Supervisory camera apparatus and display method for supervisory camera

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a surveillance camera having a 360-degree surveillance range and a method of displaying an image thereof, and in particular, makes it possible to easily grasp the direction in which the camera is facing from the screen.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, a surveillance camera in which a camera and a camera turntable are housed in a dome-shaped housing is commercially available. This surveillance camera is called a compound camera because it can rotate (pan) the camera in the horizontal direction and rotate (tilt) the camera in the vertical direction by the operation of the turntable. It can rotate 360 degrees endlessly in the pan direction and 0 to 90 degrees in the tilt direction, that is, from horizontal to vertical. This compound camera is installed on the ceiling of a public facility or the like, and can take a picture in a desired direction by operating a controller. Further, even when the subject being tracked passes directly below, as shown in FIG. 19, the moment the camera 10 faces directly below, the camera 10 can be rotated 180 degrees around the lens and the tracking can be continued as it is. Images can be projected from one end of the monitoring area to the other.

【0003】

FIG. 20 shows a state in which the controller 12 that controls the composite camera 11 and the monitor 13 that displays the image of the composite camera 11 are connected to the composite camera 11 by the coaxial cable 16. The controller 12 includes a Joyce Tech 14 and a numeric keypad 15 as operation units.

【0004】

The compound camera 11 can preset a plurality of camera positions such as an entrance direction, an exit direction, and a window direction to the controller 12 with IDs. After presetting, you can point the camera in the preset direction simply by entering the camera position ID from the numeric keypad 15 on the controller 12.

【0005】

In addition, Joyce Tech 14 of the controller 12 operates when controlling the moving speed of the camera. When the joystick is tilted, as shown in FIG. 18, the camera rotates in the tilt direction at a speed proportional to the component in the vertical axis direction of the joytech, and also in the pan direction at a speed proportional to the component in the horizontal axis direction. Rotate. While looking at the monitor 13, when the rotating camera projects a desired direction, the operator returns the Joyce Tech to the neutral position and stops the rotation in the tilt direction and the pan direction.

【0006】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

The group of inventors of the present invention has developed a new compound camera capable of endless rotation of 360 degrees in the pan direction and rotation of 180 degrees in the tilt direction. This compound camera can move quickly to the target camera position along the shortest path due to the increased degree of freedom in the moving direction. In addition, this compound camera can set the angle of view when zoomed up to about 2 degrees, and can display a locally enlarged display.

【0007】

However, when the moving direction of the camera becomes free and the zoom is increased, it becomes difficult to grasp where the displayed image is projected. Therefore, when monitoring while remotely controlling the direction of the camera and zooming in on the monitoring area, it is difficult to determine where you are currently looking, and in which direction to point the camera at the target location. There is a problem that it is difficult to operate whether it should be controlled.

【0008】

An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem, and to provide a surveillance camera device capable of recognizing the direction in which a camera is projected from an image, and a method for displaying the image.

【0009】

[Means for solving problems]

Therefore, in the present invention, the surveillance camera device capable of pan rotation or tilt rotation is configured to generate image data in which display characters indicating the shooting direction of the surveillance camera are superimposed and send it to the monitor.

【0010】

Further, in the display method for displaying the image of the surveillance camera device capable of pan rotation or tilt rotation, the display character indicating the shooting direction of the surveillance camera is superimposed and displayed on the image of the surveillance camera.

【0011】

Therefore, the operator can grasp the shooting direction of the camera from the monitor image, and can operate the camera efficiently and accurately.

【0012】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) The composite camera according to the embodiment of the present invention has a housing including a cylindrical camera base 107 and a hemispherical camera cover, as shown in the side sectional view of FIG. 13 and the plan view of FIG. Inside, a camera 102 for surveillance, a tilt turntable 105 that directly holds the camera 102, a pan turntable 103 capable of endless rotation of 360 degrees, and a pair of columns 113 erected on the pan turntable 103. The support column 113 is provided with a tilt rotation shaft 106 that pivotally supports the tilt rotation base 105, and a slip ring 112 that acts as a contact point for supplying power to the inside of the housing and inputting / receiving an electric signal. Although not shown, it controls the rotation mechanism of the pan turntable 103 and tilt turntable 104, the motor that is the drive source for rotation, the drive control unit of the motor, the amplification circuit that amplifies the video signal, and the operation of the composite camera. It is equipped with a control unit and the like. Further, in order to determine the rotation base point in the pan direction, the magnet 117 is fixed at the base point position of the housing, and the origin Hall element 32 for detecting the magnetic field of the magnet 117 is installed on the pan turntable 103.

【0013】

The tilt turntable 105 that holds the camera 102 can rotate 180 degrees around the tilt rotation axis 106, and as a result, the camera 102 is at the bottom from the direction of point A (108) in FIG. It can reversibly turn past point B (109) to point C (110).

【0014】

Further, the pan turntable 103 can rotate its rotation locus 206 in the horizontal direction over 360 degrees as shown in FIG.

【0015】

Further, the slip ring 112 realizes power supply from the fixed portion to the movable portion and conduction of an electric signal between the fixed portion and the movable portion.

【0016】

Therefore, by mounting this composite camera on the ceiling, adjusting the rotation angle of the tilt turntable 105 by remote control, and rotating the pan turntable 103 in a predetermined direction, the camera 102 captures all directions in the monitoring range. be able to.

【0017】

FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of this composite camera with functional blocks. As the rotation control mechanism of the pan turntable 103 and the tilt turntable 105, the motors are based on the detection results of the rotating motors 24 and 28, the encoders 25 and 29 that detect the rotation speed of the motors 24 and 28, and the encoders 25 and 29. Motor drivers 23 and 27 that drive 24 and 28, deceleration mechanisms 26 and 30 that decelerate the rotation of motors 24 and 28 and transmit them to the pan turntable 103 and tilt turntable 105, and magnets 117 arranged at the base point of the pan. The origin hole element 32 installed on the pan turntable 103, which is sensitive to the magnetic field of, and the end point hole, which is 180 degrees apart from the tilt turntable 105, is sensitive to the magnetic field of the magnet placed at the end point position of the tilt. A motor that controls the motor drivers 23 and 27 based on the detection results of the element 33, the hole element detection unit 31 that detects the origin of the pan and the end point of the tilt from the detection signals of the hole elements 32 and 33, and the hole element detection unit 31. It is equipped with a control unit 22.

【0018】

In addition, as the control mechanism of the camera lens unit, the stepper motors 36 and 40 for zoom and focus adjustment, the motor drivers 35 and 39 that output drive pulses to the stepper motors 36 and 40, and the stepper motors 36 and 40. Controls deceleration mechanisms 37 and 41 that decelerate rotation and transmit it to the lens mechanism, limit switches or photo interrupters 38 that detect the limit of zoom adjustment, photo interrupters 42 that detect the limits of focus adjustment, and motor drivers 35 and 39. It is equipped with a lens control unit 34 for adjusting the iris and a driver 43 for adjusting the iris.

【0019】

In addition, as a camera unit that outputs a video signal, a CCD44 that performs imaging, a DSP45 that encodes the video signal, a character generator 48 that generates characters and figures superimposed on an image, and a character generator 48 that writes and reads image data. It is equipped with an image memory 46.

【0020】

Further, a camera control unit 21 that controls the operation of the compound camera based on a control signal input from the controller, and a memory (E) that stores data.²It is equipped with PROM) 47.

【0021】

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the composite camera is connected to the controller 12 that controls the composite camera 11 and the monitor 13 that displays images through the coaxial cable 16, and the controller 12 serves as an operation unit of the joystick 14 and the joystick 14. In addition to the numeric keypad 15, a switch 17 for selecting display / non-display of direction display characters, which will be described later, is provided.

【0022】

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the composite camera 11 is connected to the personal computer 19 by RS485 serial communication (18), and the composite camera 11 is controlled from the personal computer 19 while displaying the image of the composite camera 11 on the screen of the personal computer 19. It is also possible to do.

【0023】

Further, although the case where one composite camera 11 is connected to the controller 12 or the personal computer 19 is shown here, a plurality of composite cameras are connected to the controller 12 or the personal computer 19 to control the composite cameras. It is also possible to control with 12 or a personal computer 19.

【0024】

In this composite camera, the output pulse of the encoder 25 that detects the rotation of the motor 24 in the pan direction is transmitted to the motor control unit 22, and the time when the origin Hall element 32 detects the pan base point is the motor through the Hall detection unit 31. It is transmitted to the control unit 22. When the number of pulses output from the encoder 25 during one rotation of the pan turntable is p, the motor control unit 22 has the number of output pulses m of the encoder 25 after the origin Hall element 32 detects the pan base point. Count and Pt = m × 360 / p To calculate the current pan angle Pt. The calculated current pan angle Pt is held in the memory 47.

【0025】

Similarly, the output pulse of the encoder 29 that detects the rotation of the motor 28 in the tilt direction is transmitted to the motor control unit 22, and the time point at which the tilt end point is detected by the end point Hall element 33 is controlled by the motor through the hall detection unit 31. It is told to department 22. When the number of pulses output from the encoder 29 during the half rotation of the tilt turntable is q, the motor control unit 22 outputs the number of pulses n of the encoder 29 after the end point Hall element 33 detects the end point of the tilt. Count and Tt = 90-(n × 180 / q) To calculate the current tilt angle Tt. That is, the tilt angle is calculated with the direction directly below as 0 degree. The possible tilt angle range is from +90 degrees to -90 degrees. The calculated current tilt angle Tt is held in the memory 47.

【0026】

The angle of view of the image captured by the lens unit is determined by the amount of rotation of the stepper motor 36 that defines the zoom amount, which is determined by the number of pulses output to the stepper motor 36. Similarly, the focal length of the lens unit is determined by the number of pulses output to the stepper motor 40. The lens control unit 34 counts the pulses output for rotating the stepper motors 36 and 40 in the positive direction as + and the pulses output for rotating the stepper motors 36 and 40 in the negative direction as-, and the motor drivers 35 and 39. Accumulate the number of pulses output from. This cumulative number of pulses is held in the memory 47 as data representing the current angle of view Zt and focal length Ft.

【0027】

In this way, Pt, Tt, Zt and Ft are recorded in the memory 47 as data representing the current state quantity of the compound camera.

【0028】

Further, in this composite camera, as shown in FIG. 1, a table (direction designation table) shown in FIG. 7 is held in the memory 47 in order to display the direction overlaid on the image. In this table, the range of the pan angle, the range of the tilt angle, and the code of the character (direction display character) to be displayed on the screen when the pan angle and the tilt angle are located in the corresponding range are described.

【0029】

FIG. 5 illustrates the range of the pan angle at which the directional characters are displayed, and FIG. 6 illustrates the range of the tilt angle at which the directional characters are displayed. When the tilt angle is from b1 to -b1, that is, when the camera installed on the ceiling is facing directly below, the directional display characters are not displayed regardless of the pan angle. This is because when displaying an image of the floor portion, it is considered that the value of notifying the directional information is low.

【0030】

When the tilt angle is between b1 and 90 degrees, and when the tilt angle is between -b1 and -90 degrees, and the pan angle is within the shaded range of FIG. 5, FIGS. 1 and 6 As shown in, the corresponding orientation display characters are displayed at the bottom edge of the screen.

【0031】

The point to note here is that even if the pan angle is the same, the displayed orientation display characters differ depending on whether the tilt angle is b1 90 degrees or -b1 -90 degrees. .. For example, if the pan angle is 45 degrees, if the tilt angle is in the range of b1 90 degrees, it will be displayed as "northeast", but if the tilt angle is in the range of -b1 -90 degrees, it will be the opposite of northeast. "Southwest" is displayed.

【0032】

Here, the case of displaying eight directions of east, north, west, south, northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest is illustrated as the direction display characters. Even if the pan angle deviates from those directions by the angle a0 to the + side and-side, the direction display characters are displayed.

【0033】

The orientation specification table in FIG. 7 describes all of these relationships. Of course, in this table, the value of b1 that defines the tilt angle can be set to 0.

【0034】

The operation of this composite camera is controlled by the controller 12 in FIG. 3 or the personal computer 19 in FIG. Commands are transmitted from the controller 12 or the personal computer 19, and the camera control unit 21 of the composite camera 11 interprets the received commands and controls the operation of each unit.

【0035】

When the operator tilts the joystick 14 of the controller 12 to change the direction of the camera, the controller 12 responds to the tilted joystick 14 with a command indicating the speed control of the camera, as shown in FIG. The data Vpan representing the x-axis component and the data Vtilt representing the y-axis component of are transmitted to the composite camera 11. The camera control unit 21 of the composite camera 11 interprets the received command and sends the data Vpan and the data Vtilt to the motor control unit 22, and the motor control unit 22 pans and rotates at the speed of the motor driver 23. Controls the motor driver 27 to perform tilt rotation at the speed of Vtilt.

【0036】

Further, when the operator returns the Joyce Tech to the neutral position, similarly, the data of Vpan = 0 and Vtilt = 0 is sent to the compound camera together with the command, and the rotation in the tilt direction and the pan direction is stopped.

【0037】

When the camera turns, as described above, Pt, Tt, Zt and Ft data representing the current state quantity of the camera are retained. The camera control unit 21 of the compound camera 11 compares the Pt (pan angle) and Tt (tilt angle) of this data with the pan angle and tilt angle ranges of the directional control table, and there is a range including the current Pt and Tt. If so, the character code of the corresponding directional display character is output to the character generator 48. At this time, the camera control unit 21 instructs the character generator 48 of the output position of the direction display character.

【0038】

The CCD44 captures the direction in which the camera is pointed and outputs the video signal to the DSP45. The character generator 48 outputs the directional display character to be displayed at the specified position to the DSP 45.

【0039】

The DSP 45 encodes an image on which the orientation display characters are superimposed, and after the encoded image data is once written in the image memory 46, it is read out from the image memory 46 and output to the monitor 13.

【0040】

In this way, the monitor displays an image in which the orientation display characters are superimposed on the designated image position.

【0041】

The controller 12 is provided with a switch 17 for selecting display / non-display of the directional display character, and when the operator selects non-display with the switch 17, a command for hiding the directional display character is issued. It is sent to the compound camera 11, and the camera control unit 21 stops displaying the directional display characters.

【0042】

In addition, this compound camera can automatically point the camera in that direction when the direction is specified.

【0043】

For example, when the operator specifies "north" from the personal computer 19 and instructs the computer 19 to face the direction, the camera control unit 21 of the compound camera 11 interprets the received command and stores it in the memory 47. From the held directional control table, the pan angle and tilt angle of the column whose display is "north" are read out. Here, the data in the fifth column of the pan angle 90 ± a0 and the tilt angle b1 90 and the data in the 14th column of the pan angle 270 ± a0 and the tilt angle -b1 -90 are read out. By selecting the center angle of the range for the pan angle and selecting the preset angle (here, ± b1) for the tilt angle, the first camera target position from the data in the fifth column. Set (P1 = 90, T1 = b1), and set the second camera target position (P2 = 270, T2 = -b1) from the data in the 14th column.

【0044】

Next, Pt and Tt of the current state quantity are read out, and the shortest path among the paths from the current camera position to the first camera target position and the second camera target position is obtained.

【0045】

In this compound camera, there are four movement routes from the current camera position (Pt, Tt) to one target camera position (Po, To).

【0046】

The first is the pan rotation of the right turn and the tilt rotation within the same area (when the current tilt angle is in the positive region, the tilt rotation in the positive region, and the current tilt angle is in the negative region. Path to reach the target camera position by tilt rotation in the negative region in some cases) The second is the path to reach the target camera position by pan rotation of left turn and tilt rotation within the same area. The third is the tilt rotation that moves to a different area (tilt rotation that moves from the positive area to the negative area or from the negative area to the positive area after passing 0 degrees) and the pan rotation of the right turn to reach the target camera position. Route to reach The fourth is the path to reach the target camera position by tilt rotation that moves to a different area and pan rotation that turns left. The pan rotation angle and the tilt rotation angle in each of the movement paths are as shown in FIG. The camera control unit 21 of the compound camera 11 obtains 4 × 2 movement paths from the current camera position to the first camera target position and the second camera target position, and pan rotation angle and tilt rotation of each movement path. Focusing on the larger rotation angle of the angles, the movement path with the smallest rotation angle is selected as the shortest path. This is because when the pan direction rotation and the tilt direction rotation are performed in parallel to move to the target camera position, the larger rotation angle of the pan rotation angle and the tilt rotation angle is used to move to the target camera position. This is because the arrival time is determined.

【0047】

When the shortest path is selected, the camera control unit 21 instructs the motor control unit 22 to pan and tilt rotate by the pan rotation angle and the tilt rotation angle in the selected movement path.

【0048】

The motor driver 23 rotates the motor 24 by the pan rotation angle instructed through the motor control unit 22, and when it detects that the motor 24 has rotated by the instructed angle from the output of the encoder 25, the motor driver 23 stops the rotation of the motor 24. To do. Similarly, the motor driver 27 rotates the motor 28 by the tilt rotation angle instructed through the motor control unit 22, and when it detects from the output of the encoder 29 that the motor 28 has rotated by the instructed angle, the motor 28 Stop the rotation. As a result, the camera faces north and shooting begins.

【0049】

Further, the camera control unit 21 outputs the character code of "north" to the character generator 48, and also instructs the output position of the "north".

【0050】

The CCD44 captures an image in the direction in which the camera is pointed and outputs the video signal to the DSP45. The character generator 48 outputs the character "north" to be displayed at the specified position to the DSP 45. The DSP 45 encodes an image on which "north" is superimposed, and after the encoded image data is once written in the image memory 46, it is read from the image memory 46 and output to the monitor 13.

【0051】

At this time, in the selected shortest path, when the tilt rotation passes 0 degrees and moves to a different area (that is, when the third or fourth movement path is selected), the image data from the image memory 46 Is read in the reverse order. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the image displayed on the monitor 13 from being reversed. Further, the camera control unit 21 instructs the character generator 48 of the "north" output position in consideration of the reading direction of the image data from the image memory 46.

【0052】

As the switching points (camera positions) for actually switching the reading direction of the image data, two points other than 0 degrees are set as the tilt angle, and the image data is obtained when the tilt angle advances to the-side beyond one point. The switching of the reading direction of the image data is switched, and when the tilt angle advances to the + side beyond the other point, the switching of the reading direction of the image data is canceled. In this way, by providing hysteresis in the switching of the image data reading direction, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of frequent image inversion in the vicinity of the switching point.

【0053】

Next, a method of recording the directional control table in the memory 47 of the composite camera 11 will be described.

【0054】

First, the table shown in FIG. 7 is initially set in the memory 47 at the factory shipment stage of the compound camera. Next, after mounting this compound camera on the planned installation location such as the ceiling of a building, the table initially set at the site is modified according to the actual orientation. For this correction, the installed camera is manually rotated and pointed, for example, in the "east" direction. The camera control unit 21 of the compound camera compares the pan angle from the pan base point at that time with the initially set pan angle in the "east" direction to obtain the difference (α), and is shown in FIG. As shown, α is added for all the pan angles described in the initialization table.

【0055】

In this way, if the alignment is performed in one direction described in the table, the data in the other direction can be automatically corrected.

【0056】

Further, at the time of this correction work, it is also possible to rotate the compound camera by using a controller or a personal computer instead of the manual operation to perform the alignment. In addition, every time a certain period of time elapses from the installation of the composite camera, the controller or a personal computer can be operated to align the composite camera with the reference orientation and maintain the orientation specification table.

【0057】

When using a personal computer for such data correction work, the data in the orientation specification table held in the composite camera is once read into the personal computer, and the amount of rotation to the reference orientation in which the composite camera is rotated for alignment is calculated. It is possible to acquire data from a compound camera, modify the table on a personal computer, and download the modified table data from the computer to the compound camera. In this way, the burden of arithmetic processing on the compound camera is greatly reduced.

【0058】

In addition, a direction sensor (gyro) is installed in the compound camera, the direction of the camera is adjusted to the direction indicated by the direction sensor, and the difference between the pan angle at that time and the north pan angle specified in the direction specification table is calculated. The data in the table may be modified based on this difference. Further, in this case, further accuracy can be maintained by inputting the latitude / longitude data of the installation position of the compound camera into the personal computer and correcting the influence of the geomagnetism in the direction indicated by the gyro.

【0059】

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, it is also possible to add up, middle, and down to the directional display characters according to the tilt angle to display "north up", "north middle", and "north down". In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the range of the tilt angle in the directional control table is divided into a plurality of parts, and the display characters corresponding to each type are set.

【0060】

Also, when the pan angle of the compound camera is out of the range of the diagonal line in Fig. 5, "North " " North" "Northeast " " Northeast" .. It is also possible to display the direction of the vicinity as a guide with an arrow. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), each range deviating from the diagonal line in FIG. 5 is divided into two at the same angle, and each divided pan angle range is composed of a closer direction and an arrow. Set the guide display in the orientation table.

【0061】

For example, between (0 + a0) and (45-a0), with the middle (45/2) degree as the boundary, from (0 + a0) to (45/2), the close "east" is used. Display with an arrow (East ), and from (45/2) to (45-a0), display the near "Northeast" with an arrow ( Northeast) (However, in this case, the tilt angle is "b1 ~ 90". Between).

【0062】

At this time, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), if the display position of the guide display is set in the orientation specification table in advance, the lower right corner (c) of the screen or the screen can be set according to the direction of the arrow. The guide display can be displayed at the lower left (d) of. Such a display form makes it possible for the operator who operates the camera to strongly recognize the directionality.

【0063】

It is also possible to switch the display / non-display of the directional display characters and the guide display on the screen in conjunction with the rotation speed of the camera. For example, the directional display characters can be displayed only when the camera rotation is stopped, and the guide display can be displayed only when the joystick operation is started.

【0064】

In this case, the camera control unit 21 of the compound camera interprets the command from the controller and stops the display of the directional display characters when the camera rotation is instructed, or guides only when the camera rotation is instructed. Control the instructions to the character generator 48 to perform the display.

【0065】

As described above, when the direction display characters are displayed only when the camera is stopped, it is not necessary to calculate the direction at a high speed according to the moving speed of the camera, and the calculation load of the compound camera can be reduced.

【0066】

Further, when the guide display is displayed only when the joystick is operated, the operator can easily operate the camera, and when the camera is stopped, the image is not hidden by the guide display, making the image easier to see.

【0067】

Further, in the directional specification table, a0 that defines the amount of deviation of the pan angle from the correct directional (allowable tolerance) is set as a function of the angle of view, that is, a function of the zoom amount Z (a0 = φ (Z)). As a result, the permissible tolerance for displaying the directional display characters can be regulated according to the angle of view, and the permissible tolerance when the zoom amount is high (the angle of view is narrow) can be narrowed.

【0068】

In this case, the camera control unit 21 of the compound camera calculates a0 = φ (Zt) from the data of Pt, Tt, Zt and Ft representing the current state quantity of the camera using Zt, and the pan angle is accurate. The azimuth display characters are displayed on the screen only when the deviation from the correct azimuth angle falls within the range of ± a0.

【0069】

By reducing the permissible tolerance when the angle of view is narrow in this way, it is possible to magnify a part of the monitoring area and accurately adjust the direction of the camera to the target direction.

【0070】

In addition, by comparing this Zt with the threshold value, the display of the direction display character is stopped when the angle of view is a wide-angle image larger than a predetermined value, that is, when the direction of the image can be recognized without displaying the direction. You can also do it.

【0071】

Further, when this a0 is set as a function (a0 = φ (x)) of the value x specified by the controller, the operator can determine the allowable tolerance.

【0072】

Further, when displaying the direction display characters, it is also possible to display the amount of deviation (deviation angle) between the direction of the camera and the direction. In this case, the camera control unit 21 of the compound camera calculates the difference between Pt representing the current state quantity of the camera and the angle of orientation, and displays the difference through the character generator 48. The operator can accurately operate the camera by looking at the displayed deviation amount.

【0073】

It is also possible to change the configuration on the controller side so that when the compound camera is directed in that direction by designating the direction, the designation of the direction can be input by voice.

【0074】

(Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment, a composite camera that displays according to a user's request according to the direction of the camera will be described.

【0075】

For example, as shown in FIG. 15, this compound camera displays "door" at the lower end of the screen when facing the door in the installed room, and when facing the entrance, the compound camera is displayed. "Entrance" is displayed.

【0076】

Based on the settings, the memory 47 of this composite camera stores the pan angle with the allowable tolerance set to ± a0, the tilt angle with the allowable tolerance set to ± b0, and the target, as shown in FIG. A table (user customization table) described in association with the display character code to be displayed is stored.

【0077】

In this composite camera, as in the first embodiment, when Pt and Tt representing the current state quantity of the camera match the pan angle and tilt angle described in the user customization table, the corresponding display is displayed on the image. It is superimposed and displayed on the monitor screen.

【0078】

When the operator specifies, for example, the "entrance", the pan angle and tilt angle corresponding to the "entrance" are read from the user customization table, and the camera position that displays the entrance by following the shortest path from the current camera position. The direction of the camera moves to. The operation at this time is the same as in the case of the first embodiment.

【0079】

Furthermore, in this compound camera, for example, when "door" is input as a wild card, the camera turns like "door 1", "door 2" .., and an image in the direction of each door is displayed. It can be displayed in order along with the display characters of the target object.

【0080】

In this case, the camera control unit 21 of the compound camera sequentially reads out the pan angle and tilt angle corresponding to the display including the character "door" from the user customization table, and adjusts the pan angle and tilt angle of the turntable accordingly. To control.

【0081】

Next, a method of recording the user customization table in the memory 47 of the composite camera 11 will be described.

【0082】

First, from the architectural drawing of the building where the compound camera is installed, the pan angle and tilt angle for displaying each target are calculated based on the positional relationship between the installation position of the compound camera and the target, and the calculated data. And enter the display name of the target to initialize the user customization table in the memory 47 of the compound camera. Next, when this compound camera is actually installed in a building, the camera position is adjusted to one of the targets, the difference (α) between the pan angle and the initial setting value of the target is calculated, and the difference (α) is calculated. The difference (α) is added to all the pan angles corresponding to each target described in the initial setting table. By such a method, it becomes possible to set a user customization table by reducing the adjustment work at the compound camera installation site. Further, at this time, the pan angle and the tilt angle for displaying each target object may be calculated by using the CAD data of the architectural drawing.

【0083】

In addition, after installing the compound camera in the building, the user can set the camera position to each target using a controller or a personal computer, and register the pan angle and tilt angle together with the display characters of the target. It is also possible to complete a customized table. Also, in the same way, the already registered user customization table can be modified. In this case, the table correction work can be made more efficient by using wildcards, for example, by displaying each door in order and making corrections.

【0084】

Also, based on the user customization table, for example, when the entrance is displayed, the characters "entrance" are displayed on the screen of the displayed characters so that they are displayed in a position that does not interfere with the image or in a position that is easy to see on a black background. It is also possible to register the position in the user customization table in advance. This is the same as in Fig. 10 (b).

【0085】

Also, when the camera is rotating under the control of the joystick, if the camera enters the range of the pan angle and tilt angle that displays the target registered in the user customization table with display characters, the compound camera automatically rotates. It can also be operated to slow down the speed. This is because the target registered in the user customization table is an important point of monitoring, so the purpose is to display the position slowly and carefully. In this case, when the current pan angle and tilt angle fall within the range of the pan angle and tilt angle registered in the user customization table, the camera control unit 21 of the compound camera leaves the control of the controller and controls the motor independently. Instruct unit 22 to decelerate.

【0086】

In addition, each method described in the first embodiment, such as a guide display that displays the direction of the target object with an arrow and a setting of the allowable tolerance corresponding to the angle of view, can also be applied when using the user customization table. ..

【0087】

It is also possible to register the direction designation table and the user customization table in the memory 47 of the composite camera, and display the direction and the target object at the same time. Further, in this case, at the camera position where both the direction and the target object are displayed, one of the tables may be given priority and only the display based on the table may be performed. By doing so, it is possible to avoid the complexity of the display on the screen.

【0088】

(Third Embodiment) In the third embodiment, the display in which the characters displaying the orientation and the target object are synchronized with the pan movement in the shooting direction and moved in the opposite direction on the screen in the same manner will be described.

【0089】

The movement of the displayed characters on the screen depends on the pan speed and the zoom amount (angle of view). FIG. 17 shows that even if the pan speed (Vpan = dθ / dt) is the same, the amount of movement (dl1, dl2) of the displayed characters on the screen differs depending on the angle of view (φ1, φ2). FIG. 17 (a) shows a case where the angle of view is narrow, and FIG. 17 (b) shows a case where the angle of view is wide.

【0090】

Here, the angle of view φ is a value determined by the zoom amount (Z) of the lens portion. Assuming that the horizontal length of the screen is L, the amount of movement dl of the displayed characters is dθ / φ = -dl / L There is a relationship of. Therefore, dθ / dt = Vpan = -φ / L dl / dt From dl / dt = -Vpan L / φ Will be.

【0091】

When the pan speed Vpan is input from the controller, the camera control unit 21 of the compound camera uses the angle of view φ (Zt) and L, which are determined by the current zoom state amount (Zt) of the compound camera, to move the display character (-). Vpan · L / φ (Zt)) is calculated, and based on this value, the display position of the orientation display character and the target display character is specified in the character generator 48.

【0092】

As a result, the direction display character and the target display character move the display position left and right on the screen in synchronization with the pan rotation. Therefore, the operator can accurately grasp the current position of the camera, and can easily match the camera position with the direction and the target object accurately.

【0093】

In the embodiment, a composite camera capable of pan rotation of 360 degrees and tilt rotation of 180 degrees has been described, but the present invention can be applied to a surveillance camera device having at least one or more swivel axes. ..

【0094】

[Effect of the invention]

As is clear from the above description, in the surveillance camera device and the display method of the present invention, since the display characters indicating the direction of the camera are superimposed and displayed on the image, the current camera position is clearly recognized from the image displayed on the monitor. can do. Therefore, the operator who controls the direction of the camera and monitors the monitoring area can accurately and easily point the camera at the target direction or the direction of the target object.

【0095】

In addition, in this surveillance camera device, the orientation display character indicating the shooting direction and the name display character of the target object are selected by the internal processing of the surveillance camera device and superimposed on the image, so that appropriate image processing can be performed quickly. It is possible to do it.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

A diagram illustrating an image displayed by the composite camera of the first embodiment, [Figure 2]

A block diagram showing the configuration of the composite camera of the embodiment, [Fig. 3]

The figure which shows the control system of the composite camera of 1st Embodiment, [Fig. 4]

The figure which shows the other control system of the compound camera of 1st Embodiment, [Fig. 5]

A diagram showing the relationship between the orientation displayed by the composite camera of the first embodiment and the pan angle, [Fig. 6]

A diagram showing the relationship between the tilt angle and the display / non-display of display characters in the composite camera of the first embodiment. [Fig. 7]

A diagram showing a table held by the composite camera of the first embodiment, [Fig. 8]

A diagram showing the relationship between the tilt angle range and the displayed characters in the composite camera of the first embodiment. [Fig. 9]

A diagram showing a table held when the displayed characters are changed according to the tilt angle range in the composite camera of the first embodiment. [Fig. 10]

In the composite camera of the first embodiment, the table (a) (b) that defines the guide display when the allowable tolerance is exceeded and the figure showing the display form (c) (d) of the guide display, [Fig. 11]

Data showing the pan rotation angle and tilt rotation angle of each movement path calculated to obtain the optimum path by the composite camera of the first embodiment, [Fig. 12]

A diagram showing a modified state of a table held by the composite camera of the first embodiment, [Fig. 13]

Side sectional view showing the structure of the composite camera of the embodiment, [Fig. 14]

A plan sectional view showing the structure of the composite camera of the embodiment, [Fig. 15]

A diagram showing a target whose name is displayed in the composite camera of the second embodiment, [Fig. 16]

A diagram showing a table held by the composite camera of the second embodiment, [Fig. 17]

Explanatory drawing explaining the movement of the display character displayed by the composite camera of the third embodiment on the screen, [Fig. 18]

Explanatory drawing explaining the camera speed control performed by the conventional compound camera apparatus, [Fig. 19]

A diagram illustrating the operation of a conventional compound camera, [Fig. 20]

It is a figure which shows the control system of the conventional compound camera apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 camera 11 Composite camera 12 controller 13 monitor 14 Joyce Tech 15 numeric keypad 17 Show / Hide Select Switch 18 RS485 serial communication unit 19 PC 21 Camera control unit 22 Motor control unit 23, 27 motor driver 24, 28 motors 25, 29 encoder 26, 30 deceleration mechanism 31 Hall element detector 32 Origin Hall element 33 End point Hall element 34 Lens control unit 35, 39 motor driver 36, 40 stepper motor 37, 41 deceleration mechanism 38 Limit switch / photo interrupter 42 Photo interrupter 43 driver 44 CCD 45 DSP 46 image memory 47 memory (E²PROM) 102 camera 103 Pan turntable 105 Tilt turntable 106 Tilt rotation axis 107 camera base 112 slip ring 113 props 117 Magnet