Monitoring device and system

Abstract

To make it easier to change control information for a mobile unit.SOLUTION: A mobile unit 103 comprises a code reader 131 and a control unit 134. The code reader 131 reads a code provided replaceably, and the control unit 134 controls operation of the mobile unit 103 and an imaging operation of a camera 104 on the basis of control information recorded in the code read by the code reader 131.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1B

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to monitoring devices and systems. [Background technology]

[0002] A patrol inspection device using a mobile body equipped with a camera is known (Patent Document 1). In this technology, the mobile body moves autonomously in the air, on the ground, or on rails and captures images of the inspection target. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-164751 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned technology, the movement route of the moving object and the image capturing operation are controlled by a monitoring control device connected to the moving object via wireless communication. Therefore, changing the movement route of the moving object or the image capturing operation requires changing the control information in the monitoring control device. Changing the setting information in such a monitoring control device requires an operator who is skilled in operating the monitoring control device, which creates the problem of not being easy to operate and change.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to make it possible to more easily change the control information of a moving body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The monitoring device of the present invention comprises a rail laid in a space in which the equipment to be inspected is installed, a code display unit installed interchangeably at multiple locations on the rail path, and a mobile body that moves along the rail and is equipped with a camera that photographs the equipment, the code display unit having a code recorded thereon that stores control information for the mobile body including location information for the code display unit, control of the camera's photographing operation, and control of the mobile body's movement operation, and the mobile body has a code reader that reads the code, a video transmission unit that transmits the video captured by the camera to a set destination, a position transmission unit that transmits the location information recorded in the code read by the code reader to the destination, and a control unit that controls the operation of the mobile body and the camera's photographing operation based on the control information recorded in the code read by the code reader.

[0007] In one example configuration of the above monitoring device, the mobile body further includes an initial operation control unit that moves the mobile body back and forth between the starting point and the end point of the rail, causes the code reader to read the position information recorded in all the codes, and transmits map information consisting of the read position information to a destination.

[0008] In one example configuration of the above monitoring device, the mobile object further includes a detection unit that detects an image of a code in an image captured by the camera, and an abnormality notification unit that notifies an error if the detection unit detects the code but the code reader does not read the code.

[0009] In one example of the configuration of the monitoring device, the camera captures omnidirectional video with a 360° field of view.

[0010] The monitoring system according to the present invention comprises a monitoring device and a server, the monitoring device comprising a rail laid in a space where an equipment to be inspected is installed, a code display unit replaceably installed at a plurality of locations on the rail route, and a mobile body that moves along the rail and has a camera that photographs the equipment, the code display unit comprising a code on which control information for the mobile body including location information where the monitoring device is installed, control of the camera's photographing operation, and control of the mobile body's movement operation is recorded, and the mobile body comprises a code reader that reads the code, a video transmission unit that transmits video photographed by the camera to a server, a position transmission unit that transmits location information recorded in the code read by the code reader to a server, and a control information recorded in the code read by the code reader. The server has a control unit that controls the operation of the mobile body and the shooting operation of the camera based on the information, and an initial operation control unit that moves the mobile body back and forth between the starting point and the end point of the rail, causes the code reader to read the location information recorded in all the codes, and transmits map information consisting of the read location information to the server.The server has a video receiving unit that receives the video transmitted from the mobile body, a position receiving unit that receives the location information and map information transmitted from the mobile body, a map generating unit that generates a map showing the monitoring route of the mobile body based on the map information received by the position receiving unit and identifies the position of the mobile body on the map based on the location information received by the position receiving unit, and a display unit that displays the video received by the video receiving unit, the map, and the position of the mobile body on the map.

[0011] In one example configuration of the above monitoring system, the mobile object further includes a detection unit that detects an image of a code in an image captured by the camera, and an abnormality notification unit that notifies the server of an error if the detection unit detects the code but the code reader does not read the code.

[0012] In one example of the configuration of the above monitoring system, the camera captures omnidirectional video with a 360° field of view. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] As described above, according to the present invention, the operation of the moving body and the shooting operation of the camera are controlled based on the control information recorded in the code of the code display unit that is replaceably installed at multiple locations on the rail route, so that the control information of the moving body can be changed more easily. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing the configuration of a monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a configuration diagram showing a partial configuration of a monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1A and 1B. This monitoring system includes a monitoring device 100 and a server 102.

[0016] The monitoring device 100 includes a rail 101 laid in a space where the equipment to be inspected is installed, a mobile object 103 equipped with a camera 104 for photographing the equipment and moving along the rail 101, and code display units 105 replaceably installed at multiple locations on the path of the rail 101. The camera 104 can, for example, capture omnidirectional images with a 360° field of view.

[0017] The moving body 103 is connected, for example, by a connecting portion 111, and a pair of rollers 112, 113 are rotatably attached to the connecting portion 111. The rollers 112, 113 are in sliding contact with the outer surface of the rail 101 so as to sandwich the rail 101 from above and below, and are capable of rolling. The rollers 112, 113 are rotationally driven by a rotation drive mechanism (not shown), causing the moving body 103 to move along the rail 101.

[0018] Code display unit 105 is provided with a code that records control information for mobile object 103, including location information where it is installed, control of the shooting operation of camera 104, and control of the movement operation of mobile object 103. For example, a sticker on which the code is printed (written) is attached to code display unit 105. Code display unit 105 is replaceable, so the code on which the control information is written can be easily changed.

[0019] Furthermore, the mobile object 103 includes a code reader 131, a video transmission unit 132, a position transmission unit 133, a control unit 134, and an initial operation control unit 135. The code reader 131 reads the code provided on the code display unit 105. The video transmission unit 132 transmits the video captured by the camera 104 to the server 102, which is the set destination. The position transmission unit 133 transmits the location information recorded in the code read by the code reader 131 to the server 102, which is the destination. The control unit 134 controls the operation of the mobile object 103 and the shooting operation of the camera 104 based on the control information recorded in the code read by the code reader 131.

[0020] In addition, the initial operation control unit 135 moves the mobile body 103 back and forth between the starting point and the end point of the rail 101, causes the code reader 131 to read the location information recorded in all the codes, and transmits map information consisting of the multiple pieces of location information read to the server 102, which is the destination.

[0021] Furthermore, the mobile object 103 may include a detection unit 136 and an abnormality notification unit 137. The detection unit 136 detects an image of a code in the video captured by the camera 104. The abnormality notification unit 137 notifies the server 102 of an error when the code reader 131 does not read the code even though the detection unit 136 has detected the code.

[0022] The server 102 includes a video receiving unit 106 , a location receiving unit 107 , a map generating unit 108 , and a display unit 109 .

[0023] Video receiving unit 106 receives video transmitted from video transmitting unit 132. Position receiving unit 107 receives location information and map information transmitted from mobile object 103. Map generating unit 108 generates a map indicating a monitoring route of mobile object 103 based on the map information received by position receiving unit 107. Map generating unit 108 also identifies the position of mobile object 103 on the map based on the location information received by position receiving unit 107. Display unit 109 displays the video received by video receiving unit 106, the map, and the position of mobile object 103 on the map.

[0024] For example, the server 102 and the mobile unit 103 are connected by well-known wireless communication technology, and the above-mentioned transmission and reception of location information, transmission and reception of map information, notifications, etc. are carried out by wireless communication.

[0025] In the monitoring system according to the embodiment, an initial operation control unit 135 is started as an initial operation, and the moving object 103 moves back and forth between the starting point and the end point of the rail 101. During the movement of the moving object 103 in the initial operation, the codes on the code display units 105 provided at multiple locations on the rail 101 are read by the code reader 131, and map information consisting of the location information recorded in the codes is transmitted to the server 102 (location receiving unit 107).

[0026] Based on the map information transmitted by the initial operation control unit 135 and received by the position receiving unit 107, the map generating unit 108 generates a map showing the monitoring route of the mobile object 103. The generated map is displayed on the display unit 109 and is visible to the monitoring operator.

[0027] Furthermore, when the monitoring operator operates the server 102 to start normal monitoring operation of the monitoring device 100, the mobile object 103 moves along the rail 101 from the starting point of the rail 101. After starting to move, the mobile object 103 captures an image of the equipment to be inspected as it moves. The image transmission unit 132 transmits the captured image to the server 102. Furthermore, when the code reader 131 reads a code on the code display unit 105 during the process of the mobile object 103 moving along the rail 101, the mobile object 103 controls the image capturing operation of the camera 104 and its own movement based on the control information recorded in the code. Furthermore, the location information recorded in the read code is transmitted to the server 102 by the location transmission unit 133.

[0028] The video transmitted from the mobile object 103 performing the above-mentioned monitoring operation is displayed on the display unit 109 of the server 102, and based on the transmitted location information, the position of the mobile object 103 is shown on a map displayed on the display unit 109. By visually checking these, the monitoring operator can monitor the equipment to be inspected without going to the location (site) where the equipment is installed.

[0029] Furthermore, in places where large manufacturing facilities or air conditioning facilities are installed, monitoring the condition of the upper parts of these facilities has traditionally required the monitoring worker to travel to a high place himself, which makes the monitoring work difficult. In response to this, for example, by installing rails 101 on the ceiling of the space and moving mobile body 103 to perform the monitoring operation, the condition of the upper parts of the large manufacturing facilities or air conditioning facilities can be monitored without the monitoring worker having to travel to a high place himself.

[0030] Furthermore, the images and maps displayed on the display unit 109 of the server 102 can be transferred to a terminal device carried by a monitoring operator at the site of the monitored object, and displayed on the display unit of the terminal device. The terminal device can be, for example, a head-mounted display that displays the display object using augmented reality.

[0031] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the monitoring device 100 controls the operation based on the information recorded in the code, but it is also possible to add a function (not shown) for the server 102 to send a control signal (such as manual operation by an operator or stopping in the event of an abnormality).

[0032] The server 102 is a computer device equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a main memory device, an external memory device, a network connection device, etc., and the CPU operates (executes) a program deployed in the main memory device, thereby realizing each of the functions of the above-mentioned video receiving unit 106, location receiving unit 107, map generating unit 108, etc.

[0033] In addition, the video transmission unit 132, the position transmission unit 133, the control unit 134, and the initial operation control unit 135 can be computer devices equipped with a CPU, a main memory device, an external memory device, a network connection device, etc., and the above-mentioned functions can be realized by the CPU operating (executing the program) according to a program deployed in the main memory device.

[0034] As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the operation of the moving body and the shooting operation of the camera are controlled based on control information recorded in the code of the code display unit that is replaceably installed at multiple locations on the rail route, making it easier to change the control information of the moving body.

[0035] Some or all of the above-described embodiments may also be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0036] [Appendix 1] a monitoring device comprising: rails laid in a space in which equipment to be inspected is installed; code display units replaceably installed at multiple locations on the path of the rails; and a mobile body that moves along the rails and is equipped with a camera that photographs the equipment, wherein the code display unit has a code on which control information for the mobile body, including location information for the code display unit itself, control of the camera's photographing operation, and control of the mobile body's movement operation, is recorded; and the mobile body has a code reader that reads the code, a video transmission unit that transmits video photographed by the camera to a set destination, a position transmission unit that transmits the location information recorded in the code read by the code reader to the destination, and a control unit that controls the operation of the mobile body and the camera's photographing operation based on the control information recorded in the code read by the code reader.

[0037] [Appendix 2] In the monitoring device described in Supplementary Note 1, the mobile body further includes an initial operation control unit that moves the mobile body back and forth between a starting point and an end point of the rail, causes the code reader to read the position information recorded in all of the codes, and transmits map information consisting of the read position information to the destination.

[0038] [Appendix 3] In the monitoring device described in Supplementary Note 1 or 2, the mobile object further includes a detection unit that detects an image of the code in the video captured by the camera, and an abnormality notification unit that notifies of an error when the detection unit detects the code but the code reader does not read the code.

[0039] [Appendix 4] 4. The monitoring device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein the camera captures omnidirectional video with a 360° field of view.

[0040] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it is clear that many modifications and combinations can be made by a person having ordinary knowledge in the art within the technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 100...monitoring device, 101...rail, 102...server, 103...mobile body, 104...camera, 105...code display unit, 106...video receiving unit, 107...position receiving unit, 108...map generation unit, 109...display unit, 111...connecting unit, 112...roller, 113...roller, 131...code reader, 132...video transmitting unit, 133...position transmitting unit, 134...control unit, 135...initial operation control unit, 136...detection unit, 137...abnormality notification unit.

Claims

1. A rail laid in a space where the equipment to be inspected is installed; A code display unit is replaceably installed at a plurality of locations on the rail path; a moving body that is equipped with a camera that photographs the facility and moves along the rail; Equipped with the code display unit includes a code in which control information of the moving object, including location information where the code display unit is installed, control of the photographing operation of the camera, and control of the moving operation of the moving object, is recorded; The moving body is a code reader that reads the code; a video transmission unit that transmits the video captured by the camera to a set destination; a location transmitting unit that transmits the location information recorded in the code read by the code reader to the destination; a control unit that controls the operation of the moving object and the photographing operation of the camera based on the control information recorded in the code read by the code reader; A monitoring device having:

2. 2. The monitoring device according to claim 1, The monitoring device further includes an initial operation control unit that moves the mobile body back and forth between the starting point and the end point of the rail, causes the code reader to read the position information recorded in all of the codes, and transmits map information consisting of the read position information to the destination.

3. 2. The monitoring device according to claim 1, The moving body is a detection unit that detects an image of the code in the image captured by the camera; an abnormality notification unit that notifies an error when the code reader does not read the code after the detection unit detects the code; The monitoring device further comprises:

4. The monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The camera is a surveillance device that captures omnidirectional images with a 360° field of view.

5. A monitoring device and a server are provided, The monitoring device A rail laid in a space where the equipment to be inspected is installed; A code display unit is replaceably installed at a plurality of locations on the rail path; a moving body that is equipped with a camera that photographs the facility and moves along the rail; Equipped with the code display unit includes a code in which control information of the moving object, including location information where the code display unit is installed, control of the photographing operation of the camera, and control of the moving operation of the moving object, is recorded; The moving body is a code reader that reads the code; a video transmission unit that transmits the video captured by the camera to the server; a location transmitting unit that transmits the location information recorded in the code read by the code reader to the server; a control unit that controls the operation of the moving object and the photographing operation of the camera based on the control information recorded in the code read by the code reader; an initial operation control unit that moves the mobile body back and forth between a starting point and an end point of the rail, causes the code reader to read the position information recorded in all of the codes, and transmits map information consisting of the read position information to the server; and The server a video receiving unit that receives the video transmitted from the mobile object; a location receiving unit that receives the location information and map information transmitted from the mobile unit; a map generation unit that generates a map indicating a monitoring route of the moving object based on the map information received by the position receiving unit, and identifies a position of the moving object on the map based on the position information received by the position receiving unit; a display unit that displays the image received by the image receiving unit, the map, and the position of the moving object on the map; A monitoring system comprising:

6. 6. The monitoring system according to claim 5, The moving body is a detection unit that detects an image of the code in the image captured by the camera; an abnormality notification unit that notifies the server of an error when the detection unit detects the code and the code reader does not read the code; The monitoring system further comprises:

7. 7. The monitoring system according to claim 5, The camera is a surveillance system that captures omnidirectional images with a 360° field of view.

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