WO2005081530A1 - Monitoring system, monitoring device, and monitoring method - Google Patents

Abstract

A monitoring system follows up a monitoring object by using a plurality of monitoring devices (20) constituting an ad hoc network (82). Each of the monitoring devices (20) monitors a monitoring range and transmits continuation information to continue monitoring of a monitoring object (90) to the ad hoc network (82) when it detects that the monitoring object (90) has moved out of the monitoring range. Moreover, each of the monitoring devices (20) receives the continuation information transmitted from another monitoring device (20) via the ad hoc network (82) and judges whether to continue the monitoring according to the continuation information. Thus, it is possible to improve the reliability of communication and surely follow up the monitoring object.

Description

 Specification

 Monitoring system, monitoring device, and monitoring method

 Technical field

 The present invention relates to a monitoring system that tracks a monitoring target using a plurality of monitoring devices.

 Background art

 [0002] Conventionally, there has been known a surveillance system in which a plurality of surveillance cameras are installed in a telephone booth, an electric light, or the like, and track a moving surveillance target. In this surveillance system, a plurality of surveillance cameras are connected to a surveillance server, and the surveillance server sequentially switches a surveillance camera that captures an image of a surveillance target from among a plurality of surveillance cameras. As a result, the monitoring target can be monitored in a wide area and a range that cannot be monitored by a single monitoring camera alone (see, for example, JP-A-2002-298261).

 Disclosure of the invention

 Problems to be solved by the invention

 [0003] Meanwhile, in the conventional monitoring system, a plurality of monitoring cameras are centrally controlled by a monitoring server, and the monitoring server performs monitoring in response to movement of a monitoring target. I had to switch. Therefore, if the surveillance server switches the surveillance cameras incorrectly, it may be impossible to track the surveillance target. Also, in order for the surveillance server to send a control signal for switching to the surveillance camera, and for the surveillance camera to transmit surveillance video to the surveillance server, all surveillance cameras had to be connected to the surveillance server. Therefore, when the number of surveillance cameras increases, the load on the surveillance server increases, which may hinder communication between the surveillance server and the surveillance cameras, and may prevent the surveillance target from being reliably tracked.

 The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problem, and has as its object to provide a monitoring system that can reliably track a monitoring target.

 Means for solving the problem

[0005] The monitoring system of the present invention is a monitoring system that includes a plurality of monitoring devices configuring a network between wireless terminals with a relay function and tracks a moving monitoring target. Monitoring means for monitoring the monitoring range, and, when it is detected that the monitoring target goes out of the monitoring range of the monitoring means, takeover information generating means for generating takeover information for taking over monitoring of the monitoring target. Transfer information transmitting means for transmitting the takeover information to the network between the wireless terminals with the relay function, takeover information receiving means for receiving the transfer information transmitted from another monitoring device via the network between the wireless terminals with the relay function, and Monitoring control means for operating the takeover information generating means based on the takeover information received by the information receiving means.

 [0006] Each monitoring device receives monitoring information from another monitoring device, a monitoring information acquisition unit that acquires monitoring information of a monitoring range, a monitoring information sending unit that sends monitoring information to a network between wireless terminals with a relay function. Monitoring information transfer means for transferring the monitoring information transmitted from the monitoring apparatus to the monitoring apparatus via a network between wireless terminals having a relay function. An output device having monitoring information output means for outputting monitoring information received by the information receiving means.

 [0007] A monitoring device of the present invention is a monitoring device that configures a network between wireless terminals with a relay function together with another monitoring device, and includes a monitoring unit that monitors a monitoring range, and a monitoring target that monitors a monitoring range of the monitoring means. Takeover information generating means for generating takeover information for taking over monitoring of a monitoring target when detecting that the user has gone outside; takeover information sending means for sending the takeover information to a network between wireless terminals with a relay function; The takeover information receiving means for receiving the takeover information transmitted from another monitoring device via the network between the wireless terminals having the relay function, and the takeover information generating means operating based on the takeover information received by the takeover information receiving means. And monitoring and control means.

 [0008] The monitoring device includes a monitoring range information storage unit that stores monitoring range information of the monitoring device, and the takeover information generation unit reads the movement information indicating the moving direction of the monitoring target and the monitoring range information storage unit. The monitoring control means determines that monitoring is necessary based on the movement information and the monitoring range information included in the transmitted monitoring information from other monitoring devices. Then, the takeover information generating means is operated.

[0009] The monitoring device includes monitoring range information storage means for storing monitoring range information of the monitoring device, and the takeover information generating means includes movement information indicating a moving direction of the monitoring target and monitoring range information. On the basis of the monitoring range information read from the information storage means, the monitoring information generating section generates the takeover information including the monitoring target position information indicating the position of the monitoring target, and the monitoring control means performs the monitoring included in the takeover information transmitted from another monitoring device. When it is determined that monitoring is necessary based on the target position information, the takeover information generating means is operated.

 [0010] The monitoring device includes a monitoring range information storage unit that stores monitoring range information of the monitoring device, and the takeover information generation unit reads out the movement information indicating the moving direction of the monitoring target and the monitoring range information storage unit. Based on the monitored range information and the monitoring range of other monitoring devices installed in the vicinity, generates handover information including designation information for designating a monitoring device to take over monitoring. When specified by the specification information included in the handover information transmitted from the device card, the handover information generating means is operated.

 [0011] The above monitoring device includes monitoring information obtaining means for obtaining monitoring information of a monitoring range, monitoring information sending means for sending monitoring information to a network between wireless terminals with a relay function, and sending monitoring information from another monitoring device. Monitoring information transfer means for receiving and transferring the information to another monitoring device.

 [0012] The monitoring information acquisition means of the monitoring device described above can employ any of the following configurations. That is, (1) an image of the monitoring area is generated to generate video information of the monitoring area as the monitoring information, and (2) an imaging area in which the imaging area is changed so that the monitoring target is imaged according to the change of the image information. (3) Detecting a monitoring target and generating a detection signal indicating the presence of the monitoring target as monitoring information.

 [0013] The monitoring system of the present invention is a monitoring system that includes a plurality of monitoring devices configuring a network between wireless terminals with a relay function and a portable device that is carried as a monitoring target, and tracks a moving monitoring target. The portable device includes position information acquiring means for acquiring position information indicating a current position, and transmitting means for transmitting position information to the monitoring device via a network between wireless terminals with a relay function. Monitoring means for monitoring the position of the portable device via the network between wireless terminals with a relay function, receiving means for receiving position information, and when the current position indicated by the position information received by the receiving means is within the monitoring range. And control means for operating the monitoring means.

[0014] The monitoring device of the present invention is a network between wireless terminals having a relay function together with another monitoring device. A monitoring device for monitoring a monitoring range, and receiving position information indicating a current position of the mobile device from a mobile device carried as a monitoring target via a network between wireless terminals with a relay function. A receiving unit; and a control unit that operates the monitoring unit when the current position indicated by the position information received by the receiving unit is within the monitoring range.

 [0015] A monitoring method according to the present invention is a monitoring method for tracking a moving monitoring target by using a plurality of monitoring devices, wherein the first monitoring device monitors a first monitoring range and monitors the first monitoring range. Sending a takeover information for taking over the monitoring of the monitoring target to the network between wireless terminals with a relay function when detecting that the target goes out of the first monitoring range, and a second monitoring device Receiving the handover information transmitted by the first monitoring device via the network between the wireless terminals with the relay function, and monitoring the second monitoring range based on the handover information. .

 [0016] As described below, the present invention has other aspects. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to provide some aspects of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention.

 Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a monitoring system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a monitoring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of a video shot by a shooting unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

 [FIG. 3B] FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an example of a video shot by a shooting unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

 [FIG. 3C] FIG. 3C is a diagram showing an example of a video shot by the shooting unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 3D is a diagram showing an example of a video image captured by the image capturing unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an access point device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the monitoring system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Flow diagram

 FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a monitoring device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the monitoring system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a monitoring system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a monitoring device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the monitoring system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a monitoring system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a portable device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a monitoring device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the monitoring device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

 BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

 Hereinafter, a detailed description of the present invention will be described. However, the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings do not limit the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

 [0019] The monitoring system according to the present embodiment is a monitoring system that includes a plurality of monitoring devices configuring a network between wireless terminals with a relay function and tracks a moving monitoring target. Monitoring means for monitoring the monitoring target, a takeover information generating means for generating takeover information for taking over the monitoring of the monitoring target when it detects that the monitoring target goes out of the monitoring range of the monitoring means, and relaying the takeover information A takeover information sending means for sending to a network between wireless terminals with a function, a takeover information receiving means for receiving takeover information sent from another monitoring device via a network between wireless terminals with a relay function, and a takeover information receiving means. It is provided with monitoring control means for operating the takeover information generating means based on the received takeover information.

[0020] With this, the takeover information for taking over the monitoring of the monitoring target is transmitted to the surrounding monitoring device via the wireless terminal-equipped network with the relay function, so that the takeover information is easily and quickly transmitted to the monitoring device to take over the monitoring. Is sent. Therefore, the monitoring device to be taken over The relay information generating means operates sequentially, and the monitoring target can be tracked by a plurality of monitoring devices. Also, there is no need to communicate between a plurality of monitoring devices and a monitoring server that controls them.

 [0021] In this monitoring system, each monitoring device includes monitoring information acquisition means for acquiring monitoring information of a monitoring range, monitoring information sending means for sending monitoring information to a network between wireless terminals with a relay function, and Monitoring information transfer means for receiving the monitoring information transmitted from the monitoring device and further transferring the monitoring information to another monitoring device, and receiving the monitoring information transmitted from the monitoring device via a network between wireless terminals having a relay function; An output device having monitoring information output means for outputting the monitoring information received by the monitoring information receiving means is provided.

[0022] From this, the monitoring information transmitted in the network between wireless terminals with a relay function can be output by the output device.

 The monitoring device of the present embodiment is a monitoring device that forms a network between wireless terminals with a relay function together with other monitoring devices, and includes a monitoring unit that monitors a monitoring range, and a monitoring target that is monitored by the monitoring unit. A takeover information generating means for generating takeover information for taking over monitoring of a monitoring target when it is detected that the information is out of range, and a takeover information sending means for sending the takeover information to a network between wireless terminals having a relay function. Transfer information receiving means for receiving transfer information transmitted from another monitoring device via a network between wireless terminals having a relay function, and transfer information generating means based on the transfer information received by the transfer information receiving means. And monitoring and control means for operating the device.

 [0024] With this, the takeover information for taking over the monitoring target is transmitted to the surrounding monitoring devices via the wireless terminal-equipped network with the relay function, so that the takeover information can be easily and quickly transmitted to the monitoring device to take over the monitoring. Sent. Therefore, the takeover information generating means of the monitoring device to be taken over operates sequentially, and the monitoring target can be tracked by the plurality of monitoring devices. Further, there is no need to perform communication with the monitoring server that controls the monitoring device.

This monitoring device includes a monitoring range information storage unit that stores monitoring range information of the monitoring device, and the takeover information generation unit reads out the movement information indicating the moving direction of the monitoring target and the monitoring range information storage unit. The monitoring control means generates the takeover information including the monitoring range information, and the movement control and monitoring range information included in the handover information transmitted from the other monitoring device. Based on the above, when it is determined that monitoring is necessary, the takeover information generating means is operated.

 [0026] With this, the destination of the monitoring target can be specified from the monitoring range information and the movement information, so that the monitoring device that should take over monitoring next can be determined.

 This monitoring device includes a monitoring range information storage unit that stores monitoring range information of the monitoring device, and the takeover information generation unit reads out the movement information indicating the moving direction of the monitoring target and the monitoring range information storage unit. On the basis of the monitoring range information and the monitoring target location information indicating the position of the monitoring target, the monitoring control means generates the takeover information including the monitoring target position information. Then, when it is determined that monitoring is necessary, the takeover information generating means is operated.

 [0028] With this, it is possible to determine the next monitoring device to take over monitoring based on the monitoring target position information.

 This monitoring device includes a monitoring range information storage unit that stores monitoring range information of the monitoring device, and the takeover information generation unit reads out the movement information indicating the moving direction of the monitoring target and the monitoring range information storage unit. Based on the monitoring range information and the monitoring ranges of other monitoring devices installed in the surrounding area, generation of handover information including designation information for specifying a monitoring device to take over monitoring is performed. The takeover information generation means is operated when specified by the specification information included in the handover information transmitted from the client.

 [0030] Thus, the designated monitoring device can be determined as the monitoring device to take over monitoring next.

 [0031] The monitoring device includes a monitoring information acquisition unit that acquires monitoring information of a monitoring range, a monitoring information sending unit that sends monitoring information to a network between wireless terminals having a relay function, and a monitoring information sending unit that sends monitoring information to another monitoring device. Monitoring information transfer means for receiving the information from the server and transferring the information to another monitoring device.

 [0032] With this, the monitoring information is transmitted in the network between wireless terminals with a relay function.

Can extract and output monitoring information.

[0033] In this monitoring device, the monitoring information acquisition means captures the monitoring range and generates video information of the monitoring range as the monitoring information.

[0034] Thereby, the video can be obtained while tracking the monitoring target. [0035] In this monitoring device, the surveillance information acquisition means includes a photographing area changing means for changing a photographing area so that a monitoring target is photographed in accordance with a change in video information.

[0036] Thereby, video information of a monitoring target in a wide monitoring range can be obtained by a single monitoring device.

[0037] In this monitoring device, the monitoring information acquisition means senses the monitoring target and generates a detection signal indicating the presence of the monitoring target as monitoring information.

 [0038] Thus, the existence of the monitoring target can be grasped using a sensor such as a human sensor, and the capacity of the monitoring target information transmitted in the network between wireless terminals with a relay function can be reduced.

 The monitoring system according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of monitoring devices configuring a network between wireless terminals with a relay function, and a mobile device carried as a monitoring target, and monitors a moving monitoring target. Wherein the mobile device comprises: a position information acquisition unit for acquiring position information indicating a current position; and a transmission unit for transmitting the position information to the monitoring device via a network between wireless terminals with a relay function. Are monitoring means for monitoring the monitoring range, receiving means for receiving the position information of the portable device via the network between wireless terminals having a relay function, and the current position indicated by the position information received by the receiving means. And control means for operating the monitoring means when it is in the inside.

 [0040] Thereby, it is possible to determine a monitoring device that performs monitoring based on the position information. In addition, there is no need to communicate between a plurality of monitoring devices and a monitoring server that controls them.

 [0041] The monitoring device of the present embodiment is a monitoring device that forms a network between wireless terminals with a relay function together with other monitoring devices, and includes a monitoring unit that monitors a monitoring range, and a monitoring device that monitors the wireless terminal with a relay function. A receiving unit that receives the position information indicating the current position of the portable device from the portable device carried by the monitoring target via the network, and the current position indicated by the position information received by the receiving unit is within the monitoring range. At one time, a control means for operating the monitoring means.

 [0042] Thereby, it is possible to determine a monitoring device that performs monitoring based on the position information. In addition, there is no need to communicate between a plurality of monitoring devices and a monitoring server that controls them.

The monitoring method according to the present embodiment is a monitoring method for tracking a moving monitoring target using a plurality of monitoring devices. The first monitoring device monitors a first monitoring range. Along with Sending a takeover information for taking over the monitoring of the monitoring target to the network between the wireless terminals with the relay function when detecting that the monitoring target goes out of the first monitoring range;

Receiving, by the second monitoring device, the handover information transmitted from the first monitoring device via the network between the wireless terminals with the relay function, and monitoring the second monitoring range based on the handover information. Contains.

 [0044] With this, the takeover information for tracking the monitoring target is transmitted to the surrounding monitoring devices via the network between the wireless terminals with the relay function, so that the monitoring device to take over the monitoring can easily and quickly take over the handover information. Is sent. In addition, there is no need to communicate between a plurality of monitoring devices and a monitoring server that controls them.

 Hereinafter, a monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which an ad hoc network is used as a network between wireless terminals with a relay function. An ad hoc network is a network composed of terminals that can be connected wirelessly, and has a relay function in the form of multi-hop communication that connects a large number of terminals to one another.

 FIG. 1 shows a monitoring system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a monitoring system 1 includes an access point device 10 and a plurality of monitoring devices 20a to 20d. In the following description, the monitoring devices 20a to 20d are collectively referred to as the monitoring device 20. The plurality of monitoring devices 20 are provided on street lights, traffic lights, railroad crossings, wooden pillars, concrete pillars, and trees. Each monitoring device 20 has a function of monitoring a predetermined monitoring range. Note that the monitoring range is defined separately from the imaging range captured by the monitoring device 20. For example, a monitoring range may be defined as a part of the imaging range, or a monitoring range wider than the imaging range may be defined. When the monitoring range is wider than the imaging range, the monitoring device 20 covers the monitoring range by changing the imaging direction and moving the imaging range. Also, the monitoring range of the monitoring device 20 may be adjacent to each other, and may or may not overlap.

The plurality of monitoring devices 20 have a wireless communication function, and form an ad hoc network 82 together with the access point device 10. At least one of the plurality of monitoring devices 20 is installed within a range where radio waves can reach directly from the access point device 10. An ad hoc network is a network composed of terminals equipped with a relay function. This implementation In the case of the embodiment, the monitoring device 20 has a function of relaying data to another monitoring device 20 in addition to the function of monitoring the monitoring target 90, and thus the ad hoc network 82 is configured. Although four monitoring devices 20 are shown in FIG. 1, the number of monitoring devices 20 may be more than four.

 [0048] The access point device 10 is connected to the monitor device 30 via a network 81 such as the Internet. The monitoring device 30 is installed in a monitoring center where a monitoring person exists.

 FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the monitoring device 20. In FIG. 2, a monitoring device 20 includes a capturing unit 21 that captures an image of a monitoring range, a position detecting unit 22 that detects the position of the monitoring device 20 using GPS to generate installation location information, and a captureable range. A monitoring range storage unit 23, an ad hoc transmitting / receiving unit 24 for communication with the ad hoc network 82, and a control unit 25 for controlling these.

 The control unit 25 controls the ad hoc transmission / reception unit 24 to communicate with the other monitoring devices 20 and the access point device 10. In the control unit 25, the monitoring target detection unit 252 performs a process of detecting a monitoring target from the video obtained by the imaging unit 21. The movement information generation unit 253 performs a process of obtaining the movement direction of the monitoring target detected by the monitoring target detection unit 252 and generating the movement information. Processing for detection of a monitoring target by the monitoring target detection unit 252 and generation of movement information by the movement information generation unit 253 will be described.

 FIGS. 3A to 3D are diagrams showing examples of images obtained by photographing the image section 21. FIG. 3A is a reference image, and FIGS. 3B and 3C are images when the monitoring target 90 is within the monitoring range. Video, Figure 3D shows the video when the monitored object goes out of the monitored area. The monitoring target detection unit 252 stores, as the reference video, a still image of the monitoring range when the monitoring target does not exist as shown in FIG. 3A. When the monitoring is started, the monitoring target detection unit 251 compares the video in the monitoring range obtained from the imaging unit 21 with the reference video.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the monitoring target 90 appears in the monitoring range, the difference between the video obtained by the imaging unit 21 and the reference video is detected as the monitoring target. Therefore, the monitoring target detection unit 252 detects the position of the monitoring target 90 in the imaging region, which can be determined only by the presence of the monitoring target 90. After the monitoring target is detected by the monitoring target detection unit 252, the movement information generation unit 253 tracks an area where a difference from the reference video occurs (an area where the monitoring target 90 is shown). By doing so, the moving direction of the monitoring target is detected. That is, in FIG. 3B, a difference is generated in the upper right of the imaging region, and in FIG. 3C, a difference is generated in the lower left, so that it can be detected that the upper right force of the imaging region has also moved to the lower left along the road.

 [0053] As described above, once the monitoring target is detected, and then the video obtained by the imaging unit 21 returns to the reference video as shown in FIG. 3D, the monitoring target detection unit 251 moves the monitoring target. As a result, a process of detecting that the vehicle has moved out of the monitoring range is performed. Then, the movement information generating unit 253 generates movement information of the monitoring target at this time. The control unit 25 controls the ad-hoc transmission / reception unit 24 to transmit the movement information and the installation position information acquired by the position detection unit 22 to the ad-hoc network 82 as takeover information.

 Returning to FIG. 2, the photographing control unit 251 of the control unit 25 converts the installation position information of the other monitoring device 20 and the movement information of the monitoring target included in the handover information received by the ad hoc transmission / reception unit 24. Based on this, a process is performed to determine the power that needs to be monitored within its own monitoring range, that is, whether to take over the monitoring. Specifically, the photographing control unit 251 determines the position of the monitoring target and the force in which direction the monitoring target has moved from the installation position information and the movement information included in the handover information, and obtains the position of the monitoring target. If the position of the monitoring target is within the monitoring range stored in the monitoring range storage unit 23 or the force within the monitoring range is within a predetermined distance, the imaging unit 21 and the control unit 25 are operated to start monitoring.

The image control unit 251 performs a process of transmitting the image photographed by the photographing unit 21 as monitoring information to the ad hoc network 82 as the ad hoc transmission / reception unit 24. The control unit 25 performs a process of transmitting the monitoring information to the ad hoc transmission / reception unit 24 and the ad hoc network 82 even when the monitoring information is received by the ad hoc transmission / reception unit 24 when the other monitoring device power is received.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the access point device. In FIG. 4, an access point device 10 includes an ad hoc transmission / reception unit 11 for communicating via an ad hoc network 82, a transmission / reception unit 12 for communicating with a monitor device 30 via a network 81, and And a control unit 13 for controlling. In the control unit 13, the video transfer unit 131 performs a process of receiving video information to be monitored via the ad hoc network 82 and transferring the video information to the monitor device 30. The operation of the monitoring system 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. The surveillance device 20b starts capturing an image of its own monitoring range (S51), and sends video information to the ad hoc network 82 (S52). When the video information is transmitted from the monitoring device 20b that has started shooting, the other monitoring devices 20a and 20c in the ad hoc network 82 transfer this video information (S53). As a result of this transfer, when the video information reaches the access point device 10, the video information is transferred from the access point device 10 to the monitor device 30 via the network 81 (S54). Is displayed (S55).

 [0058] The monitoring device 20b that has started shooting detects the monitoring target with the monitoring target detection unit 252, and then detects that the monitoring target has gone out of the monitoring range (S56). At 253, movement information indicating the movement direction of the monitoring target is generated (S57). Then, the monitoring device 20b sends the movement information and the monitoring range information read from the monitoring range storage unit 23 to the ad hoc network 82 as takeover information (S58).

 [0059] The other monitoring devices 20a and 20c receive the monitoring range information and the movement information of the monitoring device 20b that has started shooting, and determine whether or not to take over monitoring (S59). The monitoring device 20c that determines that the monitoring is necessary starts the capturing of the monitoring range by the capturing unit 21 (S60). Then, the monitoring device 20c that has started shooting transmits the video information obtained by the shooting to the ad hoc network 82 (S61), and the other monitoring devices 20a and 20b transfer the video information (S62). ), The video information reaches the access point device 10. The access point device 10 transfers the video information to the monitor device (S63), and the monitor device 30 switches the video information to be displayed to the transmitted video information (S64).

 On the other hand, the monitoring device 20c, which has taken over the monitoring and started shooting, detects the monitoring target with the monitoring target detection unit 252, and then detects that the monitoring target has gone out of the monitoring range (S65) ), The movement information generation unit 253 generates movement information indicating the movement direction of the monitoring target (S66), and sends the movement information and the installation position information to the ad hoc network 82 as takeover information (S67). The peripheral monitoring device 20b that has received the handover information determines whether or not monitoring is necessary based on the handover information, that is, whether or not it has the power to take over the monitoring (S68).

[0061] In this manner, the video information obtained by the imaging unit 21 is transmitted according to the movement of the monitoring target. By switching the monitoring device 20 to be monitored, the monitoring target can be tracked. In addition, in the above example, only the monitoring device 20 to which the radio wave directly reaches from the transmission source monitoring device 20 receives the handover information, because it is not necessary to take over the monitoring to the monitoring device 20 that is installed so far that the radio wave does not directly reach. .

 [0062] According to the monitoring system 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, the monitoring target is tracked by transmitting and receiving the takeover information for taking over the monitoring through the ad hoc network. It is not necessary to connect a device to a monitoring server and communicate between multiple monitoring devices and the monitoring server to take over the monitoring. Can be tracked reliably.

 Note that the monitoring system 1 of the above embodiment may be configured to generate monitoring range information based on the information acquired by the position detecting unit 22 and store it in the monitoring range storage unit 23. Even when a new monitoring device is added to the ad hoc network, there is no need to manually set the monitoring range information. In addition, since the network of the monitoring device is configured by the ad hoc network, it is not necessary to set the monitoring device 20 to be connected to the server device 30. Therefore, even when the monitoring device 20 is newly added, the above-described monitoring system 1 can be constructed without performing any setting on the monitoring device 20.

 Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

 FIG. 6 illustrates a monitoring device included in the monitoring system according to the second embodiment. In the following description, description of items that are the same as in the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

 The monitoring system according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as monitoring system 1 shown in FIG. That is, the monitoring system according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of monitoring devices 40 that communicate with each other in the ad hoc network 82, an access point device 10 that forms the ad hoc network 82 with the plurality of monitoring devices 40, and a communication with the access point device. And a monitor device 30 for performing !!

As shown in FIG. 6, the monitoring device 40 according to the present embodiment stores a detection unit 41 that detects a monitoring target within a predetermined monitoring range, and installation position information indicating the position of the monitoring device 40. A location storage unit 42, a monitoring range storage unit 43 for storing a range in which a monitoring target can be detected as a monitoring range, an ad hoc transmission / reception unit 44 for communication with the ad hoc network 82, And a control unit 45 for controlling them.

[0067] The detection unit 41 includes a plurality of human sensors 411 that detect a person in a predetermined area and output a detection signal. The detection areas of the human sensors 411 are different from each other, and the entire detection area of the human sensors 411 is the monitoring range of the detection unit 41. In FIG. 6, three motion sensors 411 are shown. The number of force motion sensors 411 may be more than three.

 The control unit 45 controls the ad hoc transmission / reception unit 44 to communicate with the other monitoring device 40 and the access point device 10. In the control unit 44, the movement information generation unit 452 performs a process of generating movement information based on the detection signal output from the detection unit 41. That is, if a plurality of detection regions by the plurality of human sensors 411 are continuous in the horizontal direction, the person moves to the right in the horizontal direction according to the order of detection of the humans by the plurality of human sensors 411. It is possible to specify whether the force has moved out of the monitoring range and whether it has moved out of the monitoring range by moving to the left, and generates movement information indicating that it has moved in the direction of V or deviation.

 [0069] The monitoring target position information generation unit 455 generates a monitoring target indicating the position of the monitoring target based on the installation position information stored in the position storage unit 42 and the position information generated by the movement information generation unit 453. A process for generating position information is performed. Then, the ad hoc transmission / reception unit 44 sends the monitoring target position information to the ad hoc network 82 as takeover information. In addition, the ad hoc transmitting / receiving unit 44 receives the takeover information transmitted from another monitoring device 40 via the ad hoc network 82.

[0070] The detection control unit 451 compares the position of the monitoring target indicated by the takeover information received from the other monitoring device 40 with its own monitoring range, and determines whether or not to take over the monitoring. When it is determined that the monitoring is to be taken over, the detection unit 41 and the control unit 45 are operated to start the monitoring. That is, when the position of the monitoring target is within the monitoring range storage unit 43 or a force within the stored monitoring range or within a predetermined distance, the detection control unit 451 detects the detection unit 41 and the control unit 45. To start monitoring by Further, the detection control unit 451 performs a process of transmitting the detection signal of the monitoring target detected by the detection unit 41 to the access point device 10 via the ad hoc network 82. At this time, the detection control unit 451 attaches a monitoring device ID specifying the monitoring device 40 to the detection signal. When receiving the detection signal to which the monitoring device ID has been added via the access point device 10, the monitoring device 30 of the present embodiment prompts the monitoring person with the monitoring device 40 corresponding to the monitoring device ID to monitor. An output indicating that detection has been performed is performed.

 The operation of the monitoring system configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, description will be made using the monitoring devices 40a to 40c. The monitoring device 40b starts monitoring the monitoring target within its own monitoring range (S71), and when any of the human sensors 411 detects the monitoring target (S72), the monitoring device ID is displayed on the ad hoc network 82. The attached detection signal is transmitted (S73).

 When the detection signal is transmitted from the monitoring device 40b, the other monitoring devices 40a and 40c in the ad hoc network 82 transfer the detection signal (S74). When the detection signal reaches the access point device 10 by this transfer, the access point device 10 transfers the detection signal to the monitor device 30 via the network 81 (S75). Upon receiving the detection signal, the monitoring device 30 outputs an indication that the monitoring target has been detected by the monitoring device 40 corresponding to the monitoring device ID attached to the detection signal (S76).

 [0074] After detecting the monitoring target by the detection unit 41 of the monitoring device 40b, if any of the human sensors 411 no longer detects the monitoring target, that is, if it detects that the monitoring target is out of the monitoring range (S77) ), The movement information generation unit 453 generates movement information (S78), and the monitoring target position information generation unit 453 generates monitoring target position information based on the movement information and the position information read from the position storage unit 42 (S78). S79). Then, the monitoring device 40b sends the monitoring target position information to the ad hoc network 82 as the takeover information (S80).

[0075] The other monitoring devices 40a and 40c receive the monitoring target position information and determine whether or not a force to take over the monitoring is provided (S81). The monitoring device 40c that has determined to take over the monitoring starts monitoring by the detection unit 41 (S82). When one of the human sensors 411 detects a monitoring target (S83), a detection signal with a monitoring device ID is sent to the ad hoc network 82 (S84), and the other monitoring devices 40a, 40b Transfers the detection signal (S85), and the detection signal reaches the access point device 10. The access point device 10 transfers the detection signal to the monitoring device 30 (S86), and the monitoring device 30 switches the output to the monitoring device 40c corresponding to the monitoring device ID attached to the detection signal (S87). On the other hand, the monitoring device 40c that has started monitoring by taking over the monitoring detects the monitoring target with the motion sensor 411, and then detects that the monitoring target has gone out of the monitoring range (S88). Then, movement information indicating the movement direction of the monitoring target is generated (S89), and monitoring target position information is generated based on the movement information (S90), and the monitoring target position information is used as the transfer information as ad hoc. The data is transmitted to the network 82 (S91). The peripheral monitoring device 40b that has received the handover information determines whether or not monitoring is necessary based on the handover information, that is, whether or not the power to take over the monitoring is available (S92).

 In this way, by switching the monitoring device 40 according to the movement of the monitoring target, the monitoring target can be tracked. In the present embodiment, it is not necessary to take over the monitoring to a monitoring device 40 that is located far enough that radio waves cannot reach directly. Only receive the takeover information.

 According to such a monitoring system of the second embodiment of the present invention, a monitoring target is tracked by transmitting and receiving takeover information for taking over monitoring via an ad hoc network. Communication between multiple monitoring devices and the monitoring server to take over the monitoring by connecting the monitoring server to the monitoring server. Can be tracked.

 Further, since the detection signal of the human sensor 411 is transmitted as monitoring information in the ad hoc network 82, the monitoring device 30 can monitor by communicating information having a relatively small capacity. Can reduce the communication load of the user. Further, since the presence of the monitoring target and the fact that the monitoring target has gone out of the monitoring range can be determined by the detection signal from the human sensor 411, the monitoring system can be configured with a monitoring device having a simple configuration. In addition, since the position of the monitoring device 40 is stored in the position storage unit 42, the monitoring device 40 has a simple configuration in this point as well, since there is no need to provide a configuration such as GPS for detecting the position of the monitoring device 40. .

 Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a monitoring system according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 8, the monitoring system 3 of the present embodiment has a plurality of monitoring devices 50a to 50d. In the following description, the monitoring devices 50a to 50d are collectively referred to as the monitoring device 50. First and second embodiments and Differently, the monitoring system 3 includes a plurality of monitoring devices 50.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the monitoring device 50 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 9, the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted. The monitoring device 50 includes an imaging unit 51, an ad hoc transmission / reception unit 54, and a control unit 55, as in the first embodiment. The monitoring device 50 further includes a shooting region changing unit 56 that changes the shooting region of the shooting unit 51 by panning and tilting operations, another monitoring range storage unit 57 that stores the monitoring range of another monitoring device 50, and a shooting unit. An image recording unit 58 is provided for recording the image shot at 51 on a recording medium.

 [0082] In the control unit 54, the imaging control unit 551 includes an imaging region changing unit based on the movement information generated by the movement information generation unit 553 so that the monitoring target is imaged by the imaging unit 51. The controller controls the camera 56 to pan or tilt the photographing unit 51. In the present embodiment, the maximum range that can be photographed by changing the photographing area by panning / tilting of the photographing unit 51 is the monitoring range of the monitoring device 50. Then, the monitoring target detection unit 552 performs a process of detecting that the monitoring target has gone out of the monitoring range when the monitoring target cannot be imaged due to the panning / tilting operation of the imaging unit 51 due to the movement of the monitoring target. Do.

 In the control unit 55, the designated information generation unit 556 includes the self-monitoring range stored in advance, the movement information when the monitoring target goes out of the monitoring range, and the other information stored in the other monitoring range storage unit 57. Based on the monitoring range of the monitoring device, the process generates the designation information for specifying the monitoring device to take over monitoring next, and sends it to the ad hoc network 82.

 The operation of the monitoring system 3 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. When a certain monitoring device 50b starts shooting and recording of its own monitoring range (S101), the monitoring target detection unit 552 detects the monitoring target, and then detects that the monitoring target goes out of the monitoring range ( (S102), the movement information generation unit 553 generates movement information indicating the moving direction of the monitoring target (S103). Then, the designated information generating unit 556 generates designated information based on the movement information (S104), and sends the designated information to the ad hoc network 82 as takeover information (S105).

[0085] The other monitoring devices 50a and 50c receive the designation information and determine whether or not they have been designated (S106). The designated monitoring device 50c captures the image of the monitoring And video recording is started (S107). Then, the monitoring target is detected by the monitoring target detection unit 552, and thereafter, when it is detected that the monitoring target is out of the monitoring range (S108), the movement information generation unit 553 generates movement information (S109). Further, the designated information generation unit 544 generates designated information (S110), and sends the designated information to the ad hoc network 82 as takeover information (Sll). The peripheral monitoring device 50b that has received the handover information determines whether or not it has been designated based on the handover information (S112).

 [0086] According to the monitoring system 3 of the third embodiment of the present invention, the monitoring target is tracked by transmitting and receiving the takeover information for taking over the monitoring through the ad hoc network. It is not necessary to connect devices to the monitoring server and to communicate between multiple monitoring devices and the monitoring server to take over the monitoring. Can track more reliably.

 [0087] Further, a plurality of monitoring devices 50 constitute an ad hoc network 82, perform communication for taking over monitoring within the ad hoc network 82, and each monitoring device records a captured image. A monitoring system can be constructed with a simple configuration without including any devices or monitoring devices. By collecting the recording medium on which the video is recorded from each monitoring device 50, the video tracking the monitoring target can be obtained.

 Further, the monitoring device 50 includes an imaging region changing unit 56, and changes the imaging region by the imaging unit 51 in accordance with the movement of the monitoring target. Therefore, a single monitoring device 50 performs monitoring over a wide range. You can get the image of the target.

 In the above description, the imaging unit 21 is used in the first embodiment, and the imaging unit 51 is used in the third embodiment to determine the difference between the reference video and the captured video. Although the monitoring target is detected based on the captured video camera, the method of detecting the monitoring target based on the captured video camera is not limited to this. For example, the monitoring target detection unit stores in advance as a characteristic image indicating the characteristics of the monitoring target, and detects a specific monitoring target by image processing for searching for this characteristic image from images in the monitoring range obtained by the imaging unit. You may. According to this method, even if there are a plurality of objects moving in the monitoring range, it is possible to determine which of the objects is the monitoring target, and to more accurately detect the monitoring target.

Further, in the above description, in the second embodiment, the monitoring device 40 uses the Although the position of the monitoring target is specified based on the movement information, if the installation position information is fixed, the correspondence between the movement information and the monitoring target position information is stored in advance, and the movement is performed using the correspondence. Monitoring target position information may be obtained from the information. Similarly, in the third embodiment, when the position of each monitoring device 50 is fixed, the corresponding relationship between the movement information and the designated information is stored in advance in each monitoring device 50, and the corresponding relationship is stored. The designated information may be obtained from the movement information by using.

 In the first and third embodiments, the monitoring unit is configured by the imaging unit and the control unit. In the second embodiment, the monitoring unit is configured by the detection unit and the control unit. The configurations of the monitoring means are interchangeable. That is, in the monitoring device of the first or third embodiment, a monitoring unit may be configured by the detection unit and the control unit, or the detection unit of the second embodiment may be replaced with an imaging unit. .

 [0092] Further, in order to acquire information on the installation position of the monitoring device, a position detection unit is provided in the first embodiment, and a position information storage unit is provided in the second embodiment. Means for obtaining information are also interchangeable. Note that, in the case of the third embodiment, another monitoring range storage unit that stores information indicating the monitoring range of another monitoring device is provided, and designation information for designating a monitoring device to take over monitoring next is generated. Therefore, each monitoring device does not need to acquire its own position.

 [0093] Further, in the first and second embodiments, the access point device 10 is provided in the ad hoc network 82, the monitoring information is transmitted from the access point device 10 to the monitoring device 30, and the monitoring information is transmitted by the monitoring device 30. In the third embodiment, each monitoring device stores captured images and does not communicate monitoring information.However, the overall configuration of these monitoring systems is also the first and second embodiments. The second embodiment and the third embodiment are interchangeable. That is, the monitoring device of the first and second embodiments may be provided with a means for recording monitoring information on a recording medium, and may be a system that does not include the access point device 10 and the monitoring device 30. Instead of having the video recording unit 58 in the surveillance device of the first embodiment, add the access point device 10 and the monitor device 30 to the surveillance system.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a monitoring system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the monitoring system 4 includes a portable device 70 carried by the monitoring target 90, in addition to the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

 FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of portable device 70 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 12, a portable device 70 includes a position detecting unit 71 that detects the position of the portable device 70 and generates monitoring target position information indicating a position of a monitoring target, and a monitoring unit that is generated by the position detecting unit 71. It has a transmitting section 72 for transmitting target position information, and a control section 73 for controlling them. The configuration of the position detection unit 71 is the same as that of the position detection unit 22 of the first embodiment. In addition, the transmission unit 72 transmits the monitoring target position information by multicast without particularly specifying the specific monitoring device 60 as the transmission destination.

 FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the monitoring device 60 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 13, a monitoring device 60 includes a photographing unit 61 for photographing an image of a monitoring range, a monitoring range storage unit 63 that stores a photographable range as a monitoring range, and a communication unit for communication by an ad hoc network 82. An ad-hoc transmission / reception unit 64, a reception unit 69 for receiving position information from the portable device 70, and a control unit 65 for controlling these.

 [0097] The configuration of the imaging unit 61 is the same as that of the first embodiment. In the control section 65, when the receiving section 69 receives position information from the portable device 70, the photographing control section 651 performs a process of determining whether or not to start photographing by the photographing section 61 based on the position information. For this processing, the monitoring range of the monitoring device 60 is stored in the monitoring device 60. When the position indicated by the position information received from the portable device 70 is within the monitoring range or within a predetermined distance from the monitoring range, the imaging control unit 651 performs a process of starting the monitoring by operating the imaging unit 61. Do.

The operation of the monitoring device 60 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. When the monitoring device 60 receives the monitoring target position information from the portable device 70 (S141), the imaging control unit 651 determines whether the monitoring target is within its own monitoring range or within a predetermined distance from the monitoring range based on the monitoring target position information. Is determined (S142). If the monitoring target is not within the monitoring range and the monitoring plate power is not within the predetermined distance (NO in S142), the process is terminated, and if the monitoring target is within the monitoring distance and within the predetermined distance from the monitoring range, ( (YES at S142), shooting The monitoring area is photographed by the unit 61, and the video information is transmitted to the ad hoc network 82 (S143). Then, the process returns to S142, and continues to shoot and transmit the video until the monitoring target is separated from the monitoring range of the monitoring device 60 by a predetermined distance or more.

[0099] According to the monitoring system 4 of the fourth embodiment of the present invention as well, the monitoring information is transmitted and received through the ad hoc network, so that a plurality of monitoring devices can be connected to the monitoring server and connected to the monitoring server. A monitoring system can be constructed with a simple configuration that does not require communication, and the reliability of communication for taking over monitoring is improved, and monitoring targets can be grasped more reliably.

[0100] The forces that have described the presently preferred embodiments of the present invention can be understood that various modifications can be made to the present embodiment. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Industrial applicability

[0101] As described above, the monitoring system according to the present invention provides a monitoring system for taking over monitoring when each monitoring device constituting an ad hoc network detects that a monitoring target has gone out of the monitoring range. Since information is sent to the ad hoc network, there is no need to connect multiple monitoring devices to the monitoring server and communicate with the monitoring server to take over monitoring, improving the reliability of communication. This has the effect that the monitoring target can be more reliably tracked, and is useful as a security system for tracking a suspicious person or the like.

Claims

The scope of the claims

 [1] A monitoring system that includes a plurality of monitoring devices configuring a network between wireless terminals with a relay function and tracks a moving monitoring target, wherein each of the monitoring devices includes:

 Monitoring means for monitoring the monitoring range;

 A handover information generating unit for generating handover information for handing over the monitoring of the monitoring target when detecting that the monitoring target goes out of the monitoring range of the monitoring unit; and Means for transmitting takeover information to be transmitted to the network between wireless terminals;

 A handover information receiving means for receiving the handover information transmitted by the other monitoring device via the network between the wireless terminals with the relay function;

 Monitoring control means for operating the handover information generating means based on the handover information received by the handover information receiving means;

 A surveillance system comprising:

 [2] Each of the monitoring devices includes a monitoring information obtaining unit that obtains monitoring information of the monitoring range, a monitoring information sending unit that sends the monitoring information to the network between wireless terminals with a relay function, and Monitoring information transfer means for receiving from another monitoring device and transferring it to another monitoring device,

 Monitoring information receiving means for receiving the monitoring information transmitted from the monitoring device via the network between wireless terminals with a relay function, and monitoring information output means for outputting the monitoring information received by the monitoring information receiving means; 2. The monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising an output device having:

 [3] A monitoring device that constitutes a network between wireless terminals with a relay function together with another monitoring device,

 Monitoring means for monitoring the monitoring range;

 Takeover information generating means for generating takeover information for taking over monitoring of the monitoring target when detecting that the monitoring target goes out of the monitoring range of the monitoring means;

Takeover information sending means for sending the takeover information to the network between wireless terminals with a relay function, A handover information receiving means for receiving the handover information transmitted by the other monitoring device via the network between the wireless terminals with the relay function;

 Monitoring control means for operating the handover information generating means based on the handover information received by the handover information receiving means;

 A monitoring device comprising:

 [4] a monitoring range information storage means for storing monitoring range information of the monitoring device;

 The takeover information generating unit generates the takeover information including movement information indicating a moving direction of the monitoring target and monitoring range information read from the monitoring range information storage unit. 4. The transfer information generation unit is operated when it is determined that monitoring is necessary based on the movement information and the monitoring range information included in the transfer information transmitted from the server. A monitoring device according to claim 1.

[5] A monitoring range information storage means for storing monitoring range information of the monitoring device is provided,

 The transfer information generating means includes monitoring target position information indicating a position of the monitoring target based on movement information indicating a moving direction of the monitoring target and monitoring range information read from the monitoring range information storage unit. Produces

 The monitoring control means operates the handover information generating means when it is determined that monitoring is necessary based on the monitoring target position information included in the handover information transmitted from another monitoring device. The monitoring device according to claim 3, characterized in that:

[6] A monitoring range information storage unit for storing monitoring range information of the monitoring device is provided.

 The takeover information generating unit performs monitoring based on movement information indicating a moving direction of the monitoring target, monitoring range information read from the monitoring range information storage unit, and a monitoring range of another monitoring device installed around the monitoring target. Generating the takeover information including designation information for specifying a monitoring device to be taken over;

 4. The monitoring control unit according to claim 3, wherein the monitoring control unit operates the takeover information generation unit when specified by the specification information included in the takeover information transmitted from another monitoring device. Monitoring device.

[7] monitoring information obtaining means for obtaining monitoring information of the monitoring range,

Monitoring information transmission for transmitting the monitoring information to the network between wireless terminals with a relay function Delivery means,

 Monitoring information transfer means for receiving the monitoring information from another monitoring device and transferring the monitoring information to another monitoring device,

 The monitoring device according to any one of claims 3 and 6, further comprising:

[8] The monitoring device according to claim 7, wherein the monitoring information acquisition unit captures the monitoring range and generates video information of the monitoring range as the monitoring information.

9. The monitoring information acquisition unit according to claim 8, wherein the monitoring information acquisition unit includes a photographing region changing unit that changes a photographing region so that the monitoring target is photographed in accordance with a change in the video information. Monitoring device.

 10. The monitoring device according to claim 7, wherein the monitoring information acquisition unit senses the monitoring target and generates a detection signal indicating the presence of the monitoring target as the monitoring information.

 [11] A monitoring system for tracking the moving monitoring target, the monitoring system including a plurality of monitoring devices configuring a network between wireless terminals with a relay function and a portable device carried as the monitoring target,

 The portable device includes: a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information indicating a current position; and a transmission unit that transmits the position information to the monitoring device via the network between wireless terminals with a relay function.

 The monitoring device includes a monitoring unit that monitors a monitoring range, a receiving unit that receives the position information from the portable device via the wireless terminal-equipped network with a relay function, and the position information that is received by the receiving unit. Control means for operating the monitoring means when the indicated current position is within the monitoring range; and

 A surveillance system comprising:

[12] A monitoring device that constitutes a network between wireless terminals with a relay function together with another monitoring device,

 Monitoring means for monitoring the monitoring range;

Receiving means for receiving position information indicating a current position of the portable device from a portable device carried as a monitoring target via the network between wireless terminals with a relay function; Control means for operating the monitoring means when the current position indicated by the position information received by the receiving means is within the monitoring range;

 A monitoring device comprising:

 A monitoring method for tracking a moving monitoring target by using a plurality of monitoring devices, wherein a first monitoring device monitors a first monitoring range, and the monitoring target is in the first monitoring range. Sending the takeover information for taking over the monitoring of the monitoring target to the network between wireless terminals with a relay function when detecting that the mobile terminal has gone outside; and Receiving the takeover information sent from the first monitoring device via a network between wireless terminals, and monitoring a second monitoring range based on the takeover information;

 A monitoring method, comprising: