JP2007060550A - Monitoring system, and camera unit and recording unit therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To also record trigger class data as a timing to record image data. <P>SOLUTION: A monitoring system 1 includes a camera unit 10 for photographing an image of an area 90 to be monitored and outputting image data, a power unit 20 for supplying power to the camera unit 10, a recording unit 30 for recording image data output from the camera unit 10, and a remote controller 50 for operating the monitoring system 1. The camera unit 10 includes a camera section 12 for photographing an image and a sensor section 13 for sensing a person who invades the area 90 to be monitored. Image data photographed by the camera section 12 and a photographing trigger as a timing of photographing are combined as image data with a trigger class, transmitted to the recording unit 30 and are recorded. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a surveillance system that can be used for crime prevention and other purposes, and a camera unit and a recording unit therefor.

Conventionally used monitoring systems include, for example, a sensor for detecting a person, a camera unit that captures an image of a monitoring target area in conjunction with the sensor, and image data for recording an image captured by the camera unit. A recording unit and a control unit for controlling them are provided.
JP 2004-102336 A

  In this type of monitoring system, when multiple types of sensors are provided for human detection, a shooting trigger is output when one of the sensors detects a person and responds to the shooting trigger. Then, an image of the monitoring target area is taken by the camera unit. The plural types of sensors for detecting a person are, for example, a sensor for detecting a human body and a sound pressure sensor for detecting a sound made by a person.

  However, in the conventional monitoring system, only image data is recorded, and it has not been possible to know afterwards which sensor has recorded the image in response to a shooting trigger. For this reason, just looking at the recorded image makes it difficult to determine whether the image was taken by detecting a human body or by detecting a human-made sound. . Therefore, it is difficult to grasp under what circumstances the recorded image data represents the captured image, and it is not always easy to examine security measures based on the recorded image data. .

In addition, if a human image is not captured in the recorded image, was the image recorded due to malfunction of the sensor, etc., or was it triggered by detection of a human body or sound outside the monitored area? Could not be determined.
Furthermore, if a meaningless image that does not capture the state of the crime is recorded due to poor sensitivity adjustment of the sensor, the sensor output that triggered the image recording cannot be identified, so the sensitivity It is difficult to specify the sensor to be adjusted, and as a result, it is difficult to adjust the sensitivity of each sensor.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to monitor not only the image data but also the trigger type data that triggered the recording of the image data, thereby resolving the above problems, and a camera unit and a recording unit therefor Is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera unit (12) for capturing an image of a monitoring target area (90) and outputting image data (92), and the camera unit outputs An image recording unit (32) for recording image data to be processed, a trigger input receiving unit (11) for receiving inputs (13, 50) of a plurality of types of shooting triggers, and a response to the shooting trigger received by the trigger input receiving unit Then, the image recording unit (12, 11, 31) for operating the image recording unit to record the image data output by the camera unit at the time of inputting the imaging trigger, and the imaging accepted by the trigger input accepting unit. And a trigger type recording means (13, 11, 50, 30) for recording trigger type data (93) representing the type of trigger. A.

The numbers in parentheses indicate corresponding components in the embodiments described later. The same applies hereinafter.
According to this configuration, the trigger type data indicating the type of the shooting trigger can be recorded by the trigger type recording means. Thereby, it is possible to easily determine which type of shooting trigger is used to record the recorded image data in the image recording unit.

The imaging trigger may include outputs from a plurality of types of sensors. For example, when a sound pressure sensor and a human detection sensor are used as sensors for outputting a shooting trigger, the user can record individual recorded images from recorded trigger type data by detecting sound. It can be easily discriminated whether it is recorded by detecting a person.
Thus, the user can easily grasp the situation at the time of photographing by referring to the trigger type data together with the recorded image data. As a result, it becomes easy to examine security measures based on the recorded image data and the like.

  Further, by referring to the recorded image and trigger type data, it is possible to confirm under which circumstances each type of imaging trigger is input. Therefore, for example, when a multiple-type sensor detects an intrusion of a person into a monitored area and a meaningless image is recorded due to a malfunction of one of the sensors, the sensor causing the malfunction is immediately identified. Can be repaired or replaced as needed. Further, when a meaningless image is recorded due to poor sensitivity adjustment of any of the sensors, it is possible to immediately identify a sensor with poor sensitivity adjustment and perform sensitivity adjustment.

The camera unit may perform a shooting operation in response to an input of a shooting trigger. In this case, the image recording control means may operate the image recording unit in response to the camera unit outputting the image data. That is, the image recording control means may respond indirectly to the shooting trigger by responding to the operation of the camera unit.
The recorded image may be a moving image, but it is preferable to record a still image, particularly when the monitoring system is a battery-driven system. By recording with a still image, the recording area of the image recording unit can be saved, and the power consumption of the monitoring system can be reduced. The “battery drive system” means that at least a part (that is, part or all) of the monitoring system uses a battery as a power source. For example, the camera unit may be driven by a battery, the image recording unit may be driven by a commercial power supply, and both the camera unit and the recording unit may be driven by a battery. In this case, the camera unit and the recording unit may be driven by a common battery, but are preferably driven by individual batteries.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the trigger type recording unit records the trigger type data in association with image data recorded in the image recording unit under the control of the image recording control unit. Also good. As a result, the correspondence between the individual image data and the trigger type data is clarified, so that the user can more easily grasp which type of shooting trigger is recorded in response to each type of image data. be able to.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the trigger type recording unit, the type of the shooting trigger is added to the image data output by the camera unit in response to the shooting trigger input being received by the trigger input receiving unit. The image recording control means includes image data with a trigger type (97) synthesized by the image synthesizing means. The monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein the monitoring system is recorded on an image recording unit.

  According to this configuration, the image synthesizing unit embeds trigger type data representing the type of shooting trigger that triggered the recording in the image data, and generates image data with a trigger type. Since the trigger type data is embedded in the image data, it becomes difficult to falsify the trigger type data. Therefore, the image data with the trigger type becomes highly evidenceable data and can be used as a leading material in criminal investigations. .

Of course, the trigger type data does not necessarily have to be combined with the image data. For example, the trigger type data may be recorded as text format data separately from the image data.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera unit (10) and a recording unit (30) configured separately from the camera unit and performing wireless communication with the camera unit. The unit includes the camera unit and a camera-side wireless transmission unit (19), and the recording unit receives the image data from the image recording unit, the image recording control unit, and the camera-side wireless transmission unit. The monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a recording unit side wireless transmission unit (39).

According to this configuration, the camera unit and the recording unit are configured separately, but the camera unit can transmit the captured image data from the camera side wireless transmission unit to the recording unit side wireless transmission unit. . The image data received by the recording unit side wireless transmission unit is recorded in the image recording unit provided in the recording unit.
Since the communication between the camera unit and the recording unit is performed wirelessly, the recording unit can be installed at a location different from the installation location of the camera unit (preferably a location where discovery by a third party is difficult). More specifically, when the monitoring system of the present invention is applied to a vehicle security system (car security system), for example, a camera unit is installed on a windshield portion or the like in a vehicle compartment, and a recording unit is, for example, It can be installed in the trunk of the vehicle. Of course, since a wired connection between the camera unit and the recording unit is not necessary, this makes it more difficult for a third party to find the recording unit.

Further, since the camera unit and the recording unit are separated, the camera unit can be configured compactly. Thus, for example, even when the camera unit is installed on the windshield portion in the vehicle, the camera unit does not excessively block the driver's field of view.
In addition, it is preferable that the recording unit further includes the trigger type recording unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided communication interruption detecting means (11a) for detecting interruption of wireless communication between the camera side wireless transmission section and the recording section side wireless transmission section, and the communication interruption detection means. In response to the detection of the interruption of the wireless communication, an alarm generation command generation means (11b) that generates an alarm generation instruction and an alarm generation instruction generated by the alarm generation instruction generation means generate an alarm. The monitoring system according to claim 4, further comprising an alarm generation means (21 a) for performing the operation.

  According to this configuration, the communication interruption detection unit detects the interruption of wireless communication between the camera unit and the recording unit. When wireless communication between the camera unit and the recording unit is interrupted, the alarm generation command generation unit generates an alarm generation command, and the alarm generation unit receives the alarm generation command and issues an alarm. Thus, when communication between the recording unit and the camera unit becomes impossible due to the bandits stealing or destroying the camera unit, etc., the alarm is generated by the alarm generating means, and is near the alarm generating means. Can threaten bandits. The alarm generating means can be used not only for the purpose of threatening a bandit but also for the purpose of notifying a user or a monitor of the occurrence of an abnormality. That is, the user or the monitor can know that the communication between the recording unit and the camera unit has become impossible due to the occurrence of the alarm.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the communication interruption detection unit and the alarm generation command generation unit are provided in the camera unit, and the alarm generation unit is configured separately from the camera unit. It may be provided in a separate unit. As a result, when the camera unit is stolen or destroyed and communication between the camera unit and the recording unit is interrupted, the alarm generation means provided in the separate unit receives the alarm generation command and prepares for the separate unit. An alarm can be issued by the alarm generation means provided.

The separate unit may be a unit integrated with the recording unit, but is preferably a separate unit other than the recording unit.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the separate unit includes a power supply unit (23) that supplies power to the camera unit via a power supply line (81), and the alarm in response to disconnection of the power supply line. The monitoring system according to claim 6, further comprising an alarm generation control unit (21b) for operating the generating means.

  According to this configuration, the alarm generation control unit of the separate unit can detect the disconnection of the power supply line to the camera unit. The situation where the bandits try to cut the power supply line is, for example, when the bandits find the camera unit and prevent it from being taken after that. If the power supply line is disconnected under such a situation, the alarm generating means provided in the separate unit is activated and an alarm is generated, so that the bandits can be threatened. Moreover, since the power supply unit is provided in the separate unit, power can be continuously supplied to the alarm generation means even after the power supply line is cut off, so that an alarm can be generated reliably.

In addition, since the power supply unit that supplies power to the camera unit is provided in a separate unit that is separate from the camera unit, the camera unit can be configured compactly.
The power supply unit preferably includes a battery. This battery is preferably a rechargeable battery (secondary battery). In this case, it is preferable that the separate unit includes a charging circuit for charging the rechargeable battery.

For example, when the present invention is applied to the above-described car security system, the charging circuit receives power from an in-vehicle battery (which supplies power to a vehicle starter motor and other electrical components) and receives the charging. It is preferable that the battery can be charged.
In the car security system, when the recording unit is installed in the trunk of the vehicle, the recording unit is preferably designed so that it can be operated by receiving power from the in-vehicle battery. Of course, an original battery may be incorporated in the recording unit. In this case, it is preferable that the battery is constituted by a rechargeable battery, and a charging circuit for charging the rechargeable battery by receiving power from the in-vehicle battery is incorporated in the recording unit.

When the recording unit is installed in a place where a commercial power source is available (for example, indoors), the recording unit is preferably designed so that it can be operated by the commercial power source.
The alarm generation means may include an alarm sound generation means that generates an alarm sound like a buzzer, or may include an alarm light generation means that generates an alarm light. When an alarm is generated for the purpose of threatening a bandit, an alarm sound generating means for generating an alarm sound with a large sound or an alarm light generating means for generating a large amount of alarm light (for example, a flashlight) may be used. preferable. When an alarm is generated from the alarm generation means for the purpose of notifying the user or monitor, an alarm sound or light is generated at a volume or light level that can alert the user or monitor. Applying what you want is enough.

  A camera unit (10) for a surveillance system according to the present invention includes a camera unit (12) for taking an image of a monitoring target area (90) and outputting image data (92), and inputting a plurality of types of photography triggers ( 13, 50) a trigger input receiving section (11), and a shooting control means (11) for operating the camera section to perform a shooting operation in response to a shooting trigger received by the trigger input receiving section. And trigger type data generating means (11) for generating trigger type data (93) representing the type of imaging trigger received by the trigger input receiving unit.

  The monitoring system recording unit (30) of the present invention includes an image recording unit (32) that records image data (92) generated by the camera unit (12) that captures an image of the monitoring target area (90), and Trigger type recording means (31) for recording trigger type data (93) indicating the type of shooting trigger that triggered the shooting by the camera unit.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view when a car security system is constructed by mounting a monitoring system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention on a vehicle. The monitoring system 1 includes a camera unit 10, a power supply unit 20, and a recording unit 30. The camera unit 10 and the power supply unit 20 are connected by a power supply line 81.

  The camera unit 10 is provided on the windshield 71. The camera unit 10 is connected to the power supply unit 20 through a power supply line 81 and receives power supply from the power supply unit 20. The camera unit 10 shoots an image of the monitoring target area 90 such as, for example, in the vehicle 70 or around the vehicle 70 with a camera provided in the camera unit 10, and stores image data representing the captured image in the recording unit 30. Send.

The power supply unit 20 is provided at the passenger seat step 72. The power supply unit 20 supplies power to the camera unit 10. Further, the power supply unit 20 is mounted as an external power supply unit 80 via a cigar socket (not shown) provided in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 70 in order to charge a built-in rechargeable battery (not shown). Connected to the battery.
The recording unit 30 is installed in the trunk 73 in this embodiment. The recording unit 30 can perform data transmission / reception with the camera unit 10 by wireless communication, and can receive and record data generated by the camera unit 10.

The camera unit 10 can be attached to a dashboard, a rear tray, a sun visor, a rear glass, and the like in addition to the windshield portion 71. Further, a plurality of camera units 10 can be attached to the vehicle 70 in order to monitor a plurality of monitoring target areas 90.
Further, the power supply unit 20 can be attached to the feet of the driver's seat, the glove box, or the passenger's seat floor in addition to the passenger seat feet 72.

Further, the recording unit 30 can be attached to a passenger seat floor, a glove box, a pocket on the back of the seat, or under the seat, in addition to being attached to the trunk 73 described above.
FIG. 2 is an overall schematic diagram of the monitoring system 1. In addition to the camera unit 10, the power supply unit 20, and the recording unit 30 described in FIG. 1, the monitoring system 1 includes a remote controller 50 that is operated by a user for setting the recording unit 30 and the camera unit 10. ing.

  The camera unit 10 includes a camera unit 12 and a sensor unit 13. The sensor unit 13 is for detecting a person in the monitoring target area 90. The sensor unit 13 includes, for example, a sensor (sound pressure sensor) that detects a sound made by a person 91 in the monitoring target area 90, a sensor that detects the movement of the person 91 (a moving object sensor such as a Doppler sensor, a human detection sensor). In addition, a plurality of types of sensors such as a vibration sensor that detects vibration accompanying the movement of the person 91 are included. The plurality of types of sensors outputs a shooting trigger by detecting a sound made by the person 91, a movement of the person 91, and the like.

  The camera unit 12 captures an image of the monitoring target area 90. The camera unit 10 transmits to the recording unit 30 image data with a trigger type (composite image data) obtained by adding trigger type data to the image data generated in the camera unit 10 by wireless communication. The trigger type data refers to data representing the type of shooting trigger that triggered the shooting of an image in the monitoring target area 90.

  In the above example, the type of shooting trigger is a shooting trigger output from a sound pressure sensor or a shooting trigger output from a human detection sensor. In addition, in this embodiment, when a shooting trigger is given almost simultaneously from a plurality of types of sensors (composite event trigger), or when a shooting trigger is given from a plurality of types of sensors with a time difference within a certain time (sequential event). They are handled as individual types of shooting triggers.

The recording unit 30 records various data including image data transmitted from the camera unit 10 using wireless communication.
The remote controller 50 provides operation information representing the operation contents of the user to the recording unit 30. In this embodiment, the remote controller 50 includes an emergency shooting button for causing the camera unit 10 to perform an emergency shooting operation regardless of whether the sensor unit 13 outputs a shooting trigger. When this emergency shooting button is operated, an emergency shooting command is transmitted to the recording unit 30 as operation information. This emergency photographing command is given from the recording unit 30 to the camera unit 10 and is handled as a kind of photographing trigger. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of the camera unit 10. The camera unit 10 includes a control unit 11, a camera unit 12, the aforementioned sensor unit 13, a JPEG encoder unit 15 that converts image data generated by the camera unit 12 into JPEG compressed data, and a wireless tamper switch 17. ing. The camera unit 10 includes a wireless transmission module unit 19b and an antenna 19a as a wireless transmission unit 19 for transmitting data including image data to the recording unit 30. Furthermore, the camera unit 10 is connected to the power supply unit 20 via the power supply line 81, and power is supplied from the power supply unit 20.

  In this embodiment, the sensor unit 13 includes a sound pressure sensor 13a that detects sound and a human detection sensor 13b that includes a moving object detection sensor such as a Doppler sensor. These sensors 13a and 13b can each adjust the sensitivity level which outputs a photography trigger. Then, the sound pressure sensor 13a outputs a shooting trigger by detecting a sound pressure equal to or higher than the adjusted sensitivity level. The human detection sensor 13b outputs a shooting trigger by detecting the person 91 who has entered the monitoring target area 90 according to the adjusted sensitivity level. The sensitivity levels of the sensors 13a and 13b can be adjusted by operating a sensitivity adjustment operation unit (not shown) such as a rotary switch provided in the camera unit 10, for example.

The control unit 11 has a function as a trigger input receiving unit, and issues a shooting command for causing the camera unit 12 to shoot the monitoring target area 90 in response to a shooting trigger input from the sensor unit 13 or the like.
The camera unit 12 includes an image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS). The camera unit 12 shoots an image of the monitoring target area 90 in response to a shooting command from the control unit 11. The camera unit 12 may be configured to shoot a predetermined number (for example, an arbitrary number of up to eight) at a predetermined cycle (for example, 1 second) when receiving a single shooting command. Then, the camera unit 12 generates image data corresponding to this image and sends it to the JPEG encoder unit 15.

  The JPEG encoder unit 15 identifies image data generated by the camera unit 12, trigger type data indicating the type of shooting trigger that triggered the generation of the image data, and a camera unit that has captured the image. Various data including camera information and date / time information received from the recording unit 30 (information generated by a real-time clock provided in the recording unit 30) is synthesized, and image data with a trigger type obtained by integrating them is JPEG compressed data. Generate in the form Then, the JPEG encoder unit 15 sends the image data with the trigger type to the control unit 11.

The image data with the trigger type sent to the control unit 11 is transmitted from the wireless transmission module unit 19b to the recording unit 30 via the antenna 19a by wireless communication.
The wireless tamper switch 17 is a switch for turning on / off the wireless tamper function. The wireless tampering function is a function for detecting whether or not the wireless communication link between the camera unit 10 and the recording unit 30 is broken. When the wireless tamper switch is turned on and the wireless tampering function is enabled, if the wireless communication link is detected to be broken, the control unit 11 issues an alarm generation command to the power supply unit 20 via the line 82. give.

The memory unit 18 records various parameters for controlling each unit of the camera unit 10 by the control unit 11. The memory unit 18 can also be used to temporarily store image data and trigger type data that could not be transmitted to the recording unit 30.
The image captured by the camera unit 10 may be a moving image, but is preferably a still image. If a still image is taken, it is possible to save the recording area of the trigger type image data recorded by the recording unit 30 and reduce the power consumption of the camera unit 10.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of the power supply unit 20. The power supply unit 20 includes a control unit 21, a battery management unit 22, a power supply unit 23, a charging circuit 24, and a buzzer 25.
The battery management unit 22 is connected to a power supply unit 23 having a power source such as a rechargeable battery. The battery management unit 22 adjusts the power supplied to the power supply unit 20 and the camera unit 10. The power supply unit 23 drives the power supply unit 20 and the camera unit 10 with a rechargeable battery included therein.

The power supply unit 23 is connected to the external power supply unit 80 via the charging circuit 24. The rechargeable battery included in the power supply unit 23 is supplied with power from the external power supply unit 80 and is charged by the charging circuit 24.
The control unit 21 controls each unit provided in the power supply unit 20. In particular, the control unit 21 receives an alarm generation command by a wireless tamper function from the control unit 11 of the camera unit 10 and generates an alarm sound from the buzzer 25 as an alarm generation unit. Furthermore, the control unit 21 monitors the disconnection of the power supply line 81. When the disconnection of the power supply line 81 is detected, the control unit 21 sounds the buzzer 25 to generate an alarm sound.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of the recording unit 30. The recording unit 30 includes a control unit 31, a memory unit 32, a JPEG decoder unit 33, a video output signal generation unit 33v, a USB port 34, a real time clock 35, a mode change switch 36, and a remote controller reception unit 38. And. The recording unit 30 includes a wireless transmission module 39b and an antenna 39a as the wireless transmission unit 39.

The wireless transmission module unit 39b receives the image data with the trigger type transmitted from the antenna 19a of the camera unit 10 via the antenna 39a. The received image data with the trigger type is sent to the control unit 31.
The control unit 31 records the image data with the trigger type sent from the camera unit 10 in the memory unit 32 as an image recording unit. The memory unit 32 may be configured by a memory element (not shown) mounted on the circuit board of the recording unit 30. In addition, a memory card slot for inserting a memory card may be provided in the recording unit 30, and a memory card loaded in the memory card slot can be used as the memory unit 32.

  The data recording method in the memory unit 32 can be set using the remote controller 50. That is, the data recording method of the memory unit 32 can be selected by the user from either endless recording or write-at-once recording. Endless recording is a recording method in which, when there is no unrecorded area in the memory unit 32, data recorded at an old date and time is overwritten and erased with newly recorded data. The write-at-once recording is a recording method in which, when there is no unrecorded area in the memory unit 32, new data cannot be recorded until the data recorded in the memory unit 32 is deleted.

  In order to prevent erroneous deletion of image data recorded in the memory unit 32, protection (deletion prohibition) for specific image data may be set. The protection setting can be performed by giving an attribute of “erasure prohibition” to individual image data, or a protection image recording area for recording the protection-set image data may be provided. For example, an image captured using the above-described emergency shooting instruction as a shooting trigger is automatically assigned the attribute “erasure prohibition” or is automatically recorded in the protected image recording area. Preferably it is. Providing the protected image recording area has an advantage that it is easy to avoid a situation where the storage area in the memory unit 32 is insufficient at the time of shooting by the emergency shooting command.

The upper limit value of the number of images that can be protected is preferably determined in advance. For example, if the maximum recording number (recording capacity) of trigger type image data that can be recorded in the memory unit 32 is 200, the maximum number of images that can be protected is set to about 40, which is 20% of the maximum recording number. Just keep it.
The JPEG decoder unit 33 and the video output signal generation unit 33v output and display the image data on the memory unit 32 on a monitor 41 such as a television monitor. The JPEG decoder unit 33 reads the image data with the trigger type and sends the data to the video output signal generation unit 33v. The video output signal generation unit 33v converts the read image data with a trigger type into an NTSC signal and sends the NTSC signal to the monitor 41. As a result, the image data with the trigger type stored in the memory unit 32 is output and displayed on the monitor 41.

  The USB port 34 is provided as an external output terminal for confirming recorded image data with a trigger type by a personal computer (PC) 42. By connecting the recording unit 30 and the personal computer 42 via the USB port 34, the memory unit 32 is recognized by the personal computer 42 as a storage device.

  The mode changeover switch 36 is a switch for switching the operation mode of the monitoring system 1 between a warning mode and a warning release mode. The alert mode refers to a state in which the input of the shooting trigger is validated. Therefore, when the alert mode is set, the monitoring target area 90 is shot in response to an arbitrary shooting trigger, and image data with a trigger type is recorded in the memory unit 32. On the other hand, the warning release mode refers to a state in which input of a shooting trigger other than the emergency shooting command is invalidated. Therefore, when the warning cancellation mode is set, the camera unit 10 does not perform a shooting operation even if the sensor unit 13 outputs a shooting trigger.

  Switching between the warning mode and the warning release mode can be performed manually by the mode changeover switch 36 or automatically. That is, for example, if the control unit 21 of the power supply unit 20 detects whether or not power is supplied to the power supply unit 20 from the cigar socket, the detection result is given to the camera unit 10 via the line 82. Good. In a typical vehicle, the cigarette socket is energized when the ignition switch of the vehicle is ON, but the energization of the cigarette socket is interrupted when the ignition switch is OFF. Therefore, the control unit 11 of the camera unit 10 that has received the detection result from the power supply unit 20 can determine whether the vehicle is in a driving state. Based on this determination, the control unit 11 sets the operation mode of the camera unit 10 to a warning release mode if the vehicle is in a driving state and to a warning mode if the vehicle is not in a driving state.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of the remote controller 50. The remote controller 50 includes a control unit 51, an operation unit 52, and a transmission unit 59.
The operation unit 52 is provided for setting the monitoring system 1 (particularly, the camera unit 10 and the recording unit 30) and for giving an emergency shooting instruction, and includes an emergency shooting button 52a and a mode switching button. 52b. The operation information corresponding to the content of the operation input by the operation unit 52 is transmitted via the transmission unit 59 and transmitted to the remote controller reception unit 38 of the recording unit 30. The recording unit 30 performs a predetermined operation based on this operation information.

  When the emergency shooting button 52 a is pressed, the control unit 51 transmits an emergency shooting command from the transmission unit 59. The recording unit 30 that has received the signal from the transmission unit 59 issues an emergency shooting instruction to the camera unit 10. This instruction is handled as a kind of shooting trigger by the control unit 11 of the camera unit 10. That is, the control unit 11 sends an emergency shooting command to the camera unit 12, and in response to this, the camera unit 12 captures an image of the monitoring target area 90.

The mode switching button 52b has the same function as the mode switching switch 36, and is provided for switching between a warning mode and a warning release mode.
As described above, since the operation unit 52 for operating the recording unit 30 or the like is provided in the remote controller 50, setting of the recording unit 30 or the like by a third party who does not have the remote controller 50 can be limited. it can. Of course, it is preferable that the remote controller 50 is associated with the recording unit 30 on a one-to-one basis by the initial setting so that communication with the recording unit 30 by another remote controller of the same type can be prohibited.

In addition, although two buttons, the emergency photographing button 52a and the mode switching button 52b, are given as buttons provided on the remote controller 50, the remote controller 50 also includes, for example, date setting and the like. A button may be provided.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing image data 97 with a trigger type created by the monitoring system 1.

  The JPEG encoder unit 15 embeds a trigger type data mark 97a on the image data corresponding to the image of the monitoring target area 90, embeds a camera information mark 97b representing the photographed camera unit, and embeds date information 97c. Image data 97 with a trigger type is generated. The trigger type-added image data 97 is recorded in the memory unit 32. As a result, the user confirms the images recorded in the memory unit 32, so that what kind of shooting trigger is input, which image is taken, which camera unit is taken, and when the image is taken. Can be easily confirmed.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a process in which image data 97 with a trigger type is generated.
Data for combining the image data 97 with the trigger type is input from the camera unit 12 and the control unit 11 of the camera unit 10 and the real-time clock 35 of the recording unit 30. In order to create image data 97 with a trigger type, data input from the camera unit 12 is image data 92. Data input from the control unit 11 is trigger type data 93 and camera information 94. Data input from the real time clock 35 is date information 95.

  The control unit 11 sends the trigger type data 93, the camera information 94, and the date / time information 95 corresponding to the image data 92 generated from the captured image to the JPEG encoder unit 15 and combines them as related data 96. The JPEG encoder unit 15 embeds this related data 96 on the image data 92 to generate image data 97 with a trigger type. Specifically, a mark 97a representing trigger type data 93, a mark 97b representing camera information 94, and date / time information 95 (97c) are embedded on the image data 92, and image data with a trigger type is embedded. 97 is generated (see FIG. 7). Then, the generated image data 97 with trigger type is recorded in the memory unit 32.

In the image data 97 with trigger type, as described above, various marks 97 a are embedded on the image data 92 as the trigger type data 93. The mark 97a corresponding to the trigger type data includes an indication of an imaging trigger input from the sound pressure sensor 13a, an indication of an imaging trigger input from the human detection sensor 13b, and an indication of emergency shooting. is there.
Further, it is preferable to assign another mark to the complex condition event trigger in which a plurality of types of imaging triggers are accepted almost simultaneously. For example, when the sound pressure sensor 13a reacts almost simultaneously with the reaction of the human detection sensor 13b, there is a high possibility that the person 91 (bandit) has entered the monitoring target area 90. At this time, the trigger type data 93 is used as a mark indicating an internal intrusion event. Then, a mark representing this internal intrusion event is embedded in the image data 97 with a trigger type.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that another mark is assigned to a sequential event trigger in which a plurality of shooting triggers are input with a predetermined time difference. For example, when the sound pressure sensor 13a reacts within a predetermined time after the human detection sensor 13b reacts, there is a possibility that a person 91 (bandit) enters the monitoring target area 90 and makes a noise in the object color. high. At this time, the trigger type data 93 is used as a mark indicating that an intrusion has occurred (intrusion event). A mark representing this intrusion event is embedded in the image data 97 with a trigger type.

As described above, according to this embodiment, since the user can confirm the type of the shooting trigger that triggered the shooting from the image data 97 with the trigger type, the shooting trigger is input in any situation. Can be confirmed. This facilitates the examination of crime prevention measures.
In addition, since the type of shooting trigger that triggered the shooting is recorded in the image data 97 with the trigger type, the user can determine whether each sensor sensitivity is appropriate based on the recorded image data. The sensitivity can be adjusted as needed. Furthermore, if there is an image considered to have been taken due to a malfunction of the sensor, the malfunctioning sensor can be immediately identified and replaced or repaired immediately.

Furthermore, since the trigger type data 93 is embedded in the image data 97 with a trigger type in the form of a mark, it is difficult to tamper with it afterwards. Such image data with a trigger type 97 is useful as a criminal investigation material or the like. And evidence is high.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining a functional configuration for generating an alarm. Each of the control unit 11 of the camera unit 10 and the control unit 21 of the power supply unit 20 has a basic configuration as a microcomputer in terms of hardware, and each of them is realized by software by executing a program. The function processing unit is substantially included. As these function processing units, the control unit 11 of the camera unit 10 includes a communication interruption detection unit 11a and an alarm generation command generation unit 11b. In addition, the control unit 21 of the power supply unit 20 includes an alarm generation unit 21a and an alarm generation control unit 21b.

The monitoring system 1 generates an alarm when a communication link breakage is detected by the wireless tamper function or when the power supply line 81 is disconnected.
Since the camera unit 10 is installed in a place where the person 91 who has entered the monitoring target area 90 can be photographed, there is a high risk that the camera unit 10 can be found by the bandit, and accordingly, the camera unit 10 may be stolen or destroyed by the bandit. At this time, the wireless communication link between the camera unit 10 and the recording unit 30 is interrupted.

  Accordingly, the communication interruption detection unit 11a checks the communication link between the camera unit 10 and the recording unit 30 at regular intervals, thereby performing wireless communication between the camera side wireless transmission unit 19 and the recording unit side wireless transmission unit 39. Detecting disruption of In response to the detection of the wireless communication interruption, the communication interruption detection unit 11a notifies the alarm generation command generation unit 11b to that effect. Upon receiving the notification, the alarm generation command generation unit 11 b sends an alarm generation command to the alarm generation unit 21 a provided in the power supply unit 20 via the line 82. The alarm generation unit 21a that has received the alarm generation command can generate a warning sound by ringing the buzzer 25.

  For example, when the camera unit 10 is installed on the windshield 71 of the vehicle and the recording unit 30 is installed on the trunk 73 of the vehicle (see FIG. 1), the distance between the camera unit 10 and the recording unit 30 is substantially constant. It is kept. Thus, when the camera unit 10 and the recording unit 30 are installed in the vehicle 70, the wireless tamper function is preferably turned on. This is because when installed in the vehicle 70, a communication link between the camera unit 10 and the recording unit 30 can be sufficiently established except when the camera unit 10 is stolen or destroyed.

On the other hand, the recording unit 30 is not provided with an alarm device for generating an alarm such as the buzzer 25. Thereby, even if the camera unit 10 is stolen, the presence of the recording unit 30 is less likely to be perceived by the person 91, and therefore the recording unit 30 can be less likely to be found.
The situation where the power supply line 81 is to be disconnected is, for example, when a bandit finds the camera unit 10 and prevents the subsequent shooting from being performed, or when an alarm from the power supply unit 20 is stopped. When the power supply line 81 is disconnected as in these situations, the alarm generation unit 21a of the power supply unit 20 cannot receive the alarm generation command. Therefore, the camera unit 10 is provided with an alarm generation control unit 21b that operates the alarm generation unit 21a by cutting the power supply line 81.

The alarm generation control unit 21b can detect the disconnection of the power supply line 81 and operate the alarm generation unit 21a. Therefore, when the power supply line 81 is cut off and the camera unit 10 or the separate unit 20 is stolen, the alarm generation control unit 21b can operate the alarm generation unit 21a to issue an alarm.
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention can also be implemented with another form. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the trigger type image data 97 in which the trigger type data 93 and the image data 92 are integrated is generated. The trigger type data is a text associated with the image data. Data may be recorded in the memory unit 32. In this case, when outputting the image data to the monitor 41, in addition to outputting the image data, it is preferable to simultaneously display text data obtained in association with the image data.

  Further, for example, the camera unit 10 may be installed in the vehicle 70, and the recording unit 30 may be installed in a house adjacent to the garage. In this case, the wireless tamper function can be used by turning on the wireless tamper function when the vehicle 70 is in the garage and switching the wireless tamper function off when the vehicle 70 is removed from the garage. When the vehicle 70 is released from the garage when the wireless tamper function is in the ON state, an alarm sound is generated. Thereby, the theft of the vehicle 70 can be prevented.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the monitoring system 1 is used as a car security system has been described. For example, the camera unit 10 is installed in a garage and the recording unit 30 is installed in a house to monitor the garage. It can also be used as a system.
In addition, various design changes can be made within the scope of matters described in the claims.

1 is a schematic diagram when a car security system is constructed by mounting a monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention on a vehicle. FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of a monitoring system. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the electrical structure of a camera unit. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the electrical structure of a power supply unit. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the electrical structure of a recording unit. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the electrical structure of a remote controller. It is a figure showing the image data with a trigger type produced with this monitoring system. It is a block diagram showing the process in which the image data with a trigger type is produced | generated. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the functional structure for alert generation.

Explanation of symbols

1 monitoring system 10 camera unit 11a communication interruption detection unit (communication interruption detection means)
11b Alarm generation command generation unit (alarm generation command generation means)
12 Camera unit 19 Camera unit side wireless transmission unit 20 Power supply unit (separate unit)
21a Alarm generator (alarm generating means)
21b Alarm generation control unit 23 Power supply unit 25 Buzzer 30 Recording unit 32 Memory unit (image storage unit)
39 Recording unit side wireless transmission unit 80 External power supply unit 81 Feed line 90 Monitoring target area 97 Image data with trigger type

Claims (9)

A camera unit for taking an image of the monitored area and outputting image data;
An image recording unit for recording image data output by the camera unit;
A trigger input receiving unit for receiving input of multiple types of shooting triggers;
In response to the shooting trigger received by the trigger input receiving unit, the image recording unit is operated to record the image data output by the camera unit when the shooting trigger is input,
And a trigger type recording unit that records trigger type data representing a type of imaging trigger received by the trigger input receiving unit.   2. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the trigger type recording unit records the trigger type data in association with image data recorded in the image recording unit under the control of the image recording control unit. . The trigger type recording means includes
In response to acceptance of a photographing trigger input by the trigger input acceptance unit, an image in which trigger type data representing the type of the photographing trigger is embedded in image data output from the camera unit and image data with a trigger type is synthesized. Including synthesis means,
The monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein the image recording control unit causes the image recording unit to record image data with a trigger type synthesized by the image synthesizing unit. The camera unit and the camera unit are configured separately from each other, and include a recording unit that performs wireless communication with the camera unit.
The camera unit includes the camera unit and a camera-side wireless transmission unit,
4. The recording unit includes: the image recording unit; the image recording control unit; and a recording unit side wireless transmission unit that receives the image data from the camera side wireless transmission unit. A monitoring system according to any one of the above. Communication interruption detection means for detecting interruption of wireless communication between the camera side wireless transmission unit and the recording unit side wireless transmission unit,
In response to the detection of the wireless communication interruption detected by the communication interruption detection means, an alarm generation command generation means for generating an alarm generation command;
5. The monitoring system according to claim 4, further comprising: an alarm generation unit that generates an alarm in response to an alarm generation command generated by the alarm generation command generation unit. The communication interruption detection means and the alarm generation command generation means are provided in the camera unit,
The monitoring system according to claim 5, wherein the alarm generation unit is provided in a separate unit configured separately from the camera unit. The separate unit is:
A power supply for supplying power to the camera unit via a power supply line;
The monitoring system according to claim 6, further comprising an alarm generation control unit that activates the alarm generation unit in response to disconnection of the power supply line. A camera unit for taking an image of the monitored area and outputting image data;
A trigger input receiving unit for receiving input of multiple types of shooting triggers;
In response to a shooting trigger received by the trigger input receiving unit, shooting control means for operating the camera unit to perform a shooting operation;
A monitoring system camera unit, comprising: trigger type data generating means for generating trigger type data representing a type of photographing trigger received by the trigger input receiving unit. An image recording unit that records image data generated by a camera unit that captures an image of the monitoring target area;
A monitoring system recording unit, comprising: trigger type recording means for recording trigger type data representing a type of shooting trigger triggered by shooting by the camera unit.

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