FR2884678A1 - Risky site and urban videosurveillance system, has control station comprising program to visualize plots of delinquency or risks or events passed on display unit, and to store utilization thresholds and analyze video monitoring activity - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a monitoring and control station comprising a program permitting a co-ordinator of urban video-monitoring center, to visualize plots of delinquency or risks or events passed on a cartographic display unit (4). The program defines and stores utilization thresholds for operators and analyzes a video monitoring activity that is performed by the operators and stored in a database (9) with spatial, temporary and monitored area related event data. The program utilizes the results of the activity to refine the entry of the thresholds, and controls the application and the result.

Description

result;

  b) analyze the video surveillance activity that has been carried out by the operators; c) use the results of this activity to refine operating instructions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention aims at producing a system of the kind in question designed to implement a novel and original solution able to meet these various criteria.

  It concerns for this purpose, a system which is essentially characterized in that the command and monitoring station includes a program adapted to allow the manager of the urban video surveillance center or the site at risk, from the input means associated with the memory of operating instructions: a) to display different maps of delinquency or risks or past events on the map display unit; b) define and memorize operating instructions for operators; c) analyzing the video surveillance activity that has been carried out by the operators and that is stored in the spatial, temporal and event data usage database of the cameras; d) use the results of this activity to refine the input of the operating instructions and to control their application and results.

  The program: a) uses and informs the spatial, temporal and event database by associating with it the following additional information: - spatiotemporal information of the areas that have been visualized and monitored by each operator, by post and by time slot ; - information on suspected events perceived and taken into account by the operator during his surveillance and those he has actually noticed; - general spatial and temporal information of the events observed by all the operators in each time slot; b) is associated with the database images that are permanently stored by the system on the digital image recording unit.

  The control and monitoring station uses a calculation unit and cartographic assistance adapted to allow the operator, from a means of controlling the cameras: - to display the table of instructions and choose a camera or its viewing area according to the bar graph of the monitoring instructions and the time actually spent on the camera or its viewing area by a second bar graph; - choose a camera or viewing area if it is mobile by camera selection or graphic selection; - To request a camera or its viewing area to the program that automatically makes a proposal based on the table of instructions and visualizations already performed by the operator.

  Said program: a) displays, as soon as a camera or its viewing area is selected and regardless of the selection mode: - the plane where the camera is located and the zones to be monitored in priority are represented with a color more or less marked according to the visualization instruction; if the camera is mobile in rotation, the pointer representing the visualized zone or the viewing cone allow the operator to know where he is looking and allow him to point the camera at such or such zone according to the zone instructions; b) allows the operator, during his work of monitoring and analyzing a video image to index, if he thinks he has detected a potential event and by means of a pre-set list of context menus, the base of event data, but also the database of the recorded images in order to be able to subsequently search images on the event criterion; c) updates, as and when its video surveillance work, the bargraphe actual instruction / use of each camera in each area displayed so that the operator can adapt the choice of monitored areas between received instructions and monitoring performed; d) archive, at the end of the post, the history of the use of cameras by zone and by viewing time to allow the head of post to later control the type of video surveillance work that was actually performed by the operator. PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows of at least one preferred embodiment thereof given by way of non-limiting example and shown in the drawings. attached. In these drawings: FIG. 1 schematically represents the various subsystems of the system according to the invention; FIG. 2 schematically represents a surveillance zone subdivided into event observation zones for a given camera; - Figure 3 shows schematically a possible table of instructions for use of cameras and video surveillance.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

  The system of urban video surveillance and risk sites represented, comprises: a) a plurality of cameras (1) monitoring fixed or variable spaces depending on whether the cameras are fixed or mobile in rotation, arranged at well-defined points of space to be monitored and intended to visualize, each, a well defined zone (Z) subdivided into event zones (Z1-Z5) of delinquency or risk; b) a video switching unit (2) of the cameras (1) and at least one video display unit (3) of the observed images; (c) an operating station comprising: - a unit (4) for the cartographic display of the zones of risk or delinquency, the 15 operating instructions, the events observed and the plan of the zone being monitored by the operator; - a unit (5) of cartographic calculation of the viewing areas made by the cameras, risks or delinquency, instructions, observed events and automated assistance to the selection and control of the cameras; a memory (6) containing the data relating to the instructions for use and means (7) for inputting said instructions; a unit (8) for calculating the optical viewing axis (P) of each camera when it is controlled by reading the angular positions (A) of the camera axes with respect to a reference axis ( N) of the plane and with respect to the height of implantation of the camera with respect to the ground; a database (9) containing the spatial, temporal and event data relating to the areas monitored by the operator and means (10) for capturing these events; means for inputting (13) statistical data of delinquency or risks stored in a database (11); - a digital recording unit (14) of the images.

  The command and monitoring station includes a program adapted to enable the manager of the urban video surveillance center or the site at risk, from the input means (7) associated with the memory of the operating instructions (6): a) viewing different delinquency or risk maps or past events on the map display unit (4); b) to define and memorize operating instructions for the operators c) to analyze the video surveillance activity that has been carried out by the operators and that is stored in the spatial, temporal and event data base (9) d use of cameras; d) use the results of this activity to refine the input of the operating instructions and to control their application and results.

  Said program: a) uses and informs the spatial, temporal and event data base (9) by associating with it the following additional information: - spatiotemporal information of the areas that have been visualized and monitored by each operator, by post and by time slice; - information on suspected events perceived and taken into account by the operator during his surveillance and those he has actually noticed; - general spatial and temporal information of the events observed by all the operators in each time slot; b) is associated with the database images that are permanently stored by the system on the digital recording unit (14).

  The task of the operations manager is therefore to give specific monitoring instructions for each job, so that the work of the operators is as effective as possible with regard to: - the level of risk passed or evaluated for each per zone under video surveillance - of political will for security or public tranquility.

  In order to be able to establish these instructions, he can request for each camera and each zone visualized by the camera a cartography, of the recurrence of the events recorded in the past, in a global way for each zone or by type of event in each zone.

  Depending on the number of past events, the coloring is different. The manager validates his mapping or the module more or less, according to for example security policy instructions, new events that have been given to him, probable or possible changes depending on the date when the instructions are requested.

  If this data is available, the setpoint work can also be coupled with a map from other security services (Police for example) by means of the station a) displays, from the selection of a camera or its viewing area and whatever the mode of selection: - the plane where the camera is located and the areas to be monitored in priority are represented with a more or less marked color according to the viewing instruction; - If the camera is rotatable, the pointer representing the viewing area or the viewing cone allow the operator to know where he looks and allow him to point the camera on a particular area according to the instructions by area; b) allows the operator, during his work of monitoring and analyzing a video image, to index, if he thinks he has detected a potential event and by means of a pre-set list of contextual menus, the database of events, but also the database of recorded images in order to be able to subsequently search images on the event criterion; c) updates, as and when its video surveillance work, the bargraphe actual instruction / use of each camera in each area displayed so that the operator can adapt the choice of monitored areas between received instructions and monitoring performed; d) archive, at the end of the post, the history of the use of cameras by zone and by viewing time to allow the head of post to later control the type of video surveillance work that was actually performed by the operator. input (13).

  Once these data are validated camera by camera, a list of cameras and video zones monitored, to be monitored in priority, is proposed to the operator.

  These instructions are materialized by a more or less important bargraph according to the number of zones to be controlled and the level of risk assigned to each zone under video surveillance.

  The bargraph evolves as the area is video monitored by the operator The area can be changed by the manager after selection by the map areas by type of risk When the operator takes his position, he can ask the display camera operating instructions, and see the viewing instructions by zone and event type.

  The control and monitoring station uses a calculation and cartographic assistance unit (5) adapted to allow the operator, from a means (12) for controlling the cameras (1): -display the table of instructions and choose a camera or its viewing area according to the bar graph of the monitoring instructions and the time actually already spent on the camera or its viewing area with a second bargraph; - choose a camera or viewing area if it is mobile by camera selection or graphic selection; - To request a camera or its viewing area to the program that automatically makes a proposal based on the table of instructions and visualizations already performed by the operator.

  Said program: a) displays, as soon as a camera or its viewing area is selected and regardless of the selection mode: - the plane where the camera is located and the zones to be monitored in priority are represented with a color more or less marked according to the visualization instruction; - If the camera is rotatable, the pointer representing the viewing area or the viewing cone allow the operator to know where he looks and allow him to point the camera on a particular area according to the instructions by area; b) allows the operator, during his work of monitoring and analyzing a video image, to index, if he thinks he has detected a potential event and by means of a pre-set list of contextual menus, the database of events, but also the database of recorded images in order to be able to subsequently search images on the event criterion; c) updates, as and when its video surveillance work, the bargraphe actual instruction / use of each camera in each area displayed so that the operator can adapt the choice of monitored areas between received instructions and monitoring performed; d) archive, at the end of the post, the history of the use of cameras by zone and by viewing time to allow the head of post to later control the type of video surveillance work that was actually performed by the operator. The control and monitoring station also includes a program adapted to enable the computing and assistance unit (5), thanks to the instructions database to automatically constitute: - automated scenarios for controlling the cameras so that they visualize the areas of operating instructions; - Automated scenarios for priority viewing on the image wall by performing shooting cycles visualizing the middle of each area to be monitored; - Automated image analysis scenarios in order to attract the attention of the operator if necessary on including a detection of activity on a sensitive area.

  The image database management system is closely related to the database of observed operating events by geographic area. As soon as an event is entered or taken into account by an operator, it generates a file of specific events, by zone monitored and by type of event found on the zone.

  This makes it possible to constitute a database of images stored on space-event criteria, usable by all operators. Thanks to this database, all operators can quickly visualize scenes concerning individuals, vehicles, suspicious situations. This will allow them to have their attention attracted during the monitoring work, thanks to the work done beforehand by the other operators. This increases the efficiency of their work, benefiting from visual information that has been visualized and taken into account by another operator previously.

  The spatial indexing carried out by the program allows a transmission between the operators of very targeted visual information, since there is a presentation of the images by geographical area.

  This image database contains situations where relevant facts are automatically accessible very quickly during the archival period allowed by law.

  The program makes it possible to automatically filter and select the most relevant images in the middle of tens of thousands of images concerning non-events, without any interest in public security.

  The command and monitoring station also includes a program adapted to allow the person in charge of the urban video surveillance center or the sensitive site, in the hours or days that follow a permanence, to control the work of an operator: - to visualize at a glance, the time spent on each camera and each area displayed in relation to the instructions given to the operator; to indicate the time spent by the operator to visualize each zone under video surveillance, the time spent being represented by more or less marked zone coloration; to search the video sequences for which the operator indicated an interest at the moment when he was viewing the sequence in real time and by type of event; - to publish general statistics.

  It will be able to better manage its workforce for the sake of efficiency, in order to increase the visualization of wrongdoing in the areas where they occur.

  The control and monitoring station also includes a program adapted to allow the operator or manager to retrospectively retrieve video sequences stored in the digital recording unit (14) and containing an event considered suspect which has been visualized and also allow the possibility to search by specific geographical area in addition to interesting video sequences that would not have been viewed in real time by the operator.

  Search by geographical area saves a lot of time, by presenting the operator with images only when the camera looked at the previously selected area on the site map.

  Said program is also adapted to allow the manager to draw in the image a frame in which he looks for an event by an automatic analysis to constitute a visualization file containing only images representing the geographical area in which there has been an activity in the selected frame.

  The table of FIG. 3 comprises columns representing for example: for the first, the number of the camera; - for the second, the name of the camera (station, city hall, etc.); - for the third, the bargraph of the instructions for use (CO) and the actual use (UR); for the fourth, the type of event to be searched for; - for the fifth, the area to be observed.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown for which we can provide other variants, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (8)

-10- CLAIMS   A system for urban video surveillance and risk sites comprising: a) a plurality of cameras (1) monitoring fixed or variable spaces according to whether the cameras are fixed or rotatable, arranged at well-defined points of the space to monitor and intended to visualize, each, a specific area (Z) subdivided into event zones (Z1-Z5) delinquency or risk; b) a video switching unit (2) of the cameras (1) and at least one video display unit (3) of the observed images; c) an operating station comprising: - a unit (4) for mapping the areas of risk or delinquency, operating instructions, observed events and the plan of the area being monitored by the operator ; - a unit (5) of cartographic calculation of the viewing areas made by the cameras, risks or delinquency, instructions, observed events and automated assistance to the selection and control of the cameras; a memory (6) containing the data relating to the instructions for use and means (7) for inputting said instructions; a unit (8) for calculating the optical viewing axis (P) of each camera when it is controlled by reading the angular positions (A) of the camera axes with respect to a reference axis ( N) of the plane and with respect to the height of implantation of the camera with respect to the ground; a database (9) containing the spatial, temporal and event data relating to the areas monitored by the operator and means (10) for capturing these events; - means for entering (13) statistical crime data or risks stored in a database (11); - a digital recording unit (14) of the images; characterized in that the control and monitoring station includes a program adapted to enable the manager of the urban video surveillance center or the site at risk, from the input means (7) associated with the memory of the operating instructions (6). ): a) visualize different delinquency or risk maps or past events on the map display unit (4); b) define and memorize operating instructions for operators; - 11 - c) analyze the video surveillance activity that has been carried out by the operators and that is stored in the spatial, temporal and event data base (9) of use of the cameras; d) use the results of this activity to refine the input of the operating instructions and to control their application and results.   2- System, according to claim 1, characterized in that said program: a) uses and informs the spatial, temporal and event database (9) by associating with it the following additional information: - spatiotemporal information of the zones which have been visualized and monitored by each operator, by post and by time slot; - information on suspected events perceived and taken into account by the operator during his surveillance and those he has actually noticed; - general spatial and temporal information of the events observed by all the operators in each time slot; b) is associated with the database images that are permanently stored by the system on the digital recording unit (14).   3- System, according to claim 1, characterized in that the control and monitoring station uses a calculation and map assistance unit (5) adapted to allow the operator, from a means (12) to control the cameras (1): - to display the table of instructions and to choose a camera or its viewing area according to the bar graph of the monitoring instructions and the time actually already spent on the camera or its viewing area thanks to a second bargraph; - choose a camera or viewing area if it is mobile by camera selection or graphic selection; - To request a camera or its viewing area to the program that automatically makes a proposal based on the table of instructions and visualizations already performed by the operator.   4- System according to claim 3, characterized in that said program: a) displays, from the selection of a camera or its viewing area and regardless of the mode of selection: - the plane where the camera is located and the zones to be monitored in priority are represented with a more or less marked color according to the visualization instruction; if the camera is mobile in rotation, the pointer representing the zone displayed or the viewing cone allow the operator to know where he is looking and allow him to point the camera at such or such zone according to the instructions by zone ; b) allows the operator, during his work of monitoring and analyzing a video image, to index, if he thinks he has detected a potential event and by means of a pre-set list of contextual menus, the database of events, but also the database of recorded images in order to be able to subsequently search images on the event criterion; c) updates, as and when its video surveillance work, the bargraphe actual instruction / use of each camera in each area displayed so that the operator can adapt the choice of monitored areas between received instructions and monitoring performed; d) archive, at the end of the post, the history of the use of cameras by zone and by viewing time to allow the head of post to later control the type of video surveillance work that was actually performed by the operator.   5. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the control and monitoring station includes a program adapted to allow the computing and assistance unit (5), through the database of instructions, to Automatically create: - Automated piloting scenarios for cameras to visualize areas of operating instructions; - Automated scenarios for priority viewing on the image wall by performing shooting cycles visualizing the middle of each area to be monitored; - Automated image analysis scenarios in order to attract the attention of the operator if necessary on including a detection of activity on a sensitive area.   6. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the control and monitoring station includes a program adapted to allow the head of the urban video surveillance center or the sensitive site, in the hours or days following a permanence, to check the work of an operator: - to visualize, at a glance, the time spent on each camera and each zone displayed in relation to the instructions he had given to the operator; to indicate the time spent by the operator to visualize each zone under video surveillance, the time spent being represented by more or less marked zone coloration; - 13 - - to look for the video sequences for which the operator indicated an interest at the moment when he visualized the sequence in real time and by type of event; - to publish general statistics.   7- System according to claim 2, characterized in that the control and monitoring station comprises a program adapted to allow the operator or the responsible to search, a posteriori, video sequences stored in the recording unit digital (14) and containing an event considered suspect that has been viewed and also allow the possibility of performing this search by specific geographical area in addition to interesting video sequences that would not have been viewed in real time by the operator.   8- System according to claim 7, characterized in that said program is adapted to allow the manager to draw in the image a frame in which he searches for an event by an automatic analysis to form a visualization file containing only images representing the geographical area in which there was an activity in the selected frame.