JP2009130713A - Image-capturing device and image recording and processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily arbitrarily set a detection condition in all divided detection areas such as excluding an unnecessary area from the detection areas at a body side of an image-capturing device without preparing any particular device. <P>SOLUTION: A body of an image-capturing device 2 includes an image-capturing section 23 for image-capturing an image-capturing area. In the image-capturing device 2, a detection area is set from among image-capturing areas to be image-captured by the image-capturing section 23, and the detection area is divided into a plurality of areas and set as a plurality of divided detection areas. Furthermore, the body of the image-capturing device 2 includes a detection varying section 24 which varies a detection condition for each divided detection area, and the detection varying section 24 corresponds to each divided detection area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an image recording processing system.

  Currently, for example, a surveillance camera system can be cited as a security device. This surveillance camera system includes an imaging device (camera) that captures a desired imaging area for monitoring, a recorder that records an image captured by the camera, a monitor that displays an image captured by the camera, and the like. The camera monitors and captures illegal intruders and the like.

  By the way, when using this surveillance camera system to monitor illegal intruders, depending on the location of the camera, it is possible to image areas that are not necessary for monitoring (obstacles such as walls and trees) and areas that violate privacy. There is sex.

  Therefore, there is a conventional technique that removes unnecessary areas and the like from the imaging area (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this patent document 1, a detection area composed of divided detection areas arranged in a matrix is set as an imaging area, and areas unnecessary for imaging are masked out of the divided detection areas and removed from the detection area. is there. Specifically, two switches are provided in the camera body, and using these two switches, an area unnecessary for imaging is masked out of the divided detection areas, and unnecessary areas are excluded from the detection areas. Therefore, according to Patent Document 1, it is possible to set a masking area (mask area) as a non-detection area on the camera body side without preparing a special device.

Further, in detail, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228561 selects two division detection areas to select a mask area from among the division detection areas (moving the mask). ) It consists of a movement switch and a setting switch that determines the mask area. Then, for each of the divided detection areas arranged in a matrix (8 rows × 10 columns in Patent Document 1), the mask is moved to a desired divided detection area by pressing the movement switch a predetermined number of times. The mask area is determined by pressing the setting switch in the division detection area.
JP 2006-50453 A

  However, when masking is performed using these two switches (moving switch and setting switch), the following problems may occur. In this case, the effect described in Patent Document 1 is diminished.

  According to Patent Document 1, in order to move a mask to a desired mask area to be masked among division detection areas arranged in a matrix, the movement switch must be pressed a predetermined number of times. Therefore, there is a possibility that the number of times the movement switch is pressed may be mistaken. In this case, an undesired division detection area is selected as a division detection area to be masked, and as a result, this setting switch is not desired. The division detection area is determined as a mask area.

  Further, in Patent Document 1, in order to set mask areas one by one, when a plurality of division detection areas are used as mask areas, the number of times the movement switch is pressed increases with an increase in the number of mask area settings. As a result, the possibility that the number of times the movement switch is pressed is further increased, and as a result, it is difficult to determine a desired plurality of division detection areas as mask areas, and it is clear that the accuracy of the masking process is lowered. .

  From the above, in Patent Document 1, the detection conditions are individually varied for all the divided detection areas without using a display device such as a monitor (in the case of Patent Document 1, the setting of whether or not masking is present). ) Is difficult.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention makes it easy to set detection conditions in all divided detection areas, such as removing unnecessary areas from the detection area on the main body side of the imaging apparatus without preparing special equipment. An object is to provide an imaging device and an image recording processing system that are arbitrarily set.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention is provided with an imaging unit for imaging an imaging area in a main body, sets a detection area among imaging areas captured by the imaging unit, and the detection area In the imaging device that sets a large number of divided detection areas by dividing the image into a plurality of pieces, the main body is provided with a detection variable unit corresponding to each of the divided detection areas that varies detection conditions for each of the divided detection areas. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily arbitrarily set detection conditions in all the divided detection areas, such as easily removing unnecessary areas from the detection area without preparing a special device. Become. Specifically, since the main body is provided with a detection variable unit corresponding to each of the divided detection areas for changing the detection conditions for each of the divided detection areas, the detection conditions can be changed only in a desired divided detection area. Therefore, the detection condition of the undesired division detection area is not changed.

  The said structure WHEREIN: The said detection variable part may respond | correspond to arrangement | positioning of the said some division | segmentation detection area in the said detection area.

  In this case, the operator can easily visually change the detection condition.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image recording processing system according to the present invention is a display device that displays an image in an image recording processing system that performs recording processing of an image of an imaging area imaged by the imaging device described above. And a processing device that performs the image recording process, wherein the processing device is different from the detection variable unit of the imaging device, and makes a detection condition variable for each of the divided detection areas. And the display device displays an image of an imaging area captured by the imaging device and detection condition settings by the detection variable unit and the second detection variable unit. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily arbitrarily set detection conditions in all the divided detection areas, such as easily removing unnecessary areas from the detection area without preparing special equipment. It becomes possible. Specifically, the imaging apparatus main body is provided with a plurality of detection variable units corresponding to each of the division detection areas for changing detection conditions for each of the division detection areas. Detection conditions can be varied, and detection conditions for undesired divided detection areas are not varied. In addition, according to the present invention, not only the detection variable unit is provided in the imaging apparatus main body, but also the second detection variable unit different from the detection variable unit of the imaging apparatus is provided in the processing device. Therefore, the processing apparatus can also change the detection condition for each of the divided detection areas, and the degree of freedom for changing the detection condition for each of the divided detection areas is increased.

  In the above configuration, the detection condition of the second detection variable unit may be prioritized between the detection condition of the detection variable unit and the detection condition of the second detection variable unit.

  In this case, since the detection condition of the second detection variable unit is prioritized in the detection condition of the detection variable unit and the detection condition of the second detection variable unit, the imaging is simplified (provisionally). It is possible to vary detection conditions for each of the divided detection areas by the detection variable unit of the apparatus, and readjust the detection conditions for each of the divided detection areas by the second detection variable unit of the processing apparatus.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily arbitrarily set detection conditions in all divided detection areas, such as removing unnecessary areas from the detection area on the main body side of the imaging apparatus without preparing special equipment. .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a surveillance camera system as an image recording processing system is shown. However, the image recording processing system according to the present invention is not limited to the surveillance camera system, and this is a preferable example. The imaging device is installed at an arbitrary place, and the processing device (and the display device) is used as the imaging device. The image recording processing system may be installed at a position away from the camera.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the monitoring camera system 1 according to the present embodiment includes an imaging device 2 that images a desired imaging area 4 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) for monitoring, and the imaging device 2. The image processing apparatus 3 includes a processing device 3 that records and displays the captured image of the imaging area 4, and performs recording processing of the image of the imaging area 4 captured by the imaging device 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the imaging device 2 is a dome type set on a ceiling or the like, and is connected to the processing device 3 by a connection cable 21. In this imaging device 2, the detection area 5 is set in advance among the imaging areas 4 to be imaged by the device 2, and the detection area 5 is divided into 21 to set 21 divided detection areas A1 to C7. Note that the division detection areas A1 to C7 here are obtained by dividing the detection area 5 set in the imaging area 4 into a matrix of 7 rows and 3 columns, as shown in FIGS. Specifically, division is set to A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7 from the left to the right in the upper part of the figure, and division is set to B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7 from the left to the right in the middle part of the figure. In the lower part of the figure, from left to right, it is divided into C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, and C7.

  The imaging device 2 includes an imaging unit 23 that captures a desired imaging area 4 and a detection variable unit 24 that varies detection conditions for each of the division detection areas A1 to C7 (see FIGS. 5 and 7). ) And a detection unit 25 having a function as image processing for transmitting and receiving a detection signal for setting the detection area 5 and an image signal (detection signal and image signal) of the captured image pickup area 4. The detection variable unit 24 is a physical switch that includes 21 DIP switches specifically corresponding to the divided detection areas A1 to C7 and is arranged in the main body 22 in the same arrangement as the divided detection areas A1 to C7. . Further, the imaging unit 23, the detection variable unit 24, and the detection unit 25 referred to here are covered with a hemispherical case 25 that is a transmissive member.

  The detection variable section 24 corresponds to the arrangement of 21 divided detection areas A1 to C7 in the imaging area 4, as shown in FIGS. Specifically, in the present embodiment, 21 DIP switches are used for the detection variable unit 24, and the 21 DIP switches have the same arrangement corresponding to the arrangement of the 21 divided detection areas A1 to C7. Has been. With the arrangement of the 21 DIP switches, it is possible to easily change the detection condition without using an image (imaging area 4) displayed on the display device (display unit 32).

  The detection condition according to the present embodiment is that whether there is an unnecessary area for monitoring in the detection area 5 (an obstacle such as a wall or a tree or a road), whether or not to remove the unnecessary area from the detection area 5. Is to set.

  Specifically, when the imaging area 4 is the region shown in FIG. 4, there are cars that are parked in the garage in the division detection areas A5, A6, A7, B5, B6, B7, C6, and C7. A5, A6, A7, B5, B6, B7, C6, and C7 are determined to be unnecessary areas for monitoring. In addition, the division detection areas A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2 have plants and fences, and the division detection areas A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2 are determined to be unnecessary areas for monitoring. In addition, although partially overlapping with the above unnecessary area, the division detection areas A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7 include roads (including cars when parked in a garage, trees and fences). ) And the division detection areas A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, and A7 are determined to be unnecessary areas for monitoring.

  By determining these unnecessary areas, the division detection areas A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, B1, B2, B5, B6, B7, C1, C2, C6, and C7 are masked to detect the detection conditions. Is variable. Specifically, the DIP switch of the corresponding detection variable unit 24 (DIP switches A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, B1, B2, B5, B6, B7, C1, C2, C6 shown in FIG. 5). C7) is switched (in this embodiment, the switch is placed on the upper side in the figure). By switching the DIP switch, the division detection areas A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, B1, B2, B5, B6, B7, C1, C2, C6, C7 are masked as shown in FIG. Thus, the detection area 5 is divided detection areas B3, B4, C3, C4, and C5. In the setting of the detection area 5 shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that there is no detection setting by the second detection variable unit 35. When the detection setting by the second detection variable unit 35 is performed, only the divided detection area in which the detection condition is changed by the second detection variable unit 35 is changed according to the change of the second detection variable unit 35 (second detection described below). Variable 35 reference).

  When the imaging area 4 is the area shown in FIG. 6, there are cars that are stopped in the garage in the division detection areas A5, A6, A7, B6, B7, C6, and C7. A7, B6, B7, C6, and C7 are determined to be unnecessary areas for monitoring. In addition, the division detection areas A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2 have plants and fences, and the division detection areas A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2 are determined to be unnecessary areas for monitoring. By determining these unnecessary areas, masking of the divided detection areas A1, A2, A5, A6, A7, B1, B2, B6, B7, C1, C2, C6, and C7 is performed to vary the detection conditions. Specifically, the DIP switches (DIP switches A1, A2, A5, A6, A7, B1, B2, B6, B7, C1, C2, C6, C7) shown in FIG. In the embodiment, the switch is placed on the upper side in the figure). By switching the DIP switch, the divided detection areas A1, A2, A5, A6, A7, B1, B2, B6, B7, C1, C2, C6, and C7 are masked as shown in FIG. It becomes division detection areas A3, A4, B3, B4, B5, C3, C4, and C5. In the setting of the detection area 5 shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that there is no detection setting by the second detection variable unit 35. When the detection setting by the second detection variable unit 35 is performed, only the divided detection area in which the detection condition is changed by the second detection variable unit 35 is changed according to the change of the second detection variable unit 35 (second detection described below). Variable 35 reference).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the processing device 3 displays a control unit 31 that controls processing of an image of the imaging area 4 captured by the imaging device 2 and an image of the imaging area 4 captured by the imaging device 2. A display unit 32 (display device in the present invention) and a recording unit 33 that records an image of the imaging area 4 are provided. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, an operation unit 34 (such as various buttons shown in FIG. 1) for operating the control unit 31 is provided as an external input unit of the processing device 3.

  Further, the processing device 3 includes a second detection variable unit 35 that varies the detection condition for each of the divided detection areas A1 to B7, and a detection condition variable command from the second detection variable unit 35 in the detection area 5. A detection unit 36 that varies the setting is provided. The detection unit 36 here has a function as an image processing unit. The second detection variable unit 35 and the detection unit 36 are independent configurations different from the detection variable unit 24 and the detection unit 25 of the imaging device 2. Specifically, the second detection variable unit 35 may be one that is displayed on the display unit 32 and varies the detection condition by a touch screen, and is divided into 21 divided detection areas in the detection area 5 separately from the operation unit 34. It may be an input member such as a DIP switch having the same arrangement as A1 to C7.

  In the monitoring camera system 1, the detection condition of the second detection variable unit 35 is set to be prioritized between the detection condition of the detection variable unit 24 and the detection condition of the second detection variable unit 35 of the processing device 3. Has been.

  As described above, according to the imaging device 2 according to the present embodiment, all divided detection areas A1 such as easily removing unnecessary areas from the detection area 5 in the main body 22 without preparing special equipment. In C7, the detection condition can be easily set arbitrarily. Specifically, the main body 22 of the imaging device 2 is provided with a detection variable unit 24 corresponding to each of the division detection areas A1 to C7 that varies the detection condition for each of the division detection areas A1 to C7. The detection condition can be varied only in the desired division detection area among A1 to C7, and the detection condition of the undesired division detection area is not varied.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the detection variable unit 24 corresponds to the arrangement of the 21 divided detection areas A1 to C7 in the detection area 5, it is visually recognized that the operator changes the detection condition. Can be done easily.

  Further, as described above, according to the surveillance camera system 1 according to the present embodiment, an unnecessary area in the main body 22 of the imaging device 2 can be easily removed from the detection area 5 without preparing a special device. Detection conditions can be easily set arbitrarily in all the divided detection areas A1 to C7. Specifically, the main body 22 of the imaging device 2 is provided with a detection variable unit 24 corresponding to each of the division detection areas A1 to C7 that varies the detection condition for each of the division detection areas A1 to C7. The detection condition can be varied only in the desired division detection area among A1 to C7, and the detection condition of the undesired division detection area is not varied. Further, according to the monitoring camera system 1, not only the detection variable unit 24 is provided in the main body 22 of the imaging device 2, but also the second detection variable different from the detection variable unit 24 of the imaging device 2 is provided in the processing device 3. Since the unit 35 is provided, the detection condition can be varied for each of the divided detection areas A1 to C7 in the processing device 3, and the degree of freedom to vary the detection condition for each of the divided detection areas A1 to C7 is increased.

  Moreover, since the detection condition of the second detection variable unit 35 is given priority in the detection condition of the detection variable unit 24 and the detection condition of the second detection variable unit 35, the imaging apparatus 2 is simplified (provisionally). The detection condition can be varied for each of the divided detection areas A1 to C7 by the detection variable unit 24, and the detection condition for each of the divided detection areas A1 to C7 can be readjusted by the second detection variable unit 35 of the processing device 3. .

  As described above, according to the surveillance camera system 1 according to the present embodiment, the detection variable unit 24 is provided in the imaging device 2, so when setting the detection conditions in all the divided detection areas A1 to C7, A display device (display unit 32) is not necessarily required, and a separate display device (display unit 32) is more preferable. In particular, when installing the imaging device 2, it is not necessary to separately connect to a display device (display unit 32) when the imaging device 2 is simply set, and installation work can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, a dome type device installed on the ceiling or the like is applied as the imaging device 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a BOX type imaging device as shown in FIG. 2 may be sufficient. That is, as long as at least the imaging unit 23 and the detection variable unit 24 are provided, the shape and other functions are not limited.

  In the present embodiment, the entire imaging area 4 is set as the detection area 5. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a portion other than the upper part of the imaging area 4 may be set as the detection area 5. Alternatively, only the lower part of the imaging area 4 may be set as the detection area 5. For example, the detection area 5 from which A1 to A7 or C1 to C7 shown in FIG. 4 is omitted may be used. As described above, when the detection area 5 is omitted from A1 to A7 or C1 to C7 shown in FIG. It is possible to simplify the detection setting by deleting from.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the division detection areas A1 to C7 are arranged in a matrix in the detection area 5, but the shape and arrangement of the division detection areas A1 to C7 are not limited to this, for example, A plurality of divided detection areas may be set radially from the center of the detection area 5, and the shapes of the plurality of divided detection areas may be formed in a fan shape. In this case, the user can visually recognize a radial switch or a rotary switch. It is possible to set detection conditions for the detection area 5 that is easy to understand. Thus, the shape and arrangement of the division detection area according to the present invention may be arbitrarily set.

  In the present embodiment, 21 DIP switches are used, but the number is not limited to this, and any number can be set.

  In the present embodiment, the division detection areas A1 to C7 are arranged in a matrix (7 rows and 3 columns). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the division detection areas A1 to C7 are arranged in a matrix of 7 rows and 2 columns. Alternatively, it is preferably arranged in a multi-stage multi-row matrix.

  In the present embodiment, the display device referred to in the present invention is the display unit 32 provided in the processing device 3, but is not limited to this, and may be separately provided as a display device outside the processing device 3. (It may be externally attached.)

  In the present embodiment, the detection condition of the second detection variable unit 35 is given priority in the detection condition of the detection variable unit 24 and the detection condition of the second detection variable unit 35. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, the configuration of the processing device 3 may be configured as shown in FIG. 9, and the detection condition of the detection variable unit 24 may be prioritized. In the processing device 3 shown in FIG. 9, unlike the processing device 3 shown in FIG. 3, the detection unit 36 is not provided. Therefore, a signal for controlling the detection condition from the detection unit 25 of the imaging device 2 is sent to the processing device 3. The detection condition of the detection variable unit 25 is given priority.

  In the present embodiment, when there is an unnecessary area for monitoring in the detection area 5, the detection condition is to set whether to remove the unnecessary area from the detection area. However, the detection condition is limited to this. However, other applications may be used as detection conditions. Note that the detection condition of the present embodiment is a detection condition for the purpose of masking setting.

  Specifically, for example, when an area that violates privacy is included in the detection area 5 of the imaging area 4, the division detection areas A1 to B7 corresponding to the area that violates privacy are deleted from the image (for example, the corresponding division detection area Or the like may be used as a detection condition. Hereinafter, this detection condition is a detection condition for the purpose of privacy setting.

  As another example, if the detection area includes a shaded area and a sunny area, the image of the imaging area 4 becomes difficult to see due to the influence of light, so that the image of the imaging area 4 is clear. Whether or not to correct the sunlit area for backlighting may be used as a detection condition. In addition, not only backlight correction but also other imaging conditions such as exposure correction may be used as a condition. Hereinafter, this detection condition is a detection condition for the purpose of imaging settings such as backlight and exposure.

  As another example, when the present invention is applied to an imaging device of a surveillance camera system for detecting an intruder, the movement to the intruder is distinguished from a displacement operation other than the intruder such as shaking of a plant. Furthermore, the detection sensitivity of the movement of only the divided detection areas A1 to B7 in which the intruder is imaged in the detection area 5 may be increased so as to detect only the movement of the intruder. Specifically, detection using an infrared sensor can be given as an example of object detection in this case. Less than. This detection condition is a detection condition for the purpose of setting detection sensitivity.

  Further, the above-described masking setting, privacy setting, imaging setting, and detection sensitivity setting may be detection conditions that combine these settings as well as the detection conditions alone.

  It should be noted that the present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit, gist, or main features. For this reason, the above-described embodiment is merely an example in all respects and should not be interpreted in a limited manner. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and is not restricted by the text of the specification. Further, all modifications and changes belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be applied to an imaging device and an image recording processing system, and is particularly suitable for an image recording processing system in which an imaging device is installed at an arbitrary place and the processing device (and display device) is installed at a position away from the imaging device. is there.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a processing apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the surveillance camera system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an image displayed on the display unit of the surveillance camera system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a detection variable unit in which the detection area displayed in the image shown in FIG. 4 is set. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an image displayed on the display unit of the surveillance camera system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a detection variable unit in which the detection area displayed in the image shown in FIG. 6 is set. FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of an imaging apparatus according to another embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a schematic configuration of a surveillance camera system according to another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Surveillance camera system 2 Imaging device 22 Main body 24 of imaging device Detection variable part 3 Processing apparatus 32 Display part 35 2nd detection variable part 4 Imaging area 5 Detection area A1-B7 Division | segmentation detection area

Claims (4)

An imaging device in which an imaging unit for imaging an imaging area is provided in the main body, a detection area is set out of the imaging areas captured by the imaging unit, and a plurality of detection areas are set by dividing the detection area into a plurality of areas In
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a detection variable unit corresponding to each of the divided detection areas is provided in the main body to change a detection condition for each of the divided detection areas. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection variable unit corresponds to an arrangement of the plurality of divided detection areas in the detection area. In the image recording processing system which performs the recording process of the image of the imaging area imaged with the imaging device of Claim 1 or 2,
A display device for displaying the image; and a processing device for recording the image.
The processing device is provided with a second detection variable unit that varies a detection condition for each of the divided detection areas, which is different from the detection variable unit of the imaging device.
The image recording processing system, wherein the display device displays an image of an imaging area imaged by the imaging device and setting of detection conditions by the detection variable unit and the second detection variable unit. The image recording processing system according to claim 3,
2. The image recording processing system according to claim 1, wherein the detection condition of the second detection variable unit is prioritized between the detection condition of the detection variable unit and the detection condition of the second detection variable unit.