JP2002027441A - Mobile monitoring camera device and monitoring method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To monitor a wide extent and, in addition, to obtain detailed videos with a small number of cameras. SOLUTION: A mobile monitoring camera device has a photographing device 20 which is mounted with a camera 21 and moves on a rail, a monitoring device 10 which controls the motions of the device 20 and, at the same time, monitors videos picked up by means of the camera 21, and a signal cable 30 which connects the devices 20 and 10 to each other.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile surveillance camera apparatus for detecting an object and obtaining detailed information of the object by photographing with a mobile camera, and a monitoring method using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a monitoring apparatus using a fixed-point camera, if the camera is fixed and installed, the monitoring range of one camera is constant and very narrow. Therefore, in order to widen the field of view of the camera, a method of expanding the field of view of the camera itself, such as shaking the camera's head or changing the focus at a place where the camera is fixed, or changing a plurality of cameras to various angles A method of setting up and covering the monitoring range was adopted.

[0003] Such a conventional example will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 21 is an explanatory view showing a conventional example in which a plurality of cameras are installed at various angles, and FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram of a monitoring situation in the conventional example. In the figure, reference numerals 1a to 1d denote fixed cameras fixed at different angles, and cover these monitoring ranges by combining these monitoring ranges.

Further, a method of using a telephoto lens from a distance has been used for tracking and monitoring a moving object.

[0005]

However, even if the camera is shaken or the focal point is changed, the resolution of the video taken by one fixed camera varies depending on the location, and monitoring is performed over a wide range. In order to obtain a detailed image while covering the entire range, a huge number of cameras must be installed.

When a telephoto lens is used from afar to track an object in surveillance, it is difficult to specify a photographing place, and an obstacle such as a tree causes a place where the object to be photographed is shaded or a place that is difficult to monitor. Problem arises.
The present invention is to solve the above problems,
The purpose is to monitor a wide area with a small number of cameras and obtain detailed images.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a photographing apparatus having a camera mounted thereon and moving on a rail, a monitoring apparatus for controlling the operation of the photographing apparatus and monitoring an image photographed by the camera. It has a connection means for connecting the photographing device and the monitoring device, and shoots an image by a camera moving on a rail, and monitors the image.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the device configuration of this embodiment includes a monitoring device 10 and an imaging device 20, and a signal cable 30 that connects the monitoring device 10 and the imaging device 20. The monitoring device 10 further includes a monitoring monitor unit 11,
The monitoring control unit 12 includes an information processing unit 13.

FIG. 2 is an installation image diagram of the photographing apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, FIG. 3 is a side view showing details of the photographing apparatus 20, and FIG. 4 is a front view thereof. Road 40 to be monitored
A rail 41 is installed along the road and horizontally with respect to the road 40 so as to cover the above. The center of the rail 41 is protruded as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and the signal cable 30 for transmitting and receiving control signals and video signals is installed at the center. Further, at one end of the rail 41, a photographing device standby box 4 described later is used as a standby position for the photographing device 20.
2 and the other is provided with a stopper. The photographing device 20 mounted on the rail includes the camera 2
1, a drive unit 22, a carriage 23, and a photographing control unit 24. FIG. 2 shows only the camera 21. Short distance sensors 25 are installed at both ends of the carriage 23. The photographing device 20 is mounted so that the wheels 26 and the signal cables 30 installed on the rails 41 are always in contact with each other. The camera 21 has a built-in battery 27 and supplies power to the photographing device 20.

FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining the operation of this embodiment, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are operation flowcharts of this embodiment.
The operation of the present embodiment will be described. The monitoring is performed by moving the photographing device 20 (only the camera 21 is shown in FIG. 5) as shown in FIG.

First, the battery 27 is charged in the photographing device standby box 42 shown in FIG. 5 (SA1). Immediately after the charging is completed, the photographing control unit 24 of the photographing device 20 instructs the camera 21 to start photographing and wheel rotation. And start shooting (S
A2), rotation of the wheels is started (SA3). Photographing device 2
The monitoring process is performed while moving 0 (SA4). The monitoring process is shown in FIG. When the short distance sensor 25 mounted on the tip of the carriage 23 informs the end point of the rail 41 (SA5), the rotation of the wheels 26 of the carriage 23 is stopped (SA5).
6) If not the end point, continue monitoring. After the rotation of the wheel 26 is stopped, the direction of the camera 21 and the setting of the wheel rotation direction are reversed (SA7, SA8). All of these controls are performed by the imaging control unit 24. Next, the rotation of the wheel 26 is started again (SA9), and monitoring is performed (SA10). When the short distance sensor 25 notifies the end point of the rail 41 (SA11), the rotation of the wheel 26 of the bogie 23 is stopped (SA1).
2), the direction of the camera 21 and the rotation direction of the wheels 26 are reversed (SA13, SA14), and if the remaining capacity of the battery 27 is small (SA15), charging is performed again (SA15).
1). If the capacity of the battery 27 is equal to or more than a certain
Is started again (SA3).

In the monitoring processing shown in FIG. 7, the monitoring device 10 monitors the image transmitted at the same time as monitoring the photographing (SB1), and sequentially stops the photographing device 20 according to the monitoring status. The instruction is sent from the monitoring device 10 to the imaging control unit 24. When the photographing control unit 24 receives an instruction to stop the photographing device 20 (SB2), the rotation of the wheels 26 is stopped (SB3). The monitoring device 10 transmits an instruction to change the direction of the camera 21 and the photographing magnification to the photographing control unit 24 while continuing monitoring while standing still.
In step 4, the direction of the received camera 21 and the photographing magnification are changed (SB4, SB5). Monitor the video again (SB
6) The processes from SB4 to SB6 are repeated until the detailed monitoring ends. When the detailed monitoring end command is transmitted from the monitoring device 10 to the imaging control unit 24, the imaging control unit 24 returns the orientation of the camera 21 and the imaging magnification to the state before the processing of SB3 (SB7, SB8), and displays the image. Monitoring (SB
1) Perform monitoring processing.

FIG. 8 is a monitoring image diagram of the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an image diagram of a monitoring situation in the embodiment.
By moving the photographing device 20 as described above, 1
The monitoring range 51, which was limited by the stand, can be greatly expanded (FIG. 8), and the number of cameras installed can be reduced. In addition, by moving the object to the vicinity of the photographing target object 50, it is possible to reliably capture a place that is difficult to monitor and to acquire a detailed image, so that the monitoring performance is significantly improved. There is no need to go to the site and shoot detailed video. In addition, rail 41 is installed along road 40,
If the user moves while photographing with the camera 21, monitoring can be performed at the same interval as when the user is actually driving on a road. For this reason, a surveillance camera device in which a plurality of fixed cameras are installed performs monitoring while grasping which camera is taking a picture (FIG. 22). Since surveillance can be performed without concern, even a person who is not used to the surveillance camera device can grasp at a glance "where" the situation has occurred (FIG. 9), and the surveillance ability can be improved.

Second Embodiment FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the device configuration of the present embodiment includes four fixed cameras 60 a to 60 d, a monitoring device 10 and a photographing device 20, and a signal cable 30 for connecting these monitoring devices 10 and the photographing device 20. And a video signal cable 61 for connecting the fixed cameras 60a to 60d to the monitoring device 10. The monitoring device 10 further includes a monitoring monitor unit 11 and a monitoring control unit 1 similarly to the first embodiment.
The monitoring control unit 12 includes an information processing unit 13, and a part of the information processing unit 13 includes an image processing unit 14.
It is.

FIG. 11 is an installation image diagram of the photographing device 20 in the present embodiment. FIG.
Only one is shown. A rail 41 is installed along the road and horizontally with respect to the road 40 so as to cover the road 40 to be monitored. Structure of rail 41, photographing device 20
The structure of the camera and the installation state of the photographing device 20 on the rail 41 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Four fixed cameras 60a to 60d so as to cover the monitoring area along the curve
Is installed.

FIG. 12 is a monitoring image diagram of this embodiment, and FIG. 13 is an operation flowchart of this embodiment. The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the operation flowchart. The monitoring is performed as shown in FIG. 12 in order to grasp the details when any one of the fixed cameras 60a to 60d detects the object 43 such as a falling object and a stopped vehicle.
The photographing device 20 (only the camera 21 is shown in the figure) can be moved to a certain point of the object 43, the direction of the camera 21 is changed to a certain direction of the object 43, and the focus is adjusted.

The monitoring device 10 transmits images from the four fixed cameras 60a to 60d, and detects an object in the image processing 14 in the monitoring device 10 (SC2). When the object 43 is detected within the monitoring range (SC3), the position of the object 43 is transmitted to the information processing unit 13 (SC4). The information processing unit 13 obtains the shortest position on the rail 41 between the object 43 and the rail 41 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a monitoring position) (SC5), furthermore, the distance from the imaging device standby box 42 to the monitoring position, the camera angle. And the photographing magnification is calculated (SC6). The number of rotations of the wheel 26 is calculated from the size and distance of the wheel 26 of the cart 23 of the photographing device 20 (SC
7) The rotation number is transmitted to the imaging control unit 24 (SC)
8).

The photographing control unit 24 issues a rotation instruction to the driving unit of the carriage 23 so as to rotate the wheels 26 by the received number of rotations (SC9), and moves to the monitoring position by rotating the wheels 26 (SC10). . When the movement to the monitoring position is completed, the imaging control unit 24 instructs and changes the magnification to the camera 21 (SC11), instructs and changes the camera angle to the driving unit of the camera 21 (SC12), and starts shooting (SC12). SC13), monitoring is performed (SC14). After the monitoring is completed, the photographing magnification and the camera angle are returned to the original (S
C15), the number of rotations received again from the photographing control unit 24 is transmitted to the drive unit of the bogie 23, and the bogie 23 rotates in the opposite direction (SC1).
6). When returning to the photographing device standby box 42, the camera waits until the object 43 is detected again while charging the camera (SC1, SC2).

As shown in FIG. 4, the control signal and the video signal are transmitted to the camera 21 by the signal cable 30 and the wheels 26.
Is performed by always contacting The captured video is transmitted to a remote location through the signal cable 30. As mentioned above, 4
By combining the fixed cameras 60a to 60d with the image processing unit 14, when the object 43 is found in the monitoring range, a detailed image of the object 43 can be automatically taken, so that the monitoring performance and the monitoring efficiency are improved. Is greatly improved. In addition, since the detailed image can be automatically captured, labor costs can be reduced, and an effect can be expected in terms of cost.

Third Embodiment FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the configuration and operation of a third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the rails 41 are installed in a loop in the device configuration described in the first embodiment. The monitoring method of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. Since the rail 41 is installed in a loop, only the control method of the photographing device 20 is different.

FIG. 15 is an operation flowchart of the present embodiment, FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a monitoring range in the present embodiment, FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing effects of the present embodiment. The operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to an operation flowchart. The imaging device 20 (only the camera 21 is shown in FIGS. 14 to 17) is charged in the imaging device standby box 42 (SD1). Immediately after charging is completed, an instruction to start imaging with the camera 21 and an instruction to rotate the wheels 26 are issued from the imaging control unit 24 of the imaging device 20, and imaging is started (S
D2) The wheels 26 are rotated (SD3) and the photographing device 20 is rotated.
Start moving. While moving the photographing device 20,
Monitoring is performed (SD4). The monitoring operation is the same as in the first embodiment. When the photographing control unit 24 of the photographing device 20 detects that the remaining amount of the battery 27 has become equal to or less than the predetermined value (S
D5) In order to move to the photographing apparatus standby box 42, the rail 41 near the photographing apparatus standby box 42 is switched (SD6). If the rail 41 can be moved to the photographing apparatus standby box 42 as it is, the wheels are stopped (SD7) and photographing is performed again. The photographing device 20 is charged in the device standby box 42 (SD1). The monitoring operation is performed by repeating SD1 to SD7.

In the first embodiment, the monitoring device is moved for monitoring, but this configuration has a structure in which the camera is turned upside down when it reaches the end.
In the third embodiment, the control of “reverse direction” is unnecessary by installing the rails in a loop, so that the movement control of the camera 21 is simplified. In addition, movement to an arbitrary monitoring place can be performed in a short time, and efficient monitoring can be performed. In the first embodiment, the field of view of the camera 21 can be made longer or shorter depending on the length of the rail 41. However, in the direction perpendicular to the rail 41, the monitoring range depends on the performance of the camera 21. Was constant, and could not be expanded beyond a certain level.
However, by installing the rails 14 in a loop,
At the same time as monitoring over a wider area is possible (FIG. 16), it is possible to check an arbitrary place not only from one side but from all sides (FIG. 17).

In addition, the monitoring can be performed for each single track, and the monitoring device can be easily moved in the same direction as the traveling direction of the vehicle. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is characterized in that monitoring is performed using a mobile camera, so that the present invention can be used for a monitoring camera device that obtains images from a camera or the like. Further, even when an event involving a great danger such as a fire in a tunnel occurs, it is possible to capture a detailed image.

If an electromagnetic wave is transmitted from a car and the rail itself is used as an antenna, it is possible to catch the car anywhere within the monitoring range, so that the camera can track the car and easily capture a tracking image. be able to. If this technology is applied, if a transmitter is mounted not only on a car but also on a horse or the like, it can be used for automatic photography of a race such as a horse race.

In addition, by using a technology such as a linear motor car that performs stable and high-speed running instead of running on rails, "blur" can be prevented, and a high-speed tracking image of an object can be captured. Also becomes possible. If the GPS is mounted on the image capturing device, it is possible to move the image capturing device by displaying a map of the monitoring range on the monitoring device, specifying an arbitrary location on the map, and grasping the geographical position. Become.

In the embodiment, a battery is mounted on the power supply and the battery is charged periodically. However, a power cable is installed instead of a signal cable to supply the power, and the signal is applied to the power supply voltage. By transmitting, both functions can be performed. If microwaves are used instead of signal lines, power can be supplied wirelessly and control signals and video signals can be transmitted and received simultaneously.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 18 is a schematic explanatory view showing the configuration of a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 19 is a partial side view showing the configuration of the fourth embodiment. In the figure, 70 is a video receiving LCX (= Lea
ky Coaxial (leakage coaxial) cable, and 71 is an LCX cable for transmitting a control signal. Reference numeral 20 denotes a camera 21, a drive unit (not shown), a cart 23, a photographing control unit (not shown), and a battery (not shown), as in the first embodiment.
An imaging device having A monitoring device 10 includes a monitoring control unit 12 having an information processing unit (not shown) and a monitoring monitor unit 11. Reference numeral 41 denotes a rail serving as a trajectory of the movement of the imaging device 20.

The operation of the fourth embodiment is as follows. First, the photographing device 20 converts the video signal into the video receiving L
The data is transmitted to the monitoring monitor 11 via the CX cable 70. The controller 12 looks at the image displayed on the monitoring monitor 11.
2 via the control signal LCX cable 71
3 is moved to an arbitrary position on the rail 41. Wireless communication is performed between the video reception LCX 70, the control signal transmission LCX cable 71, the camera 21, and the carriage 23.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, by using the LCX cable for transmitting the video signal and the control signal, it is not necessary to arrange the cable for moving the camera, and at the same time, one camera can be used. It is possible to monitor a wide area (about 500 m at the maximum). The effects of the fourth embodiment are listed below. -Wider surveillance is possible compared to a surveillance camera device in which the camera section is fixed to a support.・ Wide range monitoring is possible compared to a surveillance camera with a swing mechanism. -Since no cable is connected to the camera or cart, it is not necessary to route cables when moving. -Since the weight of the cable is not added to the camera or the cart, it is possible to reduce the load applied to these mechanisms.・ Because the weight of the cable does not add to the track rail, the weight of the track rail can be reduced. -Since there is no need to consider the cable management, not only linear movement but also curved movement is possible. -Vertical movement is also easy because there is no need to consider the cable management and weight. -Since the transmission of the video signal and the control signal is performed at a (relatively) short distance, signal deterioration in signal transmission is small.

Fifth Embodiment FIG. 20 is a schematic explanatory view showing the structure of a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, a plurality of LCs
It has an X cable 73, a plurality of photographing devices 20, a plurality of communication (modulation / demodulation) devices 74, and a transmission cable 75. The other configuration is the same as that of the fourth embodiment, and the description is omitted, and the same reference numerals are used.

The operation of the fifth embodiment is as follows. First, the imaging device 20 transmits a video signal captured by the camera 21 to the communication (modulation / demodulation) device 74 via the LCX cable 73. The communication (modulation / demodulation) device 75 modulates the video signal into a digital signal, and the communication (modulation / demodulation) device 74 demodulates the video signal through the transmission cable 75 and displays the video on the monitor unit 11. The monitor control unit 12 switches and displays the image transferred to the monitor unit 11 to an image from an arbitrary camera 21. In addition, an arbitrary pedestal 2
3 to control the position of the photographing device 20.
The communication (modulation / demodulation) device 75 modulates each signal at a different frequency in order to simultaneously handle the video signal and the control signal through the LCX cable 73. Wireless communication is performed between the LCX cable 75, the camera 21, and the carriage 23 with a moving mechanism.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, by using a plurality of LCX cables for transmitting the video signal and the control signal, the configuration of the photographing apparatus 20 can be simplified as compared with the first embodiment. Can be By connecting the plurality of photographing devices 20 by the communication (modulation / demodulation) device 75 in this manner, monitoring over a wider range becomes possible. The other effects are the same as those of the fourth embodiment.

In the fourth and fifth embodiments, the description has been made on the assumption that the camera is moved linearly and horizontally. However, by changing the shape of the rail 41, the present invention can be applied to a device for vertical movement or curved movement. It is possible. In the fourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment, the embodiments and the second embodiment have been described on the assumption that the track rail is used. However, in the apparatus for moving the camera by hanging down the camera like a cable car. Is also applicable.

In the fourth and fifth embodiments, it is assumed that an LCX cable is used. However, the present invention can be applied to an apparatus using an LWG cable. In the fourth and fifth embodiments, examples in which the surveillance camera device is applied have been described, but the present invention is also applicable to a mobile sensor device instead of a camera. In the fourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment, the number of monitoring monitors is one. However, the multi-monitor monitoring device 10 can be applied by using the video switch 76 or the like.

In the fifth embodiment, a case where a transmission cable is used has been described, but the present invention can be applied to a device using an optical cable.

[0036]

According to the present invention described in detail above, a photographing device mounted on a rail with a camera mounted thereon, and a monitoring device for controlling the operation of the photographing device and monitoring an image photographed by the camera And a connecting means for connecting the photographing device and the monitoring device, and photographing a video by a camera moving on a rail, and monitoring the video, so that a wide range of monitoring is performed with a small number of cameras, and detailed There is an effect that an image can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a device configuration according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an installation image diagram of a photographing device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing details of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a front view showing details of the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an operation flowchart of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a monitoring image diagram of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an image diagram of a monitoring situation according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a device configuration according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an installation image diagram of a photographing device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a monitoring image diagram of the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an operation flowchart of the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the configuration and operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an operation flowchart of the third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a monitoring range in the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing effects of the third embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a schematic explanatory view showing the configuration of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a partial side view showing the configuration of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a schematic explanatory view showing the configuration of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view showing a conventional example.

FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram of a monitoring situation in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 monitoring device 11 monitoring monitor unit 12 monitoring control unit 13 information processing unit 20 imaging device 21 camera 22 driving unit 23 trolley 24 imaging control unit 27 battery 30 signal cable

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G08G 1/00 G08G 1/00 J H04N 5/225 H04N 5/225 C 5/232 5/232 C F term (Reference) 2H105 AA13 5C022 AA01 AB63 5C054 CF06 CF08 CG03 CG06 DA07 DA08 FC00 HA18 HA31 5C084 AA04 AA07 BB40 CC16 DD11 EE02 FF03 GG39 5H180 AA01 BB04 CC04 CC12 DD02 EE11

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A photographing device having a camera mounted thereon and moving on a rail, a monitoring device for controlling operation of the photographing device and monitoring an image photographed by the camera, and connecting the photographing device and the monitoring device. A mobile surveillance camera device, comprising: 2. The mobile surveillance camera device according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit configured to detect an object within an imaging range of the camera, and moving the imaging device according to a detection result of the detection unit. A mobile surveillance camera device characterized in that the mobile surveillance camera device performs photographing. 3. The mobile surveillance camera device according to claim 1, wherein the rails are installed in a loop. 4. The mobile surveillance camera device according to claim 1, wherein said connection means is an LCX cable. 5. The mobile surveillance camera device according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of said LCX cables are provided. 6. A surveillance method using a mobile surveillance camera device, wherein an image is taken by a camera moving on a rail and the image is monitored. 7. A surveillance method using a mobile surveillance camera device according to claim 6, wherein an object within a photographing range of the camera is detected, and the camera is moved according to a result of the detection to execute photographing. A monitoring method using a mobile monitoring camera device. 8. The surveillance method using the mobile surveillance camera device according to claim 6, wherein the camera moves on a loop-shaped rail to photograph an image.