JP2000182171A - Remote monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To present picture information required for confirmation of the condition in a site without using a new radio transmission line at the time of using a telemeter device or a remote alarm equipment and to prevent a hindrance to data collection or alarm control due to transmission of picture information. SOLUTION: A terminal station 10 is provided with a picture photographing means 23 which photographs the picture of the sire, a switch means 12 which selectively connects a first signal line used by an information collection device 21 or an alarm device 22 or a second signal line used by the picture photographing means 23 to a single radio line, and a priority switching control means 13 which controls the switch means 12 so as to select the first signal line in the case of the first signal line in a preliminarily determined use state and permits the switch means 12 to select the second signal line in the case of the first signal line in a state other than the preliminarily determined use state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote monitoring system for transmitting a signal using the same frequency band of a single radio line and monitoring the state of a remote point. The present invention relates to a technique for adding a monitoring function to a remote alarm device such as an alarm device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a telemeter device has been used for transmitting various on-site data collected by a terminal station installed in a remote place to a host station using a predetermined wireless transmission path.
Further, there is known a telemeter discharge alarm device that combines a discharge alarm device that controls a discharge alarm of a dam and a telemeter device that collects information such as a water level.

In this type of telemeter discharge warning equipment, a signal is transmitted between a terminal station and a host station using the same frequency band of a single radio line. A control signal is transmitted from the host station to the terminal station in order to control the discharge alarm facility and to operate various sensors connected to the telemeter.
Further, data collected by observation of various sensors is transmitted from the terminal station to the host station.

[0004]

For example, in the case of using the conventional telemeter discharge alarm system, the person who monitors at the host station needs only the numerical data of various sensors transmitted from the terminal station at the site to the host station by the telemeter. Could only know the situation at the site. For this reason, even if a person invades a river to be released, for example, the host station could not detect the intrusion.

Generally, when water is discharged from a dam to a river,
A motor siren, a speaker, a rotating light, etc. are controlled in advance to notify the user of a dangerous situation. As a result, in order to confirm whether an intruder has evacuated from the river, humans must visit the site. There was no other way but to do it. However, since a large amount of information cannot be transmitted through the wireless transmission line used in the telemeter discharge alarm facility, it is necessary to install a new transmission line to monitor the site. If the radio transmission line used by the telemeter discharge alarm system is shared for monitoring,
Data collection from the telemeter and alarm control may be affected.

According to the present invention, in a remote monitoring system using a telemeter device and a remote alarm device, the provision of image information required for checking the situation at the site can be realized without using a new wireless transmission path. It is an object of the present invention to prevent troubles in data collection and alarm control due to transmission of data.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a terminal station having at least one of an information collection device and an alarm device is connected to a predetermined host station via a single radio line using one frequency band. In the remote monitoring system, the terminal station has an image capturing unit that captures an image of a site, a first signal line used by the information collecting device or the alarm device, and a second signal line used by the image capturing unit. Switch means for selectively connecting the first signal line to the single wireless line, and controlling the switch means to select the first signal line when the first signal line is in a predetermined use state. , The first
And priority switching control means for permitting the switch means to select the second signal line when the signal line is not in a predetermined use state.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the remote monitoring system according to the first aspect, the priority switching control means regards the first signal line as being in use at a predetermined time, and
The switch means is controlled so as to select one of the following signal lines. A third aspect of the present invention is the remote monitoring system according to the first aspect, wherein the priority switching control unit regards the first signal line as being in use during control of the alarm device,
The switch means is controlled so as to select the first signal line.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the remote monitoring system according to the first aspect, an intrusion detecting means for detecting an intrusion of a person, and an alarm signal for outputting an alarm signal in accordance with a detection output of the intrusion detecting means, to the terminal station. And output means. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the remote monitoring system according to the fourth aspect, the alarm signal output unit automatically turns on the power of the image capturing unit in response to the intrusion detection of the intrusion detecting unit, and the image captured by the image capturing unit. Is transmitted to the host station.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the remote monitoring system according to the first aspect, when the operation of transmitting the image photographed by the image photographing means to the host station continues for a predetermined time, the image transmitting operation is interrupted, A time limiter for controlling the switch so as to select the first signal line is provided in the priority switching controller.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the remote monitoring system according to the first aspect, an image difference extracting means for transmitting information on a change in an image captured by the image capturing means to the host station is provided in the terminal station. Features. An eighth aspect of the present invention is the remote monitoring system according to the seventh aspect, further comprising a difference change detecting unit that identifies a magnitude of a time-series change of the information amount of the image change detected by the image difference extracting unit.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the remote monitoring system according to the eighth aspect, when the time-series change of the information amount corresponding to the image change becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value, the difference change detecting means activates the operation of the information collecting device, The information collected by the information collection device is transmitted to the host station. Claim 10
In the remote monitoring system according to claim 8, when the time-series change of the information amount of the image change becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value, the difference change detecting means transmits the image photographed by the image photographing means to the host station. Features.

(Action) (Claim 1) In the present invention, the switch means selectively switches the first signal line used by the information collecting device or the alarm device and the second signal line used by the image photographing means. Since the terminal is connected to a single wireless line, an image signal can be transmitted from the terminal station to the host station without newly providing a wireless line.

Further, when the first signal line is in a predetermined use state, the priority switching control means controls the switch means so as to select the first signal line. The signal transmission of the information collection device and the alarm device has priority. Therefore, even if the image is transmitted, it does not hinder the information collection and the operation of the alarm device. In a general telemeter device, for example, every 10 minutes, every 15 minutes, 30 minutes
Information is periodically collected and transmitted at predetermined times, such as every minute and every 60 minutes, but the wireless transmission path is free at other times. Similarly, in a discharge warning device, it is only necessary to perform control for warning temporarily, and the wireless transmission path is free at other times. Therefore, an image can be transmitted using the wireless transmission path when it is free.

(Claim 2) When, for example, a telemeter device is used as the information collecting device, the time for collecting the information and transmitting the result is predetermined, so that the time for using the first signal line is determined. Can be considered. (Claim 3) When a discharge alarm is used as an alarm device, for example, a motor siren, a speaker, a rotating light, and the like are activated when discharging from a dam.
When controlling speakers, rotating lights, etc., the first
Can be regarded as being in use.

(Invention 4) The intrusion detection means detects, for example, intrusion of a person into a river or the like. The alarm signal output means outputs an alarm signal according to the detection output of the intrusion detection means. Therefore, an alarm can be issued to the intruder, and the presence of the intruder can be recognized in the host station.

(Claim 5) When the intrusion detecting means detects the intrusion, the alarm signal output means automatically turns on the power of the image photographing means and transmits the image photographed by the image photographing means to the host station. Therefore, the host station can remotely monitor the intruder by using the image. Further, when the intruder is not detected, the power of the image capturing unit is shut off, so that useless power consumption can be suppressed.

(Claim 6) When transmitting an image signal, other signals cannot be transmitted. In particular, when the communication line is not a full-duplex line, the terminal station cannot control the terminal station when a signal is transmitted from the terminal station to the host station. In the present invention, when the operation of transmitting the image captured by the image capturing unit to the host station continues for a predetermined time, the time limiting unit suspends the image transmitting operation and selects the first signal line. The switch means is controlled as described above. Therefore, when the image transmission operation is interrupted, a control signal can be transmitted from the host station to the terminal station, and a signal other than the image can be transmitted from the terminal station to the host station.

(Claim 7) Since the transmission capacity of a wireless transmission path used by a telemeter device or the like is small, it takes time to transmit an image. According to the present invention, the image difference extracting unit can transmit information on a change in the image captured by the image capturing unit from the terminal station to the host station. When the monitoring area captured by the image capturing means does not change, the probability of a small change occurring in the monitored image is high, and the information amount of the change (difference) of the image is far greater than the information amount of all images. Small. Therefore, the number of image frames that can be transmitted per unit time increases.

(8) The difference change detecting means identifies the magnitude of the time series change of the information amount of the image change detected by the image difference extracting means. For example, when monitoring an image of a debris flow or a landslide occurrence using an image capturing unit,
Although the information amount of the image change is usually very small, the information amount of the image change becomes large when a debris flow or a landslide occurs. Therefore, occurrence of debris flow and landslide can be detected. Similarly, it can be used to detect changes in river water levels and dam discharges.

(9) The difference change detecting means activates the operation of the information collecting device when the time series change of the information amount corresponding to the image change becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value, and transmits the information collected by the information collecting device to the host station. Send to Therefore, even when the power supply of the information collection device or wireless device is normally shut off or suppressed, if an abnormal situation occurs, information collection and transmission are automatically started. Can understand. In normal times, power consumption of the terminal station can be suppressed.

(Claim 10) The difference change detecting means transmits an image photographed by the image photographing means to the host station when a time-series change of the information amount corresponding to the image change exceeds a predetermined value. Therefore, even when the power of the wireless device of the terminal station is normally cut off or suppressed, if an abnormal situation occurs, the host station can monitor the image of the site. In normal times,
The power consumption of the terminal station can be suppressed.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 8 show a remote monitoring system according to this embodiment.
This will be described with reference to FIG. This form is Claim 1, Claim 2,
This corresponds to claims 3, 6, and 7.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the remote monitoring system of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the image transmission start control of the operation of the monitoring control device 13. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the timer T1 interrupt of the operation of the monitoring control device 13. FIG. 8 is a time chart showing an example of data transmission timing. In this embodiment, the image photographing means, the switch means, and the priority switching control means in claim 1 correspond to the CCD camera 23, the switch 12, and the monitoring control device 13, respectively. Further, the time limiter according to claim 6 includes the monitoring controller 13 and the steps S20 to S23.
Corresponding to Further, the image difference extracting means of claim 7 corresponds to the image transmission device 15.

The remote monitoring system shown in FIG. 1 collects information on the discharge of a dam at the terminal station 10 and wirelessly transmits the information from the terminal station 10 to the host station 30. This is an improved telemeter discharge alarm device that issues an alarm on the station 10 side. Terminal station 1
One wireless transmission path of a single frequency band is provided between the host station 30 and the host station 30. As the wireless transmission path, for example, a frequency band of 70 MHz or 400 MHz can be used.

The terminal station 10 includes a sensor 21 and an alarm device 2
2 and the CCD camera 23 are connected. Sensor 21
It is assumed that water level gauge, rain gauge, flow meter, anemometer, thermometer, etc. As the alarm equipment 22, a motor siren, a speaker, a rotating light, and the like are assumed. The CCD camera 23 is assumed to be a CCTV television camera capable of performing attitude control, zoom control, wiper control, power on / off control, and the like.

The present invention can be applied to a telemeter device having only the sensor 21 and a remote control alarm device having only the alarm device 22. Inside the terminal station 10, a wireless transceiver 11, a switch 12, a monitoring control device 13, a modem 14, an image transmission device 15, and a CCTV control device 16
Is provided. An antenna 24 is connected to the wireless transceiver 11.

Various information collected by the sensor 21 is applied to the wireless transceiver 11 through the monitor control device 13 and the switch 12. The radio transceiver 11 converts the input information into a radio signal and transmits the radio signal from the antenna 24 to the host station 30 as a radio wave. Further, control information for controlling the alarm device 22 can be transmitted from the host station 30 to the terminal station 10 as a wireless signal. The radio signal received by the antenna 24 of the terminal station 10 is demodulated to a low frequency signal by the radio transceiver 11 and applied to the alarm equipment 22 via the switch 12 and the monitoring control device 13.

The switch 12 is a switch such as an electrically controllable relay, and is controlled by the monitoring control device 13. The switch 12 is connected to the monitoring control device 13 and the modem 1
4 is selectively connected to the wireless transceiver 11. Normally, the switch 12 is preferentially controlled to connect the monitoring control device 13 and the wireless transceiver 11. C
After the power of the CD camera 23 is turned on, a signal of an image captured by the CCD camera 23 is transmitted to the CCTV control device 1.
6, applied to the switch 12 via the image transmission device 15 and the modem 14. When the switch 12 connects the wireless transceiver 11 and the modem 14, the CCD camera 2
3 can be transmitted from the wireless transceiver 11 to the host station 30 as a wireless signal.

When the wireless transceiver 11 is in a receiving state, a control signal transmitted as a wireless signal from the host station 30 is received by the wireless transceiver 11 and transmitted via the switch 12, the modem 14 and the image transmission device 15. Applied to the CCTV controller 16. In that case, the CCTV control device 16
Performs attitude control, zoom control, wiper control, power supply control, and the like of the CCD camera 23 according to the input control signal.
That is, the operation of the host station 30 causes the CCD camera 2
3 can be controlled remotely.

When the switch 12 connects the wireless transceiver 11 and the supervisory control device 13, a control signal from the host station 30 is applied to the supervisory control device 13. In this case, the power supply of the CCD camera 23 can be turned on / off from the monitoring control device 13 via the CCTV control device 16. The amount of information of the image captured by the CCD camera 23 is much larger than the information collected by the sensor 21 and the control information for controlling the alarm device 22. On the other hand, the terminal station 10
Since the transmission capacity of the wireless transmission path secured between the host and the host station 30 is relatively small, it takes time to transmit an image.

Therefore, in this example, the image transmission device 15 detects a change in the image as a difference, and performs control so as to transmit the difference between the images. Actually, after transmitting information of all images in the first frame of image transmission, control is performed so that only the difference between the image of the previously transmitted image frame and the current image frame is repeatedly transmitted. Therefore, transmission of the first image frame takes time, but subsequent image frames can be transmitted in a short time.

As shown in FIG. 1, the host station 30 includes a radio transceiver 31, a switch 32, a monitoring and control device 33, a modem 34, and a computer 35. An antenna 36 is connected to the wireless transceiver 31. The switch 32 connects one of the monitoring control device 33 and the modem 34 to the wireless transceiver 31. The connection state of the switch 32 is controlled by the monitoring control device 33.

Information collected by the sensor 21 of the terminal station 10 and images taken by the CCD camera 23 are displayed on the screen of the computer 35. The computer 35 reproduces an image frame using the first full image of the transmitted images and the difference between the images transmitted thereafter. By performing a predetermined input operation on the computer 35, various control signals can be transmitted from the antenna 36 as wireless signals. That is, the sensor 21, the alarm device 22, and the CCD camera 23 connected to the terminal station 10 are connected to the host station 3.
It can be remotely controlled from zero.

It should be noted that a predetermined radio relay station may be arranged between the terminal station 10 and the host station 30 to constitute a remote monitoring system so as to relay radio waves transmitted by the terminal station 10 and the host station 30. Good. On the hour and at regular intervals of 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes and 60 minutes,
A telemeter collection period is assigned in advance. That is, it is necessary to collect various data using the sensor 21 during the telemeter collection period, and transmit the data from the terminal station 10 to the host station 30. The operating time of the alarm device 22 is not fixed, but it is necessary to issue an alarm by the alarm device 22 in accordance with an instruction from the host station 30 before, for example, starting discharge from the dam to the river or at the time of discharge.

Therefore, the monitoring and control device 13 sets the priority of image transmission to be low, and preferentially processes the control of the sensor 21 and the alarm device 22 and the signal transmission related thereto. When controlling the sensor 21 and the alarm device 22 and transmitting signals related thereto, the monitoring control device 13 controls the switch 12 so that the switch 12 connects the monitoring control device 13 and the wireless transceiver 11.

The monitoring control device 13 periodically and repeatedly executes the "image transmission start control" shown in FIG. 2 in order to execute image transmission. Each step of “image transmission start control” shown in FIG. 2 will be described below. In step S10, it is determined whether or not the CCD camera 23 is shooting. In this example, when the power of the CCD camera 23 is turned on, it is always assumed that shooting is in progress. The power of the CCD camera 23 is turned on,
If the CCD camera 23 is shooting, steps S10 to S1
Proceed to 1.

In step S11, it is determined whether or not the CCD camera 23 is busy. C by the instruction from the host station 30
When the CTV control device 16 performs the attitude control, the zoom control, the wiper control, and the like of the CCD camera 23, a change appears in an image photographed by the control, so that the CCD camera 23 is regarded as busy. If the CCD camera 23 is not busy, steps S11 to S12
Proceed to.

In step S12, it is determined whether or not the current time output from a predetermined clock circuit built in the monitoring control device 13 is during a telemeter collection period. The telemeter collection period is determined in advance by an instruction from the host station 30, and the data is stored in a memory or the like built in the monitoring control device 13. If the current time does not coincide with the telemeter collection period, the process proceeds from step S12 to S13.

In step S13, it is determined whether at least one of the motor siren, the speaker, the rotating light, and the like included in the alarm equipment 22 is operating. If the monitoring control device 13 is controlling the motor siren, the speaker, or the rotating light to be in the ON state according to an instruction from the host station 30, step S
The process proceeds from S13 to S14.

In step S 14, the control signal given to the switch 12 by the monitoring control device 13
Switches the state of the switch 12 so that the wireless transceiver 11 and the modem 14 are connected. In step S15,
A predetermined image transmission start signal is provided from the monitoring control device 13 to the CCTV control device 16. As a result, the CCTV control device 16 gives the image transmission device 15 an image signal output from the CCD camera 23 so that the image signal can be transmitted.

When a signal of an image to be transmitted is input from the CCTV control device 16, the image transmission device 15 performs a predetermined process on the signal. Image transmission device 15
Include A / D conversion, storage, difference extraction, and the like. An image signal output from the image transmission device 15 is applied to the wireless transceiver 11 via the modem 14 and the switch 12. The wireless transceiver 11 converts the input image signal into a wireless signal and transmits the wireless signal from the antenna 24 to the host station 30.

In step S16 in FIG. 2, a predetermined time is set in a timer T1 built in the monitoring control device 13, and the timer T1 is started. That is, the timer T1 starts when image transmission starts. When the time set in the timer T1 has elapsed since the start of the timer T1,
A timer interrupt is generated in the monitoring control device 13 by a signal generated by the timer T1. In that case, the monitoring control device 1
3 executes the processing of "timer T1 interrupt" shown in FIG.

In step S20 of FIG. 3, the monitoring control device 13 stops the internal timer T1. Subsequent step S21
Then, the monitoring control device 13 applies an “image transmission stop signal” to the CCTV control device 16. When the “image transmission stop signal” is input, the CCTV control device 16 stops the image transmission operation. In step S22, the monitoring control device 13 waits until the image transmission device 15 and the CCTV control device 16 stop the image transmission operation. When the image transmission operation stops, the process proceeds from step S22 to S23. In step S23, the monitoring control device 13 gives a control signal to the switch 12, and switches the state so that the switch 12 connects the wireless transceiver 11 and the monitoring control device 13.

Therefore, the time during which the terminal station 10 transmits an image to the host station 30 is limited by the time set in the timer T1. When the terminal station 10 is transmitting an image, a control signal cannot be transmitted from the host station 30 to the terminal station 10, and data collected by the sensor 21 by the terminal station 10 cannot be transmitted to the host station 30. . However, in this example, the duration of image transmission is limited by using the timer T1, so that signals other than images can be transmitted between the terminal station 10 and the host station 30 at the timing when the image transmission is interrupted.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, when the host station 30 transmits a camera control signal in step S60, in response to the camera control signal, the terminal station 10 turns on the power of the CCD camera 23, attitude control, and zoom in step S61. Perform control and so on. After the terminal station 10 executes step S61, the CCD
Since the camera 23 starts shooting, transmission of an image is started by the processing of FIG. 2 during the telemeter collection period. In step S62, since the transmission of the image has just started, the initial screen, that is, the entire data of the image frame is transmitted.

Since the initial screen has a large amount of data, the data transmission takes about 20 to 30 seconds. When the transmission of the initial screen is completed, the difference between the images is transmitted in step S63. That is, only the data of the part different from the data of the initial screen transmitted in step S62 and the data of the screen captured last is transmitted as an image difference. Similarly, in steps S64, S65, and S66, only the data of the difference between the images captured at each point in time is transmitted. Since the data amount of the image difference is relatively small compared to the entire image, the data transmission of the image difference in each of steps S63, S64, S65, and S66 ends in about 5 seconds. Therefore, an image of about 12 frames can be transmitted per second.

When a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of image transmission, the image transmission operation is interrupted by the interruption of the timer T1. If transmission of signals other than the image does not occur during the period in which the transmission of the image is suspended, the transmission of the image is started again. Then, first, an initial screen is transmitted in step S67. Further, steps S68, S69,
In S70 and S71, the difference between the images is transmitted.
After executing step S71, the image transmission operation is interrupted again by the interruption of the timer T1.

In the example of FIG. 8, when the terminal station 10 is interrupting the image transmission operation, the host station 3
From 0, a telemeter start signal is transmitted to the terminal station 10. In response to the telemeter activation signal, the terminal station 10
Performs various measurements using the sensor 21, and transmits the obtained data from the terminal station 10 to the host station 30 in step S73.

It takes less time to control the telemeter and to transmit data. If the control of the telemeter and the data transmission have been completed, the image transmission can be started again in step S74. (Second Embodiment) A remote monitoring system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment corresponds to claims 4 and 5.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal station 10 of this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the intrusion detection control of the operation of the monitoring control device 13B. This embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. The components other than those described below are the same as those of the first embodiment. 4, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, the intrusion detection means and the alarm signal output means of the fourth aspect are each provided with an intrusion detection sensor 21B.
And the monitoring control device 13B. An intrusion detection sensor 21B, a discharge warning facility 22B, and a CCD camera 23 are connected to the terminal station 10 shown in FIG. The intrusion detection sensor 21B detects intrusion of a person into a river that is dangerous when discharged from a dam. The discharge warning equipment 22B is a motor siren, a rotating light, or the like that can be driven under the control of the monitoring control device 13B.

The monitoring control device 13B periodically and repeatedly executes the intrusion detection control shown in FIG. Each step shown in FIG. 5 will be described below. In step S30,
It is determined whether or not the current state is a predetermined alert state. For example, when water is not released from a dam to a river, there is no particular danger even if a person enters the river, so it is regarded as not being alert. In the alert state, the process proceeds from step S30 to S31.

In step S31, the intrusion detection sensor 21
It is determined whether or not B has detected intrusion of a person into the river. When the intrusion detection sensor 21B detects intrusion of a person into the river, the process proceeds from step S31 to S32. Step S
At 32, an intrusion alarm is automatically generated. That is, even if there is no instruction from the host station 30, the discharge warning equipment 22B is driven by the automatic control of the monitoring control device 13B to issue an intrusion warning.

In step S33, the monitoring control device 13B
To the switch 12 to control the switch 12 to connect the monitoring control device 13B and the wireless transceiver 11. In step S34, the monitoring control device 13
B wirelessly transmits predetermined intrusion detection information to the host station 30 via the switch 12, the radio transceiver 11, and the antenna 24. In this case, by receiving the intrusion detection information, the host station 30 can recognize that a person has entered the river.

In step S35, the monitoring control device 13B automatically turns on the power of the CCD camera 23 via the CCTV control device 16 without an instruction from the host station 30. Accordingly, image capturing by the CCD camera 23 is started. In step S36, the monitoring control device 13B gives a control signal to the switch 12, and the switch 12
And the wireless transceiver 11 are connected. In a succeeding step S37, the monitoring control device 13B supplies an image transmission start signal to the CCTV control device 16.

The CCTV control device 16 starts the image transmission operation in response to the image transmission start signal input from the monitoring control device 13B. In the next step S38,
The timer T1 is started as in step S16 of FIG.
Therefore, the image transmission operation is continued for the time set in the timer T1. According to the image transmitted by the terminal station 10, the host station 30 converts an image of the vicinity of the intruder into a CC image.
It can be remotely monitored using the D camera 23. When monitoring with the CCD camera 23 is necessary, the terminal station 10 automatically turns on the power of the CCD camera 23.
The power consumption of the terminal station 10 can be suppressed by shutting off the power supply of the D camera 23.

In this embodiment, a remote monitoring system used for a facility for discharging water from a dam to a river has been described. However, the remote monitoring system may be installed in an area where there is a risk of occurrence of debris flow or landslide. . (Third Embodiment) A remote monitoring system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. This form
This corresponds to claims 8 to 10. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the terminal station 10 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the image transmission start control of the operation of the monitoring control device 13C.

This embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. The components other than those described below are the same as those of the first embodiment. 6, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, the difference change detecting means in claim 8 corresponds to the difference identification device 17.

As shown in FIG. 6, a difference identification device 17 is connected to the output of the image transmission device 15 of the terminal station 10. The difference identification device 17 calculates the amount of image difference data for each frame output by the image transmission device 15. The monitoring control device 13C performs control by inputting the data amount calculated by the difference identification device 17. Further, in this example, it is assumed that the power of the CCD camera 23 is always turned on and the photographing state is set when alerting is required.

The monitoring controller 13C periodically and repeatedly executes the "image transmission start control" shown in FIG. The content of the “image transmission start control” in FIG. 7 will be described below.
In step S40, the monitoring control device 13C identifies whether or not one frame of image difference data has been input from the image transmission device 15 to the difference identification device 17. When the image difference data is input to the difference identification device 17, the monitoring control device 13C
The process proceeds from step S40 to S41.

In step S41, the monitoring control device 13C
Inputs information on the amount of image difference data calculated by the difference identification device 17. Image difference data is a difference identification device 1
7, that is, for each frame of the image, the data amount calculated by the difference
Input to C. The information on the data amount of each frame input by the monitoring control device 13C is stored in a memory built in the monitoring control device 13C in step S49.

In step S42, the monitoring control device 13C
Compares the amount of image difference data of the previous image frame held in the memory with the amount of image difference data of the last input image frame. Step S
In 42, the data amount may be compared between adjacent frames in time series, or the data amount may be compared between frames that are separated by a plurality of frames.

In step S43, it is determined whether or not the data amount of the last image frame has increased by the threshold value TH1 or more as compared with the difference data amount of the previous image frame as a result of the comparison in step S42. If it has increased by more than the threshold value TH1, the process proceeds to step S45. If the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S44. In step S44, step S42
As a result of the comparison, it is determined whether or not the data amount of the last image frame has decreased by the threshold value TH1 or more as compared with the difference data amount of the previous image frame. If the value has decreased by the threshold value TH1 or more, the process proceeds to step S45. If the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S49.

That is, if a large change in acceleration occurs between frames of the captured image, or if the change that has been occurring steadily becomes small, the process proceeds to step S45. For example, a point where a debris flow is likely to occur is identified by a CCD camera 2
In the case where the photographing is performed in step 3, sudden turbidity of water or an increase in the amount of water, which is a sign of occurrence of debris flow, is detected, and the process proceeds to step S45.

In step S45, the monitoring control device 13C
Outputs a control signal to the switch 12 from the switch 12.
Controls the connection between the monitoring control device 13C and the wireless transceiver 11. In step S46, a signal indicating that an abnormality has occurred is sent from the monitoring control device 13C to the switch 1
2. It transmits to the host station 30 as a radio signal via the radio transceiver 11 and the antenna 24. Therefore, the host station 3
At 0, the occurrence of an abnormality can be recognized.

In step S47, the monitoring control device 13C
Outputs a control signal to the switch 12 from the switch 12.
Controls the connection between the modem 14 and the wireless transceiver 11. In step S48, an image transmission start signal is provided from the monitoring control device 13C to the CCTV control device 16. The CCTV control device 16 starts an image transmission operation in response to the image transmission start signal. That is, CCD
A signal of an image captured by the camera 23 is provided to the image transmission device 15. An image signal output from the image transmission device 15 is input to the wireless transceiver 11 via the modem 14 and the switch 12 and is input as a wireless signal from the antenna 24 to the host station 30.
Sent to.

Therefore, when an abnormality occurs, the image captured by the terminal station 10 is automatically sent to the host station 30 without performing any special remote control at the host station 30. In step S49, the data amount information input in step S41 is stored in a predetermined memory. In step S50, the timer T1 is started as in step S16 of FIG. Therefore, the operation of transmitting an image from the terminal station 10 to the host station 30 continues for the time set in the timer T1.
When the image transmission operation is suspended, the host station 30
Control of the CCD camera 23 by remote control from
Zoom control, wiper control, and the like can be performed.

The monitoring control device 13 of the terminal station 10 and the C
The CTV control device 16 may be configured by combining hardware and software of a general-purpose computer, or may be configured by dedicated hardware.

[0070]

According to the present invention, an image signal can be transmitted from a terminal station to a host station without newly providing a wireless line. In addition, since the signal transmission of the information collecting device and the alarm device has priority over the image transmission, even if the image is transmitted, the information collection and the operation of the alarm device are not hindered.

(Claim 2) It can be determined whether or not the information collecting device uses the first signal line. (Claim 3) It can be determined whether or not the alarm device uses the first signal line. (Claim 4) It is possible to issue an alarm to an intruder or to recognize the presence of the intruder in the host station.

(Claim 5) The host station can remotely monitor an intruder by using an image. Further, when no intruder is detected, useless power consumption can be suppressed. (Claim 6) A control signal can be transmitted from the host station to the terminal station when an image transmission operation is interrupted, and a signal other than an image can be transmitted from the terminal station to the host station.

(Claim 7) The number of image frames that can be transmitted per unit time increases. (Claim 8) It can be used for detecting occurrence of debris flow and landslide. It can also be used to detect changes in river water levels and changes in dam discharge.

(Claim 9) When an abnormal situation occurs, information collection and transmission are automatically started, so that the host station can grasp it. In normal times, power consumption of the terminal station can be suppressed. (Claim 10) When an abnormal situation occurs, the host station can monitor the image of the site. In normal times, power consumption of the terminal station can be suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a remote monitoring system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing image transmission start control of the operation of the monitoring control device 13;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a timer T1 interrupt of the operation of the monitoring control device 13;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a terminal station 10 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing intrusion detection control of the operation of the monitoring control device 13B.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a terminal station 10 according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing image transmission start control of the operation of the monitoring control device 13C.

FIG. 8 is a time chart showing an example of data transmission timing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 terminal station 11 wireless transceiver 12 switch 13, 13B, 13C monitoring and control device 14 modem 15 image transmission device 16 CCTV control device 17 differential identification device 21 sensor 21B intrusion detection sensor 22 alarm device 22B discharge alarm device 23 CCD camera 24 antenna 30 Host station 31 wireless transceiver 32 switch 33 supervisory controller 34 modem 35 computer 36 antenna

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page F term (reference) BA35 CA05 DA02 DB01 DC01 EB12 EB13 EB15 FB02 FC01 HA04 HA06 HA22

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A remote monitoring system in which a terminal station having at least one of an information collecting device and an alarm device is connected to a predetermined host station via a single wireless line using one frequency band, An image capturing unit that captures an image of a site; a first signal line used by the information collecting device or the alarm device; and a second signal line used by the image capturing unit, selectively using the single radio. Switch means for connecting to a line; controlling the switch means to select the first signal line when the first signal line is in a predetermined use state; A remote monitoring system, comprising: priority switching control means for permitting selection of the second signal line of the switch means when the usage state is not a prescribed use state. 2. The remote monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein
Remote monitoring, wherein the priority switching control means considers the first signal line to be in use at a predetermined time and controls the switch means to select the first signal line. system. 3. The remote monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein
Wherein the priority switching control means regards the first signal line as being in use during control of the alarm device, and controls the switch means so as to select the first signal line. Monitoring system. 4. The remote monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein
A remote monitoring system, wherein the terminal station is provided with intrusion detection means for detecting intrusion of a person, and alarm signal output means for outputting an alarm signal in accordance with a detection output of the intrusion detection means. 5. The remote monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein
Remote monitoring wherein the alarm signal output means automatically turns on the power of the image photographing means and transmits the image photographed by the image photographing means to the host station in response to the intrusion detection of the intrusion detecting means. system. 6. The remote monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein
When the operation of transmitting the image photographed by the image photographing means to the host station continues for a predetermined time, the image transmitting operation is interrupted, and the switch means is controlled so as to select the first signal line. A remote monitoring system, wherein a time limiter is provided in the priority switching controller. 7. The remote monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein
A remote monitoring system, wherein the terminal station is provided with an image difference extracting unit for transmitting information on a change in an image captured by the image capturing unit to the host station. 8. The remote monitoring system according to claim 7, wherein
A remote monitoring system, comprising: a difference change detecting unit that identifies a magnitude of a time-series change in an information amount of an image change detected by the image difference extracting unit. 9. The remote monitoring system according to claim 8, wherein
When the time-series change of the information amount for the image change exceeds a predetermined value,
A remote monitoring system, wherein the difference change detecting means activates the operation of the information collecting device and transmits information collected by the information collecting device to the host station. 10. The remote monitoring system according to claim 8, wherein when the time-series change of the information amount corresponding to the image change becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value, the difference change detecting means transmits the image photographed by the image photographing means to the host station. A remote monitoring system.