JP2019125953A - Surveillance camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a surveillance camera system capable of checking soundness of the system more reliably and easily.SOLUTION: In a surveillance camera system 1 including a camera unit 10 and a recording device 20, the recording device 20 has functions of recording moving image data captured by the camera unit 10 in a recording medium 23 and checking soundness of the system while recording moving image data on the recording medium 23. The function of checking the soundness causes the recording medium 23 to write at least one of the number of times of power on, the number of times of writing, and the energization time. A lifetime is estimated from at least one of these pieces of information, and when the lifetime is reached, it is determined as an error.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a surveillance camera system, and more particularly to a surveillance camera system provided with a soundness check system.

  The introduction of surveillance camera systems including security cameras that monitor and record crimes and the like is in progress. Here, conventionally, in general, it is often not checked whether the surveillance camera correctly captures, correctly records, and reproduces the surveillance target correctly.

  Further, in the conventional surveillance camera system, for example, in the case of an IP camera (including a network camera), there is a type in which the communication status with the camera is periodically transmitted / received and monitored. In this type, when the ping is lost, the alarm is simply issued or the camera power is turned on again to prompt the restart.

  In addition, depending on the surveillance camera system, the administrator may visually judge the actual image through the line in the facility or the Internet.

  However, in the conventional surveillance camera system, as to whether the image is normally recorded on the recording medium (an electronic recording medium such as an SD card) normally, if an error from the recording medium is returned, this is displayed or It was a grade to record. For this reason, it was not possible to detect a recording failure that does not return an error, or a failure due to damage, contamination, fogging or the like of the camera lens and lens front surface protection glass (hereinafter referred to as an optical system failure).

  Also, in order for the administrator to visually check, a person in charge of continuing or sometimes checking the actual image is required, and this method is introduced in the majority of surveillance camera systems that are small and inexpensive. Is extremely difficult.

  As described above, although the introduction of a surveillance camera system has progressed, the surveillance camera itself does not produce any benefit, so it can not spend much time on investment and surveillance, and the soundness is carefully checked. The current situation is that we can not say

  It is also conceivable to install a surveillance camera system on a railway vehicle. In this case, it is difficult to constantly monitor the video of the monitoring camera in consideration of the usual operations of the crew, and it is practically difficult to just check and report the failure display periodically. Furthermore, in railcars, the space at the installation site is narrow and the system must be miniaturized by narrowing the functions, and the construction of on-line monitoring that is transmitted to ground equipment to make a judgment is realistic. Due to difficulties, the current state of the art is that real-time monitoring of the system can not be performed with the prior art.

  Furthermore, in the case of railways, since the publicity is high, reliability is required more than a general system because the social impact of recording failure is large. Further, in the case of a surveillance camera, since the camera must be installed at a position where the passenger's hand can reach, there is also a problem that there is a high possibility that the optical system is contaminated or mischief.

  On the other hand, the demand for a small-scale surveillance camera system at low cost is becoming higher and higher, as the device of the vehicle is not an essential device for operating with a predetermined schedule and the demand for miniaturization is strong as described above. Become.

  As described above, mounting a surveillance camera system on a railway vehicle is highly demanding and has many limitations, so it is considered to take an option of leaving the surveillance camera at the station for crime prevention without installing it for cost reasons. Be For this reason, in order to solve these problems, it is desirable to constantly or periodically perform recording soundness and detect a defect in the optical system without increasing the size and complexity of the surveillance camera system.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a surveillance camera system capable of checking soundness of the system more reliably and easily in view of the above-mentioned problems.

  In order to achieve the above object, one of the representative surveillance camera systems of the present invention is a surveillance camera system provided with a camera unit and a recording device, and the recording device comprises moving image data captured by the camera unit. While recording on a recording medium, while recording the data of a moving image on the said recording medium, it is characterized by having a function which checks the soundness of the said system.

According to the present invention, in the surveillance camera system, the soundness of the system can be checked more reliably and easily.
Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be apparent from the description of the embodiments below.

It is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a surveillance camera system of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the flow of the 3rd check function in the surveillance camera system of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the flow of the 6th check function in the surveillance camera system of this invention.

  A mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.

(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a surveillance camera system of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the monitoring camera system 1 includes a camera unit 10 and a recording device 20. Then, the camera unit 10 has a camera function capable of photographing an object as a moving image. The camera unit 10 includes a lens 11 and an imaging device 12. The recording device 20 is a device for recording a captured image. The recording device 20 includes a processing unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a recording medium 23.
An indicator light 24 is provided. The camera unit 10 and the recording device 20 are connected by a connection line 31.

  The lens 11 is a lens for shooting, identifies a shooting range, and captures light of an object. The light passing through the lens 11 is received by the imaging device 12 and converted into an electrical signal. The imaging device 12 is a sensor for that purpose, and is, for example, a sensor such as a CCD, CMOS, or MOS.

  The processing unit 21 can perform processing for recording moving image data from the imaging device 12 captured by the camera unit 10 on the recording medium 23. Furthermore, the processing unit 21 performs processing for checking the soundness described later. In addition, control of the indicator light 24 is also performed. The processing unit 21 is configured of a CPU and the like necessary for processing such as calculation and control. The recording device 20 includes a storage device for storing a memory necessary for the processing of the processing unit 21 and a program used for the processing of the processing unit 21.

  The storage unit 22 is a device capable of storing information necessary for the soundness check. Volatile memory or non-volatile memory can be used depending on the situation. Further, information necessary for the processing of the processing unit 21 may be shared with a memory for temporarily storing. Also, it may be shared with a storage device that stores a program for checking the soundness.

  As the recording medium 23, a medium that can be attached to and detached from the recording device 20 can be adopted as an external recording medium for storing information. Thereby, the operator can perform the replacement work in a short time at the time of maintenance. The recording medium 23 is, for example, an SD memory card, an SDHC memory card, or an SDXC memory card. Although a micro SD memory card is also applicable, if it is difficult to lose it, the size of a standard SD memory card is preferable.

  The recording device 20 includes display means as one of notification means. For example, it is a function of displaying an error or the like determined by the function of checking the soundness. The indicator light 24 is an example. For example, it can be configured by a lamp or the like that displays the power-on state of the recording device 20 and the presence or absence of occurrence of abnormality by an LED or the like. The lamp can be displayed as an error by turning it on if any error occurs, changing the color of the light, blinking it or the like. These are determined by the processing unit 21, and control of whether or not an error is notified by the indicator light 24 is performed. The indicator light 24 is disposed at a position where its lighting can be easily understood when viewed from the outside of the recording device 20. The indicator light 24 allows maintenance personnel to easily grasp the state of the monitoring camera system 1 from the outside, and maintenance can be smoothly performed.

  The connection line 31 connects the camera unit 10 and the recording device 20. In particular, information of the imaging element 12 in the camera unit 10 can be sent to the processing unit 21 of the recording device 20.

  The surveillance camera system 1 can be provided to a railway vehicle and can be configured as a surveillance camera system for a railway vehicle. In this case, for example, as the camera unit 10, a front camera and a security camera can be mentioned. If it is a camera in front of the train, it can be attached to the cab, and it is possible to record, for each camera, a home fall or a level crossing obstacle. In this case, it may be installed on the front and rear two in one formation. Moreover, if it is a camera for crime prevention in a car, it can be attached to a passenger compartment, a ceiling, a wall, a passenger entrance upper part of a passenger entrance, etc. and a guest room can be recorded. For example, it is assumed to install two to four in one car. There are a type in which the plurality of images are recorded in a camera unit and a type in which a plurality of images are recorded in a unit of one.

  The camera unit 10 can be configured with one recording device 20 for one camera unit 10 as shown in FIG. 1, but can also be configured with one recording device 20 for a plurality of camera units 10.

  Hereinafter, first to sixth check functions will be shown as specific examples of the soundness check system. These can also be applied in combination.

(First check function)
The first check function will be described. S. S. adopted in hard disk for personal computer M. A. R. T. If it is a recording medium having (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology), error recognition is extremely easy. However, for example, in a general-purpose SD card, S.I. M. A. R. T. Features are not equipped. In such a case, the S.I. M. A. R. T. When the information corresponding to the function is stored in the recording medium 23, it is possible to indicate the replacement time (lifetime prediction) of the recording medium 23 based thereon.

  Specifically, the processing of the processing unit 21 causes the recording medium 23 used in the recording device 20 to be S.I. M. A. R. T. It automatically records information such as the number of times of power on, the number of times of write retry, and the energization time, which corresponds to the function of Then, from these pieces of information, the processing unit 21 estimates the life, and when it is determined that the recording medium 23 has reached the life, it is determined as an error and the indicator light 24 is turned on or the color which was turned on is changed Error information can be reported. Further, the details of the error information are recorded on the recording medium 23. In addition, although the estimation of the life can be determined by at least one of the information such as the number of times of power on, the number of times of writing retry, the energization time, the life can be more accurately determined as the number of items is larger .

  When the operation of the monitoring camera system 1 is estimated, there is a high possibility that the recording medium 23 is not used in the same device from the beginning to the end. For example, when an incident occurs in a car, it may be replaced with another recording medium 23, and the recording medium 23 may be used for analysis at an external request such as the police. Then, when the analysis is finished, it is assumed that the recording medium 23 is used for another recording device 20. In this case, it becomes an irregular circulation. Then, the update time of the recording medium 23 can not be determined by the recording device 20 alone, and it is necessary to manage each recording medium 23. In addition, since sudden requests and cases are also assumed, human control is impossible. Therefore, when the information is contained in the recording medium 23, the recording medium 23 can be checked.

  As a function for recording on the recording medium 23, there may be mentioned S. M. A. R. T. Even if the function is not comparable to the above, by recording information of at least about the total number of writings of the recording medium 23, the life judgment can be performed by the processing unit 21. In this case, the processing unit 21 can determine the life according to the total number of times of writing.

(Second check function)
The second check function will be described. In the recording device 20, when recording the moving image data captured by the camera unit 10 on the recording medium 23, the processing unit 21 creates a file while dividing it at fixed recording times or at fixed capacities. Record. As a result, the number of files increases as the recording time increases. Then, in this case, if the recording end time of the previous file and the recording start time of the file recorded this time are connected, it can be estimated that there is no dropout. That is, if the recording end time of the previous file and the recording start time of the file recorded this time are the same or substantially the same, it can be estimated that there is no dropout. For example, each file may create a table to check continuity.

  In this case, the vehicle is energized in a garage or the like, and returns to the garage or the like to cause a power failure. It is possible to check during power outage from this energization. Then, it is possible to use a check function in consideration of a known non-continuous state in which the period from the power failure to the garage etc. is interrupted until the next energization is excluded from the check target.

  For example, if the recording end time of the immediately preceding file and the recording start time of the file recorded this time are not connected (if not the same or substantially the same), a defect of the file or the like is assumed. In this case, the processing unit 21 can determine that an error has occurred and cause the display lamp 24 to display an error to notify of the abnormality. Further, the detailed information of the error is recorded on the recording medium 23.

(Third check function)
The third check function will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the flow of the third check function. The video taken by the camera unit 10 is recorded on the recording medium 23 via the processing unit 21. At this time, as described in the second check function, the file is divided and recorded for each file (FIG. 2 <1>). At this time, the processing unit 21 records the file recording information such as the number of days, minutes, seconds, hours, minutes, and seconds of data of what day, what number of minutes, how many seconds, and how many seconds of data. Are stored in the storage unit 22. By performing this for each divided file, a list of recording histories is created in the storage unit 22 and updated (FIG. 2 <2>).

  Then, the processing unit 21 updates the list recorded in the storage unit 22 when writing of the latest file to the recording medium 23 is completed. At this time, the processing unit 21 reads the latest file information recorded on the recording medium 23 (FIG. 2 <3>). Then, the processing unit 21 compares the latest file information recorded in the recording medium 23 with the recording information of the latest file in the list recorded in the storage unit 22 (FIG. 2 <4>). The information to be compared here (the latest file information recorded in the recording medium 23 and the latest file recording information in the list recorded in the storage unit 22) is, for example, the recording time of the recording medium 23 The time when the file was written, the file size, etc. A comparison is performed for at least one of these, and if they match, it can be determined by the processing unit 21 that there is no abnormality. In addition, by increasing the items to be compared and increasing the items, it is possible to make a more correct determination. Note that, by comparing the latest file information, the load on the processing unit 21 or the like can be reduced as compared with checking at one time.

  In addition, if the information is different, for example, the file size is different by a certain amount or more or the time information is clearly different according to the above comparison, it is assumed that the file is not correctly written to the recording medium 23 Be done. In this case, the processing unit 21 can determine that an error has occurred and cause the display lamp 24 to display an error to notify of the abnormality. Further, the detailed information of the error is recorded on the recording medium 23.

(4th check function)
The fourth check function will be described. For example, the storage unit 22 stores a still image captured before the start of operation of the camera unit 10, such as a still image captured immediately after the camera unit 10 is installed. Then, after the start of operation of the monitoring camera system 1, images stored in advance are read at intervals (for example, a predetermined cycle etc.) from time to time and compared with one image taken by the camera unit 10 by the processing unit 21. At this time, if both file sizes are approximately the same, it is determined that there is no optical error. Although all of the images captured by the camera unit 10 can be compared, the comparison can be performed by reducing the processing load of the processing unit 21 by periodically extracting one image.

  For example, when the lens 11 of the camera unit 10 is covered with gum, cracks, dew condensation occurs, etc., the contents of the image clearly become different. For this reason, the difference between the file sizes of still images, which occurs when an error or the like in the lens 11 is assumed, is determined in advance, and the file sizes of both differ by more than a certain range than that range (for example, the file size is more than a certain size) ) Is determined by the processing unit 21 as an error. In this case, the processing unit 21 can display an error on the indicator light 24 to notify of the abnormality. Further, the details of the error information are recorded on the recording medium 23.

  When a plurality of camera units 10 are installed for one recording device 20, it is also possible to compare the difference in file size with the images of the other camera units 10. For example, when the file size by the image of one camera and the images of other cameras is different by a certain amount or more, it is determined as an error.

(Fifth check function)
The fifth check function will be described. Generally, the file size of the video recording format (MPEG, H264, etc.) is large when a video with many motions continues, and is small when the motions are small. This is used to warn, for example, that the file size recorded by the recording device 20 at regular intervals is not larger than a certain size.

  For example, in the case where a gum is attached to the lens 11 of the camera unit 10, a crack is formed, dew condensation occurs, etc., the image clearly has a small amount of movement, and the file size becomes smaller. For this reason, the file size that occurs when an error or the like in the lens 11 is assumed is determined in advance, and if the file size is smaller than that, the processing unit 21 determines that an error occurs. Thus, defects in the optical system can be detected to some extent. Furthermore, even when the writing to the recording medium 23 fails and the file remains but the file size is 0, it can be detected. When it is determined that an error has occurred, the processing unit 21 can display an error on the display light 24 to notify of the abnormality. Further, the detailed information of the error is recorded on the recording medium 23.

  In addition, there is a possibility that the vehicle in which the camera unit 10 is installed does not operate for a long time and erroneous warning is given that the passenger-free and stopped state is extremely long. However, if the person in charge checks that such an operation stoppage has been recognized, the warning can be ignored and handled.

  Further, the comparison of the file size described above can be performed by comparing the file sizes created for each fixed recording time described in the second check function. On the other hand, when a file is created for each fixed file capacity described in the second check function, the above detection can be made by comparing the recording time. In this case, when an error or the like is assumed, it is assumed that the recording time becomes longer for the same capacity. For this reason, the recording time in which an error is assumed is determined in advance, and if the recording time is longer than that, it can be determined by the processing unit 21 as an error.

(Sixth check function)
The sixth check function will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the flow of the sixth check function. The processing unit 21 writes the moving image data from the camera unit 10 to the recording medium 23 (FIG. 3 <1>). At this time, moving image data of a predetermined time range before the current time is also recorded in the storage unit 22 simultaneously (FIG. 3 <2>). Then, the processing unit 21 calls moving image data of a predetermined time range before the present from the recording medium 23 (FIG. 3 <3>). Then, the processing unit 21 compares the moving image data read from the recording medium 23 with the moving image data read from the storage unit 22 (FIG. 3 <4>). This makes it possible to check whether the information has been correctly written to the recording medium 23.

  The predetermined time range prior to the present in FIG. 3 <1> <2> is, for example, the time range up to one second before now. Then, when the moving image data is correctly written to the recording medium 23, the photographing time of the moving image data read from the recording medium 23 and the photographing time of the data read from the storage unit 22 coincide with each other.

  The data recorded in the storage unit 22 of FIG. 3 <2> may be used as it is in order to write moving image data from the camera unit 10 to the recording medium 23 as it is.

  Comparison of the moving image data read from the recording medium 23 in FIG. 3 <4> with the moving image data read from the storage unit 22 is, for example, comparing all the bits, etc. Compare. If these data match, it can be judged as normal. If they do not match, it can be judged as an error. In the case of an error, the processing unit 21 can display an error on the indicator light 24 to notify of the abnormality. Further, the detailed information of the error is recorded on the recording medium 23.

  In addition, it is also possible to compare all data in comparison between the moving image data read out from the recording medium 23 and the moving image data read out from the storage unit 22. However, depending on the capability of the processing unit 21 etc., there is a risk that the system load may become excessive. For this reason, for example, the load on the system can be alleviated by periodically comparing (shorter than the cycle) constant time, such as one second every one minute or one second every ten minutes. Also, only checksums may be compared. By these things, even if the capability of the processing unit 21 is not high, this check function can be adopted.

(Overall effect)
The surveillance camera system 1 can check the soundness while recording the video from the camera unit 10 in the recording device 20 by providing the above-described check function. Further, the monitoring camera system 1 does not have functions such as cooperation between vehicles in railways and communication with the ground, and can be configured without adding or adding hardware as a minimum. And, the burden on the inspection worker is minimized, and the additional item brought in for the inspection becomes unnecessary. Furthermore, it is possible to check the soundness without increasing the number of personnel for this without affecting or minimizing the current inspection time and the number of workers.

  Further, the detected error display can be confirmed by the indicator light 24. When the error display is turned on by the indicator light 24, the maintenance PC can be connected to know the details of the error by the error information stored in the recording medium 23. In addition, it is possible to reliably detect an error by including an error indication including estimation and doubt of the error.

  As mentioned above, although the embodiment of the present invention was described, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications other than the above-mentioned are included. For example, it is not limited to what has all the configurations provided in the above-described embodiment. Also, part of the configuration of an embodiment may be deleted or replaced with another configuration.

  For example, the recording medium 23 can also be applied to a USB flash drive. Further, since the recording medium 23 can be attached to and detached from the recording device 20, inspection and confirmation become easy. However, for the purpose of performing a soundness check, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or the like, which is not normally attached and detached, can also be applied, and the soundness can be checked.

  Also, instead of the indicator light 24, a display unit such as liquid crystal or organic EL may be used, and it is also possible to display the content of the error.

  Further, although reliable information can be transmitted between the camera unit 10 and the recording device 20 by the connection line 31, it is also possible to exchange information by wireless. Also, the camera unit 10 and the recording device 20 can be integrally configured although they are large as a whole.

  In addition, the notification means such as the indicator light 24 may be configured to be able to be installed at a place apart from the recording device 20 in order to make the notification easy to understand.

Reference Signs List 1 surveillance camera system 10 camera unit 11 lens 12 imaging device 20 recording device 21 processing unit 22 storage unit 23 recording medium 24 indicator light 31 connection line

Claims (11)

In a surveillance camera system including a camera unit and a recording device,
The recording apparatus has a function of recording the data of the moving image photographed by the camera unit on a recording medium, and recording the data of the moving image on the recording medium while checking the soundness of the system. Surveillance camera system. In the surveillance camera system according to claim 1,
The function of checking the soundness causes at least one of the number of times of power on, the number of times of writing, and the energization time to be written to the recording medium, and the life is estimated by estimating the life from at least one of the information. A surveillance camera system characterized in that it is determined as an error. In the surveillance camera system according to claim 1,
The recording apparatus creates a file on the recording medium while dividing the data of the moving image photographed by the camera unit at a predetermined recording time or at a predetermined capacity, and records the file on the recording medium.
The surveillance camera system, wherein the soundness checking function is determined as an error if the recording end time of the previous file and the recording start time of the file recorded this time are not connected. In the surveillance camera system according to claim 1,
The recording apparatus creates a file on the recording medium, dividing the moving image data photographed by the camera unit at predetermined recording time intervals or at a predetermined capacity, and records the file on the recording medium, and a storage unit. Recording information of the file recorded on the recording medium in the storage unit,
The function of checking the soundness reads the latest file information recorded in the recording medium, compares it with the latest recorded information recorded in the storage unit, and determines that an error occurs if the information differs. Surveillance camera system characterized by In the surveillance camera system according to claim 4,
The surveillance camera system, wherein the information to be compared includes at least one of a time of photographing, a time of writing a file on the recording medium, and a file size of the file. In the surveillance camera system according to claim 1,
The recording device includes a storage unit, and stores a still image captured before the start of operation of the camera unit in the storage unit.
The function of checking the soundness is characterized by comparing a still image stored in advance with one image taken by the camera unit, and determining as an error if the file sizes of the both differ by a certain amount or more. Surveillance camera system. In the surveillance camera system according to claim 1,
The recording apparatus creates a file on the recording medium, dividing the data of the moving image photographed by the camera unit at predetermined recording time intervals, and records the file on the recording medium.
The surveillance camera system, wherein the function of checking the soundness determines that the file size of the file is an error if the file size is smaller than a predetermined file size. In the surveillance camera system according to claim 1,
The recording apparatus creates a file on the recording medium, dividing the moving image data captured by the camera unit into a predetermined capacity, and records the file on the recording medium.
The surveillance camera system, wherein the soundness checking function is determined as an error if the recording time of the file is longer than a predetermined time. In the surveillance camera system according to claim 1,
The recording apparatus includes a storage unit, and stores the moving image data of a predetermined time range before the present in the storage unit when the moving image data from the camera unit is written to the recording medium,
The function of checking the soundness reads moving image data of a predetermined time range before the present recorded in the recording medium, and compares it with the moving image data recorded in the storage unit. A surveillance camera system characterized by judging as an error when data do not match. The surveillance camera system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
The monitoring camera system, wherein the recording device has a function of displaying an error determined by the function of checking the soundness. The surveillance camera system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
The monitoring camera system, wherein the recording medium is a recording medium that can be attached to and detached from the recording device.

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