TWI445353B - Network device with image monitoring function, electrical power saving system and method for monitoring image - Google Patents

Description

Network device with image monitoring, energy saving control system and image monitoring method

The invention relates to a network device with additional functions, in particular to a network device with image monitoring and an energy-saving control system thereof and an image monitoring method.

The image monitoring system can be used in the management of home, community environment, workplace and public places to monitor the entry and exit of personnel to achieve remote control functions such as security or access control. Security monitoring is an application type of image monitoring system. Through the image monitoring system, managers can instantly monitor the inbound and outbound personnel in a specific area to prevent outsiders from invading.

The general image monitoring system is composed of front-end photography equipment (such as camera), transmission equipment (such as cable, wireless transmission module or network communication module, etc.) and back-end control display equipment (such as computer mainframe and display). composition. The front-end photography device captures the image information, transmits the image information to the back-end control display device through the transmission device for screen display, and the management personnel monitors the display screen through the back-end control display device, controls the front-end monitoring device, and performs image storage on the image information. Wait for processing.

The above image monitoring system needs to control the display device through the back end, so as to control the front end monitoring device and complete the image processing work, not only the system hardware occupies a lot of space, but also the system architecture is complicated and difficult to maintain, and requires a relatively high construction cost. The purchase of funds and operation and maintenance may cause a burden on the general public. This will limit the popularity of image surveillance systems, and most people will not be able to experience the benefits of this technology.

Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention provides a network device with image monitoring, which monitors a number of people in a specific area by using an image monitoring module, and performs specific functions when the counted number of people does not meet the preset numerical conditions. And processing the resource allocation module to control the computing processing resources of the central processing unit occupied by the network communication module and the image monitoring module.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an energy saving control system that selectively controls an electronic device to enter a normal power mode or a power saving mode by using a network device with image monitoring.

The embodiment of the present invention further provides an image monitoring method for analyzing and processing image signals by using an image monitoring module of a network device having an image monitoring function, to count the number of people, and then the number of persons does not meet the preset numerical conditions. When performing a specific function.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a network device with image monitoring is provided, which includes a central processing unit, a network communication module, an image monitoring module, and a processing resource allocation module. The network communication module is configured to perform network communication processing functions by utilizing the processing resources of the central processing unit. The image monitoring module is configured to monitor the number of people in a specific area by using the processing resources of the central processing unit. The image monitoring module includes an image processing unit, a number of people analyzing unit, and a monitoring function executing unit. The image processing unit is configured to receive the image signal, analyze and process the image signal, and generate image analysis information. The number analysis unit is configured to receive image analysis information, and according to the image analysis information, count the number of people in a specific area to generate the number of people, and the number analysis unit compares the number of people to meet the preset numerical conditions, and the number of persons does not meet the preset numerical conditions. When a start signal is generated. The monitoring function execution unit is configured to receive a start signal to perform a specific function. Processing resources The module is configured to generate a resource allocation signal output to the central processing unit to control the computing processing resources of the central processing unit occupied by the network communication module and the image monitoring module.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an energy saving control system is provided, including an electronic device and the network device with image monitoring. The electronic device has a normal power mode and a power saving mode. The network device with image monitoring is configured to selectively control the electronic device to enter a normal power mode or a power saving mode according to whether the number of persons meets the comparison result of the preset numerical condition.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, an image monitoring method is provided, which is suitable for monitoring a number of people in a specific area by a network device having image monitoring, wherein the network device with image monitoring has a central processing unit, an image monitoring module, The network communication module and the processing resource allocation module are configured to control the operation processing resources of the central processing unit occupied by the network communication module and the image monitoring module. The image monitoring method includes the following steps: First, the image monitoring module receives an image signal, and the image signal is an instant image of a target location. Secondly, the image signal is analyzed and processed to generate image analysis information. Thereafter, based on the image analysis information, the number of people in a specific area is counted to generate the number of people. Thereafter, the comparison of the number of people data meets the preset numerical conditions. And, when it is determined that the number of people does not meet the preset numerical conditions, the image monitoring module performs a specific function.

Therefore, the present invention has the following possible effects through the above embodiments: the network device with image monitoring and the image monitoring method can achieve the monitoring of the number of people in a specific area by using a single network device, which can be greatly simplified. The architecture of the image monitoring system. Secondly, the network device with image monitoring controls the processing unit of the central processing unit by processing the resource allocation module. The source allocation will perform image monitoring functions without affecting the normal operation of the network communication module. In addition, in the energy-saving control system, the network device with image monitoring can automatically control the electronic device to enter the normal power mode or the power-saving mode according to the image monitoring result, and the energy-saving and environmental protection effect can be achieved.

The detailed description of the present invention and the accompanying drawings are to be understood by the claims The scope is subject to any restrictions.

The network device with image monitoring of the present invention aims to provide the network device with the image monitoring function, thereby monitoring the number of people in a specific area, and then achieving specific functions of energy saving control, security monitoring or other presets.

[An embodiment]

First, please refer to FIG. 1, which is a functional block diagram of a specific embodiment of a network device with image monitoring according to the present invention. The network device 10 (hereinafter referred to as the network device) having the image monitoring function has the function of network communication processing and the image monitoring function. The network device 10 can be used to capture an instant image of a specific area access channel, analyze and count the number of people in a specific area, and then perform a preset specific function. The network device 10 refers to a device with a computing processor and a network communication function, for example, a device for connecting a wired or wireless router of a wide area network and a regional network.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the network device 10 includes a central processing unit 110 , a network communication module 120 , an image monitoring module 130 , and a processing resource allocation module 140 . The central processing unit 110 is an arithmetic processor of the network device 10, which is The computing processing core of the device. The network communication module 120 performs the device network communication processing function by using the arithmetic processing resources of the central processing unit 110. The network communication processing function includes performing functions such as network connection, packet processing, and domain management, and the network communication module 120 can be composed of a hardware and software architecture for implementing the network communication function.

The image monitoring module 130 monitors the number of people in a specific area by using the arithmetic processing resources of the central processing unit 110. Specifically, the image monitoring module 130 can capture the flow image of the person entering and exiting the channel in a specific area, analyze and process the image signal, and then count the number of people in a specific area. The specific area is an area where the user wants to perform image monitoring, such as a home, an office, or other place.

In actual implementation, the image monitoring module 130 can capture the image signal by using the built-in lens or capture the image signal through the external image capturing device. As shown in FIG. 1 , the image monitoring module 130 includes a monitoring function executing unit 132 , a number of people analyzing unit 134 , an image processing unit 136 , and an image capturing unit 138 . The image capturing unit 138 can include an image sensor and a video processor to capture an image frame. The image capturing unit 138 can capture the real-time image of the target location to generate the image signal S _IN . The target location can be set as a necessary path for a person to enter and exit a specific area, for example, a location such as a house or an office door. In addition, the image capturing unit 138 can be provided with an infrared photographic function, so that the picture object can be clearly presented at night or under insufficient light, so as to clearly identify the flow of people in the image frame.

The image processing unit 136 is coupled to the image capturing unit 138 to receive the image signal S _IN . The image processing unit 136 performs image analysis processing on the image signal S _IN to generate image analysis information. The number analysis unit 134 is coupled to the image processing unit 136 to receive image analysis information. The number analysis unit 134 counts the number of people in a specific area based on the image analysis information, thereby generating the number of people. The number analysis unit 134 compares whether the data of the number of people meets the preset numerical condition, and generates a start signal En when the number of the data does not meet the preset numerical condition. The monitoring function execution unit 132 is coupled to the number of people analyzing unit 134 for receiving the activation signal En, thereby responding to the execution of a specific function. The specific function is a function that the network device 10 performs to perform image monitoring, such as security monitoring or remote control of other devices.

It should be noted that the image processing method applied by the image processing unit 136 may include grayscale conversion, filtering processing, image binarization, edge capture, feature capture, image compression, image cutting, object recognition, and the like. Image processing technology. In practice, suitable image processing technology can be selected as the image processing mode of the image processing unit 136 according to the image recognition method.

In an embodiment, the image processing unit 136 may perform pre-processing operations such as grayscale conversion and noise filtering on the received image signal S _IN , and then use edge extraction, breakpoint linking, feature extraction, and the like. The feature comparison operation method analyzes the features of the picture object (for example, human body contours) or actions (for example, entering or leaving, waving, etc.) to form image analysis information. In addition, the image processing process can reduce the storage space occupied by the image by compressing the image, and shorten the image processing time. In practice, other image processing techniques may be used to achieve the function of the image processing unit 136. The detection of the human body contour image is a conventional technique, and may be referred to, for example, the IEEE journal paper literature, and will not be further described herein. The above image processing methods are only described in the specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a main feature of the present invention is that the network device 10 is internally provided with an image monitoring module 130 to achieve an image monitoring function, and another main feature is to process the resource allocation module 140 . The processing resource allocation module 140 is configured to generate a resource allocation signal S _{A for} output to the central processing unit 110 to control the computing processing resources of the central processing unit 110 occupied by the network communication module 120 and the image monitoring module 130.

In the network device 10, the network communication module 120 and the image monitoring module 130 must utilize the resources of the central processing unit 110 to achieve their individual functions. If the limited resources of the central processing unit 110 are not planned, the network device 10 may not be able to function as a network communication or monitoring function as expected. For example, when the central processing unit 110 centrally processes the image signal, the network signal processing of the network communication module 120 is delayed. The processing resource allocation module 140 can control the central processing unit 110 by the resource allocation signal S _A , and allocate the processing resources occupied by the network communication module 120 and the image monitoring module 130 in different situations.

The processing resource allocation module 140 is further described in detail. In a specific embodiment, the processing resource allocation module 140 can control the priority order of the event sorting process of the network communication module 120 and the image monitoring module 130. For example, the processing resource allocation module 140 can display the image monitoring module 130. The processing sequence is set lower than the network communication module 120. In another embodiment, when the central processing unit 110 is a multi-core processor, the processing resource allocation module 140 can be configured to support the network communication module 120 and the image monitoring unit 130 by different processing cores.

In another embodiment, the processing resource allocation module 140 can control the operation processing resource allocation of the central processing unit 110 according to the comparison result of the number of people input by the image monitoring module 130. Specifically, when the number of results of the image monitoring module 130 is in accordance with the normal working value condition, the processing resource allocation module 140 allocates the main computing resource to the network communication module. 120. When the number of results of the image monitoring module 130 is consistent with a specific numerical condition, the processing resource allocation module 140 allocates the primary computing resource to the image monitoring module 130. The normal working value condition and the specific numerical condition are preset parameters of the user, and the normal working value condition is a specific regional person value that the user wants the network device 10 to perform the network communication function normally, and the specific numerical condition is The network device 10 does not need to actively perform a specific area person value of the network communication function. Assuming that the number of people in a particular area meets the parameter values of the normal working value condition, the processing resource allocation module 140 will allocate the primary computing resources to the network communication module 120. Assuming that the number of people in a particular area meets the parameter values of a predetermined specific numerical condition, the network device 10 does not need to actively perform device functions, and the central processing unit 110 can allocate primary computing resources to the image monitoring module 130.

In another embodiment, the processing resource allocation module 140 can control the processing resource allocation of the central processing unit 110 according to the image analysis information input by the image monitoring module 130. Specifically, if the image analysis information reflects that the image of the target location does not detect the human body within a certain period of time, that is, no personnel enters and exits the specific area, the processing resource allocation module 140 may allocate the main computing resources to the network. The communication module 120 or the resources occupied by the image monitoring module 130 are released to support the network communication module 120. In other embodiments, the processing resource allocation module 140 may simultaneously generate the resource allocation signal S _{A by} referring to the number of people data and the image analysis information, or control the computing resource allocation according to the time and other parameters set by the user. The operation processing resource allocation example of the processing resource allocation module 140 to the central processing unit 110 is only for explaining the possible implementation manner of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

In addition, if the function of the image monitoring module 130 involves network communication, The processing resource allocation module 140 can further flexibly allocate the network bandwidth used by the network communication module 120 and the image monitoring module 130 according to the situation.

Incidentally, the hardware circuit architecture of the network device 10 may include a microprocessor, a memory, an operation interface (eg, a button, a keyboard), a display interface (eg, a display panel), and necessary sensors and output components. The memory is used for storing firmware data, setting parameters, and coordinating data for the operation of the device. The preset numerical conditions, normal working numerical conditions, specific numerical conditions and the like may be stored in the memory. The image monitoring module 130 can be implemented by using the software and hardware resources of the network device 10. In one embodiment, the user can set various parameters through the operation interface of the network device 10. In another embodiment, the network device 10 can be connected to a computer system, and the user can complete various parameter settings through the operation interface of the computer system.

It is worth mentioning that this case adds the image monitoring function to the top of the network device. In practice, the image monitoring function can be added to any digital device according to the technical concept of the case, for example: digital TV, music player, CD player. Audio-visual devices such as computers or set-top boxes, or other devices with built-in arithmetic processors. By using the technical concept of the computing resource allocation control of the central processing unit in this case, the function of the device itself and the image monitoring function work together.

Next, the image monitoring method of the present invention will be described. The image monitoring method is suitable for monitoring the number of people in a specific area by the network device 10. Referring to FIG. 2, a flow chart of steps of a specific embodiment of the image monitoring method of the present invention, wherein the related system architecture is also referred to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the image monitoring method includes the following steps: First, the image processing unit 136 of the image monitoring module 130 receives the image signal S _IN input by the image capturing unit 138 (step S201). The image signal S _IN is the image information captured by the image capturing unit 138 on the target position, and may be a signal such as a picture signal or a scanning signal, and the signal type thereof depends on the image capturing mode of the image capturing unit 138. Next, the image processing unit 136 performs image analysis processing on the received video signal S _IN , and further outputs image analysis information (step S203). Thereafter, the number analysis unit 134 receives the image analysis information output by the image processing unit 136, and then counts the number of people in the specific area based on the image analysis information, thereby generating the number of persons (step S205). Thereafter, the number analysis unit 134 compares whether the number of persons data meets the preset numerical condition (step S207). If the result of the determination in step S207 is YES, the process returns to step S201.

If the result of the determination in step S207 is NO, the number of people data does not meet the preset numerical condition, the number of persons analyzing unit 134 generates a start signal En output to the monitoring function executing unit 132, and the monitoring function executing unit 132 responds to the start signal En, thereby executing the specific Function (step S209).

For example, if the preset numerical condition is less than 5, when the number of people counted by the image monitoring module 130 is 5 or exceeds 5, the monitoring function execution unit 132 performs a preset specific function. On the other hand, when the number of people counted by the image monitoring module 130 is less than 5, the image monitoring module 130 will continue to capture and analyze the image to count the number of people.

In actual implementation, the number of people in the step S205 can be used by the user to establish an initial value in the network device 10 according to the value of the person in the specific area. The number of people analyzing unit 134 continues to increase or decrease the initial value according to the image analysis information. To achieve a cumulative number of people.

The network device 10 can achieve image monitoring by using a single device by adding an image monitoring module 330. Moreover, the network device 10 controls the network communication module 120 and the image monitoring module by processing the resource allocation module 140. 130 computing processing resources, and can coordinate the implementation of network communication functions and image monitoring functions according to the situation.

[Another embodiment]

Continuing to refer to FIG. 3, a functional block diagram of another embodiment of a network device with image monitoring of the present invention. In the previous embodiment, the network device 10 captures images by using the built-in image capturing unit 138. The network device 30 of the present embodiment captures images by using the external image capturing device 32. The image capturing device 32 can be a digital camera or a network camera or the like for capturing an image of a target position to generate an image signal S _IN . The difference between the embodiment and the previous embodiment is that the image monitoring module 330 of the network device 30 of the embodiment includes the image signal receiving unit 338, and the image capturing unit is not provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image signal receiving unit 338 is coupled to the image capturing device 32 to receive the image signal S _IN . The image capturing device 32 can transmit the image signal S _IN to the image processing unit 136 via the image signal receiving unit 338 through a suitable signal transmission method. In one embodiment, the image capturing device 32 is a USB device, and the image signal receiving unit 338 of the network device 30 includes a USB interface to accept the insertion of the image capturing device 32. In another embodiment, the image signal receiving unit 338 can also receive the image signal S _IN transmitted by the image capturing device 32 by using other signal transmission methods, such as network communication, in a wired or wireless signal transmission mode. Thereby, the image capturing device 32 and the network device 30 can be installed in different areas, for example, the two devices are installed indoors and outdoors.

Please refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 at the same time. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an application of a specific embodiment of a network device with image monitoring according to the present invention. Figure 4 As shown, the image capture device 32 is suspended above the entrance and exit of the specific area 40, and images are captured toward an appropriate target position to obtain a picture of the person 42 entering and exiting the specific area 40.

[Another embodiment]

Please refer to FIG. 5, which is a functional block diagram of still another embodiment of the network device with image monitoring of the present invention. In this embodiment, the network device 50 includes a central processing unit 510, a network communication module 520, an image monitoring module 530, and a processing resource allocation module 540. The network communication module 520 includes a communication interface 5202, and the communication interface 5202 is coupled to the network 52. The image monitoring module 530 includes an image capturing unit 538, an image processing unit 536, a number of people analyzing unit 534, and a monitoring function executing unit 532. The monitoring function execution unit 532 includes an alarm 5321. The alarm 5321 may include an alarm device such as a light-emitting element, a buzzer or a horn to generate an alarm signal such as light or sound. The monitoring function execution unit 532 can control the alarm 5321 to generate or terminate the warning signal according to the activation signal En. The network device 50 of this embodiment can be applied to the security monitoring function. Here, for example, the night security of the home is taken as an example. Assume that the total number of people in the house is 4, and there should be no outsiders visiting from 9:00 to 6:00 the next morning. The current period and the number of people in the house (i.e., preset numerical conditions) are set in the network device 50. If the image monitoring module 530 monitors that the number of people in the preset time period exceeds 4, it indicates that an outsider intrusion condition occurs, and the monitoring function execution unit 532 activates the alarm 5321 to generate an alert signal.

Please refer to FIG. 6 , which is a flow chart of another embodiment of the image monitoring method of the present invention. The present embodiment implements a security monitoring function by performing real-time traffic monitoring on a specific area, and the related system architecture is also referred to. Figure 5. As shown in FIG. 6, the image monitoring method includes the following steps: First, the image processing unit 536 of the image monitoring module 530 receives the image signal S _IN captured by the image capturing unit 538 (step S601). Next, the image processing unit 536 performs image analysis processing on the image signal S _IN to generate image analysis information (step S603). Thereafter, the number analysis unit 534 counts the number of people in the specific area based on the image analysis information, thereby generating the number of persons (step S605). Thereafter, the number analysis unit 534 compares whether the number of persons data meets the preset numerical condition (step S607). If the answer of the step S607 is YES, the process returns to the step S601.

If the determination in the step S607 is NO, the number analysis unit 534 generates the activation signal En, and the control monitoring function execution unit 532 drives the alarm 5321 to generate an alarm signal (step S609). Thereafter, the image monitoring module 530 determines whether a release signal is received within a predetermined time (step S611). The predetermined time is a buffer time for initiating external contact, and the release signal is for canceling the warning signal. In one embodiment, the release signal can be generated by a particular button of the network device 50 operating interface. In another embodiment, the network device 50 is provided with an image analysis function, so that an external user can perform a specific release operation (for example, waving a hand) on the image capturing unit 538 of the network device 50, and the image processing unit is provided by the image processing unit. 536 recognizes this particular release action and generates a release signal.

If the result of the determination in step S611 is YES, the monitoring function execution unit 532 controls the alarm 5321 to terminate the output of the alarm signal (step S613).

If the result of the determination in step S611 is no, the monitoring function executing unit 532 will form the instant notification message Msg1, and transmit the instant notification message Msg1 to the communication device 54 of the emergency contact person via the network 52 via the communication interface 5202 of the network communication module 520. (Step S615). At the same time, the monitoring function execution unit 532 will create an image file associated with the event, and store the image signal screen for triggering the alert (step S617). In a specific embodiment, the emergency contact receives After the message Msg1 is notified, it can be connected to the network device 50, and the image file is opened to view the touch alert screen. In other embodiments, the instant notification message Msg1 can be sent to the communication device 54 along with the image file, and the emergency contact can directly open the received image file to confirm whether there is an outsider invasion.

In addition, after the emergency contact receives the instant notification message Msg1, the communication device 54 can be used to establish the alarm release message Msg2 to be transmitted back to the network device 50. After receiving the alarm release message Msg2 by the network communication module 520, the image monitoring module 530 will respond with a release signal to release the warning signal.

[Another embodiment]

Continuing to refer to FIG. 7, a functional block diagram of still another embodiment of the network device with image monitoring of the present invention. The network device 70 of this embodiment is a wireless router. The network device 70 includes a central processing unit 710, a network communication module 720, an image monitoring module 730, and a processing resource allocation module 740. The image monitoring module 730 includes a monitoring function execution module 732, a number of people analyzing unit 734, an image processing unit 736, and an image capturing unit 738. The monitoring function execution module 732 includes an alarm 7321. The network communication module 720 includes a communication processing unit 722, a wide area network transmission interface 724, and a regional network transmission interface 726. In this embodiment, the architecture of the image monitoring module 730 of the network device 70 is substantially the same as that of the previous embodiment, and can be used to perform security monitoring.

The network device 70 has an individual network address that can be connected to another image capture device (not shown) via the WAN transport interface 724 or the local area network transport interface 726. Therefore, in addition to the image signal S _{IN being} captured by the image capturing unit 738, the network device 70 can also receive the image signal captured by the connected image capturing device.

In addition, the central processing unit 710 of the network device 70 can select dual cores. The operation of the processor, the individual support network communication module 720 and the image monitoring module 730 can avoid failure situations such as image processing affecting network communication performance or image analysis misjudgment due to network communication processing.

[Another embodiment]

Next, please refer to FIG. 8, which is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of the energy saving control system of the present invention. The energy saving control system is composed of a network device 80 and an electronic device 86. As shown in FIG. 8, the network device 80 includes a central processing unit 810, a network communication module 820, an image monitoring module 830, and a processing resource allocation module 850. The image monitoring module 830 includes a monitoring function executing unit 832, a number of people analyzing unit 834, an image processing unit 836, and an image capturing unit 838. The system architecture of the image monitoring module 834 is substantially the same as that of the previous embodiment. The monitoring function executing unit 832 has a remote control unit 8321, and the monitoring function executing unit 832 can generate a remote control signal Ctrl, which is output to the electronic device via the remote control unit 8321. Device 86.

The electronic device 86 has a normal power mode and a power saving mode, and is controlled by the network device 80 to selectively enter a normal power mode or a power saving mode. In this embodiment, the electronic device 86 is a controlled power socket, and includes a power input terminal 868, a power output terminal 864, a switch 862, and a remote control signal receiving unit 866. The power input terminal 868 is coupled to the AC power source 84 for receiving AC power, and the power output terminal 864 is configured to output AC power received by the power input terminal 868. The power output 864 includes a power socket for accepting the plug of the power line of the power device to supply the AC power to the power device. The changeover switch 862 is a switching element that can be controlled by an electronic signal output from the remote control signal receiving unit 866, such as a relay. The switch 862 is coupled between the power input 868 and the power output 864 for controlling the power output 864 and the power supply. Input 868 is connected or disconnected. The normal power mode of the electronic device 86 is that the switch 862 is connected to the power output terminal 864 and the power input terminal 868, and the power save mode is the switch 862 that cuts the power output terminal 864 away from the power input terminal 868.

The remote control unit 8321 and the remote control signal receiving unit 866 have signal transmission units and signal receiving units that are paired with each other to achieve transmission of the remote control signal Ctrl and signal encoding and decoding. Incidentally, the remote control unit 8321 and the remote control signal receiving unit 866 can transmit the control signal Ctrl through a wired or wireless manner. In one embodiment, the remote control unit 8321 and the remote control signal receiving unit 866 are connected to each other by a signal transmission line. In another embodiment, the remote control unit 8321 and the remote control signal receiving unit 866 can transmit the control signal Ctrl through a wireless signal transmission method (for example, an infrared signal or a radio frequency signal).

The energy-saving control system of the embodiment uses the network device 830 to perform image monitoring on a specific area, so that the control electronic device 86 can enter the power-saving mode from the normal power mode without turning on the power-on device to start the power-on device. Power supply. By way of example, the network device 80 can be configured such that when a particular area is present, the electronic device 86 should operate in a normal power mode, otherwise the electronic device 86 should operate in a power save mode. At this time, the preset numerical condition can be set to be higher than 0 people. When the number of people counted by the image monitoring module 830 is 0, and the preset value condition is not met, the monitoring function executing unit 832 generates a power saving signal, and transmits the remote control signal Ctrl according to the power saving signal to the electronic device 86 via the remote control unit 8321. The remote control signal receiving unit 866 controls the switch 862 to initiate external power supply. Then, when the number of people counted by the image monitoring module 830 meets the preset numerical condition, the monitoring function execution unit 832 generates a normal power signal, and transmits the remote control signal Ctrl according to the normal power signal to the remote control signal receiving unit via the remote control unit 8321. 866, the control switch 862 returns to the connection of the power output terminal 864 and the power input terminal 868 to re-use the power Set the power supply.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the network device 80 externally controls the single electronic device 86 as an example. In other embodiments, the network device can simultaneously control multiple sets of electronic devices. Furthermore, the electronic device can be any device that can be controlled by the remote host, and is not limited to a controlled power outlet.

Please refer to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 together. FIG. 9 is a flow chart of still another embodiment of the image monitoring method of the present invention. The image monitoring method is that the network device 80 uses image monitoring to control the selectivity of the electronic device 86. The ground enters the normal power mode or the power saving mode. As shown in FIG. 9, the image monitoring method includes the following steps: First, the image processing unit 836 of the image monitoring module 820 receives the image signal S _IN by the image capturing unit 838 (step S901). Next, the image processing unit 836 performs image analysis processing on the image signal to generate image analysis information (step S903). Thereafter, the number analysis unit 834 counts the number of people in the specific area based on the image analysis information, and generates the number of persons (step S905). The number analysis unit 834 further compares whether the number of persons meets the preset numerical condition, and the predetermined numerical condition may be that the number of people is not 0 (step S907). If the result of the determination in step S907 is YES, the representative electronic device 86 should be powered normally, and the image monitoring module 830 generates a normal power signal, and accordingly constitutes the remote control signal Ctrl, and transmits it to the electronic device 86 via the remote control unit 8321 (step S909). Thereafter, the electronic device 86 enters the normal power mode in response to the reception of the normal power signal (step S911).

If the result of the determination in step S907 is NO, the representative network device 80 should control the electronic device 86 to save power, and the image monitoring module 830 generates a power saving signal, and according to the composition of the remote control signal Ctrl, is transmitted to the electronic device 86 via the remote control unit 8321 (step S913). ). Thereafter, the electronic device 86 responds to the reception of the power saving signal and enters The power saving mode (step S915).

Incidentally, the timing at which the network device 80 outputs the remote control signal Ctrl to the electronic device 86 may be a point in time when the number of people in a specific area changes, in particular, the number of the network device 80 in a specific area. When the increase or decrease occurs, the remote control signal output is formed. In another embodiment, the number of persons may be changed from a condition that meets a preset value to a condition that does not meet a preset value, or a number of persons whose data is changed from a condition that does not meet the preset value to a condition that meets a preset value, and the network device 80 re-applies to the electronic The device 86 outputs a remote control signal Ctrl.

The above description performs image monitoring for the network device 80 to achieve energy saving control of the external electronic device 86.

The network device 80 can also be used for energy saving control of the device itself. As shown in FIG. 9, when the result of the determination in step S907 is NO, the network device 80 also enters the power saving mode (step S917). An embodiment of the energy saving control of the network device 80 itself is further described below.

Referring back to FIG. 8, as shown in FIG. 8, the network communication module 820 includes a power state control unit 822, a network communication module 824, a wide area network transmission interface 826, and a regional network transmission interface 828. The network communication module 820 has a normal power mode and a power saving mode, and can selectively enter the normal working power mode or the power saving mode according to the image monitoring result of the image monitoring module 830, so as to enter when the network communication processing function is not actively executed. The power saving mode reduces the power consumption of the network communication module 820.

In one embodiment, the network device 80 is a wireless router, and the regional network transmission interface 828 includes a wireless signal transmitting unit for transmitting wireless signals externally. When the network communication module 820 enters the power saving mode, the wireless signal transmission power can be reduced or turned off according to the setting of the power saving mode to reduce the power consumption of the network device 80.

[Possible effects of the examples]

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned network device and image monitoring method with image monitoring can monitor the number of people in a specific area by using a single device, which can greatly simplify the architecture of the image monitoring system. Secondly, the network device with image monitoring can perform image monitoring function without affecting the normal operation of the network communication module. Furthermore, the network device with image monitoring can form an energy-saving control system together with the electronic device with the power-saving mode to automatically control the electronic device to enter the normal power mode or the power-saving mode according to the image monitoring result, thereby achieving energy saving and environmental protection effects.

The above description is only an embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

10, 30, 50, 70, 80‧‧‧ Network devices with image monitoring

110, 510, 710, 810‧‧‧ central processing unit

120, 520, 720, 820‧‧‧ network communication module

130, 330, 530, 730, 830‧‧‧ image monitoring module

132, 532, 732, 832‧‧‧Monitoring function execution unit

134, 534, 734, 834 ‧ ‧ person analysis unit

136, 536, 736, 836‧ ‧ image processing unit

138, 538, 738, 838‧‧‧ image capture unit

140, 540, 740, 850 ‧ ‧ processing resource allocation module

32‧‧‧Image capture device

338‧‧‧Image signal receiving unit

40‧‧‧Specific areas

42‧‧‧person

52, 72‧‧‧Network

5202‧‧‧Communication interface

5321, 7321‧‧‧ alarm

54, 74‧‧‧ communication devices

722, 824‧‧‧Communication processing unit

724, 826‧‧‧ Internet transmission interface

726, 828‧‧‧ Wide area network transmission interface

822‧‧‧Power State Control Unit

8321‧‧‧Remote unit

84‧‧‧AC power supply

86‧‧‧Electronic devices

862‧‧‧Toggle switch

864‧‧‧Power output

866‧‧‧Remote signal receiving unit

868‧‧‧Power input

En‧‧‧ start signal

S _A ‧‧‧Resource allocation signal

S _IN ‧‧‧ image signal

Ctrl‧‧‧Power status remote control signal

Msg1‧‧‧ instant notification message

Msg2‧‧‧Alarm release message

S201-S917‧‧‧Step process

1 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a network device with image monitoring according to the present invention.

2 is a flow chart showing the steps of a specific embodiment of the image monitoring method of the present invention.

3 is a functional block diagram of another embodiment of a network device with image monitoring according to the present invention.

4 is a schematic diagram of an application of a specific embodiment of a network device with image monitoring according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of still another embodiment of a network device with image monitoring according to the present invention.

6 is a flow chart showing the steps of another embodiment of the image monitoring method of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of still another embodiment of a network device with image monitoring according to the present invention.

Figure 8 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of an energy saving control system of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the steps of still another embodiment of the image monitoring method of the present invention.

10‧‧‧Network devices with image monitoring

110‧‧‧Central Processing Unit

120‧‧‧Network communication module

130‧‧‧Image Monitoring Module

132‧‧‧Monitoring function execution unit

134‧‧‧ Number Analysis Unit

136‧‧‧Image Processing Unit

138‧‧‧Image capture unit

140‧‧‧Processing Resource Allocation Module

S _A ‧‧‧Resource allocation signal

S _IN ‧‧‧ image signal

En‧‧‧ start signal

Claims (16)

A network device with image monitoring includes: a central processing unit; a network communication module for performing network communication processing functions by using the processing resources of the central processing unit; and an image monitoring module for The image processing module includes: an image processing unit configured to receive an image signal, analyze the image signal, and generate an image analysis by using an operation processing resource of the central processing unit to monitor a number of people in a specific area. The information analysis unit is configured to receive the image analysis information, and according to the image analysis information, the number of people in the specific area is counted to generate a number of persons, and the number analysis unit compares whether the number of persons meets a predetermined numerical condition. And generating a start signal when the number of data does not meet the preset value condition; and a monitoring function execution unit for receiving the start signal to perform a specific function; and a processing resource allocation module for Generating a resource allocation signal output to the central processing unit to control the network communication And a computing processing resource of the central processing unit occupied by the image monitoring module; wherein the processing resource allocation module generates the resource allocation signal according to one or a combination of the number of persons and the image analysis information to control The central processing unit allocates primary computing processing resources to the network communication module or the image monitoring module. The image monitoring module of claim 1, wherein the image monitoring module further comprises an image capturing unit, and the image capturing unit The unit is configured to capture an instant image of a target location to generate the image signal output to the image processing unit. The image monitoring module further includes an image signal receiving unit, the image signal receiving unit is coupled to an image capturing device, and the image is received by the image capturing device. The capture device captures an instant image of a target location to generate the image signal, and outputs the image signal to the image processing unit via the image signal receiving unit. The network device with image monitoring according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring function execution unit comprises an alarm, the monitoring function execution unit is configured to receive the activation signal, and drive the alarm to generate an alarm signal. . The network device with image monitoring as described in claim 1, wherein the specific function performed by the monitoring function execution unit is to form an instant notification message, and the network communication module is controlled to be instant via a network. The notification message is transmitted to a communication device. The network device with image monitoring according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the network communication module has a normal power mode and a power mode, and the specific function performed by the monitoring function execution unit is control The network communication module enters the power saving mode. The network device with image monitoring according to claim 6, wherein the network communication module comprises a wireless signal transmitting unit, and when the network communication module enters the power saving mode, the network communication module is lowered or closed. Wireless signal transmission power of the wireless signal transmitting unit. An image monitoring method is suitable for monitoring a number of people in a specific area by a network device with image monitoring, wherein the network device with image monitoring has a central processing unit, an image monitoring module, and a network communication module And a processing resource allocation module, the processing resource allocation module is configured to control the network processing module and the operation processing resource of the central processing unit occupied by the image monitoring module, and the image monitoring method comprises the following steps: The image monitoring module receives an image signal, wherein the image signal is a real-time image of a target position; the image signal is analyzed and processed to generate an image analysis information; and the number of people in the specific area is counted according to the image analysis information. To generate a number of persons; to compare whether the number of persons meets a predetermined numerical condition; and when determining that the number of persons does not meet the predetermined numerical condition, the image monitoring module performs a specific function; wherein the processing resource allocation The module generates a resource allocation signal to the central processing unit according to the one or a combination of the number of the data and the image analysis information; and the central processing unit controls the image monitoring module and the network according to the resource allocation signal The operation processing resource of the central processing unit occupied by the road communication module. The image monitoring method of claim 8, wherein the specific function is to perform power control on an electronic device by the network device with image monitoring, the electronic device having a normal power mode and a power mode. The step of performing the specific function includes the following steps: the network device with image monitoring transmits an electrical signal to the electronic device; and the electronic device returns to receive the power saving signal and enters the power saving mode. . The image monitoring method of claim 9, wherein the image is After the step of the sub-device entering the power-saving mode, the method further includes the following steps: when the number of persons meets the preset value condition, the network device with image monitoring generates a normal power signal to be transmitted to the electronic device; and the electronic device The reception of the normal power signal should be returned to the normal power mode by the power saving mode. The image monitoring method of claim 8, wherein the network communication module has a normal power mode and a power mode, and the specific function is the network communication module of the network device with image monitoring Performing a power control, the image monitoring method, in the step of performing the specific function, further includes the following steps: the image monitoring module transmits an electrical signal to the network communication module; and the network communication module should return power The signal is received and enters the power save mode. The image monitoring method of claim 11, wherein after the step of the network communication module entering the power saving mode, the method further comprises the following steps: when the number of persons meets the preset numerical condition, the image monitoring The module generates a normal power signal to be transmitted to the network communication module; and the network communication module responds to the reception of the normal power signal, and the power saving mode enters the normal power mode. The image monitoring method of claim 8, wherein the network device with image monitoring performs real-time security monitoring on the specific area, and the image monitoring method further comprises the following steps in the step of performing the specific function. : Drive an alarm to generate an alarm signal. The image monitoring method of claim 13, wherein when it is determined that the number of the data does not meet the preset value condition, the method further includes the step of creating an image file to store the image signal. The image monitoring method of claim 13, wherein after the step of driving the alarm to generate the alarm signal, the method further comprises the steps of: determining whether a release signal is received; and receiving the release signal, controlling The alarm terminates the output of the alarm signal to cancel the reception of the signal. The image monitoring method of claim 8 or 13, wherein when determining that the number of persons does not meet the preset value condition, the method further comprises the steps of: forming an instant notification message; and controlling the network communication mode. The group transmits the instant notification message to a communication device via a network.