JP2008219227A - System and method for monitoring video image - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video image monitoring system accurately recording a video image of a surveillance camera using a voice detection signal. <P>SOLUTION: The video image monitoring system includes a video image recording unit 100 having: surveillance cameras 11, 12, 13, 14, microphones 21, 22, 23; and a record data section 101 for recording video information imaged by the surveillance cameras and voice information collected by the microphones. The video image recording unit 100 detects whether the voice information from the microphones satisfies a predetermined condition. On detecting the predetermined condition, the video image recording unit 100 records, in the record data section 101, the video information of the surveillance camera corresponding to the microphone satisfying the predetermined condition, by referring to a camera-microphone correspondence data section relating the surveillance cameras to the microphones. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a video monitoring system and a video monitoring method effective for crime prevention measures such as financial institutions.

  Financial institutions have early adopted video surveillance systems using surveillance cameras, which have been used for crime prevention and crime demonstration. In recent years, crimes surrounding financial institutions have become even worse. For example, a bold and rough method of stealing an ATM facility with heavy equipment for construction has appeared, and video management with a surveillance camera is important. For this reason, in order to protect the video of the monitoring camera, a method is usually adopted in which the video from the monitoring camera is transmitted to the management server using a communication network.

  A video monitoring system using a security camera may employ a motion detection function in order to accurately record a suspicious motion. The motion detection function accumulates the video at the time of the change or outputs to an external device, records a log, etc. when a part or the whole of the video changes due to movement of an object or the like.

Also, as a crime prevention system using a surveillance camera, if the intensity of the audio signal detected by the detection unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold within the surveillance area of the surveillance camera, or if it matches a predetermined word, the image of the surveillance area Is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-346545 A (paragraph 0017, FIG. 1)

  In Patent Document 1, an existing photographing operation capable of pan / tilt / zoom operation is used as a monitoring camera, but the relationship between the audio signal of the detection unit and the monitoring camera is not clear. The problem is how to operate the surveillance camera based on the audio detection signal and how to record the video using the audio detection signal.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a video monitoring system and a video monitoring method capable of accurately recording a video of a monitoring camera using an audio detection signal. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, a video surveillance system for monitoring a surveillance area includes at least one photographing unit (for example, surveillance camera 11), at least one sound collecting unit (for example, microphone 21), A video recording device (for example, video recording device 100) having a recording unit (for example, recording data unit 101) that records video information captured by the imaging unit and audio information collected by the sound collecting unit; The video recording apparatus includes a determination unit (for example, the control unit 104) that determines whether or not the audio information from the sound collection unit satisfies a predetermined condition, and a related storage unit (for example, a link between the photographing unit and the sound collection unit). When the determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the video information of the photographing unit corresponding to the sound collection unit that satisfies the predetermined condition with reference to the related storage unit is recorded. To record in And butterflies.

  According to the present invention, the video of the surveillance camera can be accurately recorded by the audio detection signal.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a video monitoring system according to the first embodiment. The video monitoring system includes a monitoring camera 11, a video recording device 100, a video storage server 200, an operation management terminal 300, and a video monitoring terminal 400. The monitoring camera 11, the video recording device 100, the video storage server 200, the operation management terminal 300, and the video monitoring terminal 400 are connected to the network 500 via communication control devices 510 and 520.

  The surveillance camera 11 captures an area 31. The monitoring camera 11 includes a microphone 21, and the microphone 21 is a directional microphone that inputs the sound of the area 31. Video information from the monitoring camera 11 and audio information from the microphone 21 are transmitted to the video recording device 100. The video information is transmitted at a predetermined frame rate (for example, the number of frames per second). The video information includes information for specifying the surveillance camera 11, and the audio information includes information for specifying the microphone 21. Note that the microphone is an abbreviation for a microphone, and the voice is general sound in a broad sense.

  The video recording apparatus 100 records video and audio in the recording data unit 101 according to preset setting values from the monitoring camera 11. Details will be described with reference to FIG.

  The video storage server 200 collects video information and audio information of the video recording device 100 according to preset setting values and records them in the recording data unit 201. The operation management terminal 300 records and manages the operation state of each device in the video monitoring system in the operation management data unit 301. The video monitoring terminal 400 can monitor the video information of the monitoring camera 11 and the audio information from the microphone 21 via the video recording device 100 in real time, and the video information and audio information stored in the video recording device 100 and the video storage server 200 can be monitored. Can search and play.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing functions of the video recording apparatus. The video recording apparatus 100 includes a control unit 104, an input / output unit 105, an audio data unit 103, a camera microphone corresponding data unit 102, and a recording data unit 101, and each unit is connected by a bus 106. The control unit 104 is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that operates according to a program. The audio data unit 103, the camera microphone correspondence data unit 102, and the recording data unit 101 are realized by a database device such as a memory or an optical disk device.

  The control unit 104 determines whether or not the volume of the audio information input via the input / output unit 105 is equal to or higher than the volume set in the audio data unit 103. When the control unit 104 determines that the volume is equal to or higher than the volume set in the audio data unit 103 (when an abnormal volume is detected), the control unit 104 searches the camera microphone correspondence data unit 102 and specifies the microphone included in the audio information. The information which specifies the surveillance camera corresponding to is acquired. Specifically, information for specifying a surveillance camera corresponding to information for specifying a microphone is acquired from the camera / microphone correspondence table shown in FIG. The control unit 104 records the video information of the information specifying the acquired monitoring camera and the audio information in association with each other and records them in the recording data unit 101. For example, the video recording apparatus 100 can record video information and audio information when a crime occurs and an abnormal volume such as a scream is detected (when an abnormal volume is detected).

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a camera microphone correspondence table. FIG. 3A shows a case where there is one surveillance camera and microphone, and FIGS. 3B to 3E show a case where at least one of the surveillance camera and microphone is plural. In FIG. 3A, the microphone 21 corresponds to the monitoring camera 11, and it can be seen that the monitoring camera 11 is monitoring the area 31. In addition, immediate control is set as the control method. Immediate control means that abnormal sound is detected (recording timing), and if another recording timing occurs in the same camera while recording video information and audio information, the previous control is canceled immediately and another recording is immediately performed. This means enabling the timing. For example, when the control unit 104 detects an abnormal sound at 10:13 and starts recording, and when setting a recording time of 10 minutes after the start of recording, when the control unit 104 detects another abnormality at 10:16, Recording starts at 10:16, when the abnormal sound is detected again by 104, with a recording time of 10 minutes. In this way, even when abnormal sounds are intermittently generated, the video of the monitoring camera can be accurately recorded by the audio detection signal. Details of FIGS. 3B to 3E will be described later.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the control unit 104 registers predetermined voice identification information in the voice data unit 103 in advance. The control unit 104 compares the voice identification information with the input voice information. Information may be recorded. For example, if voice identification information such as “Kora”, “Take out money”, “Care”, etc. is registered, the video recording apparatus 100 can display video information when a crime occurs (when abnormal sound quality is detected). And voice information can be recorded.

  When detecting an abnormal sound (when detecting an abnormal sound volume or abnormal sound quality), the control unit 104 may request the monitoring camera 11 to change the frame rate. For example, the control unit 104 normally issues a request for 10 frames per second when an abnormality is detected in the case of 1 frame per second. Then, the video recording apparatus 100 can record high-density video information and audio information when an abnormality occurs.

  In addition, as a recording method of the video information and the audio information, the control unit 104 records when an abnormality is detected (first recording method), and normally records at a low frame rate and detects an abnormality. And a method of recording at a high frame rate (second recording method). In the case of the first recording method, it is preferable to record a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes) after the recording timing from a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) before the recording timing at which the abnormal sound is detected. In this case, in order to record a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) before the recording timing, it is preferable to always record the video information and audio information for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) on the memory. .

  According to the present embodiment, if the control unit 104 detects an abnormal sound of audio information (for example, an abnormal volume or an abnormal sound quality), the camera microphone correspondence data unit is searched and a microphone included in the audio information is specified. The information for specifying the monitoring camera corresponding to the information to be acquired can be acquired, and the video information of the information for specifying the acquired monitoring camera and the audio information can be associated and recorded in the recording data unit 101.

  In this embodiment, the area 31 monitored by the monitoring camera 11 is the same as the area 31 monitored by the microphone 21, but does not necessarily have to be the same. For example, when the microphone 21 is installed in the corridor that leads to the room in the management area, and the surveillance camera 11 is installed in the room in the management area, when an abnormal sound is detected in advance by the microphone 21, the intruder enters the room in the management area. From the front, the surveillance camera 11 can shoot at a high frame rate setting. That is, voice detection control based on voice information from the microphone can be realized.

<< Embodiment 2 >>
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating a video monitoring system according to the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, the correspondence between one monitoring camera and one microphone has been described. Embodiment 2 describes a video surveillance system including a plurality of surveillance cameras and a plurality of microphones. In FIG. 4, the same components as those shown in FIG.

  The video surveillance system of this embodiment includes a plurality of surveillance cameras 11, 12, 13, 14 and a plurality of microphones 21, 22, 23. The surveillance cameras 11, 13, and 14 capture images of the areas 31, 32, and 33, respectively, and the surveillance camera 12 captures the entire images of the areas 31, 32, and 33. The microphones 21, 22 and 23 are directional microphones so as to input the sounds of the areas 31, 32 and 33, respectively.

  FIG. 3B shows a camera microphone correspondence table according to the second embodiment. According to FIG.3 (b), the information which specifies the surveillance camera corresponding to the information which specifies the microphone contained in audio | voice information is acquirable. For example, when the information specifying the microphone is the microphone 22, it can be seen that the images of the monitoring camera 12 and the monitoring camera 13 are recorded. In addition, when the information specifying the microphone is the microphone 23, it can be seen that the images of the monitoring camera 12 and the monitoring camera 14 are recorded.

  According to the present embodiment, video and audio can be recorded by using a plurality of surveillance cameras and a plurality of microphones and dividing the pattern according to the camera microphone correspondence table. Voice detection control based on voice information from the microphone can be realized.

<< Embodiment 3 >>
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating a video monitoring system according to the third embodiment. In the first embodiment, the correspondence between one surveillance camera and one microphone has been described. Embodiment 3 describes a video surveillance system that includes one swivel-type surveillance camera and a plurality of microphones. In FIG. 4, the same components as those shown in FIG.

  The video surveillance system includes a swivel type surveillance camera 41 and a plurality of microphones 21, 22, 23, and 24. The swivel type surveillance camera 41 shoots images of the areas 31, 32, 33, and 34 as the photographing unit turns. The microphones 21, 22, 23, and 24 are directional microphones so as to input the sounds in the areas 31, 32, 33, and 34.

  FIG. 3C shows a camera microphone correspondence table according to the third embodiment. According to FIG.3 (c), the information which specifies the surveillance camera corresponding to the information which specifies the microphone contained in audio | voice information is acquirable. For example, when the information specifying the microphone is the microphone 22, it can be seen that the video of the area 32 of the monitoring camera 41 is recorded.

  The control unit 104 determines whether or not the volume of audio information of the microphones 21, 22, 23, and 24 input via the input / output unit 105 is equal to or higher than the volume set in the audio data unit 103. When the control unit 104 detects a volume higher than the volume set in the audio data unit 103 (when an abnormal volume is detected), the control unit 104 searches the camera microphone correspondence data unit 102 and corresponds to information for specifying a microphone included in the audio information. Acquire information for identifying the surveillance camera to be used. Specifically, information for specifying the surveillance camera and the area corresponding to the information for specifying the microphone is acquired from the camera / microphone correspondence table shown in FIG. When detecting the abnormal volume of the audio information of the microphone 24, the control unit 104 acquires the area 34 of the monitoring camera 41 and transmits a command to turn the imaging unit of the monitoring camera 41 to the area 34 to the monitoring camera 41. The monitoring camera 41 that has received the instruction captures the area 34 and transmits video information to the video recording apparatus 100.

  According to this embodiment, it is possible to perform voice detection control based on real-time omnidirectional voice information using a single turning-type surveillance camera 41.

  In this embodiment, it can be used not only for a video surveillance system for crime prevention but also for a video surveillance system for conferences. When the video surveillance system is used for a conference, a plurality of microphones for conference attendees are installed, and the control unit 104 (see FIG. 2) turns when it recognizes the speech of the conference attendee who made a speech. It may be instructed to take a picture of the speaker's video to the monitoring camera 41 of the type.

<< Embodiment 4 >>
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating a video monitoring system according to the fourth embodiment. In the third embodiment, the correspondence between one swivel-type surveillance camera and a plurality of microphones has been described. In the fourth embodiment, a video monitoring system instructed by an operator from a microphone will be described. In FIG. 6, the same components as those shown in FIG.

  The video surveillance system includes a swivel type surveillance camera 41 and a plurality of microphones 21, 22, 23, and 24. The swivel type monitoring camera 41 shoots images of the areas 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 as the photographing unit turns. The microphones 21, 22 and 23 are directional microphones so as to input the sounds of the areas 31, 32 and 33, respectively. The microphone 24 is an operator microphone. The operator speaks information identifying an area. For example, when the operator speaks “Area 35” to the microphone 24, the video recording apparatus 100 records the video information of the area 35 by the monitoring camera 41 and the audio information of the microphone 24. When the operator speaks “area 33” and “microphone 23” to the microphone 24, the video recording apparatus 100 records the video information of the area 33 by the monitoring camera 41 and the audio information of the microphone 24. . Thus, video information and audio information instructed by the operator can be recorded.

  FIG. 3D shows a camera microphone correspondence table according to the fourth embodiment. According to FIG.3 (d), the information which specifies the monitoring area of the monitoring camera corresponding to the information which specifies the microphone contained in audio | voice information is acquirable. For example, when the information specifying the microphone is the microphone 22, it can be seen that the video of the area 32 of the monitoring camera 41 is recorded.

  When the information specifying the microphone is the microphone 24, the area of the monitoring camera 41 is determined by voice recognition. That is, the control unit 104 determines an area for shooting based on the audio information from the microphone 24.

  In addition, the voice information from the microphone 24 may be designated with the highest priority and immediate control. In this case, when the control unit 104 detects abnormal sound from audio information from another microphone and records a video, it can start shooting and record the area designated by the operator with the highest priority. it can.

  According to this embodiment, the operator can use the microphone 24 to perform voice detection control based on real-time omnidirectional voice information.

<< Embodiment 5 >>
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram illustrating a video monitoring system according to the fifth embodiment. In the third embodiment, the correspondence between one swivel-type surveillance camera and a plurality of microphones has been described. Embodiment 5 demonstrates the video surveillance system provided with the some turning type surveillance camera and the some microphone. In FIG. 7, the same components as those shown in FIG.

  The video surveillance system includes swivel type surveillance cameras 41 and 42 and a plurality of microphones 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26. The swivel type surveillance camera 41 shoots the images of the areas 31, 32, and 33 as the photographing unit turns. The revolving monitoring camera 42 captures images of the areas 34, 35, and 36 as the image capturing unit rotates. The microphones 21, 22, and 23 are directional microphones so as to input the sounds of the areas 31, 32, and 33, respectively. The microphones 24, 25, and 26 are directional microphones so as to input the sounds of the areas 34, 35, and 36, respectively.

  FIG. 3E shows a camera microphone correspondence table according to the fifth embodiment. According to FIG.3 (e), the information which specifies the surveillance camera corresponding to the information which specifies the microphone contained in audio | voice information is acquirable. For example, when the information specifying the microphone specifies the microphone 24, it can be seen that the video of the area 34 of the monitoring camera 42 is recorded. For example, when the control unit 104 (see FIG. 2) detects an abnormal sound of the microphone 24 (when an abnormal sound volume or abnormal sound quality is detected), the control unit 104 instructs the monitoring camera 42 to shoot the area 34, and the video information of the area 34 is displayed. And voice information from the microphone 24 can be recorded.

  In FIG. 3E, immediate control is designated. In this case, immediate control means that when an abnormality is detected (recording timing), if other abnormality is detected by the same camera while recording video information and audio information, the previous recording time is canceled immediately, It means that the time (other recording timing) at which another abnormality is detected is made valid. Here, since a plurality of areas are selectively photographed by a single surveillance camera, the area to be photographed is also controlled when another recording timing occurs. An example of the control method will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a video recording method according to the fifth embodiment. The surveillance camera 41 (see FIG. 7) will be described. The control unit 104 (see FIG. 2) performs initial setting (step S1). The camera microphone table setting (camera / camera position / microphone setting for each area, immediate control setting, etc. for each area), the recording time before recording timing, the recording time after recording timing, and the recording time for each microphone shown in FIG. Set the loudness of the recording timing. The recording time before the recording timing refers to the recording time before the recording timing, and the recording time after the recording timing refers to the recording time after the recording timing.

  Hereinafter, the monitoring camera 41 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 7. It is assumed that video information from the monitoring camera 41 and audio information from the microphones 21, 22, and 23 are always transmitted to the video recording device 100.

  The control unit 104 monitors the sound input from the microphone (step S2). Specifically, it is monitored whether or not there is transmission of audio information from the microphones 21, 22, and 23. When there is sound information from the microphone 21, it is determined whether or not the sound volume is equal to or higher than the sound volume set in the sound data unit 103 (step S3). If it is determined that the volume is equal to or higher than the set volume (when an abnormal sound is detected) (step S3, Yes), with reference to FIG. 3 (e), is the monitoring camera 41 (area 31) controlled immediately? It is determined whether or not (step S4). If the determination result is immediate control (step S4, Yes), the video / audio recording of the surveillance camera 41 (area 32) and the surveillance camera 41 (area 33) already recording video / audio is canceled (stopped). (Step S5). Then, the video of the monitoring camera 41 (area 31) and the sound of the microphone 21 are recorded (step S6), and the process returns to step S2. In step S4, if the determination result is not immediate control (step S4, No), the video of the monitoring camera 41 (area 31) and the sound of the microphone 21 are recorded (step S6). Here, if the surveillance camera 41 (area 31) is already recording, it continues as it is. In step S3, when it is not more than the set volume (step S3, No), it returns to step S2.

  When there is audio information from the microphone 22, it is determined whether or not the volume is equal to or higher than the volume set in the audio data unit 103 (step S13). If it is determined that the volume is equal to or higher than the set volume (when an abnormal sound is detected) (step S13, Yes), with reference to FIG. 3E, is the monitoring camera 41 (area 32) controlled immediately? It is determined whether or not (step S14). If the determination result is immediate control (step S14, Yes), the video / audio recording of the monitoring camera 41 (area 31) and the monitoring camera 41 (area 33) already recording the video / audio is canceled (stopped). (Step S15). Then, the video of the monitoring camera 41 (area 32) and the sound of the microphone 22 are recorded (step S16), and the process returns to step S2. In step S14, if the determination result is not immediate control (step S14, No), the video of the monitoring camera 41 (area 32) and the sound of the microphone 22 are recorded (step S16). Here, if recording is already being performed by the monitoring camera 41 (area 32), the operation is continued as it is. In step S13, when it is not higher than the set volume (step S13, No), the process returns to step S2.

  When there is audio information from the microphone 23, it is determined whether or not the volume is equal to or higher than the volume set in the audio data unit 103 (step S23). If it is determined that the volume is higher than the set volume (when an abnormal sound is detected) (step S23, Yes), with reference to FIG. 3E, is the monitoring camera 41 (area 33) controlled immediately? It is determined whether or not (step S24). If the determination result is immediate control (step S24, Yes), the video / audio recording of the monitoring camera 41 (area 31) and the monitoring camera 41 (area 32) already recording video / audio is canceled (stopped). (Step S25). Then, the video of the monitoring camera 41 (area 33) and the sound of the microphone 23 are recorded (step S26), and the process returns to step S2. In step S24, if the determination result is not immediate control (step S24, No), the video of the monitoring camera 41 (area 33) and the sound of the microphone 23 are recorded (step S26). If the monitoring camera 41 (area 33) is already recording, the process continues. In step S13, when it is not higher than the set volume (step S23, No), the process returns to step S2.

  According to this embodiment, voice detection control based on real-time omnidirectional voice information can be performed using a plurality of swivel type surveillance cameras 41 and 42.

  According to each of the embodiments, it has been shown that voice detection control based on real-time omnidirectional voice information can be performed by at least one monitoring camera and at least one microphone. The number of surveillance cameras and the type of surveillance camera are not limited. That is, it can be freely set in the camera microphone correspondence table shown in FIG. The use of the video surveillance system of the present invention can be applied to crime prevention, conference, etc., and response control suitable for the use can be performed. Moreover, the monitoring camera and the microphone may be directly connected by a cable or the like without going through a network.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the sound detection control has been described. However, when used in combination with the conventional motion detection control, a more detailed video monitoring system can be realized.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, the image | video of the surveillance camera is a use which image | photographs the area (area) preset in the camera microphone correspondence table | surface shown in FIG. The designation of the area is not necessarily flat, and a plurality of directional microphones may be used to specify the sound source as a three-dimensional space.

  In each of the above embodiments, the control for photographing a specific area (zone) by the sound detection control has been described. However, as a monitoring camera control method, not only pan / tilt operation control but also zoom operation control may be used in combination.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a video monitoring system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the function of a video recording device. It is explanatory drawing which shows a camera microphone correspondence table. It is a block diagram which shows the video monitoring system which concerns on Embodiment 2. It is a block diagram which shows the video monitoring system which concerns on Embodiment 3. It is a block diagram which shows the video surveillance system which concerns on Embodiment 4. It is a block diagram which shows the video surveillance system which concerns on Embodiment 5. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a video recording method according to a fifth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

11, 12, 13, 14, 41, 42 Surveillance camera 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 Microphone 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 Area 100 Video recording device 101 Recording data section 102 Camera microphone compatible data Unit 103 audio data unit 104 control unit 105 input / output unit 200 video storage server 201 recording data unit 300 operation management terminal 301 operation management data unit 400 video monitoring terminal

Claims (7)

Video recording having at least one photographing unit, at least one sound collecting unit, and a recording unit for recording video information photographed by the photographing unit and audio information collected by the sound collecting unit A video surveillance system for monitoring a surveillance area, comprising:
The video recording device
A determination unit for determining whether the audio information from the sound collection unit satisfies a predetermined condition;
A related storage unit that associates the photographing unit and the sound collecting unit;
When the determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the video information of the photographing unit corresponding to the sound collecting unit that satisfies the predetermined condition with reference to the related storage unit is recorded in the recording unit. A video surveillance system characterized by The video monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the association storage unit associates the imaging unit that captures a specific area with the sound collection unit that collects sound in the specific area. When the audio information from the sound collection unit determines a predetermined condition a plurality of times within a predetermined time, the video recording apparatus refers to the related storage unit based on the audio information satisfying at least the last predetermined condition, and The video monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein video information of the photographing unit corresponding to the sound collecting unit that satisfies the last predetermined condition is recorded. The determination unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the determination unit performs the determination when the volume of the sound information exceeds a predetermined level or when the sound information matches a predetermined word. The video surveillance system according to claim 1. The photographing unit is a swivel photographing unit,
When the video recording apparatus determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the image recording unit based on area specifying information for specifying an area corresponding to the sound collection unit that satisfies the predetermined condition with reference to the related storage unit 2. The video surveillance system according to claim 1, wherein the video surveillance system is specified and the specified imaging unit is instructed to capture an area based on the area specifying information. The video recording device refers to the related storage unit based on the area specifying information when determining the area specifying information for specifying the area from the sound collecting unit, and the video recording device corresponds to the area specifying information. The video monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein video information is recorded in the recording unit. At least one or more photographing units, at least one or more sound collecting units, and a video recording device that records video information photographed by the photographing unit and audio information collected by the sound collecting units. An image monitoring method for monitoring a monitored area,
When the audio information from the sound collection unit satisfies a predetermined condition, the video recording apparatus refers to correspondence information that associates the photographing unit with the sound collection unit and satisfies the predetermined condition. A video monitoring method comprising: recording video information of the photographing unit corresponding to the above.

Images