JP2020153974A - Camera system and facility - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a method for detecting hazardous materials by a camera system installed in facilities.SOLUTION: A camera system 200 disposed to a constitute part of a monitoring system disposed at a place where inspection objects in facilities are arranged includes an imaging system 201 that takes an image formed by terahertz waves reflected by the inspection objects. The imaging system includes: one or more lighting units 202 for radiating terahertz waves; and one or more cameras 203 for photographing an image formed by the terahertz waves.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to camera systems and facilities.

Inspection technology using terahertz waves is known. A terahertz wave can be defined as an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 30 GHz or more and 30 THz or less. Patent Document 1 discloses a method for inspecting prohibited drugs such as narcotics enclosed in a sealed letter. In this method, the internal substance is identified without opening the envelope by utilizing the characteristic absorption spectrum of prohibited drugs such as narcotics in the terahertz band.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-286716

Recently, it has become a big problem in crime prevention that dangerous materials such as knives are brought into the train cars through railway stations, and there is a strong demand for technology to detect such dangerous materials. Not realized.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique advantageous for improving crime prevention by a camera system installed in a facility.

In view of the above problems, the camera system according to the embodiment of the present invention is a camera system arranged so as to form a part of a monitoring system arranged at a place where inspection targets of facilities are aligned, and is an inspection target. It is characterized by including an imaging system that acquires an image formed by a terahertz wave reflected by.

By the above means, a technique advantageous for improving crime prevention by a camera system installed in a facility is provided.

The figure which shows the configuration example of the ticket gate which arranged the imaging system included in the camera system which concerns on embodiment. The figure which shows the modification of the ticket gate of FIG. The figure which shows the structural example of the partition wall in which the imaging system included in the camera system which concerns on embodiment is arranged. The figure which shows the deformation example of the partition wall of FIG. The figure which shows the configuration example of the escalator which arranged the imaging system included in the camera system which concerns on embodiment. The figure which shows the structural example of the stairs which arranged the imaging system included in the camera system which concerns on embodiment. The figure which shows the structural example of the passage which arranged the imaging system included in the camera system which concerns on embodiment. The figure which shows the configuration example of the station which arranged the imaging system included in the camera system which concerns on embodiment. An example of the configuration when the camera system and the railroad vehicle according to the embodiment monitor the inspection target is shown. The figure which shows the operation example of the camera system which concerns on embodiment. The figure which shows the operation example of the camera system which concerns on embodiment. The figure which shows the operation example of the camera system which concerns on embodiment. The figure which shows the operation example of the camera system which concerns on embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although a plurality of features are described in the embodiment, not all of the plurality of features are essential for the invention, and the plurality of features may be arbitrarily combined. Further, in the attached drawings, the same or similar configurations are designated by the same reference numbers, and duplicate description is omitted.

The camera system 200 according to some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 (a) to 13. The camera system 200 in this embodiment is installed in the facility. Examples of facilities include stations such as railways, departure / arrival stations such as airports, commercial facilities, and entertainment facilities. The camera system 200 in this embodiment is installed in a station structure such as a railway. The structure of a station includes a station bookstore with ticket gates, ticket gates, waiting rooms, etc., a platform for railcars to enter, and a passage connecting the station bookstore and the platform. Here, the passage may be a place where passengers such as stairs, escalators, and elevators pass, in addition to a flat passage. A railroad vehicle is an example of a moving body. If the facility is an airport, for example, the moving object is an airplane. The camera system 200 of the present embodiment may be a camera system arranged so as to form a part of a station monitoring system.

The camera system 200 includes an imaging system 201 that acquires an image formed by the terahertz wave reflected by the inspection target 250. The imaging system 201 may include one or more illumination units 202 for irradiating the terahertz wave and one or more cameras 203 for acquiring an image formed by the terahertz wave. In the following description, when the plurality of illumination units 202 and the plurality of cameras 203 are distinguished from each other, subscripts are added after the reference numerals such as the illumination unit 202 “a” and the camera 203 “a”. When it is not necessary to distinguish between the respective lighting units and the camera, they are simply described as "lighting unit 202" and "camera 203". The same applies to other components.

In the present embodiment, the camera 203 that detects the terahertz wave is a method called an active camera, and can be used in combination with the illumination unit 202. However, the camera is not limited to this, and the camera may be a passive type camera. In this case, the image can be acquired by the terahertz wave emitted from the inspection target 250 without illuminating the inspection target 250 with the terahertz wave emitted from the illumination unit 202.

The imaging system 201 may be arranged to image the inspection target 250 using the station. The subject 250 to be inspected is usually a human, but may be a non-human animal or robot. Since the terahertz wave is transmitted through cloth, leather, etc., a processor (not shown, such as a control system 310 described later) connected to the camera system 200 is based on an image provided by the image pickup system 201 of the camera system 200. For example, dangerous objects such as firearms, cutlery, and explosives can be detected.

1 (a) and 1 (b) are a top view and a front view showing a configuration example of a ticket gate 211 in which the imaging system 201 included in the camera system 200 of the present invention is arranged. The ticket gate 211 is installed at the ticket gate of the station and separates the inside of the ticket gate of the station from the outside of the ticket gate. Here, the inside of the ticket gate may be an area that requires tickets such as an admission ticket and a ticket for admission. The ticket gate 211 may be a so-called automatic ticket gate. The imaging system 201 is arranged to acquire an image of the inspection target 250 passing through the passage 240 of the ticket gate 211. For example, the imaging system 201 may acquire an image of the inspection target 250 entering the ticket gate from outside the ticket gate. Hereinafter, it will be described that the inspection target 250 passes from the outside of the ticket gate toward the inside of the ticket gate in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1 (a).

In the configuration shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the ticket gate 211 includes a ticket gate 211a and a ticket gate 211b arranged so as to face each other across the passage. That is, the width and length of the passage 240 of the ticket gate 211 can be determined by the ticket gate 211a and the ticket gate 211b. The imaging system 201 includes a lighting unit 202 arranged in the ticket gate 211a and a camera 203 arranged in the ticket gate 211b. The terahertz wave emitted from the illumination unit 202 can be specularly reflected by the inspection target 250 such as a person. Therefore, the terahertz wave emitted from the lighting unit 202 is reflected by the inspection target 250 by arranging the lighting unit 202 and the camera 203 at the ticket gates 211a and the ticket gates 211b facing each other across the passage 240, respectively. It becomes easy to be detected by the camera 203.

As shown in FIG. 1 (b), the illumination unit 202 can set an irradiation range of substantially the entire range 204 of the passage 240. The spread of the terahertz wave emitted from the illumination unit 202 can be adjusted by means such as a lens. Further, since the terahertz wave is reflected by metal or the like, the inspection target 250 is illuminated by the terahertz wave reflected on the side surface of the ticket gate 211b even in the vicinity of the lower part of the ticket gate 211a. .. Further, in order to effectively utilize the reflection of the terahertz wave on the side surface of the ticket gate 211 on the passage 240 side, the lighting unit 202 and the camera 203 are the lighting unit of the ticket gate 211 as shown in FIG. 1A. It may be arranged near the end opposite to the direction of the optical axis of 202 and the camera 203. That is, the lighting unit 202 and the camera 203 that take a picture of the side outside the ticket gate from the ticket gate 211 may be arranged near the end of the ticket gate 211 on the side inside the ticket gate.

The arrangement of the illumination unit 202 and the camera 203 is not limited to the above-mentioned arrangement. For example, the lighting unit 202 and the camera 203 may be arranged in the ticket gate 211a. Further, for example, the lighting unit 202 and the camera 203 may be arranged near the center of the ticket gate 211, or may be arranged near the outer end of the ticket gate in FIG. 1A. Further, the lighting unit 202 may be composed of a plurality of lighting devices for one camera 203. For example, the illumination unit 202 may be configured by a plurality of illumination devices having different irradiation directions of terahertz waves. Further, the lighting unit 202 and the camera 203 may be fixed to the ticket gate 211 in a non-movable state, or may be rotatably arranged, for example, according to the movement of the inspection target 250.

When the imaging system 201 of the camera system 200 is used as a surveillance camera, it is better to photograph each person who is the inspection target 250 one by one, such as image processing by a processor (not shown) in the subsequent stage of the imaging system 201 of the camera system 200. , Post-processing may be easier. There is a high possibility that 250 people to be inspected will pass through the ticket gate 211 one by one. Therefore, arranging the image pickup system 201 at the ticket gate 211 makes it possible to suppress the burden of post-processing such as image processing. That is, the imaging system 201 may be arranged at a place where the inspection objects 250 are aligned. Further, the time for a person who is the inspection target 250 to pass through the ticket gate 211 is about 1 second. However, the imaging system 201 can acquire an image formed by the terahertz wave at a frame rate of 50 fps or more. Therefore, it is possible to take a plurality of times for one inspection target 250. Further, in a plurality of times of photographing, the inspection target 250 may show the whole body or only a part thereof.

Further, the imaging system 201 of the camera system 200 may include a sensor 260 that detects that the inspection target 250 is approaching. For example, the sensor 260 may be arranged on the ticket gate 211 as shown in FIG. 1 (b). Further, for example, the sensor 260 may be attached to the lighting unit 202 or the camera 203. The illumination unit 202 is controlled based on the output of the sensor 260. For example, the illumination unit 202 may start irradiation of the terahertz wave in response to the sensor 260 detecting the inspection target 250. As a result, the power consumed by the imaging system 201 can be suppressed.

FIG. 2A shows an example in which two sets of lighting units 202 and a camera 203 are arranged in the ticket gate 211 as the image pickup system 201. As shown in FIG. 2A, an example is shown in which the lighting units 202a and 202b are arranged on the ticket gate 211a and the cameras 203a and 203b are arranged on the ticket gate 211b. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2A, the lighting unit 202b and the camera 203a are arranged so as to illuminate and photograph the side inside the ticket gate from the ticket gate 211, and the lighting unit 202b and the camera 203b are arranged at the ticket gate. Arranged to illuminate and photograph the outside of the ticket gate from the machine 211. With such an arrangement, not only the front side of the inspection target 250 but also the back side can be photographed. At this time, as described above, in order to efficiently use the terahertz waves emitted from the illumination units 202a and 202b, the illumination unit 202a and the camera 203a are arranged closer to the inside of the ticket gate than the illumination unit 202b and the camera 203b. It may have been done. However, the arrangement of the illumination units 202a and 202b and the cameras 203a and 203b is not limited to this, and can be freely arranged as described above.

Further, as described above, the side surface of the ticket gate 211 on the side of the passage 240 may form a reflecting surface that reflects the terahertz wave. That is, the surface of the ticket gate 211 on the side of the passage 240 may be made of metal, or may have a rough surface having irregularities of about 1/10 of the wavelength of the terahertz wave. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the ticket gate 211 may have a gantry structure including the superstructure 212 so that the terahertz wave is more reflected. At this time, the surface of the superstructure 212 on the side of the passage 240 may be made of metal, or may have a rough surface having irregularities of about 1/10 of the wavelength of the terahertz wave. By reflecting or scattering the terahertz wave on the surface of the ticket gate 211, the inspection target 250 is illuminated from various angles, and the image quality of the image obtained by the camera 203 can be improved.

Further, in FIGS. 1A to 2B, the lighting unit 202 and the camera 203 are largely drawn as separate bodies on the ticket gate 211 for simplification of explanation, but the present invention is limited to this. It will not be done. Terahertz waves can pass through materials such as resin. Therefore, a resin window may be provided in a part of the ticket gate 211, and the lighting unit 202 and the camera 203 may be arranged in the ticket gate 211. As the resin, a suitable material such as high-density polyethylene or cyclic olefin copolymer can be used. Also in the following description, the illumination unit 202 and the camera 203 are drawn large in the drawing.

Next, an example of applying the imaging system 201 to the partition wall 213 of the platform 216 of the station will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). 3 (a) and 3 (b) are a top view and a front view showing a configuration example of a partition wall 213 in which an imaging system 201 included in the camera system 200 of the present invention is arranged. The imaging system 201 partitions the platform 216 and the track side region 217, and is arranged adjacent to the partition wall 213 including the door portion 214 that can be opened and closed. The partition wall 213 is a so-called platform door installed on the platform 216. In the present embodiment, the imaging system 201 acquires an image of the inspection target 250 passing through the passage 241 when the door portion 214 of the partition wall 213 is opened.

The imaging system 201 includes an illumination unit 202a and a camera 203a arranged in the track side region 217. The illumination unit 202a and the camera 203a illuminate and photograph the passage 241 when the door unit 214 is opened from the track side region 217. The imaging system 201 also includes an illumination unit 202b and a camera 203b arranged on the platform 216. The illumination unit 202b and the camera 203b illuminate and photograph the passage 241 when the door unit 214 is opened from the platform 216. By arranging the lighting unit 202a and the camera 203a, and the lighting unit 202b and the camera 203b, either the inspection target 250 getting on from the door 219 of the railway vehicle 218 or the inspection target 250 getting off from the door 219 of the railway vehicle 218. It is possible to acquire images of the front side and the back side of the door. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration may be such that only one of the illumination unit 202a and the camera 203a and the illumination unit 202b and the camera 203b is arranged.

The lighting units 202a and 203b may each include a plurality of lighting devices, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the lighting units 202a and 202b are the door portion 214 of the door pocket portion 215 in which the door portion 214 is housed when the door portion 214 of the partition wall 213 is opened. May be arranged at the end in the direction of opening and closing. Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the door portion 214 is opened, a part of the door portion 214 may not be housed in the door pocket portion 215. In this case, a part of the side surface of the door portion 214 that is not accommodated may form a reflecting surface that reflects the terahertz wave, similarly to the side surface of the ticket gate 211 on the passage 240 side. As a result, there is a possibility that the terahertz waves emitted from the illumination units 202a and 202b can be used more efficiently. Further, the vehicle body of the railway vehicle 218 may be used as a reflecting surface for reflecting terahertz waves. When the door portion 214 of the partition wall 213 is opened and the passage 241 is formed, it may be the case that the railroad vehicle 218 is in the line. Further, the body of the railway vehicle 218 may be made of metal. Therefore, it is possible to use the vehicle body of the railway vehicle 218 as the reflecting surface that reflects the terahertz wave.

Further, the cameras 203a and 203b may be attached to a structure such as a pole 220 as shown in FIG. 3B. Further, as the camera 203a or the camera 203b, as shown in FIG. 3B, a plurality of photographing devices may be used. The cameras 203a and 203b may be arranged at the waist height of the inspection target 250 or at a position higher than the inspection target 250, for example, as shown in FIG. 3B. By arranging the cameras 203a and 203b at a high position, even if the front-rear distance of the inspection target 250 is narrowed, it is possible to acquire images one by one rather than arranging the cameras 203a and 203b at a low position. The sex becomes high. Further, by arranging the cameras 203a and 203b at an angle with respect to the passage 241, there is a high possibility that the front and back images of the inspection target 250 can be acquired.

The arrangement of the illumination units 202a and 202b and the cameras 203a and 203b is not limited to the configuration shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the illumination units 202a and 202b may be attached to a structure such as a pole 220. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the illumination unit 202 and the camera 203 may be attached to separate poles 220a and 220b. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 4C, the illumination unit 202 and the camera 203 may be attached to the same pole 220.

As described above, when the imaging system 201 is used as a surveillance camera, it is possible to reduce the burden of post-processing such as image processing if the persons to be inspected 250 can be photographed one by one. Therefore, the imaging system 201 included in the camera system 200 may be applied to a partition wall 213 installed at a station where a Shinkansen or a limited express train, which is arranged and boarded one by one, stops. In this case, the width of the door 219 of the railroad vehicle 218 used for the Shinkansen and limited express trains is about 700 mm to 1000 mm. Therefore, in the configurations shown in FIGS. 3A and 3A, the maximum distance between the illumination unit 202 and the camera 203 can be narrowed to, for example, 1100 mm or more and 2000 mm or less. This makes it possible to efficiently use the terahertz wave emitted from the illumination unit 202. In addition, the train formation of Shinkansen and limited express trains is often fixed. Therefore, the size of the door portion 214 can be changed according to the size of the door 219 of the railroad vehicle 218. Therefore, for example, the distance between the lighting unit 202 adjacent to the door unit 214 corresponding to the narrow door 219 (for example, 700 mm) and the camera 203 may be, for example, 700 mm or more and 1000 mm or less. Further, in this case, the maximum distance between the illumination unit 202 and the camera 203 may be, for example, 850 mm or more.

Further, for example, the imaging system 201 may be applied to the partition wall 213 of a railway station such as a commuter train. In this case, there is a possibility that images can be acquired one by one except when it is crowded. Further, even when a plurality of inspection target 250s get on or off at the same time, the inspection target 250s are often arranged in two or three rows. Each inspection target 250 can be discriminated by image processing using a processor or the like included in the camera system 200. Further, in a commuter train or the like, the width of the door is about 1300 mm to 2000 mm. Therefore, in the configurations shown in FIGS. 3A and 3A, the maximum distance between the illumination unit 202 and the camera 203 may be, for example, 1500 mm or more and 3000 mm or less. Further, the output of the terahertz wave emitted from the illumination unit 202 may be changed according to the distance between the illumination unit 202 and the camera 203. In this case, the illumination unit 202 having a long distance between the illumination unit 202 and the camera 203 may irradiate the terahertz wave with a higher output than the short illumination unit.

In addition, the platform 216 may be arranged outdoors. Therefore, the imaging system 201 arranged on the platform 216 or the track side region 217 is easily affected by the external environment. Terahertz waves are easily absorbed by water, and sufficient images may not be obtained in a humid environment such as rainfall. Therefore, the imaging system 201 may include a sensor 261 for detecting the external environment, as shown in FIG. 3 (b). The illumination unit 202 is controlled based on the output of the sensor 261. For example, when the sensor 260 detects the humidity information and the humidity is high, the illumination unit 202 may increase the output of irradiating the terahertz wave. As a result, the image quality of the image acquired by the camera 203 can be improved.

Further, for example, the lighting unit 202 and the camera 203 may be attached to the vehicle body of the railway vehicle 218. That is, the camera system 200 may include a lighting unit and a camera mounted on the railroad vehicle 218. In this case, the camera system 200 may include a communication unit between the image pickup system 201 arranged at the station and the image pickup system including the lighting unit and the camera included in the railroad vehicle 218.

Further, for example, the lighting unit 202 and the camera 203 may start operating when the door unit 214 of the partition wall 213 opens. For example, the imaging system 201 may be linked to the operation of the door portion 214, or may include a sensor that detects that the door portion 214 has been opened. As a result, the power consumption of the imaging system 201 can be suppressed.

Next, an example of applying the imaging system 201 to the escalator 221 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b). 5 (a) and 5 (b) are side views and top views showing a configuration example of the escalator 221 in which the imaging system 201 included in the camera system 200 of the present invention is arranged.

The imaging system 201 is arranged adjacent to the escalator 221 in order to acquire an image of the inspection target 250 passing through the escalator 221. In the configuration shown in FIG. 5A, the imaging system 201 includes an illumination unit 202 and a camera 203. The lighting unit 202 may include a plurality of lighting devices, or the camera 203 may include a plurality of photographing devices. Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, the lighting unit 202 and the camera 203 may be arranged in separate structures such as pole 220, or may be arranged in the same structure such as pole 220. May be good. For example, the illumination unit 202 and the camera 203 may be arranged so as to perform illumination and photographing in a direction opposite to the traveling direction of the escalator 221 as shown in FIG. 5A. As a result, an image of the front side of the inspection target 250 can be acquired.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the illumination unit 202 and the camera 203 may be arranged with the escalator 221 in the direction intersecting the traveling direction of the escalator 221. It is possible to obtain the same effect as the lighting unit 202 arranged in the ticket gate 211a and the camera 203 arranged in the ticket gate 211b. Further, at this time, the illumination unit 202a and the camera 203a are arranged so as to perform illumination and photographing in a direction opposite to the traveling direction of the escalator 221, and the illumination unit 202b and the camera 203b are directed in the traveling direction of the 221 escalator. It may be arranged to illuminate and photograph. As a result, not only the front side of the inspection target 250 but also the back side can be photographed.

Further, as described above, when the imaging system 201 is used as a surveillance camera, it may be convenient for the persons to be inspected 250 to be able to photograph one by one. Since the escalator 221 operates at a constant speed, there is a high possibility that images of 250 to be inspected can be acquired one by one. Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, the escalator 221 has a step, and by arranging the camera 203 at a high position, there is a high possibility that images can be acquired one by one. Further, in the escalator 221, the inspection target 250 is usually arranged in one row or two rows. For example, in the case of the escalator 221 arranged in two rows, the images of the inspection target 250 may be acquired by using the two cameras 203. This increases the possibility of acquiring images one by one. As a result, the burden of image processing in the subsequent stage of the image pickup system 201 of the camera system 200 can be reduced.

Further, as described above, the terahertz wave can pass through a resin or the like. Therefore, the lighting unit 202 and the camera 203 may be embedded in the floor, wall, ceiling, or the like where the escalator 221 is arranged. For example, the lighting unit 202 may be installed on the deck board of the escalator 221 in combination with normal lighting.

Next, an example of applying the imaging system 201 to the stairs 222 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). 6 (a) and 6 (b) are a top view and a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a staircase 222 in which an imaging system 201 included in the camera system 200 of the present invention is arranged.

The imaging system 201 is arranged on the stairs 222 in order to acquire an image of the inspection target 250 passing through the stairs 222. In the configuration shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the imaging system 201 includes an illumination unit 202 and a camera 203. The illumination unit 202 and the camera 203 are embedded in the stairs 222, and are arranged so as to illuminate and photograph the inspection target 250 through the window 224 of the riser unit 223 of the stairs 222. As shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), the illumination unit 202 and the camera 203 may be arranged in the same riser unit 223 of the stairs 222.

Since the person who is the inspection target 250 goes up and down one step (or about two steps) at the stairs 222, images are acquired in order from the head (or foot) to the foot (or head) of the inspection target 250. It is possible to do.

As described above, various resins that transmit terahertz waves can be used for the window 224 provided in the riser portion 223 of the stairs 222. It is possible to make the imaging system 201 inconspicuous (hide its existence) by selecting an appropriate resin material according to the material used for the riser portion 223 and the tread portion 225 where the imaging system 201 of the stairs 222 is not arranged. Is.

Next, an example of applying the imaging system 201 to the passage 242 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). 7 (a) and 7 (b) are side views showing a configuration example of the passage 242 in which the imaging system 201 included in the camera system 200 of the present invention is arranged.

The imaging system 201 is arranged in the passage 242 in order to acquire an image of the inspection target 250 passing through the passage 242. The imaging system 201 includes an illumination unit 202 and a camera 203. At this time, one of the lighting unit 202 and the camera 203 is arranged on the ceiling 227 of the passage 242, and the other of the lighting unit 202 and the camera 203 is embedded in the floor 226 of the passage 242. In the configurations shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), the camera 203 is arranged on the ceiling 227 of the passage 242, and the lighting unit 202 is embedded in the floor 226 of the passage 242, but the present invention is limited to this. There is no. The lighting unit 202 may be arranged on the ceiling 227 of the passage 242, and the camera 203 may be embedded in the floor 226 of the passage 242.

In the configuration shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), the illumination unit 202a and the camera 203a are arranged so as to perform illumination and photographing from one side in the passage direction of the passage 242 toward the other side. .. Further, the illumination unit 202b and the camera 203b are arranged so as to perform illumination and photographing from the other side in the passage direction of the passage 242 toward one side. As a result, it is possible to acquire images of the front side and the back side of the inspection target 250 traveling in both of the two traffic directions of the passage 242. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the passage 242 may be configured such that only the illumination unit 202a and the camera 203a are arranged.

FIG. 7B shows an example in which the cameras 203a and 203b are embedded in the ceiling 227 of the passage 242. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7A, the cameras 203a and 203b can be made inconspicuous (the existence is hidden) as compared with the case where the cameras are suspended from the ceiling 227. Further, in the configuration shown in FIG. 7B, the optical axes of the illumination unit 202 and the camera 203 are set at a steeper angle with respect to the traveling direction of the inspection target 250 than in the configuration shown in FIG. 7A. ing. By making the angle of the optical axis steep as shown by the dotted lines shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), it is possible to increase the possibility that images of the inspection target 250 can be acquired one by one.

Further, in the configuration shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, one of the lighting unit 202 and the camera 203 is arranged on the floor 226, and the other is arranged on the ceiling 227. As mentioned above, the terahertz wave can be specularly reflected at the inspection target 250. Therefore, if the illumination unit 202 and the camera 203 are arranged so as to face each other, the terahertz wave emitted from the illumination unit 202 may be easily detected by the camera 203.

However, the arrangement of the illumination unit 202 and the camera 203 in the passage 242 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). For example, the lighting unit 202 and the camera 203 may be arranged on the side wall of the passage 242 or the like. Further, both the lighting unit 202 and the camera 203 may be arranged on the floor 226 or the ceiling 227. In this case, the floor 226 and the ceiling 227 where the lighting unit 202 and the camera 203 are not arranged may function as a reflecting surface for reflecting the terahertz wave. For example, the entire interior excluding the illumination unit 202 of the passage 242 and the portion of the camera 203 that serves as a window through which the terahertz wave passes may function as a reflecting surface that reflects the terahertz wave. Further, for example, the lighting unit 202 may include a plurality of lighting devices. In this case, a plurality of lighting devices included in the lighting unit 202 may be arranged in an appropriate number in appropriate places such as a floor 226, a ceiling 227, and a side wall.

Further, when the imaging system 201 is arranged in the stairs 222 or the passage 242 as described above, a plurality of cameras 203 may be arranged in the width direction of the stairs 222 or the passage 242. This increases the possibility that the inspection target 250 can be photographed one by one. Further, the imaging system 201 may be arranged in a portion of the stairs 222 or the passage 242 where the width is narrowed. The inspection target 250 is likely to be aligned in the portion where the width of the stairs 222 and the passage 242 is narrowed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a station 245 in which the imaging system 201 included in the camera system 200 is arranged. As described above, the imaging system 201 may be arranged at the ticket gate 211, the passage 242, the escalator 221, the stairs 222, the partition wall 213, and the like. Further, the location of the imaging system 201 including the lighting unit 202 and the camera 203 included in the camera system 200 of the present embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned locations. For example, the images of 250 to be inspected may be arranged in other places where it is considered that they can be obtained one by one, such as the entrance of a toilet or a hand-washing place. Further, an imaging system 201 including the above-mentioned lighting unit 202 and camera 203 for acquiring an image using a terahertz wave may be arranged at a place where a normal visible light surveillance camera or the like is installed.

Further, the camera system 200 of the present embodiment can monitor the inspection target 250 shown in FIG. 8 in conjunction with the railway vehicle 218. FIG. 9 shows a configuration example of a monitoring system in which the camera system 200 monitors the inspection target 250 in conjunction with the railway vehicle 218. The camera system 200 may include a control system 310 and a communication unit 315 in addition to the above-mentioned imaging system 201 arranged at the station. The control system 310 processes the signal output from the imaging system 201. The process may include determining the degree of risk for the subject 250 to be inspected. The process may include locating an inspection target 250 having a predetermined risk. Alternatively, in the process, the seat of the inspection target 250 boarding the railway vehicle 218 is specified from the ticket or the like passed through the ticket gate 211 when the inspection target 250 having a predetermined risk passes through the ticket gate 211. Can include. The integrated system 310 is, for example, a PLD (abbreviation for Programmable Logic Device) such as FPGA (abbreviation for Field Programmable Gate Array), or an ASIC (application specific specialized device) processor such as an integrated circuit, or an abbreviation for an integrated circuit. It may consist of a general purpose or dedicated computer, or a combination of all or part of these.

The integrated system 310 can identify the inspection target 250 based on the feature information of the inspection target 250 and the correspondence information for associating the seat information assigned to the passenger having the feature corresponding to the feature information. The feature information may be information extracted by the control system 310 from the image obtained by the imaging system 201. The feature information may be, for example, a feature amount specified based on the shape, size, etc. of a partial image extracted from the image obtained by the imaging system 201, or information for specifying the type of dangerous substance. It may be information indicating other features. Alternatively, the feature information may be information indicating the above-mentioned risk level. Extraction of a partial image from an image acquired by the imaging system 201 may include, for example, extracting a portion having a brightness exceeding a predetermined brightness. AI (artificial intelligence) can be used to extract the characteristic information. More specifically, AI (artificial intelligence) that has undergone deep learning is incorporated into the integrated system 310, and feature information can be extracted by the AI. For example, the information indicating the degree of danger in the image captured by the camera 203 differs depending on the position and orientation of the camera 203. Therefore, deep learning can be performed based on the images captured by the plurality of cameras 203.

The control system 310 can transmit the result of the above processing to the preset terminal 320 via the communication unit 315. The terminal 320 can be carried by, for example, a conductor riding on a railroad vehicle 218. The terminal 320 may include a terminal carried by a person other than the person riding the railroad vehicle 218, a terminal provided in a security room arranged at a station or the like, a terminal provided in an administrative agency such as a police station, or the like.

The image pickup system 201 can acquire an image of the inspection target 250 passing through the ticket gate 211 and transmit it to the control system 310 including the obtained image. The control system 310 can determine the degree of risk of the inspection target based on the image received from the imaging system 201. Further, the control system 310 can extract feature information of the inspection target from the image received from the image pickup system 201.

The control system 310 generates correspondence information that associates the feature information of the inspection target 250 extracted from the image received from the image pickup system 201 with the seat information read by the ticket gate 211. For example, the feature information may be information that strongly suggests possession of the firearm, and the seat information may be seat information read by the ticket gate 211 from the ticket possessed by the inspection target 250 possessing the firearm. This correspondence information can be transmitted from the control system 310 to the terminal 320 of the railway vehicle 218. The feature information may include information that identifies the ID of the inspection target 250 (that is, information that identifies an individual). The imaging system 201 may include a visible light camera, and the ID of the inspection target 250 can be identified by AI or the like from the visible light image of the inspection target 250 and further, the visible light image. The visible light image of the inspection target having a predetermined degree of risk can be transmitted to the railway vehicle 218 together with the above correspondence information, and further transmitted to the terminal 320. Here, the case where the image of the inspection target 250 is acquired by the image pickup system 201 arranged in the ticket gate 211 has been described, but it is obtained from the image pickup system 201 arranged in the partition wall 213, the escalator 221, the stairs 222, and the passage 242. Based on the images obtained, the tracking of the inspection target 250 may be started and the tracking may be continued. Further, the tracking of the inspection target 250 may be started from the image obtained by the imaging system 201 arranged in the ticket gate 211, and then the tracking of the inspection target 250 may be continued by using a surveillance camera using visible light. ..

Next, the operation of the camera system 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the camera system 200 according to the present embodiment. As for the configuration of the camera system 200, the configuration of the above-described embodiment can be applied. In the present embodiment, the operation after acquiring an image based on the terahertz wave (sometimes referred to as a terahertz image) by the camera system 200 will be described. In FIG. 10, the camera system 200 evaluates the acquired image, and if the quality does not reach the desired quality, the camera system 200 performs a shooting operation (reshooting) again.

First, in S1001, the illumination unit 202 irradiates the terahertz wave toward the inspection target 250 under desired conditions. Next, in S1002, the camera 203 detects the terahertz wave reflected by the inspection target 250 and acquires the information based on the terahertz wave. In S1003, the control unit performs a process of converting information based on the terahertz wave into an image. Here, the control unit may be, for example, the integrated system 310 shown in FIG.

Next, the control unit evaluates the image quality of the acquired terahertz image (S1004). As the evaluation items, items such as whether or not an appropriate terahertz image corresponding to the inspection target 250 can be obtained and whether or not the image quality of the article can be detected from the terahertz image can be appropriately set. If the desired image quality is not satisfied in the image quality evaluation, the camera system 200 operates S1005. In S1005, a control signal for changing the wavelength is supplied, which increases the power of the terahertz wave radiated from the control unit to the illumination unit 202. Then, the illumination unit 202 again irradiates the terahertz wave (S1001). By such a series of operations, it becomes possible to appropriately detect a desired article.

In the image evaluation, when the control unit determines that the desired image quality is obtained, the control unit determines the presence / absence of the detected article and, in some cases, the type of the article (S1006). When an article is detected, the control unit displays an alert on the monitoring system, or the control unit outputs an instruction to perform an action such as flagging the article or person as a high-risk article (S1007). .. If the article is not detected, the control unit may flag it as a low-risk confirmed person (S1008).

For this series of operations, the lighting unit 202 and the camera 203 can be used in the following combinations. First, when the lighting unit 202 and the camera 203 used in the first shooting are present, the same lighting unit 202 and the same camera 203 may be used in the second and subsequent shootings. Further, when the lighting unit 202 and the camera 203 used in the first shooting are present, in the second and subsequent shootings, the same lighting unit 202 as in the first shooting and the camera 203 different from the first shooting are used. May be taken using. Further, if there is a lighting unit 202 and a camera 203 used in the first shooting, in the second and subsequent shootings, another lighting unit 202 and the same camera as in the first shooting are used. The shooting may be done. Further, if there is a lighting unit 202 and a camera 203 used in the first shooting, in the second and subsequent shootings, shooting is performed using a lighting unit 202 and a camera 203 different from the first shooting. It may be done.

Next, another operation of the camera system 200 will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, the operation of shooting in synchronization with the opening and closing of the door for getting on and off the railroad vehicle, the door for entering the passenger compartment, and the platform door will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an operation of shooting in synchronization with the door. Also in this embodiment, the control unit may be, for example, the integrated system 310 shown in FIG. The description of the configuration and operation similar to those of the other embodiments will be omitted. Further, the door may be, for example, the door 219 or the door portion 214 of the railway vehicle 218 shown in FIGS. 3 (a) to 4 (c).

First, in the camera system 200, the lighting unit 202 is in a standby state (S1101). At this time, the camera 203 may also be in the standby state. The control unit detects the door opening signal (S1102). When the control unit detects the door opening signal, it supplies the lighting unit 202 with a control signal for irradiating the inspection target 250, and supplies the camera 203 with a control signal for photographing the inspection target 250. In response to the control signal from the control unit, the illumination unit 202 starts irradiating the terahertz wave (S1103). In response to the start of illumination by the illumination unit 202, the camera 203 starts detection of the terahertz wave (S1104). If the control unit does not detect the door open signal, the standby state is maintained (S1101). When the control unit detects the door opening signal in S1102, the control unit is always in a state where the door closing signal can be detected (S1106). When the control unit detects the door closing signal in S1106, the control unit supplies the illumination unit 202 with the control signal for stopping the irradiation of the terahertz wave, and the camera 203 with the control signal for stopping the detection of the terahertz wave (S1107, S1107, S1108). Here, when the control unit detects the door closing signal, at least one of S1107 and S1108 may be performed. If no closing signal is detected, the terahertz wave irradiation and detection are continued, and the camera system 200 continues shooting. A series of operations for monitoring the open / closed state of the door can save power as the camera system 200, and this series of operations enables reliable shooting at a required timing.

Next, another operation of the camera system 200 will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, a case where shooting is performed in synchronization with the operation of the ticket gate 211 will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an operation of shooting in synchronization with the ticket gate 211. Also in this embodiment, the control unit may be, for example, the integrated system 310 shown in FIG. The description of the configuration and operation similar to those of the other embodiments will be omitted.

First, in the camera system 200, the lighting unit 202 is in a standby state (S1201). At this time, the camera may also be in the standby state. The control unit is in a state capable of detecting a door opening signal informing that the door provided in the ticket gate 211 has been opened (S1202). When the control unit detects the door opening signal, the illumination unit 202 starts irradiating the terahertz wave (S1203). Further, the camera 203 starts detecting the terahertz wave in response to the start of the illumination of the illumination unit 202 (S1204). If the control unit does not detect the door open signal, the standby state is maintained (S1201). The detection of the door opening signal in S1202 is a signal issued by a ticket inserted in the ticket gate 211, a signal issued by bringing a ticket such as an IC card into contact with the ticket gate 211, a millimeter wave or the like at the ticket gate 211. By using it, a signal for detecting the presence or absence of a ticket such as an IC card can be used. By monitoring the open / closed state of the door of the ticket gate 211 in this way, it is possible to save power, and such an operation enables reliable shooting.

Next, another operation of the camera system 200 will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the operation when the sensor 260 described with reference to FIG. 1B is used will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a shooting operation at the ticket gate 211. Also in this embodiment, the control unit may be, for example, the integrated system 310 shown in FIG. The description of the configuration and operation similar to those of the other embodiments will be omitted.

As described above, the sensor 260 detects the inspection target 250. Here, the sensor 260 may be, for example, a motion sensor using infrared rays or a visible light camera. First, in the camera system 200, the lighting unit 202 is in a standby state (S1301). At this time, the camera may also be in the standby state. Next, the sensor 260 is used to detect the inspection target 250 (S1302). The signal from the sensor 260 is sent to the control unit. When the control unit determines that the inspection target 250 has been detected, the control unit supplies the illumination unit 202 with a control signal for irradiating the inspection target 250. In response to the control signal from the control unit, the illumination unit 202 starts irradiating the terahertz wave (S1303). Further, the control unit supplies the camera 203 with a control signal for photographing the inspection target 250. In response to the control signal from the control unit, the camera 203 starts detecting the terahertz wave (S1304). If the control unit does not determine that the inspection target 250 has been detected, the standby state is maintained (S1301).

This operation enables power saving, and such an operation enables reliable shooting. In the present embodiment, the case where the inspection target 250 is a person has been described, but it may be a thing. Further, this configuration can be applied to the escalator 221 and the like shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b). In the case of an escalator having a motion sensor, the sensor can be shared and used.

The invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, a claim is attached to make the scope of the invention public.

200: Camera system, 201: Imaging system, 250: Inspection target

Claims (36)

A camera system that is arranged to form part of a surveillance system that is arranged where the inspection targets of the facility are lined up.
A camera system including an imaging system that acquires an image formed by a terahertz wave reflected by an inspection target. The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the imaging system includes one or more lighting units that irradiate a terahertz wave, and one or more cameras that capture an image formed by the terahertz wave. .. The facility is a departure and arrival point for mobile objects with ticket gates.
A ticket gate including a first ticket gate and a second ticket gate that separate the inside of the ticket gate and the outside of the ticket gate and are arranged facing each other across the passage is arranged in the facility.
The camera system according to claim 2, wherein the imaging system includes a first lighting unit arranged in the first ticket gate and a first camera arranged in the second ticket gate. The imaging system includes a second lighting unit and a second camera for acquiring an image of an inspection target passing through the passage of the ticket gate.
The first lighting unit and the first camera are arranged so as to illuminate and photograph the side inside the ticket gate from the ticket gate.
The camera system according to claim 3, wherein the second lighting unit and the second camera are arranged so as to illuminate and photograph the side outside the ticket gate from the ticket gate. The imaging system includes a second lighting unit arranged in the first ticket gate and a second camera arranged in the second ticket gate.
The first lighting unit and the first camera are arranged so as to illuminate and photograph the side inside the ticket gate from the ticket gate.
The camera system according to claim 3, wherein the second lighting unit and the second camera are arranged so as to illuminate and photograph the side outside the ticket gate from the ticket gate. The camera system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first lighting unit and the first camera are arranged closer to the inside of the ticket gate than the second lighting unit and the second camera. The camera system according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the side surface of the ticket gate on the aisle side constitutes a reflecting surface that reflects terahertz waves. The camera system according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the ticket gate includes a gate-shaped structure that covers the passage of the ticket gate. The imaging system further includes a first sensor for detecting an inspection target.
The first sensor is arranged at the ticket gate and
The camera system according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the lighting unit arranged in the ticket gate among the lighting units is controlled based on the output of the first sensor. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the lighting unit arranged in the ticket gate is controlled based on the open / closed state of the door provided in the ticket gate. Camera system. The facility is a landing place for mobile objects with a ticket gate.
The departure and arrival point is a station
The imaging system partitions the platform and the track side area, is arranged adjacent to a partition wall including a door portion that can be opened and closed, and acquires an image of an inspection target passing through a passage when the door portion is opened. The camera system according to any one of claims 2 to 10. An image of the lighting unit for acquiring an image of the inspection target passing through the passage when the door portion is opened and an image of the inspection target of the camera passing through the passage when the door portion is opened. The camera system according to claim 11, wherein the width between the camera and the camera for acquisition is 700 mm or more and 3000 mm or less. The imaging system includes a third illumination unit and a third camera arranged in the track side region.
The camera system according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the third lighting unit and the third camera illuminate and photograph a passage when the door portion is opened from the track side region. The third lighting unit is arranged at an end of the partition wall in a direction in which the door portion of the door pocket portion in which the door portion is housed is opened / closed when the door portion is opened. 13. The camera system according to 13. The imaging system includes a fourth illumination unit and a fourth camera arranged on the platform.
The camera system according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the fourth lighting unit and the fourth camera illuminate and photograph a passage when the door unit is opened from the platform. The fourth lighting unit is arranged at an end of the partition wall in a direction in which the door portion of the door pocket portion in which the door portion is housed is opened / closed when the door portion is opened. 15. The camera system according to 15. When the door portion is opened, a part of the door portion is not accommodated in the door pocket portion of the partition wall in which the door portion is accommodated when the door portion is opened.
The camera system according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein a part of the side surfaces constitutes a reflecting surface that reflects a terahertz wave. 11. The illumination unit for acquiring an image of an inspection target passing through a passage when the door unit is opened is controlled based on an open / closed state of the door unit. The camera system according to any one of 17 to 17. The camera system according to any one of claims 2 to 18, wherein the imaging system is arranged adjacent to the escalator in order to acquire an image of an inspection target passing through the escalator. The imaging system includes a fifth lighting unit and a fifth camera.
The camera system according to claim 19, wherein the fifth lighting unit and the fifth camera are arranged so as to sandwich the escalator in a direction intersecting the traveling direction of the escalator. The imaging system includes a sixth illumination unit and a sixth camera.
The fifth lighting unit and the fifth camera are arranged so as to perform illumination and photographing in the traveling direction of the escalator.
The camera system according to claim 20, wherein the sixth lighting unit and the sixth camera are arranged so as to perform illumination and photographing in a direction opposite to the traveling direction of the escalator. The camera system according to any one of claims 2 to 21, wherein the imaging system is arranged on the stairs in order to acquire an image of an inspection target passing through the stairs. The imaging system includes a seventh illumination unit and a seventh camera.
22. The camera system according to claim 22, wherein the seventh lighting unit and the seventh camera are embedded in a staircase and arranged so as to illuminate and photograph from a riser portion of the staircase. The camera system according to claim 23, wherein the seventh lighting unit and the seventh camera are arranged in the same riser portion of the stairs. The camera system according to any one of claims 2 to 24, wherein the imaging system is arranged in the passage in order to acquire an image of an inspection target passing through the passage. The imaging system includes an eighth illumination unit and an eighth camera.
One of the eighth lighting unit and the eighth camera is arranged on the ceiling of the passage, and the other of the eighth lighting unit and the eighth camera is embedded in the floor of the passage. 25. The camera system according to claim 25. The imaging system includes a ninth illumination unit and a ninth camera.
One of the ninth lighting unit and the ninth camera is arranged on the ceiling of the passage, and the other of the ninth lighting unit and the ninth camera is embedded in the floor of the passage.
The eighth lighting unit and the eighth camera are arranged so as to perform illumination and photographing from one side in the passage direction to the other side of the passage.
26. The ninth illumination unit and the ninth camera are arranged so as to perform illumination and photographing from the other side in the passage direction of the passage toward the one side. Camera system. The imaging system further includes a second sensor for detecting an inspection target.
The camera system according to any one of claims 2 to 27, wherein the lighting unit is controlled based on the output of the second sensor. Further equipped with a control system that processes the signal output from the imaging system,
The process includes determining whether or not an image corresponding to the inspection target has been acquired.
The camera system according to any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein when an image corresponding to an inspection target cannot be acquired, re-imaging is performed. Further equipped with a control system that processes the signal output from the imaging system,
The camera system according to any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein the process includes determining a degree of risk with respect to the inspection target. The camera system according to claim 30, wherein the process includes identifying the position of the inspection target having a predetermined degree of risk. 30. The camera system of claim 30, wherein the process comprises identifying a seat to be inspected having a predetermined degree of risk. The integrated system is characterized in that the seat to be inspected is specified based on the corresponding information that associates the feature information of the inspection target with the seat information assigned to the passenger having the feature corresponding to the feature information. The camera system according to claim 32. The camera system according to claim 33, wherein the feature information is information extracted from an image captured by the imaging system. The camera system according to any one of claims 30 to 34, wherein the control system transmits the result of the process to a preset terminal. A facility having the camera system according to any one of claims 1 to 35.

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