Video management device and communication method

Abstract

To relatively easily perform a setting related to a video image of a camera.SOLUTION: A video management device 10 includes one or more first physical ports 11, a second physical port 12, and a communication unit 20 that communicates with one or more cameras 100 and an information processing device 200 in one of a camera setting mode and a normal mode. The video management device further comprises: a communication part 20 that when an operation mode is the camera setting mode, communication between each of the one or more cameras 100 connected to each of the one or more first physical ports 11 and the information processing apparatus 200 connected to the second physical port 12 is relayed; a communication part 20, when the operation mode is the normal mode, that the second physical port 12 does not relay communication between each of the one or more cameras 100 connected to each of the one or more first physical ports 11 and the information processing apparatus 200 connected to the second physical port 12; and a mode switching part 30 that performs control to switch the operation mode of the communication part 20 to the camera setting mode or the normal mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a video management device and a communication method performed by the video management device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a video management device that is connected to one or more cameras and manages the video transmitted from the one or more cameras.

[0003] Such a video management device has, for example, a recording medium for recording video (e.g., a hard disk or SSD (Solid State Drive)) and has the function of recording video transmitted from one or more cameras onto the recording medium, and a display and has the function of displaying video transmitted from one or more cameras on the display in real time.

[0004] Some conventional video management devices have a function for making IP (Internet Protocol) settings (for example, setting IP addresses) for one or more connected cameras. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-176341 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Generally, the camera settings include not only IP settings but also settings related to the image to be captured, such as brightness settings for the image to be captured and sharpness settings for the image to be captured.

[0007] It is difficult to set these video-related settings correctly without actually using the camera.

[0008] For this reason, in the past, in order to make video-related settings for a camera connected to a video management device, it was necessary to introduce additional equipment and go through complicated procedures, such as (1) temporarily disconnecting the camera from the video management device, moving the camera to an environment where the video-related settings can be made while actually using the camera, making the video-related settings for the camera while actually using the camera in that environment, and then reconnecting the camera to the video management device, or (2) building an additional environment in the network environment connecting the camera and the video management device where the video-related settings can be made for the camera while actually using the camera, and using that environment to make the video-related settings for the camera while actually using the camera.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a video management device or the like that allows relatively easy configuration of settings related to the video of a connected camera. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A video management device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a video management device for managing video transmitted from one or more cameras, comprising: one or more first physical ports for connecting to each of the one or more cameras; a second physical port for connecting to an information processing device having an input / output interface; a communication unit for communicating with the one or more cameras and the information processing device in either an operating mode of a camera setting mode or a normal mode, the communication unit (A) relaying communication between each of the one or more cameras connected to each of the one or more first physical ports and the information processing device connected to the second physical port when the operating mode is the camera setting mode; and (B) not relaying communication between each of the one or more cameras connected to each of the one or more first physical ports and the information processing device connected to the second physical port when the operating mode is the normal mode; and a mode switching unit that controls the operating mode of the communication unit to switch between the camera setting mode and the normal mode.

[0011] According to the video management device having the above configuration, the mode switching unit sets the operation mode of the communication unit to the camera setting mode, thereby making it possible to relay communication between each of the one or more cameras and the information processing device.

[0012] Therefore, a user of the video management device having the above configuration can use the information processing device to configure the video of one or more cameras while actually using the camera while the operating mode of the communication unit is in camera setting mode.

[0013] In this way, with the video management device configured as described above, it is possible to relatively easily configure settings relating to the video of the connected camera.

[0014] Furthermore, the device may further include a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) unit that sets a first IP address belonging to a first segment different from a second segment to which an IP (Internet Protocol) address of the information processing device belongs to each of the one or more cameras connected to each of the one or more first physical ports, and the communication unit may communicate with the one or more cameras using the first IP address when the operating mode is the normal mode.

[0015] As a result, when the operating mode of the communication unit is normal mode, the video management device having the above configuration can communicate with each of one or more cameras using the first IP address set by the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) unit.

[0016] The information processing device may further include a table storage unit that stores, for each of the one or more cameras connected to each of the one or more first physical ports, an ARP table that associates the first IP address of the camera with the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the camera, and a bridge table that associates the first physical port with the MAC address of one of the one or more cameras connected to the first physical port, and a table generation unit that generates, based on the ARP table and the bridge table, a packet forwarding table that associates the first physical port with the first IP address of one of the one or more cameras connected to the first physical port, and when the operation mode is the camera setting mode, the communication unit may relay communication between each of the one or more cameras connected to each of the one or more first physical ports and the information processing device connected to the second physical port based on the packet forwarding table.

[0017] As a result, when the operating mode of the communication unit is in camera setting mode, the video management device of the above configuration can relay communication between each of one or more cameras and the information processing device based on the packet forwarding table generated by the table generation unit.

[0018] Furthermore, when the operating mode is the camera setting mode, the communication unit may be configured to: (A) when a packet having a destination TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) port corresponding to one of the one or more first physical ports is sent from the information processing device, change the destination of the packet to a predetermined TCP port of one of the one or more cameras of the first IP address that is associated with the first physical port, based on the packet forwarding table; and (B) when a packet having a source TCP port of the one camera of the one or more cameras is sent from the one or more cameras, change the source of the packet to a TCP port of the one camera that corresponds to the first physical port associated with the first IP address, based on the packet forwarding table.

[0019] As a result, when the operating mode of the communication unit is in camera setting mode, the video management device of the above configuration can change the TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) port of the destination and / or source of the packet, and relay communication between each of one or more cameras and the information processing device.

[0020] Furthermore, the DHCP unit may further set a second IP address belonging to the second segment to each of the one or more cameras when the operating mode is the camera setting mode, and the communication unit may relay communication between each of the one or more cameras connected to each of the one or more first physical ports and the information processing device connected to the second physical port using the second IP address and an IP address of the information processing device belonging to the second segment when the operating mode is the camera setting mode.

[0021] As a result, when the operating mode of the communication unit is in camera setting mode, the video management device of the above configuration can relay communication between each of the one or more cameras and the information processing device using the second IP address to which the information processing device belongs.

[0022] Furthermore, the device may further include a video storage unit that stores video when video is transmitted from at least one of the one or more cameras, and the video storage unit may suppress storage of the video when the operating mode of the communication unit is the camera setting mode.

[0023] As a result, the video management device having the above configuration can suppress the storage of video transmitted from the camera when the operation mode of the communication unit is the camera setting mode.

[0024] Furthermore, when the operation mode is the camera setting mode, the communication unit may be configured to transmit an image based on the video to the information processing device when video is transmitted from at least one of the one or more cameras.

[0025] This allows a user of the video management device having the above configuration to configure settings related to the video of the camera that transmits the video while using the images transmitted to the information processing device.

[0026] A communication method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a communication method performed by a video management device for managing video transmitted from one or more cameras, the video management device having one or more first physical ports for connecting to each of the one or more cameras and a second physical port for connecting to an information processing device having an input / output interface, the communication method comprising: a communication step for communicating with the one or more cameras and the information processing device in either an operating mode of a camera setting mode or a normal mode, the communication step (A) relaying communication between each of the one or more cameras connected to each of the one or more first physical ports and the information processing device connected to the second physical port when the operating mode is the camera setting mode, and (B) not relaying communication between each of the one or more cameras connected to each of the one or more first physical ports and the information processing device connected to the second physical port when the operating mode is the normal mode; and a mode switching step for performing control to switch the operating mode of the communication step to the camera setting mode or the normal mode.

[0027] According to the above communication method, the mode switching step sets the operation mode of the communication step to the camera setting mode, thereby making it possible to relay communication between each of the one or more cameras and the information processing device.

[0028] Therefore, a user using the above communication method can use an information processing device to configure settings for the images of one or more cameras while actually using the camera during the period when the operating mode of the communication step is camera setting mode.

[0029] In this way, according to the above communication method, it is possible to relatively easily perform settings relating to the video of the connected camera. [Effects of the Invention]

[0030] According to a video management device according to an aspect of the present disclosure, it is relatively easy to configure settings related to the video of a connected camera. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video management system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an IP address correspondence table showing an example of first IP addresses set in the camera and the video management device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an IP address correspondence table showing an example of second IP addresses set in the information processing device and the video management device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of an ARP table according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of a bridge table according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of a packet forwarding table according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of the TCP port correspondence table according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the first operation mode switching process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the packet forwarding table generation process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the first relay process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video management system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the second operation mode switching process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the second relay process according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] A specific example of a video management system according to one aspect of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Each embodiment shown here represents a specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, components, the arrangement and connection of the components, steps (processes), and the order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily an exact illustration. In each figure, the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same components, and redundant explanations are omitted or simplified.

[0033] (Embodiment 1) <Configuration> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video management system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, the video management system 1 includes a video management device 10, one or more cameras 100 (corresponding to cameras 100A to 100D in FIG. 1), and an information processing device 200.

[0035] Here, an example will be described in which the one or more cameras 100 are four cameras 100A to 100D. However, the one or more cameras 100 are not necessarily limited to four, and may be any number greater than or equal to one.

[0036] In the following description, the cameras 100A to 100D will also be simply referred to as cameras 100 when there is no need to explicitly distinguish between the individual names.

[0037] The camera 100 is connected to the video management device 10 so as to be able to communicate via IP (Internet Protocol) and captures video.

[0038] The camera 100 is, for example, a surveillance camera. The camera 100 may transmit captured video to the video management device 10 in real time.

[0039] Here, the camera 100 is described as being wired and connected to the video management device 10 via a PoE (Power over Ethernet) cable, receiving power from the video management device 10 via the PoE cable, and performing wired IP communication with the video management device 10 via the PoE cable.

[0040] A first IP address belonging to the first segment of the first and second segments that are mutually divided is set to the camera 100. As will be described later, the first IP address of the camera 100 is set by a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) unit 40, which will be described later, that is provided in the video management device 10.

[0041] FIG. 2 is an IP address correspondence table showing an example of first IP addresses set in cameras 100A to 100D and video management device 10 in the first segment.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, in the first segment, camera 100A is set to have a first IP address of 192.168.0.1, camera 100B is set to have a first IP address of 192.168.0.2, camera 100C is set to have a first IP address of 192.168.0.3, camera 100D is set to have a first IP address of 192.168.0.4, and video management device 10 is set to have a first IP address of 192.168.0.10.

[0043] Here, the third number from the top, "0," indicates that these IP addresses are primary IP addresses.

[0044] Returning to FIG. 1 again, the description of the video management system 1 will be continued.

[0045] The information processing device 200 is connected to the video management device 10 so as to be able to communicate via IP, and includes an input / output IF (interface) 210 for users who use the video management device 1.

[0046] The input / output IF 210 receives input from a user who uses the video management system 1 and outputs to the user who uses the video management system 1.

[0047] The input / output IF 210 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a microphone, a display, and / or a speaker.

[0048] The information processing device 200 is, for example, a computer device such as a personal computer.

[0049] Here, the information processing device 200 is described as being wired connected to the video management device 10 via an Ethernet cable, and performing IP communication with the video management device 10 via the Ethernet cable. Note that although the present embodiment has been described as being wired, the connection may also be wireless.

[0050] The information processing device 200 accesses the video managed by the video management device 10 in response to an operation on the input / output IF 210 by a user of the video management system 1. As will be described in detail later, the video managed by the video management device 10 is video transmitted from one or more cameras 100 and stored by the video management device 10 in a video storage unit 70, which will be described later.

[0051] The information processing device 200 may, for example, perform IP communication with the video management device 10, access the video managed by the video management device 10, and output the video from the input / output IF 210.

[0052] The information processing device 200 can also configure settings for the video of one or more cameras 100 in response to a user of the video management system 1 operating the input / output IF 210 while actually using the camera 100.

[0053] The settings related to the video of the camera 100 performed by the information processing device 200 are realized by the video management device 10 relaying the communication between the information processing device 200 and the camera 100. A specific method for relaying the communication between the information processing device 200 and the camera 100 performed by the video management device 10 will be described later.

[0054] A second IP address belonging to the second segment is set to the information processing device 200. The second IP address of the information processing device 200 may be set by, for example, a DHCP server (not shown) communicably connected to the information processing device 200 and the video management device 10, or may be set manually by a user who uses the video management system 1, or may be set by the video management device 10 if the video management device 10 itself has a function of setting a second IP address for the information processing device 200.

[0055] FIG. 3 is an IP address correspondence table showing an example of second IP addresses set in the information processing device 200 and the video management device 10 in the second segment.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 3, in the second segment, the second IP address of the information processing device 200 is set to 192.168.1.100, and the second IP address of the video control device 10 is set to 192.168.1.10.

[0057] Here, the third number from the top, "1," indicates that these IP addresses are secondary IP addresses.

[0058] Returning to FIG. 1 again, the description of the video management system 1 will be continued.

[0059] The video management device 10 manages the video transmitted from one or more cameras 100 .

[0060] As shown in FIG. 1, the video management device 10 includes one or more first physical ports 11 (corresponding to first physical ports 11A to 11D in FIG. 1), a second physical port 12, a communication unit 20, a mode switching unit 30, a DHCP unit 40, a table memory unit 50, a table generation unit 60, a video storage unit 70, and a user IF (interface) unit 80.

[0061] Here, an example will be described in which the one or more first physical ports 11 are four, namely, first physical ports 11A to first physical ports 11D, corresponding to four cameras 100, namely, cameras 100A to 100D. However, the number of the one or more first physical ports 11 need only be the same as the number of the one or more cameras 100, corresponding to the one or more cameras 100, and is not necessarily limited to four.

[0062] In the following description, the first physical ports 11A to 11D will also be simply referred to as the first physical ports 11 when there is no need to explicitly distinguish between the individual names.

[0063] Each of the one or more first physical ports 11 is a physical port for connecting to each of the one or more cameras 100 .

[0064] Here, the first physical port 11A is a physical port for connecting to camera 100A, the first physical port 11B is a physical port for connecting to camera 100B, the first physical port 11C is a physical port for connecting to camera 100C, and the first physical port 11D is a physical port for connecting to camera 100D.

[0065] The second physical port 12 is a physical port for connecting to the information processing device 200.

[0066] The DHCP unit 40 sets a first IP address to each of the one or more cameras 100 connected to each of the one or more first physical ports 11.

[0067] The DHCP unit 40 is realized by, for example, a processor (for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit)) included in the video management device 10 executing a program stored in a memory included in the video management device 10.

[0068] The table storage unit 50 stores three types of tables for each of one or more cameras 100 connected to one or more first physical ports 11: (1) an ARP table that associates the first IP address of the camera 100 with the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the camera 100; (2) a bridge table that associates the first physical port 11 with the MAC address of the camera 100 connected to the first physical port 11 for each of one or more first physical ports 11; and (3) a packet forwarding table that associates the first physical port 11 with the first IP address of the camera 100 connected to the first physical port 11 for each of one or more first physical ports 11.

[0069] The table storage unit 50 is realized, for example, by a processor provided in the video management device 10 executing a program stored in a memory provided in the video management device 10, thereby controlling a portion of the storage area of ​​the memory provided in the video management device 10.

[0070] Figure 4 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of an ARP table stored in the table storage unit 50, Figure 5 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of a bridge table stored in the table storage unit 50, and Figure 6 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of a packet forwarding table stored in the table storage unit 50.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 4, in the ARP table, the first IP address 192.168.0.1 of camera 100A corresponds to the MAC address 11:22:33:00:00:01 of camera 100A, the first IP address 192.168.0.2 of camera 100B corresponds to the MAC address 11:22:33:00:00:02 of camera 100B, the first IP address 192.168.0.3 of camera 100C corresponds to the MAC address 11:22:33:00:00:03 of camera 100C, and the first IP address 192.168.0.4 of camera 100D corresponds to the MAC address 11:22:33:00:00:04 of camera 100D.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 5, in the bridge table, the first physical port 11A is associated with the MAC address 11:22:33:00:00:01 of the camera 100A connected to the first physical port 11A, the first physical port 11B is associated with the MAC address 11:22:33:00:00:02 of the camera 100B connected to the first physical port 11B, the first physical port 11C is associated with the MAC address 11:22:33:00:00:03 of the camera 100C connected to the first physical port 11C, and the first physical port 11D is associated with the MAC address 11:22:33:00:00:04 of the camera 100D connected to the first physical port 11D.

[0073] As shown in Figure 6, in the packet forwarding table, the first physical port 11A is associated with the first IP address 192.168.0.1 of the camera 100A connected to the first physical port 11A, the first physical port 11B is associated with the first IP address 192.168.0.2 of the camera 100B connected to the first physical port 11B, the first physical port 11C is associated with the first IP address 192.168.0.3 of the camera 100C connected to the first physical port 11C, and the first physical port 11D is associated with the first IP address 192.168.0.4 of the camera 100D connected to the first physical port 11D.

[0074] Returning to FIG. 1 again, the description of the video management system 1 will be continued.

[0075] The table storage unit 50 stores a packet forwarding table generated by a table generation unit 60, which will be described later.

[0076] The table storage unit 50 may also store, for example, an ARP table and a bridge table generated by the DHCP unit 40.

[0077] The table generation unit 60 generates a packet forwarding table based on the ARP table and bridge table stored in the table storage unit 50.

[0078] The table generating unit 60 is realized, for example, by a processor (for example, a CPU) included in the video management device 10 executing a program stored in a memory included in the video management device 10.

[0079] The communication unit 20 communicates with one or more cameras 100 and the information processing device 200 in either a camera setting mode or a normal mode.

[0080] When the operating mode is the camera setting mode, the communication unit 20 directly relays communication between each of the one or more cameras 100 connected to each of the one or more first physical ports 11 and the information processing device 200 connected to the second physical port 12, whereas when the operating mode is the normal mode, the communication unit 20 does not directly relay communication between each of the one or more cameras 100 connected to each of the one or more first physical ports 11 and the information processing device 200 connected to the second physical port 12.

[0081] When the operation mode is the normal mode, the communication unit 20 communicates with one or more cameras 100 using the first IP address.

[0082] When the operating mode is the camera setting mode, the communication unit 20 relays communication between each of one or more cameras 100 connected to each of one or more first physical ports 11 and the information processing device 200 connected to the second physical port 12 based on the packet forwarding table stored in the table memory unit 50 (hereinafter, in this embodiment 1, this will be referred to as the first relay process).

[0083] Here, the explanation will be given assuming that the first physical port 11A is TCP port 8080, the first physical port 11B is TCP port 8081, the first physical port 11C is TCP port 8082, the first physical port 11D is TCP port 8083, the physical port of camera 100A is TCP port 80, the physical port of camera 100B is TCP port 80, the physical port of camera 100C is TCP port 80, and the physical port of camera 100D is TCP port 80.

[0084] For this reason, the communication unit 20 creates a TCP port correspondence table that associates the TCP port of the video management device 10 with the TCP ports of the cameras 100A to 100D based on the packet forwarding table stored in the table memory unit 50, and performs the first relay processing based on the created TCP port correspondence table.

[0085] FIG. 7 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of the TCP port correspondence table generated by the communication unit 20. As shown in FIG.

[0086] Returning to FIG. 1 again, the description of the video management system 1 will be continued.

[0087] More specifically, in the first relay processing, when the operating mode is the camera setting mode, the communication unit 20 relays communication between the camera 100A connected to the first physical port 11A and the information processing device 200 connected to the second physical port 12, by: (1) when a packet having TCP port 8080 corresponding to the first physical port 11A as its destination is sent from the information processing device 200, the communication unit 20 changes the destination of the packet to TCP port 80 of the camera 100A having the first IP address associated with the first physical port 11A based on the packet forwarding table and forwards the packet to TCP port 80 of the camera 100A; and (2) when a packet having TCP port 80 of the camera 100A as its source is sent from the camera 100A, the communication unit 20 changes the source of the packet to TCP port 8080 corresponding to the first physical port 11A based on the packet forwarding table and forwards the packet to TCP port 80 of the information processing device 200.

[0088] Furthermore, when the operating mode is the camera setting mode, the communication unit 20 relays communication between the camera 100B connected to the first physical port 11B and the information processing device 200 connected to the second physical port 12 by: (3) when a packet having TCP port 8081 corresponding to the first physical port 11B as its destination is sent from the information processing device 200, the communication unit 20 changes the destination of the packet to TCP port 80 of the camera 100B having the first IP address associated with the first physical port 11B based on the packet forwarding table and forwards the packet to TCP port 80 of the camera 100B; and (4) when a packet having TCP port 80 of the camera 100B as its source is sent from the camera 100B, the communication unit 20 changes the source of the packet to TCP port 8081 associated with the first physical port 11B based on the packet forwarding table and forwards the packet to TCP port 80 of the information processing device 200.

[0089] Furthermore, when the operating mode is the camera setting mode, the communication unit 20 relays communication between the camera 100C connected to the first physical port 11C and the information processing device 200 connected to the second physical port 12 by (5) changing the destination of the packet to TCP port 80 of the camera 100C having the first IP address associated with the first physical port 11C based on the packet forwarding table and forwarding the packet to TCP port 80 of the camera 100C, and (6) changing the source of the packet to TCP port 80 of the camera 100C based on the packet forwarding table and forwarding the packet to TCP port 80 of the information processing device 200.

[0090] Furthermore, when the operating mode is the camera setting mode, (7) when a packet having TCP port 8083 corresponding to the first physical port 11D as its destination is sent from the information processing device 200, the communication unit 20 changes the destination of the packet to TCP port 80 of the camera 100D having the first IP address associated with the first physical port 11D based on the packet forwarding table and forwards the packet to TCP port 80 of the camera 100D, and (8) when a packet having TCP port 80 of the camera 100D as its source is sent from the camera 100D, the communication unit 20 changes the source of the packet to TCP port 8083 associated with the first physical port 11D based on the packet forwarding table and forwards the packet to TCP port 80 of the information processing device 200, thereby relaying communication between the camera 100D connected to the first physical port 11D and the information processing device 200 connected to the second physical port 12.

[0091] The communication unit 20 is realized, for example, by a processor (for example, a CPU) included in the video management device 10 executing a program stored in a memory included in the video management device 10.

[0092] When video is transmitted from at least one of the one or more cameras 100, the video storage unit 70 stores the video received via the communication unit 20.

[0093] Here, the video storage unit 70 may refrain from storing the video when the operating mode of the communication unit 20 is the camera setting mode, and may store the video only when the operating mode is the normal mode. By refraining from storing the video in this manner, misunderstandings are avoided when the video is viewed again after being saved during setup. For example, if blown-out highlights occur while adjusting the brightness of the camera 100 and the video is saved, it would be difficult to determine the cause of the problem.

[0094] The video storage unit 70 is realized, for example, by a processor provided in the video management device 10 executing a program stored in a memory provided in the video management device 10, thereby controlling a portion of the storage area of ​​a recording medium such as a hard disk provided in the video management device 10.

[0095] The user IF unit 80 accepts input from users using the video management system 1 and / or external devices of the video management device 10, and outputs to users using the video management system 1 and / or external devices of the video management device 10.

[0096] The user IF unit 80 includes an input interface such as a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, or microphone, and an output interface such as a display or speaker, and / or an input / output interface such as a USB plug.

[0097] For example, if the user IF unit 80 is equipped with a display, it may display the images stored in the image storage unit 70 on the display, and further, when images are transmitted in real time from at least one of the one or more cameras 100, it may display the images in real time on the display.

[0098] The mode switching unit 30 performs control to switch the operation mode of the communication unit 20 between a camera setting mode and a normal mode.

[0099] For example, the mode switching unit 30 may switch the operation mode of the communication unit 20 between the camera setting mode and the normal mode when the communication unit 20 receives a command from the information processing device 200 to switch the operation mode of the communication unit 20, or may switch the operation mode of the communication unit 20 between the camera setting mode and the normal mode when the user IF unit 80 receives an operation from a user using the video management system 1 to switch the operation mode of the communication unit 20, or may switch the operation mode of the communication unit 20 between the camera setting mode and the normal mode when a predetermined condition is met.

[0100] The mode switching unit 30 is realized, for example, by a processor (for example, a CPU) included in the video management device 10 executing a program stored in a memory included in the video management device 10.

[0101] <Operation> The video image management device 10 having the above configuration performs a first operation mode switching process and a first relay process.

[0102] The first operation mode switching process and the first relay process performed by the video management device 10 will be described below with reference to flowcharts.

[0103] The first operation mode switching process is a process of switching the operation mode of the communication unit 20 between a camera setting mode and a normal mode.

[0104] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the first operation mode switching process.

[0105] The first operation mode switching process is started, for example, when the video management device 10 is started.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 8, when the first operation mode switching process is started, the communication unit 20 sets the operation mode of the communication unit 20 to the normal mode (step S10).

[0107] Once the operation mode of the communication unit 20 is set to the normal mode, the communication unit 20 continues to maintain the normal mode until the mode switching unit 30 receives an instruction to switch the operation mode of the communication unit 20 from the normal mode to the camera setting mode (step S20: No is repeated).

[0108] In the processing of step S20, when the mode switching unit 30 receives an instruction to switch the operating mode of the communication unit 20 from normal mode to camera setting mode, the mode switching unit 30 checks whether a packet forwarding table is stored in the table memory unit 50 (step S30).

[0109] In the process of step S30, if a packet forwarding table is not stored in table storage unit 50 (step S30: No), video management device 10 performs a packet forwarding table generation process, which is a process of generating a packet forwarding table (step S40).

[0110] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the packet forwarding table generation process performed by the video management device 10.

[0111] When the packet forwarding table generation process is started, the DHCP unit 40 generates an ARP table for each of the one or more cameras 100 connected to each of the one or more first physical ports 11 by associating the first IP address of the camera 100 with the MAC address of the camera 100 (step S110), and generates a bridge table for each of the one or more first physical ports 11 by associating the first physical port 11 with the MAC address of the camera 100 connected to the first physical port 11 (step S120).Then, the table storage unit 50 stores the generated ARP table and bridge table.

[0112] When the ARP table and bridge table are stored in table storage unit 50, table generation unit 60 generates a packet forwarding table for each of one or more first physical ports 11 by associating that first physical port 11 with the first IP address of camera 100 connected to that first physical port 11 based on the ARP table and bridge table stored in table storage unit 50 (step S130). Table storage unit 50 then stores the generated packet forwarding table.

[0113] When the packet forwarding table is stored in table storage unit 50, video control device 10 ends the packet forwarding table generation process.

[0114] Returning to FIG. 8, the description of the first operation mode switching process will be continued.

[0115] When the packet forwarding table generation process is completed, i.e., when the process of step S40 is completed, or when the packet forwarding table is stored in the table memory unit 50 in the process of step S30 (step S30: Yes), the mode switching unit 30 switches the operating mode of the communication unit 20 from the normal mode to the camera setting mode (step S50).

[0116] When the operation mode of the communication unit 20 switches from the normal mode to the camera setting mode, the communication unit 20 continues to maintain the camera setting mode (repeatedly repeats step S60: No) until the mode switching unit 30 receives an instruction to switch the operation mode of the communication unit 20 from the camera setting mode to the normal mode.

[0117] In the processing of step S60, when the mode switching unit 30 receives an instruction to switch the operation mode of the communication unit 20 from the camera setting mode to the normal mode, the mode switching unit 30 switches the operation mode of the communication unit 20 from the camera setting mode to the normal mode (step S70).

[0118] When the process of step S70 is completed, the process proceeds to step S20.

[0119] The first relay process is a process of relaying communication between each of one or more cameras 100 and the information processing device 200.

[0120] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the first relay process.

[0121] The first relay process is started when the operation mode of the communication unit 20 is switched from the normal mode to the camera setting mode.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 10, when the first relay process is started, the communication unit 20 checks whether or not a packet transmitted from the information processing device 200 has been received (step S200).

[0123] In the processing of step S200, if the communication unit 20 receives a packet sent from the information processing device 200 (step S200: Yes), the communication unit 20 checks whether the destination of the packet is TCP port 8080 corresponding to the first physical port 11A (step S205).

[0124] In the processing of step S205, if the destination of the packet is TCP port 8080 (step S205: Yes), the communication unit 20 changes the destination of the packet to TCP port 80 of camera 100A with the first IP address 192.168.0.1 associated with the first physical port 11A based on the packet forwarding table, and forwards the packet to TCP port 80 of camera 100A (step S210).

[0125] In the process of step S205, if the destination of the packet is not TCP port 8080 (step S205: No), the communication unit 20 checks whether the destination of the packet is TCP port 8081 corresponding to the first physical port 11B (step S215).

[0126] In the processing of step S215, if the destination of the packet is TCP port 8081 (step S215: Yes), the communication unit 20 changes the destination of the packet to TCP port 80 of camera 100B with the first IP address 192.168.0.2 associated with the first physical port 11B based on the packet forwarding table, and forwards the packet to TCP port 80 of camera 100B (step S220).

[0127] In the process of step S215, if the destination of the packet is not TCP port 8081 (step S215: No), the communication unit 20 checks whether the destination of the packet is TCP port 8082 corresponding to the first physical port 11C (step S225).

[0128] In the processing of step S225, if the destination of the packet is TCP port 8082 (step S225: Yes), the communication unit 20 changes the destination of the packet to TCP port 80 of camera 100C with the first IP address 192.168.0.3 associated with the first physical port 11C based on the packet forwarding table, and forwards the packet to TCP port 80 of camera 100C (step S230).

[0129] In the process of step S225, if the destination of the packet is not TCP port 8082 (step S225: No), the communication unit 20 checks whether the destination of the packet is TCP port 8083 corresponding to the first physical port 11D (step S235).

[0130] In the processing of step S235, if the destination of the packet is TCP port 8083 (step S235: Yes), the communication unit 20 changes the destination of the packet to TCP port 80 of camera 100D with the first IP address 192.168.0.4 associated with the first physical port 11D based on the packet forwarding table, and forwards the packet to TCP port 80 of camera 100D (step S240).

[0131] In the processing of step S200, if the communication unit 20 does not receive a packet transmitted from the information processing device 200 (step S200: No), the communication unit 20 checks whether it has received a packet transmitted from the TCP port 80 of any of the cameras 100A to 100D (step S250).

[0132] In the processing of step S250, if the communication unit 20 receives a packet transmitted from the TCP port 80 of any of cameras 100A to 100D (step S250: Yes), the communication unit 20 checks whether the source of the packet is the TCP port 80 of camera 100A (step S255).

[0133] In the processing of step S255, if the sender of the packet is TCP port 80 of camera 100A (step S255: Yes), the communication unit 20 changes the sender of the packet to TCP port 8080 corresponding to the first physical port 11A based on the packet forwarding table, and forwards the packet to TCP port 80 of the information processing device 200 (step S260).

[0134] In the process of step S255, if the sender of the packet is not TCP port 80 of camera 100A (step S255: No), the communication unit 20 checks whether the sender of the packet is TCP port 80 of camera 100B (step S265).

[0135] In the processing of step S265, if the sender of the packet is TCP port 80 of camera 100B (step S265: Yes), the communication unit 20 changes the sender of the packet to TCP port 8081 corresponding to the first physical port 11B based on the packet forwarding table, and forwards the packet to TCP port 80 of the information processing device 200 (step S270).

[0136] In the process of step S265, if the sender of the packet is not TCP port 80 of camera 100B (step S265: No), the communication unit 20 checks whether the sender of the packet is TCP port 80 of camera 100C (step S275).

[0137] In the processing of step S275, if the sender of the packet is TCP port 80 of camera 100C (step S275: Yes), the communication unit 20 changes the sender of the packet to TCP port 8082 corresponding to the first physical port 11C based on the packet forwarding table, and forwards the packet to TCP port 80 of the information processing device 200 (step S280).

[0138] In the processing of step S275, if the sender of the packet is not TCP port 80 of camera 100C (step S275: No), that is, if the sender of the packet is TCP port 80 of camera 100D, the communication unit 20 changes the sender of the packet to TCP port 8083 corresponding to the first physical port 11D based on the packet forwarding table, and forwards the packet to TCP port 80 of the information processing device 200 (step S290).

[0139] In the processing of step S250, if the communication unit 20 does not receive a packet sent from TCP port 80 of any of cameras 100A to 100D (step S250: No), if the processing of step S210 is completed, if the processing of step S220 is completed, if the processing of step S230 is completed, if the destination of the packet is not TCP port 8083 in the processing of step S235 (step S235: No), if the processing of step S240 is completed, if the processing of step S260 is completed, if the processing of step S270 is completed, if the processing of step S280 is completed, or if the processing of step S290 is completed, the communication unit 20 checks whether the operating mode is the camera setting mode (step S295).

[0140] In the process of step S295, if the operation mode of the communication unit 20 is the camera setting mode (step S295: Yes), the process proceeds to the process of step S200.

[0141] In the process of step S295, if the operation mode of the communication unit 20 is not the camera setting mode (step S295: No), the video image control device 10 ends the first relay process.

[0142] <Consideration> According to the video management device 10 configured as described above, the mode switching unit 30 sets the operation mode of the communication unit 20 to the camera setting mode, thereby making it possible to relay communication between each of the one or more cameras 100 and the information processing device 200.

[0143] Therefore, a user of the video management system 1 having the above configuration can use the information processing device 200 to make settings related to the video of one or more cameras 100 while actually using the camera 100, while the operating mode of the communication unit 20 is in the camera setting mode.

[0144] For example, a user of the video management system 1 can operate the input / output IF210 of the information processing device 200 to switch the operating mode of the communication unit 20 from normal mode to camera setting mode, and further operate the input / output IF210 to display an image (e.g., a still image) based on the video captured by the camera 100 on the input / output IF210, thereby making it possible to make settings related to the video of the camera 100 while viewing the displayed image.

[0145] For example, a user of the video management system 1 can operate the input / output IF210 of the information processing device 200 to display an image with a brightness level of 3 and an image with a brightness level of 7 side by side on the input / output IF210, and set the brightness of the image when capturing images on the camera 100 (for example, to level 7).

[0146] In this way, with the video management device 10 configured as described above, settings relating to the video of the connected camera 100 can be made relatively easily.

[0147] (Embodiment 2) Hereinafter, a video management system according to a second embodiment will be described, which is configured by partially modifying the configuration of the video management system 1 according to the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the IP address of the camera 100 is set to be in the same segment as the IP address of the information processing device 200 only in the camera setting mode. In other words, the IP address of the information processing device 200 remains unchanged as one of the second IP addresses belonging to the second segment, while the IP address of the camera 100 is changed by the DHCP unit 40A between the second IP address belonging to the second segment in the camera setting mode and the first IP address belonging to the first segment in the normal mode.

[0148] Regarding the video management system of embodiment 2, components that are similar to those of the video management system 1 have already been explained, so they will be assigned the same symbols and their detailed explanations will be omitted, and the explanation will focus on the differences from the video management system 1.

[0149] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video management system 1A according to the second embodiment.

[0150] 11, the video management system 1A is configured by changing the video management device 10 of the video management system 1 according to embodiment 1 to a video management device 10A. Also, the video management device 10A is configured by changing the communication unit 20 of the video management device 10 to a communication unit 20A, changing the DHCP unit 40 to a DHCP unit 40A, and deleting the table storage unit 50 and the table generation unit 60.

[0151] The DHCP unit 40A sets a first IP address to each of the one or more cameras 100 connected to each of the one or more first physical ports 11, similar to the DHCP unit 40 according to the first embodiment.

[0152] The DHCP unit 40A further sets a second IP address to each of the one or more cameras 100 connected to each of the one or more first physical ports 11.

[0153] More specifically, when the operating mode of the communication unit 20A described later is normal mode, the DHCP unit 40A sets a first IP address to each of one or more cameras 100 connected to one or more first physical ports 11, and when the operating mode of the communication unit 20A is camera setting mode, the DHCP unit 40A sets a second IP address to each of one or more cameras 100 connected to one or more first physical ports 11.

[0154] Similar to the communication unit 20 according to the first embodiment, the communication unit 20A communicates with one or more cameras 100 and the information processing device 200 in either the camera setting mode or the normal mode.

[0155] Similar to the communication unit 20 in embodiment 1, when the operating mode is the camera setting mode, the communication unit 20A relays communication between each of the one or more cameras 100 connected to each of the one or more first physical ports 11 and the information processing device 200 connected to the second physical port 12, and when the operating mode is the normal mode, it does not relay communication between each of the one or more cameras 100 connected to each of the one or more first physical ports 11 and the information processing device 200 connected to the second physical port 12.

[0156] However, the communication unit 20A differs from the communication unit 20 in embodiment 1 in the relay method used when the operating mode is the camera setting mode to relay communication between each of the one or more cameras 100 connected to each of the one or more first physical ports 11 and the information processing device 200 connected to the second physical port 12.

[0157] When the operation mode is the normal mode, the communication unit 20A communicates with one or more cameras 100 using the first IP address.

[0158] When the operating mode is the camera setting mode, the communication unit 20A relays communication between each of the one or more cameras 100 connected to each of the one or more first physical ports 11 and the information processing device 200 connected to the second physical port 12, using the second IP address of each of the one or more cameras 100 and the second IP address of the information processing device 200. Here, in the camera setting mode of the second embodiment, each of the one or more cameras 100 and the information processing device 200 exist in the same segment, and therefore the table generation unit 60 and the table storage unit 50 provided in the video management device 10 of the first embodiment are not necessary.

[0159] <Operation> The video control device 10A having the above configuration performs a second operation mode switching process and a second relay process.

[0160] The second operation mode switching process and the second relay process performed by the video control device 10A will be described below with reference to flowcharts.

[0161] The second operation mode switching process is a process of switching the operation mode of the communication unit 20A between the camera setting mode and the normal mode.

[0162] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the second operation mode switching process.

[0163] The second operation mode switching process is started, for example, when the video control device 10A is started.

[0164] As shown in FIG. 12, when the second operation mode switching process is started, the communication unit 20A sets the operation mode of the communication unit 20A to the normal mode (step S310).

[0165] When the operation mode of the communication unit 20A is set to the normal mode, the DHCP unit 40A sets a first IP address to each of the one or more cameras 100 connected to each of the one or more first physical ports 11 (step S320).

[0166] When the first IP address is set for each of the one or more cameras 100, the video management device 10A restarts each of the cameras 100 to reflect the first IP address (step S325). For example, if the camera 100 is supplied with power from the video management device 10A via a PoE cable, the restart can be controlled by turning the power on and off from the video management device 10A side.

[0167] Once the first IP address has been set for each of the one or more cameras 100, the communication unit 20A continues to maintain the normal mode (repeated step S330: No) until the mode switching unit 30 receives an instruction to switch the operation mode of the communication unit 20A from the normal mode to the camera setting mode.

[0168] In the processing of step S330, when the mode switching unit 30 receives an instruction to switch the operation mode of the communication unit 20A from the normal mode to the camera setting mode, the mode switching unit 30 switches the operation mode of the communication unit 20A from the normal mode to the camera setting mode (step S340).

[0169] When the operating mode of the communication unit 20A switches from normal mode to camera setting mode, the DHCP unit 40A sets a second IP address to each of one or more cameras 100 connected to each of one or more first physical ports 11 (step S350).

[0170] Once the second IP address has been set for each of the one or more cameras 100, the video control device 10A restarts each of the cameras 100 to reflect the second IP address (step S355).

[0171] Once a second IP address has been set for each of one or more cameras 100, the communication unit 20A continues to maintain the camera setting mode (repeated step S360: No) until the mode switching unit 30 receives an instruction to switch the operating mode of the communication unit 20A from the camera setting mode to the normal mode.

[0172] In the processing of step S360, when the mode switching unit 30 receives an instruction to switch the operation mode of the communication unit 20A from the camera setting mode to the normal mode, the mode switching unit 30 switches the operation mode of the communication unit 20A from the camera setting mode to the normal mode (step S370).

[0173] When the process of step S370 is completed, the process proceeds to step S320.

[0174] The second relay process is a process of relaying communication between each of one or more cameras 100 and the information processing device 200.

[0175] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the second relay process.

[0176] The second relay process is started when the operation mode of the communication unit 20A is switched from the normal mode to the camera setting mode (step S340 in FIG. 12).

[0177] As shown in FIG. 13, when the second relay process is started, the communication unit 20A checks whether a packet addressed to the second IP address of any of the one or more cameras 100 has been received from the information processing device 200 (step S410).

[0178] In the process of step S410, when a packet addressed to the second IP address of any one of one or more cameras 100 is received from the information processing device 200 (step S410: Yes), the communication unit 20A transfers the packet to the corresponding camera 100 (step S420). This transfer is within the same segment, and no special process is required.

[0179] In the processing of step S410, if a packet addressed to the second IP address of any of the one or more cameras 100 is not received from the information processing device 200 (step S410: No), the communication unit 20A checks whether a packet addressed to the second IP address of the information processing device 200 has been received from any of the one or more cameras 100 (step S430).

[0180] In the processing of step S430, if a packet addressed to the second IP address of the information processing device 200 is received from any one of one or more cameras 100 (step S430: Yes), the communication unit 20A forwards the packet to the information processing device 200 (step S440).

[0181] In the processing of step S430, if a packet addressed to the second IP address of the information processing device 200 is not received from any of one or more cameras 100 (step S430: No), if the processing of step S420 is completed, or if the processing of step S440 is completed, the communication unit 20A checks whether the operating mode is the camera setting mode (step S450).

[0182] In the process of step S450, if the operation mode of the communication unit 20A is the camera setting mode (step S450: Yes), the process proceeds to step S410.

[0183] In the process of step S450, if the operation mode of communication unit 20A is not the camera setting mode (step S450: No), video image control device 10A ends the second relay process.

[0184] <Consideration> According to the video management device 10A having the above configuration, when the mode switching unit 30 sets the operating mode of the communication unit 20A to the camera setting mode, communication between each of one or more cameras 100 and the information processing device 200 can be relayed relatively easily without referring to a table.

[0185] Therefore, a user of the video management system 1A having the above configuration can use the information processing device 200 to make settings related to the video of one or more cameras 100 while actually using the camera 100, while the operating mode of the communication unit 20A is in camera setting mode.

[0186] In this way, with the video management device 10A configured as described above, settings relating to the video of the connected camera 100 can be made relatively easily.

[0187] (supplement) As described above, the first and second embodiments have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. As long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure, various modifications that would occur to a person skilled in the art to these embodiments, or forms constructed by combining the components of the embodiments or modifications, may also be included within the scope of one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0188] (1) In embodiment 1, when the operating mode is the camera setting mode, when video is transmitted from at least one of the one or more cameras 100, the communication unit 20 may transmit an image based on the video to the information processing device 200, and the information processing device 200 may display the image on the input / output IF 210.

[0189] This allows a user of the video management system 1 to configure settings related to the video of the camera 100 transmitting the video while viewing the image displayed on the input / output IF 210 while the operating mode of the communication unit 20 is in camera setting mode.

[0190] (2) The general or specific aspects of the present disclosure may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a program, or a non-transitory recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM, or as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a program, and a non-transitory recording medium. [Industrial Applicability]

[0191] The present disclosure is widely applicable to video management devices and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0192] 1. 1A Video Management System 10, 10A Video management device 11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D First physical port 12 Second physical port 20, 20A Communication Section 30 Mode switching section 40, 40A DHCP section 50 Table storage section 60 Table Generation Unit 70 Video Storage Department 80 User IF section 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D Camera 200 Information processing device 210 Input / Output Interface

Claims

1. A video management device for managing video transmitted from one or more cameras, one or more first physical ports for connecting to each of the one or more cameras; a second physical port for connecting to an information processing device having an input / output interface; a communication unit that communicates with the one or more cameras and the information processing device in either an operation mode of a camera setting mode or a normal mode, (A) when the operation mode is the camera setting mode, relaying communication between each of the one or more cameras connected to each of the one or more first physical ports and the information processing device connected to the second physical port; (B) when the operation mode is the normal mode, not relaying communication between each of the one or more cameras connected to each of the one or more first physical ports and the information processing device connected to the second physical port; the communication unit; a mode switching unit that performs control to switch the operation mode of the communication unit between the camera setting mode and the normal mode. Video management device.

2. further comprising a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) unit that sets a first IP (Internet Protocol) address belonging to a first segment different from a second segment to which an IP address of the information processing device belongs, to each of the one or more cameras connected to each of the one or more first physical ports; The communication unit communicates with the one or more cameras using the first IP address when the operation mode is the normal mode. The video management device according to claim 1 .

3. moreover, a table storage unit that stores an ARP table that associates, for each of the one or more cameras connected to the one or more first physical ports, the first IP address of the camera with a MAC (Media Access Control) address of the camera, and a bridge table that associates, for each of the one or more first physical ports, the first physical port with a MAC address of one of the one or more cameras connected to the first physical port; a table generation unit that generates, for each of the one or more first physical ports, a packet forwarding table that associates the first physical port with the first IP address of one of the one or more cameras connected to the first physical port, based on the ARP table and the bridge table; When the operation mode is the camera setting mode, the communication unit relays communication between each of the one or more cameras connected to each of the one or more first physical ports and the information processing device connected to the second physical port based on the packet forwarding table. The video management device according to claim 2 .

4. When the operation mode is the camera setting mode, the communication unit (A) when a packet destined for a TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) port corresponding to any one of the one or more first physical ports is transmitted from the information processing device, the destination of the packet is changed based on the packet forwarding table to a predetermined TCP port in one of the one or more cameras of the first IP address that is associated with the first physical port; (B) When a packet having a predetermined TCP port of the one or more cameras as its source is transmitted from one of the one or more cameras, the source of the packet is changed to a TCP port of the one camera corresponding to a first physical port associated with the first IP address based on the packet forwarding table. The video management device according to claim 3 .

5. the DHCP unit further sets a second IP address belonging to the second segment to each of the one or more cameras when the operation mode is the camera setting mode; When the operation mode is the camera setting mode, the communication unit relays communication between each of the one or more cameras connected to each of the one or more first physical ports and the information processing device connected to the second physical port, using the second IP address and an IP address of the information processing device belonging to the second segment. The video management device according to claim 2 .

6. Further, a video storage unit is provided for storing video when video is transmitted from at least one of the one or more cameras, The video storage unit inhibits storage of the video when the operation mode of the communication unit is the camera setting mode. The video management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. When the operation mode is the camera setting mode, and an image is transmitted from at least one of the one or more cameras, the communication unit transmits an image based on the image to the information processing device. The video management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. A communication method performed by a video management device for managing video transmitted from one or more cameras, the video management device having one or more first physical ports for connecting to each of the one or more cameras, and a second physical port for connecting to an information processing device having an input / output interface, the method comprising: a communication step of communicating with the one or more cameras and the information processing device in either an operation mode of a camera setting mode or a normal mode, (A) when the operation mode is the camera setting mode, relaying communication between each of the one or more cameras connected to each of the one or more first physical ports and the information processing device connected to the second physical port; (B) when the operation mode is the normal mode, the communication step of not relaying communication between each of the one or more cameras connected to each of the one or more first physical ports and the information processing device connected to the second physical port; a mode switching step of performing control to switch the operation mode of the communication step to the camera setting mode or the normal mode. Communication method.

Images