Surveillance camera system and control method thereof

Abstract

To provide a monitor camera system capable of reducing a device cost while keeping convenience for a user and a manager in a case where the user moves to an objective server rack, and a control method of the same.SOLUTION: A server device 10 generates a guide image 63 showing an advancing direction of a user 5 toward an assigned server rack while a monitor camera 40 moves along a path P1, and controls a projection part 48 to project the guide image 63 on the path P1. The server device 10 controls an imaging part 45 to image the user 5 while the monitor camera 40 moves along the path P1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a surveillance camera system and a control method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] In facilities with large-scale data centers that manage many servers for multiple companies, numerous server racks are installed to house the servers. The data centers are constantly monitored by surveillance cameras to ensure that no suspicious individuals are behaving in a suspicious manner.

[0003] Typically, when a data center user wants to use their own server installed in a server rack, the data center administrator explains the location of the desired server rack using a data center guide map. After entering the data center, the user then moves to the desired server rack.

[0004] Administrators either unlock the lock on the target server rack in advance, or hand the key to the user, who then unlocks the door to the target server rack themselves. This is an effort to prevent users from engaging in suspicious behavior, such as opening the door of another server rack and attempting to operate other companies' servers. However, explaining the installation locations using a guide map can be a burden for administrators when there are many users. Furthermore, if keys are handed to users, problems such as key loss can occur.

[0005] One example of a method for monitoring data center users and managing the locking of server racks is the data center entry / exit management method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-197328 (Patent Document 1). This data center entry / exit management method monitors users with surveillance cameras and unlocks specific server racks upon request. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-197328 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, when monitoring users in a server room such as a data center with a surveillance camera, blind spots are likely to occur because the server racks are taller than the users, or users behave in ways that are difficult for the surveillance camera to capture, etc. In order to reduce such blind spots, it is necessary to install a huge number of surveillance cameras in the server room, but this creates the problem of increased installation costs for the surveillance cameras.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a surveillance camera system and a control method thereof that can reduce equipment costs while maintaining convenience for users and administrators when users travel to their desired server rack. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A surveillance camera system according to the present disclosure includes a surveillance camera and a control device. The surveillance camera is movable within a facility. The control device controls the surveillance camera. The facility includes a server room in which multiple server racks are arranged. The surveillance camera includes an imaging unit, a projection unit, and a drive unit. The imaging unit captures images of users in the server room. The projection unit projects images guiding the users. The drive unit moves the surveillance camera. The control device controls the drive unit so that the surveillance camera moves along a route to an assigned server rack assigned to the user among the multiple server racks within the server room. As the surveillance camera moves along the route, the control device generates a guide image that indicates the direction the user should proceed toward the assigned server rack, and controls the projection unit to project the guide image onto the route. The control device controls the imaging unit so that the surveillance camera captures images of the users as it moves along the route.

[0010] A control method according to the present disclosure is a control method for a surveillance camera system including a surveillance camera that can move within a facility and a control device that controls the surveillance camera. The facility includes a server room in which multiple server racks are arranged. The surveillance camera includes an imaging unit, a projection unit, and a drive unit. The imaging unit captures images of users in the server room. The projection unit projects an image that guides the users. The drive unit moves the surveillance camera. The control method includes the steps of controlling the drive unit so that the surveillance camera moves along a path to an assigned server rack among the multiple server racks that is assigned to the user within the server room; controlling the projection unit to generate a guide image that indicates the direction the user should advance toward the assigned server rack while the surveillance camera is moving along the path and project the guide image onto the path; and controlling the imaging unit so that the surveillance camera captures images of the users while moving along the path. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present disclosure, when a user travels to a target server rack, it is possible to reduce device costs while maintaining convenience for the user and the administrator. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a surveillance camera system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a surveillance camera system. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the surveillance camera. [Figure 4] 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining the imaging range and projection range of a surveillance camera. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining unlocking of a group of server racks. [Figure 6] 10 is an example of user information. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining user authentication using an authentication image. [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining monitoring and guidance of users by a surveillance camera. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining monitoring and guidance of users by a surveillance camera. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining monitoring and guidance of users by a surveillance camera. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart of a process executed by a server device. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart of a process executed by a server device. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart of a process executed by the surveillance camera. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining monitoring and guidance of users by a plurality of monitoring cameras. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining monitoring and guidance of users by a plurality of monitoring cameras. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The names and functions of these components are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a surveillance camera system 100. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the surveillance camera system 100.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, a surveillance camera system 100 is installed in a facility 1. In this embodiment, a data center in which a plurality of servers used by a plurality of companies are installed is provided in the facility 1. Server rooms C1 to C3 are installed as the data center in the facility 1. A plurality of server racks (server rack group 110) are arranged in each of the server rooms C1 to C3.

[0016] The server rack group 110 is made up of multiple server racks. Each server rack is assigned to a company. For example, the server rack group 110 installed in server room C1 includes server rack 110a. If server rack 110a is assigned to company B1, user 5, who is an employee of company B1, can use server rack 110a.

[0017] In this case, conventionally, user 5 would ask the data center administrator if he or she wanted to use server rack 110a. In this case, the administrator would allow user 5 to enter server room C1 and lend him or her a key to unlock server rack 110a. The administrator would then explain to user 5 the route to server rack 110a. User 5 would then follow the explained route and unlock server rack 110a with the lent key, allowing him or her to use the company's servers (for example, for server maintenance, software updates, or other tasks).

[0018] In contrast to this, in the present embodiment, the above work is automated. Specifically, a self-propelled surveillance camera 40 monitors the user 5 and guides the user 5 along the route to the server rack 110a, and when the user arrives in front of the server rack 110a, the door of the server rack 110a is unlocked.

[0019] In this way, by having the surveillance camera 40 monitor the user 5, it is possible to prevent suspicious behavior by the user 5. An example of suspicious behavior by the user 5 is an attempt to open the door of a server rack belonging to another company that is not allocated to the user 5. This will be explained in detail below.

[0020] The surveillance camera system 100 includes a server device 10 as a control device, an equipment management device 20, an access control system 30, multiple surveillance cameras 40, and multiple server rack groups 110. The surveillance cameras 40 are installed on a ceiling 71 and are movable within a facility 1. The server device 10 controls the surveillance cameras 40. The server device 10 is configured to be able to communicate with the surveillance cameras 40 and the server rack groups 110 via the equipment management device 20.

[0021] The surveillance camera 40 is equipped with a projector, which projects a guide image 63 onto the floor to guide the user 5. The guide image 63 can be projected within a projection range 61. The guide image 63 is an image of an arrow that indicates the direction in which the user should proceed.

[0022] User 5 moves in the direction of the arrow. Surveillance camera 40 captures images of user 5 while moving independently so that user 5 is within the imaging range 62 of surveillance camera 40. The captured images are sent to server device 10. The manager of facility 1 can check the images captured by surveillance camera 40 on the monitor of a terminal (not shown) connected to server device 10.

[0023] 2, the server device 10 includes a processor 11, a read-only memory (ROM) 12, a random access memory (RAM) 13, a hard disk drive (HDD) 14, and a communication interface (IF) 15. The processor 11 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). These components exchange various types of data via a communication bus 16.

[0024] The processor 11 loads a program stored in the HDD 14 or the ROM 12 into the RAM 13 and executes it. The program describes the processes to be executed by the server device 10.

[0025] The communication IF 15 is an input / output device for exchanging signals or data with the equipment management device 20 and the access control system 30. The server device 10 can receive information from the surveillance cameras 40 and the server rack group 110 detected by the equipment management device 20 via the communication IF 15, and can also send control commands to these devices.

[0026] The HDD 14 is a storage device that stores various types of information, such as user information 81, which will be described later.

[0027] The surveillance camera 40 includes a control unit 41, a communication IF 42, a storage unit 44, an imaging unit 45, a projection unit 48, and a drive unit 49. These units exchange various data via a communication bus 46.

[0028] The control unit 41 controls the entire surveillance camera 40. Although not shown in the figure, the control unit 41 has a CPU, ROM, and RAM as its main components. The CPU loads a program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes it. The program stored in the ROM describes the processing to be executed by the surveillance camera 40. Note that the processing is not limited to being performed by software, and can also be performed by dedicated hardware (electronic circuits). The communication IF 42 is an input / output device for exchanging data with the equipment management device 20.

[0029] The imaging unit 45 is a device including a camera for capturing images of the user 5 in the server room (server rooms C1 to C3). The images captured by the imaging unit 45 are transmitted to the server device 10 via the equipment management device 20. The imaging unit 45 is provided with a motor (not shown) for changing the installation direction (imaging direction) of the surveillance camera 40. In accordance with a control command from the server device 10, the imaging unit 45 drives the motor to change the installation direction of the surveillance camera 40 so that the user 5 is within the imaging range.

[0030] The projection unit 48 is a device including a projector that projects a guide image 63 that guides the user 5. The guide image 63 is generated by the server device 10. The projection unit 48 projects the guide image 63 generated by the server device 10 onto the floor in accordance with a control command from the server device 10. The projection unit 48 is provided with a motor (not shown) for changing the projection direction of the projector. In accordance with the control command from the server device 10, the projection unit 48 drives the motor to change the installation direction (projection direction) of the projection unit 48 so that the guide image 63 is projected on the route along which the user 5 will proceed.

[0031] The driving unit 49 generates a driving force for moving the surveillance camera 40. The surveillance camera 40 moves on a rail installed on the ceiling 71. The driving unit 49 includes wheels (not shown) for moving the surveillance camera 40 on the rail, and a motor (not shown) for driving the wheels. The driving unit 49 drives the motor in accordance with a control command from the server device 10.

[0032] Control unit 41 controls imaging unit 45, projection unit 48, and drive unit 49 based on control commands from server device 10. Control unit 41 also transmits control information for imaging unit 45, projection unit 48, and drive unit 49, and images captured by imaging unit 45, to server device 10 via communication IF 42. The control information for imaging unit 45, projection unit 48, and drive unit 49 includes various types of information such as motor information (imaging direction) of imaging unit 45, motor information (projection direction) of projection unit 48, and motor information (current position of surveillance camera 40) of drive unit 49, for example.

[0033] The equipment management device 20 controls equipment such as the surveillance camera 40 and the server rack group 110. Based on instructions from the server device 10, the equipment management device 20 transmits instructions to the surveillance camera 40 and the server rack group 110, and transmits information output from the surveillance camera 40 and the server rack group 110 to the server device 10.

[0034] The equipment management device 20 is connected to a communication network NW. The equipment management device 20, a server device 10, and an entry / exit management system 30 are connected to the communication network NW.

[0035] The server device 10 controls the monitoring cameras 40, the server rack group 110, etc. via the equipment management device 20. The server device 10 also controls the entry / exit management system 30.

[0036] The entry / exit management system 30 is a system that manages entry and exit to rooms installed in the facility 1. The entry / exit management system 30 comprises a control unit 34 that controls the entry / exit management system 30, and a plurality of card readers (CRs) 35. A CR 35 is installed at each entrance to the server rooms C1 to C3 installed in the facility 1. When a user 5 who is permitted to enter holds a card held by the user 5 over the CR 35, the door to the room corresponding to the CR 35 opens.

[0037] In this embodiment, when user 5 enters one of the server rooms C1 to C3, the administrator of facility 1 may lend user 5 a card corresponding to the server room to be entered in advance. Alternatively, when it is determined that surveillance camera 40 will guide user 5 to server rack group 110, server device 10 may instruct entry / exit management system 30 to unlock the door to the server room.

[0038] The multiple server racks (server rack group 110) are equipped with a control unit 114 and multiple locking units 115. The server rack group 110 is made up of multiple server racks. Each of the multiple server racks (server rack group 110) is equipped with a locking unit 115. For example, one locking unit 115 is installed in server rack 110a included in the server rack group 110, and one locking unit 115 is installed in server rack 110b included in the server rack group 110.

[0039] The locking unit 115 is a device that locks or unlocks the door 116 of the server rack based on a command from the server device 10.

[0040] The control unit 34 of the entry / exit management system 30 and the control unit 114 of the server rack group 110 are configured to include a CPU, RAM, ROM, and a communication IF, similar to the server device 10. Note that the management and control of the surveillance cameras 40 may be performed by the server device 10, the equipment management device 20, or another server.

[0041] A specific example will be described below. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the surveillance camera 40. In the example of Fig. 1, a guide image 63 is projected onto the floor in the direction of travel of the user 5, and the surveillance camera 40 is shown moving further ahead in the direction of travel.

[0042] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, a guide image 63 may be projected onto the floor in the direction of travel of the user 5, and the surveillance camera 40 may move to follow the user 5.

[0043] The driving unit 49 drives the motor of the driving unit 49 to move the surveillance camera 40 forward or backward along the rail 75. The motor of the imaging unit 45 is controlled to adjust the imaging direction of the surveillance camera 40 so that the user 5 is within the imaging range 62. The motor of the projection unit 48 is controlled to adjust the projection direction of the projection unit 48 so that a guide image 63 is projected on the route along which the user 5 will proceed. The operation of the motor of the driving unit 49, the motor of the imaging unit 45, and the motor of the projection unit 48 are all controlled by the server device 10.

[0044] For example, server device 10 acquires an image captured by imaging unit 45 and detects a person (user 5) from the image using a known method. When user 5 is about to leave imaging range 62, server device 10 may transmit a control command to control the motor of imaging unit 45 to adjust the imaging direction of surveillance camera 40, or a control command to cause drive unit 49 to control the motor of drive unit 49 to adjust the position of surveillance camera 40, so that user 5 enters imaging range 62.

[0045] The server device 10 acquires the image captured by the imaging unit 45 and detects the guide image 63 projected onto the floor from the image using a known method. If the guide image 63 is about to deviate from the path taken by the user 5, the server device 10 may transmit a control command to control the motor of the projection unit 48 to adjust the projection direction of the projection unit 48 so that the guide image 63 is projected onto the path taken by the user 5. Also, if the guide image 63 is not projected onto the floor because the user 5 or some other object is in the way, the server device 10 adjusts the position or projection direction of the surveillance camera 40 so that the guide image 63 is projected onto the floor.

[0046] Even if the position, imaging direction, and projection direction of the surveillance camera 40 are controlled, if the user 5 is not within the imaging range or if the guide image 63 cannot be projected on the route, another surveillance camera 40 will be used to capture an image of the user 5 or project the guide image 63, as will be described later using Figures 14 and 15.

[0047] When the imaging range 62 and projection range 61 in the example of Figure 3 are viewed from above, they appear as shown in Figure 4. Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining the imaging range 62 and projection range 61 of the surveillance camera 40. In Figure 4, it is shown that the user 5 is within the imaging range 62, and the guide image 63 is within the projection range 61. The imaging range 62 is wider than the projection range 61, and in this example, the surveillance camera 40 is positioned behind the user 5.

[0048] Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining unlocking of the server rack group 110. In the example of Fig. 5, the server rack group 110 includes six server racks. A locking unit 115 is provided on each door 116 of these server racks.

[0049] In this example, a server rack 110a is provided at the right end of the upper row of the server rack group 110. A server rack 110b is provided at the right end of the lower row of the server rack group 110.

[0050] Now, let us assume that the server device 10 transmits an unlock command to the server rack 110a of the server rack group 110. As a result, the locking unit 115 of the server rack 110a is unlocked, and the door 116 becomes openable. A plurality of servers 117 are installed inside the server rack 110a. By unlocking the locking unit 115 of the server rack 110a, it becomes possible to operate the plurality of servers 117 installed in the server rack 110a.

[0051] 6 is an example of the user information 81. The server device 10 stores the user information 81. The user information 81 records the "user ID" of the user 5 (also referred to as "user"), the "affiliation" of the user 5, the "authentication image" of the user 5, and the "rack information" of the server rack allocated to the user 5 (also referred to as "allocated server rack").

[0052] "User ID" is an ID that identifies the user 5. "Affiliation" is the name of the company to which the user belongs. The rack information records "location," "rack ID," "position," and "route."

[0053] "Location" records the room where the assigned server rack is located. "Rack ID" records the ID that identifies the assigned server rack. "Position" records the location of the assigned server rack (the position that specifies the X-axis direction on the floor plan, the position that specifies the Y-axis direction on the floor plan). "Route" records the route to reach the location of the assigned server rack.

[0054] For example, the user information 81 includes the user ID "A0001", affiliation "Company B1", authentication image "K1.jpg", location "Server Room C1", rack ID "D0011", position "X1, Y1", and route P1.

[0055] This shows that user 5 with user ID "A0001" belongs to company B1, and "K1.jpg" is registered as an authentication image capturing the face of user 5 with user ID "A0001." It also shows that the rack ID of the assigned server rack (assumed to be "server rack 110a") assigned to user 5 with user ID "A0001" is D0011, the assigned server rack is located at position (X1, Y1) in server room C1, and that the assigned server rack can be reached by following route P1.

[0056] Similarly, the user information 81 records the user ID "A0002", affiliation "Company B2", authentication image "K2.jpg", location "Server Room C1", rack ID "D0012", position "X2, Y2", and route P2.

[0057] The user information 81 includes the user ID "A0003", department "Company B3", authentication image "K3.jpg", location "Server Room C2", rack ID "D0021", position "X3, Y3", and route P3.

[0058] 7 is a diagram for explaining authentication of user 5 using authentication image 95. When user 5 approaches the assigned server rack, facial authentication is performed using authentication image 95. Here, it is assumed that the user ID of user 5 is "A0001."

[0059] At this time, user 5 with user ID "A0001" is captured in captured image 91 captured by surveillance camera 40. Server device 10 controls surveillance camera 40 so that the face of user 5 is captured. Whether or not the face has been captured can be determined using known technology.

[0060] For example, in the captured image 91, an image 93 is extracted as an area in which the face of the user 5 is captured. The server device 10 then determines whether the extracted image 93 matches "K1.jpg," which is the authentication image of the user 5 with the user ID "A0001." Whether the facial images match can be determined using a known technique. If the server device 10 determines that the image 93 matches "K1.jpg," it unlocks the assigned server rack, "server rack 110a."

[0061] 8 to 10 are diagrams for explaining the monitoring and guidance of user 5 by monitoring camera 40. Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 show how monitoring camera 40 guides user 5 with user ID "A0001" to the assigned server rack "server rack 110a."

[0062] 8 shows a server room C1 in which an assigned server rack, "server rack 110a," is installed. Rails 75 are installed on a ceiling 71. The surveillance camera 40 can move freely on the rails 75.

[0063] The route to the server rack "server rack 110a" assigned to user 5 with user ID "A0001" is set as route P1. Route P1 is the route from entering through door D1 of server room C1 to arriving in front of server rack 110a.

[0064] The route P1 may be set by an administrator and may be preset in the user information 81, or the server device 10 may calculate the route based on the position information of the server rack 110a. In this case, the server device 10 may determine the route so as to be the shortest distance, or may determine the route so as to avoid blind spots of the surveillance camera 40 as much as possible.

[0065] When user 5 enters server room C1 through door D1, surveillance camera 40 drives the motor of drive unit 49 to travel on rail 75 along path P1. At this time, the motor of imaging unit 45 is controlled to adjust the imaging direction of surveillance camera 40 so that user 5 is within imaging range 62. In addition, the motor of projection unit 48 is controlled to adjust the projection direction of projection unit 48 so that guide image 63 is projected onto the path along which user 5 will travel.

[0066] In this way, user 5 is guided to the server rack 110a, which is the assigned server rack, as shown in Fig. 9. When user 5 arrives at server rack 110a, as explained using Fig. 7, the server device 10 extracts the face image of user 5 from the captured image 91, and if it determines that it matches the authentication image "K1.jpg", it unlocks the door to "server rack 110a."

[0067] FIG. 10 shows how the monitoring camera 40 guides the user 5 with the user ID "A0002" to the assigned server rack "server rack 110c."

[0068] 10 shows a server room C1 in which a server rack 110c, which is an assigned server rack for user 5 with user ID "A0002", is installed. The route to the server rack 110c, which is assigned to user 5 with user ID "A0002", is set as route P2. Route P2 is the route from entering through door D1 of server room C1 to arriving in front of server rack 110c.

[0069] When user 5 enters server room C1 through door D1, surveillance camera 40 guides user 5 to server rack 110c. When user 5 arrives in front of server rack 110c, server device 10 extracts a facial image of user 5 from captured image 91. If server device 10 determines that captured image 91 matches authentication image "K2.jpg," it unlocks the door to "server rack 110c."

[0070] The following describes the processing executed by the surveillance camera system 100 using a flowchart. Figures 11 and 12 are flowcharts of the processing executed by the server device 10. This processing may be started, for example, when the user 5 enters the server room.

[0071] The server device 10 controls the driving unit 49 so that the surveillance camera 40 moves on a route to an assigned server rack assigned to the user 5 among a plurality of server racks (server rack group 110) in the server room. For example, in the example shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, the server device 10 controls the driving unit 49 so that the surveillance camera 40 moves on a route P1 to a server rack 110a assigned to the user 5 with the user ID "A0001".

[0072] When this process starts, the server device 10 acquires user information 81 in S101. In S102, the server device 10 identifies a route to the location of the allocated server rack allocated to the user 5. In the above example, the server device 10 identifies a route P1 to the server rack 110a allocated to the user 5 with the user ID "A0001".

[0073] In S103, the server device 10 transmits a control command to the drive unit 49 to move along the path to the assigned server rack. In the above example, the server device 10 transmits a control command to the drive unit 49 to move along the path P1 to the server rack 110a.

[0074] In S104, the server device 10 acquires control information and captured images of the imaging unit 45, the projection unit 48, and the drive unit 49. Here, various information is acquired, such as motor information (imaging direction) of the imaging unit 45, motor information (projection direction) of the projection unit 48, and motor information (current position of the surveillance camera 40) of the drive unit 49.

[0075] In S105, the server device 10 determines whether or not the user 5 is within the imaging range 62. If the server device 10 determines that the user 5 is within the imaging range 62 (YES in S105), the process proceeds to S106. On the other hand, if the server device 10 does not determine that the user 5 is within the imaging range 62 (NO in S105), the process proceeds to S107.

[0076] In S106, the server device 10 transmits a control command to the imaging unit 45 so that the user 5 enters the imaging range 62, and the process proceeds to S108. For example, in FIG. 8, the server device 10 transmits a command to adjust the imaging direction so that the user 5 does not deviate from the imaging range 62. In this way, the server device 10 controls the imaging unit 45 so that the user 5 is imaged while the surveillance camera 40 moves along the path P1.

[0077] In S107, the server device 10 transmits a control command to the other monitoring camera so that the user 5 is within the imaging range of the imaging unit 45 of the other monitoring camera, and the process proceeds to S108. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0078] In S108, the server device 10 determines whether or not the guide image 63 can be projected on the route. If the server device 10 determines that the guide image 63 can be projected on the route (YES in S108), the process proceeds to S109. On the other hand, if the server device 10 does not determine that the guide image 63 can be projected on the route (NO in S108), the process proceeds to S111.

[0079] In S109, the server device 10 generates a guide image 63 (an image of an arrow). In S110, the server device 10 transmits a control command to the projection unit 48 so that the guide image 63 can be projected on the route, and the process proceeds to S112 (advance to "A"). For example, in FIG. 8, the server device 10 transmits an adjustment command to control the projection direction so that the guide image 63 can be projected on the route P1.

[0080] In this way, the server device 10 generates a guide image 63 indicating the direction in which the user 5 should proceed toward the assigned server rack while the surveillance camera 40 moves along the path P1, and controls the projection unit 48 to project the guide image 63 onto the path P1.

[0081] In S111, the server device 10 sends a control command to the other monitoring camera so that the projection unit of the other monitoring camera projects a guide image on the route, and the process proceeds to S112 ("A"). Details will be described later with reference to FIG. 15.

[0082] In S112, the server device 10 determines whether the user 5 has arrived in front of the assigned server rack. If the server device 10 determines that the user 5 has arrived in front of the assigned server rack (YES in S112), the process proceeds to S113. On the other hand, if the server device 10 does not determine that the user 5 has arrived in front of the assigned server rack (NO in S112), the process returns to S104 (proceed to "B")).

[0083] In S113, the server device 10 transmits a control command to the monitoring camera 40 so that the face of the user 5 is within the imaging range 62. In S114, the server device 10 determines whether the authentication image and the captured face image match.

[0084] If the server device 10 determines that the authentication image and the captured facial image match (YES in S114), it proceeds to S115. On the other hand, if the server device 10 does not determine that the authentication image and the captured facial image match (NO in S114), it ends this process. In S115, the server device 10 sends an unlock command to the locking unit 115 of the assigned server rack, and ends this process. When the control unit 114 of the server rack group 110 receives the unlock command, it unlocks the locking unit 115 of the corresponding server rack.

[0085] The processes of S113 to S115 are the processes described with reference to Fig. 7. In this example, the server device 10 unlocks the locking unit 115 of the "server rack 110a" if the extracted image 93 matches the authentication image 95 (K1.jpg) of the user 5 with the user ID "A0001".

[0086] In this way, the server device 10 controls the imaging unit 45 so that the face of the user 5 is captured when the user 5 moves in front of the assigned server rack. If the server device 10 determines that the face of the user 5 captured by the imaging unit 45 matches the face in the authentication image 95, it transmits a command to the locking unit 115 of the assigned server rack to unlock the door 116 of the assigned server rack based on the rack information.

[0087] 13 is a flowchart of the process executed by the surveillance camera 40. For example, the process may be started when the user 5 enters the server room.

[0088] When this process starts, in S201, the surveillance camera 40 operates the imaging unit 45, projection unit 48, and drive unit 49 based on control commands from the server device 10. The control commands from the server device 10 are the control commands transmitted in S103, S106, and S110. Based on these control commands, the position and direction of the surveillance camera 40 and the direction of the projection unit 48 are controlled.

[0089] In S202, the surveillance camera 40 transmits control information for the imaging unit 45, the projection unit 48, and the drive unit 49, as well as the captured image, to the server device 10. As a result, information such as the position and direction of the controlled surveillance camera 40 and the direction of the projection unit 48, as well as the captured image, are transmitted to the server device 10.

[0090] In S203, the monitoring camera 40 determines whether the user 5 has arrived in front of the assigned server rack. If the monitoring camera 40 determines that the user 5 has arrived in front of the assigned server rack (YES in S203), the processing proceeds to S204. On the other hand, if the monitoring camera 40 does not determine that the user 5 has arrived in front of the assigned server rack (NO in S203), the processing returns to S201.

[0091] In S204, based on the control command of S113, the surveillance camera 40 drives the surveillance camera 40 so that the face of the user 5 is within the imaging range. In S205, the surveillance camera 40 transmits the captured image to the server device 10, and this processing ends. In the processing of S114, it is determined whether the transmitted captured image matches the authentication image, and if it matches the authentication image, the door of the assigned server rack is unlocked.

[0092] 14 and 15 are diagrams for explaining the monitoring and guidance of users by multiple monitoring cameras 40a and 40b. In the example of Fig. 14 and Fig. 15, the monitoring cameras 40 include a monitoring camera 40a as a first monitoring camera and a monitoring camera 40b as a second monitoring camera.

[0093] Here, the "monitoring camera 40" described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 10 is a camera equivalent to the monitoring camera 40a as the first monitoring camera.

[0094] As shown in Fig. 14, the monitoring camera 40a guides the user 5 while traveling along the rail 75a. This situation is basically the same as the situation shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The server device 10 controls the monitoring camera 40a so that the user 5 enters the imaging range 62a, and controls the monitoring camera 40a so that the guide image 63a is projected onto the route along which the user 5 is traveling.

[0095] However, depending on the layout of the room or the installation status of the rail 75a, there may be a situation where the user 5 is not within the imaging range 62a of the surveillance camera 40a. For example, if the height of the server rack group 110 is high, the guide image 63a can be projected on the route, but the user 5 may not be able to capture the image. For example, there may be a case where the rail 75a cannot be installed above the route along which the user 5 walks due to the installation of lighting, air conditioners, etc. In this case, the rail 75a will be installed above the server rack group 110, but as shown in FIG. 14, the server rack group 110 will get in the way, making it more likely that a blind spot will occur (the user 5 will not be able to capture the image).

[0096] Whether or not the user 5 can be photographed (whether or not the user is within the photographing range 62a) can be determined from the photographed image. If the user 5 cannot be photographed, the server device 10 moves the monitoring camera 40b to a position where the user 5 can be photographed, and causes the monitoring camera 40b to photograph the user 5. In this example, the user 5 is within the photographing range 62b of the monitoring camera 40b.

[0097] In this way, when the server device 10 controls the drive unit 49 of the surveillance camera 40a so that the surveillance camera 40a moves along the route, if it determines that the user 5 is not within the imaging range 62a of the imaging unit 45 of the surveillance camera 40a, it controls the surveillance camera 40b so that the user 5 is within the imaging range 62b of the imaging unit 45 of the surveillance camera 40b.

[0098] 15, depending on the layout of the room or the installation status of the rail 75a, there are cases where the surveillance camera 40a can capture an image of the user 5 but cannot project the guide image 63 on the route. For example, there are cases where the user 5 is in the way and the guide image 63 cannot be projected on the route.

[0099] Whether or not the guide image 63 can be projected on the route can be determined from the captured image. If the guide image 63 cannot be projected, the server device 10 moves the monitoring camera 40b to a position where the guide image 63 can be projected on the route of the user 5, and projects the guide image 63 on the route of the user 5.

[0100] In this way, when the server device 10 controls the drive unit 49 of the surveillance camera 40a so that the surveillance camera 40a moves along the route, if the server device 10 determines that the projection unit 48 of the surveillance camera 40a cannot project the guide image 63 onto the route, the server device 10 controls the surveillance camera 40b so that the projection unit 48 of the surveillance camera 40b projects the guide image 63 onto the route.

[0101] The surveillance camera 40 may be configured to travel across multiple rooms, or to guide the user 5 before entering the server room. Alternatively, the surveillance camera 40a may guide the user 5 partway along the route, and then another surveillance camera 40b may guide the user from the middle of the route.

[0102] Furthermore, when capturing a facial photograph for authentication, the server device 10 may notify the user 5 to look toward the surveillance camera 40. For example, the server device 10 may make a voice announcement saying, "Please face the surveillance camera."

[0103] Furthermore, the surveillance camera 40 continues to monitor the work of the user 5 even after the door of the assigned server rack is unlocked. After the user 5 has finished his work, the server device 10 may be configured to lock the door of the assigned server rack and guide the user 5 out of the server room.

[0104] As described above, the surveillance camera system 100 includes a surveillance camera 40 and a server device 10 serving as a control device. The surveillance camera 40 is movable within a facility 1. The server device 10 controls the surveillance camera 40. The facility 1 includes a server room C1 in which multiple server racks (server rack group 110) are arranged. The surveillance camera 40 includes an imaging unit 45, a projection unit 48, and a drive unit 49. The imaging unit 45 captures an image of a user 5 in the server room C1. The projection unit 48 projects an image that guides the user 5. The drive unit 49 moves the surveillance camera 40. The server device 10 controls the drive unit 49 so that the surveillance camera 40 moves within the server room C1 along a route (route P1) to an assigned server rack (server rack 110a) assigned to the user 5 among the multiple server racks (server rack group 110). The server device 10 generates a guide image 63 that indicates the direction in which the user 5 should proceed toward the assigned server rack while the surveillance camera 40 is moving on the path P1, and controls the projection unit 48 to project the guide image 63 onto the path P1. The server device 10 controls the imaging unit 45 to capture an image of the user 5 while the surveillance camera 40 is moving on the path P1.

[0105] In this way, the mobile surveillance camera 40 monitors the user 5 and projects a guide image 63 on the user 5's route, allowing the user 5 to move without getting lost to the assigned server rack, which is his or her destination. The administrator also saves the user 5 the trouble of explaining the route to the assigned server rack. Furthermore, the ability of the surveillance camera 40 to move makes it possible to monitor the user 5's behavior from multiple angles. Furthermore, making the surveillance camera 40 mobile reduces blind spots, eliminating the need to install a large number of surveillance cameras 40. This allows for reduced equipment costs while maintaining convenience for the user 5 and the administrator of the facility 1 when the user 5 moves to the destination server rack (assigned server rack).

[0106] Each of the multiple server racks (server rack group 110) is equipped with a locking unit 115 that locks or unlocks a door 116 of the server rack based on a command from the server device 10. The server device 10 stores user information 81, which includes an authentication image 95 (K1.jpg) capturing an image of the face of the user 5 and rack information (rack ID: 0011, position (X1, Y1), route P1) indicating information about the assigned server rack (server rack 110a) assigned to the user 5. The server device 10 controls the imaging unit 45 so that the face of the user 5 is captured when the user 5 moves in front of the assigned server rack. If the server device 10 determines that the face of the user 5 captured by the imaging unit 45 matches the face in the authentication image 95, it transmits a command to the locking unit 115 of the assigned server rack to unlock the door 116 of the assigned server rack based on the rack information. In this way, by using the surveillance camera 40 to unlock the door of the assigned server rack by facial recognition in front of the assigned server rack, security can be improved compared to an operation in which the door is unlocked in advance. Also, when lending a key, there is no risk of losing the key.

[0107] The surveillance cameras 40 include a surveillance camera 40a as the first surveillance camera 40 and a surveillance camera 40b as the second surveillance camera 40. When the server device 10 controls the drive unit 49 of the surveillance camera 40a so that the surveillance camera 40 moves along the route, if the server device 10 determines that the user 5 is not within the imaging range of the imaging unit 45 of the surveillance camera 40a, the server device 10 controls the surveillance camera 40b so that the user 5 is within the imaging range of the imaging unit 45 of the surveillance camera 40b. This eliminates blind spots and further improves security.

[0108] When server device 10 is controlling driving unit 49 of monitoring camera 40a so that monitoring camera 40a moves along the route, if server device 10 determines that projection unit 48 of monitoring camera 40a cannot project guide image 63 along the route, server device 10 controls monitoring camera 40b so that projection unit 48 of monitoring camera 40b projects guide image 63 along the route. This makes it possible to more reliably guide user 5 to the assigned server rack.

[0109] The embodiments disclosed herein are merely examples and are not limited to the above. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 1 Facility, 5 User, 10 Server Device, 11, 21 Processor, 12, 22 ROM, 13, 23 RAM, 14, 24 HDD, 15, 25 Communication IF, 16, 26, 46 Communication Bus, 20 Equipment Management Device, 30 Access Control System, 34 Control Unit, 35 CR, 40 Surveillance Camera, 41 Control Unit, 42 Communication IF, 44 Memory Unit, 45 Imaging Unit, 48 Projection Unit, 49 Drive Unit, 61 Projection Range, 62 Imaging Range, 63 Guidance Image, 71 Ceiling, 91 Captured Image, 93 Image, 75 Rail, 81 User Information, 95 Authentication Image, 100 Surveillance Camera System, 110 Server Rack Group, 110a, 110b Server Rack, 114 Control Unit, 115 Locking Unit, 116 Door, 117 Server, C1 Server room, P1, P2 route, NW communication network.

Claims

1. Mobile surveillance cameras within the facility, a control device for controlling the surveillance camera, The facility is provided with a server room in which a plurality of server racks are arranged, The surveillance camera is an imaging unit that images users in the server room; a projection unit that projects an image that guides the user; a driving unit that moves the surveillance camera, the driving unit is configured to move the surveillance camera along a rail installed on a ceiling of the facility, the imaging unit includes a first motor capable of adjusting an imaging direction; the projection unit includes a second motor capable of adjusting a projection direction; The control device controlling the driving unit so that the monitoring camera moves along the rail in order to guide the user to an assigned server rack among the plurality of server racks in the server room; While the monitoring camera moves along the rail, a guide image is generated that indicates the direction in which the user should proceed toward the assigned server rack, and the second motor is controlled to adjust the projection direction of the projection unit so that the guide image is projected on the route; a monitoring camera system that controls the first motor to adjust the imaging direction of the imaging unit so that the user is within an imaging range while the monitoring camera moves along the rail;

2. each of the plurality of server racks includes a locking unit that locks or unlocks a door of the server rack based on a command from the control device; The control device storing user information including an authentication image of the user's face and rack information indicating information on the allocated server rack allocated to the user; When the user moves to the front of the assigned server rack, the imaging direction of the imaging unit is adjusted so that the face of the user is included in the imaging range; The surveillance camera system of claim 1, wherein if it is determined that the face of the user captured by the imaging unit matches the face in the authentication image, a command to unlock the door of the assigned server rack is sent to the locking unit of the assigned server rack based on the rack information.

3. the surveillance cameras include a first surveillance camera and a second surveillance camera; The surveillance camera system described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein when the control device controls the drive unit of the first surveillance camera so that the first surveillance camera moves along the rail to guide the route, if it determines that the user is not within the imaging range of the imaging unit of the first surveillance camera, it controls the second surveillance camera so that the user is within the imaging range of the imaging unit of the second surveillance camera.

4. The surveillance camera system of claim 3, wherein when the control device controls the drive unit of the first surveillance camera so that the first surveillance camera moves along the rail to guide the route, if the control device determines that the projection unit of the first surveillance camera cannot project the guidance image onto the route, the control device controls the projection unit of the second surveillance camera so that the projection unit of the second surveillance camera projects the guidance image onto the route.

5. A method for controlling a surveillance camera system including a surveillance camera that can be moved within a facility and a control device that controls the surveillance camera, comprising: The facility is provided with a server room in which a plurality of server racks are arranged, The surveillance camera is an imaging unit that images users in the server room; a projection unit that projects an image that guides the user; a driving unit that moves the surveillance camera, the driving unit is configured to move the surveillance camera along a rail installed on a ceiling of the facility, the imaging unit includes a first motor capable of adjusting an imaging direction; the projection unit includes a second motor capable of adjusting a projection direction; The control method includes: controlling the driving unit so that the surveillance camera moves along the rail in the server room to guide the user to an assigned server rack among the plurality of server racks; generating a guide image indicating the direction in which the user should proceed toward the assigned server rack while the monitoring camera is moving along the rail, and adjusting the projection direction of the projection unit by controlling the second motor so that the guide image is projected on the route; and controlling the first motor to adjust the imaging direction of the imaging unit so that the user is within an imaging range while the surveillance camera moves along the rail.

Images