JP2012213124A - Monitoring device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a monitoring device which can obtain information for determining appropriateness of monitoring planning (information for appropriate monitoring use) and can properly review an installation layout of a monitoring camera.SOLUTION: The monitoring device 3 includes a function for displaying camera images of a plurality of monitoring cameras 2 installed in a monitoring region and monitoring the monitoring region from a remote place. The monitoring device 3 counts display frequency displayed on a display section 14 at every monitoring camera 2 and displays inappropriately arranged camera information (information on specified monitoring camera) on the display section 14 when the monitoring camera 2 (specified monitoring camera) whose display frequency in a past prescribed period is a previously set threshold or below exists. A user can review the installation layout of the monitoring camera 2 in the monitoring region based on the inappropriately arranged camera information.

Description

  The present invention relates to a monitoring device that receives image data from a plurality of monitoring cameras installed in a monitoring area and remotely monitors the monitoring area.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, monitoring apparatuses that perform monitoring in a centralized manner by displaying monitoring images of a plurality of monitoring cameras installed in a store or the like by a remote monitoring terminal such as a main store have been used. In such a monitoring apparatus, in order to display a monitoring image, it is first necessary for the user to select a monitoring camera for which the image is to be displayed.

  Conventionally, there has been proposed a camera control system that makes it easy to select a camera to be controlled by counting the frequency of use (display frequency) of remote video cameras and displaying a list of cameras in order of frequency of use. (See Patent Document 1).

JP 08-289189 A

  By the way, in the monitoring device that remotely monitors the monitoring area, the information on the display frequency of the camera image in the monitoring area (that is, information regarding the monitoring frequency) is useful information for an operator such as a security company that installs the monitoring camera. Can be. This is because the camera monitoring frequency serves as an index for determining the appropriateness of the monitoring planning as to where the camera should be installed. Therefore, the information (information on the camera monitoring frequency) is valuable know-how information. Because it becomes.

  For example, a camera whose monitoring frequency is extremely low compared with other cameras can be a material for considering removal of the camera as a camera that captures an area where the necessity of monitoring is low. Further, a camera with extremely high monitoring frequency can be a material for studying the addition of a camera to the area as a camera for shooting an area where the necessity for monitoring is high.

  In particular, when there is an extreme change in the monitoring frequency of the camera when viewed over a long period of time, for example, when the monitoring frequency of this month is extremely less than the monitoring frequency of the previous month, the reason for changing the layout of the monitoring area, etc. Therefore, there is a high possibility that it is necessary to re-plan (review the installation layout of surveillance cameras).

  Although the conventional camera control system can provide an operation method suitable for a user who refers to a camera image, the above-described problem in monitoring planning (problem in monitoring operation) has not been considered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and information for determining the appropriateness of monitoring planning in a monitoring apparatus that remotely monitors a monitoring area using a plurality of monitoring cameras installed in the monitoring area. It is an object of the present invention to provide a monitoring device that can acquire (information that contributes to appropriate monitoring operation).

  The monitoring apparatus of the present invention is a monitoring apparatus that receives image data from a plurality of monitoring cameras installed in a monitoring area and remotely monitors the monitoring area, and includes a display unit that displays a video to a user, An operation unit for a user to select a monitoring camera to be displayed, an image display control unit for displaying image data of the monitoring camera selected from the operation unit on the display unit, and a display unit for each monitoring camera If there is a frequency monitoring unit that counts the displayed display frequency, and a specific monitoring camera that is a monitoring camera whose display frequency within a predetermined period in the past is equal to or less than a preset threshold, the improperly arranged camera information A warning display control unit that displays information of the specific monitoring camera on the display unit.

  Thereby, when a plurality of surveillance cameras are installed in the surveillance area, the display frequency displayed on the display unit of the surveillance device is measured for each surveillance camera. Then, if there is a monitoring camera (specific monitoring camera) whose display frequency in the past predetermined period (for example, one month) is less than or equal to a preset threshold value (for example, five times), the inappropriately arranged camera information Is displayed. As described above, in the present invention, information of a monitoring camera (specific monitoring camera) that is displayed less frequently than other monitoring cameras is displayed as inappropriately arranged camera information. Improperly arranged camera information is useful information for determining the appropriateness of surveillance planning, and the user reviews the installation layout of surveillance cameras in the surveillance area based on the inappropriately arranged camera information (for example, (Removal and movement of the surveillance camera can be considered).

  In the monitoring apparatus of the present invention, the frequency counting unit counts the display frequency for each preset frequency extraction period, and the warning display control unit reduces the display frequency in a plurality of the frequency extraction periods. The presence or absence of the specific surveillance camera may be determined based on the degree.

  As a result, the determination as to whether or not the camera is applicable to the specific monitoring camera is not only the display frequency in a certain predetermined period, but also the degree of decrease in the display frequency in a plurality of frequency extraction periods (for example, the display frequency of the month before last / the display frequency of the previous month). Based on. That is, the display frequency within a predetermined period in the past is equal to or less than a preset threshold value, and the degree of decrease in the display frequency in a plurality of frequency extraction periods is large (the display frequency is greatly decreased from the month before the previous month). It is determined that the monitoring camera corresponds to the specific monitoring camera. Therefore, in the present invention, not only the display frequency of a certain period (predetermined period) but also the display frequency over a plurality of periods (frequency extraction periods) is taken into consideration, and the specific monitoring camera is appropriately determined. Then, information of a monitoring camera (specific monitoring camera) that is displayed less frequently and has a large degree of reduction in display frequency compared to other monitoring cameras is displayed as inappropriately arranged camera information.

  Further, the monitoring apparatus of the present invention further collates authentication information input from the operation unit with a storage unit that stores information on usage authority of the user corresponding to the authentication information of the user, and A verification unit that determines a usage authority of the user who has input the authentication information, and the image display control unit has at least a general authority among the authorities included in the usage authority by the verification unit. When it is determined that the image data of the monitoring camera selected from the operation unit is displayed on the display unit, the warning display control unit includes the specific monitoring camera and the collation unit When it is determined that the user has a management authority that is higher than the general authority among the authorities included in the use authority, the information of the specific surveillance camera is displayed as improperly arranged camera information. It may be.

  Thereby, the verification information of the user is collated, and the usage authority of the user is determined. Then, the image data of the monitoring camera is displayed to the user having general authority. Further, inappropriately arranged camera information is displayed to a user having management authority. Since the management authority is higher than the general authority, the image data of the monitoring camera is also displayed to the user having the management authority. On the other hand, since the general authority is lower than the management authority, the improperly arranged camera information is not displayed to the user having the general authority. Note that neither the monitoring camera image data nor inappropriately arranged camera information is displayed to a user who does not have usage authority (general authority or management authority). In this way, appropriate information is displayed according to the usage authority of the user.

  In the monitoring apparatus of the present invention, the storage unit stores identification information of the monitoring camera installed in the monitoring area for each monitoring area, and indicates an installation position of the monitoring camera in the monitoring area. When the image display control unit displays the information of the specific surveillance camera as the inappropriately arranged camera information, the display unit displays the plan view showing the installation position of the specific surveillance camera. It may be displayed.

  Thereby, when improperly arranged camera information is displayed, a plan view (floor map) showing the installation position (camera icon) of the specific surveillance camera is displayed. Therefore, the user reviews the installation layout of the surveillance camera in the surveillance area while looking at the plan view (floor map) showing the installation position (camera icon) of the specific surveillance camera (for example, removal or movement of the surveillance camera) Can be considered).

  Further, in the monitoring device of the present invention, the image display control unit displays the image data of the specific monitoring camera when the warning display control unit displays the information of the specific monitoring camera as the inappropriately arranged camera information. You may display on a display part.

  Thereby, when improperly arranged camera information is displayed, the image data of the specific surveillance camera is displayed. Therefore, the user can review the image data of the specific monitoring camera and review the installation layout of the monitoring camera in the monitoring area (for example, consider removal or movement of the monitoring camera).

  The program of the present invention is a program executed by a monitoring device that receives image data from a plurality of monitoring cameras installed in a monitoring area and remotely monitors the monitoring area, and the program is used by a computer. A selection process in which a person selects a monitoring camera to be displayed, an image display control process in which image data of the selected monitoring camera is displayed on the display unit of the monitoring apparatus, and a display unit for each monitoring camera. The frequency monitoring process for counting the displayed frequency, and the specific monitoring as improperly arranged camera information when there is a specific monitoring camera that is a monitoring camera whose display frequency within a predetermined period in the past is equal to or less than a preset threshold. A warning display control process for displaying camera information on the display unit, and the frequency counting process is performed for each preset frequency extraction period. A process for counting the frequency, the warning display control process, based on the degree of reduction in the display frequency at a plurality of the frequency extraction period, a process of determining the presence or absence of said specific monitoring camera.

  Also with this program, as described above, information on a monitoring camera (specific monitoring camera) that is displayed less frequently than other monitoring cameras is displayed as inappropriately arranged camera information. Improperly arranged camera information is useful information for determining the appropriateness of surveillance planning, and the user reviews the installation layout of surveillance cameras in the surveillance area based on the inappropriately arranged camera information (for example, (Removal and movement of the surveillance camera can be considered).

  According to the present invention, in a monitoring device that remotely monitors a monitoring area using a plurality of monitoring cameras installed in the monitoring area, information for determining the appropriateness of monitoring planning (information that contributes to appropriate monitoring operation) Can be obtained, and the installation layout of the surveillance camera can be appropriately reviewed.

Explanatory drawing of the whole structure of the monitoring system in embodiment of this invention Functional block diagram of a surveillance camera in an embodiment of the present invention Functional block diagram of a monitoring device in an embodiment of the present invention Explanatory drawing of the frequency table in the embodiment of the present invention Explanatory drawing of the display area of the display part of the monitoring apparatus in embodiment of this invention Explanatory drawing of the reduction degree of the display frequency in embodiment of this invention The flowchart explaining operation | movement of the monitoring apparatus in embodiment of this invention Flow chart of warning display determination processing in the embodiment of the present invention

  Hereinafter, a monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a case of a monitoring device used in a monitoring system or the like is illustrated. This monitoring apparatus has a function capable of acquiring information for determining the appropriateness of monitoring planning (information contributing to appropriate monitoring operation). This function is realized by a program stored in the HDD or memory of the monitoring device.

<Monitoring system>
First, the overall configuration of the monitoring system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, in the monitoring system 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of monitoring areas are set in one monitoring section. The monitoring section is, for example, a property to be monitored (monitoring property) such as a business office, and the monitoring area is each floor (first floor, second floor,. In the monitoring system 1 of the present embodiment, remote monitoring is performed by receiving monitoring information (video information and detection information) of each monitoring area from a plurality of monitoring sections at a remote monitoring center. The monitoring center is, for example, a management headquarters that monitors a plurality of business offices.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a monitoring system 1 includes a monitoring camera 2 that captures an image of a monitoring area and acquires image data, and a plurality of monitoring cameras 2 connected to the monitoring area 2 via a communication network (Internet network). And a monitoring device 3 for remotely monitoring the monitoring section. The monitoring camera 2 is installed in each monitoring area of the monitoring section, and the monitoring device 3 is installed in a remote monitoring center.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the communication network is an Internet network will be described. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to this, and the communication network may be a public telephone network or a mobile phone network as appropriate. You may choose what is available. Moreover, in this embodiment, general techniques (detailed explanation is omitted) can be used for communication protocols, switching facilities, facilities of Internet service providers, and the like.

<Monitoring camera>
Next, the surveillance camera 2 of the present embodiment will be described. The monitoring camera 2 is installed at each place (appropriate place) in the monitoring area, and takes an image (monitoring image) in the monitoring area. The installation position of each monitoring camera 2 is determined in accordance with monitoring planning by a security company, a management department of the monitoring area, or the like so that an object to be monitored (for example, an entrance or a cash register) can be imaged in the monitoring area.

  In the surveillance camera 2, identification information for identifying each surveillance camera 2 is set in advance. The identification information of the monitoring camera 2 is associated with the captured image data and the installation location, and is stored in the memory 4 built in the monitoring camera 2. The monitoring camera 2 is set with a communication address for communicating with the monitoring device 3. The surveillance camera 2 digitally encodes the image data taken at each installation location, and transmits the image data and the identification information to the monitoring device 3 via the communication network.

  Here, the configuration of the monitoring camera 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the monitoring camera 2 has a built-in memory 4, in which identification information for identifying each monitoring camera 2 and a communication address are stored in advance. The memory 4 stores shooting information such as shooting intervals (frame rate) and image quality. The shooting information is set by receiving a signal specifying the shooting interval and image quality from the monitoring device 3. The image quality is determined by the resolution and the data size.

  The surveillance camera 2 also converts an optical system 5 including a lens, an image sensor 6 that receives incident light from the optical system 5, and an analog signal of an image input from the image sensor 6 into a digital signal. An analog / digital converter 7 (A / D) and an image compression circuit 8 that generates compression-encoded data (image data) from an image digital signal are provided. The analog / digital converter 7 converts an image signal (analog signal) input from the image sensor 6 into a digital signal at a shooting interval (frame rate) of shooting information stored in the memory 4. The image compression circuit 8 generates compression-encoded data in accordance with a parameter corresponding to the image quality of shooting information stored in the memory 4. The compressed encoded data is H.264 as an image compression encoding method. H.264 / AVC standard image data.

  Note that the image compression encoding method may be another standard such as the JPEG standard or the MPEG2 Video standard. In addition, monitoring cameras 2 of different image compression encoding methods may be mixed in the monitoring area, or one monitoring camera 2 may switch the image compression encoding method.

  The monitoring camera 2 includes a communication unit 9 that transmits the image data generated in this way to the monitoring device 3. The image data transmitted from the communication unit 9 to the monitoring device 3 includes identification information of the monitoring camera 2. Note that the surveillance camera 2 may compress and encode an audio signal input from a microphone, multiplex it with image data, and output it from the communication unit 9.

  The surveillance camera 2 also includes an image storage unit 10 composed of an SD card or a nonvolatile memory. The image storage unit 10 always records and holds past captured images for a predetermined time.

  Furthermore, the monitoring camera 2 includes a direction change detection unit 11 that detects that the imaging direction of the monitoring camera 2 has changed, and a mask detection unit 12 that detects that the imaging field of view of the monitoring camera 2 is concealed. When the monitoring camera 2 detects a change in the imaging direction or concealment of the imaging field of view, the monitoring camera 2 transmits a detection signal indicating the detected state information from the communication unit 9 to the monitoring device 3. In addition, when the monitoring camera 2 detects that the change in the imaging direction or the concealment of the imaging field of view has been restored, the monitoring camera 2 transmits a detection signal indicating the restoration as state information from the communication unit 9 to the monitoring device 3.

  At this time, the detection signal transmitted from the monitoring camera 2 includes identification information of the monitoring camera 2. The direction change detection unit 11 has a function of detecting that the imaging direction of the monitoring camera 2 has changed, and includes a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, and the like. The mask detection unit 12 has a function of detecting that the imaging field of view of the surveillance camera 2 is concealed. For example, the masking unit 12 detects the concealment of the imaging field by detecting a change in luminance of the captured image. For the orientation change detection unit 11 and the mask detection unit 12, various conventionally known methods (detailed description is omitted) can be used.

<Monitoring device>
Subsequently, the monitoring device 3 of the present embodiment will be described. The monitoring device 3 is an image monitoring device installed in a monitoring center that centrally manages the status of each monitoring section, and includes a dedicated terminal, a general-purpose personal computer, and the like. The monitoring device 3 is activated when, for example, a monitoring person who is a user desires monitoring of a monitoring section, and is terminated when monitoring is completed.

  The monitoring device 3 is operated by a monitor and transmits a request signal for image data to a desired monitoring camera 2 via a communication network, and displays and outputs image data received from the monitoring camera 2 in response thereto. I have. In addition, the monitoring device 3 has a function of receiving a detection signal from the monitoring camera 2, recording it, and displaying it so that it can be identified.

  The monitor monitors the monitoring section by referring to the image data and refers to the status information included in the detection signal to determine whether the monitoring section is normal. When the monitoring person determines an abnormal situation in the monitoring area, the monitoring person takes necessary measures such as a confirmation process for the manager of the corresponding monitoring area and a countermeasure instruction to the guard.

  Here, the configuration of the monitoring device 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the monitoring device 3 includes a communication unit 13, a display unit 14, and an operation unit 15. In addition, the monitoring device 3 includes a control unit 16, an image recording unit 17, and a storage unit 18. The control unit 16 includes a communication control unit 19, a collation unit 20, a frequency counting unit 21, an image display control unit 22, a warning display control unit 23, a recording processing unit 24, and an abnormality detection unit 25. Yes.

  The communication unit 13 is a communication interface connected to the Internet network. The monitoring device 3 is connected to the monitoring camera 2 installed in each monitoring area by the communication unit 13.

  The display unit 14 includes a display such as an LCD and a speaker, and has a function of monitoring an image (monitoring image) received from the monitoring camera 2.

  The operation unit 15 includes a keyboard, a pointing device, and the like. The operation unit 15 is operated by a monitor, and inputs various information display requests, image reception requests to the monitoring camera 2, image reception stop requests, and the like. Specifically, an operation for designating each monitoring section and a monitoring area in the monitoring section is performed, and a display request for information on the monitoring section and the monitoring area is input. In addition, an operation for designating the monitoring camera 2 is performed, and an image reception request for the monitoring camera 2 is input. This input operation may be realized by a GUI (Graphical User Interface).

  The image recording unit 17 is configured by a storage medium such as a DVD-R or an HDD. In the image recording unit 17, the image data that is write-controlled by the recording processing unit 24 (described later) and received from the monitoring camera 2 is recorded together with the time information of the captured image and the identification information of the monitoring camera 2.

  The storage unit 18 includes a ROM / RAM, an HDD, and the like. The storage unit 18 includes monitoring area information that is information of the monitoring areas and the monitoring cameras 2 that constitute each monitoring area, drawing information that is plan view information indicating layout information such as a floor plan in each monitoring area, and display. The display history information that is the display history information of the image data and the status information displayed on the unit 14, and the state storage information that is the status information received from the monitoring camera 2 and the status information of the monitoring area are stored. Further, the storage unit 18 stores a frequency table generated by a frequency counting unit 21 (described later).

  As the monitoring section information, the identification information of the monitoring area constituting each monitoring section and the identification information of the monitoring camera 2 installed in each monitoring area are stored in association with each other. The identification information of the monitoring area includes floor information (for example, the first floor) and area information (for example, a care area) in the monitoring section. Further, as the monitoring section information, information on the communication address and installation position of the monitoring camera 2 in the monitoring area is also stored. As the monitoring section information, position information such as the address and latitude / longitude of the monitoring section that is the property to be monitored may be stored.

  As the drawing information, a plan view (property map) showing the location of the monitored property on the map with an icon, and a layout corresponding to the installation position of the monitoring camera 2 installed in the monitoring region together with the layout arrangement of the monitoring region are monitored. A plan view (floor map) on which an icon indicating the camera 2 is superimposed is stored.

  As the display history information, the identification information of the monitoring camera 2 that is the input source of the image data and state information displayed on the display unit 14 is sequentially stored in correspondence with the display time. The display history information includes, for example, information indicating that image data of a certain monitoring camera 2 (camera A or the like) was displayed on the display unit 14 at a certain display time (such as 13:10 to 13:30). Remembered.

  The frequency table is a table of identification information and display frequency (monitoring frequency) of each monitoring camera 2. The display frequency is simply the number of times of image display for each monitoring camera 2 and is recorded every predetermined period (for example, one month). FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the frequency table. In the example of FIG. 4, for each monitoring camera 2 (cameras A to E), the display frequency for each month (the display frequency in January and the display frequency in February) is recorded. The predetermined period for recording the display frequency is not limited to one month. This predetermined period can be set as appropriate.

  The control unit 16 includes a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like and peripheral circuits thereof, and performs various controls of the monitoring device 3. The control unit 16 includes a communication control unit 19, a collation unit 20, a frequency counting unit 21, an image display control unit 22, as functional modules realized by the microcomputer and a computer program executed on the microcomputer. A warning display control unit 23, a recording processing unit 24, and an abnormality detection unit 25 are provided.

  The communication control unit 19 has a function of controlling communication with a plurality of monitoring cameras 2 and is configured to be able to perform simultaneous sessions with a plurality of devices. The communication control unit 19 has a function of receiving image data from the monitoring camera 2 using a protocol such as HTTP, and further receiving a detection signal transmitted from the monitoring camera 2.

  Further, when an image data reception request is input from the operation unit 15, the communication control unit 19 transmits an image request signal to the corresponding monitoring camera 2, and is transmitted from the monitoring camera 2 in response thereto. It has a function to receive image data. The image data may be packet transmission of moving image data as streaming distribution, or may be continuously transmitted as a still image. Further, when an image reception stop request is input from the operation unit 15, the communication control unit 19 transmits a communication end request signal to the corresponding monitoring camera 2 and stops receiving image data.

  When the communication band is sufficiently secured, the communication control unit 19 may be configured to always hold the sessions with all the monitoring cameras 2 and always receive image data. In that case, the image data of the corresponding monitoring camera 2 is output to the image display control unit 22 from when the image data reception request is input from the operation unit 15 to when the stop request is input.

  In addition, when receiving a detection signal from the monitoring camera 2, the communication control unit 19 has a function of extracting state information and identification information from the detection signal and storing them in the state storage information of the storage unit 18.

  The abnormality detection unit 25 has a function of detecting an abnormality that has occurred in the monitoring area from the image data received from the monitoring camera 2 and the detection signal. As a method for detecting the occurrence of an abnormal situation from the image data of the monitoring camera 2, various conventionally known methods can be used. For example, if the image data changes during a time zone when the monitoring area is unmanned, the abnormality detection unit 25 determines that the monitoring area is abnormal. Further, when it is detected from the detection signal of the monitoring camera 2 that the imaging direction has changed or the imaging field of view has been concealed, the abnormality detection unit 25 determines that the monitoring area is abnormal.

  In the present embodiment, the abnormality detection process is performed on the monitoring device 3 side, but the abnormality detection process may be performed on the monitoring area side (monitoring camera 2 side). In that case, image information with a flag (abnormality flag) indicating that the monitoring camera 2 has detected the occurrence of an abnormality may be transmitted from the monitoring camera 2.

  When detecting an abnormality in the monitoring area, the abnormality detecting unit 25 records that the monitoring area is abnormal in the state storage information of the storage unit 18. Further, when the abnormality detection unit 25 detects that the state determined to be abnormal is recovered from the detection signal, the abnormality detection unit 25 deletes that the monitoring area is abnormal from the state storage information.

  The collation unit 20 collates the authentication information input by the user who uses the monitoring device 3 with the user information stored in the storage unit 18 in advance, and determines the usage authority of the user. The usage authority includes general authority and management authority. General authority is granted to general users. Management authority is given to maintenance personnel of the security company and administrators within the user. Management authority is higher than general authority. If the authentication information input by the user is not stored in the storage unit 18, the verification unit 20 determines that the authentication is NG and prohibits the operation of the monitoring device 3. The authentication information input by the user is stored in the storage unit 18. If stored, it is determined that the authentication is OK, and the operation of the monitoring device 3 is permitted.

  The frequency counting unit 21 generates a frequency table in which the identification information of the monitoring camera 2 is associated with the display frequency (frequency value) and stores the frequency table in the storage unit 18. Further, the frequency counting unit 21 adds 1 to the frequency value of the selected monitoring camera 2 every time the user selects the monitoring camera 2 that displays the image data. As shown in FIG. 4, the frequency table is stored every predetermined unit period (for example, one month) set in advance, and a new frequency table is added and the frequency value is stored every time the unit period elapses.

  The frequency value may be an integration of display time. In that case, the frequency counter 21 counts a predetermined time from the selection of the monitoring camera 2 for displaying image data to the end of the display of the monitoring camera 2. A frequency value is added every time. For example, 1 is added to the frequency value every 5 minutes.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the image display control unit 22 divides the display unit 14 into a plurality of regions (image data display region, state information display region, drawing display region), and displays information corresponding to each region. Control the display. In the image data display area, the image data of the monitoring camera 2 is displayed. The image data display area may be further divided into a plurality of small areas, and images of a plurality of surveillance cameras 2 may be displayed simultaneously. In the example of FIG. 5, the image is divided into four small areas so that images of the four monitoring cameras 2 (cameras A to D) can be displayed simultaneously. In the status information display area, status information transmitted from the monitoring camera 2 is displayed. Furthermore, in the drawing display area, a plan view (property map) in which the location of the monitored property is indicated by an icon on the map, or a position on the plan view corresponding to the installation position of the monitoring camera 2 installed in the monitoring region is displayed. A plan view (floor map) in which an icon indicating the monitoring camera 2 is superimposed is displayed.

  When there is a designation request for designating the monitoring camera 2 from the operation unit 15 or a drawing reference request for the monitoring area recorded in the storage unit 18, the image display control unit 22 reads a plan view of the monitoring area desired by the monitor. Is displayed on the display unit 14. In the plan view (floor map), an icon indicating the monitoring camera 2 is superimposed on the installation position of the monitoring camera 2. When the icon is selected and operated by the operation unit 15, the monitoring camera 2 corresponding to the icon is displayed. Accepted as a request to receive image data.

  When receiving an image data reception request or status information display request input, the image display control unit 22 extracts the corresponding image data and status information from the communication control unit 19 or the storage unit 18, decompresses them, and displays them on the display unit 14. Output. When image data being displayed in the image data display area is selected and operated by the operation unit 15, it is accepted as a reception stop request for image data, and the display of the image data is terminated. Further, when the monitoring device 3 is activated, the image display control unit 22 refers to the display history information, and the image data, status information, and drawing information that were being displayed on the display unit 14 when the monitoring device 3 was terminated last time. Is read out, the corresponding image data is requested to be received, and the state displayed at the end of the previous time is reproduced.

  Further, when the warning display control unit 23 (described later) extracts the specific monitoring camera, the image display control unit 22 displays a plan view of the monitoring area where the specific monitoring camera is installed in the drawing display area, and The image data of the surveillance camera is displayed in the image data display area. At this time, the icon of the specific monitoring camera on the plan view (floor map) is displayed so as to be identifiable by coloring or the like. If a plurality of image data are displayed in the image data display area, the image data of the specific surveillance camera is displayed so as to be identifiable (for example, by a colored frame).

  When the verification unit 20 determines that the management authority is authenticated, the warning display control unit 23 compares the frequency tables for the two unit periods (for example, the previous month and the month before the previous month) that are in the past and decreases the frequency value for each monitoring camera. Calculate the degree. The degree of decrease is the degree of decrease in the frequency value from the past to the present, and the value decreases as the frequency value decreases greatly. The degree of decrease is obtained, for example, as “frequency value of last month / frequency value of previous month”.

  The warning display control unit 23 has a degree of decrease in the last two unit periods (previous month and previous month) equal to or greater than a preset relative threshold (for example, 10), and the latest frequency value (frequency value of the previous month) is preset. If there is a monitoring camera 2 that is less than or equal to the set absolute threshold (for example, 2), the monitoring camera 2 is determined to be a specific monitoring camera.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the display frequency of the previous month (for example, February) and the previous month (for example, January) (see also FIG. 4). In this example, the reference frequency of the previous month (January) of the camera B is 20, and the reference frequency of the previous month (February) is 2. In this case, the reduction degree of the camera B is 10 (= 20/2). Therefore, in the camera B, the degree of decrease for the two unit periods in the latest past is equal to or greater than the relative threshold (10 or more), and the latest frequency value (frequency value of the previous month) is equal to or less than the absolute threshold (2 or less). Therefore, the camera B is determined to be a specific monitoring camera.

  When the warning display control unit 23 determines the specific monitoring camera in this manner, the warning display control unit 23 displays information (unsuitable camera information) indicating that the display frequency of the specific monitoring camera is low on the display unit 14. The user having the management authority can determine the appropriateness of the monitoring planning by referring to the inappropriate camera information, and can use it as a replanning determination material.

  Note that the determination of the specific monitoring camera is not limited to the example of determining the decrease degree of the frequency value in a plurality of unit periods. For example, the monitoring camera 2 having a frequency value in a unit period that is closest to the past may be extracted as a specific monitoring camera with a preset threshold value (for example, 2) or less, and inappropriate information may be displayed. In addition, the specific monitoring camera is determined only by comparing the degree of decrease (decrease degree) of the frequency value in a plurality of unit periods with a preset threshold value (relative threshold value) (that is, regardless of the latest frequency value). May be.

  When the image display control unit 22 displays and outputs the image data and status information on the display unit 14, the recording processing unit 24 displays the identification information of the monitoring camera 2 that is the input source of the displayed image data and status information as the current time. Correspondingly, it is stored in the display history information of the storage unit 18. Similarly, even when the display of the image data and the state information is ended, the recording processing unit 24 associates the identification information of the monitoring camera 2 that is the input source of the image data and the state information whose display is ended with the current time. Is stored in the display history information. Further, when the image display control unit 22 displays a plan view (floor map) in the drawing display area, the recording processing unit 24 associates the identification information of the monitoring area corresponding to the displayed plan view with the current time. It memorize | stores in display history information so that identification is possible.

  Further, when the image data being displayed is designated from the operation unit 15 and an image recording request is input, the recording processing unit 24 receives the image data received from the monitoring camera 2, the identification information of the monitoring camera 2 and the shooting time. To the image recording unit 17 in correspondence with

  About the monitoring apparatus 3 comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement is demonstrated with reference to drawings.

  Here, first, the main flow of the operation of the monitoring device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, when using the monitoring device 3 of the present embodiment, first, the user inputs authentication information. When the user's authentication information is input (S1), the monitoring device 3 collates the authentication information (S2).

  As a result of the verification of the authentication information, if it is determined as verification NG (S3), verification NG display is performed on the display unit 14 of the monitoring device 3 (S3), and the use of the monitoring device 3 by the user is confirmed. Rejected. On the other hand, when it is determined that the verification is OK (S3), it is determined whether or not the authority of the user is the management authority (S5). If it is determined that the user has management authority, a warning display determination process is executed (S6). On the other hand, if it is determined that the user does not have management authority, the warning display determination process is not executed.

  Next, when the user inputs a display camera (selects the monitoring camera 2 to be displayed) by the user (S7), the image data of the monitoring camera 2 is displayed on the display unit 14 (S8), and the monitoring camera 2 is displayed. A process of adding 1 to the frequency value (frequency value counting process) is performed (S9). Then, when the user inputs the end of use (S10), the monitoring device 3 ends the operation.

  Here, the warning display determination process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, when the warning display determination process is started, first, a frequency table for the past two unit periods (previous month and previous month) is read (S11), and the degree of decrease in the frequency value for each surveillance camera 2 ( = Frequency value of last month / frequency value of previous month) is calculated (S12).

  Surveillance camera 2 in which the calculated degree of decrease is equal to or greater than a predetermined relative threshold (for example, 10 or more) and the most recent (previous month) frequency value of the surveillance camera 2 is equal to or less than the absolute threshold (for example, 2 or less). If there is (S13, S14), the surveillance camera 2 is determined as a specific surveillance camera (S15). Then, inappropriate camera information is displayed on the display unit 14 (S16), and the process is terminated.

  According to the monitoring apparatus 3 of the present embodiment as described above, information for determining the appropriateness of monitoring planning when a monitoring area is remotely monitored using a plurality of monitoring cameras 2 installed in the monitoring area. (Information contributing to appropriate monitoring operation) can be acquired, and the installation layout of the monitoring camera 2 can be appropriately reviewed.

  That is, in the present embodiment, when a plurality of monitoring cameras 2 are installed in the monitoring area, the display frequency displayed on the display unit 14 of the monitoring device 3 is measured for each monitoring camera 2. The inappropriately arranged camera is provided on the condition that there is a monitoring camera 2 (specific monitoring camera) whose display frequency in the past predetermined period (for example, one month) is not more than a preset threshold value (for example, twice). Information is displayed. In the present embodiment, the determination as to whether or not the camera is applicable to the specific surveillance camera is not limited to the display frequency in a certain predetermined period, but the degree of decrease in the display frequency in a plurality of frequency extraction periods (for example, the display frequency of the month before last / the previous month) Display frequency). That is, the display frequency within a predetermined period in the past is equal to or less than a preset threshold value, and the degree of decrease in the display frequency in a plurality of frequency extraction periods is large (the display frequency is greatly decreased from the month before the previous month). It is determined that the monitoring camera 2 corresponds to the specific monitoring camera.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, not only the display frequency of a certain period (predetermined period) but also the display frequency over a plurality of periods (frequency extraction periods) is taken into consideration, so that the specific monitoring camera is appropriately determined. Then, the information of the monitoring camera 2 (specific monitoring camera) whose display frequency is small and whose display frequency is decreasing compared to the other monitoring cameras 2 is displayed as inappropriately arranged camera information. The improperly arranged camera information is useful information for determining the appropriateness of the monitoring planning, and the user reviews the installation layout of the monitoring camera 2 in the monitoring area based on the improperly arranged camera information (for example, , Considering removal or movement of the surveillance camera 2).

  In the present embodiment, the verification information of the user is collated, and the usage authority of the user is determined. Then, the image data of the monitoring camera 2 is displayed to a user having general authority. Further, inappropriately arranged camera information is displayed to a user having management authority. Since the management authority is higher than the general authority, the image data of the monitoring camera 2 is also displayed to the user having the management authority. On the other hand, since the general authority is lower than the management authority, the improperly arranged camera information is not displayed to the user having the general authority. Note that neither the image data of the monitoring camera 2 nor the improperly arranged camera information is displayed to a user who does not have the usage authority (general authority or management authority). In this way, appropriate information is displayed according to the usage authority of the user.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, when improperly arranged camera information is displayed, the top view (floor map) in which the installation position (camera icon) of the specific surveillance camera was shown is displayed. Therefore, the user reviews the installation layout of the monitoring camera 2 in the monitoring area while looking at the plan view (floor map) showing the installation position (camera icon) of the specific monitoring camera (for example, removal of the monitoring camera 2) Or consider moving).

  In the present embodiment, when improperly arranged camera information is displayed, the image data of the specific surveillance camera is displayed. Therefore, the user can review the installation layout of the monitoring camera 2 in the monitoring area by looking at the image data of the specific monitoring camera (for example, considering removal or movement of the monitoring camera 2).

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above by way of example, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be changed or modified according to the purpose within the scope of the claims. is there.

  For example, as a modification of the present embodiment, the warning display control unit 23 appropriately arranges when there is a specific monitoring camera that is a monitoring camera 2 whose display frequency within a predetermined period in the past is equal to or higher than a preset threshold. Information of a specific surveillance camera may be displayed as camera information. In that case, the warning display control unit 23 determines the presence / absence of the specific monitoring camera based on the degree of increase in display frequency in a plurality of frequency extraction periods.

  In such a modification, when a plurality of monitoring cameras 2 are installed in the monitoring area, the display frequency displayed on the display unit 14 of the monitoring device 3 is measured for each monitoring camera 2, and the past predetermined period is measured. Appropriately arranged camera information is displayed on the condition that there is a monitoring camera 2 (specific monitoring camera) whose display frequency (for example, one month) is equal to or higher than a preset threshold (for example, 20 times). In this case, the determination as to whether or not the camera is applicable to the specific monitoring camera is not only the display frequency in a certain predetermined period, but also the degree of increase in display frequency in a plurality of frequency extraction periods (for example, the display frequency of the previous month / the display frequency of the previous month) Based on. That is, the display frequency in the past predetermined period is greater than or equal to a preset threshold value, and the degree of increase in the display frequency in a plurality of frequency extraction periods is large (the display frequency is greatly increased from the month before the previous month). It is determined that the monitoring camera 2 corresponds to the specific monitoring camera.

  In the above-described modification, the specific surveillance camera is appropriately determined in consideration of not only the display frequency of a certain period (predetermined period) but also the display frequency over a plurality of periods (frequency extraction periods). And the information of the monitoring camera 2 (specific monitoring camera) with a large display frequency and a large increase degree of display frequency compared with the other monitoring camera 2 is displayed as appropriately arranged camera information. The appropriately arranged camera information is useful information for determining the appropriateness of the monitoring planning, and the user reviews the installation layout of the monitoring camera 2 in the monitoring area based on the appropriately arranged camera information (for example, monitoring It is possible to consider increasing the number of cameras 2).

  As described above, the monitoring apparatus according to the present invention can acquire information for determining the appropriateness of monitoring planning (information that contributes to appropriate monitoring operation) and appropriately review the installation layout of the monitoring camera. It has the effect that it can be performed, and is useful for being applied to a monitoring system or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Surveillance system 2 Surveillance camera 3 Surveillance apparatus 4 Memory 5 Optical system 6 Image pick-up element 7 Analog / digital converter 8 Image compression circuit 9 Communication part 10 Image memory | storage part 11 Direction change detection part 12 Mask detection part 13 Communication part 14 Display part 15 Operation Unit 16 Control unit 17 Image recording unit 18 Storage unit 19 Communication control unit 20 Verification unit 21 Frequency counting unit 22 Image display control unit 23 Warning display control unit 24 Recording processing unit 25 Abnormality detection unit

Claims (6)

A monitoring device that receives image data from a plurality of monitoring cameras installed in a monitoring area and remotely monitors the monitoring area,
A display for displaying video to the user;
An operation unit for the user to select a monitoring camera to be displayed;
An image display control unit for displaying the image data of the monitoring camera selected from the operation unit on the display unit;
A frequency counting unit that counts the display frequency displayed on the display unit for each monitoring camera;
A warning for displaying information on the specific monitoring camera on the display unit as improperly arranged camera information when there is a specific monitoring camera that is a monitoring camera whose display frequency within a predetermined period in the past is equal to or less than a preset threshold value A display control unit;
A monitoring device comprising: The frequency counting unit counts the display frequency for each preset frequency extraction period,
The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the warning display control unit determines whether or not the specific monitoring camera is present based on a degree of decrease in the display frequency in a plurality of the frequency extraction periods. The monitoring device further includes a storage unit that stores usage authority information of the user corresponding to the user authentication information;
A collation unit that collates authentication information input from the operation unit and determines a use authority of a user who has input the authentication information, and
The image display control unit, when the collation unit determines that the user has at least general authority among the authorities included in the use authority, the image data of the monitoring camera selected from the operation unit Is displayed on the display unit,
The warning display control unit is determined that the specific monitoring camera exists, and the collation unit determines that the user has a management authority that is higher than the general authority among the authorities included in the use authority. 3. The monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein information on the specific monitoring camera is displayed as inappropriately arranged camera information. The storage unit stores identification information of the monitoring camera installed in the monitoring area for each monitoring area, and stores a plan view showing an installation position of the monitoring camera in the monitoring area,
The said image display control part displays the said top view which shows the installation position of the said specific monitoring camera on the said display part, when displaying the information of the said specific monitoring camera as said improperly arranged camera information. The monitoring apparatus in any one of.   The image display control unit displays image data of the specific monitoring camera on the display unit when the warning display control unit displays the information of the specific monitoring camera as the inappropriately arranged camera information. 4. The monitoring device according to any one of 4. A program executed by a monitoring device that receives image data from a plurality of monitoring cameras installed in a monitoring area and remotely monitors the monitoring area,
The program is stored in a computer.
A selection process in which the user selects a surveillance camera to be displayed;
Image display control processing for displaying the image data of the selected monitoring camera on the display unit of the monitoring device;
A frequency counting process for counting the display frequency displayed on the display unit for each monitoring camera;
A warning for displaying information on the specific monitoring camera on the display unit as improperly arranged camera information when there is a specific monitoring camera that is a monitoring camera whose display frequency within a predetermined period in the past is equal to or less than a preset threshold value Display control processing;
A program characterized by having executed.

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