JP3005536B1 - Video recording system - Google Patents

Abstract

[Summary] Cameras 16a to 16m, multiplexer 18
A predetermined group code is set to each of a to 18c and the time-lapse VCRs 20a to 20c. For this reason, a group for each device having a common group code is formed. Further, a common category code is set for a common device. In the broadcast transmission mode, the controller 12 outputs a desired group code, a desired category code, and a desired command to all devices via the bus 14. Only devices having the same group code and category code operate according to the input command. [Effect] Since the commands are output at the same time, it is possible to prevent a shift in the activation timing of each device. Further, since there is no need to input a command for each device, the operation is simplified.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video recording system, and more particularly to a video recording system which is applied to, for example, a casino or building monitoring system and records the outputs of a plurality of cameras with a plurality of video recording devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional video recording system of this type includes a plurality of cameras and a plurality of time-lapse VCRs.
In some cases, a bus such as S-485 is connected to a controller, and each camera and time-lapse VCR are centrally controlled by a single controller.

A normal transmission mode is set in a controller,
If the user selects the time-lapse VCR at the address "001" and inputs a "play" or "take-out" command, only the selected time-lapse VCR performs the desired operation. Also, when the broadcast transmission mode is set and a time reset command is input, the time of all devices is reset.

[0004]

However, in the normal transmission mode, it takes time and effort to input a command as the number of devices to be operated increases, and a time lag between the device started first and the device started last. Will occur. On the other hand, in the broadcast transmission mode, desired devices can be simultaneously activated by a simple operation, but even unintended devices are activated.

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a video recording system capable of easily controlling only desired devices.

[0006]

According to the present invention, in a video recording system including a plurality of cameras, a plurality of video recording devices, and at least one controller, the controller comprises: command output means for outputting a desired command; Associate group information with desired command
First to output to multiple cameras and multiple video recording devices
The camera and the video recording apparatus each include a group information output unit, and the camera and the video recording device respectively process a desired command according to a group comparison result of the group comparison unit that compares the desired group information with preset group information. A video recording system that includes a command processing unit that performs the command processing.

[0007]

The controller outputs desired commands and desired group information to the respective cameras and video recording devices. The camera and the video recording device compare the input desired group information with preset group information, and process a desired command according to the comparison result.

In one aspect of the present invention, the controller outputs desired category information in association with a desired command. The camera and the video recording device compare the input desired category information with preset category information, and process a desired command according to the group information comparison result and the category information comparison result. In one embodiment of the present invention, the command is processed when the desired group information and the setting group information match each other, and the desired category information and the setting category information match each other.

The category information includes, in addition to the first category information indicating one of the camera and the video recording device, the second category information indicating both the camera and the video recording device. Therefore, the command is also processed when the desired group information and the set group information match each other and the desired category information is the second category information. In another aspect of the present invention, the controller outputs predetermined group information to the camera and the video recording device, and each of the camera and the video recording device holds the input predetermined group information. In this way, the group information is set in the camera and the video recording device.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the controller outputs predetermined identification information in association with predetermined group information, and the camera and the video recording apparatus convert the input predetermined identification information to a predetermined setting identification. Compare with information.
Then, predetermined group information is held according to the comparison result of the identification information. Note that the identification information includes category information and address information.

[0011]

According to the present invention, a desired command and desired group information are output from the controller, and the camera and the video recording device process the desired command in accordance with the comparison result of the comparing means. Only the equipment can be easily controlled. The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0012]

Referring to FIG. 1, a video recording system 10 of this embodiment includes a controller 12. Controller 1
2 includes a plurality of cameras 16a to 16m and a plurality of multiplexers 18a to 18m via a bus 14 such as RS-485.
18c and multiple time-lapse VCRs 20a-20
c. These cameras 16a to 16m, multiplexers 18a to 18c, and time lapse VCR2
0a to 20c are controlled by the controller 12.

The cameras 16a, 16d, 16g and 16
The video signal output from j is input to the multiplexer 18a, and the respective video signals are time-division multiplexed by the multiplexer 18a. The time-division multiplexed video signal is recorded on a video tape (not shown) by the time-lapse VCR 20a. Each video signal output from the cameras 16a to 16j is intermittently recorded on a video tape.

The outputs of the cameras 16b, 16e and 16h are time-division multiplexed by a multiplexer 18b.
The output of the multiplexer 18b is the time lapse V
It is recorded on a video tape by the CR 20b. The outputs of the cameras 16c, 16f, 16i, 16k and 16m are time-division multiplexed by the multiplexer 18c, and the time-lapse VCR 20c records the output of the multiplexer 18c on a video tape.

As described above, the video signals captured by the cameras 16a to 16m are intermittently recorded by a predetermined time lapse VCR. 8-bit data “00000000” to “00000010” indicating addresses “000” to “011” are assigned to the cameras 16a to 16m in advance. To the multiplexers 18a to 18c, 8-bit data "00000000" to "00000010" indicating addresses "000" to "002" are assigned in advance. The VCRs 20a to 20c have 8-bit data “000” indicating addresses “000” to “002”.
00000 "to" 00000010 "are assigned in advance, and a common category code" 0100 "is assigned to the cameras 16a to 16m.
A common category code "0010" is assigned to 8a to 18c, and a common category code "0011" is assigned to VCRs 20a to 20c in advance. It should be noted that the controller 12 also has 8
Bit data “00000000” and category code “0001” are assigned in advance.

Referring to FIG. 2, controller 12 is provided with various keys 12a to 12r and LCD 12s.
When the operator presses the individual operation key 12c, the normal communication mode is set. In the normal transmission mode, the mode key 12
d designates a desired category, the ten key 12n designates a desired address, and then the command key 1
By operating any of 2e to 12m, only the desired device is controlled. For example, if a category indicating a camera and an address “003” are input and the command key 12k is operated, camera mode 1 (for example, night shooting mode) is set to the camera 16d. When the user inputs the VCR category and the address "000" and operates the command key 12f, only the VCR 20a starts recording the video signal.

When the operator operates the group registration key 12a, a group registration mode is set. In this mode, a desired group number is input, and a device to be group-registered is specified by a category code and an address, so that the specified device is assigned a group code corresponding to the desired group number. For example, if a group number "01" is input and a category code and an address indicating the camera 16a are input, the camera 16a
Is assigned a group code "0001". The group number “01” and the multiplexer 18
If you enter the category code and address indicating a,
The group code "0001" is also stored in the multiplexer 18a.
Is assigned.

By repeating such operations, the camera 16a
When the group code “0001” is assigned to the devices 16 to 16j, the multiplexer 18a, and the VCR 20a, these devices become the group 01. Similarly, the cameras 16b-1
When the group code “0010” is assigned to 6h, the multiplexer 18b and the VCR 20b, these devices become the group 02. Further, the cameras 16c to 16c
When the group code “0011” is assigned to the m, the multiplexer 18c and the VCR 20c, these devices become the group 03. In this manner, a group for each desired device is formed.

When the group operation key 12b is pressed in a state where the group has been registered, the broadcast transmission mode is set. In this mode, when the operator specifies only a group and inputs a command, all devices included in the specified group are controlled by the input command. On the other hand, if a command is input after specifying a group and a category, only devices of a desired category included in the desired group are controlled. For example, if the group number “01” is input by the ten keys 12n and “ALL” is specified by the mode key 12d, all the devices in the group 01 are to be controlled. When the command key 12i is operated in this state, the cameras 16a to 16j, the multiplexer 18a and the VC
All power supplies of R20a are turned on. On the other hand, after inputting the group number “01”, “C” is pressed by the mode key 12d.
When "AM" is specified and the command key 12m is operated, camera mode 2 (for example, daytime mode) is set to the cameras 16a to 16j included in the group 01.

As described above, in the broadcast transmission mode of this embodiment, the operation can be controlled for each group or each device of the same category included in the group. That is, only desired devices can be controlled collectively and easily. Specifically, the controller 12 processes the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, in steps S1, S25 and S45, the group registration key 12
a, group operation key 12b and individual operation key 12c
Is determined to be pressed. Group registration key 1
When 2a is pressed, "YES" is determined in the step S1, and the process shifts to a group registration mode process. When the group operation key 12b is pressed, the processing shifts to the broadcast transmission mode. When the individual operation key 12c is pressed, the processing shifts to the normal transmission mode.

In the group registration mode, first, in step S
2, “GR: 01” meaning group number “01”
And "CAM:" which represents an input field for a camera address. "
Is displayed on the LCD 12s as shown in FIG. next,
Whether the cursor key 12p has been pressed in step S3
Determine whether the mode key 12d has been pressed in step S7.
It is determined whether or not the numeric keypad 12n is pressed in step S11.
It is determined whether or not the key has been set.
It is determined whether -12r has been pressed. The operator
-If you press the sol key 12p, the group number is
Issue is changed. If the mode key 12d is pressed,
The display of the category is “CAM” → “MPX” → “VCR” →
It is changed cyclically like "CAM". In addition, ten
If the key 12n is operated, the address is determined in step S13.
The address is displayed in the input field of.

When the set key 12r is operated when the desired group, category and address are displayed,
The controller 12 determines “YES” in the step S15, and registers the group code in a desired device in a step S17. Thereafter, in a step S19, it is determined whether or not the error flag 12t is set. If “NO”, an error is displayed on the LCD 12s in step S21, and the process returns to step S3. If “YES”, the process proceeds to step S3.
At 23, the corresponding group code is stored in the memory 12u, and the process ends.

As described above, the group registration mode ends each time the assignment of the group code to the desired device is completed once. Therefore, when assigning a group number to another device, the operator needs to set the group registration mode again. If the group operation key 12b is pressed after the group registration is completed, the process proceeds to step S26.
First, the group number “01” and the addresses of the cameras included in the group 01 are displayed on the LCD 12s. In this embodiment, the cameras 16a, 16d, 16g and 16
Since j belongs to group 01, “GR: 01” and “CAM: 000: 003: 30” as shown in FIG.
6: 009 "is displayed on the LCD 12s. If the numeric keypad 12n is operated at this time, the controller 12 determines" YES "in step S27, and changes the group number in step S29. Is input, the group number "02" and the addresses of the cameras included in the group 02 are displayed on the LCD 12s.

In a step S31, it is determined whether or not the set key 12r is pressed, and if "NO", a step S2 is performed.
Return to 7. Therefore, the group can be changed while the set key 12r is not pressed. Set key 12r
Is pressed, the process proceeds to step S33. That is,
The destination group is first specified by the group number displayed on the LCD 12s when the set key 12r is pressed.

The controller 12 then proceeds to step S3
At 3, it is determined whether or not the mode key 12d has been pressed. If “NO” here, the process directly proceeds to the step S37, but if “YES”, the process proceeds to the step S37 after changing the category in the step S35. In step S35, every time the mode key 12d is pressed once, the category is changed from "CAM" to "MPX" to "VCR" to "ALL" to "ALL".
It is changed cyclically in the order of “CAM”. Each time the category is changed, the display of the address is also changed. Note that "A
"LL" means designation of all categories included in the specified group.

When one of the command keys 12e to 12m is operated after the group and the category are designated in this way, the controller 12 performs broadcast transmission in step S39. As a result, only the desired devices belonging to the desired group are controlled. Step S
At 41, it is determined whether or not the error flag 12t is set. If “NO”, the process is terminated as it is, but if “YES”, the LCD 12
After displaying an error in s, the process ends.

When the normal transmission mode is set,
In step S46, “CAM: To LCD12s
indicate. The controller 12 performs steps S47 and S51.
In steps S55 and S55, the mode key 12t, numeric keypad 12n and
And whether or not the set key 12r is operated. Maud key
-12d is pressed, as shown in FIG.
M ”→“ MPX ”→“ VCR ”→“ CAM ”
Gori display has been changed. Numeric keypad 12n is operated
At this time, the address is entered in the address input field in step S53.
Is displayed. The desired category and desired address are L
When displayed on CD12s, the operator presses the set key.
If the controller 12r is operated, the controller 12 proceeds to step S5.
5 is determined as “YES”, and then, in step S57, the frame
Command is input. Command key 1
If any of 2e to 12m is not pressed, step S6
Proceed to step S5, but if any one is pressed, step S
At 59, normal transmission is executed.

In step S61, the error flag 12t
Is set or not. Here, "YE
If "S", an error is displayed on the LCD 12s in step S63, and the process proceeds to step S65, but if "NO", the process directly proceeds to step S65, in which it is determined whether or not the clear key 12q is pressed. N
If "O", the process returns to step S57, but if "YES", the process ends.

As described above, in the normal transmission mode, a desired category and address are designated by operating the mode key 12d and the numeric keypad 12n. Then, only the desired device is controlled by the subsequent command input.
Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG.
7 will be described. The controller 12 first determines in step S67 whether or not the bus is open. If "YES", the process proceeds to step S67.
In each of 69 and S71, the first byte data including the category code of the transmission source and the second byte data including the address data are output. As shown in FIG. 6A, the category code forms the first byte data together with the header of “1111”. The address data is
As shown in FIG. 6B, the second byte data itself is formed. Since the category code of the controller 12 as the transmission source is "0001", the first byte data of "11110001" is output in step S69. In step S71, the address data "00000000" is output.

The category code and the address data are returned to the controller 12, and in step S73, the controller 12 compares the input address data with its own address. If the two addresses do not match, it is determined that an error has occurred.
Set 2t and return. On the other hand, if the addresses match, "YES" is determined in step S73, that is, there is no abnormality, and the destination category code and address data are output in steps S75 and S77, respectively. That is, if the transmission destination is the camera 16g, the first byte data of "11110100" is output in step S75, and the second byte data of "00000110" is output in step S77.

In step S79, it is determined whether a reception confirmation code has been input from the transmission destination. If the reception confirmation code has not been input after the elapse of the predetermined time, “NO” is determined in the step S79, and the process proceeds to a step S89. On the other hand, if the reception confirmation code is input within the predetermined time, step S7
In step S81, "YES" is determined, and a transmission start code is output to the transmission destination in step S81. In step S83, it is determined whether "ACK" has been input from the transmission destination. Here, if "ACK" is not input within a predetermined time, "N"
It is determined as "O", and if "ACK" is input within a predetermined time, it is determined as "YES", and if "NO", it is determined in step S8.
Then, if "YES", the group code is output in step S85. When the destination device is to belong to group 01, a group code indicating "01" is output. Thereafter, it is determined in step S87 whether "ACK" has been input again from the transmission destination. And
If "ACK" has not been input for the predetermined time, step S89 is executed.
If "ACK" is input within a predetermined time, the process returns. In this way, the desired group code is output in a state where the category code and the address code of the desired device are associated with each other, and as a result, the desired group code is registered in the desired device.

Referring to FIG. 12, the broadcast transmission subroutine in step S39 will be described. The controller 12 first determines whether or not the bus 14 has been opened in step S91. If "YES", the controller 12 outputs the source category code and address data in the same manner as described above in steps S93 and S95. Then, in a step S97, it is determined whether or not the own address matches the address indicated by the input address data. If the addresses do not match, an error flag 12t is set in step S99, and the routine returns. On the other hand, if the addresses match, the destination category code and group code are output in steps S101 and S103, respectively. The category code is output as first byte data having "1111" as a header, as described above. On the other hand, for the group code, the header "1"
110 "is added and output as the second byte data.

For example, when all devices included in group 1 are to be transmitted, the first byte data is "111".
10,000 ", and the second byte data is" 11100 ".
001. When the VCR included in group 1 is the transmission destination, the first byte data is “1111001”.
1 "and the second byte data is" 11100001 "
Becomes When the category code and the group code are output in this way, the controller proceeds to step S10
In step 5, a desired command is output. As described above, the desired command, the desired group code, and the desired category code are output in a state of being associated with each other, and as a result, only the desired device is controlled.

The subroutine for normal transmission in step S59 is shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. Since this subroutine is almost the same as the subroutine for group registration shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. A duplicate description of the same processing will be omitted. If it is determined in step S123 that "ACK" has been input from the other party, the controller 12 proceeds to step S12.
In step 5, a command is output to the other party. Thereafter, it is determined again in step S127 whether "ACK" has been input.
If "NO" here, the error flag 12t is set in a step S131, and the process returns. On the other hand, if “YES”, it is determined whether the transmission of the command has been completed in step S129. If “NO”, a step S125 is performed.
Returns to "YES", but returns if "YES". In this way, desired devices are individually controlled.

Cameras 16a to 16m, MPX 18a to 1
8c and VCRs 20a to 20c respectively process the flowchart shown in FIG. First, it is determined in step S133 whether the first byte data and the second byte data have been input, and if "YES", in step S134, it is determined whether the input category code matches its own category code. If “NO” here, the process is terminated as it is, but if “YES”, step S
At 135, it is determined whether or not the input address data matches its own address. Here, if "YES", that is, "match", it determines that it is a control target in the group registration mode or the normal transmission mode, and outputs a reception confirmation code to the controller 12 in step S137. Then, in step S139, it is determined whether a transmission start code has been input from the controller 12, and in step S141, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed.

If the transmission start code is input within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S145, but if the transmission start code is not input within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S143. In step S145, "ACK" is output, and then in step S147, data (group code or command) is output.
To determine whether or not it has been received. If "NO" here, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed or not in step S153. If "NO", the process returns to the step S147, but if "YES", the process ends. If data is received within a predetermined time, "ACK" is output in step S149, and the received data is processed in step S151. When a group code is input, the group code is stored in a memory (not shown), and when a command is input, operation is performed according to the command. And step S1
Go to 53.

In the group registration mode, since no data or command is input following the group code, the process ends after a predetermined period has elapsed after the group code is stored in the memory in step S151. On the other hand, in the normal transmission mode, since a command may be continuously input, the determination in step S147 is performed until a predetermined time has elapsed.

If "NO" in the step S135, it is determined whether or not the own group code matches the input group code in a step S155. If they do not match, the process is terminated as it is, but if they do match, it is determined in step S157 whether a predetermined time has elapsed. If "NO" here, a step S159 is performed.
To determine whether data, that is, a command has been received. If "YES" in the step S157, the step S is performed.
Proceeding to 163, if "NO" in the step S159, the process returns to the step S157, and "Y" in the step S159.
If "ES", the process proceeds to step S161. That is, if a command is not received within a predetermined time, step S163.
Perform error handling with. On the other hand, if the data is received within the predetermined time, the command is processed in step S161, and the process ends.

As a result, in the broadcast transmission mode, the subsequently input command is processed only when the input category code and group code match the category code and group code of the device itself. Note that the category code is “000” indicating all categories.
If it is “0”, it is unconditionally “YE” in step S135.
S "is determined.

Since the respective subroutines are configured as described above, data is exchanged according to the protocol shown in FIG. 17 in the group registration mode, data is exchanged according to the protocol shown in FIG. 18 in the broadcast transmission mode, and the data is exchanged in the normal transmission mode. Data is exchanged according to the protocol shown in FIG. In the group registration mode and the normal transmission mode, a protocol is established by a common method. That is, the category code and address data of the transmission source are output first, and then the category code and address data of the transmission destination are output. A reception confirmation code is output from the transmission destination, and a transmission start code is output from the controller 12 in response to this. The transmission destination outputs “ACK” to the controller 12 when the transmission start code is input. After the protocol is established,
In the group registration mode, only the group code is output from the controller 12, and only one "AC"
On the other hand, in the normal transmission mode, the necessary number of transmission commands are output from the controller 12,
The destination is "ACK" each time a transmission command is input
Is output.

In the broadcast transmission mode, the controller 12 first outputs the category code and address data of the transmission source, and then outputs the category code and group code of the transmission destination. Then, the transmission command is output only once. That is, if the transmission command is 1
The same process is repeated each time the data is output. According to this embodiment, a group for each device having a common group code is formed by setting a predetermined group code for each device. Therefore, by setting a broadcast transmission mode and inputting a desired group code, a desired category code and a desired command,
All devices belonging to the desired group or only devices of a desired category belonging to the desired group operate according to the input command. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the start timing of each device from being shifted. Further, since there is no need to input a command for each device, it is possible to easily control only a desired device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing a controller;

FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing one example of display contents of an LCD;

FIG. 4 is an illustrative view showing another example of the display content of the LCD;

FIG. 5 is an illustrative view showing another example of the display contents of the LCD;

FIG. 6A is an illustrative view showing first byte data, and FIG. 6B is an illustrative view showing second byte data.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the controller.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another part of the operation of the controller.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another portion of the operation of the controller.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing yet another portion of the operation of the controller.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another portion of the operation of the controller.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another portion of the operation of the controller.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing yet another portion of the operation of the controller.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing another portion of the operation of the controller.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the camera, the multiplexer, and the VCR.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing another portion of the operation of the camera, the multiplexer, and the VCR.

FIG. 17 is an illustrative view showing a communication protocol in a group registration mode;

FIG. 18 is an illustrative view showing a communication protocol in a broadcast transmission mode;

FIG. 19 is an illustrative view showing a communication protocol in a normal transmission mode;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Video recording system 12 ... Controller 14 ... Bus 16a-16m ... Camera 18a-18c ... Multiplexer 20a-20c ... Time-lapse VCR

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A video recording system comprising a plurality of cameras, a plurality of video recording devices, and at least one controller, wherein said controller outputs command output means for outputting a desired command, and outputs desired group information to said desired command. The plurality of cameras and the plurality of
A first group information output unit for outputting to the video recording device , wherein the camera and the video recording device each compare the desired group information with preset group information, and the group comparison unit And a command processing means for processing the desired command in accordance with the group comparison result. 2. The controller further includes category information output means for outputting desired category information in association with the desired command, wherein each of the camera and the video recording device has the desired category information set in advance. 2. The video according to claim 1, further comprising a category comparison unit that compares the command with the set category information, wherein the command processing unit processes the desired command in accordance with the group comparison result and the category comparison result of the category comparison unit. Recording system. 3. The command processing means, when the desired group information and the setting group information match each other and the desired category information and the setting category information match each other, execute the desired command. 3. The video recording system according to claim 2, wherein the processing is performed. 4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the category information includes first category information indicating one of the camera and the video recording device and second category information indicating both the camera and the video recording device. 3. The video recording system according to item 3. 5. The command processing means processes the desired command when the desired group information matches the set group information and the desired category information is the second category information. The video recording system according to claim 4. 6. The controller further includes second group information output means for outputting predetermined group information to the camera and the video recording device, wherein the camera and the video recording device are respectively provided with the predetermined group information. 7. The video recording system according to claim 1, further comprising: group information holding means for holding the group information. 7. The controller further includes identification information output means for outputting predetermined identification information in association with the predetermined group information, wherein each of the camera and the video recording device sets the predetermined identification information in advance. 7. The video recording according to claim 6, further comprising: identification information comparing means for comparing with the set identification information, wherein the group information holding means holds the predetermined group information according to a comparison result of the identification information comparing means. system. 8. The video recording system according to claim 7, wherein said identification information includes category information and address information.