JP7212257B2 - Surveillance system, image licensing method, and image usage licensing program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to technology for monitoring an area where many residents have evacuated due to the occurrence of a disaster.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, searching for a person to be searched and tracking the movement route of the person to be searched has been performed using an interphone with a camera (door phone) attached to the entrance of a house (see Patent Document 1). A person to be searched is, for example, a suspicious person, a missing person, a missing person, or a wanted criminal.

The technology described in this Patent Document 1 processes images captured by intercoms with cameras attached to the entrances of a plurality of houses, and if the image captures a person to be searched, the person to be searched is captured. Detect the moving direction of the person to be searched. In addition, this technology estimates, based on the detected moving direction of the person to be searched, the interphone with a camera attached to the entrance of the house in which the person to be searched is to be imaged next. Then, this technology processes the image picked up by the interphone that is inferred, detects the person to be searched, detects the moving direction of the person to be searched, and detects the moving direction of the person to be searched. By repeating the speculation, it was to monitor the person to be searched.

JP 2014-187645 A

However, in an area where evacuation information such as an evacuation advisory or evacuation order has been issued in the event of a disaster such as an earthquake or typhoon, almost all the residents will evacuate, making it difficult to be seen by others. There is a demand for measures to suppress crimes (burglary, vandalism, arson, etc.) that take advantage of such circumstances.

In addition, since the technology described in Patent Document 1 is configured to periodically upload images captured by an interphone with a camera, sufficient consideration is given to privacy when residents go out, return home, visit friends, etc. was not done.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for protecting individual privacy and suppressing crimes in areas where evacuation information has been issued.

In order to achieve the above object, the image usage permission apparatus of the present invention is constructed as follows.

A detection unit detects that evacuation information has been issued due to a disaster. When the detection unit detects the issuance of the evacuation information, the determination unit determines whether or not to permit the monitoring use of the image captured by the associated camera. The image providing unit permits image providing processing of providing the image captured by the camera to the center server when the determining unit determines to permit the monitoring use of the image, and conversely, the determining unit permits the monitoring use of the image. is not permitted, the image providing process is prohibited.

According to this configuration, the issuance of the evacuation information is used as a trigger to determine whether or not to permit the monitoring use of the image captured by the associated camera. The camera is, for example, an interphone camera that is a household facility, a security camera that is a household facility, or an in-vehicle camera mounted on a vehicle. The owner of this camera is a resident who evacuates due to the issuance of evacuation information. Then, only when it is determined that the monitoring use of the image is permitted, the image captured by the camera is provided to the center server. Therefore, it is possible to protect individual privacy and suppress crimes in areas where evacuation information is issued.

Further, the image providing unit may link the imaging position of the camera to the image captured by the camera and provide the image to the center server.

With this configuration, crime monitoring can be performed using images captured by the camera while specifying the position.

Further, the image providing unit may instruct an image management device that manages images captured by the camera to link the image capturing position of the camera to the image captured by the camera and provide the image to the center server. good.

With this configuration as well, it is possible to monitor a crime using an image captured by a camera while specifying a position.

An operation unit that accepts an input operation, and an output unit that outputs a permission request for monitoring use of an image captured by the camera when the detection unit detects the issuance of evacuation information. On the other hand, when an input operation to the effect that the monitoring use of the image captured by the camera is permitted is received by the operation unit, it is determined that the monitoring use of the image captured by the camera is permitted.

With this configuration, the owner of the camera can indicate his/her intention as to whether or not to permit the monitoring use of the image each time evacuation information is issued. Therefore, consideration for individual privacy can be enhanced.

Further, the image providing process may be a process of transmitting an image captured by the camera to the center server in response to an image transmission request from the center server.

With this configuration, it is possible to prevent images captured by a large number of cameras from being temporarily concentrated and transmitted to the center server. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in communication speed due to an increase in traffic. Moreover, by not requesting transmission of images that are not particularly necessary for monitoring crimes, it is possible to prevent image transmission from being wastefully performed.

According to this invention, it is possible to protect individual privacy and suppress crimes in areas where evacuation information is issued.

It is a schematic diagram showing a monitoring system according to this example. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the main part of the portable terminal concerning this example. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of the center server concerning this example. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of the camera management apparatus concerning this example. It is a flowchart which shows the operation|movement of the portable terminal concerning this example. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the center server according to this example; It is a flowchart which shows operation|movement of the camera management apparatus concerning this example. It is a schematic diagram showing a monitoring system according to a modification. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of main parts of a camera management device according to a modification; It is a flow chart which shows operation of a camera management device of a modification.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

<1. Application example>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a monitoring system according to this example. This monitoring system includes a mobile terminal 1 , a center server 2 , a camera management device 3 and a camera 4 . The mobile terminal 1, the center server 2, and the camera management device 3 are connected via a network 5 so as to be capable of data communication. The network 5 may be a public line network, the Internet, or other private network. Also, a plurality of networks 5 may be used to connect the mobile terminal 1, the center server 2, and the camera management device 3. FIG.

The mobile terminal 1 is a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet terminal, or the like owned by an individual. In this example, the portable terminal 1 corresponds to the image license device referred to in the present invention.

The center server 2 monitors areas where evacuation information has been issued and performs processing for suppressing crime.

The camera management device 3 manages images (moving images or still images) captured by the connected camera 4 . In this example, the camera management device 3 corresponds to the image management device referred to in the present invention. The camera 4 may be a camera of an interphone with a camera installed in the dwelling unit of the owner of the mobile terminal 1, or may be a security camera installed in the dwelling unit of the owner of the mobile terminal 1. . Alternatively, the camera 4 may be an in-vehicle camera mounted on a vehicle owned by the owner of the mobile terminal 1 (for example, a drive recorder camera, an automatic brake control camera). Corresponding mobile terminals 1 are registered in the camera management device 3 . Here, a case where one camera 4 is connected to the camera management device 3 will be described as an example. However, the number of cameras 4 connected to the camera management device 3 may be plural. Also, the camera 4 may be installed by a group/organization to which a local government, a neighborhood association, a shopping street, or the like belongs.

As is well known, mayors of local governments issue evacuation information following disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons. There are three types of evacuation information according to the urgency of evacuation: preparation for evacuation/start of evacuation for the elderly, evacuation advisory, and evacuation instruction. The issued evacuation information is notified to the residents of the target area by a disaster prevention management system (not shown). In this example, the disaster prevention management system performs a process of distributing the issued evacuation information to the mobile terminals 1 located within the target area. The disaster prevention management system also performs processing for distributing the issued evacuation information to the center server 2 .

In addition to the above, the disaster prevention management system performs processing for informing the residents of the target area of the issued evacuation information.

The mobile terminal 1 detects that the evacuation information has been issued by receiving the evacuation information distributed by the disaster prevention management system. The portable terminal 1 may be configured not to detect that the evacuation information has been issued, depending on the degree of urgency of evacuation indicated by the received evacuation information. For example, even if the mobile terminal 1 receives the evacuation information, if the evacuation information is evacuation preparation/evacuation start for the elderly, the portable terminal 1 does not detect that the evacuation information is issued, and the received evacuation information is an evacuation advisory. , or if it is an evacuation instruction, it may be configured to detect that evacuation information has been issued. Further, even if the mobile terminal 1 receives the evacuation information, if the evacuation information is preparation for evacuation, the start of evacuation for the elderly, or an evacuation advisory, the mobile terminal 1 does not detect that the evacuation information has been issued, and does not detect that the evacuation information has been received. If the information is an evacuation instruction, it may be configured to detect that the evacuation information has been issued.

When the mobile terminal 1 detects that the evacuation information has been issued, the mobile terminal 1 determines whether or not to permit the monitoring use of the image captured by the associated camera 4 . The camera 4 associated with the mobile terminal 1 is the camera 4 connected to the camera management device 3 in which the ID of the mobile terminal 1 is registered. In this example, the portable terminal 1 notifies that evacuation information has been issued, and requests an input operation as to whether or not to permit monitoring use of images captured by the associated camera 4 . When the mobile terminal 1 performs an input operation for permitting the monitoring use of the image captured by the camera 4 associated with the user who is the owner, the image captured by the camera 4 is sent to the center server 2. Perform image provision processing for provision. On the other hand, when the user performs an input operation to the effect that the monitoring use of the image captured by the associated camera 4 is not permitted, the mobile terminal 1 provides the image captured by this camera 4 to the center server 2. It is determined not to do so, and the image providing process for providing the image captured by the camera 4 to the center server 2 is not performed.

The center server 2 uses the provided image to monitor the area where residents have evacuated due to the issuance of evacuation information. That is, in the center server 2, almost all the residents evacuated due to the issuance of evacuation information, and crimes (burglary, vandalism, arson, etc.) are monitored in areas where it is difficult for people to see them. will be Therefore, it is possible to suppress crimes in areas where evacuation information has been issued.

Also, with the issuance of the evacuation information as a trigger, it is determined whether or not to permit the monitoring use of the image captured by the associated camera 4 . In addition, since the user, who is the owner of the camera 4, decides on his/her own will whether or not to permit the monitoring use of the image captured by the camera 4, it is possible to realize privacy protection that considers the individual.

<2. Configuration example>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of main parts of the mobile terminal according to this example. The mobile terminal 1 includes a control unit 11 , a display section 12 , an operation section 13 and a communication section 14 . The mobile terminal 1 is, as described above, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet terminal, or the like.

The control unit 11 controls the operation of each part of the main body of the mobile terminal 1 . The control unit 11 also has a detection section 11a, a determination section 11b, and an image providing section 11c. Details of the detection unit 11a, the determination unit 11b, and the image providing unit 11c included in the control unit 11 will be described later.

The display unit 12 has a display made up of liquid crystal, organic EL (Electro Luminescence), or the like, and controls an image displayed on the screen of this display.

The operation unit 13 has an input device such as a touch panel attached on the screen of the display device of the display unit 12, and receives an input corresponding to an input operation on this input device.

The communication unit 14 performs data communication with other devices via the network 5 .

Next, the detection section 11a, the determination section 11b, and the image providing section 11c included in the control unit 11 will be described.

The detection unit 11a detects whether or not the communication unit 14 has received evacuation information.

The determination unit 11b determines whether or not to allow the center server 2 to use the image captured by the associated camera 4 for purposes such as crime surveillance.

The image providing unit 11c performs a process of permitting or prohibiting providing the center server 2 with an image captured by the associated camera 4 .

The control unit 11 of the mobile terminal 1 is composed of a hardware CPU, memory, and other electronic circuits. When the hardware CPU executes the image use permission program according to the present invention, it operates as the detection section 11a, the determination section 11b, and the image provision section 11c. Further, the memory has an area for developing the image use permission program according to the present invention and an area for temporarily storing data generated when the image use permission program is executed. The control unit 11 may be an LSI that integrates a hardware CPU, memory, and the like. Also, the hardware CPU is a computer that executes the image usage permission method according to the present invention.

The mobile terminal 1 has a configuration (particularly, a configuration not shown in FIG. 2) for realizing a GPS function for positioning itself, an e-mail function for sending and receiving e-mails, a camera function for capturing an image, and the like. may be provided.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of main parts of the center server according to this example. The center server 2 has a control unit 21 , a display section 22 , an operation section 23 , a communication section 24 and an image storage section 25 .

The control unit 21 controls the operation of each part of the center server 2 main body. The control unit 21 has a monitoring omission area detection section 21a and a monitoring section 21b. Details of the monitoring omission area detection unit 21a and the monitoring unit 21b will be described later.

The display unit 22 has a display made of liquid crystal, organic EL, or the like, and controls an image displayed on the screen of this display.

The operation unit 23 has input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, and receives inputs according to input operations on the input devices.

The communication unit 24 performs data communication with other devices via the network 5 .

The image storage unit 25 stores the provided images by classifying them for each camera 4 .

Next, the monitoring omission area detection section 21a and the monitoring section 21b included in the control unit 21 will be described.

The monitoring omission area detection unit 21a detects, as a monitoring omission area, an area where an image used for crime monitoring or the like is not provided in an area where evacuation information is issued. For example, the monitoring omission area detection unit 21a maps the imaging positions of the cameras 4 whose captured images are permitted to be used for the purpose of crime surveillance, etc., on a map of areas where evacuation information has been issued, and displays the images. An area where the number of cameras 4 to be provided is equal to or less than the set number is detected as a monitoring omission area.

The monitoring unit 21b monitors crimes by using the images captured by the camera 4 provided. For example, the monitoring unit 21b performs image processing for detecting a moving object (a person, a vehicle, a wild animal, etc.) imaged in the provided captured image of the camera. The display unit 22 displays an image in which the moving object is detected by the monitoring unit 21b on the screen of the display device.

The control unit 21 of the center server 2 is composed of a hardware CPU, memory, and other electronic circuits. When the hardware CPU executes a program (hereinafter referred to as a monitoring program) for crime monitoring using the image captured by the camera 4, it operates as the monitoring omission area detection unit 21a and the monitoring unit 21b. . The memory also has an area for developing this monitoring program and an area for temporarily storing data generated when this monitoring program is executed. The control unit 21 may be an LSI that integrates a hardware CPU, memory, and the like.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of main parts of the camera management device according to this example. The camera management device 3 includes a control unit 31 , an image input section 32 , a communication section 33 and an image storage section 34 .

The control unit 31 controls the operation of each part of the camera management device 3 main body. The control unit 31 has an imaging position storage section 31a that stores the imaging position of the connected camera 4 . The control unit 31 is composed of a hardware CPU, memory, and other electronic circuits, and a part of the storage area of this memory is used as an imaging position storage section 31a.

The imaging position of the camera 4 stored in the imaging position storage unit 31a is normally not rewritten when the camera 4 is fixedly used as an interphone with a camera installed in a residence, a security camera, or the like. On the other hand, when the camera 4 is mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle, the position of the vehicle is rewritten to the position determined this time every time the position of the vehicle is measured by a function such as GPS. That is, in the case of the camera 4 mounted on a moving object such as a vehicle, the position of the moving object measured last is stored in the imaging position storage unit 31a.

An image captured by the connected camera 4 is input to the image input unit 32 .

The communication unit 33 performs data communication with other devices via the network 5 .

The image storage unit 34 stores the captured image of the camera 4 input to the image input unit 32 . The image storage unit 34 has a storage medium such as a hard disk, an SSD (Solid State Drive), an SD card, or the like.

The image captured by the camera 4 may be a still image or a moving image.

<3. Operation example>
Next, the operations of the mobile terminal 1, the center server 2, and the camera management device included in the monitoring system according to this example will be described. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of the mobile terminal according to this example. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of the center server according to this example. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation of the camera management device according to this example. As described above, the disaster prevention management system distributes the issued evacuation information to the mobile terminal 1 and the center server 2 located within the target area.

When receiving the evacuation information, the portable terminal 1 notifies that the evacuation information has been issued (s1, s2). In addition, the mobile terminal 1 displays on the display a screen prompting an operation to select whether or not to permit the monitoring use of the image captured by the camera 4 associated with the display unit 12 , and the operation unit 13 allows the user to (s3).

In s1, as described above, if the evacuation information is preparation for evacuation or the start of evacuation for the elderly, it is not detected that the evacuation information has been issued (the processing from s2 onwards is not detected), and the received evacuation information indicates evacuation. In the case of a recommendation or an evacuation order, it may be detected that evacuation information has been issued (the process from s2 onwards is executed). That is, the mobile terminal 1 may determine whether or not to execute the process from s2 on based on the type of the received evacuation information. The processing related to s1 is executed by the detection unit 11a.

When the portable terminal 1 selects not to approve the monitoring use of the image captured by the camera 4 (s4), the communication unit 14 receives the end of monitoring from the center server 2, or complements the provision of the image. It waits to receive a request (s9, s10). The processing of the center server 2 transmitting the complement request to the mobile terminal 1 will be described later. When the mobile terminal 1 receives the end of monitoring from the center server 2, it returns to s1. Further, when the mobile terminal 1 receives a complement request for image provision from the center server 2, it notifies that there is a complement request (s11), and returns to s3.

When the mobile terminal 1 selects to permit the monitoring use of the image captured by the camera 4 (s4), the mobile terminal 1 permits the monitoring use of the image captured by the associated camera 4. The center server 2 is notified (s5). Communication with the center server 2 is performed in the communication unit 14 . The position of the camera 4 is included in the notification of permission sent to the center server 2 in s5. The position of the camera 4 may be stored in the memory of the control unit 11 by the mobile terminal 1 or may be obtained from the camera management device 3 through communication with the camera management device 3 . The processing related to s4 is executed by the determination unit 11b.

Further, the portable terminal 1 notifies the camera management device 3 that it has been permitted to provide the center server 2 with the image captured by the connected camera 4 (s6). The processing related to s6 is executed by the image providing unit 11c.

When the mobile terminal 1 notifies the camera management device 3 that the provision of the image is permitted in s6, it waits for reception of the end of monitoring use of the image from the center server 2 (s7). When the communication unit 14 receives the end of monitoring use of the image transmitted from the center server 2, the mobile terminal 1 notifies the camera management device 3 of the end of providing the image to the center server 2 (s8). , s1.

Next, operation of the center server 2 will be described with reference to FIG. When the center server 2 receives the evacuation information (s21), it repeatedly performs the following four determinations (1) to (4).
(1) whether or not a notice of permission to use the image has been received from the mobile terminal 1 (s22);
(2) whether or not an image captured by camera 4 has been received (s23);
(3) Whether or not the confirmation timing for confirming the monitoring omission area has come (s24),
(4) whether to end monitoring (s25);
When the center server 2 receives the notification of permission to use the image, it registers the position of the camera 4 included in this notification of permission (s26), and makes the determinations of steps s22 to s25.

Further, when receiving the image captured by the camera 4, the center server 2 stores the received image in the image storage unit 25 (s27), and performs the determinations of s22 to s25. In s27, the position of the camera 4 (that is, the imaging position of the camera 4) is associated with the image and stored.

Further, when the center server 2 determines that it is time to check the monitoring omission area, the center server 2 performs a process of checking the monitoring omission area (s28). Specifically, the center server 2 divides the target area of the evacuation information issued this time into a plurality of partial areas. A partial area may or may not partially overlap another adjacent partial area. The center server 2 divides the target area into partial areas each having a size of approximately 50 m×50 m, for example. The center server 2 refers to the positions of the cameras 4 registered in s26, and counts the number of cameras 4 positioned within each divided partial area. If there is a partial area in which the number of cameras 4 is equal to or less than the set number, the center server 2 confirms the partial area as a monitoring omission area. The monitoring omission area detection unit 21a executes the process of s28.

The confirmation timing for confirming the monitoring omission area is every hour on the hour, a predetermined time, or the timing when the operator performs an input operation on the operation unit 23 to confirm the monitoring omission area in the center server 2 .

When the center server 2 confirms the monitoring omission area in the process of s28, the communication unit 24 transmits a complement request to the portable terminal 1 located in the target area of the evacuation information issued this time (s29). s22 to s25 are determined. The portable terminal 1 receives the complement request transmitted by the center server 2 in s29 in s10 described above.

As is clear from the above explanation, this request for supplementation should be sent to the owner of the camera 4 installed in the partial area confirmed as the monitoring omission area. Since there is a high possibility that the evacuation information has been issued this time, it is transmitted to the mobile terminal 1 located within the target area of the evacuation information issued this time.

Further, the supplement request transmitted in s29 may be transmitted including information indicating the partial area confirmed as the unmonitored area this time. In this way, the owner of the camera 4 is made to recognize that crime is not sufficiently monitored at the present time, and the owner of the camera 4 can decide whether or not to approve the use of the image captured by the camera 4 for monitoring. can make a decision.

Further, when the center server 2 determines to end the crime monitoring, it notifies the portable terminal 1 of the end of monitoring (s30), and returns to s11.

In addition to the processing shown in FIG. 6, the center server 2 uses the image captured by the camera 4 stored in the image storage unit 25 to monitor crimes in the target area of the evacuation information issued this time. For example, the display unit 22 displays the image stored in the image storage unit 25 on the screen of the display unit according to the operator's operation. Further, the center server 2 may perform image processing for detecting a moving body (person, vehicle, etc.) whose behavior (movement) is peculiar to the captured image of the camera 4 stored in the image storage unit 25. . In this case, when a moving object whose behavior is peculiar is detected, the display unit 22 displays the image on the screen of the display.

Next, operation of the camera management device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. When the communication unit 33 of the camera management device 3 receives the provision permission (notification that the center server 2 is permitted to provide the image captured by the connected camera 4) transmitted from the mobile terminal 1, (s41), the process of starting image pickup with the camera 4 and storing the picked-up image in the image storage unit 34 is started (s42). The camera 4 may start capturing moving images, or may capture still images at appropriate time intervals (eg, 3 seconds, 5 seconds, 10 seconds). In addition, the images stored in the image storage unit 34 are given a time stamp indicating the imaging time.

Note that the process of s42 is performed when the camera 4 has stopped shooting or the process of storing the captured image in the image storage unit 34 at this point. When the camera management device 3 is constantly capturing images with the camera 4 and storing the captured image in the image storage unit 34, the camera management device 3 does not substantially perform (execute) the processing of s42. it just continues the current process.)

The camera management device 3 waits for the transmission timing to transmit the image captured by the camera 4 to the center server 2 or for receiving the completion of image provision to the center server 2 from the portable terminal 1 (s43, s44).

When the camera management device 3 determines that it is time to transmit an image, the image stored in the image storage unit 34 is an image captured after receiving the provision permission in s41, and the center server 2 , the extracted image is transmitted to the center server 2 (s45), and the process returns to s43. The image transmitted in s45 is associated with the position of the camera 4 (that is, the imaging position of the camera 4) stored in the imaging position storage unit 31a.

The transmission timing for transmitting the image captured by the camera 4 to the center server 2 may be the timing when the camera management device 3 receives an image transmission request from the mobile terminal 1 or the center server 2 , or may transmit the image to the center server 2 . It may be the timing when the amount of images to be processed reaches a predetermined amount, or the timing when conditions other than these are satisfied. Also, the transmission of the image in s45 may be performed via the mobile terminal 1, or may be directly transmitted from the camera management device 3 to the center server 2 without the mobile terminal 1. FIG.

Further, when the camera management device 3 receives from the portable terminal 1 the completion of providing the image to the center server 2, it ends the image pickup by the camera 4 started in s42 and the storage of the imaged image (s46), and proceeds to s41. return.

Thus, in the monitoring system according to this example, the issuance of evacuation information is used as a trigger to request permission from the owner of the camera 4 regarding the monitoring use of the image captured by the camera 4. The image captured by the camera 4 is provided to the center server 2 only at this time. Further, when the evacuation information is canceled, the center server 2 promptly transmits to the mobile terminal 1 the termination of the image monitoring use. Therefore, the period during which the image captured by the camera 4 is provided to the center server 2 is limited to the period during which the evacuation information is issued. Furthermore, in the above example, the owner of the camera 4 can judge and decide whether or not to use the image captured by the camera 4 for monitoring purposes. Therefore, in providing the image captured by the camera 4, the privacy of the individual who owns the camera 4 can be fully considered.

In addition, the center server 2 executes the processes of s24, s28, and s29, and in the form of a supplement request, it is possible to reduce the number of monitoring omission areas where the number of cameras 4 to which images are provided is small. This enables monitoring of crimes in areas where evacuation information has been issued.

In addition, in a configuration in which the center server 2 requests the camera management device 3 to transmit the images captured by the cameras 4, the images captured by the cameras 4 are temporarily concentrated and transmitted from a large number of camera management devices 3. You can prevent it from coming. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in communication speed due to an increase in traffic.

In addition, the center server 2 does not issue a transmission request for images that are not particularly necessary for monitoring crimes, thereby preventing wasteful transmission of images. The images that do not need to be used for crime surveillance are, for example, one of the two cameras 4 that are licensed to provide images and are installed in very close positions.

Further, when a crime occurs, the center server 2 may transmit to the camera management device 3 a transmission request for an image captured by the camera 4 whose installation position is near the location where the crime occurred. In this way, investigations into crimes that have occurred can be carried out quickly and properly.

In addition, one of the mobile terminal 1 and the camera management device 3 counts the amount of communication (for example, the number of packets) required for providing the image captured by the camera 4 to the center server 2, and responds accordingly. The value may be received from the municipality issuing the evacuation information.

Further, in the above example, the owner of the mobile terminal 1 selects whether or not to permit the monitoring use of the image captured by the camera 4 by performing an input operation on the operation unit 13. It may be configured to keep In this case, the mobile terminal 1 stores in the memory of the control unit 11 the setting as to whether or not to permit the monitoring use of the image captured by the camera 4 . The mobile terminal 1 eliminates the need for the process of s3 described above, and determines in s4 whether or not to permit the monitoring use of the image captured by the camera 4 in accordance with the settings stored in the memory. Moreover, the mobile terminal 1 is preferably configured so that the setting as to whether or not to permit the monitoring use of the image captured by the camera 4 can be freely changed at any timing.

In the above example, the owner of the camera 4 decides whether or not to permit the surveillance use of the images captured by the camera 4. A determination may be made as to whether or not to permit the surveillance use of the image captured by the camera 4 .

<4. Variation>
Next, modified examples of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of a monitoring system according to a modification. As shown in FIG. 8, the monitoring system according to this modification differs from the above example in that the mobile terminal 1 is not provided. Also, the configuration of the camera management device 3A is different from that of the camera management device 3 in the above example. The center server 2 and camera 4 have the same configuration as in the above example. In this modification, the camera management device 3A corresponds to the image license device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of main parts of a camera management device according to a modification. The camera management device 3A includes a control unit 31A, an image input section 32A, a communication section 33A, an image storage section 34A, a display section 35A, and an operation section 36A. The control unit 31A also has an imaging position storage section 31p, a detection section 31q, a determination section 31r, and an image provision section 31s. A camera management device 3A according to this modification has a configuration in which the portable terminal 1 and the camera management device 3 in the above example are integrated.

The image input unit 32A provided in the camera management device 3A of this modified example has the same configuration as the image input unit 32 in the above example, and the communication unit 33A has the same configuration as the communication unit 33 in the above example. The section 34A has the same configuration as the image storage section 34 in the example described above.

Further, the display unit 35A has a display configured by liquid crystal, organic EL (Electro Luminescence), or the like, and controls an image displayed on the screen of this display.

Further, the operation unit 36A has an input device such as a touch panel attached on the screen of the display device of the display unit 35A, and receives input according to input operations on this input device.

The control unit 31A also has an imaging position storage section 31p, a detection section 31q, a determination section 31r, and an image provision section 31s. The imaging position storage unit 31p stores the position of the connected camera 4, as in the above example. The detection unit 31q detects whether or not the communication unit 33A has received evacuation information. The determination unit 31r determines whether or not to allow the center server 2 to use the associated image captured by the camera 4 for purposes such as crime surveillance. The image providing unit 31s performs a process of permitting or prohibiting providing the center server 2 with an image captured by the associated camera 4 .

That is, the detecting unit 31q, the determining unit 31r, and the image providing unit 31s have the same functions as the detecting unit 11a, the determining unit 11b, and the image providing unit 11c of the portable terminal 1 shown in the above example.

Next, operations of the center server 2 and the camera management device 3A of the monitoring system according to this example will be described. The center server 2 executes the processing shown in FIG. 6 as in the above example.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation of the camera management device of this modification. When receiving the evacuation information, the camera management device 3A notifies that the evacuation information has been issued (s61, s62). Further, the camera management device 3A displays on the display a screen prompting the user to select whether or not to permit the monitoring use of the image captured by the camera 4 to which the display section 35A is connected. is accepted (s63). The camera management device 3A of this modified example associates the connected cameras 4 with each other.

In s61, similarly to s1 described above, it may be determined whether or not to execute the processes after s62 based on the type of the received evacuation information. The processing related to s61 is executed by the detection unit 31q.

When the camera management device 3A selects not to approve the monitoring use of the image captured by the camera 4 (s64), the communication unit 33A receives the end of monitoring from the center server 2, or receives the image provision request. It waits to receive a complement request (s71, s72). As in the above example, when the center server 2 confirms the monitoring omission area, the center server 2 transmits a complement request to the camera management device 3A. When the camera management device 3A receives the end of monitoring from the center server 2, it returns to s61. Further, when the camera management device 3A receives a complement request for image provision from the center server 2, it notifies that there is a complement request (s73), and returns to s63.

When the camera management device 3A selects to permit the monitoring use of the image captured by the camera 4 (s64), the camera management device 3A permits the monitoring use of the image captured by the associated camera 4. , to the center server 2 (s65). Communication with the center server 2 is performed in the communication section 33A. The position of the camera 4 is included in the notification of permission sent to the center server 2 in s65. The position of the camera 4 is stored in the imaging position storage section 31p. The process of s64 is executed by the determination unit 31r.

In addition, the camera management device 3A starts the process of starting imaging with the camera 4 and storing the captured image in the image storage section 34A (s66). As in the above example, the camera 4 may start capturing moving images, or may capture still images at appropriate time intervals (eg, 3 seconds, 5 seconds, 10 seconds). In addition, the images stored in the image storage unit 34 are given a time stamp indicating the imaging time.

It should be noted that the process of s66 is also performed when the camera 4 has stopped imaging or the process of storing the captured image in the image storage unit 34 at this point in the same way as s42. .

The camera management device 3A waits for the transmission timing to transmit the image captured by the camera 4 to the center server 2, or until the end of image provision is received from the center server 2 (s67, s68). When the camera management device 3A determines that it is time to send an image, it selects an image captured after the provision permission was sent to the center server 2 in s65 from among the images stored in the image storage unit 34. Therefore, an image that has not been transmitted to the center server 2 is extracted, the extracted image is transmitted to the center server 2 (s69), and the process returns to s67. The image transmitted in s67 is associated with the position of the camera 4 (that is, the imaging position of the camera 4) stored in the imaging position storage unit 31p. The transmission timing for transmitting the image captured by the camera 4 to the center server 2 is the same as in the above example.

When the camera management device 3A receives the end of image provision from the center server 2 in s68, it ends the image pickup by the camera 4 and the storage of the imaged image started in s66 (s70), and returns to s61.

Therefore, in this modified example as well, it is possible to protect individual privacy and suppress crimes in areas where evacuation information has been issued, as in the above example.

Further, if the camera management devices 3 and 3A have a function of processing images captured by the camera 4 and detecting a moving object, only a few images before and after the detection of the moving object can be stored. It may be stored in the units 34 and 34A. By configuring in this way, the amount of image data to be stored in the image storage units 34 and 34A can be suppressed. Also, the amount of image data to be transmitted to the center server 2 can be reduced. Further, detection of a moving object may be performed using an infrared sensor or the like instead of image processing.

In addition, the camera management devices 3 and 3A may delete the images stored in the image storage units 34 and 34A at appropriate timing by permitting the provision of the images, or the center server 2 may permit the deletion. It may be configured to be erased when it is deleted. Further, when the camera management devices 3 and 3A transmit the images to the center server 2, the transmitted images may be deleted from the image storage units 34 and 34A.

Further, the camera 4 may be configured to notify the start of image capturing when image capturing is started in s42 and s66. This notification may be, for example, a method of lighting a flash, a method of emitting sound, or other methods.

Also, images captured by a security camera or the like installed by a public institution such as a local government may be transmitted to the center server 2 . In this case, security cameras installed by public institutions such as local governments do not require permission for the monitoring use of images.

In addition, the center server 2 divides the area where the evacuation information is issued into a plurality of blocks (this block may be the same as or different from the partial area described above), and each block , damage status, past crime frequency, residential density, etc., the probability of crime occurrence may be estimated, and areas with high crime occurrence probability may be monitored intensively.

In addition, in the description of the operation of each device in the above description, the order of processing illustrated in the flowchart is only an example, and the order may be changed. Further, processing steps (not shown) may be added as necessary.

Moreover, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the present invention at the implementation stage. Also, various inventions can be formed by appropriate combinations of the plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be omitted from all components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, constituent elements of different embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

Furthermore, the correspondence relationship between the configuration according to the present invention and the configuration according to the above-described embodiment can be described as the following additional remarks.
<Appendix>
a detection unit (11a) for detecting that evacuation information due to a disaster has been issued;
a determination unit (11b) that determines, when the evacuation information issuance is detected by the detection unit (11a), whether or not to permit monitoring use of the image captured by the associated camera (4);
When the judgment unit (11b) judges that the monitoring use of the image is permitted, it permits the center server (2) to perform image provision processing for providing the image captured by the camera (4), and conversely, the An image use permitting device (1) comprising: an image providing unit (11c) that prohibits the image providing process when a determination unit (11b) determines not to permit monitoring use of the image.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Portable terminal 2... Center server 3, 3A... Camera management apparatus 4... Camera 5... Network 11... Control unit 11a... Detection part 11b... Judgment part 11c... Image providing part 12... Display part 13... Operation part 14... Communication part 21 Control unit 21a Region detection unit 21b Monitoring unit 22 Display unit 23 Operation unit 24 Communication unit 25 Image storage units 31, 31A Control unit 31a Imaging position storage unit 31p Imaging position storage unit 31q Detection unit 31r Determination unit 31s Image providing units 32, 32A Image input units 33, 33A Communication units 34, 34A Image storage unit 35A Display unit 36A Operation unit

Claims (7)

a detection unit that detects that evacuation information due to a disaster has been issued;
an operation unit that receives a selection as to whether or not to permit monitoring use of an image captured by the associated camera when the evacuation information is detected by the detection unit;
an image usage permission apparatus comprising: a first communication unit that transmits a notice of approval of the monitoring use upon receiving a selection to the effect that the monitoring use is permitted; and
a second communication unit, to which the camera is connected, that receives a notification from the image usage permission device that the monitoring use is permitted;
When the second communication unit receives a notification that the monitoring use is permitted from the image use permission device, the image providing process for providing the image captured by the camera is permitted to the center server, and the object is opposed. and providing the image captured by the camera to the center server when the second communication unit has not received a notification to the effect that the monitoring use is permitted from the image usage permission device. and an image providing unit that prohibits the image providing process ,
surveillance system. 2. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein said image providing unit links the image pickup position of said camera to the image picked up by said camera and provides said image pickup position to said center server. The image usage permission device is
a notification unit that, when the detection unit detects the issuance of the evacuation information, notifies a request for permission to monitor and use the image captured by the camera ;
3. The monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2. In response to an image transmission request from the center server , on the condition that the second communication unit receives a notification to the effect that the monitoring use is permitted from the image use permission device, the image providing unit : executing the image providing process of providing the image captured by the camera to the center server;
A monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The image management device
An image storage unit for storing images captured by the camera,
The image providing unit selects the image storage unit as an image to be transmitted to the center server on condition that the second communication unit receives a notification to the effect that the monitoring use is permitted from the image usage permission device. When the number of images captured by the camera stored in the image storage unit reaches a predetermined amount, the image providing process for providing the image stored in the image storage unit to the center server is executed.
A monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The first computer of the image licensing device,
a detection step of detecting that evacuation information due to a disaster has been issued;
a selection receiving step of receiving, by an operation unit, a selection as to whether or not to permit monitoring use of an image captured by the associated camera when the issuance of the evacuation information is detected in the detecting step;
a notification step of transmitting, in a first communication unit, a notification to the effect that the monitoring use is permitted, when a selection to the effect that the monitoring use is permitted is received;
A second computer of the image management device to which the camera is connected,
When the second communication unit receives a notification from the image utilization permission device that the monitoring use is permitted, the image provision processing for providing the image captured by the camera is permitted to the center server, and vice versa. providing an image captured by the camera to the center server when the second communication unit has not received a notification to the effect that the monitoring use is permitted from the image use permission device. executing an image providing step for prohibiting the image providing process;
Image permission method. In the first computer of the image licensing device,
a detection step of detecting that evacuation information due to a disaster has been issued;
a selection receiving step of receiving, by an operation unit, a selection as to whether or not to permit monitoring use of an image captured by the associated camera when the issuance of the evacuation information is detected in the detecting step;
a first program for executing a notification step of transmitting a notification to the effect that the monitoring use is permitted in a first communication unit when a selection to the effect that the monitoring use is permitted is received; and
In the second computer of the image management device to which the camera is connected,
When the second communication unit receives a notification from the image utilization permission device that the monitoring use is permitted, the image provision processing for providing the image captured by the camera is permitted to the center server, and vice versa. providing an image captured by the camera to the center server when the second communication unit has not received a notification to the effect that the monitoring use is permitted from the image use permission device. An image use permission program comprising a second program for executing an image providing step for prohibiting the image providing process.

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