Surveillance system and method

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a monitoring system and monitoring method that can increase the accuracy of detecting the position of a monitoring target. The monitoring system (100) of the present disclosure is provided with a sound generation unit (10), an optical fiber unit (21), an optical signal acquisition unit (22) and a position specifying unit (31). The sound generation unit (10) is used by the monitoring target and generates sound. The optical fiber unit (21) is arranged in a monitoring area and detects sound. The optical signal acquisition unit (22) acquires an optical signal on which sound from the optical fiber unit (21) is superimposed. The position specifying unit (31) specifies the position of the monitoring target on the basis of the optical signal.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] An optical fiber is a transmission path that transmits light, and functions as an optical fiber sensor that detects sound, temperature, acceleration, etc. Patent Document 1 discloses a system for identifying the location of a sound source using an optical fiber sensor. Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses an optical fiber that detects sound generated in a monitored area, and a technology that analyzes the distribution of sound detected by the optical fiber based on an optical signal on which the sound obtained from the optical fiber is superimposed, and identifies the location where the sound has originated based on the analyzed sound distribution. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 255358 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the position of the monitored person is specified based on the motion sounds of the monitored person, such as gunshots, screams, and footsteps. For example, if the monitored person does not move and there is no motion sound, the position of the monitored person cannot be detected. Also, since it is not possible to identify whether the motion sound is that of the monitored person, the position of someone other than the monitored person is detected. Therefore, there is a problem that there is room for improvement in the accuracy of detecting the position of the monitored person.

[0005] In consideration of such problems, the present disclosure has an object to provide a monitoring system and a monitoring method that can improve the accuracy of detecting the position of a monitored person. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The monitoring system of the present disclosure comprises: A sound generating unit used by a person to be monitored to generate a sound; An optical fiber unit that is disposed in a monitored area and detects the sound; an optical signal acquiring unit that acquires an optical signal on which the sound is superimposed from the optical fiber unit; and a position identification unit that identifies the position of the person to be monitored based on the optical signal.

[0007] The monitoring method of the present disclosure includes: A sound generating unit used by the person being monitored generates a sound, An optical fiber unit disposed in the monitored area detects the sound, obtaining an optical signal on which the sound is superimposed from the optical fiber unit; The location of the monitored person is identified based on the optical signal. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The present disclosure makes it possible to provide a monitoring system and a monitoring method that can improve the accuracy of detecting the position of a monitored person. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a monitoring system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a monitoring system according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 3] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the monitoring system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a monitoring system according to a third embodiment. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the monitoring system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the monitoring system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted as necessary for clarity of explanation.

[0011] The "sound" referred to in the following embodiments includes not only sounds whose frequencies are in the range audible to humans (e.g., frequencies between 20 Hz and 20 kHz), but also sounds whose frequencies are in the range inaudible to humans, such as ultrasound and low-frequency sounds.

[0012] (First embodiment) First, the configuration of a monitoring system 100 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the monitoring system 100 includes a sound generating unit 10, an optical fiber unit 21, an optical signal acquiring unit 22, and a position identifying unit 31.

[0013] The sound generating unit 10 is used by the person to be monitored and generates sound. The optical fiber unit 21 is placed in the area to be monitored and detects sound. The optical signal acquiring unit 22 acquires an optical signal on which sound is superimposed from the optical fiber unit 21. The position identifying unit 31 identifies the position of the person to be monitored based on the optical signal on which sound is superimposed.

[0014] In the surveillance system 100 according to the first embodiment, the position of the person to be monitored is identified using the sound generated by the sound generating unit 10. Therefore, even if the person to be monitored is not moving and therefore no operation sound is generated, the position of the person to be monitored can be detected. In addition, since it is possible to distinguish whether the operation sound is from the person to be monitored or from someone other than the person to be monitored, the position detection of people other than the person to be monitored is prevented. Therefore, in the surveillance system 100, the accuracy of detecting the position of the person to be monitored can be improved.

[0015] Second embodiment Next, the configuration of a monitoring system 200 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The monitoring system 200 is a specific embodiment of the monitoring system 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the monitoring system 200 includes one or more sound generating devices (sound generating units) 10, an optical fiber sensor 20, a monitoring device 30, and a monitoring terminal 40.

[0016] The sound generating device 10 is a device that generates sound and is used by the person being monitored. The sound generating device 10 can generate sound of any frequency band, waveform, or amplitude. It is desirable that each person being monitored is equipped with one sound generating device 10. The sound generating device 10 may be installed in a device such as a smartphone or tablet used by the person being monitored.

[0017] The sound generating device 10 is assigned to each of the multiple monitoring subjects and generates sounds that are different from each other. Specifically, the sound generating device 10 generates sounds to which different frequency bands are assigned to each of the multiple monitoring subjects. Note that, without being limited to this embodiment, the sound generating device 10 may generate sounds to which sounds with different waveforms are assigned to each of the multiple monitoring subjects, for example.

[0018] Furthermore, the sound generating device 10 generates inaudible sound (sound in a frequency band inaudible to humans). In this case, it is preferable that the sound is a low-pitched inaudible sound (a low-pitched inaudible sound in a frequency band inaudible to humans) rather than a high-pitched inaudible sound (a high-pitched inaudible sound in a frequency band inaudible to humans). Note that this is not limited to the present embodiment, and for example, the sound does not have to be an inaudible sound. Moreover, the sound generating device 10 generates sounds at predetermined intervals.

[0019] The optical fiber sensor 20 is a sensor that detects the sound generated by the sound generating device 10. The optical fiber sensor 20 includes an optical fiber section 21 and an optical signal acquiring section 22. The optical fiber unit 21 is a cable that detects the sound generated by the sound generating device 10. The optical fiber unit 21 is arranged in a monitoring target area monitored by the monitoring system 200. The monitoring target area is set, for example, in an underground facility or a mountainous area where radio waves of a mobile phone cannot reach. The optical fiber unit 21 is arranged, for example, so as to cover the periphery of the monitoring target area, but the arrangement method is not limited to this embodiment. If the monitoring target area is outdoors, the optical fiber unit 21 may be buried in the ground, may be attached to the ground, or may be overhead wired on a utility pole or the like. If the monitoring target area is indoors, the optical fiber unit 21 may be attached to or embedded in a floor, wall, or ceiling.

[0020] The optical signal acquiring unit 22 is connected to the optical fiber unit 21, and acquires an optical signal on which the sound generated by the sound generating device 10 is superimposed from the optical fiber unit 21. Specifically, the optical signal acquiring unit 22 inputs pulsed light into the optical fiber unit 21. The optical signal acquiring unit 22 also receives, as an optical signal, backscattered light and the like generated as the input pulsed light is transmitted through the optical fiber unit 21 from the optical fiber unit 21. Here, when sound is generated by the sound generating device 10, vibrations occur at the peripheral point of the optical fiber unit 21 where the sound is generated, and backscattered light and the like on which the sound is superimposed on the input pulsed light are generated. The optical signal acquiring unit 22 receives the backscattered light and the like on which the sound is superimposed from the optical fiber unit 21 as an optical signal.

[0021] The monitoring device 30 comprises a position identification unit 31, a monitoring target discrimination unit 32, a position information storage unit 33, an intrusion determination unit , an intrusion area storage unit 35, an input unit , a display unit 37, and a notification unit . The monitoring device 30 is a server that is connected to the optical fiber sensor 20 and is installed in the area to be monitored or in a remote location from the area to be monitored.

[0022] The position identifying unit 31 identifies the position where the sound has originated, based on the optical signal on which the sound has been superimposed and which has been acquired by the optical signal acquiring unit 22 . The monitoring target discrimination unit 32 discriminates the monitoring target based on the optical signal with the sound superimposed thereon acquired by the optical signal acquisition unit 22. The position identifying unit 31 identifies the position information of the person to be monitored by using information on the position where the sound was generated and information on the person to be monitored identified by the person to be monitored identification unit 32 . The position information storage unit 33 stores the position information of the monitoring target person identified by the position identification unit 31.

[0023] The intrusion determination unit 34 determines whether the person to be monitored has intruded into a prohibited area in the area to be monitored based on the location information of the person to be monitored identified by the location identification unit 31 and the prohibited area information in the area to be monitored stored in the intrusion area memory unit 35. The intrusion area storage unit 35 stores intrusion-prohibited area information that sets intrusion-prohibited areas within a monitored area.

[0024] The input unit 36 ​​is an interface for a monitor (a person monitoring a monitored person) to input information about a no-entry area. The display unit 37 displays the position information of the person to be monitored in the area to be monitored on the display of the monitoring terminal 40 which communicates with the monitoring device 30. The display unit 37 also displays on the monitoring terminal 40 information on the identified person to be monitored in the area to be monitored.

[0025] When the intrusion determination unit 34 determines that the person to be monitored has intruded into an intrusion prohibited area in the area to be monitored, the notification unit 38 notifies the monitoring terminal 40 that communicates with the monitoring device 30.

[0026] The monitoring terminal 40 is a terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, or a tablet used by a person monitoring the area to be monitored. For example, the monitoring terminal 40 is installed at a monitoring location where the area to be monitored is monitored, and the monitoring location is set up in the area to be monitored or far away from the area to be monitored. The monitoring terminal 40 may also be a terminal used by the monitor or the person to be monitored.

[0027] Next, the operation of the monitoring system 200 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The monitored area is set in a facility where multiple monitored persons work. In the monitored area, the monitored persons work while wearing the sound generating device 10. The sound generating device 10 generates sounds at predetermined intervals, with different frequency bands assigned to each monitored person. The sound generating device 10 also generates low-pitched inaudible sounds.

[0028] First, the sound generating device 10 generates a sound (step S101). Next, the optical fiber unit 21 of the optical fiber sensor 20 detects the sound generated by the sound generating device 10. Here, the optical signal acquiring unit 22 inputs pulsed light into the optical fiber unit 21. When sound is generated by the sound generating device 10, vibrations occur due to the sound at the peripheral point of the optical fiber unit 21 where the sound is generated, and backscattered light with the sound superimposed on the input pulsed light, etc. are generated. The optical signal acquiring unit 22 acquires the backscattered light with the sound superimposed, etc. as an optical signal from the optical fiber unit 21 (step S102). The optical signal acquiring unit 22 transmits the acquired information to the monitoring device 30 (step S103).

[0029] Next, the position identifying unit 31 of the monitoring device 30 identifies the position where the sound has occurred based on the acquisition result acquired by the optical signal acquiring unit 22 (step S104). Specifically, the position identifying unit 31 identifies the position where the sound has occurred based on the time difference between the time when the optical signal acquiring unit 22 incidents pulsed light into the optical fiber unit 21 and the time when the optical signal with the sound superimposed thereon is acquired from the optical fiber unit 21, and the reception intensity of the optical signal when the optical signal is acquired.

[0030] Next, the monitoring target discrimination unit 32 discriminates the monitoring target based on the acquisition result acquired by the optical signal acquisition unit 22 (step S105). Specifically, a frequency band is assigned to the sound for each monitoring target, and the monitoring target discrimination unit 32 discriminates the monitoring target using the frequency band allocation information for each monitoring target and the information of the optical signal on which the sound is superimposed.

[0031] Next, the position identifying unit 31 identifies the position information of the person to be monitored using the position information of the sound generation and the information on the person to be monitored identified by the person to be monitored identifying unit 32. The position information storage unit 33 stores the position information of the person to be monitored identified by the position identifying unit 31 (step S106).

[0032] Next, the display unit 37 displays the position information of the monitored person in the monitored area on the display of the monitoring terminal 40 that communicates with the monitoring device 30 (step S107). The screen of the monitoring terminal 40 displays the monitored area divided into areas such as Area A, Area B, . . . , Area N, and one of the areas (for example, Area B) is set as a no-entry area. Also, the screen displays objects such as dots so that the position of each monitored person in the monitored area can be identified. At this time, the color and object are changed for each monitored person on the screen, and the position of the monitored person is displayed so that the monitored person can be identified.

[0033] The intrusion determination unit 34 determines whether the person to be monitored has intruded into a prohibited area in the monitored area based on the location information of the identified person to be monitored and the prohibited area information stored in the intrusion area memory unit 35 (step S108).

[0034] When the intrusion determination unit 34 determines that the person to be monitored has intruded into an intrusion-prohibited zone in the area to be monitored (YES in step S108), the notification unit 38 notifies the monitoring terminal 40, which communicates with the monitoring device 30 (step S109). For example, the notification unit 38 notifies the monitoring terminal 40 of information that identifies the person to be monitored who has intruded into the intrusion-prohibited zone, location information of the person to be monitored, and the like. The notification unit 38 may also sound an alert in the monitoring terminal 40.

[0035] On the other hand, if the intrusion determination unit 34 determines that the monitored person has not intruded into the intrusion prohibited area in the monitored area (NO in step S108), the monitoring system 200 does not execute the notification process in step S109.

[0036] The order of steps S104 to S105 may be interchanged. For example, the process of identifying a person to be monitored in step S105 may be performed before the process of identifying the source position of a sound in step S104.

[0037] In the monitoring system 200 according to the second embodiment, similarly to the monitoring system 100 according to the first embodiment, the accuracy of detecting the position of a monitoring target person can be improved. In addition, in the monitoring system 200, the sound generated by the sound generating unit 10 is detected by the optical fiber sensor 20. In addition, in the monitoring system 200, the position information of the monitored person in the monitored area is specified. Therefore, in the monitoring system 200, the monitor can grasp the conductor of the monitored person's movement even in the monitored area where mobile phone signals do not reach, such as mountainous areas or underground facilities, as long as optical fibers are installed. Furthermore, by being able to grasp the conductor of the monitored person, the monitor can improve the efficiency of the monitored person as a countermeasure against personnel shortages. In addition, the monitor can grasp where the monitored person is in the event of an emergency and take some kind of action.

[0038] In the surveillance system 200, the sound generating device 10 generates sounds that are assigned to each of the multiple surveillance subjects and that are different from each other, and the multiple surveillance subjects are identified based on the optical signal on which the sounds are superimposed. Therefore, in the surveillance system 200, even if there are multiple surveillance subjects, the position of each surveillance subject can be identified and detected.

[0039] In addition, in the monitoring system 200, based on the position information of the monitored person and the pre-stored information on the entry-prohibited area in the monitored area, it is determined whether the monitored person has entered the entry-prohibited area. In addition, in the monitoring system 200, when it is determined that the monitored person has entered the entry-prohibited area, a notification is sent to the monitoring terminal 40 of the monitor with whom the monitoring system communicates. Therefore, in the monitoring system 200, when a worker enters the entry-prohibited area, the monitoring system notifies the monitor in real time, and the monitor can instantly grasp the entry into the entry-prohibited area, which is a dangerous area. For example, when rescuing a monitored person who has entered an entry-prohibited area, in an area where mobile phone signals cannot reach, the location of the monitored person cannot be determined even if the worker has a mobile phone, so rescue is extremely difficult. However, in the monitoring system 200, the monitored person can be rescued.

[0040] Furthermore, in the surveillance system 200, sounds are generated at predetermined intervals by the sound generating device 10. Therefore, in the surveillance system 200, the surveillance person can continuously identify the position of the surveillance subject in the surveillance area.

[0041] Furthermore, in the surveillance system 200, sounds in the inaudible frequency band are generated by the sound generating device 10. Therefore, noise pollution in the area to be monitored can be prevented.

[0042] (Third embodiment) Next, the configuration of a monitoring system 300 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the monitoring system 300 includes one or more sound generating devices 10, an optical fiber sensor 20, a monitoring device 30, a monitoring terminal 40, and one or more physical condition determining devices 50.

[0043] The physical condition determination device (physical condition determination unit) 50 is a device such as a smart watch or a hearable device used by the person being monitored, and acquires information on the physical condition of the person being monitored and determines whether the person being monitored is in poor physical condition or not. It is desirable that each person being monitored is equipped with one physical condition determination device 50. The physical condition determination device 50 communicates with the sound generating device 10 wirelessly or via a wired method. The physical condition determination device 50 transmits determination information on the physical condition of the person being monitored to the sound generating device 10.

[0044] The sound generating device 10 is a device that generates a sound and is used by the person to be monitored. It is preferable that each person to be monitored is equipped with one sound generating device 10. The sound generating device 10 generates a first sound when the physical condition determination device 50 determines that the physical condition of the person to be monitored is good. The sound generating device 10 generates a second sound different from the first sound when the physical condition determination device 50 determines that the physical condition of the person to be monitored is poor. Specifically, the sound generating device 10 generates a first sound or a second sound to which a different frequency band is assigned for each person to be monitored. The sound generating device 10 also generates a second sound obtained by modulating the first sound. The sound generating device 10 also generates the first sound or the second sound at a predetermined interval.

[0045] The optical fiber sensor 20 detects one of the first sound and the second sound generated by the sound generating device 10. The optical fiber unit 21 is a cable that detects one of the first sound and the second sound generated by the sound generating device 10. The optical signal acquiring unit 22 acquires an optical signal on which one of the first sound and the second sound is superimposed from the optical fiber unit 21.

[0046] The monitoring device 30 comprises a position identification unit 31, a monitoring target discrimination unit 32, a position information storage unit 33, a poor physical condition determination unit 39, a display unit 37, and a notification unit . The position identification unit 31 identifies the position where one of the first sound and the second sound is generated, based on information of an optical signal on which one of the first sound and the second sound is superimposed, acquired by the optical signal acquisition unit 22. The monitoring target discriminating unit 32 discriminates the monitoring target based on information of the optical signal acquired by the optical signal acquiring unit 22, on which one of the first sound and the second sound is superimposed. The position identification unit 31 identifies the position information of the person to be monitored by using the position information of the occurrence of one of the first sound and the second sound and the information on the person to be monitored identified by the person to be monitored identification unit 32. The position information storage unit 33 stores the position information of the monitoring target person identified by the position identification unit 31.

[0047] The poor health determination unit 39 detects whether the person to be monitored is in poor health based on the optical signal on which one of the first sound and the second sound is superimposed. When the poor health determination unit 39 acquires an optical signal on which the first sound is superimposed, it determines that the person to be monitored is not in poor health (the person to be monitored is not in poor health). On the other hand, when the poor health determination unit 39 acquires an optical signal on which the second sound is superimposed, it determines that the person to be monitored is in poor health (the person to be monitored is in poor health).

[0048] The display unit 37 displays the position information of the person to be monitored in the monitoring area on the display of the monitoring terminal 40 which communicates with the monitoring device 30. The display unit 37 displays the physical condition of the person to be monitored in the monitoring area.

[0049] When the poor physical condition determination unit 39 detects that the monitored person is in poor physical condition, the notification unit 38 notifies the monitoring terminal 40, which communicates with the monitoring device 30. The notification includes, for example, location information of the monitored person, information for identifying the monitored person, and physical condition information of the monitored person.

[0050] In this embodiment, the sound generating device 10 generates one of the first sound and the second sound. The position identifying unit 31 identifies the position where the first sound and the second sound are generated based on the information of the optical signal on which the first sound and the second sound are superimposed. The poor physical condition determining unit 39 detects whether the monitored person is in poor physical condition based on the optical signal on which the first sound and the second sound are superimposed. As another example, the sound generating device 10 may generate a sound for identifying the position of the monitored person in the position identifying unit 31 and a sound for determining the physical condition of the monitored person in the poor physical condition determining unit 39 separately. The sound generating device 10 may generate a sound for identifying the position of the monitored person in the position identifying unit 31 at a predetermined interval, and may generate a sound that causes the poor physical condition determining unit 39 to determine that the monitored person's physical condition has deteriorated when the monitored person's physical condition deteriorates.

[0051] Next, the operation of the monitoring system 300 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The person to be monitored works within the monitored area while wearing a physical condition determination device 50 and a sound generating device 10. The physical condition determination device 50 acquires information on the physical condition of the person to be monitored and determines whether the physical condition of the person to be monitored is poor or not. The physical condition determination device 50 periodically transmits the determination result of the physical condition of the person to be monitored to the sound generating device 10.

[0052] First, it is assumed that the physical condition of the person to be monitored is determined to be good by the physical condition determination device 50. The physical condition determination device 50 transmits the determination result to the sound generation device 10. 5, the sound generating device 10 determines that the physical condition of the person to be monitored is good based on the determination result received from the physical condition determination device 50 (step S201). If the sound generating device 10 determines that the physical condition of the person to be monitored is good, it generates a first sound (step S202).

[0053] Next, the optical fiber unit 21 of the optical fiber sensor 20 detects the first sound generated by the sound generating device 10. The optical signal acquiring unit 22 acquires an optical signal on which the first sound is superimposed from the optical fiber unit 21 (step S203). The optical signal acquiring unit 22 transmits the acquired information to the monitoring device 30 (step S204).

[0054] Next, the position identifying unit 31 of the monitoring device 30 identifies the position where the first sound has occurred based on the acquired information (step S205). Specifically, the position identifying unit 31 identifies the position where the first sound has occurred based on the time difference between the time when the optical signal acquiring unit 22 incidents pulsed light into the optical fiber unit 21 and the time when the optical signal on which the first sound has been superimposed is acquired from the optical fiber unit 21, and the reception intensity of the acquired optical signal on which the first sound has been superimposed.

[0055] Next, the monitoring target discrimination unit 32 discriminates the monitoring target based on the acquired information (step S206). Specifically, the monitoring target discrimination unit 32 discriminates the monitoring target using information on the frequency band assigned to the first sound for each monitoring target and information on the optical signal on which the first sound is superimposed. Then, the position identification unit 31 identifies the position information of the monitoring target using the position information of the first sound generated and information on the monitoring target discriminated by the monitoring target discrimination unit 32.

[0056] Next, the poor health determination unit 39 determines from the acquired information that an optical signal with the first sound superimposed thereon has been acquired by the optical signal acquisition unit 22, and determines that the physical condition of the person to be monitored is good, i.e., the person is not in poor health (step S207).

[0057] Next, the position information storage unit 33 stores the position information of the monitoring target person identified by the position identification unit 31 (step S208). Note that the position information storage unit 33 may link the position information of the monitoring target person to information indicating whether the monitoring target person is in poor physical condition or not, that is, physical condition information of the monitoring target person.

[0058] Next, the display unit 37 displays the position information of the monitored person in the monitored area and the physical condition information of the monitored person on the display of the monitoring terminal 40 that communicates with the monitoring device 30 (step S209). The screen of the monitoring terminal 40 displays the monitored area divided into areas such as Area A, Area B, . . . , Area N. The screen also displays objects such as dots so that the position of each monitored person in the monitored area can be identified. The screen also displays the color and object for each monitored person, and displays the position of the monitored person so that the monitored person can be distinguished. The screen displays monitored people who are in poor health by changing the color and object so that monitored people who are in good health and those who are in poor health, which will be described later, can be distinguished.

[0059] The order of steps S205 to S207 may be interchanged. For example, the process of identifying the person to be monitored in step S206 may be performed before the process of identifying the source position of the first sound in step S205.

[0060] Next, the physical condition determination device 50 determines that the physical condition of the person to be monitored is poor. The physical condition determination device 50 transmits the determination result to the sound generation device 10. As shown in FIG. 6, the sound generating device 10 determines that the physical condition of the person to be monitored has changed from a good state to a bad state based on the determination result received from the physical condition determination device 50 (step S210).

[0061] Next, when the sound generating device 10 determines that the physical condition of the monitoring target has become bad, it changes the generated sound from the first sound to the second sound (step S211). Specifically, the sound generating device 10 changes the generated sound from the first sound to the second sound that is assigned the same frequency band as the first sound and is a modulated version of the first sound. Next, the sound generating device 10 generates a second sound (step S212).

[0062] Next, the optical fiber unit 21 of the optical fiber sensor 20 detects the second sound generated by the sound generating device 10. Here, the optical signal acquiring unit 22 inputs pulsed light into the optical fiber unit 21. When the second sound is generated, the optical fiber unit 21 vibrates at a peripheral point where the second sound is generated due to vibration caused by the second sound, and backscattered light in which the second sound is superimposed on the incident pulsed light is generated. The optical signal acquiring unit 22 acquires the backscattered light in which the second sound is superimposed as an optical signal from the optical fiber unit 21 (step S213). The optical signal acquiring unit 22 transmits the acquired information to the monitoring device 30 (step S214).

[0063] Next, the position identifying unit 31 of the monitoring device 30 identifies the position where the second sound has occurred based on the acquired information (step S215). Next, the monitoring target discrimination unit 32 discriminates the monitoring target based on the acquired information (step S216). Then, the position identification unit 31 uses the position information of the location where the second sound was generated and the information on the monitoring target identified by the monitoring target discrimination unit 32 to identify the position information of the monitoring target.

[0064] Next, the poor health determination unit 39 determines from the acquired information that an optical signal with a second sound superimposed thereon has been acquired by the optical signal acquisition unit 22, and determines that the physical condition of the person to be monitored is poor, i.e., that the person is in poor health (step S217). Next, the position information storage unit 33 stores the position information of the monitoring target person identified by the position identifying unit 31 (step S218).

[0065] Next, the display unit 37 displays the position information of the monitored person in the monitored area and the physical condition information of the monitored person on the display of the monitoring terminal 40 that communicates with the monitoring device 30 (step S219). At this time, the display unit 37 displays on the monitoring terminal 40 in the same manner as in step S209. For example, the display unit 37 displays the monitored person who is in poor health so that he or she can be distinguished from the monitored person who is not in poor health.

[0066] Next, when the poor physical condition of the person to be monitored is detected by the poor physical condition determination unit 39, the notification unit 38 notifies the monitoring terminal 40, which communicates with the monitoring device 30 (step S220). The notification includes information for identifying the person to be monitored, the fact that the poor physical condition of the person to be monitored has been detected, location information of the person to be monitored, etc.

[0067] The order of steps S215 to S217 may be interchanged. For example, the process of identifying the monitored person in step S216 may be performed before the process of identifying the source position of the second sound in step S215.

[0068] In the monitoring system 300 according to the third embodiment, similarly to the monitoring system 100 according to the first embodiment, the accuracy of detecting the position of a monitoring target person can be improved. Moreover, in the monitoring system 300, it is possible to detect whether the person to be monitored is in poor physical condition based on the optical signal on which one of the first sound and the second sound generated by the sound generating device 10 is superimposed. Therefore, in the monitoring system 300, the physical condition of the person to be monitored can be instantly determined.

[0069] Furthermore, the monitoring system 300 further identifies the position information of the person being monitored in the monitored area. Therefore, the monitor can grasp the physical condition of the person being monitored as well as the path of the person being monitored. Therefore, for example, if the person being monitored becomes injured or loses consciousness for some reason and is unable to move, the monitor can ask for help from a person in a remote location.

[0070] In the surveillance system 300, the sound generating device 10 generates sounds that are assigned to each of the multiple surveillance subjects and are different from each other, and the multiple surveillance subjects are identified based on the light signal on which the sounds are superimposed. Therefore, in the surveillance system 200, even if there are multiple surveillance subjects, the position and physical condition of each surveillance subject can be identified and detected.

[0071] Furthermore, in the monitoring system 200, sounds are generated at predetermined intervals by the sound generating device 10. Therefore, in the monitoring system 200, the monitor can continuously identify the position and physical condition of the person to be monitored in the monitored area.

[0072] Furthermore, in the surveillance system 200, sounds in the inaudible frequency band are generated by the sound generating device 10. Therefore, noise pollution in the area to be monitored can be prevented.

[0073] (Fourth embodiment) Next, the configuration of a monitoring system 400 (not shown) according to a fourth embodiment will be described. The monitoring system 400 has a configuration in which the monitoring system 200 according to the second embodiment and the monitoring system 300 according to the third embodiment are combined. Specifically, the functions of the intrusion determination unit 34, the intrusion area storage unit 35, the input unit 36, the display unit 37, and the notification unit 38 of the monitoring system 200 are added to the monitoring system 300. In other words, the monitoring system 400 can not only monitor the physical condition of the person to be monitored, but also simultaneously monitor whether the person to be monitored is entering a restricted area.

[0074] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0075] The monitoring device 30 according to the embodiment described above may be realized by multiple servers instead of a single server. The monitoring device 30 may also be realized by a server and other devices. For example, components such as the location identification unit 31 and the monitoring target determination unit 32 may be mounted in a terminal device of an optical line connected to the optical fiber sensor 20, instead of a server.

[0076] <Hardware configuration> Next, a hardware configuration example of a computer 1000 related to the monitoring system 100, the sound generating device 10, the optical fiber sensor 20, the monitoring device 30, the monitoring terminal 40, and the physical condition determining device 50 related to the monitoring system 100, 200-400 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, the computer 1000 has a processor 1001 and a memory 1002. The processor 1001 may be, for example, a microprocessor, a micro processing unit (MPU), or a central processing unit (CPU). The processor 1001 may include a plurality of processors. The memory 1002 is configured by a combination of a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The memory 1002 may include a storage located away from the processor 1001. In this case, the processor 1001 may access the memory 1002 via an I / O interface not shown.

[0077] Furthermore, each component in the above-described embodiments may be configured by hardware or software, or both, and may be configured by one piece of hardware or software, or may be configured by multiple pieces of hardware or software. The function (processing) of each component in the above-described embodiments may be realized by a computer. For example, a program for performing the method in the embodiment may be stored in memory 1002, and each function may be realized by executing the program stored in memory 1002 by processor 1001.

[0078] These programs include instructions (or software codes) that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The programs may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media or tangible storage media include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray® disk or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The programs may be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or a communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, a transitory computer-readable medium or a communication medium includes electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0079] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but is not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Appendix 1) A sound generating unit used by a person to be monitored to generate a sound; An optical fiber unit that is disposed in a monitored area and detects the sound; an optical signal acquiring unit that acquires an optical signal on which the sound is superimposed from the optical fiber unit; and a position identification unit that identifies a position of the monitoring target person based on the optical signal. Surveillance system. (Appendix 2) and an intrusion determination unit that determines whether or not the person to be monitored has intruded into the intrusion-prohibited area based on position information of the person to be monitored and pre-stored information on intrusion-prohibited areas in the area to be monitored. 2. A monitoring system as described in claim 1. (Appendix 3) A plurality of the sound generating units are assigned to the plurality of monitoring subjects, respectively, and generate sounds different from each other; and a monitoring subject discrimination unit that discriminates the plurality of monitoring subjects based on the light signal on which the sound is superimposed. A monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 2. (Appendix 4) The sound generating unit generates the sound having a frequency band in an inaudible range. A monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. (Appendix 5) The sound generating unit generates the sound at predetermined intervals. A monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. (Appendix 6) a physical condition determination unit that acquires information on the physical condition of the person to be monitored and determines whether the physical condition of the person to be monitored is poor, the sound generation unit generates, as the sound, a first sound when the physical condition of the monitoring target person is good, and generates a second sound different from the first sound when the physical condition of the monitoring target person is bad; and a poor physical condition determination unit that determines whether the person to be monitored is in poor physical condition based on the light signal on which one of the first and second sounds is superimposed. 2. A monitoring system as described in claim 1. (Appendix 7) The position identifying unit identifies the position of the monitoring target person based on an optical signal on which one of the first sound and the second sound is superimposed. 6. A monitoring system as described in claim 6. (Appendix 8) a plurality of the sound generating units each assigned to a respective one of the plurality of monitoring subjects and configured to generate one of the first sound and the second sound different from each other; and a monitoring subject discrimination unit that discriminates the plurality of monitoring subjects based on an optical signal on which one of the first and second sounds is superimposed. 8. The surveillance system according to claim 6 or 7. (Appendix 9) The sound generating unit is generating one of the first and second sounds, each of which has a different frequency band assigned to each of the monitoring subjects; generating the second sound modulated from the first sound; 9. A monitoring system according to any one of claims 6 to 8. (Appendix 10) The sound generating unit generates one of the first and second sounds, the frequency band of which is in an inaudible range. 10. A monitoring system according to any one of claims 6 to 9. (Appendix 11) The sound generating unit generates one of the first and second sounds at a predetermined interval. A monitoring system according to any one of claims 6 to 10. (Appendix 12) and an intrusion determination unit that determines whether or not the person to be monitored has intruded into the intrusion-prohibited area based on information on the position of the person to be monitored and information on intrusion-prohibited areas in the area to be monitored that is stored in advance. 12. A monitoring system according to any one of claims 6 to 11. (Appendix 13) A sound generating unit used by the person being monitored generates a sound, An optical fiber unit disposed in the monitored area detects the sound, obtaining an optical signal on which the sound is superimposed from the optical fiber unit; determining a position of the monitored person based on the optical signal; Monitoring method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 10 Sound Generator 20 Optical fiber sensor 21 Optical fiber section 22 Optical signal acquisition unit 30 Monitoring equipment 31 Location identification part 32 Surveillance Target Identification Department 33 Location information storage unit 34 Intrusion detection section 35 Intrusion area storage unit 36 Input section 37 Display section 38 Notification Department 39. Illness Assessment Department 40 Monitoring terminal 50 Physical condition determination device (physical condition determination unit) 100, 200, 300, 400 Surveillance System 1000 Computers 1001 Processor 1002 Memory

Claims

1. A sound generating unit used by a person to be monitored to generate a sound; An optical fiber unit that is disposed in a monitored area and detects the sound; an optical signal acquiring unit that acquires an optical signal on which the sound is superimposed from the optical fiber unit; a position identification unit that identifies a position of the monitoring target person based on the optical signal, A plurality of the sound generating units are assigned to the plurality of monitoring subjects, respectively, and generate sounds different from each other; and a monitoring subject discrimination unit that discriminates the plurality of monitoring subjects based on the light signal on which the sound is superimposed. Surveillance system.

2. and an intrusion determination unit that determines whether or not the person to be monitored has intruded into the intrusion-prohibited area based on position information of the person to be monitored and information on intrusion-prohibited areas in the area to be monitored that is stored in advance. The monitoring system of claim 1 .

3. The sound generating unit generates the sound having a frequency band in an inaudible range.

3. A monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The sound generating unit generates the sound at predetermined intervals. A surveillance system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. a physical condition determination unit that acquires information on the physical condition of the person to be monitored and determines whether the physical condition of the person to be monitored is poor, the sound generation unit generates, as the sound, a first sound when the physical condition of the monitoring subject is good, and generates a second sound different from the first sound when the physical condition of the monitoring subject is poor; and a poor physical condition determination unit that determines whether the monitoring target person is in poor physical condition based on the light signal on which one of the first sound and the second sound is superimposed. The monitoring system of claim 1 .

6. The position identifying unit identifies a position of the monitoring target person based on an optical signal on which one of the first sound and the second sound is superimposed. The monitoring system according to claim 5.

7. a plurality of the sound generating units each assigned to a respective one of the plurality of monitoring subjects and configured to generate one of the first sound and the second sound different from each other; and a monitoring subject discrimination unit that discriminates the plurality of monitoring subjects based on an optical signal on which one of the first and second sounds is superimposed. A monitoring system according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The sound generating unit is generating one of the first and second sounds, each of which has a different frequency band assigned to each of the monitoring subjects; generating the second sound modulated from the first sound; A monitoring system according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

9. A sound generating unit used by the person being monitored generates a sound, An optical fiber unit disposed in the monitored area detects the sound, obtaining an optical signal on which the sound is superimposed from the optical fiber unit; Identifying a location of the person to be monitored based on the optical signal; and The plurality of sound generating units are assigned to the plurality of monitoring subjects, respectively, and generate different sounds from each other; The plurality of monitoring targets are identified based on the light signal on which the sound is superimposed. Monitoring method.

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