JP2008083814A - Image monitoring device and image monitoring method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image monitoring device for protecting the privacy of a user when the detection of abnormal circumstances in a monitoring area to be photographed by a monitoring camera is erroneous detection. <P>SOLUTION: When detecting abnormal circumstances, a sensor 3 transmits an abnormality signal to a monitor terminal 1. When receiving the abnormal signal, a discrimination part 11 of the monitor terminal 1 transmits a warning signal to a monitor center 7. When receiving an image request signal from the monitor center 7 in response to the reception of the warning signal, the discrimination part 11 discriminates whether or not an operation input reception part 13 has accepted whether or not the input of a cancellation operation has been received until the lapse of a predetermined time. When the discrimination result of the discrimination part 11 is negative, a monitoring camera control part 10 makes a monitoring camera 2 perform photographing, and transmits the photographed image to the monitor center 7. When the discrimination result of the discrimination part 11 is positive, the monitoring camera control part 10 transmits a refusal signal to the monitor center 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In the present invention, when a sensor installed in a monitoring area detects an abnormal situation, the monitoring camera performs shooting in response to a request from a predetermined notification destination connected to the network and transmits an image to the predetermined notification destination. The present invention relates to an image monitoring apparatus and an image monitoring method, and more particularly to an image monitoring apparatus that protects user privacy.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image monitoring apparatus that installs a sensor for detecting an abnormal situation in a monitoring area and transmits an alarm or an image in the monitoring area to a predetermined notification destination connected to a network. Among such image monitoring devices, there is a device that always captures a monitoring area by a monitoring camera and saves the captured image or transmits it to a predetermined notification destination as needed or necessary. In such an image monitoring apparatus, since an image is taken in the monitoring area other than when an abnormal situation is detected, invasion of privacy of the user becomes a problem. In recent years, only when an abnormal situation is detected, an image monitoring apparatus that transmits an image in a monitoring area captured by a monitoring camera to a monitoring apparatus and a predetermined notification destination has been developed (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-11-341478

  However, in the technique of Patent Literature 1, even when the abnormal situation is detected in the monitoring area as a false detection, an image in the monitoring area captured by the monitoring camera is transmitted to a predetermined notification destination. As a result, the user's privacy may be infringed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an image monitoring apparatus capable of protecting the privacy of a user when detection of an abnormal situation in a monitoring area photographed by a monitoring camera is a false detection. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is an image monitoring apparatus, and when a sensor detects an abnormal situation that occurs in a monitoring area photographed by a monitoring camera, Notifying a predetermined notification destination that the abnormal situation has been detected, causing the monitoring camera to start shooting in response to a request from the predetermined notification destination, and transmitting the shot image to the predetermined notification destination An image monitoring apparatus that receives an input of an operation performed by a user, and an input of a cancel operation that rejects photographing by the monitoring camera when the image is requested from the predetermined notification destination. A determination unit that determines whether or not the operation input reception unit has received, and a monitoring camera control that causes the monitoring camera to start shooting only when the determination result of the determination unit is negative Characterized in that it comprises a stage.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the time measuring means for measuring time, and when the image is requested from the predetermined notification destination, the user is notified that the image is to be taken by the monitoring camera. An informing means for informing, wherein the determining means causes the time measuring means to measure an elapsed time since the informing means has informed that photographing by the monitoring camera is performed, and an elapsed time measured by the time measuring means. Until the predetermined time elapses, it is determined whether or not the operation input receiving means has received the input of the cancel operation.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the lens of the monitoring camera can be shielded by shielding means, and the monitoring camera control means stops photographing by the monitoring camera, The shielding unit is configured to shield the lens of the monitoring camera.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring camera is disposed in a bathroom or a toilet.

  The invention according to claim 5 is an image monitoring method, and when a sensor detects an abnormal situation that has occurred in a monitoring area photographed by a surveillance camera, a predetermined notification destination indicates that the abnormal situation has been detected. An image monitoring method for informing, causing the monitoring camera to start shooting in response to a request from the predetermined notification destination, and transmitting the captured image to the predetermined notification destination, from the predetermined notification destination When an image is requested, a determination step for determining whether or not an input of a cancel operation for rejecting shooting by the monitoring camera is accepted, and only when the determination result of the determination step is negative, And a monitoring camera control step for starting photographing.

  According to the first and fifth aspects of the present invention, even if an abnormal situation is detected in the monitoring area photographed by the monitoring camera, if it is a false detection, the user can cancel the operation by performing a cancel operation. Thus, it is possible to prevent an image of the monitoring area that is captured by being transmitted to a predetermined notification destination. Therefore, the user's privacy can be protected.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to more effectively control shooting by the monitoring camera by determining whether or not there is a cancel operation within a predetermined time. Therefore, it is possible to effectively protect the privacy of the user and take a picture for grasping the abnormal situation.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the lens of the surveillance camera is shielded by the shielding means, it is possible to clearly indicate to the user whether photographing is being performed or stopped, and that privacy is not infringed. You can give a sense of security to the user.

  According to the invention of claim 4, even when a surveillance camera is placed in a bathroom or toilet where special consideration for privacy is required, it is possible to protect the privacy of the user and to take a picture for grasping an abnormal situation. Can be carried out effectively.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image monitoring apparatus and an image monitoring method according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(1) Configuration A configuration example of the monitoring system in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a monitoring system according to the present embodiment. The monitoring system according to this embodiment includes a monitoring terminal 1, a monitoring camera 2, a sensor 3, a notification unit 4, an operation unit 5, and a monitoring center 7. The monitoring terminal 1 and the monitoring center 7 are connected via a network (not shown) such as a telephone line, a wireless network, and the Internet, and transmit / receive data. The monitoring terminal 1, the monitoring camera 2, the sensor 3, the operation unit 5, and the notification unit 4 are each connected by wire or wireless, and perform data transmission / reception.

  The monitoring camera 2 is installed in a place (hereinafter referred to as a monitoring target room) where privacy needs to be considered, such as a bathroom or a toilet. An area that can be photographed by the monitoring camera 2 installed in the monitoring target room is a monitoring area. When the sensor 3 detects an abnormal situation, the monitoring camera 2 captures an image of the monitoring area under the control of the monitoring terminal 1 and supplies the captured image to the monitoring terminal 1.

  The sensor 3 is provided in the above-described monitoring target room, and transmits an abnormal signal to the monitoring terminal 1 when detecting an abnormal situation of the user in the monitoring target room. The method for detecting an abnormal situation of the user and the sensor used therefor are not limited. For example, as a method for detecting an abnormal situation of a user in a bathroom, a technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-113028 can be used. In this technique, a sensor is provided in a dressing room and a bathroom, and the abnormal situation of the user is detected by determining whether or not the user has escaped from the bathroom using the sensor. In addition, as a method for detecting a user's fall, a technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-50693 can be used. In this technique, a plurality of sensors are provided at a predetermined height from the ground surface of the bathroom, and when a predetermined number or more of sensors detect the user, it is determined that the user has fallen.

  The notification unit 4 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The alerting | reporting part 4 alert | reports various information to a user by displaying various information under control of the monitoring terminal 1. FIG.

  The operation unit 5 includes a card reader, a numeric keypad, operation buttons, and the like, and is disposed in the monitoring target room. When an operation from the user is input to the operation unit 5, the operation unit 5 supplies the operation input to the monitoring terminal 1. Here, a cancel operation for canceling shooting by the monitoring camera 2 is input to the operation unit 5.

  The monitoring terminal 1 includes a monitoring camera control unit 10, a determination unit 11, a timer 12, and an operation input reception unit 13. The monitoring terminal 1 may be disposed in the monitoring target room or may be disposed in another place such as a kitchen.

  The operation input receiving unit 13 receives an operation input input via the operation unit 5. Here, an input of a cancel operation for canceling shooting by the monitoring camera 2 is accepted.

  The timer 12 measures time. The timer 12 starts measuring a predetermined time according to an instruction from the determination unit 11 described below, and outputs an elapsed signal when the predetermined time has elapsed.

  When receiving the abnormal signal transmitted from the sensor 3, the determination unit 11 transmits an alarm signal indicating that an abnormal situation has been detected to the monitoring center 7. And the discrimination | determination part 11 will make the timer 12 start measurement of predetermined time, if the image request signal which requests | requires the image in the monitoring object room is received from the monitoring center 7 according to reception of the said alarm signal. Then, the determination unit 11 determines whether or not the operation input reception unit 13 has received an input of a cancel operation before the elapsed signal is output from the timer 12, that is, until a predetermined time has elapsed.

  The monitoring camera control unit 10 controls photographing by the monitoring camera 2 based on the determination result of the determination unit 11. Specifically, when the above-described determination result determined by the determination unit 11 is negative, the monitoring camera 2 performs shooting, and the captured image is transmitted to the monitoring center 7.

(2) Operation Next, the monitoring process performed by the monitoring terminal 1 in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the monitoring process performed by the monitoring terminal 1.

  The abnormal situation of the user is monitored by the sensor 3 in the monitoring target room. When the sensor 3 detects an abnormal situation of the user, the sensor 3 transmits an abnormal signal indicating that fact to the monitoring terminal 1. The monitoring terminal 1 determines whether or not an abnormal signal is transmitted from the sensor 3 (step S1). When the monitoring terminal 1 receives an abnormal signal (step S1: YES), the monitoring terminal 1 transmits an alarm signal indicating that an abnormal situation has been detected to the monitoring center 7 (step S2). When the monitoring center 7 receives the alarm signal transmitted from the monitoring terminal 1, the monitoring center 7 transmits an image request signal for requesting an image to the monitoring terminal 1. The monitoring terminal 1 determines whether the image request signal transmitted from the monitoring center 7 has been received (step S3). If the determination result is affirmative (step S3: YES), the image of the image in the monitoring target room is captured. Is notified by the notification unit 4 (step S4). When the user determines that the detection of the abnormal situation by the sensor 3 is a false detection by the notification of this information, the user can perform a cancel operation in the operation unit 5 within a predetermined time.

  Moreover, the monitoring terminal 1 starts measurement of the predetermined time by a timer after step S4 (step S5). Next, the monitoring terminal 1 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed, that is, whether or not an elapsed signal has been output from the timer (step S6). If the determination result is affirmative, that is, if a predetermined time has elapsed (step S6: YES), whether or not there has been a cancel operation by the user, that is, the input of the cancel operation by the user is input to the operation input receiving unit 13. It is determined whether or not has been accepted (step S7).

  When the cancel operation is performed by the user (step S7: YES), the monitoring terminal 1 transmits a rejection signal indicating that the monitoring camera 2 does not perform shooting to the monitoring center 7 (step S8). If there is no cancel operation by the user (step S7: NO), the monitoring camera 2 starts shooting (step S9), and the shot image is transmitted to the monitoring center 7 (step S10).

  According to the above configuration, even if an abnormal situation is detected by the sensor 3, the user can determine that it is a false detection and perform a cancel operation. As a result, since the surveillance camera 2 does not shoot, the user's privacy can be protected. Further, if there is no cancel operation from the user, the monitoring camera 2 performs shooting, so that shooting for grasping the abnormal situation can be performed.

[Modification]
Moreover, it is not limited to each embodiment mentioned above, The various deformation | transformation which is illustrated below is possible.

<Modification 1>
In the above-described embodiment, the monitoring camera 2 may be configured to include shielding means for shielding the lens of the monitoring camera 2. As the shielding means, for example, what is described in JP-A-2006-4116 may be used. When the monitoring terminal 1 does not shoot with the monitoring camera 2, the monitoring terminal 1 also blocks the lens of the monitoring camera 2 by the shielding means. And the monitoring terminal 1 should just cancel | release shielding of the lens of the monitoring camera 2 by a shielding means, when starting imaging | photography with the monitoring camera 2 by step S9. Thus, by shielding the lens of the monitoring camera 2 by the shielding means, it is possible to clearly indicate to the user whether the user is taking or stopping the shooting, and to the user that privacy is not infringed. You can give it a sense of security.

<Modification 2>
The notification unit 4 in the above-described embodiment is a sound output device that outputs sound. In step S4, information indicating that photographing is to be performed may be notified by sound output. The sound to be output at this time is not limited, and may be a beep sound or a sound representing a message such as “Starting to shoot”. Moreover, you may make it comprise the alerting | reporting part 4 combining an audio | voice output apparatus and the display apparatus in the above-mentioned embodiment. In addition, as long as the information is notified to the user, the notification unit 4 is not limited to the above.

<Modification 3>
In the above-described embodiment, the presence or absence of the cancel operation is determined in step S7 after a predetermined time has elapsed, that is, after the determination in step S6. However, if a cancel operation is performed after step S5, a rejection signal may be immediately transmitted to the monitoring center 7 before a predetermined time elapses.

<Modification 4>
You may comprise so that the emergency portable terminal 6 may be further provided in the monitoring system in the above-mentioned embodiment. The emergency portable terminal 6 includes, for example, a card reader, a numeric keypad, operation buttons, and the like, and communicates with the monitoring terminal 1. The emergency portable terminal 6 is carried by a user, for example. If the emergency mobile terminal 6 is operated when the user himself / herself feels an abnormal situation, the emergency mobile terminal 6 transmits an abnormal signal to the monitoring terminal 1. When the monitoring terminal 1 receives the abnormal signal, the monitoring terminal 1 may perform the processing after step S2.

<Modification 5>
In the above-described embodiment, the predetermined notification destination is the monitoring center 7, and the monitoring terminal 1 is connected to the monitoring center 7, and is configured to transmit an image captured by the monitoring camera 2 to the monitoring center 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the monitoring terminal 1 may be provided with a display device, and an image captured by the monitoring camera 2 may be displayed on the display device of the monitoring terminal 1. Moreover, you may comprise so that the image which the monitoring camera 2 image | photographed to the other predetermined notification destination may be transmitted.

  In addition, at least one of the monitoring camera 2, the notification unit 4, and the operation unit 5 in the above-described embodiment may be integrally formed.

  In addition, the room to be monitored is not limited to a bathroom or a toilet, and may be, for example, the entire house where the user lives or a hospital room in a hospital.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a sensor installed in a monitoring area detects an abnormal situation, the monitoring camera connected to the network captures an image and transmits an image to the monitoring center. The present invention relates to an image monitoring apparatus and an image monitoring method, and is particularly suitable for a technique for protecting the privacy of a user.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the monitoring system concerning one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the monitoring process which the monitoring terminal concerning the embodiment performs.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Monitoring terminal 2 Monitoring camera 3 Sensor 4 Notification part 5 Operation part 7 Monitoring center (predetermined notification destination)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Surveillance camera control part 11 Discriminating part 12 Timer 13 Operation input reception part SYM Monitoring system

Claims (5)

When the sensor detects an abnormal situation that has occurred in the monitoring area photographed by the monitoring camera, it notifies the predetermined notification destination that the abnormal situation has been detected, and in response to a request from the predetermined notification destination, An image monitoring apparatus that causes a surveillance camera to start photographing and transmits the photographed image to the predetermined notification destination,
An operation input receiving means for receiving an input of an operation performed by a user;
When the image is requested from the predetermined notification destination, a determination unit that determines whether or not the operation input reception unit has received an input of a cancel operation that rejects photographing by the monitoring camera;
An image monitoring apparatus comprising: a monitoring camera control unit that causes the monitoring camera to start shooting only when a determination result of the determination unit is negative. A time measuring means for measuring time;
A notification means for notifying a user that photographing by the monitoring camera is performed when the image is requested from the predetermined notification destination;
The discriminating unit causes the time measuring unit to measure an elapsed time since the notifying unit has notified that the monitoring camera is to take an image, and the cancellation time until the elapsed time measured by the time measuring unit reaches a predetermined time. The image monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not an operation input is received by the operation input receiving unit. The lens of the surveillance camera can be shielded by shielding means,
The image monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring camera control unit causes the shielding unit to block a lens of the monitoring camera when shooting by the monitoring camera is stopped. The image monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring camera is disposed in a bathroom or a toilet. When the sensor detects an abnormal situation that has occurred in the monitoring area photographed by the monitoring camera, it notifies the predetermined notification destination that the abnormal situation has been detected, and in response to a request from the predetermined notification destination, An image monitoring method for causing a surveillance camera to start photographing and transmitting the photographed image to the predetermined notification destination,
A determination step of determining whether or not an input of a cancel operation for rejecting photographing by the monitoring camera is accepted when the image is requested from the predetermined notification destination;
A monitoring camera control step of causing the monitoring camera to start shooting only when the determination result of the determination step is negative.

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