information of the present invention, and the control means corresponds to the data transmission means of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the watching center 4 includes a database server 10 that manages image data received from the watching node 3, a masking unit 11 that performs masking processing to be described later on the image data, and masked image data (masking image). The data providing unit 12 is provided for providing a user (also referred to as data) to a user (child guardian). Here, the masking unit 11 corresponds to the masking unit of the present invention, and the data providing unit 12 corresponds to the data providing unit of the present invention.

  Next, the configuration of the watching node 3 will be described in detail. Here, in particular, the configuration of the moving object detection unit 8 and the control unit 9 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the watching node 3.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the moving object detection unit 8 includes an image data acquisition unit 13 that acquires image data of a monitoring area image from the imaging unit 7, and an image data temporary storage unit 14 that temporarily stores the acquired image data. It has. The moving object detection unit 8 performs image analysis processing on the monitoring area image to detect a moving object in the monitoring area image, and metadata (movement) based on the result of the image analysis. It includes a metadata creation unit 16 that creates (rectangular coordinates of the object, distance from the antenna 5 to the moving object, height information of the moving object). The moving object detection unit 8 includes an image data transmission unit 17 that transmits image data with metadata to the control unit 9.

  The control unit 9 includes an image data receiving unit 18 that receives image data from the moving object detection unit 8. The control unit 9 also adds a tag data acquisition unit 19 that acquires the above-described passage information (tag data) from the signal reception unit 6 that has received the transmission signal from the wireless tag device 2, and adds the acquired passage information to the image data. The tag data adding unit 20 is provided. In addition, the control unit 9 includes a network transmission unit 21 that transmits the image data with the passage information added thereto to the watching center 4 via the network.

  Next, the configuration of the watching center 4 will be described in detail. Here, in particular, the configuration of the database server 10 and the data providing unit 12 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the watching center 4.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the database server 10 stores a network receiving unit 22 that receives image data transmitted from the watching node 3 via the network, and various data such as received image data, metadata, and passage information. And a data registration unit 24 for registering data in the database 23 and deleting data.

  In the database 23, information on the characteristics of the child who is the watching target is registered. For example, information such as height information of the child, color information of the child's belongings (such as a school bag) and clothes (such as a hat), and a name of the child (nickname) are registered. In the database 23, information on the user (children's guardians) is registered in association with the watching target person (children). For example, information such as a user's login ID, password, and data providing destination (e-mail transmission destination, etc.) is registered.

  The data providing unit 12 includes a request receiving unit 25 that receives an image data browsing request (providing request) from a user, and an information transmitting unit 26 that transmits information such as masking image data to the user who has requested the image data browsing. I have.

  Next, a masking process that is a feature of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, masking processing based on the distance of the moving object from the antenna 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the relationship between the distance from the child's antenna 5 and the radio wave receivable distance of the antenna 5. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a masking process based on the distance from the antenna 5.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, two children (child A and child B) are shown in the monitoring area image. Both of these two children have the wireless tag device 2. There is a limit to the distance at which the antenna 5 of the watching node 3 can receive a transmission signal from the wireless tag device 2, and this distance is called a radio wave receivable distance. In the present embodiment, the radio wave receivable distance of the antenna 5 is 3 m.

  In the example of FIG. 4, the child A is located within 3 m from the antenna 5, while the child B is located 3 m or more away from the antenna 5. That is, in this case, the antenna 5 of the watching node 3 can receive a transmission signal from the wireless tag device 2 of the child A, but cannot receive a transmission signal from the wireless tag device 2 of the child B. Therefore, if the watching node 3 receives a transmission signal from the wireless tag device 2, the transmission signal is from the wireless tag device 2 possessed by the child A.

  FIG. 5 is an example of a monitoring area image photographed by the photographing unit 7 of the watching node 3. When masking processing is performed on such a monitoring area image, the distance of the moving object from the antenna 5 is calculated by image analysis. Specifically, it moves from the distance between a preset origin in the image (corresponding to the installation position of the antenna 5) and the center point of the lower side of the rectangular area surrounding the moving object (corresponding to the child's feet). The distance of the object from the antenna 5 is calculated. The rectangular coordinates are coordinates indicating a rectangular area (indicated by a square frame in the figure) surrounding the moving object (for example, the child A). For example, the upper left coordinates (x1, y1) and the lower right corner of the rectangular area Is a set of coordinates (x2, y2).

  Then, it can be seen that the child A is located within 3 m from the antenna 5 while the child B is located at a distance of 3 m or more from the antenna 5. As a result of such image analysis, it becomes clear that the child B is not a person to be watched over. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, in the masking unit 11 of the watching center 4, a masking process is performed on a rectangular area (masking region) surrounding the non-target object (child B) who is not the watching target person. In FIG. 5, for convenience of explanation, an XY-axis virtual grid is shown in the monitoring area image.

  Next, a masking process based on the height of the child (the height of the moving object) will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the distance from the antenna 5 and the height of the child, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing how the height of the child is calculated. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a masking process based on the height of the child.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, two children (child A and child B) are shown in the monitoring area image. Also in this case, similarly to the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the origin (corresponding to the installation position of the antenna 5) in the preset image and the center point of the lower side of the rectangular area surrounding the moving object The distance of the moving object from the antenna 5 is calculated from the distance (corresponding to the child's feet).

  The correction value from the height of the pixel value of the moving object in the image (XX pixel) to the actual height of the child (XX cm) depends on the distance from the antenna 5. Therefore, when the distance of the moving object from the antenna 5 is known, the actual height of the child can be calculated from the height of the pixel value of the moving object in the image.

  Since the data of the child's height is registered in the database 23 of the watching center 4, by comparing the height of the moving object obtained by image analysis with the height of the child, the moving object is the child of the person being watched over. It can be determined whether or not there is.

  FIG. 8 is an example of a monitoring area image photographed by the photographing unit 7 of the watching node 3. This monitoring area image shows three children (child A, child B, and child C). In this case, all the three children are located within 3 m from the antenna 5, and the masking process based on the distance from the antenna 5 described above cannot identify the excluded object.

  In such a case, when the masking process based on the height of the child is performed, the heights of the three children are calculated by image analysis of the monitoring area image, and compared with the height of the watching target registered in the database 23. As a result, since the height of the child B is larger than the registered height, there is a high possibility that the child B is not a watching target person. Moreover, since the height of the child C is smaller than the registered height, there is a high possibility that the child C is not a person to be watched over. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the masking unit 11 of the watching center 4 performs a masking process on a rectangular area (masking region) surrounding these non-target objects (child B and child C) who are not watching targets. . 7 and 8, an XY-axis virtual grid is shown in the monitoring area image for convenience of explanation.

  Here, the case where non-target objects are detected based on the characteristics of the height of the child and the masking process is performed is exemplified. However, the non-target objects are detected based on characteristics such as the color of the school bag and the hat. It is also possible to perform a masking process.

  About the monitoring system 1 comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement is demonstrated using FIG. Here, the operation when the masking process is performed on the monitoring area image will be mainly described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the watching system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, first, when a monitoring area image is captured by the imaging unit 7 of the watching node 3, the moving object detection unit 8 acquires image data (S1). Then, image analysis processing is performed on the image data (S2), and a moving object in the monitoring area image is detected (S3). Then, metadata such as the rectangular coordinates, height, and distance of the moving object is created (S4). When the creation of metadata for all moving objects in the monitoring area image is completed (S5), the metadata and the image data are temporarily stored (S6). When a wait time of 100 ms (0.1 seconds) elapses (S7), the moving object detection unit 8 acquires image data again (S1).

  On the other hand, the control unit 9 of the watching node 3 acquires the passing information of the wireless tag device 2 from the signal receiving unit 6 (S8). When the image data with meta information is acquired from the moving object detection unit 8 (S9), image data with passage information is created (S10), and the image data with passage information is watched and transmitted to the center 4 (S11). .

  When the database server 10 of the center apparatus receives the image data with passage information from the watching node 3 (S12), the image data with passage information is stored in the database 23 (S13).

  When the data providing unit 12 of the center apparatus receives a browsing request from the user (S14), the image data with passing information is acquired from the database 23 (S15), and the image data is subjected to masking processing (S16). ). Then, the image data subjected to the masking process is transmitted to the user (S17).

  According to such a monitoring system 1 of the first embodiment, based on the position information and distance information of the moving object acquired from the monitoring area image, the moving object is detected according to the distance from the antenna 5 to the moving object. By providing a masking unit 11 that detects a non-target object from within and masks the non-target object, it is possible to appropriately perform masking processing on a portion of the person (non-target object) that is not the target of watching. It becomes possible to protect the privacy of outsiders.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, when the signal receiving unit 6 receives a transmission signal from the wireless tag device 2 possessed by the watching target person, a monitoring area image including the watching target person is photographed. A moving object is detected from the monitoring area image by image processing, and a non-target object is detected according to the distance from the antenna 5 to the moving object based on position information and distance information associated with the image data, and masking processing is performed. Is done. Thereby, based on the position information and distance information of the moving object acquired from the monitoring area image, it is possible to distinguish between the watching target person and the person who is not the watching target. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately perform masking processing on the portion of the person who is not the watch target (non-target object), and it is possible to protect the privacy of the person who is not the watch target.

  In this case, it is not necessary to acquire accurate position information of the person to be watched from the wireless IC tag as in the prior art, and to match the shooting range of the camera only to the person to be watched. Further, even when a large number of watching subjects enter the shooting range of the camera all at once, it is only necessary to perform masking processing after shooting, so that a monitoring area image can be shot without missing a shooting opportunity. In addition, since a low-cost camera without pan / tilt / zoom functions can be used, the cost for introducing the system can be kept low.

  In the present embodiment, the user (for example, a child's guardian) can obtain passing information together with the masking image data, and the current situation (current position, current image, etc.) of the person being watched over (for example, the child). As well as the past situation (routes taken so far).

  In the present embodiment, the masking process is performed at the watching center 4 in response to a request from the user. By performing the watch terminal on the masking process with a large load during processing, the load on the watch terminal is reduced. Further, by performing the masking process only when a request from the user is accepted, the burden on the watching center 4 is reduced.

  In the present embodiment, when the distance to the moving object is larger than the radio wave receivable distance of the antenna 5, the moving object is detected as a non-target object, and masking processing is performed on the masking region surrounding the non-target object. The It is clear that a moving object outside the range of the radio wave receivable distance of the antenna 5 is not a person to be watched over. Accordingly, it is possible to distinguish a moving object (non-target object) that is not clearly a person to be watched over and appropriately perform a masking process on the rectangular area of the non-target object.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the feature of the moving object does not match the feature of the person being watched over, the moving object is detected as a non-target object, and masking processing is performed on a rectangular area surrounding the non-target object. For example, if the height (height) of a moving object, the color of belongings or clothes (the color of a school bag or hat), etc. do not match those of the person being watched over, there is a high possibility that the moving object is not the person being watched over . Thereby, it is possible to distinguish a moving object (non-target object) that is highly likely not to be a watching target person and appropriately perform masking processing on the rectangular area of the non-target object.

  For example, in this embodiment, when the height of the moving object does not match the height of the person being watched over, the moving object is detected as a non-target object, and a masking process is performed on a rectangular area surrounding the non-target object. . Thereby, it is possible to distinguish a moving object (non-target object) that is highly likely not to be a watching target person and appropriately perform masking processing on the rectangular area of the non-target object.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a monitoring system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Unless otherwise mentioned here, the configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the watching system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the watching node, and FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the watching center. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, in the present embodiment, the monitoring node 3 includes a primary masking unit 111, and the monitoring center 4 includes a secondary masking unit 112. Here, the primary masking unit 111 corresponds to the primary masking unit of the present invention, and the secondary masking unit 112 corresponds to the secondary masking unit of the present invention.

  The primary masking unit 111 is configured to perform a masking process based on the distance from the antenna 5. That is, the primary masking unit 111 detects a moving object whose distance from the antenna 5 to the moving object is larger than the radio wave receivable distance of the antenna 5 as a non-target object, and performs a masking process on a rectangular area surrounding the non-target object. .

  The secondary masking unit 112 is configured to perform a masking process based on the feature of the moving object. That is, in the secondary masking unit 112, a moving object whose moving object feature does not match that of the person being watched over is detected as a non-target object, and a masking process is performed on a rectangular area surrounding the non-target object. In the present embodiment, for example, a masking process based on the height of a moving object (child's height) is performed.

  About the monitoring system 1 comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement is demonstrated using FIG. Here, the operation when performing a two-stage masking process on the monitoring area image will be mainly described. Operations not particularly mentioned here are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the watching system 1 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the control unit 9 of the watching node 3 acquires the passage information of the wireless tag device 2 from the signal reception unit 6 (S8), and acquires the image data with meta information from the moving object detection unit 8. (S9) A primary masking process is performed on the image data (S161). Then, passing information is added to the image data subjected to the primary masking process to create image data with passing information (S10), and the image data with passing information is watched and transmitted to the center 4 (S11).

  And the data provision part 12 of a center apparatus will acquire the image data with passage information from the database 23, if the browsing request from a user is received (S14) (S15). Then, the secondary masking process is performed on the image data subjected to the primary masking process (S16). The image data subjected to the secondary masking process is transmitted to the user (S17).

  The monitoring system 1 according to the second embodiment also provides the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the masking process can be divided into a masking process performed at the watching terminal and a masking process performed at the watching center 4 according to the load required for the process. For example, the balance of the load required for the masking process is performed by watching the masking process with a relatively small load (simple masking process) on the terminal and performing the masking process with the relatively heavy load (advanced masking process) at the center 4. Can be adjusted.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the primary masking unit 111 of the watching terminal detects a moving object whose distance to the moving object is larger than the communicable distance as a non-target object, and performs a masking process on a rectangular area surrounding the non-target object. Apply. The process of detecting a moving object whose distance to the moving object is larger than the communicable distance of the antenna 5 as a non-target object has a relatively small load. In this way, the balance of the load required for the masking process can be adjusted by watching the masking process (simple masking process) with a relatively small load on the terminal.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the secondary masking unit 112 of the watching center 4 detects a non-target object whose moving object feature does not match that of the watching target person, and performs a masking process on a rectangular area surrounding the non-target object. Apply. Processing for detecting a moving object that does not match the characteristics of the person being watched over as a non-target object is relatively heavy. In this way, by performing monitoring at the center 4 while watching the masking process (advanced masking process) with a relatively large load, the balance of the load required for the masking process can be adjusted.

  Specifically, the secondary masking unit 112 of the watching center 4 detects a non-target object whose height of the moving object does not match the height of the watching target person, and performs a masking process on a rectangular area surrounding the non-target object. . The process of detecting a moving object that does not match the height of the person being watched over as a non-target object is relatively heavy. In this way, by performing monitoring at the center 4 while watching the masking process (advanced masking process) with a relatively large load, the balance of the load required for the masking process can be adjusted.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above by way of example, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be changed or modified according to the purpose within the scope of the claims. is there.

  For example, in the above description, the case where the masking process is performed on the rectangular area surrounding the moving object (non-target object) is exemplified, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to this. The shape of the masking area on which the masking process is performed may be a shape other than a rectangle (quadrangle). For example, the masking process may be performed on an area having a shape along the outer shape of the moving object (non-target object).

  As described above, the watching system according to the present invention can appropriately perform masking processing on a portion of a person who is not watched (non-target object), and can protect the privacy of a person who is not watched. It is useful as a monitoring system for children, a monitoring system for patients with dementia, and the like.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the monitoring system of 1st Embodiment Block diagram showing the configuration of the watch node Block diagram showing the configuration of the monitoring center Explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the distance from the antenna and the radio wave receivable distance Illustration of masking process based on distance from antenna Explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the distance from the antenna and the height of the child Explanatory diagram showing how to calculate the height of a child Illustration of masking process based on the height of the child The flowchart for operation | movement description of the monitoring system of 1st Embodiment The block diagram which shows the structure of the monitoring system of 2nd Embodiment Block diagram showing the configuration of the watch node Block diagram showing the configuration of the monitoring center Flow chart for explaining the operation of the monitoring system of the second embodiment

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Watching system 2 Wireless tag apparatus 3 Watching node 4 Watching center 5 Antenna 6 Signal receiving part 7 Imaging | photography part 8 Moving object detection part 9 Control part 10 Database server 11 Masking part 12 Data provision part 111 Primary masking part 112 Secondary masking part 112

Claims (12)

A monitoring system comprising a monitoring terminal for monitoring the surroundings of a monitoring target person, and a monitoring center connected to the monitoring terminal for communication ,
A signal receiving means provided in the monitoring terminal for receiving a transmission signal within a radio wave receivable range among transmission signals from the RFID tag device possessed by the monitoring subject and not receiving a transmission signal outside the radio wave receivable range ; ,
When receiving the transmission signal, photographing means for photographing a monitoring area image including the monitoring subject,
A moving object included in the monitoring area image is detected by image processing, and positional information of the moving object in the monitoring area image and distance information from the signal receiving means to the moving object are used as masking information. Moving object detection means associated with image data;
Based on the position information and the distance information included in the masking information, according to the distance from the signal receiving means to the moving object, a moving object outside the radio wave receivable range is selected from the moving objects by the monitoring target person. Masking means for detecting as a non-target object, masking the non-target object, and generating masking image data from the image data;
Data providing means provided in the monitoring center and providing the masking image data to a user registered in association with the monitoring subject within the radio wave receivable range as a data providing destination;
A monitoring system characterized by comprising: The identification information of the person to be monitored included in the transmission signal from the wireless tag device, terminal ID information for specifying the monitoring terminal that has received the identification information, and time information indicating the time at which the identification information has been received, Data transmission means for transmitting to the monitoring center in association with the image data as passage history information,
The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the data providing means of the monitoring center provides the passage history information together with the masking image data to the user. The masking means is provided in the monitoring center and generates a masking image data by performing a masking process on the non-target object when receiving a request for providing the masking image data from the user. The monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2. The masking means detects a moving object whose distance from the signal receiving means to the moving object is larger than a communicable distance of the signal receiving means as the non-target object, and performs a masking process on a masking region surrounding the non-target object. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring system is applied. The moving object detection means associates characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the moving object with the image data as the masking information,
The masking means detects a moving object whose feature of the moving object does not match the feature of the monitoring target person as the non-target object based on the feature information included in the masking information, and masks surrounding the non-target object. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein a masking process is performed on the area. The feature information is height information of the moving object,
The masking means detects a moving object whose height does not match the height of the monitoring subject as the non-target object, and performs a masking process on a masking region surrounding the non-target object. The monitoring system according to claim 5. The masking process is performed in two stages,
The said masking means was comprised by the primary masking means with which the said monitoring terminal was equipped, and the secondary masking means with which the said monitoring center was equipped, The Claim 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Surveillance system. The primary masking means detects a moving object whose distance from the signal receiving means to the moving object is larger than a communicable distance of the signal receiving means as the non-target object, and performs a masking process on a masking region surrounding the non-target object. The monitoring system according to claim 7, wherein: The moving object detection means associates characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the moving object with the image data as the masking information,
The secondary masking means detects a moving object whose feature of the moving object does not match the feature of the monitoring target person as the non-target object based on the feature information included in the masking information, and detects the non-target object. 9. The monitoring system according to claim 7, wherein a masking process is performed on the surrounding masking region. The feature information is height information of the moving object,
The secondary masking means detects a moving object whose height does not match the height of the monitoring target person as the non-target object, and performs a masking process on a masking region surrounding the non-target object. The monitoring system according to claim 9. A monitoring terminal for monitoring the surroundings of the monitoring target ,
A signal receiving means for receiving a transmission signal within a radio wave receivable range among transmission signals from a radio tag device possessed by the monitoring subject and not receiving a transmission signal outside the radio wave receivable range ;
When receiving the transmission signal, photographing means for photographing a monitoring area image including the monitoring subject,
A moving object included in the monitoring area image is detected by image processing, and positional information of the moving object in the monitoring area image and distance information from the signal receiving means to the moving object are used as masking information. Moving object detection means associated with image data;
Based on the position information and the distance information included in the masking information, according to the distance from the signal receiving means to the moving object, a moving object outside the radio wave receivable range is selected from the moving objects by the monitoring target person. Masking means for detecting as a non-target object, masking the non-target object, and generating masking image data from the image data;
A monitoring terminal comprising: A masking method for performing masking processing on an object that is not a monitoring target ,
In the monitoring terminal for monitoring the surroundings of the monitoring target person, the transmission signal from the radio tag device possessed by the monitoring target person does not receive a transmission signal outside the radio wave receivable range and is within the radio wave receivable range. Receive
When the transmission signal is received, a monitoring area image including the monitoring subject is captured,
A moving object included in the monitoring area image is detected by image processing, and positional information of the moving object in the monitoring area image and distance information from the monitoring terminal to the moving object are used as masking information. Associated with the data,
Based on the position information and the distance information included in the masking information, a moving object outside the radio wave receivable range is not the monitoring target among the moving objects according to the distance from the monitoring terminal to the moving object. detected as a non-target object,
A masking processing method, wherein masking processing is performed on the non-target object.