JP6104595B2 - Image storage system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for securely and securely storing and storing captured image data without increasing costs.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is known a monitoring system that monitors a monitoring target area by imaging and reproducing the monitoring target area in which an ATM (automatic teller machine) or the like is installed. In the monitoring system, it is necessary to store image data obtained by imaging in a storage device or the like until it is reproduced as necessary. That is, the monitoring system is usually configured as an image storage system. An image management system configured as an image storage system is described in, for example, Patent Document 1.

  The vicinity of the monitoring target area of the monitoring system is generally an area where crime is likely to occur, and there is a high possibility that the devices installed by the destruction work accompanying the crime are likely to be destroyed. In particular, the surveillance system has a characteristic that it is easy for criminals to be a target of destruction. Therefore, in the monitoring system, if image data is stored and stored in a device in the vicinity of the monitoring target area, the device is destroyed and there is a high risk of losing stored image data. Therefore, conventionally, a technique has been proposed in which image data is transmitted via a network to a management device (storage device) installed in a remote location away from the monitoring target area, and managed and stored.

  On the other hand, ATM is connected to a deposit and saving center through a network, and exchanges customer information, deposit information, and the like via the network. Therefore, in a monitoring system that uses ATM as a monitoring target, a form in which a network connecting ATM and a deposit and saving center is widely used as a network for transmitting image data to a management apparatus. By configuring in this way, an existing network can be used, and the cost of the monitoring system can be reduced.

  The network connecting the ATM and the savings and savings center has a large amount of communication in a time zone (for example, daytime) when a relatively large number of customers using the ATM visit, and there is often no room for transmission of image data by the image storage system. . Therefore, the image storage system using the network between the ATM and the deposit and saving center temporarily stores (primary storage) image data captured in the daytime in the camera in order to avoid transmission in the daytime period, Transmission to the center is configured to be performed at night.

JP 2007-104518 A

  However, in the case of an image storage system that is primarily stored in the camera, there is a problem that when the camera is destroyed, the image data that has been temporarily stored (image data that has not yet been stored in the center) is lost. Assuming that the camera is destroyed by a criminal or the like, image data that has not yet been transmitted to the center often includes image data immediately before the camera is destroyed. The image data is particularly important image data with a high probability that a person who has destroyed the camera is imaged. That is, in the image storage system, when image data is temporarily stored in the camera, there is a problem that particularly important image data may be lost. However, concealing the camera in an inconspicuous place so that it is not destroyed causes a problem that the deterrence of crime by showing the presence of the camera is reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for storing and storing captured image data safely and securely without increasing the cost.

To solve the above problems, the invention of claim 1, an image storage system, captured by the first memory means for storing image data generated by the imaging means and the imaging means for generating image data, respectively wherein a plurality of cameras data communication can mutually provided in, and crisis detection means for detecting a crisis of the camera, according to a detection result by the crisis detecting means, a camera that crisis has been detected among the plurality of cameras According to the positional relationship with the camera other than the camera where the crisis is detected , according to the detection result by the storage destination selecting means for selecting a camera other than the camera where the crisis is detected as the evacuation destination camera, and the detection result by the crisis detecting means the first storage means for saving destination camera selected by the storage destination selecting means comprises, possible data communication between the camera that the crisis is detected Is regarded as second storage means, and a storage control means for saving storing image data captured by the imaging means cameras the crisis is detected is provided.

The invention of claim 2 is the images storage system, together data communication, each comprising a first memory means for storing image data generated by the imaging means and the imaging means for generating image data by the imaging A plurality of cameras, a crisis detection unit for detecting a crisis of the camera, and a first camera provided in a camera other than the camera in which the crisis is detected among the plurality of cameras according to a detection result by the crisis detection unit. According to the life prediction of the storage means, the storage destination selection means for selecting a camera other than the camera in which the crisis is detected as a save destination camera, and the storage destination selection means according to the detection result by the crisis detection means The first storage means included in the evacuated destination camera is regarded as the second storage means capable of data communication with the camera in which the crisis is detected, and There and a storage control means for saving storing image data captured by the imaging means provided in the sensed camera.

The invention of claim 3 is the images storage system, together data communication, each comprising a first memory means for storing image data generated by the imaging means and the imaging means for generating image data by the imaging A plurality of cameras, a crisis detection unit for detecting a crisis of the camera, and a first camera provided in a camera other than the camera in which the crisis is detected among the plurality of cameras according to a detection result by the crisis detection unit. According to the failure history of the storage means, a storage destination selection means for selecting a camera other than the camera in which the crisis is detected as a save destination camera, and a selection by the storage destination selection means according to a detection result by the crisis detection means The first storage means included in the evacuated destination camera is regarded as the second storage means capable of data communication with the camera in which the crisis is detected, and There and a storage control means for saving storing image data captured by the imaging means provided in the sensed camera.

The invention of claim 4 is the images storage system, together data communication, each comprising a first memory means for storing image data generated by the imaging means and the imaging means for generating image data by the imaging A plurality of cameras capable of detecting, a crisis detection means for detecting a crisis of the camera, and according to a detection result by the crisis detection means, according to a format of a camera other than the camera in which the crisis is detected among the plurality of cameras A storage destination selection unit that selects a camera other than the camera in which the crisis is detected as a save destination camera, and a save destination camera selected by the storage destination selection unit according to a detection result by the crisis detection unit. The first storage means is regarded as second storage means capable of data communication with the camera in which the crisis is detected, and the camera in which the crisis is detected is provided. And a storage control means for saving storing image data captured by that imaging means.

The invention of claim 5 is the images storage system, together data communication, each comprising a first memory means for storing image data generated by the imaging means and the imaging means for generating image data by the imaging A plurality of cameras, a crisis detection means for detecting a crisis of the camera, and a camera other than the camera in which the crisis is detected among the plurality of cameras according to a detection result by the crisis detection means A storage destination selection unit that selects the first storage unit included in the evacuation destination camera selected by the storage destination selection unit according to a detection result by the crisis detection unit, and a camera in which the crisis is detected. As a second storage means capable of data communication, the image data captured by the imaging means included in the camera in which the crisis is detected is saved and stored. A憶制control means, the crisis detecting means, the crisis is provided on the camera other than a camera sensed.

The invention of claim 6 is the images storage system, a camera having a first storage unit for storing the image data generated by imaging means and the imaging means for generating image data by imaging, the According to the detection result by the second storage means capable of data communication with the camera, the crisis detection means for detecting the crisis of the camera, the confirmation means for confirming the safety of the camera, and the crisis detection means, Storage control means for saving and storing image data captured by the imaging means in the second storage means separately from the first storage means, and the storage control means according to a confirmation result by the confirmation means The image data saved in the second storage means is invalidated .

The invention of claim 7 is the images storage system, a camera having a first storage means for storing image data generated by the imaging means and the imaging means for generating image data by imaging, the According to the detection result by the second storage means capable of data communication with the camera, the crisis detection means for detecting the crisis of the camera, the confirmation means for confirming the safety of the camera, and the crisis detection means, The image data picked up by the image pickup means is saved in the second storage means separately from the first storage means, and is saved in the second storage means according to the confirmation result by the confirmation means. Storage control means for stopping .

The invention of claim 8 is the images storage system, a camera having a first storage means for storing image data generated by the imaging means and the imaging means for generating image data by imaging, the A second storage means capable of data communication with the camera, a crisis detection means for detecting a crisis of the camera, and a timing for confirming the safety of the camera according to a detection result by the crisis detection means; Confirming means for confirming the safety of the camera in which the crisis is detected at the determined timing, and image data captured by the imaging means in accordance with the detection result by the crisis detecting means, the first storage means Separately, storage control means for saving and storing in the second storage means is provided .

The invention according to claims 1 to 8, and crisis detecting means for detecting a crisis camera, according to a detection result by the crisis detecting means, the image data taken by the imaging means, separately from the first storing means By providing storage control means for saving and storing in the second storage means, for example, image data can be saved in the second storage means when a camera crisis is detected. Therefore, even when the camera (first storage means) is destroyed, the image data can be reliably stored. In addition, the capacity of the second storage means can be suppressed by using the second storage means only when a crisis is predicted instead of always using the second storage means.

It is a figure which shows the image storage system in this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows a camera. It is a figure which shows the functional block with which a camera is provided with the flow of data. It is a figure which illustrates positional relationship data. It is a figure which illustrates registration data. It is a figure which illustrates the priority order data produced by the selection part. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the camera in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the camera in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the camera in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the camera in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the evacuation process performed in a camera.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, unless otherwise specified in the following description, descriptions of directions and orientations correspond to the drawings for the convenience of the description, and do not limit, for example, a product, a product, or a scope of rights.

<1. Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an image storage system 1 in the present embodiment. The image storage system 1 includes a server 2, a gateway 3, a router 4, a hub 5, and a plurality of cameras 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66. In the image storage system 1, these devices are connected to each other via a LAN 80 (first network) and an IP network 81 (second network) in a state where data communication is possible.

  In the image storage system 1 according to the present embodiment, the server 2 is installed in the archive center, and the gateway 3, the router 4, the hub 5 and the cameras 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 are installed in the store. . The archive center and the store are connected via an IP network 81 in a state where data communication is possible. Further, a LAN 80 is laid in the store, and the devices in the store are connected in a state where data communication is possible. Although FIG. 1 illustrates only one store, the number of stores is not limited to one.

  On the first floor of the store illustrated in FIG. 1, a hall used mainly by customers who visit the store, and a warehouse used as a backyard for storing equipment necessary for the store, although the customer does not go in and out. And are provided. In the hall, which is a relatively large room, there is a sales counter where a counter is installed and the person in charge handles the customer directly, and an ATM is installed in front of the ATM where the ATM is installed to serve the customer. . On the second floor of the store, an office for mainly staff to perform office work and a reception room for special customers are provided. The store layout shown in FIG. 1 is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  The cameras 60 and 61 installed in front of the hall ATM on the first floor of the store have their imaging ranges set and installed so that each person who uses the corresponding ATM can be reliably imaged. Cameras 62 and 63 are installed at the hall sales counter on the first floor of the store. The camera 62 has an imaging range set so that a person who visits a counter (counter) can be imaged. The camera 63 sets the imaging range toward the store entrance so that a person entering the hall can be imaged. Has been. A camera 64 is installed in the warehouse on the first floor of the store. Furthermore, a camera 65 is installed in the office on the second floor of the store, and a camera 66 is installed in the reception room on the second floor of the store.

  In the following description, the cameras 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 and 66 are collectively referred to as the camera 6 when they are not individually distinguished. Further, the cameras 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 may not be devices having the same structure. Further, the number of cameras 6 included in the image storage system 1 is not limited to seven as shown in FIG. 1, and the number of cameras 6 arranged in each room is not particularly limited.

  The server 2 is a general computer installed in the archive center. Although details are not shown, the server 2 is connected to the IP network 81 via various relays. In the image storage system 1, the server 2 provides a function of storing and storing image data 90 (see FIG. 2) captured by the camera 6 for a long period of time. For storing the image data 90, not only the server 2 main body (storage device in the main body) but also a portable recording medium (such as a CD-ROM or an optical disk) may be used. In that case, the image data 90 is transferred from the server 2 to the recording medium and stored at an appropriate timing, and the recording medium is stored.

  In general, when shooting and recording the situation of a store etc. with a security camera etc., storing the image data in each store is complicated and each store must manage the image data, and it can be lost or damaged The sex also increases. Therefore, it is preferable that the captured image data is collected at the archive center and recorded and stored in a lump like the image storage system 1 and the image management system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-104518. In collecting image data, it is preferable to use data communication in terms of certainty and simplicity.

  The gateway 3 is a communication device that mainly performs protocol conversion. In the image storage system 1 in the present embodiment, the protocol in the LAN 80 and the protocol in the IP network 81 are mutually converted.

  The router 4 is a communication device for connecting different networks, and has a function of connecting the LAN 80 and the IP network 81 in the present embodiment.

  The hub 5 is a concentrator located at the center of the star wiring in the network. In the image storage system 1 according to the present embodiment, the cables from the respective cameras 6 (nodes) are concentrated and connected to the router 4.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the camera 6.

  The camera 6 includes a CPU 10, a ROM 11, a RAM 12, an imaging unit 13, a card slot 14, a communication interface 15, and a timer 16. Thereby, the camera 6 has a structure and a function as a general computer.

  The CPU 10 executes various data operations by executing the program 7 and controls each component included in the camera 6 by a control signal. Details of functions and operations of the CPU 10 will be described later.

  The ROM 11 is a read-only storage device and stores a program 7 that is mainly executed by the CPU 10. A part of the program 7 may be stored in the SD card 9 or the RAM 12 installed in the card slot 14.

  The RAM 12 includes a storage device used as a temporary working area for the CPU 10. The RAM 12 includes a storage medium that can be accessed at a relatively high speed, and data can be read and written by the CPU 10. The RAM 12 is a representative example of a storage device that allows the CPU 10 to read and write data, and the storage device included in the camera 6 is limited to a relatively small-capacity volatile storage device that can be accessed at high speed. It is not a thing. In addition to the RAM 12, the camera 6 may include a nonvolatile storage device (for example, a NAND memory), a large-capacity storage device (for example, a hard disk device) that can be accessed only at a relatively low speed, and the like. In the following description, part or all of the data described as being stored in the RAM 12 may be appropriately stored in the SD card 9 and loaded into the RAM 12 as necessary.

  The imaging unit 13 includes an optical element such as a lens (not shown) and a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD (not shown). The imaging unit 13 captures a subject existing in the imaging range of the camera 6 to generate image data 90 representing the subject.

  The card slot 14 is an interface that provides a function of detachably attaching the SD card 9 to the camera 6. Therefore, it can be said that the camera 6 includes the SD card 9 when the SD card 9 is mounted in the card slot 14.

  The SD card 9 is a portable storage medium, and data can be read and written by the CPU 10 when it is mounted in the card slot 14. Although details will be described later, the image data 90 generated by the imaging unit 13 is transferred to the SD card 9 by the CPU 10 and stored as shown in FIG. That is, the SD card 9 has a function of storing the image data 90 generated by the imaging unit 13 of the camera 6 to which the SD card 9 is attached. Therefore, the SD card 9 has a function as the first storage means according to the present invention.

  The communication interface 15 provides a function of connecting the camera 6 to the LAN 80 in a state where data communication is possible. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the camera 6 and the hub 5 are connected by a cable (not shown) attached to the communication interface 15. As a result, the cameras 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, and 66 included in the image storage system 1 are all connected to the LAN 80 and can communicate with each other via the LAN 80. However, the communication interface 15 is not limited to the wired system, and may adopt a wireless system.

  In addition, the image storage system 1 according to the present embodiment transmits the image data 90 stored in the SD card 9 of each camera 6 to the server 2 via the communication interface 15 using the night time zone. Record. That is, each camera 6 temporarily stores the image data 90 in the SD card 9 attached to the camera during the daytime, and transmits them to the server 2 when the nighttime comes. To do.

  As described above, when the camera 6 takes an image in a store, it is preferable to collect and store the image data 90 in the archive center using data communication. On the other hand, in a store equipped with an ATM, a network has already been established between the ATM and the management center for the customer's deposit and savings inquiry processing. Therefore, it is effective to use an already established network as the IP network 81 for transmitting the image data 90 to the archive center. However, in general, a network prepared for ATM is designed in consideration of the amount of ATM used. If image data 90 having a relatively large amount of data is transmitted at the same time, congestion occurs, and the original ATM is used. May be disturbed.

  However, as described above, the image storage system 1 transmits the image data 90 while avoiding the daytime hours when the ATM usage (communication amount) is expected to be relatively large. Thereby, even if the image storage system 1 is a network that has a relatively large amount of communication in a specific time zone (daytime time zone) and has no room for transmitting and receiving the image data 90 in that time zone, It can be efficiently used as the net 81.

  The timer 16 has a function of measuring time appropriately according to a control signal from the CPU 10.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks included in the camera 6 together with a data flow. The crisis detection unit 100, the diagnosis unit 101, the selection unit 102, the storage control unit 103, and the confirmation unit 104 illustrated in FIG. 3 are functional blocks that are realized by the CPU 10 operating according to the program 7.

  The crisis detection unit 100 detects a crisis of the camera 6. The crisis detection unit 100 in the present embodiment detects the crisis of the camera 6 by analyzing the image data 90. For example, when the image data 90 shows that a suspicious person is facing the camera 6, a crisis is detected as the camera 6 is approaching danger.

  Note that the method of detecting the crisis of the camera 6 is not limited to this, and various methods can be used as appropriate. For example, the techniques described in JP 2000-306170 A, JP 2000-285328 A, JP 2008-083358 A, or JP 2000-194961 A can be used.

  The crisis detection unit 100 creates detection data 120 when a crisis of the camera 6 is detected. That is, the detection data 120 is data indicating the detection result of the crisis detection unit 100. Although details will be described later, when a crisis of the camera 6 is detected by the crisis detection unit 100 (when the detection data 120 is created), the image data 90 of the camera 6 is saved in another camera 6.

  Furthermore, the crisis detection unit 100 deletes the detection data 120 from the RAM 12 when the detected crisis is no longer detected.

  The diagnosis unit 101 has a function of diagnosing the state of the SD card 9 attached to the own device and editing the record of the own device in the state data 121 (record storing the state of the own device). . That is, the diagnosis unit 101 corresponds to self-diagnosis means for diagnosing the situation of the own device.

  The state data 121 in the present embodiment is data having a table structure in which one record is created for each camera 6. Each record includes information indicating the state of the SD card 9 attached to each camera 6 together with an identifier for identifying each camera 6. As the state of the SD card 9, for example, information such as failure history, life prediction, whether or not read / write is possible, and storage capacity (storage capacity that can be used as save storage) are recorded.

  As described above, the diagnosis unit 101 records information such as failure history, life prediction, read / write availability, storage capacity, and the like of the SD card 9 installed in its own device in the state data 121 as needed. To record.

  As a method for predicting the life of the SD card 9, for example, a technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-113493 can be employed. The storage capacity that can be used as the evacuation storage is, for example, an average value per day calculated from the size of the image data 90 recorded for several days for each camera 6, and the obtained average value is used as the SD card of the camera 6. It can be estimated by subtracting from the original storage capacity of 9.

  The record of the own device in the state data 121 created by the diagnosis unit 101 is appropriately transmitted to another camera 6 via the communication interface 15. The data transmitted in this way is stored as a record of the transmitted camera 6 in the received state data 121 of the camera 6. That is, among the records of the status data 121, a record relating to the own device is created by the diagnosis unit 101 of the own device, and a record of the other device is created based on the data received by the communication interface 15. As a result, the state data 121 stored in each camera 6 becomes information common to each camera 6 as a database indicating the states of all SD cards 9 (however, a slight time lag due to a transmission / reception shift is allowed). .)

  In the camera 6 according to the present embodiment, it has been described that the state data 121 storing the states of all the SD cards 9 is created and stored almost always, but the information included in the state data 121 is necessary. Only the information necessary when it becomes necessary may be created by the diagnosis unit 101. For example, when an inquiry about the state of the SD card 9 is made from the camera 61 to the camera 60, the diagnosis unit 101 of the camera 60 creates its own record, and the communication interface 15 transmits it to the camera 61. Also good.

  In addition, the diagnosis unit 101 diagnoses the latest state when there is an inquiry about safety (hereinafter referred to as “safety confirmation”) from the confirmation unit 104 of the other device, and records its own in the state data 121. Update. At this time, the communication interface 15 transmits the updated record (data indicating the latest state of the SD card 9 attached to the camera 6 confirmed to be safe) to the other device.

  When confirming safety, it is not necessary to confirm the state of the SD card 9 for all items. For example, information such as failure history, life prediction, storage capacity, etc. of the SD card 9 is not necessary as an answer to the safety confirmation. Therefore, when the safety is confirmed, the diagnosis unit 101 diagnoses the minimum items such as whether or not the SD card 9 can be read and written, and updates the state data 121.

  Based on the detection result (detection data 120) by the crisis detection unit 100, the selection unit 102 selects a camera 6 other than the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected among the plurality of cameras 6 as the evacuation destination camera 6, and the selection data 124 Has the function to create. That is, the selection data 124 is data indicating the camera 6 selected as the save destination camera 6 by the selection unit 102. When the selection unit 102 creates the selection data 124, the state data 121 and the priority order data 123 are referred to.

  As described above, the selection unit 102 according to the present embodiment can confirm the states of all the SD cards 9 in the image storage system 1 by referring to the state data 121. Therefore, the selection unit 102 can select the evacuation destination camera 6 according to the failure history of the SD card 9 included in the camera 6 other than the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected. Thereby, the selection unit 102 can select the camera 6 on which the highly reliable SD card 9 is mounted as the save destination camera 6 of the image data 91.

  Further, the selection unit 102 can also select the evacuation destination camera 6 according to the life prediction of the SD card 9 provided in the camera 6 other than the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected. Also by this, the selection unit 102 can select the camera 6 in which the highly reliable SD card 9 is mounted as the save destination camera 6 of the image data 91.

  Furthermore, since the selection unit 102 can select the save destination camera 6 according to the free capacity of the SD card 9 provided in the camera 6 other than the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected, the storage capacity of the save destination camera is sufficient. It can be suppressed from disappearing.

  In addition, the selection unit 102 according to the present embodiment has a function of creating priority order data 123 based on the setting data 122. As shown in FIG. 3, the setting data 122 includes positional relationship data 122a and registration data 122b. The setting data 122 is data that is created and prepared before the operation of the image storage system 1 is started.

  In the present embodiment, the setting data 122 is data written in advance on the SD card 9 by an external input device (for example, a notebook personal computer carried by a maintenance person). The SD card 9 storing the setting data 122 in this way is loaded into the RAM 12 by being inserted into the card slot 14 of the camera 6. Note that the method of acquiring the setting data 122 is not limited to this. For example, after creating in the server 2, you may download toward each camera 6. FIG. In addition, a maintenance person may directly operate and input the operation unit of the camera 6. Alternatively, a maintenance personal computer brought by a maintenance person may be temporarily connected to the hub 5, created on the maintenance personal computer, and then transferred to each camera 6 via the LAN 80.

  Further, when a change occurs in the installation status of the camera 6 in the store, or when a new room is added to the store, all the setting data 122 stored in each camera 6 installed in the store is stored. Need to update. Further, since the setting data 122 needs to be stored even when the power of the camera 6 is turned off, it is desirable to store the setting data 122 in a nonvolatile storage device (for example, the SD card 9).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship data 122a. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the position identifier A indicates “before ATM” in the store illustrated in FIG. 1, the position identifier B indicates “business counter”, and the position identifier C indicates “warehouse”. Further, the position identifier D indicates “office” in the store shown in FIG. 1, and the position identifier E indicates “reception room”.

  In addition, since the room corresponding to the position identifier F does not exist in the store shown in FIG. 1, the corresponding item is blank (blank), but the store corresponding to the position identifier F is in a store having a layout different from the store. May be present. Conversely, the number of rooms set may be smaller than that of the store shown in FIG.

  The positional relationship data 122a is data indicating the position order between the camera 6 installed in the room indicated by each position identifier and the other cameras 6 installed in each room. Here, the position order is the order of safety due to the positional relationship between the room where the crisis is detected and each room, and the smaller the numerical value, the higher the safety.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, with regard to “pre-ATM” whose own position is the position identifier A, the same “pre-ATM” is “position rank 4”, indicating the lowest safety. This is due to the fact that if a crisis is detected before an ATM, it is likely that the same ATM will be exposed to the same crisis. On the other hand, for the same location identifier A “before ATM”, the office on the second floor (position identifier D) and the reception room (position identifier E) are “position ranking 1”, indicating that it is the safest. . This is because even if a crisis is detected in front of an ATM, the floors are different, so it is unlikely that the crisis or the reception room, which is a relatively remote place, will be easily affected by the crisis. Due to being.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, the office and the reception room provided on the second floor are both “position rank 1” with respect to the front of the ATM, and are set as the same position rank. However, of course, a difference may be provided in the position order between the office and the reception room. For example, if the staff is resident in the office and safety is high, but the reception room is likely to be unattended and low safety is expected, the office position is set higher than the reception room. May be. Or conversely, since the distance from the front of the ATM is farther in the reception room, the position order of the reception room may be set higher than that in the office. That is, the position order (position relation data 122a) is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 4 and can be arbitrarily set according to the situation.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating registration data 122b. The registration data 122b is data indicating the correspondence between the camera 6 installed in the store and the installation location of the camera 6. When each camera 6 is newly installed, the installation location of the camera 6 is registered. It is updated by newly registering. By referring to the registration data 122b, it is possible to search which camera 6 is installed in which room or which camera 6 is installed in which room.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating priority order data 123 created by the selection unit 102. When the setting data 122 is created, the selection unit 102 creates priority order data 123 as shown in FIG. 6 based on the created setting data 122.

  In the priority order data 123, one record is created for each camera 6 constituting the image storage system 1. In the record, an identifier (save source) indicating the corresponding camera 6 and an identifier of the camera 6 that is a candidate for the save destination of the image data 90 of the camera 6 are stored. The identifier of the camera 6 that is a candidate for the save destination is stored for each position order.

  The selection unit 102 refers to the registration data 122b and acquires the identifier of the camera 6 stored in the registration data 122b and the position identifier corresponding to the identifier. For example, the identifier of the camera 60 and the position identifier A corresponding to the identifier of the camera 60 are acquired.

  Next, a record corresponding to the acquired identifier of the camera 60 is created in the priority order data 123. Then, using the position identifier A acquired from the registration data 122b corresponding to the identifier of the camera 60 as the own apparatus position, the position relation data 122a is referred to, and the position identifier corresponding to each position order is acquired. Accordingly, the position identifiers D and E can be acquired as the position order 1, the position identifier C as the position order 2, the position identifier C as the position order 3, and the position identifier A as the position order 4.

  Further, the selection unit 102 converts the acquired position identifier corresponding to each position order into an identifier of the corresponding camera 6 by referring to the registration data 122b, and stores each in the record of the priority order data 123. That is, the position identifiers D and E as the position order 1 are converted into the camera identifiers 65 and 66 and stored in the position order 1 column of the camera 60 record in the priority order data 123. Similarly, the position rankings 2, 3, and 4 store the identifier of the camera 6 corresponding to the position identifier. However, at this time, the selection unit 102 excludes its own identifier from the identifier of the camera 6 acquired corresponding to the position identifier. In the present embodiment, since the crisis detection unit 100 detects the crisis of the own device, the own device (the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected) is inappropriate as the evacuation destination camera 6.

  When the record of the camera 60 (for one device) is created in this way, the selection unit 102 acquires the identifiers of the cameras 6 other than the camera 60 from the registration data 122b and repeats the same processing. Then, when the processing is completed for all the identifiers of the cameras 6 registered in the registration data 122b, the priority order data 123 as shown in FIG. 6 is completed.

  Referring to the priority order data 123 shown in FIG. 6, for example, among the cameras 6 that are candidates for the save destination of the image data 90 of the camera 60, the camera 6 having the highest positional priority (position order 1) is It can be seen that the camera 65 is the camera 61, and the camera 6 with the lowest (position ranking 4) is the camera 61. Therefore, the selection unit 102 refers to the priority order data 123 when creating the selection data 124, so that the positional relationship between the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected and the cameras 6 other than the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected. Accordingly, the save destination camera 6 is selected. Thereby, for example, the positionally safe camera 6 can be accurately selected as the retreat destination camera 6.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the storage control unit 103 attaches the image data 90 captured by the imaging unit 13 to the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected in accordance with the detection result (detection data 120) by the crisis detection unit 100. The SD card 9 different from the SD card 9 is saved and stored.

  Specifically, when the detection data 120 has not been created (when the selection data 124 has not been created), the storage control unit 103 stores the image data 90 in its own SD card 9 so as to store it in the card slot. 14 is controlled. Therefore, the SD card 9 installed in the card slot 14 corresponds to the first storage means as described above.

  On the other hand, when the detection data 120 is created and the selection data 124 is created accordingly, the storage control unit 103 transmits the image data 90 to the save destination camera 6 indicated by the selection data 124. Thus, the communication interface 15 is controlled. When the communication interface 15 receives the image data 90, the storage control unit 103 of the save destination camera 6 stores the image data 90 in the SD card 9 attached to the own device. That is, the storage control unit 103 of the evacuation source camera 6 and the storage control unit 103 of the evacuation destination camera 6 cooperate with each other, and the imaging unit included in the evacuation source camera 6 is installed in the SD card 9 attached to the evacuation destination camera 6. The image data 90 imaged by 13 is saved and stored. Therefore, the SD card 9 installed in the card slot 14 corresponds to the second storage means according to the present invention when viewed from the camera 6 other than the camera 6 provided with the card slot 14.

  Thus, by using the SD card 9 provided in the other camera 6 as the second storage means, it is not necessary to add hardware (for example, a spare storage device) to the LAN 80, for example, and the hardware configuration of the conventional system Can be used as it is, so that the cost can be suppressed.

  Note that the storage control unit 103 in the present embodiment stores the image data 90 in the SD card 9 in parallel with the save storage of the image data 90 even when the detection data 120 is created. To control. That is, in the image storage system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the detection data 120 is created, the image data 90 is stored twice. In the following description, image data captured by an imaging unit 13 other than the imaging unit 13 included in the own device (an imaging unit 13 included in the camera 6 other than the own device) is referred to as “image data 91”. It is distinguished from the image data 90 captured by the imaging unit 13 provided. A specific example will be described using the example shown in FIG. 1. When image data 91 is stored in the SD card 9 attached to the camera 60, the image data 91 is captured by the imaging unit 13 of the camera 60. It is not a thing.

  In addition, when the detection data 120 is deleted by the crisis detection unit 100, the storage control unit 103 refers to the state data 121 and confirms that there is no problem with the own device (particularly the own SD card 9). Then, the save storage is stopped. That is, the transmission of the image data 90 by the communication interface 15 is stopped.

  The storage control unit 103 also has a function of deleting the image data 91 saved and stored in the SD card 9 according to the safety data 125. As a result, for example, the camera 6 that captured the image data 91 saved and stored is safe, and the image data 91 (image data 90 in the camera 6) is stored in the SD card 9 of the camera 6. In this case, by deleting the saved image data 91, the free space of the SD card 9 as the second storage means can be secured. Instead of deletion, overwriting with other data may be performed. In other words, any processing may be performed as long as the image data 91 can be invalidated and the free space of the SD card 9 can be secured.

  The confirmation unit 104 has a function of confirming the safety of the camera 6 in which a crisis is detected and creating the safety data 125 according to the result of the safety confirmation. In other words, the safety data 125 is data indicating “abnormal” or “normal” with respect to the camera 6 that has been subject to safety confirmation.

  The confirmation unit 104 executes safety confirmation by inquiring of the camera 6 to be confirmed about the safety of the camera 6 via the communication interface 15 and the LAN 80. Note that the timing at which the confirmation unit 104 executes the safety confirmation can be, for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the last image data 91 was received. The confirmation unit 104 can acquire such elapsed time by referring to the timer 16. The storage control unit 103 in the present embodiment stops the transmission of the image data 90 to the other device when the crisis ends and the detection data 120 is deleted. Therefore, the situation that the image data 91 is not received for a predetermined time is that the transmission of the image data 91 has been stopped due to the end of the crisis for the camera 6 once the crisis has been detected, or even the image data 91 cannot be transmitted. Can be assumed.

  The diagnostic unit 101 of the camera 6 that has received the safety confirmation newly performs a self-diagnosis on a predetermined item at the timing as described above, and newly updates the own record of the state data 121. The “predetermined item” mentioned here may be an item specialized when safety is confirmed as described above. That is, it is not necessary to perform self-diagnosis for all items stored in the status data 121. In addition, the fact is recorded for items for which self-diagnosis for safety confirmation could not be performed.

  When the update of the status data 121 for the safety confirmation is completed in this way, the communication interface 15 of the camera 6 transmits its own record as a response to the safety confirmation toward the camera 6 that transmitted the safety confirmation.

  Accordingly, the confirmation unit 104 that has executed the safety confirmation can receive the diagnosis result (status data 121) by the diagnosis unit 101 of the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected by data communication via the LAN 80. And the confirmation part 104 which received the diagnostic result confirms the safety of the camera 6 by which the crisis was detected according to the said diagnostic result, and produces the safety data 125. FIG.

  Thereby, safety can be confirmed according to the result of the self-diagnosis for an arbitrary item. For example, the accuracy of the safety confirmation is improved as compared with the case where confirmation is simply made based on whether or not the link is established. When there is no response to the safety confirmation, the confirmation unit 104 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the inquired camera 6, and creates safety data 125 indicating that fact.

  The confirmation unit 104 in the present embodiment confirms the safety of the camera 6 that has captured the image data 91 only when the own device stores the image data 91. For example, when a crisis is detected in the camera 60 and the image data 90 captured by the camera 60 is stored as the image data 91 in the camera 66, only the confirmation unit 104 of the camera 66 executes the safety confirmation of the camera 60. . As a result, the processing is reduced as compared to the case where all the cameras 6 other than the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected perform safety confirmation all at once.

  The above is the description of the configuration and functions of the image storage system 1 in the present embodiment. Next, a method for storing the image data 90 by the image storage system 1 (image storage method) will be described.

  7 to 10 are flowcharts showing the operation of the camera 6 in the present embodiment.

  When the processing shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 is started, the camera 6 performs initial setting (step S1). In the initial setting, for example, acquisition of setting data 122, creation of priority order data 123, initial self-diagnosis by the diagnosis unit 101 (creation of status data 121 and transmission to another device), reception flag and safety flag are set to OFF. The process to perform is performed.

  The reception flag is a flag indicating whether or not the camera 6 is receiving image data 91 from another camera 6 and is “ON” when the image data 91 is being received. It is “OFF” when it is not. The safety flag is a flag indicating whether or not the camera 6 is confirming safety with respect to another camera 6. The safety flag is “ON” when the safety confirmation is performed, and is not performed ( (Or when it is no longer needed).

  When the initial setting in step S1 is completed, the camera 6 shifts to an operating state. In the operation state, the camera 6 captures an image by the image capturing unit 13 (step S2), stores the image data 90 acquired by the image capturing in the SD card 9 (step S3), and detects a crisis based on the acquired image data 90. While executing (Step S4), it is in a state of monitoring various states. In step S4, when the crisis cannot be detected, the crisis detection unit 100 checks whether the detection data 120 has already been created, and if the detection data 120 has already been created, the detection data. 120 is deleted.

  The state monitored in the operation state includes presence / absence of detection data (step S5), reception of image data 91 (step S7), reception flag state (step S11), and safety flag state (step S21). The reception of the safety confirmation (step S31) and the time (step S34). However, the state monitored in the operation state is not limited to this. For example, whether or not the setting data 122 has been updated may be monitored.

  When the presence of the detection data 120 is confirmed in the operating state, the CPU 10 determines Yes in step S5 and starts the saving process (step S6).

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the save process executed in the camera 6. The save process is a process of selecting the save destination camera 6 that saves and stores the image data 90 and transmitting the image data 90 to the selected save destination camera 6.

  When the saving process is started, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the selection data 124 already exists (step S41).

  If the selection data 124 already exists (Yes in step S41), the storage control unit 103 controls the communication interface 15 to transmit the image data 90 to the save destination camera 6 indicated in the selection data 124. To do. Thereby, the communication interface 15 transmits the image data 90 to the save destination camera 6 (step S42). When step S42 is executed, the camera 6 returns to the process shown in FIG. 7 and returns to the operating state.

  If the selection data 124 has not yet been created (No in step S41), the selection unit 102 refers to the priority order data 123 and selects a camera 6 with a higher position order relative to its own device as a candidate for the save destination camera 6 (hereinafter referred to as “removal destination camera 6”). , Referred to as “candidate camera 6”) (step S43). In step S43, when there are a plurality of cameras 6 having the same position order, one is arbitrarily selected from them.

  Next, the selection unit 102 refers to the state data 121 and refers to the failure history or life of the SD card 9 (hereinafter referred to as “candidate SD card 9”) attached to the candidate camera 6 selected in step S43. It is confirmed whether or not there is any problem in (step S44).

  If it determines with Yes in step S44, the selection part 102 will further refer to the status data 121, and will determine whether the free capacity of the candidate SD card 9 is more than the threshold value T (step S45). Note that the threshold value T is determined according to an expected value of the storage capacity necessary for saving and storing the image data 91. In addition, as described above, the “free space” in step S45 is a storage capacity that is expected to remain even if the image data 90 of the candidate camera 6 is stored for one day in the candidate SD card 9, This is a storage capacity capable of saving and storing the image data 91. Therefore, it is smaller than the unused storage capacity when step S45 is executed by the storage capacity that must be reserved for storing the image data 90.

  If it determines with Yes in step S45, the selection part 102 will determine the candidate camera 6 as the evacuation destination camera 6, and will produce the selection data 124 containing the identifier of the said camera 6 (step S46). When the selection data 124 is created in step S46, step S42 is executed by the storage control unit 103 and the communication interface 15, and the image data 90 is transmitted toward the save destination camera 6.

  If it determines with No in step S45, the selection part 102 will refer to the priority data 123, and will select the new camera 6 as an additional candidate camera 6 (step S47). In step S <b> 47, the selection unit 102 selects the camera 6 with the highest position order from the cameras 6 other than the already selected candidate cameras 6 as the additional candidate camera 6.

  When step S47 is executed and an additional candidate camera 6 is selected, the selection unit 102 refers to the state data 121 and the SD card attached to the candidate camera 6 (including the additional candidate camera 6). 9, it is determined whether or not the free space (minimum free space) of the SD card 9 having the smallest free space is equal to or greater than a threshold value t (step S48). Note that t = T / (number of candidate cameras 6).

  If it determines with No in step S48, the selection part 102 will repeat step S47 and will select the additional candidate camera 6 from the priority order data 123 further. On the other hand, if it is determined Yes in step S48, the candidate camera 6 (including the additional candidate camera 6) is determined as the evacuation destination camera 6, and selection data 124 including the identifier of the camera 6 is created (step S49). When the selection data 124 is created in step S49, step S42 is executed by the storage control unit 103 and the communication interface 15, and the image data 90 is transmitted toward the save destination camera 6. Since the selection data 124 created in step S49 includes a plurality of save destination cameras 6, when step S42 is executed after step S49 is executed, the image data 90 is distributed to the plurality of save destination cameras 6. And saved.

  As a technique for distributing and storing the image data 90 in a plurality of retract cameras 6 (cameras 64, 65, 66), for example, the first frame, the second frame, the third frame, and the fourth frame in the image data 90 are used. ,... Are stored in a distributed manner so that the evacuation storage destination is the SD card 9 of the camera 66, the SD card 9 of the camera 65, the SD card 9 of the camera 64, the SD card 9 of the camera 66,. It is possible. In other words, it is conceivable that each frame constituting the image data 90 is cyclically assigned to a plurality of evacuation cameras 6 according to the created order (frame number). However, it is not limited to such a method.

  Returning to step S44, when there is a problem in the failure history or life of the SD card 9 of the candidate camera 6 selected in step S43 (No in step S44), the selection unit 102 refers to the priority order data 123. Then, a new camera 6 is selected as an additional candidate camera 6 (step S50). In step S50, as in step S47, the selection unit 102 selects the camera 6 with the highest position ranking from the cameras 6 other than the already selected candidate camera 6 as the additional candidate camera 6.

  Next, the selection unit 102 refers to the state data 121 and confirms whether there is no problem in the failure history or the life of the SD card 9 attached to the additional candidate camera 6 selected in step S50. (Step S51). If there is a problem with the failure history or lifetime of the SD card 9, the process of step S50 is repeated to select additional candidate cameras 6.

  On the other hand, when there is no problem in the failure history or the life of the SD card 9 (Yes in step S51), the selection unit 102 refers to the state data 121 and, as in step S48, the minimum free space is equal to or greater than the threshold value t. It is determined whether or not (step S52). If it is determined No in step S52, step S47 is executed, and a new additional candidate camera 6 is selected. If it is determined Yes in step S52, step S49 is executed to create selection data 124.

  In the image storage system 1 according to the present embodiment, it is not confirmed whether there is any problem in the failure history or the life of the SD card 9 attached to the candidate camera 6 added in step S47. When step S47 is executed, it is already determined as Yes in step S44 or S51, and at least one of the candidate SD cards 9 has no problem in both the failure history and the life span. This is because the card 9 is included. However, the SD card 9 attached to the candidate camera 6 added in step S <b> 47 may also be confirmed whether or not there is a problem in the failure history or life.

  Moreover, the process (FIG. 11) when creating the selection data 124 is merely an example, and the selection of the save destination camera 6 is not limited to such a determination procedure. For example, a plurality of cameras 6 (for example, a plurality of cameras 6 having the same position order) may be selected as candidate cameras 6 in step S43. Alternatively, when there is a problem with both the failure history and the lifetime, an additional candidate camera 6 may be selected. Alternatively, different processing may be executed when there is a problem in the failure history and when there is a problem in the lifetime. In other words, which condition is to be emphasized and the save destination camera 6 is selected may be appropriately determined according to the situation.

  The image storage system 1 executes steps S44 and S51, so that the save destination camera 6 includes at least one camera 6 including the SD card 9 having no problem in failure history or lifetime. The camera 6 is selected. As a result, the image storage system 1 avoids that all the SD cards 9 provided (attached) to the selected evacuation destination camera 6 become the SD cards 9 having a problem in the failure history or life. ing. When a plurality of save destination cameras 6 are selected, as described above, the image data 90 is distributed and stored in the SD cards 9 of the plurality of save destination cameras 6. Therefore, the camera 6 including the SD card 9 having a problem in the failure history or life is selected as the evacuation destination camera 6, and even if these SD cards 9 fail, there is at least a problem in the failure history or life. Only the image data 90 distributed and stored in the non-SD card 9 is likely to be safely stored. In other words, in the image storage system 1 in the present embodiment, the possibility that all the image data 90 is lost due to a failure of the SD card 9 or the like can be extremely reduced.

  Further, the image storage system 1 selects and selects an additional candidate camera 6 when a camera 6 with a small free space is selected as the evacuation destination camera 6 (No in any of steps S45, S48, and S52). The image data 90 is saved in a distributed manner among the plurality of save destination cameras 6. As a result, the data amount of the image data 90 saved and stored in one save destination camera 6 can be suppressed, so that a shortage of capacity of the SD card 9 attached to the save destination camera 6 can be avoided. .

  Returning to FIG. 7, in the operating state, when the communication interface 15 receives the image data 91, the CPU 10 (storage control unit 103) determines Yes in step S7, and sets the reception flag to ON (step S8). When executing step S8, the safety flag is not normally turned on, but the reception interval of the image data 91 is increased due to the influence of the communication state in the LAN 80, and the safety flag is set due to timeout. It may be ON (details will be described later). Therefore, when executing step S8, the storage control unit 103 preferably resets the safety flag to OFF just in case.

  When step S8 is executed, the confirmation unit 104 controls the timer 16 to set the measurement time in the timer 16 (step S9). The measurement time set in step S9 is a time for measuring the reception interval of the image data 91, and is set in advance and stored in the RAM 12. The measurement time set in step S9 is reset because step S9 is executed every time the image data 91 is received.

  Next, the storage control unit 103 controls the card slot 14 so as to store the received image data 91 in the SD card 9. Thereby, the card slot 14 stores the image data 91 in the SD card 9 (step S10). As described above, by executing step S10, the image data 90 is stored as the image data 91 in the other camera 6, and the saving storage is realized. In addition, if step S10 is performed, the camera 6 will return to an operation state.

  If the reception flag is ON in the operating state, the confirmation unit 104 determines Yes in step S11, and further refers to the timer 16 to determine whether or not a timeout has occurred (step S12). If the time since the last image data 91 was received exceeds the measurement time set in step S9, the timer 16 is in a time-out state, and it is determined Yes in step S12.

  If it is determined Yes in step S12, the confirmation unit 104 sets the reception flag to OFF (step S13), and the communication interface 15 is configured to confirm the safety of the camera 6 that has transmitted the image data 91 so far. To control. As a result, the communication interface 15 transmits information for inquiring about the safety of the camera 6 to the camera 6 and confirms the safety (step S14).

  When the safety confirmation is executed, the confirmation unit 104 sets the safety flag to ON (step S15), sets the measurement time in the timer 16 (step S16), and returns to the operation state. Note that the measurement time set in step S16 is a time (details will be described later) for measuring a timeout until receiving a safety response to the safety confirmation, and is set in advance and stored in the RAM 12.

  On the other hand, when the time since the last image data 91 was received has not timed out (No in step S12), it can be considered that the image data 91 has been continuously received. In such a case, the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected is in a state where the image data 91 can be captured and transmitted, and the save-destination camera 6 is in a state where the image data 91 should be stored continuously. In other words, in this state, since it is not necessary to execute safety confirmation, the camera 6 returns to the operation state by skipping steps S13 to S16. Thereby, the image storage system 1 can suppress useless safety confirmation.

  If the safety flag is ON in the operating state, the confirmation unit 104 determines Yes in step S21, and further determines whether a safety response is received (step S22). The safety response is state data 121 transmitted from the camera 6 that has been subject to safety confirmation in response to the safety confirmation.

  When the safety response has been received (Yes in Step S22), the confirmation unit 104 creates the safety data 125 according to the received safety response (Step S23). Note that just because a safety response can be received, the camera 6 is not necessarily safe. For example, when the SD card 9 is extracted by a suspicious person, the safety response can be transmitted, but since the SD card 9 is not attached, the access to the SD card 9 is naturally impossible. Accordingly, the safety data 125 created in step S23 may be “normal” or “abnormal”.

  On the other hand, when the safety response has not been received (No in step S22), the confirmation unit 104 refers to the timer 16 and determines whether or not the timer 16 has timed out (step S24). When the elapsed time set in step S16 has already elapsed since the safety confirmation (step S14) has been executed, the timer 16 is in a timeout state, and the confirmation unit 104 determines Yes in step S24.

  If it determines with Yes in step S24, the confirmation part 104 will consider that the camera 6 used as the object of safety confirmation is in the state which cannot transmit a safety response, and produces the safety data 125 which shows "abnormality" (step S25). . On the other hand, if it determines with No in step S24, the confirmation part 104 will judge that predetermined time has not passed yet, after performing safety confirmation, and will return to an operation state.

  When safety data 125 is created by executing step S23 or S25, confirmation unit 104 sets the safety flag to OFF (step S26).

  When step S26 is executed, the storage control unit 103 determines whether the created safety data 125 is “normal” (step S27), so that the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected operates normally. Check if it exists.

  If it is determined as “normal” in step S27, the storage control unit 103 deletes the saved image data 91, invalidates the data (step S28), and returns to the operation state. Thereby, in the camera 6 that has detected the crisis, if no abnormality is detected after that and the normal state is maintained (in other words, when the crisis detection has ended in anxious manner), the saved image data 91 is invalidated, The storage capacity of the save destination camera 6 can be secured. Before executing step S28, the storage control unit 103 collates the image data 90 stored in the camera 6 that has been confirmed to be safe with the image data 91 stored in its own device, and actually It may be determined whether or not it may be invalidated. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the image data 91 that is not stored as the image data 90 from being invalidated by mistake.

  On the other hand, if “abnormal” is determined in step S27, the storage control unit 103 maintains the saved image data 91 as it is (step S29) and returns to the operation state. As a result, even if an abnormality occurs in the camera 6 that has detected the crisis, the image data 90 captured by the camera 6 is stored in the save destination camera 6 as image data 91 without being invalidated by mistake. Can do.

  When the communication interface 15 receives the safety confirmation in the operation state, the diagnosis unit 101 determines Yes in step S31 and executes diagnosis of the own device (step S32). Thereby, a predetermined self-diagnosis for safety confirmation is executed, and the state data 121 is updated. Next, the communication interface 15 transmits the status data 121 as a safety response to the camera 6 that has transmitted the safety confirmation (step S33). And if step S33 is performed, the camera 6 will return to an operation state.

  If the transmission time has arrived in the operational state, the CPU 10 determines Yes in step S34, and transmits the image data 90 and the image data 91 stored in the SD card 9 to the server 2 of the archive center ( Step S35). As already described, in the image storage system 1 in the present embodiment, the transmission time is a night time. Further, it is preferable that the transmission time is shifted for each camera 6. This is because if all the cameras 6 start transmission toward the server 2 at the same time, the burden on the server 2 increases.

  As described above, the image storage system 1 includes the imaging unit 13 that generates the image data 90 by imaging, the camera 6 that includes the SD card 9 that stores the image data 90 generated by the imaging unit 13, and the camera 6. The SD card 9 of another camera 6 that can perform data communication between them, the crisis detection unit 100 that detects a crisis of the camera 6, and the imaging unit 13 according to the detection result (detection data 120) by the crisis detection unit 100 A storage control unit 103 is provided that saves the captured image data 90 in the SD card 9 of another camera 6 separately from the SD card 9 of the own device. Thereby, for example, when a crisis of the camera 6 is detected, the image data 90 can be saved in the SD card 9 of the camera 6 of the other device. Therefore, even when the camera 6 (the SD card 9 of the camera 6) is destroyed, the image data 90 can be reliably stored. In addition, the capacity of the SD card 9 can be suppressed by using the SD card 9 only when a crisis is predicted, instead of using the SD card 9 of another device at all times.

  In addition, the image storage system 1 includes a plurality of cameras 6 capable of data communication with each other, and the cameras 6 other than the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected among the plurality of cameras 6 according to the detection result by the crisis detection unit 100. The storage control unit 103 further includes a selection unit 102 that selects as the save destination camera 6, and the storage control unit 103 regards the SD card 9 included in the save destination camera 6 selected by the selection unit 102 as the save destination SD card 9. The detected image data 90 captured by the imaging unit 13 included in the camera 6 is saved and stored. Thereby, the SD card 9 of the camera 6 other than the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected can be used as a storage device for saving. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a storage device that is not always used.

  Further, the selection unit 102 selects the save destination camera 6 according to the positional relationship between the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected and the cameras 6 other than the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected, for example, in a positional manner. A safe camera 6 can be accurately selected as the evacuation destination camera 6. Therefore, the safety of the saved image data 90 is further improved.

  The selection unit 102 selects the evacuation destination camera 6 according to the life expectancy of the SD card 9 included in the camera 6 other than the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected, so that the highly reliable camera 6 is selected. 6 can be selected.

  Further, the selection unit 102 selects the save destination camera 6 according to the free capacity of the SD card 9 included in the camera 6 other than the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected, so that the storage capacity of the save destination camera 6 becomes insufficient. This can be suppressed.

  Further, the selection unit 102 selects the evacuation destination camera 6 according to the failure history of the SD card 9 included in the camera 6 other than the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected, so that the highly reliable camera 6 is selected. 6 can be selected.

  In addition, a confirmation unit 104 that confirms the safety of the camera in which the crisis is detected and a diagnosis unit 101 that diagnoses the situation of the own device are provided. (Status data 121) is received by data communication, and the safety confirmation accuracy is improved by confirming the safety of the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected according to the diagnosis result.

  Further, the storage control unit 103 invalidates the image data 91 saved in the SD card 9 according to the confirmation result (safety data 125) by the confirmation unit 104. Thereby, for example, if the camera 6 that captured the image data 91 saved and stored is safe and the image data 90 corresponding to the image data 91 is stored in the SD card 9 of the camera 6, By invalidating the saved image data 91, the free space of the SD card 9 can be secured.

  Note that when the selection data 124 is created, the priority order of the camera 6 that has already been selected as the save destination camera 6 of the other camera 6 and stores the image data 91 may be lowered. Thereby, since it can suppress selecting as the evacuation destination camera 6 by the some camera 6, the danger of falling into a capacity shortage can be avoided. When configured in this way, when receiving the image data 91, the camera 6 notifies the other camera 6 that the own device has been selected as the evacuation destination camera 6. The information notified in this way can be stored in the state data 121 of each camera 6 and reflected when the selection data 124 is created.

<2. Modification>
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made.

  For example, it is not always necessary to detect the crisis of the camera 6. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, if the camera 61 is captured at the angle of view of the camera 63, the crisis detection unit 100 of the camera 63 may detect the crisis of the camera 61. That is, the crisis detection unit 100 that detects the crisis of the camera 61 may be provided in a camera 63 other than the camera 61 in which the crisis is detected. Or the structure corresponded to the crisis detection part 100 may be provided in independent apparatuses (sensor etc.) other than the camera 6, and may be interlock | cooperated with other alarm systems. With this configuration, since the current state of the camera 61 can be detected by another camera 63 or device, the camera 61 can be observed even after the camera 61 is destroyed, and an accurate grasp of the situation is possible. It becomes.

  In addition, when the crisis detection unit 100 detects a crisis of a camera 6 other than the own device, the confirmation unit 104 provided in the same camera 6 as the crisis detection unit 100 displays detection data 120 from the crisis detection unit 100. The timing for confirming the safety of the camera 6 may be determined according to the above. For example, the camera 6 can be configured not to confirm safety while a crisis is detected. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently confirm the safety after the crisis for the camera 6 has passed, while suppressing unnecessary safety confirmation processing.

  Further, in the above embodiment, it has been described that the selection unit 102 creates the priority order data 123 shown in FIG. However, the operator may input the priority order data 123 instead of the setting data 122.

  Also, each camera 6 may not have the function of creating the priority order data 123. For example, the server 2 may have such a function, and a maintenance personal computer may have such a function. In such a case, the created priority order data 123 may be transferred to each camera 6 by data communication.

  Also, each camera 6 needs only its own record in the priority order data 123. Therefore, the selection unit 102 of each camera 6 may selectively create a record of the priority order data 123 only for the own device. Further, as in the example described above, when the priority order data 123 is created by a device other than the camera 6, only the corresponding record needs to be transferred to each camera 6.

  Moreover, although it has been described that the failure history of the SD card 9 is recorded in the state data 121, the failure history of the camera 6 itself may be recorded instead of the SD card 9.

  Further, the confirmation unit 104 does not request the self-diagnosis result, and simply determines whether the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected is safe depending on whether or not data communication is possible with the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected. You may check. When configured in this manner, the self-diagnosis process is not required, so that safety can be confirmed easily and quickly.

  In addition, the confirmation unit 104 confirms the safety of the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected according to whether or not the image data 90 stored in the SD card 9 included in the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected can be read. Also good. Thereby, it is possible to confirm whether or not a minimum function is secured.

  Further, in the image storage system 1 in the above embodiment, when the crisis is no longer detected in the camera 6, the detection data 120 is deleted, and the storage control unit 103 of the camera 6 stops transmitting the image data 90. Therefore, in this case, since the image data 91 is not received by the camera 6 on the receiving side, writing of the image data 91 to the SD card 9 by the storage control unit 103 is stopped without requiring confirmation by the confirmation unit 104. However, if the transmission-side camera 6 does not have such a transmission stop function for the image data 90, the storage control unit 103 of the reception-side camera 6 determines its own device according to the confirmation result by the confirmation unit 104. The evacuation storage to the SD card 9 may be stopped. As a result, for example, if the camera 6 that captured the image data 91 saved and stored is safe and the SD card 9 of the camera 6 can continue to store the image data 91 (image data 90). By stopping the save storage, the free space of the SD card 9 of the save destination camera 6 can be secured.

  The selection unit 102 may select the save destination camera 6 according to the format of the camera 6 other than the camera 6 in which the crisis is detected. That is, information indicating the format of the camera 6 may be included in the setting data 122, and the selection unit 102 may create the priority order data 123 reflecting this. For example, when the camera 63 installed at the sales counter is different from the other cameras 6 in the dome shape, the dome-shaped camera 63 is not easily attacked by a suspicious person. May be set higher than the other cameras 6. Thereby, the camera 6 which is not easily attacked can be selected as the evacuation destination camera 6, and the safety of the evacuated image data 90 is improved.

  Moreover, each process shown in the said embodiment is an illustration to the last, Comprising: It does not limit to the content and order shown here. For example, as long as the same effect can be obtained, the contents and order of each process may be changed as appropriate.

  In addition, it has been described that the functional blocks provided in the camera 6 are realized by the CPU 10 executing the program 7. Thereby, it is possible to divert the image storage system 1 without changing the conventional hardware. However, some or all of these functional blocks may be realized by a dedicated logic circuit (hardware).

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that only the image data 90 after the crisis is detected is transferred to another device and saved. However, if time and storage capacity are available, the image data 90 (image data 90 already stored in the SD card 9 of the camera 6 in which a crisis has been detected) that has not yet been transmitted to the archive center is also saved. You may transfer to the front camera 6.

1 Image storage system 10 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Crisis detection part 101 Diagnosis part 102 Selection part 103 Storage control part 104 Confirmation part 11 ROM
12 RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 120 Detection data 121 Status data 122 Setting data 122a Position relation data 122b Registration data 123 Priority order data 124 Selection data 125 Safety data 13 Image pick-up part 14 Card slot 15 Communication interface 16 Timer 2 Server 6, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 , 65, 66 Camera 7 Program 80 LAN
81 IP network 9 SD card 90, 91 Image data

Claims (8)

A plurality of cameras capable of data communication with each other , each of which includes an imaging unit that generates image data by imaging and a first storage unit that stores the image data generated by the imaging unit;
And crisis detection means for detecting a crisis of the camera,
Other than the camera in which the crisis is detected according to the positional relationship between the camera in which the crisis is detected and the camera other than the camera in which the crisis is detected among the plurality of cameras according to the detection result by the crisis detection means. Storage destination selection means for selecting the camera as the evacuation destination camera;
In accordance with the detection result of the crisis detection means, the first storage means included in the save destination camera selected by the storage destination selection means is a second storage capable of data communication with the camera in which the crisis is detected. A storage control unit that saves and stores image data captured by the imaging unit included in the camera in which the crisis is detected ;
An image storage system comprising: A plurality of cameras data communication can mutually each first memory means comprises storing the image data generated by the imaging means and the imaging means for generating image data by imaging,
A crisis detection means for detecting a crisis of the camera;
According to the detection result by the crisis detection means, a camera other than the camera in which the crisis is detected according to the life prediction of the first storage means provided in a camera other than the camera in which the crisis is detected among the plurality of cameras. Storage destination selection means for selecting as a save destination camera ;
In accordance with the detection result of the crisis detection means, the first storage means included in the save destination camera selected by the storage destination selection means is a second storage capable of data communication with the camera in which the crisis is detected. A storage control unit that saves and stores image data captured by the imaging unit included in the camera in which the crisis is detected;
An image storage system comprising: A plurality of cameras capable of data communication with each other, each of which includes an imaging unit that generates image data by imaging and a first storage unit that stores the image data generated by the imaging unit;
A crisis detection means for detecting a crisis of the camera;
According to the detection result by the crisis detection means, a camera other than the camera where the crisis is detected according to the failure history of the first storage means provided in a camera other than the camera where the crisis is detected among the plurality of cameras. Storage destination selection means for selecting as a save destination camera;
In accordance with the detection result of the crisis detection means, the first storage means included in the save destination camera selected by the storage destination selection means is a second storage capable of data communication with the camera in which the crisis is detected. A storage control unit that saves and stores image data captured by the imaging unit included in the camera in which the crisis is detected;
An image storage system comprising: A plurality of cameras capable of data communication with each other, each of which includes an imaging unit that generates image data by imaging and a first storage unit that stores the image data generated by the imaging unit;
A crisis detection means for detecting a crisis of the camera;
A memory for selecting a camera other than the camera in which the crisis is detected as the evacuation destination camera in accordance with the type of the camera other than the camera in which the crisis is detected among the plurality of cameras according to the detection result by the crisis detection unit. First selection means,
In accordance with the detection result of the crisis detection means, the first storage means included in the save destination camera selected by the storage destination selection means is a second storage capable of data communication with the camera in which the crisis is detected. A storage control unit that saves and stores image data captured by the imaging unit included in the camera in which the crisis is detected;
An image storage system comprising: A plurality of cameras capable of data communication with each other, each of which includes an imaging unit that generates image data by imaging and a first storage unit that stores the image data generated by the imaging unit;
A crisis detection means for detecting a crisis of the camera;
According to the detection result by the crisis detection means, a storage destination selection means for selecting a camera other than the camera in which a crisis is detected among the plurality of cameras as a save destination camera;
In accordance with the detection result of the crisis detection means, the first storage means included in the save destination camera selected by the storage destination selection means is a second storage capable of data communication with the camera in which the crisis is detected. A storage control unit that saves and stores image data captured by the imaging unit included in the camera in which the crisis is detected;
With
The crisis detection means is an image storage system provided in a camera other than the camera in which the crisis is detected . An imaging unit that generates image data by imaging, and a camera that includes a first storage unit that stores the image data generated by the imaging unit;
Second storage means capable of data communication with the camera;
A crisis detection means for detecting a crisis of the camera;
Confirmation means for confirming the safety of the camera;
Storage control means for saving the image data captured by the imaging means in the second storage means separately from the first storage means in accordance with the detection result by the crisis detection means;
With
The storage control means invalidates the image data saved and stored in the second storage means in accordance with a confirmation result by the confirmation means . An imaging unit that generates image data by imaging, and a camera that includes a first storage unit that stores the image data generated by the imaging unit;
Second storage means capable of data communication with the camera;
A crisis detection means for detecting a crisis of the camera;
Confirmation means for confirming the safety of the camera;
In accordance with the detection result by the crisis detection unit, the image data captured by the imaging unit is saved in the second storage unit separately from the first storage unit, and according to the confirmation result by the confirmation unit. Storage control means for stopping evacuation storage to the second storage means;
An image storage system comprising: An imaging unit that generates image data by imaging, and a camera that includes a first storage unit that stores the image data generated by the imaging unit;
Second storage means capable of data communication with the camera;
A crisis detection means for detecting a crisis of the camera;
Determining a timing for confirming the safety of the camera according to a detection result by the crisis detection means, and a confirmation means for confirming the safety of the camera in which the crisis is detected at the determined timing;
Storage control means for saving the image data captured by the imaging means in the second storage means separately from the first storage means in accordance with the detection result by the crisis detection means;
An image storage system comprising:

Images