JP2006099564A - Monitoring device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a monitoring device for surely recognizing an abnormal state of an object to be monitored in almost real time even when a user is apart from the object. <P>SOLUTION: An onboard monitoring device 1 comprises a main CCD camera 4 photographing an image of a prescribed portion of own vehicle; a color difference signal detection unit 8 detecting a color difference signal from image data of an image photographed by the camera 4; a CPU 2 comparing the color difference signal detected by the detection unit 8 with an initial color difference signal to distinguish its variation and determining that own vehicle is in the abnormal state when the variation in the distinguished color signal continues over a prescribed time period; and a communication unit 12 capable of communicating with a user's mobile phone 11 by connecting to an external network 10. When the CPU 2 determines the abnormal state, the communication unit 12 transmits the varied image data to the mobile phone 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a monitoring apparatus capable of transmitting an image of a monitored object such as a host vehicle captured by a camera or the like to a portable terminal via an external network.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a monitoring system for monitoring mischief or theft of a vehicle by imaging a vehicle such as an automobile and its surroundings with an imaging device such as a camera. For example, in the monitoring system described in Patent Document 1, an image captured by a monitoring camera is transmitted to a center device via a communication network and stored, and the stored image is received in response to a request from a mobile phone. Is transmitted from the center device to the mobile phone. Thereby, the user can check whether there is any abnormality such as mischief in the vehicle even if the user is away from the vehicle that is the monitored object.

  However, in such a conventional monitoring system, since an image is transmitted in response to a user request, when an abnormality such as mischief occurs, the user cannot be notified of the abnormal state in real time. Therefore, there is a problem that it is impossible to quickly cope with an abnormal state due to a delay in recognition of the user.

On the other hand, it is conceivable to send all images captured by the surveillance camera to the mobile phone in real time. Therefore, unless the user constantly checks the image of the mobile phone, there is a high possibility that the user will not notice the abnormal state, and lacks practicality and effectiveness.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-199097

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and provides a monitoring device that can reliably recognize an abnormal state of a monitored object almost in real time even if the user is away from the monitored object. Is an issue.

  In order to solve such a problem, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to an imaging unit that captures an image of a predetermined part of a monitored object, and a color difference signal from image data of an image captured by the imaging unit. A color difference signal detecting means for detecting, a color difference signal detecting means for comparing the color difference signal detected by the color difference signal detecting means with an initial color difference signal for identifying the change, and the color difference signal change identifying means An abnormal state determination unit that determines that the monitored object is in an abnormal state when a change in the color difference signal continues for a predetermined time; and a communication unit that is connected to an external network and can communicate with the mobile terminal. And a monitoring device that transmits the changed image data to the portable terminal by the communication unit when the abnormal state determination unit determines an abnormal state.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the monitoring device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the monitoring apparatus further includes another imaging unit that captures an image of another part of the monitored object or a surrounding environment of the monitored object, and the change When transmitting the subsequent image data to the portable terminal, the image data of the image captured by the other imaging unit is also transmitted.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the monitoring device according to the first or second aspect, when the image data after the change is transmitted to the portable terminal, the image capturing date and time of the image data is specified. The date data is also transmitted together.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the monitoring device according to any one of the first to third aspects, when the transmission of the changed image data to the portable terminal is terminated, a message to that effect is provided. The mobile terminal is notified.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the monitoring device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the mobile terminal is a mobile phone.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the monitoring device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the monitored object is a vehicle and is mounted on the vehicle.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even if a user is away from the to-be-monitored body, the monitoring apparatus which can recognize reliably the abnormal state of the to-be-monitored body substantially in real time can be provided.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of an in-vehicle monitoring device as a monitoring device according to the present embodiment. This in-vehicle monitoring device 1 is a device that is mounted on a vehicle (monitored body) of an automobile (not shown) and monitors the vehicle for security against mischief or theft of the vehicle. The vehicle monitoring apparatus 1 includes a CPU (color difference signal change identification means, abnormal state determination means) 2 that controls the entire apparatus, a main CCD camera (imaging means) 4 that images a predetermined part of the host vehicle, Two sub CCD cameras (other imaging means) 5 for imaging other parts of the vehicle and the periphery of the host vehicle, three A / D converters 7 connected to the CCD cameras 4 and 5, and a CCD camera 4 color difference signal detection unit (color difference signal detection means) 8 for detecting a color difference signal from image data, three image data storage memories 9 corresponding to the CCD cameras 4 and 5, and an external device such as the Internet or a telephone network. And a communication unit (communication means) 12 capable of communicating with a mobile phone (mobile terminal) 11 held by the user.

  The main CCD camera 4 captures an image (image) of a predetermined part of the host vehicle. The predetermined portion is, for example, a body such as a front door or a tire, and is preferably substantially single color. The two sub CCD cameras 5 capture images of other parts different from the predetermined parts imaged by the main CCD camera 4 and the surrounding environment of the host vehicle. Images captured by these CCD cameras 4 and 5 are output as image signals that are image data, and are A / D converted by the A / D converters 7. Then, after being compressed and input to the CPU 2, it is recorded in the image data storage memory 9 corresponding to each of the CCD cameras 4 and 5.

  As described above, the image data from the CCD cameras 4 and 5 are sequentially recorded in the image data storage memories 9 corresponding to the CCD cameras 4 and 5 respectively, and the data amount of the image data is the recording capacity of the image data storage memory 9. Is exceeded, the oldest data is deleted in order, and new image data is always recorded in the image data storage memory 9.

  The color difference signal detector 8 detects RY and BY, which are color difference signals (color difference data), from the image data of the main CCD camera 4. The detected color difference signal is input to the CPU 2.

  The CPU 2 controls various operations of the in-vehicle monitoring device 1 according to a control program stored in a program memory (not shown) such as a ROM. Specifically, for example, control for recording image data in the image data storage memory 9 is performed.

  Further, the CPU 2 has an initial value of the color difference signal in advance. This initial value is detected by the main CCD camera 4 taking an image of a predetermined part of the host vehicle in the normal state, and detecting the color difference signals RY and BY from the image data obtained at this time. The obtained color difference signal is converted into a numerical value. That is, the initial value of the color difference signal represents an initial color difference signal indicating that there is no abnormality in a predetermined part. The initial value may be set in advance, or the numerical value of the color difference signal of the first image may be recorded as the initial value at the stage of the start of imaging by the CCD camera 4.

  When the CPU 2 receives the color difference signal from the color difference signal detection unit 8, the CPU 2 digitizes the received color difference signal and compares it with the initial value of the color difference signal. If the numerical value of the received color difference signal is changed compared to the initial value of the color difference signal (if the received numerical value of the color difference signal is different from the initial value), the change is identified. The change here is a case where the initial value is R, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, and the change is a clear change in which the numerical value of the received color difference signal is increased to B. Such a large change in the color difference signal indicates that the image captured by the CCD camera 4 has changed from the initial state. If this state does not recover after a certain amount of time, mischief or theft occurs. It is assumed that

  Therefore, the CPU 2 determines that the host vehicle is in an abnormal state when the change continues beyond a predetermined time (when the change does not return after the predetermined time elapses). In addition, even if a change is identified, when the state returns before exceeding a predetermined time, it is determined that there is no abnormal state.

  When it is determined that the CPU 2 is in an abnormal state, the CPU 2 performs control to output the latest (changed) image data recorded in the image data storage memory 9 to the outside. That is, the CPU 2 reads the latest image data of the CCD cameras 4 and 5 that have been compressed from the image data storage memory 9. Then, the CPU 2 transmits the image data to the user's mobile phone 11 via the communication unit 12 connected to the external network 10. Then, the image of the transmitted image data is displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone 11. At this time, information on the date and time when the image was captured (date and time data) may also be transmitted.

  As a result, the user can automatically receive images of the vehicle and its surroundings when there is an abnormality in the vehicle, and if the date and time information is also received, the user can accurately identify the date and time. It is also useful as a record for this purpose.

  Further, when image data related to a plurality of images is transmitted to the mobile phone 11, message information indicating that transmission is completed may be transmitted together with the image data of the last image. As a result, the user can easily recognize whether the image is the last image, which is excellent in convenience.

  The communication unit 12 is, for example, a communication modem built in the main body (not shown) of the in-vehicle monitoring apparatus 1 or an external communication device connected to the main body.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow from when an image is captured by the main CCD camera 4 to when the image is transmitted to the user's mobile phone 11 in the in-vehicle monitoring device 1. First, when the main CCD camera 4 captures an image of a predetermined part of the host vehicle (S1), image data of this image is sent to the color difference signal detection unit 8. When receiving the image data, the color difference signal detector 8 detects a color difference signal from the image data (S2). Then, this color difference signal is sent to the CPU 2.

  The CPU 2 converts the received color difference signal into a numerical value, and then compares the numerical value of the color difference signal with an initial value of the color difference signal that is previously stored. Then, it is determined whether or not the numerical value of the color difference signal has changed compared to the initial value (S3). If it is determined that there is no change in step S3, the monitoring is continued by repeating the same steps for the image data from the main CCD camera 4 to be sent next without performing the process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a change in step S3, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the host vehicle is in an abnormal state based on whether or not the change continues for a predetermined time (S4). That is, when the change continues beyond a predetermined time and does not return to the initial value, it is determined that the host vehicle is in an abnormal state. If it is determined in step S4 that there is no abnormal state, the monitoring is continued by repeating the same steps for the image data from the main CCD camera 4 to be sent next without performing processing.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that there is an abnormal condition, the image data of the main CCD camera 4 recorded in the image data storage memory 9 is transmitted to the user's mobile phone 11 via the communication unit 12 (S5). ). If there is a sub CCD camera 5 that captures images of other parts of the host vehicle, the surrounding environment, etc., the image data recorded in the image data storage memory 9 corresponding to these CCD cameras 5 is also stored in the cellular phone. 11 (S6, S7). Further, when the image data to be transmitted is the last, the CPU 2 also transmits message information for reporting the end of transmission to the mobile phone 11 (S8, S9). If the image data to be transmitted is not the last, the process returns to step S5 and the image data is transmitted until the last. Then, the monitoring is continued by repeating the same steps for the image data from the main CCD camera 4 to be sent next.

  In the in-vehicle monitoring apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, a color difference signal is detected from image data of an image captured by the CCD camera 4, and the detected color difference signal is compared with an initial color difference signal to identify the change. And determining that the vehicle is in an abnormal state when the identified change continues beyond a predetermined time, and transmitting the image data after the change of the CCD camera 4 to the user's mobile phone 11; Therefore, the image is automatically sent to the user only when mischief or theft is assumed. In other words, when the change of the color difference signal continues for a predetermined time, for example, it is assumed that there is an harassment act such as doodles on the vehicle body or tires, someone intrudes into the vehicle compartment, or a collision with another vehicle etc. Is done. In such a case, the image is automatically transmitted to the user's mobile phone 11. Therefore, the user can know the abnormal state even if he / she is away from the vehicle, and since the image is sent when it is determined as the abnormal state, the user can transmit the image as in the conventional monitoring system. Even without requesting or checking the image of the mobile phone 11 continuously, the recognition of the abnormal state is not delayed and can be reliably recognized almost in real time. Then, the user can quickly respond to the abnormal state.

  In addition, the in-vehicle monitoring apparatus 1 includes a sub CCD camera 5 that images other parts of the host vehicle and the surrounding environment. When the image data after the change of the CCD camera 4 is transmitted, the image of the CCD camera 5 is displayed. Since the image data is also transmitted together, the user can confirm not only the predetermined part but also other parts and the surroundings, and can more reliably grasp the state of the abnormal state.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, in the present embodiment, a sub CCD camera is provided in addition to the main CCD camera. There is only one main camera for imaging a predetermined part.

  In comparison between the initial value and the numerical value of the color difference signal, the color difference signal of the entire image data may be compared, or the color difference signal of a part of the image data may be extracted and compared.

  Furthermore, although the monitoring device has been described as an in-vehicle monitoring device in the present embodiment, the monitoring device is not limited to this as long as it is monitored by a camera, such as a security system provided in a building.

It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the monitoring apparatus for vehicles which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the change of a color difference signal typically. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow from when an image is captured by a main CCD camera to when the image is transmitted to a mobile phone in the in-vehicle monitoring apparatus of FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

1 In-vehicle monitoring device (monitoring device)
2 CPU (color difference signal change identifying means, abnormal state judging means)
4 CCD camera (imaging means)
5 CCD camera (other imaging means)
7 A / D conversion section 8 Color difference signal detection section (color difference signal detection means)
9 Image data storage memory 10 Network 11 Mobile phone (mobile terminal)
12 Communication unit (communication means)

Claims (6)

An imaging unit that captures an image of a predetermined part of the monitored object, a color difference signal detection unit that detects a color difference signal from image data of an image captured by the imaging unit, and a color difference signal detected by the color difference signal detection unit A color difference signal change identifying means for comparing the color difference signal with an initial color difference signal and identifying the change, and the monitored object when a change in the color difference signal identified by the color difference signal change identifying means continues over a predetermined time An abnormal state determining means for determining that the mobile terminal is in an abnormal state, and a communication means capable of communicating with an external network and communicating with a mobile terminal,
When the abnormal state determination unit determines an abnormal state, the image data after the change is transmitted to the portable terminal by the communication unit. The monitoring device according to claim 1,
Other imaging means for capturing an image of another part of the monitored object or the surrounding environment of the monitored object,
When transmitting the changed image data to the portable terminal, the monitoring apparatus also transmits image data of an image captured by the other imaging unit. In the monitoring device according to claim 1 or 2,
When transmitting the changed image data to the portable terminal, the monitoring device also transmits date / time data for specifying an image capturing date / time of the image data. The monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the transmission of the changed image data to the mobile terminal ends, the monitoring apparatus notifies the mobile terminal to that effect. The monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The monitoring device, wherein the mobile terminal is a mobile phone. The monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A monitoring apparatus, wherein the monitored object is a vehicle and is mounted on the vehicle.

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