JP2009182437A - Monitoring camera apparatus, and focus aid device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make focus aid by hearing possible at a time of focus adjustment. <P>SOLUTION: In a monitoring camera apparatus which carries out the focus adjustment by giving a video signal which is processed by luminance processing, color processing, etc. to the video image focused on an imaging sensor by a video image processing means to an adjustment monitor through a pin jack connected to an adjustment video image output terminal, it is provided with: a video image frequency analysis means which carries out frequency analysis of the video signal output from the video image processing means; a voice frequency conversion means which converts the video image frequency analysis result by the video image frequency analysis means to a corresponding feature voice frequency; and a speaker which converts a signal of the converted feature voice frequency to a voice. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a monitoring camera device having a focus aid function and a focus aid device applied to assist the focus adjustment of a camera.

  In many cases, a camera used in a surveillance camera device always shoots the same subject without changing the angle of view. For this purpose, a varifocal lens or a fixed focus lens suitable for miniaturization and cost reduction is often used rather than a zoom lens that is large and expensive. However, varifocal lenses and fixed focus lenses, unlike zoom lenses with good operability combined with an autofocus function, always require manual focus adjustment.

  By the way, also in the surveillance camera device, the increase in the number of pixels is progressing in the same way as the increase in the number of pixels of a general home camera in recent years, and those using a camera having 1 million pixels or more have appeared. In parallel with this, the advancement of digitization and networking from the conventional analog video has further spurred the increase in the number of pixels of the camera. As the camera becomes higher in pixel, each pixel of the image sensor is in a smaller direction. As pixels become smaller, the depth of field becomes shallower, making it difficult to focus. Therefore, it can be said that, in the surveillance camera apparatus that often uses a varifocal lens or a fixed focus lens as described above, the focus adjustment work becomes more difficult due to the increase in the number of pixels of the camera.

  In general cameras, there is a camera having a focus aid function that displays a focusing state of a lens on a screen and assists focus adjustment (see, for example, Patent Document 1). These focus aid functions are designed to display the focus aid on a finder video screen attached to a general camera, and can be easily viewed by looking through the viewfinder. In other words, the in-focus state can be confirmed only visually. On the other hand, in the case of a surveillance camera device, there is no viewfinder that becomes unnecessary after the start of operation, and focus adjustment is performed while looking at the screen of an adjustment monitor separately connected to the adjustment video output terminal.

A configuration example of a conventional surveillance camera device will be described with reference to FIG. For example, a lens 2 such as a varifocus lens is connected to the camera 1. Light coming from the subject side and entering the lens 2 forms an image on the image sensor 5. In the image sensor 5, the formed image is extracted as an electrical signal by photoelectric conversion and sent to the image processing means 6. The video processing means 6 performs luminance processing, color processing, etc. on the signal output from the image sensor 5 to generate an appropriate video signal. The video signal output from the video processing means 6 is sent from the external I / F means 7 to a monitoring monitor 8 at a remote location via, for example, a LAN network and displayed.
In the case of this camera 1, a loudspeaker 11 is attached for the purpose of alerting. When sound is input from a microphone 9 located at a remote location, the sound signal is input to an external I / F (Interface) means 7 via, for example, a LAN network. The audio signal is given from the external I / F means 7 to the speaker 11 via the audio output driver 10 and converted into audio and output.

  When performing the focus adjustment, first, the pin jack 14 of the adjustment monitor 15 is inserted into the adjustment video output terminal 13 of the camera 1. Then, the video signal output from the video processing means 6 is given to the adjustment monitor 15 via the video output driver 12, the adjustment video output terminal 13, and the pin jack 14, and displayed. Next, the operator determines the angle of view by adjusting the focal length adjustment ring 3 of the lens 2 while checking the image on the adjustment monitor 15, and adjusts the focus by adjusting the focus adjustment ring 4. It will be.

JP-A-6-301098

  A conventional surveillance camera device is configured as described above, but as an adjustment monitor connected to this device, a small monitor is often used for convenience of carrying, contrary to the increase in pixels, It cannot be said that the resolution is sufficiently high. In addition, the camera is often installed at a high place due to the characteristic of monitoring, and an operator who performs focus adjustment must perform the adjustment while visually checking the adjustment monitor. Therefore, it is difficult to say that the surveillance camera device is in an environment where the focus adjustment can always be performed easily and reliably. This is because only focus adjustment that relies on vision can be performed.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a surveillance camera device that enables auditory focus aid during focus adjustment and a focus aid device therefor.

  The monitoring camera device according to the present invention is a monitoring camera device for performing focus adjustment by supplying a video signal obtained by performing luminance processing, color processing, etc. to an image formed on an image sensor by a video processing means to an adjustment monitor. Video frequency analysis means for frequency analysis of the video signal output from the video processing means, audio frequency conversion means for converting the video frequency analysis result by the video frequency analysis means to the corresponding characteristic audio frequency, and the converted characteristic audio frequency A speaker for converting a signal into sound is provided.

  According to the present invention, the operator who performs the focus adjustment of the surveillance camera can confirm the in-focus state by listening to the adjustment sound that changes in height from the speaker, thereby enabling the focus aid by hearing. In particular, in the case of a conventional surveillance camera device, an adjustment monitor is connected at the time of focus adjustment and the in-focus state is confirmed visually. However, by adding the auditory focus aid function of the present invention, it does not rely on the eyes alone. The adjustment status can also be checked by ear, so even if the resolution of the adjustment monitor cannot be obtained or the adjustment monitor cannot be placed in front of the operator's eyes, the focus adjustment must be performed securely. It becomes possible to do.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a surveillance camera apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals are given to the portions corresponding to the conventional configuration of FIG. 5 described above, and the description thereof will be omitted in principle. The surveillance camera device of the first embodiment is provided with a video frequency analysis means 16 and an audio frequency conversion means 17 after the video processing means 6 with respect to the above-described conventional configuration, and further confirms the connection of the pin jack 14. A connection detection means 18 and a selector 19 for switching the sound output to the speaker (sound conversion means) 11 based on the detection result are provided to realize a focus aid function by hearing.
In FIG. 1, a video processing means 6 outputs an appropriate video signal converted by performing luminance processing, color processing, etc. to an external I / F means 7 and a video output driver 12 for adjustment, and outputs the video signal to a video frequency. Also output to the analysis means 16. The video frequency analysis means 16 performs frequency analysis on the input video signal and gives the video frequency analysis result to the audio frequency conversion means 17. The audio frequency conversion means 17 converts the video frequency analysis result into a corresponding characteristic audio frequency and outputs it to the selector 19.

  The connection detection means 18 always monitors whether or not the pin jack 14 of the adjustment monitor 15 is connected to the adjustment video output terminal 13. When the connection detection means 18 detects that the pin jack 14 is connected, the connection information is selected by the selector. Give to 19. In the selector 19, when connection information is not received, that is, when the pin jack 14 is not connected to the adjustment video output terminal 13, the microphone input as the normal operation mode via the external I / F means 7 The audio signal from 9 is selected and given to the audio output driver 10, and the audio is output from the speaker 11. On the other hand, when connection information is received from the connection detection means 18, that is, when the pin jack 14 is connected to the adjustment video output terminal 13, the selector 19 performs the characteristic sound converted by the sound frequency conversion means 17 as the focus adjustment mode. A frequency signal is selected and given to the audio output driver 10 to output audio from the speaker 11.

Next, a specific operation of the auditory focus aid function during focus adjustment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2A shows an operation when the focus is not achieved, and FIG. 2B shows an operation when the focus is achieved.
In the video frequency analysis means 16, the input video signal is frequency-analyzed. For example, when the video V1 that is not in focus is input, the video frequency analysis result VS1 contains almost no high-frequency component and is low. The spectrum consists of only frequency components. Conversely, when the focused video V2 is input, the video frequency analysis result VS2 has a spectrum in which a high frequency component appears.

The audio frequency conversion means 17 converts to a characteristic audio frequency corresponding to the frequency spectrum based on the video frequency analysis result of the video frequency analysis means 16. For example, an average frequency AVG (fv) obtained by averaging the video frequency analysis results is obtained, and an audio frequency fa obtained by multiplying the average frequency by a predetermined coefficient α is obtained as a characteristic audio frequency as shown in equation (1).
fa = α × AVG (fv) (1)
When the focus is not achieved, the video frequency analysis result VS1 becomes like the characteristic audio frequency SS1, and a spectrum stands in the low frequency region of the audio. On the other hand, when in focus, the video frequency analysis result VS2 becomes like the characteristic audio frequency SS2, and a spectrum stands in the high frequency region of the audio.

  Therefore, by providing the sound frequency conversion result to the speaker 11 and outputting the sound, a low sound is output from the speaker 11 when the focus is not achieved, and a high sound is output from the speaker 11 when the focus is achieved. Will be. Therefore, the camera installation operator can adjust the focus while listening to the sound emitted from the speaker 11 and recognize the in-focus state when confirming a predetermined high sound. At that time, the user can visually observe the image on the adjustment monitor 15. The in-focus state may be confirmed.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, basically, the video signal output from the video processing unit 6 is frequency-analyzed by the video frequency analyzing unit 16 and the video frequency analysis result is the audio frequency converting unit 17. Is converted to the corresponding characteristic audio frequency, and the converted characteristic audio frequency signal is applied to the speaker 11 and output as audio. Therefore, an operator who adjusts the focus of the surveillance camera can confirm the in-focus state by listening to the adjustment sound that changes in height from the speaker, thus enabling focus aid by hearing. In particular, in the case of conventional surveillance camera devices, an adjustment monitor is connected at the time of focus adjustment and the in-focus state is confirmed visually. By adding this auditory focus aid function, it is not dependent on the eyes alone, but on the ears. Can also check the adjustment status, so even if the resolution of the adjustment monitor cannot be taken or the adjustment monitor cannot be placed in front of the operator, make sure to adjust the focus. Is possible.
Such an auditory focus aid function is not only applied to surveillance camera devices, but also in general cameras, etc., which are difficult to check with conventional focus aids that rely on vision, such as a state where the viewfinder cannot be seen Alternatively, it can be an effective means even when the attached liquid crystal monitor becomes difficult to see due to external light. In addition, when it is easy to receive noise from the surroundings, an earphone or a headphone may be used instead of the speaker as the voice conversion means.

  Further, as in the example of the monitoring camera device in FIG. 1, the connection detecting means 18 detects that the pin jack of the adjustment monitor 15 is connected to the adjustment video output terminal 13, and determines whether or not the connection information exists. Accordingly, when the selector 19 is switched to select the characteristic audio frequency signal from the audio frequency conversion means 17 or the audio signal input from the external microphone 9 and output it to the speaker 11, the work for performing the focus adjustment is performed. Since the person can adjust using the focus aid by hearing without relying only on the visual perception by the adjustment monitor 15, it is suitable for the installation environment of the camera in which it is difficult to see the adjustment monitor 15. . In particular, in the case of a surveillance camera device, by connecting the adjustment monitor 15 to the camera 1, the existing speaker 11 corresponding to the audio signal from the external microphone 9 is automatically switched and used as a speaker for a focus aid function by hearing. Since it can be shared, it becomes easy to handle with a simple configuration.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Normally, a plurality of subjects with different distances are captured within the angle of view of the camera. However, the focus position is slightly different if the distance to the subject is different. However, in the case of Embodiment 1 described above, since frequency analysis is performed on all the images within the angle of view, information other than the subject to be noticed is also included, which causes a slight amount of focus adjustment. An error may occur. In order to cope with this problem, the second embodiment uses a masking function provided in the surveillance camera to cover a portion that is not normally viewed in consideration of privacy and a portion that should not be viewed. In this case, a means for masking other than the notable subject is used.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the surveillance camera apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the figure, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted in principle.
The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a masking superimposing means 20 and a masking setting operating means 21 for setting the masking superimposing means 20 are provided. The masking superimposing means 20 is a means for masking a portion that is usually not desired or should not be viewed in consideration of privacy.
In FIG. 3, the video signal output from the video processing means 6 is given to the masking superimposing means 20. When the pin jack 14 is connected to the adjustment video output terminal 13, the connection detecting means 18 sends the connection information to the selector 19 and also to the masking superimposing means 20. In the masking superimposing unit 20, when the connection information is not received, the video signal from the video processing unit 6 is directly supplied to the external I / F unit 7, but the connection information of the pin jack 14 is received from the connection detection unit 18. If it is, the masking is performed not only for privacy-conscious masking but also for portions other than the subject to be noted within the angle of view. The masking location is set by the masking setting operation means 21.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the image by the image signal masked by the masking superimposing means 20 is completely masked except for the subject to be noted. The masked video signal is supplied to the video frequency analysis means 16 for frequency analysis, but the frequency analysis result does not include information other than the subject to be noted. Based on the result of the frequency analysis, components other than the subject of interest are not reflected in the characteristic speech frequency converted by the audio frequency conversion means 17, so that the accuracy of the focus aid for the subject of interest increases, Focus adjustment is easier.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, only when the connection information from the connection detecting unit 18 is received by the masking superimposing unit 20, the image of the video signal input from the video processing unit 6 is processed. Masking is performed on a portion other than the subject of interest within the angle of view, and the masked video signal is output to the video frequency analysis means 16 and the adjustment monitor 13, so that the adjustment monitor is used for focus adjustment. When 15 is connected, the masking superimposing means 20 automatically operates to perform the masking process, and the masked video signal is supplied to the video frequency analyzing means 16 for frequency analysis. Since components other than the subject of interest do not appear in the characteristic speech frequency converted by the audio frequency conversion means 17 with respect to the frequency analysis result, the focus adjustment for the subject of interest performed by the focus aid by hearing is facilitated, and The accuracy can be increased.
In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the masking superimposing means 20 is provided in the signal path between the video processing means 6 and the external I / F means 7, but instead of this, the video processing means 6 and the video frequency analysis are performed. The masking superimposing means may not be controlled by the connection information of the connection detecting means 18 in such a case.

It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the surveillance camera apparatus by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific operation | movement of the focus aid function by hearing at the time of focus adjustment which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the surveillance camera apparatus by Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an image | video masked by the masking superimposition means which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the conventional surveillance camera apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera, 2 Lens, 3 Focal length adjustment ring, 4 Focus adjustment ring, 5 Image sensor, 6 Image processing means, 7 External I / F means, 8 Monitor for monitoring, 9 Microphone, 10 Audio output driver, 11 Speaker, 12 Video output driver, 13 adjustment video output terminal, 14 pin jack, 15 adjustment monitor, 16 video frequency analysis means, 17 audio frequency conversion means, 18 connection detection means, 19 selector, 20 masking superimposing means, 21 masking setting operation means .

Claims (8)

In a monitoring camera device for performing focus adjustment by supplying a video signal obtained by performing luminance processing, color processing, etc., to a video imaged on an image sensor by a video processing means,
Video frequency analysis means for analyzing the frequency of the video signal output from the video processing means;
Audio frequency conversion means for converting the video frequency analysis result by the video frequency analysis means into a corresponding characteristic audio frequency;
A surveillance camera device comprising a speaker for converting the converted signal of the characteristic audio frequency into audio. An adjustment video output terminal that provides a video signal to the adjustment monitor via the pin jack when the adjustment monitor pin jack is connected;
Connection detecting means for detecting that the pin jack is connected to the adjustment video output terminal and outputting connection information;
2. The selector according to claim 1, further comprising: a selector that selects a characteristic audio frequency signal from an audio frequency conversion unit or an audio signal input from an external microphone according to the presence or absence of the connection information and outputs the selected audio signal to a speaker. Surveillance camera device.   Only when the connection information from the connection detection means is received, the image of the video signal input from the video processing means is masked with respect to a portion other than the subject to be noticed within the angle of view. 3. The surveillance camera device according to claim 2, further comprising a masking superimposing means for outputting the video signal to the video frequency analyzing means and the adjustment monitor.   Masking superimposing means for masking a portion of the image of the video signal output from the video processing means other than the subject of interest within the angle of view, and providing the masked video signal to the video frequency analyzing means The surveillance camera device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein   5. The audio frequency conversion means obtains an average frequency of a video frequency spectrum, which is a frequency analysis result by the video frequency analysis means, and converts it into a characteristic audio frequency based on the average frequency. The surveillance camera device according to any one of the above. Video frequency analysis means for frequency analysis of a video signal obtained by performing luminance processing, color processing, etc. on the image formed on the image sensor by the video processing means;
Audio frequency conversion means for converting the video frequency analysis result by the video frequency analysis means into a corresponding characteristic audio frequency;
A focus aid device for a camera, comprising: a sound converting means for converting the converted signal of the characteristic sound frequency into sound. A masking superimposing unit that masks a portion other than a subject to be noticed within the angle of view with respect to an image of the video signal output from the video processing unit,
7. The focus aid apparatus for a camera according to claim 6, wherein the video frequency analyzing means performs frequency analysis on the video signal masked by the masking superimposing means.   7. The audio frequency conversion means obtains an average frequency of a video frequency spectrum, which is a frequency analysis result by the video frequency analysis means, and converts it to a characteristic audio frequency based on the average frequency. Camera's focus aid device.

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