JP2003274359A - Apparatus and method for imaging, and device and system for imaging management - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain one of data to be sent out and data to be recorded upon occasion as video data of higher quality than the other without letting a user be aware of that. <P>SOLUTION: In response to detection of rate change conditions, the recording data to a recording medium and transmission data to be sent out are made different in the compression rate of compression processing and/or the frame rate of frame processing. The rate change conditions include all or some of rate change operation by the user, emergency operation, reception of a signal of a rate change indication, a sound volume state above a predetermined value, input of a specified target voice, a predetermined moving state of an image, a specified target image, a shock, being in a specified area, the remaining capacity of the recording medium, and a communication state to realize transmission and recording in a proper quality state and handle even cases wherein it is hard for the user to operate. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus, an image pickup method, an image pickup management apparatus, and an image pickup management system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, an image pickup device is widely used as a portable video camera and is used for business use or general household use.

[0003]

In the conventional video camera, when a user takes an image, the user, various operations of the video camera, the battery capacity, the recordable capacity of the recording medium (recordable remaining time), etc. , We must be aware of a great variety of things. This means that the user has to concentrate on the imaging work, and does not mean, for example, that he / she can perform the imaging without concentrating on the imaging work while doing other things.

Video cameras have a wide variety of uses. For example, they are used for shooting athletic events and other events in general homes and for recording the growth of children. In reality, the user takes an image of the process while performing a certain work. There are many situations where it is not possible to concentrate on imaging, such as when it is desired to keep it. Further, although the video camera is effective as a surveillance / security application, a surveillance camera fixed at a specific position is usually used. Moreover, if it is a portable video camera, it can be carried by a security officer or a police officer, but it is not easy to use. That is, security guards, police officers, and the like must originally pay attention to the surroundings for monitoring and security, and cannot concentrate on the video camera to perform image capturing operation. For this reason, guards and police officers usually do not always carry video cameras and carry out patrols. However, it is considered effective for security to take video images at the same time during patrol. For these reasons, there is a demand for an imaging device that can take an image without particularly focusing on the operation.

Further, in a video camera, normally, the imaged image data is recorded in a recording medium such as a disk or a memory card, but the imaged image data is transmitted and output to an external device. Can also be considered. For example, for security applications, it is convenient if the image during patrol can be transmitted and monitored at other places such as the headquarters. Therefore, not only is it possible to record the imaged data on a recording medium, but also it is possible to transmit and output the imaged data, and in that case, the operation of the user is simplified, the burden of executing the image pickup is reduced, and more appropriate image data is recorded. Or, it is required to be transmitted.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable a user to transmit or record a high quality image when necessary without concentrating on the operation.

Therefore, the image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes an image pickup means for picking up an image and outputting the picked-up video signal, a compression process for the picked-up image signal and / or a frame process for the picked-up image signal to record data and A signal processing means for outputting transmission data; a recording means for recording the recording data on a recording medium; a communication means for transmitting and outputting the transmission data to the outside; a detecting means for detecting a rate change condition; Depending on the detection by the detection means, the compression rate of the compression process and / or the frame rate of the frame process for obtaining the recording data, and the compression rate and / or the frame rate of the compression process for obtaining the transmission data. Rate control means for controlling the frame rate to be different from the frame rate.

The rate change condition is detected as follows. That is, the operating means is further provided, and the detecting means detects the rate changing operation by the operating means as the rate changing condition. Further, the detection means detects the signal of the rate change instruction received by the communication means as the rate change condition. Further, an emergency operation means is further provided, and the detection means detects an operation of the emergency operation means as the rate change condition. At this time, the communication means
An emergency signal is transmitted according to the operation of the emergency operation means.
Also, the current position information is transmitted. Further, it further comprises a microphone means for inputting ambient sound, and a voice inspecting means for inspecting the volume level of the voice signal input from the microphone means. The detection is detected as the rate change condition. Further, it further comprises a microphone means for inputting ambient sound, and a voice inspecting means for inspecting whether or not a specific target voice is input as an audio signal input from the microphone means, wherein the detecting means is the voice inspection. The detection of the input of the specific target voice by the means is detected as the rate changing condition. Further, it further comprises image analysis means for performing an image analysis process on the imaged video signal output from the image pickup means, and the detection means uses a condition that the predetermined motion state is detected by the image analysis means as the rate change condition. To detect. Further, the detection means detects that a specific target image is detected by the image analysis means as the rate change condition. Also,
An impact sensor means for detecting an impact is further provided, and the detection means detects that an impact is detected by the impact sensor means as the rate changing condition. At this time, the communication means transmits an emergency signal according to the operation of the emergency operation means. Also, the current position information is transmitted. Further, it further comprises a current position detection means and a determination means for determining whether or not the current position detected by the current position detection means is within a predetermined area, and the detection means is within the predetermined area by the determination means. The determination is detected as the rate change condition. Further, the detection means detects, as the rate change condition, that the recordable capacity of the recording medium in the recording means becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. Further, the detection means detects that the deterioration of the communication status by the communication means is detected as the rate change condition.

The rate control means, in response to the detection by the detection means, the compression rate of the compression processing for obtaining the communication data is lower than the compression rate of the compression processing for obtaining the recording data, and / or Alternatively, the frame rate of the frame process for obtaining the communication data is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame extracting process for obtaining the recording data. Alternatively, the rate control means, in response to the detection by the detection means, the compression rate of the compression processing for obtaining the recording data is lower than the compression rate of the compression processing for obtaining the communication data, and / or recording. The frame rate of the frame processing for obtaining the communication data is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame processing for obtaining the communication data.

According to the image pickup method of the present invention, the recording data and the transmission data are output by performing the compression processing on the imaged video signal obtained by performing the image pickup and / or the frame processing of the imaged video signal, and outputting the recording data. Is recorded on a recording medium, the transmission data is transmitted and output to the outside, the rate change condition is detected, and the compression rate of the compression process for obtaining the recording data according to the detection of the rate change condition. And / or the frame rate of the frame processing and the compression rate of the compression processing for obtaining the transmission data and / or
Alternatively, the frame processing is controlled so that the frame processing rate is different from the frame rate.

Further, the rate changing condition of the image pickup method is such that a rate changing operation by a user, an emergency operation, a signal of a rate changing instruction is received, a sound volume state above a predetermined value, a specific target voice is input, and a predetermined image is displayed. For example, the state of motion, a specific target image, an impact, the inside of a predetermined area, the capacity of a recording medium, and the deterioration of communication conditions. In case of emergency operation or shock detection, an emergency signal and current position information are also transmitted. Then, in response to the detection of the rate change condition, the compression rate of the compression process for obtaining the communication data is lower than the compression rate of the compression process for obtaining the recording data, and / or for obtaining the communication data. The frame rate of the frame processing is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame processing for obtaining the recording data. Alternatively, in response to the detection of the rate change condition, the compression rate of the compression process for obtaining the recording data is lower than the compression rate of the compression process for obtaining the communication data, and / or the recording data is The frame rate of the frame processing for obtaining the data is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame processing for obtaining the communication data.

The image pickup management apparatus of the present invention comprises a communication means capable of communicating with one or a plurality of image pickup apparatuses, an operation means,
In accordance with the operation of the operation means, the compression rate of the compression processing and / or the frame rate of the frame processing for obtaining the recording data is communicated to all or a part of the imaging devices that can communicate with the communication means. Transmission control means for transmitting a signal of a rate change instruction for the compression rate of the compression processing and / or the frame rate of the frame processing for obtaining the use data from the communication means. Further, it is provided with monitor means for outputting the video data transmitted from the image pickup device and received by the communication means.

The image-capturing management apparatus of the present invention is for recording with respect to communication means capable of communicating with one or a plurality of image-capturing apparatuses and all or a part of the image-capturing apparatuses capable of communicating with the communication means. Information for setting rate change conditions regarding a compression rate of a compression process and / or a frame rate of a frame process for obtaining data and a compression rate of a compression process and / or a frame rate of a frame process for obtaining communication data is provided. And transmission control means for transmitting from the communication means. Further, it is provided with monitor means for outputting the video data transmitted from the image pickup device and received by the communication means.

Further, the image pickup management apparatus of the present invention is responsive to communication means capable of communicating with one or a plurality of image pickup apparatuses and an emergency signal transmitted from a certain image pickup apparatus and received by the communication means. , A compression rate of a compression process for obtaining recording data and / or a frame rate of a frame process, and a compression for obtaining communication data with respect to the imaging device that has transmitted the emergency signal or another imaging device. A transmission control unit that causes the communication unit to transmit a signal of a rate change instruction regarding the compression rate of the processing and / or the frame rate of the frame processing. Further, it is provided with monitor means for outputting the video data transmitted from the image pickup device and received by the communication means. In this case, it is assumed that the emergency signal is a signal transmitted in response to an emergency operation or impact detection in the imaging device. Further, the transmission control means,
An image pickup device is selected based on the current position information transmitted together with the emergency signal from the image pickup device that has transmitted the emergency signal, and the rate change instruction signal is transmitted from the communication unit to the selected image pickup device. . Further, the transmission control unit causes the communication unit to transmit the information transmitted from the image pickup apparatus that has transmitted the emergency signal to another image pickup apparatus.

The image pickup management system of the present invention comprises one or a plurality of image pickup devices and an image pickup management device capable of communicating with each of the image pickup devices. The above-mentioned image pickup device is an image pickup means for picking up an image and outputting a picked-up video signal, and a signal for outputting recording data and transmission data by performing compression processing on the picked-up video signal and / or frame processing of the picked-up video signal. A processing means, a recording means for recording the recording data on a recording medium, and a communication means capable of transmitting the transmission data to the imaging management apparatus and capable of various data communication with the imaging management apparatus. And a detection unit that detects a rate change instruction signal received by the communication unit as a rate change condition, and a compression rate and / or a compression rate of a compression process for obtaining the recording data according to the detection by the detection unit. Or the frame rate of frame processing,
Rate control means for controlling the compression rate of the compression processing and / or the frame rate of the frame processing for obtaining the transmission data to be a different rate. The image capturing management apparatus is provided with a communication unit capable of communicating with the image capturing apparatus, an operating unit, and all or some of the image capturing apparatuses communicable with the communication unit according to an operation of the operating unit. And a transmission control unit that causes the communication unit to transmit the rate change instruction signal. Further, the image capturing management device includes monitor means for outputting the video data transmitted from the image capturing device and received by the communication means.

The image pickup management system of the present invention comprises one or a plurality of image pickup devices and an image pickup management device capable of communicating with each of the image pickup devices. The above-mentioned image pickup device is an image pickup unit that picks up an image and outputs a picked-up image signal, and a signal that outputs recording data and transmission data by performing compression processing on the picked-up image signal and / or frame processing of the picked-up image signal. A processing means, a recording means for recording the recording data on a recording medium, and a communication means capable of transmitting the transmission data to the imaging management device and capable of various data communication with the imaging management device. A rate change condition is set according to the setting information of the rate change condition received by the communication means, and a detection means for detecting the occurrence of the rate change condition, and a detection by the detection means,
The compression rate of the compression process and / or the frame rate of the frame process for obtaining the recording data is different from the compression rate of the compression process and / or the frame rate of the frame process for obtaining the transmission data. And a rate control means for controlling as described above. The image capturing management apparatus communicates information for setting the rate change condition to the communication unit capable of communicating with the image capturing apparatus and all or some of the image capturing apparatuses capable of communicating with the communication unit. And a transmission control means for causing the means to transmit. Further, the image capturing management device includes monitor means for outputting the video data transmitted from the image capturing device and received by the communication means.

The image pickup management system of the present invention comprises one or a plurality of image pickup devices and an image pickup management device capable of communicating with each of the image pickup devices. The above-mentioned image pickup device is an image pickup means for picking up an image and outputting a picked-up video signal, and a signal for outputting recording data and transmission data by performing compression processing on the picked-up video signal and / or frame processing of the picked-up video signal A processing means, a recording means for recording the recording data on a recording medium, and a communication means capable of transmitting the transmission data to the imaging management apparatus and capable of various data communication with the imaging management apparatus. An emergency signal transmission control means for transmitting an emergency signal from the communication means in response to an emergency operation or shock detection; and a detection means for detecting a rate change instruction signal received by the communication means as a rate change condition, Depending on the detection by the detection means,
The compression rate of the compression process and / or the frame rate of the frame process for obtaining the recording data is different from the compression rate of the compression process and / or the frame rate of the frame process for obtaining the transmission data. And a rate control means for controlling as described above. The imaging management apparatus transmits a urgent signal in response to a communication unit capable of communicating with the imaging apparatus and an urgent signal transmitted from a certain imaging apparatus and received by the communication unit. And a transmission control unit that causes the communication unit to transmit the signal of the rate change instruction to the device or another imaging device. Further, the image capturing management device includes monitor means for outputting the video data transmitted from the image capturing device and received by the communication means. In this case, the image pickup device further includes a current position detection unit, and the emergency signal transmission control unit of the image pickup device controls to transmit the current position information detected by the current position detection unit together with the emergency signal. At the same time, the transmission control means of the imaging management device selects an imaging device based on the current position information transmitted together with the emergency signal from the imaging device that has transmitted the emergency signal, with respect to the selected imaging device. Then, the rate change instruction signal is transmitted from the communication means. Further, the transmission control means of the imaging management device, the information transmitted from the imaging device that has transmitted the emergency signal,
The image is transmitted to another imaging device by the communication means.

In the above-described image pickup apparatus, image pickup method, image pickup management apparatus, and image pickup management system of the present invention, recording data to be recorded on a recording medium in response to detection of a rate change condition, and transmission data to be transmitted and output. Then, both or one of the compression rate of the compression process and the frame rate of the frame process is made different. This means changing the quality of the video data to be transmitted and output and the video data to be recorded on the recording medium. In particular, rate change conditions include rate change operation by the user, emergency operation, reception of signal of rate change instruction,
Volume level above a certain level, input of specific target voice,
Predetermined motion state of image, specific target image, impact,
By setting all or part of the remaining capacity of the recording medium and the communication status within the predetermined area, it is possible to transmit / record in an appropriate quality state depending on the case. For example, when it is desired to transmit and output as high quality video data as possible, the quality of the transmission video data can be made higher than that of the recording video data.
And this can cope even if it is difficult for the user to operate. Considering, for example, during a patrol, the importance of imaged data is not so important in normal times, but in the event of an abnormal situation, when special caution is required, or when the safety of security personnel is at risk, it is best for the headquarters to do so. I want to monitor with high-definition video to reflect the situation and conduct.
Therefore, it is convenient that the quality of the video data transmitted according to such a case is improved. Further, since the compression rate and the frame rate of the image pickup apparatus can be controlled from the image pickup management apparatus side, it becomes possible to appropriately take an image according to the situation or take an appropriate emergency.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A video camera as an embodiment of an image pickup apparatus and an image pickup method of the present invention will be described below in the following order. 1. Mode of video camera and system configuration 2. 2. Configuration of video camera Imaging operation mode 4. Rate switching by operation or instruction 5. Rate switching according to remaining recording capacity 6. Rate switching by impact detection 7. Rate switching during emergencies 8. Rate switching by position detection 9. Rate switching by voice inspection 10. Rate switching by image analysis 11. Rate switching depending on communication status 12. Modification

1. Aspect of Video Camera and System Configuration FIG. 1 shows an example of the appearance of the video camera of the present embodiment. This video camera comprises a camera unit 1 and a control unit 10. The camera unit 1 and the control unit 10 are connected by a cable 31 so that signals can be transmitted.

The camera unit 1 is mounted on the shoulder of the user, for example, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the control unit 10 is mounted or held on the waist of the user, a pocket of clothes, or the like, that is, the user can take an image while carrying it without using his or her hands. There are various possible methods for mounting the camera unit 1 on the shoulder, and although not described in detail here, a mechanism for holding the pedestal portion 6 of the camera unit 1 is formed on the user's clothes (jacket for security, etc.). Alternatively, it may be worn on the shoulder portion by a wearing belt or the like. The camera unit 1 may be fixed to, for example, the top or side of a helmet worn by the user, or may be attached to the chest or arm, but the shoulder portion is most likely to be used even when the user is walking. Since it is a portion with little shaking, it is optimal as a portion to which the camera unit 1 for image pickup is attached.

As shown in FIG. 1, the camera unit 1 is provided with two camera sections, a front camera section 2a and a rear camera section 2b. In addition, a front microphone 3a and a rear microphone 3b corresponding to the front and rear camera units 2a and 2b.
Is also provided. The front camera unit 2a is assumed to capture the front scene of the user in the mounted state of FIG. 2, and the rear camera unit 2b is assumed to capture the rear scene of the user. The front camera section 2a and the rear camera section 2b are equipped with wide-angle lenses, respectively, and their imaging viewing angles are relatively wide as shown in FIG. The user's surroundings can be imaged almost all around. The front microphone 3a is a microphone having high directivity in the front direction of the user in the state of FIG.
The sound corresponding to the scene to be imaged is collected. The rear microphone 3b is a microphone having high directivity behind the user in the state of FIG. 2, and collects a sound corresponding to the scene imaged by the rear camera unit 2b.

The front camera section 2a and the rear camera section 2
It goes without saying that the degree of the front view angle and the rear view angle as the image pickup ranges of b can be variously set depending on the design of the lens system to be adopted. The viewing angle may be set according to the situation in which the video camera is supposed to be used. Of course, it is not necessary to make the front view angle and the rear view angle the same, and depending on the model, the view angle may be designed to be narrow. Front microphone 3
The same applies to the directivity of the a and the rear microphone 3b, and various designs can be considered depending on the application. For example, a configuration in which one omnidirectional microphone is arranged can be considered.

A light emitting portion 4 is formed on the camera unit 1. For example, an LED element or the like emits light. The light emitting unit 4 emits light while the front and rear camera units 2a and 2b are capturing images. The light emission mode may be continuous light emission or blinking operation. When the light emitting unit 4 emits light,
It clearly indicates to the surrounding people that the video camera is performing an imaging operation. This informs the surroundings that the video camera is not used for voyeur purposes. In addition, for example, when used by a security guard or a police officer, the light emitting unit 4 indicates that image capturing is being performed, thereby enhancing the crime prevention effect.

The control unit 10 has a recording function of recording a video signal (and an audio signal) picked up by the camera unit 1 in the memory card 30, a function of transmitting and outputting from the antenna 12 to a management station which will be described later, and further displaying / operating. It has user interface functions such as.

For example, on the front surface of the control unit 10, a display section 11 such as a liquid crystal panel is provided. Further, an antenna 12 for communication is formed at a required position. In addition, a card slot 13 for mounting the memory card 30 is formed. Further, a portion for outputting electronic sound or voice is formed as the speaker unit 14 or the headphone terminal 19. Further, a cable connection terminal 15 for performing data transmission with an information device according to a predetermined transmission standard such as USB or IEEE1394 is provided.

As an operator for the user to operate, a power switch 16, various operation keys 18, an emergency switch 17 and the like are formed. Operation key 18
May be, for example, a cursor key, an enter key, a cancel key, or the like for performing a cursor operation on the display of the display unit 11 to perform an operation input, and various operation inputs may be possible. Dedicated keys for stop, mode setting, and other basic operations may be provided. Regarding the power switch 16 and the operation keys 18,
As shown in the figure, in addition to the slide switch form or the push switch (or in combination with these), an operator such as a jog dial or a trackball may be adopted.

The emergency switch 17 is supposed to be operated by a user especially in an emergency, and a large operation button may be adopted so that it can be operated reliably without being visually recognized in a state where there is no operating margin. It is suitable. Also, to prevent accidental operation during normal times,
It is advisable that a certain amount of pressing force is required, or that the button surface is set lower than the surface of the control unit 10 as shown in the drawing. Of course, instead of the push button form, various forms such as detecting the user hitting the control unit 10 and recognizing the user's voice as an emergency operation can be considered.

The configuration of the video camera of this example will be described later with reference to FIG.
By mounting the video camera of this example formed by the control unit 10 and the user as shown in FIG.
It enables hands-free and almost unconscious imaging. Therefore, it is suitable for capturing an image of the work scene while performing some work, capturing an image while enjoying an event, or capturing an image during patrol of a security guard or a police officer.

The video camera of this example has a function of recording the picked-up image data in the memory card 30 and a function of transmitting and outputting, but a system for activating these functions depending on, for example, security and police applications. An example is shown in FIG.

Video camera control unit 10
Can communicate with the management station 40 via the public line 32, for example. For this purpose, for example, the control unit 10 is provided with a communication function such as a mobile phone or PHS. It should be noted that communication may be possible via a dedicated line instead of the public line 32.

The management station 40 includes, for example, one or a plurality of police officers who wear the video camera of this example and perform patrol.
An organization that directs and manages security guards. The management station includes a controller 41, a monitor unit 42, an operation unit 43, a storage unit 44, a remote access server 45, a memory card slot 46 and the like.

The controller 41 controls the system in the management station 40. The monitor unit 42 includes, for example, a display and a speaker, and outputs video and audio to the operator. The operation unit 43 is provided with an operation of a keyboard and the like, a microphone, a camera, and the like, so that the operator can perform various operation inputs and information inputs. The storage unit 44 is an HDD (hard disk drive), an optical disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, or the like, and records / reproduces information on / from a recording medium. The remote access server 45 performs a communication operation between the management station 40 and the control unit 10 of the video camera via the public line 32. The memory card slot 46 is a slot for the memory card 30 which is a recording medium in the control unit 10 of the video camera, and the controller 41 allows access to the memory card 30.

The control unit 10 carried by a security guard or the like is provided with a function of transmitting video data (and audio data) picked up by the camera unit 1, and the video data is transmitted via the public line 32 to the management station 40. Sent to. Under the control of the controller 41, the management station 40 stores the transmitted video data in the storage unit 44.
Can be stored in the memory or can be output to the monitor unit 42 as video / audio. That is, in the management station 40, when a security guard or the like carries a patrol with a video camera, the operator on the management station side can also check the image and voice of the place where the security guard or the like is patroled, and also during the patrol. By accumulating the video and audio of the as data, it can be used for later investigation, analysis, and evidence.
Further, the video (and audio) captured by the video camera used by the security guards is displayed in this way in the management station 40.
If it is made known to the public that it is also monitored by, the effect of crime control and the effect of improving the safety of security guards will be further increased.

The image (and sound) taken by the security guard with the video camera can be recorded in the memory card 30 loaded in the control unit 10, but the security guard manages the memory card 30 after the patrol. By passing it to the station 40, it will also be patrol report material. In the management station 40, the memory card 30 handed over from a security guard or the like is loaded into the memory card slot 46, and the video or audio recorded in the memory card 30 is read out under the control of the controller 41, thereby Can be output to the monitor unit 42 or stored in the storage unit 44.

Various instruction information and data can be transmitted from the management station 40 to the video camera (control unit 10). As will be described later, instruction information for instructing the rate switching of the imaging operation can be transmitted to the control unit 10 based on the operation of the operator by the operation unit 43, the operation program of the controller 41, or the like. In addition, security instructions can be transmitted as voice data, image data, and text data, and images and voices such as maps, pictures of criminals and montages can be transmitted as patrol materials. Further, as will be described later, rate change condition data such as target audio and target image can be transmitted to the control unit 10 of the video camera and set.

Video camera control unit 10
Then, the operator's instruction and voice as a material are output from the speaker 14 or the headphone terminal 19 to the user. Further, the image data and text data transmitted as instructions and materials are displayed on the display unit 11 and presented to the user.

The video camera and the management station 40 are used here.
Although the communication between the above has been described, for example, a plurality of guards may directly perform the data communication. For example, the communication function of the control unit 10 may be used for a mobile phone or PHS.
With this communication function, communication becomes possible through the general public line. At that time, the management station 40 may function as a so-called relay station.

Although the system of FIG. 4 has been described as a security / police application, it can also be applied as a system used by general users. For example, a personal computer at the user's home is provided with a function corresponding to the management station 40 so that video / audio picked up by a video camera can be transmitted. Then, the video data captured by the user can be stored in the HDD or the like of the personal computer at home. By doing so, for example, even when the user does not have the memory card 30 at the time of image capturing or when the memory card capacity is insufficient, the image can be captured without worrying about it.

2. Configuration of Video Camera FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the video camera. As described above, the camera unit 1 includes the front camera section 2a and the rear camera section 2
b is provided. The imaging light from the front camera section 2a is CC
The D section 5a converts the imaged video signal. Then, predetermined signal processing such as gain adjustment is performed, and the signal is supplied to the control unit 10 by the cable 31. Similarly, the image pickup light from the rear camera section 2b is converted into an image pickup video signal by the CCD section 5b. Then, predetermined signal processing such as gain adjustment is performed, and the signal is supplied to the control unit 10 by the cable 31. The audio signals obtained by the front microphone 3a and the rear microphone 3b are also supplied to the control unit 10 by the cable 31.

In the control unit 10, the controller 51 controls the entire operation. Controller 5
1 is formed by a microcomputer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a flash ROM, and the like.

A video signal picked up by the front camera section 2a transmitted from the camera unit 1 through the cable 31,
The audio signal from the front microphone 3a is input to the storage encoding unit 53a and the communication encoding unit 54a. The image pickup video signal from the rear camera section 2b and the audio signal from the rear microphone 3b are stored in the storage encoding section 53b and the communication encoding section 54.
Input to b.

Storage encoding units 53a and 53b
Performs a data compression process, a frame extraction process, and an encoding process to a recording format for recording on the memory card 30 with respect to the input captured video signal (and audio signal). The rate control signal CR from the controller 51 is used for the compression rate in the data compression processing and the frame rate in the frame extraction processing.
Controlled by. Storage encoding units 53a, 5
The output of 3b is selected by the multiplexer 55 and supplied to the recording unit 57. The operation of the multiplexer 55 is controlled by the selection control signal CX from the controller 51.

The recording section 57 performs recording and reproduction on the memory card 30 loaded in the memory card slot 13 shown in FIG. The access operation is controlled by a read / write control signal from the controller 51. The recording unit 57, based on the control of the controller 51,
The data supplied via the multiplexer 55 is recorded in the memory card 30. Therefore, in the memory card 30,
The video data of the quality level according to the compression rate and the frame rate in the storage encoding units 53a and 53b controlled by the controller 51 is recorded.

Further, the recording section 57 performs an operation of reading out the video data (and audio data) recorded in the memory card 30 under the control of the controller 51. The video data and audio data read from the memory card 30 are supplied to the controller 51,
This can be supplied to the display unit 11 for display output, or can be supplied to the speaker 14 (headphone terminal 19) for audio output. Further, the video data and the audio data read from the memory card 30 by the recording unit 57 may be decoded by the decoder 58, then encoded by the encoder 59 for communication and supplied to the transmission signal processing unit 60. it can.

The communication encoding units 54a and 54b perform data compression processing, frame extraction processing, and encoding processing to a communication format when transmitting and outputting the input captured video signal (and audio signal) by a predetermined compression method. I do. The compression rate in the data compression process and the frame rate in the frame extraction process are controlled by the rate control signal CR from the controller 51. The outputs of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b are selected by the multiplexer 56 and supplied to the transmission signal processing unit 60. The operation of the multiplexer 56 is controlled by the selection control signal CX from the controller 51.

The transmission signal processing unit 60 includes the multiplexer 5
When the video data (and audio data) supplied via 6 is supplied, the data is subjected to a modulation process for transmission and is supplied to the communication unit 62. The communication unit 62 performs processing such as high frequency modulation and amplification, and transmits data from the antenna 12. This transmission data is received by the management station 40. Therefore, the management station 40 transmits the video data of the quality level according to the compression rate and the frame rate in the communication encoding units 54a and 54b controlled by the controller 51. Then, the management station 40 can monitor the surrounding scenes and voices of the security guard or the like, or the voice of the security guard himself.

In addition, when the video data (and audio data) reproduced from the memory card 30 by the recording unit 57 as described above is supplied to the transmission signal processing unit 60, the transmission signal processing unit 60 also receives the video data. (And audio data)
Is subjected to modulation processing for transmission, and the communication unit 62 performs processing such as high frequency modulation / amplification, and data transmission is performed from the antenna 12 to the management station 40. Therefore, the management station 40 transmits the video data of the quality level according to the compression rate and the frame rate recorded in the memory card 30.

Further, the controller 51 can send notification information to the management station 40 in addition to the video / audio data picked up or reproduced. For example, emergency switch 1
When 7 is operated, an emergency notification, current location information,
The notification information such as the ID is supplied to the encoder 59. Then, the encoder 59, the transmission signal processing unit 60, and the communication unit 62
The notification information is transmitted to the management station 40 by the processing of. The current position information is position information obtained by the GPS decoder 65. The ID is an ID uniquely given to the video camera, and is information stored in the internal flash ROM or the like by the controller 51.

The instruction information and various data transmitted from the management station 40 are received by the antenna 12 and the communication unit 6
After being subjected to high frequency demodulation, amplification, etc. in 2, the received signal processing section 61 decodes it. Then, it is supplied to the controller 51 or the recording unit 57. The controller 51 is the management station 4
When the instruction information from 0 is received, the control according to the instruction information is performed. When image data, voice data, text data, etc. are transmitted from the management station 40, the received information is output to the user via the display unit 11, the speaker 14, etc., or the recording unit. 5
7, the memory card 30 can be recorded.

The operations of the transmission signal processing unit 60, the reception signal processing unit 61 and the communication unit 62 are controlled by the communication control signal CT from the controller 51. Controller 51
Controls call and line connection processing, data transmission / reception processing, and the like to execute communication. In addition, the controller 51
Can determine the communication status from the received electric field strength level, the line congestion status, and the like. Transmission signal processing unit 6
0, the reception signal processing unit 61, and the communication unit 62, by adopting the processing method used in the mobile phone or PHS, it becomes possible to perform communication using a public line network that is currently popular.

The data transmission destination by this communication function,
The data receiving source may not be the management station 40.
For example, it is naturally possible to perform communication with the control unit 10 of the video camera of this example carried by another security guard or the like.

The operation key 18 is an operator provided on the housing of the control unit 10 as described with reference to FIG. For example, the controller 51 displays various operation menus on the display unit 11, and the user inputs an operation on the menu by operating the cursor or the enter operation using the operation keys 18. The controller 51 performs a predetermined control according to a user's operation using the operation keys 18. For example, various controls such as start / stop of image pickup operation, operation mode, recording / reproduction, communication, and rate control are executed according to user's operation. Of course, the operation key 18 does not have to be an operator corresponding to the operation menu on the display unit 11, and may be prepared as an imaging start key, a stop key, a mode key, or the like.

A GPS antenna 66 and a GPS decoder 65 are mounted on the control unit 10. GPS
The antenna 66 is a GPS (Global Positioning System).
m) The signal from the satellite is received, the GPS decoder decodes the received signal, and outputs the latitude and longitude as the current position information. The controller 51 can grasp the current position from the latitude and longitude data from the GPS decoder, determine whether or not the current position is within a predetermined area, and can transmit and output the current position information.

When the emergency switch 17 is operated, the controller 51 performs an emergency process. For example, rate control for the storage encoding units 53a and 53b and the communication encoding units 54a and 54b, emergency notification,
Transmission control for ID notification and notification of current position information obtained from the GPS decoder 65 is performed.

A shock sensor 67 is mounted on the control unit 10. The shock sensor 67 outputs a detection signal to the controller 51 when the shock applied from the outside to the user or the control unit 10 itself is more than a predetermined value. The controller 51 performs predetermined control processing such as rate control according to the impact detection.

The display section 11 performs various display operations under the control of the controller 51. That is, the operation menu display, the operation state display, the image and text received from the management station 40, and the like, the image reproduced from the memory card 30 in the recording unit 57, and the like are displayed. Although the signal paths are not shown in FIG. 5, the image pickup state can be displayed on the monitor by supplying and displaying the image pickup image signals picked up by the front camera unit 2a and the rear camera unit 2b.

Speaker section 14 (and headphone terminal 1
Various sounds are output from 9) under the control of the controller 51. For example, voice output based on voice data received from the management station 40 or the like, alarm sound output, ring tone output for notifying the user of data reception, etc. are performed. Although the signal path is not shown in FIG. 5, the audio monitor output at the time of image pickup is also possible by supplying and outputting the audio signals collected by the front microphone 3a and the rear microphone 3b.

The cable connection terminal 15 enables data transmission according to a predetermined interface standard by connecting a cable to an external information device. For example, uploading for upgrading the operation program of the controller 51, transmission of data reproduced from the memory card 30 to an external device, and data loading of target voice or data as a target image described later are possible. .

The control unit 10 is provided with an image analysis section 63. The image analysis unit 63 is supplied with the captured video signals captured by the front camera unit 2a and the rear camera unit 2b, and performs various analysis processes on the supplied captured video signals. For example, by detecting the movement of the subject from the comparison processing of each frame as the imaged video signal, or by setting a specific image, for example, a specific color, a building, a scene, or a person as a target image by the controller 51, the target image Processing such as detecting whether or not an image matching or similar to is captured is performed. The detection information of the image analysis unit 63 is output to the controller 51, and the controller 51
Performs predetermined control such as rate control according to the detection information.

Further, the control unit 10 is provided with a voice inspection section 64. The audio signal collected by the front microphone 3a and the rear microphone 3b is supplied to the audio inspection unit 64. Then, the inspection process is performed on the supplied audio signal. For example, an inspection process is performed to determine whether the volume level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. Further, a specific voice, for example, an alarm sound such as an emergency bell, an explosion sound, an accident sound, a vehicle sound, a voiceprint of a specific person, or the like is set as a target voice by the controller 51 so as to match or be similar to the target voice. A process for detecting whether or not voice is input is performed. The detection information obtained by these inspection processes is supplied to the controller 51, and the controller 51 performs predetermined control such as rate control according to the detection information.

When the power switch 16 is turned on,
The power supply unit 52 starts the operation of supplying the operating power supply voltage VDD to each unit, and turns on the video camera. The power source unit 52 has a built-in battery such as a dry battery or a rechargeable battery, and supplies power to each unit by using the battery as a power source.

The light emitting section 4 of the camera unit 1 starts the light emitting operation when the power is turned on and the power supply voltage VDD is supplied. On the camera unit 1 side, the power supply is turned on and the power supply voltage VDD is supplied to perform the imaging and sound collecting operations. That is, the image pickup video signal and the audio signal are output to the control unit 10 side. In this case, recording or transmission output to the memory card 30 is not performed, and the imaging monitor video may be simply output to the display unit 11. The actual recording and transmission may be performed after the user performs an imaging start operation using the operation keys 18.
However, the recording and transmission of the picked-up image signal and the audio signal may be executed when the power is turned on. That is, when the user turns on the power with the power switch 16 to start the imaging operation including recording and transmission, the operation can be significantly simplified.

The controller 51 may control the light emission of the light emitting section 4 so that the light emission is performed during the period when the recording or the transmission is further executed in the power-on state. The operation of the power switch 16 may be detected by the controller 51, and the power supply unit 52 may be controlled so as to start the power supply in response to the detection.

The video camera of this example is configured as described above, for example, but various modifications of the video camera configuration can be considered as follows.

First, it goes without saying that the appearances of the camera unit 1 and the control unit 10 as shown in FIG. Are not limited. Of course, various shapes are possible depending on the difference in the configuration.

Although the camera unit 1 and the control unit 10 are connected by the cable 31, the picked-up video signal and the audio signal may be wirelessly transmitted by a transmitter using radio waves or infrared rays.
Alternatively, the camera unit 1 and the control unit 10
May be integrally formed instead of being a separate body as shown in FIG.

Although the front camera section 2a and the rear camera section 2b are provided in this example, at least one camera section may be provided. Also, three or more camera units may be provided. Regarding the microphones, a microphone may be provided corresponding to each of the two or more camera units, and a common microphone may be provided for all or some of the camera units. Of course, at least one microphone may be provided. In addition, pan or
A tilt mechanism may be formed so that the imaging direction can be changed vertically and horizontally. The pan / tilt operation may be performed according to the operation of the user, or may be automatically controlled by the controller 51. A plurality of light emitting units 4 in the camera unit 1 may be provided.

In this example, the recording medium is the memory card 30, but the control unit 10 includes an optical disk,
A disk drive device corresponding to the magneto-optical disk may be provided to record the captured image on the disk recording medium. Of course, a magnetic tape medium may be used as the recording medium.

All the blocks as the constituent elements shown in FIG. 5 are not essential, and constituent elements other than these may be added. In some cases, the storage encoding unit and the communication encoding unit can be shared as one circuit unit. The image analysis unit 63, the voice inspection unit 64, the emergency switch 17, the GPS antenna 66 and the GPS decoder 65, and the impact sensor each have a function of detecting a rate change condition that triggers rate control described later, but all of them have the function. It need not be provided. It is also possible to detect a rate change condition by providing a temperature sensor, an acceleration sensor, or the like. Further, when the purpose is not for security / police but for general purpose, it is conceivable that the emergency switch 17 is unnecessary. Further, as not-shown components, a short-range wireless communication function such as Bluetooth, another device interface function, a user interface function, or the like may be provided.

3. Imaging Operation Mode In the video camera of this example, three operation modes, that is, a normal mode, a storage priority mode, and a transmission priority mode shown in FIG.

In the video camera of this example, basically, the captured video data is recorded in the memory card 30, and
The communication unit 62 performs an operation of transmitting to the management station 40, for example. The normal mode means the memory card 3
This is a mode in which the video data recorded in 0 and the video data transmitted and output have the same video quality and data amount. That is, the frame rate of the frame extraction processing in the storage encoding units 53a and 53b is set to the communication encoding units 54a and 54a.
The frame rate is controlled to be the same as the frame rate of the frame extraction processing in b, and the compression rate of the data compression processing in the storage encoding sections 53a and 53b is set to the communication encoding section 5.
It is in a state of controlling at the same rate as the compression rate of the data compression processing in 4a and 54b.

The storage priority mode is a mode in which the video data recorded in the memory card 30 has a higher quality than the video data transmitted and output. That is, the frame rates of the frame extraction processing in the storage encoding units 53a and 53b are controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame extraction processing in the communication encoding units 54a and 54b, and the storage encoding units 53a and 5b are also controlled.
In this state, the compression rate of the data compression processing in 3b is controlled to be lower than the compression rate of the data compression processing in the communication encoding units 54a and 54b.

The transmission priority mode is a mode in which the video data to be transmitted and output has a higher quality than the video data recorded in the memory card 30. That is, the communication encoding unit 54
The frame rate of the frame extraction processing in a and 54b is
The storage encoding units 53a and 53b are controlled so as to have a higher frame rate than the frame extraction process, and the communication encoding units 54a and 54b set the compression rate of the data compression process to the storage encoding unit 5.
In this state, the rate is controlled to be lower than the compression rate of the data compression processing in 3a and 53b.

As can be seen from the description of each of these modes, the controller 51 performs the rate control for the storage encoding units 53a and 53b and the communication encoding units 54a and 54b to switch the modes. Rate control means each encoding unit 53
a, 53b, 54a, 54b, frame rate switching and compression rate switching. Each encoding unit 53a, 53b, 54a, 54b
Respectively, the controller 51 performs frame extraction processing and data compression processing at a rate based on the rate control signal CR from the controller 51. Then, video data having a large number of frames in a unit time (high frame rate) or a low compression rate (low compression rate) becomes data having high image quality.

Therefore, the storage encoding unit 53a,
If the frame rate of the frame extraction processing in 53b is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame extraction processing in the communication encoding units 54a and 54b, the video data recorded in the memory card 30 becomes
The quality is higher than that of the video data transmitted and output. The data is recorded in the memory card 30 by controlling the compression rate of the data compression processing in the storage encoding units 53a and 53b to be lower than the compression rate of the data compression processing in the communication encoding units 54a and 54b. The quality of the video data that is transmitted is higher than that of the video data that is transmitted and output. On the other hand, the communication encoding units 54a and 54b
If the frame rate of the frame extraction processing in step S1 is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame extraction processing in the storage encoding units 53a and 53b, the video data to be transmitted and output is the memory card 3.
The quality is higher than that of the video data recorded in 0. Also, by controlling the compression rate of the data compression processing in the communication encoding units 54a and 54b to be lower than the compression rate of the data compression processing in the storage encoding units 53a and 53b, the transmitted and output video data is obtained. Has higher quality than the video data recorded in the memory card 30.

The switching of these modes is executed in response to the detection of a rate switching condition described later. Although details will be described later for each rate switching condition, the video data recorded in the memory card 30 and the management station 40 and the like are switched by switching the mode (that is, performing rate change control) according to the operation or the situation. One of the transmitted and output video data is high quality video data.

FIG. 7 schematically shows how the frame rate is changed in each mode. For example, FIG. 7A shows the front camera unit 2a and the rear camera unit 2b in the normal mode.
It is assumed that the frame extraction timing for the picked-up video signal is shown. The storage frame timing corresponds to the frame rate in the storage encoding units 53a and 53b. The transmission frame timing corresponds to the frame rate in the communication encoding units 54a and 54b.

In the normal mode, the storage encoding units 53a and 53b also use the communication encoding unit 54a,
Also in 54b, the front and rear video data at a predetermined equal frame rate are output, for example, x frames per second.
On the other hand, FIG. 7B shows the case of the storage priority mode, and the storage encoding units 53a and 53b extract a larger number of frames within the unit time such as one second than in the normal mode. Communication encoding unit 54a,
In 54b, the number of frames in the unit time is reduced.
That is, the moving image video data for recording has a higher resolution in the time series direction, so that higher quality is achieved. FIG. 7C shows the case of the transmission priority mode, and the communication encoding units 54a, 5a,
In 4b, a larger number of frames are extracted within a unit time such as 1 second than in the normal mode. In the storage encoding units 53a and 53b, the number of frames within a unit time is reduced. That is, the moving image video data for transmission has a higher resolution in the time series direction, so that higher quality is achieved.

Note that, for example, the frame rate in the normal mode, that is, the actual number of frames x extracted in a unit time can be variously set as a design item. Of course C
It may be designed according to the transfer clock frequency in the CD units 5a and 5b, the desired image quality, and the like. In the storage priority mode, for example, the communication encoding units 54a, 5a
It is also possible to set the number of frames in the unit time in 4b to 0, or to set the number of frames in the unit time in the storage encoding units 53a and 53b to 0 in the transmission priority mode.

By the way, between the recording data and the transmitting data, various rate control methods for making one of them higher in quality than the other can be considered, and this is shown in FIG. "F1" to "f5" in FIG. 8 show examples of control modes for the frame rate in the storage priority mode and the transmission priority mode. Further, “m1” to “m5” in FIG. 8 show examples of control modes regarding the compression rate in the storage priority mode and the transmission priority mode. It should be noted that "up", "down" and "unchanged" in each of the illustrated modes means that "rate is increased", "rate is lowered", and "rate is not changed" based on the rate in the normal mode. ing.
The "storage frame rate" and the "storage compression rate" mean the storage encoding units 53a and 53b.
To the communication encoding unit 54.
It means rate control for a and 54b.

First, an example of the frame rate control mode is as follows. <F1> In the storage priority mode, the storage frame rate is increased and the transmission frame rate is decreased. In the transmission priority mode, the storage frame rate is decreased and the transmission frame rate is increased. That is, this is an example as shown in FIG. <F2> In the storage priority mode, the storage frame rate is increased and the transmission frame rate is not changed. In the transmission priority mode, the frame rate of storage is not changed and the frame rate of transmission is increased. In other words, this is an example of controlling only the rate increase for the person who wants to improve the quality. <F3> In the storage priority mode, both the storage frame rate and the transmission frame rate are increased, but the storage frame rate is set to be higher. In the transmission priority mode, both the storage frame rate and the transmission frame rate are increased,
Make the frame rate of transmission higher. In other words, this is an example of controlling to increase the rate of rate increase for those who want to improve the quality. <F4> In the storage priority mode, the frame rate of storage is not changed and the frame rate of transmission is lowered. In the transmission priority mode, the storage frame rate is lowered and the transmission frame rate is not changed. In other words, this is an example in which the quality of one is relatively improved by reducing the quality of the other. <F5> In the storage priority mode, both the storage frame rate and the transmission frame rate are decreased, but the storage frame rate is set to be higher. In the transmission priority mode, both the storage frame rate and the transmission frame rate are lowered,
Make the frame rate of transmission higher. In other words, this is an example of controlling so as to lower the rate down rate for those who want to improve the quality.

An example of the control mode of the compression rate is as follows. <M1> In the storage priority mode, the storage compression rate is decreased and the transmission compression rate is increased. In the transmission priority mode, the storage compression rate is increased and the transmission compression rate is decreased. That is, this is an example of raising and lowering each other as in <f1> above. <M2> In the storage priority mode, the storage compression rate is decreased and the transmission compression rate is not changed.
In the transmission priority mode, the storage compression rate is not changed and the transmission compression rate is reduced. In other words, this is an example of controlling only the rate reduction of the person who wants to improve the quality. <M3> In the storage priority mode, the storage compression rate is not changed and the transmission compression rate is increased.
In the transmission priority mode, the storage compression rate is increased and the transmission compression rate is not changed. In other words, this is an example in which the quality of one is relatively improved by reducing the quality of the other. <M4> In the storage priority mode, both the storage compression rate and the transmission compression rate are decreased, but the storage compression rate is set to be lower. In the transmission priority mode, the storage compression rate and the transmission compression rate are both lowered, but the transmission compression rate is set to be lower. That is, this is an example of controlling so that the rate down rate is lowered (significantly reduced) for those who want to improve the quality. <M5> In the storage priority mode, both the storage compression rate and the transmission compression rate are increased, but the storage compression rate is set to be lower. In the transmission priority mode, both the storage compression rate and the transmission compression rate are increased, but the transmission compression rate is set to be lower. In other words, this is an example in which the rate of increasing the rate is lowered (the other is greatly increased) for those who want to improve the quality.

As described above, the frame rate is f1.
There is a control mode of ~ f5, and the compression rate is m1 ~
Although a control mode of m5 is conceivable, what kind of control is to be performed as a rate control method at the time of switching between the storage priority mode and the transmission priority mode is considered to be either f1 to f5 or m1 to m5. For example, when only the frame rate is switched (the compression rate is fixed) at the time of mode switching, any one of the rate control methods f1 to f5 may be adopted. If only the compression rate is switched (the frame rate is fixed) at the time of mode switching, m1 to m
Any of the rate control methods of 5 may be adopted. Furthermore, when both the frame rate and the compression rate are switched at the time of mode switching, a rate control method in which any one of f1 to f5 and any one of m1 to m5 are combined may be adopted. In any of the above rate control methods, either the storage or transmission is controlled so that the compression rate of the priority is lower than the compression rate of the other, or the frame extraction processing of the priority is performed. The frame rate is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the other frame extraction processing, or both of these controls are performed.

4. Rate switching by operation or instruction As described above, the controller 51 includes the storage encoding units 53a and 53b and the communication encoding units 54a and 54b.
On the other hand, rate control for switching the frame rate and / or the compression rate according to the operation mode is performed. Therefore, the controller 51 determines various rate changing conditions and performs rate changing control according to the detection of the rate changing conditions. Below, each example as a process regarding rate change control by the controller 51 will be described.

First, referring to FIG. 9, a process in which the controller 51 performs rate change control (mode switching control) in response to a user operation or an instruction from the management station 40 will be described. In addition,
The processing of FIG. 9 and FIGS. 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17 described later is performed at the time of image pickup, that is, the image pickup data is recorded in the memory card 30 and the image pickup data is transmitted. This is processing relating to rate change control of the controller 51 in the output operation state.

In FIG. 9, when the image pickup (recording / transmission) is started, the controller 51 executes the step F101.
As encoding units 53a, 53b, 54a, 54b
The normal mode is instructed to. That is, the frame rate and compression rate for the storage encoding units 53a and 53b, and the communication encoding unit 54
The frame rate and compression rate for a and 54b are
It is in the state of controlling at the same rate.

In this case, the controller 51 performs the monitoring process of steps F102 to F105 as the rate changing condition. In step F102, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the storage priority mode, and in step F103, it is monitored whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the storage priority mode is received from the management station 40. ing. Further, in step F104, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the transmission priority mode, and in step F105, it is monitored whether or not a rate switching instruction for switching to the transmission priority mode is received from the management station 40. ing. During a period in which these rate changing conditions are not detected, the process returns to step F101 as indicated by and the imaging operation in the normal mode is continued.

In step F102 or F103, when the user's switching operation or the operation or instruction for shifting to the storage priority mode as the rate switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected, the controller 51 proceeds to step F106 to execute the storage priority mode. So that imaging (recording / transmission) is performed. That is, the storage encoding unit 53
The compression rates of a and 53b are the communication encoding units 54a and 54a.
Control so that it is lower than the compression rate of 54b, and /
Alternatively, if the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b is the communication encoding unit 54a,
The frame rate is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of 54b. As a result, video data of higher quality than the video data to be transmitted and output is recorded in the memory card 30.

During the period in which the image pickup is performed in the storage priority mode, the controller 51 executes steps F107 to F1.
10 monitoring processes are performed. In step F107, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the normal mode, and in step F108, it is monitored whether or not a rate switching instruction for switching to the normal mode has been received from the management station 40. . Further, in step F109, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the transmission priority mode, and in step F110, it is monitored whether or not a rate switching instruction for switching to the transmission priority mode is received from the management station 40. ing. During a period in which these rate changing conditions are not detected, the process returns to step F106 as indicated by and the imaging operation in the storage priority mode is continued.

In the normal mode, in step F104 or F105, when the switching operation by the user or the operation or instruction for shifting to the transmission priority mode as the rate switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected, the controller 5 is detected.
In step 1, the process proceeds to step F111, and imaging (recording / transmission) is performed in the transmission priority mode. That is, the compression rates of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b are controlled to be lower than the compression rates of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b, and / or the communication encoding units 54a and 54b.
The frame rate of the frame extraction processing of b is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b. As a result, the video data of higher quality than the video data recorded in the memory card 30 is transmitted.

While the image is being picked up in the transmission priority mode, the controller 51 performs the monitoring process of steps F112 to F115. In step F112, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the normal mode, and in step F113, it is monitored whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the normal mode is received from the management station 40. . Further, in step F114, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the storage priority mode,
Further, in step F115, it is monitored whether or not a rate switching instruction for switching to the storage priority mode is received from the management station 40. During the period in which these rate changing conditions are not detected, the process returns to step F111 as indicated by and the imaging operation in the transmission priority mode is continued.

Steps F107, F108, F112,
When a switching operation to the normal mode or a switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected in any of F113, the process proceeds to step F101 as indicated by and the controller 5
1 controls to switch to the normal mode. That is, the frame rates and compression rates for the storage encoding units 53a and 53b, and the communication encoding units 54a and 54
The frame rate and the compression rate for b are controlled to the same rate.

When a switching operation to the transmission priority mode or a switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected in step F109 or F110, as indicated by step F11
In step 1, the controller 51 controls to switch to the transmission priority mode. When the switching operation to the storage priority mode or the switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected in step F114 or F115, the process proceeds to step F106 as indicated by, and the controller 51 controls to switch to the storage priority mode.

As described above, basically, the controller 51 switches between the normal mode, the transmission priority mode, and the storage priority mode in accordance with the user's operation and the rate switching instruction from the management station 40.
The compression rate of the data compression processing of a, 53b, 54a, 54b and the frame rate of the frame extraction processing are controlled.
Therefore, if the user wants to transmit high-quality video data, he / she may perform a switching operation to the transmission priority mode using the operation key 18, and may want to record high-quality video data in the memory card 30. If you think, operation key 18
The switching operation to the storage priority mode may be performed by. For example, when the user can afford the operation, the desired image capturing operation can be performed by arbitrarily switching the modes in this manner. Also, for example, the management station 40 that monitors the video data transmitted from the video camera.
The operator can also switch to the transmission priority mode at a desired time so that higher quality video can be monitored. For example, when a security guard enters a security priority area, or when a video that the security staff is not aware of but which attracts the operator's attention is monitored, the operator of the management station 40 can instruct the transmission priority mode. By doing so, more detailed video information can be obtained at the management station 40, and the security effect can be greatly improved.

5. Rate Switching Based on Remaining Recording Capacity Next, an example in which the controller 51 performs mode switching control with the remaining recording capacity of the memory card 30 as the rate changing condition will be described with reference to FIG. Here, in addition to the mode switching according to the user's operation or the instruction from the management station 40 described in FIG. 9, the remaining capacity of the memory card 30 is checked.

In FIG. 10, when the image pickup (recording / transmission) is started, the controller 51 executes the step F20.
1, each encoding unit 53a, 53b, 54a, 54
The normal mode is instructed to b.
That is, the frame rate and compression rate for the storage encoding units 53a and 53b, and the communication encoding unit 54
The frame rate and compression rate for a and 54b are
It is in the state of controlling at the same rate.

In this case, the controller 51 performs the monitoring process of steps F202 to F204 as the rate change condition. In step F202, it is monitored whether the user has performed a switching operation to the transmission priority mode, or whether a rate switching instruction to switch to the transmission priority mode has been received from the management station 40. In step F203, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the storage priority mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the storage priority mode has been received from the management station 40. In step F204, the remaining capacity of the memory card 30 in which the data is recorded in the recording unit 57 is checked, and it is monitored whether or not the remaining capacity is below a predetermined value. During a period in which these rate changing conditions are not detected, the process returns to step F201 as indicated by and the imaging operation in the normal mode is continued.

In step F203, when the user's switching operation or the operation or instruction for shifting to the storage priority mode as a rate switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected, the controller 51 proceeds to step F205 and performs image pickup in the storage priority mode ( Recording / sending).
That is, the compression rates of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b are controlled to be lower than the compression rates of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b, and / or the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b is set to the communication encoding unit. The frame rate is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of 54a and 54b.
As a result, video data of higher quality than the video data to be transmitted and output is recorded in the memory card 30.

While the image is being picked up in the storage priority mode, the controller 51 executes steps F206 to F2.
08 monitoring processing is performed. In step F206, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the normal mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the normal mode has been received from the management station 40. Step F
At 207, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the transmission priority mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the transmission priority mode has been received from the management station 40. In step F208, the remaining capacity of the memory card 30 in which the data is recorded in the recording unit 57 is checked, and it is monitored whether or not the remaining capacity is below a predetermined value. During a period in which these rate changing conditions are not detected, the process returns to step F205 as indicated by and the imaging operation in the storage priority mode is continued.

In the step F202 in the normal mode state or in the step F207 in the storage priority mode, the user's switching operation or an operation or instruction for shifting to the transmission priority mode as a rate switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected. In this case, the controller 51 proceeds to step F209 so that imaging (recording / transmission) is performed in the transmission priority mode. That is, the compression rate of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b is controlled to be lower than the compression rate of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b, and / or the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b is set to the storage encoding unit. The frame rate is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of 53a and 53b. As a result, the video data of higher quality than the video data recorded in the memory card 30 is transmitted.

Also, when it is detected in step F204 in the normal mode state or in step F208 in the storage priority mode that the remaining capacity of the memory card 30 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value, the controller 51 proceeds to step F209. Then, the image pickup (recording / transmission) is performed in the transmission priority mode.

While the image is being picked up in the transmission priority mode, the controller 51 performs the monitoring process of steps F210 and F211. In step F210, whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the normal mode, or the management station 4
It monitors whether or not a rate switching instruction for switching from 0 to the normal mode is received. Step F211
Then, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the storage priority mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the storage priority mode has been received from the management station 40. During a period in which these rate changing conditions are not detected, the process returns to step F209 as indicated by and the imaging operation in the transmission priority mode is continued.

When a switching operation to the normal mode or a switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected in any of steps F206 and F210, the process proceeds to step F201 as indicated by, and the controller 51 controls the switching to the normal mode. To do. That is, the frame rate and compression rate for the storage encoding units 53a and 53b are controlled to be equal to the frame rate and compression rate for the communication encoding units 54a and 54b. In step F211, when the switching operation to the storage priority mode or the switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected,
In step F205, the controller 51 controls to switch to the storage priority mode.

As described above, the controller 51 performs the mode change control by using the user's operation or the rate change instruction from the management station 40 as the rate change condition, and the remaining capacity of the memory card 30 becomes the predetermined value or less. This is the condition for changing the rate to the transmission priority mode, and when the operation mode is the normal mode or the storage priority mode, the transmission priority mode is switched when the remaining capacity becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value. In this way, the transmission priority mode is automatically set when the remaining recording capacity of the memory card 30 becomes less than or equal to a predetermined value, so that the user does not have to worry about the remaining capacity of the memory card 30. That is, in consideration of the possibility that recording on the memory card 30 may not be possible, high quality data will be stored at the destination. Further, in the case of a control method in which the frame rate of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b is lowered or the compression rate is raised to the transmission priority mode (f in FIG. 8).
1, f4, f5, m1, m3, m5), the amount of recording data is reduced, which is suitable when it is desired to extend the recordable time to the memory card 30 as much as possible.

6. Rate Switching by Impact Detection Next, an example in which the controller 51 performs mode switching control with the impact detection signal from the impact sensor 67 as the rate change condition will be described with reference to FIG. Here, in addition to the mode switching in accordance with the user's operation or the instruction from the management station 40 described with reference to FIG. 9, impact detection is performed.

In FIG. 11, when the image pickup (recording / transmission) is started, the controller 51 executes the step F30.
1, each encoding unit 53a, 53b, 54a, 54
The normal mode is instructed to b.
That is, the frame rate and compression rate for the storage encoding units 53a and 53b, and the communication encoding unit 54
The frame rate and compression rate for a and 54b are
It controls to the same rate.

In this case, the controller 51 performs the monitoring process of steps F302 to F304 as the rate changing condition. In step F302, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the transmission priority mode or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the transmission priority mode has been received from the management station 40. In step F303, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the storage priority mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the storage priority mode has been received from the management station 40. In step F304, the shock detection signal from the shock sensor 67 is monitored as a rate changing condition. During a period in which these rate changing conditions are not detected, the process returns to step F301 as indicated by and the imaging operation in the normal mode is continued.

In step F303, when the user's switching operation or the operation or instruction for shifting to the storage priority mode as a rate switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected, the controller 51 proceeds to step F305 and performs image pickup in the storage priority mode ( Recording / sending).
That is, the compression rates of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b are controlled to be lower than the compression rates of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b, and / or the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b is set to the communication encoding unit. The frame rate is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of 54a and 54b.
As a result, video data of higher quality than the video data to be transmitted and output is recorded in the memory card 30.

During the period in which the image pickup is performed in the storage priority mode, the controller 51 performs steps F306 to F3.
08 monitoring processing is performed. In step F306, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the normal mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the normal mode has been received from the management station 40. Step F
At 307, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the transmission priority mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the transmission priority mode has been received from the management station 40. In step F308, the impact detection signal from the impact sensor 67 is monitored. The period during which these rate changing conditions are not detected is as indicated by step F30.
Returning to step 5, the imaging operation in the storage priority mode is continued.

In step F302 in the normal mode state, or in step F307 in the storage priority mode, the switching operation by the user or the operation or instruction for shifting to the transmission priority mode as a rate switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected. In such a case, the controller 51 proceeds to step F309 so that imaging (recording / transmission) is performed in the transmission priority mode. That is, the compression rate of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b is controlled to be lower than the compression rate of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b, and / or the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b is set to the storage encoding unit. The frame rate is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of 53a and 53b. As a result, the video data of higher quality than the video data recorded in the memory card 30 is transmitted.

Also, when there is a shock detection signal from the shock sensor 67 in step F304 in the normal mode state or in step F308 in the storage priority mode, the controller 51 proceeds to step F209 to set in the transmission priority mode. Imaging (record / send)
To be done.

While the image is being picked up in the transmission priority mode, the controller 51 performs the monitoring process of steps F310 and F311. In step F310, whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the normal mode, or the management station 4
It monitors whether or not a rate switching instruction for switching from 0 to the normal mode is received. Step F311
Then, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the storage priority mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the storage priority mode has been received from the management station 40. During a period in which these rate changing conditions are not detected, the process returns to step F309 as indicated by and the imaging operation in the transmission priority mode is continued.

When a switching operation to the normal mode or a switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected in any of steps F306 and F310, the process proceeds to step F301 as indicated by, and the controller 51 controls the switching to the normal mode. To do. That is, the frame rate and compression rate for the storage encoding units 53a and 53b are controlled to be equal to the frame rate and compression rate for the communication encoding units 54a and 54b. In step F311, if a switching operation to the storage priority mode or a switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected,
As shown in step F305, the controller 51 performs control to switch to the storage priority mode.

As described above, the controller 51 performs the mode change control by using the user's operation or the rate change instruction from the management station 40 as the rate change condition, and the shock detection as the rate change condition to the transmission priority mode. In the case where the operation mode is the normal mode or the storage priority mode, the transmission priority mode is switched to when a shock is detected. For example, a user is attacked by a thug,
Alternatively, when the user himself encounters an accident, the video camera may be externally impacted. When a shock is detected in such a situation, the transmission priority mode is automatically switched, so that a high quality image can be transmitted in the event of some abnormal situation. As a result, the management station 40 can more accurately recognize the situation of the security guard or the like who is the user, the cause of the shock, the appearance of the thug, the personal appearance, the style, etc., which is useful for the subsequent response command and investigation.
Further, in this case, since it is considered that the user cannot afford to operate, it is very suitable to automatically set the transmission priority mode.

After shifting to the transmission priority mode due to a shock, the normal mode or the storage priority mode is returned to the normal mode or the storage priority mode in response to a user's operation or a rate switching instruction from the management station 40. This can be dealt with when the operator of the management station 40 determines that it is not necessary to transmit high-quality video.

When the transmission shifts to the transmission priority mode due to the impact detection as described above, it is considered as an abnormal situation and the controller 51 issues an emergency notification to the management station 40 (as in the emergency state described below). Alternatively, it may be transmitted to another user's video camera) and the management station 40
Each person such as a security guard or a security guard may be able to deal with it. That is, the operation described later with reference to FIG. 13 is executed in response to the impact detection, as in the emergency operation.

7. Rate control in which the rate switching controller 51 at the time of emergency detects an emergency state as a rate change condition and switches the operation mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

The emergency state is when the user presses the emergency switch 17 or when an emergency instruction is received. In FIG.
At the time when the image pickup (recording / transmission) is started, the controller 51 performs each encoding unit 53 as step F401.
The normal mode is instructed to a, 53b, 54a and 54b. That is, the frame rate and compression rate for the storage encoding units 53a and 53b are controlled to be equal to the frame rate and compression rate for the communication encoding units 54a and 54b.

In this case, the controller 51 performs the monitoring process of steps F402 to F404 as the rate changing condition. In step F402, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the transmission priority mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the transmission priority mode has been received from the management station 40. In step F403, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the storage priority mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the storage priority mode has been received from the management station 40. In step F404, it is monitored whether or not the emergency state is set as the rate change condition.
That is, it is detected whether the user has pressed the emergency switch 17 or an emergency instruction has been received. During a period in which these rate changing conditions are not detected, the process returns to step F401 as indicated by and the imaging operation in the normal mode is continued.

In step F403, when the user's switching operation or the operation or instruction to switch to the storage priority mode as a rate switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected, the controller 51 proceeds to step F405 and performs image pickup in the storage priority mode ( Recording / sending).
That is, the compression rates of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b are controlled to be lower than the compression rates of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b, and / or the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b is set to the communication encoding unit. The frame rate is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of 54a and 54b.
As a result, video data of higher quality than the video data to be transmitted and output is recorded in the memory card 30.

During the period in which the image pickup is performed in the storage priority mode, the controller 51 executes steps F406 to F4.
08 monitoring processing is performed. In step F406, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the normal mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the normal mode has been received from the management station 40. Step F
At 407, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the transmission priority mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the transmission priority mode has been received from the management station 40. In step F408, it is monitored whether or not the emergency state is reached. The period during which these rate change conditions are not detected is as indicated by step F4.
Returning to 05, the imaging operation in the storage priority mode is continued.

In step F402 in the normal mode state, or in step F407 in the storage priority mode, a switching operation by the user or an operation or instruction for shifting to the transmission priority mode as a rate switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected. In that case, the controller 51 proceeds to step F409 so that imaging (recording / transmission) is performed in the transmission priority mode. That is, the compression rate of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b is controlled to be lower than the compression rate of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b, and / or the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b is set to the storage encoding unit. The frame rate is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of 53a and 53b. As a result, the video data of higher quality than the video data recorded in the memory card 30 is transmitted.

When it is detected in step F404 in the normal mode state or in step F408 in the storage priority mode that the emergency state is detected, the controller 51 proceeds to step F409 to pick up the image in the transmission priority mode. (Record / Send) is performed.

While the image is being picked up in the transmission priority mode, the controller 51 performs the monitoring process of steps F410 and F411. In step F410, whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the normal mode, or the management station 4
It monitors whether or not a rate switching instruction for switching from 0 to the normal mode is received. Step F411
Then, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the storage priority mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the storage priority mode has been received from the management station 40. During a period in which these rate changing conditions are not detected, the process returns to step F309 as indicated by and the imaging operation in the transmission priority mode is continued.

When a switching operation to the normal mode or a switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected in any of steps F406 and F410, the process proceeds to step F401 as indicated by, and the controller 51 controls the switching to the normal mode. To do. That is, the frame rate and compression rate for the storage encoding units 53a and 53b are controlled to be equal to the frame rate and compression rate for the communication encoding units 54a and 54b. In step F411, when the switching operation to the storage priority mode or the switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected,
In step F405, the controller 51 controls to switch to the storage priority mode.

As described above, the controller 51 performs the mode change control with the rate change instruction from the user operation or the rate change instruction from the management station 40 as the rate change condition. When the mode is the normal mode or the storage priority mode, the transmission priority mode is switched to when the emergency state occurs.

For example, security guards, police officers, etc.
When a situation such as a criminal chase occurs, the emergency switch 17 is pressed. As described above, the emergency switch 17 is a large-sized switch so that the user can operate it without paying much attention to the control unit 10. Alternatively, if another security guard or the like is in an emergency, the management station 4
0 or another emergency instruction is received from a video camera owned by another security guard or the like. In such a case, the transmission priority mode is set, and high quality video data is transmitted to the management station 40.
Will be sent to.

Therefore, for example, when a security guard or the like encounters an accident or an incident during patrol, the situation can be transmitted to the management station 40 with high image quality. In some cases, the user may not even be able to simply press the emergency switch 17, but if the operator of the management station 40 monitors the transmitted video, a video will be displayed if an emergency condition is discovered. It is possible to switch to the transmission priority mode by issuing an emergency instruction to the camera. Therefore, even if the emergency switch 17 cannot be operated due to a user being attacked by a thug, high-quality video data can be transmitted by the emergency instruction from the management station 40.

Further, when a plurality of guards / police officers are patroling, one person can operate the emergency switch 17 to bring each video camera into an emergency state. The controller 51 controls the imaging in the transmission priority mode as shown in FIG. 12 in response to the operation of the emergency switch 17, but also controls the transmission of the emergency notification as shown in FIG. For example, in the case of FIG. 13A, the controller 51 of the video camera used by the user A, according to the operation of the emergency switch 17, the emergency occurrence notification data, the ID of the video camera, and the GPS decoder 6
Each of the current position information detected in 5 is supplied to the encoder 59 as transmission data, and the transmission signal processing unit 60
Also, it is transmitted to the management station 40 by the processing of the communication unit 62.

By receiving the transmission data from such a video camera at the management station 40, the management station 40 identifies the occurrence of an emergency, the security guards (video camera ID) who encountered the emergency, and the place of occurrence. it can. Accordingly
The controller 41 of the management station 40 sends an emergency instruction to the video camera (users B, C, D, ...) Of the security guards or the like in the vicinity of the emergency situation or all of the security guards jointly. Control.

For example, when the controller 41 receives the emergency occurrence notification data, the video camera ID, and the current position information via the remote access server 45, first, the corresponding video camera (security guard, etc.) is identified from the video camera ID.
Can be specified. In addition, the location of the emergency can be specified from the current location information. Further, since the image data is sent from the imaging device, the state of the emergency occurrence place can be confirmed. The controller 41 causes the monitor 42 to display video data and map data of the site based on the current position information, so that the operator of the management station 40 can confirm the place and status. Particularly in the case of an emergency notification, the image pickup apparatus is switched in the rate as described above and a high-quality image is transmitted, which is suitable for the situation confirmation on the management station 40 side. Then, the controller 41 further transmits an emergency instruction to another video camera in response to the reception of the emergency notification data. The emergency instruction is instruction information for changing to the transmission priority mode for the video camera of this example. Therefore, each video camera that has received the emergency instruction shifts to the imaging in the transmission priority mode by the processing of FIG. 12, which is convenient for the management station 40 to collect information about the surroundings. of course,
Commands and commands from the management station 40 are transmitted to the video cameras of the security personnel, and high-quality images transmitted from the video cameras that have encountered an emergency are transmitted to the video cameras of the security personnel and displayed. By doing so, it becomes possible to respond promptly and appropriately.

At this time, the controller 41 may transmit the emergency instruction to all the managed video cameras, but it may be a part thereof. Especially, since the location of the scene can be confirmed from the GPS data of the emergency scene, it is necessary to select a video camera carried by a security guard who guards the area and send an emergency instruction to the selected video camera. You may For example, when security areas are shared by groups such as security guards, each video camera of the group in charge of the place where the emergency occurs is selected and an emergency instruction is transmitted. Alternatively, if the ID and GPS data are constantly received from each video camera, the current position of each security guard or the like can be grasped. Therefore, it is also possible to select a video camera of a security guard or the like in the vicinity of the emergency occurrence location and send the emergency instruction.

FIG. 13B shows a state in which the emergency occurrence notification from the video camera of the user A is directly transmitted to the video cameras of the users B, C, D ... With the management station 40. It is shown schematically. Also in this case, similarly, the video cameras of the guards B, C, D, ... Are also in the emergency state and start imaging in the transmission priority mode. Also,
In this case as well, the management station 40 similarly transmits high-quality video data from the video camera of the user A to the video cameras of the users B, C, D, ... The situation can be easily grasped.

By the way, the controller 5 of the video camera
1 controls the imaging in the transmission priority mode by an emergency instruction from another security guard or the management station 40. In such a case, the speaker unit 1
It is preferable to output an emergency ring tone from No. 4 or output a voice instruction from the management station 40. Further, the occurrence site may be transmitted from the management station 40 or the like as GPS current position information, and a map display or the like may be performed on the display unit 11 so that each security guard or the like can accurately grasp the occurrence site of the incident or the like. Good.

After the emergency state is entered and the transmission priority mode is entered, the emergency state is canceled in accordance with a user operation or an instruction from the management station 40, that is, the normal mode or the storage priority mode is restored. By doing so, it is possible to deal with the case where the user or the operator of the management station 40 determines that it is not necessary to transmit the high quality image.

8. Rate Switching by Position Detection Next, the rate control in which the controller 51 determines the rate changing condition based on the current position information from the GPS decoder 65 and switches the operation mode will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 14, when the image pickup (recording / transmission) is started, the controller 51 executes step F40.
1, each encoding unit 53a, 53b, 54a, 54
The normal mode is instructed to b.
That is, the frame rate and compression rate for the storage encoding units 53a and 53b, and the communication encoding unit 54
The frame rate and compression rate for a and 54b are
It is in the state of controlling at the same rate.

In this case, the controller 51 performs the monitoring process of steps F502 to F504 as the rate change condition. In step F502, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the transmission priority mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the transmission priority mode has been received from the management station 40. In step F503, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the storage priority mode or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the storage priority mode has been received from the management station 40. In step F504, it is monitored whether or not the rate is within the designated area as a rate change condition. During a period in which these rate changing conditions are not detected, the process returns to step F501 as indicated by and the imaging operation in the normal mode is continued.

In the controller 51, information designating an area, for example, information as a latitude range and a longitude range is set in advance as a criterion. And controller 5
The reference numeral 1 always compares the latitude / longitude as the current position information from the GPS decoder 65 with the information of the designated area, and determines whether or not the current position is within the designated area in step F504. is there.

Regarding the information on the designated area, for example, the user operates the video camera in advance to input the designated area.
There are various input modes. For example, a map is displayed on the display unit 11 and the user designates a range on the map, or the user inputs or selects a place name or the like to correspond to the place name. The latitude / longitude range may be set as the information of the designated area. Also the management station 4
0 may transmit the data of the latitude / longitude range as the designated area to the video camera, and the controller 51 may receive the data and use it as the information of the designated area.

When the user's switching operation or the operation or instruction for shifting to the storage priority mode as a rate switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected in step F503, the controller 51 proceeds to step F505 to take an image in the storage priority mode ( Recording / sending).
That is, the compression rates of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b are controlled to be lower than the compression rates of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b, and / or the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b is set to the communication encoding unit. The frame rate is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of 54a and 54b.
As a result, video data of higher quality than the video data to be transmitted and output is recorded in the memory card 30.

While the image is being picked up in the storage priority mode, the controller 51 continues to check the current position information from the GPS decoder 65 and also performs the monitoring process of steps F506 to F508. Step F50
In step 6, whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the normal mode or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the normal mode has been received from the management station 40 is monitored. In step F507, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the transmission priority mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the transmission priority mode has been received from the management station 40. In step F508, similarly to step F504, it is monitored whether or not the current position is within the designated area. During a period in which these rate changing conditions are not detected, the process returns to step F505 as indicated by and the imaging operation in the storage priority mode is continued.

In step F502 in the normal mode state, or in step F507 in the storage priority mode, the switching operation by the user or the operation or instruction for shifting to the transmission priority mode as a rate switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected. In this case, the controller 51 proceeds to step F509 so that imaging (recording / transmission) is performed in the transmission priority mode. That is, the compression rate of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b is controlled to be lower than the compression rate of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b, and / or the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b is set to the storage encoding unit. The frame rate is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of 53a and 53b. As a result, the video data of higher quality than the video data recorded in the memory card 30 is transmitted.

When it is detected in step F504 in the normal mode state or in step F508 in the storage priority mode that the current position is within the designated area, the controller 51 proceeds to step F509 to transmit. Image pickup (recording / transmission) is performed in the priority mode.

While the image is being picked up in the transmission priority mode, the controller 51 continues to check the current position information from the GPS decoder 65, and the step F51.
Monitoring processing from 0 to F512 is performed. In step F510, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the normal mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the normal mode has been received from the management station 40.
In step F511, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the storage priority mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the storage priority mode has been received from the management station 40. In step F512,
Monitor whether the current position is out of the designated area. During a period in which these rate changing conditions are not detected, the process returns to step F509 as indicated by and the imaging operation in the transmission priority mode is continued.

If a switching operation to the normal mode or a switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected in any of steps F506 and F510, the process proceeds to step F501 as indicated by, and the controller 51 controls the switching to the normal mode. To do. That is, the frame rate and compression rate for the storage encoding units 53a and 53b are controlled to be equal to the frame rate and compression rate for the communication encoding units 54a and 54b. In step F511, when the switching operation to the storage priority mode or the switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected,
In step F505, the controller 51 controls to switch to the storage priority mode.

In the transmission priority mode, step F51
When it is detected that the outside of the designated area is detected in step 2, the process proceeds to step F513, the mode state when the inside of the designated area is detected is determined, and the mode is restored. For example, step F5
If it is detected in step F512 that the outside of the designated area is detected after the transmission priority mode is detected by the detection in the designated area in 04, the process returns to step F501 and shifts to the normal mode. After shifting to the transmission priority mode by the detection in the designated area in step F508, step F51
When it is detected in step 2 that the area is out of the designated area, the process returns to step F505 and shifts to the storage priority mode. Also, after shifting to the transmission priority mode by the detection of the operation or instruction in steps F502 and F507,
Once the current position is within the designated area, then step F
If it is detected in 512 that it is outside the designated area,
Then, the process returns to step F509. That is, the transmission priority mode is continued.

According to the process shown in FIG. 14, high-quality video data is automatically transmitted and output within the designated area. Therefore, for example, in the case where a security priority area or a dangerous area is included in the patrol and the management station 40 also wants to monitor the area, by setting the designated area, the security officer can When entering the designated area, high quality images will be automatically transmitted to the management station 40,
It is suitable for security.

After shifting to the transmission priority mode in the designated area, the normal mode or the storage priority mode is returned to according to the user's operation or the instruction from the management station 40. This can be dealt with when the 40 operators determine that it is not necessary to transmit high-quality video. Furthermore, if the transmission priority mode is automatically switched when the user enters the designated area, the user can be aware of the mode operation by automatically returning to the original operation mode when the user goes out of the designated area. Since it is not necessary to have
It is not necessary to pay attention to the operation, and is suitable for security.

9. Rate Switching by Voice Inspection Next, rate control in which the controller 51 determines the rate change condition from the process of the voice inspection unit 64 and switches the operation mode will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, the voice inspection unit 61
Is the front microphone 3a and the rear microphone 3
The audio signal supplied from b is compared with a threshold value as a preset predetermined volume level, and the microphone 3
When the volume of the audio signals input from a and 3b exceeds the threshold value (when a large volume is detected), the detection signal is output to the controller 51.

In FIG. 15, when the image pickup (recording / transmission) is started, the controller 51 executes the step F60.
1, each encoding unit 53a, 53b, 54a, 54
The normal mode is instructed to b.
That is, the frame rate and compression rate for the storage encoding units 53a and 53b, and the communication encoding unit 54
The frame rate and compression rate for a and 54b are
It is in the state of controlling at the same rate. The controller 51 also monitors the detection signal from the voice inspection unit 64.

In this case, the controller 51 performs the monitoring process of steps F602 to F604 as the rate change condition. In step F602, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the transmission priority mode or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the transmission priority mode has been received from the management station 40. In step F603, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the storage priority mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the storage priority mode has been received from the management station 40. In step F604, it is determined whether or not there is a detection signal for detecting a large volume from the audio inspection unit 64 as the rate change condition. During the period in which these rate changing conditions are not detected, the process returns to step F601 as indicated by and the imaging operation in the normal mode is continued.

In step F603, when the user's switching operation or the operation or instruction for shifting to the storage priority mode as a rate switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected, the controller 51 proceeds to step F605 and takes an image in the storage priority mode ( Recording / sending).
That is, the compression rates of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b are controlled to be lower than the compression rates of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b, and / or the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b is set to the communication encoding unit. The frame rate is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of 54a and 54b.
As a result, video data of higher quality than the video data to be transmitted and output is recorded in the memory card 30.
Further, the controller 51 continues to monitor the detection signal from the voice inspection unit 64.

During the period in which the image pickup is performed in the storage priority mode, the controller 51 performs steps F606 to F6.
08 monitoring processing is performed. In step F606, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the normal mode or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the normal mode has been received from the management station 40. Step F
At 607, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the transmission priority mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the transmission priority mode has been received from the management station 40. In step F608, it is determined whether or not there is a detection signal for detecting a large volume from the voice inspection unit 64. During a period in which these rate changing conditions are not detected, the process returns to step F605 as indicated by and the imaging operation in the storage priority mode is continued.

In step F602 in the normal mode state, or in step F607 in the storage priority mode, a switching operation by the user or an operation or instruction for shifting to the transmission priority mode as a rate switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected. In that case, the controller 51 proceeds to step F609 so that imaging (recording / transmission) is performed in the transmission priority mode. That is, the compression rate of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b is controlled to be lower than the compression rate of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b, and / or the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b is set to the storage encoding unit. The frame rate is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of 53a and 53b. As a result, the video data of higher quality than the video data recorded in the memory card 30 is transmitted.

Also, when a large volume detection signal from the audio inspection unit 64 is confirmed in the above-mentioned step F604 in the normal mode state or in the above-mentioned step F608 in the storage priority mode, the controller 51 proceeds to step F609, Imaging (recording / transmission) is performed in the transmission priority mode.

While the image is being picked up in the transmission priority mode, the controller 51 performs the monitoring process of steps F610 and F611. In step F610, whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the normal mode, or the control station 4
It monitors whether or not a rate switching instruction for switching from 0 to the normal mode is received. Step F611
Then, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the storage priority mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the storage priority mode has been received from the management station 40. During the period in which these rate changing conditions are not detected, the process returns to step F609 as indicated by and the imaging operation in the transmission priority mode is continued.

When the switching operation to the normal mode or the switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected in any of steps F606 and F610, the process proceeds to step F601 as indicated by, and the controller 51 controls the switching to the normal mode. To do. That is, the frame rate and compression rate for the storage encoding units 53a and 53b are controlled to be equal to the frame rate and compression rate for the communication encoding units 54a and 54b. In step F611, when the switching operation to the storage priority mode or the switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected,
In step F605, the controller 51 controls to switch to the storage priority mode.

As described above, the controller 51 performs the mode change control by using the user's operation or the rate change instruction from the management station 40 as the rate change condition, and detects the large volume and changes the rate change condition to the transmission priority mode. In the case where the operation mode is the normal mode or the storage priority mode, the transmission priority mode is switched when the high volume is detected.

According to the processing of FIG. 16 as described above, an alarm sound, an explosion sound, an accident sound, an angry voice,
When there is a large volume of sound that predicts another abnormal situation, high-quality video data is automatically transmitted to the management station 40. If an abnormal situation occurs in particular, security personnel cannot afford to operate the video camera, but by automatically switching the rate of the video data to be transmitted by volume detection in this way, it is possible to respond in an emergency. It becomes possible to transmit high quality images. Therefore, it is suitable for the situation grasp and command by the management station 40.

During image pickup in the transmission priority mode, the normal mode or the storage priority mode is returned to the normal mode or the storage priority mode in response to a user's operation or a rate switching instruction from the management station 40. This can be dealt with when the 40 operators determine that it is not necessary to transmit high-quality video.

Note that, for example, steps F604 and F608
When the transmission priority mode is entered in response to the detection of the large volume at, the controller 51 may start counting the internal timer, for example. In this case the controller 51
In the transmission priority mode, the process of monitoring the detection signal from the voice inspection unit 64 continues. Regarding the time count, the internal timer is reset when the detection signal from the voice inspection unit 64 is supplied, and at the same time, the count is started again. Then, the count value becomes the continuation time of the period in which the high volume is not detected, and when the count value becomes the predetermined time or more, the normal mode or the storage priority mode is restored. That is, when the state where no loud sound is generated exceeds the predetermined time, it is assumed that the abnormal situation was not originally caused or the abnormal situation is resolved, and the original operation mode is returned to. The user does not need to perform an operation to restore the operation mode or worry about the operation mode state. Of course, the predetermined time in this case may be a fixed value, or the user may arbitrarily set and select it.

By the way, depending on the use environment, large volume detection that is not an abnormal situation may frequently occur. Therefore, the voice inspection unit 64 analyzes the voice signal based on, for example, the frequency component, the level characteristic for each frequency, the attenuation pattern, etc., and when it is determined that the voice is a specific voice, a detection signal is generated even if the volume is high. It is also possible not to switch, that is, not switch to the transmission priority mode. For example, assuming airport security,
When the arrival and departure sound of an aircraft is detected as a loud volume, but the input voice is determined to be the same or similar to the arrival and arrival sound by setting the frequency characteristics of the arrival and departure sound beforehand and setting it. Is considered not to be switched to the transmission priority mode because it is not a high volume as an abnormal situation.

The threshold for detecting a large volume may be a preset fixed value, but the threshold level may be arbitrarily set by the user. For example, when it is used for security in a noisy place, by raising the threshold value, it is possible to more accurately determine the large volume as an abnormal situation.

In the processing of FIG. 15, the volume level is detected and the transmission priority mode is entered, but the transmission priority mode is entered when a predetermined target voice is detected instead of the volume. You can also That is, the voice inspection unit 64 determines the frequency component of the voice as the target voice,
Set the frequency characteristics, attenuation pattern, etc. Then, frequency components, frequency characteristics, attenuation patterns, and the like of the input voices from the microphones 3a and 3b are analyzed, and it is determined whether or not they match or are similar to the target voice. Then, when it is determined that the target voice is input, the detection signal is supplied to the controller 51, and the controller 51 switches to the transmission priority mode as the process of step F604 (or F608) → F609 of FIG. It is something to do.

For example, if a warning sound of a security area or a building, a collision sound of a vehicle, an explosion sound, etc. are set as target sounds, high-quality video data can be obtained by the transmission priority mode when those sounds occur. Will be automatically executed. Further, the voice inspection unit 64 is provided with a voiceprint analysis function, and the voiceprint of a specific person is set in advance, so that when a specific person is asked when the police officer asks a job, the transmission priority mode is set. It is also possible to send high-quality images with.

As a set of target voices, for example, the user sets the video camera to the target voice setting mode to generate the target voices, and the microphone 3
It is sufficient to input from a and 3b, and the voice inspection unit 64 may store the result of analysis. Or an alarm sound,
A pattern such as a collision sound may be preset so that the user can select which is used as the target voice. Further, the management station 40 transmits the data as the target voice, that is, the data such as the specific alarm sound and the voiceprint of the wanted criminal to the video camera, and the controller 51 receives the data and sets it in the voice inspection unit 64. May be.

10. Rate Switching by Image Analysis Next, rate control in which the controller 51 determines the rate change condition from the processing of the image analysis unit 63 and switches the operation mode will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the image analysis unit 63
Performs image analysis on the picked-up video signals supplied from the front camera unit 2a and the rear camera unit 2b, and checks whether or not motion detection or target image input has been performed.

Regarding the motion detection, it is possible to detect whether or not there is a motion considered to be an abnormal situation, for example, by performing a comparison process in the time series direction of the frames of the sequentially input imaged video signals. With respect to the target image, the image analysis unit 63 presets the data as the target image. For example, an image of a specific building, a person, a vehicle, or the like, or a target image as a specific color is set. Then, an image analysis process is performed to determine whether or not these target images are included in the input captured video signal. The image analysis unit 63 supplies the detection signal to the controller 51 in response to a predetermined motion state or detection of a target image.

As a set of target images, for example, the user sets a video camera in the target image setting mode in advance, and a specific photograph or an actual image is picked up at that location, and the image analysis unit 63 displays the imaged image. It should be remembered. Alternatively, data such as color and brightness as a target image, vehicle type, and building may be preset so that the user can select which one is used as the target image. Further, the management station 40 transmits the data as the target image, that is, the image of the criminal, the building, the vehicle type, etc., and the data of the specific color, etc. to the video camera, and the controller 51 receives it and sets it in the image analysis section 63. You may do it.

In FIG. 16, when the image pickup (recording / transmission) is started, the controller 51 executes the step F70.
1, each encoding unit 53a, 53b, 54a, 54
The normal mode is instructed to b.
That is, the frame rate and compression rate for the storage encoding units 53a and 53b, and the communication encoding unit 54
The frame rate and compression rate for a and 54b are
It is in the state of controlling at the same rate. The controller 51 also monitors the detection signal from the image analysis unit 63.

In this case, the controller 51 performs the monitoring process of steps F702 to F704 as the rate change condition. In step F702, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the transmission priority mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the transmission priority mode has been received from the management station 40. In step F703, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the storage priority mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the storage priority mode has been received from the management station 40. In step F704, whether or not there is a movement signal from the image analysis unit 63 or a detection signal of the target image is monitored as the rate change condition, and a period during which these rate change conditions are not detected is indicated by step F7.
Returning to 01, the imaging operation in the normal mode is continued.

In step F703, when the switching operation of the user or the operation or instruction of the shift to the storage priority mode as the rate switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected, the controller 51 proceeds to step F705 and performs the image pickup in the storage priority mode ( Recording / sending).
That is, the compression rates of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b are controlled to be lower than the compression rates of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b, and / or the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b is set to the communication encoding unit. The frame rate is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of 54a and 54b.
As a result, video data of higher quality than the video data to be transmitted and output is recorded in the memory card 30.
The controller 51 also continues to monitor the detection signal from the image analysis unit 63.

During the period in which the image pickup is performed in the storage priority mode, the controller 51 performs steps F706 to F7.
08 monitoring processing is performed. In step F706, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the normal mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the normal mode has been received from the management station 40. Step F70
In step 7, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the transmission priority mode, or whether a rate switching instruction to switch to the transmission priority mode has been received from the management station 40.
In step F708, it is determined whether or not there is a motion or target image detection signal from the image analysis unit 63. During a period in which these rate changing conditions are not detected, the process returns to step F705 as indicated by and the imaging operation in the storage priority mode is continued.

In step F702 in the normal mode state, or in step F707 in the storage priority mode, the switching operation of the user or the operation or instruction of the shift to the transmission priority mode as the rate switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected. In this case, the controller 51 proceeds to step F709 so that imaging (recording / transmission) is performed in the transmission priority mode. That is, the compression rate of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b is controlled to be lower than the compression rate of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b, and / or the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b is set to the storage encoding unit. The frame rate is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of 53a and 53b. As a result, the video data of higher quality than the video data recorded in the memory card 30 is transmitted.

Also, when the motion or target image detection signal from the image analysis unit 63 is confirmed in step F704 in the normal mode state or in step F708 in the storage priority mode, the controller 51 proceeds to step F709. Then, the image pickup (recording / transmission) is performed in the transmission priority mode.

While the image is being picked up in the transmission priority mode, the controller 51 performs the monitoring process of steps F710 and F711. In step F710, it is monitored whether the user's switching operation to the normal mode or the rate switching instruction to the normal mode from the management station 40 is received. In step F711, it is monitored whether the user's switching operation to the storage priority mode or the rate switching instruction to the storage priority mode from the management station 40 is received. The period during which these rate changing conditions are not detected returns to step F709 as shown by
The imaging operation in the transmission priority mode is continued.

If a switching operation to the normal mode or a switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected in any of steps F706 and F710, the process proceeds to step F701 as indicated by, and the controller 51 controls the switching to the normal mode. To do. That is, the frame rate and compression rate for the storage encoding units 53a and 53b are controlled to be equal to the frame rate and compression rate for the communication encoding units 54a and 54b. In step F711, when the switching operation to the storage priority mode or the switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected,
As shown in step F705, the controller 51 performs control to switch to the storage priority mode.

As described above, the controller 51 performs the mode change control under the rate change condition based on the user's operation or the rate change instruction from the management station 40, and also detects the movement of the image or the target image in the transmission priority mode. When the operation mode is the normal mode or the storage priority mode, the transmission priority mode is switched when the motion or the target image is detected.

According to the processing of FIG. 16 as described above, when the scene for which high quality video is desired to be acquired on the side of the management station 40 falls within the imaging range, it is automatically switched to the transmission priority mode, which results in high image quality. Video can be transmitted. For example, when a violent motion is detected due to being attacked by a thug during a patrol, the state of the thug etc. can be transmitted with high image quality. Of course, in this case, since the user has no margin for operation, it is very suitable to automatically enter the transmission priority mode. Also, around the building you want to focus on security, a person similar to the wanted criminal, the color of the clothes that the escape criminal wore,
High-quality video data can be transmitted in response to such situations, which is useful for security and investigation.

During image pickup in the transmission priority mode, the normal mode or the storage priority mode is returned to the normal mode or the storage priority mode in response to a user's operation or a rate switching instruction from the management station 40. This can be dealt with when the 40 operators determine that it is not necessary to transmit high-quality video.
In addition, when a transition to the transmission priority mode due to movement or target image detection, a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission priority mode was started, or particularly when the state where there is no movement or target image detection continues for a predetermined time, You may make it return to a normal mode or a storage priority mode automatically. Then, it is possible to eliminate the need for the user to be aware of the mode operation.

11. In each of the above examples of rate switching depending on the communication status, as the rate changing conditions other than the user's operation or the instruction of the management station 40, the memory card capacity, shock detection, emergency state, designated area, loud sound detection, target voice detection, The operation mode is automatically switched to the transmission priority mode by either the image motion detection or the target image detection. Here, the process for automatically switching the operation mode to the storage priority mode is shown in FIG.
This will be explained in Section 7. In this case, the rate change condition is the communication status.

In FIG. 17, when the image pickup (recording / transmission) is started, the controller 51 executes step F80.
1, each encoding unit 53a, 53b, 54a, 54
The normal mode is instructed to b.
That is, the frame rate and compression rate for the storage encoding units 53a and 53b, and the communication encoding unit 54
The frame rate and compression rate for a and 54b are
It is in the state of controlling at the same rate. The controller 51 also checks the operating status of the communication unit 12. For example, the electric field strength level and the congestion status of the line are monitored to determine whether the communication status is good or bad.

In this case, the controller 51 performs the monitoring process of steps F802 to F804 as the rate change condition. In step F802, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the transmission priority mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the transmission priority mode has been received from the management station 40. In step F803, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the storage priority mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the storage priority mode has been received from the management station 40. In step F804, it is determined whether the deterioration of the communication status is detected. During a period in which these rate changing conditions are not detected, the process returns to step F801 as indicated by and the image pickup operation in the normal mode is continued.

In step F802, when the switching operation of the user or the operation or instruction of the shift to the transmission priority mode as the rate switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected, the controller 51 proceeds to step F810 and takes an image in the transmission priority mode ( Recording / sending). That is, the compression rates of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b are controlled to be lower than the compression rates of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b, and / or the communication encoding units 54a and 5b.
The frame rate of the frame extracting process of 4b is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame extracting process of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b. As a result, the video data of higher quality than the video data recorded in the memory card 30 is transmitted. Further, the controller 51 continues the processing for determining the good / bad state of the communication status.

While the image is being picked up in the transmission priority mode, the controller 51 performs the monitoring process of steps F811 to F813. In step F811, whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the normal mode, or whether the management station 4
It is monitored whether or not a rate switching instruction for switching from 0 to the normal mode is received. Step F812 is
It is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the storage priority mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the storage priority mode has been received from the management station 40. In step F813, it is determined whether the deterioration of the communication status is detected. During the period when these rate changing conditions are not detected, the process returns to step F810 as shown by
The imaging operation in the transmission priority mode is continued.

In the above-mentioned step F803 in the normal mode state or in the above-mentioned step F812 in the transmission priority mode, a user's switching operation or an operation or instruction for shifting to the storage priority mode as a rate switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected. In this case, the controller 51 proceeds to step F805 so that imaging (recording / transmission) is performed in the storage priority mode. That is, the compression rates of the storage encoding units 53a and 53b are controlled to be lower than the compression rates of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b, and / or the storage encoding unit 53.
The frame rate of the frame extraction processing of a and 53b is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of the frame extraction processing of the communication encoding units 54a and 54b. As a result, video data of higher quality than the video data to be transmitted and output is recorded in the memory card 30. Further, the controller 51 continues the processing for determining the good / bad state of the communication status.

When it is confirmed in step F804 in the normal mode state or in step F813 in the transmission priority mode that the communication condition is deteriorated, the controller 51 proceeds to step F805 to pick up the image (record / record / record in the storage priority mode). Send).

During the period in which the image pickup is performed in the storage priority mode, the controller 51 executes steps F806 to F8.
08 monitoring processing is performed. In step F806, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the normal mode or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the normal mode has been received from the management station 40. Step F
In 807, it is monitored whether or not the user has performed a switching operation to the transmission priority mode, or whether or not a rate switching instruction to switch to the transmission priority mode has been received from the management station 40. In step F808, it is monitored whether the communication status has recovered. During a period in which these rate changing conditions are not detected, the process returns to step F805 as indicated by and the imaging operation in the storage priority mode is continued.

When a switching operation to the normal mode or a switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected in any of steps F806 and F811, the process proceeds to step F801 as indicated by, and the controller 51 controls the switching to the normal mode. To do. That is, the frame rate and compression rate for the storage encoding units 53a and 53b are controlled to be equal to the frame rate and compression rate for the communication encoding units 54a and 54b. If a switching operation to the transmission priority mode or a switching instruction from the management station 40 is detected in step F807, the process proceeds to step F810 as indicated by, and the controller 51
Controls to switch to the transmission priority mode.

Further, when the recovery of the communication status is detected in step F808 in the storage priority mode, step F808
In step 809, the mode state when the deterioration of the communication status is detected is determined, and the mode is restored. For example, if the communication status recovery is detected in step F808 after shifting to the storage priority mode by detecting the deterioration of communication status in step F804, the process returns to step F801 as
Switch to normal mode. If the communication status recovery is detected in step F808 after shifting to the storage priority mode due to the detection of the communication status deterioration in step F13,
Then, the process returns to step F810 and shifts to the transmission priority mode. Further, after the storage priority mode is entered by the detection of the operation or instruction in steps F803 and F812, the deterioration of the communication state is once detected, and then the step F
When the communication status recovery is detected in 808, the process returns to step F805. That is, the storage priority mode is continued.

According to the processing shown in FIG. 17, when the communication condition deteriorates, the storage priority mode is set and high-quality video data is automatically recorded in the memory card 30. That is, if the image data cannot be transmitted satisfactorily due to the communication situation, recording high quality data in the memory card 30 is suitable for storing the imaged data.

Also, after shifting to the storage priority mode due to the deterioration of the communication status, it is possible to return to the normal mode or the transmission priority mode according to the operation of the user or, if possible, the instruction from the management station 40. It is possible to deal with the case where the user or the operator of the management station 40 determines that the recording of the high quality image is not required. Furthermore, when the storage priority mode is automatically switched due to the deterioration of the communication status, it is not necessary for the user to be aware of the mode operation by automatically returning to the original operation mode in response to the recovery of the communication status. Therefore, it is not necessary to pay attention to the operation, and it is suitable during security.

12. Modifications In the above, each example has been described as the operation mode control processing by switching the frame rate and / or the compression rate, but more various examples can be considered as the processing of the video camera.

Although the processing in each of the above flow charts is first started in the normal mode, the image pickup is first performed in the storage priority mode or the transmission priority mode, and the mode switching is performed according to a predetermined rate changing condition. You may want to be told.

Although it has been stated that the three mode states of the normal mode, the storage priority mode and the transmission priority mode are switched by the rate control, the normal mode is eliminated so that the storage priority mode and the transmission priority mode can be switched. Good. In that case, first the storage priority mode is set and the imaging operation is started, and the transmission priority mode is switched according to a predetermined rate change condition, or conversely, the transmission priority mode is first set and the imaging operation is started. It is started so that the storage priority mode can be switched according to a predetermined rate change condition.

In the transmission priority mode, the quality of the video data to be transmitted can be improved stepwise by switching the frame rate or the compression rate stepwise. That is, rate switching is performed in a plurality of steps in the transmission priority mode. In this case, it is conceivable to determine the rate to be controlled by the detection state or the number of detections of a plurality of rate changing conditions, or to determine the rate depending on which rate changing condition is detected. Now
An example of rate switching will be given assuming that the first rate and the second rate are switched as the rates in the transmission priority mode, and the second rate is a rate with which the image quality is higher than the first rate.

In the normal mode or the storage priority mode, when one of the rate change conditions is detected, the mode is shifted to the first rate of the transmission priority mode, and further, one of the rate change conditions is detected during the first rate. To the second rate. In the normal mode or storage priority mode, when one rate change condition is detected, the transmission priority mode shifts to the first rate, and when a plurality of rate change conditions are detected in the normal mode or storage priority mode The transmission priority mode shifts to the second rate.・ As a rate change condition, for example, a large volume detection,
In case of any of voice target detection, image motion detection, image target detection, and detection in a designated area, the mode shifts to the transmission priority mode first rate, and in the case of an emergency state or shock detection, it shifts to the transmission priority mode second rate. , The rate is determined according to the type of the detected rate change condition.

Of course, various processing examples other than this are conceivable. Further, not only in the transmission priority mode, but also in the storage priority mode, the first rate and the second rate are similarly set.
It is also conceivable to perform rate switching in multiple stages like rate.

Further, it is naturally assumed that the rate changing conditions for executing the operation mode switching (rate switching) are combined with the rate changing conditions shown in each of the above examples. For example, as rate change conditions for switching to the transmission priority mode, user operation, instructions from the management station 40, remaining capacity of the memory card 30, large volume detection, voice target detection, image motion detection, image target detection, emergency Although the state, the impact detection, and the detection in the designated area have been described, all or part of them may be constantly checked. Further, a temperature sensor, an acceleration sensor, or the like may be provided to detect a temperature situation, an acceleration situation, etc. as a rate change condition to the transmission priority mode.

Further, as the rate changing condition for the storage priority mode, in addition to the user operation and the instruction from the management station 40, the deterioration of the communication condition is described, but other rate changing conditions may be considered. For example, although the processing for switching to the transmission priority mode with the rate change condition being within the designated area has been described above, the process within the designated area may be the rate change condition for switching to the storage priority mode. That is, it is suitable when it is desired to record high quality video data in a specific area. Furthermore, loud volume detection, voice target detection, image motion detection, image target detection,
It is conceivable that the emergency state and shock detection may be used as rate change conditions for the storage priority mode. Of course, these rate changing conditions may be detected in combination.

Further, each of the rate changing conditions for the transmission priority mode and each of the rate changing conditions for the storage priority mode are weighted, and one or more rate changing conditions for the transmission priority mode and the storage When one or more rate changing conditions for the priority mode are detected, it may be possible to determine which of the transmission and the storage has priority.

Also, the battery capacity is detected, and when the battery capacity is low, the transmission priority mode is set. Especially, in this case, the recording to the memory card 30 is stopped and only the transmission output is made, or conversely, the storage priority mode is set.
The power consumption may be reduced by stopping the transmission output and only recording to the memory card 30.

By the way, in the embodiment, the example of the frame processing for changing the frame rate is described as the frame extraction processing. That is, this is an example in which the image quality is changed depending on how many frames are extracted from the frame sequence of the captured image signal obtained by the CCD units 5a and 5b. However, CCD part 5
It is also possible to switch the operation so that a and 5b themselves have different frame rates. For example, the timing of obtaining the recording data and the timing of obtaining the transmission data from the imaged video signal are set in a time division manner, and the CCD transfer clock is variably controlled in the period for obtaining the recording data and the period for obtaining the transmission data. Even with such frame processing, the frame rates of the transmission data and the recording data are variable, that is, the operation of the present invention can be realized.

Further, as processing subsequent to the recording encoding or the communication encoding, frame thinning / frame interpolation is performed to set a frame rate, or pixel thinning / pixel interpolation is performed to set a compression rate. You can also Therefore, frame processing and compression processing are performed by the storage encoding units 53a and 53b and the communication encoding unit 5.
It does not have to be done at 4a, 54b.
Therefore, various device configurations are possible.

Further, it may be considered that, for example, the frame processing and the compression processing are performed in a plurality of steps. For example, if a circuit system capable of executing two-stage compression processing is configured, one
The compression rates can be different when both the second-stage compression and the second-stage compression are performed. For example, in the transmission priority mode, the data subjected to the first-stage compression processing is used as the transmission data, and the data subjected to the first-stage and second-stage compression processing is used as the recording data. Even in this case, the transmission data and the recording data can be different in rate (that is, video quality). Of course 3
The compression processing may be performed in more than one stage. The compression processing in each stage may be the same compression method or different compression methods. The same applies to the frame rate.

[0208]

As can be understood from the above description, according to the present invention, the compression process is performed on the recording data to be recorded on the recording medium according to the detection of the rate change condition and the transmission data to be transmitted and output. Either or both of the compression rate and the frame rate of frame processing are different. That is, it is possible to change the quality of the video data to be transmitted and output and the video data to be recorded on the recording medium. Therefore, there is an effect that appropriate recording / transmission can be realized depending on the situations where high quality is required for the video data to be transmitted and high quality is required for the video data to be recorded. In particular, rate change conditions include rate change operation by the user, emergency operation,
Receive rate change instruction signal, volume level above a certain level,
Input of specific target voice, predetermined motion state of image,
By setting a specific target image, an impact, a predetermined area, the remaining capacity of the recording medium, or all or part of the communication status, it is possible to transmit / record in an appropriate quality state depending on the case. Further, this makes it possible to deal with a situation in which it is difficult for the user to operate. In other words, it becomes possible to obtain an image of appropriate quality depending on the time and the case without imposing a burden on the user for the image capturing operation, and performing image capturing while performing other work, such as a police officer or a security guard. It is very suitable for portable imaging applications during employee patrols. In addition, since a rate change instruction can be given to the image pickup apparatus from the image pickup management apparatus (management station), it is suitable for commanding security, grasping the situation, responding to an emergency, and the like. In addition, rate change conditions such as a target image and a target voice can be set in the imaging device from the imaging management device side, which is suitable for imaging according to the purpose of security or investigation.

If the recording data that has been subjected to the compression processing and / or the frame processing is recorded on the recording medium, for example, the image during patrol can be saved and can be used as a subsequent investigation material or evidence image. Further, by transmitting and outputting the communication data that has been subjected to the compression processing and / or the frame processing, it is possible to monitor, for example, a patrol image in the imaging management apparatus (management station or the like) or save it in a recording medium. This enables command from the imaging management device (management station) while grasping security status, security status, incident scene, etc.
Or improve the security of the guards themselves. Also, therefore,
The quality of the video data is controlled in accordance with the situation of which one of the advantages of recording or transmission is desired to be given priority, so that the optimum operation is executed.

The rate change between the compression processing and / or frame processing of transmission data and the compression processing and / or frame processing of recording data is made possible by the operation of the user, which is convenient for the user. With the combined quality and data volume,
Can be sent / recorded. In addition, the rate is changed by the signal of the rate change instruction received by the communication means, which is desirable according to the convenience of the imaging management apparatus (management station) or another user (other security guard, etc.). You can send / record with quality and data volume. Especially when an incident occurs,
Instruct the imaging device used by each security officer or police officer in the vicinity of the site to make the compression rate of the transmission data lower than the compression rate of the recording data, and / or record the frame rate of the transmission data. Since it becomes possible to transmit high-quality imaging data by making it higher than the frame rate of the usage data, it is very effective for situation confirmation and case resolution on the imaging management device side. In addition, even when the user performs an emergency operation, the compression rate of the transmission data is lower than the compression rate of the recording data and / or the frame rate of the transmission data is higher than the frame rate of the recording data. Controlling to improve the quality of video data for transmission is also appropriate as an emergency process.
Further, in this case, by sending emergency information to the management station, other security guards, etc., it is also suitable for case resolution and security of guards.

[0211] Also, the quality of the video data for transmission is improved in the same manner as described above by detecting the sound volume above a predetermined value, the input of a specific target voice, the predetermined motion state of the picked-up video, the specific target image and the impact. Is preferred. This is also appropriate as an emergency process because it is a case in which something unusual occurs. further,
Improving the quality of the video data for transmission when the current position is within the predetermined area is also suitable when, for example, the patrol area includes a dangerous area, an important caution area, or the like.

When the imaging device transmits an emergency signal to the imaging management device or the like in response to an emergency operation or shock detection, if the current position information is also transmitted, the imaging management device side can accurately identify the emergency occurrence location. Can be recognized and can take appropriate measures. If information from the image pickup device in an emergency state, such as video data and current position information, is transmitted to the other image pickup device, other security guards and the like can accurately recognize the situation, and It is possible to respond appropriately.

When the recordable capacity of the recording medium becomes less than a predetermined value, the compression rate of the transmission data is lower than the compression rate of the recording data and / or the frame rate of the transmission data is lower than that of the recording data. Appropriate processing is performed to control the video data to be higher than the frame rate to improve the quality of the video data for transmission or to reduce the data amount of the video data for recording. That is, it is possible to extend the remaining recordable time by transmitting high-quality data as much as possible to perform alternative recording on the recording medium at the transmission destination and by reducing the data amount of the video data for recording. In particular, alternative recording on a recording medium at the destination is suitable not only for security police applications but also for general users. For example, even when the user does not have a recording medium such as a memory card at the time of capturing an image, or when the memory card capacity is insufficient, the image can be captured without worrying about it.

On the other hand, when the communication condition deteriorates, the compression rate of the recording data is lower than the compression rate of the transmitting data and / or the frame rate of the recording data is higher than the frame rate of the transmitting data. In this way, appropriate processing is executed by improving the quality of the video data for recording. That is, in a situation where transmission is difficult, high quality image data can be stored by improving the quality of recording in the device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an external appearance of a video camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a usage state of the video camera according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an imaging viewing angle of the video camera according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a system configuration using the video camera according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a configuration of the video camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of operation modes and rate switching of the video camera according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of frame rate switching of the video camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of various examples of rate control methods of the video camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of rate switching processing according to an operation or an instruction according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of rate switching processing based on the remaining capacity of the memory card according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a rate switching process based on impact detection according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of rate switching processing during an emergency according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a communication operation during an emergency according to the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of rate switching processing based on current position detection according to the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of rate switching processing based on the voice inspection of the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of rate switching processing based on image analysis according to the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of rate switching processing based on communication status according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 camera unit, 2a front camera part, 2b rear camera part, 3a front microphone, 3b rear microphone, 4 light emitting part, 5a, 5b CCD part, 10
Control unit, 11 display section, 12 antenna, 13 memory card slot, 14 speaker, 1
6 power switch, 17 emergency switch,
18 operation keys, 30 memory card, 31 cable, 32 public line, 40 management station, 41 controller, 42 monitor section, 43 operation section, 44 storage section, 45 remote access server, 46 memory card slot, 51 controller, 52 power supply section , 53
a, 53b storage encoding unit, 54a, 54b
Communication encoder, 55, 56 multiplexer, 5
7 recording unit, 60 transmission signal processing unit, 61 reception signal processing unit, 62 communication unit, 63 image analysis unit, 64 voice inspection unit, 65 GPS decoder, 66 GPS antenna,
67 Impact sensor

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) // H04N 5/225 H04N 5/225 F 5/92 H 5/91 K F term (reference) 5C022 AA05 AA11 AB65 AC00 AC69 AC72 5C053 GA18 GB17 GB21 KA24 LA01 LA14 5C054 DA01 DA07 DA09 FC12 FC13 FC14 HA18

Claims (51)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup means for picking up an image and outputting a picked-up image signal, and a signal for outputting recording data and transmission data by performing a compression process on the picked-up image signal and / or a frame process of the picked-up image signal. Processing means, recording means for recording the recording data on a recording medium, communication means for transmitting and outputting the transmitting data to the outside, detecting means for detecting a rate changing condition, and detecting means by the detecting means. A compression rate for compression processing and / or a frame rate for frame processing for obtaining the recording data, and a compression rate for compression processing and / or a frame rate for frame processing for obtaining the transmission data are different rates. An image pickup device, comprising: 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operating unit, wherein the detecting unit detects a rate changing operation by the operating unit as the rate changing condition. 3. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection means detects a rate change instruction signal received by the communication means as the rate change condition. 4. The emergency operation means is further provided, wherein the detection means detects an operation of the emergency operation means as the rate changing condition, and the communication means transmits an emergency signal in response to the operation of the emergency operation means. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 5. The imaging device according to claim 4, further comprising a current position detecting means, wherein the communication means transmits information on the current position detected by the current position detecting means together with the emergency signal. apparatus. 6. A microphone means for inputting ambient sound, and a voice inspecting means for inspecting a volume level of a voice signal input from the microphone means, wherein the detecting means is a predetermined value or more by the voice inspecting means. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection of the sound volume state is detected as the rate changing condition. 7. A microphone means for inputting ambient sound, and a voice signal input from the microphone means,
A voice inspecting unit for inspecting whether or not a specific target voice is input, wherein the detecting unit detects that the input of the specific target voice is detected by the voice inspecting unit as the rate changing condition. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 8. An image analysis means for performing an image analysis process on an imaged video signal output from the image pickup means, wherein the detecting means detects that a predetermined motion state is detected by the image analyzing means. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus detects the rate change condition. 9. The apparatus further comprises image analysis means for performing image analysis processing on the imaged video signal output from the image pickup means, wherein the detecting means detects that a specific target image is detected by the image analyzing means. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus detects the rate change condition. 10. The shock sensor means for detecting shock is further provided, and the detecting means detects that shock is detected by the shock sensor means as the rate changing condition. The imaging device described. 11. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the communication unit transmits an emergency signal in response to a shock detected by the shock sensor unit. 12. The imaging device according to claim 11, further comprising a current position detecting means, wherein the communication means transmits the information of the current position detected by the current position detecting means together with the emergency signal. apparatus. 13. A current position detecting means, and a determining means for determining whether or not the current position detected by the current position detecting means is within a predetermined area, wherein the detecting means is provided by the determining means. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination of being in a predetermined area is detected as the rate changing condition. 14. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects, as the rate change condition, that the recordable capacity of the recording medium in the recording unit is equal to or less than a predetermined value. 15. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects, as the rate change condition, that the deterioration of the communication status by the communication unit is detected. 16. The rate control means, in response to the detection by the detection means, a compression rate of a compression process for obtaining the communication data is lower than a compression rate of a compression process for obtaining the recording data, And / or controlling so that the frame rate of frame processing for obtaining the communication data is higher than the frame rate of frame processing for obtaining the recording data. . 17. The rate control means, in response to the detection by the detection means, a compression rate of a compression process for obtaining the recording data is lower than a compression rate of a compression process for obtaining the communication data, 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame rate of frame processing for obtaining the recording data is controlled to be higher than the frame rate of frame processing for obtaining the communication data. . 18. A recording data and a transmission data are output by performing a compression process on an imaged video signal obtained by imaging and / or a frame process of the imaged video signal, and the recorded data is recorded on a recording medium. Then, the transmission data is transmitted and output to the outside, the rate change condition is detected, and the compression rate and / or the frame process of the compression process for obtaining the recording data according to the detection of the rate change condition. And the frame rate of the frame processing and the compression rate of the compression processing for obtaining the transmission data are controlled to be different rates. 19. The imaging method according to claim 18, wherein a rate changing operation by a user is detected as the rate changing condition. 20. The image pickup method according to claim 18, wherein a rate change instruction signal transmitted from the outside and received is detected as the rate change condition. 21. The imaging method according to claim 18, wherein an emergency operation by a user is detected as the rate changing condition, and an emergency signal is externally transmitted and output according to the emergency operation. 22. The imaging method according to claim 21, wherein the current position when the emergency operation is performed is detected, and the current position information is transmitted and output to the outside together with the emergency signal. 23. The volume level of a voice signal collected as ambient voice is inspected, and detection of a volume state of a predetermined value or more is detected as the rate changing condition. Imaging method. 24. The image pickup method according to claim 18, wherein an audio signal collected as ambient sound is inspected, and the detection of the input of a specific target sound is detected as the rate changing condition. . 25. The rate change condition according to claim 18, wherein image analysis processing is performed on the picked-up video signal, and detection of a predetermined motion state by the image analysis processing is detected as the rate changing condition. Imaging method. 26. The image analysis process is performed on the captured video signal, and detection of a specific target image by the image analysis process is detected as the rate changing condition. Imaging method. 27. The imaging method according to claim 18, wherein detection of an impact by an impact sensor is detected as the rate changing condition. 28. The imaging method according to claim 27, wherein an emergency signal is transmitted and output to the outside in response to the impact being detected by the impact sensor. 29. The imaging method according to claim 28, further comprising detecting the current position when the impact is detected and transmitting and outputting the current position information to the outside together with the emergency signal. 30. A current position is detected, it is determined whether or not the detected current position is within a predetermined area, and the fact that the current position is within the predetermined area is detected as the rate change condition. The imaging method according to claim 18. 31. The image pickup method according to claim 18, wherein the fact that the recordable capacity of the recording medium is not more than a predetermined value is detected as the rate changing condition. 32. When the deterioration of the communication status is detected,
The imaging method according to claim 18, wherein the rate changing condition is detected. 33. In response to detection of the rate change condition,
The compression rate of the compression process for obtaining the communication data is lower than the compression rate of the compression process for obtaining the recording data, and / or the frame rate of the frame process for obtaining the communication data is for the recording. 19. The image pickup method according to claim 18, wherein the image pickup method is controlled so as to be higher than a frame rate of frame processing for obtaining data. 34. In response to detection of the rate change condition,
The compression rate of the compression processing for obtaining the recording data is lower than the compression rate of the compression processing for obtaining the communication data, and / or the frame rate of the frame processing for obtaining the recording data is for the communication. 19. The image pickup method according to claim 18, wherein the image pickup method is controlled so as to be higher than a frame rate of frame processing for obtaining data. 35. A communication unit capable of communicating with one or a plurality of image pickup devices, an operating unit, and all or a part of the image pickup devices capable of communicating with the communication unit according to an operation of the operating unit. On the other hand, the compression rate of the compression process and / or the frame rate of the frame process for obtaining the recording data, and the compression rate of the compression process and / or the frame rate of the frame process for obtaining the communication data. An image pickup management apparatus comprising: a transmission control unit that transmits a change instruction signal from the communication unit. 36. Monitor means for outputting the video data transmitted from the imaging device and received by the communication means,
The imaging management apparatus according to claim 35, further comprising: 37. A compression process for obtaining recording data with respect to a communication unit capable of communicating with one or a plurality of image pickup devices and all or a part of the image pickup devices capable of communicating with the communication unit. And a frame rate of the frame processing and a rate change condition for the compression rate of the compression processing and / or the frame rate of the frame processing for obtaining the communication data are transmitted from the communication means. An imaging management apparatus comprising: a control unit. 38. Monitor means for outputting video data transmitted from the imaging device and received by the communication means,
38. The imaging management device according to claim 37, further comprising: 39. A communication means capable of communicating with one or a plurality of imaging devices, and an emergency signal transmitted in response to an emergency signal transmitted from a certain imaging device and received by the communication means. The image pickup device or another image pickup device, the compression rate of the compression process for obtaining the recording data and / or the frame rate of the frame process, and the compression rate of the compression process for obtaining the communication data and / or An image capturing management apparatus, comprising: a transmission control unit that transmits a rate change instruction signal regarding a frame rate of frame processing from the communication unit. 40. Monitor means for outputting the video data transmitted from the image pickup device and received by the communication means,
The imaging management apparatus according to claim 39, further comprising: 41. The image capturing management apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the emergency signal is a signal transmitted in response to an emergency operation or impact detection in the image capturing apparatus. 42. The transmission control means selects an image pickup device based on the current position information transmitted together with the emergency signal from the image pickup device which has transmitted the emergency signal, and the rate with respect to the selected image pickup device. 40. A change instruction signal is transmitted from the communication means.
The imaging management device according to. 43. The transmission control means according to claim 39, wherein the communication means transmits the information transmitted from the image pickup apparatus which has transmitted the emergency signal to another image pickup apparatus. The imaging management device described. 44. One or a plurality of image pickup devices and an image pickup management device capable of communicating with each of the image pickup devices, wherein the image pickup device picks up an image and outputs an image pickup video signal, Signal processing means for performing compression processing on the captured image signal and / or frame processing for the captured image signal to output recording data and transmission data; recording means for recording the recording data on a recording medium; The communication means capable of transmitting the transmission data to the imaging management apparatus and capable of various data communication with the imaging management apparatus, and the rate change instruction signal received by the communication means are changed to the rate changing condition. And a compression rate of a compression process and / or a frame processing frame for obtaining the recording data according to the detection by the detection unit. A frame rate, and a rate control means for controlling the compression rate of the compression processing and / or the frame rate of the frame processing for obtaining the transmission data to be different rates. A signal for instructing the rate change, to a communication means capable of communicating with the device, an operating means, and all or some of the imaging devices capable of communicating with the communication means in accordance with the operation of the operating means. An image pickup management system, comprising: a transmission control unit that causes the communication unit to transmit. 45. The imaging management system according to claim 44, wherein the imaging management device further comprises monitor means for outputting the video data transmitted from the imaging device and received by the communication means. . 46. An imaging device, comprising one or a plurality of imaging devices and an imaging management device capable of communicating with each of said imaging devices, said imaging device comprising: an imaging means for performing imaging and outputting an imaging video signal; Signal processing means for performing compression processing on the captured image signal and / or frame processing for the captured image signal to output recording data and transmission data; recording means for recording the recording data on a recording medium; Depending on the communication means capable of transmitting the transmission data to the imaging management apparatus and capable of various data communication with the imaging management apparatus, and the rate change condition setting information received by the communication means. A detection unit that sets a rate change condition and detects the occurrence of the rate change condition, and a compression process pressure for obtaining the recording data according to the detection by the detection unit. A rate and / or a frame rate of frame processing and a rate control means for controlling the compression rate of the compression processing for obtaining the transmission data and / or the frame rate of the frame processing to be different rates, The image capturing management apparatus transmits information for setting the rate change condition to the communication unit capable of communicating with the image capturing apparatus and the information for setting the rate changing condition for all or some of the image capturing apparatuses capable of communicating with the communication unit. An imaging management system comprising: a transmission control unit that causes the unit to transmit. 47. The imaging management system according to claim 46, wherein the imaging management device further comprises monitor means for outputting the video data transmitted from the imaging device and received by the communication means. . 48. One or a plurality of image pickup devices, and an image pickup management device capable of communicating with each of the image pickup devices, wherein the image pickup device picks up an image and outputs an image pickup video signal, Signal processing means for performing compression processing on the captured image signal and / or frame processing for the captured image signal to output recording data and transmission data; recording means for recording the recording data on a recording medium; The transmission data can be transmitted to the imaging management device, and communication means capable of various data communication with the imaging management device, and an emergency signal transmitted from the communication means in response to an emergency operation or shock detection. Emergency signal transmission control means, detection means for detecting the rate change instruction signal received by the communication means as rate change conditions, and detection by the detection means Accordingly, the compression rate of the compression processing and / or the frame rate of the frame processing for obtaining the recording data is different from the compression rate of the compression processing and / or the frame rate of the frame processing for obtaining the transmission data. A rate control unit for controlling the rate to be a rate, and the image capturing management apparatus is a communication unit capable of communicating with the image capturing apparatus, and is transmitted from a certain image capturing apparatus and received by the communication unit. In accordance with the emergency signal, a transmission control unit that causes the communication unit to transmit the rate change instruction signal to the image capturing apparatus that has transmitted the emergency signal or another image capturing apparatus is provided. Imaging management system. 49. The imaging management system according to claim 48, wherein the imaging management device further comprises monitor means for outputting the video data transmitted from the imaging device and received by the communication means. . 50. The image pickup device further comprises a current position detection means, and the emergency signal transmission control means of the image pickup device transmits the current position information detected by the current position detection means together with the emergency signal. While controlling to, the transmission control means of the imaging management device selects an imaging device based on the current position information transmitted together with the emergency signal from the imaging device that has transmitted the emergency signal,
5. The rate change instruction signal is transmitted from the communication means to the selected image pickup device.
8. The imaging management system according to item 8. 51. The transmission control means of the imaging management apparatus causes the communication means to transmit the information transmitted from the imaging apparatus that has transmitted the emergency signal to another imaging apparatus. The imaging management system according to claim 48.