JP2007151063A - Video monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video monitoring system improved in scalability in apparatus configuration of a camera or the like. <P>SOLUTION: A database 121 registers camera information, monitor information, camera operating terminal information, camera selection right information registering cameras 103 for which camera operating terminals 113 have camera selection rights, and monitor selection right information registering monitors 111 for which the camera operating terminals 113 have monitor selection rights. A video switching control device 107 refers to information in the database 121 in response to an input from each camera operating terminal 113 and outputs a video image of a camera 103 for which the camera operating terminal 113 has the camera selection right, from a monitor 111 for which the camera operating terminal 113 has the monitor selection right. A maintenance device 123 registers in the database 121 changes including addition and deletion of the cameras 103, the monitors 111 and the camera operating terminals 113 and changes of the camera selection right and the monitor selection right of the camera operating terminals 113. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a video surveillance system that improves the expandability of device configurations such as cameras and monitors.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a video monitoring system in which a camera is installed at a monitoring location, a monitor is installed at a location away from the camera, and camera video is output from the monitor. In a relatively large system, cameras and monitors are arranged at a plurality of locations, and the monitor to which the video of each camera is distributed can be switched (see Patent Document 1).

  For example, in a video surveillance system used in a facility such as a large event venue, cameras are installed in various places, monitors are also installed in various places, and a plurality of camera operation terminals are provided in a plurality of places such as a monitoring room. The video of the camera is collected in the video switching control device and distributed from the video switching control device to the monitor. At this time, the video switching control device switches the camera video output destination monitor according to the camera video switching instruction input from the camera operation terminal. When a camera control instruction such as panning and tilting rotation is input from the camera operation terminal, the control instruction is sent to the target camera.

In such a video monitoring system, it is required to smoothly switch video between a plurality of cameras and a plurality of monitors according to operations of a plurality of camera operation terminals. Furthermore, it may be required to limit selectable cameras and selectable monitors for each camera operation terminal. Further, it may be required to limit cameras that can control panning, tilting, and the like for each camera operation terminal. Conventionally, such a request for the video monitoring system is realized by a control program, and the control program performs the video switching operation and the camera control operation in response to various operations of each camera operation terminal. In particular, the operation required for the video surveillance system is realized.
JP 2000-50243 (5th page, FIG. 1)

  However, the conventional video surveillance system has a problem of low expandability as described below. For example, a change in device configuration such as addition of a camera or addition of a camera operation terminal may occur due to a user request, expansion of a monitoring area, change of an operation rule, or the like. Conventionally, when a device configuration change occurs, a control program change occurs and a software change occurs. This software modification requires work in a development environment rather than on-site, and it takes a lot of time and effort to modify and evaluate the software. In addition, the scalability of the system is limited to the internal structure of the software, which limits the limit of extensibility. In particular, unlike systems that are completely fixed, video surveillance systems such as large-scale event venues have strong demands for flexible device configuration changes, and immediate remodeling on site is desired. The monitoring system has been difficult to meet such a demand for extensibility.

  Conventionally, when each camera is controlled from a plurality of camera operation terminals, all the camera operation terminals can control a plurality of control items such as turning (pan / tilt), zoom, and focus. Controllable items cannot be easily changed on the system side for each terminal. Therefore, when there is a request for differentiating the control items according to the usage of the camera operation terminal, such a request cannot be satisfied, and the control items of all the camera operation terminals become the same. Can cause undesirable camera movement.

  In addition, when introducing a large-scale video surveillance system, the introduction cost becomes enormous, so it is conceivable that a plurality of operators (for example, a security company and a building company) jointly introduce the system. Further, even when the video surveillance system is expanded, it is possible that devices of a plurality of companies constitute one video surveillance system. In such a case, one operator uses the equipment of another operator, such as displaying the camera image of another operator from his monitor, or controlling the camera of another operator. It becomes possible. However, when devices of other business operators are used, it may be necessary to manage the usage time or charge according to the usage time. However, the conventional system cannot easily meet such a demand.

  The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a video surveillance system in which the expandability of device configurations such as a camera and a monitor is improved. It is another object of the present invention to provide a video surveillance system in which controllable items for the same camera can be changed for each camera operation terminal. It is another object of the present invention to provide a video monitoring system that can suitably perform device usage time management processing and billing processing according to device usage time of the video monitoring system.

  The video monitoring system of the present invention outputs a plurality of cameras, a plurality of monitors, a plurality of camera operation terminals, and a plurality of monitors in response to a request for switching camera images input from the plurality of camera operation terminals. A video switching control device for switching a camera video, wherein the camera information registers at least identification information of the plurality of cameras, the monitor information registers at least identification information of the plurality of monitors, Camera operation terminal information in which at least identification information of a plurality of camera operation terminals is registered, camera selection right information in which each of the plurality of camera operation terminals has a camera selection right, and each of the plurality of camera operation terminals A database for storing monitor selection right information in which a monitor having a monitor selection right is registered, and the video switching The control device refers to the information in the database in accordance with an input from each of the plurality of camera operation terminals, and the camera operation terminal has a monitor selection right for a camera image for which the camera operation terminal has a camera selection right. A maintenance device that outputs from the monitor and registers in the database changes including addition and deletion of the camera, the monitor, and the camera operation terminal, and changes in camera selection rights and monitor selection rights of the camera operation terminals; ing.

  With this configuration, device configurations such as a camera, a monitor, and a camera operation terminal, and information necessary for video switching control such as a camera selection right and a monitor selection right for each camera operation terminal are registered in the database. When changing the device configuration, if the change of the device configuration and the change of the selection right associated therewith are registered in the database by the maintenance device, the video switching control device refers to the information in the database after the change so that the device configuration can be changed. The switching control corresponding to the change is executed. Thus, by providing the database in which the device configuration is registered, it is possible to easily change the device configuration even at the site, thus improving the expandability.

  In the video monitoring system of the present invention, the database further stores camera control right information in which each of the plurality of camera operation terminals has registered a camera having a camera control right, and the video switching control device includes: , Referring to information in the database in response to an input of a camera control request from each of the plurality of camera operation terminals, the camera operation terminal controls a camera having a camera control right, the maintenance device includes the camera, Changes in the camera control right including changes due to addition and deletion of the monitor and the camera operation terminal are registered in the database. With this configuration, the camera control authority of each camera operation terminal is registered in the database and is changed by the maintenance device. Therefore, it is possible to easily change the system operation such as which camera pan / tilt operation can be controlled by each camera operation terminal.

  In the video monitoring system of the present invention, the database further stores camera priority information in which priority of control by the plurality of camera operation terminals for each of the plurality of cameras is registered, and the video switching The control device refers to information in the database when a control request for the same camera is input from a plurality of camera operation terminals, controls the camera according to an input from a camera operation terminal having a high priority, and the maintenance device Is configured to register the change of the camera priority order including the change accompanying the addition and deletion of the camera, the monitor and the camera operation terminal in the database. With this configuration, the priority of control by each camera operation terminal is registered in the database and is changed by the maintenance device. Therefore, it is possible to easily change the system operation such as which camera operation terminal is given priority to the control operation.

  In the video monitoring system of the present invention, the database further includes video recording device information in which at least identification information of a plurality of video recording devices is registered, and a video in which each of the plurality of camera operation terminals has a recording device control right. Recording device control right information registered recording device, the video switching control device refers to the information of the database according to the input of video recording request from each of the plurality of camera operation terminals, The camera operation terminal records a video on a video recording device having video recording control right, and the maintenance device includes a change including addition and deletion of the video recording device, the camera, the monitor, the camera operation terminal, and the The video recording control right change including the change accompanying the addition and deletion of the video recording device is registered in the database. It has been. With this configuration, the video recording device and the selection right are registered in the database and are changed by the maintenance device. Therefore, the device configuration relating to the video recording apparatus can be easily changed, and the expandability is further improved.

  In the video surveillance system of the present invention, the database further registers external system information in which at least identification information of the external system is registered, and a camera and a monitor that are to be interlocked with an input of a video switching request from the external system. Interlocking control information is stored, and the video switching control device refers to the information in the database in response to an input of a video switching request from the external system, and displays the video of the camera registered in the interlocking control information. Output from the monitor registered in the interlock control information, and the maintenance device is accompanied by a change including addition and deletion of the external system, and addition and deletion of the camera, the monitor, the camera operation terminal, and the external system The linkage control information change including the change is configured to be registered in the database. That. With this configuration, information on the external system and the interlock control is registered in the database and is changed by the maintenance device. Therefore, changes related to the external system can be easily realized, and the expandability is further improved.

  In the video monitoring system of the present invention, the database further stores camera control item information in which control items permitted to be controlled by each of the plurality of camera operation terminals for each of the plurality of cameras are registered. The video switching control device refers to the database in response to an input of a control item for each of the plurality of cameras from each of the plurality of camera operation terminals, and controls the corresponding control item for the camera operation terminal. The camera is controlled according to permission or rejection, and the maintenance device is configured to register the change of the camera control item information including the change including addition and deletion of the camera and the camera operation terminal in the database. The control items are, for example, turning (pan / tilt), wiper, zoom, iris, and the like. With this configuration, the controllable items for the same camera can be changed for each camera operation terminal. Since the camera control item information is registered in the database and changed by the maintenance device, the system operation regarding the control items for each camera operation terminal and each camera can be easily changed.

  In the video monitoring system of the present invention, the database further includes a monitor that has output images, a camera that has captured the output camera video, an output start time, and an output end as history information of the monitor output. The monitor output state information including information on the time and the camera operation terminal on which the switching control operation was performed is stored, and the video switching control device performs the video switching control according to the input from each of the plurality of camera operating terminals. When done, the monitor output status information is recorded in the database.

  With this configuration, it is possible to manage the statistical information of the monitor output history such as which camera image is output from which monitor for how long by an instruction from which camera operation terminal. Utilizing the configuration of the database and the video switching device described above, the video switching control device records the history information in the database when using the database in response to an instruction from the camera operation terminal. Can manage.

  Further, in the video monitoring system of the present invention, the database stores monitor output charging reference information in which a charge per output unit time for each combination of each monitor and each camera is registered, and the video switching control device Calculates the cost according to the output time in the combination of the monitor and the camera as the charging information based on the monitor output state information and the monitor output charging reference information.

  With this configuration, it is possible to charge according to the monitor output time by using the monitor output history information and the above-mentioned charging reference information. By registering the reference fee according to the combination of the camera and the monitor using the above-mentioned database, the fee reference can be set flexibly according to the combination of the devices, and thereby the charging process can be suitably performed. Furthermore, by registering the reference fee in the database from the above maintenance device, it is possible to suitably cope with system expansion such as camera expansion.

  In the video surveillance system of the present invention, the database further includes, as camera control history information, a controlled camera, a time when the control right of the camera is acquired, a time when the control right is released, and camera control. Stores camera control state information including information of the camera operation terminal on which the operation has been performed, and the video switching control device performs the camera control state when performing camera control in accordance with an input from each of the plurality of camera operation terminals. Information is recorded in the database.

  With this configuration, it is possible to manage statistical information of the camera control history such as which camera operation terminal has controlled which camera for which time. Utilizing the configuration of the database and the video switching device described above, the video switching control device records the history information in the database when using the database in response to an instruction from the camera operation terminal. Can manage.

  In the video monitoring system of the present invention, the database stores camera control charging reference information in which a charge per unit time of camera control for each combination of each camera and each camera operation terminal is registered, and the video switching control Based on the camera control status information and the camera control charging reference information, the apparatus calculates the cost according to the control time in the combination of the camera and the camera operation terminal as the charging information.

  With this configuration, it is possible to charge according to the camera control time by using the camera control history information and the above charging reference information. By registering the reference fee according to the combination of the camera and the camera operation terminal using the above-mentioned database, it is possible to flexibly set the fee reference according to the combination of the devices, and thereby the charging process can be suitably performed. Furthermore, by registering the reference fee in the database from the above maintenance device, it is possible to suitably cope with system expansion such as camera expansion.

  In the video monitoring system of the present invention, the database further releases the control right as the control information of the video recording device, the time when the control right of the video recording device is acquired as the history information of the video recording device control. Stores video recording device control state information including information on the time and the camera operating terminal on which the video recording device control operation has been performed, and the video switching control device stores video according to inputs from each of the plurality of camera operating terminals. When the recording device control is performed, the video recording device control state information is recorded in the database.

  With this configuration, it is possible to manage the statistical information of the control history of the video recording device such as which camera operation terminal has controlled which video recording device for how long. Utilizing the configuration of the database and the video switching device described above, the video switching control device records the history information in the database when using the database in response to an instruction from the camera operation terminal. Can manage.

  In the video monitoring system of the present invention, the database stores video recording device control charging reference information in which a charge per unit time of video recording device control for each combination of each video recording device and each camera operation terminal is registered. The video switching control device calculates, as charging information, a cost corresponding to a control time in a combination of the video recording device and the camera operation terminal based on the video recording device control state information and the video recording device control charging reference information. To do.

  With this configuration, it is possible to charge according to the control time of the video recording apparatus by using the history information of video recording apparatus control and the above charging reference information. By registering the standard fee according to the combination of the video recording device and the camera operation terminal using the above-mentioned database, it is possible to flexibly set the fee standard according to the combination of these devices, thereby making the billing process suitable. . Furthermore, it is possible to suitably cope with system expansion by registering the reference fee in the database from the above maintenance device.

  The present invention includes a database in which the device configuration is registered and its maintenance device, and the video switching control device operates with reference to the database. Therefore, the device configuration can be easily changed on site and the expandability can be improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, items that can be controlled for each camera operation terminal and each camera are registered in the database, and the camera is controlled according to this registration. Therefore, the controllable items for each camera are changed for each camera operation terminal. be able to.

  In addition, the present invention provides a video monitoring system that has the effect of favorably performing time management processing such as monitor output and camera control and billing processing by utilizing the configuration of the database and the video switching control device described above. it can.

  Hereinafter, a video surveillance system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the video surveillance system is provided in a facility such as an event venue, but the present invention is not limited to this.

“First Embodiment”
A video surveillance system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, a video monitoring system 101 includes a plurality of cameras 103, an encoder 105 that aggregates analog video signals output from the plurality of cameras 103 and converts them into digital video signals, video information aggregation, distribution, and camera operation. A video switching control device 107 having a function of coordinating information transmission to the terminal, a decoder 109 for converting a digital video signal into an analog video signal, a monitor 111 for outputting video distributed from the decoder 109, camera control and monitor output A camera operation terminal 113 having a function of accepting an operation for switching image video and a plurality of HDRs 115 for recording camera video are provided. The video monitoring system 101 further includes a database 121 that holds information necessary for video switching control and a maintenance device 123 that rewrites information registered in the database 121 as a characteristic configuration of the present embodiment. .

  In the video monitoring system 101 described above, each camera 103 is installed in each place in the facility. The camera 103 includes a turning camera and a fixed camera, and an appropriate camera is installed depending on the location. In FIG. 1, three cameras 103 and one encoder 105 are shown. However, actually, more cameras 103 and encoders 105 may be provided.

  Monitors 111 are also installed at various locations in the facility. In FIG. 1, three monitors 111 and one decoder 109 are shown. However, in practice, more monitors 111 and decoders 109 may be provided.

  The camera operation terminal 113 is installed in a monitoring room or the like in the facility. The camera operation terminal 113 is connected to the video switching control device 107 via a network such as a LAN, and communicates a video switching instruction via the network. The camera operation terminal 113 is connected to the decoder 109 via a video cable. The camera video is also supplied from the decoder 109 to the camera operation terminal 113 and displayed on the display of the terminal.

  Note that the camera 103, the monitor 111, and the camera operation terminal 113 may be provided outside the facility.

  In the above configuration, each camera 103 sends an analog video signal to the encoder 105, and the encoder 105 converts the analog video signal into a digital video signal such as MPEG2. The digital video signal is input from the encoder 105 to the video switching control device 107, sent from the video switching control device 107 to the decoder 109, converted into an analog video signal by the decoder 109, sent from the decoder 109 to the monitor 111, and the monitor 111. Video is output at. The video signal is also sent from the decoder 109 to the camera operation terminal 113.

  When a camera video switching request is input to the camera operation terminal 113, this switching request is input from the camera operation terminal 113 to the video switching control device 107, and the video switching control device 107 receives an input from the camera operation terminal 113. Accordingly, the output destination monitor 111 of the video from the camera 103 is switched.

  When a camera control request is input to the camera operation terminal 113, the camera control request is input to the camera switching control device 107, and the camera switching control device 107 changes the camera 103 according to the input from the camera operation terminal 113. Control. For example, when a pan / tilt motion request for a turning camera is input, an operation command is sent to the target camera 103 via the encoder 105, and the camera 103 operates according to the received command.

  An HDR (Hard Disk Recorder) 115 is a form of a video recording device, and records the camera video supplied from the encoder 105. A video recording request is also input from the camera operation terminal 113 to the video switching control device 107. In accordance with this video recording request, the camera video to be recorded is recorded in the HDR 115.

  An external system 117 is connected to the video switching control device 107. When a predetermined video switching request signal is input from the external system 117, the video recording control device 107 outputs a video of a predetermined camera 103 from a predetermined monitor 111. The external system 117 is a security system, for example. And if abnormality of a specific location is detected by a crime prevention system, the camera image | video of an abnormal location will be displayed in a security room etc. In addition, a sensor signal may be received from the monitoring sensor or the like by the video switching control device 107, and a predetermined video switching may be performed in accordance with the sensor signal.

  Next, the database 121 is a characteristic configuration of the present embodiment, and the database 121 holds information necessary for video switching control. The video switching control device 107 refers to the information in the database 121 and performs the above-described camera video switching and other control operations. In the video monitoring system 101, the selectable cameras 103 and the monitors 107 are limited or the controllable cameras 103 are limited for each camera operation terminal 113. Such a restriction is also realized using the database 121. Information in the database 121 can be rewritten by the maintenance device 123.

  In FIG. 1, the database 121 is shown separately from the video switching device 107. However, in an actual hardware configuration, the database 121 may be mounted on the video switching device 107. The video switching device 107 may be composed of a server computer.

  In addition, the maintenance device 123 (terminal) is a computer different from the video switching device 107 in the present embodiment. The maintenance device 123 may be detachable from the video switching device 107. In addition, the function of the maintenance device 123 may be incorporated in the video switching device 107 and integrated. In this case, the information in the database 121 is rewritten using the input / output device of the video switching device 107.

  Hereinafter, various types of data registered in the database 121 will be described, and then operations such as video switching using the database 121 will be described, and further, maintenance of data in the database 121 will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the database 121 includes camera information, monitor information, camera operation terminal information, camera selection right information, camera control right information, monitor selection right information, camera priority information, camera control status information, HDR information, HDR. Control right information, external system information, interlock control information, encoder information, and decoder information are stored. The contents of each information are as follows.

  FIG. 3 shows camera information registered in the database 121. The database 121 stores camera names (identification information), camera models, command systems, camera functions (pan / tilt, iris, zoom, wiper, washer, illumination, preset, etc.) for all cameras 103 existing in the system. (Auto Pan, Auto Focus, Auto Iris) information is stored in table format. The video monitoring system 101 controls the camera 103 based on this camera information.

  FIG. 4 shows monitor information registered in the database 121. The database 121 holds monitor names (identification information) and type information in a table format for all monitors 111 existing on the system.

  FIG. 5 shows camera operation terminal information registered in the database 121. In this system, control of the camera 103, video switching, and control of interlocking information from an external system (for example, interlock termination instruction) are performed from a computer or a control device (for example, a joystick) connected thereto. Such a device is referred to as a camera operation terminal 113. The database 121 holds terminal name (identification information) and IP address information in a table format for all camera operation terminals 113 existing in the system.

  FIG. 6A shows camera selection right information registered in the database 121. The camera selection right information is a table in which each of the plurality of camera operation terminals 113 registers the camera 103 having the camera selection right based on the camera information and the camera operation terminal information. In this table, a camera selection right is set for each camera 103 for each camera operation terminal 113.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the camera operation terminal 113 can display the video of the camera 103 having the selection right on the monitor 111. However, for the camera 103 for which the camera operation terminal 113 does not have the selection right, the camera operation terminal 113 cannot display the video of the camera 103 on the monitor 111.

  FIG. 7A shows camera control right information registered in the database 121. The camera control right information is a table in which each of the plurality of camera operation terminals 113 registers the camera 103 having the camera control right based on the camera information and the camera operation terminal information. In this table, a control right is set for each camera 103 for each camera operation terminal 113.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the camera operation terminal 113 can control the camera 103 having the control right. However, for the camera 103 for which the camera operation terminal 113 does not have the control right, the camera operation terminal 113 cannot control the camera 103. The control here is control of the camera function registered in the camera information, for example, pan / tilt operation and zoom control.

  FIG. 8A shows the monitor selection right information registered in the database 121. The monitor selection right information is a table in which each of the plurality of camera operation terminals 113 registers the monitor 111 having the monitor selection right based on the camera information and the camera operation terminal information. In this table, a monitor selection right is set for each monitor 111 for each camera operation terminal 113.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the camera operation terminal 113 can display an image on the monitor 111 having a selection right. However, for the monitor 111 for which the camera operation terminal 113 does not have the selection right, the camera operation terminal 113 cannot display an image on the monitor 111.

  FIG. 9A shows camera priority order information registered in the database 121. The camera priority information is a table in which priorities at the time of control of the camera operation terminal 113 for each camera 103 are registered based on the camera information and the camera operation terminal information. The priority order of each of the plurality of camera operation terminals 113 is set for each camera 103.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, when the same camera 103 is controlled from a plurality of camera operation terminals 113, the camera 103 is controlled based on the camera priority information. The priority order is retrieved from the database 121, and the camera 103 is controlled in accordance with a request from the camera operation terminal 113 having the highest priority order. The camera operation terminal 113 with lower priority obtains the control right of the camera 103 and controls the camera 103 after the upper camera operation terminal 113 ends the control of the camera 103 and releases the camera control right. Can do. However, when the same priority order is set, it is preferable to prioritize post-control.

  FIG. 10 shows camera control state information registered in the database 121. In order to determine the control state of each camera 103, the database 121 stores information indicating which camera operation terminal 113 is acquiring the control right of each camera 103 based on the camera information and the camera operation terminal information in a table format. Hold. For each camera 103, the camera operation terminal 113 currently performing control is specified.

  FIG. 11 shows HDR information registered in the database 121. The database 121 holds the HDR name (identification information), IP address, and video input information of each channel (CH) in a table format for all the HDRs 115 existing in the system.

  FIG. 12A shows HDR control right information registered in the database 121. The HDR control right information is a table in which the HDR 115 in which each of the plurality of camera operation terminals 113 has the control right is registered based on the camera information and the camera operation terminal information. In this table, a control right is set for each HDR 115 for each camera operation terminal 113.

  As shown in FIG. 12B, the camera operation terminal 113 can control (record, play, etc.) the HDR 115 having the control right. However, for the HDR 115 for which the camera operation terminal 113 does not have the control right, the camera operation terminal 113 cannot control the HDR 115.

  FIG. 13 shows external system information registered in the database 121. The database 121 holds the name (identification information in the present embodiment) and IP address of the external system 117 in a table format.

  FIG. 14A shows the interlock control information registered in the database 121. The interlock control information is a table in which the camera 103 for interlock control used by the external system 117 registered in the external system information, the preset position of the camera 103, and the destination monitor 111 are registered. This interlocking control provides a video switching interface to the external system 117. A plurality of cameras 103 can be registered for one interlocking number.

  In the example of FIG. 14B, when interlocking number 1 is input from the external system 117 to the video switching control device 107, the video switching control device 107 searches the database 121 and performs interlocking control corresponding to the interlocking number 1. . In the example shown in the figure, two linked cameras are registered corresponding to linked number 1. For each linked camera, the video at the registered preset position is output to the registered predetermined monitor. The external system 117 is a crime prevention system, for example, and images required for the crime prevention system are provided by interlocking control.

  In addition, in the database 121 of FIG. 2, the encoder information is a table in which the name, IP address, and connected video input source information of the encoder 105 are registered. The decoder information is a table in which the name, IP address, and connected video output destination information of the decoder 109 are registered.

  The various data registered in the database 121 has been described above. Next, operations such as video switching using the database 121 will be described.

  When switching the video, the camera operating terminal 113 is operated by the user, and the monitor 111 and the camera 103 are selected. Here, first, selection of the monitor 111 will be described. When the selection operation of the monitor 111 is performed, a selection request for the monitor 111 is input from the camera operation terminal 113 to the video switching control device 107, and this selection request is received by the video switching control device 107. The selection request includes data specifying the request source camera operating terminal 113 and the selected monitor 111.

  When receiving the monitor selection request, the video switching control device 107 determines from the monitor selection right information in the database 121 whether the camera operation terminal 113 has the right to select the monitor 111 to be selected. At this time, the video switching control device 107 searches the monitor selection right information table (FIG. 8) in the database 121 for data corresponding to the combination of the camera operation terminal 113 and the monitor 111 requested to be selected. It is determined whether “with selection right” or “without selection right”.

  When retrieving information from the database 121, retrieval is performed using stored procedures and stored functions (hereinafter referred to as stored). As is well known, a stored process is a series of processes for a database collected into a single program and stored in a database management system. An argument can be passed and a process can be performed based on the argument or a process result can be returned. A stored procedure that returns a return value is called a stored function.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the monitor selection right determination process at the time of a monitor selection request. When (1) the camera operation terminal ID and (2) the monitor ID are received, the monitor selection right information (FIG. 8) corresponding to (1) and (2) is retrieved (S1). If there is no acquisition record as the corresponding record acquisition status (S3, none), the return value is “no selection right” (S5). When there is an acquisition record (S3, there is), the monitor information (FIG. 4) corresponding to the monitor of (2) is searched (S7). When there is no corresponding record (S9, none), the return value is “no selection right” (S11), and when there is a corresponding record (S9, there is), the return value is “selection right”. (S13).

  Next, the operation at the time of requesting selection of the camera 103 will be described. This operation is basically the same as the monitor selection operation. When the selection operation of the camera 103 is performed at the camera operation terminal 113, a selection request for the camera 103 is input from the camera operation terminal 113 to the video switching control device 107, and this selection request is received by the video switching control device 107. The selection request includes data for specifying the request source camera operation terminal 113 and the selected camera 103.

  When receiving the camera selection request, the video switching control device 107 determines from the monitor selection right information in the database 121 whether or not the camera operation terminal 113 has the right to select the camera 103 to be displayed. At this time, the video switching control device 107 searches the camera selection right information table (FIG. 6) in the database 121 for data corresponding to the combination of the camera operation terminal 113 and the camera 103 requested to be selected. It is determined whether “with selection right” or “without selection right”. Again, when retrieving information from the database 121, retrieval is performed using stored data.

  When the selection request for the monitor 111 and the camera 103 is input from the camera operation terminal 113, the video switching control device 107 has the right to select the requested monitor 111 and camera 103 as described above. Is determined based on the data in the database 121. When the camera operation terminal 113 has both selection rights, the video switching control device 107 sends the requested video of the camera 103 to the requested monitor 111.

  In this way, the video switching control device 107 refers to the information in the database 121 in accordance with the input from the camera operation terminal 113, and displays the video of the camera 103 for which the camera operation terminal 113 has a camera selection right. 113 outputs from the monitor 111 which has a monitor selection right.

  FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram of the monitor selection right and camera selection right determination processing described above. When a monitor selection request is sent from the camera operation terminal 113 to the video switching control device 107, the video switching control device 107 corresponds to the corresponding camera operation terminal 113 from the monitor information, camera operation terminal information, and monitor selection right information in the database 121. A search result as to whether or not the monitor 111 has a selection right is acquired, and a determination result of whether or not the monitor can be selected is returned to the camera operation terminal 113. Information of the corresponding monitor 111 and the corresponding camera operation terminal 113 is confirmed from the monitor information and the camera operation terminal information.

  In addition, when a camera selection request is sent from the camera operation terminal 113 to the video switching control device 107, the video switching control device 107 uses the camera information, camera operation terminal information, and camera selection right information in the database 121 to correspond to the corresponding camera operation terminal 113. Obtains a search result as to whether or not the user has the right to select the corresponding camera 103, and returns a determination result of whether the camera can be selected to the camera operation terminal 113. Information on the corresponding camera 103 and the corresponding camera operation terminal 113 is confirmed from the camera information and the camera operation terminal information.

  The video switching operation has been described above. Next, the camera control operation will be described. Here, determination of the camera control right and determination of the priority of control will be described.

  When a camera control operation is performed at the camera operation terminal 113, a camera control request is input from the camera operation terminal 113 to the video switching control device 107, and this camera control request is received by the video switching control device 107. This camera control request includes data specifying the requesting camera operation terminal 113 and the camera 103 to be controlled.

  When receiving the camera control request, the video switching control device 107 determines from the camera control right information in the database 121 whether the camera operation terminal 113 has the control right of the camera 103 to be controlled. At this time, the video switching control device 107 searches the camera control right information table (FIG. 7) of the database 121 for data corresponding to the combination of the camera operation terminal 113 and the camera 103 requested to control, and the searched data is It is determined whether “with control right” or “without control right”. Again, when retrieving information from the database 121, retrieval is performed using stored data.

  For the same camera 103, a camera control request may be generated from a plurality of camera operation terminals 113 having a control right. At this time, the video switching control device 107 receives control requests for the same camera 103 from a plurality of camera operation terminals 113. In this case, the video switching control device 107 determines the priority order determined for the camera operation terminal 113 with respect to the target camera 103 from the camera priority order information, and operates so as to give control rights to the camera operation terminal 113 with a higher priority order. .

  The priority order is determined as follows, for example. When receiving the control request from the camera operation terminal 113, the video switching control device 107 searches the camera operation terminal 113 priority for the target camera 103 from the camera priority information table (FIG. 9) in the database 121. Further, the video switching control device 107 searches the camera operation terminal 113 that is acquiring the control right for the target camera 103 from the camera control state information table (FIG. 10), and the priority of the camera operation terminal 113 is also determined. Search from the camera priority information table. Then, the video switching control device 107 compares the retrieved priorities, gives a control right to the camera operation terminal 113 with the higher priority, and places the camera operation terminal 113 in the camera control state information table of FIG. sign up. Again, when retrieving information from the database 121, retrieval is performed using stored data.

  FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram of the camera control right and priority determination process. When a camera control request is sent from the camera operation terminal 113 to the video switching control device 107, the video switching control device 107 corresponds to the corresponding camera operation terminal 113 from the camera information, camera operation terminal information, and camera control right information in the database 121. A search result indicating whether or not the camera 103 has the control right is acquired. Further, the video switching control device 107 acquires the priority determination result from the camera information, camera operation terminal information, camera priority information, and camera control status information in the database 121. Then, the video switching control device 107 returns a determination result of whether or not camera control is possible to the camera operation terminal 113. Therefore, the control right is registered in the camera control right information table, and a higher priority than the other camera operation terminals registered in the camera control state information table is registered in the camera priority order information table. In this case, the camera operation terminal 113 receives a controllable determination result.

  The camera operation terminal 113 further sends camera control content to the video switching control device 107. More specifically, the camera control content is data including a control item and a control amount. For example, the control item is “turn (pan / tilt)”, and the control amount is “turn direction and turn amount (turn angle). ) ”. The video switching control device 107 acquires camera control information from camera information and camera operation terminal information. The camera function information in the camera information table is confirmed. The video switching control device 107 controls the target camera 103 according to the camera control content, and returns the camera control result to the camera operation terminal 113.

  In this manner, the video switching control device 107 refers to the information in the database 121 according to the input from the camera operation terminal 113, and the camera operation terminal 113 controls the camera 103 having the camera control right. The video switching control device 107 refers to the information in the database 121 when a control request for the same camera 103 is input from a plurality of camera operation terminals 113, and follows the control request from the camera operation terminal 113 having a higher priority. .

  Next, the operation of HDR control will be described. When an HDR control operation is performed at the camera operation terminal 113, an HDR control request is input from the camera operation terminal 113 to the video switching control device 107, and this HDR control request is received by the video switching control device 107. This HDR control request includes data specifying the requesting camera operation terminal 113 and the HDR 115 to be controlled.

  When receiving the HDR control request, the video switching control device 107 determines from the HDR control right information of the database 121 whether or not the camera operation terminal 113 has the control right of the HDR 115 to be controlled. At this time, the video switching control device 107 searches the HDR control right information table (FIG. 12) of the database 121 for data corresponding to the combination of the camera operation terminal 113 and the HDR 115 of the control request. It is determined whether “with control right” or “without control right”. Again, when retrieving information from the database 121, retrieval is performed using stored data. If it is “with control right”, the camera operation terminal 113 controls the HDR 115 indicated in the request according to the HDR control request, and records the video of the camera 103.

  FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram of the HDR control right determination process. When an HDR selection request is sent from the camera operation terminal 113 to the video switching control device 107, the video switching control device 107 corresponds to the corresponding camera operation terminal 113 from the camera operation terminal information, HDR information, and HDR control right information in the database 121. A search result as to whether or not the control right of the HDR 115 is possessed is acquired, and a control result determination result is returned to the camera operation terminal 113. Information on the corresponding camera operation terminal 113 and the corresponding HDR 115 is confirmed from the camera operation terminal information and the HDR information.

  In this way, the video switching control device 107 refers to the information in the database 121 according to the input from the camera operation terminal 113, and records the video in the HDR 115 to which the camera operation terminal 113 has the control right.

  Next, an interlocking operation for a video switching request from an external system will be described. The interlock control information (FIG. 14) is information used when the external system 117 performs video switching. The linkage control information holds the linked camera, camera preset position, and output destination monitor for the linkage number. The video switching control device 107 receives a video switching request including the identification information of the external system 117 and the interlocking number from the external system 117.

  When the video switching control device 107 receives the video switching request from the external system 117, the video switching control device 107 searches the interlock control information table (FIG. 14) of the database 121 for the interlock control data corresponding to the interlocking number of the video switching request. Again, when retrieving information from the database 121, retrieval is performed using stored data. The data of the interlock control includes the camera 103, the preset position, and the monitor 111 registered as described above. In accordance with the retrieved data, the video switching control device 107 performs video switching control so that the registered monitor 111 outputs the video of the registered camera 103, and also captures the registered preset position. To control.

  FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram of the external system video switching request. When a video switching request (interlock number) is input from the external system 117, the video switching control device 107 detects the interlock control information corresponding to the input interlock number from the camera information, external system information, and interlock control information in the database 121. In addition, the priority determination information described above is acquired from the camera information, camera operation terminal information, camera priority information, camera control status information, and interlock control information, and further, camera information, monitor information, and interlock control information are acquired. The video switching information is acquired from the information, the video switching of the interlock control is performed for the external system using the information, and the result is returned to the external system 117.

  In this way, the video switching control device 107 refers to the information in the database 121 according to the input from the external system 117, and the video of the camera 103 registered in the interlock control information is registered in the monitor 111 registered in the interlock control information. Output from.

  The operation such as video switching using the database 121 has been described above. Next, a change in the device configuration in the video monitoring system 101 of this embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, when the device configuration is changed, the maintenance device 123 rewrites the related data in the database 121. The maintenance device 123 reads the table to be changed in the database 121, rewrites the table, stores the table again in the database 121, and thereby updates the table. At this time, the software of the control program of the video switching control device 107 does not have to be basically changed. The video switching control device 107 may execute the same software as before changing the device configuration using the data in the database 121 rewritten with the change in the device configuration. Thereby, the video monitoring system 101 can operate in response to a change in the device configuration.

  FIG. 20 shows an example of registration of a device configuration change. In FIG. 20, as “VIP camera” is added to the video monitoring system 101, “VIP camera” is registered in the camera information table of the database 121 by the maintenance device 123. The same applies when deleting a camera, and the registration of the camera is deleted from the camera information in the database 121. Similarly, monitor addition, deletion, camera operation terminal addition, deletion, HDR addition, and deletion are registered in the table of monitor information, camera operation terminal information, and HDR information in the database 121.

  In addition, along with the addition and deletion of the above devices, changes in camera selection right information, camera control right information, monitor selection right information, camera priority information, and HDR control right information are also registered in the database 121 by the maintenance device 123. For example, with the addition of a camera, the control authority and priority of each terminal for that camera are registered in the camera control authority information and priority information table. As the camera is deleted, the control right and priority order data for the camera is deleted from the camera control right information and priority order information table.

  Even when the device is not added or deleted, the selection right, control right, and priority order table of the database 121 is rewritten in accordance with the operation change. This makes it possible to change the operation such that a specific camera cannot be controlled from a specific terminal. Again, the database 121 may be rewritten in accordance with the changed contents such as the control right without changing the software. The video monitoring system 101 operates according to the changed operation by being controlled using the rewritten database 121.

  As an example, FIG. 21 illustrates registration of changes in camera priority. Before and after the change, the priority order of the center terminal 1 and the police station terminal with respect to the gate monitoring camera is switched. If the video switching control device 107 refers to the database 121 after the registration change, the control of the police station terminal is given priority over the control of the center terminal 1 even though the software has not changed. As described above, even if the operation rule is changed, it is possible to cope with the change to the database 121, and it is not necessary to change the software.

  In addition, addition and deletion of the external system 117 are also registered in the database 121. In addition, changes in the interlock control information including changes associated with addition and deletion of cameras, monitors, camera operation terminals, and external systems are also registered in the database 121 by the maintenance device 123. Again, there is no need to change the software, and it can easily cope with changes in the external system. Also, changes in encoder information and decoder information are registered in the database 121 by the maintenance device 123.

  The video monitoring system 101 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. According to the present embodiment, the device configuration such as the camera 103, the monitor 111, and the camera operation terminal 113 and information necessary for video switching control such as the camera selection right and the monitor selection right for each camera operation terminal 113 are registered in the database 121. When the device configuration is changed, the video switching control device refers to the information in the changed database 121 by registering the change of the device configuration and the change of the selection right accompanying the change in the database 121 by the maintenance device. Thus, the switching control corresponding to the change in the device configuration is executed. Thus, by providing the database 121 in which the device configuration is registered and its maintenance device, the device configuration can be easily changed even in the field, and thus expandability can be improved.

  Further, the camera control authority of each camera operation terminal 113 is registered in the database 121 and is changed by the maintenance device. Accordingly, it is possible to easily change the system operation such as which camera 103 can control the pan and tilt operations of each camera operation terminal 113.

  In addition, the priority of control by each camera operation terminal 113 is registered in the database 121 and is changed by the maintenance device. Therefore, it is possible to easily change the system operation such as which camera operation terminal 113 is given priority to the control operation.

  The video recording device (HDR in this embodiment) and the selection right are registered in the database 121 and are changed by the maintenance device. Therefore, the device configuration relating to the video recording apparatus can be easily changed, and the expandability is further improved.

  Also, information on the external system 117 and interlocking control is registered in the database 121 and is changed by the maintenance device. Therefore, the change related to the external system 117 can be easily realized, and the expandability is further improved.

  Comparing the prior art with the present embodiment, it has been conventionally necessary to modify the software when changing the equipment. However, in this embodiment, by registering all the device configurations in the database, it is not necessary to modify the software when changing the device configuration, and it is only necessary to add to or delete from the database. As an implementation environment, it has been conventionally necessary to modify software in a development environment. However, in this embodiment, the database may be rewritten locally. In addition, the cost of device change is greatly reduced in the present embodiment. Also, this embodiment is advantageous in terms of scalability because it does not depend on the internal structure of software in practice.

“Second Embodiment”
Next, a video surveillance system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The video monitoring system according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the video monitoring system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. The video monitoring system according to the present embodiment has a function of registering control items that can be controlled for each camera operation terminal and for each camera as a difference from the video monitoring system according to the first embodiment. . The control items are turning, zooming and the like.

  More specifically, in the first embodiment, the presence / absence of the camera control right is registered for each camera operation terminal and each camera. However, for each camera, control items are common among a plurality of camera operation terminals having camera control rights. More specifically, a plurality of camera operation terminals having the right to control one camera can control all control items of the camera. However, in the present embodiment, control permission / rejection is set and registered for each control item of each camera and for each camera operation terminal. By this registration, the controllable items can be changed and restricted for each camera operation terminal.

  Hereinafter, a video surveillance system according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. However, description of matters common to the first embodiment is omitted.

  FIG. 22 shows data registered in the database 121 in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the database 121 of this embodiment stores camera control item information in addition to various data of the database of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 23 shows a table of camera control item information registered in the database 121 of FIG. In the example of FIG. 23, the cameras 1, 2, and 3 are turning cameras. As shown in the figure, the camera control item information is a table in which settings for controllability (“controllable” or “controllable”) are registered for each camera operation terminal and each camera control item.

  In the present embodiment, permission of control is set in advance for each camera operation terminal and for each camera control item. When control of the corresponding control item is permitted, “controllable” is registered in the table of FIG. 23, and when control of the corresponding control item is not permitted, “control impossible” is displayed in the table of FIG. It is registered.

  As shown in FIG. 24, in the video monitoring system of the present embodiment, for example, the camera operation terminal 1 can perform pan / tilt control of the camera 1 according to the camera control item information. Can't do it. On the other hand, the camera operation terminal 2 cannot perform pan / tilt control of the camera 1, but can perform pan / tilt control of the camera 2.

In the present embodiment, it is also possible to set a control rank for each camera operation terminal 113 by using the camera control item information. Here, the following two ranks A and B are considered.
“Rank A” (turning monitoring): turning (pan / tilt), wiper, zoom, and iris are possible “Rank B” (fixed monitoring): turning is not possible, wiper, zoom, and iris are possible. In the example of FIG. The operation terminal 1 has a rank A for the camera 1 and a rank B for the cameras 2 and 3. The camera operation terminal 2 has a rank B for the camera 1 and a rank A for the cameras 2 and 3. The camera operation terminal 3 has a rank A for the cameras 1 and 3 and a rank B for the camera 2. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to individually register the control ranking for each camera and each camera operation terminal, and create a database.

  Next, display of the control availability list (control availability list) in the present embodiment will be described. Each camera operation terminal 113 can acquire camera control item information and display a control availability list as described below. This control permission / inhibition list is performed, for example, when an instruction to display a list by the operator is input to the camera operation terminal 113. The camera operation terminal 113 receives camera control item information from the database 121 via the video switching device 107. Then, the camera operation terminal 113 displays the control availability list as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 25, the display screen of the camera operation terminal 113 is provided with a plurality of areas such as a video display unit, a monitor selection unit, a camera selection unit, a camera list display unit, and an information display unit. The monitor selection unit and the camera selection unit are areas used for selection operation of each device. And a camera list display part is an area | region which displays a control availability list | wrist, and a control availability list | wrist is a list of the control availability for every control item of each camera like illustration.

  In the example of FIG. 25, all the control items of the camera 1 can be controlled, and the cameras 2 and 3 cannot be panned or tilted, but the remaining control items can be controlled. The example of FIG. 25 corresponds to the control availability setting for the camera operation terminal 1 of FIG.

  In more detail, the control availability list of FIG. 25 is generated and displayed using the camera selection right information and the camera control right information already described in addition to the camera control item information of FIG. Having a camera control right is a precondition for controllability, and for a camera having camera control right, controllability of each control item is displayed in a list.

  Next, a camera control operation using the camera control items of this embodiment will be described. Assume that after a camera is selected using the camera operation terminal 113, camera control content (turning, zooming, etc.) is further input to the camera operation terminal 113. More specifically, the camera control content is data including a control item and a control amount. For example, the control item is “turn (pan / tilt)”, and the control amount is “turn direction and turn amount (turn angle). ) ”.

  The camera control content is transmitted from the camera operation terminal 113 to the video switching control device 107 and input to the video switching control device 107. When the video switching control device 107 receives the camera control content, the video switching control device 107 searches the camera control item information table in the database 121 for controllability of the control item corresponding to the camera control content, and the searched data is “control”. It is determined whether it is possible or not controllable. Again, when retrieving information from the database 121, retrieval is performed using stored data. If the search result is “controllable”, the video switching control device 107 controls the camera according to the input control content. If the search result is “uncontrollable”, the video switching control device 107 does not perform camera control according to the input control content.

  For example, it is assumed that the camera operation terminal 1 selects the camera 1 and inputs pan / tilt and turning angles in both directions as camera control contents. In this case, the video switching control device 107 searches for the setting of the control item “pan / tilt” of the camera 1 corresponding to the camera operation terminal 1 of FIG. Since “pan / tilt” is “controllable”, the video switching control device 107 sends a pan / tilt command to the camera 1 in accordance with a request for control content.

  FIG. 26 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the video surveillance system when the camera control item information is used. In FIG. 26, camera control item information is added to the database with respect to the sequence diagram of FIG. First, as described with reference to FIG. 17, when a camera control request is sent from the camera operation terminal 113 to the video switching control device 107, the video switching control device 107 displays the camera information, camera operation terminal information, and camera in the database 121. From the control right information, a search result as to whether the corresponding camera operation terminal 113 has the control right of the corresponding camera 103 is acquired. Further, the video switching control device 107 acquires the priority determination result from the camera information, camera operation terminal information, camera priority information, and camera control status information in the database 121. Then, the video switching control device 107 returns a determination result of whether or not camera control is possible to the camera operation terminal 113. When a control right is registered in the camera control right information table and a higher priority order than the other camera operation terminals registered in the camera control state information table is registered in the camera priority order information table The camera operation terminal 113 receives the controllable determination result.

  When the camera controllable determination result is received, the camera operation terminal 113 further sends the camera control content to the video switching control device 107. The video switching control device 107 acquires camera control information from camera information and camera operation terminal information. The camera function information in the camera information table is confirmed.

  The video switching control device 107 further searches the corresponding data in the camera control item information, and acquires the control item control availability data corresponding to the input control content. Here, the data of the corresponding control items of the target terminal and the target camera are searched, and it is determined whether “controllable” or “controllable”. If the search result is “controllable”, the video switching control device 107 controls the target camera 103 according to the contents of the camera control, and returns the camera control result to the camera operation terminal 113. If the search result is “uncontrollable”, the video switching control device 107 does not control the camera 103 according to the camera control content, and returns a notification indicating that control is impossible to the camera operation terminal 113 as the camera control result.

  Next, the change of the camera control item information in the present embodiment will be described. The camera control item information is changed by the maintenance device 123 as with other data. That is, when the device configuration such as the camera is changed, the camera control item information as the related data is rewritten as necessary by the maintenance device 123. The maintenance device 123 reads the camera control item information table, rewrites the table, stores the table again in the database 121, and thereby updates the table. At this time, the software of the control program of the video switching control device 107 does not have to be basically changed. The video switching control device 107 may execute the same software as before changing the device configuration using the data in the database 121 rewritten with the change in the device configuration. Thereby, the video monitoring system 101 can operate in response to a change in the device configuration.

  In the above, camera control item information is performed with a change in the device configuration. The change in the device configuration is typically addition and deletion of an element such as a camera. For example, when a camera is added, the new camera is added to the camera information table. At this time, the camera control item information table is rewritten together with the camera selection right, camera control right, and the like. Then, whether to control each control item of the new camera is set for each camera operation terminal. Further, the camera control item information may be rewritten by the maintenance device 23 in accordance with the operation change even when the device configuration is not changed (added or deleted). This is the same as other data such as selection rights and control rights. Even if the control software is not changed, the control items permitted for each camera operating terminal and each camera can be easily changed by rewriting the database table.

  The video surveillance system according to the second embodiment of the present invention has been described above. According to the present embodiment, the database stores camera control item information in which control items that are permitted to be controlled by each of the plurality of camera operation terminals for each of the plurality of cameras are registered. The video switching control device refers to a database in accordance with an input of control content including control items for each of a plurality of cameras from each of a plurality of camera operation terminals, and according to whether the control items for the camera operation terminals are permitted or not Control the camera. The maintenance device registers changes in camera control item information including changes including addition and deletion of cameras and camera operation terminals in the database. With such a configuration, the controllable items for the same camera can be changed and limited for each camera operation terminal.

  And according to this Embodiment, differentiation of a control item is realizable for every use of a camera operation terminal. Camera operations that should not be performed by each camera operation terminal can be defined in detail, and camera misoperation or malfunction can be suitably prevented.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the camera control item information is registered in the database and is changed by the maintenance device, the system operation regarding the control items for each camera operation terminal and each camera can be easily changed.

“Third Embodiment”
Next, a video surveillance system according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The video surveillance system of this embodiment has the same configuration as the video surveillance system according to the above-described embodiment. In addition, the video monitoring system of the present embodiment further manages statistical information of the time at which the camera video is output at the time of video switching, thereby managing which camera video has been output for how long for each operation terminal. And a function of calculating a charge amount according to the image output time. Furthermore, the video monitoring system of the present embodiment also includes a history management function and a billing calculation function for camera control and video recording device control (HDR in the above-described embodiment).

  In order to realize the above function, generally, the video switching control device 107 stores a history information on the database 121 during video switching control, camera control, and video recording device control. Save necessary information about equipment and time. Then, the video switching control device 107 calculates billing information (billing amount data, hereinafter the same) using the saved history information and the cost per hour registered in the billing standard table of the database 121.

  FIG. 27 shows data registered in the database 121 in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the database 121 of the present embodiment includes monitor output status information, camera control status information, HDR control status information, monitor output charge in addition to the various data shown in the above-described embodiment. Reference information, camera control charging reference information, and HDR control charging reference information are stored. These data are stored in the form of tables. The camera control state information is stored in the above-described embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, but in this embodiment, more detailed information is stored as described later.

  In the following, the history management function of the present embodiment will be described separately for monitor output, camera control, and video recording device control, and then the accounting calculation function related thereto will be described.

"Management of monitor output time statistics"
When the video switching control device 107 performs video switching control in response to a request from the camera operation terminal, the video switching start time, the video output ending time, and the camera that has performed the switching control operation are displayed on the monitor. Information related to the operation history of the operation terminal is stored in a transaction table that stores history information on the database. This table corresponds to the monitor output state information of the present invention. Thereby, it is possible to manage statistical information on the camera image output on each monitor. In addition to the video from the camera, other video (HDR, other PC video, etc.) input to the encoder may be included in the camera video to be stored in the history.

  FIG. 28 shows an example of the monitor output state history management table. In the present embodiment, a video surveillance system provided in an airport as an example of a large-scale facility is assumed. The table in FIG. 28 is an example of the transaction table described above, and corresponds to the monitor output state information in FIG. As shown in the figure, for each history, monitor information (monitor identification information), output camera (camera identification information), output start time, output end time, and switching source camera operation terminal (terminal identification information) are in the form of a table. Is recorded. The image output start time and the image output end time are date and time information. One picture output time is from the picture output start time to the picture output end time.

  In the example of the figure, three camera operation terminals are shown. As described in the above embodiment, the monitor selection right table and the camera selection right table determine, for each terminal, the monitor that the terminal can display and whether or not the camera video can be acquired. Yes. Based on these pieces of information, whether video switching is possible or not is determined, and the history of the result is stored in the table of FIG. 28 in this embodiment, and thus statistical information of the history is stored in the database processing. The

  FIG. 29 shows a processing sequence during video switching. At the time of video switching, whether the video switching control device (control server) can output to the specified monitor (monitor selection right), or whether the specified camera video can be distributed in response to a request from the operating camera operating terminal Queries the database about the (camera selection right). As a result of the inquiry, when the camera operation terminal has a selection right for the monitor and the camera specified, the video switching control device performs video switching control. Up to this point, the processing sequence is the same as that in the above-described embodiment (FIG. 16).

  In the present embodiment, the video switching control device further includes information on the monitor and camera that has been output, and the output start time in the monitor output status information table upon confirmation of the monitor output during video switching control. , The image output end time, and information of the switching operation source terminal are recorded.

  More specifically, in one output history, the output start time is recorded by the process at the start of output shown in FIG. 29 at the start of monitor output. Although the image output end time is not shown in FIG. 29, the image output end time is recorded at the time of image output end when the next video switching process is performed. Before the end of the image output and when the image is being output to the monitor, the image output end time is set to an undetermined state as shown in the figure (this is the same for other history management tables thereafter). In addition, in the processing of FIG. 29, the end time of the previous monitor output history is recorded together with the start time of the current monitor output history.

  The process for the database is configured in a stored manner as in the other processes in the above-described embodiment, and the monitor information is set in the database by calling this stored when switching the video.

"Management of camera control time statistics"
Next, the management process of the statistical information of the camera control time will be described. The video switching control device 107 relates to a time when the camera operation terminal acquires the control right of the camera, a time when the camera operation terminal is released, and an operation source camera operation terminal when controlling the camera in response to a request from the camera operation terminal. The information is stored in a camera control state transaction table that stores history information on the database. This table corresponds to the camera control state information of the present invention. This makes it possible to manage the statistical information of the control state by the camera operation terminal for each camera.

  FIG. 30 shows an example of a camera control state history management table. The table in FIG. 30 is an example of the transaction table, and corresponds to the camera control state information in FIG. As shown in the figure, for each control history, camera information (camera identification information), control right acquisition time, control right release time, and control source camera operation terminal (terminal identification) are recorded in the form of a table. The control right acquisition time and the control right release time are date and time information. The control time is one time from the control right acquisition time to the control right release time.

  In the example of the figure, three camera operation terminals are shown. As described in the above embodiment, whether or not a camera that can be controlled by each terminal is acquired is determined in the camera control right table for each terminal. Based on this information, whether or not the camera can be controlled is determined, and the history of the result is stored in the table of FIG. 30 in this embodiment, and thus the statistical information of the history is stored in the database processing.

  FIG. 31 shows a processing sequence during camera control. At the time of camera control, the video switching control device inquires of the database whether or not the designated camera can be controlled (camera control right) in response to a request from the camera operating terminal that performs the operation. As a result of the inquiry, if the camera operation terminal has the control right for the designated camera, the video switching control device gives the control right to the control right request of the camera operation terminal. The camera operation terminal that has acquired the control right can control the camera. Up to this point, the processing sequence is the same as that in the above-described embodiment (FIG. 17).

  In the present embodiment, the video switching control device further manages the holding status of the camera control right in the camera control state information table in accordance with the determination of acquisition of the camera control right during the camera control. The camera information, control right acquisition time, and information of the control source camera operation terminal are recorded.

  Similar processing is performed at the end of camera control. At this time, the release time of the camera control right is recorded. That is, at the time of releasing the camera control right, the video switching control device performs a process of releasing the control right on the database in response to a request for releasing the camera control right from the camera operating terminal that performs the operation. The video switching control device informs the camera operation terminal of the result of permission to release the control right, and records the release time in the camera control state information table when the camera control right release is confirmed. The control time is one time from the recording time of the above-mentioned control right acquisition to the recording time of the control right release.

  The database processing is configured in the same manner as the other processing in the above-described embodiment, and is performed when the control right is updated according to the control right acquisition request and the release request from the camera operation terminal. Camera control right information is set in the database by calling stored.

"Management of video recording device control time statistics"
Next, statistical information management processing of video recording device control time will be described. When the video switching control apparatus controls the video recording apparatus in response to a request from the camera operating terminal, the time when the camera operating terminal acquires the control right of the video recording apparatus, the time when the camera operating terminal is released, and the operation source camera Information related to the operation terminal is stored in a video recording device control state transaction table that stores history information on the database. This table corresponds to the video recording device control state information of the present invention. This makes it possible to manage statistical information on the control state of each video recording apparatus by the camera operation terminal. In the example of the present embodiment, the video recording apparatus is HDR as described above.

  FIG. 32 shows an example of an HDR control state history management table. The table in FIG. 32 is an example of the transaction table, and corresponds to the HDR control state information in FIG. As shown in the figure, for each history, video recording device information (HDR identification information), control right acquisition time, control right release time, and control source camera operation terminal (terminal identification information) are recorded in the form of a table. The control right acquisition time and the control right release time are date and time information. The control time is one time from the control right acquisition time to the control right release time.

  In the example of the figure, three camera operation terminals are shown. As described in the above embodiment, the HDR control right table determines whether or not an HDR control right can be acquired for each terminal. Based on this information, it is determined whether or not HDR control is possible, and the history of the result is stored in the table of FIG. 32 in this embodiment, and thus the statistical information of the history is stored in the database processing. .

  FIG. 33 shows a processing sequence during HDR control. At the time of control, the video switching control device inquires of the database whether or not the designated HDR can be controlled (HDR control right) in response to a request from the camera operating terminal that performs the operation. As a result of the inquiry, when the camera operating terminal has the control right for the designated HDR, the video switching control device gives the control right to the control right request of the camera operating terminal. The camera operating terminal that has acquired the control right can control the HDR. Up to this point, the processing sequence is the same as that in the above-described embodiment (FIG. 18).

  In the present embodiment, the video switching control device further manages the holding status of the HDR control right in the HDR control state information table in accordance with the determination of the HDR control right acquisition determination during the HDR control. The HDR information, the control right acquisition time, and the information of the control source camera operation terminal are recorded.

  Similar processing is performed at the end of HDR control. At this time, the release time of the HDR control right is recorded. That is, at the time of releasing the HDR control right, the video switching control device performs a process of releasing the control right on the database in response to a request for releasing the HDR control right from the camera operating terminal that performs the operation. The video switching control apparatus informs the camera operation terminal of the result of permission to release the control right, and records the release time in the HDR control state information table when the HDR control right release is confirmed. One control time is from the recording time for obtaining the control right to the recording time for releasing the control right.

  The database processing is configured in the same manner as the other processing in the above-described embodiment, and is performed when the control right is updated according to the control right acquisition request and the release request from the camera operation terminal. The HDR control right information is set in the database by calling the stored.

"Billing information calculation process"
The history management function (statistical information management function) of the monitor output time, camera control time, and video recording device control time has been described above. Next, a calculation process of billing information (billing amount data) based on the history information will be described.

  The video monitoring system according to the present embodiment is necessary for billing so that the above three history information can be billed according to usage time for each of the monitor output, camera control, and video recording device control. Information is set in the accounting standard table. The accounting standard table is registered in the database. It is assumed that the setting and the change to the charging standard table are performed from the maintenance device described in the above embodiment.

  In addition, the present system has, as the charging reference table, tables for monitor output time charging, camera control time charging, and video recording device control time charging, and each can be set individually. Further, a camera for which the camera operating terminal does not have a selection right (a camera that cannot be selected in the first place) by the monitor selection right and the camera selection right is also identified and processed on the billing information table. The same applies to the camera control right and the video recording device control right.

  The above three tables correspond to the monitor image charging standard information, camera control charging standard information and video recording apparatus control charging standard information of the present invention. Hereinafter, accounting information calculation processing will be described for each of the monitor output, camera control, and video recording device control.

"Billing information processing for monitor output"
FIG. 34 shows an example of the monitor output charge reference table. This table corresponds to the monitor output charging reference information on the database of FIG. As shown in the figure, the cost per image output unit time is set individually for each combination of each monitor and each camera. By making it possible to individually set the billing information for the combination of the monitor and the camera, it becomes possible to provide a detailed billing service according to the operation status. Also, changes in the table of FIG. 34 accompanying system expansion such as camera addition are registered by the maintenance device (FIG. 1, reference numeral 123) of the present embodiment.

  In response to a charge information calculation request from the camera operating terminal, the video switching control device calculates charge information according to the monitor output state history information table of FIG. 27 and the charge reference information table of FIG.

  First, a process for calculating charging information for one image output history will be described. The history of the camera operation terminal that sent the billing information calculation request is referred to from the monitor output state table. Then, the cost per hour corresponding to the combination of the monitor and the camera included in the output history of each time is obtained from the accounting standard information table. Multiplying the cost per time by the output time in the history (the time from the start time to the end time), the charging information for one output history is calculated.

  In an actual system, a totaling process for a plurality of times of image output is suitably performed. For example, monthly information is aggregated, and monthly billing information is calculated. At this time, a counting operation is performed at the camera operation terminal. Then, a request for aggregation is sent to the video switching control device, and the video switching control device performs accounting information aggregation processing.

  FIG. 35 shows a sequence in a case where a counting operation is performed from the operation terminal based on the table information. In response to the total operation request from the camera operation terminal, the video switching control device acquires the monitor output state information and the monitor output charge reference information, performs a total process, and sends a total result response to the camera operation terminal.

  As shown in FIG. 36A, FIG. 36B, and FIG. 36C, the aggregation process can be performed in a plurality of patterns. First, as shown in FIG. 36 (a), accounting information is aggregated in units of monitors.

  In the present embodiment, history information is managed in detail on a monitor basis. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 36 (b), by separately identifying the operator for the monitor, it is possible to tabulate the billing information for each operator. The table of the correspondence between the monitor and the operator in the figure may be registered in the database 121 and maintained by the maintenance device 123 like other tables.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 36 (c), it is possible to aggregate the billing information based on the camera operating terminal that is the operation source. In this case as well, by identifying the operator of the operation source camera operating terminal, it is possible to aggregate the billing information for each operation source operator. A table of correspondence between camera operation terminals and business operators is not shown in the figure, but may be registered in the database 121 and maintained by the maintenance device 123 in the same manner as other tables.

  It should be noted that which pattern is aggregated may be set in advance or may be selected according to the operation of the camera operation terminal (this applies to other accounting information aggregation thereafter). is there).

“Camera Control Billing Information Processing”
FIG. 37 shows an example of the camera control charging reference table. This table corresponds to the camera control charging reference information on the database of FIG. As shown in the figure, for each combination of each camera and each camera operation terminal, the cost per camera control unit time is set individually. By making it possible to individually set the charging information for the combination of the camera and the camera operation terminal, it becomes possible to provide a detailed charging service according to the operation status. In addition, changes in the table of FIG. 37 accompanying system expansion such as camera addition are registered by the maintenance device of the present embodiment.

  In addition, as shown in the figure, a camera for which a camera operating terminal does not have a control right in the camera control right information table (a camera that cannot be controlled in the first place) is identified and processed on the charging reference table. That is, the standard fee for the camera for which the camera operating terminal does not have control right is not set on the table of FIG. 37, and the charging information for the combination is not calculated. In the example of the figure, for example, a combination of a police station terminal and a PTB2F departure gate camera is applicable.

  In response to a request for accounting information calculation from the camera operation terminal, the video switching control device calculates accounting information according to the camera control state history information table of FIG. 30 and the accounting standard information table of FIG.

  As processing for calculating charging information for one control history, the history of the camera operating terminal that sent the charging information calculation request is referred to from the camera control state table. Then, the cost per hour corresponding to the combination of the camera and the camera operation terminal included in each control history is obtained from the accounting standard information table. By multiplying the cost per hour by the camera control time in the history (the time from the control right acquisition time to the control right release time), the charging information for one camera control history is calculated.

  In an actual system, a totaling process for a plurality of times of camera control is suitably performed. For example, monthly information is aggregated, and monthly billing information is calculated. At this time, a counting operation is performed at the camera operation terminal. Then, a request for aggregation is sent to the video switching control device, and the video switching control device performs accounting information aggregation processing.

  FIG. 38 shows a sequence in the case where a counting operation is performed from the operation terminal based on the table information. In response to the total operation request from the camera operation terminal, the video switching control device acquires the camera control state information and the camera control charging reference information, performs the total processing, and sends a total result response to the camera operation terminal.

  As shown in FIGS. 39A and 39B, the aggregation process can be performed in a plurality of patterns. First, as shown in FIG. 39A, the billing information is preferably aggregated for each camera.

  In the present embodiment, history information is managed in detail in units of combinations of cameras and camera operation terminals. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 39 (b), if the operator identification for the camera operation terminal is performed separately, the billing information can be tabulated for each operator. The table of the correspondence between the camera operation terminal and the business operator in the figure may be registered in the database 121 and maintained by the maintenance device 123 like other tables.

"Charging information processing for video recording device control"
FIG. 40 shows an example of the video recording apparatus control charging reference table. This table corresponds to the HDR control charging standard information on the database of FIG. As shown in the figure, the cost per unit time is set individually for each combination of each HDR and each camera operation terminal. By making it possible to individually set the charging information of the combination of the HDR and the camera operation terminal, it becomes possible to provide a detailed charging service according to the operation status. Also, changes in the table of FIG. 40 accompanying system expansion such as the addition of HDR are registered by the maintenance apparatus of the present embodiment.

  Further, in the HDR control right information table, HDRs that the camera operating terminal does not have control right (HDRs that cannot be controlled in the first place) are identified and processed on the charging standard table. That is, the HDR standard fee for which the camera operating terminal does not have the control right is not set on the table of FIG. 40, and the charging information of the combination is not calculated. In the example of the figure, for example, a combination of a police station terminal A and a PTB regular recording HDR is applicable.

  In response to a request for accounting information calculation from the camera operating terminal, the video switching control device calculates accounting information according to the HDR control state history information table of FIG. 32 and the accounting reference information table of FIG.

  As processing for calculating charging information for one control history, the history of the camera operating terminal that sent the charging information calculation request is referred to from the HDR control state information table. Then, the cost per hour corresponding to the combination of the HDR and the camera operation terminal included in each control history is obtained from the accounting standard information table. When the cost per hour is multiplied by the HDR control time in the history (the time from the control right acquisition time to the control right release time), the charging information for one HDR control history is calculated.

  In an actual system, a totaling process for a plurality of times of control is suitably performed. For example, monthly information is aggregated, and monthly billing information is calculated. At this time, a counting operation is performed at the camera operation terminal. Then, a request for aggregation is sent to the video switching control device, and the video switching control device performs accounting information aggregation processing.

  FIG. 41 shows a sequence in the case where a counting operation is performed from the operation terminal based on the table information. In response to the total operation request from the camera operation terminal, the video switching control device acquires the HDR control state information and the HDR control charging reference information, performs the total processing, and sends a total result response to the camera operation terminal.

  As shown in FIGS. 42A and 42B, the tabulation process can be performed in a plurality of patterns. First, as shown in FIG. 42A, billing information is preferably tabulated in units of HDR.

  In the present embodiment, history information is managed in detail in units of combinations of HDR and camera operation terminals. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 42 (b), if the operator identification for HDR is separately performed, the billing information can be tabulated for each operator. The table of the correspondence between the camera operation terminal and the business operator in the figure may be registered in the database 121 and maintained by the maintenance device 123 like other tables.

  The accounting information calculation processing for monitor output, camera control, and video recording device control has been described above. As already described, the accounting standard tables (FIGS. 34, 37, and 40) used in the above process are registered and maintained by the maintenance device of the present embodiment. For expansion of the video system such as camera addition, the charging process can be performed in accordance with the expanded system by rewriting the charging standard table from the maintenance device. Therefore, the present embodiment makes it possible to easily and suitably meet the demand for improvement in system expandability as in the above-described embodiment with respect to the accounting process.

  Further, the above totalization processing was performed in response to a request from the camera operation terminal. It is preferable that the billing information that can be tabulated at each terminal is only billing information related to the own terminal or the own business. On the other hand, it is preferable that billing information for the entire system can be tabulated and viewed by operating a maintenance device that performs maintenance.

Application example
Next, an example in which the video surveillance system according to the third embodiment is suitably applied will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 43, in a large-scale video surveillance system, it is conceivable that equipment is introduced through joint investment by a plurality of business operators. In the example of FIG. 43, facilities are introduced by an airport operating company, a security company, and the police, and the entire video surveillance system is configured by combining the facilities of the three parties. 43 is compared with the block diagram of the video monitoring system of FIG. 1, the video switching machine of FIG. 43 corresponds to the video switching control device, database, and maintenance device of the present invention shown in FIG. The monitor, camera, camera operation terminal, encoder, and decoder of FIG. 1 are also shown in FIG. The HDR is not shown in FIG. 43, but may be provided appropriately. Further, as shown in FIG. 43, various devices of the video monitoring system of the present embodiment are connected by a network, and this point is as described in relation to FIG.

  Now, as described above, when facilities are jointly introduced by a plurality of businesses, each business operator installs facilities for the devices that are mainly used. However, since images from the same camera can be displayed at the same time, other companies can select and display the same camera image. At this time, it is preferable to charge by managing the usage time when the camera video is distributed between providers. In order to realize such charging, a reference fee (cost per hour) is set on the charging reference table of the monitor output in FIG. 34 for the combination of the camera and monitor to be charged. For combinations that do not require billing, the reference fee may be 0 yen as shown in FIG.

  Similarly, when a certain company controls the cameras of other companies, it is preferable to charge by managing the usage time. Also in the camera control charging reference table of FIG. 37, a reference charge is set for the combination of the camera to be charged and the camera operation terminal. The same applies to the case of controlling the video recording apparatus of another business, and the usage time is managed and charged, and for this purpose, a reference charge is set on the charge reference table of FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the charging method can be set and changed flexibly according to the operation when the facilities are introduced by a plurality of business operators. Therefore, the history management and billing function of this embodiment is effective in a large-scale video monitoring system in which a plurality of operators are involved in the introduction of the monitoring system.

  FIG. 44 shows another example in which the video surveillance system according to the third embodiment is suitably applied. The example of FIG. 44 is a video monitoring system in which the monitoring equipment has been expanded sequentially in accordance with the expansion of the monitoring area. Due to the large-scale expansion, expansion has been carried out while diverting existing facilities. In such a case, when monitoring in the old equipment, the conventional monitoring is performed, but when displaying the camera image of the existing equipment in the new equipment, or conversely when controlling the equipment of the new equipment in the existing equipment. Make a charge. This billing is also preferably realized by the billing function of the present embodiment, similarly to the example of FIG.

  The example of FIG. 44 will be described in more detail. An analog video surveillance system exists as existing equipment. With the expansion of the surveillance area, the cameras and surveillance locations are being expanded sequentially, and the owners and operating companies of the facilities differ for each area. In the figure, two analog video surveillance systems are shown in the right area.

  Under such circumstances, with the aging of surveillance camera equipment, as shown in the left area of FIG. 44, a digital video network type video surveillance system using an IP network as in the present embodiment has been introduced, Assume that it is integrated with an existing analog video surveillance system. In this case, the camera of the existing system is connected to the decoder and becomes a member of the video surveillance system of the present embodiment. As a result, video across areas can be output via the IP network. However, due to operational reasons, when crossing areas, it may be necessary to charge according to the image output time and control time. In such a situation, the charging function of the present invention is preferably applied.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the old system is integrated and the monitoring area is expanded, the setting of the charging method can be flexibly set according to the operation when the equipment is used across the old and new systems. And can change. As described above, the history management and billing function of the present embodiment is also effectively applied to the case where the conventional system is integrated to expand the monitoring area.

  The video surveillance system according to the third embodiment of the present invention has been described above. According to the present embodiment, when the video switching control device performs video switching control in accordance with the input from the camera operation terminal, the monitor output state information as described above is recorded in the database. Accordingly, it is possible to manage the statistical information of the monitor output history such as which camera image is output from which monitor for how long by an instruction from which camera operation terminal. By utilizing the configuration of the database and the video switching device of the present invention, the video switching control device records the historical information in the database when the database is used in response to an instruction from the camera operation terminal, so that the history information can be simply configured. Can be managed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, it is possible to charge according to the monitor output time by using the monitor output history information and the monitor output time billing reference information. By using the database of the present invention and registering the reference fee according to the combination of the camera and the monitor, it is possible to flexibly set the fee reference according to the combination of the devices, and thereby the charging process can be suitably performed. Furthermore, by registering the reference fee in the database from the above maintenance device, it is possible to suitably cope with system expansion such as camera expansion.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the video switching control device performs camera control according to the input of the camera operation terminal, the camera control state information as described above is recorded in the database. Therefore, it is possible to manage the statistical information of the camera control history such as which camera operation terminal has controlled which camera for which time. By utilizing the configuration of the database and the video switching device of the present invention, the video switching control device records the historical information in the database when the database is used in response to an instruction from the camera operation terminal, so that the history information can be simply configured. Can be managed.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, charging according to the camera control time can be performed by using the camera control history information and the camera control charging reference information. By using the database of the present invention and registering the reference fee according to the combination of the camera and the camera operation terminal, it is possible to flexibly set the fee reference according to the combination of the devices, and thereby the charging process can be suitably performed. Furthermore, by registering the reference fee in the database from the above maintenance device, it is possible to suitably cope with system expansion such as camera expansion.

  According to the present embodiment, the video switching control device records the video recording device control state information as described above in the database when the video recording device control is performed according to the input from the camera operation terminal. Therefore, it is possible to manage the statistical information of the control history of the video recording apparatus such as which camera operation terminal has controlled which video recording apparatus for how long. By utilizing the configuration of the database and the video switching device of the present invention, the video switching control device records the historical information in the database when the database is used in response to an instruction from the camera operation terminal, so that the history information can be simply configured. Can be managed.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, charging according to the control time of the video recording apparatus can be performed by using the history information of the video recording apparatus and the charging reference information. By using the database of the present invention and registering the standard fee according to the combination of the video recording device and the camera operation terminal, it is possible to flexibly set the fee standard according to the combination of these devices, thereby making the billing process suitable Yes. Furthermore, it is possible to suitably cope with system expansion by registering the reference fee in the database from the above maintenance device.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that those skilled in the art can modify the above-described embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the video monitoring system according to the present invention has an effect that the device configuration such as a camera and a monitor can be easily changed, and is useful as an event venue system or the like.

Block diagram of a video surveillance system in an embodiment of the present invention The figure which shows the table which the database records The figure which shows the table of camera information of database Figure showing a table of database monitor information The figure which shows the table of the camera operation terminal information of a database (A) The figure which shows the table of the camera selection right information of a database, (b) The figure which shows the operation example according to camera selection right information (A) The figure which shows the table of the camera control right information of a database, (b) The figure which shows the operation example according to camera control right information (A) The figure which shows the table of the monitor selection right information of a database, (b) The figure which shows the operation example according to monitor selection right information (A) The figure which shows the table of the camera priority order information of a database, (b) The figure which shows the operation example according to camera priority order information The figure which shows the table of the camera control state information of a database The figure which shows the table of the HDR information of a database (A) The figure which shows the table of HDR control-right information of a database, (b) The figure which shows the operation example according to HDR control-right information Figure showing a table of database external system information (A) The figure which shows the table of the interlocking control information of a database, (b) The figure which shows the operation example according to interlocking control information Flow chart of selection right determination at the time of monitor selection request The figure which shows the sequence of a monitor selection request and a camera selection request Diagram showing camera control sequence Diagram showing HDR control sequence Diagram showing the video switching request sequence of the external system Diagram showing database registration processing for adding a monitor The figure which shows the database registration process of a camera priority change The figure which shows the table which a database records in 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the table of the camera control item information of a database The figure which shows the operation example according to camera control item information The figure which shows the example of a display of camera control item information The figure which shows the sequence of the camera control where the camera control item information was introduced The figure which shows the table which a database records in 3rd Embodiment. The figure which shows the log | history management table which records monitor output state information The figure which shows the process sequence which records monitor output state information The figure which shows the log | history management table which records camera control status information The figure which shows the process sequence which records camera control status information The figure which shows the log | history management table which records HDR control status information The figure which shows the process sequence which records HDR control status information The figure which shows the table of monitor output time billing standard information The figure which shows the sequence in the case of totaling the accounting information of the monitor output (A) The figure which shows the calculation result of the charging information per monitor, (b) The figure which shows the calculation result of the charging information for every provider, (c) The figure which shows the calculation result of the charging information for every camera operation terminal The figure which shows the table of camera control time charge standard information The figure which shows the sequence in the case of totaling operation of the accounting information of camera control (A) The figure which shows the calculation result of the accounting information per camera, (b) The figure which shows the calculation result of the accounting information for every provider The figure which shows the table of video recording device control charge standard information The figure which shows the sequence in the case of performing totaling operation of the accounting information of video recording device control (A) The figure which shows the calculation result of the accounting information per video recording device, (b) The figure which shows the calculation result of the accounting information for every business The figure which shows the suitable application example of the video surveillance system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. Another figure which shows the suitable application example of the video surveillance system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Video surveillance system 103 Camera 105 Encoder 107 Video switching control apparatus 109 Decoder 111 Monitor 113 Camera operation terminal 115 HDR
117 External system 121 Database 123 Maintenance device

Claims (12)

A plurality of cameras, a plurality of monitors, a plurality of camera operation terminals, and a video switch for switching camera images output from the plurality of monitors in response to a request for switching camera images input from the plurality of camera operation terminals. A video surveillance system comprising a control device,
Camera information registered with at least identification information of the plurality of cameras, monitor information registered with at least identification information of the plurality of monitors, camera operation terminal information registered with at least identification information of the plurality of camera operation terminals, the plurality of cameras A database for storing camera selection right information in which each of the operation terminals has registered a camera having a camera selection right, and monitor selection right information in which each of the plurality of camera operation terminals has registered a monitor having a monitor selection right;
The video switching control device refers to information in the database in accordance with an input from each of the plurality of camera operation terminals, and the camera operation terminal selects a monitor image of a camera for which the camera operation terminal has a camera selection right. Output from an authorized monitor,
And a maintenance device that registers in the database changes including addition and deletion of the camera, the monitor, and the camera operation terminal, and changes in camera selection rights and monitor selection rights of the camera operation terminals. Video surveillance system. The database further stores camera control right information in which each of the plurality of camera operation terminals registers a camera having a camera control right,
The video switching control device refers to information in the database according to an input of a camera control request from each of the plurality of camera operation terminals, and the camera operation terminal controls a camera having a camera control right,
The video monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the maintenance device registers changes in the camera control right including changes associated with addition and deletion of the camera, the monitor, and the camera operation terminal in the database. . The database further stores camera priority information in which priority of control by the plurality of camera operation terminals for each of the plurality of cameras is registered,
The video switching control device refers to the information in the database when a control request for the same camera is input from a plurality of camera operation terminals, controls the camera according to an input from a camera operation terminal having a high priority,
The video monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein the maintenance device registers the change in the camera priority order including changes due to addition and deletion of the camera, the monitor, and the camera operation terminal in the database. . The database further includes video recording device information in which at least identification information of a plurality of video recording devices is registered, and recording device control right information in which video recording devices each having a recording device control right are registered. And remember
The video switching control device refers to the information in the database in response to an input of a video recording request from each of the plurality of camera operation terminals, and the camera operation terminal displays a video on a video recording device having video recording control rights. Let me record
The maintenance device includes a change including addition and deletion of the video recording device, and a change of the video recording control right including a change accompanying addition and deletion of the camera, the monitor, the camera operation terminal, and the video recording device. The video surveillance system according to claim 1, wherein the video surveillance system is registered in the database. The database further stores external system information in which at least identification information of the external system is registered, and interlocking control information in which a camera and a monitor to be interlocked with an input of a video switching request from the external system are registered,
The video switching control device refers to the information in the database in response to an input of a video switching request from the external system, and monitors the video of the camera registered in the interlock control information from the monitor registered in the interlock control information. Output,
The maintenance device includes a change including addition and deletion of the external system, and a change of the interlock control information including a change accompanying addition and deletion of the camera, the monitor, the camera operation terminal, and the external system. 5. The video surveillance system according to claim 1, wherein the video surveillance system is registered in a database. The database further stores camera control item information in which control items permitted to be controlled by each of the plurality of camera operation terminals for each of the plurality of cameras are registered,
The video switching control device refers to the database according to an input of a control item for each of the plurality of cameras from each of the plurality of camera operation terminals, and according to whether or not control of the corresponding control item for the camera operation terminal is permitted. Control the camera,
The said maintenance apparatus registers the change of the said camera control item information including the change including addition and deletion of the said camera and the said camera operation terminal in the said database, The Claim 1 thru | or 5 characterized by the above-mentioned. Video surveillance system. The database further includes a monitor that has output an image, a camera that has captured the output camera image, an output start time, an output end time, and a switching control operation as history information of the monitor output. Store monitor output status information including information on the camera operating terminal
The video switching control device records the monitor output status information in the database when video switching control is performed according to an input from each of the plurality of camera operation terminals. Video surveillance system. The database stores monitor output charging standard information in which a charge per output unit time for each monitor and camera combination is registered,
The video switching control device calculates, as charging information, a cost corresponding to an output time in a combination of a monitor and a camera, based on the monitor output state information and the monitor output charging reference information. Item 8. The video surveillance system according to Item 7. The database further includes, as camera control history information, information on the controlled camera, the time when the control right of the camera was acquired, the time when the control right was released, and the camera operation terminal on which the camera control operation was performed. Store camera control status information including
3. The video monitoring according to claim 2, wherein the video switching control device records the camera control state information in the database when camera control is performed according to an input from each of the plurality of camera operation terminals. system. The database stores camera control charging standard information in which a charge per camera control unit time for each camera and each camera operation terminal combination is registered,
The video switching control device calculates cost according to control time in a combination of a camera and a camera operation terminal as charging information based on the camera control state information and the camera control charging reference information. 9. The video surveillance system according to 9. The database further includes, as history information of video recording device control, a controlled video recording device, a time when the control right of the video recording device is acquired, a time when the control right is released, and a video recording device control operation. Stores video recording device control status information including information on the camera operation terminal performed,
5. The video switching control device records the video recording device control state information in the database when video recording device control is performed according to an input from each of the plurality of camera operation terminals. The video surveillance system described. The database stores video recording device control charging standard information in which a charge per video recording device control unit time for each combination of each video recording device and each camera operation terminal is registered,
The video switching control device calculates, as charging information, a cost according to a control time in a combination of the video recording device and the camera operation terminal based on the video recording device control state information and the video recording device control charging reference information. The video surveillance system according to claim 11.

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