JP2004088156A - Monitoring camera, monitoring system employing same, and monitoring method employing the monitoring camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a monitoring system wherein even the system employing a plurality of monitoring cameras avoids an excess load from being imposed on a management computer and missing (leakage) from being caused in video and audio captured by the monitoring cameras. <P>SOLUTION: The monitoring system S is provided with: the monitoring cameras 1a to 1d; the management computer 3; and a radio relay apparatus 5 for transmitting / receiving data between the monitoring cameras 1a to 1d and the management computer 3. The monitoring camera 1a is provided with a case 10 and a camera section 11. The case 10 incorporates: a hard disk for storing a video image captured by the camera section 11; a radio communication apparatus; a CPU; a driver for moving the case 10 itself; and an uninterruptible power supply apparatus or the like. The management computer 3 is provided with a display monitor 30. The radio relay apparatus 5 is connected to the management computer 3 by directly connecting a communication cable to the management computer 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a surveillance camera using wireless communication, a surveillance system using the same, and a surveillance method using the surveillance camera.
More specifically, even in a surveillance system in which a plurality of surveillance cameras are used, an excessive load is not applied to the management computer, and the video and audio captured by the surveillance cameras are not lost (leakage). About things. The present invention also relates to a surveillance camera usable for the surveillance system and a surveillance method using the surveillance camera.
[0002]
[Prior art and its problems]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, surveillance systems using surveillance cameras have been used in various places for deterring crimes, recording accidents or accidents, and the like. The surveillance cameras described above are often installed as a single unit, and the projected images are centrally managed (monitored) in a monitor room.
[0003]
However, it is often difficult to newly attach a surveillance camera to an existing building that is not supposed to be installed in advance because the cable laying is complicated. Also, even if the cable could be attached, it was extremely difficult to lay the cable hidden inside the building.
[0004]
By the way, in recent years, network technology has been accelerated with the spread of the Internet, and surveillance cameras capable of transmitting information via wireless communication have been developed.
[0005]
A monitoring camera using wireless communication includes a camera body and a wireless communication device. According to the surveillance system using this surveillance camera, the video captured by the camera body is transmitted to the computer for constant management via wireless communication, and is played back by this computer, and is also stored and saved in the storage device. ing. Thus, even when a surveillance camera is used, it is possible to monitor the status in a substantially real-time manner using the management computer.
[0006]
Such a surveillance camera is easy to handle because there is no work such as laying cables for installation, and it is expected that it will become more popular and common in the future.
[0007]
However, the surveillance system using the surveillance camera described above has the following problems.
In the surveillance camera described above, the video captured by the camera body is constantly transmitted to the management computer so that real-time monitoring can be performed. Therefore, when a plurality of surveillance cameras are provided, data is intensively sent from each camera to a management computer, and this management computer is overloaded. Since the management computer is required not to be down due to the load, it is necessary to use a computer having a high processing capability.
[0008]
Further, since a large amount of data flows through the communication network by the monitoring camera, when communication of other data is also performed, the communication speed of the entire network may be affected.
[0009]
A problem with a surveillance system using a surveillance camera is that, for example, all cameras do not concentrate on the management computer and send data, and the cameras that send data are switched every required time, and a small number of cameras project in real time. That can be solved for the time being. That is, according to this method, the amount of data received by the management computer can be reduced, so that the load on the management computer can be reduced and the need for high processing capacity is eliminated.
Further, since the amount of data flowing through the communication network is reduced, the data does not affect the communication speed of the entire network.
[0010]
However, in this case, the images stored by the management computer are not continuous images of each camera, but are images captured by switching a plurality of cameras. That is, images captured by individual cameras are intermittent. Therefore, for example, in the event of a crime or the like, even if the video captured by the camera is checked, it is possible that the essential part may have been lost (leaked), and even if it is recorded with great effort, it can be evidence. There was a serious problem that there was no case.
[0011]
The inventor of the present invention has intended to prevent an excessive load from being applied to a management computer and to prevent a video captured by the camera from being omitted even in a monitoring system using a plurality of monitoring cameras. Repeated the research. The inventors have found that the above-mentioned problem can be solved if the video captured by the camera can be recorded on the camera side.
[0012]
(Object of the present invention)
An object of the present invention is to prevent an excessive load from being applied to a management computer even in a surveillance system in which a plurality of surveillance cameras are used, and furthermore, omission (leakage) in video and audio captured by the surveillance cameras. It is to provide something that can be prevented from occurring.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a surveillance camera usable for the surveillance system and a surveillance method using the surveillance camera.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Means of the present invention taken to achieve the above object are as follows.
In the first invention,
A camera unit for capturing video and / or audio;
Storage means for storing the video or / and audio data captured by the camera unit;
Communication means for transmitting the video or / and audio data by wireless communication;
Characterized by having
It is a surveillance camera.
[0014]
In the second invention,
A power supply device for supplying electricity when the supply of electricity from the normal use power supply is cut off,
It is a surveillance camera according to a first invention.
[0015]
In the third invention,
A surveillance camera according to the first or second invention,
A communication network including a portion capable of wireless communication and capable of transmitting video or / and audio data;
A computer connectable to the communication network and capable of reproducing the video or / and audio data;
Characterized by having
It is a monitoring system.
[0016]
In the fourth invention,
The computer is provided with storage means capable of storing video or audio data.
It is a monitoring system according to a third invention.
[0017]
In the fifth invention,
The surveillance camera captures video and / or audio related to a monitoring target, stores the captured video and / or audio data on the surveillance camera side, and reproduces the data on a computer connected via wireless communication. A surveillance method using a surveillance camera.
[0018]
In the sixth invention,
The surveillance camera captures video and / or audio related to the monitoring target, stores the video and / or audio on the surveillance camera, and reproduces the video and / or audio data stored on the surveillance camera on a computer connected via wireless communication. Characterized by the ability to
This is a monitoring method using a monitoring camera.
[0019]
In this specification, the term "video" is used as a concept including a still image and a moving image.
Further, the term "video or / and audio" is used as a concept indicating "video or audio" or "video and audio".
[0020]
As the “camera unit” in the present specification, for example, a camera unit having a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera can be mentioned, but the camera unit is not limited to this.
Examples of the “storage unit” include a magnetic storage device (hard disk, flexible disk, SuperDisk, Zip, Clik !, jaz, etc.), a magneto-optical storage device (MO (magneto-optic), etc.), an optical storage device (CD) -R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, PD, etc.), semiconductor memory, etc., but are not limited thereto.
[0021]
Examples of “communication means by wireless communication” include, but are not particularly limited to, means using radio waves and infrared rays.
[0022]
The “normally used power supply” referred to in this specification is a power supply for supplying power during normal use, and includes, for example, a power supply using a commercial power supply and a power supply using private power.
Examples of the "power supply device" include an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and a private power generator.
[0023]
The surveillance camera, the surveillance system using the surveillance camera, and the surveillance method using the surveillance camera are not particularly limited. For example, a detached house, an apartment, a parking lot, a warehouse, a road, a hospital, a school, a kindergarten, a nursery school ( (Including day care centers), parks, merchandise stores, pachinko parlors, and stops such as trains and buses can be used as monitoring targets.
[0024]
Examples of the “computer” in this specification include a computer used in a fixed or substantially fixed state, and a device capable of moving and communicating (mobile communication device). Examples of the former include personal computers (desktop type, tower type, etc.), workstations, server computers, host computers, and the like. As the latter, for example, a personal computer (notebook type, etc.), a mobile phone capable of data communication, a PHS (Personal Handyphone System), a handheld computer (PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), etc.), a wearable computer ( A portable computer that is worn on the body).
[0025]
(Operation)
The surveillance camera according to the present invention can capture video and / or audio by the camera unit, store the captured video or / and audio data in a storage unit provided in the monitoring camera, or use a communication network via a communication unit. Or send it to the computer above.
[0026]
A surveillance camera equipped with a power supply device can automatically switch and supply electricity even when the supply of electricity from a normally used power supply is interrupted. Therefore, for example, even in such a case, the surveillance camera can continue to capture video and / or audio.
[0027]
The surveillance system according to the present invention can reproduce and monitor the video and / or audio captured by the surveillance camera by a computer connected to a communication network via communication means.
[0028]
In a surveillance system in which a computer includes a storage unit capable of storing video or audio data, the video and / or audio captured by the surveillance camera can be stored in the storage unit.
[0029]
According to the monitoring method of the present invention, the monitoring camera captures video and / or audio related to a monitoring target, stores the captured video or / and audio data on the monitoring camera side, and is connected via wireless communication. Play and monitor on computer.
According to another surveillance method according to the present invention, a surveillance camera captures video and / or audio related to a monitoring target, stores the video and / or audio on the surveillance camera, and stores the video and / or audio data stored on the surveillance camera. Is reproduced and monitored by a computer connected via wireless communication.
[0030]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing one embodiment of a monitoring system according to the present invention.
Reference symbol S indicates a monitoring system. The surveillance system S described in the present embodiment includes four surveillance cameras 1a to 1d, one management computer 3, and wireless relay for transmitting and receiving data between the surveillance cameras 1a to 1d and the management computer 3. It is configured to include the device 5.
[0031]
The monitoring camera 1a will be described. The description of the monitoring cameras 1b, 1c, and 1d is omitted because it has the same configuration as the monitoring camera 1a.
The monitoring camera 1a includes a case 10 and a camera unit 11 provided with a lens 110 exposed from the case 10. The case 10 includes a hard disk (not shown) that is a storage unit for storing an image captured by the camera unit 11 and a wireless communication device (not shown (an antenna 12) that is a communication unit that transmits the captured image by wireless communication. Only), a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), which is a control device for performing various controls, and a drive device such as a motor that moves the case 10 up, down, left, and right to change the direction of the camera unit 11 (not shown). And an uninterruptible power supply (not shown). The antenna 12 of the wireless device is provided so as to protrude above the case 10.
[0032]
An attachment member 100 for attaching the case 10 to the ceiling is provided on the upper surface of the case 10 so as to protrude upward so that the direction of the case 10 can be changed by a driving device.
[0033]
The camera unit 11 includes a CCD camera (not shown) having a lens 110, a focus drive unit (not shown) for focusing the lens 110, and a zoom drive unit (not shown) for the lens 110. The camera unit 11 can be controlled arbitrarily or in a predetermined manner by the CPU.
[0034]
The management computer 3 is configured using a general-purpose computer (usually a personal computer or a server computer is used, but this is not a limitation). The management computer 3 includes a monitor 30 for display.
The wireless relay device 5 is connected to the management computer 3 by directly connecting a communication cable.
Thus, the monitoring cameras 1a to 1d and the management computer 3 can transmit and receive data via the wireless relay device 5.
[0035]
In the present embodiment, the wireless relay device 5 is connected to the management computer 3 by directly connecting a communication cable. However, the connection is not limited thereto. For example, the wireless relay device 5 may be a wired LAN (Local Area Network). ) Or another wireless relay device can be connected to the management computer 3.
[0036]
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the monitoring system shown in FIG. 1 is provided in a pachinko parlor.
The surveillance cameras 1a to 1d constituting the surveillance system S are provided with an attachment member 100 attached to the ceiling so as to correspond between the islands (blocks in which pachinko machines are arranged side by side) and the islands. More specifically, the monitoring camera 1a can monitor the islands A and B, the monitoring camera 1b can monitor the islands C and D, the monitoring camera 1c can monitor the islands E and F, and the monitoring camera 1d can monitor the island. Is provided so that the G side and the H side can be monitored. The wireless relay device 5 and the management computer 3 are installed in an office of a pachinko parlor (not shown).
[0037]
(Operation)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a signal flow between the monitoring camera and the management computer.
With reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, an operation in the case where the monitoring system S shown in the present embodiment is provided in a pachinko parlor will be described.
[0038]
The video to be monitored is captured by the monitoring cameras 1a to 1d as follows. Here, the surveillance camera 1a will be described as an example.
First, the images on the A and B sides of the island captured by the camera unit 11 are captured by the monitoring camera 1a as analog data (step 100). The analog data is converted into digital data that can be read by a computer (step 101). The converted digital data is further subjected to a compression process (encoding) (step 102). The technique for performing the compression processing is not particularly limited, but the present embodiment employs the MPEG technique.
[0039]
The video data after the compression processing is stored in the hard disk provided in the monitoring camera 1a (arrow (1) shown in FIG. 3) (step 103). The video data is transmitted to the management computer 3 by the wireless communication device together with the storage in the hard disk (arrow (2) shown in FIG. 3) (step 104). By transmitting the video data in this manner, the video of the surveillance camera 1a can be reproduced and monitored by the management computer 3 in a substantially real-time state. These processes are controlled by the CPU provided in the monitoring camera 1a.
[0040]
Next, a state in which the video transmitted from the monitoring camera 1a is reproduced by the management computer 3 will be described.
The video data transmitted from the monitoring camera 1a by wireless communication is received by the wireless relay device 5 (Step 200). In the wireless relay device 5 shown in the present embodiment, processing is performed to make it difficult to pick up unnecessary noise and other radio waves. This processing uses a known technique, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0041]
The video data received by the wireless relay device 5 is sent to the directly connected management computer 3. Then, the data is decompressed (decoded) from the compressed state by the management computer 3 and reproduced by the reproduction software (arrow (5) shown in FIG. 3) (step 301). In this way, the image captured by the monitoring camera 1a can be displayed on the monitor 30 and monitored in a substantially real-time state by the management computer 3. In the present embodiment, the above-described video data is not recorded by the management computer 3, but is subjected to only a reproduction process like a so-called streaming broadcast. However, this is not a limitation, and the transmitted video data can be stored in a hard disk or the like while being reproduced.
[0042]
When the pachinko parlor is open, the surveillance system S sends the video data to the management computer 3 so that all video data from the surveillance cameras 1a to 1d is not sent to the management computer 3 in a concentrated manner. -1d are controlled so as to be switched every required time. Specifically, when the monitoring camera 1a finishes transmitting the video data to the management computer 3 for a required time, the monitoring camera 1a stops transmitting the video data, and then the monitoring camera 1b transmits the video data to the management computer 3. Begin to. When the surveillance camera 1b finishes transmitting the required time, the surveillance camera 1b stops transmitting, and the surveillance camera 1c starts transmitting video data to the management computer 3.
[0043]
As described above, in the monitoring system S, four monitoring cameras 1a to 1d are used during business hours, but the images from the monitoring cameras 1a to 1d are sequentially switched and reproduced in the management computer 3, and processing is performed. Since the concentration is prevented from being concentrated, the management computer 3 can monitor the data without much load. Therefore, the management computer 3 can be used even if it does not have a high processing capability.
[0044]
Further, when the management computer 3 is also connected to another communication network such as a LAN, the amount of video data flowing on the network is smaller than before, so that the influence on the communication speed of the entire network is small. it can.
[0045]
During business hours, the monitoring cameras 1a to 1d always capture images related to the monitoring target irrespective of transmission to the management computer 3, and the captured image data is stored in a hard disk provided in each of the monitoring cameras 1a to 1d. Are sequentially stored.
[0046]
The video data stored in the hard disks of the monitoring cameras 1a to 1d is transmitted to the management computer 3 side by wireless communication, for example, once a day or once a week (3 shown in FIG. 3). The arrow (▼) is stored in the hard disk of the management computer 3 (arrow (4) shown in FIG. 3) (step 300). This processing is desirably performed outside business hours, but is not particularly limited and may be performed during business hours. The video data stored in the management computer 3 in this way can be played back by the management computer 3 by the playback software in the same manner as the video data sent for playing the real-time video. However, usually, the video data is stored on the hard disk of the management computer 3 without being reproduced.
[0047]
As for the transmission of the video data stored in the hard disk of the monitoring cameras 1a to 1d, as in the case of the above-described transmission of the video data for reproducing the real-time state, the monitoring cameras to perform the transmission processing are sequentially switched, and 3 is performed so that data is not concentrated. Further, even when the video data is transmitted to the management computer 3, the monitoring camera captures the video by the camera unit.
[0048]
In the present embodiment, the video data stored (saved) on the hard disk of the monitoring cameras 1a to 1d is left on the hard disk of the camera even when it is stored (copied) on the hard disk of the management computer 3. By doing so, the video data is stored in at least two places of each of the monitoring cameras 1a to 1d and the management computer 3, so that the data is duplicated. Thus, even if one of the surveillance cameras 1a to 1d or the hard disk of the management computer 3 is damaged, data loss can be avoided.
[0049]
The video data stored on the hard disk of the management computer 3 is different from the video data in a real-time state reproduced by the management computer 3 during business hours, and is a state in which videos captured by the monitoring cameras 1a to 1d are continuous. There is no omission (leakage) in the video. That is, since the surveillance system S records video data with no omission in the video for each of the monitoring cameras 1a to 1d, for example, when a crime or the like occurs, this video data is used as evidence for solving a case. can do.
[0050]
Since the surveillance cameras 1a to 1d have a built-in uninterruptible power supply, for example, when the power supply from the normal power supply is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the power is automatically supplied from the uninterruptible power supply. And the electricity stored in the battery is supplied. As a result, even in the case of a power failure or the like, while the uninterruptible power supply supplies the electricity, the monitoring cameras 1a to 1d can continue to capture the video, and the video is not missed due to the interruption of the electricity. Note that the video data captured in this state is not transmitted to the server 3 to save battery power, but is stored only in the hard disks of the monitoring cameras 1a to 1d. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it can be transmitted to the management computer 3, or can be transmitted and further stored in the hard disk of the management computer 3.
When the supply of electricity is restored to the normal power supply, the power supply is automatically switched from the uninterruptible power supply, and the uninterruptible power supply is again in a standby state for a power failure.
[0051]
The zoom driving unit of the camera unit 11 and the driving device for changing the direction of the case 10 can be manually operated on the management computer 3 side while watching the image transmitted in real time, or as determined in advance. It can be controlled to move. The focus driving unit that focuses the lens 110 is usually automatically controlled, and is set so that the focus is automatically adjusted. Such control is performed using known means.
[0052]
In the present embodiment, in the normal use state, the captured video is sent to the management computer 3 while being stored in the hard disk of the monitoring cameras 1a to 1d. However, this is not limitative. The data once stored in the hard disks of the cameras 1a to 1d can be transmitted to the management computer 3 (arrow 3 shown in FIG. 3), or can be stored in the hard disks of the monitoring cameras 1a to 1d without being stored. 3 can also be sent. In the case where the data stored on the hard disk of the monitoring cameras 1a to 1d is transmitted, the data reproduced on the management computer 3 is not a real-time video because the video is temporarily stored on the hard disk. It becomes.
[0053]
In the present embodiment, the video data received by the management computer 3 is only played back without being stored on the hard disk in the normal use state. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It can be stored on the hard disk of the computer 3 (arrow (4) shown in FIG. 3), or can be played back from the hard disk (arrow (6) shown in FIG. 3). When the content stored on the hard disk is played back, the content is once recorded on the hard disk and then played back, so that the played back content is not real-time but a video with a slight time lag.
[0054]
In the present embodiment, the video data captured by the monitoring cameras 1a to 1d is sent to the management computer 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the management computer 3 sends the video data to the monitoring cameras 1a to 1d. It is also possible to access and read the video data. Further, for example, if the video data captured by the monitoring cameras 1a to 1d can be transmitted over a communication network such as the Internet, a computer provided at another place or data communication can be performed via this communication network. It can also be monitored by a mobile phone or the like.
[0055]
The surveillance cameras 1a to 1d shown in the present embodiment have been described as capturing only images, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, cameras that capture both video and audio can be used.
[0056]
In the present embodiment, the case where the monitoring system S is provided in a pachinko parlor has been described as an example, but the place where the monitoring system S can be used is not limited.
[0057]
The terms and expressions used in the present specification are illustrative only, and are not limiting, and exclude terms and expressions equivalent to the features described in this specification and some of them. There is no intention to do so. It goes without saying that various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention has the above configuration and has the following effects.
(A) According to the present invention, video and / or audio are captured by a surveillance camera, and the captured video or / and audio data is stored in storage means provided in the surveillance camera, or stored on a communication network via communication means. Or send it to a computer. Therefore, for example, if video and / or audio data is always stored in the storage means of the monitoring camera, the video and / or audio of the plurality of monitoring cameras are switched and transmitted to the computer on the communication network. Even in such a case, video and / or audio without continuous omission (leakage) can be stored. The video and / or audio without this omission (leakage) can be used as evidence for solving a case, for example, when a crime or the like occurs. The video and / or audio can be reproduced and monitored by a computer on a communication network.
[0059]
(B) In a system provided with a power supply system, even when the supply of power from the normally used power supply is interrupted, the power is automatically switched to supply the power from the emergency power supply. Therefore, for example, even in such a case, the video and / or audio can be continuously captured, and the video is not missed due to the interruption of electricity.
[0060]
(C) According to the present invention, when a computer on a communication network includes a storage device, the captured image or / and / or video is stored in both the storage unit provided in the surveillance camera and the storage device provided in the computer on the communication network. And voice data. Therefore, in this case, even if one of the surveillance camera and the computer is damaged, the video and / or audio can be prevented from disappearing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing one embodiment of a monitoring system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the monitoring system shown in FIG. 1 is provided in a pachinko parlor.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a signal flow between the monitoring camera and the management computer.
[Explanation of symbols]
S monitoring system
1a, 1b, 1c, 1d Surveillance camera
10 cases
100 mounting members
11 Camera section
110 lens
12 Antenna
3 Management computer
30 monitors
5 Wireless relay device

Claims (6)

A camera unit for capturing video and / or audio;
Storage means for storing the video or / and audio data captured by the camera unit;
Communication means for transmitting the video or / and audio data by wireless communication;
Characterized by having
Surveillance camera. A power supply device for supplying electricity when the supply of electricity from the normal use power supply is cut off,
The surveillance camera according to claim 1. A surveillance camera according to claim 1 or 2,
A communication network including a portion capable of wireless communication and capable of transmitting video or / and audio data;
A computer connectable to the communication network and capable of reproducing the video or / and audio data;
Characterized by having
Monitoring system. The computer is provided with storage means capable of storing video or audio data.
The monitoring system according to claim 3. The surveillance camera captures video and / or audio related to a monitoring target, stores the captured video and / or audio data on the surveillance camera side, and reproduces the data on a computer connected via wireless communication. Characterized by
Surveillance method using surveillance camera. The surveillance camera captures video and / or audio related to the monitoring target, stores the video and / or audio on the surveillance camera, and reproduces the video and / or audio data stored on the surveillance camera on a computer connected via wireless communication. Characterized by the ability to
Surveillance method using surveillance camera.

Images