JP2003153165A - System for video monitoring - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a video management server of a monitoring center to record video data digitized at a site as video data before and after an event occurrence without distributing the video data to a transmission path all the time. SOLUTION: Event recording is realized by distributing video data in a temporary storage area to the video management server 4 when an event occurs in such a manner that a video input distributing device 2 is provided with the temporary storage area 23 for recording video for a fixed period of time endlessly.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video monitoring system for monitoring a video by digitizing a video captured by a camera on the site side and distributing it to a monitoring center, and recording the video before and after the event when the event occurs. The present invention relates to a video surveillance system capable of confirming the situation before and after the event occurs.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a conventional video surveillance system. In FIG.
Reference numeral 2 is a video input distribution apparatus for digitizing the input from the camera and transmitting it to the transmission path, and 103 is a video input distribution apparatus 10
A transmission line connecting 2 with the monitoring center 100 to transmit video data, 104 receives the video data transmitted from the video input distribution device 102, and records and manages the video before and after the event occurrence according to the event occurrence, A video management server that distributes event videos in response to requests from video monitoring terminals,
Reference numeral 105 is a network for transmitting video data, and 106 is a video monitoring terminal for displaying the video data.

Next, the operation will be described. Video management server 10
4 always stores the video data distributed from the video input distribution device 102 using the transmission path 103 in an endless storage area that internally holds, and when an event occurs, the event storage management unit displays the images before and after the event occurrence. Hold in event video storage.

[0004]

Since the conventional video monitoring system is configured as described above, when the video management server 104 stores the video endlessly, the data transmitted from the video input distribution device 102 is always available. Transmission path 103
Had to be delivered through. In addition, the transmission path 103
However, there is a problem that the video digitized by the video input / distribution device 102 cannot be used on the monitoring center 10 side.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and records and manages images before and after an event occurs in the image management server 104 without constantly delivering the image data to the transmission path. The purpose is to obtain a video surveillance system that can

[0006]

A video surveillance system according to the present invention is a video input / distribution device for digitizing and transmitting an input video from a camera, a transmission line for transmitting digitized video data, and the above video. A video management server having a means for receiving and storing video data sent from the input distribution device through the transmission path and a means for distributing the stored video data, and receiving the video data sent from the video input distribution device And a video monitoring terminal for performing display, the video input / distribution device includes means for endlessly storing video data for a predetermined time and means for distributing the stored video data from an arbitrary part. Further, the video management server is requested to start and stop the distribution of the stored video data to the video input distribution device. Those provided with means that.

In the above video surveillance system,
The video input distribution device is provided with means for multicasting the video data accumulated endlessly.

In the above video surveillance system,
The above-mentioned video input distribution device is provided with means for stopping new accumulation of video data accumulated endlessly, holding the accumulated video data, and means for distributing the retained video data. .

Further, in the above video surveillance system,
When the video data is stored in an endless storage area in the video input / delivery device, a means for recording a long-time video is provided by thinning out and storing the video which has elapsed.

In the above video surveillance system,
When the new accumulation of the video data that was accumulated endlessly in the above-mentioned video input distribution device is stopped in response to the occurrence of an event, time has elapsed in the area where the new accumulation is stopped in preparation for the occurrence of a new event. It is provided with a means for endlessly accumulating video data in a vacant area by thinning out the video data.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1. Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG.
Reference numeral 1 is a camera for inputting surveillance video, and 2 is digitalization of the video input from the camera 1 for temporary storage.
A video input distribution device 3 for performing transmission processing to a transmission path and communication processing for various requests coming from the transmission path, 3 connects the video input distribution device 2 and the monitoring center 10, and transmits for transmitting digital video and various control information. The channel 4 receives a digital image temporarily stored by the image input / distribution device 2 when an event occurs via the transmission line 3 and stores and manages the digital image within a time range set for each event type.
Is a network for delivering digital video and various kinds of monitoring information in the monitoring center 10, and 6 is a video monitoring terminal.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing details of the video input distribution device 2. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 denotes a camera input section for digitizing an image input from the camera 1 and converting it so as to enable digital transmission. Reference numeral 22 denotes image data digitized by the camera input section 21 for a predetermined time. An endless recording and a video storage management unit that manages the recorded video data, a counter 221 that stores a buffer address of a temporary storage area that stores the latest video data, and a management unit 222 that manages the video data in the temporary storage area. A video management table used for performing the operation, 23 is a temporary storage area for endlessly recording and storing video data, 2
Reference numeral 4 is a video transmission unit for transmitting the video data digitized by the camera input unit 21 to the transmission path 3 or the video data recorded by the video storage management unit 22, and 25 is a communication for various requests from the video management server 4. A request processing unit 26 for processing and a communication unit 26 for communicating with the transmission path 3.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing details of the video management server 4. 3, 41 is an event signal input unit, 42 is an event storage management unit that stores and manages event video based on the type of event received by the event signal input unit 41, and 421 is a video input corresponding to each event type. An event setting table in which the distribution device 2 and the recording time are registered, 422 is an event accumulation management table in which information of accumulated event video is registered, and 43 is a transmission line 3
The video data acquisition unit for acquiring the video from the video input distribution apparatus 2 corresponding to the event type through 44, and the communication processing for the video distribution request to the video input distribution apparatus 2 and the event video distribution request from the video monitoring terminal 6. A request processing unit to perform, 45 is an event video storage device for storing the video corresponding to the event, 46 is an event video transmission processing unit for sending the event video to the network 5 in response to a request from the video monitoring terminal 6, and 47 is the transmission line 3. Is a communication means, and 48 is a communication means with the network 5.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS. The video input / distribution device 2 digitizes the video data input from the camera 1 with the camera input unit 21. The video storage management unit 22 secures an area, which can be stored for a predetermined time, on the temporary storage area 23 as a ring buffer,
An image management table 222 for managing the area is generated. FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the secured ring buffer. As shown in FIG. 4, each buffer has a head address of the previous buffer, a head address of the next buffer, and an area for storing video data for a unit time. Further, FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the generated video management table 222.
As shown in FIG. 5, the video management table 222 stores the buffer identifier, the start address of each buffer, and the start time of the stored video data. 0 is stored at the start time of the video data in the unused buffer.

When the video storage management unit 22 receives the video data for a unit time from the camera input unit 21, it acquires the head address of the next buffer from the buffer on the ring buffer in which the video data immediately before is stored, and the acquired address. Is stored in the counter 221, and the video data is stored in the area for storing the video data in the buffer starting from the address. Further, the time information of the frame and the start address of the buffer storing the frame are registered in the field corresponding to the buffer of the video management table 222.

Next, when an event occurs, the video management server 4
A process of requesting the video input distribution device 2 to transmit the video data held in the temporary storage area 23 and storing and managing it as an event video will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In FIG. 8, the video management server 4 receives an event from the event signal input section 41 (400).
Then, with reference to the event setting table shown in FIG. 6, the pre-event time and post-event time held as the camera and the event video defined for each event type are acquired (401). The video input / distribution device connected to the acquired camera is requested to transmit the temporarily stored video of the corresponding camera together with the distribution start time and distribution stop time corresponding to the time before the event occurrence (402).

When the request processing unit 25 of the video input distribution device 2 receives the request (201), the video input distribution device 2 requests the video storage management unit 22 to distribute the temporarily stored video (202). The video storage management unit 22 searches the video management table 222 for the video data corresponding to the requested distribution start time in the temporary storage area 23 (203). If the video data does not exist, the buffer holding the video data at the oldest time in the temporary storage area 23 is used as the distribution buffer (210).

When the video data is present, the buffer holding the video data is used as the distribution buffer (20
4). The video storage management unit 22 reads the video data in the distribution buffer from the temporary storage area 23, transmits the video data to the video management server 4 using the video transmission unit 24, and at the same time, the buffer designated by the head address of the next buffer in the distribution buffer. As a delivery buffer (205). Unless the time of the video data held in the distribution buffer exceeds the transmission stop time, the video data transmission process is repeated (206).
When the time of the video data held in the distribution buffer exceeds the transmission stop time, the video management server 4 is notified of the end of the video transmission (207).

The video management server 4 receives the temporarily stored video data from the video input distribution device 2 (403). The received temporarily stored video data is recorded in the event video storage device 45 as an event video, and the event storage management table 422 shown in FIG. 7 stores the event identifier, event type, camera, event occurrence time, and event video file name. Register (404).

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the video input / delivery device accumulates video data for a fixed time endlessly and transmits it to the transmission line in response to a request, thereby causing an excessive load on the transmission line. There is an effect that the video data in the past from the time when the event occurs can be recorded in the monitoring center without the need to multiply.

Embodiment 2. In the first embodiment, the temporary storage data is distributed to the video management server 4, but the distribution of the temporary storage data from the video input distribution device 2 is a multicast distribution, and as shown in FIG.
By providing the event signal input unit 61 in the video monitoring terminal 6 and acquiring the event video data corresponding to the event signal input when an event occurs, without increasing the load on the transmission path 3 and the network 5, when the event occurs. The video management server 4 can record the event video data, and at the same time, the video monitoring terminal 6 can monitor the event video.

Embodiment 3. In the first embodiment, the case where the event management server 4 records the event video data when the event occurs when the transmission path 3 is always available has been described. However, as shown in FIG. The distribution apparatus 2 is provided with an event signal input unit 27, and the video accumulation management unit 22 prohibits (freezes) writing to the temporary accumulation area 23 after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time of occurrence of the event, and the transmission path 3 becomes available. At this point, the video management server 4 makes a distribution request for the temporarily stored video data, so that the video at the time of the event can be saved even when the transmission path 3 is unavailable.

Fourth Embodiment In the fourth embodiment, when the video data is stored in the temporary storage area 23 of the video input distribution device 2, the video data is stored in the temporary storage area 23 by changing the interval at which the video data is stored in a fixed time unit. It makes it possible to lengthen the recording time of video,
This will be described below with reference to FIGS. 11 to 15.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing details of the video input distribution device 2 according to the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 11, 221-1 is a video counter that holds the start address of the buffer of the temporary storage area 23 that holds the current video data, and 221-2 is a buffer of the temporary storage area 23 that is the next target for storing video. This is a buffer counter that holds the start address. FIG. 12 shows the buffer configuration of the temporary storage area 23 in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the operation of temporary storage performed by the video storage management unit 22. First, referring to the buffer counter 221-2, the address of the buffer N for storing the video data is acquired (221). Buffer N
If no video is stored in the buffer, the start address of the buffer N + 1 next to the buffer N is set to the buffer counter 221-.
2, the start address of the buffer N is the video counter 221
-1 (240), the video data is stored in the video data storage area of the buffer N (232), and the current time is stored in the time area (233).

When video data exists in the buffer N,
When the start time of the video data stored in the buffer N has passed a predetermined time or more, the start address of the buffer N + 1 next to the buffer N is set to the buffer counter 221.
-2, the start address of the buffer N is the video counter 22
1-1 (230), and as shown in FIG. 14, the head address of the buffer N is stored in the area for storing the head address of the buffer next to the buffer M storing the latest video data, The head address of the buffer N is stored in the area storing the head address of the buffer before the buffer M + 1, the head address of the buffer M is stored in the area storing the head address of the buffer before the buffer N, and the head address of the next buffer. The start address of the buffer M + 1 is stored in the area for storing.

The head address of the buffer N + 1 is stored in the area for storing the head address of the buffer next to the buffer N-1, and the head of the buffer N-1 is stored in the area for storing the head address of the buffer before the buffer N + 1. The address is stored (231). Then, the video data is stored in the video data storage area of the buffer N (232), and the current time is stored in the time area (233).

When the start time of the video data stored in the buffer N has not passed the predetermined time, the video in the buffer N is held and the video data is stored in the video data storage area of the buffer N + 1 (224). . Buffer N
The head address of the buffer N + 2 next to +1 is stored in the buffer counter 221-2, and the head address of the buffer N + 1 is stored in the video counter 221-1 (225).

As shown in FIG. 15, the head address of the buffer N + 1 is stored in the area for storing the head address of the buffer next to the buffer M storing the latest video data, and the buffer before the buffer M + 1 is stored. Of the buffer N + 1 is stored in the area for storing the start address of the buffer N + 1, the start address of the buffer M is stored in the area storing the start address of the buffer before the buffer N + 1, and the buffer is stored in the area storing the start address of the next buffer. Store the start address of M + 1.

Further, the head address of the buffer N + 2 is stored in the area for storing the head address of the buffer next to the buffer N, and the head address of the buffer N is stored in the area for storing the head address of the buffer before the buffer N + 2. (226). Then, the current time is stored in the time area of the buffer N + 1 (227).

By repeating the above processing, it is possible to lengthen the video storage period, that is, the recording time traced back in the past up to a predetermined time without increasing the capacity of the temporary storage area. In addition, the images at the time of the event occurrence can be displayed in detail by making an interval for holding the images older the images at regular intervals.

Embodiment 5. In the third embodiment described above, by temporarily overwriting the temporary storage area 23 when an event occurs, it is possible to store the event video even when the transmission path 3 cannot be used.
As the management method of No. 3, it is possible to store a plurality of event videos by using the management method described in the fourth embodiment.

A management method of the temporary storage area 23 after the event has occurred will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the video input / distribution device 2 receives an event from the event signal input unit 27 (FIG. 10) (250), it is confirmed whether or not the event video held in the temporary storage area 23 has exceeded the specified maximum number. Yes (251). When the number of event videos reaches the maximum, recording of video data in the temporary storage area 23 is stopped (270). If the number of event videos is not the maximum number, it is registered as an event video, and video data for a fixed time specified from the current time in the temporary storage area 23 is prohibited from being overwritten (252). The video data is stored in the remaining temporary storage area 23 using the method shown in FIG. 13 (253). After the event occurs,
When a certain time has elapsed, the data older than the time when the event occurs is prohibited from being overwritten (260).

With the above processing, a plurality of event video data can be held in the temporary storage area 23 without increasing the capacity of the temporary storage area 23.

[0036]

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1,
The video input / distribution device stores the video for a certain period of time endlessly and transmits it to the monitoring center side through the transmission line on request, so that the event can be transmitted without applying an excessive load to the transmission line. Video data past the time of occurrence can be recorded at the monitoring center.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the event video is recorded in the video management server at the time of occurrence of the event and the event video is monitored by the video monitoring terminal without increasing the load on the transmission line and the network. You can do it.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the image data at the time of event occurrence can be saved even when the transmission line is unavailable.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, the storage period of the image can be extended to a predetermined time without increasing the capacity of the temporary storage area, and the old image can be regenerated at regular intervals. By providing an interval for holding the images, the images at the time of the event occurrence can be displayed in detail.

Further, according to the invention of claim 5, there is an effect that a plurality of event images can be held in the temporary storage area without increasing the capacity of the temporary storage area.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a video surveillance system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video input distribution device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video management server according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a temporary storage area according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a video management table in the video input distribution device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an event setting table in the video management server according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an event management table in the video management server according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of an event image storage process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video surveillance terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video input distribution device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video input distribution device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a temporary storage area according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of management of a temporary storage area according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing address conversion of a video buffer when updating video data according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing address conversion of a video buffer when thinning out video data according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of management of a temporary storage area when an event occurs according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a conventional video surveillance system.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 camera, 2 video input distribution device, 21 camera input section, 22 video storage management section, 221 counter, 221-1 video counter, 221-
2 buffer counter, 222 video management table, 23 temporary storage area, 24 video sending section, 25 request processing section, 26 communication means, 27 event signal input section, 3 transmission path, 4 video management server, 41 event signal input section Four
2 event accumulation management unit, 421 event setting table, 422 event accumulation management table, 43 video data acquisition unit, 44 request processing unit, 4
5 event video storage device, 45 event video storage device, 46 event video extraction processing unit, 47 communication means, 48 communication means, 5 network, 6 video monitoring terminal, 61 event signal input unit,
62 video data acquisition unit, 621 event setting table, 63 video display unit, 64 request processing unit,
65 communication means, 10 monitoring center.

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5C053 FA11 GB40 JA24 KA04 KA25                       LA01 LA14                 5C054 AA02 CH01 DA08 EA01 EB05                       EG01 FC11 GA01 GA04 GB02                       GD09 HA18                 5C064 BA07 BB05 BB10 BC18 BC23                       BC25 BD01 BD08                 5C087 AA02 AA03 AA24 BB03 BB74                       EE20 FF01 FF04 GG66 GG70

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A video input distribution device for digitizing and transmitting an input video from a camera, a transmission line for transmitting digitized video data, and a video transmitted from the video input / distribution device through the transmission line. Video monitoring provided with a video management server having means for receiving and storing data and means for distributing the stored video data, and a video monitoring terminal for receiving and displaying the video data sent from the video input distribution device. In the system, the video input distribution device includes means for endlessly storing video data for a certain period of time and means for distributing the stored video data from an arbitrary portion, and the video management server includes:
A video monitoring system comprising means for requesting the video input distribution device to start and stop distribution of the stored video data. 2. The video monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising means for multicasting video data accumulated endlessly by the video input / distribution device. 3. The video monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising: a means for stopping new storage of video data accumulated endlessly in the video input / distribution device and holding the accumulated video data; And a means for distributing the held video data. 4. The video monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein, when the video data is stored in an endless storage area in the video input / distribution device, the time-lapsed video is thinned out and stored. An image monitoring system comprising means for recording a long-term image. 5. The video monitoring system according to claim 3, wherein a new event is generated when the video data accumulated endlessly by the video input / distribution device is stopped from being newly stored in accordance with the event occurrence. In preparation for this, a video monitoring system comprising means for endlessly storing video data in a vacant area by thinning out video data whose time has elapsed in a new storage stopped area.