JP4881568B2 - Surveillance camera system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a surveillance camera system that monitors a plurality of areas with a plurality of cameras provided in area units.

  Conventionally, when monitoring a wide area such as rivers, power plants, vehicle depots, station premises, airports, etc., with a monitoring camera, the wide area is divided into multiple areas and a monitoring camera is arranged for each divided area. Then, an image taken by each monitoring camera is transmitted to the monitoring center and monitored by the monitor. In the monitoring camera system described above, for example, several tens to several hundreds of monitoring cameras are used, depending on the size of the monitoring area. When displaying all the above camera images on the monitor, it is necessary to install monitors for the number of cameras and display them on a single screen, or install monitors for the number of cameras divided by the divided screen. Even so, it is necessary for the supervisor to monitor images for the number of cameras (for example, see Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2).

Further, when images are selected and displayed from a plurality of cameras, an image desired to be viewed is selected by manual operation using a mouse or the like, or is switched and displayed sequentially.
JP-A-9-163360 JP 2002-94898 A

  In the system in which a wide area is divided into a plurality of areas as described above, and a monitoring camera is arranged in each divided area, and an image captured by each monitoring camera is transmitted to a monitoring center and monitored by a monitor. However, there is a problem that the number of monitors becomes very large and the cost increases. In addition, in the method of dividing the monitor screen into a plurality of images and displaying the images of each monitoring camera on each divided screen, it is possible to reduce the number of monitors and reduce the cost. It is necessary to select an image to be viewed by manual operation using a mouse or the like, or to sequentially display the images. As the number of cameras increases, the screen switching operation becomes very complicated.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. When a plurality of areas are photographed and monitored by a plurality of surveillance cameras, a simple operation with a joystick enables a block unit on a single screen or a divided screen. An object of the present invention is to provide a surveillance camera system in which scroll points are displayed so that surveillance points can be easily selected visually.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a monitoring camera system that can determine the importance of each monitoring area and preferentially display a camera image of the monitoring area with a high importance on a monitor.

  Furthermore, the present invention predicts a specific time and a specific area range where the importance is high, and automatically switches the screen display to the predicted area range screen when the predicted specific time is approached. An object of the present invention is to provide a surveillance camera system capable of

A first aspect of the present invention is a surveillance camera system in which a plurality of surveillance areas are photographed by a plurality of surveillance cameras, and images captured by the surveillance cameras are displayed on a monitor for monitoring, and a plurality of alarms provided in each of the surveillance areas. A sensor, an operation terminal device for instructing selection of an image to be displayed on the monitor and switching of a single screen or a multi-division screen, and displaying the plurality of monitoring areas in a matrix on the screen of the operation terminal device; Camera image selection means for selecting a camera image of an adjacent monitoring area by selecting a monitoring area displayed on the screen of the operation terminal device, wherein the operation terminal device is in the case of the multi-division screen display the calculate the importance of each monitoring area from the alarm the alarm record selection operation records and each alarm sensor of the monitoring camera in the monitoring area, important Characterized by screen display high camera images of the monitor area of the center of the monitor screen in order of importance the helically.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a monitoring camera system in which a plurality of surveillance areas are photographed by a plurality of surveillance cameras, and images captured by the surveillance cameras are displayed on the monitor for monitoring. A sensor, an operation terminal device for instructing selection of an image to be displayed on the monitor and switching of a single screen or a multi-division screen, and displaying the plurality of monitoring areas in a matrix on the screen of the operation terminal device; Camera image selection means for selecting a camera image of an adjacent monitoring area by selecting a monitoring area displayed on the screen of the operation terminal device, wherein the operation terminal device is a monitoring camera in each monitoring area The importance of each monitoring area is calculated from the selected operation record and the alarm alarm record of each alarm sensor, and the importance of each monitoring area is calculated. Transitive spatial and temporal calculate, predict a specific time and a specific area range importance is high, the display on the monitor is switched to a camera image of the specific area range when approached to the specific time that the predicted It is characterized by doing.

  The present invention also provides a monitoring camera system in which a plurality of surveillance areas are photographed by a plurality of surveillance cameras, and the images captured by the surveillance cameras are displayed on the monitor for monitoring. The image recording apparatus for recording all the photographed images and the specific image recording apparatus for recording only the photographed images in the important area are provided.

  According to the present invention, complicated operations such as image selection, switching of divided screens, and playback control of recorded images can be easily performed while viewing the screen by manual operation of the joystick.

  In addition, in the operation terminal device, priority is given to the camera image in the monitoring area with high importance by calculating the importance of each monitoring area from the selection operation record of the monitoring camera in each monitoring area and the alarm alarm recording of each alarm sensor. Can be displayed on the monitor. For example, in the case of single screen display, automatic switching of single screens is performed in order from the area with the highest importance. In the case of multi-screen display, the area with the higher importance is displayed at the center of the monitor screen. It becomes possible.

  Also, the transition of the importance of each monitoring area is calculated spatially and temporally, and the specific time and the specific area range where the importance becomes high is predicted, for example, the area or time where the crime occurs is predicted. It becomes possible.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an image diagram of a monitoring camera system that monitors a plurality of monitoring areas 11a, 11b,... With a plurality of monitoring cameras 12a, 12b,. In this case, it is assumed that the monitoring areas 11a, 11b,... Are adjacent and continuous, and each monitoring camera 12a, 12b,... Takes a picture of the corresponding monitoring area 11a, 11b,. .

  FIG. 2 is a system diagram of the surveillance camera system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The surveillance cameras 12a, 12b,... Shoot the respective monitoring areas 11a, 11b,... Shown in FIG. 1, and output the captured images to an image recording device 21 such as a digital recorder. The image recording device 21 records all images taken by the monitoring cameras 12a, 12b,... And reproduces the images taken or recorded by the monitoring cameras 12a, 12b,. ) 22 to the multiplexer (camera image selection device) 23. A large screen monitor 24 is connected to the multiplexer 23.

  The image recording device 21, the image switch 22 and the multiplexer 23 operate according to a control command from the control unit 25. The control unit 25 is connected to an operation terminal device 26 and a joystick 27 for performing an image switching operation and a recorded image reproduction operation. As the operation terminal device 26, for example, a personal computer is used. In addition, the operation direction of the joystick 27 and the selection operation of the camera image are set in advance in association with each other. As will be described in detail later, switching of an image to be displayed on the monitor 24 according to the operation direction, single screen and divided screen Switching, etc., and fast-forwarding and rewinding during playback of recorded images.

  The control unit 25 operates in accordance with an instruction from the operation terminal device 26 and an operation of the joystick 27, performs recording and reproduction control of the recorded image for the image recording device 21, and image switching control for the image switcher 22, and a multiplexer. 23 is controlled for a split screen such as a single screen or four screens. The multiplexer 23 operates in accordance with a control command from the control unit 25 and displays a single screen, a 4-split screen, a 9-split screen, and a 16-split screen on the monitor 24.

  In addition to the monitoring cameras 12a, 12b,..., Alarm sensors 28a, 28b,... Such as passive sensors and infrared sensors are installed in the monitoring areas 11a, 11b,. When detected, the detection signal is sent to the control unit 25. The control unit 25 performs a notification operation when an intruder or the like is detected based on detection signals from the alarm sensors 28a, 28b,..., And includes a monitoring camera provided in the same monitoring area as the activated alarm sensor. A function of selecting an image with the image switcher 22 and displaying it on the monitor 24 is provided.

  FIG. 3A shows an operation screen 30 displayed on the display 26a of the operation terminal device 26, and FIG. 3B shows a single screen on the monitor 24 and a multi-division screen of 4 divisions, 9 divisions and 16 divisions. Show. On the operation screen 30, all the monitoring areas 11 a, 11 b,... 3A shows a state where 80 monitoring areas 11a, 11b,... Are displayed on the operation screen 30. FIG. When all of the monitoring areas 11a, 11b,... Cannot be displayed on the operation screen of the operation terminal device 26, an arbitrary monitoring area can be displayed by scrolling.

  Then, on the operation screen of the operation terminal device 26, for example, when the display area 31 is selected with a mouse cursor, a single screen, a quadrant screen, or a nine-split screen as shown in FIG. Are displayed on the monitor 24. FIG. 3B shows a case where nine areas are selected as the display area 31 with the mouse cursor. In this case, a nine-division screen of the selected display area 31 is displayed on the monitor 24.

Next, key operations of the joystick 27 will be described.
4A is a view of the joystick 27 viewed from the side, and FIG. 4B is a view of the joystick 27 viewed from above. Here, it is assumed that the display area 31 on the operation screen of the operation terminal device 26 is expressed as XY _{, Y} in XY coordinates.
The relationship between the selected area and the adjacent area is set as shown in FIG. That is, when the area E _{i, j} is selected (when the area E _{i, j} is displayed on a single screen), the upper adjacent area is E _{i, j + 1} , and the right adjacent area is E _{i + 1, j.} The downward adjacent area is E _{i, j−1} , and the left adjacent area is E _{i−1, j} .

Hereinafter, the relationship between the key operation of the joystick 27 and the image switching operation will be described.
(1) As shown in FIG. 5, when the area E _{i, j} is selected (when the area E _{i, j} is displayed on a single screen), when the joystick 27 is operated in the direction a (upward), the monitor 24 displays E _{i, j + 1} .

(2) When the area E _{i, j} is selected (when the area E _{i, j} is displayed on a single screen), when the joystick 27 is operated in the direction b (right direction), the monitor 24 displays E _{i + 1, j} Is displayed.

(3) When the area E _{i, j} is selected (when the area E _{i, j} is displayed on a single screen), when the joystick 27 is operated in the direction c (downward), the area E _{i, j} is displayed on the monitor 24 _{. j-1} is displayed.

(4) When the area E _{i, j} is selected (when the area E _{i, j} is displayed on a single screen), if the joystick 27 is operated in the direction d (left direction), the area E _i− is displayed on the monitor 24. _{1, j} is displayed.

(5) As shown in FIG. 6, when the areas E _{i, j} , E _{i + 1, j} , E _{i, j + 1} , E _{i + 1, j + 1} are selected (when the quad screen is displayed), the joystick 27 is When operated in the direction a (upward), areas E _{i, j + 1} , E _{i + 1, j + 1} , E _{i, j + 2} , E _{i + 1, j + 2} are displayed on the monitor 24.

(6) Similarly, when the joystick 27 is operated in the direction b (right direction), the areas E _{i + 1, j} , E _{i + 2, j} , E _{i + 1, j + 1} , E _{i + 2, j + 1} are displayed on the monitor 24.

(7) When the joystick 27 is operated in the direction c (downward), the areas E _{i, j−1} , E _{i + 1, j−1} , E _{i, j} and E _{i + 1, j} are displayed on the monitor 24.

(8) When the joystick 27 is operated in the direction d (left direction), the areas E _{i−1, j} , E _{i, j} , E _{i−1, j + 1} , E _{i, j + 1} are displayed on the monitor 24.

  Similarly, in the case of 9 divisions and 16 divisions, each time the joystick 27 is operated in the direction, the control section 25 causes the image switcher 22 to move the entire display area 31 on the operation screen in the operated direction. On the other hand, image switching control is performed. As a result, the captured image for the display area 31 is displayed on the monitor 24 as if it were scrolled in units of blocks.

(9) When area E _{i, j} is selected as shown in FIG. 7 (when area E _{i, j} is displayed on a single screen), joystick 27 is moved as shown in FIG. When operated in the direction g (frontward direction), the area E _{i, j} , E _{i + 1, j} , E _{i, j + 1} , E _{i + 1, j + 1} is displayed on the monitor 24 in four divisions.

(10) Further, when the joystick 27 is operated in the direction g (frontward direction), the area E _{i−1, j−1} , E _{i, j−1} , E _{i + 1, j−1} , E _{i−1, j} , E _{i, j} , E _{i + 1, j} , E _{i, j + 1} , E _{i + 1, j + 1} are displayed in 9 divisions.

(11) Further, when the joystick 27 is operated in the direction g (frontward direction), the area E _{i−1, j−1} , E _{i, j−1} , E _{i + 1, j−1} , E _{i + 2, j− is} displayed on the monitor 24. ₁ , E _{i−1, j} , E _{i, j} , E _{i + 1, j} , E _{i + 2, j} , E _{i−1, j + 1} , E _{i, j + 1} , E _{i + 1, j + 1} , E _{i + 2, j + 1} , E _{i−1 , j + 2} , E _{i, j + 2} , E _{i + 1, j + 2} , E _{i + 2, j + 2} are displayed in 16 divisions.

  That is, when the joystick 27 is operated in the direction g (frontward), the screen is operated in the direction of wide display, such as single screen → 4 screen → 9 screen → 16 screen, and conversely, the joystick 27 is operated in the direction h (backward direction). Then, the screen is switched from 16 screens → 9 screens → 4 screens → single screen in the direction of enlarged display.

  When a time search is performed when reproducing an image recorded in the image recording device 21, that is, when a date and time is input from the operation terminal device 26, an image of the date and time selected for the currently displayed area is reproduced. It is displayed on the monitor 24. At this time, when the joystick 27 is operated in the direction e (right rotation direction), a fast-forward operation is performed, and when operated in the direction f (left rotation direction), a rewind operation is performed.

  As described above, complicated operations such as image selection, switching of divided screens, and playback control of recorded images can be easily performed by manually operating the joystick 27 while viewing the screen of the operation terminal device 26.

  In the first embodiment, in addition to the function of simply performing complicated operations with the joystick 27, the operation terminal device 26 calculates the importance of each monitoring area 11a, 11b,. It has a function of managing (recording management) and preferentially displaying camera images in a monitoring area with high importance on the monitor 24. For example, the monitor screen is automatically switched based on the importance or the display control of the multi-divided screen is performed, and details thereof will be described later. The importance is the number of times the images of the monitoring areas 11a, 11b,... Are displayed on the monitor 24 (the number of times the images are selected), and the alarm sensors 28a provided in the monitoring areas 11a, 11b,. This is the total of alarm alarms issued by 28b,.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the importance of each monitoring area 11a, 11b,..., And the higher the importance, the higher the display level of the graph.
9A and 9B show an example in which the calculated importance is applied to automatic screen switching and multi-screen display. That is, the control unit 25 controls the image switching unit 22 according to the importance calculated by the operation terminal device 26, and switches the screen. As shown in FIG. Single screen automatic switching. In this case, a difference is provided in the display time of each area, and the display is performed for a long time in descending order of importance. For example, 10 seconds, 8 seconds, 6 seconds,... From the area with the highest importance, such that the areas with higher importance can be monitored for a longer time.

  Further, in the case of multi-screen display, for example, when displaying a 16-screen as shown in FIG. 9B, an area with higher importance is displayed at the center of the screen of the monitor 24, for example, with higher importance. Set to display the screen spirally from the center.

  The monitor who monitors the display screen of the monitor 24 generally tends to monitor a specific area range mainly at a specific time, and the locus of the intruder is concentrated on the specific area range. The degree is correlated with the time before and after in an adjacent area or the same area. Using this correlation, it is possible to make monitoring work more efficient by capturing the tendency of the monitor operation of the monitor and the tendency of alarm alarms to be displayed automatically.

FIG. 10 (a) shows the relationship between the selected area E _{i, j} and the adjacent area, and FIG. 10 (b) shows the continuous time change of the selected area E _{i, j} . Note that the importance of time t is I _{i, j} (t).

The spatial correlation of area importance at time t in area E _{i, j} is
I _{i, j} (t) −I _{i−1, j} (t)
I _{i, j} (t) −I _{i, j−1} (t)
I _{i, j} (t) −I _{i + 1, j} (t)
I _{i, j} (t) −I _{i, j + 1} (t)
The closer the difference is to 0, the higher the spatial correlation.

In addition, the time correlation of the area importance at time t in area E _{i, j}
I _{i, j} (t + 1) −I _{i, j} (t)
I _{i, j} (t) −I _{i, j} (t−1)
The time correlation is higher as the difference is closer to zero.

The operation terminal device 26 predicts a specific time and a specific area range where the importance becomes high from the above two correlations and the importance I _{i, j} (t), and when the time approaches, the control terminal 25 receives a control command. And the screen display of the monitor 24 is automatically switched to the screen of the predicted area range.

  As described above, the operation terminal device 26 calculates the transition of the importance of each monitoring area spatially and temporally and predicts the specific time and the specific area range where the importance becomes high, for example, a crime occurs. It is possible to predict the area and time to be performed.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the image recording device 21 for recording all images taken by the monitoring cameras 12a, 12b,... Is provided is described. A specific image recording apparatus that records only the captured image of the designated area may be provided.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a surveillance camera system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The second embodiment shows an example in which the surveillance camera system is applied to a network system as shown in FIG. Images taken by the monitoring cameras 12a, 12b,... Are input to the control device unit 41. The control device unit 41 includes the control unit 25 and the operation terminal device 26 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, and identifies important areas from the monitoring images taken by the monitoring cameras 12a, 12b,. To do. The control device unit 41 outputs a monitoring image captured by the monitoring cameras 12a, 12b,... And information indicating an important area to the network 43 by the network distribution device. An image recording device (network digital recorder) 44, a specific image recording device (network digital recorder) 45, and a management server 46 are connected to the network 43. A plurality of image recording devices 44 are provided corresponding to, for example, the monitoring cameras 12a, 12b,... And all the captured images of the monitoring cameras 12a, 12b,... Distributed from the network distribution device 42 via the network 43 are recorded. To do. The specific image recording device 45 is for recording an image of an important area.

  The management server 46 records all the captured images of the monitoring cameras 12 a, 12 b,... Distributed via the network 43 in the image recording device 44, and sends important information sent from the control device unit 41 via the network 43. Based on the area information, only the captured image of the important area is selected in real time from the captured images of the monitoring cameras 12a, 12b,... And recorded in the specific image recording device 45.

  According to the second embodiment, all images taken by the monitoring cameras 12a, 12b,... Are recorded in the image recording device 44. Further, for images determined as important areas by the control device unit 41, specific images are recorded. It is recorded in the recording device 45. That is, the important information determined by the control device unit 41 can be managed by the image recording device 44 and the specific image recording device 45 in a double manner. Further, since the image recording device 44 records all images taken by the monitoring cameras 12a, 12b,..., A large-capacity image recording device 44 is required. However, since the recording capacity is limited, the specific image recording device 45 is required. By increasing the capacity, it is possible to store only important images for a long time.

In the surveillance camera system concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention, it is an image figure in the case of monitoring a plurality of surveillance areas with many surveillance cameras. 2 is a system diagram of a surveillance camera system according to the embodiment. FIG. (A) is a diagram showing an operation screen displayed on the operation terminal device in the embodiment, (b) is a diagram showing a single screen displayed on the monitor and a multi-divided screen of 4 divisions, 9 divisions and 16 divisions It is. It is a figure for demonstrating operation of the joystick in the embodiment. In the same embodiment, it is a figure which shows the relationship between the selected area and an adjacent area. In the same embodiment, it is a figure which shows the state change of a display area when a joystick is operated in the up-down-left-right direction when the 4-part dividing screen is displayed. In the same embodiment, it is a figure which shows the state change of a single screen and a multi division | segmentation screen when a joystick is operated to the near side and the back direction when the single screen is displayed. In the same embodiment, it is a figure which shows the importance for every monitoring area in a graph. In the same embodiment, it is a figure which shows the example which applied the importance calculated with the terminal device for operation to the automatic switching of a screen and multi-screen display. In the same embodiment, it is a figure which shows the change of the continuous time of the relationship between the selected area and an adjacent area, and the selected area. It is a system distribution diagram of the surveillance camera system concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  11a, 11b, ..., surveillance area, 12a, 12b, ..., surveillance camera, 21 ... image recording device, 22 ... image switcher, 23 ... multiplexer, 24 ... monitor, 25 ... control unit, 26 ... operation terminal Device, 26a ... Display, 27 ... Joystick, 28a, 28b, ..., Alarm sensor, 30 ... Operation screen, 31 ... Display area, 41 ... Control device section, 42 ... Network distribution device, 43 ... Network, 44 ... Image recording 45, specific image recording device, 46 ... management server.

Claims (2)

In a surveillance camera system for photographing a plurality of surveillance areas with a plurality of surveillance cameras, and displaying a photographed image of the surveillance camera on a monitor for monitoring,
A plurality of alarm sensors respectively provided in each of the monitoring areas;
An operation terminal device for instructing selection of an image to be displayed on the monitor and switching between a single screen and a multi-screen;
The plurality of monitoring areas are displayed in a matrix form on the screen of the operation terminal device, and the camera image is selected by selecting the monitoring area displayed on the screen of the operation terminal device. Selecting means,
In the case of the multi-screen display , the operation terminal device calculates the importance of each monitoring area from the monitoring camera selection operation record in each monitoring area and the alarm alarm record of each alarm sensor, and the importance is high. A surveillance camera system , wherein camera images in a surveillance area are displayed in a spiral form from the center of the monitor screen in descending order of importance . In a surveillance camera system for photographing a plurality of surveillance areas with a plurality of surveillance cameras, and displaying a photographed image of the surveillance camera on a monitor for monitoring,
A plurality of alarm sensors respectively provided in each of the monitoring areas;
An operation terminal device for instructing selection of an image to be displayed on the monitor and switching between a single screen and a multi-screen;
The plurality of monitoring areas are displayed in a matrix form on the screen of the operation terminal device, and the camera image is selected by selecting the monitoring area displayed on the screen of the operation terminal device. Selecting means,
The operation terminal device calculates the importance of each monitoring area from the monitoring camera selection operation record and the alarm alarm record of each alarm sensor in each monitoring area, and the transition of the importance of each monitoring area is spatially Predicting a specific time and a specific area range in which importance is high, and switching to a camera image of the specific area range when the predicted specific time is approached, and displaying it on the monitor Characteristic surveillance camera system.

Images