JP2012191350A - Failure monitoring device of image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a failure monitoring device of an image recorder capable of detecting a failure of an image recorder and identifying a failed part even if a failure occurs at control means of the image recorder.SOLUTION: A failure monitoring device 3 is provided to detect presence of abnormality of an image recorder 2. The image recorder 2 includes equipment state examination means 26 which comprises a one-chip microcomputer and a random logic circuit, and is connected to image taking-in means 21, image compressing means 22, image recording means 23, a CPU 24, and power source supply means 25, for acquiring and outputting state signals 21s to 25s of the respective means 21, 22, 23, 25 and the CPU 24. The failure monitoring device 3 includes failure determination means 33 which outputs a transmission command of an inquiry signal 35 to the equipment state examination means 26, receives the state signal 21s to 25s from the equipment state examination means 26 as an answer signal 36, and compares the inquiry signal 35 with the answer signal 36 for determining presence of abnormality of the respective means 21, 22, 23, 25 and the CPU 24.

Description

  The present invention relates to a failure monitoring device for an image recording device that detects whether there is an abnormality in the image recording device.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conventional failure monitoring apparatus for an image recording apparatus.

  In recent years, cameras have been installed in buildings and roadside facilities for the purpose of crime prevention and surveillance, etc., and images of cameras have been recorded using image recording devices such as video tape recorders (VTRs) and digital video recorders. In such a case, an image monitoring system for reproducing a camera image and displaying or printing the image is widely used.

  In these image recording devices, the failure of image signals due to camera failure, transmission line disconnection, etc., and failure events such as video tape, optical disk, hard disk, and flash memory generically named in the device. There is a function that detects the occurrence inside the image recording device and generates a failure detection signal.This failure detection signal is used to display and warn of the occurrence of a device failure, or to notify the management site to notify maintenance personnel. There is a conventional technique that has the effect of reducing loss of recorded images due to equipment failure by dispatching and performing repairs.

  As one of such prior arts, a television camera, i.e., a camera, is installed in an elevator car to photograph the situation inside the car, and a VTR, i.e., image recording, for recording video taken by the camera. Elevator in-car video recording device provided with a device, equipped with a failure detection device that detects that a camera or image recording device has failed, and when the failure detection device detects a failure, a failure that conveys the failure to another system 2. Description of the Related Art A transmission device, that is, an elevator car video recording device including the transmission device is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Further, as another example of the prior art for reducing the occurrence of loss of recorded images due to equipment failure, a video camera that captures an elevator car, that is, a camera, and a video tape that records content captured by the camera, that is, Elevator security device comprising: an image recording device; a monitoring device that at least monitors the operation of the image recording device; and a transmission device that issues an abnormal signal from the monitoring device to the monitoring center when the operation of the image recording device becomes abnormal Is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  Specifically, a failure monitoring device for a conventional image recording apparatus having functions similar to the elevator car video recording apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the elevator crime prevention apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2, For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a camera 1, an image recording device 6, a failure monitoring device 7, and a remote monitoring terminal device 4 are the main components, and the remote monitoring terminal device 4 and a remote monitoring center 5 installed at a remote location are arranged. The communication lines 8 (public telephone line, wireless communication line, and WAN are collectively called) are connected.

  The image recording device 6 is a device having a failure detection function, an image capturing unit 61 having a function of capturing a video signal from the camera 1 as image data, an image compressing unit 62 having a function of compressing image data, Image recording means 63 having a function of recording compressed image data on an image recording medium. Further, the image recording apparatus 6 controls each means of the image capturing means 61, the image compressing means 62, and the image recording means 63 via the bus line 67, and also has a CPU 64 having a function of detecting a failure of each means described above. That is, a control unit, a failure signal output unit 66 having a function of outputting a failure detection signal 68 such as a contact output when the CPU 64 detects a failure of each unit described above, an image capturing unit 61, an image compression unit 62, The image recording means 63 and the power supply means 65 having a function of supplying power necessary for the operation of the CPU 64 to each unit are provided.

  The failure monitoring device 7 corresponds to a device that includes the above-described transmission device in the above-described elevator car video recording device failure detection device or elevator crime prevention device monitoring device, and has a failure occurrence detection and notification function. . The failure monitoring device 7 includes, for example, a failure detection unit 71 that detects a failure detection signal 68 such as a contact output output from the image recording device 6, and a failure occurrence notification unit 72 that notifies the occurrence of a failure by a warning lamp or a buzzer sound. The failure detection means 71 also has a function of notifying the remote monitoring terminal device 4 that a failure has occurred. The remote monitoring terminal device 4 has a function of notifying the remote monitoring center 5 that a failure has occurred via the communication line 8.

  Next, the operation of the failure monitoring apparatus of the conventional image recording apparatus configured as described above will be described.

  The CPU 64 controls the image capturing unit 61 and monitors the loss of the synchronization signal of the video signal of the camera 1 from the image capturing unit 61. Further, the CPU 64 controls the image compression means 62 and monitors the occurrence of deviation from the predetermined range of the size of the image data after compression. Further, the CPU 64 controls the image recording unit 63 and monitors the occurrence of an abnormality in the recording medium of the image recording unit 63. When these abnormalities are detected, the CPU 64 controls the failure signal output means 66 to output a failure detection signal 68 toward the failure monitoring device 7. Next, when the failure monitoring device 7 detects the failure detection signal 68, the failure monitoring device 7 informs the administrator or operator of the failure of the image recording device 6 by lighting or blinking a warning lamp or sounding a buzzer, and remotely. The monitoring terminal device 4 is notified that the image recording device 6 has failed. Here, the remote monitoring terminal device 4 informs the remote monitoring center 5 that a failure has occurred via the communication line 8.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-245172 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-92048

  However, in the failure monitoring device of the conventional image recording device described above, for example, when the operation of the CPU 64 that controls the image recording device 6 is stopped, the failure signal output means 66 cannot be controlled by the CPU 64. In such a situation, the failure detection signal 68 cannot be output. For this reason, the failure detection device 7 cannot detect the failure detection signal 68, and even if a failure occurs in the image recording device 6, the failure occurrence cannot be detected.

  Even when the CPU 64 detects a failure and instructs the failure signal output means 66 to output the failure detection signal 68, if the failure detection signal 68 is a contact signal, the failure portion of the image recording device 6 is externally detected. Since it cannot be identified, it is not possible to select equipment and parts necessary for repair and replacement, and there is a problem that it takes time to prepare replacement parts and repair the failure at the maintenance base.

  The present invention has been made based on the actual situation of the prior art as described above. The purpose of the present invention is to detect a failure of an image recording apparatus and identify a failure part even if a failure occurs in the control means of the image recording apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a failure monitoring device for an image recording apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, a failure monitoring apparatus for an image recording apparatus according to the present invention comprises video data processing means for processing video data photographed by a camera, and control means for controlling the video data processing means. The video data processing means includes an image capturing means for capturing video data captured by the camera, an image compressing means for compressing the video data captured by the image capturing means, and a compression by the image compressing means. In the failure monitoring apparatus for an image recording apparatus, the image recording apparatus comprising a failure monitoring apparatus that is provided in an image recording apparatus having at least an image recording unit that records the recorded video data and detects whether or not the image recording apparatus is abnormal. Is composed of at least a one-chip microcomputer or a random logic circuit, and is small among the video data processing means and the control means. It is connected to at least one, and has a device state investigation means for obtaining and outputting a state signal indicating that the one is in a normal state or an abnormal state, and the failure monitoring device is an inquiry signal composed of a plurality of bits. The transmission command is output to the device status checking means, the status signal acquired by the device status checking means is received as a response signal of a plurality of bit signals, the inquiry signal and the response signal are compared, and the It has a failure determination means for determining the presence or absence of the one of the video data processing means and the control means.

  In the present invention configured as described above, the device state investigation unit acquires and outputs a status signal indicating a normal state or an abnormal state of at least one of the units of the video data processing unit and the control unit, and the failure determination unit By receiving the status signal acquired by the device status investigation unit as a response signal of a multi-bit signal, the failure determination unit compares the inquiry signal with the received response signal, thereby comparing the video data processing unit and the control unit. It is possible to grasp the individual state of the one connected to the device state investigation means. That is, the failure determination means can determine whether one of the video data processing means and the control means is in a normal state or an abnormal state.

  Further, since the device state investigation means is at least composed of a one-chip microcomputer or a random logic circuit, the device state investigation means operates independently without being influenced by the control of the control means. Therefore, even if a malfunction occurs in the control means, the device state investigation means can continue to acquire and output the status signal of one of the video data processing means and the control means. As a result, the failure determination means can continuously receive the response signal from the equipment state investigation means, so that the determination process for the presence or absence of the one of the video data processing means and the control means can be continued without interruption. Can do. As described above, even when a defect occurs in the control means of the image recording apparatus, it is possible to detect the failure of the image recording apparatus and to specify the failed part.

  In the image recording apparatus failure monitoring apparatus according to the present invention, in the invention, the image recording apparatus has a first power storage unit that stores electric power and supplies the stored electric power to the device state investigation unit. The failure monitoring apparatus has a second power storage unit that stores electric power and supplies the stored electric power to the failure determination unit.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, even when a power failure or a power supply supplied from the power supply device is defective and the power supplied to the image recording device and the failure monitoring device is cut off, The first power storage means supplies power to the device state investigation means, and the second power storage means of the failure monitoring device supplies power to the failure determination means, so that the device state investigation means and the failure monitoring device do not stop. The operation can be continued.

  In the image recording apparatus failure monitoring apparatus according to the present invention, the failure monitoring apparatus according to the present invention receives the inquiry signal transmission command from the failure determination means, and sends the inquiry signal to the equipment state investigation means. Device status inquiry signal transmission means for transmitting, device status response signal reception means for transmitting the response signal received from the device status investigation means to the failure determination means, and the video data processing means and the control by the failure determination means And a failure occurrence notifying means for notifying that a failure has occurred when it is determined that one of the means is abnormal.

  In the present invention configured as described above, the failure determination unit compares the inquiry signal transmitted by the device state inquiry signal transmission unit with the response signal received by the device state response signal reception unit, and the video data processing unit and the control unit If it is determined that there is an abnormality in one of them, it is possible to know that a failure has occurred in one of the video data processing means and the control means by the failure occurrence notification means. It is possible to quickly deal with repairing one of the failed parts, and to restore it quickly.

  Further, in the image recording apparatus failure monitoring apparatus according to the present invention, in the above invention, the device state investigation means inputs the inquiry signal transmitted from the device state inquiry signal transmission means, and the input side shift register, An output side shift register for transmitting the response signal to the device status response signal receiving means, an output terminal and two input terminals are provided, and one of the input terminals is connected to the one of the video data processing means and the control means. And an exclusive OR operation circuit for connecting the other of the input terminals to a bit of the input side shift register and connecting the output terminal to a bit of the output side shift register.

  In the present invention configured as described above, the device state investigation unit calculates an exclusive OR of the inquiry signal input to the input side shift register and one of the acquired video data processing unit and control unit. By doing so, it is possible to detect a change in the input inquiry signal. This facilitates comparison between the inquiry signal and the answer signal, so that the failure determination means can quickly determine the presence or absence of the one of the video data processing means and the control means. Therefore, speeding up of the determination process by the failure determination unit can be realized.

  In the failure monitoring device for an image recording apparatus of the present invention, the image recording apparatus is composed of at least a one-chip microcomputer or a random logic circuit, and is connected to at least one of the video data processing means and the control means, one of which is normal. By having a device state investigation unit that obtains and outputs a state signal indicating a state or an abnormal state, the one individual state connected to the device state investigation unit among the video data processing unit and the control unit is obtained. I can grasp it. In the failure monitoring device for an image recording apparatus of the present invention, the failure monitoring device outputs an inquiry signal transmission command composed of a plurality of bits to the device state investigation unit, and the state signal acquired by the device state investigation unit. As a response signal of a multi-bit signal, and by comparing the inquiry signal with the response signal to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in one of the video data processing means and the control means, the device status investigation Since the means operates independently without being affected by the control of the control means, the equipment state investigation means can continue to operate even if a malfunction occurs in the control means, and the determination process by the failure determination means can be interrupted. Can continue without. As described above, even when a defect occurs in the control means of the image recording apparatus, it is possible to detect the failure of the image recording apparatus and to specify the failed part. As a result, the failed device can be quickly and accurately restored, and a video monitoring service with higher reliability than before can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the failure monitoring apparatus of the image recording apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the apparatus state investigation means with which this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is equipped. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the failure monitoring apparatus of the conventional image recording apparatus.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment for implementing a failure monitoring apparatus for an image recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  One embodiment of a failure monitoring device for an image recording apparatus according to the present invention comprises a video data processing means for processing video data photographed by the camera 1, and a control means to be described later for controlling the video data processing means. The video data processing unit includes an image capturing unit 21 that captures video data captured by the camera 1, an image compressing unit 22 that performs image compression of the video data captured by the image capturing unit 21, and the image compressing unit 22. A failure monitoring device provided in an image recording apparatus 2 having an image recording means 23 for recording compressed video data and a power supply means 25 as a power supply source, and detecting the presence or absence of abnormality of the image recording apparatus 2 3 is provided.

  The control means described above comprises, for example, a CPU 24 that controls the image capturing means 21, the image compression means 22, and the image recording means 23 via the bus line 27. In this embodiment, a remote monitoring terminal device 4 is provided, and a communication line 8 (public telephone line, wireless communication line, WAN) is generically defined between the remote monitoring terminal device 4 and a remote monitoring center 5 installed in a remote place. ).

  The image recording apparatus 2 includes at least a one-chip microcomputer or a random logic circuit. At least one of the video data processing unit and the CPU 24, for example, the image capturing unit 21, the image compression unit 22, the image recording unit 23 of the video data processing unit, Are connected to the CPU 24 and the image capturing means 21, the image compressing means 22, the image recording means 23, and the CPU 24 respectively obtain status signals 21s, 22s, 23s, and 24s indicating that the CPU 24 is in a normal state or an abnormal state. Device status checking means 26 for outputting. This equipment state investigation means 26 acquires and outputs the state signal 25s of the power supply means 25 in addition to the state signals 21s, 22s, 23s and 24s.

  Further, the image recording apparatus 2 has first power storage means 28 that stores electric power and supplies the stored electric power to the device state investigation means 26. The image recording means 23 may be a hard disk, a rewritable optical disk, or a flash memory. The power supply unit 25 is connected to a commercial power supply of, for example, AC 100V, and supplies necessary power to each component device in the image recording apparatus 2.

  Accordingly, the device state investigation unit 26 that receives power supply from the power supply unit 25 receives power supply from the power storage unit 28 even if a failure such as a power failure or a failure occurs in the power supply unit 25. Need only have a storage capacity capable of supplying power that can be operated for several minutes by the device state investigation means 26, and a capacitor or a secondary battery may be used as the storage means 28.

  Here, the state signal 21 s is a signal indicating that a video signal synchronization signal from the camera 1 is input to the image capturing unit 21, and the state signal 22 s is after the image compression unit 22 compresses the captured image. It is a signal which shows that it exists in the range of the threshold value set beforehand with respect to the compression rate and size after compression. Further, the status signal 23s is a normal operation of, for example, a hard disk, which is an image recording medium used by the image recording means 23, a frame counter counted when one image is recorded, and finally an image recorded. It is a signal indicating that the date and time is increasing. Further, the status signal 24s is a watchdog signal indicating that the CPU 24 is operating, and the status signal 25s is a signal indicating that commercial power is input to the power supply means 25 and the output voltage is in a normal range. is there. These state signals 21 s, 22 s, 23 s, 24 s, and 25 s have a value of “1” when the operation is normal and a value of “0” when the operation is abnormal.

  In the present embodiment, the failure monitoring apparatus 3 outputs a transmission command of an inquiry signal 35 composed of a plurality of bits, for example, 8 bits, to the device state investigation unit 26 and also obtains a state signal 21s acquired by the device state investigation unit 26. , 22s, 23s, 24s, and 25s are received as a multi-bit signal, for example, an 8-bit answer signal 36, and the inquiry signal 35 and the answer signal 36 are compared to compare the image capture means 21, the image compression means 22, and the image recording means 23. , A failure determination unit 33 for determining whether the CPU 24 and the power supply unit 25 are abnormal.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, the failure monitoring apparatus 3 receives a transmission instruction of an inquiry signal 35 from the failure determination means 33, and transmits an inquiry signal 35 to the apparatus state investigation means 26. The apparatus status response signal receiving means 32 for transmitting the response signal 36 received from the apparatus status investigation means 26 to the failure determination means 33, and the failure determination means 33 by the image capture means 21, the image compression means 22, the image recording means 23, and the CPU 24. And failure occurrence notifying means 34 for notifying that a failure has occurred when it is determined that the power supply means 25 is abnormal. The failure occurrence notifying means 34 is notified by, for example, a warning lamp or a buzzer sounding.

  Further, the failure monitoring device 3 includes a power supply unit 37 serving as a power supply source, and a second power storage unit 38 that stores power and supplies the stored power to each device of the failure monitoring device 3. Yes. Here, the power supply means 37 is connected to, for example, an AC 100V commercial power supply, supplies power to each device of the failure monitoring device 3 via the power storage means 38, and indicates power supply such as a commercial power supply from the outside. The signal 37s is output to the failure determination means 33. Further, in the present embodiment, the failure monitoring apparatus 3 detects an abnormality in the power supply means 37 in addition to the image capturing means 21, the image compression means 22, the image recording means 23, the CPU 24, and the power supply means 25 of the image recording apparatus 2. Whether or not there is is determined. The above-described power storage means 38 only needs to have a power storage capacity that can supply power that allows each device of the failure monitoring apparatus 3 to operate for several minutes. For example, a capacitor or a secondary battery may be used as the power storage means 38.

  Here, when the failure monitoring device 3 detects a failure of the image recording device 2, the failure monitoring device 3 outputs a signal to the remote monitoring terminal device 4, and the remote monitoring terminal device 4 sends the image recording device to the remote monitoring center 5 via the communication line 8. Report the occurrence of 2 failures. In addition, an inquiry signal 35 and an answer signal 36 are transmitted between the equipment status investigation means 26 of the image recording apparatus 2 and the equipment status inquiry signal transmission means 31 and the equipment status answer signal reception means 32 of the failure monitoring apparatus 3, respectively. Serial transmission cables are connected to each other. Although RS-232C or RS-485C serial communication is generally used as a serial transmission method, IEEE802.3 bus-type network communication may be used.

  Next, the internal configuration of the device state investigation unit of the image recording apparatus provided in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the device state investigation means provided in the present embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the device status checking means 26 is input to the input side shift register 261 that receives the inquiry signal 35 transmitted from the device status inquiry signal transmitting means 31 and the device status answer signal receiving means 32 as shown in FIG. And an output side shift register 262 for transmitting the answer signal 36. The input side shift register 261 and the output side shift register 262 are composed of, for example, 8 bits.

  The device status investigation means 26 is provided with a signal input terminal (not shown) for inputting the inquiry signal 35, a signal output terminal (not shown) for outputting the answer signal 36, and a status input terminal (not shown) for inputting the status signal of the device. One of the input terminals is connected to the image capture means 21, the image compression means 22, the image recording means 23, the CPU 24, and the power supply means 25, and the other input terminal is connected to the corresponding bit of the input side shift register 261, respectively. It includes exclusive OR operation circuits 263a to 263e that connect the output terminals to the corresponding bits of the output side shift register 262, respectively.

  That is, the status signal 21s and the 7th bit signal of the input side shift register 261 are connected to each input terminal of the exclusive OR operation circuit 263a, and the status signal 22s and the 6th bit signal of the input side shift register 261 are connected. Are connected to each input terminal of the exclusive OR operation circuit 263b. The status signal 23s and the fourth bit signal of the input side shift register 261 are connected to each input terminal of the exclusive OR operation circuit 263c, and the status signal 24s and the second bit signal of the input side shift register 261 are connected. Are connected to the respective input terminals of the exclusive OR operation circuit 263d. Further, the status signal 25s and the first bit signal of the input side shift register 261 are connected to the input terminals of the exclusive OR operation circuit 263e, and the output terminals of these exclusive OR operation circuits 263a to 263e are The output side shift register 262 is connected to the 7th, 6th, 4th, 2nd and 1st bits, respectively. Then, the output side shift register 262 transmits the value stored in each bit to the device status response signal receiving means 32 as the device status response signal 36.

  Note that the 8th bit, the 5th bit, and the 3rd bit of the input side shift register 261 and the output side shift register 262 are directly connected to each other by a circuit, and an exclusive OR operation circuit is not provided. In addition, since the input side shift register 261 and the output side shift register 262 have five types of status signals 21s to 25s, as described above, the seventh bit, the sixth bit, the fourth bit, the second bit, the first bit Although they are connected to the exclusive OR operation circuits 263a to 263e, the number of bits to be used may be increased or decreased in accordance with the increase or decrease of the status signal.

  For example, when the inquiry signal 35 has a value of 55 (01010101) in hexadecimal notation, the device state investigation unit 26 is all normal when the image capturing unit 21, the image compression unit 22, the image recording unit 23, the CPU 24, and the power supply unit 25 are normal. When the status signals 21s to 25s are all “1”, the value of the output side shift register 262 via the exclusive OR operation circuits 263a to 263e is calculated as 3E (00111110) in hexadecimal notation.

  For example, when the inquiry signal 35 is a value of AA (10101010) in hexadecimal notation, the device state investigation unit 26 includes the image capturing unit 21, the image compression unit 22, the image recording unit 23, the CPU 24, and the power supply unit 25. When all the state signals are in the normal state and the state signals 21s to 25s are all "1", the value of the output side shift register 262 via the exclusive OR operation circuits 263a to 263e is calculated as C1 (11000001) in hexadecimal notation. To do. Then, after performing such a calculation, the device state investigation unit 26 transmits the value of the output side shift register 262 as the response signal 36 to the device state response signal receiving unit 32.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of this embodiment.

  In this embodiment, first, the device status investigation unit 26 of the image recording apparatus 2 is in a state of receiving an inquiry signal 35 immediately after the activation of the device, and receives the device status inquiry signal 35 when the device status inquiry signal 35 is not received. A waiting loop operation is performed (steps (hereinafter referred to as S) 10, S11). Next, the device state inquiry signal transmission means 31 that has received an instruction to output the inquiry signal 35 from the failure determination means 33 of the failure monitoring device 3 creates an inquiry signal 35 composed of 8 bits and the created inquiry signal. 35 is transmitted to the device state investigation means 26 (S1). Here, when the device status inquiry signal transmission means 31 of the failure monitoring apparatus 3 outputs the inquiry signal 35, the device status response signal reception means 32 enters a loop for receiving the response signal 36 of the device status (S2 to S4).

  When the device state investigation unit 26 receives the inquiry signal 35 transmitted from the device state inquiry signal transmission unit 31 in step S1 (S11), the device state investigation unit 26 exits the reception waiting loop of steps S10 and S11, and receives the image capturing unit of the image recording apparatus 2. 21, an operation for investigating the device status regarding the image compression means 22, the image recording means 23, the CPU 24, and the power supply means 25 is performed (S 12).

  Here, for example, when the inquiry signal 35 has a value of 55 (01010101) in hexadecimal notation, this value is stored in each bit of the input side shift register 261 and the image capturing means calculates. 21, the image compression means 22, the image recording means 23, the CPU 24, and the power supply means 25 are all in a normal state, and when the state signals 21s to 25s are all "1", the bit signals of the input side shift register 261 are The output values of the operation results of the exclusive OR operation circuits 263a to 263e with the state signals 21s to 25s are stored in the respective bits of the output side shift register 262, and the value of the output side shift register 262 is 3E (00111110) in hexadecimal notation. ) Then, after performing such a calculation, the device state investigation unit 26 transmits the value of the output side shift register 262 as the response signal 36 to the device state response signal receiving unit 32 (S13).

  Next, when the device status response signal receiving unit 32 receives the response signal 36 (S4), the failure determination unit 33 compares the inquiry signal 35 (01010101) with the response signal 36 (00111110) (S5). ), The values of bits 7, 6, 4, 2, and 1 of the shift register 262 to which the status signals 21s to 25s are input via the exclusive OR operation circuits 263a to 263e, that is, the bits 7, 6, and 6 of the answer signal 36. When all the values of 4, 2, and 1 are reversed, the failure determination unit 33 performs normal operations of the image capturing unit 21, the image compression unit 22, the image recording unit 23, the CPU 24, and the power supply unit 25. (S6).

  On the other hand, if even one of the bits 7, 6, 4, 2, 1 of the answer signal is not inverted in step S6, the failure determination means 33 has an abnormality in the image recording device 2, that is, the image recording device. Bits 7 and 6 of the shift register 262 whose values are not inverted among the image capturing means 21, the image compressing means 22, the image recording means 23, the CPU 24, and the power supply means 25. , 4, 2 and 1 are selected to identify the failure location (S7).

  At this time, if the value of bit 7 of the answer signal 36 is not inverted, the status signal 21 s is “0”. For example, the camera 1 has failed, the cable between the camera 1 and the image recording device 2 is not connected. It can be determined that the cable connector is disconnected or disconnected. If the value of bit 6 of the answer signal 36 is not inverted in step S7, the status signal 22s is “0”, and the photographed image is abnormal (black, white, blurred, concealed, etc.). ) Has occurred.

  If the value of bit 4 of the answer signal 36 is not inverted in step S7, the status signal 23s is “0”, and it can be determined that, for example, the hard disk or the like has failed, and the value of bit 2 of the answer signal 36 is inverted. If not, the status signal 24s is “0”, and for example, it can be determined that the CPU 24 is stopping or performing an endless loop operation for some reason. If the value of bit 1 of the answer signal 36 is not inverted in step S7, the status signal 25s is “0”. For example, the commercial power supply to the image recording apparatus 2 is caused by a power failure or a breaker switch. It can be determined that the supply has been stopped or the output voltage of the power supply means 25 is abnormal.

  Here, the state signal 25s is “0”, that is, the power supply unit 25 is in an abnormal state, and the state signal 37s of the power supply unit 37 of the failure monitoring apparatus 3 is “0”, that is, the power supply unit 37 is in an abnormal state. In some cases, since the power is not supplied to both the power supply means 25 of the image recording apparatus 2 and the power supply means 37 of the failure monitoring apparatus 3, the failure determination means 33 is the power supply system of the building or each device. Is determined to be in a power outage state (S7).

  On the other hand, the status signal 25s is “0”, that is, the power supply unit 25 is in an abnormal state, and the status signal 37s of the power supply unit 37 of the failure monitoring apparatus 3 is “1”, that is, the power supply unit 37 is in a normal state. In this case, the failure determination unit 33 determines that only the power supply unit 25 of the image recording apparatus 2 has failed (S7). Even if the supply of commercial power is stopped or the output voltage of the power supply means 25 is abnormal, the device state investigation means 26 of the image recording apparatus 2 receives supply of electric power necessary for operation from the power storage means 28 and malfunctions. Since the device status inquiry signal transmission unit 31, the device status response signal reception unit 32, the failure determination unit 33, and the failure occurrence notification unit 34 of the monitoring device 3 are supplied with power necessary for operation from the power storage unit 38, An operation for determining a failure of the image recording apparatus 2 is possible.

  In step S1, the failure determination unit 33 instructs the device state inquiry signal transmission unit 31 to transmit the inquiry signal 35, and then the device state response signal is sent from the device state investigation unit 26 even if a predetermined time period elapses. When the reply signal 36 cannot be received via the receiving means 32 (S3), the failure determination means 33 is disconnected from the cable between the image recording device 2 and the failure monitoring device 3, or the image recording is performed. It is determined that the device 2 has been lost due to relocation or theft (S7).

  When the failure determination unit 33 detects a failure in steps S3, S6, and S7, the failure occurrence notification unit 34 is activated, for example, a buzzer sounds or a lamp is turned on / flashes, and the failure occurrence of the image recording apparatus 2 is detected by the user. And a signal indicating the failure occurrence of the image recording apparatus 2 and the part where the failure has occurred is transmitted to the remote monitoring terminal device 4 (S8). Then, the remote monitoring terminal device 4 transmits the received signal indicating the occurrence of the failure of the image recording device 2 and the failure occurrence site to the remote monitoring center 5 via the communication line 8.

  Further, the failure monitoring apparatus 3 executes the above steps S1 to S8 to detect the failure of the image recording apparatus 2 and identify the failed part, and then waits for a predetermined monitoring time (S9), and proceeds to step S1. Return. Here, since the monitoring time is related to the image loss time due to the failure of the image recording apparatus 2, it may be set to the maximum allowable time of the image loss time. It is desirable to set a time interval larger than the maximum allowable time.

  According to the present embodiment configured as described above, the apparatus state investigation unit 26 performs normal or abnormal states of the image capturing unit 21, the image compression unit 22, the image recording unit 23, the CPU 24, and the power supply unit 25 in steps S12 and S13. By acquiring and outputting status signals 21s to 25s indicating the status, the failure determination means 33 receives the status signals 21s to 25s acquired by the equipment status investigation means 26 as an answer signal 36 of an 8-bit signal in step S4. The failure determination unit 33 compares the inquiry signal 35 transmitted by the device state inquiry signal transmission unit 31 with the response signal 36 received by the device state response signal reception unit 32 in step S5, thereby capturing an image in steps S6 and S7. Each of means 21, image compression means 22, image recording means 23, CPU 24, and power supply means 25 It is possible to grasp the state. That is, the failure determination unit 33 can determine whether each of the image capturing unit 21, the image compression unit 22, the image recording unit 23, the CPU 24, and the power supply unit 25 is in a normal state or an abnormal state.

  Further, since the device state investigation unit 26 is composed of a one-chip microcomputer or a random logic circuit, the device state investigation unit 26 operates independently without being influenced by the control of the CPU 24. Therefore, even if a problem occurs in the CPU 24, the device state investigation unit 26 determines whether the state signals 21s to 25s of the image capturing unit 21, the image compression unit 22, the image recording unit 23, the CPU 24, and the power supply unit 25 in steps S12 and S13. Can continue to be obtained and output. As a result, the failure determination means 33 can continuously receive the response signal 36 from the device state investigation means 26 in step S4, so that the image capture means 21, the image compression means 22, the image recording means 23, the CPU 24, and The process for determining whether the power supply means 25 is abnormal can be continued without interruption. As described above, even when a failure occurs in the CPU 24 of the image recording apparatus 2, it is possible to detect a failure of the image recording apparatus 2 and to specify a failure site. As a result, the failed device can be recovered quickly and accurately, and a highly reliable video surveillance service can be provided.

  In this embodiment, the failure determination unit 33 not only determines whether the image capturing unit 21, the image compression unit 22, the image recording unit 23, the CPU 24, and the power supply unit 25 are abnormal in steps S6 and S7. Since the presence / absence of abnormality of the power supply means 37 is also determined, whether there is an abnormality in the power supply system of the building or each device according to the determination result of the presence / absence of the abnormality of the power supply means 25, 37, or whether only the power supply means 25 is abnormal. Can be grasped. Thereby, the precision of the determination process of the failure determination means 33 can be improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, even when a power failure is caused by a power failure or the like and the power supplied from the power supply means 25 and 37 is cut off, the power supplied to the image recording device 2 and the failure monitoring device 3 is cut off. The power storage unit 28 of the image recording apparatus 2 supplies power to the device state investigation unit 26, and the power storage unit 38 of the failure monitoring device 3 supplies power to each device of the failure monitoring device 3. And the operation | movement can be continued, without stopping the failure monitoring apparatus 3. FIG.

  In this embodiment, in step S6, the failure determination unit 33 compares the inquiry signal 35 transmitted by the device state inquiry signal transmission unit 31 with the response signal 36 received by the device state response signal reception unit 32, and captures an image. If it is determined that there is an abnormality in the means 21, the image compression means 22, the image recording means 23, the CPU 24, and the power supply means 25, in step S8, the user or the administrator uses the failure occurrence notifying means 34 to read the image capturing means 21, the image compression means. Since it is possible to know that a failure has occurred in the means 22, the image recording means 23, the CPU 24 and the power supply means 25, the image capturing means 21, the image compression means 22, the image recording means 23, the CPU 24 and the power supply means 25. It is possible to quickly deal with repairs, etc., and to recover quickly.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in step S12, the device state investigation unit 26 and the inquiry signal 35 input to the input side shift register 261 and the acquired image capture unit 21, image compression unit 22, image recording unit 23, CPU 24, and By calculating an exclusive OR with the state signals 21 s to 25 s of the power supply means 25, it is possible to detect a change in the input inquiry signal 35. This facilitates the comparison between the inquiry signal 35 and the answer signal 36 in step S5. Therefore, in steps S6 and S7, the failure determination means 33 causes the image capturing means 21, the image compression means 22, the image recording means 23, the CPU 24, and The presence or absence of abnormality of the power supply means 25 can be quickly determined. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the speed of the determination process by the failure determination means 33, and to improve the performance of the failure monitoring device 3.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera 2 Image recording device 3 Failure monitoring device 4 Remote monitoring terminal device 5 Remote monitoring center 21 Image capture means 22 Image compression means 23 Image recording means 24 CPU
25, 37 Power supply means 21 s to 25 s, 37 s State signal 26 Equipment state investigation means 28, 38 Power storage means 31 Equipment state inquiry signal transmission means 32 Equipment state answer signal reception means 33 Failure determination means 34 Failure occurrence notification means 35 Inquiry signal 36 Answer signal 261 Input side shift register 262 Output side shift register 263a-263e Exclusive OR operation circuit

Claims (4)

Video data processing means for processing video data photographed by a camera, and control means for controlling the video data processing means, wherein the video data processing means captures image data photographed by the camera And at least an image compression unit that performs image compression of the video data captured by the image capture unit, and an image recording unit that records the video data compressed by the image compression unit,
In the failure monitoring device for an image recording device provided with a failure monitoring device for detecting whether there is an abnormality in the image recording device,
The image recording apparatus includes:
It is composed of at least a one-chip microcomputer or a random logic circuit, is connected to at least one of the video data processing means and the control means, and obtains a status signal indicating that the one is in a normal state or an abnormal state It has a device status investigation means to output,
The failure monitoring device is
A command for transmitting an inquiry signal composed of a plurality of bits is output to the device status checking means, and the status signal acquired by the device status checking means is received as a response signal of a multi-bit signal. A failure monitoring device for an image recording apparatus, comprising failure determination means for comparing the answer signal with each other to determine the presence or absence of one of the video data processing means and the control means. In the failure monitoring device of the image recording device according to claim 1,
The image recording apparatus includes:
The first power storage means for storing electric power and supplying the stored electric power to the device state investigation means,
The failure monitoring device is
A failure monitoring apparatus for an image recording apparatus, comprising: a second power storage unit that stores power and supplies the stored power to the failure determination unit. In the failure monitoring device of the image recording device according to claim 1 or 2,
The failure monitoring device is
In response to the inquiry signal transmission command from the failure determination means, this inquiry signal is transmitted to the apparatus state investigation means, device status inquiry signal transmission means,
A device status response signal receiving means for transmitting the response signal received from the device status checking means to the failure determination means;
An image recording apparatus comprising: a failure occurrence notifying unit for notifying that a failure has occurred when the failure determination unit determines that one of the video data processing unit and the control unit is abnormal. Equipment fault monitoring device. In the failure monitoring device for an image recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The device status investigation means is
An input side shift register for inputting the inquiry signal transmitted from the device state inquiry signal transmission means;
An output side shift register for transmitting the answer signal to the device status answer signal receiving means;
An output terminal and two input terminals are provided, one of the input terminals is connected to the one of the video data processing means and the control means, and the other of the input terminals is connected to a bit of the input side shift register. And an exclusive OR operation circuit for connecting the output terminal to a bit of the output side shift register.

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