JP2004021604A - Monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a monitoring system with low cost and high performance for easily upgrading and scaling a size of the system. <P>SOLUTION: When an intruder 21 comes near an entrance 20, a human-sensitive sensor 11 detects the fact and a camera 10 operates to photograph the intruder 21. The photographed image file 31 is stored into a storage device 32. A slave unit 12 creates a mail 30 informing the detection of the intruder 21 and transmits the mail 30 to a master unit 13 by a mail transmitting means 33. A monitor device 15 which receives the mail 30 via the master unit 13 stores the received mail 30 into a storage device 14 and transmits the mail 30 to a cellular phone 18 or a mobile terminal 17. Thus, by monitoring the door of a home by a camera 10, and when a suspicious person comes near the door, it becomes possible to receive a notice through the mail 30 from the cellular phone18. Then, it becomes possible to turn away the suspicious person by responding a message "Who is it ?" and answering the message through a loud speaker by the slave unit 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a monitoring system for remotely monitoring a building or various other facilities using a camera in order to prevent unauthorized intrusion.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In various facilities such as buildings, schools, and various research equipment factories, various types of security equipment are employed in order to ensure security. Generally, a surveillance camera is attached to a building or the periphery of the building, and the output signals of these are recorded or received by a monitor television in a monitoring room to monitor an intruder. Alternatively, an image captured by the surveillance camera is displayed on a surveillance terminal device of a security company. In any of the facilities, when it is determined that a suspicious person has entered, an alarm is sounded or an attendant rushes.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the conventional techniques as described above have the following problems to be solved.
A signal cable is used to connect between the monitoring camera and the monitoring equipment that displays the captured image. If the construction of the signal cable is not easy, a so-called wireless LAN (local area network) is used. A wireless LAN terminal is connected to the monitoring camera, and a signal captured by each camera is received by the monitoring terminal. The images acquired by the monitoring cameras at a plurality of locations connected to the LAN are collectively monitored on the display of the monitor terminal. However, in order to perform normal communication between a plurality of terminals connected to the LAN, an environment in which each terminal can receive signals transmitted by all other terminals is necessary to avoid signal collision. In the case of a wireless LAN, radio waves that bounce off walls of a building are used, so that all surveillance cameras need to be arranged at positions that are almost visible.
[0004]
Further, a security system provided by a security company can secure extremely reliable security, but requires a large amount of cost, and is difficult to widely adopt in general apartment buildings and single-family homes. The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a monitoring system which is inexpensive, has a high function, and is easy to add or expand.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention employs the following configuration to solve the above points.
<Configuration 1>
A sensor for detecting an intruder in the monitoring area, a unit for sending an e-mail to the monitoring side when the intruder is detected by the sensor, a camera installed in the monitoring area, and an image taken by the camera, Means for transferring to a monitoring side at a predetermined timing via a wireless network.
[0006]
<Configuration 2>
2. The monitoring system according to Configuration 1, wherein the monitoring side includes means for transferring the received mail to a destination registered in advance.
[0007]
<Configuration 3>
In the monitoring system according to Configuration 1, the monitoring area is provided with a slave unit that processes a detection signal of a sensor and processes an image captured by a camera, and the monitoring side receives the mail from the slave unit. A master unit is provided for receiving and transferring the image captured by the camera, and the monitoring side exclusively transmits the image captured by the mail or the camera in a predetermined order to a plurality of slave units. A monitoring system comprising a polling control means for requesting.
[0008]
<Configuration 4>
In the monitoring system according to the third aspect, all the slave units are arranged in a line-of-sight range when viewed from the antenna of the master unit, and the mail is wirelessly received from the slave unit or the image captured by the camera is transferred. A surveillance system characterized by receiving
[0009]
<Configuration 5>
In the surveillance system according to the third aspect, the surveillance side includes, on the surveillance side, conversion processing means for converting an e-mail received from the slave unit or an image taken by the camera into a television display image, and a television display image after the conversion processing. For transmitting to a vacant channel of the monitor television.
[0010]
<Configuration 6>
4. The monitoring system according to Configuration 3, further comprising means for outputting, on the slave unit side, voice mail transmitted from the monitoring side to the slave unit.
[0011]
<Configuration 7>
In the monitoring system according to the first aspect, a plurality of sensors are distributed in a monitoring area, detection signals of the sensors are acquired, a message corresponding to a combination pattern of the detection signals is selected, and the message is monitored by being included in an email. A monitoring system comprising a means for notifying the side.
[0012]
<Configuration 8>
In the monitoring system according to Configuration 1, a plurality of sensors are distributed and arranged in a monitoring area, detection signals of the respective sensors are acquired, an imaging range corresponding to a combination pattern of the detection signals is selected, and a camera is driven. A monitoring system characterized by comprising means.
<Configuration 9>
The monitoring system according to Configuration 1, further comprising: means for acquiring detection signals of a plurality of sensors, determining an intruder's action corresponding to a combination pattern of the detection signals, selecting a predetermined message, and generating a sound. A surveillance system characterized by the following.
[0013]
<Configuration 10>
8. The monitoring system according to configuration 7, further comprising: means for selecting a corresponding sound and producing sound when a predetermined mail is received from a report destination.
<Configuration 11>
In the surveillance system according to the first aspect, the means for transmitting an e-mail to the surveillance side or the means for transferring an image captured by the camera to the surveillance side includes at least a communication protocol other than a general-purpose protocol. A surveillance system characterized by operating.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described using specific examples.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the monitoring system of the present invention.
In the system shown in the figure, the camera 10 is arranged at a place to be monitored, and an intruder 21 is photographed. This photographed image is configured to be transmitted from the slave unit 12 connected to the camera 10 to the master unit 13. Master device 13 is connected to monitor device 15. The monitor device 15 has a function of displaying a monitoring image or performing various monitoring controls such as a mail transfer process described later.
[0015]
The slave unit 12 and the master unit 13 have the same function as a so-called portable computer terminal having a communication function. For the main functions, functional blocks are shown in the figure. The slave unit 12 is provided with a storage device 32 in which an image file 31 photographed by the camera 10 is stored. The slave unit 12 is further provided with a mail transmitting unit 33 for transmitting the monitoring information to the master unit 13 by the mail 30. Further, an FTP (program for automatically transferring a file by a file transfer protocol) 34 is provided to transfer the image file 31 to the parent device 13.
[0016]
On the other hand, on the monitor device 15 side, a storage device 14 is provided, in which the image file 31 and the mail 30 transferred from the child device are stored. Further, a mail transfer means 36 for transmitting the mail 30 to the mobile phone 18 or the mobile terminal 17 via the network 16 is provided. Further, an image transmitting means 37 for controlling the display of an image displayed on the monitor device 15 on a television receiver at another location as described later is provided. Each of the above-mentioned mail transmission means 33, FTP 34, mail transfer means 36, and image transmission means 37 comprises a computer program for causing a computer to execute a predetermined process.
[0017]
In this system, for example, when an intruder 21 approaches the entrance 20 shown in the figure, the human sensor 11 detects this and the camera 10 operates to photograph the intruder 21. The photographed image file 31 is stored in the storage device 32. The slave unit 12 generates mail indicating that the intruder 21 has been detected by the mail transmitting unit 33, and transmits the mail 30 to the master unit 13. The monitor device 15 that has received the mail through the master unit 13 stores the received mail 30 in the storage device 14 and transmits the mail 30 to the mobile phone 18 or the mobile terminal 17. Thus, for example, even when the user is out, the door at home can be monitored by the camera 10, and when a suspicious person approaches, the user can be notified by e-mail of the mobile phone 18. Further, as will be described later, a method of returning a message as to who is using the mobile phone 18 as necessary, driving a speaker by the slave unit 12, and repelling a suspicious person becomes possible.
[0018]
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an application example in a case where the system of the present invention is adopted in an apartment house.
As shown in the figure, in this system, for example, cameras 10A, 10B, 10C and slave units 12A, 12B, 12C are arranged in a bicycle parking lot 23 and a parking lot 24 in addition to the entrance 20. The antenna 25 is arranged on the roof of the apartment house 40, and the master unit 13 is connected to the antenna 25. Master device 13 is connected to monitor device 15 of monitoring center 26. The monitoring center 26 is provided in one room of the apartment house 40 and may be an unmanned system. The parking lot 24, the entrance 20, the bicycle parking lot 23 and the like do not always exist in places where they can be seen from each other. However, the antenna 25 is arranged in a place where it can be seen directly from the entrance 20, the bicycle parking lot 23, and the parking lot 24.
[0019]
Thereby, good communication between the master unit 13 and each of the slave units 12A, 12B, and 12C is secured. Here, the system of the present invention employs a polling process in which the master unit 13 exclusively connects to the slave units 12A, 12B, and 12C in a predetermined order. That is, in a normal wireless LAN, both the master unit and the slave unit are equal, and it is confirmed that there is no signal transmission from another device, and one of the devices transmits information to the network. On the other hand, here, since the base unit 13 employs a polling method of unilaterally permitting communication to each slave unit, if the antenna 25 can be installed in a place with a good view, the slave unit can be arranged very flexibly. Also, since it is a wireless communication, wiring other than a power supply is unnecessary, and construction is easy and inexpensive.
[0020]
Images captured by the cameras 10A, 10B, and 10C are displayed on the monitor device 15. By selecting a sufficiently short polling interval, each monitoring area can be continuously monitored almost in real time. Each of the cameras 10A, 10B, and 10C is provided with a human sensor as shown in FIG. 1, and when an intruder is detected, notification can be made by e-mail. Further, in this embodiment, a function is provided in which the resident of the apartment house 40 can easily see the image taken by the camera.
[0021]
FIG. 3 is a specific block diagram of a system in which a monitoring image can be viewed on a television receiver in each room of an apartment house.
In the illustrated system, converters 43 and 44 are provided in the monitor device 15 connected to the master unit 13. The converter 43 converts an RGB image signal for computer display into an NTSC image signal that can be displayed on the television receiver 41. The converter 44 modulates an NTSC format image signal and converts it into a television broadcast wave. The output of the converter 44 is connected to a distributor 45 of an existing shared television viewing system provided in the apartment house 40. As a result, for example, an image of a parking lot, a bicycle parking lot, an entrance, or the like is sent to the television receiver 41 of each resident through the distributor 45 as a television broadcast wave of an empty channel such as the VHS second channel. By turning the switch of the television receiver 41, each resident can always view the image of the place he wants to monitor. If a two-way communication system using digital television is adopted, more complicated image control becomes possible. That is, by operating the television receiver 41 of each resident, it is possible to freely close up a screen at an arbitrary place or switch images.
[0022]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a monitor image displayed on a television receiver.
In the image 50 shown in the figure, images 51, 52, and 53 obtained by photographing an entrance, a parking lot, a bicycle parking lot, and the like are displayed. Further, for example, when there is a children's plaza in or around an apartment house, an image 54 of the place can be photographed and displayed on a monitor television. Thereby, the resident can always check whether or not his / her child is playing safely in the children's open space using the television receiver 41 at home.
[0023]
Such a system as described above can be used to expand a surveillance system by using a co-viewing system that has already been completed in an apartment complex, so that it is highly versatile, inexpensive, and of high practical value. . Further, since it is not necessary to provide a monitor television or a personal computer in each home, there is an effect that the system can be simplified.
[0024]
The system of the embodiment was developed based on, for example, a 2.4 GHz wireless LAN system. The monitor image of each camera has a resolution of, for example, about 340 × 220 pixels and a transfer rate of about 15 frames per second. The polling interval may be freely set according to the number of slave units. In addition, if a known wireless LAN system is adopted as it is, there is a risk that a monitoring image and other information may be eavesdropped on by a third party. Furthermore, it becomes possible to intrude into the surveillance system, perform unauthorized operations, and disturb the system. Therefore, in the system of this embodiment, for example, while the modulation system is a known general system, a unique system is used for controlling the TCPIP protocol. That is, the system security is successfully improved by inserting a signal processing function having no versatility into a part of the system for transmitting and receiving signals. No complicated encryption is required. Security can be sufficiently improved by only changing a part of the communication protocol.
[0025]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a specific operation of the system of the present invention.
The system as described above operates as shown in this flowchart.
First, in step S1, when the human sensor 11 shown in FIG. 1 detects a person, in step S2, the child device 12 selects a mail message, and in step S3, sends the mail to the parent device 13. On the other hand, the camera 10 captures an image of the intruder 21 by sensing control of the human sensor 11 (step S4), and obtains an image file (step S5). Master device 13 continuously performs polling for each slave device. When the slave detects the polling (step S6), the slave 12 activates the FTP 34 (step S7). Then, the image file 31 stored in the storage device 32 is transmitted to the parent device 13 (step S8).
[0026]
The master unit 13 receives the mail from the slave unit in step S11. In step S12, the mail transfer means 36 of the monitor device 15 determines whether there is a mail transfer destination. If there is a transfer destination, the mail transfer unit 36 executes a transfer process in step S13. Further, in step S14, the monitor device 15 displays the mail text and generates a beep sound such as a buzzer as necessary. When the master unit 13 receives the image file in step S15, the content is recorded in the storage device 14 in step S16. This is displayed on the display of the monitoring center as it is. In step S17, the image transmitting unit 37 performs a signal conversion process into a television signal, and executes a transmission process in step S18. This enables monitoring by the television receiver.
[0027]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a modification of the present invention.
The system as described above can be adopted in, for example, an apartment house, a hotel, a school, a research institute, and various other facilities. However, for example, although it is not possible to install a camera, there are many places where it is possible to install only a human sensor. Further, the range in which the camera can take an image is widened by swinging the camera or performing zoom processing. However, in the automatic monitoring mode, the control of automatically dropping the head every predetermined time increases useless operations. Therefore, a plurality of sensors are arranged in the monitoring area, and the outputs of these sensors are used for controlling the shooting range of the camera.
[0028]
In this embodiment, a mail transmission / reception unit 61, a voice conversion unit 62, a speaker 63, a pattern analysis unit 64, a camera driving unit 65, a storage device 32, and the like are provided. The storage device 32 stores pattern data 66. The pattern data 66 is a data file for storing the correspondence between the temporal and positional combination pattern of the detection signals detected by the plurality of sensors 67 and the behavior of the intruder. For example, assume that a number of sensors 67 are arranged at regular intervals along the approach path from the road through the approach to the door. At this time, when a person is detected at a predetermined timing from a sensor arranged on the road side to a sensor arranged on the door side in order, the pattern is that the person has walked straight to the door along the approach. .
[0029]
On the other hand, if you turn back during the approach, stop for a while, or make a complicated movement, you can determine that you are a suspicious individual. This can be clearly distinguished from the detection pattern of the sensor. In addition, there are several access routes.One approach route is a route that ordinary people can pass, while another approach route is a route that is not accessible to ordinary people. In the case of the detection pattern to be performed, it is determined that the person is an unbeliever. Also, an operation pattern that looks like a thing in a parking lot or a bicycle parking lot can be distinguished from an operation pattern of a normal user.
[0030]
The pattern analysis unit 64 has a function of receiving signals detected from the plurality of sensors 67 and determining the behavior of the intruder while referring to the pattern data 66. If it is determined that the pattern requires a report, the report is made using the mail transmitting / receiving means 61. For example, information such as detection of an intruder at the entrance, suspicious operation, or entry into the parking lot for a long time is transmitted to the parent device by e-mail 71. For example, when such a system is provided at home, the owner receives a notification e-mail on a mobile phone, checks the image taken by the camera, and then, for example, asks "Who is it?" Is returned. The mail transmission / reception means 61 receives this, performs a conversion process in the voice conversion means 62, drives the speaker 63, and generates, for example, a voice "Who are you?" This makes it possible to eliminate suspicious individuals. Further, it becomes possible to drive the camera driving means 65 in response to the detection signal of the sensor 67, adjust the direction of the lens of the camera, the zoom, and the like, and photograph the suspicious person up. Further, the pattern analysis unit 65 may directly control the voice conversion unit 62.
[0031]
Each functional block shown in each of the above-described drawings may be configured by a separate program module, or may be configured by an integrated program module. Further, all or a part of these functional blocks may be configured by hardware using a logic circuit. Further, each program module may be operated by being incorporated in an existing application program, or may be operated as an independent program.
[0032]
The computer program for realizing the present invention as described above can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, installed, and used. It can also be used by downloading it to the memory of a computer via a network.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific example of a monitoring system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an application example when the system of the present invention is adopted in an apartment house.
FIG. 3 is a specific block diagram of a system in which a monitoring image can be viewed on a television receiver in each room of an apartment house.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a monitor image displayed on a television receiver.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a specific operation of the system of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a modification of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 camera 11 human sensor 12 slave device 13 master device 14 storage device 15 monitor device 16 network 17 mobile terminal 18 mobile phone 20 entrance 21 suspicious individual 30 mail 31 image file 32 storage device

Claims (11)

A sensor for detecting an intruder in the monitoring area,
Means for sending an e-mail to the monitoring side when an intruder is detected by the sensor;
A camera installed in the surveillance area,
Means for transferring an image taken by the camera to a monitoring side at a predetermined timing via a wireless network;
A surveillance system comprising: The monitoring system according to claim 1,
A monitoring system comprising: means for transferring received mail to a destination registered in advance on the monitoring side. The monitoring system according to claim 1,
The monitoring area is provided with a slave unit that processes a detection signal of the sensor and processes an image captured by a camera,
On the monitoring side, a master unit that receives the mail from the slave unit and receives a transfer of an image captured by a camera is provided,
A monitoring system, characterized in that the monitoring side is provided with polling control means for exclusively requesting a plurality of slaves to transfer an image taken by a mail or a camera in a predetermined order. The monitoring system according to claim 3,
A surveillance system characterized in that all the slave units are arranged in a line of sight range when viewed from an antenna of the master unit, and the mail is wirelessly received from the slave unit or an image captured by a camera is transferred. . The monitoring system according to claim 3,
On the monitoring side, conversion processing means for converting the mail received from the slave unit or the image taken by the camera into an image for television display,
Means for transmitting the television display image after the conversion process to an empty channel of the monitor television. The monitoring system according to claim 3,
A surveillance system, comprising: means for outputting a voice mail transmitted from a monitoring side to a slave unit on the slave unit side. The monitoring system according to claim 1,
A means for distributing a plurality of sensors in the monitoring area, obtaining detection signals of each sensor, selecting a message corresponding to a combination pattern of the detection signals, including the message in a mail, and notifying the monitoring side. A monitoring system characterized by the following. The monitoring system according to claim 1,
A plurality of sensors are distributed and arranged in the monitoring area, detection signals of each sensor are acquired, a photographing range corresponding to a combination pattern of the detection signals is selected, and a means for driving the camera is provided. Monitoring system. The monitoring system according to claim 1,
A monitoring system that acquires detection signals of a plurality of sensors, determines an intruder's action corresponding to a combination pattern of the detection signals, and selects and sounds a predetermined message. . The monitoring system according to claim 7,
A monitoring system comprising: means for selecting a corresponding voice and generating sound when a predetermined mail is received from a report destination. The monitoring system according to claim 1,
A surveillance system characterized in that the means for sending an e-mail to the surveillance side or the means for transferring an image taken by a camera to the surveillance side operates so that at least a part thereof includes a communication protocol other than a general-purpose protocol. .

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