JP2005341295A - Monitoring system, monitoring device, and monitoring method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new monitoring system which copes with the destruction of a monitoring device or carrying away a recording media. <P>SOLUTION: Respective monitor cameras A-N include an imaging part/signal processing part 1; a control position storage part 2; an attitude controller or posture control part 3; an attitude control position acquiring part 4; a image abnormality detecting means 5; an intrinsic information display part 6; a part 7 for acquiring intrinsic information of another imaging apparatus; a system control part (image abnormality signal acquiring part) 8; and a network interface part 9. The respective apparatuses A, B, N of the monitor cameras comprise an apparatus name; an apparatus ID; apparatus arrangement position coordinate data; another apparatus ID position coordinate data B-N; and abnormality data, where the abnormality signal detection data is "0" or "1". <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a monitoring technique including a plurality of monitoring cameras.

  A surveillance system provided in a store or the like generally includes a plurality of surveillance cameras, and each surveillance camera has a responsible area. One surveillance camera is provided in each assigned area. There is also a monitoring system capable of photographing an abnormal position from a plurality of directions when an abnormality occurs in one camera (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This monitoring system has a plurality of cameras and sensors, and when an abnormality is found in a certain camera or area, all cameras are controlled to monitor that area. Thereby, when an abnormality is detected, the abnormality can be photographed from a plurality of positions, and the abnormality can be grasped more accurately than photographing from one direction.

JP 2003-289532 A

  In recent crime scenes at convenience stores and the like, there are many cases where a surveillance device (camera) is destroyed and escapes without leaving evidence. In some cases, a recording medium such as a VTR recorded by a recording device connected to a store monitoring device is taken away so that no evidence remains. In addition, crime often targets when there is no one in the middle of the night, or when there are few salesclerks or customers. Therefore, there are many situations where it is impossible to contact the police immediately.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a new monitoring system that can cope with destruction of a monitoring device or removal of a recording medium.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, a plurality of first monitoring means provided at a first position and a second monitoring means provided at a second position different from the first position A monitoring system having a monitoring unit, wherein the first monitoring unit includes a photographing unit, a communication unit, and a unique information storage unit that stores unique information of the second monitoring unit including the second position. An abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality of the second monitoring unit via the communication unit; and an attitude control unit that performs attitude control on the second position where the abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit. A monitoring system is provided.

  According to the above monitoring system, when an abnormality relating to the second monitoring means is detected, the first monitoring means performs posture control and monitoring at a position where the situation can be monitored, so that the situation relating to the abnormality can be grasped. .

  A unique information storage section for storing unique information of the first and second monitoring means including the first position and the second position; and the first or second monitoring means via the communication section. Control command to the attitude control unit for controlling the attitude of the abnormality detecting means for detecting abnormality in the monitoring means and the monitoring means for which no abnormality is detected at the position of the monitoring means for which abnormality is detected by the abnormality detecting means It is preferable to separately provide a management server having a control unit for sending. Thereby, a monitoring system can be managed centrally.

  It is preferable to have posture control position acquisition means for acquiring the first position or the second position by photographing the monitoring means on the photographing side by the photographing unit. Thereby, for example, even when the monitoring unit is moved, the unique information can be updated.

  The above monitoring system can also be applied to a monitoring system having first to Nth monitoring means provided at different positions of the first to Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more). In addition, an external storage unit is connected to the first network constructed in the monitoring system via a second network different from the first network, and stores the unique information and information on the detected abnormality. An external server can also be provided. As a result, the situation can be monitored from the outside of the monitoring system connected by the first network. It is also possible to monitor the status of the monitoring system by accessing the second network with a portable terminal. This makes it possible to grasp the situation wherever you are.

  According to the present invention, the monitoring device monitors the presence or absence of an abnormality in another monitoring device, so that the facilities are simplified. Further, even if the monitoring device is destroyed or the recording medium is taken away, evidence can be left outside, so that monitoring can be strengthened.

  In this specification, the unique information of the monitoring device includes an ID for identifying the monitoring device and position information for specifying a position where the monitoring device is installed. With the unique information, it is possible to know which monitoring device is located at which position in another monitoring device, a centralized monitoring system, or the like. The position may be a relative position or an absolute position.

  The monitoring system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of a monitoring device that is a main part of the monitoring system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the monitoring system according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the range indicated by the symbol X is related. The system Y including other ranges will be described in another embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of stored data stored in the integrated monitoring server that controls each monitoring camera and system of the monitoring system X illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a simplified relationship between monitoring devices for supplementing the data of FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the monitoring system according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the monitoring system X according to the present embodiment connects, for example, a first monitoring camera A, a second monitoring camera B, an Nth monitoring camera N, and a server 10. Network (all may be wireless or a network including wireless) NT. The server 10 may be installed, for example, in a central management room of a store, or may be installed in each floor. The monitoring system X may have a larger number of monitoring cameras. The surveillance camera is a general photographing camera.

  As shown in FIG. 1, each of the surveillance cameras A to N according to the present embodiment includes an imaging unit / signal processing unit 1, a control position storage unit 2, an attitude control device or an attitude control unit 3, and the like. , Posture control position acquisition unit 4, image abnormality detection means 5, unique information display unit 6, unique information acquisition unit 7 of another imaging apparatus, system control unit (image abnormality signal acquisition unit) 8, network interface And a face portion 9. The unique information and the abnormal signal are acquired via the communication unit. The unique information display unit 6 is arbitrarily provided. Although the details of the operation principle of the attitude control mechanism that can freely change the imaging direction will be described later, the attitude control device 3 may be incorporated in each of the monitoring cameras A to N, or It may be attached externally.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each of the monitoring cameras A, B, and N is connected by a network NT. For example, a network can be configured via the network interface unit 9 such as USB or IEEE1394. As the minimum data necessary for each of the monitoring cameras A to N to communicate with each other via the communication unit, the unique information of the monitoring camera (device ID, the IP address of the part involved in communication, etc.) and the above-mentioned (Image) It has abnormal signal detection data and attitude control data. Note that the abnormality detected by the image abnormality detection means 5 that detects the abnormality of the image from the signal processing unit 1 is that when the image signal from the photographing unit 1 is interrupted, the image signal is a single signal (eg, a black image). Signal or white image signal), or although not shown, abnormal vibration may be detected as abnormal detection.

  In the monitoring system X shown in FIG. 2, the monitoring camera A acquires the unique information B (device ID and device installation position data) of the monitoring camera B from the network interface unit 9 (FIG. 1). These data are also output to the unique information display unit 6, but since the posture control can be controlled using the server 10, the server 10 can be displayed with a display monitor. At this time, the direction B (control position) is changed to the above-mentioned specific information B by controlling the monitoring camera A so as to face the direction B in which the monitoring camera B is installed (so as to face the direction capable of photographing). In association with each other, the control position storage unit 2 (FIG. 1) of the monitoring camera A can store them. Similarly, the monitoring camera A acquires the unique information N and the direction N of the monitoring device N and stores them in the control position storage unit 2 of the monitoring camera A. Subsequently, the monitoring camera B stores the unique information and direction of the monitoring camera A and the monitoring camera N in the control position storage unit 2. The monitoring camera N stores the unique information and direction of the monitoring camera A and the monitoring camera B in the control position storage unit 2.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the device names A, B, and N of the monitoring camera are device names A, B, C,..., N, device IDs 1, 2,. r1, θ1, φ1), other device ID position coordinate data B (r2, θ2, φ2) to N (rn, θn, φn), abnormal signal detection data “0” or “1” abnormal data, Is remembered. Abnormal data is preferably monitored constantly, for example.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the position on the three-dimensional polar coordinate using the photographing camera A and the photographing camera B as an example, and other examples based on the own device (the photographing camera A) (r1, θ1, φ1). The position of the machine (shooting camera B) (r2, θ2, φ2) can be expressed as (r2-r1, θ1-θ2, φ1-φ2). That is, the position of the other machine can be uniquely determined based on the own machine. If one photographing camera stores the position of at least one device, even if one of the devices is destroyed, the position relating to the destruction can be monitored because the other photographing device stores the position. . However, there is an advantage that it is easier for one device to remember the position of as many devices as possible when it is destroyed.

  In the system configuration shown in FIG. 2, when an abnormal signal is output from any of the monitoring cameras A to N, the abnormal camera receives the abnormal signal by receiving the abnormal signal via the communication unit. Any one of A to N acquires the specific information of any of the monitoring cameras A to N that have generated the abnormal signal, and the monitoring camera performs posture control so as to face the associated direction by the above-described method. .

  The image (which may include sound) signals are connected to a network connection made up of each of the monitoring cameras A to N, and data communication is performed with the first storage unit 10a of the server (or personal computer) 10. Any one of the monitoring cameras A to N can be displayed on the display monitor provided in the server 10. In addition, the monitor status can be stored in the first storage unit 10a.

  Next, the operation of the monitoring system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 explains the operation in the monitoring system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the monitoring system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, first, when the process starts in step S1 (start), for example, the monitoring camera (synonymous with the monitoring device) A acquires unique information (B) of the monitoring camera B (step S2). Next, in step S3, the monitoring camera A controls the posture in the direction (B) in which the monitoring camera B is installed. In step S4, the direction (B) is stored in association with the unique information (B). In step S5, it is determined whether or not the association has been completed for surveillance cameras A to N. If the association has not ended (N), the process returns to step S2. If the association is completed, the process proceeds to step S6, and monitoring is continued until an abnormal signal is detected. When an abnormal signal is detected via the communication unit, the process proceeds to step S7, and posture control is performed in the direction of the monitoring camera obtained based on the unique information of the monitoring camera that generated the abnormal signal. Next, an abnormal situation is photographed. The acquired signal such as an image is confirmed by the server 10 connected to the network, and the information is stored in the first storage unit 10a (step S8). Next, the process ends in step S9.

  Thus, the monitoring camera having an abnormality and the surrounding situation can be photographed by another monitoring camera, and this situation can be stored in the first storage unit 10a of the server 10. Therefore, when one of the shooting cameras is destroyed, the situation around the shooting camera can be shot by another shooting camera, and the data can be stored in the server. Can help to resolve the incident. Since the unique information of the monitoring camera selected by the server (or PC) 10 is displayed on the monitor of the server 10, there is no need to provide a display monitor for the monitoring camera.

  Next, a monitoring system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 2, the monitoring system Y according to the present embodiment is connected to a provider server 12 via the Internet 11 in addition to the local network as in the monitoring system according to the first embodiment. . In other words, a local server (PC) 10 is connected to the Internet 11 and is always connected to a server 12 of a provider contracted by, for example, a store owner or a service company responsible for security.

  The provider server 12 managed by the contract provider includes a second storage unit 12a, and information stored in the first storage unit 10a is also stored in the second storage unit 12a via the Internet 11. I can leave it to you. According to the monitoring system Y according to the present embodiment, the monitoring status can be stored not only in the local server 10 but also in the server 12 of the contract provider, so that double protection can be provided for abnormal information.

  Next, a monitoring system according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 2, the monitoring system Y according to the present embodiment allows a mobile terminal 13 such as a mobile phone to access the Internet 11 or the local network NT in addition to the monitoring system according to the second embodiment. Is provided. For example, information (image / audio) stored in the second storage unit 12a of the contract provider server 12 is connected to the contract provider server 12 by a mobile terminal 13 (may be a PDA or a notebook PC) such as a mobile phone. ) Can be obtained by the wireless 14 via the portable terminal 13. Of course, the mobile terminal 13 can also monitor shooting information of the shooting cameras A to N in real time (live).

  According to the monitoring system of the present embodiment, the situation inside the store can be observed with the mobile terminal, which is convenient when an administrator or the like wants to check the state of the store from the place of departure. When an abnormal signal is output from the monitoring camera, it is convenient to construct a mechanism so that the mobile phone 13 is notified by using application software provided on the provider side, for example, by calling / mailing.

  In the monitoring system according to each of the above embodiments, the photographing camera A may be serially monitored so that the photographing camera B is referred to, the photographing camera B is referred to as the photographing camera N, and the photographing camera N is referred to as the photographing camera A. . As a result, the amount of unique information of other devices that each photographing camera needs to store can be minimized.

  The present invention is suitable as a monitoring system in a store including a convenience store, a financial institution, an exhibition hall, or the like.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the structural example of the monitoring apparatus which is the principal part of the monitoring system by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows one structural example of the monitoring system by this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the memory | storage data which the integrated monitoring server which supervises each monitoring camera and system of the monitoring system X shown in FIG. It is a figure which simplifies and shows the relationship between the monitoring apparatuses for supplementing the data of FIG. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of a process by the monitoring system by this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

A to N ... surveillance camera, 1 ... imaging unit / signal processing unit, 2 ... control position storage unit, 3 ... attitude control device or attitude control unit, 4 ... attitude control position acquisition unit, 5 ... image abnormality detection means, 6 ... Unique information display unit, 7 ... Unique information acquisition unit of another imaging apparatus, 8 ... System control unit (image abnormality signal acquisition unit), 9 ... Network interface unit, 10 ... Server, 10a ... First storage unit, 11 ... Internet, 12 ... provider server, 12a ... second storage unit, 13 ... mobile phone.

Claims (14)

A monitoring system having a plurality of monitoring means including a first monitoring means provided at a first position and a second monitoring means provided at a second position different from the first position. ,
The first monitoring unit includes a photographing unit, a communication unit, a unique information storage unit that stores unique information of the second monitoring unit including the second position, and the second unit via the communication unit. A monitoring system comprising: an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality of the monitoring unit; and an attitude control unit that performs attitude control on the second position where the abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit. A unique information storage unit that is provided at a first position and stores unique information of a photographing unit, a communication unit, and a second monitoring unit provided at a second position different from the first position; A first monitoring means including a detecting means for detecting an abnormality of the second monitoring means, wherein the posture control section performs posture control on the second position when an abnormality of the second monitoring means is detected. The 1st monitoring apparatus characterized by having. A plurality of monitoring means including: a first monitoring means provided at a first position; and a second monitoring means provided at a second position different from the first position; and A monitoring system having a controllable management server,
Each of the first and second monitoring means includes a photographing unit, a communication unit, and an attitude control unit that controls the attitude of the monitoring means,
The management server includes a unique information storage unit that stores unique information of the first and second monitoring units including the first position and the second position, and the first or second monitoring unit. Anomaly detection means for detecting an anomaly, and the specific information relating to the monitoring means for which an anomaly has been detected by the anomaly detection means, is acquired via the communication unit and is located at the position of the monitoring means for which the anomaly has been detected. A monitoring system comprising: a control unit that sends a control command to a posture control unit that performs posture control of a monitoring unit in which no abnormality is detected. Each includes a photographing unit, a communication unit, and an attitude control unit, and a first monitoring unit provided at the first position and a second provided at a second position different from the first position. A management server capable of controlling a plurality of monitoring means in a monitoring system including
A unique information storage section for storing unique information of the first and second monitoring means including the first position and the second position; and the first or second monitoring means via the communication section. A control command is sent to the attitude control unit that controls the attitude of the abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality in the position and the monitoring means for which no abnormality is detected at the position of the monitoring means for which the abnormality is detected by the abnormality detecting means. A management server comprising: a sending control unit;   5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an attitude control position acquisition unit configured to acquire the first position or the second position by photographing the monitoring unit on the photographing side by the photographing unit. The monitoring system according to any one of the above. Each of the first to Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more) monitoring systems having first to Nth monitoring means provided at different positions,
The first monitoring unit includes a photographing unit, a communication unit, a unique information storage unit that stores unique information of each monitoring unit including the second to Nth positions, and the communication unit. Posture control is performed at the positions of the abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality from the second to Nth monitoring means and the second to Nth monitoring means where the abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means. A monitoring system comprising an attitude control unit. Each of the first to Nth (N is an integer of 2 or more) monitoring systems having first to Nth monitoring means provided at different positions,
The first monitoring unit includes a photographing unit, a communication unit, and a monitoring unit provided at the Mth position (M is at least one position selected from 2 to N). A unique information storage unit that stores information; an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality from the Mth monitoring unit via the communication unit; and an Mth monitoring unit that detects an abnormality by the abnormality detection unit. A monitoring system comprising: a posture control unit that performs posture control on a position.   The monitoring system according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising monitoring means provided at the same position as any one of the first to N-th monitoring means.   The monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising a first network that connects the monitoring units to each other via the communication unit.   An external server connected to the first network via a second network different from the first network, and having an external storage means for storing the specific information and information on the detected abnormality. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring system is characterized in that:   The monitoring system according to claim 10, further comprising a portable terminal that monitors the status of the monitoring system by accessing the second network. A monitoring system having a plurality of monitoring means including a first monitoring means provided at a first position and a second monitoring means provided at a second position different from the first position was used. A monitoring method,
The first monitoring means obtaining specific information of the second monitoring means, the first monitoring means performing posture control in a direction in which the second monitoring means is installed, and the direction Storing in association with the specific information, determining whether or not the association has been completed for all monitoring means, continuing monitoring until an abnormal signal is detected, and detecting an abnormal signal, A monitoring method comprising the steps of performing posture control in the direction associated with the specific information of the monitoring means that has generated the abnormal signal, and photographing an abnormal situation.   The monitoring method according to claim 12, further comprising a step of confirming a signal related to the acquired abnormality state by a server connected to the network.   A program for causing a computer to execute the steps according to claim 12 or 13.

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