JP2004165790A - Camera control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the user-friendliness of a camera control system with respect to confirmation of a visual field of a camera and concerning in which direction the camera is directed. <P>SOLUTION: The camera control system is configured to include a camera operation controller 12 for controlling operations of the camera 11 including a direction change and a computer 13 configuring: a map database having map information in cross-reference with geographical information; a map display means for displaying a map on the basis of the map information in the map database; a camera visual field arithmetic means for obtaining at least a direction of the visual field of the camera on the map on the basis of control information of the camera, the geographical information at an installed place of the camera, and the map information in the map database; and a camera visual field display means for displaying at least the direction of the visual field of the camera on the map displayed by the map display means. A visual field symbol 14b for indicating at least the direction of the visual field together with a video image 14a by the camera 11 is displayed on the map 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a camera control system that associates geographic information such as map information and a coordinate system related thereto with the operation of a camera.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, due to the development of information and communication technology, surveillance cameras have been installed in various places and used for various tasks such as weather observation, national disaster prevention and public safety. Conventionally, when monitoring is performed, a plurality of monitor devices each displaying images of a plurality of cameras are fitted into a large information display panel showing the installation locations of the cameras, and the images of the cameras of A system that makes it easy to see at a glance is used.
[0003]
However, in recent years, with the development of computer technology, a GIS (Geographic Information System) has been used instead of such an information display panel, and a map of a camera installation location and a camera location are displayed on the screen of a computer display device. Systems for displaying video and video are beginning to be used. According to the definition of the Geographic Information System-related ministries and agencies' liaison, GIS comprehensively manages and processes data (spatial data) with information on the position based on the geographical position and visually displays it. Technology that enables advanced analysis and quick judgment.
[0004]
Regarding camera control technology, with the development of computer technology in recent years, commands for operations such as camera turning, zooming and iris (aperture), which have been performed directly to the camera control device, have been provided by the GIS camera control. It can be done on the screen.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional system, when confirming the field of view of the camera, it is necessary to find a landmark or the like from the image of the camera displayed on the screen of the monitor device or the display device and check it with the map information and the like. There is a disadvantage that it takes time and effort.
[0006]
In addition, in which direction the camera is to be turned, it is necessary for a person to gradually turn the camera while deciding the image while watching the image of the camera, and there is also an inconvenience that it takes time and effort. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve the usability of a camera control system.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions and Effects]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a system which advantageously solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. A camera control system according to the present invention described in claim 1 is shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. Thus, a map database 1 having map information associated with geographical information, a map display means 2 for displaying a map based on the map information in the map database 1, and a camera for controlling the operation of the camera including a change in direction A camera field of view calculation for obtaining at least a direction of a field of view of the camera on a map based on operation control means 3, control information of the camera, geographical information of a location where the camera is installed, and map information in the map database 1. Means 4 and camera view display means 5 for displaying at least the direction of the view of the camera on the map displayed by the map display means 2.
[0008]
In such a camera control system, the camera operation control means 3 controls one or a plurality of cameras (including a device for changing the horizontal direction of the camera, and a device for changing the elevation angle and the depression angle of the camera with respect to the horizontal). The operation including the direction change is controlled, and the camera field-of-view calculating means 4 controls the camera (for example, a camera number No. for specifying the camera, a pan θ which is a turning angle from an origin direction indicating the direction of the camera, an elevation angle ( Positive and tilt angles (negative), focal length bf, etc.), pre-given geographical information of the camera installation location, and geographical information in the map database 1 (for example, two-dimensional Or, map information (for example, terrain, place names, roads, railroads, facilities and their names, contour lines, etc.) related to the three-dimensional survey values and the place names and addresses of the places, the names of facilities at the places, etc. At least the direction of the field of view of the camera on the map is determined based on the graphic data and the character data. The camera view display means 5 displays at least the direction of the determined camera view on the map by the map display means 2. Display above.
[0009]
Therefore, according to the camera control system of the present invention, when confirming the direction of the field of view of the camera, it is necessary to find a landmark or the like projected on the monitor screen of the camera and check it with map information or the like. Since there is no camera, it can be easily checked in a short time without any hassle, and even a user who is not familiar with the area where the camera is installed can easily check the location where the camera is shooting on the map Can improve the usability of the system.
[0010]
In the camera control system according to the present invention, the camera field-of-view calculating means may include control information of the camera, geographical information of an installation location of the camera, and map information in the map database. Based on the above, the direction and range of the field of view of the camera on the map is obtained, and the camera view display means displays the direction and range of the view of the camera on the map displayed by the map display means. Then, not only the direction of the field of view of the camera but also the range can be easily confirmed, which is preferable.
[0011]
In the camera control system according to claims 1 and 2, the map database 1 having the map information associated with the geographic information and the map display means 2 for displaying a map based on the map information in the map database 1 include: The GIS described above can be used.
[0012]
In the camera control system of the present invention, the installation location of the camera is set in advance, and preferably, the origin direction (reference direction) of the camera turning device is set in advance. The installation location of the camera may be set by a person on the map displayed by the map display means, or may be obtained and set using a device for specifying a position such as a GPS (Global Positioning System). May be.
[0013]
In the camera control system of the present invention, the direction of the field of view of the camera displayed by the camera view display means 5 on the map displayed by the map display means 2 is from the direction of the origin when the camera operation control means 3 operates the camera turning device. The camera field-of-view calculating means 4 calculates from the amount of rotation of the camera and the azimuth read by the compass attached to the camera.
[0014]
In the camera control system according to the present invention, the range of the field of view of the camera displayed by the camera view display means 5 on the map displayed by the map display means 2 is determined based on the focal length of the lens and the size of the image sensor of the camera. The camera field-of-view calculating means 4 calculates from the angle of view and the like. When the camera is equipped with a zoom lens, the camera visual field calculation means 4 inputs information on the lens focal length of the zoom lens from the camera operation control means 3 and calculates an angle of view according to the lens focal length. Alternatively, the range of the visual field determined from the result may be displayed on a map.
[0015]
On the other hand, as shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. 1B, the camera control system according to the present invention has a map database 1 having map information associated with geographical information, and a map database 1 in the map database 1. Map display means 2 for displaying a map based on the map information, camera operation control means 3 for controlling the operation of the camera including a change in direction, and a photographing request location designated on the map displayed by the map display means 2. A photographing request place searching means 6 for obtaining geographical information from the map information, and a camera orientation change including a photographing request place based on the geographical information of the photographing request place and the camera installation place. Camera operation command means 7 for giving a command to the camera operation control means 3.
[0016]
In such a camera control system, the camera operation control means 3 controls the operation of the camera including the direction change, and the photographing request location searching means 6 displays the map display means 2 based on the map information in the map database 1. The geographical information of the photographing request place specified by the user on the map to be obtained is obtained from the map information, and the camera operation instructing means 7 compares the obtained geographical information of the photographing request place with the predetermined installation location of the camera. Based on the geographical information, a command is issued to the camera operation control means 3 including a change in the direction of the camera so as to photograph the photographing requested place.
[0017]
Therefore, according to the camera control system of the present invention, when deciding which direction to point the camera, the user (person) only needs to specify on the map while looking at the map, and gradually while viewing the image of the camera. Since it is not necessary to perform the operation of turning the camera and determining the direction, the direction of the camera can be easily determined in a short time without any trouble, and the usability of the system is improved.
[0018]
In the camera control system according to the third aspect, a map database having map information in association with geographical information and a map display means for displaying a map based on the map information in the map database are also described above. GIS can be used.
[0019]
Further, in the camera control system of the present invention, the geographical information of the place to be displayed by the camera image is displayed on a map displayed by the map display means 2 based on the map information in the map database 1 as described in claim 2. The photographing request location search means 6 may determine the location by the user, but the map displayed by the map display means 2 based on the map information in the map database 1 or the map database 1 The user may input geographical information such as a place name, a street address, or a facility name so that geographical information such as an address book database can be referred to.
[0020]
Further, in the camera control system according to the present invention, the object distance calculated based on the geographic information in the map database 1 (the camera position indicated by the geographic information of the camera and the geographic information of the shooting request location indicated by the geographic information of the shooting request location) The camera operation command means 7 may give a command to the camera operation control means 3 to adjust the focal length of the camera lens in accordance with the distance from the position.
[0021]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail by way of examples with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a system for controlling a plurality of cameras with one computer as an embodiment of the camera control system of the present invention. In the system of this embodiment, a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) monitoring cameras (three in the illustrated example) installed at a plurality of locations (three in the illustrated example) respectively support the cameras in the horizontal direction and the elevation angle / depression angle with respect to the horizontal. A plurality of (three in the illustrated example) normal camera control devices 12 for controlling the operation of each of the camera rotation devices 11 are connected to one normal computer 13 and controlled there. An arithmetic processing unit 13a has a normal CPU (central processing unit) and storage elements such as a ROM (read only memory) and a RAM (random access memory), and executes arithmetic and processing based on a given program. A hard disk for storing map information in association with geographical information in addition to storing a program to be executed by the arithmetic processing unit 13a. And comprises a live device 13b, for example, a display device 13c having a screen of a CRT or a liquid crystal or the like, and an input device 13d such as a mouse.
[0022]
When the arithmetic processing unit 13a of the computer 13 executes a given program, the arithmetic processing unit 13a receives video signals from the plurality of surveillance cameras 11 and outputs the video signals from the hard disk drive device 13b. The map information is read out, and the arithmetic processing unit 13a displays a map 14 based on the map information on the screen of the display device 13c and shows the map 14 to the user of the system. The arithmetic processing unit 13a and the hard disk drive 13b having the map display function constitute a GIS in this embodiment. The image 14a captured by the plurality of monitoring cameras 11 and the cameras 11 are monitored on the map 14 by image processing such as fitting or layer superposition performed by the arithmetic processing unit 13a. A visual field figure 14b schematically showing the direction and range (angle of view) of the visual field is shown. In this visual field figure 14b, the inside of two substantially V-shaped lines indicates the visual field range. I have. This allows the user to easily know the current monitoring status of the cameras 11.
[0023]
If there is a place where the user of the system wants to view the video (a shooting request place), the user specifies the place to be viewed on the map 14 by using the input device 13d (for example, moving the pointer on the screen by operating the mouse). Move it to the position where you want to see it and click the mouse button.) Accordingly, the arithmetic processing unit 13a determines at least two-dimensional, and preferably three-dimensional coordinate data (such as a survey value or the like) of the desired place on the basis of the relationship between the position of the desired place on the map and the geographical information of the position. ) Is obtained from the geographical information in the hard disk drive 13b.
[0024]
The arithmetic processing unit 13a stores at least two-dimensional (preferably, three-dimensional) coordinate data (survey values and the like) of the installation location of each camera 11 and the coordinate data (survey values and the like) of the place to be viewed. From this, the amount of turning (or turning angle) of each camera 11 for making the desired place visible can be calculated. Further, the arithmetic processing unit 13a transmits a turning command including a turning amount to each camera control device 12, whereby each camera control device 12 operates a motor of the camera turning device to turn the corresponding camera 11 horizontally, Alternatively, the camera 11 is further turned in the elevation / depression angle changing direction according to the difference in height between the desired place and the camera 11.
[0025]
Therefore, in this embodiment, the map information associated with the geographical information in the hard disk drive device 13b corresponds to the map database 1, the display device 13c corresponds to the map display means 2, and the camera control device 12 controls the camera operation control means. 3, and the arithmetic processing unit 13a corresponds to the camera visual field calculation means 4 and the camera visual field display means 5.
[0026]
FIG. 3 shows how the direction of the field of view of the image 14a of each camera 11 displayed on the map 14 and the field of view 14b of each camera 11 changes as the camera turns. Here, from the state before the change shown in the upper part of FIG. 3, first, the user operates the input device 13 d such as a mouse to input a place to be monitored (imaging request place) to the computer 13. Then, the arithmetic processing unit 13a of the computer 13 calculates the amount of turning of each camera 11 to make the place to be monitored visible by the above-described arithmetic processing, and sends the amount of turning to the camera control device 12. Thereby, the camera control device 12 turns the camera 11 by operating the motor of the camera turning device. Then, when a signal sent from the camera turning device to the arithmetic processing unit 13a via the camera control device 12 indicates that the turning of the camera 11 is completed, the arithmetic processing unit 13a displays the map 14 on the screen of the display device 13c after the turning. An image 14a of the camera 11 after turning is displayed together with a visual field symbol 14b indicating the direction and range of the visual field of the camera 11.
[0027]
For example, when the arithmetic processing unit 13a turns the camera 11 by another operation in the system or an operation from an independent device outside the system, such as designation or input of a place name, an address, and a facility name of a place to be monitored. Also, the arithmetic processing unit 13a changes the visual field symbol 14b indicating the visual field of the camera displayed on the map 14 and the image 14a of the camera, as in the case described above.
[0028]
FIG. 4 shows a field symbol 14b indicating the field of view of the camera 11 displayed on the map 14 in response to a change in the range (angle of view) of the field of view of the camera 11 by changing the lens focal length of the camera 11. And how the camera image 14a changes. The focal length of the lens is determined by an arithmetic processing unit 13a of the computer 13 giving a command to a lens controller (not shown) of the camera 11, and the lens controller controlling the position in the front-rear direction of the lens while feeding back the output of the potentiometer of the lens. To the amount of Here, when the focal length of the camera is changed by operating the focal length of the camera inside or outside the system, the arithmetic processing unit 13a of the computer 13 sets the range of the field of view (angle of view) that the camera 11 can capture. By calculation, the visual field range of the visual field symbol 14b indicating the visual field of the camera 11 is changed from that shown in the upper part of FIG. 4 (relatively wide angle in the illustrated example) to that shown in the lower part of the same figure (relative telephoto in the illustrated example). I do. When the field of view of the camera changes, the image of the camera also changes from that shown at the top of FIG. 4 (relatively wide angle in the illustrated example) to that shown at the bottom of the figure (relatively telephoto in the example shown).
[0029]
Therefore, in this embodiment, the arithmetic processing unit 13a also corresponds to the photographing request place searching means 6 and the camera operation command indicating means 7.
[0030]
As described above, the present invention has been described based on the illustrated examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and can be appropriately changed within the scope of the claims. For example, the map database 1 and the map display means As 2, the map display system having a simpler configuration can be used without using GIS. Further, as the map display means 2, a projector for projecting a map can be used. Further, as the coordinate data, CAD data or the like representing the external shape and internal structure of the building can be used. Then, by connecting the camera control device 12 (or Internet camera) to the computer 13 via the Internet, the camera 11 installed far away from the management location may be remotely controlled by the computer 13 at the management location. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a camera control system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of a camera control system of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a visual field display on a map and a change state of an image when a camera is turned.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a visual field display on a map and a change state of an image when a camera is zoomed.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Map database 2 Map display means 3 Camera operation control means 4 Camera field of view calculation means 5 Camera field of view display means 6 Photographing request place search means 7 Camera operation command means 11 Camera 12 Camera control unit 13 Computer 13a Operation processing unit 13b Hard disk drive 13c Display device 13d Input device 14 Map 14a Video 14b Field of view symbol

Claims (4)

A map database having map information in association with geographic information;
Map display means for displaying a map based on the map information in the map database,
Camera operation control means for controlling the operation of the camera including the orientation change,
Based on the control information of the camera, the geographical information of the installation location of the camera, and the map information in the map database, a camera view calculation unit that determines at least the direction of the view of the camera on a map,
Camera view display means for displaying at least the direction of the view of the camera on a map displayed by the map display means,
Camera control system. Based on the control information of the camera, the geographical information of the installation location of the camera, and the map information in the map database, the camera view calculation means obtains the direction and range of the view of the camera on a map,
The camera control system according to claim 1, wherein the camera view display means displays a direction and a range of a view of the camera on a map displayed by the map display means. A map database having map information in association with geographic information;
Map display means for displaying a map based on the map information in the map database,
Camera operation control means for controlling the operation of the camera including the orientation change,
A photographing request place searching means for obtaining, from the map information, geographic information of a photographing request place specified on the map displayed by the map display means,
Camera operation command means for giving a command to the camera operation control means, including changing the direction of the camera, to take an image of the requested shooting location based on the geographic information of the requested shooting location and the geographic information of the installation location of the camera. When,
Camera control system. A map database having map information in association with geographic information;
Map display means for displaying a map based on the map information in the map database, camera operation control means for controlling the operation of the camera including a change in direction,
A camera operation for giving a command to the camera operation control means, including a change in the direction of the camera, so as to photograph the photographing request location based on the input geographic information of the photographing request location and the geographic information of the camera installation location. Command means,
Camera control system.

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