JP2002077881A - Image pickup and processing device and monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transmitting capability to an image pickup system. SOLUTION: The image pickup and processing device has an imaging section 34, an image compressing section for compressing the image information which is picked up by the imaging section 34, a memory means for storing the compressed image information, a transmission and reception processing section 40 for transmitting the image information stored in the memory means, and a transmitting and receiving means 39. When the device is accessed from outside or the set time arrives, the image information stored in the memory means is read out and is delivered. Since the image pickup and processing device is provided with the transmission processing means which can be connected to a network circuit, there is no need to provide a terminal or the like which can be connected to the internet separately from the image pickup and processing device. Also, a network between the image pickup and processing device and a monitoring device can be easily established only by connecting the image pickup and processing device to a phone line or the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a monitoring system and an image processing apparatus suitable for application to the monitoring system. In detail, in addition to an imaging unit that captures the subject and its processing system, a function that allows access to the outside has been added so that video information etc. can be transferred to the outside without laying a dedicated line etc. In addition, the video can be monitored remotely.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In many cases, a monitoring system for monitoring whether there is any suspicious person while entering or leaving a public facility or a window of a company is introduced. This monitoring system
As is well known, it is composed of a dedicated monitoring camera and a monitoring device, and the monitoring camera and a monitoring device including a monitoring monitor installed in a monitoring room are connected by a dedicated line.

When outsourcing surveillance, a security company and a surveillance camera are connected using a dedicated line or a public line.

[0004] In the case of a surveillance system that is not directly monitored by a security company (such as a security system for a private store), a recording means such as a VTR is provided instead of a dedicated line, and the recording means uses a security camera. A large amount of video information is stored.

[0005]

In such a surveillance system, since it is necessary to connect a surveillance camera and a surveillance device with a dedicated line, when this surveillance system is introduced into an existing building, When the surveillance camera and the surveillance room are far apart, the laying of a dedicated line is troublesome.

When entrusted to a security company, a line network using a dedicated line or a public line must be set up with the security company, and a large amount of construction cost has to be paid.

[0007] Even equipment using a security camera installed in a store or the like must be provided with a large-capacity recording means instead of a dedicated line, and the initial investment of the equipment is considerable. As described above, the conventional monitoring system has a problem in that the construction cost and the capital investment associated with laying any dedicated line are burdensome.

Accordingly, the present invention has solved such a conventional problem. In particular, a surveillance system which can be constructed at a low cost by skillfully utilizing a network line such as the Internet and an image processing apparatus which can be used for the surveillance system have been proposed. It is a suggestion.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an image pickup section and a video compression section for compressing image information picked up by the image pickup section. , A memory means for storing the compressed video information, a transmission / reception processing unit for transmitting and receiving the video information stored in the memory means, and a transmission / reception means, for setting whether there is an external access. At the time, the video information stored in the memory means is read and transmitted.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a surveillance system, comprising: an imaging processing apparatus having an imaging unit for monitoring a suspicious person; and a browsing function, wherein the imaging processing apparatus is connected via a network line. A monitoring system is configured with the monitoring device including the imaging device, the imaging processing device includes an imaging unit, a video compression unit that compresses video information captured by the imaging unit, and a memory that stores the compressed video information. Means, a transmission / reception processing unit for transmitting / receiving video information stored in the memory means, and a transmission / reception means, wherein when the monitoring device is accessed or when a set time comes, the memory means The video information stored in the monitor is read out and transmitted to the monitoring device via the network line so that the video information can be reproduced on the monitor of the monitoring device. The features.

According to the present invention, by providing an imaging system and a transmission / reception processing system capable of transferring captured video information to a network line or the like, video information can be transmitted using an existing telephone line or Internet line. It was made.

The video information can be transmitted to the monitoring device at a fixed time, or can be accessed from the monitoring device via the Internet (remote access).
To acquire video information.

[0013] With this configuration, since the connection to the monitoring device can be made by using the existing telephone line or the like, no matter where the imaging unit that functions as the surveillance camera is installed, the imaging unit that contains the imaging unit The imaging information can be transmitted to the monitoring device only by connecting the processing device to the telephone line. As a result, equipment such as a dedicated line is not required as a monitoring system, and monitoring from a remote place becomes easy. There is no need to provide a large-capacity recording unit or the like on the imaging processing device side.
Therefore, the present invention can be applied to various monitoring systems irrespective of business use or home use.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of an imaging processing apparatus and a monitoring system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In the present invention, the monitoring device and the imaging processing device on the side of the monitoring camera are connected through a network line such as the Internet. The imaging processing device and the network line are often connected by a general public line such as a telephone line.

Therefore, the monitoring system 1 according to the present invention
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 1, the monitoring device 14 and the terminal device 16 which is an image processing device are connected to each other via a network line such as the Internet 12. When the monitoring system 10 belongs to a security company, the monitoring device 14 is equipment provided on the security company side, and a plurality of monitoring devices 14a, 14
.. may be provided.

The terminal device 16 is provided on the contractor side. For example, when a contract is made as a home security system, a plurality of terminal devices 16a, 16b,
... are security cameras installed in each home. The security camera can be installed at the entrance, near the gate, or anywhere.

The monitoring device 14 may be single or plural as shown. When a plurality of terminals 16 are installed, each terminal 16 may be monitored, or a monitoring area may be defined for each area.
When the monitoring device 14 is on the server side, the terminal device 16
Is on the client side.

When the monitoring device 14 and the terminal device 16 are connected to the Internet 12, for example, the monitoring device 14 is connected to a dedicated line, and the terminal device 16 is connected via a line connection provider (provider) (not shown). It will be configured as follows.

Next, an embodiment of the monitoring device 14 and the imaging processing device 16 as a terminal device will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment on the monitoring device 14 side. Since the server is assumed to access the Internet 12, it is well known that HTML (Hyper Text Mar
kup Language) information in HTTP (Hype
r WWW server (World Wide Web Server) 20 for exchanging by the Text Transfer Protocol (Protocol), and domain name to IP (Internet Protocol)
DNS (Domain Name System)
m) A server 21, a Mail server 22 used when sending and receiving electronic mail, an FTP server (File Transfer Protocol) 23 which is a file transfer protocol, and the like are provided.

Further, a database server 24 is provided, which stores information (IP address, contractor's name, address, contract details, telephone number, etc.) on a so-called business partner site such as a company or home contracting with a security company. ) Is accumulated. The information and the like obtained from outside are stored in the memory unit 27.
Is accumulated in As the memory unit 27, a hard disk device having a large capacity can be used.

The WWW server 20 is also provided with a browse function, so that the imaging processing devices 16 on the contractor side can be individually accessed to browse video information and the like, and transfer the browsed video information and the like. ing. Also this WW
As the W server 20, basic software (for example, Windows NT (registered trademark)) used on the network is set to WW so that it can be used on an intranet.
Web application server with W server function {for example, IIS (Internet Infor
mation Server)｝ Server is used. The IIS server function stores a program for performing server authentication, data encryption, and the like. Further, a monitor 25 is provided, and a modem 26
To be able to connect to

By installing the above-described functions, the monitoring apparatus 14 side can execute the contracted imaging processing apparatus 1
If there is an access from the Internet 6 through the Internet 12, it responds to the request, and if the request is to transfer information (video, audio information, etc.) stored in the imaging processor 16, the monitoring device 14 The information can be stored in a file with the authentication code (ID code) or the like given to the imaging processing device 16 in the memory means 27.

Then, a specific imaging processing device 16 can be accessed from the monitoring device 14 side, and the same information as described above stored in the imaging processing device 16 side can be browsed by this access, and the necessary information can be accessed if necessary. Information can be obtained via the Internet 12 and stored in the memory means 27. The stored information can be analyzed on the monitor 25 or reproduced by a speaker (not shown) provided on the monitoring device 14 side to analyze the content of the information.
Based on the result of the analysis, it is possible to determine whether the state is normal or abnormal, and when the state is abnormal, the occurrence time can be known from the acquired information, so that appropriate measures can be taken.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the image pickup processing device 16 as a terminal device. A subject 32 is guided to an image pickup section 34 via a lens system 33, and a subject image is picked up. When the imaging processor 16 is for monitoring, the subject is intermittently imaged. CCD as the imaging unit 34
For example, a solid-state imaging device such as a solid-state imaging device can be used. Imaging unit 3
4 (still image signal in this embodiment because of intermittent imaging) is supplied to a video processing unit 35, and in this example, a luminance signal Y and a pair of color signals Cr and Cb are generated and , And are compressed. These pieces of video information are supplied to the transmission / reception processing unit 40 and stored in a memory unit 46 (see FIG. 4) provided on the transmission / reception processing unit 40 side.

Similarly, the audio signal collected by the microphone 36 is also supplied to the audio processing unit 37, where it is subjected to compression processing, and is also supplied to the transmission / reception processing unit 40 and stored.

The transmission / reception processing unit 40 is a Web having a communication function.
b. It is composed of a server or a computer (personal computer), and a small monitor 38 is connected in connection with the transmission / reception processing unit 40 so that an imaging angle and the like can be adjusted through the monitor 38 as necessary. . Therefore, the monitor 38 may be a viewfinder provided on a camera body using a liquid crystal or the like. A modem 39 is further connected to the transmission / reception processing unit 40 to enable connection with an external line. Therefore, the connection to the Internet 12 is completed only by connecting the modem 39 to the telephone line, so that the trouble of laying a dedicated line can be eliminated.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the transmission / reception processing unit 40. In this embodiment, the transmission / reception processing unit 40 is provided with a Web server function as a transmission / reception processing function. In this example, in order to enable two-way communication with the Internet 12, a hardware configuration similar to that of an Internet server is used, and therefore, a WW having a browse function is provided.
DNS server 43, Mail server 4 in addition to W server 42
4, an FTP server 45 is provided.

In addition, there is provided a memory means 46 for storing video information picked up by the image pickup section 34, audio information obtained by the microphone 36, and the like. The video information and the like stored in the memory means 46 are those subjected to compression processing, and are read out periodically or irregularly as described later, so that the read information is stored in the memory means 46. You don't have to. Therefore, the memory means 46 does not need to have a very large capacity. About several G to several tens G bytes are sufficient. Therefore, this memory means 4
6 is a small and flat hard disk drive (HDD)
Etc. can be used.

The video processing unit 35 connected to the transmission / reception processing unit 40 is provided with the video compression unit 47 as described above. When the image signal to be handled is a still image signal, the JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is used. )
Compression processing using video compression techniques such as Of course, when moving image input is also considered, MPEG2 (Moving
The compression processing can be performed by Picture Experts Group 2) or the like. The audio compression unit 48 provided in the audio processing unit 37 also performs MPEG2 standardization for audio.
Compression processing can be performed using audio processing technology.

The WWW server 42 is equipped with software for remote access, so that when accessed via the Internet 12, necessary information can be browsed and required information can be transmitted.

The present invention can be realized by mounting only a very ordinary personal computer function instead of mounting such a WWW server function in the transmission / reception processing section 40. FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the transmission / reception processing unit 40 showing the embodiment in that case.

Therefore, in this case, in addition to the transmission / reception processing units 35 and 37, the modem 39, the monitor 38, etc., in this case, a personal computer (personal computer) body 50 and a memory means 46 for storing compressed video and audio information.
Is provided.

Further, a memory means (ROM or the like) 51 storing software for remote access is provided. By using this remote access software, the video information and the like stored in the memory means 46 can be remotely controlled and acquired.

The imaging processor 16 configured as described above
A processing example of a monitoring system using the same will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 shows an example of processing in which the image of the subject is periodically taken by the image pickup processing unit 16 and stored, and when the set time (every 1 minute, every 10 minutes,. The subject is image-processed (steps 61 and 62), and the captured video and audio are converted into necessary signal forms and then compressed (step 63). The compressed video and audio information is sequentially stored in the memory means 46 (step 64). When the video information and the like are stored in the memory means 46, by recording the authentication ID and the imaging date at the same time, it is possible to specify at what point in time the image was captured. The stored video information and the like are analyzed on the monitoring device 14 side.

In the above-described embodiment, the imaging process, the compression process, and the accumulation process are performed periodically, and the images are accumulated in the memory unit 46 in the order of imaging. On the other hand, for example, by controlling the imaging unit 34 based on a command from the monitoring device 14 side, the imaging process can be performed irregularly. In this case, there is no need to store the video information or the like in the memory means 46. This is because the video information and the like can be monitored in real time on the monitoring device 14 side, and the video information and the like can be stored in the memory unit 27 of the monitoring device 14 as needed.

The monitoring device 14 analyzes the contents of the image pickup, so that the normal or abnormal state of the image pickup place can be accurately grasped.

FIG. 7 shows an example of processing for automatically transferring the information stored in the imaging processing device 16 to the monitoring device 14.

At the set time, a line connection process is performed as shown in the figure, and a network connection with the monitoring device 14 is made via the Internet 12 (steps 71 and 72). For example, a set time can be set several times a day (for example, morning, noon, evening), or time can be set every few hours.
Needless to say, the line connection processing may be performed each time immediately before the next imaging is started.

When the line connection processing is completed, the video information and the like stored in the memory means 46 are read out using the remote access function until immediately before the line connection processing is performed (step 73). The read video information or the like is temporarily stored via a buffer, or a transmission process for directly transmitting the video information to the monitoring device 14 is performed (step 74).
This transmission processing is executed until the transmission of all the stored video information and the like is completed (step 75). When the transmission of all the information is completed, the line disconnection processing is performed and a normal imaging standby state is set (step 76). ).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the image processing device 16 automatically monitors the video information and the like.
8 is an example in which video information or the like is acquired on the monitoring device 14 side.

In this case, the monitoring device 14 automatically or manually accesses the imaging processing device 16 via the Internet 12. With this access, the remote access software of the imaging processing device 16 operates to start the automatic transfer processing of the video information and the like.

Therefore, when the remote access software is activated on the imaging processing device 16 side,
When there is a transfer request for video and audio information from the monitoring device 14 (step 81), the required video and audio information is read from the memory means 46 (step 82).

The read video and audio information (file information) is automatically transferred to the monitoring device 14 (step 8).
3) The automatic transfer process is continued until all the requested video and audio information has been transferred (step 8).
4).

The monitoring device 14 temporarily stores the acquired video and audio information in the memory means 27, and reproduces the stored information on the monitor 25 to analyze the information. It is determined whether or not the image in the imaging area such as the room, the entrance, or the front is normal. As a result, when it is determined that an abnormal situation has occurred, the staff must be rushed to the site,
Contact will be made to the competent authority.

As described above, by using the telephone line or the Internet, the trouble of connecting the security camera and the monitoring device with a dedicated line can be omitted. In other words, by adding not only an imaging function to the security camera but also a transmission / reception processing function capable of connecting to the Internet, a surveillance system that skillfully utilizes an existing line can be constructed.

In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a monitoring system such as a security camera. However, by using an imaging processing device having an imaging system and a transmission / reception processing system to the Internet, it is possible to monitor physical distribution, It can be applied in various fields such as product monitoring.

[0050]

As described above, in the imaging processing apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the imaging system, a transmission / reception processing system for performing transmission / reception processing of captured video information and the like is provided. In the monitoring system according to the present invention, the imaging processing device and the monitoring device can be connected via a network line.

According to this, since the transmission / reception processing unit that can be connected to the network line is provided in the imaging processing device, it is not necessary to prepare a terminal device or the like that can be connected to the Internet separately from the imaging processing device. In addition, a network can be easily established with the monitoring device simply by connecting the imaging processing device to a telephone line or the like. Therefore, it is possible to save the labor of laying in a building using a dedicated line as in the related art. In addition, if it is connected to a network, it has the feature that information on the image processing device can be transmitted and obtained regardless of the region or the number of transactions.

Therefore, the present invention is very suitable for application to a monitoring system such as a security system which needs to manage a large number of customers.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a monitoring system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram of a main part showing an embodiment of a monitoring device.

FIG. 3 is a system diagram of a main part showing an embodiment of an imaging processing device.

FIG. 4 is a system diagram of a main part showing an embodiment of a transmission / reception processing unit.

FIG. 5 is a system diagram of a main part showing another embodiment of a transmission / reception processing unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of imaging and accumulation processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of transmission / reception processing (part 1).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of transmission / reception processing (part 2).

[Explanation of symbols]

10: Monitoring system, 12: Internet,
14 · · · ringing device, 16 · · · imaging processing device, 34 ·
..Imaging unit, 35 ... Video processing unit, 37 ... Audio processing unit, 40 ... Transmission / reception processing unit, 39 ... Modem, 3
8 ... monitor, 42 ... WWW server, 50 ...
Personal computer

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C022 AA01 AB65 AC42 AC69 AC72 AC75 5C053 FA11 GB36 GB38 LA01 LA11 LA14 5C054 AA01 CC02 DA08 GB02 GD03 GD09 HA02 HA18 5C064 BA07 BB10 BC10 BC18 BC20 BC25 BD01 BD07 BD10

Claims (8)

[Claims] An image pickup unit, a video compression unit for compressing video information captured by the image capture unit, a memory unit for storing the compressed video information, and a transmission / reception process for the video information stored in the memory unit. A transmission / reception processing unit for transmitting and receiving the video information stored in the memory means when there is access from outside or at a set time. An imaging processing device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an audio compression section for compressing an audio signal, in addition to said video compression section, wherein the compressed audio information is stored in said memory means. Imaging processing device. 3. The transmission / reception processing unit is provided with an Internet server. When a set time is reached or an access is made from a network line such as the Internet, the video information stored in the memory means is transmitted. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data is transferred to a specific destination via the network line. 4. The transmission / reception processing unit comprises a computer and a memory means. The memory means stores software for remote access, and automatically transfers the video information in response to an external access. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing is performed. 5. A monitoring system is constructed by an imaging processing device having an imaging unit for monitoring a suspicious individual and a monitoring device having a browsing function to which the imaging processing device is connected via a network line. An image capturing unit; a video compressing unit compressing video information captured by the image capturing unit; a memory unit storing the compressed video information; and a video information stored in the memory unit. A transmission / reception processing unit that performs transmission / reception processing, and a transmission / reception unit, and reads out the video information stored in the memory unit when an access is made from the monitoring device or when a set time comes, A monitoring system, wherein the video information is transmitted to the monitoring device via the network line so that the video information can be reproduced on a monitor of the monitoring device. 6. An audio compression section for compressing an audio signal is provided in addition to the video compression section, and the compressed audio information is stored in the memory means. Monitoring system. 7. The transmission / reception processing unit is provided with a Web server, and when a set time is reached or an access is made from a network line such as the Internet, the video information stored in the memory means is transmitted. 6. The monitoring system according to claim 5, wherein the data is transferred to the monitoring device via the network line. 8. The transmission / reception processing unit comprises a computer and a memory means. The memory means stores remote access software, and transmits the video information in response to an access from the monitoring device. 6. The monitoring system according to claim 5, wherein the data is automatically transferred to the monitoring device.