JP2947162B2 - Image information storage device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image information storage device, and more particularly to an image information storage device used in a monitoring system or the like and for recording image information for a long time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of surveillance system, whether image information from a TV camera or the like is directly stored on a VTR tape or the like, or whether an operator directly refers to image information from a TV camera or the like on a monitor screen. Is one of

When image information from a TV camera or the like is directly stored on a VTR tape or the like, a huge amount of VTR tape or the like is required for long-term monitoring.
It is necessary to exchange R tape and the like.

Therefore, in a conventional image information storage device,
As shown in FIG. 5, a method of compressing image information input in real time from the imaging unit 11 at a fixed compression rate by the compression unit 12 and storing the compressed information in the storage unit 13 is also performed.

[0005]

In the conventional monitoring system described above, in order to perform monitoring for a long time, image information input in real time from the imaging unit is compressed by the compression unit at a fixed compression ratio and stored in the storage unit. However, if the compression ratio in the compression unit is increased, long-term storage is possible, but detailed image information cannot be stored.

Conversely, if the compression ratio in the compression section is reduced, detailed image information can be stored, but long-term storage cannot be performed. That is, since the compression ratio at the time of storing and storing the image information is fixed, one of the elements of the storage time and the detailed image information must be sacrificed. You must choose which one takes precedence.

That is, when storing image information input from the imaging unit on the VTR tape, the image information taken in real time from the imaging unit is compressed at 1 frame / 60 seconds and stored and stored on the VTR tape. There is an interval of 60 seconds from the previously stored one-frame image to the next one-frame image, and if any event occurs during that time, the event cannot be stored.

On the other hand, when the image information taken in real time from the image pickup unit is stored and stored on the VTR tape without being compressed, only the time that can be stored and stored on the VTR tape can be stored.

The purpose of the image information stored and stored by the above method is to allow detailed reference to the image information at the time when the event to be monitored has occurred. The more (needs) the need.

Therefore, when image information is stored and stored at a fixed compression ratio, the higher the compression ratio, the more detailed image information cannot be obtained, and the lower the compression ratio, the less the storage unit needs. More image information will be stored.

In the conventional monitoring system, the occurrence of a specific event is monitored using detection means such as a sensor.
Since the monitoring signal from the detection means and the storage device for the image information are not linked, the image information at the time of occurrence of the event is stored in order to refer to the image information at the time of occurrence of the specific event. Must be found from a storage medium such as a VTR tape.

That is, when the image information input from the imaging unit is stored in the VTR tape, the image information from the imaging unit is stored in the VTR tape regardless of the occurrence of the event. In order to obtain the above image information, it is necessary to reproduce the VTR tape and find out the image information at the time of occurrence of the event from the enormous reproduced images.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, to store and store image information at a compression ratio according to the use, and to store and store image information for a long time, which is reduced in necessity. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image information storage device capable of performing the above.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image information storage device capable of immediately referring to image information at the time of occurrence of a specific event.

[0015]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first image information storage device, comprising: an image pickup means for picking up and inputting image information in real time; and a first compression ratio capable of setting the image information from the image pickup means. A first compression unit for compressing the image information, a first storage unit for storing the image information compressed by the first compression unit, and a first compression unit for compressing the image information stored in the first storage unit. Second compression means for compressing at a second compression rate higher than the compression rate, second storage means for storing image information compressed by the second compression means, and After the set predetermined time, the first and second
Means for stopping the storage operation of the storage means, means for reading the image information stored in the first and second storage means, and means for reading the image information read from the first and second storage means. Display means for displaying.

A second image information storage device according to the present invention comprises:
In the above configuration, the predetermined time can be set freely.

A third image information storage device according to the present invention comprises:
In the above configuration, the first storage unit may store the first storage unit.
Each time the image information sent from the compression means exceeds the storage capacity set in advance, the storage contents are sent to the second compression means, and the second storage means is stored in the second storage means. Each time the image information sent from the compression means exceeds a preset storage capacity, the storage contents are deleted.

A fourth image information storage device according to the present invention comprises:
In addition to the above-described configuration, the apparatus further includes a detection unit that sends a detection result as the instruction to the stop unit when a preset event is detected.

A fifth image information storage device according to the present invention comprises:
In addition to the above configuration, a plurality of detecting means for sending a detection result when each of the predetermined events is detected, holding means for holding the detection results of each of the plurality of detecting means in advance, Means for sending the instruction to the stop means in accordance with the result of comparison between the detection result from each of the plurality of detection means and the content held by the holding means.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, the operation of the present invention will be described below.

In compressing the image information input from the imaging unit, the compression ratios of the first and second compression units are configured to be variable. As a result, it is possible to store image information at a compression ratio according to the application.

Further, a plurality of storage sections such as a first storage section and a second storage section are provided, and the compression ratio of each compression section for compressing image information stored in each of the storage sections is sequentially increased. This makes it possible not only to refer to detailed image information when an event occurs, but also to store and save image information for a long time by further compressing image information whose necessity has decreased after a certain time has elapsed. It becomes possible.

Further, an external signal generation unit is provided to stop the storage operation after a certain period of time after the generation of the external signal.
In addition, the time until the storage operation is stopped can be varied.

This makes it possible to immediately refer to the image information at the time of occurrence of the event without searching from a huge amount of stored contents, and to stop the storage operation after the generation of the external signal after an arbitrary set time depending on the application. It becomes possible.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, an image information storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an imaging unit 1 such as a TV camera, a first compression unit 2 having a variable compression ratio, and image information compressed by the first compression unit 2. , A second compression unit 4 in which a compression ratio higher than the compression ratio of the first compression unit 2 is set, and image information compressed by the second compression unit 4. A second storage unit 5 for storing, a control unit 6 for controlling each unit, and an external unit including a sensor for detecting occurrence of a specific event (for example, a sensor for detecting heat and smoke, an infrared sensor for detecting intrusion, and the like). It comprises a signal generating section 7 and a monitor display section 8 for displaying the contents stored in the first storage section 3 and the second storage section 5.

The image pickup unit 1 constantly captures and inputs image information. The image information captured by the image pickup unit 1 in real time is input to the first compression unit 2. The first compression unit 2 compresses the image information input from the imaging unit 1 at a relatively low compression ratio 1 / α, and sends the image information compressed to 1 / α to the first storage unit 3. Here, the compression ratio α of the first compression unit 2 can be set freely by the control unit 6.

The first storage unit 3 stores the image information compressed by the first compression unit 2 for n frames (n is a positive integer),
When the image information input from the first compression unit 2 exceeds n frames, the image information input from the first compression unit 2 is
Each time a frame is stored, the stored content is sent to the second compression unit 4 one frame at a time.

The second compression unit 4 further compresses the image information sent from the first storage unit 3, that is, the image information compressed to 1 / α at a compression ratio of 1 / β (β> α). (1 /
The image information compressed to α) · (1 / β) is stored in the second storage unit 5
Send to Here, assuming that it takes y time for the first storage unit 3 to store the image information for n frames, the second compression unit 4 compresses the past image information after elapse of y time.

The second storage unit 5 stores the image information compressed by the second compression unit 4 for m frames (m is a positive integer),
When the image information input from the second compression unit 4 exceeds m frames, the image information input from the second compression unit 4 is
Every time a frame is stored, the stored contents are sequentially deleted one frame at a time.

When detecting the occurrence of a specific event, the external signal generator 7 transmits a signal notifying the occurrence of the specific event to the controller 6. When receiving the signal from the external signal generator 7, the controller 6 operates an internal timer (not shown).

The control unit 6 determines that the internal timer has a preset x
After a lapse of time (x is a positive number), the storage operation of each of the first storage unit 3 and the second storage unit 5 is stopped. here,
The control unit 6 receives a compression ratio of 1 /
α, 1 / β and x time can be set freely.

The control unit 6 performs read control on each of the first storage unit 3 and the second storage unit 5 in response to a read instruction from the input device, and controls the first storage unit 3 and the second storage unit 5. Is controlled to display the image information read from each of the storage units 5 on the monitor display unit 8. Therefore, the operator can monitor the monitor display section 8
, The image information stored in each of the first storage unit 3 and the second storage unit 5 can be referred to.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first storage unit 3 of FIG. In the figure, a first storage unit 3 includes n frame memories 30-1 to 30-n and a read-out transmission unit 31, and stores image information input from the first compression unit 2. It can store n frames.

The image information input from the first compression section 2 is first stored in the frame memory 30-1 of the first storage section 3. When the next image information is input from the first compression unit 2, the frame memory 30-1 shifts the stored image information to the frame memory 30-2, and the first compression unit 2
Is stored.

Similarly, every time image information is input from the first compression unit 2 in the first storage unit 3, the frame memory 30
By sequentially shifting the storage contents of -1 to 30-n, image information for n frames is stored in the frame memories 30-1 to 30-n.

When the image information input from the first compression unit 2 becomes n + 1 frames or more, every time the image information is input from the first compression unit 2, the image information stored in the frame memory 30-n is deleted. The data is shifted and sent to the second compression unit 4.

When referring to the image information stored in each of the frame memories 30-1 to 30-n, the read transmission unit 3
Numeral 1 designates a frame memory 3 in response to the read control of the controller 6.
The stored contents are sequentially read from 0-n toward the frame memory 30-1 and transmitted to the control unit 6.

Therefore, the control unit 6 controls the first storage unit 3
Are received in order from the oldest one, and if the image information is displayed on the monitor display unit 8 in the input order, the operator can refer to the image information in the oldest one first. .

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second storage unit 5 of FIG. In the figure, a second storage unit 5 includes m frame memories 50-1 to 50-m and a read-out transmission unit 51, and stores image information input from the second compression unit 4. m frames can be stored.

The image information input from the second compression section 4 is first stored in the frame memory 50-1 of the second storage section 5. When the next image information is input from the second compression unit 4, the frame memory 50-1 shifts the stored image information to the frame memory 50-2, and the second compression unit 4
Is stored.

Similarly, every time image information is input from the second compression section 4 in the second storage section 5, the frame memory 50
By sequentially shifting the storage contents of -1 to 50-m, image information for m frames is stored in the frame memories 50-1 to 50-m.

When the image information input from the second compression section 4 becomes m + 1 frame or more, the frame memory 50-m
Is overwritten by the image information stored in the frame memory 50- (m-1) (not shown) each time image information is input from the second compression unit 4, so that the frame memory 50- The image information stored in m is sequentially deleted.

When referring to the image information stored in each of the frame memories 50-1 to 50-m, the read transmitting unit 5
Reference numeral 1 designates a frame memory 5
The stored contents are sequentially read from 0-m toward the frame memory 50-1 and transmitted to the control unit 6.

Therefore, the control unit 6 controls the second storage unit 5
Are received in order from the oldest one, and if the image information is displayed on the monitor display unit 8 in the input order, the operator can refer to the image information in the oldest one first. .

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, in another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of external signal generators 7 are provided,
The configuration is the same as that of the embodiment of the present invention except that an event table 6b and a storage stop unit 6c are provided, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The operation of the same component is the same as the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

In the event table 6b of the control unit 6, a combination of signals from a plurality of external signal generators 7-1 to 7-1 is registered in advance, and the event determination unit 6a includes a plurality of external signal generators 7-1. When receiving signals from -1 to 7-1, it is determined whether or not a combination of those signals is registered in the event table 6b.

The event judging section 6a includes a plurality of external signal generating sections 7
The combination of signals from -1 to 7-1 is the event table 6b
If it is determined that the information is registered in the
Notify c.

Upon receiving the notification from the event judging unit 6a, the memory suspending unit 6 activates an internal timer (not shown). The storage operation of each of the second storage units 5 is stopped.

The time for stopping the storage operation of each of the first storage unit 3 and the second storage unit 5 depends on the combination of signals from the plurality of external signal generation units 7-1 to 7-l. It is also possible to set the time.

Further, a plurality of image pickup units 1, a first compression unit 2, a first storage unit 3, a second compression unit 4, and a second storage unit 5 are provided respectively, and these are connected to a plurality of external signal generation units. Parts 7-1 to 7-
It is also possible to control according to the combination of the signals from 1.

Further, a third compression section and a third storage section are arranged after the second storage section 5, or a plurality of compression sections and storage sections are arranged after the second storage section 5. It is also possible to do so.

As described above, when the image information input from the imaging unit 1 is compressed, the compression ratios α and β of the first compression unit 2 and the second compression unit 4 can be made variable. Image information can be stored and stored at a compression rate according to the application.

The first storage unit 3 and the second storage unit 5
By providing multiple stages of storage units and sequentially increasing the compression ratio of each compression unit that compresses the image information stored in each storage unit, it is possible to refer to detailed image information when a certain event occurs In addition to the above, image information whose necessity has decreased after a certain time has elapsed can be further compressed to store image information for a long time.

Further, external signal generators 7, 7-1 to 7-
1 so that the storage operation is stopped after a certain period of time after the generation of the external signal, and the time until the storage operation is stopped can be varied. Without looking for
Can be referenced immediately. In that case, depending on the application, the storage operation after the generation of the external signal can be stopped after an arbitrary set time.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention, the image information from the image pickup means for picking up and inputting image information in real time is compressed by the first compressing means at a settable first compression ratio. The image information stored in the first storage unit is compressed by the second compression unit at a second compression ratio higher than the first compression ratio and stored in the second storage unit. In addition, the storage operation in the first and second storage units is stopped after a predetermined time set in advance in response to an instruction from the outside, and the image information stored in the first and second storage units is deleted. By reading and displaying,
The image information can be stored and stored at a compression rate according to the application, and there is an effect that the image information for a long time whose necessity is reduced can be stored and stored.

Further, another image information storage device according to the present invention includes, in addition to the above configuration, a detecting means for transmitting a detection result as an instruction to the stopping means when a predetermined event is detected. By doing so, there is an effect that the image information at the time of occurrence of the specific event can be referred to immediately.

Further, another image information storage device according to the present invention comprises a plurality of detecting means for transmitting a detection result when each of the predetermined events is detected, and sets the detection results of each of the plurality of detecting means in advance. By providing holding means for holding together, and means for sending an instruction to the stopping means in accordance with the result of comparison between the detection result from each of the plurality of detecting means and the held content of the holding means, There is an effect that image information at the time of occurrence of an event can be referred to immediately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a first storage unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a second storage unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 imaging unit 2 first compression unit 3 first storage unit 4 second compression unit 5 second storage unit 6 control unit 6a event determination unit 6b event table 6c storage stop unit 7, 7-1 to 7-l External signal generation unit 8 Monitor display unit 30-1 to 30-n, 50-1 to 50-m Frame memory 31, 51 Read transmission unit

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] An image pickup unit for picking up and inputting image information in real time; a first compression unit for compressing the image information from the image pickup unit at a settable first compression ratio; and the first compression unit A first storage unit for storing the image information compressed in the first step, and a second compression for compressing the image information stored in the first storage unit at a second compression ratio higher than the first compression ratio. Means, a second storage means for storing the image information compressed by the second compression means, and the first and second storage means after a predetermined time set in advance in response to an external instruction. Stop means for stopping the storage operation, means for reading the image information stored in the first and second storage means, and display means for displaying the image information read from the first and second storage means An image information storage device comprising: 2. The image information storage device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is freely set. 3. The first storage means sends the stored contents to the second compression means every time the image information sent from the first compression means exceeds a preset storage capacity. The second storage means is configured to delete the storage content every time the image information sent from the second compression means exceeds a preset storage capacity. The image information storage device according to claim 1. 4. The image information according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit that, when a predetermined event is detected, sends the detection result to the stop unit as the instruction. Storage device. 5. A plurality of detecting means for transmitting a detection result when a predetermined event is detected, a holding means for holding a combination of the detection results of each of the plurality of detecting means in advance, and 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit that sends the instruction to the stop unit according to a comparison result between a detection result from each of the detection units and a content stored in the storage unit. 5. Image information storage device.