JP2003264821A - Monitor system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a monitor system capable of efficiently monitoring video information of a moving person resident outdoors. <P>SOLUTION: A person to be supervised carries a mobile communication terminal and the monitor system is equipped with a plurality of video cameras enabling communication with the mobile communication terminal. The mobile communication terminal and the video cameras enable communication with each other, the video cameras are switched with the movement of the person to be supervised and acquires the video image of the person to be supervised. The video image acquired by the video cameras is displayed on a monitor connected to a network via the network. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a behavior monitoring system for monitoring a person's behavior and a behavior recording system for recording the behavior.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various methods such as utilizing GPS have been proposed as a human behavior monitoring system.

[0003] The simplest method is a method of allowing a person to be monitored (monitored person) to have some kind of portable communication terminal and thereby specifying the position of the person to be monitored. According to this method, if the system works well, the observer (watcher) can identify the position of the person being watched.

However, in such a system,
The watcher cannot grasp the situation other than the position information of the watched person.

As a countermeasure against this, for example, a sensor for measuring a physiological state is attached to a person to be monitored together with a GPS, and the physiological state data is wirelessly transmitted together with position data to monitor the physiological state at a remote place. Has been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-2956).
No. 52).

However, it is video information that most directly shows the information of the person being monitored or the information around the person being monitored, and realization of a remote monitoring system for video information is awaited.

[0007] The simplest method for acquiring video information is to photograph a person to be monitored by a fixedly installed image pickup device, but this method allows the person to be observed to take an image with the image pickup device. You can only monitor when you are in a "specific place".

[0008] Therefore, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-73582, a robot for tracking a wandering elderly person is provided with a TV camera function to enable monitoring of a wandering elderly person.

However, the method of using a robot for tracking a wandering elderly person has a fundamental problem that it is difficult to realize such a robot in the first place. If realized, it would be very expensive.

Further, even if such a technology becomes easily possible in the future, if a human being to be monitored must be accompanied by one robot, an extra person will be needed for one person when using transportation. Space will be needed,
It is uneconomical.

[0011]

In the end, with the methods proposed so far, it is difficult to efficiently monitor the video information of a moving outdoor person by any method.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the behavior monitoring apparatus of the present invention has at least one imaging device connected to a network and portable communication connectable to the imaging device by wireless communication. A person holding the portable communication terminal in a monitor system having a terminal and a display device connected to the imaging device via a network and capable of displaying the image data captured by the imaging device directly or by appropriately processing the image data. When the mobile device moves, the mobile communication terminal and the plurality of imaging devices wirelessly communicate with each other so that the imaging devices can be appropriately switched and used.

The action recording system of the present invention further comprises:
It is possible to have a data storage device connected on the network, and store the video data acquired by the imaging system directly or after performing appropriate processing such as compression, in the data storage device. It is possible to retrieve and reproduce the accumulated data as needed.

Another behavior monitoring system of the present invention is a portable communication terminal and a small image pickup device carried by each person, a network capable of transmitting an image taken by the small image pickup device by the portable communication terminal, and In a monitor system comprising a display device capable of displaying the image data captured by the mobile communication terminal connected to the network directly or by appropriately processing the image data, it can be used by the mobile communication terminal held by the person being monitored. It is possible to search for the small-sized image pickup device or another image pickup device held by another person, and transmit a video image of the state of the person being monitored by the selected image pickup device to the network. It is characterized in that the image pickup device can be appropriately switched and used by moving either or both. Also in this system, a behavior recording system can be configured by using a data storage system connected to the network.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an example of this embodiment.

The mobile communication terminal of the monitored person holding the mobile communication terminal wirelessly searches for a video camera capable of photographing the situation of the monitored person. If no available video camera is found, search for another available video camera after a certain period of time. If there is more than one video camera available, select the most suitable video camera. In some cases, more than one video camera may be available, in which case the information from the two cameras may be combined or otherwise used. When the available video camera is determined, the video camera is automatically adjusted to a suitable direction for shooting and the image of the person to be monitored is taken. The captured image is sent to an appropriate display device via a network, and the person who monitors monitors the situation of the monitored person on the display device. This loop is restarted from the beginning as the monitored person moves.

Although the system for monitoring the image information has been described above, if a microphone is provided with the video camera and a speaker is provided with the display device, the acoustic information can be handled together with the image information. In this case, the microphone may be carried by the person being monitored instead of being carried by the video camera.

Further, regarding transmission, display, storage, etc. of video information, it may be possible to add appropriate data compression depending on the degree of necessity, and by doing so, the video processing cost can be reduced. is there.

The present invention will be described below in more concrete embodiments.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

As a more specific example of FIG. 1, consider a case where a mother prepares dinner at home while monitoring a situation in which a child goes out to play.

As an infrastructure, a video camera 1 connected to a network 3 in advance in public facilities such as schools and parks.
(1-1, 1-2, 1-3) are installed in advance. Before the child 6 goes outdoors, the child holds the mobile communication terminal 2 in advance. This mobile communication terminal does not need to be operated consciously by the terminal holder 6, and is preferably small and lightweight, and more preferably wearable. The system is unable to capture footage as the child leaves home and arrives at, for example, a school playground. However, the mobile communication terminal continues to search for a video camera available nearby by wireless communication, and when the child finally arrives at the playground, the mobile communication terminal communicates with the available video camera 1-2 so that the video image of the child is captured. Give orders. The video camera may be installed with the orientation, focus distance, etc. fixed, but more desirably, the orientation, distance, etc. of the camera should be adjusted according to the movement of the child to capture the image. . It should be noted that the image may continuously capture one child, but if necessary, the same monitoring function may be applied to other children to capture the image. In this case, take a picture of a wide area,
Desirably, there are a case where the image is edited and distributed, and a case where the image is taken while changing the direction of the camera. In the latter case, continuous images cannot be captured, but for the purpose of the parent monitoring the child, there is no major problem that some images are interrupted or the images are intermittent.

The image captured by the video camera 1-2 is displayed on the display device 4 in each home via the network 3. The parent can check the appearance of the child on the display device 4 at home.

In the present embodiment, the mobile communication terminal 2 is further provided with a function equivalent to a mobile phone, and, for example, a mother who is monitoring a child at home is instructing the child to go home because it is dinner. In this case, the child can be instructed to return to the child through the mobile communication terminal. Needless to say, such a function as a mobile phone can be realized even if a mobile communication terminal is held separately.

Further, in the above example, the image must be interrupted while the child is going to a place other than the place where the video camera is installed, such as a school or a park. As a countermeasure against this, for example, it is effective for a child to hold an ultra-small video camera. This small camera is, for example, a wearable one that is attached to clothes and the like, and it is also effective to capture a scene around the child as the child moves and wirelessly connect this information to the network. . If you can't take a picture of yourself, you can take a picture of the child's surroundings and send it to a monitor monitored by you, so you can get a rough idea of where you are, even if you can't see yourself. it can.

In addition to the above system, the network 3
If there is a data storage system 5 connected to, it is possible to create an action record.

Further, the first embodiment as described above assumes a system that is open to some extent. Infrastructure implementation is easier if it is implemented in a closed system. For example, considering the opening of an event, visitors can check at a designated area and at the entrance. Therefore, the video camera may be installed in the area in advance, and at the entrance, the visitor may have a portable communication terminal integrated with a name tag or the like. Even if a non-surveillance person moves inside the venue, the video camera is switched according to the movement, and the non-surveillance person can be monitored almost continuously.

(Embodiment 2) Each person carries not only a portable communication terminal capable of wireless communication with a video camera but also a microminiature video camera. The mobile communication terminal and the micro video camera may be integrated or individual. A portable video camera can continuously capture the scene around each person. Here, FIG.
This embodiment will be described in detail with reference to. In this case, it is assumed that the video camera and the mobile communication terminal are small-sized and wearable (6A, 6B, 6C). Suppose a person (named Mr. A) is outdoors with several people. Irrespective of Mr. A's will, Mr. A's mobile communication terminal 6A searches for a portable communication terminal 6B held by an appropriate person around him (assumed to be Mr. B) and sends a signal by radio, regardless of Mr. B's will. Then, the video camera function of the mobile communication terminal 6B is used to take a picture of Mr. A and his surroundings (audio information is also acquired if necessary). The video of Mr. A is a mobile communication terminal 6B.
To the network 3 and then displayed on the display device 4 connected to the network in a wired or wireless manner or stored in the data storage device 5. When Mr. A or Mr. B moves, the mobile communication terminal 6A of Mr. A searches for a new video camera accordingly, and the image of Mr. A using it is switched to be displayed or accumulated. In FIG. 3, for example, the video camera 6C held by Mr. C acquires an image instead of 6B.
As described above, if many people hold the mobile communication terminal and the micro video camera connected to the network, they can be installed in a place where the infrastructure such as the fixed video camera shown in Embodiment 1 is not provided. Even if you go there, you will be able to obtain images through people.

In the above description, the case where only the portable video camera owned by each person is used as the video camera has been described. Of course, as described in the first embodiment, it is fixedly provided as an infrastructure. It is also effective to use a suitable combination of video cameras. Further, it is possible to use not only a fixed camera but also a camera mounted on a moving means such as an automobile, a train, and an airplane.
Further, as in the case of the first embodiment, if there is no imaging device available, it is a suitable method to transmit and record the video image captured by the video camera 6A held by the user.

In addition, GPS (Global Positioning System)
m, Global Positioning System) can be used to determine the approximate position of each person as they go out. Although GPS is not essential in the system of the present invention, the accuracy of information can be further increased by using it together. For example, in the case of FIG. 3, each person can carry a GPS receiver and monitor or record the position information together with the video information via the network.

The behavior monitoring system and behavior recording system described above can be applied to a wandering elderly person monitoring system using a monitoring function, a system for monitoring the behavior of a child outdoors, and the like. In addition, if the data storage device is used, it can be expected to be applied to a behavior recording service, an alibi certification service, and the like. Further, if the action record of the person is stored in a place apart from the person, it becomes difficult to harm the person, and thus it can be applied to a security service. Moreover, if an action record is created by such a system, an individual action record can be created. It can then help someone remember what they have experienced, or serve as a necessary record for their work. If a time stamp is added to the action record and a system that is difficult to tamper with is constructed, it can be used as an alibi certification system. Furthermore, if such a surveillance system is introduced, it is highly possible that when a non-monitoring person is involved in a crime, the scene is monitored or recorded at a place remote from the non-monitoring person. It can also be used as a security system because it plays a role in preventing

(Third Embodiment) In the present embodiment, a first image pickup apparatus having a first information communication unit, a second image pickup apparatus having a second information communication unit, a portable communication apparatus, and A monitor system comprising a display device for displaying data acquired by the first and second imaging devices, wherein the mobile communication device has a transmission means for transmitting information indicating its location, and When the mobile communication device is at the first position, the transmission means transmits information to the first information communication means to cause the first imaging device to perform image capturing, and the mobile communication device is configured to perform the image capturing. A monitor system characterized by causing the second imaging device to perform imaging by transmitting information to the second information communication means when the transmission device is in a second position different from the one position. Is.

That is, the image pickup device can be controlled by the position information of the portable communication device. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to acquire information such as voices and images by the image pickup device by following the movement of the mobile communication device or a person carrying the mobile communication device, a vehicle on which the mobile communication device is mounted, and the like. it can.

[0035]

According to the present invention, video information of a moving outdoor person can be efficiently monitored.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-1, 1-2, 1-3 video camera 2 Mobile communication terminals 3 network 4 display device 5 Data storage device 6A, 6B, 6C Personal digital assistants (including imaging devices)

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hiroshi Kanno             1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric             Sangyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masayuki Orihashi             1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric             Sangyo Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5C022 AA01 AB62 AB65 AC69 AC72                 5C054 AA02 CF05 DA06 EA01 EA03                       EA05 EA07 ED07 FE02 FF01                       GB11 HA18 HA19                 5K067 AA33 BB04 BB21 DD27 GG01                       LL05

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A first imaging device having a first information communication unit, a second imaging device having a second information communication unit, a portable communication device, and the first and second imaging devices. A monitor system comprising a display device for displaying the acquired data, wherein the portable communication device has a transmitting means for transmitting information indicating its location, and the portable communication device is at a first position. In one case, the transmission means transmits information to the first information communication means to cause the first imaging device to perform imaging, and the portable communication device is in a second position different from the first position. The monitor system is characterized in that, when the above-mentioned is present, the transmitting means transmits information to the second information communication means to cause the second image pickup device to perform image pickup. 2. The monitor system according to claim 1, further comprising a data storage device that stores data acquired by the first imaging device. 3. Two or more imaging devices connected to a network, a portable communication terminal connectable to the imaging device by wireless communication, and the imaging device connected via the network and captured by the imaging device. In a monitor system having a display device capable of displaying image data directly or by appropriately processing, when a person holding the mobile communication terminal moves, the mobile communication terminal and a plurality of imaging devices wirelessly communicate with each other. An action monitor system characterized in that the imaging device can be appropriately switched and used. 4. Two or more imaging devices connected to a network, a mobile communication terminal connectable to the imaging device by wireless communication, and the imaging device connected via the network and captured by the imaging device. In a behavior recording system having a data storage device capable of storing image data directly or by appropriate processing and a display device capable of displaying the stored data directly or by processing, a person holding the mobile communication terminal moves. An action recording system characterized in that, at the time of performing, the mobile communication terminal and a plurality of imaging devices wirelessly communicate with each other so that the imaging devices can be appropriately switched and used. 5. A portable communication terminal and a small image pickup device carried by each person, a network capable of transmitting an image taken by the small image pickup device by the portable communication terminal, and the portable communication terminal connected to the network. In a monitor system consisting of a display device capable of displaying the captured data directly or by processing, the portable communication terminal held by the person being monitored can use the small image pickup device or other image pickup held by another person. It is possible to search for a device and send an image of the monitored person by the selected imaging device to the network, and switch the imaging device appropriately by moving either or both of the monitored person and the imaging device. A behavior monitoring system that can be used as a product. 6. A portable communication terminal and a small image pickup device carried by each person, a network capable of transmitting an image taken by the small image pickup device by the portable communication terminal, and connected to the image pickup device via the network. In a behavior recording system having a data storage device capable of storing the data captured by the image capturing device directly or by processing and a display device capable of displaying the stored data directly or by processing, the monitored person holds the data. With the portable communication terminal, it is possible to search for the small-sized image pickup device or another image pickup device held by another person who is available, and to send a video image of the monitored person to the network by the selected image pickup device. The imaging device can be appropriately switched and used by moving one or both of the monitored person and the imaging device. Action recording system.