JP2006165988A - Video transmission system, image transmission apparatus, image reception apparatus and video transmission method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video transmission system reducing both band load and accumulation load of a network. <P>SOLUTION: A camera unit 111 thins video data in accordance with a frame interval to be instructed by an intermittent instruction unit 112, and transmits the video data to an IP network 150. When an event detecting unit 162 in a network management apparatus 160 detects the movement of the video data and an event occurs, a setting instruction for shortening the frame interval is returned to the intermittent instruction unit 112 so that a network camera 110 transmits video data of more frames. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a video transmission system, an image transmission device, an image reception device, and a video transmission method for transmitting video data through a network.

  As this type of video transmission system, there is known a video monitoring system that monitors videos taken by a plurality of cameras connected to a network. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conventional video surveillance system. This video surveillance system has a configuration in which a plurality of network cameras 510, 520, and 530 and a receiving device 540 are connected to an IP network 550. The network cameras 510, 520, and 530 compress and encode the captured video as video data and transmit the video data to the IP network 550.

  The reception device 540 includes a network reception unit 541, an event detection unit 542, a compression change unit 543, and a storage unit 544. The reception device 540 performs video data reduction processing such as frame thinning and compression rate change by the compression change unit 543 unless an event such as an alarm or motion detection for the received video data is confirmed by the event detection unit 542. By storing video data in the storage unit 544, a load on the storage capacity (storage load) is reduced (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-262272 A

  However, in the conventional video transmission system, although the storage load is reduced, the bandwidth load of the IP network is not reduced. On the other hand, it is conceivable that the movement of the video data is detected on the network camera side, and the video data is transmitted only when the movement is detected. Since the mountable processing performance is limited, sufficient motion detection performance could not be ensured.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a video transmission system, an image transmission device, an image reception device, and a video transmission method that can reduce both the bandwidth load and the storage load of the network. And

  The video transmission system according to the present invention is a video transmission system for transmitting video data through a network, wherein the thinning means for thinning out the video data in units of frames and the thinning means for instructing the thinning means to thin out at a set frame interval. Instruction means, video transmission means for transmitting the thinned video data to the network, storage means for receiving and storing video data from the network, and whether an event has occurred in the received video data Event detection means for detecting whether or not the occurrence of the event is detected, and setting instruction transmission means for transmitting a setting instruction for shortening the frame interval to the thinning instruction means via the network, The thinning instruction means sets the frame interval short in accordance with the setting instruction. A.

  With this configuration, it is possible to reduce both the network bandwidth load and the storage load. In addition, the transmission amount of video data can be adjusted according to whether or not an event is detected, and the network bandwidth load can be reduced efficiently.

  Also, as one aspect of the present invention, in the above video transmission system, video acquisition means for acquiring video data, storage means for storing the acquired video data before thinning out, and setting for receiving the setting instruction Instruction receiving means, wherein the thinning instruction means stores the video data stored in the storage means before receiving the setting instruction, and the frame interval set after the setting instruction receiving means receives the setting instruction. It is assumed that the thinning means is instructed to perform thinning. Thereby, at the time of event detection, a lot of video data related to the event can be accumulated efficiently.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the video transmission system includes a moving image generation unit that generates moving image compression data using a difference between frames of the video data, and the storage unit includes the video data in addition to the video data. The moving image compression data is stored, and the video transmission unit transmits the moving image compression data in addition to the video data stored in the storage unit before receiving the setting instruction. Thereby, at the time of event detection, it is possible to efficiently accumulate the moving image compressed data related to the event.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the video transmission system described above, a total bandwidth detection unit that detects a total bandwidth that can be operated in the network, and a motion of video data acquired by the video acquisition unit is detected. And a motion detection unit; and a frame interval determination unit that determines a frame interval of the transmitted setting instruction in consideration of at least one of the detected total band amount and the detected motion of the video data. The instruction transmission means transmits an instruction to set the determined frame interval. As a result, in addition to event detection on the receiving side, the transmission amount of video data can be adjusted according to the occurrence of a network failure and motion detection on the transmitting side, thereby reducing the load on the entire system.

  An image transmission apparatus according to the present invention is an image transmission apparatus that transmits video data through a network, wherein the thinning means for thinning out the video data in units of frames and the thinning-out means for instructing the thinning means to thin out at a set frame interval. An instruction means, a video transmission means for transmitting the thinned video data to the network, and a setting for receiving from the network a setting instruction for shortening the frame interval when an occurrence of an event is detected in the video data Instruction receiving means, and the thinning instruction means sets the frame interval short in accordance with the received setting instruction. Thereby, both the bandwidth load and the storage load of the network can be reduced.

  An image receiving apparatus of the present invention is an image receiving apparatus that receives video data through a network, and receives and stores video data thinned out at a set frame interval from the network, and the received Event detecting means for detecting whether or not an event has occurred in the video data, and setting instruction transmitting means for transmitting a setting instruction for shortening the frame interval when the occurrence of the event is detected. . Thereby, both the bandwidth load and the storage load of the network can be reduced.

  The video transmission method of the present invention is a video transmission method for transmitting video data over a network, wherein the video data is thinned out in a thinning-out step, and a thinning-out is instructed to thin out at a frame interval set in the thinning-out step. An instruction step, a video transmission step for transmitting the thinned video data to the network, a storage step for receiving and storing the video data from the network, and whether an event has occurred in the received video data An event detection step for detecting whether or not the occurrence of the event is detected, and a setting instruction transmission step for transmitting the setting instruction for shortening the frame interval via the network. According to the setting instruction, the frame interval is shortened. One in which a constant. Thereby, both the bandwidth load and the storage load of the network can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a video transmission system, an image transmission device, an image reception device, and a video transmission method that can reduce both the bandwidth load and the storage load of the network.

In this embodiment, a configuration example of a video transmission system applied to a network camera monitoring system will be described.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network camera monitoring system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This network camera monitoring system has a configuration in which a plurality of network cameras 110, 120, 130, a storage device 140, and a network management device 160 are connected to an IP network 150. The network camera 110 includes a camera unit 111, an intermittent instruction unit 112, and a network transmission / reception unit 113. Since the network cameras 120 and 130 have the same configuration as that of the network camera 110, description thereof is omitted. The network management device 160 includes a network transmission / reception unit 161, an event detection unit 162, and an intermittent determination unit 163.

  The camera unit 111 in the network camera 110 has a function of a video acquisition unit, and compresses and encodes a video signal input to the network camera 110 and converts it into video data in units of frames. Further, the camera unit 111 has a function of a thinning unit, thins out video data at a frame interval instructed by the intermittent instruction unit 112, and outputs it to the network transmission / reception unit 113. The intermittent instruction unit 112 has a function of a thinning instruction unit, can arbitrarily set the frame interval, and instructs the camera unit 111 of the set frame interval. The initial frame interval is registered in the intermittent instruction unit 112 in advance. The network transmission / reception unit 113 has a function of a video transmission unit, and transmits the thinned video data to the IP network 150. The storage device 140 has a function of storage means, and receives and stores video data from the IP network 150.

  Also, the network transmission / reception unit 161 in the network management device 160 receives video data from the IP network 150 and outputs it to the event detection unit 162, similarly to the storage device 140. The event detection unit 162 has a function of an event detection unit. The event detection unit 162 performs a motion detection process on the input video data, evaluates the occurrence of the event, and notifies the intermittent determination unit 163 when an event occurs. When the occurrence of an event is notified, the intermittent determination unit 163 issues a setting instruction to shorten the frame interval via the IP network 150 so that video data of more frames is transmitted from the network camera 110. To the intermittent instructing unit 112. Here, the intermittent determination part 163 and the network transmission / reception part 161 implement | achieve the function of a setting instruction | indication transmission means. The storage device and the network management device can be realized by a general-purpose computer system.

  The operation of the network camera monitoring system having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of the network camera 110 according to the first embodiment. First, it is determined whether or not a video signal is input to the camera unit 111 (step S1). If no video signal is input, the process of step S1 is repeated. When the video signal is input, the camera unit 111 compresses and encodes the video signal into video data (step S2), and thins out the video data at the frame interval specified by the intermittent instruction unit 112 (step S3). Here, when there is no setting instruction from the intermittent determination unit 163, the intermittent instruction unit 112 instructs an initial value frame interval. Then, the thinned video data is transmitted from the network transmission / reception unit 113 to the IP network 150 (step S4). The video data transmitted to the IP network 150 is received and stored by the storage device 140 and simultaneously received by the network management device 160.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a frame interval setting instruction is received from the IP network 150 (step S5). If a setting instruction has not been received, the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, when the frame interval setting instruction is received, the frame interval set in the intermittent instruction unit 112 is changed to a small value so that many frames of video data are transmitted from the camera unit 111 (step S6). ). Thereafter, the process returns to step S1.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of the network management apparatus 160 in the first embodiment. First, it is determined whether or not video data has been received from the IP network 150 (step S11). If not received, the process of step S11 is repeated. On the other hand, when the video data is received, it is determined whether or not the event detection unit 162 detects the occurrence of the event in the video data (step S12). If no event is detected, the process returns to step S11. On the other hand, when the occurrence of an event is detected, a setting instruction for changing the frame interval to a small value is transmitted to the intermittent instruction unit 112 so that video data of many frames is transmitted by the intermittent determination unit 163 (step S13). ). Thereafter, the process returns to step S11.

  As described above, according to the network camera monitoring system of the first embodiment, it is possible to efficiently accumulate more video data related to an event when an event is detected.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the network camera monitoring system in the second embodiment. About the same component as the said 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol. The network camera 110 according to the second embodiment is provided with a storage unit 214 having a function of a storage unit that temporarily stores video data generated by the camera unit 111. In the second embodiment, the network transmission / reception unit 113 implements the function of the setting instruction receiving unit. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation processing procedure of the network camera 110 according to the second embodiment. About the same step process as the said 1st Embodiment (refer FIG. 2), the description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same step number, and a different step process is demonstrated here. The network camera 110 temporarily stores the video data compressed and encoded in step S2 in the storage unit 214 (step S2A). When the video data stored in the storage unit 214 is thinned out at the frame interval specified by the intermittent instruction unit 112 in step S3, the video data is transmitted to the IP network 150 via the network transmission / reception unit 113 in step S4.

  When a setting instruction for changing the frame interval to a small value is received from the intermittent determination unit 163, the frame interval set in the intermittent instruction unit 112 is changed in step S6. At this time, the video data stored in the storage unit 214 immediately before receiving the setting instruction is also transmitted to the IP network 150 at the changed frame interval. The transmitted video data is stored in the storage device 140.

  Thus, according to the network camera monitoring system of the second embodiment, more video data can be quickly and efficiently stored when an event is detected.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the network camera monitoring system in the third embodiment. About the same component as the said 1st, 2nd embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol. The network camera 110 according to the third embodiment is provided with a sub-compression unit 315 having a function of moving image generation means. The video data compressed and encoded by the camera unit 111 is stored in the storage unit 214 and input to the sub-compression unit 315 as in the second embodiment. The sub-compression unit 315 generates compressed moving image data using inter-frame differences with high compression efficiency, and stores it in the storage unit 214. Normally, only video data is a transmission target. However, when a setting instruction is received from the intermittent determination unit 163 when an event occurs, the compressed moving image data stored in the storage unit 214 immediately before receiving the setting instruction is also transmitted.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of the network camera 110 according to the third embodiment. About the same step process as the said 1st Embodiment (refer FIG. 2), the description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same step number, and a different step process is demonstrated here. In the network camera 110, after the video data compressed and encoded in step S2A is temporarily stored in the storage unit 214, the video compression data is generated by the sub-compression unit 315 (step S2B), and temporarily stored in the storage unit 214. (Step S2C).

  If the video data stored in the storage unit 214 is thinned out at the set frame interval in step S3, it is determined whether or not it is immediately after receiving the setting instruction from the intermittent determination unit 163 (step S4A). If it is immediately after receiving the setting instruction, the thinned video data and moving image compressed data stored in the storage unit 214 are transmitted (step S4B). The transmitted video data and moving image compressed data are stored in the storage device 140. On the other hand, if not immediately after receiving the setting instruction in step S4A, only the video data is transmitted (step S4C). Only the transmitted video data is stored in the storage device 140. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S5.

  As described above, according to the network camera monitoring system of the third embodiment, it is possible to efficiently accumulate moving image compressed data (moving image) related to an event when an event is detected.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the network camera monitoring system in the fourth embodiment. About the same component as the said 1st, 2nd embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol. The network camera 110 of the fourth embodiment is provided with a motion detection unit 416 having a function of motion detection means. The motion detection unit 416 detects the motion of the video data. When motion is detected, the motion detection unit 416 notifies the event detection unit 162 of the motion via the network transmission / reception unit 113 and the IP network 150. Similar to the occurrence of an event, the event detection unit 162 notifies the intermittent determination unit 163 when a motion has occurred, and urges transmission of a setting instruction to shorten the frame interval. In the fourth embodiment, the intermittent determination unit 163 implements the function of the frame interval determination unit.

  Further, the IP network 150 is provided with a network monitoring device 470 having a function of a total band amount detecting means. When a failure occurs in the IP network 150, the network monitoring device 470 calculates the total amount of bandwidth that can be operated and notifies the network management device 160 of it. The network management device 160 updates the total bandwidth managed by the intermittent determination unit 163. The network monitoring device 470 can be realized by a general-purpose computer system.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of the network camera 110 according to the fourth embodiment. About the same step process as the said 1st Embodiment (refer FIG. 2), the description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same step number, and a different step process is demonstrated here. In the network camera 110, it is determined whether or not motion is detected by the motion detection unit 416 with respect to the video data compressed and encoded in step S2 (step S2D). When the motion is detected, the event detection unit 162 is notified of the occurrence of the motion via the network transmission / reception unit 113 and the IP network 150 (step S2E). On the other hand, if no motion is detected, the process proceeds to step S3. The processing after step S3 is the same as that in the first embodiment. In step S6, the frame interval is also changed in response to a setting instruction by motion detection.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation processing procedure of the network monitoring apparatus 470 according to the fourth embodiment. This process is performed every predetermined cycle. First, it is determined whether or not a failure has occurred in the IP network 150 (step S61). If no failure has occurred, this process ends. On the other hand, when a failure occurs in the IP network 150, the total amount of bandwidth that can be operated is calculated (step S62) and notified to the network management device 160 (step S63). Then, this process is complete | finished.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of the network management apparatus 160 in the fourth embodiment. The same step processes as those in the first embodiment (see FIG. 3) are denoted by the same step numbers, and different step processes will be mainly described. First, it is determined whether or not the total bandwidth of the IP network 150 has been received from the network monitoring device 470 (step S10A). When the total bandwidth is received, the total bandwidth managed by the intermittent determination unit 163 is updated (step S10B). Then, the frame interval setting instruction is changed and transmitted according to the updated total bandwidth (step S13). For example, when the total bandwidth is small, the frame interval is increased, and when the total bandwidth is large, a setting instruction for shortening the frame interval is transmitted. Thereafter, the process returns to step S10A.

  On the other hand, if the total bandwidth is not received from the IP network 150, it is determined whether or not motion detection has been notified (step S10C). When the motion detection is notified, the frame interval setting instruction is changed and transmitted in step S13. For example, when motion detection is notified, a setting instruction for shortening the frame interval is transmitted as in the event occurrence. Thereafter, the process returns to step S10A.

  If motion detection is not notified in step S10C, it is determined whether or not video data is received in step S11, as in the first embodiment. If not, the process returns to step S10A. On the other hand, if video data is received, it is determined in step S12 whether an event has been detected. If not detected, the process returns to step S10A. If an event is detected, the frame interval setting instruction is changed and transmitted in step S13. Thereafter, the process returns to step S10A.

  As described above, according to the network camera monitoring system of the fourth embodiment, in addition to event detection in the network management apparatus, the transmission amount of video data can be adjusted even in the case of motion detection in the network camera and failure occurrence in the IP network. It is possible to reduce the bandwidth load of the entire IP network.

  Note that the frame interval may be set to the same value or different values depending on the motion detection by the motion detection unit and the occurrence of the event by the event detection unit. If the total bandwidth of the IP network is equal to or less than a predetermined value, a setting instruction for shortening the frame interval may not be transmitted even if motion detection or an event occurs. Thereby, the bandwidth load at the time of failure occurrence can be reduced. In addition, when the decrease in the total bandwidth and the motion detection due to the failure of the IP network occur at the same time, the intermittent determination unit 163 determines the optimum frame interval in the total bandwidth that can be operated, and instructs the setting of the determined frame interval May be transmitted.

  The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made and applied to various configurations within the scope described in the claims.

  For example, in each of the above embodiments, when an occurrence of an event is detected once, a setting instruction to shorten the frame interval is transmitted to the network camera side, but when an occurrence of an event is detected a predetermined number of times, it is transmitted. It may be. In addition, the intermittent instruction unit 112 registers in advance the initial value frame interval, the frame interval at the time of event occurrence, the frame interval at the time of motion detection, the frame interval at the time of occurrence of a network failure, and the like from the intermittent determination unit 163. In accordance with the setting instruction, the registered frame interval may be selected and a thinning instruction may be given to the camera unit 111 or the storage unit 214. Thereby, the setting of the frame interval can be simplified.

  The present invention has an effect of reducing both the network bandwidth load and the storage load, and is applied to a video transmission system, an image transmission device, an image reception device, a video transmission method, and the like that transmit video data through the network. Useful.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the network camera monitoring system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the operation processing procedure of the network camera in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement processing procedure of the network management apparatus in 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the network camera monitoring system in 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the operation processing procedure of the network camera in 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the network camera monitoring system in 3rd Embodiment The flowchart which shows the operation processing procedure of the network camera in 3rd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the network camera monitoring system in 4th Embodiment The flowchart which shows the operation processing procedure of the network camera in 4th Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement processing procedure of the network monitoring apparatus in 4th Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement processing procedure of the network management apparatus in 4th Embodiment. Diagram showing the configuration of a conventional video surveillance system

Explanation of symbols

110, 120, 130 Network camera 111 Camera unit 112 Intermittent instruction unit 113, 161 Network transmission / reception unit 140 Storage device 150 IP network 160 Network management device 162 Event detection unit 163 Intermittent determination unit 214 Storage unit 315 Sub compression unit 416 Motion detection unit 470 Network monitoring device

Claims (7)

A video transmission system for transmitting video data over a network,
Thinning means for thinning the video data in frame units;
Thinning instruction means for instructing the thinning means to thin out at a set frame interval;
Video transmission means for transmitting the thinned video data to the network;
Storage means for receiving and storing video data from the network;
Event detection means for detecting whether an event has occurred in the received video data;
A setting instruction transmitting means for transmitting a setting instruction for shortening the frame interval to the thinning instruction means via the network when the occurrence of the event is detected;
The thinning instruction unit is a video transmission system that sets the frame interval short in accordance with the setting instruction. The video transmission system according to claim 1,
Video acquisition means for acquiring video data;
Storage means for storing the acquired video data before thinning;
A setting instruction receiving means for receiving the setting instruction;
The thinning-out instruction unit is configured to thin out video data stored in the storage unit before receiving the setting instruction at a frame interval set after the setting instruction receiving unit receives the setting instruction. Video transmission system that directs to. The video transmission system according to claim 2,
A moving image generating means for generating moving image compressed data using the inter-frame difference of the video data;
The storage means stores the video compression data in addition to the video data,
The video transmission unit transmits the compressed video data in addition to the video data stored in the storage unit before receiving the setting instruction. The video transmission system according to claim 1,
A total bandwidth detecting means for detecting a total bandwidth that can be operated in the network;
Motion detection means for detecting motion of the video data acquired by the video acquisition means;
Frame interval determining means for determining a frame interval of the transmitted setting instruction in consideration of at least one of the detected total band amount and movement of the detected video data;
The setting instruction transmitting means is a video transmission system for transmitting a setting instruction for the determined frame interval. An image transmission device that transmits video data through a network,
Thinning means for thinning the video data in frame units;
Thinning instruction means for instructing the thinning means to thin out at a set frame interval;
Video transmission means for transmitting the thinned video data to the network;
A setting instruction receiving means for receiving a setting instruction for shortening the frame interval from the network when an occurrence of an event is detected in the video data;
The thinning instruction means is an image transmission device that sets the frame interval short in accordance with the received setting instruction. An image receiving device for receiving video data over a network,
Storage means for receiving and storing video data thinned out at set frame intervals from the network;
Event detection means for detecting whether an event has occurred in the received video data;
An image receiving apparatus comprising: a setting instruction transmitting unit that transmits a setting instruction for shortening the frame interval when the occurrence of the event is detected. A video transmission method for transmitting video data over a network,
A thinning-out step of thinning out the video data in units of frames;
A decimation instruction step for instructing decimation at the frame interval set in the decimation step;
A video transmission step of transmitting the thinned video data to the network;
An accumulation step of receiving and accumulating video data from the network;
An event detection step of detecting whether an event has occurred in the received video data;
A setting instruction transmission step of transmitting a setting instruction for shortening the frame interval via the network when the occurrence of the event is detected;
In the thinning-out instruction step, a video transmission method for setting the frame interval short in accordance with the setting instruction.

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