JP2008017029A - Video monitor system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video monitor system which can solve problems of installation of monitor places resulting from use of a wired LAN for a connection between a monitor node and a center device and problems of operations at monitor places in a wide area. <P>SOLUTION: A network using a wireless LAN is constituted by providing wireless LAN devices (A)44 and wireless LAN devices (B)45 to respective monitor nodes 40, 50, and 60, and a network managing device 15 is provided which acquires communication states of the wireless LAN devices (A)44 and wireless LAN devices (B)45 at the monitor nodes 40, 50, and 60. Consequently, installation efficiency can be improved by making wireless connections between the center device 10, and monitor nodes 40, 50, and 60, and tolerance of a decrease in transmission quality and trouble which are inevitable when the wireless LAN is introduced can be enhanced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a wired LAN or a wireless LAN for images taken by camera devices mounted on a plurality of monitoring nodes in accordance with instructions sent by a user using a terminal such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) or a mobile phone. The present invention relates to a video surveillance system that distributes to user terminals via a network.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional video surveillance system. As shown in the figure, a conventional video monitoring system includes a plurality of monitoring nodes 110 having camera devices 100 installed at a plurality of locations, and each monitoring node via a wired LAN (Locol Area Network) including the Internet. 110, and a center device 120 that provides a user with an image of the camera device 100 sent from each monitoring node 110. The user connects his or her terminal such as a personal computer or a mobile phone to the center device. By connecting to 120, an image is obtained through the camera device 100 of each monitoring node 110 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-339708 A

  However, in the conventional video monitoring system, since the wired LAN is used for the connection between the monitoring node 110 and the center apparatus 120, the wired LAN laying work is difficult or the wide area where the wired LAN is difficult to cope with. There is a problem that it cannot be operated in various monitoring locations.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has problems in installing a monitoring place due to the use of a wired LAN for connection between a monitoring node and a center apparatus, and operation in a monitoring place over a wide area. An object is to provide a video surveillance system capable of solving the problem.

The above object is achieved by the following configuration.
The video monitoring system of the present invention includes a plurality of monitoring nodes having a camera device and a wireless LAN device for photographing a monitoring target, and a center device connected to a monitoring node having a router among the plurality of monitoring nodes via the Internet. The plurality of monitoring nodes form a network with wireless LAN devices, and transfer images captured by the respective camera devices to the center device, and the center device includes the router. Acquire images taken by the camera device of the node via the Internet, and images taken by the camera device of all monitoring nodes not having the router via the monitoring node having the router Acquire the acquired image and connect it to the Internet via the Internet. And transmits it to have been a user of the terminal.

  With this configuration, since a wireless LAN device is provided in each monitoring node to configure a network based on the wireless LAN, the installation property can be improved by wireless connection between the center device and each monitoring node.

  In the video monitoring system of the present invention, the center device includes a network management device that manages network connections with the plurality of monitoring nodes.

  With this configuration, since the network management device that acquires the communication status in the wireless LAN device of each monitoring node is provided, it is possible to reduce the transmission quality that cannot be avoided when the wireless LAN is introduced and to enhance the resistance to failures.

  In the video monitoring system of the present invention, at least one of all the remaining monitoring nodes other than the monitoring node having the router includes a wireless LAN monitoring device that collects wireless LAN usage statuses of the surrounding monitoring nodes. The monitoring node having the router transmits the wireless LAN usage status collected by the monitoring node having the wireless LAN monitoring device to the center device.

  With this configuration, a wireless LAN monitor device that collects the wireless LAN usage status of surrounding monitoring nodes is provided in at least one of the remaining monitoring nodes other than the monitoring node having a router, so the wireless LAN channel is changed. In this case, the most preferable selection can be made, and it can be determined whether the failure is a temporary failure or a failure that requires a change, and unnecessary wireless LAN switching can be suppressed.

  In the video monitoring system of the present invention, the network management device grasps the communication status between the center device and each of the plurality of monitoring nodes, and the operation of the wireless LAN device of each of the plurality of monitoring nodes as necessary. Change the setting.

  With this configuration, the network management device changes the operation settings of the wireless LAN device of each monitoring node in accordance with the communication status between the center device and each of the plurality of monitoring nodes, so that it is resistant to transmission quality degradation and failure. Can be strengthened.

  In the video monitoring system of the present invention, the network management device grasps the communication status including the wireless LAN usage status from the monitoring node having the wireless LAN monitoring device, and if necessary, the wireless network of each of the plurality of monitoring nodes. Change the operation settings of the LAN device.

  With this configuration, the network management device changes the operation settings of the wireless LAN device of each monitoring node according to the communication status including the wireless LAN usage status from the monitoring node having the wireless LAN monitoring device. Strengthen resistance to decline and damage.

  In the video monitoring system of the present invention, the plurality of monitoring nodes include a plurality of wireless LAN devices that use different frequency bands as the wireless LAN device, and the network management device is configured to select the plurality of wireless LAN devices according to communication conditions. The most suitable wireless LAN device is selected.

  With this configuration, a plurality of wireless LAN devices having different frequency bands to be used are provided, and an optimum one of the plurality of wireless LAN devices is selected according to the communication status, so that the plurality of wireless LAN devices are simultaneously damaged. It is possible to reduce the probability and use an optimal wireless LAN device in accordance with a communication situation that changes throughout the year or day and night.

  The video monitoring system of the present invention includes a wireless LAN device, and includes a relay node that relays data transmission by wireless LAN between the monitoring nodes.

  With this configuration, it is possible to construct a network at a remote monitoring location by a relay node, and it is possible to install and use a monitoring node over a wide area.

  According to the present invention, since the wireless LAN device is provided in each monitoring node to configure the network using the wireless LAN, the installation property can be improved by wireless connection between the center device and each monitoring node.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a video surveillance system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the figure, the video monitoring system according to the present embodiment includes a center device 10, a terminal 20 such as a personal computer 21 and a mobile phone 22, and a monitoring node 40 that is wired to the center device 10 and the terminal 20 via the Internet 30. A monitoring node 50 wirelessly connected to the monitoring node 40 and having a wireless LAN monitoring function, and a plurality of monitoring nodes 60 wirelessly connected to the monitoring node 40 and not having a wireless LAN monitoring function.

  The center device 10 includes a router 11, a HUB (hub) 12, a WEB (World Wide Web) server 13, a data server 14, and a network management device 15. The router 11 connects the center apparatus 10 to the Internet 30. The HUB 12 connects the WEB server 13, the data server 14, and the network management device 15 to the router 11. In response to a request from client software such as a WEB browser provided in the terminal 20 such as the personal computer 21 or the mobile phone 22, the WEB server 13 sends an HTML (HyperText Markup Language) document or image to the terminal 20 through the Internet 30. Send information. The data server 14 accumulates registration information of the user 70 of the terminal 20 such as the personal computer 21 and the mobile phone 22, past image data, and the operation status of the video monitoring system.

  The network management device 15 manages the network status in the video monitoring system of the present embodiment, and each of the wireless LAN device (A) 44 and the wireless LAN device (B) 45 of each of the monitoring nodes 40, 50, 60. The communication status (used channel, wireless modulation method, maximum connection speed, maximum number of retransmissions, transmission power, reception sensitivity, packet loss rate, data error rate, etc.) is periodically acquired for the latest communication status and past communication. The situation and which of the two wireless LAN devices (A) 44 and wireless LAN devices (B) 45 of the monitoring nodes 40, 50, and 60 are used is stored as a communication status. In addition, the wireless LAN monitor device 51 of the monitoring node 50 periodically collects the usage status of the surrounding wireless LAN, and for each channel of each wireless LAN device (A) 44 and each channel of each wireless LAN device (B) 45. Understand and accumulate the reception level. Incidentally, the communication confirmation with respect to each monitoring node 40, 50, 60 is realizable by transmitting PING (Packet Internet Groper).

  Here, for example, when the packet loss rate exceeds 10% in the communication status, the network management apparatus 106 determines that the communication status is bad and changes the setting to an appropriate setting. For example, “Increase transmission power”, “Increase maximum number of retransmissions”, “Decrease maximum connection speed”, “Change wireless modulation method”, “Change channel used”, “Switch wireless LAN device”, etc. The setting is changed so that the communication status specified in advance is obtained.

  Further, by changing the frequency band used by each of the wireless LAN device (A) 44 and the wireless LAN device (B) 45, for example, one wireless LAN is set to an ad hoc network line using a 2.4 GHz band, and the other wireless LAN is set to 4 By using a peer-to-peer network bridge line that uses the 9 GHz band, wireless LANs with different characteristics can be used due to differences in frequency band and wireless LAN device network configuration. The probability of receiving can be reduced. Furthermore, the wireless LAN device (A) 44 and the wireless LAN device (B) 45 can be selected in accordance with the communication situation that changes throughout the year or day and night.

  Also, if the packet loss rate is not high even if the reception level is constant, it is a propagation obstacle due to a temporary obstacle, and there is no need to change the channel. If it is possible, it is necessary to change the wireless LAN channel.

  The personal computer 21 or the mobile phone 22 that is the terminal 20 has client software such as the above-described WEB browser, and the WEB server 13 of the center apparatus 10 is accessed using this client software to each of the monitoring nodes 40, 50, 60. An image photographed by the camera device 43 is acquired. In particular, when accessing the WEB server 13 to the center device 10, authentication is performed based on registration information stored in the data server 14. If the authentication is valid, access to the camera server 42 of each monitoring node 40, 50, 60 is permitted, connected to the camera server 42 via the WEB server 13, and the camera device 43 can be freely controlled. Is possible. In this case, since only one person can operate the camera device 43 of one monitoring node 40, 50 or 60 at the same time, the control right is controlled by the camera server 42. The control right can be acquired when the camera control is performed, and is returned after the control is completed, and another user 70 cannot perform the camera control until the control right is returned. After returning the control right, the connection between the terminal 20 and the center apparatus 10 is disconnected by logging out with the client software of the terminal 20.

  The monitoring node 40 includes a router 41, a camera server 42, a camera device 43, a wireless LAN device (A) 44, and a wireless LAN device (B) 45. The router 41 connects the monitoring node 40 to the Internet 30. The camera server 42 performs control to give a control right to the terminal 20 connected via the WEB server 14 of the center device 10, and after giving the control right, the angle of view of the camera device 43 is given according to an instruction from the terminal 20. In addition to performing adjustment (including zooming), the image captured by the camera device 43 is captured and transmitted to the terminal 20 via the WEB server 14 of the center device 10. The camera server 42 also monitors the communication status of the wireless LAN device (A) 44 and the wireless LAN device (B) 45. Here, the communication status to be monitored includes the channel used, the radio modulation scheme, the maximum connection speed, the maximum number of retransmissions, transmission power, reception sensitivity, packet loss rate, data error rate, and the like.

  The camera device 43 includes an image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), and outputs image data obtained by encoding an image obtained by imaging. The wireless LAN device (A) 44 forms a wireless LAN with the wireless LAN devices (A) 44 of the other monitoring nodes 50 and 60, and exchanges data. The wireless LAN device (B) 45 forms a wireless LAN with the wireless LAN devices (B) 45 of the other monitoring nodes 50 and 60, and exchanges data.

  The monitoring node 50 includes a camera server 42, a camera device 43, a wireless LAN monitor device 51, a wireless LAN device (A) 44, and a wireless LAN device (B) 45. The other parts are substantially the same as those of the monitoring node 40. The wireless LAN monitor device 51 periodically collects the usage status of peripheral wireless LANs, and monitors the reception level for each channel of each wireless LAN device (A) 44 and each channel of each wireless LAN device (B) 45. The reception level of each monitored channel is collected by the network management device 15 of the center device 10. The monitoring node 60 has the same configuration as the monitoring node 50 except that it does not include the wireless LAN monitor device 51.

  About the video surveillance system comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement is demonstrated using FIGS. First, the basic operation of the video surveillance system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the basic operation. First, when the user 70 logs in (step S10), the WEB server 13 refers to the user information of the data server 14 and authenticates the user 70 (step S11). That is, when the user 70 uses the terminal 20 to access the WEB server 13 of the center apparatus 10 via the Internet 30, the WEB server 13 authenticates whether the logged-in user 70 is a valid user. At this time, referring to the user information registered in the data server 14, the user 70 who logs in is confirmed. If there is no problem with the user 70, access to the camera server 42 of each monitoring node 40, 50, 60 is permitted, and the terminal 20 is connected to the camera server 42 via the Internet 30 (step S12). Here, it is assumed that the camera server (1) 42 of the monitoring node 40 is connected.

  When the camera server (1) 42 of the monitoring node 40 is connected to the terminal 20 and receives a camera control request from the terminal 20 (step S13), it determines whether there is another user (step S14) and uses it for others. If there is no person, the camera control right is given to the terminal 20 of the user 70. On the other hand, if there are other users, the process returns to step S13. When the camera control right is given to the terminal 20, the angle of view (including zoom) of the camera device 43 can be controlled via the camera server (1) 42, and images taken by the camera device 43 can be acquired. (Step S15). The user 70 operates the terminal 20 to adjust the angle of view of the camera device 43 and acquires an image photographed by the camera device 43 (for example, an image photographed by his / her child 71). After the user 70 acquires the target image, the terminal 20 is operated to release the camera control right (step S16). Then, it is determined whether or not to log out (step S17). If not logged out, the process returns to step S13. If logged out (step S18), the web server 13 of the center apparatus 10 disconnects the connection with the terminal 20. Although the above operation was performed on the monitoring node 40, the same applies to the monitoring nodes 50 and 60.

  Next, the operation of the network management device 15 of the center device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the network management device 15. In the figure, first, the communication status (used channel, wireless modulation method, maximum connection speed, maximum number of retransmissions) for each of the wireless LAN device (A) 44 and the wireless LAN device (B) 45 of each monitoring node 40, 50, 60. , Transmission power, reception sensitivity, packet loss rate, data error rate, etc.) at regular intervals (for example, every minute) (step S20), and the latest communication status and past communication status, Which of the plurality of wireless LAN devices in each of the monitoring nodes 40, 50, 60 is used is stored as a communication status (step S21). Also, the wireless LAN monitor device 51 of the monitoring monitor 50 periodically collects the surrounding wireless LAN usage status, for example, the channel of each wireless LAN device (A) 44 and each wireless LAN device (B) 45 as shown in FIG. Understand and accumulate the reception level for each channel.

  After acquiring and accumulating the communication status of each site, the communication status is determined (step S22). If there is no abnormality (ie, OK), the process returns to step S20, and if there is an abnormality (ie, NG) For example, the wireless LAN setting is changed (step S23). Then, a wireless LAN switching change process is performed (step S24), and then it is determined whether there is a line change (step S25). If there is no line change, the process returns to step S20, and if there is a line change, line switching processing is performed (step S26).

  Here, for example, when the communication status NG and the network management device 15 determine when the packet loss rate exceeds 10%, for example, “increase the transmission power”, “increase the maximum number of retransmissions”, “maximum Change to an appropriate setting such as “Reducing connection speed”, “Changing wireless modulation method”, “Changing channel used”, “Switching wireless LAN device”, etc. In addition, by selecting two wireless LAN devices (A) 44 and wireless LAN devices (B) 45 that use different frequency bands, for example, one wireless LAN is connected to an ad hoc network line using a 2.4 GHz band, By making the other a peer-to-peer network bridge line using the 4.9 GHz band, a wireless LAN with different characteristics can be used due to the difference in frequency band and the network configuration of the wireless LAN device. At the same time, it is possible to select one of the wireless LAN devices (A) 44 and the wireless LAN devices (B) 45 in accordance with the communication situation that reduces the probability of failure at the same time and changes throughout the year or day and night.

  When the reception level is constant and the packet loss rate is high, it is a propagation obstacle due to a temporary obstacle, and there is no need to change the channel. In this case, it is necessary to change the wireless LAN channel. In making the change, the average reception level of the corresponding channel and the upper and lower three channels is calculated from the current wireless LAN channel state of FIG. 4, and the lowest channel based on the average reception level as shown in the line graph of FIG. Is preferably selected.

  As described above, according to the video monitoring system of the present embodiment, a wireless LAN device (A) 44 and a wireless LAN device (B) 45 are provided in each of the monitoring nodes 40, 50, 60 to configure a network using a wireless LAN. Since the network management device 15 for acquiring the communication status in the wireless LAN device (A) 44 and the wireless LAN device (B) 45 of each of the monitoring nodes 40, 50, 60 is provided, the center device 10 and each of the monitoring nodes 40, 50 are provided. , 60 can be installed in a wireless manner, and the installation can be improved. In addition, when a wireless LAN is introduced, the transmission quality cannot be avoided and the resistance to failures can be enhanced. In addition, since the monitoring node 50 includes the wireless LAN monitor device 51, the most preferable selection can be made when changing the wireless LAN channel, and it is possible to determine whether the failure is a temporary failure or a failure that requires a change. Switching can be suppressed.

  In the above description, the example in which the line graph of FIG. 5 is configured with the average value of the corresponding channel and the upper and lower three channels has been described. However, other calculation methods, for example, the combined value can be similarly implemented.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a video surveillance system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the figure, the video monitoring system according to the present embodiment includes a relay node 80 having a wireless LAN device (A) 81 and a wireless LAN device (B) 81 in the same configuration as the video monitoring system according to the first embodiment. It is added. The wireless LAN device (A) 81 and the wireless LAN device (B) 82 are the same as the wireless LAN device (A) 44 and the wireless LAN device (B) 45 of the first embodiment.

  By providing the relay node 80, the distance between the monitoring nodes (for example, between the monitoring node 40 and the monitoring node 50 and between the monitoring node 40 and the monitoring node 60) can be reduced between the wireless LAN device (A) 44 and the wireless LAN device (B ) Even when the communication limit distance of 45 is exceeded, the wireless LAN monitor device 51 can function as a monitoring node and determine whether the failure is a temporary failure or a failure that requires a change. (A) As the degree of freedom of the route through the ad hoc network of, for example, 2.4 GHz band according to 44 increases, the most preferable wireless by the network management apparatus 15 as a wireless LAN configuration including each of the monitoring nodes 40, 50, 60 and the relay node 80 A LAN configuration can be selected.

  In addition, although the example which comprised one wireless LAN by the ad hoc network by a 2.4 GHz band was demonstrated, it can implement similarly also by the wireless LAN means by another wireless frequency band.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention has an effect that it is possible to solve a problem in installing a monitoring place by using a wired LAN for connection between the monitoring node and the center apparatus and a problem in operation in a monitoring place over a wide area. In addition, the present invention can be applied to a video surveillance system that distributes an image captured by a camera device to a terminal such as a mobile phone or a personal computer in accordance with an instruction from the terminal.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a video surveillance system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The flowchart for operation | movement description of the video surveillance system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention The flowchart for operation | movement description of the video surveillance system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the video surveillance system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the video surveillance system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the video surveillance system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. Block diagram showing schematic configuration of conventional video surveillance system

Explanation of symbols

10 Monitoring Center 11, 41 Router 12 HUB
13 WEB server 14 data server 15 network management device 20 terminal 21 personal computer 22 mobile phone 30 internet 40, 50, 60 monitoring node 42 camera server 43 camera device 44, 81 wireless LAN device (A)
45, 82 Wireless LAN device (B)
51 Wireless LAN monitor device 70 User 71 Child 80 Relay node

Claims (7)

A plurality of monitoring nodes having a camera device and a wireless LAN device for photographing a monitoring target, and a center device connected to a monitoring node having a router among the plurality of monitoring nodes via the Internet,
The plurality of monitoring nodes configure a network with wireless LAN devices, and enable transfer of images captured by the respective camera devices to the center device,
The center device obtains an image captured by the camera device of the monitoring node having the router via the Internet, and an image captured by the camera device of all the monitoring nodes not having the router. A video monitoring system that acquires via a monitoring node having the router and transmits the acquired image to a terminal of a user connected to the Internet via the Internet.   The video monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the center device includes a network management device that manages network connections with the plurality of monitoring nodes. Of all the remaining monitoring nodes other than the monitoring node having the router, at least one has a wireless LAN monitor device for collecting wireless LAN usage status of the surrounding monitoring nodes,
The video monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring node having the router transmits the wireless LAN usage status collected by the monitoring node having the wireless LAN monitoring device to the center device.   The network management device grasps the communication status between the center device and each of the plurality of monitoring nodes, and changes the operation setting of the wireless LAN device of each of the plurality of monitoring nodes as necessary. The video surveillance system described.   The network management device grasps a communication state including a wireless LAN usage state from a monitoring node having the wireless LAN monitoring device, and changes operation settings of the wireless LAN devices of the plurality of monitoring nodes as necessary. The video surveillance system according to claim 4. The plurality of monitoring nodes include a plurality of wireless LAN devices using different frequency bands as the wireless LAN device,
The video monitoring system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the network management device selects an optimum one of the plurality of wireless LAN devices according to a communication state.   The video monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a relay node that includes a wireless LAN device and relays data transmission between the monitoring nodes via a wireless LAN.

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