GB2617005A

GB2617005A - Monitoring system and monitoring method

Info

Publication number: GB2617005A
Application number: GB2309431.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Naoi Hironori; Sassa Atsushi; Matsukawa Tomoki
Original assignee: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc
Current assignee: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc
Priority date: 2020-12-22
Filing date: 2021-12-17
Publication date: 2023-09-27
Also published as: GB202309431D0; JPWO2022138479A1; JP7518208B2; WO2022138479A1

Abstract

Provided is a monitoring system that allows an operator to quickly notice the occurrence of danger, while suppressing an increase in operational burden on the operator of a running train. The monitoring system is provided with a camera 21 mounted to each car of a train, a display device 23 for displaying camera footage, and an analysis device 26 for performing a danger sensing process for sensing danger that has occurred near a car. The display device 23 does not display the camera footage during entry and/or departure of the train with respect to a station platform. However, if danger is sensed by the danger sensing process, the display device 23 displays camera footage of the car in which the danger has been sensed, even during entry and/or departure.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE OF THE INVENTION: Monitoring System and Monitoring Method

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a monitoring system where cameras that are attached to each car of a train are used.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In the operations of railway vehicles, one-person operation by a single driver is adopted for a railway line of a train formed on a small number of cars and with few passengers. Due to the trend where the number of trainmen decreases because of a tendency of the demographic changes in which the number of laborers decreases, each railway company has adopted a policy of increasing the number of railway lines or increasing the number of cars that form a train where a one-person operation is applied. However, an increase in the number of cars that form a train makes the burden of the safety confirmation operation by the single driver heavier, which causes such a concern that it becomes easier for an accident to occur due to oversight.

[0003] In order to support a one-person operation, such a system has been conventionally used where the situation of the passengers who are getting on or off the train is confirmed by using cameras and monitors or mirrors that have been installed along the platform of each station. Alternatively, a car camera system where cameras and monitors are installed on the train side is provided, which has been widely used in recent years because the maintenance of the station's equipment is unnecessary. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a monitoring system where the appearance of the door of which an abnormality has been detected during the closing operation can be confirmed through the images shown on the monitor within a car.

CITATION LIST

PATENT LITERATURE

[0004] Patent Literature 1: 3P2019-92136A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0005] FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of the monitoring system according to the prior art. In FIG. 1, the cars 10-1 to 10-4 of a train respectively have a camera 11(A) that is directed in the travelling direction of the train and a camera 11(B) that is directed in the opposite direction from the travelling direction on both sides of the car, and have a relay device 12 for constructing a network within the train. In addition, two display devices 13(A) and 13(B) for displaying camera images of each car, and a control device 14 for controlling the turning-on/off operation of the display devices 13 based on the car information 15 that is obtained from the car side or an upper system, are equipped on the operation stand in the cars 10-1 and 10-4 that are on both ends of the train. As for the car information 15, a door-opening signal or a velocity detection signal can be cited. The door-opening signal is a signal that indicates that doors have been opened and includes the information on the side where the doors have been opened (In the present description, the left side relative to the travelling direction of the train is expressed as the "mountain-side", and the right side is expressed as the "sea-side"). The velocity detection signal is a signal that indicates that the velocity of the train has reached a predetermined value (5 kph, for example) or greater.

[0006] While the train is running, the display of the camera images on the display devices 13 is stopped. After the train has stopped at a station, the operation of opening the doors is performed in order to turn on the door opening signal, and this is when the display of camera images on the side where the doors have been opened is started. The driver performs the door-closing operation after the confirmation of the getting on/off of the passengers on the display devices 13 and makes the train start running if there are no particular problems. After that, the display of camera images on the display devices 13 is stopped when the velocity detection signal is turned on. That is to say, the display devices 13 basically display nothing while the train is running because camera images interfere with the operation of the train.

[0007] When the train stops along a station platform and the doors are opened or closed, the camera images from the camera 11(B) that is directed in the opposite direction from the travelling direction of the train from among the two cameras 11(A) and 11(B) on the side where the doors have been opened are displayed on the display devices 13. There are only two display devices 13(A) and 13(6) on the operation stand, and therefore, the display regions thereof are divided so that the camera images from all the cars 10-1 to 10-4 are collectively displayed. The train in FIG. 1 formed of four cars, and therefore, the screen of one display device may be divided into two. In the case where the train is formed of six cars, the screen of one display device may be divided into three. At present, the one-person operation is permitted for trains that are formed of five cars at the most, and therefore, the screen is divided into three at the most. Here, only the camera images from the cameras that are directed in the opposite direction from the travelling direction of the train are displayed because there is a limit in the resolution and the size of the display devices 13. In the case where the number of cars that form a train where the one-person operation increases, it is necessary to divide the display regions into a greater number, which makes the size of the display of each camera image smaller, and thus causes a concern where oversight may increase.

[0008] In the conventional systems, camera images are displayed on the display devices 13 only during the period starting from when the door-opening signal has been turned on and until the velocity detection signal is turned on. However, there is a possibility of an accident during the period other than the above occurring, for example, an accident where a passenger contacts a car when the train is coming along the platform before the doors have been opened, or an accident where a passenger who was caught between the closing doors is dragged, and therefore, it is desirable for the safety to be confirmed even when the train is running. In actuality, when two persons are involved in the operation, a trainman confirms the safety along a platform when the train is entering or departing along the platform. However, the driver who solely operates the train needs to perform a plurality of tasks such as the confirmation of safety of the railroad in the front and the status of the platform while the train is running, power running the train, and the braking operation, and therefore, there is a heavy burden when they must confirm the safety by watching a plurality of camera images while the train is running. [0009] The present invention is made in view of the above-described conventional situation, and an object thereof is to provide a monitoring system where an increase in the burden of the tasks of the driver while the train is running can be prevented, and in the case where a danger occurs, it is possible for the driver to quickly notice the danger. SOLUTION TO PROBLEM [0010] In order to achieve the above-described object, the monitoring system according to the present invention is formed as follows.

That is to say, the monitoring system according to the present invention is provided with: a camera attached to each car of a train; a display device that displays an image capturing by the camera; and an analyzing device that performs a danger detection process in order to detect a danger that has occurred in the vicinity of the car, and wherein the display device does not display an image from the camera when the train is entering and/or departing along a platform of a station, but instead displays an image from the camera of the car where a danger has been detected through the danger detection process in the case where the danger is detected even when the train is entering and/or departing.

[0011] Here, the analyzing device may perform the danger detection process on the basis of an image capturing by the camera on the car that is located in a section of the platform when the train is entering and/or departing along the platform.

[0012] In addition, each car of the train may have a first camera that is directed in the travelling direction of the train and a second camera that is directed in the opposite direction from the travelling direction of the train, and the analyzing device may perform the danger detection process on the basis of an image from the first camera when the train is entering along the platform and may perform the danger detection process on the basis of an image from the second camera when the train is departing along the platform.

[0013] Furthermore, in the case where a danger has been detected through the danger detection process when the train is entering and/or departing along the platform, the display device may display respective images from the first camera and the second camera of the car where the danger has been detected.

[0014] Moreover, the camera may transmit an image that has been taken by the camera to the display device and the analyzing device, the analyzing device may perform the danger detection process on the basis of the image that has been received from the camera, and the display device may control the display of the image that has been received from the camera on the basis of the results of the danger detection process by the analyzing device.

[0015] In addition, the analyzing device may be equipped in each car of the train, and the analyzing device may perform the danger detection process on the basis of an image capturing by the camera that is equipped in the same car as itself.

[0016] Furthermore, the camera may be attached to both sides, left and right, of each car, and the analyzing device may perform the danger detection process on the basis of an image from the camera on the side where doors are open along the platform. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION [0017] The present invention can provide a monitoring system where it is possible for the driver to quickly notice a danger in the case where the danger has occurred, while suppressing an increase of the burden of the task of the driver while the train is running. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the monitoring system according to the prior art; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example where an emphasis is placed on the display of a camera image from which a danger has been detected; FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an example where an emphasis is placed on the display of a camera image from which a danger has been detected; FIG. 4 is a diagram for illustrating the operation when a train is entering along a platform; FIG. 5 is a diagram for illustrating the operation when a train is entering along a platform; FIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating the operation when a train stops at a station; FIG. 7A is a diagram showing an example of a split display for a plurality of camera images; FIG. 7B is a diagram showing an example of a split display for a plurality of camera images; FIG. 8 is a diagram for illustrating the operation when a train is departing along a platform; FIG. 9 is a diagram for illustrating the operation when a train is departing along a platform; and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a process sequence from the entrance to the departure of a train along a platform.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention is described in reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the respective cars 20-1 to 20-4 of a train have a camera 21(A) that is directed in the travelling direction of the train and a camera 21(B) that is directed in the opposite direction from the travelling direction on both sides of the car body, and is provided with a relay device 22 for constructing a network within the train. In addition, two display devices 23(A) and 23(B) for displaying camera images from each car and a control device 24 for controlling the turning on/off and other operations of the display device 23 on the basis of the car information 25 that is obtained from the car side or an upper system are equipped on the operation stand located in the cars 20-1 and 20-4 at the two ends of the train. As for the car information 25, a door opening signal, a velocity detection signal, and the like can be cited in the same manner as in the prior art. Though the present example shows a train formed of four cars, the number of cars that form the train is arbitrary. In addition, only the display device 23 in the front car 20-1 is operated in the present example; however, the display device 23 in the rear car 20-4 may additionally be operated.

[0020] Furthermore, in the monitoring system of the present example, the cars 20-1 to 20-4 are respectively equipped with an analyzing device 26 for analyzing camera images of the car in which the analyzing device is equipped. The analyzing devices 26 analyze camera images from the car in which the analyzing device is equipped so as to perform a danger detection process in the case where the car in which the analyzing device is equipped is located in a section of a platform, and transmits a danger detection signal to the display device 23 in the case where a danger has been detected. In the danger detection process, a deep learning technology, for example, is used to determine the coordinates within an image where an object such as a person or a foreign subject exists, and also determine whether or not the object is dangerous on the basis of the positional relationship between the location of the object and the side of the car. The side of the car within the image may have been set as beforehand information or may be recognized through deep learning.

[0021] The display devices 23 usually split display camera images from the respective cars 20-1 to 20-4 when the train is stopped at a station, and therefore, the driver can confirm the safety of the passengers on the images. Meanwhile, the displaying of camera images is basically stopped while the train is running (which includes the time when the train is entering or departing along a platform of a station) so that the operation of the train is not interfered with. In the case where a display device 23 has received a danger detection signal from an analyzing device 26, however, camera images are exceptionally displayed in order to notify the driver of the occurrence of a danger. At this time, a camera image where a danger has been detected may be highlighted by a surrounding red frame 31 as shown in FIG. 3A, or a range within a camera image where a danger has been detected may be highlighted by a surrounding red frame 32 as shown in FIG. 3B, and thus, it is preferable for the driver to be easily notified of the occurrence of the danger.

[0022] When an image that has been re-encoded in the analyzing device 26 is handled at the time of the display of a camera image, the delay from the taking of the image to the display of the image becomes longer. This is not preferable for the detection of a danger which needs to be notified in real-time. Therefore, each camera 21 directly transfers the image to be displayed to the display device 23. At the same time, the camera 21 transfers the image to be analyzed to the analyzing device 26 that is equipped in the same car. The analyzing device 26 performs a danger detection process on the basis of the image to be analyzed and transmits to the display device 23 a danger detection signal that includes the minimum necessary information such as identification

S

information of the camera image where a danger has been detected and the coordinate information within the image. The display device 23 controls the display of the camera image on the basis of the danger detection signal from the analyzing device 26. As a result, it becomes possible to quickly detect the occurrence of a danger and to allow the driver to confirm the image that shows the danger in real-time.

[0023] In the following, the operation of the present system is described in more detail by dividing the operation into the respective scenes at the time when the train is entering along a platform, at the time while the train is stopped at a station, and at the time when the train is departing along a platform.

[0024] [At the Time When the Train Is Entering Along a Platform] When the train enters along a platform of a station, camera images are not displayed in order to not interfere with the braking operation by the driver as a general rule. That is to say, the display of camera images on the display devices 23 is stopped in the stage prior to the entrance along a platform. The danger detection process in the analyzing device 26 of each car is also stopped. Thus, the analyzing device 26 of each car starts the danger detection process sequentially on the basis of the camera images taken from the car in which the analyzing device 26 is equipped as the cars enter along a platform (see FIG. 4). This is because there is a possibility of an object outside the platform being mistakenly detected in the case where the danger detection process is started before a car enters along the platform.

[0025] The entrance along a platform may be identified in accordance with a method for detecting the platform by means of ultrasonic waves as described in "https://www.jreast.co.jp/development/tech/pdf 21/Tech-21-21-26.pdt: or a method for mathematically operating the location from the distance the car has run, for example. Alternatively, a platform detecting device for detecting a platform is provided only on the front car 20-1, and the entrance of the following cars 20-2 to 20-4 along the platform may be determined respectively from the time that has elapsed from the point in time when or the distance by which the train moved from the point where the front car has entered along the platform. Furthermore, GPS (global positioning system) or other technologies may be used to detect the entrance of each car along a platform, and thus, the technique thereof may be arbitrary.

[0026] In the example in FIG. 4, the front car 20-1 has entered along a platform, and therefore, the analyzing device 26 of the car 20-1 starts a danger detection process on the basis of camera images from the car 20-1. In the case where the processing ability of the analyzing device 26 is not sufficient, images taken by the camera 21(A) in the travelling direction of the train are subject to processing, as a standard. This is because a danger can be detected more quickly from images taken by the camera 21(A) that is directed in the travelling direction of the train than from images taken by the camera 21(B) that is directed in the opposite direction.

[0027] In addition, camera images on the side where the doors are open at a station are used as the camera images to be subject to processing, as the standard. The platform side, namely, the mountain-side or the sea-side, can be easily determined by registering the data in a database in advance, for example. Furthermore, other examples may be provided where the platform side is determined by a platform detecting device or through the analysis of camera images (the platform is determined to be on the side where a predetermined object such as a sign, a level difference due to the platform, or braille blocks can be detected, for example). The platform side, namely, mountain-side or seaside, may be determined in accordance with other techniques, and thus, the technique is arbitrary. In the example in FIG. 4, the doors on both sides along the platforms, namely on the mountain-side and on the sea-side, are opened, and therefore, the danger detection process is performed on the images taken by the cameras in the travelling direction of the train on both sides of the car bodies.

[0028] In the case where a danger is detected in such a manner that a passenger is close to a car as a result of the danger detection process, the analyzing device 26 transmits a danger detection signal to the display devices 23. The display devices 23 display camera images of the car where the danger has been detected on the basis of the danger detection signal that has been received from the analyzing device 26 (see FIG. 5). The camera images to be displayed are camera images showing the detected danger and the camera images taken in the direction that is opposite this. That is to say, images taken by the camera 21(A) that is directed in the travelling direction of the train are displayed on the display device 23(A), and at the same time, images taken by the camera 21(B) that is directed opposite this are displayed on the display device 23(B). This is because if the configuration only allows camera images showing the danger to be displayed, the driver cannot confirm any situation after the camera has passed through the location where the danger has occurred.

[0029] Here, dangerous objects such as a person or a foreign substance that have been determined to be in danger can be roughly categorized to moving objects that move as the train runs (that is to say, move by being dragged by the train) and fixed objects that do not move. In the case where a dangerous object is a fixed object, the analyzing device 26 (car) that detects the danger switches as the train runs, and therefore, camera images to be displayed on the display devices 23 are sequentially switched. Meanwhile, in the case where a dangerous object is a moving object, the danger is kept being detected by the same analyzing device 26 (car), and therefore, camera images to be displayed on the display devices 23 basically do not switch. This is the same at the time when the train is departing along a platform as described below.

[0030] [At the Time While the Train Is Stopped at a Station] When a door opening operation is performed so as to turn on the door opening signal after the train has stopped at a station, camera images from all the cars 20-1 to 20-4 start being displayed (see FIG. 6). At the time when the train is stopped at a station, images taken by the cameras 21(B) of all the cars that are on the side where the doors are opened and that are directed in the opposite direction from the travelling direction of the train are split displayed on the display devices 23. Images taken by the cameras 21(B) in the opposite direction from the travelling direction of the train are displayed because it is more difficult for dirt to adhere to the cameras 21(B) than the cameras 21(A) that are directed in the travelling direction of the train, and thus, better visibility of the images is provided.

[0031] Unlike at the time when the train is entering along a platform, the danger detection process is performed on images taken by the cameras 21(B) in the opposite direction from the travelling direction of the train while the train is stopping at a station. As a result of the danger detection process, the analyzing device 26 transmits a danger detection signal to the display devices 23 in the case where a danger has been detected. The display devices 23 place an emphasis on the displays of the camera images showing the detected danger on the basis of the danger detection signal that has been received from the analyzing device 26. At this time, in the case where the number of cars that form the train is small, camera images showing the detected danger may be displayed with a surrounding red frame while maintaining the split display (see FIG. 7A). In the case where the number of cars that form the train is large, camera images showing the detected danger may be enlarged when being displayed on the display device 23(A), whereas the other display device 23(B) may be used for a split display (see FIG. 7B).

[0032] In the case where the doors on both sides along a platform, mountain-side and sea-side, are opened, there is a possibility of display regions running short with only two display devices 23, and therefore, it is desirable to devise a technique for a split display. One such example to be used may be a technique for switching the split display side-byside in the order where the closing door operation is performed. That is to say, in the case where the doors are closed in the order starting from the mountain-side to the seaside, camera images from the platform on the mountain-side are split displayed first, and camera images of the platform on the sea-side may be split displayed after the doors are closed on the mountain-side. Another example to be used may be a technique for split displaying camera images from every other car instead of split displaying camera images from all the cars. This technique is effective for trains formed of a large number of cars. [0033] [At the Time When the Train Is Departing Along a Platform] The driver performs a door closing operation after the confirmation on the display devices 23 of the passengers getting on and off the train, and starts running the train if there are no particular problems. After that, the displaying of camera images on the display devices 23 is stopped when the velocity detection signal is turned on. Meanwhile, the danger detection process by the analyzing device 26 of each car is maintained until the car has departed along the platform. In this case, the danger detection process is performed on the images from the camera 21(B) that is directed in the opposite direction from the travelling direction of the train in the same manner as that while the train is stopped at a station (see FIG. 8). Here, whether or not the car has departed along the platform can be determined by means of a platform detection device, for example; however, another technique may be used for the determination. After that, the danger detection process by the analyzing device 26 in each car is stopped in the order of the cars that have departed along the platform following the start of the running of the train (see FIG. 9) [0034] In the case where a danger has been detected as a result of the danger detection process, the analyzing device 26 transmits a danger detection signal to the display devices 23. The display devices 23 display camera images from the car where the danger has been detected on the basis of the danger detection signal received from the analyzing device 26. The camera images to be displayed include a camera image showing the detected danger and a camera image that has been taken in the direction opposite this. That is to say, an image from a camera 21(B) directed in the opposite direction from the travelling direction of the train is displayed on the display device 23(A), and at the same time, an image from a camera 21(A) that is directed in the travelling direction of the train is displayed on the display device 23(B).

[0035] Next, a sequence of processes starting from the time when the train has entered along a platform through the time when the train has departed is described in reference to the process sequence in FIG. 10.

When the train approaches a station and starts entering along a platform, the control device 24 sequentially transmits an entrance detection signal to the analyzing device 26 in the car that has entered along the platform (step S11). Upon the reception of an entrance detection signal, the analyzing device 26 starts the danger detection process on the basis of the image from the camera 21(A) of the car, where the analyzing device 26 is equipped, that is on the side where the doors are to open and that is directed in the forward direction relative to the travelling direction of the train (step 513). As a result, in the case where a danger has been detected, a danger detection signal is transmitted from the analyzing device 26 to the display devices 23, and thus, a danger detection image is displayed on the display devices 23 (step S14). At this time, the display devices 23 display not only an image from the camera 21(A) where a danger has been detected, but also an image from the camera 21(B) taken in the opposite direction from this.

[0036] After that, when the train stops at the station and the doors are opened, the control device 24 transmits a door opening signal to the display devices 23 and the analyzing device 26 in each car (step 521). Upon the reception of the door opening signal, the display devices 23 start a split display of images from the cameras 21(B) of the respective cars that are on the side where the doors are open and directed in the opposite direction from the travelling direction of the train (step 522). In addition, upon the reception of the door opening signal, the analyzing device 26 switches its process to the danger detection process on the basis of the image from the camera 21(B) of the car where the analyzing device 26 is equipped and that is on the side where the doors are open and is directed in the opposite direction from the travelling direction of the train (step 523). As a result, in the case where a danger has been detected, a danger detection signal is transmitted from the analyzing device 26 to the display devices 23, and the display devices 23 display an image showing the detected danger (step 524). At this time, the camera image where the danger has been detected is displayed on the display devices 23 in such a manner as to be highlighted from among the other camera images. [0037] After that, the doors are closed and the train starts running. When it has been detected that the velocity of the train has reached a predetermined value (5 kph, for example) or greater, the control device 24 transmits a velocity detection signal to the display devices 23 and the analyzing device 26 in each car (step 531). Upon the reception of the velocity detection signal, the display devices 23 stop the split display of the camera images from the respective cars (step 532). Meanwhile, the analyzing device 26 continues the danger detection process on the basis of the image from the camera 21(B) of the car where the analyzing device 26 is equipped and that is on the side where the doors were opened and is directed in the opposite direction from the travelling direction of the train, even after the reception of the velocity detection signal (step 533). As a result, in the case where a danger has been detected, a danger detection signal is transmitted from the analyzing device 26 to the display devices 23, and the display devices 23 display an image showing the detected danger (step 534). At this time, the display devices 23 display not only an image from the camera 21(B) showing the detected danger, but also an image from the camera 21(A) taken in the opposite direction from this.

[0038] After that, when the train starts departing along the platform, the control device 24 sequentially transmits a departure detection signal to the analyzing device 26 in each car that has departed along the platform (step 541). The analyzing device 26 stops the danger detection process at the stage where the departure detection signal has been received (step S42).

The above is the sequence of the processes starting from the time when the train has entered along the platform to the time when the train has departed.

[0039] As described above, the monitoring system in the present example is provided with: a camera 21 that is attached to each car of a train; a display device 23 that displays a camera image; and an analyzing device 26 that performs a danger detection process for detecting a danger that has occurred in the vicinity of the car, and is configured in such a manner that the display device 23 does not display a camera image when the train enters or departs along a platform of a station, but instead, in the case where a danger has been detected through the danger detection process during the time even when the train enters or departs along the platform, displays an image from the camera of the car where the danger has been detected. Accordingly, in the case where a danger has occurred, it becomes possible for the driver to quickly recognize the danger, whereas an increase in the burden of the task of the driver while the train is running can be prevented. [0040] Here, the display devices 23 may apply the above-described process to only either time the train enters or departs along a platform of a station. That is to say, the display device 23 does not display a camera image when the train enters along a platform, but instead, in the case where a danger has been detected through the danger detection process during the time even when the train enters along a platform, displays an image from the camera of the car where the danger has been detected. Alternatively, the display device 23 does not display a camera image when the train departs along a platform, but instead, in the case where a danger has been detected through the danger detection process during the time even when the train departs along a platform, displays an image from the camera of the car where the danger has been detected.

[0041] In addition, the analyzing device 26 is formed so as to perform a danger detection process on the basis of a camera image from the car that is located in a section of a platform of a station when the train enters and/or departs along the platform. Accordingly, not only an accident that occurs while the train is stopped, but also an accident that occurs while the train is moving through the section of the platform can be detected.

[0042] In addition, each car of the train has a camera 21(A) that is directed in the travelling direction of the train and a camera 21(B) that is directed in the opposite direction from the travelling direction of the train and is configured in such a manner that the analyzing device 26 performs a danger detection process on the basis of an image from the camera 21(A) when the train enters along a platform, and performs a danger detection process on the basis of an image from the camera 21(B) when the train departs along a platform. Accordingly, a danger detection process can be performed by using a camera image taken in an appropriate direction in response to the positional relationship between the train and the platform.

[0043] In addition, the configuration is provided in such a manner that, in the case where a danger has been detected through a danger detection process when the train enters and/or departs along a platform of a station, the display device 23 displays the respective images from the camera 21(A) and the camera 21(B) of the car where the danger has been detected. Accordingly, it becomes easier to confirm the appearance of the detected danger.

[0044] Furthermore, the configuration allows the cameras 21 to transmit images that have been taken to the display device 23 and the analyzing device 26 so that the analyzing device 26 performs a danger detection process on the basis of the images received from the cameras 21, and the display device 23 controls the display of the images received from the cameras 21 on the basis of the results of the danger detection process by the analyzing device 26. Accordingly, the display device 23 displays images that are directly transmitted from the cameras 21 instead of an image that is re-encoded by the analyzing device 26, and therefore, images that are very close to those in real-time can be displayed when a danger has been detected.

[0045] Moreover, an analyzing device 26 is equipped in each car of the train, and the analyzing devices 26 are formed so as to perform a danger detection process on the basis of an image from the camera 21 that is equipped in the same car as the analyzing device 26. Accordingly, the processing load per analyzing device 26 can be reduced, and therefore, a danger can be detected in a manner that is closer to that in real-time.

[0046] In addition, cameras are attached to each car on both sides, left and right, and the configuration allows an analyzing device 26 to perform a danger detection process on the basis of an image from the camera 21 on the side of the platform where the doors are open. Accordingly, it is not necessary to process the camera images taken on the side where it is difficult for an accident to occur, and therefore, the processing load by the analyzing device 26 can be reduced.

[0047] In the above-described example, a danger detection process for detecting a danger that has occurred in the vicinity of a car is performed on the basis of a camera image from the car; however, a person detection sensor, a heat detection sensor, or the like may be attached to each car so that a danger detection process can be performed on the basis of the detection results from these sensors. Needless to say, these may be combined for use.

[0048] In the above-described example, the display device 23 has a control function over the contents to be displayed; however, a device that is separated from the display device 23 may be provided so as to control the contents to be displayed. In the above example, one analyzing device 26 is provided in one car 20; however, one analyzing device 26 may be provided for one camera 11 or one analyzing device 26 may be provided for a plurality of cars 20.

[0049] Though the present invention is described on the basis of one embodiment in the above, the present invention is not limited to the configuration described here, and needless to say, can be widely applied to the systems having other configurations.

It is also possible for the present invention to be provided as a method that includes the technical procedure concerning the above-described process, a program for implementing the above-described process by a processor, a storage medium storing such a program in such a manner that the program is readable by a computer, and the like.

[0050] Here, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiment that is shown in the figures and described herein, but also includes all the embodiments that have equivalent effects to the ones targeted by the present invention. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention can be defined through all the desired combinations of the particular characteristics from among the respective characteristics that are disclosed herein.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0051] The present invention can be applied to a monitoring system using cameras that are attached to each car of a train.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0052] 10-1 to 10-4, 20-1 to 20-4: Car 11(A), 11(B), 21(A), 21(B): Camera 12, 22: Relay device 13(A), 13(B), 23(A), 23(B): Display device 14, 24: Control device 15, 25: Car information 26: Analyzing device

Claims

CLAIMS[1] A monitoring system, comprising: a camera attached to each car of a train; a display device that displays an image capturing by the camera; and an analyzing device that performs a danger detection process in order to detect a danger that has occurred in the vicinity of the car, wherein the display device does not display an image from the camera when the train is entering and/or departing along a platform of a station, but instead displays an image from the camera of the car where a danger has been detected through the danger detection process in the case where the danger is detected even when the train is entering and/or departing.[2] The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the analyzing device performs the danger detection process on the basis of an image capturing by the camera on the car that is located in a section of the platform when the train is entering and/or departing along the platform.[3] The monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each car of the train has a first camera that is directed in the travelling direction of the train and a second camera that is directed in the opposite direction from the travelling direction of the train, and the analyzing device performs the danger detection process on the basis of an image from the first camera when the train is entering along a platform and performs the danger detection process on the basis of an image from the second camera when the train is departing along a platform.[4] The monitoring system according to claim 3, wherein in the case where a danger has been detected through the danger detection process when the train is entering and/or departing along a platform, the display device displays respective images from the first camera and the second camera of the car where the danger has been detected.[5] The monitoring system according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the camera transmits an image that has been taken by the camera to the display device and the analyzing device, the analyzing device performs the danger detection process on the basis of the image that has been received from the camera, and the display device controls the display of the image that has been received from the camera on the basis of the results of the danger detection process by the analyzing device.[6] The monitoring system according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the analyzing device is equipped in each car of the train, and the analyzing device performs the danger detection process on the basis of an image capturing by the camera that is equipped in the same car as itself.[7] The monitoring system according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the camera is attached to both sides, left and right, of each car, and the analyzing device performs the danger detection process on the basis of an image from the camera on the side where doors are open along the platform.[8] A monitoring method using a camera that is attached to each car of a train, a display device that displays an image from the camera, and an analyzing device that performs a danger detection process in order to detect a danger that has occurred in the vicinity of the car, wherein the display device does not display an image from the camera when the train is entering and/or departing along a platform of a station, but instead displays an image from the camera of the car where a danger has been detected through the danger detection process in the case where the danger is detected even when the train is entering and/or departing.