JPH10274797A - Video information collecting method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform the developing of plural pieces at a time, the analysis processing of developing for a long time and remote control by transmitting and controlling video information accumulated in an accumulating communication control means to a remote information collecting means separated from an image pickup means. SOLUTION: The image pickup part 100a of an image pickup accumulation part 100 picks up the images of plural photographing objects 500-1 to 500-n. An accumulating communication control part 100b compresses and accumulates the images picked up by the image pickup part 100a, and controls communication with a video controller 200 included in a remote supervisory control part. The controller 200 monitors and files the image information accumulated in the control part 100b of the accumulation part 100. The image information accumulated in the control part 100b of the accumulation part 100 is transmitted from the control part 100b to the controller 200, and an image pickup condition and an image transfer requirement set in the controller 200 are transmitted from the controller 200 to the control part 100b of the accumulation part 100.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for collecting image information, and more particularly, to a situation where automatic operation is stopped due to a malfunction of a mechanical device at a production site or the like, a situation that led to the stop, and a state of the stop. The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for collecting image information in which a phenomenon that has caused a problem is collected as image information by an electronic camera or the like, and can be used as means for visual confirmation and cause analysis.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, with respect to this type of video information collecting apparatus, usually, a high-speed camera or the like is set and waits for a change in a phenomenon of an object to be imaged. There is known a method that develops the captured image after the photographing and analyzes the developed image.

[0003] However, such a method is troublesome and does not guarantee the probability of capturing the expected phenomenon.

In order to compensate for this disadvantage, CCDs
Cameras, digital cameras (hereinafter referred to as electronic cameras), etc., constantly capture and record the imaged object, and continuously store the recorded image as a (compressed) image (circular overwrite on a storage medium).
A configuration has been proposed in which the image capturing target is stopped, for example, when a stop phenomenon or the like of a mechanical device or the like occurs, the recording is stopped, and an image that is traced to the stop point of the recording is reproduced as needed to analyze the cause. I have.

[0005]

However, such a conventional video information collecting apparatus is extremely effective in a single event due to the limitation of the storage capacity of the apparatus for storing the stored images. Since it is necessary to perform reproduction analysis at any time, there is a problem that a plurality of phenomena or phenomena over a long time cannot be processed.

Further, there is a problem that it is difficult to control the shooting from a remote place and to edit and save such that only necessary ones of the shot images are left.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for collecting image information, which can analyze a plurality of phenomena and development processes over a long period of time and can control the image information remotely.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video information collecting method for capturing an image of an object to be imaged by an image capturing means and collecting image information obtained by the image capturing. A storage communication control unit that stores information and controls transmission of the stored video information is attached to the imaging unit, and the video information stored in the storage communication control unit is captured using the storage communication control unit. The information is transmitted to and managed by a remote information collecting means separated from the means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, a control signal for controlling an imaging operation of the imaging means is transmitted from the remote information collecting means to the storage communication control means, and the storage communication control is performed. The means receives the control signal and controls an imaging operation of the imaging means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the storage object is monitored by monitoring the imaging target and calling the storage communication control means from the remote information collecting means in accordance with the monitoring result. It is characterized in that video information accumulated in the communication control means is collected.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video information collecting apparatus for capturing an image of an object to be imaged by an image capturing means and collecting video information obtained by the image capturing. Storage communication control means for controlling transmission of the stored video information, and remote information collection means for communicating with the storage communication control means and collecting the video information stored in the storage communication control means. It is characterized by the following.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the storage communication means has an imaging control means for controlling an imaging operation of the imaging means, and the imaging control means is provided with the remote control. It is controlled by a control signal transmitted from the information collecting means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the storage communication unit stores the video information obtained by the imaging by the imaging unit, and stores the video information in the storage processing unit. And a modem card for controlling the transmission of the video signal. The storage processing device is mounted on the modem card and integrated therewith.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a monitoring means for monitoring the object to be imaged, wherein the remote information collecting means corresponds to a monitoring result of the monitoring means. It is characterized in that polling connection with the storage communication control means is performed to collect video information stored in the storage communication control means.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing one embodiment of a video information collecting system constituted by applying a video information collecting method and apparatus according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes an unmanned monitoring unit by the electronic camera 11, reference numeral 20 denotes a remote monitoring control unit for remotely monitoring and controlling the unmanned monitoring unit 10 by the electronic camera 11, and reference numeral 30 denotes a monitoring unit by the electronic camera 11. 1 shows a site maintenance unit for maintaining a site monitored by an unmanned monitoring unit 10.

Here, the unmanned monitoring unit 10 includes the electronic camera 1
1 realizes unmanned monitoring of the production line 12 by imaging the production line 12 or the like to be monitored, and the unmanned monitoring unit 10 constitutes "on-site" of the video information collection system.

The remote monitoring control unit 20 remotely monitors an object to be monitored by the unmanned monitoring unit 10 from an image captured by the electronic camera 11 of the unmanned monitoring unit 10 and remotely controls the operation of the electronic camera 11 of the unmanned monitoring unit 10. For example, it includes a personal computer 21 and a communication peripheral 22 connected to the personal computer 21. The remote monitoring control unit 20 forms an "office" of the video information collecting system.

The site maintenance unit 30 is for maintaining the site monitored by the unmanned monitoring unit 10 by workers.
Each worker carries a portable terminal 31 for assisting on-site maintenance work. The site maintenance unit 30 constitutes the “site” of the video information collection system.

In the video information collecting system according to this embodiment, the unmanned monitoring unit 10 and the remote monitoring control unit 2
0 and the site maintenance unit 30 are wirelessly connected.

In FIG. 1, 21-1 to 21-3
Is the personal computer 21 of the remote monitoring control unit 20
Shows an example of an image displayed on the display screen of FIG.
31-2 shows an example of an image displayed on the display screen of the mobile terminal 31 of the site maintenance unit 30.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the video information collecting system according to this embodiment.

In FIG. 2, the image pickup / accumulation unit 100 includes:
It includes the electronic camera 11 of the unmanned monitoring unit 10 which is “on-site” shown in FIG.
Imaging unit 100a that captures images to 500-n, and imaging unit 10
And a storage communication control unit 100b for controlling the communication with the video control device 200 included in the remote monitoring control unit 20, which is the "office" shown in FIG. It is composed.

The video control device 200 is included in the remote monitoring control unit 20 which is an “office” shown in FIG. 1, and monitors the image information stored in the storage communication control unit 100b of the image pickup storage unit 100. What to file.

Here, the image information stored in the storage communication control unit 100b is transmitted from the storage communication control unit 100b of the image capture storage unit 100 to the video control device 200, and the image control unit 100b transmits the image information stored in the storage unit 100b. The imaging conditions and the image transfer request set by the video control device 200 are sent to the storage communication control unit 100b.

Here, the imaging conditions are as follows: 1) shutter speed of an electronic camera 2) compression of a photographed image as necessary (JPEG, etc.)
Conditions 3) There are conditions such as the photographing angle and zoom of the subject.

Further, the imaging timing generation device 300
For example, the unmanned monitoring unit 10 which is “on-site” shown in FIG. 1 monitors the stop of the production line 12 of the unmanned monitoring unit 10, and when the stop is detected, the image capturing / accumulating unit An image pickup trigger signal is sent to 100.

The image capturing / accumulating section 100 captures an image, stops compression, temporarily stores the image, and the like in accordance with the image capturing trigger signal.

Further, the imaging timing generation device 300
For example, when the stop of the production line 12 of the unmanned monitoring unit 10 is detected, the detection information is transmitted to the operator notification device 400 to notify the operator of the stop.

Here, the operator notification device 400 is a portable terminal 3 of the site maintenance unit 30 which is the “site” shown in FIG.
This corresponds to 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the image pickup conditions set by the image control device 200 and the image pickup device 10 from the image control device 200.
0 is a flowchart showing the process of transmitting to 0.

Referring to FIG. 3, in the video control device 200,
First, a setting function is provided in advance, and the following setting items are input by the electronic device (step 101).

1) Frame speed of continuous compression / accumulation 2) Timing of continuous compression / accumulation, shooting angle, zoom condition 3) Presence / absence of data transfer to another location 4) Transfer destination of data transfer to another location Next, communication Transmits the setting item data to the image capturing / accumulating unit 100 (step 102).

The image pickup and accumulation section 100 receives the data transmitted from the video control apparatus 200 and overwrites the received data on each control section in the apparatus (step 10).
3).

FIG. 4 shows the image control device 2 according to the processing of FIG.
9 shows the processing of the accumulation communication control unit 100b of the image pickup accumulation unit 100 that has received the above-mentioned setting item data from 00.

In FIG. 4, a storage communication control unit 100b of the image pickup / storage unit 100 constantly inputs video data obtained by the image capturing by the image capturing unit 100a under set conditions, compresses the video data, and then stores the video data. Communication control unit 1
00b (not shown) (step 1).
11).

Next, it is checked whether the input trigger from the imaging timing generator 300 is 0N (step 112).
If not, the process returns to step 111. If the value is 0N, the data in the primary memory is stored in a secondary memory (not shown) of the storage communication control unit 100b, and at the same time, the image slightly after the input trigger is compressed. It is stored together with the stored data as input trigger data (step 11).
2).

Then, according to the setting, the data is automatically transferred to another location upon input trigger (step 114).

FIG. 5 shows the image pickup / accumulation unit 10 shown in FIG.
0 is shown in a block diagram.

In FIG. 5, the image pickup / accumulation unit 100
Is a CCD camera unit 121, a trigger control unit 12
2, delay control / accumulation control unit 123, memory control unit 12
4. Overall control unit 125, communication driver 126, PCMC
IA interface (I / F) 127, video compression unit 12
8, a memory 129, an imaging angle zoom control unit 130, a power supply control unit 131, and a motor 132.

Here, the CCD camera unit 121 includes:
This is included in the imaging unit 100a shown in FIG. Further, the trigger control unit 122 controls a trigger signal from the imaging timing generation device 300 shown in FIG. Further, the delay control / accumulation control unit 123 performs delay control and accumulation control of video information. Here, the delay control is for accumulating the video information up to slightly before the trigger signal.

Further, the memory control unit 124
9, the overall control unit 125 controls the overall operation of the image capturing / accumulating unit 100, and the communication driver 126 controls the communication with the video control device 200 shown in FIG. , PCMCIA interface (I / F) 127 is for connection with a modem card and a memory card 140.

The video compression unit 128 compresses video information, the memory 129 stores the video information compressed by the video compression unit 128, and the imaging angle zoom control unit 130 includes the CCD camera unit 121. For controlling the imaging angle and zoom conditions in the power supply control unit 1
A motor 31 controls the power supply of each unit of the image capturing / accumulating unit 100.
1 for controlling the imaging angle and the zoom condition.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the image pickup / accumulation unit 100 shown in FIG.
0 shows a configuration in which the image control device 200 and the video control device 200 are connected by wire.

Referring to FIG. 6, the image pickup / accumulation unit 100 shown in FIG. 5 is configured as a LAN card 302. The LAN card 302 is inserted into a card insertion port 301a of the CCD camera 301, so that the CCD card can be used.
It is attached to the camera 301.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the personal computer 304 is provided with the image control device 2 shown in FIG.
This corresponds to 00.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the LAN card 302 and the personal computer 304 are connected by a cable 303, and the communication between the LAN card 302 and the personal computer 304 is performed by wired communication.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the image pickup / accumulation unit 100 shown in FIG.
0 shows a configuration in which the image control device 200 and the video control device 200 are wirelessly connected.

In FIG. 7, the image pickup / accumulation unit 100 shown in FIG. 5 is configured as a LAN card 402. The LAN card 402 is inserted into a card insertion port 401a of the CCD camera 401, and the
The camera 401 is attached.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the personal computer 404 is provided with the image control device 2 shown in FIG.
This corresponds to 00.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the LAN card 402 is provided with an antenna 402a, and the personal computer 404 is connected to a wireless unit 403 having an antenna 403a for performing wireless communication with the LAN card 402. LAN card 402
Communication between the personal computer 404 and the personal computer 404 is performed by wireless communication via the antenna 402a, the antenna 403a, and the wireless unit 403.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A storage communication control means for storing the video information and controlling the transmission of the stored video information is attached to the imaging means, and the video information stored in the storage communication control means is transmitted to the remote information collection means separated from the imaging means. Since the configuration is such that a plurality of developments and a development analysis for a long period of time can be performed, it is possible to obtain an effect that the control can be performed remotely.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of a video information collection system configured by applying a video information collection method and apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the video information collecting system according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process of transmitting the imaging conditions set by the video control device shown in FIG. 2 from the video control device to the image capturing / accumulating unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of a storage communication control unit of the image capturing / storage unit that has received the setting item data from the video control device by the process of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an image capturing / accumulating unit illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration in which a LAN card is mounted on a CCD camera to perform wired communication.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another configuration example when a wireless communication is performed by attaching a LAN card to a CCD camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Unmanned monitoring part 11 Electronic camera 12 Manufacturing line 20 Remote monitoring control part 21 Personal computer 22 Communication peripheral 30 On-site maintenance part 31 Mobile terminal 100 Image pickup accumulation part 100a Imaging part 100b Storage communication control part 121 CCD camera unit 122 Trigger control part 123 Delay control / accumulation control unit 124 Memory control unit 125 Overall control unit 126 Communication driver 127 PCMCIA interface (I / F) 128 Video compression unit 129 Memory 130 Imaging angle zoom control unit 131 Power supply control unit 132 Motor 200 Video control device 300 Imaging timing Generator 400 Operator notification device 500-1 to 500n

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A video information collecting method for capturing an image of an object to be imaged by an image capturing means and collecting video information obtained by the image capturing, wherein the video information is stored and the transmission of the stored video information is controlled. A communication control unit is mounted on the imaging unit, and the video information stored in the storage communication control unit is transmitted to the remote information collection unit separated from the imaging unit using the storage communication control unit, and is managed. How to collect video information. 2. A control signal for controlling an imaging operation of the imaging means is transmitted from the remote information collecting means to the storage communication control means, and the storage communication control means receives the control signal and controls the imaging means. 2. The video information collecting method according to claim 1, wherein the image capturing operation is controlled. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: monitoring the imaging target; collecting the video information stored in the storage communication control unit by calling the storage communication control unit from the remote information collection unit in accordance with the monitoring result. The video information collecting method according to claim 1, wherein: 4. An image information collecting apparatus for picking up an image of an object to be imaged by an image pickup means and collecting image information obtained by the image pickup, wherein the image information is attached to the image pickup means, and the image information is stored and processed. Video information comprising: storage communication control means for controlling transmission of information; and remote information collection means for communicating with the storage communication control means and collecting video information stored in the storage communication control means. Collection device. 5. The storage communication unit includes: an imaging control unit that controls an imaging operation of the imaging unit. The imaging control unit is controlled by a control signal transmitted from the remote information collection unit. 5. The video information collecting method according to claim 4, wherein: 6. The storage communication means includes: a storage processing device that stores and processes video information obtained by imaging by the imaging device; and a modem card that controls transmission of a video signal stored in the storage processing device. 5. The video information collecting method according to claim 4, wherein said storage processing device is mounted on and integrated with said modem card. 7. A monitoring means for monitoring the object to be imaged, wherein the remote information collecting means performs polling connection with the storage communication control means in response to a monitoring result of the monitoring means, and performs the storage communication control. 5. The video information collecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the video information stored in the means is collected.