JPH0654074A - Remote supervisory system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the supervisory system which performs transmission/ reception through the line of an ISDN. CONSTITUTION:A transmitter 400 is provided with an alarm signal detection circuit 43 to detect signals from plural sensors 301-30k for detecting abnormality and to output alarm information, control part 46 to perform an instruction so as to transmit encoded video information from an image encoder 44 and encoded voice information from a voice CODEC 45 when the alarm information comes from the detecting means 43, and line control part 48 to transmit the video information and the voice information through the ISDN to a receiver 60 when the transmission is instructed from the control part 46, and the receiver 60 is provided with a line control part 61 to receive transmitted signals from the transmitter 400, image restoring means 62 to restore the video information of the transmitted signals, voice encoding.restoring means 63 to encode/restore the voice information, video display means 66 to output and display the restored video information, and voice input/output terminal 67 to output the restored voice information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote monitoring system for transmitting and receiving video and audio.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a system for automatically transmitting a video from a transmitter to a receiver by the operation of a sensor and transmitting an image, a system in which an image of a camera is transmitted to a plurality of sensors is known. Further, as a conventional example of transmitting video / audio of a conference system or the like, there is a technique described in JP-A-2-192387. In the above-mentioned conventional example, by pressing the utterance request button having the same role as the alarm sensor, the corresponding video / audio can be transmitted.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the above-mentioned prior art, video and audio are combined with ISDN (Integrated services di).
It does not consider sending and receiving using the line of the gital network. Further, in ISDN, video and audio can be transmitted and received at the same time, but automatic transmission from a transmitter to a receiver by the operation of an alarm sensor like a monitoring system is not considered.

An object of the present invention is to provide a monitoring system for transmitting and receiving by using an ISDN line.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a remote monitoring system having one or more transmitters for transmitting information and at least one receiver for receiving information from the transmitters. The machine performs a plurality of sensors for detecting abnormality, one or more video input terminals for inputting video, image coding means for coding a video signal from the video input terminal, and input / output of voice. One or more voice input / output terminals, voice code / restoration means for encoding / restoring voice signals, detection means for detecting a signal from the sensor and outputting alarm information, and alarm information from the detection means. When there is, there is a control unit for instructing to transmit the encoded video information from the image encoding unit and the encoded audio information from the audio encoding unit, and a transmission instruction from the control unit. And I Through DN, and a line control unit which transmits the video information and audio information to the receiver,
The receiver includes a line control unit that receives a transmission signal from the transmitter via ISDN, an image restoration unit that restores the video information of the transmission signal, and a voice code / restoration that encodes and restores voice. It is possible to have a conversion means, a video display means for outputting the restored video information, and an audio input / output terminal for outputting the restored audio information.

The controller of the transmitter has a plurality of sensors,
Correspondence between one or more video input terminals and one or more voice input / output terminals can be stored in advance. Based on alarm information from the detection means, the video input terminals and voice input / output terminals corresponding to the sensors To instruct to transmit video and audio.

The line control section of the transmitter can superimpose the alarm information indicating the identification number of the sensor on the audio information and / or the video information and send it.

Further, the receiver further comprises a main control means for displaying the restored video information on the display means, and the main control means detects the transmitter in which the alarm is generated by the transmission information from the transmitter. The specifying information can be displayed on the video display means together with the video information.

Further, the main control means can superimpose on the video display means the names of the video input terminal, the audio input / output terminal, and the sensor, which are corresponding in advance, on the basis of the alarm information from the transmitter. Therefore, it is possible to accept the selection instruction of which of the audio information, the video information, and the audio information and the video information is to be transmitted from the transmitter based on the transmission information, and to instruct the transmitter.

[0010]

In each transmitter, a plurality of sensors constantly monitor and output alarm information when the detection means detects an abnormality. The control unit instructs to transmit the encoded video from the image encoding unit and the encoded audio from the audio encoding unit when there is alarm information from the detection unit. Further, the control unit stores the correspondence between one or more video input terminals and one or more audio input / output terminals and a plurality of sensors, so that the alarm information from the detection means causes the sensors to detect. Instruct to select and transmit the corresponding video input terminal and audio input / output terminal.

Upon receiving a transmission instruction from the control section, the line control section transmits the alarm information indicating the sensor identification number to the video information and the audio information via the ISDN and transmits the superimposed information. To do.

Further, in the receiver, the line controller is
The transmission signal from the transmitter is received via the ISDN, the image restoration means restores the video information of the transmission signal, the video display means displays and outputs the video information, and the audio code / restoration means codes the audio information. The voice input / output terminal outputs voice information by converting it into a restored form.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a monitoring system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a remote monitoring system with a voice function according to the present invention. Surveillance cameras 101 to 1
0n, the voice input / output terminals 201 to 20m, and the alarm sensors 301 to 30k are connected to the transmitter 400. The transmitter 400 includes a receiver 6 via the digital communication network 49.
It is connected to 0 and performs remote monitoring according to an instruction from the main controller 65 of the monitoring center. The receiver 60 can have a plurality of lines of the digital communication network 49. The digital communication network 49 is an ISDN digital communication network. In addition, the transmitter 400 includes monitoring cameras 101 to 101.
An image encoder 44 for encoding video from 10n, an audio CODEC for encoding / decoding audio from the audio input / output terminals 201-20m, and alarm sensors 301-30
memory 47 for storing the correspondence between k, the monitoring camera and the voice input / output terminal, and the control unit 4 for controlling each means.
6 and a line controller 48 for transmitting and receiving signals via the digital communication network 49. Alarm sensor 30
1 to 30k are always operating, and when there is an abnormality, the alarm signal detection circuit 43 connected to the alarm sensors 301 to 30k informs the control unit 46 of alarm information.
When there is alarm information, the control unit 46 refers to the memory 47 to obtain the numbers of the monitoring camera and the voice input / output terminal corresponding to the sensor number. A VSW (video switch) 41 is a switch for switching a video signal from the monitoring cameras 101 to 10n, and an ASW (audio switch) 42 is an audio input / output terminal 201 to 20m.
Is a switch for switching the audio signal from.
The control unit 46 refers to the memory 47 and sets the VSW 41 and A
A switching instruction can be issued to the SW 42 to connect the monitoring camera and the voice input / output terminal corresponding to the sensor number, and the line control unit 48 can transmit the video information and the voice information. The control unit 46 may include the memory 47. When an alarm is generated, the control unit 46 will notify the ISDN
By setting up a call using the D channel of, the alarm center is notified that an alarm has occurred, and when there is a call setting, the alarm information is superimposed on the audio / video information and sent out using the B channel of ISDN. Let Image encoder 44
Is capable of encoding and compressing a video signal from a surveillance camera which is a video input terminal, and the line control unit 48 can transmit the video information using the B channel of 64 kbit / s. Voice CO
The DEC encodes a voice signal from a voice input / output terminal such as a microphone, a speaker, and a telephone terminal, and the line control unit 48
Audio information can be transmitted using the B channel of 64 kbit / s. Further, the audio CODEC can decode the audio information from the receiver, and the audio input / output terminal can output the restored audio information. The video information and the audio information can be simultaneously transmitted by the line control unit by using each one of the two B channels.

The transmitter 50 is the same means as the transmitter 400, and is located in a place different from the transmitter 400. It is possible to have one or more transmitters for at least one receiver.

The main controller 65 of the monitoring center is the receiver 6
0 and the ISDN digital network 49 can monitor multiple transmitters. The main controller 65 has
The input means 68, the monitor 66 and the voice input / output terminal 67 can be connected. The receiver 60 includes a line control unit 61 for transmitting and receiving signals via the digital communication network 49.
And an image decoder 6 for decoding the video information into a video signal
2 and a voice CODEC 63 that encodes / decodes voice. The receiver 60 receives the information from each transmitter, notifies the main control device 65 via the control line 64, decodes the image information and the audio information, and monitors the monitor 66.
And the decoded information is output to the voice input / output terminal 67. Further, the main control device 65 can previously register an alarm name, a camera name, a voice input / output terminal name, etc. as character information in the memory of the main control device 65 from the input means 68. Perform a superimpose up. Thereby, the operator knows that an abnormality has occurred by looking at the monitor. In addition, the main controller 6
When the alarm signal is received, the alarm signal 5 or the alarm lamp 5 may notify that an abnormality has occurred. The image decoder 62 can decode the video information of the received signal, and the monitor 66 as a video display means can output the restored video information. The voice CODEC 63 is
The voice information from the transmitter can be decoded, and the voice input / output terminal can output the restored voice information. The voice CODEC 63 is a microphone, a speaker,
A voice signal from a voice input / output terminal such as a telephone terminal can be encoded, and the line control unit 61 can transmit the voice information to a designated transmitter using the B channel of 64 kbit / s. The video information and the audio information can be simultaneously transmitted by the line control unit by using each one of the two B channels. Further, by having a plurality of receivers and a plurality of audio input / output terminals and monitors, it is possible to receive and output information from a plurality of transmitters.

Next, the operation when the video of the monitoring camera 101 and the voice of the voice input / output terminal 201 are directly monitored will be described. The main control device 65 receives an instruction from the input means 68 and gives an instruction to the line control unit 61 of the receiver 60 via the control line 64 with the identification numbers of the monitoring camera 101 and the voice input / output terminal 201. The line control unit 6
1 calls the line control unit 48 of the transmitter 400 to connect the line. The line control unit 48 transmits information to the control unit 46, and the control unit 46 sends a switching signal of the VSW (video switch) 41 and the ASW (audio switch) 42, and the monitoring camera 101 and the voice input / output terminal 201. Select. The video signal of the selected camera is compression-encoded by the image encoder 44, and is reproduced as an analog signal by the image decoder 62 via the line control unit 48, the digital communication network 49, and the receiving side line control unit 61. Main controller 65
And is displayed on the monitor 66. Also, the audio signal is
It is compressed and encoded by the voice CODEC 45, demodulated into an analog signal by the voice CODEC 63 via the line control unit 48, the digital communication network 49, and the receiving side line control unit 61.
It is output to the voice input / output terminal 67. In addition, voice input can be performed from the voice input / output terminal 67, and the input voice information is transmitted to the transmitter 400 by a route reverse to the above-described means and is output to the selected 20X.

Next, the registration of the correspondence between the alarm and the surveillance camera and the voice input / output terminal and the automatic transmission operation when the transmitter automatically transmits in association with the alarm signal will be described. When registering, first, main controller 65
Receives the registration instruction from the input means 68, and the receiver 6
Call the transmitter from 0 to register and connect the line. After that, the main control unit 65 receives the instruction from the input unit 68 and creates grouping data of the camera number, the voice input / output terminal number, and the alarm sensor number, and the line control unit 61.
To the line control unit 48 via the digital communication network 49. Here, the line control unit 48 identifies from the registration command that the information is registration information, and issues a registration command to the control unit 46. The control unit 46 uses the memory 47 according to the registration command
Grouping data is written to, and the registration is completed.

Next, an automatic transmission operation when an abnormality is detected by a sensor in each transmitter will be described.

The alarm signal detection circuit identifies the alarm sensor number when one of the alarm sensors 301 to 30k is turned on, and transmits the alarm sensor number and the alarm call to the control unit 46. Control unit 46
Reads the group data in which the alarm sensor number is registered from the memory, and the VSW41
And ASW 42 are switched, and the camera and the audio input / output terminal corresponding to the alarm are switched to the image decoder 44 and the audio C.
Connect to ODEC45 respectively. The image decoder 44 and the audio CODEC 45 perform signal processing respectively. On the other hand, the control unit 46 transmits an alarm call to the line control unit 48, and the line control unit 48 automatically makes a call to the receiver 60,
An alarm call is transmitted by connecting a line and superimposing information such as an alarm number on audio information or video information. FIG. 4 shows a frame format for superimposing information such as an alarm number on audio information or video information.
Although FIG. 4 shows the case where the alarm information is superimposed on the video information, the case where the alarm information is superimposed on the audio information can be similarly superimposed. In FIG. 4, the address part indicates an address number given in advance to each transmitter. When the alarm detection field is 00, it indicates that there is no alarm, and when it is 01 to 0F, it indicates the corresponding alarm number. In the transmitter, when an alarm is generated and an alarm number is instructed by the controller 46, the line controller 48
Creates and sends this frame, and the receiver detects the alarm information in the frame.

Next, the alarm call transmission sequence will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 shows a transmission sequence of an alarm call when the receiver 60 is not monitoring the transmitter. FIG. 3 shows a transmission sequence of an alarm call when the receiver 60 is monitoring the transmitter.

In FIG. 2, when an alarm is generated, the control unit 46 transmits the alarm signal 1 to the line control unit 48 via the D channel, and the line control unit 48 automatically makes a call to the receiver 60 to make a call setting request. To send. When there is a call setting request, the receiver 60 recognizes that an alarm has arrived and notifies the main controller 65 of the arrival of the alarm. The receiver 60 is
A call setup response is made, the line is connected, and the identification number of the transmitter and the like are sent to the main controller 65 as call setup. Next, the line controller 48 of the transmitter superimposes information such as an alarm number on the audio information or the video information and transmits the information on the B channel. The line controller 61 of the receiver 60 detects the alarm number from the alarm call and transfers the information to the main controller 65 via the control line 64. Main controller 65 outputs video information and audio information to monitor 66 and audio input / output terminal 67 via image decoder 44 and audio CODEC 45. Further, main controller 65 reads the number and registers the alarm name, camera name, and
Superimpose on the monitor with text information such as the name of the voice input / output terminal and the information that identifies the transmitter. This automatically superimposes the names of the camera, the voice input / output terminal, and the alarm sensor on the monitor, so that the operator can quickly respond.

Next, when another alarm occurs in the same transmitter, the line controller 48 outputs the alarm information 2
Is transmitted by superimposing information such as an alarm number on audio information or video information. The main controller 65 uses the alarm information 2
When it receives, the transmitter is instructed to switch to the audio / video information corresponding to the alarm information 2. The receiver sends a switching command to the transmitter 400. Transmitter 4
When there is a switching command in 00, the control unit 46 causes the VSW4
1 and the switching signal of the ASW 42 are transmitted, and the monitoring camera and the voice input / output terminal corresponding to the alarm information 2 are selected. The line control unit 48 of the transmitter transmits the selected audio / video information. In addition, when alarm signals are generated at the same time, all the generated alarm information is sent to the main controller 6
5, and the alarm information is stored in the internal memory of the main controller 65. Main controller 65 displays on the monitor that an alarm signal has been generated, and outputs the audio and video information in order by instructing to switch, or switching after receiving a switching instruction from input means 68. The instruction may be sent.

The above description is for the case where the alarm sensor operates when the monitor is not being monitored. Next, the operation for when the receiver being monitored receives an alarm call from another transmitter. This will be described with reference to FIG.

An example will be described in which the alarm sensor 53 connected to the transmitter 50 operates while the video / audio information is being communicated between the transmitter 400 and the receiver 60. Transmitter 50
The alarm call from is recognized by the line control unit 61 via the D channel, and the incoming alarm is transmitted to the main control unit 65 via the control line 64. The main controller 65 is
It is displayed on the monitor 66 that there is an alarm. When it is desired to stop the monitor and obtain the audio / video information of the place where the alarm is generated, main control device 65 receives the switching instruction from input means 68, sends the switching instruction, and disconnects the call. The receiver 60 sends the call setting response of the transmitter 50. The transmitter 50 transmits the audio / video information as described above.

Further, when the operator wants to obtain only the voice information corresponding to the alarm of the transmitter 50, the main controller 65 receives the voice switching switching instruction from the input means 68, and the line controller 61 A request for disconnecting the B channel currently connected to the voice of the transmitter 400 is issued to the digital communication network 49, and further, the digital communication network 4
Upon receipt of the release signal from 9, the response signal is issued to the line controller of the transmitter 50. This allows the receiver to communicate with the video of the transmitter 400 and the audio input / output terminal 52 connected to the transmitter 50. Further, when the operator wants to obtain the video information in response to the alarm call of the transmitter 50, he / she presses the video switching button of the main control device 65, and the transmitter 5 is operated in the same procedure as the above-mentioned audio switching means.
The image of the camera 51 connected to 0 can be displayed on the monitor 66.

As described above, by independently controlling the audio and video, it is possible to monitor the video of a certain transmitter and another transmitter that has raised an alarm during a call.

According to the present invention, a plurality of transmitters are provided by using the ISDN digital communication network, and further a plurality of alarm sensors are connected to the transmitters.
It is possible to build a remote monitoring system with voice function.
Further, the alarm information can be known as a fault condition by being superimposed on the audio and video information.

Furthermore, by associating a plurality of sensors with a plurality of cameras and voice input / output terminals, it is possible to send audio / video information corresponding to the sensor that has detected an abnormality. As a result, when the alarm sensor operates, it is possible to instantly monitor the image and sound of the location at the center, so that higher security and simplification and speedup of operation can be realized.

[0030]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a remote monitoring system for performing communication by utilizing the ISDN digital communication network.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an alarm signal transmission sequence.

FIG. 3 is a transmission sequence of an alarm signal being monitored.

FIG. 4 is a frame format.

[Description of Reference Signs] 101 ... Surveillance camera, 10n ... Surveillance camera, 201 ... Voice input / output terminal, 20m ... Voice input / output terminal, 301 ... Alarm sensor, 30k ... Alarm sensor, 400 ... Transmitter, 41 ... Video switch, 42 … Analog switch,
43 ... Alarm signal detection circuit, 44 ... Image encoder, 4
5 ... Voice CODEC, 46 ... Control unit, 47 ... Memory, 4
8 ... Line control unit, 49 ... Digital communication network, 50 ... Transmitter, 51 ... Surveillance camera, 52 ... Voice input / output terminal, 53 ...
Alarm sensor, 60 ... Receiver, 61 ... Line control unit, 6
2 ... Image decoding device, 63 ... Audio encoder, 64 ... Control line, 65 ... Main control device, 66 ... Monitor, 67 ... Audio input / output terminal.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Michiaki Moriya 216 Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Ltd. Information & Communication Division, Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Inventor Minoru Yasuda 1-6 Uchisai-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo No. Japan Telegraph and Telephone Corporation

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A remote monitoring system having one or more transmitters for transmitting information, and at least one receiver for receiving information from the transmitters, wherein the transmitters include a plurality of detectors for detecting abnormalities. A sensor, one or more video input terminals for inputting video, image coding means for coding video signals from the video input terminal, and one or more audio input / output terminals for inputting / outputting audio. When,
A voice code / restoration means for encoding / restoring a voice signal, a detection means for detecting a signal from a sensor and outputting alarm information, and a code from an image encoding means when there is alarm information from the detection means. I when there is a control unit for instructing to transmit the encoded video information and the encoded audio information from the audio encoding means, and a transmission instruction from the control unit.
A line control unit for transmitting video information and audio information to the receiver via SDN, and the receiver has a line control unit for receiving a transmission signal from the transmitter via ISDN; Image restoration means for restoring the video information of the transmission signal, audio code / restoration means for encoding / restoring the audio information, video display means for outputting and displaying the restored video information, And a voice input / output terminal that outputs voice information. 2. The control unit of the transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the correspondence between a plurality of sensors and one or more video input terminals and one or more audio input / output terminals can be stored in advance. A remote monitoring system characterized by being capable of selecting an image input terminal and an audio input / output terminal corresponding to a sensor according to alarm information from a detection means and instructing to transmit an image and an audio. 3. The remote monitoring according to claim 1, wherein the line control unit of the transmitter superimposes audio information and / or video information with alarm information indicating a sensor identification number and sends the information. system. 4. The receiver according to claim 3, further comprising main control means for displaying the restored video information on a display means, wherein the main control means generates an alarm according to transmission information from the transmitter. A remote monitoring system characterized in that information for identifying a generated transmitter is displayed on a video display means together with video information. 5. The main control means according to claim 4, wherein the video display means is provided with the names of the video input terminal, the voice input / output terminal, and the sensor, which are corresponding in advance, according to the alarm information from the transmitter. Remote monitoring system characterized by imposing. 6. The main control means according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the transmitter receives, from the transmitter, a selection instruction as to which of audio information, video information, audio information and video information is to be transmitted. The remote monitoring system is characterized by instructing the transmitter.