JP3604433B2 - Image surveillance security system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image monitoring security system, and more particularly to an image monitoring system for centrally monitoring by transmitting a still image captured from a camera of a terminal arranged at a store or the like to a remote monitoring center via a telephone line. It concerns security systems.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional image monitoring security system.
In the figure, reference numerals 1a to 1n denote terminals installed in stores at various places, 2 denotes a telephone line, 3a and 3b denote center devices installed in a monitoring center, and there are usually two or more center devices per monitoring center. Three terminals and about 10 to 100 terminals are provided, and these center units and terminals are mutually connected via the telephone line 2.
[0003]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of the terminals 1a to 1n in FIG.
In the figure, reference numeral 4 denotes a camera for imaging the inside of a store, etc., 5 denotes an image conversion circuit for converting an image from the camera 4 into a still image, 6 denotes a sensor for detecting an intruder in a monitoring place, and 7 denotes a sensor from the sensor 6. A sensor input circuit that captures a detection signal; 8 a control unit that instructs the image conversion circuit 5 to capture an image from the camera 4 in response to an output signal from the sensor input circuit 7; 9 is an image memory for storing the still image from the image conversion circuit 5 as image data, 10 is an image compression circuit for compressing and editing the image data from the image memory 9 in accordance with transmission, and 11 is under the control of the control unit 8. A communication control unit for transmitting the image data compressed and edited by the image compression circuit 10 to the center machines 3a and 3b of the monitoring center via the telephone line 2.
[0004]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of the center machines 3a and 3b of FIG.
In the figure, reference numeral 12 denotes a communication control unit for receiving image data transmitted from the terminals 1a to 1n, 13 an image expansion circuit for expanding the image data received by the communication control unit 12, and 14 an image expansion circuit 13 A display control circuit for converting the image data decompressed into a display signal into a display signal; 15 a monitor television for displaying the display signal from the display control circuit 14 as an image; 16 a communication control unit 12 and image decompression circuit 13; Is an alarm device for notifying the reception of an image (the occurrence of an abnormality) according to an instruction from the control unit 16.
[0005]
Next, the operation will be described.
First, a description will be given of an operation when the sensor 6 of the terminal 1a detects an abnormality, typically among the terminals 1a to 1n.
Now, for example, when the sensor 6 of the terminal 1a installed at the monitoring place of a certain store detects an intruder, the detection signal is supplied to the control unit 8 via the sensor input circuit 7, and the fact of the occurrence of the intrusion is notified. Is done. Then, the control unit 8 instructs the image conversion circuit 5 to capture an image from the camera 4. The camera 4 is installed so that the entire monitoring place can be imaged. The intruder is imaged on a part of the screen, and the image captured from the camera 4 is converted into a still image by the image conversion circuit 5 and is converted as image data. Once stored in the image memory 9.
[0006]
The control unit 8 instructs the communication control unit 11 to call the monitoring center in parallel with the image capture. In a memory (not shown) of the control unit 8, the telephone numbers and priorities of the lines to which the center units 3a and 3b of the monitoring center are connected via the telephone line 2 are registered and stored in advance. Dial according to. Here, description will be made assuming that the center unit 3a has priority. The dial signal of the communication control unit 11 is transmitted to the communication control unit 12 of the center unit 3a by the action of an exchange (not shown) of the telephone line 2, and if normal, the line is connected.
When notified of the line connection from the communication control unit 11, the control unit 8 instructs the image compression circuit 10 to compress and edit the image data stored in the image memory 9. The image data compressed and edited by the image compression circuit 10 is sent to the communication control unit 11, and the communication control unit 11 sends the image data to the monitoring center via the telephone line 2 in accordance with the transmission speed of the line.
[0007]
On the other hand, when the line is connected, the communication control unit 12 of the center device 3a notifies the control unit 16 of an incoming call from the terminal device 1a. The control unit 16 sounds the alarm 17 to notify the monitoring person of the occurrence of the abnormality, and instructs the image expansion circuit 13 to capture the image data transmitted from the terminal 1a through the telephone line 2 and the communication control unit 12.
The image expansion circuit 13 expands the captured image data, stores the image data in a display memory (not shown) inside the display control circuit 14, generates a display signal, and outputs the display signal to the monitor television 15, which displays the image as an image.
Normally, the terminal 1a captures and compresses the image of the camera 4 at a predetermined fixed resolution at intervals of several tens of seconds and transmits it. The center unit 3a expands the transmitted image data and updates and displays the image data at intervals of several tens of seconds.
[0008]
Next, with reference to FIG. 10, an operation when the sensors detect an abnormality in the plurality of terminals 1a to 1n simultaneously will be described. In the following description, the reference numbers of the respective components in the terminals 1a to 1n will be described with the same English letter suffix as the corresponding terminal.
The operation when the sensor 6a of the first terminal, for example, the terminal 1a detects an abnormality, is as described above. Subsequently, when the sensor 6b of the second terminal, for example, the terminal 1b detects an intruder, the control unit 8b instructs the communication control unit 11b to give the first priority in the same manner as the operation of the terminal 1a described above. The dialing to the center unit 3a is instructed, but the center unit 3a is already communicating with the terminal unit 1a and gives a busy response by the operation of the exchange not shown.
Subsequently, the control unit 8b instructs the communication control unit 11b to transmit the next priority to the center unit 3b. The center unit 3b is in a standby state, and responds normally to the dial to connect the line. In the same manner as described above, the monitoring staff at the monitoring center checks the images sent from the terminal 1b at intervals of several tens of seconds using the center 3b and performs a predetermined monitoring operation.
[0009]
If the sensor 6c of the third terminal, for example 1c, detects an abnormality while the terminals 1a and 1b are communicating with the center units 3a and 3b, the terminal 3c first dials the center unit 1a but is communicating with the terminal 1a. It becomes a busy response.
Subsequently, the center device 3b is dialed, and since this is also communicating with the terminal device 1b, a busy response is returned. Therefore, the terminal device 1c cannot connect to the center device and waits for the end of the communication between the center devices 3a and 3b while redialing the center devices 3a and 3b alternately.
Further, in this state, when the sensor 6d of the fourth terminal, for example, the terminal 1d detects an abnormality, the center units 3a and 3b are in communication with others and are in a busy state similarly to the above-mentioned third terminal 1c. Wait for communication while redialing.
After a while, when the communication between the terminal device 1a and the center device 3a is completed, the terminal device 1c, which has been waiting while redialing, is connected to the center device 3a and starts communicating image transmission. Similarly, when a new abnormality is detected, a connection standby state is established, and each time one communication is completed, the standby terminal is connected and communication is started.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the conventional image surveillance security system is configured as described above, if sensors of multiple terminals detect abnormalities at the same time, only the first two units can connect and communicate with the center unit, and the surveillance staff is the third There was a problem that it was not possible to even know that the subsequent terminal was detecting an abnormality, and it was not possible to take prompt measures required for security operations.
It is also possible to increase the number of units that can communicate simultaneously by increasing the number of center units to three or four, but this increases the price of the system. There were problems such as necessity.
In addition, if the communication has started for a considerable time after the detection of the sensor, there is a problem that the situation that caused the sensor to detect an abnormality cannot be specified even if an image of the site is transmitted.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem. Even if an abnormality is detected in a plurality of terminals at the same time, a small number of center units can surely notify a monitoring center monitoring person with a short waiting time. Image surveillance security that can notify the user, determine the cause of the detected abnormality from the first received image data even if the time has elapsed since the sensor detection, and transmit and check the current site image with the required image quality as needed. The purpose is to provide a system.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image surveillance security system according to the present invention converts surveillance information into image information of a first form and image information of a second form having mutually different compression ratios, and selectively transmits them to a remote place via a telephone line. A plurality of terminals, and the first terminal from the terminals The first center unit that expands and displays image information in the form of Expand and display image information of the second form First 2 center machines When Wherein the compression rate of the image information of the second mode is higher than the compression rate of the image information of the first mode, Each of the plurality of terminals calls the first center unit when an abnormality is detected, and calls the second center unit if the first center unit fails to communicate. Call back to the center machine, While the first center unit is communicating with one of the plurality of terminals, , The other of the plurality of terminals is Detect abnormalities, If a call cannot be made due to a busy state after calling the first center unit, the other of the terminal units communicates with the second center unit and transmits the image information of the second form to the second center unit. It is intended to be transmitted to the machine.
[0013]
Further, the terminal includes a detecting means for detecting an abnormality, an image recording means for recording an input image from the camera in response to an output signal of the detecting means, and a first mode for storing image information from the image recording means. A first image compression / editing unit for compressing and editing the image information to a second form, and a second image compression for compressing and editing the image information from the image recording unit to a second form of image information having a higher compression ratio than the first image information Editing means; image switching means for selecting and switching the output of the first and second image compression / editing means; and transmission means for transmitting the output of the image switching means to a remote location via a telephone line. Things.
[0014]
The first center unit includes a first receiving unit that receives at least a first form of image information from the terminal device, a first storage unit that stores the image information from the first receiving unit, A first image decompression means for decompressing the first form of image information from the first storage means, and a first display means for displaying an output of the first image decompression means; The center unit receives at least a second form of image information from the terminal, a second storage unit that stores the image information from the second reception unit, and a second storage unit that stores the image information from the second reception unit. And a second display means for displaying the output of the second image decompression means for decompressing the second form of image information from the storage means.
[0015]
Further, the first image compression means includes at least a first image compression circuit and a second image compression circuit, and the second image compression means includes at least a third image compression circuit. Comprises at least a first image decompression circuit and a second image decompression circuit, the second image decompression means comprises at least a third image decompression circuit, and the first center unit further comprises at least a first image decompression circuit. And image switching means for selecting and switching the output of the second image decompression circuit, wherein the image information of the first mode is composed of at least one of a fine image and a medium-definition image, and the image information of the second mode is It consists of a rough image.
Further, a plurality of first center units are configured.
[0016]
[Action]
In the present invention, when only one terminal detects an abnormality, a line is connected to the first center unit, and first, a rough image obtained by compressing camera images before and after sensor detection is transmitted as a batch transmission / split screen. Displayed so that the cause of abnormality detection can be determined. In addition, if the observer wants to see the current situation at the site, he can repeatedly transmit medium-definition images at intervals of several seconds, or if he wants to see detailed images before and after sensor detection, specify the image number and specify the image in tens of seconds. , So that the supervisor can grasp the detailed situation.
[0017]
If one of the terminals (the first terminal) and the other of the terminals (the second terminal) detect an abnormality while communicating with one of the terminals (the first terminal), first the first center is used. Dial the device, but since it is a busy response, immediately dial the second center device again and connect to the line. When the line is connected, the second terminal transmits the rough image obtained by compressing the camera images before and after the sensor detection at the same time as the first terminal and collectively transmits the rough image to the screen of the display means of the second center device. Display and annunciate the occurrence of abnormality by alarm. When the second center unit completes the reception of the rough image, it automatically disconnects the line.
[0018]
Further, when another plurality of terminals (third and fourth terminals) detects an abnormality while the first and second terminals are communicating with the first and second center devices, respectively, first, The first center unit is dialed, and then the second center unit is dialed, but both are busy and the redialing is repeated alternately. After several tens of seconds, the communication between the second terminal and the second center is terminated, so that the third terminal is connected to the second center, and after several tens of seconds, the third terminal is connected. Is completed, the fourth terminal is connected to the second center, and the transmission of the rough image and the screen display of the occurrence of the abnormality are completed. That is, the second center unit is a receiving-only unit for receiving and recording the information and the rough screen before and after the occurrence of the abnormality when the supervisor detects the local detailed situation at the first center unit. Therefore, even if a plurality of terminals detect an abnormality at the same time, the terminal can receive and display the information with a short waiting time, and the monitor can easily grasp the situation.
[0019]
【Example】
Embodiment 1 FIG.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of an image monitoring security system according to the present invention. Note that, in FIG. 1, portions corresponding to those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
In the figure, reference numerals 1A to 1N denote terminals installed in stores at various places, and 3A and 3B denote first and second center units installed in a monitoring center. Two or three terminals and about 10 to 100 terminals are provided, and these center units and terminals are mutually connected via the telephone line 2.
[0020]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of the terminals 1A to 1N of FIG. Note that, in FIG. 2, portions corresponding to those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
8A, a control unit 8A instructs the image conversion circuit 5 to capture an image from the camera 4 in response to an output signal from the sensor input circuit 7, and controls the communication control unit 11 and a compressed image switching circuit described later. , 20 is an image memory for storing the still image from the image conversion circuit 5 as image data, and 21 is a first image compression for compressing and editing the image data read from the image memory 20 with the number of pixels and the compression ratio in the fine mode. A circuit 22, a second image compression circuit for compressing and editing the image data read from the image memory 20 with the number of pixels and the compression ratio in the medium-definition mode, and a reference numeral 23 for converting the image data read from the image memory 20 into a rough image A third image compression circuit 24 for compressing and editing according to the number of pixels in the mode and the compression ratio, and a compressed image switching circuit 24 for selecting the output of each image compression circuit in accordance with the operation mode.
Here, the sensor 6 and the sensor input circuit 7 constitute a detecting means, the image converting circuit 5 and the image memory 20 constitute an image recording means, and the first and second image compressing circuits 21 and 22 correspond to the first image. The third image compression circuit 23 constitutes a second image compression unit, the compressed image switching circuit 24 and the control unit 8A constitute an image switching unit, and the communication control unit 11 constitutes a transmission unit. I do.
[0021]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of the center unit 3A of FIG. In FIG. 3, portions corresponding to those in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
In the figure, 16A is a control unit for controlling each unit of the center machine such as the communication control unit 12, the alarm 17 and a decompressed image switching circuit described later, and 25 is sent from the terminal via the telephone line 2 and the communication control unit 12. An image memory for storing the high-resolution image data, the medium-resolution image data, and the rough image data; 26, a first image expansion circuit for expanding the image data read from the image memory 25 with the number of pixels and image quality in the high-resolution mode; Reference numeral 27 denotes a second image expansion circuit for expanding the image data read from the image memory 25 by the number of pixels and image quality in the medium definition mode, and 28 denotes the number of pixels in the rough image mode by converting the image data read from the image memory 25. A third image decompression circuit 29 for decompressing with image quality, is an expanded image switching circuit for selecting the output of each image decompression circuit and supplying it to the display control circuit 14.
Here, the communication control unit 12 configures a first receiving unit, the image memory 25 configures a first storage unit, the first and second image expansion circuits configure a first image expansion unit, The display control circuit 14 and the monitor television 15 constitute a first display unit.
[0022]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of the center unit 3B of FIG. 4, the same reference numerals are given to portions corresponding to FIG. 3, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
In the figure, 16B is a control unit for controlling each unit of the center machine such as the communication control unit 12 and the alarm 17 and 30 is an image for storing rough image data sent from the terminal via the telephone line 2 and the communication control unit 12. Memory.
Here, the communication control unit 12 constitutes a second receiving unit, the image memory 30 constitutes a second storage unit, the third image decompression circuit constitutes a second image decompression unit, and the display control circuit The monitor 14 and the monitor television 15 constitute a second display means.
[0023]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the image processing mode of the terminal device and the center device in the present embodiment.
In the fine mode, in the fine mode, input image data is compressed and edited by the first image compression circuit 21 of each of the terminals 1A to 1N, expanded by the first image expansion circuit 26 of the center device 3A, and before and after sensor detection. The number of pixels in this case is 640 × 480, and the transmission time is about 25 seconds.
In the medium definition mode, the input image data is compressed and edited by the second image compression circuit 22 of each of the terminals 1A to 1N, and is expanded by the second image expansion circuit 27 of the center device 3A. Is used to confirm while updating at intervals of several tens of seconds. As an example, the number of pixels in this case is 320 × 240 and the transmission time is about 12 seconds.
[0024]
In the rough image mode, input image data is compressed and edited by the third image compression circuit 23 of each of the terminals 1A to 1N, expanded by the third image expansion circuit 28 of the center device 3B, and recorded before and after sensor detection. The image is transmitted collectively and displayed on the monitor television 15 collectively, for example, in 4 to 9 divisions, and is used to roughly confirm the situation before and after the occurrence of the abnormality and to judge the response. For example, the number of pixels in this case is used. Is 160 × 120 and the transmission time is about 6 seconds.
[0025]
Next, the operation will be described.
First, a description will be given of an operation when the sensor 6 of the terminal 1A detects an abnormality, typically among the terminals 1A to 1N.
Now, for example, when the sensor 6 of the terminal 1A installed at the monitoring place of a certain store detects an intruder, the detection signal is supplied to the control unit 8A via the sensor input circuit 7, and the fact of the occurrence of the intrusion is notified. Is done. Then, the control unit 8A instructs the image conversion circuit 5 to capture an image from the camera 4. The camera 4 is installed so that the entire monitoring place can be imaged. The intruder is imaged on a part of the screen, and the image captured from the camera 4 is converted into a still image by the image conversion circuit 5 and is converted as image data. Once stored in the image memory 20.
[0026]
Further, the control unit 8A instructs the communication control unit 11 to call the monitoring center in parallel with the image capture. In a memory (not shown) of the control unit 8A, the telephone numbers and priorities of the lines to which the center units 3A and 3B of the monitoring center are connected via the telephone line 2 are registered and stored in advance. Dial according to. Here, description will be made assuming that the center unit 3A has priority. The dial signal of the communication control unit 11 is transmitted to the communication control unit 12 of the center unit 3A by the action of an exchange (not shown) of the telephone line 2, and if normal, the line is connected.
When notified of the line connection from the communication control unit 11, the control unit 8A instructs the image compression circuits 21 to 23 to perform compression editing of the image data stored in the image memory 20 in each operation mode.
[0027]
The first image compression circuit 21 compresses and edits the image data read from the image memory 20 with the number of pixels in the fine mode and the compression ratio, and the second image compression circuit 22 reads the image data from the image memory 20. The image data is compressed and edited with the number of pixels in the medium definition mode and the compression ratio, and the third image compression circuit 23 compresses and edits the image data read from the image memory 20 with the number of pixels and the compression ratio in the rough image mode. .
Under the control of the control unit 8A, the compressed image switching circuit 24 selects the output of each image compression circuit according to the operation mode, sends it to the communication control unit 11, and monitors the communication control unit 11 according to the transmission speed of the line. It is sent to the center via the telephone line 2.
[0028]
On the other hand, when the line is connected, the communication control unit 12 of the center device 3A notifies the control unit 16A of the incoming call from the terminal device 1A. The control unit 16A sounds the alarm 17 to notify the monitor of the occurrence of the abnormality, and instructs the communication control unit 12 to store the image data transmitted from the terminal 1A through the telephone line 2 in the image memory 25.
The first image decompression circuit 26 decompresses the image data read from the image memory 25 by the number of pixels and the image quality in the fine mode, and the second image decompression circuit 27 outputs the image data read from the image memory 25. Is expanded by the number of pixels and image quality of the medium definition mode, and the third image expansion circuit 28 expands the image data read from the image memory 25 by the number of pixels and image quality of the rough image mode.
The expanded image switching circuit 29 selects the output of each image expanding circuit and supplies it to the display control circuit 14. The display control circuit 14 stores the image data in a display memory (not shown) therein, generates a display signal, and outputs the display signal to the monitor television 15, which displays the image as an image.
[0029]
Next, an operation when a sensor detects an abnormality in a plurality of terminals 1A to 1N simultaneously will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the reference numbers of the respective components in the terminals 1A to 1N will be described with the same English characters as those of the corresponding terminals.
When the sensor 6A detects an intruder, the first terminal, for example, the terminal 1A, operates as described above, dials the center unit 3A after detecting the sensor, connects the line, communicates for a predetermined time, and ends the communication. .
[0030]
When the sensor 6B detects an intruder, the second terminal, for example, the terminal 1B operates in the same manner as the terminal 1A described above and dials the center unit 3A after detecting the sensor, as shown in FIG. When the center unit 3A is still communicating with the terminal unit 1A and is busy, dial the center unit 3B, connect the line, and transmit the rough image from the third image compression circuit 23B in a short time. After the operation such as storing the image in the predetermined area of the image memory 30B of the center unit 3B is completed, the line is disconnected, and after the communication between the terminal unit 1A and the center unit 3A is completed, the communication with the center unit 3A is performed again. Then, if necessary, the fine image from the first image compression circuit 21B of the terminal 1B and the medium-definition image from the second image compression circuit 22B are respectively fetched into the image memory 25A of the center device 3A and newly stored. Take steps such as checking in detail.
[0031]
When the sensor 6C detects an intruder, the third terminal, for example, the terminal 1C operates in the same manner as the above-described terminal 1A, and dials the center 3A and then the center 3B after detecting the sensor. Also communicates with the terminals 1A and 1B, and thereafter waits while repeatedly redialing the center unit 3B, connects the line when the communication with the center unit 3B is completed, and outputs the rough image from the third image compression circuit 23C. Is transmitted in a short time, and after completion of an operation such as storing in a predetermined area of the image memory 30B of the center unit 3B, the line is disconnected to prepare for the next reception.
Further, when the sensor 6D detects an intruder, the fourth terminal, for example, the terminal 1D operates in the same manner as the above-described terminal 1A, and after detecting the sensor, dials the center unit 3A and then the center unit 3B. Since the terminals 1A and 1B are subsequently communicating with the terminal 1C, the terminal 3B waits while repeatedly redialing the center unit 3B. When the communication of the center unit 3B is completed, the line is connected. After completion of an operation such as transmitting the rough image in a short time and storing the rough image in a predetermined area of the image memory 30B of the center unit 3B, the line is disconnected to prepare for the next reception.
[0032]
Thus, the center unit 3A communicates with the terminal 1A first, then communicates with the terminal 1B, then the terminal 1C sequentially, and compares one communication time to check the detailed information of each terminal. Is getting longer. The center unit 3B operates as a receiving-only unit when the center unit 3A is busy. The center unit 3B first communicates with the terminal 1B, then the terminal 1C, then the terminal 1D, and receives only the rough image in a short time. Upon completion, the line is disconnected immediately to prepare for the next reception.
[0033]
As described above, in this embodiment, when only one terminal detects an abnormality, the line is connected to the center unit 3A, and several screens before and after the sensor detection are transmitted and displayed as a rough image at the same time. The alarm sounds and informs the supervisor, so the supervisor can immediately judge what to do, request a detailed image recorded on the terminal as needed, or request a current site image for detailed confirmation. You can also
[0034]
Also, even when a plurality of terminals detect an abnormality at the same time, the second and subsequent terminals can sequentially connect to the center unit 3B with a short waiting time, and collectively transmit and display rough images before and after sensor detection. Since the alarm is sounded to notify the observer, the observer can easily know that an abnormality has occurred besides the terminal whose details are currently being checked.
[0035]
As soon as the communication confirmation with the first terminal such as the terminal 1A is completed, the center terminal 3A is connected to the second terminal such as the terminal 1B via a line to transmit the recorded fine image, Can be transmitted and communicated at several second intervals, so that even if the number of terminals increases, the two center units can cope with it, so that the system price can be suppressed and the number of supervisors can be reduced.
[0036]
Furthermore, even if a considerable amount of time has passed since the sensor detection when the monitoring personnel started communicating with each terminal using the center unit 3A, a rough image before and after the sensor is displayed on the center unit 3A, and before and after the sensor. Is stored, and the monitor can request and confirm a desired image arbitrarily, so that it is possible to easily grasp the situation that causes the sensor to detect regardless of the lapse of time.
[0037]
Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, the case in which the number of the first center unit is one has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where the number of the first center units is two or three, and the same as in the first embodiment. In addition to the effect, in the present embodiment, a plurality of monitoring personnel are arranged and corresponded, so that when an abnormal notification is generated from a plurality of terminals at the same time, the waiting time until the monitoring personnel responds is reduced, and the speed is reduced. Can take appropriate measures.
[0038]
Embodiment 3 FIG.
Further, in the first embodiment, the case where the image compression circuit of the terminal device and the image expansion circuit of the first center device are composed of three types has been described. Can be applied in the same manner, and the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, in this embodiment, when the image compression circuit of the terminal device and the image expansion circuit of the first center device are of two types, An inexpensive system can be configured without losing the basic functions. If there are four or more types of image compression circuits in the terminal and more than four types of image expansion circuits in the first center unit, it is necessary for the supervisor to check the detailed status. , An image with an arbitrary pixel and compression ratio can be selected, and more appropriate measures can be taken.
[0039]
Embodiment 4. FIG.
In the first embodiment, the case where the image expansion circuit of the second center unit is constituted by one type has been described. However, this may be constituted by the same number as that of the first center unit. The present invention can be similarly applied to a case in which the first center unit and the second center unit are configured as one center unit without being separated, and the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, it is possible to use a common center machine.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the monitoring information is converted into the first type of image information and the second type of image information having different compression ratios, and selectively converted to a remote location via a telephone line. And a plurality of terminals for transmitting to the first terminal. The first center unit that expands and displays image information in the form of Expand and display image information of the second form First 2 center machines When Wherein the compression rate of the image information of the second mode is higher than the compression rate of the image information of the first mode, Each of the plurality of terminals calls the first center unit when an abnormality is detected, and calls the second center unit if the first center unit fails to communicate. Call back to the center machine, While the first center unit is communicating with one of the plurality of terminals, , The other of the plurality of terminals is Detect abnormalities, If a call cannot be made due to a busy state after calling the first center unit, the other of the terminal units communicates with the second center unit and transmits the image information of the second form to the second center unit. Since the data is transmitted to the monitoring device, even if an abnormality is detected by multiple terminals at the same time, a small number of center devices can reliably notify the monitoring center monitoring personnel with a short waiting time, and the time from the sensor detection Even if the time has elapsed, it is possible to determine the cause of the abnormality detected from the image information received first, and to transmit and confirm the current site image with the required image quality as needed.
[0041]
In addition, the terminal compresses and edits image information from an image recording unit that records an input image from a camera in response to an output signal of a detection unit that detects an abnormality into image information of a first mode. Image compression / editing means; second image compression / editing means for compressing and editing the image information from the image recording means into image information of a second mode having a higher compression ratio than the first image information; Image switching means for selecting and switching the output of the image compression / editing means, and transmission means for transmitting the output of the image switching means to a remote location via a telephone line. A first image decompression means for decompressing the first mode of image information from the first storage means for storing at least the first mode of image information, and a second display for displaying the output of the first image decompression means And a second center. A second image decompression means for decompressing the second type of image information from the second storage means for storing at least a second type of image information from the terminal; A second image display means for displaying an output, wherein the first image compression means comprises a first image compression circuit and a second image compression circuit, and the second image compression means comprises a third image compression circuit. The first image decompression means comprises at least a first image decompression circuit and a second image decompression circuit; the second image decompression means comprises a third image decompression circuit; The image processing apparatus further includes image switching means for selecting and switching the outputs of the first image expansion circuit and the second image expansion circuit, wherein the image information of the first mode includes a fine image and a medium-definition image. Since the image information of the form consists of rough images, only one terminal When an abnormality is detected, the supervisor can immediately judge how to respond, request a detailed image recorded on the terminal as needed, or request a current site image for detailed confirmation. In addition, even when multiple terminals detect an abnormality at the same time, the observer can easily know that an abnormality has occurred other than the terminal whose details are currently being checked, and Even if the number of devices increases, the system can be controlled by two center units, so the system price can be reduced and fewer guards can be used. In addition, the sensor detects when the monitor starts communicating with each terminal using the center unit. Even after a considerable time has passed, rough images before and after the sensor are recorded and stored in the center unit, and detailed images before and after the sensor are recorded and stored in each terminal unit, and the observer can arbitrarily request and confirm the desired image. Because time can There is an effect that the situation that causes the sensor to be detected can be easily grasped regardless of excessiveness.
Further, when the terminal has two types of image compression circuits and the first center unit has two types of image decompression circuits, an inexpensive system can be configured without impairing the basic functions. If the center has more than four types of image expansion circuits, the monitor can select an image with an arbitrary pixel and compression ratio according to the situation when examining the detailed situation, and take more appropriate measures. effective.
[0042]
Furthermore, since the first center unit is configured as a plurality, a plurality of monitoring personnel are arranged and corresponded, so that when an abnormality report is issued from a plurality of terminals at the same time, the waiting time until the monitoring personnel responds is reduced. There is an effect that a quick response can be taken.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of an image monitoring security system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part (terminal) of an embodiment of the image monitoring security system according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main part (first center unit) of an embodiment of the image monitoring security system according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main part (second center unit) of an embodiment of the image monitoring security system according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an image processing mode of an embodiment of the image monitoring security system according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing operation timings of an embodiment of the image monitoring security system according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional image monitoring security system.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a terminal of a conventional image monitoring security system.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a center unit of a conventional image monitoring security system.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing operation timing of a conventional image monitoring security system.
[Explanation of symbols]
1A, 1B, 1C terminal
2 telephone lines
3A First center machine
3B 2nd center machine
4 Camera
5 Image conversion circuit
6 Sensor
7 Sensor input circuit
8A control unit
11 Communication control unit
12 Communication control unit
14 Display control circuit
15 Monitor TV
16A, 16B control unit
17 Alarm
20, 25, 30 Image memory
21. First image compression circuit
22 Second image compression circuit
23 Third image compression circuit
24 Compressed image switching circuit
26 First Image Decompression Circuit
27 Second image decompression circuit
28 Third Image Decompression Circuit
29 Expanded image switching circuit

Claims (7)

A plurality of terminals for converting the monitoring information into image information of the first form and image information of the second form having mutually different compression ratios and selectively transmitting the information to a remote place via a telephone line;
The first center device and the second center device that displays by decompressing the image information of the second form from the terminal and displaying the decompressed the image information of the first form from the terminal And a monitoring center having
The compression rate of the image information of the second mode is higher than the compression rate of the image information of the first mode,
Each of the plurality of terminals calls the first center unit when an abnormality is detected, and calls the second center unit if the first center unit fails to communicate. Call back to the center machine,
While the first center unit is communicating with one of the plurality of terminals, the other of the plurality of terminals detects an abnormality, and calls the first center unit and cannot communicate due to a busy state. sometimes, the other of the terminal image monitoring security system comprising a Turkey to transmit image information of the second center device and communicating to the second embodiment to the second center device. The terminal includes a detecting unit for detecting an abnormality, an image recording unit for recording an input image from a camera in response to an output signal of the detecting unit, and image information from the image recording unit in a first mode. A first image compression / editing unit that compresses and edits the image information, and a second image that compresses and edits the image information from the image recording unit into a second form of image information having a higher compression ratio than the first image information. Compression / editing means; image switching means for selecting and switching the output of the first and second image compression / editing means; and transmission means for transmitting the output of the image switching means to a remote location via a telephone line. The image monitoring security system according to claim 1. The first center unit includes a first receiving unit that receives at least a first form of image information from the terminal device, and a first storage unit that stores image information from the first receiving unit. A first image decompressor for decompressing the first form of image information from the first storage, and a first display for displaying an output of the first image decompressor.
A second receiving unit that receives at least a second form of image information from the terminal, a second storage unit that stores image information from the second receiving unit, And a second image expanding means for expanding the image information of the second form from the second storing means, and a second display means for displaying an output of the second image expanding means. 3. The image monitoring security system according to 1 or 2. 3. The image monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein said first image compression means comprises at least a first image compression circuit and a second image compression circuit, and said second image compression means comprises at least a third image compression circuit. Security system. The first image decompression means includes at least a first image decompression circuit and a second image decompression circuit, and the second image decompression means includes at least a third image decompression circuit. 4. The image monitoring security system according to claim 3, further comprising image switching means for selecting and switching at least outputs of the first image expansion circuit and the second image expansion circuit. The image monitoring security according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the image information of the first mode comprises at least one of a fine image and a medium-definition image, and the image information of the second mode comprises a rough image. system. 4. The image surveillance security system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said first center units are provided.

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