Surveillance camera monitoring system and surveillance camera monitoring method

Abstract

To realize a technique for detecting the presence / absence of interference to a surveillance camera.SOLUTION: A surveillance camera monitoring system (1) includes: a first communication device (10) attached to a surveillance camera (50) so as to transmit photographing data of the surveillance camera (50) to a second communication device (20) being a communication partner by optical spatial communication; the second communication device (20) for receiving the photographing data to be transmitted from the first communication device (10); and a monitoring device (30) constituted to be communicable with the second communication device (20) so as to monitor the presence / absence of interference from an outside with respect to the surveillance camera (50). The monitoring device (30) includes: a detection section (31) for detecting a transmission defect of the photographing data from the first communication device (10) to the second communication device (20); and a generation section (33) for generating a signal which indicates occurrence of the interference, based on a detection result of the detection section (31).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a security camera monitoring system and a security camera monitoring method. [Background technology]

[0002] Mechanisms for detecting abnormalities such as unauthorized intrusion from images captured by security cameras are widely used. Technologies for recognizing sabotage of surveillance cameras are also known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for checking whether a sudden image change has occurred by comparing the image of a surveillance camera with a reference image, and notifying the presence or absence of sabotage of the surveillance camera. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4803376 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] With conventional technology, a mechanism for detecting whether or not a surveillance camera is being interfered with needs to be installed separately from the surveillance camera, which entails high equipment costs.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of detecting the presence or absence of interference with a surveillance camera (security camera) using a simple mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A security camera monitoring system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: A first communication device attached to a security camera and capable of transmitting captured data of the security camera to a second communication device as a communication partner by optical space communication; The second communication device capable of receiving the photographing data transmitted from the first communication device; A monitoring device configured to be able to communicate with the second communication device and monitoring whether or not there is external interference with the security camera; Equipped with The monitoring device includes: A detection unit that detects a failure in transmission of the photographed data from the first communication device to the second communication device; a generation unit that generates a signal indicating the occurrence of the interference based on a detection result of the detection unit; Includes.

[0007] A security camera monitoring method according to one aspect of the present invention includes: Transmitting captured data of the security camera from a first communication device attached to the security camera to a second communication device that is a communication partner by optical space communication; Detecting a failure in transmission of the photographed data from the first communication device to the second communication device; generating a signal indicating an occurrence of external interference with the security camera when the transmission failure is detected in the detecting; Includes.

[0008] A security camera monitoring program according to one aspect of the present invention includes: A process of transmitting security camera image data from a first communication device attached to the security camera to a second communication device, which is a communication partner, by optical space communication; A process of detecting a failure in transmission of the photographed data from the first communication device to the second communication device; a process of generating a signal indicating the occurrence of external interference with the security camera when the transmission failure is detected in the detection process; to be executed by the computer. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, the presence or absence of external interference with a security camera can be detected using a simple mechanism. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a security camera monitoring system according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of application of a security camera monitoring process performed by the security camera monitoring system of FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a security camera monitoring method performed by the security camera monitoring system of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a security camera monitoring system according to an exemplary embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a security camera monitoring method performed by the security camera monitoring system of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a computer that is an example of implementing a security camera monitoring method according to each exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Example 1 A first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This exemplary embodiment is a basic form of the exemplary embodiments described later.

[0012] (Configuration of security camera monitoring system) The configuration of a security camera monitoring system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the security camera monitoring system 1. The security camera monitoring system 1 includes a first communication device 10, a second communication device 20, and a monitoring device 30. The first communication device 10 is attached to a security camera 50 and is configured to be able to transmit image data captured by the security camera 50 to the second communication device 20, which is the communication partner, by optical space communication. The second communication device 20 is configured to be able to receive image data transmitted from the first communication device 10. The monitoring device 30 is configured to be able to communicate with the second communication device 20 and is configured to monitor the presence or absence of external interference with the security camera 50.

[0013] Here, a specific example of the application of the security camera monitoring process performed by the security camera monitoring system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The security camera monitoring system 1 is a system for monitoring the presence or absence of external interference with the security camera 50 in an environment in which the security camera 50 is installed on an indoor ceiling. In this exemplary embodiment, the external interference with the security camera 50 is, for example, intended to disable the security function that the security camera originally has. A more specific example is a malicious person touching the security camera 50 directly or indirectly and intentionally changing the shooting range of the security camera 50. An example of intentionally changing the shooting range is changing the shooting direction of the security camera 50 by rotating the security camera 50 itself so that the shooting direction of the security camera 50 faces "places where security is not required" such as the ceiling or wall. Note that the shooting direction is not limited to being changed intentionally in this way.

[0014] When the position or attitude of the security camera 50 itself changes from a specified position or attitude due to such interference, the positions or attitudes of the components attached to the security camera 50 also change. In this exemplary embodiment, the first communication device 10 is attached to the security camera 50. As a result, the position or attitude of the first communication device 10 changes along with the security camera 50 due to interference. In this exemplary embodiment, a mechanism is realized that monitors whether the security camera 50 has been interfered with, based on whether the position or attitude of the first communication device 10 has changed.

[0015] In one example, the first communication device 10 is attached to the surface of the security camera 50. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the first communication device 10 is fixed to the surface of a cylindrical outer shell of the security camera 50.

[0016] The first communication device 10 transmits imaging data of the security camera 50 to the second communication device 20 by optical space communication. In order to transmit the imaging data to the second communication device 20, the position or attitude of the first communication device 10 is such that the direction for transmitting the communication medium (direction for transmitting the imaging data) is directed toward the second communication device 20 in a specified state (normal state). The specified state (normal state) refers to a state in which security camera monitoring is started, that is, a state in which the security camera is attached in a predetermined position or attitude and is not disturbed during operation. As an example, this state can be realized by positioning the first communication device 10 when the security camera 50 is installed on the ceiling and operation is started.

[0017] In other words, the communication medium (including the image data captured by the security camera 50) transmitted from the first communication device 10 is a directional communication medium. Although not limiting the illustrative embodiment, a specific example of a directional communication medium is electromagnetic waves in a high frequency range having a frequency of approximately 10 GHz or more. Electromagnetic waves in this frequency range may include millimeter waves, submillimeter waves, infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet light, and the like. As an example, electromagnetic waves in the above frequency range are directed within a predetermined angle range and transmitted, thereby being used for communication as the above-mentioned directional communication medium. As an example, the first communication device 10 is A beamforming antenna that directs and transmits millimeter and sub-millimeter waves within a specified angle range. Collimators for collimating infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light Laser oscillators that generate infrared, visible, or ultraviolet laser light The configuration may include the following.

[0018] The second communication device 20 is configured to be capable of optical space communication with the first communication device 10. The second communication device 20 receives a communication medium (including image data captured by the security camera 50) transmitted by the first communication device 10 in a specified (normal) position or attitude. As an example, the second communication device 20 is installed near the location where the first communication device 10 is installed.

[0019] The second communication device 20 is capable of communicating with the monitoring device 30 via wired or wireless communication.

[0020] 1, the monitoring device 30 includes a detection unit 31 and a generation unit 33. The detection unit 31 detects a failure in transmission of captured image data from the first communication device 10 to the second communication device 20. The generation unit 33 generates a signal indicating the occurrence of the interference based on a detection result of the detection unit 31.

[0021] When the first communication device 10 does not transmit the captured image data to the second communication device 20, in other words, when the second communication device 20 cannot receive the captured image data (from the first communication device 10), the detection unit 31 of the monitoring device 30 detects "transmission failure". As an example, when the second communication device 20 receives the captured image data (from the first communication device 10), the second communication device 20 transmits the captured image data to the monitoring device 30. In the case of this configuration example, when the monitoring device 30 cannot receive the captured image data from the second communication device 20, the detection unit 31 detects the above-mentioned "transmission failure". By configuring in this way, the monitoring device 30 can specify that the transmission direction of the communication medium of the first communication device 10 has changed, that is, that the position or posture of the security camera 50 has changed inappropriately, based on the fact that the first communication device 10 has not transmitted the captured image data to the second communication device 20. In other words, the inappropriate change indicates that the above-mentioned interference has been applied to the security camera 50.

[0022] The monitoring device 30 is configured such that, when a "transmission failure" is detected by the detection unit 31, the generation unit 33 generates a signal indicating the occurrence of interference. Here, an example of the signal is a signal related to specific image information to be displayed on a display device when the monitoring device 30 is equipped with a display device.

[0023] As described above, the security camera monitoring system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment includes a first communication device 10 attached to a security camera 50 and capable of transmitting the captured data of the security camera 50 to the second communication device 20, which is a communication partner, by optical space communication, the second communication device 20 capable of receiving the captured data transmitted from the first communication device 10, and a monitoring device 30 configured to be able to communicate with the second communication device 20 and monitoring the presence or absence of external interference with the security camera 50, and the monitoring device 30 includes a detection unit 31 that detects a failure in transmission of the captured data from the first communication device 10 to the second communication device 20, and a generation unit 33 that generates a signal indicating the occurrence of the interference based on the detection result of the detection unit 31. Therefore, according to the security camera monitoring system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment, there is no need to install a mechanism that is used exclusively to monitor the security camera 50, and the mechanism that transmits the captured data of the security camera 50 to the outside also has the function of monitoring the security camera 50. This provides the advantage of being able to detect the presence or absence of external interference with the security camera using a mechanism that is simpler than before.

[0024] In this exemplary embodiment, an example of external interference with the security camera 50 is given in which a malicious person directly or indirectly touches the security camera 50, but this is not limiting. Another example of disabling the security function of a security camera is to cover the security camera 50. In this case, the above-mentioned "transmission failure" occurs if the position or attitude of the security camera 50 moves (shifts) when the cover is put on. Therefore, according to the configuration of this exemplary embodiment, it is possible to identify that interference has occurred in this case as well.

[0025] Furthermore, if the security camera 50 has an insertion port for a storage device (USB, etc.), there is a risk of tampering with the captured data. However, even in this case, the position or attitude of the security camera 50 itself moves even slightly when inserting the storage device into the insertion port, causing the aforementioned "transmission failure." Therefore, according to the configuration of this exemplary embodiment, it is possible to identify the occurrence of interference in this case as well.

[0026] (Procedure for security camera monitoring) The flow of the security camera monitoring method S1 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flow diagram showing the flow of the security camera monitoring method S1.

[0027] The security camera monitoring method S1 includes a transmission step S11, a detection step S12, and a generation step S13.

[0028] In the transmission step S11, the first communication device 10 attached to the security camera 50 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 transmits captured data of the security camera 50 to the second communication device 20, which is the communication partner, by optical space communication.

[0029] In the detection step S12, following the transmission step S11, a failure in transmission of the photographed data from the first communication device to the second communication device is detected. The detection is performed by the detection unit 31 of the monitoring device 30 shown in Fig. 2. The detection unit 31 has already been described, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0030] In the generating step S13, if a transmission failure is detected in the detecting step S12, a signal is generated that indicates the occurrence of external interference with the security camera 50. The signal is generated by the generating unit 33 of the monitoring device 30 shown in Fig. 2. The generating unit 33 has already been described, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0031] As described above, the security camera monitoring method S1 according to this exemplary embodiment employs a configuration including transmitting the captured image data of the security camera from a first communication device attached to the security camera to a second communication device that is a communication partner by optical space communication, detecting a transmission failure of the captured image data from the first communication device to the second communication device, and generating a signal indicating the occurrence of external interference with the security camera when the transmission failure is detected in the detection. Therefore, the security camera monitoring method S1 according to this exemplary embodiment has the effect of being able to monitor the security camera by utilizing the process of transmitting the captured image data of the security camera 50 without providing a process limited to monitoring the security camera.

[0032] Exemplary embodiment 2 A second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same functions as those described in the first exemplary embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0033] (Configuration of security camera monitoring system) The configuration of a security camera monitoring system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the security camera monitoring system 1. The security camera monitoring system 1 includes a first communication device 10, a second communication device 20, and a monitoring device 30.

[0034] The first communication device 10 is attached to a security camera 50, and the first communication device 10 and the security camera 50 are integrated together.

[0035] The security camera 50 may have a camera function that can be used as a conventional security camera. As an example, a PTZ camera is used. In the case of the security camera 50 that is composed of a PTZ camera, the optical axis for transmitting image data of the first communication device 10 does not shift during security operation. This is because, when a PTZ camera is used, if the first communication device 10 moves during security operation, the transmission to the second communication device 20 becomes poor, and it is detected (falsely detected) that interference has occurred. However, even if a PTZ camera is used and the position of the lens of the PTZ camera moves during security operation, as long as the position or posture of the first communication device 10 itself does not change even if the PTZ camera moves, the above is not the case.

[0036] The first communication device 10 is configured to be able to transmit image data captured by the security camera 50 to the second communication device 20, which is the communication partner, by optical space communication. To achieve this, in this exemplary embodiment, the first communication device 10 includes an acquisition unit 11 that acquires image data captured by the security camera, and a first communication unit 13 that transmits the image data acquired by the acquisition unit 11. The first communication unit 13 is the transmission form described in the first communication device 10 in the above-mentioned exemplary embodiment 1, and a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0037] Here, the first communication device 10 may have a function for resuming communication (transmission) with the second communication device 20 with which communication was not possible after completing the issuance of a jamming report described later. As an example, in a mode in which bidirectional communication is possible between the first communication device 10 and the second communication device 20, for example, the first communication device 10 may try to connect by changing the transmission direction of the imaging data, and when transmission is performed in either transmission direction, a communication resumption signal may be sent from the second communication device 20 to the first communication device 10.

[0038] The second communication device 20 is configured to be able to receive the photographing data transmitted from the first communication device 10. In this exemplary embodiment, the second communication device 20 includes a second communication unit 21 including a receiving unit 212 that receives the photographing data transmitted from the first communication device by optical space communication, and a determination unit 23 that determines whether the photographing data has been received by the receiving unit 212.

[0039] Here, when determining whether the image capture data has been received by the receiving unit 212, the determining unit 23 identifies whether or not there has been an interruption in the reception of the image capture data at the receiving unit 212. An interruption in reception can be said to be a "communication interruption". Here, a communication interruption is a communication interruption that occurs during a period or at a timing when the image capture data should have been received, and is identified as a "communication interruption" only if it matches a predetermined rule. An example of the predetermined rule is a case where, on the premise that the security camera 50 is capturing images during that period, the receiving unit 212 no longer receives the image capture data after a certain point in time during that period. This can occur when the position (orientation) of the security camera 50 is moved by a malicious person or the like as described in the exemplary embodiment 1.

[0040] The monitoring device 30 is configured to be able to communicate with the second communication device 20, and is configured to monitor whether or not there is external interference with the security camera 50. In this exemplary embodiment, the monitoring device 30 includes an alarm unit 35 that issues an alarm when there is external interference with the security camera 50, based on a signal generated by the alarm unit 33, in addition to the detection unit 31 and generation unit 33 described in the above exemplary embodiment 1.

[0041] The alarm unit 35 issues an alert indicating an intrusion. In one example, the alarm unit 35 includes a display device 37. The alarm unit 35 issues an alert of an occurrence of external interference with the security camera 50 by displaying a predetermined image on the display device 37 based on the signal generated by the generation unit 33. The predetermined image is preferably an image that makes it easy for a person (surveillant) visually observing the display of the display device 37 to understand that interference has occurred. An image that indicates the occurrence of interference by characters may also be used. Alternatively, it is preferable to issue an alert of an occurrence of interference by displaying a single-color image (black, white, yellow, or red) on the entire display area, since it is expected that a person who simultaneously monitors multiple display devices can quickly recognize the display device 37 that has issued the alert and take early measures.

[0042] As described above, the security camera monitoring system 1 of this exemplary embodiment comprises a first communication device 10 attached to a security camera 50 and capable of transmitting the image capture data of the security camera 50 to a communication partner, the second communication device 20, via optical space communication; the second communication device 20 capable of receiving the image capture data transmitted from the first communication device 10; and a monitoring device 30 configured to be able to communicate with the second communication device 20 and monitor the security camera 50 for external interference, wherein the monitoring device 30 is configured to include a detection unit 31 that detects failure of the image capture data to be transmitted from the first communication device 10 to the second communication device 20, and a generation unit 33 that generates a signal indicating the occurrence of the interference based on the detection result of the detection unit 31. Furthermore, in the security camera monitoring system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment, the second communication device 20 includes a receiving unit 212 that receives the image data transmitted from the first communication device 10 by optical space communication, and a determining unit 23 that determines whether the image data has been received by the receiving unit 212, and the detection unit 31 of the monitoring device 30 is configured to detect the transmission failure when the image data has not been received by the receiving unit 212 based on the determination result of the determining unit 23. Therefore, according to the security camera monitoring system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment, it is not necessary to install a mechanism that is used exclusively for monitoring the security camera 50, and the mechanism that transmits the image data of the security camera 50 to the outside also has the function of monitoring the security camera 50. This provides the effect of being able to detect the presence or absence of external interference with the security camera by a mechanism that is simpler than before. Furthermore, according to the security camera monitoring system 1 according to this exemplary embodiment, in addition to the effect of the security camera monitoring system 1 according to the exemplary embodiment 1, the effect of being able to recognize that the security camera 50 has been interfered with from the outside can be obtained.

[0043] The above-mentioned "communication interruption" may occur even when the direction of the communication medium (imaging data) transmitted from the first communication unit 13 of the first communication device 10 integrated with the security camera 50 is directed toward the receiving unit 212 of the second communication unit 21 of the second communication device 20. An example is a case where the communication path of the communication medium from the first communication unit 13 is interrupted. In this exemplary embodiment, even when such a communication path is interrupted, the determining unit 23 determines that the imaging data is not received by the receiving unit 212. A specific example of a communication path interruption is a person's intrusion into an area where a security camera is installed. As a result, if there is an intruder in the area, the above-mentioned communication path is interrupted, and the determining unit 23 determines that the imaging data is not received by the receiving unit 212. As a result, it is also possible to monitor the possibility that the security camera 50 will be disturbed by an intruder.

[0044] As another specification of the security camera monitoring system 1, for example, when the security camera monitoring system 1 is installed in a room where it is normal for no one to be present, the communication path of the communication medium from the first communication unit 13 to the second communication device 20 is arranged near the door of the room, or arranged so as to cross an area where people can enter. In such an arrangement, since the communication path is cut off by an intruder, it is also possible to identify the intrusion of an intruder. In this case, in addition to the crime prevention provided by the security camera 50, a crime prevention function can be realized, resulting in a double crime prevention measure.

[0045] An example of the specifications of the security camera monitoring system 1 is as follows. (Specification Example 1) Data Center (Example 2) Large safes for financial institutions, etc. (Example 3) Museum that sells luxury items (Example 4) A camera with an integrated communication device is installed so as to look into the space to be protected from an air duct or ceiling, and the communication path is passed through the air duct or ceiling. This has the effect of enabling the camera to monitor the target while detecting an abnormality based on the communication path being cut off (images no longer reaching) using the communication path that is placed in uninhabited spaces such as inside the air duct or ceiling. (Specification Example 5) The environment may be one in which the object to be protected is stored in a rack or drawer, such as the data center in the above-mentioned specification example 1. By installing the security camera 50 integrated with the first communication device 10 so that communication is interrupted when the rack door or drawer is opened, the camera can monitor the surroundings and passageways of the object to be protected, and can detect whether the door of the object to be protected has been opened or whether there has been interference (contact) with the security camera, based on the communication path being interrupted (images no longer reaching the camera).

[0046] (Procedure for security camera monitoring) The flow of the security camera monitoring method S20 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flow diagram showing the flow of the security camera monitoring method S20. The security camera monitoring method S20 in this exemplary embodiment includes a transmission step S21, a determination step S22, a detection step S23, a generation step S24, and an alert step S25.

[0047] The transmission step S21 is performed in the first communication device 10. The transmission step S21 is the same as the transmission step S11 (FIG. 3) in the above-described exemplary embodiment 1, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0048] In the determination step S22, the determination unit 23 of the second communication device 20 shown in FIG. 4 determines whether or not the image capturing data has been received by the receiving unit 212 of the second communication device 21 as described above, based on the reception result in the receiving unit 212 of the second communication device 21. Details have been described above as the description of the determination unit 23, and the description here will be omitted. The determination result in the determination step S22 is transmitted from the transmitting unit 214 to the monitoring device 30. As an example, in the determination step S22, if it is determined in the transmission step S21 that the image capturing data has been transmitted from the first communication device 10 to the second communication device 20, the image capturing data is transmitted from the second communication device 20 to the monitoring device 30. On the other hand, in the determination step S22, if the image capturing data has not been received by the second communication device 20, a signal indicating that the image capturing data has not been received is generated in the determination unit 23 as a determination result, and the signal is transmitted to the monitoring device 30.

[0049] The detection step S23 is performed following the determination step S22, and is performed by the detection unit 31 of the monitoring device 30 shown in Fig. 4. In the detection step S23, when the detection unit 31 acquires a signal indicating that reception has not been successful, transmitted from the second communication device 20, the detection unit 31 detects the above-mentioned "transmission failure". The detection result of the detection unit 31 is acquired by the generation unit 33.

[0050] The generating step S24 is performed by the generating unit 33 of the monitoring device 30. The generating step S24 generates a signal indicating the occurrence of the interference based on the detection result of the detecting step S23. The generated signal is acquired by the alarm issuing unit 35.

[0051] The alert process S25 is performed in the alert unit 35 of the monitoring device 30 following the generation process S24. The alert process S25 acquires the signal generated in the generation process S24 and issues an alert of the occurrence of external interference with the security camera 50. The content of the alert has been described in the above-mentioned alert unit 35, and therefore will not be described here.

[0052] In addition, in the process until the signal indicating the occurrence of the interference is generated by the generation step S24, as an example, in the detection step S23 by the detection unit 31 of the monitoring device 30, detection is performed as to whether the transmission failure is due to the occurrence of interference or due to an event other than the occurrence of interference. As an example, in the case of a temporary communication interruption, that is, in the case where communication is resumed after a communication interruption continues for a certain period of time, it may be possible to adopt an embodiment in which the interruption is not detected as the interference. In addition to this embodiment, in the case where a transmission failure of the imaging data from the first communication device 10 to the second communication device 20 occurs periodically, it may be possible to adopt an embodiment in which the interruption is not detected as the interference.

[0053] Note that the first communication device 10 may be capable of bidirectional communication with the second communication device 20 or the monitoring device 30. If bidirectional communication is possible, it is also possible to have a configuration in which, when the first communication device 10 is subjected to the interference and the transmission direction of the imaging data is shifted, the second communication device 20 or the monitoring device 30 transmits to the first communication device 10 a signal instructing the first communication device 10 to change the transmission direction of the imaging data or a signal controlling the transmission direction. This makes it possible to adjust the shifted transmission direction in the first communication device 10 and enable transmission again after, for example, the occurrence of interference is reported and some kind of response to the interference is completed.

[0054] In this exemplary embodiment, a one-to-one communication form between the first communication device 10 and the second communication device 20 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to a communication form that forms a mesh network in which each communication device communicates with multiple communication devices.

[0055] [Software implementation example] Some or all of the functions of the security camera monitoring system 1 may be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit (IC chip), or may be realized by software.

[0056] In the latter case, the security camera monitoring system 1 is realized, for example, by a computer that executes instructions of a program, which is software that realizes each function. An example of such a computer (hereinafter referred to as computer C) is shown in FIG. 6. The computer C has at least one processor C1 and at least one memory C2. The memory C2 stores a program P for operating the computer C as the security camera monitoring system 1. In the computer C, the processor C1 reads and executes the program P from the memory C2, thereby realizing each function of the security camera monitoring system 1.

[0057] The processor C1 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphic processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a micro processing unit (MPU), a floating point number processing unit (FPU), a physics processing unit (PPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a quantum processor, a microcontroller, or a combination thereof. The memory C2 may be, for example, a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a combination thereof.

[0058] The computer C may further include a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the program P during execution and for temporarily storing various data. The computer C may further include a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from other devices. The computer C may further include an input / output interface for connecting input / output devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a display, and a printer.

[0059] Furthermore, the program P can be recorded on a non-transitory tangible recording medium M that can be read by the computer C. Such a recording medium M can be, for example, a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, or a programmable logic circuit. The computer C can obtain the program P via such a recording medium M. Furthermore, the program P can be transmitted via a transmission medium. Such a transmission medium can be, for example, a communication network or broadcast waves. The computer C can also obtain the program P via such a transmission medium.

[0060] [Additional Note 1] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. For example, embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the above-described embodiment are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0061] [Additional Note 2] Some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as follows. However, the present invention is not limited to the following described aspects.

[0062] (Appendix 1) A first communication device attached to a security camera and capable of transmitting captured data of the security camera to a second communication device as a communication partner by optical space communication; The second communication device capable of receiving the photographing data transmitted from the first communication device; A monitoring device configured to be able to communicate with the second communication device and monitoring whether or not there is external interference with the security camera; Equipped with The monitoring device includes: A detection unit that detects a failure in transmission of the photographed data from the first communication device to the second communication device; a generation unit that generates a signal indicating the occurrence of the interference based on a detection result of the detection unit; Including, A security camera monitoring system comprising:

[0063] According to the above configuration, there is no need to install a mechanism used exclusively for monitoring the security camera, and the mechanism for transmitting the captured data of the security camera to the outside also has a function for monitoring the security camera. This has the effect of making it possible to detect the presence or absence of external interference with the security camera using a mechanism that is simpler than before.

[0064] (Appendix 2) The second communication device is a receiving unit that receives the photographing data transmitted from the first communication device by optical space communication; a determination unit that determines whether the photographing data has been received by the receiving unit; Including, The detection unit of the monitoring device detects the transmission failure when the photographing data has not been received by the receiving unit based on a determination result of the determination unit. 2. The security camera monitoring system according to claim 1,

[0065] According to the above configuration, it is possible to monitor whether or not external interference with the security camera occurs based on the non-delivery of the imaging data from the first communication device to the second communication device.

[0066] (Appendix 3) The monitoring device further includes an alarm unit that issues an alarm when an external interference occurs with the security camera based on the signal generated by the generation unit. 3. The security camera monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2.

[0067] According to the above configuration, it is possible to issue a report of the occurrence of external interference with the security camera.

[0068] (Appendix 4) The alarm unit includes a display device. The alarm unit issues a notification of an occurrence of external interference with the security camera by displaying a predetermined image on the display device based on the signal generated by the generation unit. 4. The security camera monitoring system according to claim 3.

[0069] (Appendix 5) Transmitting captured data of the security camera from a first communication device attached to the security camera to a second communication device that is a communication partner by optical space communication; Detecting a failure in transmission of the photographed data from the first communication device to the second communication device; generating a signal indicating an occurrence of external interference with the security camera when the transmission failure is detected in the detecting; Including, A security camera monitoring method comprising:

[0070] According to the above method, there is no need to install a mechanism used exclusively for monitoring the security camera, and the mechanism for transmitting the captured data of the security camera to the outside also has a function for monitoring the security camera. This has the effect of making it possible to detect the presence or absence of external interference with the security camera using a mechanism that is simpler than before.

[0071] (Appendix 6) A process of transmitting security camera image data from a first communication device attached to the security camera to a second communication device, which is a communication partner, by optical space communication; A process of detecting a failure in transmission of the photographed data from the first communication device to the second communication device; a process of generating a signal indicating the occurrence of external interference with the security camera when the transmission failure is detected in the detection process; to cause a computer to execute A security camera monitoring program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1. Security camera monitoring system 10 First communication device 11 Acquisition Department 13 First Communications Department 20 Second communication device 21 Second Communications Department 212 Receiving unit 214 Transmitter 23 Judgment section 30 Monitoring equipment 31 Detection unit 33 Generation part 35. Reporting Department 37 Display device 50 Security Camera

Claims

1. A first communication device attached to a security camera and capable of transmitting captured data of the security camera to a second communication device as a communication partner by optical space communication; the second communication device capable of receiving the photographing data transmitted from the first communication device; A monitoring device configured to be able to communicate with the second communication device and monitoring whether or not there is external interference with the security camera; Equipped with The monitoring device includes: a detection unit that detects a failure in transmission of the photographed data from the first communication device to the second communication device; a generation unit that generates a signal indicating the occurrence of the interference based on a detection result of the detection unit; Including, A security camera monitoring system comprising:

2. The second communication device is A receiving unit that receives the imaging data transmitted from the first communication device by optical space communication; a determination unit that determines whether the photographing data has been received by the receiving unit; Including, The detection unit of the monitoring device detects the transmission failure when the photographing data has not been received by the receiving unit based on a determination result of the determination unit.

2. The security camera monitoring system according to claim 1.

3. The monitoring device further includes an alarm unit that issues an alarm when an external interference occurs with the security camera based on the signal generated by the generation unit.

2. The security camera monitoring system according to claim 1.

4. The alarm unit includes a display device. The alarm unit issues a notification of an occurrence of external interference with the security camera by displaying a predetermined image on the display device based on the signal generated by the generation unit.

4. The security camera monitoring system according to claim 3.

5. Transmitting captured data of the security camera from a first communication device attached to the security camera to a second communication device that is a communication partner by optical space communication; Detecting a failure in transmission of the photographed data from the first communication device to the second communication device; generating a signal indicating an occurrence of external interference with the security camera when the transmission failure is detected in the detecting; Including, A security camera monitoring method comprising:

6. A process of transmitting security camera image data from a first communication device attached to the security camera to a second communication device, which is a communication partner, by optical space communication; A process of detecting a failure in transmission of the photographed data from the first communication device to the second communication device; a process of generating a signal indicating the occurrence of external interference with the security camera when the transmission failure is detected in the detection process; to cause a computer to execute A security camera monitoring program.

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