WO2003092292A1

WO2003092292A1 - Image storaging apparatus and method of thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2003092292A1
Application number: PCT/KR2002/001313
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hak-Sung Kim
Original assignee: Alogics Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2002-04-24
Filing date: 2002-07-11
Publication date: 2003-11-06
Also published as: AU2002320708A1

Abstract

A video monitoring system and an apparatus and method capable of recording the video data of previous and subsequent times before and after an event occurrence are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: configuring and displaying one or more channel display screens with video signals outputted from one or more video cameras on a video display device; receiving video data being displayed in a feedback form and storing the video data being displayed in a memory; if a predetermined event signal is inputted while the video data being displayed is stored, stopping the storing of the video data being displayed after a predetermined time period T1, and completing recording of the video data of previous and subsequent times shortly before and after an event occurrence; and reproducing and outputting the video data stored in the memory in response to a reproduction request.

Description

IMAGE STORAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF THEREOF

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a video monitoring system, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for recording video data of previous and subsequent times before and after an event occurrence time.

Background Art

An example of a conventional video monitoring system is disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 1997-48141. Korean Patent Application No. 1997-48141 is directed to an apparatus and method for recording a video signal of a monitoring camera. The apparatus disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 1997-48141 performs recording only when a person is in motion within a monitored area, thereby reducing amount of consumption of a recording medium. For this, the method disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 1997-48141 comprises the steps of: storing a first video signal captured by a monitoring camera in a memory and simultaneously recording the first video signal in a video recording tape; when a second video signal from the monitoring camera is inputted, comparing the second video signal with the first video signal stored in the memory; if the second video signal is the same as the first video signal, interrupting recording of the second video signal; and if the second video signal is different from the first video signal, deleting the first video signal, storing the second video signal in the memory, and simultaneously recording the second video signal in the video recording tape.

Another example of the conventional video monitoring system is disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 1994- 5224 entitled "AUTOMATIC MONITORING APPARATUS AND METHOD" . Korean Patent Application No. 1994-5224 is directed to an apparatus having a monitor displaying a video signal from a video camera, and a method for automatically detecting motion in a monitored area. The apparatus disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 1994-5224 comprises: a moving image-video telephone for comparing a currently inputted video signal with a previously displayed video signal to detect a motion vector and simultaneously encoding a video signal corresponding to the detected motion vector, transmitting the encoded video signal to other party, and outputting the inputted video signal; and a video recorder for performing switching in response to a control signal input in a monitoring mode, recording the video signal outputted from the camera, and simultaneously generating an alarm when the motion vector is greater than a predetermined reference vector.

In the apparatuses disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 1997-48141 and Korean Patent Application No. 1994-5224, a recording device does- not operate before a motion is detected. If the motion is detected, then the recording device performs recording in response to a control signal. Further, the storing of a video signal is not performed before the motion is detected and the storing of the video signal starts for the first time after the motion is detected. Accordingly, video signals of previous and subsequent times shortly before and after the motion detection cannot be stored.

In other words, because the conventional video monitoring system starts to store the video signal for the first time in the recording medium after the motion occurs, video signals of the previous and subsequent times shortly before and after the motion detection cannot be stored. Therefore, a supervisor cannot analyze complete video signals for monitoring through the conventional video monitoring system.

Disclosure of the Invention

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for recording video data, which can record video data of previous and subsequent times before and after an event occurrence time when an event such as motion detection or alarm occurs.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method capable of miniaturizing a size of a system by recording video information of an event occurrence time without the use of a magnetic recording medium.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of an apparatus for recording video data including one or more video cameras, a video signal processor for processing video signals outputted from the video cameras so that a video display device can display the processed video signals on one or more channel display screens, and a video output controller for outputting the video data configuring one display screen, comprising: a memory for temporarily storing the video data outputted from the video signal processor and the video data being fed back; a memory controller for reading the stored video data to output the read video data, and storing the video data being fed back from the video output controller in the memory; and a micro controller for controlling the memory controller so that the video data outputted from the video output controller can be stored in the memory for a predetermined time period TI , the predetermined time period TI being a period of time between a predetermined point of time before an input of an event signal and a predetermined point of time after the input of the event signal .

Preferably, the memory may store video data of previous and subsequent times before and after an event occurrence so that entire situations of the previous and subsequent times before and after the event occurrence can be fully analyzed through the stored video data. The video data stored in the memory may be preferably recorded in a main recording device such as a VCR (Video Cassette Recorder), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or etc. to be driven normally after the event occurrence, and permanently kept therein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for recording video data in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 2 is a flow chart showing a method for recording video data in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings. In the following description, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for recording video data in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a flow chart showing a method for recording video data in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

A configuration of the video data recording apparatus in accordance with the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1.

First, A/D (Analog/Digital) converters 10 convert analog video signals (Video_IN) outputted from video cameras into digital video data and then output them. The number of A/D converters 10 is the same as the number of installed video cameras. Four, eight or more video cameras can be installed according to monitored areas.

Video input controllers 20 extend the digital video data outputted from the respective A/D converters 10 and separate and control synchronous signals. The number of video input controllers 10 is the same as the number of

A/D converters 10.

Horizontal/vertical sealers 30 reduce (or enlarge) the digital video data in a horizontal direction or/and a vertical direction so that the digital video data outputted from the respective video input controllers 20 corresponding to divided display screens can be stored.

Reduction ratios in the horizontal/vertical sealers 30 can be varied on the basis of the number of divided display screens to be displayed on a video display device (not shown) . It is assumed that four divided display screens are displayed in this embodiment of the present invention.

The number of horizontal/vertical sealers 30 is the same as the number of video cameras . Input buffers 40 temporarily store the reduced digital video data outputted from the horizontal/vertical sealers 30. Because the A/D converters 10, video input controllers 20, horizontal/vertical sealers 30 and input buffers 40 process and output the video signals outputted from the video cameras, they can be referred to as a video signal processor.

A memory controller 50 reads the digital video data from the input buffers 40 on a burst-unit basis and then stores the read video data at addresses designated in a frame memory 90 channel by channel. The memory controller 50 read out the digital video data so that video images corresponding to the stored video data can be displayed in real time. Under control of a micro controller 110, the memory controller 50 further stores feedback video data inputted through a feedback buffer 100 in the frame memory 90.

The memory controller 50 controls an access to the frame memory 90 and temporarily stores the video data corresponding to the video signals outputted from the video cameras and the feedback video data.

An output buffer 60 temporarily stores the video data of one display screen outputted from the memory controller 50. A video output controller 70 combines the video data of the one display screen outputted from the output buffer 60 with supplementary information (time and channel information) and then outputs the combined video data and supplementary information. The D/A (Digital/Analog) converter 80 converts the video data outputted from the video output controller 70 into analog video signals and then outputs them to the video display device. For the sake of feedback of the video data, the video data outputted from the video output controller 70 are inputted into the memory controller 50 through the feedback buffer 100. The video data outputted from the video output controller 70 is transferred to a main recording device with a magnetic recording medium so that real-time recording of the video data being displayed can be achieved.

The feedback buffer 100 temporarily stores the feedback video data to be transferred from the video output controller 70 to the memory controller 50.

In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, the micro controller 110 wholly controls the video data recording apparatus on the basis of control program data stored in an internal memory. For example, the micro controller 110 controls the memory controller 50 so that the video data outputted from the video output controller 70 can be stored in the frame memory 90 for a predetermined time period TI, where the predetermined time period TI is a period of time between a predetermined point of time before an input of an event signal and a predetermined point of time after the input of the event signal . The event signal is generated by an event signal generator. As the event signal generator, a sensor for sensing an object, e.g., an infrared sensor can be employed. Further, when an alarm occurs due to intruder detection, an alarm generation signal is employed as the event signal . A motion vector can be detected from a video signal outputted from a video camera. At this time, it is determined whether a value of the detected motion vector is greater than a predetermined reference value. If the value of the detected motion vector is greater than the predetermined reference value, it is regarded as an event occurrence. In response to the event occurrence, a storing operation by the frame memory 90 is stopped. In this case, a configuration for the motion vector detection is needed.

In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, the frame memory 90 under the control of the micro controller 110 stores video data of a predetermined time period before and after the event occurrence, thereby keeping video data of previous and subsequent times before and after an event occurrence time in the frame memory 90.

A method for recording video data in the video data recording apparatus will be described below in detail with reference to Fig. 2.

First, if the operation of the video data recording apparatus is initiated, the installed video cameras monitor predetermined areas and then capture video signals at step 200. The A/D converters 10 convert the video signals captured by the video cameras into digital video data. Then, horizontal/vertical sealers 30 reduce the digital video data and then the reduced video data is inputted into the memory controller 50 through the input buffers 40. The memory controller 50 records the inputted video data at addresses designated channel by channel, thereby storing the video data in the frame memory 90 at step 210.

If the video data configuring one frame has been completely stored, the memory controller 50 reads the video data configuring the one frame corresponding to one display screen and then outputs the read video data to the video output controller 70 through the output buffer 60. The video output controller 70 combines the video data with supplementary information such as date and time information and then outputs the combined video data and supplementary information to the D/A converter 80. The video display device coupled to the D/A converter 80 displays video images corresponding to the video signals corresponding to the monitored areas captured by the video cameras on "n" number of divided display screens where "n" is a positive integer.

On the other hand, the video data of the combined data and information outputted from the video output controller 70 is inputted into the memory controller 50 through the feedback buffer 100. Therefore, the memory controller 50 re-stores the video data being fed back from the video output controller 70 in the frame memory 90. That is, the video data, corresponding to the video images to be displayed on the video display device, is stored for a predetermined time period and then automatically deleted according to the feedback video data to be continuously inputted.

If the sensor for sensing an object generates an event signal at step 220 while the video data corresponding to the video signals outputted from the video cameras is displayed and stored, the micro controller 110 outputs a stop command to the memory controller 50 in order to stop the storing of the feedback video data outputted to the frame memory 90 after a predetermined time period TI from a point of an event signal input time. In response to the stop command, the memory controller 50 does not store the feedback video data at step 230. The video data recording apparatus typically includes a main recording device for recording the video data on a magnetic recording medium. The micro controller 110 controls the driving of the main recording device in response to an event signal input so that the video data being currently displayed is recorded in real time. At this time, the predetermined time period should be passed so that the main recording device can record the video data normally. In other words, a predetermined time period is taken for normal recording by the main recording device in a recording standby state. Here, the predetermined time period is set as TI . If capacity of the frame memory 90 considering the predetermined time period TI is set, it can store video data of a subsequent time after the event occurrence, as well as video data of a previous time before the event occurrence.

As described above, if the frame memory 90 completely stores the feedback video data, the micro controller 110 controls reproduction of the video data stored in the frame memory 90 in response to a reproduction request. To permanently keep the feedback video data, the feedback video data stored in the frame memory 90 is transferred to the main recording device when the main recording device is prepared to record the video data. Then, the main recording device can record the feedback video data on the magnetic recording medium at step 240 .

A supervisor can view video images corresponding to video data of previous and subsequent times shortly before and after the event occurrence through the video display device by reproducing the video data recorded on the magnetic recording medium using the main recording device at step 250.

Industrial Applicability

As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides an apparatus and method capable of keeping video data of previous and subsequent times before and after an event occurrence time in a memory or main recording device when an event occurs, so that a cause of the event and video images of subsequent time shortly after the event occurrence can be fully analyzed and the utility of a monitoring system can be maximized.

Further, the apparatus and method in accordance with the present invention enable design of a compact size and lightweight-monitoring device such as a video door phone because video data of a short period of time can be stored in a single memory without the use of other recording devices . Although the present invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions, and substitutions to the specific elements are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. For example, although a monitoring system using a plurality of video cameras has been described in connection with an embodiment of the present invention, it can be employed in a video door phone without any modification. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but the present invention is defined by the claims which follow, along with their full scope of equivalents .

Claims

Claims :

1. An apparatus for recording video data including one or more video cameras, a video signal processor for processing video signals outputted from the video cameras so that a video display device can display the processed video signals on one or more channel display screens, and a video output controller for outputting the video data configuring one display screen, comprising: a memory for temporarily storing the video data outputted from the video signal processor and the video data being fed back; a memory controller for reading the stored video data to output the read video data, and storing the video data being fed back from the video output controller in the memory; and a micro controller for controlling the memory controller so that the video data outputted from the video output controller can be stored in the memory for a predetermined time period TI , the predetermined time period TI being a period of time between a predetermined point of time before an input of an event signal and a predetermined point of time after the input of the event signal .

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising : a feedback buffer for temporarily storing the video data outputted from the video output controller, and outputting the stored video data to the memory controller.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 or 2 , further comprising: an event signal generator for generating the event signal .

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the event signal generator includes a sensor for sensing an object.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising : a main recording device for recording the video data on a magnetic recording medium, the video data being outputted from the video output controller and stored in the memory.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the predetermined time period TI is a period of time taken for normal recording by the main recording device in a recording standby state.

7. A method for recording video data in a video data recording apparatus including one or more video cameras and a video signal processor for processing video signals outputted from the video cameras so that a video display device can display the processed video signals on one or more channel display screens, comprising the steps of: a) configuring and displaying the one or more channel display screens with the video signals outputted from the one or more video cameras on a video display device; b) receiving the video data being displayed in a feedback form and storing the video data being displayed in a memory; c) if a predetermined event signal is inputted while the video data being displayed is stored, stopping the storing of the video data being displayed after a predetermined time period TI, and completing recording of the video data of previous and subsequent times shortly before and after an event occurrence; and d) reproducing and outputting the video data stored in the memory in response to a reproduction request.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7, further comprising the steps of: e) driving a main recording device when the event signal is inputted and recording the video data being displayed; and f) allowing the main recording device to record the video data of the previous and subsequent times before and after the event occurrence stored in the memory.

9. The method as set forth in claim 7 or 8 , wherein the event signal is an externally inputted object sensing signal .

10. The method as set forth in claim 7 or 8, wherein the event signal corresponds to a motion vector value detected from each video signal outputted from the one or more video cameras .

11. The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the fed back video data stored in the memory includes date and time information.