JPH10304475A - Remote supervisory system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an economical remote supervisory system which is immune to faults or accidents on the occurrence of a disaster, to supervise a current status and to analyze a past status, even on the occurrence of disable data transfer resulting from a line fault, to provide an economically effective configuration without increasing the number of lines and to allow the system to supervise plural supervised objects placed at many points. SOLUTION: This remote supervisory equipment, where a transmitter side including a video source 1 and a receiver side including a display device 9 are interconnected by a communication line such as an optical fiber 5 so as to view a received video image, is constituted of an A/D converter 2 that converts a video image from the video source 1 into digital data, a storage device 3 that stores digital data, a transmission section 4 that transmits sequentially the stored data depending on a desired storage amount to the receiver side, a reception section 6 that receives the transmitted signal, a storage device 7 that stores the received signal, and a display device 9 that reproduces the stored data in the storage device 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a monitoring device for monitoring a distant state from a remote place using a television image or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a device for connecting a television camera and a display device via a communication line and viewing an image from a distance has been used, for example, for safety measures and crime prevention in an unmanned factory. In addition, it is used for receiving and monitoring video information from cameras installed in high-rise buildings or the like at the time of disaster at a fire station or a police station, and determining a response search based on the information.

However, in a configuration in which a video source signal is directly connected and received via a communication line as in the conventional example shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11, data is constantly flowing on the communication line. If a television camera or communication line breaks down due to a disaster or an external failure, the image is immediately invisible, and necessary information cannot be obtained. It is difficult to analyze data and past conditions.

In order to prevent loss of an image due to a catastrophic failure, there is a device that connects a television camera and a video device to store past images. However, a video device is reproduced near a television camera. There was a problem that was necessary and not suitable for remote monitoring. Furthermore, there is a method of storing image data obtained through a communication line in a video device.
Since the communication line is always occupied, the communication line cannot be used for other purposes, which is not economical. Further, there is a problem in that the subsequent video is lost when a failure occurs or the communication line is disconnected.

[0005]

As described above, in the conventional remote monitoring apparatus, when a television camera or a communication line breaks down, an image is immediately invisible and necessary information cannot be obtained. It was difficult to analyze past conditions.

In addition, during monitoring, a communication line having a speed required for transmission is occupied, and thus there is a problem that operation cost is not economical. Further, there is a problem that it is not economical in terms of capital investment because it is necessary to increase the number of lines in response to the increase in the number of television cameras.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an economical remote monitoring apparatus which is resistant to failures and failures such as disasters.
Monitoring is possible even when data transfer is impossible due to line failure,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote monitoring apparatus having an economically effective configuration without increasing the number of lines and capable of remotely monitoring a plurality of monitoring targets at multiple points.

[0008]

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A remote monitoring apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to a plurality of embodiments with reference to the related drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates the configuration of a remote monitoring apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. First, the remote monitoring device includes a transmission-side device system that captures a monitoring target by an imaging unit and transmits the monitoring target via a high-speed line such as an optical fiber 5, and a remote-side device system that is provided at a remote location and transmits the optical fiber 5 or the like. It is mainly composed of a receiving-side device system for reproducing the transmitted video and watching and monitoring it on display means. For more information,
Video source 1 such as a video camera as an imaging means
An A / D converter 2 for converting video information into digital data; a storage device 3 for temporarily storing the digital data on the transmission side; and a predetermined digital data according to an instruction of a control device 10 described later. And a transmission unit interface 4 for transmitting. On the other hand, on the receiving side, a communication line 5 such as an optical fiber, a receiving unit interface 6, a storage device 7 for temporarily storing the digital data on the receiving side in accordance with an instruction of a control device 11 described below, To convert to analog data in units of
An A / A conversion device 8 and a display device 9 for displaying, reproducing, and outputting this data as an image are provided.

The above-mentioned transmission-side control device 10 controls the storage device 3 and the transmission unit interface 4 to store video source data in blocks for a specified time and store the data in a specified time period. The transmission is performed according to the speed. On the other hand, the control device 11 on the reception side controls the reception unit interface 6 and the storage device 7 on the reception side, reconstructs the data transferred for each block, and outputs the data to the display device 9. The block size and transmission timing can be set to predetermined values, or can be adjusted externally as needed.
That is, the control device 10 and the control device 11 are each dynamically controlled in accordance with a predetermined control program, and have a function of selectively changing control conditions as desired.

FIG. 2 schematically shows the flow of data transmitted and received. In this embodiment, when video data to be monitored is transferred using a communication line such as the optical fiber 5 capable of high-speed transmission, the data is instantaneously transferred and sent to the receiving side without any delay. When not transferring, the communication line is normally idle.

On the transmitting side, the video data is divided into blocks at predetermined time intervals, and is temporarily stored in the storage device 3 and sequentially transmitted from the transmitting unit interface 4 in block units. On the other hand, the blocked data received via the interface 6 on the receiving side is temporarily stored in the storage device 7 once, reproduced, and displayed and output.

(Function and Effect 1) As in the first embodiment,
When the transfer capacity of the communication line between the transmitting and receiving devices is large, instantaneous transfer for each block can be performed, and the communication line is not occupied. Further, when a line failure occurs, since the past data is stored in the storage device 7 on the receiving side, the video for the time corresponding to the storage capacity of the storage device 7 is continued even after the line failure. Can be analyzed.

(Modification 1) In this remote monitoring device, the transmitting storage device 3, the transmitting unit interface 4, and the control device 10 may be collectively formed as one "storage transmitting device". Similarly, the storage device 7, the receiving unit interface 6, and the control device 11 on the receiving side may be collectively formed as one "storage receiving device", and the effect is substantially the same as the effect described above.

[0007] Further, a reception interface 6 may be added to the above-mentioned storage and transmission device to form a "storage and transfer device".
Further, the storage transmitting device and the storage receiving device can have the same structure only by a partial change of the control program stored in the control devices 10 and 11. Further, the present invention may be modified so as to function as a storage transmitting device or a storage receiving device that operates based on each control program, and substantially the same effect can be obtained.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 3 illustrates a remote monitoring apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this case,
In order to be applicable to a case where a communication line 12 used for transmission uses an existing low-speed line or the like, data blocks can be appropriately "thinned out" and transmitted.
The configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment as shown in the drawing, except that the transmission specifications at the interfaces 4 and 6 of the transmission / reception unit are set to low speed and the size of the block is changed.

FIG. 4 schematically shows the data flow in this case. In this embodiment, data is transferred to a low-speed communication line 1.
In particular, when the transfer is performed by using No. 2, only an amount of data corresponding to the transfer capacity of the communication line 12 is transferred, and data that cannot be transferred is discarded.

(Effect 2) The remote monitoring device of the present embodiment can be operated for a long time, and it takes almost no time to block or store data. Therefore, each block is substantially real-time (real-time). Can be played. In addition, since this configuration is a method in which data to be sent is temporarily stored in the storage device 3 and then transferred, especially when a line having a low capacity or a low image transfer speed is congested, the data is stored after waiting for the communication line to become free. Data can be transferred. Therefore, since a certain amount of video data is stored and transferred for each block, it is possible to prevent complete loss of video data due to a line failure. Also, since the moving image data can be reproduced within the time corresponding to the data capacity of the block, it is possible to analyze the state of the monitoring target. It should be noted that since the data to be discarded after the thinning is performed only slightly and intermittently, the continuity of the video is maintained to the extent that the observer does not feel uncomfortable.

Third Embodiment The configuration shown in FIG. 5 is a remote monitoring apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the above-described configuration resides in that a communication line selecting device 13 is provided between a plurality of transmitting unit interfaces 4 and 4 ′ on the transmitting side and the storage device 3. Further, on the receiving side, a communication line selecting device 14 is provided between the receiving unit interfaces 6, 6 'and the storage device 7. In the case of this configuration, the control device 10 on the transmission side controls the communication line selection device 13 in addition to the control of the storage device 3 and the transmission unit interfaces 4 and 4 '. On the other hand, the control device 11 on the receiving side includes the receiving unit interfaces 6, 6 ′,
In addition to the control of the storage device 7, the communication line selecting device 1 on the receiving side
4 is also controlled. The transmission interface 4 and the reception interface 6 are connected via a high-speed optical fiber 5 line. On the other hand, the transmission unit interface 4 'and the reception unit interface 6' are connected to the low-speed communication line 1.
2 are connected.

(Effect 3) The transmission-side communication line selection device 13 and the reception-side communication line selection device 14 which are connected via a plurality of communication lines and which can appropriately select one of these lines are provided. By adding more,
For example, even if one communication line breaks down, video data can be transferred using another communication line. Also,
For example, when both communication lines fail, the transfer to the restored line can be switched by mechanically operating the switching means or by partially changing the control program. In addition, it is possible to appropriately select a free time of a communication line or a free line and transfer the data through an effective route, thereby preventing an increase in the number of lines. In this embodiment, the effect obtained by accumulating data is obtained as in the first and second embodiments.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 6 illustrates a remote monitoring apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, assuming that there are a plurality of monitoring targets, respective video data from a plurality of video sources 1, 1 ', 1 "such as television cameras installed at many points are respectively converted into A / D converters 2. , 2 ',
After temporarily storing the data in the storage device 3 alternately and sequentially via 2 ",
The communication line 12 is sequentially transferred to the receiving side.

FIG. 7 shows a data flow in this case. In this example, the video data from each of the television cameras installed at the three points is converted into an A / D converter 2, 2 ′,
After the digital conversion by 2 ", the data is divided into blocks, which are alternately stored in the storage device 3 in a predetermined order, and transmitted from the transmission unit interface 4 in this order.
The control device 11 controls the reception unit interface 6 and the storage device 7 to reconstruct each data transferred for each block for each of the video sources 1, 1 ', 1 "and to control the D / A converter 8 The output is displayed on the display device 9 via the display unit 9.

(Effect 4) In the remote monitoring device of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of dedicated display devices are prepared on the receiving side, and images at multiple points are individually displayed on each display device. It is also possible to monitor. If data remains in the transmission process, it is necessary to discard it as described above. However, if the remaining data stored on the receiving side is reproduced and analyzed,
Analysis of the situation at multiple points is also possible while maintaining the continuity of the video to the extent that each observer does not feel uncomfortable.

(Other Modified Embodiments) As shown in FIG.
The fourth embodiment may be modified to a configuration in which monitoring can be performed by a plurality of display devices corresponding to the number of video sources. That is, the video data for each video source stored in the storage device 7 on the receiving side in the form of blocks is stored in the respective D / A
Converters 8, 8 ′, 8 ″ and dedicated display devices 9,
9 ', 9 ". The present invention has been described based on a plurality of embodiments and modifications thereof, but various other modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Implementation is possible.

[0017]

According to the present invention, when the transfer capacity of the communication line between the transmission side device and the reception side constituting the remote monitoring device is large, the block can be transferred instantaneously and does not occupy the communication line. In the event of a communication line failure, past data is stored in each storage device on the transmitting and receiving sides.
It is possible to reproduce and analyze a video for a time corresponding to the storage capacity. In addition, even when a low-speed line is used as a bypass communication line, video blocks can be thinned out and transmitted, and a long time and real-time (
Play in real time). The video information can be used even for a communication line with an unstable connection if the transfer in block units is completed. In addition, by selecting the idle time of the communication line or the idle line as appropriate, and transferring the data, it is possible to realize an economical configuration in which the communication line can be used effectively. Further, it is also possible to prevent an increase in the number of lines by alternately storing and transferring data at multiple points. From the above,
It is possible to provide an economical remote monitoring device that is resistant to breakdowns and obstacles such as disasters.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a remote monitoring device as a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a data flow of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a remote monitoring device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a data flow of the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a remote monitoring device as a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a remote monitoring device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a data flow of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a remote monitoring device as a modification of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a data flow of a modification of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a conventional remote monitoring device.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a data flow of a conventional remote monitoring device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Video source (TV camera etc.) 2 ... A / D converter (converter) 3 ... Transmission side storage device 4 ... Transmitter interface 5 ... Optical fiber (high-speed communication line) 6 ... Reception Unit interface, 7: storage device on the receiving side, 8: D / A converter (converter), 9: display device, 10: control device on the transmitting side, 11: control device on the receiving side, 12: communication line (low speed) 13) a communication line selection device on the transmission side; 14) a communication line selection device on the reception side.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Tetsuro Mikazuki 3-19-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation

Claims (6)

[Claims] An apparatus for connecting a transmitting apparatus including one or more image capturing means and a receiving apparatus including one or more display means via a predetermined communication line to remotely view transmitted images. In the remote monitoring device, a device for digitizing an image obtained by the imaging means, a first storage means for storing digitized data, and a receiving device sequentially storing the stored data in accordance with a desired storage amount Transmitting means for transmitting the received signal, receiving means for receiving the transmitted signal, second storing means for storing the received signal, display means for reproducing and displaying the data stored in the second storing means, A remote monitoring device comprising: 2. The data transmission apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a function of transmitting and receiving the data stored in said first storage unit after a communication line becomes unused. Remote monitoring device. 3. The transmission of data stored in the first storage means has a function of selecting one transmission line from a plurality of communication lines in accordance with a predetermined rule and transmitting and receiving the selected communication line. 2. The remote monitoring device according to 1. 4. A function of discarding data stored in said first storage means in accordance with a predetermined rule when the transmission speed of said communication line is too slow to reproduce in real time and when there is no free space in said communication line. The remote monitoring device according to claim 1, comprising: 5. The remote monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the remote monitoring device has a function of alternately storing data of the plurality of imaging units in the first storage unit in a predetermined order. 6. The remote monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the remote monitoring device has a function of alternately storing and transferring data of the plurality of imaging units and distributing the data to a plurality of display devices.