JP2013247461A - Camera control device and camera control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce power consumption of a monitoring camera when a monitoring person, a security guard, or the like exists in a monitoring area of a monitoring system.SOLUTION: When a specific person is detected in a specific area using a detection function of an imaging device, switching is made to a mode for limiting a function of the imaging device to reduce power consumption therefor. Then, when the specific person is not detected, function limitation of the imaging device is released, thereby enabling execution of a normal function.

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera control device and a camera control method, and more particularly to a technique suitable for use in reducing power consumption using specific person detection.

  Conventionally, methods to reduce power consumption or shift to the power saving mode include methods that use the detection / recognition function, and as a result, objects are no longer detected or are no longer used. is there. Also, when canceling the power saving mode, there are cases where the result of the detection / recognition function is triggered by the detection of an object or the start of use.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, for the purpose of achieving power saving, the presence / absence of a person in an indoor household electrical appliance is confirmed. A signal is transmitted to automatically shut off the power supply of the appliance. Then, when a person returns to the room, an inexpensive and compact control device is provided that transmits an optical code signal after an appropriate time has elapsed and automatically powers on the home appliance.

JP 2004-348349 A

  The prior art disclosed in Patent Literature 1 described above is a technology for limiting power consumption when there is no person, and touches on power consumption limitation when a specific person (such as a supervisor or guard) enters. Not. However, surveillance systems, security systems, and the like are often used in combination with a surveillance camera in a state where a person such as a supervisor or a guard is arranged.

Since one of the main purposes used by the surveillance camera is to “see (monitor) the site”, it is possible to limit the functions of the surveillance camera when there are surveillance personnel / guards.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to reduce the power consumption of a monitoring camera when a monitor or a guard is present in a monitoring area of a monitoring system.

  The camera control device of the present invention includes a detection unit that detects a specific person within a specific region, a timer control unit that measures a determination time until the detection of the specific person by the detection unit is determined to be a formal detection, and And a camera control means for controlling the camera to operate in a restriction mode for restricting the function of the camera or a normal mode for not restricting the function of the camera. When a specific person is detected in the camera, the operation mode of the camera is controlled so as to operate in the restriction mode.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the monitoring camera when a monitor, a guard, or the like is present in the monitoring area of the monitoring system.

It is a block diagram which shows 1st Embodiment and shows the structural example of a camera control apparatus and a camera control system. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which sets the detection conditions of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining a function switching process from a person detection process. It is a flowchart explaining a process when a specific person is detected. It is a flowchart explaining a process when the detection of a specific person is complete | finished. It is a flowchart explaining a power saving mode switching process. It is a flowchart explaining a normal mode switching process. It is a figure explaining the specific example which utilized the imaging device in the store. It is a figure which shows the image of the image which the imaging device image | photographed in the environment of FIG. 8, and the state in which the specific person is image | photographed in the specific area. It is a figure which shows the image of the image which the imaging device image | photographed in the environment of FIG. 8, and the state in which the specific person is not image | photographed in the specific area. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the camera control apparatus and camera control system of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the process sequence performed with one of the cameras of FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining processing procedures performed by the two cameras in FIG. 11 in response to a power saving mode switching instruction and a normal mode switching instruction.

(First embodiment)
The camera control device and camera control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a camera control device and a camera control system according to the present embodiment. The imaging apparatus 100 includes an imaging unit 101 that captures an image of an imaging target and forms an image, an image processing unit 102, a pan / tilt head control unit 109 that controls punch / tilt, the imaging unit 101, the image processing unit 102, a pan / tilt head, and the like. A camera control unit 103 that controls the control unit 109 is provided.

  In addition, a command control unit 104 that controls commands in imaging, a communication unit 105 that performs network communication control, a detection processing unit 106 that detects a detection target from an image, and a timer control unit 113 that notifies a detection state are provided. In addition, an event processing unit 107 that processes notification from the timer control unit 113 and a camera data unit 108 that manages management information in the imaging apparatus 100 are provided.

  Further, the client terminal 111 is connected via the network 112, and the client terminal 111 sets detection conditions and the like of the imaging apparatus 100. Detection conditions are set by registering data (conditions) for detecting a detection object in the imaging apparatus 100. The registration process is performed via the client terminal 111.

  An example of a computer device capable of configuring the client terminal 111 of this embodiment is shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1181 denotes a CPU that controls the entire computer apparatus. A ROM 1182 stores programs and parameters that do not need to be changed. A RAM 1183 temporarily stores programs and data supplied from an external device or the like. Reference numeral 1184 denotes an external storage device including a hard disk, a memory card, and the like fixedly installed on the computer device. Reference numeral 1185 denotes an I / F with an input device such as a pointing device or a keyboard that receives data from the user and inputs data. Reference numeral 1186 denotes an I / F with an output device for displaying data held by the computer device or supplied data. Reference numeral 1187 denotes a network I / F for connecting to a network line such as the Internet. Reference numeral 1188 denotes a display device, and 1189 denotes an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. A system bus 1180 connects the units 1181 to 1188 so that they can communicate with each other.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen 200 for setting data (conditions) for detection. This screen 200 is displayed on the display device 1188. The registration process is roughly divided into three.
First, a person that can identify the person to be detected by the imaging apparatus 100 such as a face of a person to be detected or a characteristic object (uniform, hat, etc.) is registered. An image of a person's face to be detected or a characteristic image (such as a uniform or a hat) is registered using the display area 201 to the decision button 205. The image is assumed to be a JPEG image file such as a photograph.

  By pressing the reference button 202 and the reference button 204, a list of image files stored in the external storage device 1184 of the client terminal 111 is displayed on the display device 1188, and a detection target object is selected from the list. . For example, an image from the front is selected for the display area 201 and an image from the side is selected for the display area 203. In the selected image, two patterns of image 1 are displayed in the display area 201 and image 2 is displayed in the display area 203. The user confirms the image and then presses the enter button 205 to display information to be detected. sign up.

  Secondly, a person's face to be detected or an area for detecting a characteristic (area in the image to be captured) is registered as a specific area. From the captured image 206, the area 207 is registered as a specific area.

  Thirdly, in order to prevent detection by an operation in which a specific person crosses for a moment in the specific area 207, how long the specific person is in the specific area 207 to determine as an official detection. It is to prepare a determination time for whether to detect continuously. The numerical value input field 208 corresponds to that.

  Finally, when the registration button 209 is pressed, the specific person data and specific area data are registered in the camera data unit 108 of the imaging apparatus 100 from the client terminal 111 via the network 112.

  In the present embodiment, as items for restricting functions, “whether pan / tilt / zoom operations are subject to function restriction”, “whether preset position patrol is subject to function restriction”, “under imaging” Whether or not to reduce the frame rate. When the function restriction target is set for each item in the selection area 210 in the screen 200 for setting data (conditions) for detection in FIG. 2, the function restriction item is defined by the checking operation. The These items are also registered in the camera data unit 108 and managed.

  Next, the person detection process to the function switching process, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the description of the operation mode in the flowchart, the expression “power saving mode” is a restricted mode state that restricts functions, and the expression “normal mode” is an unrestricted mode state that does not restrict functions. is there.

First, the activation of the imaging device 100 is confirmed in S301. When the imaging apparatus 100 is normally activated, the specific person detection process is started in S302, and the process proceeds to the subsequent processes.
The results of the specific person detection start determination in S303, the specific person detection end determination in S305, the power saving mode determination timer measurement end determination in S307, and the normal mode determination timer measurement end determination in S309 are respectively determined as events by the event processing unit 107. Be notified. This is processing from when the imaging apparatus 100 is activated until it is terminated.

  As a result of the determination of whether or not the detection of the specific person in S303 is started, the event processing unit in FIG. 1 is used as an event when a specific person is detected in the specific area 207 from the detection processing unit 106. 107, and the process proceeds to the specific person detection start process in S304. The processing when a specific person is detected will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  As a result of the determination as to whether or not the detection of the specific person in S305 is completed, the event processing unit shown in FIG. 1 is used as an event when the specific person is no longer detected in the specific area 207 from the detection processing unit 106. 107, and the process proceeds to the specific person detection end process in S306. The processing when the detection of the specific person is finished will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The event of the power saving mode determination timer measurement end in S307 is an event that the determination time has passed. When the determination time has elapsed, the event processing unit 107 in FIG. 1 is notified, and the process proceeds to S308 to perform switching processing for switching to the power saving mode, which is a mode for limiting the functions of the camera. The power saving mode switching process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The normal mode determination timer measurement end event in S309 is an event that the determination time has elapsed. When the determination time has elapsed, the event processing unit 107 in FIG. The normal mode switching process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

Next, processing when a specific person is detected will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, in S401, it is determined whether or not the normal mode determination timer is activated. If it is activated, the process proceeds to S402 and the normal mode determination timer is ended. If not activated, the process proceeds to S403 without going through S402.

In S403, it is determined whether or not the imaging apparatus 100 is operating in the normal mode. If not operating in the normal mode, that is, if it is already in the power saving mode, this process ends.
When operating in the normal mode, the process proceeds to S404 to determine whether or not the power saving mode determination timer is being activated. If the power saving mode determination timer is being activated, this process ends. If the power saving mode determination timer has not been activated, the process proceeds to S405, where the power saving mode determination timer is activated, and this process ends.

  The activation of the power saving mode determination timer is set in the timer control unit 113 of FIG. 1 as a power saving mode determination timer. Thereafter, the timer control unit 113 measures a determination time until the detection of the specific person is determined as a formal detection. When the determination time has elapsed, an event that the determination time of S307 has elapsed is indicated in the event processing unit 107 of FIG. Notice.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing when detection of a specific person is completed.
First, in S501, it is determined whether or not the power saving mode determination timer is activated. If it is activated, the process proceeds to S502, the power saving mode determination timer is terminated, and the process proceeds to S503. If the timer is not activated, the process proceeds to S503 without going through S502.
In S503, it is determined whether or not the imaging apparatus 100 is currently operating in the power saving mode. If the result of determination is normal mode, this process ends. When operating in the power saving mode, the process advances to step S504 to determine whether the normal mode determination timer is being activated.

  If the result of determination in S504 is that the normal mode determination timer has not been activated, the process proceeds to S505, where the normal mode determination timer is activated, and this process is terminated. The activation of the normal mode determination timer is set in the timer control unit 113 of FIG. 1 as a normal mode determination timer, and thereafter, the timer control unit 113 measures time. When the determination time has elapsed, the event processing unit 107 of FIG. 1 is notified of the event of the end of the normal mode determination timer measurement in S309.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the power saving mode switching process, and is a flowchart for explaining a process after an event occurs after the determination time of the power saving mode determination timer set in the specific person detection process elapses.
In step S601, the function restriction target information in the power saving mode registered in the imaging device 100 is acquired.
In S <b> 602, it is determined from the information acquired in S <b> 601 whether the pan operation / tilt operation / zoom control restriction (P / T / Z control restriction) is valid. If it is valid, the setting of the imaging apparatus 100 is changed so that the pan operation / tilt operation / zoom operation of the imaging apparatus 100 does not operate in S603.

Next, in S604, it is determined whether or not the preset position patrol restriction is valid, and if it is valid, the process proceeds to S605 and the preset position patrol function of the imaging apparatus 100 is turned off.
Next, in S606, it is determined whether or not the frame rate limitation is effective. If the frame rate restriction is effective, the process proceeds to S607 so as to reduce the frame rate of the imaging apparatus 100, and the process ends. If the frame rate restriction is not valid, the process is terminated without going through S607.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the normal mode switching process, and is a flowchart for explaining the process after the normal mode determination timer set in the specific person detection end process has passed the determination time and the event has occurred.
In step S <b> 701, the function restriction target information in the power saving mode registered in the imaging apparatus 100 is acquired.
In S702, it is determined from the information acquired in S701 whether the PTZ control restriction is valid. If the PTZ control restriction is valid, the process proceeds to S703, the setting of the image capturing apparatus 100 is changed so that the PTZ control of the image capturing apparatus 100 can be operated, and then the process proceeds to S704. If the PTZ control restriction is not effective, the process proceeds to S704 without going through S703.

In S704, it is determined whether the preset position patrol restriction is valid. If the preset position patrol restriction is valid, the process proceeds to S705 to perform processing for turning on the preset position patrol function of the imaging apparatus 100, and then proceeds to S706. If the preset position patrol restriction is not effective, the process proceeds to S706 without going through S705.
In S706, it is determined whether or not frame rate limitation, that is, low frame mode switching is effective. If the low frame mode switching is valid, the process proceeds to S707, where the frame rate of the imaging apparatus 100 is changed to a normal value, and then the process ends. If the low frame mode switching is not effective, the process ends without going through S707.

Hereinafter, a specific example in which the imaging device 100 described in the first embodiment is used in a store such as a convenience store will be described with reference to FIGS.
In FIG. 8, there is a monitoring camera 801 that captures the vicinity of a cash register (802) at a convenience store or the like. In this imaging apparatus 100, “before cash register (803)” is registered as a specific area, and a salesperson 804 is registered as a specific person.

9 and 10 are diagrams showing images of images taken by the imaging apparatus 100 in the environment of FIG.
In FIG. 9, the specific person 902 is photographed in the specific area (901) set near the register stand 903 (in front of the register 904). In this state, the imaging apparatus 100 detects that the specific person is detected, and the power saving mode is detected. Switching processing can be performed.

FIG. 10 shows a state where the specific person 902 is not photographed in the specific area (901), and the imaging apparatus 100 restricts the function of the imaging apparatus 100 that has been restricted, assuming that the specific person is not detected. Cancel and return to normal operation.
That is, when there is no clerk (specific person 902) before the cash register, the imaging device 100 becomes an eye instead of the clerk, and when there is a clerk before the cash register, the clerk himself becomes the eye. As a result, the purpose of “seeing (monitoring)” in front of the cash register is cleared, so that it is possible to deal with customers 905 arranged in front of the cash register 904. In addition, when there is a store clerk, the function of the imaging apparatus 100 is limited, so that power consumption is reduced.

(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment is an example in which the monitoring camera system is configured by linking the imaging device 100 described in the first embodiment with a plurality of imaging devices.
In the camera control system of this embodiment, a camera A (111-2), a camera B (111-3), and a camera C (111-4) are connected to each other via a network (communication line) 111-1. The first environment (FIG. 11A) and the second environment (FIG. 11B) are taken as examples.
In the present embodiment, for the camera A (111-2), the vicinity of the location of the security guard is registered as the specific area (111-5), and the security guard (111-6) is registered as the specific person. ing.

  The first environment (FIG. 11A) is a case where the camera A (111-2) does not detect the security guard (111-6) as a specific person within the specific area (111-5). . In this case, the camera A (111-2) notifies the camera B (111-3) and the camera C (111-4) of the content for instructing the normal mode switching. The camera A (111-2) and the camera C (111-4) that received it perform processing for switching to the normal mode.

  The second environment (FIG. 11B) is a case where a specific person is detected in a specific area by the camera A (111-2). In this case, the camera A (111-2) notifies the camera B (111-3) and the camera C (111-4) of the content for instructing the power saving mode switching, and the camera B (111- 3) Camera C (111-4) switches to the power saving mode. When switching to the power saving mode in this way, the camera B (111-3) and the camera C (111-4) limit functions, and power consumption during that time is reduced.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 12, 13, and 4 to 7, a processing procedure of the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure performed by the camera A (111-2) in FIG.
First, activation confirmation of the imaging device 100 is performed in S1201. If the imaging apparatus 100 is normally activated, the process proceeds to S1202 to start a specific person detection process, and then proceeds to the subsequent processes.

  The event processing unit 107 notifies the result of the specific person detection start in S1203, the specific person detection end in S1205, the power saving mode determination timer measurement end in S1207, and the normal mode determination timer measurement end in S1209, respectively. . This is processing from when the imaging apparatus 100 is activated until it is terminated.

  The detection start of the specific person in S1203 is notified from the detection processing unit 106 as an event when a specific person is detected in the specific area, and the process proceeds to the specific person detection start process in S1204. The processing when a specific person is detected is as described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG.

  The end of detection of the specific person in S1205 is notified from the detection processing unit 106 as an event when the specific person is no longer detected in the specific area, and the process proceeds to the specific person detection end process in S1206. The processing when the detection of the specific person is completed is as described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG.

  The event of ending the power saving mode determination timer measurement in S1207 is notified as an event when the determination time has elapsed since the power saving mode determination timer was set. Receiving this, it progresses to S1208 and instruct | indicates power saving mode switching to the other camera (Camera B (111-3), Camera C (111-4)) which cooperates.

  The normal mode determination timer measurement end event in S1209 is notified as an event when the determination time has elapsed since the normal mode determination timer was set. Receiving this, it progresses to S1210 and instruct | indicates normal mode switching to the other camera (Camera B (111-3), Camera C (111-4)) which cooperates.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure performed in (Camera B (111-3), Camera C (111-4)) of FIG. 11 in response to the power saving mode switching instruction and the normal mode switching instruction.
The determination of the instruction (message) from the camera A (111-2) in FIG. 11 is performed in S1301, and if it is an instruction to switch the power saving mode, the process proceeds to S1302 to perform the process of switching the power saving mode. The power saving mode switching process is as described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG.
On the other hand, if it is an instruction to switch the normal mode, the process proceeds to S1303 to perform a normal mode switching process. The normal mode switching process is as described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG.

In the embodiment described above, the process for setting and registering the detection condition performed by the imaging apparatus 100 is performed via the client terminal 111. In addition to this example, a setting registration unit having a function performed by the client terminal 111 may be provided integrally with the imaging apparatus 100 or separately via a data line.
Further, the image processing unit 102 and the pan head control unit 109 may be provided separately from the imaging device 100 as a monitoring camera device.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (computer program) that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various computer-readable storage media. Then, the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads out and executes the program.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Imaging device 101 Imaging part 102 Image processing part 103 Camera control part 104 Command control part 105 Communication part 106 Detection processing part 107 Event processing part 108 Camera data part 109 Pan head control part 111 Client terminal 112 Network 113 Timer control part

Claims (12)

Detection means for detecting a specific person within a specific area;
Timer control means for measuring a determination time until it is determined that detection of the specific person by the detection means is formal detection;
Camera control means for controlling the camera to operate in a restriction mode that restricts the function of the camera or a normal mode that does not restrict the function of the camera;
The camera control device controls an operation mode of the camera to operate in a restricted mode when the detection unit detects a specific person within the specific area. The detection means includes a determination means for determining whether or not the detection of the specific person detected in the specific area is complete,
The timer control means measures a determination time until it is determined that the determination means has officially ended detection of a specific person,
When the determination unit determines that the detection of the specific person detected within the specific area is formally completed, the camera control unit is configured to set a mode for limiting the camera function to operate in the normal mode. The camera control device according to claim 1, wherein the camera control device is released. The restriction mode for restricting the functions of the camera is
A mode that allows you to set pan operation with or without panning, a mode that allows you to set with or without tilt operation, a mode that allows you to set with or without zooming, a mode that allows you to set whether or not to limit preset position patrol, and a frame The camera control apparatus according to claim 1, comprising at least one of modes in which the rate can be set to be reduced or not. A communication unit that communicates with another camera control device via a communication line; and an instruction unit that notifies a function restriction instruction.
The camera control means controls the operation mode of the camera to operate in the restriction mode when receiving a function restriction instruction from the other camera control apparatus via the communication means. Item 2. The camera control device according to Item 1. A communication unit that communicates with another camera control device via a communication line; and an instruction unit that notifies an instruction to release the restriction on the function.
When the camera control unit receives an instruction to cancel the function restriction from the other camera control device via the communication unit, the camera control unit releases the mode for restricting the camera function so as to operate in the normal mode. The camera control device according to claim 1. Detection means for detecting a specific person within a specific area;
Timer control means for measuring a determination time until it is determined that detection of the specific person by the detection means is formal detection;
A camera control device having camera control means for controlling the camera to operate in a restriction mode that restricts the function of the camera or a normal mode that does not restrict the function of the camera;
A terminal device that is connected to the camera control device via a communication line and sets a detection condition for detecting a person in the specific area;
The camera control unit controls the operation mode of the camera to operate in a restricted mode when the detection unit detects a specific person in the specific area. The camera control device includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the detection of the specific person detected in the specific region is complete,
The timer control means measures a determination time until it is determined that the determination means has officially ended detection of a specific person,
When the determination unit determines that the detection of the specific person detected within the specific area is formally completed, the camera control unit is configured to set a mode for limiting the camera function to operate in the normal mode. The camera control system according to claim 6, wherein the camera control system is canceled. A detection step of detecting a specific person within a specific area;
A timer control step for measuring a determination time until it is determined that the detection of the specific person is a formal detection in the detection step;
A camera control process for controlling the camera to operate in a restriction mode that restricts the function of the camera, or a normal mode that does not restrict the function of the camera,
In the camera control step, when a specific person is detected in the specific area in the detection step, an operation mode of the camera is controlled to operate in a restricted mode. A determination step of determining whether or not the detection of the specific person detected in the specific area is complete,
The timer control step measures a determination time until it is determined that the detection of the specific person is officially ended in the determination step,
When the camera control process determines that the detection of the specific person detected in the specific area is officially completed in the determination process, the camera control process sets a mode for limiting the function of the camera to operate in the normal mode. The camera control method according to claim 8, wherein the camera control method is canceled. A detection step of detecting a specific person within a specific area;
A timer control step for measuring a determination time until it is determined that the detection of the specific person is a formal detection in the detection step;
A program that causes a computer to execute a camera control process for controlling the camera to operate in a restriction mode that restricts the function of the camera or a normal mode that does not restrict the function of the camera,
In the camera control step, when a specific person is detected in the specific area in the detection step, the program causes the computer to control the operation mode of the camera so as to operate in a restricted mode. . A determination step of determining whether or not the detection of the specific person detected in the specific area is complete,
The timer control step measures a determination time until it is determined that the detection of the specific person is officially ended in the determination step,
When the camera control process determines that the detection of the specific person detected in the specific area is officially completed in the determination process, the camera control process sets a mode for limiting the function of the camera to operate in the normal mode. 11. The program according to claim 10, which causes a computer to execute the cancellation.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 10 or 11.

Images