JP2007074134A - Video switching controller and video switching control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video switching controller and a video switching control method that can control a video recording device which records a video signal of a desired imaging device without being aware of correspondence relation between the imaging device and video recording device. <P>SOLUTION: A video monitor system is constituted of a plurality of cameras 4a1 to 4x16, recorders 5a to 5x, a matrix switcher 1, a controller 2, and a monitor 3. While a picture of the camera 4a1 is recorded by the recorder 5a and displayed on the monitor 3, an operator performs a reproducing operation by using the controller 2. In response to the reproducing operation, a control part 1b performs retrieval from a camera-recorder correspondence table stored in a storage part 1c to find the recorder 5a to which the camera 4a1 is connected. Then, reproduction control over the recorder 5a is performed and its reproduced picture is displayed on the monitor 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image switching control device and a video switching control method that can be connected to an imaging device, a video recording device, and a display device.

  Conventionally, in a large-scale monitoring system, a matrix switcher is provided as a video switching control device. This matrix switcher is a device that can switch input video from an external signal in a complicated manner (automatic wiring). Usually, a plurality of imaging devices (cameras) are connected to the matrix switcher. When it is desired to keep the video monitored by the camera as the recorded video, the video output of the camera input to the matrix switcher can be recorded with time, such as a time-lapse VTR or a normal video recording device (recorder). The data is input to the recording / reproducing apparatus and recording processing is performed.

  When the recorded video is reproduced and confirmed, the recording / reproducing apparatus is directly connected to a display device (monitor), and the recorded video is reproduced by operating the recording / reproducing apparatus and displayed on the monitor. Alternatively, when the matrix switcher has a playback video input terminal, the playback video is displayed on a monitor connected to the matrix switcher by inputting the video from the recording / playback apparatus to the terminal (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

Further, when one input device is selected and automatically switched from a plurality of video input devices, the automatic video for determining the presence or absence of a signal supplied from the input device and selecting the input device from which the signal is detected A multiplexer is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP-A-11-331822 JP 2001-84126 A

  However, in the above-described video switching control device, for example, when a recorded video of a specific camera is to be reproduced and confirmed on a monitor, the video switching is recorded on which recorder the video of the camera is recorded. The user who performs the reproduction operation using the control device needs to know in advance. That is, the user needs to know the correspondence between the camera and the recorder.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional circumstances, and can control a video recording apparatus that records a video signal of a desired imaging apparatus without being aware of the correspondence between the imaging apparatus and the video recording apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a video switching control device and a video switching control method.

  A first aspect of the present invention is a video switching control device that can be connected to an imaging device, a video recording device, and a display device, and stores a correspondence relationship between the imaging device and a video recording device that records a video of the imaging device. When the storage unit and the operation input for controlling the video recording apparatus are received, the correspondence stored in the storage unit is referred to the imaging apparatus that is the input source of the video signal output to the display unit Search means for searching for a corresponding video recording device; and control means for outputting a control signal corresponding to the operation input to the video recording device searched by the search means as a result of search by the search means. An image switching control device is provided.

  With this configuration, the user captures the video while viewing the video displayed on the display device without being conscious of which video recording device records the captured video of the desired imaging device. It is possible to give a control instruction to the video recording apparatus that records the video of the imaging apparatus to be confirmed.

  Secondly, the present invention provides the video switching control apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein when a reproduction instruction is input as the operation input, the control means includes the video recording apparatus searched by the search means. A control signal for instructing reproduction is output, and a video signal input from the searched video recording device is output to the display device.

  With this configuration, since the signal from the video recording device is switched to be output to the display device, the playback video can be viewed on the display device simply by giving a playback instruction.

  Thirdly, in the video switching control device according to the first or second aspect, when a recording instruction is input as the operation input, the control unit is configured to display the video searched by the search unit. A control signal for instructing recording is output to the recording apparatus.

  With this configuration, the user captures the video while viewing the video displayed on the display device without being conscious of which video recording device records the captured video of the desired imaging device. A video recording instruction can be given to a video recording apparatus that records video of the imaging apparatus.

  Fourthly, the present invention provides the video switching control device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the imaging device is an input source of a video signal output to the display device as the operation input. When the video recording search instruction is input, the control means outputs a control signal for searching and a control signal for displaying the recording information to the video recording apparatus searched by the search means. Output.

  With this configuration, the user can issue a record search instruction to the imaging device that captures the video displayed on the display device.

  Fifth, the present invention is the video switching control device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the storage unit stores the correspondence set by the operation input.

  With this configuration, a user can arbitrarily register a combination of a camera and a recorder.

  Sixthly, the present invention provides a video switching control method of a video switching control device connectable to an imaging device, a video recording device, and a display device, which is stored in advance when an operation input for controlling the video recording device is received. The video recording corresponding to the imaging device that is the input source of the video signal output to the display device with reference to the correspondence relationship between the imaging device and the video recording device that records the video of the imaging device stored in the means There is provided a video switching control method comprising: searching for a device; and outputting a control signal corresponding to the operation input to the video recording device searched by the search step as a result of the search by the search step It is what is done.

  This method allows the user to capture the video while viewing the video displayed on the display device without being conscious of which video recording device records the captured video of the desired imaging device. It is possible to give a control instruction to the video recording apparatus that records the video of the imaging apparatus to be confirmed.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a video switching control device and a video switching control method capable of controlling a video recording device that records a video signal of a desired imaging device without being aware of the correspondence between the imaging device and the video recording device. Can be provided.

  A video switching control device, a video switching control method, and a video monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The video switching control device of this embodiment is applied to a matrix switcher that switches connection between a monitor that is a video output device and a camera or recorder that is a video input device.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video surveillance system equipped with a matrix switcher according to an embodiment of the present invention. This video monitoring system includes a matrix switcher 1 that switches video input, a controller 2 that gives operational instructions to the matrix switcher 1, a monitor 3 that displays video, a plurality of cameras 4a1 to 4x16 that output captured video, and It has recorders 5a to 5x that record images taken by cameras 4a1 to 4x16. Here, a total of 16 cameras 4a1, 4a2,..., 4a16 are connected to the recorder 5a. Similarly, a total of 16 cameras 4b1, 4b2,..., 4b16 are connected to the recorder 5b, and cameras 4x1, 4x2,..., 4x16 are connected to the recorder 5x (x is an arbitrary number). A total of 16 cameras are connected.

  The matrix switcher 1 includes a cross-point unit 1a that switches images input from a plurality of cameras 4a1 to 4x16 and recorders 5a to 5x, a control unit 1b that controls operations of the camera and the recorder, and changes settings of the monitor 3. A storage unit 1c is provided. The matrix switcher 1 has, for example, a box-shaped housing, and a plurality of video input terminals to which signal cables from a plurality of cameras and recorders are connected are provided on the back panel. Specifically, each video output terminal of the cameras 4a1 to 4a16 is connected to each video input terminal of the recorder 5a via a signal cable, and each video output terminal of the cameras 4b1 to 4b16 is connected to the recorder 5b via a signal cable. Each video output terminal of the cameras 4x1 to 4x16 is connected to each video input terminal of the recorder 5x via a signal cable.

  The cross point unit 1a operates as an example of a control unit, and includes a changeover switch for selecting a video input destination from a plurality of cameras and recorders, and a video from the camera or recorder that is the selected input destination. Is output to the monitor 3. The control unit 1b operates as an example of a search unit and a control unit, and includes a well-known CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. The CPU executes a later-described control program stored in the ROM. As will be described later, the storage unit 1c stores a camera / recorder correspondence table indicating a correspondence relationship between a camera and a recorder that records the video.

  When the control unit 1b receives an operation input for controlling the recorder from the controller 2, the control unit 1b refers to the correspondence stored in the storage unit 1c, and corresponds to the camera serving as the input source of the video signal output to the monitor. And a control signal corresponding to the operation input is output to the recorder searched by the search means by switching the cross point portion 1a.

  The controller 2 has a lever 2a and an operation key 2b, and changes the setting of the matrix switcher 1 or gives an operation instruction for controlling a camera or a recorder connected to the matrix switcher 1. Specifically, it is possible to instruct an imaging operation by a camera and a reproduction operation by a recorder. In addition, a camera / recorder correspondence table to be described later can be set. The monitor 3 displays an image from a camera or a recorder that is output via the cross point 1a.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the video monitoring system in the embodiment of the present invention. The operator 10 operates the “playback” key with the operation key 2 b of the controller 2 when instructing the playback of the recorder 5 a while the video of the camera 4 a 1 is being monitored by the monitor 3. In response to this reproduction operation, the matrix switcher 1 switches the input destination of the video output to the monitor 3 from the camera 4a1 to the recorder 5a. That is, the recorder 5a is controlled to reproduce the video of the camera 4a1 recorded on the recorder 5a. Thereafter, the video displayed on the monitor 3 is switched from the video of the camera 4a1 to the video recorded by the recorder 5a. When an instruction to return to the video image of the camera 4a1 is given again, the “imaging” key is operated with the operation key 2b of the controller 2.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a video switching processing procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention. This processing program is stored in a ROM (not shown) in the control unit 1b of the matrix switcher 1, and is also executed by a CPU (not shown) in the control unit 1b.

  The operator knows the current connection status of the camera and recorder in advance. Then, the controller 2 is operated to display the camera / recorder correspondence table (see FIG. 4) stored in the storage unit 1 c on the screen of the monitor 3. While the camera / recorder correspondence table is displayed on the screen of the monitor 3, the operator presses the various operation keys 2b arranged on the front panel of the controller 2 to set the camera / recorder correspondence table in advance. It is registered in the storage unit 1c. Details of the camera / recorder correspondence table will be described later.

  When setting the camera / recorder correspondence table, instead of using various operation keys arranged on the front panel of the controller, the table may be set by keyboard input using a personal computer or the like that can be connected to the matrix switcher 1. Alternatively, a camera / recorder correspondence table may be created in advance in a storage medium such as a memory card, and this storage medium may be inserted into a matrix switcher and read.

  As described above, in a state where the camera / recorder correspondence table is registered, first, an operation of outputting a video of a specific camera to the monitor 3 is performed (step S1). At this time, the number of the camera from which video output is performed is temporarily held in a RAM (not shown) in the control unit 1b. Here, the case where the video of the camera 4a1 is output as a specific camera is shown, but it is needless to say that the video of an arbitrary camera may be used. Then, it is determined whether or not a reproduction operation (operation of a “reproduction” key) by the controller 2 has been performed (step S2). When the reproduction operation is not performed, this process is ended, and the video output of the camera 4a1 to the monitor 3 is continued.

  On the other hand, when a playback operation is performed by the controller 2, the camera / recorder correspondence table stored in the storage unit 1c is searched (step S3), and whether or not the recorder 5a in which the video of the camera 4a1 is recorded is found. Is discriminated (step S4). If no corresponding recorder is found, the reproduction operation by the controller 2 is ignored and this process is terminated. At this time, the operator may be notified that there is no corresponding recorder by an alarm or display.

  On the other hand, when a corresponding recorder is found, the recorder 5a is controlled to reproduce the recorded video of the camera 4a1 (step S5). In this playback control, an instruction signal for causing the recorder 5a to start playback is output from the control unit 1b. Then, when playback of the recorder 5a is started, switching control of the cross point portion 1a is performed, and the video signal output to the monitor 3 is switched to the video signal output from the recorder 5a. The video from the camera 4a1 is switched to the video recorded by the recorder 5a (step S6). Thereby, the operator 10 can confirm the reproduced video of the camera 4a1. At this time, the video recording of the camera 4a1 in the recorder 5a is continued as it is. Then, this process is complete | finished.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a correspondence table between cameras and recorders according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this camera / recorder correspondence table, recorder numbers are listed in the vertical direction, and numbers of cameras outputting video to the recorder are listed in the horizontal direction. Specifically, the cameras 4a1, 4a2,..., 4a16 are recorded on the recorder 5a, the cameras 4b1, 4b2,..., 4b16 are recorded on the recorder 5b, and the cameras 4x1, 4x2,. ... 4x16 is set to be recorded. In this embodiment, 16 cameras are connected per recorder, but the number of cameras connected may be arbitrary according to the specifications of the recorder and matrix switcher. Further, x recorders are connected, and an arbitrary number of recorders can be connected according to the specifications of the matrix switcher.

  In the above video switching process, the case where the playback operation of the recorder is performed while the operator is monitoring the video of the camera on the monitor 3 is shown. However, the controller performs the recording operation or the record of the camera being monitored. A (record) search operation may be input. In this case, the control unit 1b outputs a control signal for starting recording or a control signal for searching to the recorder of the camera displayed on the monitor 3.

  According to the video switching control device and the video switching control method according to the embodiment of the present invention, the user can display without being conscious of which video recording device records the captured video of the desired imaging device. In a state where the video displayed on the apparatus is being browsed, a control instruction can be given to the video recording apparatus that records the video of the imaging apparatus that captures the video.

  As the camera / recorder correspondence table, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the number of each recorder is set in the vertical direction (row direction), and the number of the plurality of cameras connected to each recorder is set. Although the table set in the horizontal direction (column direction) was created, it is also possible to create a table in which the camera number is set in the row direction and the recorder number connected to each camera is set in the column direction. . In the above embodiment, the search can be performed using any table.

  In the above embodiment, a case where one monitor is connected to the matrix switcher has been shown. However, a plurality of monitors may be connected. In this case, the cross-point portion includes a plurality of cameras that are input destinations, A combination of a recorder and a plurality of monitors as output destinations is selected. For example, when a monitor is connected for each recorder, video can be monitored for each recorder. Further, the monitor may have a multi-screen, and a different video may be displayed on each divided screen. Moreover, although the case where a plurality of cameras were connected to one recorder was shown in the above embodiment, a plurality of recorders may be connected to one camera.

  The present invention has an effect capable of controlling a video recording device that records a video signal of a desired imaging device without being aware of the correspondence between the imaging device and the video recording device. Useful for control methods.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the video surveillance system by which the matrix switcher which concerns on embodiment of this invention is mounted. Explanatory drawing of the video surveillance system in embodiment of this invention The flowchart which shows the video switch processing procedure which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the correspondence table of the camera and recorder in embodiment of this invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Matrix switcher 1a Crosspoint part 1b Control part 1c Memory | storage part 2 Controller 3 Monitor 4a1, 4a2, 4a16, 4b1, 4b2, 4b16, 4x1, 4x2, 4x16 Camera 5a, 5b, 5x Recorder

Claims (6)

A video switching control device connectable to an imaging device, a video recording device, and a display device,
Storage means for storing a correspondence relationship between the imaging device and a video recording device that records video of the imaging device;
When an operation input for controlling the video recording device is received, the video recording device corresponding to the imaging device serving as an input source of the video signal output to the display device with reference to the correspondence stored in the storage unit A search means for searching for,
A video switching control device comprising: control means for outputting a control signal corresponding to the operation input to the video recording device searched by the search means as a result of search by the search means. The video switching control device according to claim 1,
When a playback instruction is input as the operation input, the control means outputs a control signal instructing playback to the video recording apparatus searched by the search means, and is input from the searched video recording apparatus. A video switching control device that outputs a video signal to the display device. The video switching control device according to claim 1 or 2,
When a recording instruction is input as the operation input, the control means outputs a control signal instructing recording to the video recording apparatus searched by the search means. The video switching control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the search input for recording the video of the imaging device that is the input source of the video signal output to the display device is input as the operation input, the control means is the video recording device searched by the search means On the other hand, a video switching control device that outputs a control signal for searching and a control signal for displaying recorded information thereof. The video switching control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The storage means is a video switching control device that stores a correspondence set by an operation input. A video switching control method of a video switching control device connectable to an imaging device, a video recording device, and a display device,
When an operation input for controlling the video recording device is received, the correspondence relationship between the imaging device and the video recording device that records the video of the imaging device stored in advance in the storage unit is referred to and output to the display device. Searching for a video recording device corresponding to the imaging device that is the input source of the video signal being input;
And a step of outputting a control signal corresponding to the operation input to the video recording apparatus searched by the search step as a result of the search by the search step.

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