JP6520024B2 - Crime prevention and surveillance camera system and method of managing photographed image thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a security / monitoring camera system installed in a car of an elevator or the like, and more particularly to a security / monitoring camera system capable of enhancing the recording efficiency of a recording device and a photographed image management method thereof.

  In a crime prevention / monitoring camera system for photographing the inside of an elevator car or the like for crime prevention or monitoring, a photographed image of the crime prevention / monitoring camera is recorded as digital image data in a recording device such as a hard disk (see, for example, Patent Document 1) ). In this type of security / monitoring camera system, the recording device records all of the photographed image.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2004-64306

  If all of the captured images are stored in the recording device, the recording device consumes a large amount of space and is likely to be over-sized. Therefore, processing such as checking the captured image at a high frequency and taking it out to other recording means to create a backup or overwriting the latest captured image on an old captured image that precedes in time series when using a predetermined recording capacity Need to do

  In particular, in the case of an unmanned car or the like, in the case of an unmanned car or the like, the same photographed image is continuously taken in the case of a security / monitoring camera for photographing the inside of the elevator car, and the photographed image unnecessary for crime / monitoring A large recording capacity is consumed. Further, even in the case of confirming a photographed image, since a photographed image which is not useful will be continuous, the confirmation operation takes time, and the accuracy of the confirmation may be lowered.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to arrange a human sensor for detecting a person in the car, and to capture the image of the recording device in conjunction with the human sensor so as to detect only a human, but separately Installation is required.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a security / monitoring camera system capable of enhancing the recording efficiency of a recording apparatus by classifying and deleting an unutilized photographed image, and a photographed image management method thereof.

In order to solve the above-mentioned subject, the crime prevention and surveillance camera system concerning the present invention,
A security / monitoring camera that captures an image every predetermined time or continuously;
A recording apparatus having a recording unit for recording a captured image of the security / monitoring camera;
In the security and surveillance camera system that
The recording device
An extraction unit that extracts image information from two sets of photographed images that are recorded in the recording unit and are adjacent in time series;
A difference detection unit that detects a difference between the image information extracted by the extraction unit;
Comparing means for comparing the difference detected by the difference detecting means with a predetermined threshold value;
When it is determined by the comparison means that the difference is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold, one of the photographed images is a deletion candidate file, the other is a protected file, and it is determined that the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold. Classification means for making both of the photographed images a protected file,
Capacity determination means for monitoring the capacity of the recording unit;
A deletion unit that deletes the deletion candidate file when the capacity determination unit determines that the capacity of the recording unit is equal to or less than a predetermined capacity;
And a recording unit controller.

In addition, the management method of the photographed image of the crime prevention and surveillance camera system according to the present invention is
A security / monitoring camera that captures an image every predetermined time or continuously;
A recording apparatus having a recording unit for recording a captured image of the security / monitoring camera;
A method for managing photographed images of a crime prevention and surveillance camera system comprising
Extracting image information from two sets of photographed images which are recorded in the recording section and are adjacent in time series;
Detecting a difference between the extracted image information;
Comparing the detected difference to a predetermined threshold,
If it is determined that the difference is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, either one of the photographed images is a deletion candidate file and the other is a protected file, and if it is determined that the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, both of the photographed images are Classification step with protected files,
Monitoring the capacity of the recording unit;
A deletion step of deleting the deletion candidate file when the capacity of the recording unit becomes equal to or less than a predetermined capacity;
Provide

  According to the crime prevention / monitoring camera system and the photographed image management method of the present invention, when the difference between the image information of the photographed images is determined to be equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, the photographed image is regarded as a deletion candidate file and the capacity of the recording unit Is deleted when the capacity becomes equal to or less than a predetermined capacity, the recording capacity of the recording unit can be made more efficient, and the frequency of checking and backing up of the photographed image can be reduced. Further, by deleting the similar or identical photographed image from the recording unit, the confirmation operation of the photographed image recorded in the recording unit can be shortened, and the confirmation accuracy can be improved.

  In addition, by making the recording capacity of the recording unit more efficient, it is possible to prevent the most recent captured image from being overwritten with the latest captured image as in the prior art due to the lack of the capacity. -Useful as a surveillance camera system.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an elevator car provided with a security and surveillance camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a security and surveillance camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing fixed points of a photographed image. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a flow of processing of comparing photographed images and classifying them into a deletion candidate file and a protection file. FIG. 5 is a main part control flowchart of the crime prevention / monitoring camera system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a flow of processing according to another embodiment of classifying a deletion candidate file and a protection file. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a flow of processing according to another embodiment of classifying into a deletion candidate file and a protection file.

  Hereinafter, a crime prevention and surveillance camera system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The crime prevention and surveillance camera system 10 according to the present embodiment is a system that captures and records a space that requires crime prevention and surveillance. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the crime prevention and surveillance camera system 10 includes a crime prevention and surveillance camera 20 and a recording device 30. And the inside of the elevator car 50 can be illustrated as a space which needs crime prevention and surveillance.

  As an elevator for installing the security and surveillance camera system 10 according to the present invention, an elevator of a building such as an office building or a condominium is preferable. The reason is that there are many passengers depending on the time zone, and when the car 50 responds to the landing call, the inside of the car 50 is often unmanned.

  The security and surveillance camera 20 can be installed, for example, at the upper wall surface facing the door 51 of the car 50 or at the corner of the ceiling, as shown in FIG. The security / monitoring camera 20 is preferably arranged so as to be able to photograph the inside of the car 50 more widely, and it is desirable to arrange the door 51 and the operation panel 52 so as to be capable of photographing.

  The crime prevention / monitoring camera 20 can adopt one that captures an image or video as digital image data or digital video data in frame units. In addition, although the crime prevention and surveillance camera 20 shall capture an image below, it may be an image. Moreover, the imaging | photography interval of the image of the crime prevention and surveillance camera 20 can be set suitably.

  The recording device 30 includes a recording unit 32 such as a hard disk or a memory that records the captured image G captured by the security / monitoring camera 20 as digital data.

  The recording device 30 includes a recording unit control device 40 as shown in FIG. The recording unit control device 40 accesses the photographed image G recorded in the recording unit 32 and compares two sets of photographed images G adjacent in time series. Then, as shown in FIG. 4 described later, when there is a difference between the image information of the photographed images G, for example, brightness or color (RGB value) is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, “no change” between the photographed images G. If either of the approximate or the same captured image G is the “deletion candidate file” and the other is the “protected file”, and if the difference between them exceeds the predetermined value, the captured image is determined. It is determined that there is a change between G and G, and both of the photographed images G are set as "protected files". By controlling to delete the deletion candidate file when the capacity of the recording unit 32 becomes less than a predetermined capacity, the capacity of the recording unit 32 is secured.

  In the present specification, the “deletion candidate file” means a photographed image which is not deleted at the time of classification but is a deletion target when the capacity of the recording unit 32 becomes less than a predetermined capacity. The photographed image which is a deletion candidate file is a photographed image which is not useful for crime prevention / monitoring because a photographed image classified as a similar or identical protected file to the photographed image exists before and after.

  Further, in the present specification, the “protected file” is a photographed image other than a photographed image which is a deletion candidate file, and means a photographed image useful for crime prevention / monitoring.

  Specifically, the recording unit controller 40 detects the difference between the extracted image information and the extraction unit 41 that accesses the recording unit 32 to extract the image information of the captured image G, and the detection unit 42 detects the difference. The comparison unit 43 compares the difference with a predetermined threshold value, the classification unit 44 classifies the photographed image into the deletion candidate file or the protection file based on the comparison result of the comparison unit 43, and the capacity determination unit 45 monitors the capacity of the recording unit 32. And a deleting means 46 for deleting the photographed image G of the recording unit 32.

  The recording unit control device 40 is realized by a CPU, a memory, a buffer, various programs recorded in these, etc. In FIG. 2, among the functional blocks related to representative functions realized by the connection of these, the present invention Only functional blocks related to are drawn. It should be understood that these functional blocks can be realized by hardware only, software only or a combination thereof.

  The extraction unit 41 extracts image information from the captured image G stored in the recording unit 32. The captured image G to be extracted can be a captured image that precedes in time series. The image information extracted by the extraction unit 41 may be the overall brightness or color (RGB value) of the photographed image G, but the processing load of the CPU or the like increases as much as possible. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the captured image G is divided into meshes, and image information (hereinafter referred to as “pixel information”) of pixels of fixed points P (P11 to P43 in FIG. Is preferred. Of course, the number of fixed points P is not limited to the above, and it is not necessary to select all of the intersection points as fixed points P. For example, the floor surface 53 of the car 50 which is highly likely to be stepped on by a passenger can be selected as the fixed point P. The following description will be made with reference to FIG. 4 and a flowchart of FIG. 5 as an embodiment in which differences are compared based on pixel information as image information.

FIG. 4A is a schematic view in which a part of the photographed image G recorded in the recording unit 32 is arranged in time series in order to make the description easy to understand. In the figure, the captured image most preceding in time series is G _n , and the most recent captured image in time series is G _{n +7} . Further, in FIG. 4A, thick arrows connecting between the captured images G indicate “changed” between the captured images G. That is, there is a change in the photographed image (pixel information) exceeding a threshold described later between the photographed image G _n and the photographed image G _{n + 1,} between the photographed image G _{n +5} and the photographed image G _{n +6, and} between the photographed image G _{n +6} and the photographed image G _{n +7.} It means that The thin arrows connecting between the photographed images G indicate “no change” between the photographed images G. That is, it means that there is no change in a photographed image (pixel information) exceeding a threshold described later between the photographed image G _{n + 1} and the photographed image G _{n +5} .

  In the present embodiment, when the captured images G are “changed”, both captured images G are classified as “protected file”, and when the captured images G are “no change”, the precedent In other words, an example is described in which the captured image G already classified as a protected file is maintained as a protected file, and the captured image G (image captured later in time series) is classified as a “deletion candidate file” Do. Other classification methods will be described later as another embodiment.

As shown in step S11 of FIG. 5, the extraction unit 41 first sets two sets of photographed images G adjacent in time series, for example, fixed points P11 to G _{n + 1} of the photographed images G _n and G _{n + 1} in FIG. Extract pixel information of P43.

Subsequently, the difference between the pixel information of the fixed points P11 to P43 of the extracted photographed images G _n and G _{n + 1} (photographed images colored in the drawing) is detected (step S12). The detection of the difference can be performed by the difference detection means 42 shown in FIG. The difference detection means 42 acquires each pixel information (for example, brightness and color (RGB value)) of the fixed points P11 to P43 of the photographed images G _n and G _{n + 1} and calculates the difference of the pixel information for each fixed point P11 to 43. .

  The obtained difference data is sent to the comparison means 43, and these differences are compared with a preset threshold (step S13). At this time, for a plurality of fixed points P11 to P43, the sum of these differences can be compared with a preset threshold. Also, for each fixed point P11 to P43, the difference may be compared with the threshold value, and the number of fixed points that become the difference exceeding the threshold value may be compared with the number set in advance.

  In step S13, a threshold (second threshold) larger than the threshold is set, and even if the number of fixed points exceeding the threshold is smaller than the number set in advance, any one or more of them are included. When the difference at the fixed point of {circumflex over (f)} exceeds the second threshold, it may be considered as “changed” between the pixel information of the photographed image.

In FIG. 4A, since there is a change in pixel information between the photographed image G _n and the photographed image G _{n + 1} as assumed, the comparison means 43 determines that the difference exceeds the threshold (Yes in step S13). Then, in this case, since it is necessary to save both the captured image G _n and the captured image G _{n + 1} , the classification unit 44 classifies both the captured image G _n and G _{n + 1} into the protected file (FIG. 4 (b)) And step S14). Next, there is a capacity determination step of the recording unit 32 by the capacity determination means 45 (step S16), which will be described later (the same applies to the following description).

Subsequently, with respect to both captured images G _n and G _{n + 1} that are protected files, extraction of pixel information and differences for the captured image G _{n + 1} that is a protected file that follows in time series and the subsequent captured image G _{n + 2} Calculation and comparison of the difference with the threshold (steps S11 to S13) are executed. As assumed, since the change in the pixel information of the photographed image G _{n + 1} and the photographed image G _{n + 2} is less than the threshold (No in step S13), the classification unit 44 protects the preceding photographed image G _{n + 1} which is a protection file. The file is maintained as it is, and the captured image G _{n +2} to be followed is classified into a deletion candidate file (FIG. 4 (c) and step S15).

Then, next, extraction of pixel information for captured images G _{n +3} continuous in time series excluding the captured image G _{n + 1} which is a protection file which follows in time series and captured image G _{n + 2} which is a deletion candidate file , Calculation of the difference, and comparison of the difference with the threshold (steps S11 to S13). Similarly to the above, since the change in the pixel information of the photographed image G _{n + 1} and the photographed image G _{n + 3} is also equal to or less than the threshold (No in step S13), the classification unit 44 protects the preceding photographed image G _{n + 1} It is maintained as it is, and the following photographed image G _{n +3} is classified into the deletion candidate file (FIG. 4 (d) and step S15).

The same processing is performed on the photographed image G _{n + 4} and the photographed image G _{n + 5} whose pixel information is “no change” and classified into deletion candidate files (FIGS. 4E and 4F).

As to the subsequent captured image G _{n +6,} there is a change in pixel information between the captured image G _{n +6} and the captured image G _{n +6} . Therefore, extraction of pixel information, calculation of difference, comparison between difference and threshold value (steps S11 to S13), the comparison means 43 determines that the difference exceeds the threshold value (Yes in step S13). In this case, the photographed image G _{n + 1} is already protected files remain the protected file, newly classify captured image G _{n + 6} to the protected file (FIG. 4 (g) and step S14).

Similarly, for the captured image G _{n +7} , as is assumed, there is a change in pixel information between the captured image G _{n +6} that is a preceding protected file. Therefore, extraction of pixel information, calculation of difference, comparison between difference and threshold value (steps S11 to S13), the comparison means 43 determines that the difference exceeds the threshold value (Yes in step S13). In this case, the photographed image G _{n + 6} is already protected files remain the protected file, newly classify captured image G _{n + 7} in protected file (FIG. 4 (h) and step S14).

FIG. 4I shows a state in which all of the captured images G _{n to} G _{n + 7} are classified into the “protected file” or the “deletion candidate file”. That is, it can be seen that the photographed images G _n , G _{n + 1} , G _{n +6} , and G _{n +7} are classified as protected files, and the photographed images G _{n + 2} , G _{n + 3} , G _{n + 4} , and G _{n + 5} are classified as deletion candidate files.

When it is detected by the capacity determination unit 45 that the recording capacity of the recording unit 32 has become equal to or less than the predetermined capacity while the photographed image G is classified into the protected file or the deletion candidate file as described above (step S16) The deleting unit 46 deletes from the recording unit the photographed image G classified into the deletion candidate file, and in the present embodiment, the photographed images G _{n +2} , G _{n +3} , G _{n +4} and G _{n +5} (step S17). At this time, all of the deletion candidate files can be deleted, or, for example, deletion candidate files that precede in time series can be deleted according to the capacity of the newly recorded captured image. Further, the number of deletion candidate files to be deleted can be set in advance, and these deletion candidate files can be deleted.

  As described above, the recording capacity of the recording unit 32 is secured, and it is possible to prevent a large number of captured images without change from occupying the capacity. Further, since a necessary captured image, that is, a “changed” captured image remains stored in the recording unit 32 as a protected file, it is useful as the camera system 10 for crime prevention / monitoring. In addition, even when the content of the stored captured image is confirmed, unnecessary captured images are deleted or classified into the deletion candidate file, so it is sufficient to confirm only the captured image of the protected file, It is possible to achieve shortening of the confirmation operation and improvement of the confirmation accuracy.

  If the recording capacity of the recording unit 32 does not fall below the predetermined capacity even if the deletion candidate file is deleted, the protection file that precedes in time series may be deleted or the recording capacity may be below the predetermined capacity. It is desirable to be able to report etc.

  In the above embodiment, the preceding protected file is compared with the time-sequentially adjacent photographed images except for the deletion candidate file, and if the following photographed image is “no change”, the photographed image is deleted. It is considered as a candidate file. However, in the case of "no change", it is also possible to classify the following captured image as a protection file and to classify the preceding protection file as a deletion candidate file.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the following captured images are compared based on the preceding captured image, but the preceding captured images may be compared based on the following captured image.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which the classification method of the protected file and the deletion target file is further changed. The photographed images G _{n to} G _{n + 7} to be assumed are the same as those in the above embodiment (FIG. 6A).

In this embodiment, the photographed images G _n and G _{n + 1} , the photographed images G _{n +2} and G _{n +3} , the photographed images G _{n +4} and G _{n +5} , and the photographed images G _{n +6} and G _{n +7} are respectively adjacent in time series. If both captured images are "changed", both captured images are protected files, and if both captured images are "no change", the previous captured image is protected file and the following captured images are deleted. It is a candidate file (FIG. 6 (b)). Then, when the recording capacity of the recording unit 32 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined capacity, the deletion candidate file is deleted (FIG. 6 (c)). According to the present embodiment, although the number of deletion candidate files is smaller than that described above, the capacity of the recording unit 32 can be secured.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7 (b) to FIG. 7 (d), after classification of the protection file and the deletion candidate file is performed in FIG. 6 (b) (FIG. 7 (a) is the same view), The protected files adjacent to each other are further compared, and if "changed", the protected file is maintained, and if there is no change, any one (preceding protected file in the illustrated embodiment) is maintained as the protected file And the protection file to follow may be a deletion candidate file. Thus, classification can be performed in the same manner as in FIG. Then, when the recording capacity of the recording unit 32 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined capacity, the deletion candidate file may be deleted (FIG. 7E).

  In addition, a human sensor may be installed in the car 50 so that recording of a captured image may be interlocked with the human sensor. Even in this case, by applying the present invention, the capacity of the recording unit 32 can be greatly reduced.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 crime prevention / surveillance camera system 20 crime prevention / surveillance camera 30 recording device 32 recording part 40 recording unit control device 41 extraction means 42 difference detection means 43 comparison means 44 classification means 45 capacity judgment means 46 deletion means 50 basket

Claims (9)

A security / monitoring camera that captures an image every predetermined time or continuously;
A recording apparatus having a recording unit for recording a captured image of the security / monitoring camera;
In the security and surveillance camera system that
The recording device is
An extraction unit which takes two captured images, which are recorded in the recording unit and which are adjacent in time series, without duplication , and sets each of the captured images into a pair, and extracts image information from the captured image of each set;
A difference detection unit that detects a difference between image information of pixels of fixed points of each set of photographed images extracted by the extraction unit;
Comparing means for comparing the difference detected by the difference detecting means with a predetermined threshold value;
If the difference between the photographed images of each set is determined to be equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value by the comparing means, one of the photographed images of each set is a deletion candidate file and the other is a protected file. And classification means for setting both of the photographed images of each set as protected files.
Capacity determination means for monitoring the capacity of the recording unit;
A deletion unit that deletes the deletion candidate file when the capacity determination unit determines that the capacity of the recording unit is equal to or less than a predetermined capacity;
Comprising a recorder control unit,
Security and surveillance camera system characterized by The extraction unit extracts image information of a plurality of fixed point pixels from the photographed image of each set,
The difference detecting means, for said each set of captured image to detect the respective difference of the image information with each other for the corresponding fixed point of the pixel,
The crime prevention and surveillance camera system according to claim 1. The comparing means compares the number of fixed points having a difference equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value with a predetermined number.
When the number of fixed points having a difference equal to or less than the predetermined threshold is determined to be equal to or less than a predetermined number, the classification means deletes one of the photographed images of each set as a candidate file for deletion If it is determined that the number of fixed points having a difference less than or equal to the predetermined threshold exceeds the number set in advance, then both of the photographed images of each set are considered as protected files.
The crime prevention and surveillance camera system according to claim 2. It said comparing means compares the sum of differences of the image information to each other of the plurality of fixed points of the pixels of the previous SL each set of captured image with a predetermined threshold value,
When it is determined that the sum of differences obtained by the comparison means is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold set in advance, the classification means sets one of the photographed images of each set as a deletion candidate file and the other as a protection file. When it is determined that the sum exceeds a predetermined threshold, both of the photographed images of each set are regarded as protected files.
The crime prevention and surveillance camera system according to claim 2. The difference detection means further detects a difference between pieces of image information of pixels of fixed points of photographed images of protection files adjacent in time series excluding the deletion candidate file.
The crime prevention and surveillance camera system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The deletion means deletes from the recording apparatus the same number or a preset number of deletion candidate files as photographed images newly recorded when the capacity judgment means judges that the capacity of the recording unit is less than a predetermined capacity. Do,
The crime prevention and surveillance camera system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The deletion means records the deletion candidate file that precedes in time series according to the capacity of the photographed image newly recorded when the capacity judgment means judges that the capacity of the recording unit is equal to or less than a predetermined capacity. Delete from the device,
The crime prevention and surveillance camera system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The security camera and surveillance camera are arranged to be able to photograph the inside of the elevator car.
The crime prevention and surveillance camera system according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A security / monitoring camera that captures an image every predetermined time or continuously;
A recording apparatus having a recording unit for recording a captured image of the security / monitoring camera;
A method for managing photographed images of a crime prevention and surveillance camera system comprising
Step of extracting two pieces of photographed images which are recorded in the recording unit and are adjacent to each other in time series without overlapping each other to form two sets, and extracting image information from each set of photographed images.
Detecting a difference between image information of fixed-point pixels of each set of captured images extracted;
Comparing the detected difference to a predetermined threshold,
When it is determined that the difference between the photographed images of each set is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, one of the photographed images of each set is a deletion candidate file and the other is a protected file, and the difference exceeds the predetermined threshold. A classification step of making both of the photographed images of each set a protected file when it is determined;
Monitoring the capacity of the recording unit;
A deletion step of deleting the deletion candidate file when the capacity of the recording unit becomes equal to or less than a predetermined capacity;
Provide
A method of managing photographed images of a crime prevention and surveillance camera system characterized in that.

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