JP2000175175A - Supervisory system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a supervisory system to browse a moving picture of an object to be supervised and a still picture of the object to be supervised through the use of the Internet in real time and to reduce the system cost and the operation cost. SOLUTION: A side to be supervised transmits a moving picture resulting from photographing an object to be supervised by a camera 1 to a supervisor side through a telephone line, the side to be supervised extracts a still picture from the moving picture and transmits the still picture to the Internet line, the supervisor side acquires the moving picture and the still picture to supervise an object to be supervised in the supervisory system. A bit stream image data generating means 11 assembles the moving picture from the camera 1 into frames and generates bit stream image data from the frames, transmits the image data on request from the supervisor side, and a still picture extract means 30 extracts the still picture from the bit stream image data and an Internet line transmission means 32 transmits this still picture to the Internet line.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method in which an object to be monitored is imaged by a camera on a monitored side, and the imaged data is obtained as two types of image data of a moving image and a still image by a remote monitoring side. The present invention relates to a monitoring system capable of monitoring a monitored object.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a video conference system using an ISDN line has become widespread.
As this kind of monitoring system, Dch of ISDN line
A packet is used for a still image and a Bch line is used for a moving image.
There is an image processing apparatus that is capable of monitoring a monitored object by obtaining it as image data of various types (for example, disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-97922). In recent years, since the Internet has become extremely popular, for example,
A method as shown in FIG. 5 is also conceivable. This monitoring system includes a video camera 1a, 1b, microphones 2a, 2b, monitors 3a, 3
b and speakers 4a and 4b are installed, and these are connected to well-known video conference devices 5a and 5b via an ISDN line. Although the video conference devices 5a and 5b are designed to be connectable via a general public line, in actual operation, image changes are slow and there is a problem in practicality.
It is common to use a line. On the other hand, on the monitored side, the video of the video camera 1 is sent as a still image to, for example, an Internet server device 7 installed in the same building via a video capture device 6 attached thereto.
This still image is sent to the Internet line via the router 8, and the user can use the Internet browser 9 (1 to 1).
The monitoring video can be browsed as a still image as a home page via n).

[0003]

However, in this conventional monitoring system, there is a problem that the system cost increases because both the former and latter systems use a video conference system. In particular,
The latter has the advantage that, compared to the former, a considerable number of unspecified multiple observers can browse the monitored object at the same time using the Internet, but the video conference system and the Internet server method are simpler. , The system cost is particularly high. In addition, the video conference system has a problem that communication confidentiality is low and undesired persons relatively easily see the site. The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and enables a considerable number of unspecified multiple observers to simultaneously browse a monitored object by using the Internet, thereby real-time monitoring of a detailed monitored object. It is possible to monitor the current situation with both moving images and still images, and to capture monitored image data into a computer device with a very small capacity, thereby making it possible to reduce system costs and operating costs, An object of the present invention is to provide a monitoring system with a high degree of operation safety.

[0004]

The technical means of the present invention for solving such a problem is to transmit a moving image obtained by capturing an image of an object to be monitored by a camera to the monitoring side via a telephone line. In addition, the monitoring side extracts a still image from the moving image on the monitored side and sends it to the Internet line, and the monitoring side obtains the moving image and the still image and monitors the monitored object. In the system,
A bit stream image data generating means for forming a moving image from the camera into a frame to generate bit stream image data, and a bit for transmitting the bit stream image data generated by the bit stream image data generating means at a request from a monitoring side Stream image data transmitting means, still image extracting means for extracting a still image from the bit stream image data generated by the bit stream image data generating means, and transmitting the still image extracted by the still image extracting means to the Internet line Internet line sending means.

According to this configuration, on the monitored side, the camera captures an image of the monitored object to obtain a moving image. The data from the camera is framed by the bitstream image data generation means, generated as bitstream image data, and output. In this case, since the moving image is continuous time-series data and is digitized as a bit stream frame, the processing speed and the reproduction speed are advantageous, the efficiency is high, and the system is simplified accordingly. The still image extracting means extracts a still image from the bit stream image data generated by the bit stream image data generating means. In this case, since the still image is extracted from the bit stream image data used as the moving image data, the transmission path halfway can be shared, the efficiency is improved, and the system is simplified accordingly. Then, the still image extracted by the still image extracting unit is transmitted to the Internet line by the Internet line transmitting unit.

On the other hand, when the monitoring side monitors a monitored object by using a moving image, the monitoring side requests the monitored side to transmit bit stream image data. This allows
The bit stream image data transmitting unit transmits the bit stream image data generated by the bit stream image data generating unit, and obtains and browses a moving image based on the bit stream image data. When the monitoring side monitors the monitored object with a still image, the monitoring video is obtained as a still image and browsed via the Internet. As a result, a considerable number of unspecified surveillance targets can simultaneously view the surveillance target using the Internet, and the current state of the surveillance target can be monitored in real time in both a moving image and a still image. Can be.

If necessary, the monitoring side is provided with bit stream image data reproducing means for reproducing the bit stream image data obtained by the monitoring side into the moving image. Since reproduction is performed on the monitoring side, bit stream image data can be transmitted on the telephone line, so that confidentiality is high and transmission efficiency is improved. And, if necessary, a multicast frame transmitting means for transmitting the bit stream image data generated by the bit stream image data generating means, and a multicast frame receiving means for receiving the bit stream image data transmitted from the multicast frame transmitting means. Means. Since the multicast frame transmitting means and the multicast frame receiving means are appropriately arranged to transmit and receive data between them, the versatility of transmission and reception can be increased.

[0008] If necessary, the multicast frame transmitting means has a function of transmitting the bit stream image data to a LAN line, and the multicast frame receiving means receives the bit stream image data from the LAN line. It is configured to have functions. A device having a plurality of multicast frame receiving means can be connected to a LAN line, and any device connected to the LAN line can receive framed bit stream image data with almost no delay. Will be extremely convenient. Further, if necessary, there are provided an encryption unit for encrypting the bit stream image data generated by the bit stream image data generation unit, and a decryption unit for decrypting the encrypted bit stream image data. Configuration. Data confidentiality is increased.

Further, if necessary, the framed bit stream image data is compared in time series, and a frame comparison and extraction means for extracting only the bit stream image data which changes the image under a predetermined condition, Bit stream image data recording means for recording the bit stream image data extracted by the frame comparing and extracting means, and transmitting the bit stream image data recorded in the bit stream image data recording means to the bit stream image data transmission It is configured to transmit by means. As a result, only the bit stream image data that changes the image under a predetermined condition is selectively recorded, so that it is possible to reduce the storage capacity for a moving image. As a result, the monitored image data can be taken into the computer device with a very small capacity, and since the bit stream image data is effectively compressed data, the received data amount for reproduction is small. can do.

[0010] If necessary, the still image extracting means may perform a bit stream image change which, under a predetermined range of the set time, changes an image when a set time set in a schedule timer is reached. It has a function of extracting data as a still image.
Thereby, for example, the frame in which the event has changed most can be extracted as a still image, so that an optimum still image in which a change can be easily recognized can be obtained, and information accuracy can be improved. Further, if necessary, the Internet line sending means may send the extracted still image to an Internet client device that creates a file in a format that can be viewed on an Internet homepage, and an FTP server device that sends the file created by the FTP client device to an Internet server device. And a dial-up modem for transmission. Furthermore, if necessary, the bit stream image data generated by the bit stream image data generating means may include other data such as sound data collected by a microphone provided on the monitored side and data sensed by various sensors. It is configured to include monitoring data. Since other monitoring data is handled in the same manner as the moving image data, the same operation and effect as the moving image data can be obtained.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the monitoring system according to the embodiment of the present invention
Basically, on the monitored side, a moving image obtained by capturing the monitored object with the camera is transmitted to the monitoring side via the telephone line, and the monitored side extracts a still image from the moving image and transmits it to the Internet line, This is a system in which a monitoring side can obtain a moving image and a still image and monitor a monitoring target. On the monitored side, at the monitoring site where the monitoring target is located, a video camera 1 that captures the monitoring target and obtains a video image, a microphone 2 that is installed at the monitoring site and collects sound around the monitoring target, A sensor 10 that captures movement and environmental changes of a human body, a car, a structure, and the like is provided.

In the surveillance system according to the embodiment of the present invention, reference numeral 11 denotes a bit stream image data generating means for generating a bit stream image data by converting a moving image from the camera 1 into a frame. The bit stream image data generated by the bit stream image data generating means 11 includes sound data collected by the microphone 2 and other monitoring data sensed by the sensor 10. That is, the bit stream image data generating means 11 collects the input data from the camera 1, the microphone 2, and the sensor 10, and outputs the data as bit stream image data. The moving picture video image and the audio information are continuous time-series data, and are digitized by the bit stream image data generation unit 11 as a bit stream frame. Therefore, the processing speed and the reproduction speed are advantageous. Reference numeral 12 denotes an encryption unit that encrypts the bit stream image data generated by the bit stream image data generation unit. Reference numeral 13 denotes a multicast frame transmitting unit that transmits the bit stream image data generated by the bit stream image data generating unit 11 and encrypted by the encrypting unit 12. In the embodiment, the multicast frame transmitting unit 13 transmits the bit stream image data to the LAN line. .

14 is a multicast frame transmitting means 1
3 is a multicast frame receiving means for receiving the bit stream image data transmitted from the LAN line 3 from the LAN line. A device having a plurality of multicast frame receiving means 14 can be connected to the LAN line, and any device connected to the LAN line can receive the framed bit stream image data with almost no delay. Decryption means 15 decrypts the bit stream image data received and encrypted by the multicast frame receiving means 14.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a frame comparing / extracting unit, which compares framed bit stream image data in a time series and extracts only bit stream image data which changes an image under a predetermined condition. That is, only those that meet this condition are extracted according to the predetermined degree of change in the image. Frame comparison and extraction means 16
For example, each time-series frame is compared by spectrum integration. As a result, the movement between the frames can be recognized and extracted. Alternatively, for example, it is extracted by knowing a changed event from the information of the sensor 10 described above.
Reference numeral 17 denotes a bit stream image data recording unit that records the bit stream image data extracted by the frame comparison and extraction unit 16. Since only bit stream image data that undergoes an image change under a predetermined condition having a movement larger than the set movement is selectively recorded, the storage capacity for a moving image can be reduced.

Numeral 18 denotes a dial-in modem with encryption as bit stream image data transmitting means, which monitors the bit stream image data generated by the bit stream image data generating means 11 and recorded in the bit stream image data recording means 17. It is transmitted via a general public telephone line in response to a request from. On the other hand, the monitoring side is provided with a dial-up modem 20 with encryption which is connected to the dial-in modem 18 via a general public telephone line. On the monitoring side, reference numeral 21 denotes bit stream image data reproducing means for reproducing bit stream image data obtained by the monitoring side by the dial-up modem 20 into a moving image. The bit stream image data reproducing means 21 is connected to a monitor 3 such as a CRT for displaying a reproduced moving image and a speaker 4 for outputting sound.

On the monitored side, reference numeral 30 denotes a still image extracting means for extracting a still image from the bit stream image data generated by the bit stream image data generating means 11. When the set time set in the schedule timer 31 has been reached, the still image extracting means 30 extracts bit stream image data that performs image change under predetermined conditions during a predetermined range of the set time as a still image. It is configured with functions. For example, at a time every 30 minutes, a frame in which the event has changed the most in a predetermined range before and after reaching the time is extracted as a still image. Reference numeral 32 denotes an Internet line sending unit that sends out the still image extracted by the still image extracting unit 30 to the Internet line. The Internet line sending means 32 creates a file of the extracted still image in a format that can be viewed on an Internet homepage.
P client device 33 and dial-up modem 3 for sending this file to Internet server device 35
4 is provided. The Internet server device 35 does not need to be installed in the same building where the Internet line sending means 32 is installed, and may be in any location as long as the device is connected to the Internet line. On the other hand, on the monitoring side, the Internet browser 9 (1 to n)
It is possible to connect to the Internet line via.
Note that each of the above-described units is realized by various device functions such as functions of a computer CPU and a memory.

Therefore, according to the monitoring system of the embodiment of the present invention, the monitored object is monitored as follows. This will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, on the monitored side, referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, at the monitoring site where the monitored object is present, the video camera 1 constantly captures the monitored object to obtain a moving image video image, and the microphone 2 indicates the monitored object. Ambient sounds are collected, and the sensor 10 monitors movement and environmental changes of the human body, car, structure, and the like (1-1). The data from the camera 1, the microphone 2, and the sensor 10 are compiled by the bitstream image data generation means 11 to generate bitstream image data and output (1-2).
In this case, the moving image video image and the audio information are continuous time-series data and are digitized as a bit stream frame, so that the processing speed and the reproduction speed are advantageous,
Efficiency is high, the system can be simplified accordingly, and system cost and operation cost can be reduced. The bit stream image data output from the bit stream image data generation unit 11 is encrypted by the encryption unit 12 (1-3). Therefore, the confidentiality of data is improved. Further, the encrypted bit stream image data is transmitted from the multicast frame transmitting means 13 to the LAN line (1-4). As a result, any device connected to the LAN line can receive the framed bit stream image data with almost no delay.

When the multicast frame receiving means 14 connected to the LAN line receives the bit stream image data (1-5), the decryption means 15 decrypts the encryption (1-6) and the frame comparison and extraction means 16 The framed bit stream image data is compared in a time series, and only the bit stream image data that changes the image under a predetermined condition is extracted (1-
7). For example, each time-series frame is compared by spectrum integration, and only frames that meet a predetermined condition according to the degree of change are extracted. The extracted bit stream image data is written and recorded in the bit stream image data recording means 17 (1-8).
In this case, only the data having the motion exceeding the set value is selectively recorded, so that it is possible to reduce the storage capacity for the moving image. Therefore, the monitored image data can be taken into the computer device with a very small capacity, and the system cost and the operating cost can be reduced.

The bit stream image data extracted by the frame comparing and extracting means 16 is sent to the still image extracting means 30 at the same time. Referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, the still image extracting means 30 extracts the frame in which the event has changed the most as a still image before and after the predetermined time is reached by referring to the setting condition of the schedule timer 31. (2-1). In this case, since the still image is extracted from the bit stream image data used as the moving image data, the transmission route can be shared halfway, the efficiency is improved, the system can be simplified accordingly, the system cost and operation cost can be reduced. Cost can be reduced. Further, since the frame in which the event has changed most is extracted as a still image, it is possible to obtain an optimum still image in which the change can be easily recognized, and the information accuracy is improved. This still image is edited in a form that can be browsed on an Internet homepage in an FTP client device 33 serving as an Internet line sending means 32 (2-2), and then the Internet server device connected to the Internet line via a dial-up modem 34. 35 (2-3).

On the other hand, the monitoring side monitors the monitored object in the following manner. Referring to the flow chart shown in FIG. 4, first, when monitoring with a moving image, a call is made to the monitored side via the dial-up modem 20 (3-1). The monitored side automatically responds with the dial-in modem 18 and sends out predetermined bit stream image data written and recorded in the bit stream image data recording means 17 (3-2). In this case, a general public line is used for the communication path, but the security on the line is maintained because a modem with an encryption communication function is used. The bit stream image data received on the monitoring side is reproduced as a moving image by the bit stream image reproducing means (3-3), and is output through the monitor 3 and the speaker 4 (3-4). In this case, since the data reproduced by the bit stream image reproducing means is only the bit stream image data which changes the image under a predetermined condition, the data is effectively compressed data. Has a small amount of data to be received, and therefore has a small capacity even though it is a moving image, so that it can sufficiently cope with a configuration connected via a general public telephone line.

When the monitoring side monitors the monitored object with a still image, the monitoring server accesses the Internet server device 35 via the Internet browsers 9 (1-n) with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3-
5) Browse the monitoring video as a still image (3-6). This allows monitoring not only of moving images but also of still images. If the past history is stored, the past status of the monitored object can be viewed, which is extremely convenient. In this case, an unspecified number of viewers can browse through the Internet line, but this has no effect on the monitoring system side. Further, in this case, since a plurality of image data of the monitored objects can be collected and provided to one Internet server device 35, the situation of each monitored object can be browsed simultaneously, which is extremely convenient.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As an embodiment, for example, a camera 1 is installed at a construction site such as a dam to be monitored, and the progress of the construction at the construction site is monitored by a moving image via a telephone line, and a still image is monitored by the Internet. Monitor with. On the Internet, a considerable number of unspecified plural observers can simultaneously browse the monitored object.

[0023]

As described above, according to the surveillance system of the present invention, a bit stream image data generating means for generating a bit stream image data by converting a moving image from a camera into a frame, and a bit stream image data generating means A bit stream image data transmitting means for transmitting the bit stream image data generated in the above step through a telephone line in response to a request from the monitoring side, and extracting a still image from the bit stream image data generated by the bit stream image data generating means A still image extracting means,
Since it is provided with an Internet line sending means for sending the still image extracted by the still image extracting means to the Internet line, the moving image is continuous time-series data and can be digitized as a bit stream frame. In addition, the processing speed and the reproduction speed are advantageous, and the efficiency is high, so that the system can be simplified and the system cost and the operating cost can be reduced. In addition, since a still image is extracted from the bit stream image data used as moving image data and transmitted to the Internet line, the transmission path can be shared halfway, thereby improving the efficiency and simplifying the system accordingly. In this respect, the system cost and the operation cost can be reduced. In other words, it is necessary to monitor the current state of a detailed monitored target in both a moving image and a still image in real time while allowing a considerable number of unspecified multiple monitored persons to simultaneously view the monitored target using the Internet. And enables the monitored image data to be taken into the computer device with a very small capacity, thereby reducing the system cost and the operating cost,
It was possible to provide a monitoring system with a high degree of operational safety.

Further, when the monitoring side is provided with bit stream image data reproducing means for reproducing the bit stream image data obtained by the monitoring side into a moving image, it can be transmitted as bit stream image data over a telephone line. A confidentiality is high, transmission efficiency is good, and in this respect, a system cost and an operation cost can be configured at low cost, and a monitoring system with a high operation safety can be provided. Furthermore,
When a multicast frame transmitting means for transmitting the bit stream image data generated by the bit stream image data generating means, and a multicast frame receiving means for receiving the bit stream image data transmitted from the multicast frame transmitting means, Since the multicast frame transmitting means and the multicast frame receiving means can be appropriately arranged and data can be transmitted and received between them, the versatility of transmission and reception can be increased. In this case, when the multicast frame transmitting means has a function of transmitting the bit stream image data to the LAN line, and the multicast frame receiving means has a function of receiving the bit stream image data from the LAN line, A device having a plurality of multicast frame receiving means can be connected to a LAN line so that any device connected to the LAN line can receive the framed bit stream image data with almost no delay. Can be very convenient.

In the case where there are provided an encrypting means for encrypting the bit stream image data generated by the bit stream image data generating means and a decrypting means for decrypting the encrypted bit stream image data, Can increase the confidentiality of data. Further, the framed bit stream image data is compared in time series, and a frame comparison and extraction unit that extracts only bit stream image data that performs image change under a predetermined condition, and a bit stream extracted by the frame comparison and extraction unit In the case where a bit stream image data recording unit for recording image data is provided, only bit stream image data for performing an image change under predetermined conditions is selectively recorded. The capacity can be reduced. Therefore, the monitored image data can be taken into the computer device with a very small capacity, and the system cost and the operating cost can be reduced. Also, on the monitoring side, the bit stream image data is effectively compressed data, and the amount of data to be received for reproduction is small. It is possible to sufficiently cope with a configuration connected via a telephone line.

Still further, the still image extracting means converts the bit stream image data which performs image change under predetermined conditions within a predetermined range of the set time when the set time set in the schedule timer is reached. In the case of having a function of extracting as, for example, the frame where the event has changed most can be extracted as a still image. Can be improved. Further, the bit stream image data generated by the bit stream image data generating means is configured to include other monitoring data such as sound data collected by a microphone provided on the monitored side and sensing data sensed by various sensors. In this case, the other monitoring data is handled in the same manner as the moving image data, so that the same operation and effect as the moving image data can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing steps of the monitoring system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing steps of the monitoring system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing steps of the monitoring system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a monitoring system that can be configured using a conventional video conference system.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Video camera 2 Microphone 3 Monitor 4 Speaker 9 (1-n) Internet browser 10 Sensor 11 Bit stream image data generation means 12 Encryption means 13 Multicast frame transmission means 14 Multicast frame reception means 15 Decryption means 16 Frame comparison and extraction means 17 Bit stream image data recording means 18 Dial-in modem (bit stream image data transmitting means) 20 Dial-up modem 21 Bit stream image data reproducing means 30 Still image extracting means 31 Schedule timer 32 Internet line transmitting means 33 FTP client device 34 Dial-up modem 35 Internet Server device

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 18, 1999 (1999.3.1.1)
8)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 1

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification FI FI Theme Court ゛ (Reference) H04L 12/56 (72) Inventor Katsuhiko Hirayama 5-17-17 Mitake, Morioka-shi, Iwate Pref. (72) Inventor Toshihiro Tamura 5-17-17, Mitake, Morioka-shi, Iwate F-term in Forlux Co., Ltd. (reference) 5C054 CH01 EA01 EA03 FE04 HA18 5K030 GA15 GA20 HA08 HB02 HB06 HC01 HC14 JA09 JA10 KA06 KA21 LB16 LD18 LD19 LD20 MC09 5K033 AA04 AA08 BA08 DA05 DB09 DB12 DB20 EA07 9A001 BB02 BB03 BB04 CC02 CC08 DD09 DD10 EE03 EE04 EZ06 HH16 HH27 HH30 JJ23 JJ25 JZ18 JZ19 KZ37 KZ53 LL09

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A video image obtained by capturing an image of an object to be monitored by a camera on a monitored side is transmitted to a monitoring side via a telephone line, and a still image is extracted from the video image on the monitored side and sent to an Internet line. In the monitoring system, the monitoring side obtains the moving image and the still image on the monitoring side and monitors the monitored object. A bit for forming a moving image from the camera into a frame and generating it as bit stream image data Stream image data generating means, bit stream image data transmitting means for transmitting the bit stream image data generated by the bit stream image data generating means in response to a request from the monitoring side, and bit stream image data generated by the bit stream image data generating means. A still image extracting means for extracting a still image from the bit stream image data; Monitoring system, characterized in that the still image extracted by the locking image extracting means is constituted by a internet sending means for sending to the internet. 2. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein said monitoring side includes a bit stream image data reproducing means for reproducing the bit stream image data obtained by said monitoring side into said moving image. 3. A multicast frame transmitting means for transmitting the bit stream image data generated by the bit stream image data generating means, and a multicast frame receiving means for receiving the bit stream image data transmitted from the multicast frame transmitting means. The monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising: 4. The multicast frame transmitting means has a function of transmitting the bit stream image data to a LAN line, and the multicast frame receiving means has a function of receiving the bit stream image data from the LAN line. The monitoring system according to claim 3, wherein 5. An image processing apparatus comprising: an encryption unit for encrypting bit stream image data generated by the bit stream image data generation unit; and a decryption unit for decrypting the encrypted bit stream image data. The monitoring system according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein: 6. A frame comparing and extracting means for comparing the framed bit stream image data in a time series and extracting only bit stream image data which performs image change under a predetermined condition, and a frame comparing and extracting means. Bit stream image data recording means for recording the extracted bit stream image data, and transmitting the bit stream image data recorded in the bit stream image data recording means by the bit stream image data transmitting means. The monitoring system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said still image extracting means performs, when a set time set in a schedule timer has been reached, image change under predetermined conditions within a predetermined range of time based on said set time. The monitoring system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, wherein the monitoring system is provided with a function of extracting the image as a still image. 8. An FTP client device that creates a file in a format that allows the extracted still image to be viewed on an Internet homepage, and sends the file created by the FTP client device to an Internet server device. The monitoring system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, wherein the monitoring system comprises a dial-up modem. 9. Other monitoring data such as sound data collected by a microphone provided on the monitored side and sensing data sensed by various sensors are added to the bit stream image data generated by the bit stream image data generating means. The monitoring system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8, comprising: