JP2008219484A - Monitoring camera, display control device, and monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a monitoring camera, a display control device, and a monitoring system, capable of presenting such video of high resolution across the entire imaging area, in which the interested monitoring area has high resolution at high frame rate, while suppressing transmission volume of video data that have been imaged. <P>SOLUTION: A monitoring camera 10 acquires a plurality of taken image data constituting the video of imaged monitoring area based on a first frame rate. It cuts out interested monitoring area data which are the picture data at the position of interested monitoring area within the taken image data, which are based on a second frame rate being of such frame rate higher than the first frame rate. It transmits it to a display control device 30 through a network 60. The display control device 30 generates a monitoring image data by overwriting the taken image data that have been received with the interested monitoring area data. A display device 50 displays the monitoring picture data that have been generated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a monitoring camera, a display control device, and a monitoring system for monitoring video in a shooting area.

  Conventionally, monitoring using a surveillance camera has been widely performed not only in indoor facilities such as retail stores, large-scale commercial facilities, and amusement facilities, but also outdoors such as shopping streets.

  Since these areas have a wide surveillance area, there are many cases where about 10 surveillance cameras are installed in retail stores and dozens of surveillance cameras are installed in large-scale commercial facilities and shopping streets.

  When these surveillance cameras are analog cameras, wiring of the number of installed surveillance cameras has to be performed in order to transmit captured images to a surveillance room or the like.

  In recent years, in order to solve this problem, many monitoring systems using a communication network such as Ethernet (registered trademark) as a transmission medium have been widely used.

  In this monitoring system, it is possible to superimpose video signals transmitted from a plurality of monitoring cameras with a single cable and transmit them to a monitoring room or the like, and arbitrarily change the number of monitoring cameras to be installed. Is possible.

  In addition, control of the surveillance camera such as pan, tilt, and zoom can be performed from a remote surveillance room or the like via a network without newly performing control wiring.

  However, in a monitoring system using a network, there is a problem in that a communication band is limited because videos taken by a plurality of cameras are transmitted by time division on a single transmission line.

  In particular, when a surveillance camera that captures images with a high resolution is used, the data size per frame increases, and it becomes difficult to transmit video at a high frame rate in consideration of limitations on the communication band.

  For example, when a surveillance camera that captures an image with an SXGA size of 1280 × 1024 pixels is used, the surveillance camera requires about four times the transmission bandwidth as compared with a surveillance camera that captures an image with a VGA size of 640 × 480 pixels. In order to transmit a full frame (30 fps) using a plurality of units, a very large transmission band is required, and there is a possibility that a saturated state is reached.

  In order to solve this problem, there are techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

  Patent Document 1 describes a monitoring system that converts video captured by a high-resolution camera to low image quality and outputs it constantly, and outputs it only when there is a large movement between frames.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 discloses a process of thinning a video captured by a high-resolution camera on the entire screen of the captured image to generate a low-resolution image, and an electric zoom-up function to capture the captured image. A monitoring system that switches and transmits a process of cutting out a part and generating an enlarged image is described.

By using these techniques, it is possible to efficiently transmit surveillance video captured by a plurality of surveillance cameras in a limited transmission band within a network.
JP 2003-319378 A JP 2002-374453 A

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1 or 2, a high-resolution image can be obtained only when it is determined to be necessary in the apparatus, but a high-resolution image can be obtained when a detailed image is required in other places. There was a problem that important information could be missed.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a monitor capable of providing a video with a high resolution in the entire shooting area and a high resolution and a high frame rate in the monitoring area while suppressing the transmission amount of the shot video data. Camera, display control device, and monitoring system.

  In order to achieve the above object, a surveillance camera (10) according to the present invention sends a photographed image of a surveillance area to a connected network (60). An imaging unit (102) that generates the first attention monitoring area position storage unit (101) that stores in advance position information of the attention monitoring area in the captured image data, and a captured image generated by the imaging unit (102) A first data encoding unit (105) that encodes data to generate encoded captured image data, and obtains position information of the attention monitoring area stored in the first attention monitoring area position storage unit (101); Extracting attention monitoring area data that extracts attention monitoring area data that is image data of the position of the attention monitoring area from the captured image data generated by the imaging unit (102). Unit (106), a second data encoding unit (107) that generates the encoded attention monitoring area data by encoding the attention monitoring area data extracted by the attention monitoring area data extraction unit (106), and the encoding A first frame rate for sending captured image data to the network (60) and a rate higher than the first frame rate for sending the encoded attention monitoring area data to the network (60). A frame rate storage unit (108) for storing each of the two frame rates in advance, the encoded captured image data is acquired based on the stored first frame rate, and the encoded framed image data is acquired based on the stored second frame rate. A first communication control unit (111) that acquires encoded attention monitoring area data and sends it to the network (60). Provided with a door.

  Further, the display control device (30) of the present invention performs control for causing the display device (50) to display the video of the monitoring area taken by the monitoring camera (10) connected via the network (60). A second attention monitoring area position storage unit (302) that stores in advance position information of the attention monitoring area in the captured image data that constitutes a video of the monitoring area, and the network (60). Thus, the encoded captured image data that is the encoded captured image data sent from the monitoring camera (10) at a predetermined first frame rate and a second rate that is higher than the first frame rate. The encoded attention monitoring area data which is the encoded attention monitoring area data sent from the monitoring camera (10) at the frame rate is acquired. A communication control unit (303); a first data decoding unit (306) that decodes the encoded captured image data acquired by the second communication control unit (303) into decoded captured image data; and the second communication control. A second data decoding unit (308) that decodes the encoded attention monitoring area data acquired by the unit (303) into decoded attention monitoring area data; and the latest decoding decoded by the first data decoding unit (306) The latest decoded attention monitoring area data decoded by the second data decoding section (308) based on the position information of the attention monitoring area stored in the second attention monitoring area position storage section (302) in the captured image data. And an image composition unit (310) for generating monitoring image data.

  In addition, the monitoring system (1) of the present invention includes a monitoring camera (10) that captures a monitoring area, and a display control device that performs control for causing the display device (50) to display an image captured by the monitoring camera. (30) is connected via a network (60), and the monitoring camera (10) captures the monitoring area and generates captured image data, and the imaging A first attention monitoring area position storage unit (101) that stores in advance position information of the attention monitoring area in the image data and the captured image data generated by the imaging unit (102) are encoded to generate encoded captured image data. The position information of the attention monitoring area stored in the first data encoding unit (105) and the first attention monitoring area position storage unit (101) is acquired and generated by the imaging unit (102) Attention monitoring area data extraction unit (106) that extracts attention monitoring area data that is image data at the position of the attention monitoring area from the captured image data, and the attention monitoring area that is extracted by the attention monitoring area data extraction unit (106) A second data encoding unit (107) for encoding data to generate encoded attention monitoring area data; a first frame rate for transmitting the encoded captured image data to the network (60); A frame rate storage unit (108) for storing in advance a second frame rate that is higher than the first frame rate for transmitting the monitoring attention monitoring area data to the network (60); The encoded captured image data is acquired based on the first frame rate, and the stored second A first communication control unit (111) that acquires the encoded attention monitoring area data based on a frame rate and sends the encoded attention monitoring area data to the network (60), and the display control device (30) includes the attention monitoring area The encoded captured image sent from the monitoring camera (10) at the first frame rate via the second attention monitoring area position storage unit (302) for storing the position information of the first frame rate and the network (60) A second communication control unit (303) for acquiring data and the encoded attention monitoring area data transmitted from the monitoring camera (10) at the second frame rate; and the second communication control unit (303). A first data decoding unit (306) that decodes the encoded captured image data acquired in step 1 into decoded captured image data; and the code acquired by the second communication control unit (303). A second data decoding unit (308) that decodes the encoded attention monitoring area data into decoded attention monitoring area data; and the latest decoded captured image data decoded by the first data decoding unit (306). Based on the position information of the attention monitoring area stored in the monitoring area position storage unit (302), the latest decoded attention monitoring area data decoded by the second data decoding unit (308) is synthesized to generate monitoring image data. The display device (50) includes a display unit that displays the monitoring image data generated by the display control device (30).

  According to the monitoring camera, the display control device, and the monitoring system of the present invention, the entire imaging area has a high resolution, the attention monitoring area has a high resolution and a high frame while suppressing the transmission amount of the captured video data. A video that is a rate can be provided.

<< First Embodiment >>
<Configuration of Monitoring System According to First Embodiment>
The configuration of the monitoring system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a configuration of a monitoring system 1 according to the present embodiment, and a plurality of monitoring cameras 10-1, 10-2, 10-3 and these monitoring cameras are connected to a monitoring area. Connected to the hub 20, a plurality of display control devices 30-1, 30-2, 30-3 installed in a monitoring room, etc., a hub 40 connected to these display control devices, and a plurality of display control devices, respectively. A plurality of display devices 50-2, 50-2, 50-3, and a network 60 to which the hub 20 and the hub 40 are connected.

  The configuration of the monitoring cameras 10-1 to 10-3 is shown in FIG.

  The monitoring cameras 10-1 to 10-3 include a first attention monitoring area position storage unit 101, an imaging unit 102, an image data processing unit 103, an image data recording unit 104, and a first data encoding unit 105. The attention monitoring area data cutout unit 106, the second data encoding unit 107, the frame rate storage unit 108, the output switching control unit 109, the output switching unit 110, and the first communication control unit 111.

  The first attention monitoring area position storage unit 101 displays the position information and the size information of the attention monitoring area to be monitored with particular attention in the captured image data constituting the captured image of the monitoring area. -1, 30-2, or 30-3 is acquired via the first communication control unit 111 and stored.

  The imaging unit 102 is configured by an imaging device such as an optical system or a CCD, and performs imaging by converting an input image of an imaging area into digital image data.

  The image data processing unit 103 performs processing such as noise correction and color correction on the digital image data converted by the imaging unit 102.

  The image data recording unit 104 records the digital image data corrected by the image data processing unit 103 as photographed image data. The image data recording unit 104 can use a memory, for example.

  The first data encoding unit 105 reads the captured image data recorded in the image data recording unit 104 and performs an encoding process using a method such as Motion JPEG or MPEG to identify the captured image data. Encoded captured image data is generated by adding the first identification information. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that encoding processing is performed by Motion JPEG.

  The attention monitoring area data cutout unit 106 reads out the captured image data recorded by the image data recording unit 104 and acquires position information and size information of the attention monitoring area stored in the first attention monitoring area position storage unit 101. Then, attention monitoring area data that is image data of the attention monitoring area is cut out from the read captured image data.

  The second data encoding unit 107 encodes the attention monitoring area data cut out by the attention monitoring area data extraction unit 106 using a method such as Motion JPEG or MPEG, and identifies that the data is attention monitoring area data. Encoding attention area data is generated by adding the second identification information.

  The frame rate storage unit 108 sends the captured image data acquired from the corresponding display control device 30-1, 30-2, or 30-3 via the first communication control unit 111 to the network 60. And a second frame rate that is a frame rate higher than the first frame rate for sending the watched monitoring area data to the network 60 is stored.

  The output switching control unit 109 determines the order of data to be sent to the network 60 based on the first frame rate and the second frame rate stored in the frame rate storage unit 108, and the output switching unit 110 based on this order. Is switched to connect to the first data encoding unit 105 or to the second data encoding unit 107.

  The output switching unit 110 switches whether to connect to the first data encoding unit 105 or the second data encoding unit 107 in accordance with the control of the output switching control unit 109.

  The first communication control unit 111 obtains position information and size information of the attention monitoring area from the corresponding display control devices 30-1, 30-2, or 30-3 via the hub 20, the network 60, and the hub 40. Similarly, the first frame rate and the second frame rate are acquired from the corresponding display control devices 30-1, 30-2, or 30-3 and sent to the first attention monitoring area position storage unit 101. The data is sent to the storage unit 108.

  Further, the first communication control unit 111 acquires the encoded captured image data generated by the first data encoding unit 105 and the encoded attention monitoring area data generated by the second data encoding unit 107, and the hub 20, to the corresponding display control device 30-1, 30-2, or 30-3 via the network 60 and the hub 40.

  The hub 20 is connected to the plurality of monitoring cameras 10-1 to 10-3 and the network 60, and relays communication.

  The configuration of the display control devices 30-1, 30-2, and 30-3 is shown in FIG.

  The display control devices 30-1, 30-2, and 30-3 are provided corresponding to the monitoring cameras 10-1, 10-2, and 10-3, respectively. The device 30-1 corresponds, the monitoring camera 10-2 corresponds to the display control device 30-2, and the monitoring camera 10-3 and the display control device 30-3 correspond to each other.

  The display control devices 30-1, 30-2, and 30-3 include an input unit 301, a second attention monitoring area position storage unit 302, a second communication control unit 303, an input switching control unit 304, and input switching. Unit 305, first data decoding unit 306, first image data recording unit 307, second data decoding unit 308, second image data recording unit 309, image composition unit 310, and D / A conversion unit 311. And have.

  The input unit 301 inputs position information and size information of the attention monitoring area in the captured image data constituting the video of the monitoring area by user operation, and sends them to the second attention monitoring area position storage unit 302.

  The input unit 301 inputs the frame rate of the captured image data and the frame rate of the attention monitoring area data by the user's operation, and the corresponding monitoring cameras 10-1, 10-2 via the second communication control unit 303. Or 10-3.

  The second attention monitoring area position storage unit 302 stores the position information and size information of the attention monitoring area input from the input unit 301, and stores the position information and size information of the attention monitoring area in the second communication control unit 303. To the corresponding monitoring camera 10-1, 10-2, or 10-3.

  The second communication control unit 303 uses the monitoring camera 10-corresponding to the position information and the size information of the attention monitoring area stored in the second attention monitoring area position storage unit 302 via the hub 40, the network 60, and the hub 20. 1, 10-2, or 10-3.

  Also, the second communication control unit 303 encodes the captured captured image data and the code transmitted from the corresponding monitoring cameras 10-1, 10-2, or 10-3 via the hub 40, the network 60, and the hub 20. Receive attention focused monitoring area data.

  The input switching control unit 304 determines whether the data received by the second communication control unit 303 is encoded photographed image data or encoded attention monitoring area data based on the identification information added thereto, and performs identification. If the information is the first identification information, the input switching unit 305 is controlled to be connected to the first data decoding unit 306. If the identification information is the second identification information, the input switching unit 305 is controlled to the second data decoding unit 308. Control to be connected to.

  The input switching unit 305 switches whether to connect to the first data decoding unit 306 or the second data decoding unit 308 according to the control of the input switching control unit 304.

  When connected by the input switching unit 305, the first data decoding unit 306 acquires the encoded captured image data from the second communication control unit 303 and decodes it into decoded captured image data.

  The first image data recording unit 307 records the decoded captured image data decoded by the first data decoding unit 306.

  When connected by the input switching unit 305, the second data decoding unit 308 acquires the encoded attention monitoring area data from the second communication control unit 303 and decodes it into the decoded attention monitoring area data.

  The second image data recording unit 309 records the decoded attention monitoring area data decoded by the second data decoding unit 308.

  The image composition unit 310 includes the latest decoded captured image data recorded in the first image data recording unit 307, the latest decoded attention monitoring area data recorded in the second image data recording unit 309, and the second attention monitoring area position. The position information and size information of the attention monitoring area stored in the storage unit 302 is acquired, and the decoded decoded monitoring image data is overwritten with the decoded attention monitoring area data in accordance with the position information and size information of the attention monitoring area. Monitoring image data is generated.

  The D / A conversion unit 311 converts the monitoring image data generated by the image composition unit 310 into analog monitoring image data, and transmits the analog monitoring image data to the corresponding display devices 50-1, 50-2, or 50-3.

  The hub 40 is connected to the plurality of display control devices 30-1, 30-2, 30-3 and the network 60, and relays communication.

  The plurality of display devices 50-1, 50-2, and 50-3 are connected to the display control devices 30-1, 30-2, and 30-3, respectively. Here, the display control device 30-1 and the display are displayed. The device 50-1 corresponds, the display control device 30-2 corresponds to the display device 50-2, and the display control device 30-3 and the display device 50-3 correspond to each other.

  The display devices 50-1, 50-2, and 50-3 acquire and display analog monitoring image data from the corresponding display control devices 30-1, 30-2, and 30-3, respectively.

<Operation of Monitoring System According to First Embodiment>
Next, in the monitoring system 1 of the present embodiment, the operation when the image data in which the monitoring area is photographed by the monitoring camera 10 is sent to the network 60 and the image data sent to the network 60 are displayed on the display control device. An operation when the control acquired and displayed at 30 is performed will be described.

  In the present embodiment, communication between the monitoring camera 10-1 and the display control device 30-1, communication between the monitoring camera 10-2 and the display control device 30-2, and monitoring camera 10-3 and the display control device. Communication with 30-3 is performed via the hub 20, the network 60, and the hub 40, respectively.

  In the monitoring system 1 of the present embodiment, an attention monitoring area that performs monitoring with particular attention in the captured image data that is image data of the entire imaging area, which is input in advance by the user from the input unit 301 of the display control device 30. The position information and the size information are stored in the second attention monitoring area position storage unit 302 of the display control device 30, and the position information and size information of the attention monitoring area are stored in the second communication control unit 303 and the first monitoring camera. It is transmitted and stored in the first attention monitoring area position storage unit 101 via the communication control unit 111.

  As the position information and size information of the attention monitoring area, there is a method in which the user designates the entire captured image displayed on a screen such as GUI (Graphical User Interface) by a pointing device such as a mouse.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the size of the captured image data of the entire imaging area is 1280 × 1024 pixels, and the size of the attention monitoring area data input by the user is 640 × 480 pixels. That is, the data amount of the captured image data is about four times the data amount of the attention monitoring area data.

  In addition, the first frame rate for transmitting captured image data to the network 60 and the attention monitoring area data, which is image data of the attention monitoring area, input from the input unit 301 of the display control device 30 in advance by the user in advance. The second frame rate, which is a frame rate higher than the first frame rate for transmission to the frame rate, is transmitted to the frame rate storage unit 108 via the second communication control unit 303 and the first communication control unit 111 of the monitoring camera. Remembered.

  As setting examples of the first frame rate and the second frame rate, four examples of the first setting example to the fourth setting example are shown in FIG.

  In the first setting example, the first frame rate is 1 frame / second, the second frame rate is 30 frames / second, in the second setting example, the first frame rate is 5 frames / second, the second frame rate is 30 frames / second, In the third setting example, the first frame rate is 10 frames / second, the second frame rate is 30 frames / second, in the fourth setting example, the first frame rate is 15 frames / second, and the second frame rate is 30 frames / second. is there.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the value of the first setting example is input by the user and stored in the frame rate storage unit 108.

  As described above, in the state where the position information and size information of the target monitoring area, the first frame rate, and the second frame rate are stored, the monitoring camera 10-1, 10-2, or 10-3 has a monitoring area. The operation when the photographed image data is sent to the network 60 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in the imaging unit 102 of each of the monitoring cameras 10-1, 10-2, or 10-3 installed in the monitoring area, the input image of the shooting area is converted into digital image data having a size of 1280 × 1024 pixels. Photographing is performed by the conversion (S1). This conversion into digital image data is performed at 30 frames / second.

  Next, processing such as noise correction and color correction of the digital image data converted by the imaging unit 102 is performed in the image data processing unit 103 (S2).

  The digital image data subjected to the correction process in the image data processing unit 103 is recorded as photographed image data in the image data recording unit 104 (S3).

  Next, in the first data encoding unit 105, the captured image data recorded in the image data recording unit 104 is read out and encoded by the Motion JPEG method to identify the captured image data. The first identification information is added to generate encoded photographed image data (S4).

  On the other hand, the captured image data recorded in the image data recording unit 104 is also read out by the attention monitoring area data cutout unit 106, and the position information and size of the attention monitoring area stored in the first attention monitoring area position storage unit 101. Information is acquired, and attention monitoring area data, which is image data of the attention monitoring area, is extracted from the read captured image data (S5).

  Next, the attention monitoring area data cut out by the attention monitoring area data cutout unit 106 is encoded by the second data encoding unit 107 using the Motion JPEG method to identify the attention monitoring area data. Encoded attention monitoring area data is generated by adding the second identification information (S6).

  Next, in the output switching control unit 109, the encoded captured image data and the encoded attention monitoring area data are subjected to the first communication control based on the first frame rate and the second frame rate stored in the frame rate storage unit 108. The order acquired by the unit 111 is determined.

  Further, the output switching control unit 109 performs control to switch whether the output switching unit 110 is connected to the first data encoding unit 105 or the second data encoding unit 107 based on the determined order. Is called.

  In this embodiment, since the first frame rate is 1 frame / second and the second frame rate is 30 frames / second, after one frame of encoded photographed image data is acquired from the first data encoding unit 105, The output switching unit 110 is controlled so that 30 frames of encoded attention monitoring area data are acquired from the second data encoding unit 107.

  By switching the output switching unit 110 in this manner, the first communication control unit 111 acquires encoded captured image data according to the first frame rate (S7), and acquires encoded attention monitoring area data according to the second frame rate. (S8).

  The encoded captured image data and the encoded attention monitoring area data acquired in the order determined by the output switching control unit 109 are transmitted from the first communication control unit 111 to the network 60 via the hub 20.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement order of frames when encoded captured image data and encoded attention monitoring area data are transmitted to the network 60.

  Since the second frame rate of the encoded attention monitoring area data is higher than the first frame rate of the encoded captured image data, one frame “0” that is a frame of the encoded captured image data of 1280 × 1024 pixels. After that, N frames of frames “1” to “N”, which are frames of encoded attention monitoring area data of 640 × 480 pixels, are arranged.

  In the present embodiment, since the first frame rate is 1 frame / second and the second frame rate is 30 frames / second according to the first setting example, N = 30. N = 6 when transmitted at the frame rate of the second setting example, N = 3 when transmitted at the frame rate of the third setting example, and N when transmitted at the frame rate of the fourth setting example. = 2.

  Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 8, an operation when control is performed to acquire and display the encoded captured image data and the encoded attention monitoring area data transmitted to the network 60 by the display control device 30. explain.

  First, in the display control devices 30-1, 30-2, or 30-3 connected to the display devices 50-1, 50-2, and 50-3 that are installed in a monitoring room or the like, monitoring is performed. The encoded captured image data and the encoded attention monitoring area data transmitted to the network 60 from the cameras 10-1, 10-2, or 10-3 are acquired in the order of transmission (S11).

  When the encoded communication image data or the encoded attention monitoring area data is acquired by the second communication control unit 303, the input switching control unit 304 determines whether this data is the encoded imaging image data or the encoded attention monitoring area data. Is determined by the identification information added to them.

  As a result of the determination, when it is determined that the identification information is the first identification information (“YES” in S12), the input switching unit 305 is connected to the first data decoding unit 306 (S13), and the identification information is the second identification information. If it is information (“NO” in S12), the input switching control unit 304 is controlled so that the input switching unit 305 is connected to the second data decoding unit 308 (S14).

  When the data acquired by the second communication control unit 303 is encoded captured image data and the input switching unit 305 is connected to the first data decoding unit 306, the encoded captured image data is stored in the first data decoding unit 306. Is decoded into the decoded photographed image data and recorded in the first image data recording unit 307 (S15).

  When the data acquired by the second communication control unit 303 is encoded attention monitoring area data and the input switching unit 305 is connected to the second data decoding unit 308, the encoded attention monitoring area data is the second The data decoding unit 308 decodes the decoded attention monitoring area data and records it in the second image data recording unit 309 (S16).

  Next, the latest decoded captured image data recorded in the first image data recording unit 307 and the latest decoded attention monitoring area data recorded in the second image data recording unit 309 are acquired in the image composition unit 310, and attention monitoring is performed. Surveillance image data synthesized by overwriting the decoded attention monitoring area data on the decoded captured image data acquired according to the area position information and size information is generated (S17).

  In this embodiment, when the decoded composite image data and the decoded attention monitoring area data are combined by the image composition unit 310, the decoded attention monitoring area is located at a predetermined position of the decoded captured image data updated by one frame per second. The monitoring image data is generated by updating and overwriting the data by 30 frames per second.

  The monitoring image data generated by the image composition unit 310 is converted into analog monitoring image data by the D / A conversion unit 311 and transmitted to the corresponding display device 50-1, 50-2, or 50-3 and displayed. (S18).

  In this way, it is possible to reduce the amount of data to be transmitted by lowering the frame rate of the captured image data other than the monitoring area data of interest and sending it to the network.

  For example, assuming that the captured image data is 80 kbytes and the attention monitoring area data is 20 kbytes, as shown in FIG. 5, when 80 kbytes of image data is transmitted at a conventional general frame rate of 30 frames / sec. Compared with the data amount of 2400 kbytes per second, the data amount per second transmitted according to the first setting example in this embodiment is 680 kbytes ((80 kbytes × 1 frame) + (20 kbytes × 30 frames). )).

  When transmission is performed according to the second setting example, the data amount per second is 1000 kbytes ((80 kbytes × 5 frames) + (20 kbytes × 30 frames)). The amount of data per second is 1400 kbytes ((80 kbytes × 10 frames) + (20 kbytes × 30 frames)). When transmission is performed according to the fourth setting example, the amount of data per second is 1800 kbytes ((80 kbytes × 15 frames) + (20 kbytes × 30 frames)).

  In the first embodiment described above, it is noted that when monitoring a captured image, an area that needs to be displayed at a high frame rate in order to follow a quick movement is often a part of the captured image. However, the attention monitoring area that you want to watch closely, such as near the door where people enter and exit, is an area that has a high resolution and is displayed at a high frame rate, and is the background of the attention monitoring area such as the place where the plant is placed or the wall In consideration of the effective use of the network bandwidth, it is possible to reduce the amount of data to be transmitted by transmitting at a low frame rate while maintaining a high resolution, and the entire image is displayed at a high resolution, so that attention is monitored. Detailed information can also be confirmed when a suspicious situation occurs outside the area.

  Further, when it is desired to confirm in more detail the movement information of a place other than the target monitoring area, it is possible to easily switch to a high frame rate video by moving the position of the target monitoring area according to a user setting.

<< Second Embodiment >>
<Configuration of Monitoring System According to Second Embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 9, the monitoring system according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the first embodiment except that the display control device 31 includes an attention information detection unit 312. Description is omitted.

  The attention information detection unit 312 detects image data matching a preset pattern from the captured image data recorded in the first image data recording unit 307 as attention information.

  This attention information is the person's face when monitoring people entering and exiting the entrance of the facility, the license plate when monitoring the parking lot, the banknote when monitoring the vicinity of the toll gate of the store, etc. Various information is possible depending on the application.

<Operation of Monitoring System According to Second Embodiment>
The operation of the monitoring system according to the present embodiment is such that the position information and size information of the attention monitoring area set in advance in the first attention monitoring area position storage unit 101 and the second attention monitoring area position storage unit 302 are the attention information detection unit. Except for setting based on the attention information detected in 312, the detailed description is omitted because it is the same as the first embodiment.

  According to the second embodiment described above, the user can automatically detect an area displaying important information that differs depending on the place to be monitored as the attention monitoring area and set the position and size of the attention monitoring area. The attention monitoring area data centered on the attention information of the movement destination can be displayed even when the attention information moves.

It is a general view which shows the structure of the monitoring system in 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the surveillance camera by 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display control apparatus by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the picked-up image data and attention monitoring area data which are image | photographed and displayed in the monitoring system by 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows the frame rate set in the monitoring system by 1st Embodiment of this invention, and 2nd Embodiment, and the data amount transmitted. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the monitoring camera by 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flame | frame transmitted in the monitoring system by 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the display control apparatus by 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display control apparatus by 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Surveillance system 10 ... Surveillance camera 20 ... Hub 30 ... Display control apparatus 31 ... Display control apparatus 40 ... Hub 50 ... Display apparatus 60 ... Network 101 ... 1st attention monitoring area position storage part 102 ... Imaging part 103 ... Image data Processing unit 104 ... Image data recording unit 105 ... First data encoding unit 106 ... Attention monitoring area data clipping unit 107 ... Second data encoding unit 108 ... Frame rate storage unit 109 ... Output switching control unit 110 ... Output switching unit 111 ... 1st communication control part 301 ... Input part 302 ... 2nd attention monitoring area position memory | storage part 303 ... 2nd communication control part 304 ... Input switching control part 305 ... Input switching part 306 ... 1st data decoding part 307 ... 1st image Data recording unit 308 ... second data decoding unit 309 ... second image data recording unit 310 ... image composition unit 311 ... D / Conversion unit 312 ... attention information detection unit

Claims (3)

A surveillance camera that sends a video of a monitored area to a connected network,
An imaging unit that shoots the monitoring area and generates captured image data;
A first attention monitoring area position storage unit for previously storing position information of the attention monitoring area in the captured image data;
A first data encoding unit that encodes the captured image data generated by the imaging unit to generate encoded captured image data;
The position information of the attention monitoring area stored in the first attention monitoring area position storage unit is acquired, and the attention monitoring area data which is the image data of the position of the attention monitoring area is acquired from the captured image data generated by the imaging unit. Attention monitoring area data cutout unit to cut out,
A second data encoding unit that encodes the attention monitoring area data cut out by the attention monitoring area data cutout unit to generate encoded attention monitoring area data;
A first frame rate for sending the encoded photographed image data to the network and a second frame rate that is higher than the first frame rate for sending the encoded attention monitoring area data to the network And a frame rate storage unit for storing each in advance,
The first communication that acquires the encoded captured image data based on the stored first frame rate, acquires the encoded attention monitoring area data based on the stored second frame rate, and sends the encoded attention monitoring area data to the network A control unit;
A surveillance camera with a configuration. A display control device that performs control for causing a display device to display an image of a monitoring area captured by a monitoring camera connected via a network,
A second attention monitoring area position storage unit that stores in advance position information of the attention monitoring area in the captured image data constituting the video of the monitoring area;
Encoded captured image data, which is the encoded captured image data sent from the monitoring camera at a predetermined first frame rate via the network, and a rate higher than the first frame rate. A second communication control unit that acquires encoded attention monitoring area data that is the encoded attention monitoring area data transmitted from the monitoring camera at two frame rates;
A first data decoding unit that decodes the encoded captured image data acquired by the second communication control unit into decoded captured image data;
A second data decoding unit that decodes the encoded attention monitoring area data acquired by the second communication control unit into decoded attention monitoring area data;
The latest decoded captured image data decoded by the first data decoding unit is decoded by the second data decoding unit based on the position information of the attention monitoring area stored in the second attention monitoring area position storage unit. An image composition unit that synthesizes the latest decoded attention monitoring area data and generates monitoring image data;
A display control device having a configuration. A monitoring system in which a monitoring camera that images a monitoring area and a display control device that performs control for displaying video captured by the monitoring camera on a display device are connected via a network,
The surveillance camera is:
An imaging unit that shoots the monitoring area and generates captured image data;
A first attention monitoring area position storage unit for previously storing position information of the attention monitoring area in the captured image data;
A first data encoding unit that encodes the captured image data generated by the imaging unit to generate encoded captured image data;
The position information of the attention monitoring area stored in the first attention monitoring area position storage unit is acquired, and the attention monitoring area data which is the image data of the position of the attention monitoring area is acquired from the captured image data generated by the imaging unit. Attention monitoring area data cutout unit to cut out,
A second data encoding unit that encodes the attention monitoring area data cut out by the attention monitoring area data cutout unit to generate encoded attention monitoring area data;
A first frame rate for sending the encoded photographed image data to the network and a second frame rate that is higher than the first frame rate for sending the encoded attention monitoring area data to the network And a frame rate storage unit for storing each in advance,
The first communication that acquires the encoded captured image data based on the stored first frame rate, acquires the encoded attention monitoring area data based on the stored second frame rate, and sends the encoded attention monitoring area data to the network A control unit;
With
The display control device includes:
A second attention monitoring area position storage unit for storing position information of the attention monitoring area;
The encoded captured image data transmitted from the monitoring camera at the first frame rate via the network, and the encoded attention monitoring area data transmitted from the monitoring camera at the second frame rate; A second communication control unit for acquiring
A first data decoding unit that decodes the encoded captured image data acquired by the second communication control unit into decoded captured image data;
A second data decoding unit that decodes the encoded attention monitoring area data acquired by the second communication control unit into decoded attention monitoring area data;
The latest decoded captured image data decoded by the first data decoding unit is decoded by the second data decoding unit based on the position information of the attention monitoring area stored in the second attention monitoring area position storage unit. An image composition unit that synthesizes the latest decoded attention monitoring area data and generates monitoring image data;
With
The display device
The monitoring system of the structure provided with the display part which displays the monitoring image data produced | generated by the said display control apparatus.

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