Security system

Abstract

The present invention provides a security system 100 that monitors a monitoring area and issues an alert when an object is detected in the monitoring area, and includes an information receiving part 22 which receives object detection information, which includes a first parameter and a second parameter; a storage unit 23 that associates a value of each of the first parameter and the second parameter included in the detection information, and stores said associated parameters as an entry in a history log; and a display signal output part 24 that outputs a signal that causes a display to display, via a graph or a map, the first parameter value and the second parameter value of each of a plurality of the entries in the history log.

Description

SECURITY SYSTEM

[0001] The present invention relates to a security system.

[0002] In conventional security systems, it has been conceived of to monitor a monitoring area using various monitoring means. One type of security system uses a sensor unit to detect the presence of objects, wherein light emitted from a light source is scanned across the monitoring area, and light reflected off objects therein is detected by a sensor and used to determine the position or the like of the detected objects.

[0003] For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a sensor unit which scans laser light to monitor an alert area and determine the coordinates of the position of detected objects based on the time it takes for light reflected off an object to reach the scanning sensor and the angle of the laser light.

[0004] Security systems using sensor units such as this may then issue an alert when an object is detected in the monitoring area, but false alarms are sometimes issued. Examples of false alarms include an alert being issued even when there is no object in the monitoring area, or an alert being issued for a minor object which should be ignored, such as a raindrop. However, because alerts may be issued for many different types of objects over varying time frames, and because several parameters may be used to determine when an alert is issued, a problem arises that even if data is stored for historical alerts which have been issued it is not easy for a user to determine whether alerts have been issued appropriately or are false alarms.

[0005] Furthermore, to prevent ongoing false alarms, a user may adjust the threshold values of parameters which determine a range wherein an alert is issued. However, because it is also necessary to ensure that the security system does not fail to issue an appropriate alert when an object really is present in the monitoring area, considerable finesse is necessary to choose appropriate threshold values. Thus, a problem arises in which a user must have considerable experience or training to be able to set appropriate threshold values.

[0006] Patent JP6155386B

[0007] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a security system using a sensor unit that makes it easy to determine whether an alert has been issued appropriately or is merely a false alarm. A further object of the invention is to provide a security system which makes it possible for a user to set appropriate threshold values to prevent false alarms even without significant experience or training.

[0008] A security system according to the present invention is one that monitors a monitoring area and issues an alert when an object is detected in the monitoring area, and includes: an information receiving part which receives object detection information, which includes a first parameter and a second parameter; a storage unit that associates a value of each of the first parameter and the second parameter included in the detection information, and stores said associated parameters as an entry in a history log, and a display signal output part that outputs a signal that causes a display to display, via a graph or a map, the first parameter value and the second parameter value of each of a plurality of the entries in the history log.

[0009] With this configuration, since the first parameter value and the second parameter value of each entry in the history log are displayed together visually via a graph or a map, a user can comprehensively and intuitively view and interpret the detection information of each object detected in the past, and can easily and accurately determine whether each alert was appropriate or a false alarm, as well as identify the causes of false alarms, set detection thresholds to eliminate false alarms, and so on.

[0010] It is preferable that the security system further include a threshold value receiving part that receives input of a threshold value of each of the first parameter and the second parameter, which determine an alert range, and be a security system wherein the display signal output part causes the display to visually display the threshold values on the graph or the map, simultaneously with the threshold value in numerical digits.

[0011] With this configuration, when the user inputs and / or confirms the threshold values, not only do they see the inputted threshold values of the first and second parameters as numbers, but they are also presented with a graph or map which comprehensively and visually shows both i) the first parameter value and second parameter value for a plurality of entries stored in the history log and ii) the input threshold values of the first parameters and second parameters. This ensures that the user can easily and reliably set appropriate threshold values even with little previous experience or training.

[0012] The security system is preferably one wherein the input of the threshold values received by the threshold value receiving part is carried out by, via an input device, entering numerical characters or by making an input gesture on the graph or the map.

[0013] This configuration makes it possible to enter threshold values in the most intuitive way for the specific situation. For example, if the user does not have a specific numerical threshold value in mind, it may be easier to set the threshold value by dragging, clicking, etc., on the graph or map.

[0014] It is preferable that the security system be configured such that the first parameter and the second parameter are different parameters, each of which is a parameter from a group consisting of: a component of a detection distance of the object in one direction, an amount of signal received from the object, a direction of the object, a size of the object, and a stay time of the object.

[0015] These parameters are relevant for determining whether an alert is appropriate or is a false alarm, so they are appropriate parameters to use with the goal of avoiding false alarms.

[0016] The security system is preferably one wherein the display signal output part causes one of the graph or the map to be displayed simultaneously along with another of the graph or the map of a different type.

[0017] By displaying historical detection information in two different graphs or maps, it is easier for the user to get a comprehensive and intuitive grasp of said information.

[0018] Furthermore, as a specific embodiment for issuing alerts, the security system may also include an alert part configured to issue the alert for the detected object if the first parameter value and the second parameter value of the detected object are within the alert range, and otherwise to not issue the alert.

[0019] Furthermore, the security system preferably also includes an alert range setting part that, when a confirmation signal is input, sets the alert range determined by the threshold value of each of the first parameter and the second parameter received by the threshold value receiving part.

[0020] This allows the user to preview the input threshold value of each of the first parameter and the second parameter before confirming them, such that the alert range is not changed until the user is sure that they have chosen appropriate threshold values.Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily determine whether an alert has been issued appropriately or is merely a false alarm. Furthermore, it is possible for a user to set appropriate threshold values to prevent false alarms even without significant experience or training.

[0022] FIG 1 shows a schematic diagram of a security system in one embodiment of the present invention.FIG 2 shows a functional block diagram showing the functions of the information processing unit in the same embodiment.FIG 3 shows an example screenshot of the graphical user interface of the same embodiment as shown on a display.FIG 4 shows a table displaying the contents of an example of a history log.FIG 5 shows a flow chart showing the process for setting an alert range by inputting threshold values.FIG 6 shows an example screenshot of the graphical user interface of another embodiment as shown on a display.

[0023] A first embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the drawings.

[0024] A security system of the present embodiment monitors a monitoring area and detects objects therein, and is used for crime prevention and other purposes.

[0025] As shown in FIG 1, the security system 100 of the present invention includes a sensor unit 10 that scans light emitted from a light source along a two-dimensional plane to detect objects, and an information processing unit 20 that exchanges signals with the sensor unit 10.

[0026] The Sensor Unit 10 The sensor unit 10 is positioned so as to monitor the monitoring area, and may be equipped to the floor, a surface of a wall, a ceiling, or the like. As shown in FIG 1, the sensor unit 10 is equipped with a light source 11, a scanning mechanism 12 that scans light emitted by the light source 11, and a photodetector 13 that receives reflected light reflected off an object located in a two-dimensional plane.

[0027] The light source 11 emits light that is scanned over a monitoring area set along a two-dimensional plane. The light source of the present embodiment is a laser light source that emits laser light, and more specifically emits pulses of laser light.

[0028] The light source 11 is not limited to being a laser light source, and may instead be another type of light source, for example one emitting electromagnetic waves such as millimeter waves or microwaves.

[0029] The scanning mechanism 12 scans light emitted from the light source 11 along a two-dimensional plane. As seen in FIG 1, the scanning mechanism 12 of the present embodiment includes a mirror 14 which reflects light emitted from the light source 11, and this mirror 14 is rotated around a predetermined axis.

[0030] More specifically, the mirror 14 is provided in an inclined posture with respect to the laser light emitted from the light source 11, and the laser light is scanned along a predetermined plane due to the rotation of the mirror around the predetermined axis.

[0031] Moreover, it is also possible for the scanning mechanism 12 to cause light emitted from the light source 11 to be scanned along a predetermined plane by rotating the light source 11 around a predetermined axis; if so, the scanning mechanism need not include the mirror 14. It is also possible that the scanning mechanism 12 be configured such that a MEMS mirror is used. Furthermore, the scanning mechanism 12 is not limited to a mechanical scanning system, and an electronic scanning system is also possible; specifically, a system using a method which combines the signals of multiple receiving antennas by changing their phases by hardware or software is possible.

[0032] The photodetector 13 detects reflected light reflected by an object in the two-dimensional plane and outputs a photodetection signal (hereafter also referred to as a ‘sensor signal’), indicating the detection of the object, to the information processing unit 20.

[0033] The photodetector 13 of the present embodiment is one which can receive laser light, and for example may be a photodiode such as an APD (avalanche photodiode). However, the photodetector 13 is not necessarily limited to this, and for example may be changed to an appropriate type depending on the type of light source 11 used. Moreover, it is also possible for the photodetector 13 to use multiple receiving antennas, and be configured to preform angle detection by detecting the phase difference between each antenna.

[0034] The Information Processing Unit 20 The information processing unit is a so-called computer containing, for example, a CPU, memory, an input and output interface, and so on. Functionally, the CPU and other peripherals work together in accordance with a program stored in the aforementioned memory to provide the functions of an information calculation part 21, an information receiving part 22, a storage unit 23, a display signal output part 24, a threshold value receiving part 25, an alert range setting part 26, and an alert part 27.

[0035] The information calculation part 21 receives the sensor signal from the sensor unit 10, specifically photodetector 13, and uses the sensor signal to calculate detection information about an object (also referred to as object detection information) which has been detected by the sensor unit 10. Each instance in which the information calculation part 21 receives a sensor signal and uses it to calculate detection information will hereafter be referred to as a ‘detection event.’ As the detection information, the information calculation part 21 calculates the values of two or more parameters which indicate characteristics of the object and its presence in the monitoring area using the sensor signal. Then, the information calculation part 21 sends the calculated object detection information as detection information data to the information receiving part 22.

[0036] The information calculation part 21 includes a TOF (time of fight) system. That is, the light source 11 emits a pulse of laser light to an object, and the information calculation part 21 then measures the amount of time it takes for light reflected off the object to be received by the photodetector 13, and the information calculation part 21 then calculates the distance to the detected object using the measured amount of time.

[0037] Examples of the parameters whose values are calculated by the information calculation part 21 include the distance (also referred to below as ‘detection distance’) to the object, a component of said distance in one direction, an amount of signal received from the object (that is, the signal intensity from the photodetector 13 or the like), the direction (e.g., angle) to the object, the size of the object, the stay time of the object, etc.

[0038] The information receiving part 22 receives the detection information data and sends the detection information data to the storage unit 23 and to the alert part 27.

[0039] The storage unit 23 stores the detection information data as log data in a predetermined area of the memory of the information processing unit 20. Specifically, the storage unit 23 associates the values of the two or more parameters calculated by the information calculation part 21 for each detection event as log data in an entry in a history log, and stores this in a predetermined area of the memory. The history log may be a log data file, or any type of data object in which the two or more parameters and their association can be stored in memory and later retrieved by the information processing unit 20. As shown in FIG 4, which is an example of a history log displayed as a table, each entry in the history log contains the respective value of each of the two or more parameters, and may additionally contain the number of the entry, the time at which the detection of the object was made, and other relevant information. The history log is then retrievable from the storage unit 23 by the display signal output part 24.

[0040] The storage unit 23 may also receive alert data from the alert part 27 when an alert is issued, and each entry in the history log may indicate whether or not an alert was issued for that detection event. For example, as in the history log example shown in FIG 4, a ‘1’ in a given entry may be used to indicate that an alert has been issued for the detection event, while a ‘0’ may indicate that no alert has been issued.

[0041] The threshold value receiving part 25 receives a threshold value for each of the two or more parameters and sends it to the display signal output part 24 and the alert range setting part 26. Threshold values are externally inputted by a user via an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, or a microphone. The threshold values may be inputted by the user entering numerical characters via a keyboard or virtual keyboard or the like, or by making an input gesture via a mouse or touchscreen or the like. Here, an ‘input gesture’ refers to gestures performed, via the input device (here, preferably a mouse or touchscreen or the like), on screen objects which are made to appear on a display via a signal from the display signal output part 24, as part of a graphical user interface (GUI) environment or the like.

[0042] It is also possible for threshold values to be stored in advance in memory, such that they are retrieved from the memory by the threshold value receiving part 25.

[0043] The display signal output part 24 receives the history log from the storage unit 23 and the threshold values for each of the two or more parameters received by the threshold value receiving part 25 and uses these in outputting a display signal to a display. The display signal causes the display to display, via a graph or a map, the two or more parameters of detection events in the history log and the threshold values, as is explained below in the ‘Graphical User Interface’ section.

[0044] The alert range setting part 26 receives the threshold values from the threshold value receiving part 25, and based on these threshold values sets an alert range for one or more of the parameters. That is, to determine the alert range for a parameter, a threshold value input to the threshold value receiving part 25 may be used as a minimum value of the alert range, a maximum value of the alert range, or two inputted threshold values may be respectively used as a minimum value and a maximum value of the alert range.

[0045] Moreover, in the present embodiment, when a user inputs a threshold value of a parameter, rather than setting the alert range automatically as soon as it is inputted, the alert range setting part 26 sets the alert range only when the user inputs a confirmation of the threshold value. For example, a user can click a virtual button displayed on the GUI, or press a key on a keyboard or the like, in order to confirm that the input threshold value should be used to set the alert range. This way, before the alert range is used to determine whether or not an alert is issued, the user can preview the threshold value and / or the alert range in the GUI environment and see on the graph and / or map which historical detection events stored in the history log would have caused an alert to be issued.

[0046] Once the alert range has been set, it is sent to the alert part 27.

[0047] The alert part 27 receives the alert range from the alert range setting part 26. Furthermore, the alert part 27 receives detection information data from the information receiving part 22 each time a detection event happens. The alert part 27 compares the values of the parameters in the detection information data from the detection event to the alert range, and if the values of the parameters in the detection information data fall within the alert range, the alert part 27 issues an alert. Otherwise, an alert is not issued. When an alert is issued, the alert part 27 sends alert data to the display signal output part 24 which can then indicate that an alert has been issued via the display.

[0048] The alert part 27 may also send an alert signal to an external alert part 30 to inform a user that an alert has been issued, for example by sounding an alarm. Also, the alert part 27 may send alert data to the storage unit 23 to record in the history long when an alert has been issued for a detection event.

[0049] Graphical User Interface (GUI) The display signal sent to the display by the display signal output part 24 causes a GUI to be displayed. The GUI simultaneously displays a data visualization section DVS and a numerical character section NCS, which will be explained below.

[0050] The GUI may also display a cursor to indicate the current position which will respond to an input from the input device, such as button being pressed, and said cursor may be moved around the display via the input device. A cursor need not be displayed for certain input devices in which it is not necessary to indicate the current position, such as when a touchscreen is used.

[0051] The data visualization section DVS shows a map and a graph which provide a visualization of the values of the two or more parameters in the history log as well as of the alert ranges determined by threshold values input to the threshold value receiving part 25. As shown in FIG 3, the map and the graph each display, for a plurality of detection events, at least a first parameter value and a second parameter value of the two or more parameters calculated by the information calculation part 21.

[0052] First, the map will be explained. As shown in FIG 3, the map may be presented with a horizontal axis and a vertical axis, each indicating one of the parameters calculated by the information calculation part 21. That is, the horizontal axis indicates the component of the detection distance to the detected object in a first direction and the vertical axis indicates the component of the detection distance to the detected object in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

[0053] The map indicates the position of the detected object for each detection event entry in the history log by a display circle on the map. Circles of various sizes are shown on the map, each representing a detection event, and the size of the circle is a visualization of the value of one of the parameters of the detected object calculated by the information calculation part 21. In FIG 3, the size of the circle for each object indicates the size of the object, and a larger circle indicates a larger object. It is also possible for the size of the circle to represent another parameter calculated by the information calculation part 21; for example, the size of the circle may indicate the amount of signal received from the object or the stay time of the object.

[0054] Boundary lines BL are also displayed on the map to indicate the area which the sensor unit 10 is capable of monitoring, said area being determined by the minimum and maximum distance which the sensor unit 10 can reliably monitor and by walls or other permanent obstacles which block the path of light from the light source 11. For example, FIG 3 shows an example case in which walls enclose the monitoring area, and the boundary lines BL (shown here as a dashed line) outline the walls. The location of the boundary lines BL may be determined automatically by an initial scan performed by the sensor unit 10.

[0055] The map also visualizes the alert range determined by the threshold values for the parameters indicated by the horizontal axis and the vertical axis. That is, as shown in FIG 3, a vertical line VL is displayed that indicates the threshold value of the component of the detection distance in the first direction, and a horizontal line HL is displayed that indicates the threshold value of the component of the detection distance in the second direction. In the example shown in FIG 3, the vertical line VL and the horizontal line HL visualize the alert range by indicating the maximum value of the alert range, but it is also possible to have two vertical lines VL and / or two horizontal lines HL to indicate a minimum value and a maximum value of the alert range.

[0056] Next, the graph will be explained. The graph has a horizontal axis and a vertical axis, each axis indicating one of the parameters calculated by the information calculation part 21. A graph differs from a map in that in a graph at least one of the horizontal axis or the vertical axis indicates a parameter which is not a component of the detection distance to an object. As shown in FIG 3, the horizontal axis indicates the stay time of a detected object and the vertical axis indicates the size of the detected object, but it also possible for other parameters to be indicated by the graph, for example by being selected by a user. A dot is shown for each detection event entry in the history log, and its location on the graph indicates the value of the parameter indicated by the horizontal axis and the value of the parameter indicated by the vertical axis in the history log.

[0057] The graph also visualizes the alert range determined by threshold values for the parameters indicated by the horizontal axis and the vertical axis. As shown in FIG 3, a vertical line VL is displayed that indicates the threshold value of the parameter indicated by the horizontal axis (here, the stay time of the detected object), and a horizontal line HL is displayed that indicates the threshold value of the parameter indicated by the vertical axis (here, the size of the detected object). In the example shown in FIG 3, the vertical line VL and the horizontal line HL visualize the alert range by indicating the minimum value of the alert range, but it is also possible to have two vertical lines VL and / or two horizontal lines HL to indicate a minimum value and a maximum value of the alert range, or the like.

[0058] Next, the numerical character section NCS will be explained. The numerical character section NCS displays the inputted threshold values for each of the two or more parameters as numerical characters within a textbox once they have been inputted, each textbox being labeled with a parameter name so that the parameter which it displays can be identified.

[0059] Note that, at first, before any new threshold values are input by a user and received by the threshold value receiving part 25, the numerical character section NCS displays the threshold values which are already being used for the alert range currently set to the alert part 27, which may be default values on first usage. The data visualization section DVS may also do the same.

[0060] Next, the configuration of the GUI for facilitating the input of threshold values will be described. As is explained below, the GUI allows the input of threshold values using either the numerical character section NCS or the data visualization section DVS.

[0061] To input a threshold value using the numerical character section NCS, a user first selects one of the textboxes therein. The way to select the textbook may be different depending on the input device being used; for example, for a mouse a user may position the cursor over the textbox and click a mouse button, or for a touchscreen the user may touch the textbox on the screen. Once a textbox is selected, the GUI indicates this to a user, for example by showing an insertion point, such as a black flashing line, within the textbox. The user can then input numerical characters via a keyboard or virtual keyboard or the like, which appear within the textbox as the user inputs them.

[0062] Once the user has input a threshold value for a parameter into the textbox for said parameter in the numerical character section NCS, the horizontal lines HL and vertical lines VL of the data visualization section DVS are automatically changed to match the threshold values inputted into the numerical character section NCS.

[0063] On the other hand, in order to input a threshold value using the data visualization section DVS, the user makes an input gesture on the graph or the map.

[0064] To make an input gesture on the graph or map to input a threshold value, the user first selects the object on the map representing the threshold value that they would like to change via the input device and then manipulates it. For example, if the input device is a mouse the user can use the mouse to move the cursor to one of the horizontal lines HL or one of the vertical lines VL, click the mouse button in order to select it, and then manipulate it by moving the mouse while continuing to hold the mouse button. Similarly, in the case of a touchscreen the user can select a horizontal line HL or a vertical line VL by touching it with their finger or the like, and it can then be manipulated by the user moving their finger while continuously touching the touchscreen, etc. When the horizontal line HL is manipulated to move to a different place along the vertical axis, the threshold value is input according to the value shown on the vertical axis at the position to which the horizontal line HL is moved; likewise, when the vertical line VL is manipulated to move to a different place along the horizontal axis, the threshold value is input according to the value shown on the horizontal axis at the position to which the vertical line VL is moved.

[0065] Once the user has input a threshold value for a parameter using the data visualization section DVS, the values in the textboxes of the numerical character section NCS are automatically changed to match the threshold values inputted using the data visualization section DVS.

[0066] An estimated alert reduction section is also displayed by the GUI, which shows the number of alerts that would have been issued for all the detection event entries in the history log using the previous alert ranges, as well as the number of alerts that would have been issued for all the detection event entries in the history log using the new alert ranges determined by the newly input threshold values.

[0067] A confirmation button, which is a virtual button, is also displayed by the GUI. The user can confirm the threshold values which have been input by pressing the confirmation button, and once confirmed they are then used to set the alert range.

[0068] In the present embodiment, since several parameter values of each entry in the history log are displayed together visually via a graph and a map, a user can comprehensively and intuitively view and interpret the detection information of each object detected in the past, and can easily and accurately determine whether each issued alert was appropriate or a false alarm, as well as identify the causes of false alarms, set detection thresholds to eliminate false alarms, and so on. Furthermore, when the user inputs threshold values, not only are the input threshold values displayed as numbers, but they are also displayed on the graph and the map; the graph and the map each visualize the values of at least two parameters for a plurality of entries stored in the history log, as well as alert ranges determined by threshold values input by the user, ensuring that the user can easily and reliably set appropriate threshold values even with little previous experience or training.

[0069] Process to Set an Alert Range Next, the process for setting an alert range via the input of threshold values will be explained, using the flow chart shown in FIG 5 as a reference.

[0070] First, in step S1, the alert range setting part 26 checks whether a confirmation signal has been received; as explained above, a confirmation signal is received in response to a user pressing the confirmation button shown as a virtual button on the GUI or the like. If the alert range setting part 26 determines that no confirmation signal has been received, then the process moves to step S2. On the other hand, if the alert range setting part 26 determines that a confirmation signal has indeed been received, the process moves to step S5.

[0071] In step S2, the threshold value receiving part 25 checks whether a threshold value has been received. As explained above, the user may input said threshold value using an input device either by entering numerical values using the numerical character section NCS of the GUI or via an input gesture using the data visualization section DVS of the GUI, and said threshold value is received by the threshold value receiving part 25. If the threshold value receiving part 25 determines that a threshold value has been received, the process moves to step S3. On the other hand, if the threshold value receiving part 25 determines that a threshold value has not been received, the process returns to step S1.

[0072] In step S3, said threshold value received by the threshold value receiving part is sent to the display signal output part 24 and the alert range setting part 26 by the threshold value receiving part 25. Then, the process moves to step S4.

[0073] Next, in step S4, the display signal output part 24 causes the GUI to display said threshold value in both the numerical character section NCS and the data visualization section DVS. Thus, regardless of whether the threshold value was input by entering numerical values using the numerical character section NCS of the GUI or via an input gesture using the data visualization section DVS of the GUI, said threshold value is displayed in both the numerical character section NCS and the data visualization section DVS. Note that, although it is omitted from the flow chart in FIG 5, the estimated alert reduction section also shows the estimated alert reduction upon step S4 being carried out. After step S4, the process returns to step S2.

[0074] As mentioned above, the process moves to step S5 when the alert range setting part 26 receives a confirmation signal. In step S5, the alert range setting part 26 sets an alert range in accordance with the current threshold values which are currently displayed via the graphical user interface. If a user has input these values via steps S2 - S4, said threshold values input during steps S2 - S4 are used to determine the set alert range. Otherwise, default values are used to determine the set alert range. After step S5, the process comes to an end.

[0075] Crop and Mask Embodiments In another embodiment, as shown in FIG 6, the data visualization section DVS may also include a crop button and a mask button, each of which is a virtual button which the user can select using the input device.

[0076] First, the crop button will be explained. The crop button allows a user to use a cropping feature to designate a section of the map to be excluded, such that the area corresponding to the excluded section is no longer a part of the monitoring area and is not monitored by the sensor unit 10. To do this, the crop button is first selected by the user via the input device, and a crop mode is initiated. In the crop mode, a user can make an input gesture (hereafter called a ‘crop gesture’) on the map to designate the excluded section.

[0077] The crop gesture to designate an excluded section of the map may be any input gesture which divides the monitoring area in an included section and an excluded section. For example, the user can use the input device to draw a line (or a curve or the like) between a point on one boundary line BL to a point on another boundary line BL, dividing the monitoring area in two sections; the smaller of the two sections may then be designated the excluded section, while the larger of the two sections may be the included section. After this input gesture is performed, crop mode is terminated, and the included section continues to be monitored by the sensor unit 10 while the excluded section is thereafter no longer monitored.

[0078] Once a crop has been performed, the map displays a crop line CL which outlines the included section, as shown in FIG 6 (here, the crop line CL is shown as a semi-transparent line). This way, the user can easily see which sections are being monitored and which are not.

[0079] As described above, the sensor unit 10 does not monitor the area corresponding to the excluded section for the presence of objects. However, it is also possible for the sensor unit 10 to continue to monitor said area for the presence of objects, but for the alert part 27 to not issue alerts for objects detected therein.

[0080] Next, the mask button will be explained. The mask button allows a user to use a masking feature to designate a masked section of the map for which alerts will thereafter no longer be issued. To do this, the mask button is first selected by the user via the input device, and a mask mode is initiated. In the mask mode, a user can make an input gesture (hereafter called a ‘mask gesture’) on the map to designate the masked section. For example, as the mask gesture the user may use the input device to click on or touch a position of the map, and a small circular area (not shown) around that position will then be designated a masked section. Therefore, even if an object is detected within the masked section of the map, and alert will not be issued.

[0081] The crop buttons and mask buttons each have a reset button, which is a virtual button which may be pressed by a user to respectively remove the effects of any cropping or masking which has already been performed.

[0082] Other Embodiments The security system is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0083] In an additional embodiment, it is also possible for the map to indicate an alert range for the parameter visualized by the size of the circles on the map. For example, a circle of a different color or a circle drawn with a dotted line can be used to indicate a maximum value or a minimum value of the parameter indicated by the size of the circles, or two such circles can be used to indicated a minimum and a maximum value of an alert range.

[0084] In the above-described embodiments, the sensor unit 10 scans light emitted from the light source along a two-dimensional plane, and photodetector 13 receives reflected light reflected off an objected located along the two-dimensional plane. However, it is not limited to this, and it is also possible for the sensor unit 10 to scan light emitted from the light source in three dimensions, and the photodetector may receive reflected light from an object along three dimensions.

[0085] In the above-described embodiments, the GUI displays both a map and a graph simultaneously. However, it is also possible that the GUI displays only either one of the graph or the map. It is also possible for the GUI to display two graphs or different types, or two maps of different types.

[0086] In the above-described embodiments, the graph is a dot graph wherein a dot shows the value of the parameter indicated by the horizontal axis and the vertical axis. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the graph may also be another type of graph, such as a line graph or a bar graph.

[0087] It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0088] According to the present invention, a security system is provided, making use of a sensor unit, that makes it easy to determine whether an alert has been issued appropriately or is merely a false alarm. Furthermore, a security system according to the present invention makes it possible for a user to set appropriate threshold values to prevent false alarms even without significant experience or training.Reference Sign List

[0089] 100 security system 10 sensor unit 20 information processing unit 22 information receiving part 23 storage unit 24 display signal output part 25 threshold value receiving part 26 alert range setting part 27 alert part

Claims

1. A security system that monitors a monitoring area and issues an alert when an object is detected in the monitoring area, comprising: an information receiving part that receives detection information about the detected object, including a first parameter and a second parameter; a storage unit that associates a value of each of the first parameter and the second parameter included in the detection information, and stores said associated parameters as an entry in a history log; and a display signal output part that outputs a signal that causes a display to display, via a graph or a map, the first parameter value and the second parameter value of each of a plurality of the entries in the history log.

2. The security system according to claim 1, further comprising: a threshold value receiving part that receives input of a threshold value of each of the first parameter and the second parameter, which determine an alert range, wherein the display signal output part causes the display to visually display the threshold values on the graph or the map, simultaneously with the threshold value in numerical digits.

3. The security system according to claim 2, wherein the input of the threshold values received by the threshold value receiving part is carried out by, via an input device, entering numerical characters or by making an input gesture on the graph or the map.

4. The security system according to claim 1, wherein the first parameter and the second parameter are different parameters, each of which is a parameter from a group consisting of: a component of a detection distance to the object in one direction, an amount of signal received from the object, a direction to the object, a size of the object, and a stay time of the object.

5. The security system according to claim 1, wherein the display signal output part causes one of the graph or the map to be displayed simultaneously along with another of the graph or the map of a different type.

6. The security system according to claim 2, further comprising: an alert part configured to issue the alert for the detected object if the first parameter value and the second parameter value of the detected object are within the alert range, and otherwise to not issue the alert.

7. The security system according to claim 2, further comprising: an alert range setting part that, when a confirmation signal is input, sets the alert range determined by the threshold value of each of the first parameter and the second parameter received by the threshold value receiving part.

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