JP2002027434A - Image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable images picked up by a camera to be efficiently recorded. SOLUTION: An image pick-up and recording device is equipped with a camera, a first recording device that successively records images picked up by the camera (step S12), a second recording device that records, at least, some of the images picked up by the camera, a motion vector detector which detects the motion vector to the images picked up by the camera and compares the detected motion vector with a threshold (step S13), and a camera management section which enables the second recording device to record the images recorded in the first recording device when the motion vector value is larger than a prescribed value (step Sl4).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus, and more particularly, to an image recording apparatus that records an image captured by a camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image recording apparatus for photographing a predetermined place with a camera for the purpose of crime prevention and self-prevention, and recording the photographed image on a video tape recorder or the like. Since the recording of the image always keeps recording the image taken by the camera regardless of the movement of the subject, an enormous recording capacity is required for a recording medium for recording the image. It is desirable to reduce the usage of the recording medium as much as possible from the viewpoint of maintenance of the image recording apparatus such as replacement of the recording medium. In order to cope with this problem, an image is recorded using a technique such as differential compression. However, since the amount of information increases in proportion to time, it is not a fundamental solution. Also,
In a conventional image recording apparatus, a photographed image is recorded irrespective of an object to be photographed. Therefore, it is very difficult to find a changed image from the recorded image.

As a technique for reducing the usage of a recording medium, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-285542 discloses a technique in which a motion vector is detected from a captured image and the start or stop of recording is controlled in accordance with the detection of the motion vector. The recording device to be used is described.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-23092 discloses a primary recording device for inputting video and recording it in a short term,
There is described a continuous video recording device including a secondary recording device that selects a video recorded by a next recording device in accordance with an alarm issuance and permanently stores the selected video.

Further, as a technique for searching for a moving image from a recorded image, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-130722 discloses a technique in which, at the time of recording image data, the current image data is compared with the immediately preceding image data for each frame. There is described an image storage and display device which stores and stores difference energy and reads out and displays image data at the time when the difference energy suddenly increases during reproduction.

[0006]

However, these conventional devices still have insufficient efficiency and accuracy in image recording.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of efficiently recording an image picked up by a camera. That is.

[0008]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus comprising: a camera; first recording means for sequentially recording images captured by the camera; A second recording unit that records at least a part of the image captured by the camera, a detection unit that detects a motion vector for the image captured by the camera, and a comparison unit that compares the detected motion vector with a predetermined value. And control means for recording the image recorded in the first recording means in the second storage means when the value of the motion vector is equal to or more than the predetermined value by the comparing means.

According to the present invention, images taken by the camera are sequentially recorded in the first recording means, and a motion vector is detected from the image taken by the camera. When the value of the motion vector is equal to or more than the predetermined value, the image recorded in the primary storage is stored in the second storage. For this reason, the images captured by the camera are sequentially stored in the first storage unit, and the image containing the moving object is stored in the second storage unit. As a result, it is possible to provide an image recording device capable of efficiently recording an image captured by a camera.

[0010] Preferably, the control means of the image recording apparatus comprises:
The motion vector detected by the detecting means is recorded in the second recording means in conjunction with the image recorded in the first recording means.

According to the present invention, since the detected motion vector is recorded together with the image recorded in the first recording means, when the image is read from the second recording means, the motion vector is read from the read image. There is no need to detect the vector, and it becomes easier to detect the moving object in the image.

Preferably, the control means of the image recording apparatus comprises:
After the recording on the secondary recording means has started, if the value of the motion vector is determined to be less than the predetermined value by the comparing means,
The recording to the second recording means is stopped.

According to the invention, after the recording on the secondary recording means is started, if the comparison means determines that the value of the motion vector is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the recording on the second recording means is stopped. Therefore, the secondary recording unit can record only an image including a moving object having a large change.

Preferably, the control means of the image recording apparatus comprises:
After a predetermined time has elapsed after the recording on the second recording means has started, the recording on the second recording means is stopped.

According to the present invention, the recording on the second recording means is stopped after a lapse of a predetermined time after the recording on the secondary recording means is started. Images can be recorded for the required time.

Preferably, the image recording apparatus is provided with a plurality of cameras, and further includes a selecting means for selecting an optimum camera according to a three-dimensional position of an object to be photographed.

According to the present invention, the most suitable camera is selected according to the three-dimensional position of the object to be photographed, so that an image of the object to be photographed best can be recorded.

[0018] More preferably, the selecting means of the image recording apparatus selects at least two cameras.

According to the present invention, at least two cameras are selected, so that the accuracy of detecting a moving object from a recorded image can be improved.

[0020] Preferably, the image recording apparatus informs that the replacement time of the second recording means is approaching when the remaining recording time is reduced after the recording on the second recording means is started. Means are further provided.

According to the present invention, after the start of recording on the second recording means, when the remaining recordable time becomes short, it is notified that the replacement time of the second recording means is approaching. It is possible to prevent the area that can be recorded by the secondary recording means from being lost and from becoming unrecordable.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an image recording apparatus includes a camera, detecting means for detecting a motion vector for an image captured by the camera, and a comparing means for comparing the detected motion vector with a predetermined value. Means for storing an image captured by the camera and the calculated motion vector when the value of the motion vector is equal to or greater than the predetermined value by the comparing means.

According to the present invention, a motion vector is detected for an image captured by a camera, and the detected motion vector is compared with a predetermined value. Then, when the value of the motion vector is determined to be equal to or more than the predetermined value, the image captured by the camera and the calculated motion vector are stored. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image recording apparatus capable of efficiently recording an image captured by a camera.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or corresponding members, and description thereof will not be repeated.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, image recording apparatus 100 includes five cameras 102, 103, and 1 installed in one room 120 to be monitored.
04, 105, and 106, and the server device 101.

The server device 101 is a personal computer and includes a recording device for recording an image on a recording medium for recording an image. As a recording medium, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a digital video disk, or the like can be used.

Each of the cameras 102 to 106 has a CCD (charge coupled device) as an image pickup device, and outputs images picked up at predetermined time intervals one frame at a time. A moving image can be reproduced by continuously reproducing frames.

The camera 102 and the server device 101 are connected by TC
Images are connected by a network such as P / IP, and images output from the camera 102 are received by the server device. The server device 101 does not need to be installed in the room 120, and can be installed in a place away from the cameras 102 to 106. Further, the server device 101 can simultaneously record images output from the five cameras 102 to 106 on a recording medium of the recording device.

Image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment
In the example, the three-dimensional area 107 to be monitored is set in the room 120, and the five cameras 102 to 106
The three-dimensional area 107 is imaged by at least two of them. By monitoring with at least two units, the three-dimensional position of the object that has entered the three-dimensional area 107 to be monitored can be more accurately obtained. The camera not selected to image the three-dimensional area 107 images an area other than the three-dimensional area of the room 120 or a wider area including the three-dimensional area.

Therefore, when the intruder 110 exists in the room, the image is captured by any one of the cameras 102 to 106.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image recording apparatus. Referring to FIG.
6 are connected to the network 121 via communication modules 122 to 126, respectively. Each of the communication modules 122 to 126 communicates with the communication module 153 of the server device 101 via the network 121. The communication modules 122 to 126
The image output by each of the images 2 to 106 is received, and the received image is transmitted to the server apparatus 101. Network 1
A general-purpose network such as Ethernet (registered trademark) can be used for 21.

Further, the cameras 102 to 106 and the server device 101 may be directly connected using a coaxial cable or the like without using a network. In this case, the server device 101 includes five cameras 102 to 1
06 are provided with five terminals for receiving the images output from the communication modules 122 to 12, respectively.
6,153 becomes unnecessary.

The server device 101 includes a camera management unit 150 for managing the entire server device and a server device 10.
And a primary recording device 154 for sequentially recording images.
A motion vector detecting unit 152 for calculating a motion vector for the image, a secondary recording device 154 for recording the selected image, and a recording time for setting a time for recording in the secondary recording device 154 It includes a setting unit 151 and an alarm unit 156 that issues an alarm when the recording capacity of the secondary recording device becomes low.

The server device 101 is connected to an external storage device 108. The external storage device 108 is a device for reading programs and data recorded on the recording medium 109 and writing data on the recording medium 109. The server device 101 includes the external storage device 10
By reading the image recording program recorded on the recording medium 109 in Step 8, the read mediation program can be executed. As the recording medium 109, a magneto-optical disk, a digital video disk, or a compact disk can be used.

The camera management unit 150 controls the entire camera server device 101. Also, the camera management unit 150
Performs a camera selection process of selecting at least two cameras from the images captured by the cameras 102 to 106. The camera selection processing will be described later.

The communication module 153 includes the cameras 102 to
The camera management unit 150 receives the image captured by the
Is output to the primary recording device 154 in accordance with the instruction.

The recording time setting section 151 includes a display and a keyboard, displays a recording time setting screen on the display, and receives an input from the keyboard by the operator. By looking at the recording time setting screen displayed on the display, the operator can easily grasp the information to be input, and can easily input the recording time.

The motion vector detection unit 152 detects a motion vector by calculating a motion vector from an image captured by a camera according to an instruction from the camera management unit 150. A well-known technique can be used to calculate the motion vector. For example, a motion vector can be calculated by using a difference between two images captured by the same camera at different times.

An image whose motion vector is to be detected by the motion vector detection unit 152 is selected and input by the camera management unit 150. The motion vector detection unit 152 transmits the detected motion vector to the camera management unit 150.

The primary recording device 154 is, for example, a hard disk drive, and sequentially records images captured by the cameras 102 to 106. All moving images captured by the five cameras 102 to 106 can be recorded. In the present embodiment, images output by the two selected cameras are recorded.

Further, in the primary recording device 154, when there is no more area to be recorded, a newly input image is recorded by overwriting the oldest recorded image. Thus, the primary recording device can record an image endlessly.

The secondary recording device 155 is, for example, a hard disk drive, and records a part of an image recorded in the primary recording device 154 according to an instruction from the camera management unit 150. Further, the secondary recording device 155 includes an image compression unit, and is compressed before recording an image.

The notification unit 156 includes a display device such as an alarm lamp and a display for providing visual information to a person, or a sound device such as a speaker for providing auditory information to a person. A combination of a display device and a sound generating device may be provided. The notification unit 156 detects the remaining capacity that can be recorded by the secondary recording device 155, and issues a warning on the display device or the sounding device when the remaining recording capacity falls below a predetermined value. When the display device is a display, for example, a message “The recording capacity has become low, please replace the secondary recording device.” Is displayed. In the case of a sound generator, a warning sound of a predetermined frequency and a message "The recording capacity has become low, please replace the secondary recording device" are generated.

Next, the setting of the three-dimensional area 107 of the room 120 will be described. The setting of the three-dimensional area is performed using a display provided in the server apparatus 101 and an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a three-dimensional shape setting screen of a three-dimensional area displayed on the display of the server device. Referring to FIG. 3, a three-dimensional shape setting screen 301 displayed on the display of server device 101 includes a list 303 exemplifying the shape of three-dimensional area 107, a setting button 304, and a cancel button 3
05. The operator can use a mouse to enter the corresponding list 30
In 3, when a desired shape name is clicked from exemplarily displayed shape names such as a rectangular parallelepiped, a cube, and a column, a shape of a three-dimensional region is selected. Then, by clicking the setting button 304, the shape of the three-dimensional area is determined as the selected shape name. When the shape of the three-dimensional area is selected by mistake, the user can click the cancel button 305 to cancel the selection and select a new shape.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a three-dimensional position setting screen of a three-dimensional area displayed on the display of the server device. Referring to FIG. 4, room 120 and cameras 102 to
106 is displayed on the display. This allows the operator to specify the overall shape of the room 120 and the cameras 102 to
6 and the position in the room 120 can be grasped. Then, by clicking the desired position with the mouse, the three-dimensional area 107 having the previously selected shape is displayed on the display. By performing a process of enlarging or reducing the displayed three-dimensional area 107, the range of the three-dimensional area 107 can be changed. Thereby, the three-dimensional position and range of the three-dimensional area 107 in the room 120 are determined by the server device 1.
01 is input.

Next, the setting of the recording time will be described.
Here, the recording time refers to the time from the start of recording by the secondary recording device 155 to the end thereof. In a recording time setting process described later, a recording time setting screen is displayed on the display of the server apparatus 101, and the recording time is input.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a recording time setting screen displayed on the display of the server device. Referring to FIG. 5, a recording time setting screen 310 includes a time input field 311 and a minute input field 312 for inputting a recording time,
A setting button 313 and a cancel button 314 are included. The operator looks at the recording time setting screen displayed on the display and inputs the recording time for the secondary recording device into the time input field 311 and the minute input field 312 from the keyboard. When the setting button is clicked with a mouse, the recording time input in the time input field 311 and the minute input field 312 is set. The set recording time is recorded and stored in the memory of the server apparatus 101.

When the recording time setting screen is displayed on the display of the server apparatus 101 after the recording time is set once, the recording time recorded in the memory of the server apparatus 101 is displayed in the time input field 311 and the minute input field 312. Is displayed.
When the operator changes the recording time displayed in the time input field 311 and the minute input field 312 and clicks the setting button 313 after the change, the changed recording time is recorded in the memory.

The cancel button 314 is used to erase the recording time once set, and is reset to the previously set recording time by clicking the cancel button. Further, the recording time may be set to a predetermined time recorded in the memory of the server device 101 by clicking the cancel button.

Next, a description will be given of a camera selection process for selecting one of the five cameras in order to determine which camera is to be used as the image to be recorded in the primary recording device 154. The camera selection process is performed on the server device 10.
This is performed by one camera management unit 150.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the camera selection process performed by the server device. Referring to FIG. 6, in the camera selection process, first, a three-dimensional area is set (step S01). The setting of the three-dimensional area is performed by displaying the three-dimensional shape setting screen shown in FIG. 3 and the three-dimensional position setting screen shown in FIG. 4 on the display of the server device 101, and inputting by the operator using a keyboard and a mouse. Sets the shape and position of the three-dimensional area.

Next, camera parameters are read from each of the five cameras 102 to 106 (step S).
02). The camera parameters are the coordinates of the position where the camera is set, the pan and tilt angles of the camera, and the zoom magnification. A vector in the viewing direction of the camera is obtained from the pan and tilt angles of the camera and the position coordinates of the camera. The vector of the viewing direction of the camera indicates the direction in which the camera captures images. Then, the imaging range of the camera is determined from the vector in the line of sight of the camera and the zoom magnification. The coordinates of the position where the camera is set may be set in the server apparatus 101 in advance.

Depending on the distance between the camera and the object or the zoom magnification, the ratio of the object to the captured image varies. If the distance between the camera and the imaging target is short, and if the zoom magnification is large, the ratio of the imaging target in the image increases. Conversely, if the distance between the camera and the imaging target is long, and if the zoom magnification is small, the ratio of the imaging target in the camera frame is small. If the ratio of the imaging target in the image is large, the imaging target is imaged in a large area, so that the accuracy of the camera is high. Conversely, if the ratio of the object to be occupied in the image is small, the accuracy of the camera is low because the object to be imaged is captured in a small area. In the present embodiment, the accuracy of the camera is determined based on the ratio of the three-dimensional region 107 to the image. The higher the accuracy of the camera, the more accurately the movement of the object in the three-dimensional area 107 can be detected.

Then, the accuracy of the cameras 102 to 106 is compared (step S04), and the two
One camera is selected, and the number of the selected camera is stored in the memory (step S05). An image captured by the camera with the camera number stored in the memory is recorded in the primary recording device.

Here, the two cameras are selected to detect a moving object in the three-dimensional area 107 by obtaining images taken not only in one direction but also in two directions. If the number of cameras is one, if the object moves in the line of sight of the camera, the movement of the object in the image is small, so that the movement of the object cannot be detected. If two cameras having different viewing directions are used, a moving object can be detected by any one of the cameras.

In step S06, it is determined whether or not the camera parameters have been read for all of the five cameras.
Proceed to step 2 to terminate the processing if it is read. As a result, the accuracy of all the cameras is compared, and the camera numbers of the top two cameras with good accuracy are stored in the memory.

In the camera selection process, the cameras 102 to 10
If the camera 6 automatically changes its position and pan and tilt angles, the selected camera will differ depending on the time. On the other hand, when the cameras 102 to 106 are fixed, the positions of the cameras, and the pan and tilt angles are unchanged.
In this case, if these values are stored in the server apparatus 101 in advance, there is no need to read camera parameters from the cameras 102 to 106. Based on only the position and size of the three-dimensional area 107, the accuracy of the camera is determined, and an appropriate camera is selected.

Next, a recording process performed by the server 101 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a recording process performed by the server apparatus 101. FIG.
With reference to, the server apparatus 101 sets the recording time setting unit 15
In step S1, the recording time is set.
1). The set recording time is recorded in the memory of the secondary recording device.

The images captured by the two cameras selected by the camera management unit 150 are recorded in the primary recording device 154. The two cameras are selected by executing the above-described camera selection process.

A motion vector is detected by the motion vector detection section 152 for the image recorded in the primary recording device 154, and it is determined whether or not the scalar amount of the motion vector exceeds a threshold value (step S13). ). If the threshold value is exceeded, the process proceeds to step S14, and if not, the process returns to step S12.

The detection of the motion vector is performed by the primary recording device 15.
4 is performed on the images captured by the two cameras recorded in 4. The scalar amount of the motion vector detected from each of the images captured by the two cameras is compared with a threshold, and if any of the scalar amounts exceeds the threshold, the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S14, the primary recording device 154
The recording of the image in which the scalar amount exceeding the threshold is detected from the images recorded in the secondary recording device is started.
At this time, the scalar amount is also recorded in the secondary recording device.

Next, it is determined whether or not the capacity of the recordable area left in the secondary recording device is smaller than 1 gigabyte (step S15).
Otherwise, skip step S16 and proceed to step S17. Steps S15 and S16 are performed by the notification unit 156. When the capacity of the recordable area remaining in the secondary recording device is smaller than 1 gigabyte, visual information or audio information is output from the notification unit 156. Thereby, the administrator of the server device 101 can know that the secondary recording device 155 needs to be replaced. Then, by replacing the secondary recording device 155, a problem that an area to be recorded in the secondary recording device 155 is lost and an image to be recorded cannot be recorded is prevented.

In step S17, the time elapsed from the start of image recording in step S14 is determined in step S11.
It is determined whether or not the recording time set in the step has been reached. If the recording time has elapsed, the process ends. If the recording time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S14 to continue recording on the secondary recording device 155.

As described above, in the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, two cameras are selected from among the five cameras, and the images captured by the selected two cameras are primarily recorded. Recorded in device 154. For this reason, a high-precision image is selected from the images obtained by imaging the three-dimensional area 107 that is to be monitored mainly, and the primary recording device 154 is selected.
Can be recorded.

Also, since two cameras are selected,
The moving object that has entered the dimensional area 107 can be accurately detected.

Further, among the images recorded in the primary recording device 154, an image recorded during a period from when a scalar motion vector exceeding a threshold value is detected to when a recording time has elapsed is a secondary image. Since it is recorded in the recording device 155,
The image mainly including the moving object is recorded in the secondary recording device 155, and the recording capacity of the secondary recording device 155 can be reduced. In addition, the scalar amount of the motion vector is recorded in the secondary recording device 155 together with the image, so that the moving object can be easily detected from the image.

[First Modification of Server Apparatus] Next, a modification of the server apparatus will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a modified server device. Referring to FIG. 8, a modified server device 201 has a configuration in which a branching unit 202 is added to server device 101.

The branching unit 202 receives images captured by the two cameras selected by the camera management unit 150 and outputs the images to the primary recording device 154 and the motion vector detection unit 152. The images output by the branching unit 202 are two images captured by the two selected cameras.

In the primary recording device 154, two images received from the branching unit 202 are sequentially recorded. All images output from the branching unit 202 to the primary recording device 154 are recorded on the primary recording device 154. Primary recording device 1
At 54, when there is no more area to be recorded, a newly input image is recorded by overwriting the oldest recorded image. Thus, the primary recording device can record an image endlessly.

The motion vector detecting section 152
2, a motion vector is calculated for each of the two images received.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of a recording process on the secondary recording device 155 performed by the modified server device 201. Referring to FIG. 9, secondary recording device 1
In the recording process to 55, the recording time is set in the recording time setting unit 151 (step S21). The set recording time is recorded in the memory of the server device 201.

Then, the motion vector detecting section 152 detects a motion vector from the image received from the branching section 202, and determines whether or not the scalar amount of the motion vector exceeds a threshold value (step S22). . If the threshold value is exceeded, the process proceeds to step S23; otherwise, the process returns to step S22.

The detection of the motion vector is performed for each of the two images received from the branching unit 202. Therefore, the scalar amount of the motion vector detected from each of the images captured by the two cameras is compared with the threshold, and if any of the scalar amounts exceeds the threshold, the process proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, recording of the image in which the scalar amount exceeding the threshold value is detected in the secondary recording device is started. At this time, the calculated scalar amount is also recorded in the secondary recording device.

Next, it is determined whether or not the capacity of the recordable area left in the secondary recording device is smaller than 1 gigabyte (GB) (step S24). If smaller, the process proceeds to step S25. If not, step S25
And skip to step S26. Step S24
And step S25 are performed by the notification unit 156. Therefore, when the capacity of the recordable area remaining in the secondary recording device is smaller than 1 gigabyte, the notifying unit 156 outputs visual information or audio information. Thus, the administrator of the server device 201 can know that the secondary recording device 155 needs to be replaced. And 2
By replacing the next recording device 155, a problem that an area to be recorded in the secondary recording device 155 is lost and an image to be recorded cannot be recorded is prevented.

In step S26, the time elapsed from the start of image recording in step S23 is determined in step S21.
It is determined whether or not the recording time set in the step has been reached. If the recording time has elapsed, the process ends. If the recording time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S23 to continue recording on the secondary recording device 155.

[Second Modified Example of Server Apparatus] A second modified example of the server apparatus is the server apparatus 2 of the first modified example.
This is an improvement on the recording process on the secondary recording device 155 performed in step S01.

FIG. 10 is a second flowchart showing the flow of the recording process to the secondary recording device 155 performed by the modified server device 201. Referring to FIG. 10, the recording time is set in recording time setting section 151 (step S31). The set recording time is recorded in the memory of the server device 201.

Then, the motion vector detecting section 152 detects a motion vector from the image received from the branch section 202, and determines whether or not the scalar amount of the motion vector exceeds a threshold value (step S32). . If the threshold value is exceeded, the process proceeds to step S33, and if not, the process returns to step S32.

The detection of the motion vector is performed for each of the two images received from the branching unit 202. Therefore, the scalar amount of the motion vector detected from each of the images captured by the two cameras is compared with the threshold value, and if any of the scalar amounts exceeds the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S33.

In step S33, recording of the image in which the scalar amount exceeding the threshold value is detected in the secondary recording device is started. At this time, the calculated scalar amount is also recorded in the secondary recording device.

Next, it is determined whether or not the capacity of the recordable area remaining in the secondary recording device is smaller than 1 gigabyte (GB) (step S34). If smaller, the process proceeds to step S35. If not, step S35
Skip to step S36. Step S34
And step S35 are performed by the notification unit 156. Therefore, when the capacity of the recordable area remaining in the secondary recording device is smaller than 1 gigabyte, the notifying unit 156 outputs visual information or audio information. Thus, the administrator of the server device 201 can know that the secondary recording device 155 needs to be replaced. And 2
By replacing the next recording device 155, a problem that an area to be recorded in the secondary recording device 155 is lost and an image to be recorded cannot be recorded is prevented.

In step S36, the motion vector detecting section 152 detects a motion vector from the image received from the branching section 202, and determines whether or not the scalar amount of the motion vector exceeds a threshold value. If the threshold is exceeded, the process proceeds to step S37, and if not, the process returns to step S33. Therefore, while the scalar amount of the detected motion vector exceeds the threshold, an image is recorded in the secondary recording device 155.

In step S37, the time elapsed from the start of image recording in step S33 is determined in step S31.
It is determined whether or not the recording time set in the step has been reached. If the recording time has elapsed, the process ends, and if not, the process returns to step S32. Thus, immediately after the scalar amount of the motion vector exceeds the threshold value and image recording is started, even if the scalar amount becomes equal to or less than the threshold value, , The recording of the image is continued.

As described above, in the second modified example of the server device, the recording process to the secondary recording device performs the secondary recording while the motion vector having the scalar amount exceeding the threshold value is detected. The three-dimensional area 1 is recorded on the device 155.
07 can be reliably recorded in the secondary recording device 155.

Even if the scalar amount of the detected motion vector fluctuates near the threshold value, the image is not recorded during the recording time after the scalar amount of the motion vector exceeding the threshold value is detected. Since the image is recorded, an image for a short time is not intermittently recorded. As a result, even when a motion vector in which the scalar amount fluctuates near the threshold is detected, recording can be performed for a predetermined time, and when an image recorded in the secondary recording device 155 is reproduced. Is not difficult to see.

In this embodiment, the first recording device 154 and the second recording device 155 are provided separately, but a single recording device having the first recording region and the second recording region may be used. .

It is to be noted that an image may be recorded in the secondary recording device 155 only when the scalar amount of the motion vector is higher than the threshold value, not only when the recording time has elapsed. In this case, steps S31 and S37 become unnecessary.

In this embodiment, the camera management unit 1
At 50, two cameras suitable for imaging the three-dimensional area 107 are selected.
The two cameras to be selected may be switched based on the motion vector detected in step 2. For example, from the images captured by the five cameras 102 to 106, the top two cameras having the large scalar amount of the detected motion vector are selected. Thereby, it is possible to track an intruder within a range that can be imaged by the cameras 102 to 106. In this case, the area to be monitored need not be limited to the three-dimensional area 107.

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image recording apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a three-dimensional shape setting screen of a three-dimensional area displayed on a display of a server device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a three-dimensional position and size setting screen of a three-dimensional area displayed on a display of a server device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recording time setting screen displayed on a display of the server device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a camera selection process performed by the server device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a recording process performed by the server device.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a modified server device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a recording process on a secondary recording device performed by a modified server device.

FIG. 10 is a second flowchart showing the flow of a recording process on the secondary recording device 155 performed by the modified server device.

[Explanation of symbols]

100, 200 image recording device, 101, 201 server device, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 camera, 107 three-dimensional area, 110 intruder (animal), 120 room, 121 network, 122,
123, 124, 125, 126, 153 communication module, 150 camera management unit, 151 recording time setting unit, 152 vector detection unit, 154 primary recording device,
155 secondary recording device, 156 notification unit, 202 branching unit, 301 three-dimensional shape setting screen, 303 three-dimensional shape list, 304, 313 setting buttons, 305, 314
Cancel button, 310 Recording time setting screen, 31
1 hour input field, 312 minutes input field.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (reference) H04N 5/85 H04N 5/781 510F 510J 530B F term (reference) 5C052 AA01 CC01 DD04 DD10 EE03 EE06 5C054 AA01 AA05 CA04 CC02 CE16 CF06 CH08 DA08 EA07 FA09 FC12 FC13 FE09 FE21 FE28 FF03 GA01 GA02 GB02 GD05 HA18

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A camera, first recording means for sequentially recording images taken by the camera, second recording means for recording at least a part of an image taken by the camera, and an image taken by the camera Detecting means for detecting a motion vector for the image, a comparing means for comparing the detected motion vector with a predetermined value, when the value of the motion vector is determined to be equal to or more than a predetermined value, Control means for recording the image recorded in the first recording means in the second storage means,
Image recording device. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the second recording unit to record the motion vector detected by the detection unit together with the image recorded in the first recording unit.
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The control means, if the value of the motion vector is smaller than a predetermined value by the comparing means after the recording to the secondary recording means has started, to the second recording means. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording of the image is stopped. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit starts the second recording after a predetermined time has elapsed after the recording on the secondary recording unit has started.
2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein recording on the recording unit is stopped. 5. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said cameras are provided, and further comprising a selecting means for selecting an optimum camera according to a three-dimensional position of a photographing target. 6. The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said selecting means selects at least two cameras. 7. A notifying means for notifying that the replacement time of the second recording means is approaching when the remaining recordable time becomes short after the recording on the second recording means is started. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1. 8. A camera, detection means for detecting a motion vector with respect to an image captured by the camera, comparison means for comparing the detected motion vector with a predetermined value, An image recording apparatus comprising: a storage unit configured to store an image captured by the camera and the calculated motion vector when the value is determined to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value.