CN100579210C - camera control unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A camera control device is provided that can be easily operated even when multiple cameras are used. In this device, a common operation unit (150) performs map operation and camera operation using the same operation unit. The operation management unit (140) switches between map operation and camera operation functions according to the map scale (display magnification) and the magnification of the camera being operated on. When performing map operation, it sends an operation signal to the map control unit (130), and when performing camera operation, it sends an operation signal to the camera control unit (120).

Description

camera control unit

technical field

The present invention relates to a camera control device for a monitoring device and a car navigation system, and more particularly to a camera control device for selecting a camera to be operated from a map showing the installation positions of a plurality of cameras, and changing the shooting direction and magnification.

Background technique

As a conventional camera control device, a monitoring device composed of one camera is generally operated using a console. Specifically, the shooting direction of the camera is controlled within the range of up, down, left, and right by operating the joystick set on the console to move up, down, left, and right, and by pressing the zoom in/zoom out button to change Photographic magnification, the button is also set on the console.

In recent years, as a wide-area monitoring device composed of a plurality of cameras, a monitoring device having a graphical user interface (GUI: Graphical User Interface) that facilitates camera management has appeared.

This GUI arranges a graph showing camera settings on a map and displays it in association with photographed images, and has the advantage of being able to easily control a monitoring device without requiring special knowledge.

For example, the monitoring device described in Patent Document 1 has a GUI, and a camera to be operated is selected from a plurality of cameras by mouse operation, and the camera is operated by operating a console. Next, the operation method of the conventional monitoring device described in Patent Document 1 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 1 .

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional monitoring device. The monitoring device includes: a display screen 1; a mouse 3 used for selecting a camera to be operated; and a console 5 used for operating the camera to be operated. In addition, the display screen 1 further includes: a display window 10 for displaying images captured by the camera; and a map window 20 for displaying the shooting position of the camera.

When selecting a camera to be operated from among a plurality of (here, three) cameras, select the icon of the camera to be operated from among the camera icons 22, 24, 26 indicating the installation positions of the cameras displayed in the map window 20. (for example, the camera icon 22), in any one of the image display areas 12, 14, 16, 18 (for example, the image display area 16) in the image window 10, perform an overlapping and release operation (so-called drag and drop) 30 . Thereby, the video of the camera represented by the camera icon 22 can be displayed in the video display area 16 of the drag operation destination. Through such an operation, the image of any camera can be displayed.

In addition, when operating a camera, the camera to be operated can be selected by clicking the image display area 16 in which the image of the camera to be operated is displayed. Furthermore, the imaging direction and imaging magnification of the operation target camera can be changed through the operation console 5 .

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-136515 (pages 5-6, Fig. 5)

Contents of the invention

The problem to be solved by the invention

However, as a conventional camera control device, in the monitoring device described in Patent Document 1, a map operation for selecting a camera to be operated from among a plurality of cameras is performed by operating the mouse 3 , and a change of the operation target is performed by operating the console 5 . The shooting direction of the camera and the camera operation of the shooting magnification use different operation units to perform different operations, so there is the following problem. When it is necessary to switch the map operation and camera operation every time, the mouse 3 and the console 5 need to be replaced. More troublesome.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera control device which can be easily operated even if there are a plurality of cameras.

method used to solve the problem

The camera control device of the present invention includes: a plurality of cameras; a camera control unit that controls the cameras and transmits image data from the cameras; a map control unit that controls and transmits a map indicating where the cameras are installed data; an operation management unit that automatically switches between a camera operation for instructing to change the photographing magnification of the camera and a map operation for instructing to change the display magnification of the map data according to prescribed conditions; a common operation unit for performing the map operation and the camera operation; and a display unit for displaying image data sent from the camera control unit and map data sent from the map control unit on a screen, wherein the common operation unit includes a first operation unit and a second operation unit, the first operation unit executes reduction of the photography magnification in the camera operation and the display magnification in the map operation, the second operation unit executes the reduction in the camera operation The photography magnification and the increase of the display magnification in the map operation.

The effect of the invention

According to the present invention, even when there are many cameras, it is possible to easily operate them.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional monitoring device;

2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a camera control device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a structural example of a common operation unit;

4 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a screen on a display device;

Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of the operation management unit;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of conditions required for switching between a map operation mode and a camera operation mode;

7A is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in a map operation mode; FIG. 7B is a diagram showing another example of a display screen in a map operation mode;

8A is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in a camera operation mode; FIG. 8B is a diagram showing another example of a display screen in a camera operation mode;

9A is a diagram showing an example of a display screen before switching from a camera operation mode to a map operation mode; FIG. 9B is a diagram showing an example of a display screen after switching from a camera operation mode to a map operation mode;

10A is a diagram showing an example of switching conditions according to the number of camera icons; FIG. 10B is a diagram showing another example of switching conditions according to the number of camera icons;

11 is a diagram showing an example of switching conditions according to the scale of the map and the imaging magnification of the camera to be operated;

12 is a diagram showing the configuration of a camera control device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

13A is a diagram showing an example of a display screen; FIG. 13B is a diagram showing another example of a display screen; FIG. 13C is a diagram showing another example of a display screen; FIG. 13D is a diagram showing another example of a display screen; picture;

14 is a diagram showing the configuration of a camera control device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

15A is a diagram showing a configuration example of a monitoring terminal (in the case of a map operation mode); FIG. 15B is a diagram showing a configuration example of a monitoring terminal (in a state of a camera operation mode);

16 is a diagram showing a configuration of a camera control device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention;

Fig. 17A shows a diagram of an example of a display screen on which a video screen is superimposed and displayed on a map window; Fig. 17B shows a diagram of another example of a video screen superimposedly displayed on a map window; Figures of yet other examples of displays on a map window;

18 is a diagram showing a configuration of a camera control device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention;

Fig. 19 is a flow chart showing the operation of the operation management unit;

20 is a diagram showing the configuration of a camera control device according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention;

Fig. 21A is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the map operation mode; Fig. 21B is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the camera operation mode; Fig. 21C is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the status management mode Example diagram.

Detailed ways

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following embodiment, It can implement in various forms in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

(Embodiment 1)

In this embodiment, a method for performing map operations and camera operations using the same operation means will be described. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as an example of a camera control device, an application to a monitoring device will be described as an example.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a camera control device (monitoring device) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The monitoring device 100 shown in Figure 2 includes: a plurality of (for example, N) monitoring cameras (hereinafter referred to as "cameras") 110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-N; a camera control unit 120, as a whole Control cameras 110-1 to 110-N; map control unit 130, control map data; operation management unit 140, switch map operation and camera operation; common operation unit 150, instruct map operation and camera operation with the same operation unit; and display device 160.

The cameras 110 - 1 to 110 -N can change the shooting direction and the shooting magnification according to the camera control signal from the camera control unit 120 .

The camera control unit 120 generates camera control signals for changing the imaging directions and imaging magnifications of the cameras 110 - 1 to 110 -N in accordance with the signals from the operation management unit 140 , and sends them to the corresponding cameras. In addition, the camera control unit 120 sends the video data captured by the cameras 110 - 1 to 110 -N to the display device 160 .

Map control section 130 controls the display position and display magnification of internally managed map data according to a signal from operation management section 140 , and sends map data indicating a destination point (camera installation point) to display device 160 .

The common operation unit 150 is a user interface for the operation management unit 140 to recognize content such as camera operations and map operations that the user intends to perform. That is, the common operation unit 150 transmits an operation signal according to content such as a camera operation and a map operation that the user intends to perform to the operation management unit 140 .

The display device 160 displays map data from the map control unit 130 and image data from the camera control unit 120 on the screen.

Operation management section 140 switches between map operation and camera operation according to predetermined conditions, for example, map scale (display magnification) and camera magnification of the camera to be operated. The operation management unit 140 sends operation signals respectively, that is, in the case of map operation, it sends the operation signal to the map control unit 130 ; in the case of camera operation, it sends the operation signal to the camera control unit 120 .

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the common operation unit 150 . The console 152 constituting the common operation unit 150 includes: a joystick 154 for pointing a direction; and a zoom-out button 156/zoom-in button 158 for changing the scale of the map and the magnification of the camera to be operated.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, common operation unit 150 is composed of hardware such as manipulation lever 154 and buttons 156, 158, but is not limited thereto. For example, it may be composed of software such as voice recognition.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a screen on the display device 160 . The display screen 162 of the display device 160 includes: a map window 164 for displaying map data; and a video window 166 for displaying video data of an operation target camera.

Next, the operation of operation management unit 140 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 .

Here, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of operation management unit 140 when the user operates console 152 in FIG. 3 . 6 is a diagram showing an example of conditions for switching between a map operation mode in which a camera to be operated is selected from camera icons displayed on the map, and a camera operation mode in which the camera operation mode changes the shooting direction of the camera to be operated and photographic magnification. The left part of FIG. 6 is the condition for switching the map operation mode to the camera operation mode; the right part of FIG. 6 is the condition for switching the camera operation mode to the map operation mode. The processing of FIG. 5 is started by the user operating the console 152 .

First, in step S1000, it is determined whether the current operation mode is a map operation mode or a camera operation mode. If the result of the judgment is the map operation mode (S1000: "Yes"), go to step S1100; when it is the camera operation mode (S1000: "No"), go to step S1400.

In step S1100, processing according to the map operation mode is performed.

For example, when the user operates the joystick 154 to move up, down, left, and right, the operation management unit 140 sends a signal to the map control unit 130 to move the map up, down, left, and right according to the amount of movement and the direction of movement.

Also, when the user presses down button 156 , the denominator of the fraction indicating the scale of the map is increased, and a signal to zoom out the map is sent to map control section 130 . In this embodiment, the scale of the map is handled as a fraction of 1/000. Likewise, when the user presses zoom-in button 158 , the denominator of the fraction representing the scale of the map is decreased, and a signal to zoom-in the map is sent to map control section 130 .

Also, a camera icon closest to the center of the map window 164 is searched for, and a signal is sent to the camera control unit 120 to display the video data of the camera represented by the camera icon on the video window 166 .

Then, in step S1200, it is judged whether the condition for switching from the map operation mode to the camera operation mode is satisfied. When the judgment result meets the mode switching condition (S1200: "Yes"), enter step S1300; when the mode switching condition is not satisfied (S1200: "No"), end immediately.

Here, the calculation method of the switching condition from the map operation mode to the camera operation mode is: zoom in on the map from the state where the entire surveillance area is displayed, and when the map operation mode is switched to Camera operating mode. For example, referring to the scale value of the map stored inside, it is judged whether or not the threshold "A" is exceeded (see the left part of FIG. 6 ).

In step S1300, a process of switching the map operation mode to the camera operation mode is performed. Specifically, for example, first, a camera represented by a camera icon closest to the center of the map window 164 is selected as an operation target camera. Next, a signal for setting the imaging magnification of the operation target camera to 1 is sent to the camera control unit 120 .

On the other hand, in step S1400, processing corresponding to the camera operation mode is performed.

For example, when the user operates the joystick 154 to move up, down, left, and right, a signal is sent to the camera control unit 120 to move the shooting direction of the operation target camera up, down, left, and right according to the amount of movement and the direction of movement.

Also, when the user presses the zoom-out button 156 , a signal to decrease the imaging magnification of the camera to be operated is sent to the camera control section 120 . Likewise, when the user presses zoom-in button 158 , a signal to increase the imaging magnification of the camera to be operated is sent to camera control section 120 .

Then, in step S1500, it is determined whether the condition for switching the camera operation mode to the map operation mode is satisfied. When the judgment result meets the mode switching condition (S1500: "Yes"), enter step S1600; when the mode switching condition is not satisfied (S1500: "No"), end immediately.

Here, the calculation method for switching conditions from the camera operation mode to the map operation mode is as follows: lower the photographic magnification from the zoomed-in state with a higher photographic magnification, and when there is no effect even if the photographic magnification is lowered to a certain level, turn the camera The operation mode is switched to the map operation mode. For example, it is determined whether or not it is less than the threshold value "1" by referring to the shooting magnification of the operation target camera stored inside (see the right part of FIG. 6 ).

In step S1600, switching processing is performed to switch the camera operation mode to the map operation mode. For example, a signal for controlling the map is sent to the map control unit 130 so that a camera icon representing an operation target camera is positioned at the center of the map window 164 .

Next, using FIGS. 7 to 9 , referring to the operation method of the console 152 and the display screen of the display device 160, the process of selecting the camera to be operated from the map showing the installation positions of multiple cameras, changing the shooting direction and shooting magnification, etc. will be described.

Here, FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show the display screen in the map operation mode, wherein, FIG. 7A shows the display screen 162A when showing all surveillance areas; FIG. 7B shows that the map operation mode will be switched to the camera operation mode. The screen 162b is displayed. In addition, in the figure, "164" is the map window; "C1" is the center of the map window 164; "168" is the camera icon; "166" is the image window; "C2" is the center of the image window 166.

In addition, Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B show the display screen in the camera operation mode, wherein Fig. 8A shows the display screen 162c just after switching the map operation mode to the camera operation mode; The display screen 162d when is displayed.

In addition, FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B show the display screen before and after switching the camera operation mode to the map operation mode, wherein, FIG. 9A shows the display screen 162e immediately before switching the camera operation mode to the map operation mode; The operation mode is the display screen 162f of the map operation mode. In the figure, "168b" is a camera icon indicating a camera operating in the camera operation mode.

Hereinafter, description will be given in order.

The display screen 162 a of FIG. 7A is a display screen when the monitoring device 100 is activated, and the entire monitoring area is displayed on the map window 164 . Also, in the image window 166 , the image of the camera represented by the camera icon closest to the center C1 of the map window 164 is displayed.

Here, when the user operates the joystick 154 to move up, down, left, and right, since it is a map operation mode, the map moves up, down, left, and right according to the amount and direction of movement of the joystick 154 . In addition, if the user continues to press the zoom-in button 158, the map will be steadily zoomed in on the center C1 of the map window 164 until the display screen 162b immediately before the map operation mode changes to the camera operation mode. Similarly, if the user keeps pressing the zoom-out button 156, the map will be smoothly zoomed out around the center C1 of the map window 164 until the display screen 162a showing the entire surveillance area is zoomed out.

In this way, the user can intuitively operate the map by using the joystick 154 , the zoom-out button 156 and the zoom-in button 158 .

In addition, when the map operation mode is switched to the camera operation mode, it can be entered by pressing the zoom-in button 158 again from the state of the display screen 162b. At this time, the camera represented by the camera icon 168a closest to the center C1 of the map window 164 is selected as the operation target camera, and the map operation mode is switched to the camera operation mode.

In this way, as long as the user keeps pressing the zoom-in button 158, the camera to be operated can be automatically selected and the map operation mode can be switched to the camera operation mode.

Next, the camera operation mode will be explained.

The display screen 162c in FIG. 8A is a display screen immediately after switching from the map operation mode to the camera operation mode, and is in a state where the operation target camera is zoomed out to the maximum extent at a magnification of 1.

Here, when the user manipulates the joystick 154 to move up, down, left, and right, since it is a camera operation mode, the shooting direction of the camera to be operated moves up, down, left, and right according to the movement amount and direction of the manipulation joystick 154 . In addition, if the user keeps pressing the zoom-in button 158, the video is smoothly zoomed in on the center C2 of the video window 166 until the display screen 162d when the zoom-in of the operation target camera is maximized. Similarly, if the user keeps pressing the zoom-out button 156, the image will be smoothly zoomed out around the center C2 of the image window 166 until the display screen 162c when the operating target camera is zoomed out at the maximum wide angle.

In this way, the user can intuitively operate the operation target camera by using the joystick 154 , the zoom-out button 156 , and the zoom-in button 158 .

In addition, when the camera operation mode is switched to the map operation mode, the user can enter from the state of the display screen 162e in FIG. 9A by pressing the zoom-out button 156 again. At this time, at the center C1 of the map window 164, a camera icon 168b indicating an operation target camera operated in the camera operation mode is displayed, and the camera operation mode is switched to the map operation mode.

In this way, as long as the user keeps pressing the zoom-out button 156, the camera operation mode can be automatically switched to the map operation mode.

As described above, according to this embodiment, since the map operation and the camera operation are automatically switched according to the scale of the map and the magnification of the camera, the map operation and the camera operation can be performed with a single operation unit (console 152), Among them, the map operation selects a camera to be operated from among the plurality of camera icons existing on the map; the camera operation changes the photographing direction and photographing magnification. That is, map operations and camera operations can be performed by a single operation unit, and a monitoring device having a plurality of cameras can be easily operated.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the scale of the map is used as the condition for switching from the map operation mode to the camera operation mode, but it is not limited to this, even if the number of camera icons 168 existing on the map window 164 is used, The same can be done. For example, when there is only one camera icon 168 on the map window 164, the camera icon can be regarded as an operation target camera. In this case, the user can switch the map operation mode to the camera operation mode by pressing the zoom-in button 158 .

10A and 10B are diagrams showing conditions for switching from the map operation mode to the camera operation mode according to the number of camera icons 168 present on the map window 164 . Wherein, the map window 164A of Fig. 10A is the case where there is only one camera icon 168 on the map window; the map window 164b of Fig. 10B is within a certain range 170 from the center C1 of the map window 164, and has only one camera icon 168 Condition.

For example, in the state of the map window 164A in FIG. 10A, when the user presses the zoom-in button 158, by switching the map operation mode to the camera operation mode, the map operation mode can be simply switched to the camera operation mode without zooming in on the map. operating mode.

Similarly, in the state of the map window 164b of FIG. 10B (that is, not the entire map window 164, but only the state within a certain range 170 away from the center C1 of the map window 164 as the object), when the user presses the zoom When the button 158 is pressed, the map operation mode can also be switched to the camera operation mode. When the number of camera icons 168 is dense, the switching condition is relatively strict. On the other hand, when the number of camera icons 168 is not dense, the map operation mode can be easily switched to the camera operation mode.

In addition, it is also possible to switch the map operation mode to the camera operation mode according to the scale of the map and the number of cameras. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , by setting the threshold of the map scale according to the number of camera icons 168 present on the map window 164 , the control for switching the map operation mode to the camera operation mode can be set in detail.

In addition, the map operation mode can also be switched to the camera operation mode according to the position displayed on the map and the scale of the map. For example, by setting thresholds of map scales that are conditions for switching from the map operation mode to the camera operation mode, respectively, for an urban area where cameras are densely populated and a river area where cameras are not densely populated, it is possible to optimally switch the camera installation location.

In addition, the time when the user operates in various operation modes such as the map operation mode and the camera operation mode may be stored, and the various operation modes may be switched according to the operation time. For example, when the user performs some operation in the map operation mode, when the time in the non-operation state exceeds a certain value, the camera control device predicts that the user is watching the image, and may switch the map operation mode to the camera operation mode. In this way, switching reflecting the user's intention can be performed.

In addition, the operation content in various operation modes can also be stored in advance, and when the operation content in a certain mode is implemented, the various operation modes are switched. For example, in the map operation mode, when the user does not operate the joystick 154, but presses the zoom-in button 158 three times in a row, the camera control device may also predict that the user wants to operate the camera near the center C1 of the map window 164, and turn the map The operation mode is switched to the camera operation mode, so that the switching can be performed reflecting the user's intention.

(Embodiment 2)

In this embodiment, a method of automatically switching display screens according to various operations of map operation and camera operation and performing operations using the same operation means will be described. In addition, in this embodiment, as in the case of Embodiment 1, as an example of a camera control device, application to a monitoring device will be described as an example.

12 is a diagram showing the configuration of a camera control device (monitoring device) according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In addition, the monitoring device 200 shown in FIG. 12 has the same basic structure as the monitoring device 100 shown in FIG. 2, and the same numbers are attached to the same structural elements, and description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the monitoring device 200 includes: multiple (N) cameras 110-1 to 110-N, a camera control unit 120, a map control unit 130, an operation management unit 140a, a common operation unit 150, and a display device 160 ; In addition, it also includes: a display switching unit 210 for switching between map data and image data.

The operation management unit 140a has a function equivalent to that of the operation management unit 140 of FIG.

The display switching unit 210 switches the data sent to the display device 160 according to the operation mode signal sent from the operation management unit 140a. For example, in the camera operation mode, the image data sent from the camera control unit 120 is sent to the display device 160; and in the map operation mode, the map data sent from the map control unit 130 is sent to the display device 160.

Thus, in Embodiment 1, the map window 164 and the image window 166 are displayed side by side on the display screen 162 on the display device 160 (see FIG. Since the map window and the video window are switched, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained even on a display device with a low display screen resolution.

13A to 13D are diagrams showing examples of display screens of the display device 160 according to this embodiment. Wherein, what Fig. 13A represented is the display screen 220A that shows the whole monitoring area; Fig. 13B is the display screen 220b that shows that the map operation mode is about to be switched to the camera operation mode; Fig. 13C shows that the map operation mode has just been switched to the camera operation mode. Screen 220c; FIG. 13D is a display screen 220d showing when the shooting magnification of the camera to be operated is the highest.

For example, when the monitoring device 200 is activated, first, in the map operation mode, the display screen 220a shown in FIG. 13A is displayed. In this state, if the user continues to press the zoom-out button 156, the map is enlarged into the display screen 220b of FIG. 13B. Then, if the zoom-out button 156 is still pressed, the display screen 220c in FIG. 13C is changed from the map operation mode to the camera operation mode. Then, if the zoom-out button 156 is still pressed, the image is enlarged to the state of the display screen 220d in FIG. 13D.

Thus, according to this embodiment, since the map window and the video window can be automatically switched in conjunction with switching between the map operation and the camera operation, the monitoring device can be easily operated even on a display device with a low-resolution display screen.

(Embodiment 3)

In this embodiment, a method of implementing a camera control device on a portable terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) with a low display screen resolution and an operating unit with limited functions will be described. In addition, in this embodiment, as in the case of Embodiments 1 and 2, as an example of a camera control device, application to a monitoring device will be described as an example.

14 is a diagram showing the configuration of a camera control device (monitoring device) according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In addition, the monitoring apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 14 has the same basic structure as the monitoring apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 12, and the same number is attached|subjected to the same structural element, and description is abbreviate|omitted.

In the present embodiment, the monitoring device 300 is basically constituted by a monitoring server 310 and a monitoring terminal 320 .

The monitoring server 310 includes: a plurality of (N) cameras 110-1 to 110-N, a camera control unit 120, a map control unit 130, an operation management unit 140A, and a display switching unit 210; in addition, it also includes: an operation signal receiving unit 312 and an image signal sending unit 314.

In addition, the monitoring terminal 320 includes: the display device 160 and the common operation unit 150 ; and further includes: an operation signal sending unit 322 and an image signal receiving unit 324 .

The operation signal receiving unit 312 receives the operation signal transmitted from the operation signal transmitting unit 322 of the monitoring terminal 320, and transmits it to the operation management unit 140A.

Operation signal transmission unit 322 transmits the operation signal transmitted from common operation unit 150 to operation signal reception unit 312 of monitoring server 310 .

Image signal sending section 314 sends the image signal (video data) sent from display switching section 210 to image signal receiving section 324 of monitoring terminal 320 .

Image signal receiving unit 324 receives the image signal transmitted from image signal transmitting unit 314 of monitoring server 310 and transmits the image signal to display device 160 .

15A and 15B are diagrams showing a configuration example of monitoring terminal 320 according to this embodiment. Here, FIG. 15A is the situation in the state of map operation mode; FIG. 15B is the situation in the state of camera operation mode.

The monitoring terminal 320a shown in FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B includes: a display screen 326; a direction button 328, which specifies the up, down, left, and right directions for selecting the menu of the mobile phone; and various buttons 330, 332, 334 for calling the menu of the mobile phone. . For example, the button 330 is set as a zoom-out button, and the button 332 is set as a zoom-in button, respectively. In addition, the buttons 334 are number buttons.

For example, after calling a program composed of Java (registered trademark) and realizing the functions of the monitoring terminal 320a, the map operation mode is entered, a map window 336 is displayed on the display screen 326 (refer to FIG. 15A ), and the map is operated using the direction buttons 328. The actions of up, down, left, and right respectively set the button 330 as a zoom-out button and the button 332 as a zoom-in button, and change the scale of the map.

Similarly, after the map operation mode is automatically switched to the camera operation mode by pressing the enlargement button 332, an image window 338 is displayed on the display screen 326 (see FIG. The photographic magnification is changed with the buttons 330,332.

Also, when there are various button patterns, predetermined functions can be assigned to arbitrary buttons. For example, "8" of the number button 334 can be set as up, "2" as down, "4" as left, "6" as right, "#" as a zoom-out button, and "*" as a zoom-in button. button. By performing such allocation settings, the user can also operate the monitoring device with one hand.

In this way, according to this embodiment, as long as the zoom-out button and the zoom-in button are pressed, the camera operation and the map operation can be automatically switched, and the display screen can also be automatically switched, so even if the resolution of the display screen is low and the operation unit Even limited portable terminals such as mobile phones and PDAs can easily operate the monitoring device with one hand.

(Embodiment 4)

In this embodiment, a method of superimposing and displaying reduced image data on a map window and operating it using the same operation means will be described. In addition, in this embodiment, as in the cases of Embodiments 1 to 3, as an example of a camera control device, application to a monitoring device will be described as an example.

16 is a diagram showing the configuration of a camera control device (monitoring device) according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In addition, the monitoring device 400 shown in FIG. 16 has the same basic structure as the monitoring device 200 shown in FIG. 12, and the same component is given the same number, and description is abbreviate|omitted.

In this embodiment, the monitoring device 400 includes: multiple (N) cameras 110-1 to 110-N, a camera control unit 120, a map control unit 130, an operation management unit 140b, a joint operation unit 150, and a display device 160 ; In addition, it also includes: a display control unit 410, controlling map data and image data.

The operation management unit 140b has the same function as the operation management unit 140A of FIG. 12 . Furthermore, in the map operation mode, there is a function of reducing image data according to the scale of the map and the number of camera icons existing in the map window, generating a signal for superimposed display on the map window, and sending it to the display control unit 410.

The display control unit 410 has the same function as the display switching unit 210 of FIG. 12 . In addition, in the map operation mode, there is a function of reducing the image data transmitted from the camera control unit 120 according to the signal transmitted from the operation management unit 140b, and superimposing on the map data transmitted from the map control unit 130. , and sent to the display device 160.

Figures 17A to 17C are examples of overlaying and displaying images on the map window in the map operation mode, wherein Figure 17A shows the display screen 420a in the map operation mode; Figure 17B shows starting from the state shown in Figure 17A, zooming The display screen 420b of the map; FIG. 17C shows the display screen 420c after zooming in on the map from the state shown in FIG. 17B to just after switching to the camera operation mode. In addition, in the figure, "422" is a camera icon, and "424" is the video screen of the camera represented by the camera icon 422.

For example, on the display screen 420 a of FIG. 17A , the video screen 424 is reduced and displayed superimposed near the camera icon 422 . In this state, when the user presses the zoom-in button, the map and the video screen are smoothly zoomed in to a display screen 420b in FIG. 17B. Then, if the zoom-in button is pressed continuously, the map operation mode is switched to the camera operation mode, and the display screen also becomes the display screen 420c of FIG. 17C displaying video data on the entire screen.

In this way, if the user continues to press the zoom-in button, the image displayed on the map will be zoomed in steadily, and will be displayed on the entire display screen after the map operation mode is switched to the camera operation mode. Thereby, even in the map operation mode, the image of the camera can be checked, and an effect of making it easier for the user to recognize switching from the map operation mode to the camera operation mode can be obtained.

(Embodiment 5)

In this embodiment, a camera control device that automatically switches between map operation and camera operation based on an alarm signal from a fire sensor will be described. In addition, in this embodiment, as in the cases of Embodiments 1 to 4, as an example of a camera control device, application to a monitoring device will be described as an example.

18 is a diagram showing the configuration of a camera control device (monitoring device) according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In addition, the monitoring apparatus 500 shown in FIG. 18 has the same basic structure as the monitoring apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 12, and the same number is attached|subjected to the same structural element, and description is abbreviate|omitted.

In this embodiment, the monitoring device 500 includes: multiple (N) cameras 110-1 to 110-N, a camera control unit 120, a map control unit 130, an operation management unit 140c, a common operation unit 150, a display device 160, And the display switching unit 210; in addition, it also includes: multiple (M) fire sensors 510-1~510-M; and an alarm detection unit 520, which detects the alarm signals sent from the fire sensors 510-1~510-M.

The alarm detection unit 520 collects the alarm signals sent by the fire sensors 510-1 to 510-M, reads the alarm information such as the location of the fire contained in each alarm signal, and sends the alarm information to the operation management unit 140c.

Operation management unit 140c has the same function as operation management unit 140a of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of operations of the operation management unit 140c.

First, in step S2000, it is determined whether an alarm signal for detecting a fire is generated. As a result of this judgment, when an alarm signal occurs (S2000: "Yes"), proceed to step S2100; when an alarm signal does not occur (S2000: "No"), the system waits.

In step S2100, it is judged whether an operation signal has been sent from the common operation unit 150 within a certain time. As a result of this judgment, if the operation signal has not been sent within a certain period of time (S21 (00: “Yes”)), go to step S2200; if the operation signal has been sent within a certain period of time (S2100: “No”), go to step S2500.

In step S2200 , in order to automatically present the location of the fire occurrence and its image to the user, a signal is sent to the map control unit 130 to display the location of the alarm signal in the center of the screen of the display device 160 . Accordingly, the place where the alarm signal occurred is displayed in the center of the screen of the display device 160 .

Then, in step S2300 , a signal designating the camera closest to the place where the alarm signal occurred as the operation target camera is sent to the camera control section 120 .

Then, in step S2400 , after the operation mode is changed to the camera operation mode, the image of the operation target camera is displayed on the screen of the display device 160 .

On the other hand, in step S2500, when an operation signal is sent from the common operation unit 150 within a certain period of time, the camera control device determines that the user wants to quickly confirm images near the alarm occurrence location. For example, it is determined whether the zoom-in button 158 has been pressed three times in succession. According to the result of this judgment, when the zoom-in button 158 is pressed three times in a row (S2500: "Yes"), immediately enter step S2300; when not (S2500: "No"), in order to reflect the content of the operation signal, enter step S2600.

In step S2600, it is determined whether the current operation mode is a camera operation mode. According to the result of this judgment, when the current operation mode is the camera operation mode (S2600: "Yes"), enter step S2700; if the current operation mode is not the camera operation mode, that is, when it is the map operation mode (S2600: "No") )", enter step S2800.

In step S2700, processing corresponding to the camera operation mode is performed (refer to step S1400 in FIG. 5).

On the other hand, in step S2800, processing corresponding to the map operation mode is performed (refer to step S1100 in FIG. 5).

In this way, according to the present embodiment, when an alarm signal is generated, the camera control device can read the alarm information on the location of the disaster, etc. included in the alarm signal, and automatically switch between the camera operation and the map operation. , to quickly control the cameras installed near the disaster.

In addition, in this embodiment, although the fire alarm sensor was used as various sensors, it is not limited to this. For example, when a human body sensor is used, in building monitoring at night, when a suspicious person invades, the intrusion location can be automatically displayed, and the camera near the intrusion location can be controlled without specifying the camera to be operated.

In addition, the camera control device can also be set to switch between the map operation and the camera operation according to the content of the alarm signal sent by the sensor. For example, it can also be set such that when the temperature information sent by the fire alarm is above the threshold, it is judged that the fire is large-scale and the situation is urgent, and an image near the place where the alarm signal occurred is immediately displayed.

(Embodiment 6)

In this embodiment, as an example of a camera control device, an application example in the field of a car navigation system and the like will be described. In particular, a camera control device that manages the status of products displayed within the range captured by the camera is realized by the same operation unit in addition to map operations and camera operations.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the configuration of a camera control device according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. In addition, the camera control device 600 shown in FIG. 20 has the same basic structure as the camera control device (monitoring device) 200 shown in FIG. 12, and the same numbers are assigned to the same structural elements, and description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the camera control device 600 includes: a plurality of (N) cameras 110-1 to 110-N, a camera control unit 120, a map control unit 130, an operation management unit 140d, a common operation unit 150, and a display device 160 , and a display switching unit 210A, for switching map data and image data; in addition, it also includes: a state management unit 610, for managing the state of the camera in the photographing area.

The state management unit 610 has a function of managing the state of the camera shooting area. Specifically, for example, in this embodiment, the purchase status including the product code, purchase amount, purchase quantity, etc. of the product photographed by the operation target camera is managed, and the purchase status is also sent to the display switching unit 210a and the operation management unit 140d.

The display switching unit 210a has the same function as the display switching unit 210 of FIG. device 160.

The operation management unit 140d has the same function as that of the operation management unit 140a in FIG. 12, and also has the following functions: according to predetermined conditions, specifically, for example, according to the shooting direction and shooting magnification of the camera, or included in the purchase state. The value of the purchase amount automatically switches between map operation, camera operation, and state management.

Next, the operation of the operation management unit 140d will be described with reference to FIG. 21 .

Fig. 21 is a diagram showing the process of purchasing products at a designated store by remote control during travel by car. Among them, Fig. 21A shows the display screen 620a in the map operation mode for specifying a store; Fig. 21B shows the display in the camera operation mode for confirming the products in the designated store in the map operation mode, and specifying the product you want to buy Screen 620b; FIG. 21C shows a display screen 620c in the status management mode for specifying how much to purchase for a desired item specified in the camera operation mode. In addition, in the drawing, "630" is an icon indicating a shop where purchases can be made by remote control, and "632" is an icon indicating a desired product.

When the user wants to purchase food or the like by remote control while driving, the user can turn the control lever 154 of the common operation unit 150 while looking at the display screen 620A (refer to FIG. 21A ) in the map operation mode to change the display position of the map. , so that the icon 630 of the shop that can be purchased by remote control is moved to the vicinity of the center of the map window.

Then, same as Embodiment 1, if the user continues to press the zoom button 158 to zoom in on the map, when the scale value of the map exceeds the threshold, the map operation mode is automatically switched to the camera operation mode, and the display screen 620b in FIG. 21B is displayed.

Then, in order to select an item to be purchased, the user turns the joystick 154 of the common operation unit 150 to change the shooting direction of the camera, and moves the item to be purchased near the center of the image window.

Then, same as Embodiment 1, if the user continues to press the zoom-in button 158 to zoom in on the shooting magnification of the camera, when the shooting magnification exceeds the threshold, the camera operation mode is automatically switched to the state management mode, and the display screen 620c in FIG. 21C is displayed.

Then, in order to determine the quantity of the commodity desired to be purchased by the user and finally whether to purchase it, if the user continues to press the zoom-in button 158 of the common operation unit 150, the purchase amount is increased. Purchase merchandise.

In addition, the user can change the item desired to be purchased by turning the manipulation lever 154 . Also, when no operation is performed for a certain period of time, a confirmation screen is displayed to allow the user to confirm whether to finally purchase the product.

When the product has actually been purchased, or when the user keeps pressing the zoom-out button 156 so that the purchase amount decreases and falls below 0, switching from the status management mode to the camera operation mode occurs. In addition, similar to Embodiment 1, when the user keeps pressing the zoom-out button 156 and the camera magnification becomes less than 1 (maximum zoom-out state), switching from the camera operation mode to the map operation mode occurs.

In this way, according to the present embodiment, since the camera operation and the state management within the imaging range of the camera are automatically switched by the magnification of the camera or the purchase price included in the state management, etc., it is possible to realize camera operation and State management and intuitive operation with a reduced number of buttons.

In addition, in this embodiment, although the case of purchasing a commodity was demonstrated as an example as status management, it is not limited to this. For example, it can also be set like this: when there is a TV (television) in the range captured by the camera, when the user continues to press the zoom button, and when the photographic magnification exceeds the threshold, the camera operation mode will automatically switch to the device In addition, when the user continues to press the zoom-out button and the volume reaches below 0, the TV audio-visual mode will automatically switch to the camera operation mode. At this time, the operating joystick in the status management mode of the device can also share the channel operation, the operation of the HDD video recorder connected to the TV, and the like.

In addition, similarly, not only household appliances such as TVs but also robots connected to the network can be operated. For example, when there is a robot in the range captured by the camera, when the user continues to press the magnification button, and when the photography magnification exceeds the threshold, the camera operation mode is transferred to the state management mode of the robot, so that all users in the map operation mode The image data of the selected camera is automatically switched to the image of the camera mounted on the robot.

In addition, when the user continues to press the zoom-out button and the magnification of the camera mounted on the robot becomes less than 1 (the state of maximum zoom-out), the state management mode of the robot can be automatically switched to the camera operation mode. At this time, the operation joystick in the state management mode of the robot can also share the function of controlling the moving direction and posture of the robot.

This specification is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-205157 filed on July 12, 2004; and Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-189008 filed on June 28, 2005. Its content is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Industrial Applicability

The monitoring device according to the present invention has the effect that even if there are many cameras, it can be easily operated, and it can be used for wide-area monitoring such as city surveillance (townsurveillance) where multiple cameras are installed on the street; and it can control long-term It is useful in the case of a plurality of cameras in a monitoring device that has been used since then and is composed only of a console.

In addition, it may be applied to the field of selecting places of interest and famous stores equipped with cameras from a map to confirm in-store or purchase products, or to a car navigation system.

Claims (12)

1. A camera control device, comprising: multiple cameras; a camera control unit that controls the camera and transmits image data from the camera; a map control unit that controls and transmits map data indicating where the camera is installed; an operation management unit that automatically switches between a camera operation for instructing to change the photographing magnification of the camera and a map operation for instructing to change the display magnification of the map data according to prescribed conditions; a common operation unit for performing the map operation and the camera operation; and a display unit for displaying the image data sent from the camera control unit and the map data sent from the map control unit on a screen, wherein, The common operation unit includes a first operation unit that performs reduction of the photographing magnification in the camera operation and the display magnification in the map operation, and a second operation unit that An operation unit executes an increase of the photography magnification in the camera operation and the display magnification in the map operation. 2. The camera control device according to claim 1, wherein: The operation management unit switches between the camera operation and the map operation according to a photographing magnification of an operation subject camera and a display magnification of map data which are objects of the camera operation. 3. The camera control device according to claim 1, wherein: The operation management unit switches between the map operation and the camera operation according to the number of graphics representing the installation positions of the cameras present in an area displaying map data on the screen of the display unit. 4. The camera control device according to claim 1, wherein: The operation management unit switches between the map operation and the camera operation according to the display position of the map data and the scale of the map. 5. The camera control device according to claim 1, wherein: The operation management unit stores a time when an operation is performed by the common operation unit, and switches the camera operation and the map operation according to the operation time. 6. The camera control device according to claim 1, wherein: The operation management unit stores an operation program of the common operation unit, and switches the camera operation and the map operation according to the operation program. 7. The camera control device according to claim 1, wherein: The operation management unit includes: means for sending an operation mode signal for distinguishing between said map operation and said camera operation; The camera control unit also includes: a display switching unit for switching between the video data sent from the camera control unit and the map data sent from the map control unit according to the operation mode signal, so that any one of the video data and the map data Data is displayed on the display unit. 8. The camera control device according to claim 7, further comprising: an operation signal sending unit for sending an operation signal from the common operation unit; An operation signal receiving unit receives the operation signal and sends it to the operation management unit; an image signal sending unit that sends the image data from the display switching unit as an image signal; and an image signal receiving unit, receiving the image signal and sending it to the display device; The common operation unit, the display unit, the operation signal sending unit and the image signal receiving unit are all arranged in the same terminal device. 9. The camera control device of claim 1, further comprising: A display control unit reduces the image data sent from the camera control unit and superimposes it on the map data sent from the map control unit. 10. The camera control device of claim 1, further comprising: An alarm detection unit that detects alarm signals sent from various sensors, Wherein, the operation management unit switches between the camera operation and the map operation according to the alarm signal detected by the alarm detection unit. 11. The camera control device of claim 1, further comprising: a state management unit, which manages the state related to the purchase of goods within the shooting range of the camera, Wherein, the operation management unit switches between the camera operation, the map operation, and the state management operation according to a state signal from the state management unit, and the state management operation indicates that the purchase of the product within the shooting range of the camera is related. state. 12. The camera control device of claim 1, further comprising: a state management unit, which manages the states of the devices within the shooting range of the camera; Wherein, the operation management unit switches the camera operation, the map operation, and the state management operation according to a state signal sent from the state management unit, the state management operation indicating the state of the equipment within the shooting range of the camera state.

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