JPH11122601A - Image transmission device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide a detailed captured image of a location where an abnormality occurs when an abnormality occurs. A controller 8 controls the imaging magnification of a camera 1 and the imaging direction of a camera platform 2 when a signal for notifying an abnormality is given from a sensor. Further, the controller 8 sets the compression ratio of the encoding in the image compression device 3 and the priority of the selection in the multiplexing device 4 based on the signals given from the sensors 7,. The images picked up by the cameras 1,..., 1 are respectively supplied to image compression apparatuses 3,..., 3 and are encoded (compressed). The multiplexing device 4 sequentially selects given images at predetermined time intervals and supplies the selected images to the transmission device 5. The transmission device 5 transmits the given image through the public network 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image transmitting apparatus for transmitting an image captured by a plurality of cameras in a time-division manner and transmitting the image through a smaller number of transmission paths than the cameras.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A plurality of video cameras, a compression / transmission device for encoding and transmitting images captured by the respective video cameras, a reception / decompression device for receiving and decoding the transmitted images, and a method for decoding the decoded images. There is a surveillance system that combines display devices for displaying and is mainly used for surveillance or crime prevention. The video camera is installed so that the object to be monitored falls within the field of view, and the display device is installed in a building separated from the object to be monitored, such as a monitoring center. In order to transmit an image captured by each video camera, it is necessary to provide a dedicated transmission path for each video camera. However, in general, in order to save the cost and labor for laying and maintaining the transmission path, compressed data of the image captured by each video camera is time-divided and sequentially switched at predetermined time intervals to transmit one transmission. It is intended to be transmitted by road.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the concept of the time division transmission system in the monitoring system. Hereinafter, a situation in which images captured by three video cameras, cameras A, B, and C are sequentially transmitted through one transmission path will be described. The time axis is shown from the upper left to the lower right in the figure. In the figure, A1, A2, and A3 are images captured by the camera A, and this order corresponds to the imaging order. B1, B2, and B3 are images captured by the camera B, and this order corresponds to the imaging order. Further, C1 and C2 are images captured by the camera C,
This order corresponds to the imaging order.

Further, this monitoring system is designed to transmit the images captured and encoded by each of the cameras A, B and C at predetermined time intervals in the order. That is, when the transmission of A1 is completed, B1 is transmitted next, and when the transmission is completed, C1 is transmitted next, and A2 is transmitted. The transmitted and received image is decompressed, sorted to a corresponding display device according to the order of reception, and displayed.

As described above, when data is transmitted by time-sharing one transmission path, data is transmitted by each video camera per unit time, compared with the case where data is transmitted by providing a dedicated transmission path for each video camera. Although the amount of transmitted data of the image is reduced, there is no practical problem in normal monitoring use.

[0006]

By the way, when an abnormality has occurred in a monitored object, the more information about the location where the abnormality has occurred, the more accurately the abnormality can be analyzed. The amount of information obtained from the captured image depends on its magnification, image quality (definition)
Or it is affected by the number of sheets per unit time. Therefore, as a specific method of increasing the information amount of the location where the abnormality has occurred,
Increasing the imaging magnification of a video camera whose imaging range is the location where the abnormality has occurred, or improving the image quality by adjusting the compression ratio of the image captured by the video camera;
Further, it is conceivable to increase the number of images transmitted by the video camera per predetermined time.

However, in a conventional surveillance system, a video camera is selected to adjust an imaging magnification, or a compression rate of an image captured by the video camera is adjusted, or a predetermined time of an image captured by the video camera is adjusted. The number of transmissions per hit cannot be adjusted.

[0008] Further, when increasing the imaging magnification of a video camera whose imaging range is the location where an abnormality occurs, or when increasing the number of images transmitted by the video camera per unit time, one unit of the captured image to be transmitted. Although the amount of data per minute (for one image) does not change, when the image quality is improved by adjusting the compression ratio of the captured image by the video camera, the data amount becomes larger than the captured image with the normal compression ratio. The transmission usually takes more time than one unit of the image at the compression ratio. That is, in the conventional monitoring system in which the transmission time for one unit of the image with the normal compression ratio is sequentially allocated to each video camera, the transmission of the captured image whose image quality is improved by reducing the compression ratio is performed by one allocation. There is a problem that it cannot be completed in time.

Therefore, it has been awaited to solve such a problem and to provide a monitoring system capable of transmitting and displaying a detailed captured image of a location where an abnormality has occurred in response to a change in the state of a monitoring target such as an abnormality. Had been. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and when detecting an abnormality of an imaging target, by reducing the compression ratio of an image captured by a video camera having an abnormality occurrence location as an imaging range, a detailed description is provided. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image transmission system capable of transmitting a captured image and an image transmission device having a configuration common to the image transmission system.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image transmitting apparatus encodes images captured by a plurality of cameras, respectively.
In an image transmitting apparatus for sequentially selecting encoded images, transmitting the selected images in a time-division manner, and transmitting the selected images through a smaller number of transmission paths than the camera, a mechanism that adjusts an imaging magnification in association with a plurality of sensors and each sensor. A plurality of cameras, each camera is mounted, a plurality of camera platforms for adjusting the imaging direction of the mounted camera, and the camera selected based on a signal given from the sensor is oriented in a predetermined imaging direction. And a controller for controlling the drive of the camera platform on which the camera is mounted, and for increasing the imaging magnification of the camera, and encoding each of the images captured by the camera. .

An image transmitting apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention encodes images picked up by a plurality of cameras respectively, sequentially selects the encoded images, time-divides the selected images, and transmits the time-divided images through fewer transmission paths than the cameras. In the image transmission device,
A plurality of sensors, a plurality of cameras associated with each of the sensors, an image compression unit capable of encoding an image captured by each camera and adjusting a compression ratio thereof, and an image encoded by the image compression unit. Multiplexing means capable of sequentially selecting an image from an arbitrary camera and selecting the image by dividing the image into a plurality of times, and improving image quality of an image captured by the selected camera based on a signal given from the sensor. A controller for controlling the compression ratio of the image compression means, and for controlling the multiplexing means so as to divide and select an image by the camera a plurality of times, the image sequentially selected by the multiplexing means, It is characterized in that transmission is performed by a transmission path.

An image transmitting apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention encodes images picked up by a plurality of cameras, sequentially selects the encoded images, time-divides the selected images, and transmits the time-divided images through a smaller number of transmission paths than the cameras. In the image transmission device,
Multiple sensors, multiple cameras associated with each sensor, and multiplexing that can sequentially select images captured and encoded by each camera, and select images from any camera with priority over others Multiplexing means, and a controller for controlling the multiplexing means so that an image from a camera selected based on a signal given from the sensor is preferentially selected over the others, and an image sequentially selected by the multiplexing means is provided. , And transmission by the transmission path.

An image transmitting apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention encodes images picked up by a plurality of cameras, sequentially selects the encoded images, time-divides the selected images, and transmits the time-divided images through fewer transmission paths than the cameras. In the image transmission device,
A plurality of sensors, a plurality of cameras associated with each of the sensors, an image compression unit capable of encoding an image captured by each camera and adjusting a compression ratio thereof, and an image encoded by the image compression unit. Multiplexing means for sequentially selecting images, and further dividing an image by an arbitrary camera into a plurality of times, and selecting the image with priority over others, and an image captured by a camera selected based on a signal given from the sensor. Controlling the compression ratio of the image compression means to improve the image quality of the image, and further comprising a controller for controlling the multiplexing means to divide the image by the camera into a plurality of times, and to preferentially select the other. The image sequentially selected by the multiplexing means is transmitted by the transmission path.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the concept of the time division transmission system in the image transmitting apparatus of the first invention. Below are three video cameras, Camera A, Camera B and Camera C
Will be described in which captured images are sequentially transmitted by one transmission path. The time axis is shown from the upper left to the lower right in the figure. In the figure, A1, A2, and A3 are images captured by the camera A, and this order corresponds to the imaging order. B1, B2, and B3 are images captured by the camera B, and this order corresponds to the imaging order. Furthermore, C1 and C2 are images captured by the camera C, and this order corresponds to the imaging order.

The apparatus of the present invention is designed to transmit the images captured and encoded by each of the cameras A, B and C at predetermined time intervals in the order. When the sensor associated with the camera C detects that an abnormality has occurred at a time T at which the transmission of A1 has been completed, the camera head associated with the camera C is driven and controlled so that the camera C faces a predetermined imaging direction. I do. Also, control is performed to increase the imaging magnification of the camera C.

Then, C1 transmitted after the transmission of B1 is completed becomes a captured image with an increased imaging magnification. Then, A2, B2, C2, ... are transmitted. C2 is also a captured image with an increased imaging magnification, similar to C1. Transmitted,
The received image is decompressed, sorted and displayed on a corresponding display device according to the reception order. As described above, the detailed image of the location where the abnormality has occurred is transmitted by controlling the imaging direction of the camera associated with the sensor that has detected the abnormality and increasing the imaging magnification.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the concept of the time division transmission system in the image transmitting apparatus according to the second invention. Below are three video cameras, Camera A, Camera B and Camera C
Will be described in which captured images are sequentially transmitted by one transmission path. The time axis is shown from the upper left to the lower right in the figure. In the figure, A1, A2, and A3 are images captured by the camera A, and this order corresponds to the imaging order. B1, B2, and B3 are images captured by the camera B, and this order corresponds to the imaging order. Further, C1 is an image captured by the camera C.

The apparatus of the present invention is designed to transmit the images captured and encoded by each of the cameras A, B and C at predetermined time intervals in the order. Also,
The image quality of the image captured by the video camera that has detected the abnormality is improved by reducing the compression ratio of the image compression device, and the image is divided and transmitted in a plurality of times. At the time T when the transmission of A1 is completed, when it is detected that an abnormality has occurred by the sensor associated with the camera C, the image quality is improved by reducing the compression ratio of the image compression device associated with the camera C. In addition, the image encoded by the image compression device is divided into a plurality of times by the multiplexing device and is selected.

For example, when the captured image C1 whose data amount is doubled by reducing the compression ratio is divided into two, C1a and C1b, C1a is transmitted after B1 has been transmitted, and C1a is transmitted. Then A2, B2, C1b, ...
Is transmitted. The transmitted and received image is decompressed, and C1a and C1b are combined into one and sorted and displayed on a corresponding display device according to the order of reception.
As described above, the image quality of the image captured by the camera associated with the sensor that has detected the abnormality is improved, and the image is transmitted in a plurality of times to transmit a detailed image of the location where the abnormality has occurred.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the concept of the time-division transmission system in the image transmitting apparatus according to the third invention. Below are three video cameras, Camera A, Camera B and Camera C
Will be described in which captured images are sequentially transmitted by one transmission path. The time axis is shown from the upper left to the lower right in the figure. In the figure, A1, A2, and A3 are images captured by the camera A, and this order corresponds to the imaging order. B1 and B2 are images captured by the camera B, and this order corresponds to the imaging order. Furthermore,
C1, C2, C3, and C4 are images captured by the camera C, and this order corresponds to the imaging order.

The apparatus of the present invention is designed to transmit the images captured and encoded by each of the cameras A, B and C at predetermined time intervals in the order. Also,
In the multiplexing device, an image from a video camera that has detected an abnormality is selected with priority over an image from another video camera. At time T when transmission of A1 is completed,
When an abnormality is detected by a sensor associated with the camera C, control is performed so as to preferentially select an image from the camera C.

For example, the image taken by each camera was transmitted once every three times before the occurrence of the abnormality. The image taken by camera C is transmitted twice every four times, and the image taken by another camera is transmitted. When transmission is performed once every four transmissions, C1 is transmitted after B1 transmission is completed, and subsequently, A2, C2, B2, C3, A3,... Are transmitted. The transmitted and received images are decompressed and sorted and displayed on a corresponding display device according to the receiving order. As described above, the image from the camera associated with the sensor that has detected the abnormality is preferentially transmitted, so that a detailed image of the location where the abnormality has occurred is transmitted.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the concept of the time division transmission system in the image transmitting apparatus according to the fourth invention. Below are three video cameras, Camera A, Camera B and Camera C
Will be described in which captured images are sequentially transmitted by one transmission path. The time axis is shown from the upper left to the lower right in the figure. In the figure, A1, A2, and A3 are images captured by the camera A, and this order corresponds to the imaging order. B1 and B2 are images captured by the camera B, and this order corresponds to the imaging order. Furthermore,
C1 and C2 are images captured by the camera C.

The apparatus of the present invention is designed to transmit the captured images captured and encoded by each of the cameras A, B and C at predetermined time intervals in the order. In addition, the image quality of the image captured by the video camera that has detected the abnormality is improved by the image compression device, and the image is divided into a plurality of times by the multiplexing device, and is selected and transmitted with priority over the image obtained by another video camera. I'm doing it. A
At the time T when transmission of No. 1 is completed, when the sensor associated with the camera C detects that an abnormality has occurred,
The image quality is improved by reducing the compression ratio in the image compression device associated with the camera C. Further, the image encoded by the image compression device is divided into a plurality of times by the multiplexing device, and the image is preferentially selected.

For example, a captured image C1 whose data amount has doubled by improving the image quality by reducing the compression ratio.
Is divided into C1a and C1b, C1a is transmitted after the transmission of B1 is completed, and then A2, C1
b, B2, ... are transmitted. The transmitted and received image is decompressed, and C1a and C1b are combined into one and sorted and displayed on a corresponding display device according to the order of reception. In this way, the compression rate of the image captured by the camera associated with the sensor that detected the abnormality is improved, and the image is divided into multiple times and transmitted with priority, thereby transmitting a detailed image of the location where the abnormality has occurred. I do.

[0026]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image transmission system including an image transmission device according to the present invention. In the figure, 1,..., 1 are cameras for imaging a monitoring target. Cameras 1, ..., 1 are heads 2,
…, 2 are placed respectively. The images picked up by the cameras 1,..., 1 are respectively supplied to the image compression devices 3,. The images encoded by the image compression devices 3,..., 3 are provided to the multiplexing device 4, respectively. The multiplexing device 4
The given images are sequentially selected at predetermined time intervals and provided to the transmission device 5. The transmission device 5 transmits the given image through the public network 6.

The sensors 7,..., 7 are provided to detect an abnormality of the object to be imaged.
A signal notifying this is given to the controller 8. The controller 8 controls the imaging magnification of the camera 1 and the imaging direction of the camera platform 2 based on the signals given from the sensors 7,. Further, the controller 8 sets the compression ratio of the encoding in the image compression device 3 and the priority of the selection in the multiplexing device 4 based on the signals given from the sensors 7,.

On the other hand, the transmitted image is received by the receiving device 9 and provided to the separating device 10. The separating device 10 selects one of the image decompression devices 11,..., 11 according to the image receiving order, and supplies the selected image decompression device 11 with the image. The image decompression devices 11,..., 11 decode (decompress) a given image and supply it to the monitors 12,.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the controller 8. The signals given from the sensors 7,..., 7 are given to the corresponding control units 81,.
In the control unit 81, the imaging magnification (magnification) of the camera 1 and the control contents of the camera platform 2 are set in advance, and when a signal is given from the corresponding sensor 7, the imaging magnification is set to the camera 1. And a driving signal to the camera platform 2. The signals given from the sensors 7,..., 7 are given to the order generating unit 82, respectively. Further, the order generation unit 82 is connected to a timer 83 that outputs a signal each time a predetermined time is measured, and the timer 83 and the sensor 7,
.., 7 are switched at predetermined time intervals, and a signal for preferentially selecting a camera corresponding to the sensor that notifies the abnormality is generated. The generated signal is provided to the multiplexer 4.

[0030]

According to the image transmission apparatus of the first aspect, when it is detected that an abnormality has occurred in an object to be imaged, a camera capable of imaging the location where the abnormality has occurred is directed in a predetermined imaging direction. In addition, drive control of the head,
In addition, by controlling to increase the imaging magnification of the camera, a detailed captured image of the location where the abnormality has occurred is transmitted, so that it is possible to provide information effective for analyzing the abnormality.

According to the image transmitting apparatus of the second invention, the image quality is improved by adjusting the compression ratio of the image taken by the video camera that has detected the abnormality, and the image is transmitted by dividing the image into a plurality of times. Since a clear picked-up image of a location is transmitted, it is possible to provide information effective for analyzing the abnormality.

According to the image transmitting apparatus of the third aspect, the image from the video camera that has detected the abnormality is transmitted preferentially to the image from another video camera, so that the unit time of the captured image of the location where the abnormality has occurred is captured. In order to increase the transmission density per hit, it is possible to provide effective information for analyzing the abnormality.

According to the image transmitting apparatus of the fourth invention, the image quality of the image picked up by the video camera that has detected the abnormality is improved by adjusting the compression ratio, and the image is transmitted in a plurality of times. By transmitting the image with higher priority than the image captured by the video camera described above, a clear captured image of the location where the abnormality has occurred can be transmitted, so that information effective for analyzing the abnormality can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image transmission system including an image transmission device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a controller.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the concept of a time division transmission system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the concept of a time division transmission system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the concept of a time division transmission system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the concept of a time division transmission system according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the concept of a time division transmission system in a conventional monitoring system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera 2 Head 3 Image compression device 4 Multiplexer 5 Transmission device 8 Controller 9 Receiver 10 Separation device 11 Image decompression device 12 Monitor

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Daisuke Hiraishi 1-1-1 Hama, Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo Prefecture Inside Kubota Research & Development Laboratory Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tanekazu Chiba 1-1-1-1 Hama, Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo Stock Company Kubota Technology Development Laboratory

Claims (4)

[Claims] An image transmitting apparatus that encodes images picked up by a plurality of cameras, sequentially selects the encoded images, and time-divides the selected images and transmits the time-divided images by a smaller number of transmission paths than the cameras. A plurality of cameras associated with each sensor and having a mechanism for adjusting the imaging magnification; a plurality of heads on which each camera is mounted and an imaging direction of the mounted camera is adjusted; and A controller for controlling the drive of the camera platform on which the camera is mounted, and a controller for controlling the camera so as to increase the imaging magnification thereof, so that the camera selected based on the received signal is oriented in a predetermined imaging direction. An image transmission device characterized by encoding images captured by a camera. 2. An image transmitting apparatus for encoding images picked up by a plurality of cameras, sequentially selecting the encoded images, time-dividing the selected images, and transmitting the time-divided images through a smaller number of transmission paths than the cameras. A plurality of cameras associated with each sensor; an image compressing means capable of encoding the image captured by each camera and adjusting the compression ratio; and sequentially selecting the images encoded by the image compressing means. And
Moreover, a multiplexing unit that can select an image obtained by an arbitrary camera by dividing the image into a plurality of times, and an image compression unit that improves image quality of an image captured by the selected camera based on a signal given from the sensor. A controller for controlling a compression ratio and controlling the multiplexing means so as to divide the image by the camera into a plurality of times and to select the image, wherein the image sequentially selected by the multiplexing means is transmitted through the transmission path. An image transmission device characterized by what has been done. 3. An image transmitting apparatus for encoding images picked up by a plurality of cameras, sequentially selecting the encoded images, time-dividing the selected images, and transmitting the time-divided images through fewer transmission paths than the cameras. A plurality of cameras associated with each sensor, and a multiplexing means capable of sequentially selecting images captured and encoded by each camera, and further preferentially selecting images from any camera over others. A controller for controlling the multiplexing means so that an image from a camera selected based on a signal given from the sensor is selected with higher priority than others, and the image sequentially selected by the multiplexing means is transmitted to the An image transmitting apparatus characterized in that the image is transmitted by a road. 4. An image transmitting apparatus for encoding images picked up by a plurality of cameras, sequentially selecting the encoded images, time-dividing the selected images, and transmitting the time-divided images by a smaller number of transmission paths than the cameras. A plurality of cameras associated with each sensor; an image compressing means capable of encoding the image captured by each camera and adjusting the compression ratio; and sequentially selecting the images encoded by the image compressing means. And
Moreover, a multiplexing unit that can divide an image by an arbitrary camera into a plurality of times and select the image with priority over others, and improve the image quality of an image captured by the camera selected based on a signal given from the sensor. A controller for controlling the compression ratio of the image compression means, and for controlling the multiplexing means so as to divide the image by the camera into a plurality of times and to preferentially select the others. An image transmitting apparatus characterized by transmitting sequentially selected images through the transmission path.