JP3779101B2 - Image sending device - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image monitoring system that monitors a situation in a monitoring target such as a store or a factory at a monitoring center via a communication line, and particularly relates to an image transmission device installed in the monitoring target.
[Prior art]
There is an image monitoring system in which the status of a monitoring target such as a store or a factory is photographed by a monitoring camera, sent to a monitoring center via a general public line such as ISDN or PSTN, and monitored by the monitoring center. The image monitoring system sets an image transmission device that transmits an image captured by a monitoring camera to a general public line, and monitors the monitoring device that receives the image transmitted from the image transmission device from the general public line and displays it on a monitor. Installed in the center. Normally, the monitoring center is operated by a contractor such as a security company or a maintenance company that is entrusted with monitoring work from the owner of the store or the like.
By the way, there is a request that the owner of the monitoring target wants to check the status of the monitoring target at any time. For this reason, in the conventional image monitoring system, the monitoring device is installed in both the owner's office and the monitoring center so that the image transmission device can transmit to either monitoring device via a general public line. It was.
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional image monitoring system cannot transmit an image to the monitoring center during image transmission from the image transmission device to the monitoring device installed in the owner's office (hereinafter referred to as “office”). The status of the monitoring target cannot be confirmed at the monitoring center.
For example, there are cases where an image sending device is installed in a store of a convenience store, and a monitoring device is installed in an office that supervises the store and a monitoring center. Either the monitoring device installed in the office or the monitoring device installed in the monitoring center can receive an image from the image sending device installed in the store.
Now, it is assumed that the image sending device is sending an image in a convenience store from a general public line, with the monitoring device in the office as the other party. At this time, if a bandit enters the store, the office can confirm the presence of the bandit from the image received, but the monitoring center does not send the image and cannot check the store status on the image. Note that such emergency response requires specialized education and experience, and it is difficult for ordinary people such as owners to respond appropriately.
For this reason, when the owner determines that the robbery is based on the image on the monitoring device in the office, the owner calls the monitoring center and disconnects the communication line with the image transmission device in the store. Upon receiving this telephone contact, the monitoring center calls the store image sending device from the monitoring device of the monitoring center and confirms the store status with the image. Therefore, it takes time for the monitoring staff at the monitoring center to check the situation based on the image of the store, causing a delay in monitoring by the monitoring center, which is a safety expert, and reducing the reliability of the image monitoring system. was there.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize an image monitoring system in which the owner can check the state of the monitoring target while ensuring the reliability of the monitoring target by the monitoring center.
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, the present invention installs a monitoring camera on a monitoring target, and sends an image captured by the monitoring camera to a specific monitoring device or other monitoring device connected via a communication line. An image transmission device, comprising at least abnormality detection means for detecting occurrence of an abnormality in a monitoring target, selection means for selecting a monitoring device that is an image transmission partner, and destination determination means for determining a transmission partner The selection means provides an image sending device that switches the sending partner from the other monitoring device to a specific monitoring device if another monitoring device is set as the sending partner when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detecting means. When an abnormality occurs in the monitoring target, the image sending device keeps the sending partner when sending an image to a specific monitoring device, and when sending an image to another monitoring device, the sending destination Can be automatically switched to a specific monitoring device.
As a result, the specific monitoring device can receive the image to be monitored quickly and reliably, and the reliability of the image monitoring system is improved.
Also, an image sending device that installs a monitoring camera on a monitoring target and sends an image captured by the monitoring camera to a specific monitoring device or other monitoring device connected via a communication line, the specific monitoring device At least an incoming call detection means for detecting an incoming call from the apparatus, a selection means for selecting a monitoring apparatus that is an image transmission counterpart, and a destination discrimination means for discriminating the transmission counterpart; Provided is an image transmission device for switching a transmission partner from another monitoring device to a specific monitoring device when an incoming call from the monitoring device is detected.
When sending an image to another monitoring device with priority given to a connection request from a specific monitoring device, the image sending device can automatically switch the transmission partner to the specific monitoring device.
As a result, if it is necessary for the specific monitoring device to check the state of the monitoring target, the image of the monitoring target can be received without fail, and the reliability of the image monitoring system is improved.
Further, the selection unit returns the transmission partner to another monitoring device when the transmission of the image with the specific monitoring device as the counterpart is completed. Thereby, even if the image reception by another monitoring device is interrupted, it can be automatically restarted, and the usability of the other monitoring device is improved.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an overall basic configuration of an image monitoring system to which the present invention is applied, including a monitoring object 1, a monitoring center 2, and an owner's office 3.
The monitoring object 1 is a building such as a school or office, a factory, a store, and the like, and a plurality are connected to a communication line 7 that is an ISDN. In the monitoring target 1, a monitoring camera 5 is appropriately installed at a place where monitoring is required, and is connected to an image sending device 6. Further, an emergency operation unit 42 for emergency notification and a detector 4 including a sensor 41 for detecting the state of an intruder, a fire, a door, and the like are provided to detect the occurrence of an abnormality in the monitoring target 1. Information obtained from these monitoring cameras 5 and detectors 4 is collected in an image transmission device 6 installed in the monitoring target 1 and installed in a remote monitoring center 2 via a communication line 7 which is an ISDN. The data is appropriately sent to the center apparatus 21 or the office apparatus 31 installed in the office.
In this embodiment, the center device 21 is used as a specific monitoring device, and the office device 31 is used as another monitoring device. The monitoring device is not limited to these two units, and a plurality of three or more units may be connected to the communication line 7.
The monitoring center 2 is provided with a center device 21 that acquires information from a plurality of image transmission devices 6 via the communication line 7. The center device 21 includes a monitor that displays an image, a keyboard and a mouse that are used for operations by a supervisor, a computer that performs various processes, a storage server, and the like.
The office 3 is provided with an office device 31 for the owner or the like to check the status of the monitoring target 1. The office device 31 is a monitor that displays an image sent from the image sending device 6 installed in the monitoring target 1 of the owner, a keyboard and mouse used for the owner's operation, and a computer that performs various processes. And a recording device.
In the present embodiment, the communication line 7 is described using ISDN. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a normal telephone line (PSTN) or other lines can be used.
FIG. 2 shows a configuration of the image sending device 6 installed in the monitoring target 1.
The image sending device 6 is connected to a monitoring camera 5 and a detector 4 arranged at a place where monitoring is necessary. An image taken by the monitoring camera 5 is sent to the image sending device 6 via the camera controller 8.
The detector 4 includes various sensors 41 for detecting presence / absence of an intruder, presence / absence of a fire, and an emergency operation unit 42 such as a push button operated by a user when a robbery occurs. In addition, although the place where the emergency operation unit 42 is installed differs depending on the monitoring target 1, for example, when the monitoring target 1 is a convenience store, the emergency operation unit 42 is installed in a place where a bandit is difficult to see, such as under a cashier counter.
The image sending device 6 includes a central processing unit 612 including a computer, an image processing unit 604, a detection circuit 601, and a communication unit 608. The central processing unit 612 controls these units.
The image processing unit 604 includes an image compression unit 605, an image switching unit 606, and an image storage unit 607. Here, the image compression unit 605 performs data compression on the image data of each monitoring location photographed by the monitoring camera 5 and sends it to the image switching unit 606.
The image switching unit 606 performs image switching control such as selecting an image from the image compression unit 605 and storing it in the image storage unit 607 or sending it from the communication unit 608 to the monitoring center 2 or the office 3.
The communication unit 608 includes a packet data processing unit 610 that performs D-channel packet communication processing, a data processing unit 609 that performs communication processing other than D-channel packet communication, and a communication I / F 611 that is connected to an ISDN subscriber line. Has been. Here, the packet data processing unit 610 is for performing packet communication using the D channel in ISDN, and can reliably transmit an abnormal signal to the monitoring center 2 even if the B channel is not free. .
In addition, the data processing unit 609 performs processing for performing communication on the normal communication line 7, for example, a call on the D channel for establishing communication on the B channel with the office device 31 or the center device 21. Various signal processing and the like are performed in order to transmit setting signals and image signals on the B channel.
When the detection circuit 601 detects the detection signal of the sensor 41 or the operation signal of the emergency operation unit 42, the detection circuit 601 outputs an abnormality signal or an emergency notification signal to the central processing unit 612.
When the central processing unit 612 receives a detection signal or the like, the display processing unit 603 displays on the display unit 602 that an emergency has occurred in the monitoring target 1.
Next, the operation of the central processing unit 612 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 3 shows a basic operation of the central processing unit 612 when the image sending device 6 sends an image or the like to the center device 21 and the office device 31.
In the figure, in step S31, the detection circuit 601 determines whether or not an abnormality such as an operation of the emergency operation unit 42 or a fire detection of the sensor 41 has been detected.
If an abnormality is detected in step S31, an abnormality notification process in step S32 is executed.
Here, the abnormality notification process in step S32 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is an operation flow showing details of the abnormality notification process.
In the figure, in step S401, processing for establishing a communication line with the center apparatus 21 is performed. Specifically, call control using the D channel is performed for the telephone number of the center device 21 stored in advance, and a communication line for the B channel is established. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, line connection refers to establishment of a communication line using the B channel.
Next, in step S402, control is performed to send an abnormal signal to the center apparatus 21 using the established B channel communication line.
When the center device 21 receives this abnormality signal, it displays on the monitor that an abnormality has occurred. By watching this display, the monitoring staff at the monitoring center 2 can know the occurrence of the abnormality.
In this embodiment, an abnormal signal is sent as B channel information. However, a message indicating that an abnormality has occurred is inserted in the call control signal, and an error has occurred in the monitoring center 2 by D channel call control. You may let me know. In this case, even if there is no vacancy in the B channel, the occurrence of abnormality can be reliably transmitted to the monitoring center 2, so that the reliability of the monitoring system is improved. Alternatively, an abnormal signal may be sent from the packet data processing unit 610 to the center device 21 using D channel packet communication.
In step S403, the center device 21 is controlled to send out images taken by the monitoring camera 5. An image captured by the monitoring camera 5 is sent to the image compression unit 605 via the camera controller 8, and a predetermined compression process is performed by the image compression unit 605. The image switching unit 606 selects a preset image of the monitoring camera 5 and transmits the image compressed by the image compression unit 605 to the communication unit 608. In the communication unit 608, the received image is processed in accordance with the ISDN communication protocol in the data processing unit 609, and is transmitted from the communication I / F 611 to the center device 21 via the communication line 7 using the B channel. The monitoring camera 5 is selected in advance by previously storing the correspondence between the sensor 41 or emergency operation unit 42 that has detected an abnormality and the monitoring camera 5. Although not shown, the image storage unit 607 stores several frames of images before and after the detection of the sensor 41 by the detection of the sensor 41.
In step S404, it is determined whether or not a switching control command for the monitoring camera 5 has been received from the center apparatus 21. Judgment is made based on whether or not a monitoring camera switching signal transmitted from the center apparatus 21 via the communication line 7 is received from the communication I / F 611. The monitoring camera switching signal is sent from the center device 21 when an image of another monitoring camera 5 may be required when the monitoring person is looking at the image displayed on the monitor. The monitor selects the monitoring camera 5 using the keyboard, mouse, or the like of the center device 21.
When the central processing unit 612 receives the monitoring camera switching signal, the central processing unit 612 controls the image switching unit 606 that controls to switch the image of the monitoring camera 5 to be transmitted, and returns to Step 403 (S409).
On the other hand, if the surveillance camera switching signal has not been received, the process proceeds to step S405. In step S405, it is determined whether or not the abnormality detected by the detection circuit 601 has been recovered, and processing for image transmission is continued until the abnormality is recovered (from step S403 to step 405). Specifically, when the monitoring staff at the monitoring center 2 can confirm the safety of the monitoring target 1, the restoration signal transmitted via the communication line 7 is transmitted. Upon receiving this recovery signal, it is determined that the abnormality has been recovered. Note that this may be performed by operating the image sending device 6 when a security guard arrives at the monitoring target 1 and confirms safety. In this case, an operation means is separately required for the image sending device 6.
If the abnormality is recovered in step S405, image transmission is stopped and the established B channel of ISDN 7 is released (S406, S407). Thereafter, it is confirmed whether an interruption flag, which will be described later, is ON. If not, the abnormality notification process S32 ends.
On the other hand, if the interruption flag is not ON in step S408, the line connection with the interrupted office device 31 is performed, the interruption flag is turned OFF, and the process proceeds to incoming processing from the office device 31 described later (S410). , S411). Note that matters related to the interruption flag will be described later with reference to FIG.
Returning to FIG. 3, if it is determined in step S31 that no abnormality has been detected, it is determined whether there is an incoming signal via the communication line 7. If there is no incoming signal, the process returns to step S31 (step S33). Specifically, the determination is made based on whether or not a call setup signal is received on the D channel.
On the other hand, when an incoming call is detected in step S33, an incoming call process (S34) is executed. The incoming call processing will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
First, referring to FIG.
In the figure, in step S51, the match of the incoming check code inserted in the call control signal on the D channel is checked. The incoming check code is a uniquely determined code for each image transmission device 6 and is inserted into the call control message by the center device 21 and the office device 31. This is for confirming that the center device 21 has the authority to receive the image sent by the image sending device 6. In other words, the center device 21 or the like having authority can insert the incoming check code of the image transmission device 6 having the authority to receive the image into the call control signal. On the other hand, if there is no authority, the incoming check code cannot be known and cannot be inserted into the call control signal.
Then, when the incoming check code in the call control signal matches the incoming check code stored in the image sending device 6, it is confirmed that the access is from the legitimate center device 21 or the like.
If the incoming check code does not match in step S51, the incoming call is not from the center apparatus 21 or the office apparatus 31, and the process returns to step S31 without doing anything.
On the other hand, if the incoming check code matches, the process proceeds to step S52.
In step S52, the destination telephone number which is the calling subscriber line number is confirmed. The calling subscriber line number included in the call control signal is read out, and the subscriber line number connected to the center device 21 or office device 31 stored in advance is collated. As a result, even if a person who attempts fraud steals the center device 21 or the like and accesses the image sending device 6, the subscriber line number is different and access is not possible. In the case of unauthorized access, access is not permitted and the process returns to step S31.
The operation during image transmission is made different depending on the partner recognized in steps S51 and S52. That is, the image sending device 6 determines the sending partner.
Next, when it is an incoming call from the monitoring center 2 in step S52, the incoming call process A shown in FIG. 6 is executed (S53).
In step S61 in FIG. 6, a communication channel for the B channel is established in accordance with the D channel call control (S61).
In step S62, the detection circuit 601 determines whether or not there has been an abnormality detection such as an operation of the emergency operation unit 42 or a fire detection of the sensor 41. If an abnormality is detected in step S62, control is performed to send an abnormality signal to the center device 21 using the established B channel communication line (S63).
When the center device 21 receives this abnormality signal, it displays on the monitor that an abnormality has occurred. The monitor at the monitoring center 2 can know the occurrence of abnormality in the monitoring target 1 by viewing this display. Naturally, it is possible to recognize the state in the monitoring area from the image displayed on the monitor, but it is possible to prevent an oversight of the observer by transmitting an abnormal signal. In this embodiment, an abnormal signal is transmitted as B channel information, but may be transmitted from the packet data processing unit 610 using D channel packet communication. In this case, even if there is no vacancy in the B channel, the occurrence of abnormality can be reliably transmitted to the monitoring center 2, so that the reliability of the monitoring system is improved.
In step S64, it is determined whether a switching control command for the monitoring camera 5 has been received from the center apparatus 21. Judgment is made based on whether or not a monitoring camera switching signal transmitted from the center apparatus 21 via the communication line 7 is received from the communication I / F 611.
The monitoring camera switching signal is sent from the center device 21 when the monitoring person wants to see an image of another monitoring camera 5. The monitoring person selects the monitoring camera 5 using the keyboard, mouse, or the like of the center device 21.
When the central processing unit 612 receives the monitoring camera switching signal, the central processing unit 612 controls the image switching unit 606 that controls to switch the image of the monitoring camera 5 to be transmitted, and proceeds to step S65 (S66).
On the other hand, when the monitoring camera switching signal is not received, the process proceeds to step S65 as it is.
In step S <b> 65, transmission control of an image taken by the monitoring camera 5 is performed on the center device 21. The image captured by the monitoring camera 5 is subjected to predetermined compression processing by the image compression unit 605 via the camera controller 8. Then, the image of the monitoring camera 5 set in advance by the image switching unit 606 is selected and sent to the communication unit 608. In the communication unit 608, the received image is processed according to the communication protocol of the communication line 7 by the data processing unit 609, and is transmitted from the communication I / F 611 to the center device 21 via the communication line 7 using the B channel. The monitoring camera 5 is selected in advance by storing the correspondence between the sensor 41 or emergency operation unit 42 that has detected an abnormality and the monitoring camera 5 in advance. Although not shown, the image storage unit 607 stores the images before and after the detection for several frames by the detection of the sensor 41.
In step S67, it is determined whether an image stop signal is received from the center device 21. Until there is an image stop signal, the processing from step S62 to step S67 is continued. Although not shown, when an abnormality is detected in step S62, restoration of the abnormality is also a condition for stopping the image in step S67.
When the image stop signal is received in step S67, the center channel 21 and the established B channel line are released (S68), and the process returns to step S31.
Next, returning to FIG. 5, if it is an incoming call from the office apparatus 31 in step S52, the incoming call process B of step 54 is executed.
FIG. 7 shows details of the incoming call processing B. In the figure, step S71 establishes a B channel communication line in accordance with D channel call control with the office apparatus 31.
In step S <b> 72, the detection circuit 601 determines whether or not an abnormality such as an operation of the emergency operation unit 42 or a fire detection of the sensor 41 has been detected, or whether there is an incoming call from the center device 21. The incoming call from the center apparatus 21 is performed by the same processing as that performed in the above-described steps S51 and S52 based on the D channel call control signal.
If no abnormality is detected, the process proceeds to step S73. In step S73, it is determined whether a switching control command for the monitoring camera 5 has been received from the office device 31. Judgment is made based on whether or not a monitoring camera switching signal transmitted from the office apparatus 31 via the communication line 7 is received from the communication I / F 611.
The monitoring camera switching signal is transmitted from the office device 31 when the owner or the like views an image on the monitor and wants to see an image of another monitoring camera 5. The owner or the like selects the monitoring camera 5 using the keyboard or mouse of the office device 31.
When the central processing unit 612 receives the monitoring camera switching signal, the central processing unit 612 controls the image switching unit 606 that controls to switch the image of the monitoring camera 5 to be transmitted, and proceeds to step S74 (S78).
On the other hand, when the monitoring camera switching signal is not received, the process proceeds to step S74 as it is.
In step S74, the office device 31 is controlled to send out images taken by the monitoring camera 5. An image captured by the monitoring camera 5 is input via the camera controller 8 and is subjected to predetermined compression processing by the image compression unit 605. Then, an image of the monitoring camera 5 set in advance by the image switching unit 606 is selected, and the compressed image is sent to the communication unit 608. In the communication unit 608, the received image is processed according to the communication protocol of the communication line 7 by the data processing unit 609, and is transmitted from the communication I / F 611 to the office device 31 via the communication line 7 using the B channel.
In step S75, it is determined whether an image stop signal is received from the office device 31. Until there is an image stop signal, the processing from step S72 to step S75 is continued.
When the image stop signal is received in step S75, the established B channel line with the office apparatus 31 is released (S76), and the process returns to step S31.
Next, in step S72, when an abnormality is detected or an incoming call is received from the center device 21, the process proceeds to step S77.
In step S77, the communication with the office device 31 is interrupted. Specifically, the office apparatus 31 is notified that the image transmission is interrupted, and the interruption flag is turned ON. The established B channel line with the office device 31 is released, and the abnormality notification process S33 described in detail with reference to FIG. 4 is executed. Here, the interruption flag indicates that the center apparatus 21 has been switched during image transmission to the office apparatus 31. When the image sending device 6 determines whether or not the interruption with the office device 31 has been made from the ON / OFF state of the interruption flag after the communication with the center device 21 is finished (S408, S410, and S411 in FIG. 4), the step Returning to S71, communication with the interrupted office device 31 is resumed.
In the embodiment described above, the office apparatus is described as being only one, but a plurality of office apparatuses may be connected to a communication line.
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, for example, even if an image is sent to a device other than the center device 21, if an abnormality occurs or an incoming call is received from the center device 21, communication with the office device 31 is released and communication with the center device 21 is performed. By establishing communication, it is possible to immediately send an image to the center device 21. Further, when the communication with the center device 21 is completed, the communication with the office device 31 is automatically restored, so that the convenience of the owner and the like can be provided.
An image monitoring system in which the owner can check the state of the monitoring target 1 while ensuring the reliability of the monitoring target 1 by the monitoring center 2 can be realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image monitoring system.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an image sending device 6 according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an image sending operation of the image sending device 6;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an abnormality notification operation of the image sending device 6;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an incoming call operation of the image sending device 6;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an incoming operation from the center device 21 of the image sending device 6;
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an incoming operation from the office device 31 of the image sending device 6;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... monitoring target
2 ... Monitoring center
21 ... Center device (specific monitoring device)
3 ... Office
31 ... Office equipment (other monitoring equipment)
4 ... Detector
41 ... Sensor
42 ... Emergency operation section
5 ... Surveillance camera
6. Image sending device
601 ... Detection circuit
602 ... Display section
603 ... Display processing unit
604 ... Image processing unit
605: Image compression unit
606 ... Image switching unit
607 ... Image storage unit
608: Communication unit
609 ... Data processing unit
610 ... Packet data processing unit
611 ... Communication I / F
612 ... Central processing unit
7 ... ISDN (communication line)
8 ... Camera controller

Claims (3)

An image sending device that installs a monitoring camera on a monitoring target and sends an image captured by the monitoring camera to a specific monitoring device or other monitoring device connected via a communication line,
An anomaly detection means for detecting the occurrence of an anomaly in the monitoring target;
Selecting means for selecting a monitoring device to which the image is sent;
A destination discriminating means for discriminating the sending counterpart,
An image sending apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the abnormality detecting means detects an abnormality, the selecting means switches the sending partner to a specific monitoring apparatus when the sending partner is another monitoring apparatus. An image sending device that installs a monitoring camera on a monitoring target and sends an image captured by the monitoring camera to a specific monitoring device or other monitoring device connected via a communication line,
An incoming call detection means for detecting an incoming call from a specific monitoring device;
Selecting means for selecting a monitoring device to which the image is sent;
A destination discriminating means for discriminating the sending counterpart,
The image sending apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the incoming call from the specific monitoring apparatus is detected, the selection means switches the transmission partner from another monitoring apparatus to the specific monitoring apparatus. 3. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit returns the transmission partner to the other monitoring apparatus when the transmission of the image with the specific monitoring apparatus as the partner is completed. .

Images