JP2006279418A - Image recording system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographed image recorder which allows anybody to easily make backups of photographed images and easily store and manage the backups. <P>SOLUTION: The system comprises receiving photographing information from each camera photographing an area to be monitored with fixed time intervals (S105), storing them once (S107), recording the photographing information for a fixed term, e.g., one day on automatically set DVD media (S116) when a specified time comes up (S101 Yes), rejecting the DVD to prompt the next DVD setting (S120) by indication of the record completed when the recording ends (S108 Yes), and instructing the DVD change (S126), if the data is recorded over a plurality of DVDs, to write remaining photographing information on the next DVD (S130). Thus anybody can surely make backups of photographing information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus, for example, an image recording apparatus including image recording means for receiving imaging information from a plurality of imaging means capable of imaging a monitoring range and recording the received captured image, and recording from the image recording apparatus. The present invention relates to an image recording system including a medium recording apparatus that receives an image and records it on a removable recording medium.

  Surveillance cameras are installed in public places such as financial dispenser cash dispenser machines and shopping streets, and the necessary cameras for crime prevention are taken with the installed surveillance cameras, and the captured images are stored for a certain period of time. And when it becomes necessary at a later date, it can be played back and confirmed.

  Conventionally, video tapes are used to record the captured images, and the captured images from a plurality of cameras are recorded in a time-sharing manner. The recorded videotape is stored for a certain period, and then the videotape is reused to overwrite the captured image.

  However, the video tape has a large volume and requires a large space for storage. In addition, the recorded image of the video tape is deteriorated and there is a problem of recording density, so that the resolution of the recordable image has to be kept low.

  Due to recent advances in electronic technology, large-capacity hard disk drives have become available. For this reason, a large-capacity hard disk device has been prepared, and when a captured image is recorded here and recorded in all recording areas, an old recording is overwritten in order to record a captured image for a predetermined period. Yes. Further, since the storage capacity is limited, only degraded images can be recorded by any means, and it is difficult to confirm details.

  A hard disk device can have a sufficient storage capacity and can record high-quality images. Further, although it depends on the number of photographing cameras, it is possible to record photographed images for approximately one month to two months or more. For this reason, if a hard disk having a capacity capable of recording captured images for a necessary period is provided, images can be automatically recorded with little troublesome operation.

  However, in the hard disk device, there is a possibility that an image that has been recorded cannot be read if the device fails. In addition, unless the operating power is supplied to the apparatus, the recorded contents cannot be read, and in a power failure state, it cannot be operated until electricity is supplied. Furthermore, no reading is possible if the device is destroyed. For example, when there is an effect of lightning, when an electromagnetic shock is applied, when it is intentionally destroyed, or when the installation location is destroyed due to an earthquake or the like. As described above, there is a case where it is not possible to confirm a captured image.

  In financial institutions and the like, it is necessary to back up captured images according to regulations, and it is necessary to prepare two hard disk devices and to record the same image on two devices.

  Furthermore, whether it is recorded on a video tape or on a hard disk device, it can only record images taken for a certain period of time, for example when it takes time to detect the incident In some cases, the recorded image could not be confirmed after it was overwritten.

  The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems, and can record a recorded image with high image quality without complicated operations and can easily confirm the captured image when necessary. An image recording system is provided. As a means for achieving such an object, for example, the following configuration is provided.

  That is, a plurality of imaging means capable of imaging a monitoring range, an image recording apparatus that receives and records imaging information from the imaging means, and a medium recording apparatus that receives a recorded image from the image recording apparatus and records it on a removable recording medium The image recording apparatus includes: an input unit that inputs captured image information from the plurality of imaging units; and the image recording unit that receives the captured image information input by the input unit for each imaging unit. Recording control means for recording to the image recording means, and output means for outputting the shooting information recorded in the image recording means to the medium recording device, wherein the medium recording device includes the plurality of imaging means from the image recording device. Receiving means for receiving shooting information for each, receiving information recording means for recording shooting information of each imaging means received by the receiving means together with index information, and Medium recording control means for recording, on each recording means, photographing information recorded by the imaging means recorded in the communication information recording means on the recording medium, and the received information recording means captures the photographing means for at least a plurality of days. Recording means capable of recording information, and recording information received by the receiving means is recorded in the recording means together with index information for each shooting information at least for a predetermined time, and the medium recording control means includes the recording means The recording information recorded at a predetermined time and the index information are automatically recorded on a recording medium at a predesignated time, and the recording medium exchange is made recognizable after the recording is completed. To do.

  For example, the recording medium is a writable DVD, and the medium recording control means automatically starts recording on the DVD at the same time every hour, and can be recorded when a recordable DVD is not loaded. The DVD is urged to be mounted, and automatic recording is started after the DVD is mounted.

  Further, for example, the index information is a bitmap image of a first photographed image every predetermined time for each imaging means, and the index information includes a bitmap image and photographing date / time information, and index information is retrieved when searching for recording information. Can be displayed.

  Further, for example, the index information is generated by the recording control means of the image recording apparatus, and when an imaging area alarm is generated by the imaging means in addition to the bitmap image of the first captured image every predetermined time for each imaging means. Including a bitmap image of the captured image.

  Or, a plurality of imaging means capable of imaging the monitoring range, an image recording apparatus comprising image recording means for receiving and recording imaging information by the imaging means, and a recorded image received from the image recording apparatus and recorded on a removable recording medium An image recording method in an image recording system including a medium recording apparatus that performs input of captured image information by the plurality of imaging means in the image recording apparatus, and inputs the captured image information for each imaging means. Recording on the recording unit and outputting the shooting information recorded on the image recording unit to the medium recording device, and receiving the shooting information for each of the plurality of imaging units from the image recording device on the medium recording device The received shooting information of each imaging means is recorded in the recording means built in together with the index information, and recorded before the recording means. Automatically recorded on the recording medium for each imaging unit when the time specified shooting information by the image pickup means in advance, characterized in that the image recording method of the DVD replaced with recognizable state after recording is completed.

  For example, the recording medium is a DVD, and recording on the DVD is automatically started at the same time every day. When a recordable DVD is not loaded, the user is prompted to mount the recordable DVD. An image recording method for starting automatic recording later is characterized.

  Further, for example, the index information is a bitmap image of a first photographed image every predetermined time for each imaging means, and the index information includes a bitmap image and photographing date / time information, and index information is retrieved when searching for recording information. Can be displayed.

  Further, for example, the index information is generated by the recording control means of the image recording apparatus, and when an imaging area alarm is generated by the imaging means in addition to the bitmap image of the first captured image every predetermined time for each imaging means. Including a bitmap image of the captured image.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image recording system capable of recording and leaving a photographed image with high image quality without complicated operations, and easily confirming the photographed image when necessary.

  In addition, it is possible to provide an image recording system capable of reliably backing up a desired photographed image only by a very simple operation and searching and confirming the backed up image easily and quickly.

  Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a crime prevention system when a photographing camera is installed in the vicinity of a cash dispenser of a financial institution will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the above example, and a camera or a certain area such as a shopping street that captures the surroundings of a checkout machine in a store such as retail, wholesale, manufacturing and sales, and various service industries Of course, the present invention can be applied to a system for recording a photographed image from a camera that photographs the situation.

[First Embodiment]
First, a schematic configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration when an image recording system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a crime prevention system, and FIG. 2 is an image recording apparatus 200 of the image recording system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the transmission format to the backup controller 200 (imaging information storage unit and DVD media recording format), FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the control of the image recording apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining the control of the backup controller 200 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining retrieval / confirmation control of a stored photographed image in the present embodiment.

  First, the overall configuration will be described with reference to FIG. An image recording system 100 according to the present embodiment includes an image recording apparatus 100 that inputs captured images from video cameras 310 to 350 serving as imaging means and records them together with time information as digital images captured at regular intervals for each camera; It includes a backup controller device 200 for a DVD medium that receives a captured image recorded in the image recording apparatus 100 via a communication medium 150 and easily records it on a DVD medium.

  The image recording apparatus 100 controls the entire apparatus, and also controls a communication unit 110 that controls communication with the backup controller 200, and an imaging information storage unit 120 that can record shooting information of each video camera for a certain period. A video camera A310, a video camera B320, a video camera C330, a video camera D340,..., And a video camera X350 are connected via a video cable, and a camera control unit 130 that can output imaging information from each camera to the control unit 110. And. Although not shown in FIG. 1, a keyboard and a monitor device can be connected to the image recording apparatus 100.

  The control unit 110 can be configured by a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. In addition, the captured image storage unit 120 includes, for example, a large-capacity hard disk device capable of recording imaging information for a certain period, and the storage capacity is determined by the number of connected video cameras. It should be desired to have a storage capacity capable of storing imaging information for three months.

  Further, the camera control unit 130 can sequentially capture shooting screen information of each video camera as image information for each predetermined time under the control of the control unit 110. There is no particular limitation on the number of video cameras that can be connected, and tens of video cameras can be connected.

  The backup controller 200 controls the entire apparatus, controls the communication with the image recording apparatus 100, and imaging information storage capable of recording imaging information received from the image recording apparatus 100 for about one to two weeks. Unit 220 and a DVD recording / reproducing device 230 capable of writing, for example, one day of image recording information recorded in the imaging information recording unit 220 under the control of the control unit 210. A keyboard / monitor device 500 can be connected to the backup controller 200.

  The backup controller 200 simply sets a DVD-ROM or DVD-RAM medium in the DVD recording / reproducing device 230 in advance, and automatically captures imaging information for one day from the imaging information storage unit 220 at a predetermined time every day. The DVD medium is read and recorded, and when the recording is completed, the DVD medium is rejected.

  Note that the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus 230 uses a commercially available apparatus, and the control unit 210 sequentially controls the operation control code information of the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus 230 to sequentially supply the apparatus price to a low price. Can do.

  Next, a configuration of image information transmitted to the backup controller 200 from the image recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. In the image recording system of this embodiment, the transmission format from the image recording apparatus 200 to the backup controller 200 is the same as the recording format to the imaging information storage units 120 and 220 and the DVD medium. However, these formats do not have to be the same, and the captured image storage unit 120 may be controlled to sequentially store the captured images of each camera.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 denotes camera information, which is information (usually a number assigned to each camera) indicating whether the video camera is imaging information.

Reference numeral 12 denotes date and time information when the first image information is taken. Reference numeral 13 denotes file size information of the camera photographing information 15, which is sent as information every 10 minutes in the present embodiment, and is normally fixed for 10 minutes. However, other information amounts can be used.
Reference numeral 14 denotes a thumbnail image in which the first image value of the camera shooting information 15 is a bitmap image. Reference numeral 15 denotes imaging information of the video camera, for example, imaging information at an arbitrarily specified interval between 10 mS and 100 mS is stored.

  Operation control of the image recording apparatus of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First of all, the image recording apparatus 100 inspects the operating state of each video camera connected to the camera control unit 130 in step S1. Specifically, the determination may be made based on whether or not imaging information can be read from each video camera via the camera control unit 130, for example. If the captured image cannot be read, it can be determined that the video camera is not connected or the power is not turned on.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the imaging information is 10-minute imaging information as one recording unit, and it is checked in step S3 whether the first captured image is read in 10-minute units. When the operation is started for the first time, the first image read from each video camera corresponds. In the case of the first image or in the case of reading the first captured image in units of 10 minutes, the process proceeds to step S7.

  On the other hand, if it is not the case of reading the first captured image or the first captured image in units of 10 minutes in step S3, it is checked whether an event occurrence (alarm occurrence) is detected. If no well bench is generated, the process proceeds to step S9.

  Whether or not an event has occurred corresponds to, for example, when the captured image has changed by a certain percentage or more (when a different image is taken), but detection of an alarm installed at the shooting location other than the video camera This corresponds to the case where the button is recognized or the pressing of a specific button is detected. In these cases, instead of detecting from the analysis of the photographed image, it is possible to detect the input from the sensor directly or the detection of the button input, and the detection from the signal from these. If the occurrence of an event is detected in step S5, the process proceeds to step S7 even before a predetermined time has elapsed.

  In step S7, the current captured image (the first captured image or the image at the time of the event occurrence) is captured as a bitmap, and is used as a thumbnail image. The captured image information is stored as index information of one captured image file together with the created shooting date / time shooting camera information. Store in the department. Then, the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, image information captured by the video camera is read at predetermined intervals by controlling the camera control unit 130, and is divided for each video camera, and recorded continuously in a predetermined area of the image information storage unit 120 as thumbnail images at regular intervals. To do. Then, the process proceeds to step S10. If there is no change in the shooting information from the video camera, such as when the video camera is not connected or when the power is not turned on, the camera information is only the date and time information, and the bitmap image and shooting information are not recorded. To control.

  In step S10, it is checked whether or not the photographed information has been recorded for a certain time, for example, 10 minutes after storing the thumbnail image. If recording for a certain period has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S18.

  On the other hand, if a photographic image for a certain period of time is recorded in step S10 (if a photographic image for a certain period of time has been read), the process proceeds to step S12, and the photographic image that has not been transferred to the DVD backup controller 200 for a certain period of time. Transfer control for transferring information to the DVD backup controller 200 is performed.

  Specifically, the control unit 110 of the image recording apparatus 100 transmits a shooting information transfer request for a predetermined time shown in FIG. 2 to the control unit 210 of the DVD backup controller 200, and then the control unit 210 of the DVD backup controller 200. It is conceivable to perform control so that the information transfer permission or transfer request packet is received and the photographing information packet shown in FIG. 2 is transmitted.

  Note that the photographing information packet may be transmitted without obtaining permission from the control unit 210 of the DVD backup controller 200, and it may be determined whether the transmission has been performed based on whether or not a reception report packet from the other party is received.

  In step S14, it is checked whether or not the transfer to the control unit 210 of the DVD backup controller 200 has been performed normally. If the transfer is normally performed, the process proceeds to step S18.

  On the other hand, if the transfer is not normally performed in step S14, the process proceeds to step S16, and the block to be transferred is set as untransferred. Then, the process proceeds to step S18.

  In step S18, the controller 210 of the DVD backup controller 200 checks whether there is a transfer request for the captured image block. In the present embodiment, the DVD backup controller 200 is configured to be able to request transfer of captured image information at any time. For example, when the power is turned on halfway, transfer for receiving an untransferred image transmission packet is performed. Requests can be output. Here, if there is no transfer request, the process returns to step S1, and capture and recording of the captured image from each video camera is continued again.

  On the other hand, if there is a transfer request in step S18, the process proceeds to step S20, where an untransferred captured image packet (for example, an image transfer packet having the format shown in FIG. 2) is read to the imaging information recording unit 120 and transferred to the backup controller 200. To do. When there are a plurality of untransferred packets, the transfer is repeated sequentially. Then, the process returns to step S1, and the capturing and recording of the captured image from each video camera is continued again. If there is no untransferred captured image packet in step S20, only that fact is notified and no image packet is transferred.

  By repeating the above control, shooting information for each video camera is sequentially recorded in the imaging information storage unit 120 as a shot image format at a fixed time in a state where the first image can be searched as a bitmap image.

  In addition, although the above description demonstrated as an example the case where the imaging | photography information with a video camera was recorded like the whole day, it is not limited to the above example, such as a store etc. with which normal business hours are defined When photographing the situation, the photographed image is always recorded during business hours, and only the photographed image at the occurrence of an event (when an alarm occurs) is transferred to the DVD backup controller 200 outside the business hours, or the photographing information storage unit You may control to record to 120,220. Thereby, recording of unnecessary shooting information can be omitted, and unnecessary images are not confirmed even in later confirmation or retrieval, and a desired image can be easily retrieved.

  For example, the recording time zone is always from 9:00 to 17:00, and it is sufficient to switch to shooting image recording only at the time of alarm from 17:00 to 9:00.

  Further, it is transferred to the DVD backup controller 200 as the shooting information packet at regular intervals.

  In the present embodiment, the imaging information storage unit 120 can be configured by a large-capacity hard disk device, and can store the captured images for a few months. The information is recorded in the imaging information storage unit 120 by sequentially overwriting the oldest stored captured image when the storage capacity is full. As a result, the imaging information storage unit 120 is always in a state of storing imaging information by a video camera connected within a certain past period.

  Although a detailed description of the control of the search for the recorded image is omitted, since it is stored in the format shown in FIG. 3, when confirming the recorded image, a monitor is connected to the control unit 110 and each video camera is connected. The first bitmap image of each captured image, the video camera (shooting location), and the shooting date / time of each of the most recent information (most recently recorded shooting information) are displayed separately on the monitor screen. After confirming this divided display, the photographing date and time are searched and the photographing video camera is selected.

  Alternatively, the bitmap image, video camera (shooting location), and shooting date and time when an event (alarm) is detected are displayed in a split screen on the monitor screen. Select the camera.

  Note that this search can employ substantially the same control as a recorded image read search to the imaging information storage unit 220 of the DVD backup controller 200 described later, so refer to the related description.

  Next, the recording control of the photographed image of the DVD backup controller 200 that performs backup storage of photographing information photographed by each video camera in this way will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The DVD backup controller 200 always performs the control shown in FIG. 4 when there is no request for a recorded image search process to be described later.

  First, in step S101, it is determined whether or not the recording start time on the DVD medium is in a state where recording on the DVD medium is not started (recording time). If it is not the recording time, the process proceeds to step S103.

  In step S103, it is checked whether or not a request for transferring photographed image information is received from the image recording apparatus 100. When the captured image packet is sent directly without prior confirmation, it is checked whether the captured image packet has been sent. If there is no transfer request, the process returns to step S101.

  If there is a transfer request in step S103 and if it has already been sent, the process proceeds to step S105, and a captured image packet in the format shown in FIG.

  When the captured image packet is received, the process proceeds to step S107, and the received information is recorded in the imaging information storage unit 220. Then, the process returns to step S101. The recorded content in the captured image storage unit 220 is the same as the recorded content in the captured information storage unit 110 of the image recording apparatus 100, and can be said to be in a packed state.

  Note that in the DVD backup controller 200, the storage capacity of the imaging information storage unit 220 is smaller than that of the image recording apparatus 100, and is only capable of recording, for example, shooting information for about 1 to 2 weeks. The recording of the shooting information is controlled so as to be overwritten sequentially from the old recording information.

  The reason why only a short-time photographed image is recorded is that the photographed image is written and stored in the DVD medium every predetermined period, for example, every day, as will be described later.

  That is, the DVD backup controller 200 according to the present embodiment proceeds from step S101 to step S110 when the recording start time on the DVD medium is set in advance and the recording on the DVD medium is not started. . For example, if 5:00 am is set as the recording start time every day, the process proceeds from step S101 to step S110 at 5:00 am.

  In determining the recording time, the flag is set when the preset start time is reached, and then it is determined as the recording time. After the writing to the DVD medium is completed, the flag is reset and then again in advance. Control is performed so that the recording time is not determined until the set start time is reached.

  In step S110, it is determined whether or not a captured image is recorded on the DVD medium. If the captured image is recorded on the DVD medium, or if the captured image is being recorded on the DVD (including during the DVD replacement request), the process proceeds to step S108.

  On the other hand, if the captured image is not recorded on the DVD medium in step S110, it is possible that the recording has not started on the DVD medium or the recording cannot be completed on one DVD. In step S112, it is checked whether or not the DVD medium is set in the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus 230.

  If the DVD medium is not set, the process proceeds to step S114, where a DVD setting instruction is displayed on a display panel (not shown) of the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus 230, and the process returns to step S101 to monitor whether the DVD is set. . If the monitor 500 is connected, the DVD set is also displayed on the monitor 500.

  On the other hand, if the DVD medium is set in the DVD recording / reproducing device 230 in step S112, the process proceeds to step S116, and the shooting information for one day in the shot image stored in the shooting information storage unit 220 is obtained at regular intervals. Control is performed so that writing into the DVD medium is sequentially started for each video camera in a format in which a bitmap image is created (for example, every 10 minutes), and then shooting information is continuously written. Then, the process proceeds to step S108.

  In step S108, it is determined whether shooting information for one day has been recorded. If the shooting information for one day can be recorded, the process proceeds to step S120, the flag indicating the recording period is reset by determining the normal end, and the DVD mounting tray of the DVD recording / reproducing device 230 is opened to remove the DVD. Instruct to set a new DVD. Then, the process proceeds to step S103. When the monitor 500 is connected, the control end is instructed on the screen of the monitor 500 and a new DVD is set in the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus 230 for recording the shooting information for the next day.

  On the other hand, if the recording of the photographed image for one day is not completed in step S108, the process proceeds to step S122, and it is checked whether there is no DVD recordable area and it is necessary to record on the next DVD. If it is not necessary to record on the next DVD, the process proceeds to step S103.

  On the other hand, if there is a lot of shooting information in step S122 and the recording cannot be completed with one DVD, the process proceeds to step S124, the DVD tray of the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus 230 is opened, the DVD is rejected, and the following step. In step S126, an instruction is given to remove the DVD and set a new DVD. If the tray has already been opened, the process of step S124 is omitted. When the tray is closed but a writable DVD is not set, the tray is opened to prompt the user to set a writable DVD.

  In subsequent step S128, it is checked whether or not the DVD is set (whether or not a new DVD is set and the tray is closed). If the DVD is not set, the process proceeds to step S103 to wait for the DVD to be set.

  On the other hand, if a DVD is set in step S128, the process proceeds to step S130, and recording of the remaining shooting information for one day onto the DVD medium is started, and the process proceeds to step S103.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the DVD is simply set in advance in the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus 230, the shooting information is automatically recorded on the DVD at a predetermined time every day. Even if you are unfamiliar with processing equipment, have no knowledge of operation, or are in a company or office where professional operation experts are not available, make sure to back up captured images to DVD Can be written and saved.

  Next, the confirmation / retrieval process of recorded / photographed information on a DVD medium using the imaging information storage units 120 and 220 and the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus 230 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, there is little difference in the confirmation / retrieval processing of shooting information recorded between the image recording apparatus 100 and the DVD backup controller 200, and therefore the processing in the DVD backup controller 200 will be described as an example.

  In the following description, a case where the monitor device 500 is connected to the DVD backup controller 200 and a captured image is searched from the display screen of the monitor device 500 will be described as an example.

  In this embodiment, since the first captured image at a certain time, for example, every 10 minutes, and the captured image at the time of the event are recorded as the bitmap image together with the date and time information, the captured image is searched for the captured image. Display and do. Thus, a search for a desired photographed image is prepared.

  Therefore, first, in step S201, the most recent (or the most recent bitmap image (thumbnail image) after the date and time when instructed) and the information at the time of image creation are selected from the shooting information for each video camera. read out.

  In step S202, the read bitmap image (thumbnail image) for each camera and information at the time of image creation are displayed in a list on the display screen.

  Examples of this list display are shown in FIGS. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image selection screen (event selection screen) according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a moving image screen according to the present embodiment. In the display example of the event selection screen in FIG. 6, the first camera-captured image every 20 minutes is shown, but when an event occurrence is detected, the date and time when the event occurred is displayed. The reason for the alarm is displayed in the remarks column.

  The video screen shown in FIG. 7 is controlled such that when a bitmap image is selected on the selection screen in FIG. 6, a captured image recorded following the bitmap image is displayed as a video. An example is shown.

  When the selection screen is displayed in step S203, the process proceeds to step S205 to check whether any bitmap image has been selected. When any one of the bitmap images is selected, it is determined that the photographed image of the camera is selected, and the photographed image taken by the camera is read and displayed as a moving image. Movie display is performed in units of maximum 10 minutes. An example of moving image display is shown on the right side of FIG. In the present embodiment, the moving image display is configured such that fast-forwarding, slow reproduction, primary stop, and the like can be controlled, and a desired image can be easily searched.

  When moving image display is performed, the process advances from step S207 to step S210 to check whether there is a selection screen display (moving image end instruction). If there is no selection screen display (moving image end instruction), the process returns to step S207 to continue the moving image display.

  On the other hand, if the selection screen display (moving image end instruction) is selected in step S210, the process proceeds to step S203, and the selection screen display is performed again.

  On the other hand, if no bitmap image is selected in step S205 and no camera is selected, the process proceeds to step S220, and it is checked whether there is a list display request for the next thumbnail image (bitmap image). If there is no request, the process returns to step S203.

  On the other hand, if there is a next list display hot water bowl in step S220, the process proceeds to step S222, the photographed image of each camera is examined, and a bitmap image at the next timing (next oldest date and time) is read out to create a selection screen. Then, the process proceeds to step S203, and a selection screen displaying the next bitmap image is displayed.

  As described above, since the bitmap image and date / time information that allows the camera contents to be estimated to some extent for each camera are confirmed and entered into the confirmation of the photographed image, the photographed image can be searched easily and quickly.

  Also at this time, since the photographing information is recorded in a storage medium that can be randomly accessed, only necessary images can be easily extracted and displayed or confirmed.

  Note that the recording control and the reading control of backup data to the DVD do not need to have a complicated structure. For example, the necessary control using a general-purpose application program of a personal computer and a remote control input of the DVD recording / reproducing device 230. If the command is supplied to the program or sequentially transmitted to the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus 230, the control can be performed without preparing a troublesome interface. For this reason, in addition to using a commercially available personal computer, it is possible to divert the generally commercially available hard disk drive built-in DVD recording / reproducing apparatus 230.

  Further, when an existing system for controlling the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus 230 using an existing computer program and controlling the computer can be used, it is as if the necessary commands are instructed from a keyboard or the like. Send a command to. For example, when sequentially instructing according to the guidance displayed on the monitor screen, when the guidance screen display is detected, the display cursor is moved to the instruction input area on the guidance screen to input the instruction, and the next input location (command input area ) And move the cursor to control the input.

  If this control method is adopted, necessary control can be performed without modification by using an existing or commercially available program as it is, and it is possible to clearly identify when a trouble occurs.

  This method can be used as it is in the confirmation control of the recorded information storage unit 120, 220 recorded information or DVD recorded information, which will be described below, and commercially available excellent image processing software, search software, etc. can be used.

[Effects of Embodiment]
As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, there is no need for specialized knowledge or skill, and it is necessary to simply set a DVD medium in a tray that is open or remove it from an empty tray. It is possible to back up the shooting information.

  Further, not only a large-capacity hard disk drive is not required for backup, but also the photographing information backup medium for each fixed period can be easily stored and carried.

  Further, since the image recording apparatus 100 and the DVD backup controller 200 can exchange information via the communication medium 150, both apparatuses can be installed at different locations apart from each other. Even when an on-site information processing device is malfunctioning or destroyed, such as when it occurs, the operational status of either device can be secured, and the shooting information can be confirmed more reliably. .

  Furthermore, since shooting information can be recorded on a DVD at a high density, it is troublesome to store like a video tape, and a large space is not necessary, and it is easy to carry, and only a versatile DVD can be taken out even in an emergency. For example, the recorded contents can be confirmed using a DVD player attached to a general personal computer, and even if all installed devices are destroyed, the recorded contents can be confirmed by installing the DVD in another device. it can.

  In addition, since the first captured image of the captured information at regular time intervals or the captured image at the time of alarm occurrence is recorded as a bitmap image together with the information at that time, this bitmap image can be used as an index for retrieving captured images. Compared to the case of simple time information, the state at that time can be checked very easily.

It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure at the time of applying the image recording system of the embodiment of one invention concerning this invention to a crime prevention system. It is a figure for demonstrating the recording format to the imaging information storage part and DVD medium of a present Example.

3 is a flowchart for explaining control of the image recording apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart for explaining control of a backup controller 200 shown in FIG. 1.

It is a flowchart for demonstrating search / confirmation control of the memory | storage captured image in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the picked-up image selection screen (event selection screen) of the example of this embodiment.

It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the moving image screen of this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image recording device 110,210 Control part 120,220 Imaging information storage part 130 Camera control part 150 Communication medium 200 DVD backup controller 230 DVD recording / reproducing apparatus 310-350 Video camera 500 Monitor apparatus

Claims (8)

A plurality of imaging means capable of imaging a monitoring range; an image recording apparatus that receives and records imaging information by the imaging means; and a medium recording apparatus that receives a recorded image from the image recording apparatus and records it on a removable recording medium. An image recording system,
The image recording apparatus includes:
Input means for inputting captured image information by the plurality of imaging means;
Recording control means for recording the imaged image information input by the input means on the image recording means for each imaging means;
Output means for outputting photographing information recorded in the image recording means to the medium recording device,
The medium recording apparatus comprises:
Receiving means for receiving imaging information for each of the plurality of imaging means from the image recording device;
Reception information recording means for recording photographing information of each imaging means received by the receiving means together with index information;
Medium recording control means for recording photographing information by the imaging means recorded in the reception information recording means on the recording medium for each imaging means;
The reception information recording means includes recording means capable of recording the imaging means photographing information for at least a plurality of days, and the photographing information received by the receiving means is combined with the index information for each photographing information at least for a predetermined time. Record in the recording means,
The medium recording control means automatically records the shooting information and the index information recorded in the recording means at least every predetermined time on the recording medium at a predesignated time, and replaces the recording medium after the recording is completed. An image recording system characterized by being in a recognizable state. The recording medium is a writable DVD, and the medium recording control means automatically starts recording on the DVD at the same time every hour, and when a recordable DVD is not loaded, the recordable DVD is loaded. The image recording system according to claim 1, wherein automatic recording is started after installation. The index information is a bitmap image of the first photographed image every predetermined time for each imaging means, and the index information includes a bitmap image and photographing date / time information, and the index information can be displayed when searching for recorded information The image recording system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The index information is generated by the recording control unit of the image recording apparatus, and is a captured image at the time of occurrence of an alarm in the imaging region by the imaging unit, in addition to the bitmap image of the first captured image every predetermined time for each imaging unit. The image recording system according to claim 3, further comprising: A plurality of imaging means capable of imaging the monitoring range; an image recording apparatus comprising image recording means for receiving and recording imaging information by the imaging means; and a medium for receiving a recorded image from the image recording apparatus and recording it on a removable recording medium An image recording method in an image recording system including a recording device,
In the image recording apparatus, image information captured by the plurality of imaging units is input, the input captured image information is recorded in the image recording unit for each imaging unit, and the shooting information recorded in the image recording unit is recorded. Outputting to the medium recording device;
In the medium recording device, the photographing information for each of the plurality of imaging units is received from the image recording device, and the received photographing information of each imaging unit is recorded together with the index information in the recording unit, and is recorded in the recording unit. The image recording method according to claim 1, wherein the shooting information by the imaging means is automatically recorded on a recording medium for each imaging means at a predetermined time, and the DVD exchange is made recognizable after the recording is completed. The recording medium is a DVD, and recording on the DVD is automatically started at the same time every day. When a recordable DVD is not loaded, the user is prompted to mount the recordable DVD, and is automatically recorded after loading. The image recording method according to claim 5, wherein the image recording method is started. The index information is a bitmap image of the first photographed image every predetermined time for each imaging means, and the index information includes a bitmap image and photographing date / time information, and the index information can be displayed when searching for recorded information The image recording method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: The index information is generated by the recording control unit of the image recording apparatus, and is a captured image at the time of occurrence of an alarm in the imaging region by the imaging unit, in addition to the bitmap image of the first captured image every predetermined time for each imaging unit. The image recording method according to claim 7, further comprising: