JP4580448B2 - Image signal switching method and apparatus, and digital imaging camera and monitoring system using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image signal switching method and apparatus, for example, an image signal switching method and apparatus capable of efficiently recording and reproducing captured images of a plurality of imaging cameras of a surveillance system while switching frames, and a digital imaging camera using the image signal switching method and apparatus It relates to a monitoring system.

  In recent years, a monitoring system that captures moving images and still images with an imaging camera, and stores and reproduces data processed, recorded, and reproduced by an image recording / reproducing apparatus or the like has been widely used. It is coming. In such a monitoring system, conventional techniques for transmitting image signals captured by a plurality of imaging cameras to an image recording / reproducing apparatus include, for example, those shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, or JP-A-11-098494. There are things as shown in the Gazette.

  The monitoring system shown in FIG. 8 is a monitoring system using an analog camera. A plurality of imaging cameras A, B, C, and D are installed, and image signals from these imaging cameras A to D are taken into the monitoring apparatus 1. The switch 2 in the monitoring device 1 is sequentially switched and input at predetermined time intervals and stored in the recording means.

  FIG. 9 shows an input operation of image signals from the imaging cameras A to D to the monitoring device 1. Since an analog camera is used as the imaging camera, image signals are always output from the imaging cameras A to D every predetermined time (for example, 1/30 second) in units of frames. Accordingly, the switch 2 can capture image signals from different imaging cameras for each frame and create imaging records of all cameras by switching and connecting between the imaging cameras A to DNO at this time interval in FIG. Can do.

JP-A-11-098494

  However, when a digital camera having an MPEG output is used as the imaging camera to record the image signal from the imaging camera described above, MPEG has a dependency relationship with other frames such as a P frame and a B frame. There is a problem that frame switching cannot be performed freely because of the existence of frames.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image signal switching method and apparatus capable of frame switching recording by MPEG in a digital monitoring system, and a digital imaging camera and a monitoring system using the same. That is.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image signal switching method and apparatus capable of efficiently recording and reproducing captured images of a plurality of imaging cameras while switching frames, and a digital imaging camera and a monitoring system using the image signal switching method and apparatus. It is.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention uses a synchronizable MPEG camera as an imaging camera, and constructs a monitoring system in which a plurality of MPEG cameras are connected to a switcher so that image signals can be switched and input. monitoring system of the image signal (including an I-frame and P-frame) generated in the camera, and sends the I frames from the plurality of cameras, time division sharing with the I frame sent a channel from a plurality of cameras The summary is as follows.

  In the present invention, as a digital imaging camera, an imaging unit that captures an image, a digitizing unit that converts an image signal obtained by imaging into a digital signal, and a transmission timing of an I frame in the image signal are controlled. The gist is provided with a timing control means, a setting means for setting the timing of the timing control means and an I frame transmission cycle, and a transmission means for transmitting an image signal. The gist of the present invention is that the imaging camera further comprises I frame extraction means for extracting a necessary I frame from the image signal, and the I frame of the image signal is extracted and transmitted at a predetermined timing.

In the present invention, as another type of imaging camera, an imaging unit that captures an image, a digitizing unit that converts an image signal obtained by imaging into a digital signal including an I frame and a P frame, and the digital signal I frame extracting means for extracting only I frames from the above, timing control means for controlling the sending timing of the I frame, setting means for setting the sending timing of the timing control means and the I frame sending cycle, and an image signal Transmitting means for transmitting, wherein the setting means is configured to set the transmission timing and the transmission cycle via a network, and the transmission means transmits the extracted I frame to the network at the transmission timing and the transmission cycle. It is also possible to do.

  As described above, according to the present invention, I frames are extracted from image signals (including I frames and P frames) transmitted from a plurality of cameras, and channels are extracted from I frames transmitted from the plurality of cameras. Since time-sharing sharing is performed, even a digital image signal including a frame having a dependency relationship with other frames such as a P frame and a B frame can be received while switching frames.

  In addition, according to the present invention, as a digital imaging camera, an imaging unit that captures an image, a digitizing unit that converts an image signal obtained by imaging into a digital signal, and a transmission timing of an I frame in the image signal A timing control means for controlling, a setting means for setting the timing of the timing control means and an I frame sending cycle, and a sending means for sending an image signal, and the I frame of the image signal is sent at a predetermined timing. Even if the transmission timing of the I frame is shifted among a plurality of cameras, reception can be performed while switching frames.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the imaging camera used in the monitoring system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the switcher as an image signal switching apparatus which is connected to the said imaging camera and switches an image signal in the said embodiment. (A) The figure which shows schematically the sending condition of the image signal from the imaging camera in the buffering operation | movement of the image signal in the said embodiment, and the storage condition to a buffer (b) Buffering by the switching operation in the said embodiment Of an I frame extracted from the processed image signal (A) The figure which shows roughly the sending condition of the image signal from the imaging camera in the buffering operation | movement of the image signal in the deformation | transformation aspect of the said embodiment, and the storage condition to a buffer (b) The deformation | transformation aspect of the said embodiment Of an I frame extracted from the image signal buffered by the switching operation in FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the switcher used in the monitoring system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. (A) The figure which shows schematically the sending condition of the image signal transmitted with the timing shifted from the imaging camera in the said embodiment (b) Represents the I frame received by the switching operation in the switcher in the said embodiment. Figure The block diagram which shows the structure of the monitoring system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and the structure of the switcher used in this system System configuration diagram showing the configuration of an analog monitoring system in a conventional example The figure which shows the input operation of the image signal from the imaging camera in the conventional analog monitoring system to the monitoring apparatus

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, I frames are extracted from image signals (including I frames and P frames) transmitted from a plurality of cameras, and channels are transmitted by I frames transmitted from a plurality of cameras. It is a monitoring system that performs time-division sharing, and even if it is a digital image signal in which frames having a dependency relationship with other frames such as P frames and B frames are mixed, it is received while performing frame switching. Has an effect.

  The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention extracts I frames from image signals (including I frames and P frames) transmitted from a plurality of cameras, and uses I frames transmitted from a plurality of cameras as channels. This is an image signal switching method characterized in that time-sharing sharing is performed, and even if it is a digital image signal in which frames having a dependency relationship with other frames such as P frame and B frame are mixed, The image signal is switched while switching.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, I frames are extracted from image signals (including I frames and P frames) transmitted from a plurality of digital imaging cameras, and channels are transmitted from the plurality of cameras. In a monitoring system that performs time-sharing sharing in frames, the camera includes an imaging unit that captures an image, a digitizing unit that converts an image signal obtained by imaging into a digital signal, and sending an I frame in the image signal. A timing control means for controlling timing, a setting means for setting the timing of the timing control means and an I frame transmission cycle, and a transmission means for transmitting an image signal, and transmitting an I frame of the image signal at a predetermined timing The frame is switched between a plurality of cameras at a predetermined I frame transmission timing. An effect that can be received while.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, I frames (including I frames and P frames) are extracted from image signals sent from a plurality of digital imaging cameras, and channels are sent from the plurality of cameras. In the monitoring system that performs time-sharing sharing in frames, the camera includes an imaging unit that captures an image, a digitizing unit that converts an image signal obtained by imaging into a digital signal, and a necessary I frame from the image signal. I frame extracting means for extracting the I frame, timing control means for controlling the sending timing of the I frame, setting means for setting the sending timing and I frame sending cycle of the timing control means, and sending means for sending the image signal The extracted I frame is transmitted at the timing and the transmission cycle. Ri has the effect of being able to receive while performing frame switching in transmission timing and delivery cycle of a given I-frame among a plurality cameras.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the I frame is extracted from each of the plurality of image signals including the I frame and the P frame, and the plurality of the extracted I frames are transmitted to the network, so that the plurality of the networks are provided. Even if it is a digital image signal in which frames having a dependency relationship with other frames such as a P frame and a B frame are mixed, The image signal is switched while switching.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging unit that captures an image, a digitizing unit that converts an image signal obtained by imaging into a digital signal including an I frame and a P frame, and the digital signal. I frame extracting means for extracting only I frames from the I frame, timing control means for controlling the sending timing of the I frame, setting means for setting the sending timing of the timing control means and the I frame sending cycle, and sending the image signal A digital imaging camera that transmits the extracted I frame at the transmission timing and the transmission cycle, and the frame is switched at the transmission timing and transmission cycle of the I frame set between a plurality of cameras. It has the effect that it can receive while performing.

  The invention according to claim 7 of the present invention extracts each of the networks by extracting each I frame from a plurality of image signals including I frames and P frames, and sending the extracted plurality of I frames over the network. This is a monitoring method in which time-division sharing is performed with I frames extracted from the image signal of the image, and even if the digital image signal includes a frame having a dependency relationship with other frames such as a P frame and a B frame, The image signal is switched while switching.

    According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a step of taking an image, a step of converting an image signal obtained by the imaging into a digital signal including an I frame and a P frame, and an I frame from the digital signal. The step of extracting only the I frame, the step of controlling the transmission timing of the I frame, the step of setting the transmission timing and the I frame transmission cycle, and the step of transmitting an image signal. In the image signal transmission step, A digital imaging method, wherein the extracted I frame is transmitted at the transmission timing and the transmission cycle, and is received while performing frame switching at the transmission timing and transmission cycle of the I frame set between a plurality of cameras. It has the effect of being able to.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging camera used in the monitoring system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is connected to the plurality of imaging cameras in this embodiment, and the plurality of imaging cameras. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the switcher as an image signal switching apparatus which switches the output of the I frame of the image signal received from FIG.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes an imaging camera. In this embodiment, a digital camera having an MPEG output and capable of being synchronized is used. Reference numeral 11 denotes a CCD image sensor that performs an imaging operation and generates an image signal, 12 a sampling unit that samples the image signal generated by the image sensor 11, 13 a coding unit that compresses and encodes the image signal, and 14 from the imaging camera A transmission buffer that temporarily holds an output image signal, 16 is a transmission unit that transmits the image signal to the network 15, 17 is a reception unit that receives data such as a command transmitted through the network, and 18 is the imaging camera. 10 is a synchronization timer for synchronizing the operation of each function unit, 19 is a setting unit for setting imaging and transmission operations in the imaging camera 10, 20 is a drive timing of the image sensor 11 in the imaging device 10, and the like. A tie that controls the operation timing in the function section. A ring control unit.

  Next, in FIG. 2, reference numeral 25 is a switcher, 26 is connected to the network 15, and receives MPEG image signals from a plurality of imaging cameras 10 (camera A, camera B, camera C, and camera D are connected). 27, a buffer for temporarily storing the received image signal, 28 an I frame extracting unit for extracting an I frame of the MPEG image signal from the image signals stored in the buffer 27, and 29 an I frame extracting unit When the I-frame data extracted in 27 is output from the switcher 25 to the I / O as the transmission partner, a transmission buffer 30 temporarily holds the I-frame image signal, and 30 represents the I-frame image signal in the network 36. The transmission unit 31 for sending to the switcher 25 is connected to the switcher 25 and various devices connected to it for transmitting and receiving image signals. The synchronization master clock for generating a clock signal for synchronizing the operation of the entire system (monitoring system), 32 is a synchronization timer for synchronizing the operation of each function unit in the switcher 25, and 33 is the imaging camera 10. The setting unit 34 sets the imaging, transmission operation, transmission / reception and data processing operation in the switcher 25, and controls the operation timing in each functional unit such as the drive timing of the reception unit 26 and the transmission unit 30 in the switcher 25. The timing control unit 35 is a camera control unit that outputs control data of the imaging camera 10 according to the contents set by the setting unit 33. The switcher 25 has a recording capacity capable of storing image signals from all the imaging cameras 10 connected to the switcher 25 for one cycle and a time required for extraction.

  With this configuration, the synchronization master clock 31, the setting unit 33, and the camera control unit 35 have a function as a system control unit that controls the entire monitoring system, and the switcher 25 serves as a master device that transmits various commands. It has come to fulfill.

  Reference numeral 36 denotes a network for transmitting an image signal output from the transmission unit 30 of the switcher 25 to another I / O device, and reference numeral 37 denotes a recording device connected to the network 36. The imaging camera 10, the switcher 25, and the recording device 37 are connected by the networks 15 and 36, so that a monitoring system is constructed. The networks 15 and 36 do not have to be separate networks, and may be the same network.

  The operation of the monitoring system having such a configuration will be described below. As described above, MPEG cameras are used for the plurality of imaging cameras 10 installed at the respective installation locations, so that these imaging cameras 10 output image signals composed of digital signals. This image signal includes frame data of I frame, P frame and B frame which are MPEG data. Of these frames, the I frame can display the image content by itself, but the P frame and the B frame have dependencies on other frames and cannot display the image content by themselves. . Therefore, in order to extract a frame for each of the cameras A to D as shown in FIG. 9 from the image signals sent from the cameras A to D in the imaging camera 10, it is necessary to select and extract the I frame.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the plurality of cameras A to D are set in advance so that the I frame transmission timing is synchronized, and the I frame transmission cycle is set to be the same. The synchronization setting is performed by a command (command transmission) from the switcher 25 side. That is, the setting unit 33 of the switcher 25 generates control data for synchronizing the cameras A to D so that the I frame is simultaneously transmitted between the cameras A to D and the synchronization setting control data is used as a command for the camera. The data is sent to the network 15 via the control unit 35. On the imaging camera 10 side, the control data is received by the receiving unit 17 and registered in the setting unit 19 of each of the cameras A to D. The transmission cycle is also set by a command (command transmission) from the switcher 25 side. That is, the setting unit 33 of the switcher 25 determines the transmission cycle of the cameras A to D to generate transmission cycle data so that the I frame is transmitted from the cameras A to D in a predetermined cycle time and this transmission cycle. Data is sent as a command to the network 15 via the camera control unit 35. On the imaging camera 10 side, the transmission cycle data is received by the reception unit 17, and the transmission cycle data is registered in the setting unit 19 of each of the cameras A to D. The sending cycle is set to the same cycle time for the cameras A to D.

  On the switcher 25 side, the timing controller 34 is set so that the I frame corresponding to all the cameras A to D can be read from the buffer during one cycle for the buffer read time of the frame extractor 28.

  The imaging camera 10 and the switcher 25 perform imaging and transmission / reception operations according to a control signal synchronized with the clock of the synchronous master clock 31 on the switcher 25 side. In this operation, the image signals are transmitted from the plurality of imaging cameras 10 so that the I frame is simultaneously transmitted in a constant cycle by the above-described synchronization setting. On the switcher 25 side, this image signal is stored (buffered) in the buffer 27 for one cycle. FIG. 3A is a diagram schematically showing the transmission status of the image signal from the imaging camera 10 and the storage status in the buffer 27 at this time. The I frame extraction unit 28 extracts only necessary I frames from the buffered image signal. In this I frame extraction operation, the I frame extraction unit 28 controls the operation timing by the timing control unit 34, and sequentially extracts I frames corresponding to the cameras A to D from the image signals buffered by the switching operation. Thereby, I frames from the camera A to the camera D are arranged in time series in one cycle. FIG. 3B shows the extracted I frame. The extracted I frame is temporarily stored in the transmission buffer 29, then transferred to the transmission unit 30, sent from the transmission unit 30 to the network 36, and sent to the recording device 37 via the network 36, and this recording device 37.

  As a modification of the present embodiment, when generating control data for synchronizing the cameras A to D in the setting unit 33 of the switcher 25 in the synchronization setting, the transmission timing of the I frame is set between the cameras A to D. The synchronization setting control data is sent to the network 15 via the camera control unit 35 as a command. On the imaging camera 10 side, the control data is received by the receiving unit 17 and registered in the setting unit 19 of each of the cameras A to D. The sending cycle is set in the same manner as in the above operation example in the present embodiment. The setting of the buffer read timing on the channel 25 side is also performed in the same manner as the above operation example in the present embodiment. It should be noted that between the synchronous setting in which the I frame transmission timing is shifted and the I frame transmission cycle setting, the I frame is set to be transmitted once from all the cameras A to D in one cycle.

  Under such a setting state, the imaging camera 10 and the switcher 25 perform imaging and transmission / reception operations by a control signal synchronized with the clock of the synchronous master clock 31 on the switcher 25 side. In this operation, the image signals are transmitted from the plurality of imaging cameras 10 such that the I frame is transmitted at a certain cycle with a fixed cycle by the above-described synchronization setting. On the switcher 25 side, this image signal is stored (buffered) in the buffer 27 for one cycle. FIG. 4A is a diagram schematically showing the transmission status of the image signal from the imaging camera 10 and the storage status in the buffer 27 at this time. The I frame extraction unit 28 extracts only necessary I frames from the buffered image signal. In this I frame extraction operation, the I frame extraction unit 28 controls each of the cameras A to D from the image signals buffered by the switching operation by controlling the operation timing by the timing control unit 34 as in the case of the above-described operation. I frames corresponding to are sequentially extracted. Thereby, I frames from the camera A to the camera D are arranged in time series in one cycle. FIG. 4B shows the extracted I frame. The extracted I frame is temporarily stored in the transmission buffer 29, then transferred to the transmission unit 30, sent from the transmission unit 30 to the network 36, and sent to the recording device 37 via the network 36, and this recording device 37.

  That is, the switcher 25 has a recording capacity capable of storing the image signals from all the imaging cameras 10 connected to the switcher 25 for one cycle and the time necessary for extraction. The I frames to be sent may be sent at the same time or may be sent at different timings.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the switcher used in the monitoring system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the same components as those of the switcher in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The switcher 40 shown in FIG. 5 is provided with a buffer 41 connected to the receiving unit 26, a channel switch 42 that performs a buffer read switching operation is connected to the buffer 41, and a transmission buffer 29 is connected to the channel switch 42. It consists of The channel switch 42 is connected to the timing control unit 34 so that the timing of the switching operation is controlled. Unlike the switcher 25 in the first embodiment, the switcher 40 does not need to be able to store image signals from all the imaging cameras 10 connected to the switcher 40 for one cycle. The one with a small recording capacity is used.

  The operation of the monitoring system having such a configuration will be described below. First, the setting operation regarding the I frame transmission timing and the transmission cycle is performed. In the synchronization setting, when generating the control data for synchronizing the cameras A to D in the setting unit 33 of the switcher 40, the transmission timing of the I frame is shifted between the cameras A to D, and the synchronization setting control data As a command to the network 15 via the camera control unit 35. On the imaging camera 10 side, the control data is received by the receiving unit 17 and registered in the setting unit 19 of each of the cameras A to D. The sending cycle is set in the same manner as in the operation example in the first embodiment. In addition, between the synchronous setting in which the I frame transmission timing is shifted and the I frame transmission cycle setting, it is set so that the I frame is transmitted once from all the cameras A to D in one cycle.

  On the switcher 40 side, the switching operation of the channel switch 42 is switched in accordance with the I frame transmission timing set for each of the cameras A to D on the imaging camera 10 side (set to be shifted from each other). The timing controller 34 is set so as to receive the I frame.

  Under such a setting state, the imaging camera 10 and the switcher 40 perform imaging and transmission / reception operations by a control signal synchronized with the clock of the synchronous master clock 31 on the switcher 40 side. In this operation, the image signals are transmitted from the plurality of imaging cameras 10 such that the I frame is transmitted with the timing shifted at a constant cycle by the synchronization setting. FIG. 6A is a diagram schematically showing a state of sending an image signal from the imaging camera 10 at this time. On the switcher 40 side, the received image signal is not buffered, but the channel switch 42 is controlled by the timing control unit 34, and the I frame set for each of the cameras A to D on the imaging camera 10 side. A switching operation is performed in accordance with the transmission timing, and I frames from the cameras A to D are sequentially received. Thereby, I frames from the camera A to the camera D are arranged in time series in one cycle. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an I frame received by the switching operation. The received I frame is temporarily stored in the transmission buffer 29, then transferred to the transmission unit 30, sent from the transmission unit 30 to the network 36, and sent to the recording device 37 via the network 36, and this recording device 37.

  In the second embodiment, the image signal is transmitted from the plurality of imaging cameras 10 by the operation of the channel switch 42, but at a certain timing, the image signal is received from one camera. Since it is limited, it is possible to shift the I-frame transmission timing between a plurality of cameras and to share a single channel with a plurality of imaging cameras in a time-sharing manner. In this case, it is also possible to transmit only an I frame while shifting the timing between the plurality of imaging cameras 10 and to share a single channel with a plurality of cameras in a time division manner.

  (Embodiment 3) In the first embodiment, the switcher 25 has a function as a control unit for controlling the system. Such a system control function is provided as a controller separately from the switcher 25. It may exist on the network. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention in which such a controller is provided separately from the switcher. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 10 is an imaging camera having MPEG output, 44 is a switcher for switching the output of I frames of image signals received from a plurality of imaging cameras, 45 is a controller for system control, and 37 is for recording image data. The recording devices 15 and 36 are connected to the imaging camera 10, the switcher 44, the controller 45, and the recording device 37 to transmit and receive data.

  The switcher 44 basically has the same configuration as the switcher 25 used in the first embodiment of the information device, but does not include the synchronous master clock 31 for performing system control and the camera control unit 35. . The controller 45 includes a synchronous master clock 31, a camera / switcher control unit 46 that sends operation commands to the imaging camera 10 and the switcher 44, and a setting unit 47 that performs operation settings of the functional units of the entire system. In this case, the switcher 44 is configured to be able to change the setting with a signal from the network in order to receive a setting command from the controller 45.

  Further, the controller 45 does not have to be independent as a device. As in the first embodiment, the controller function is installed in the switcher 25, and one of the imaging cameras 10, the recording device 37, or other network is used. It may be provided in the device. The same modification can be applied to the second embodiment.

  On the other hand, the imaging camera 10 is a slave device as in the above embodiment, and instead, a buffer that temporarily stores an image signal in the imaging camera 10 and an I frame from the image signal stored in the buffer. And an I frame extraction unit for extracting the I frame, and only the I frame already extracted by the imaging camera 10 may be transmitted from the imaging camera 10 to the switcher 25 or 40. In this case, in the configuration of the imaging camera 10 in FIG. 1, the buffer and the I frame extraction unit are provided between the coding unit 13 and the transmission buffer 14, and output data of the I frame extraction unit is transferred to the transmission buffer 14. You just have to do it.

  According to the present invention, a synchronization system is used as an imaging camera, and a monitoring system is constructed in which a plurality of MPEG cameras are connected to a switcher so that an image signal can be switched and input. In this monitoring system, I frames are extracted from image signals (including I frames and P frames), and channels are time-shared using I frames transmitted from a plurality of cameras. Thereby, even a digital image signal in which frames having a dependency relationship with other frames such as P frame and B frame are mixed can be received while performing frame switching.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Imaging camera 11 CCD image sensor 12 Sampling part 13 Coding part 14 Transmission buffer 15 Network 16 Transmission part 17 Reception part 18 Synchronization timer 19, 47 Setting part 20 Timing control part 25, 40, 44 Switcher 26 Reception part 27, 41 Buffer 28 I frame extraction unit 29 transmission buffer 30 transmission unit 31 synchronization master clock 32 synchronization timer 33 setting unit 34 timing control unit 35 camera control unit 42 channel switch 45 controller 46 camera / switcher control unit

Claims (8)

An image signal (including an I-frame and P-frame) generated in a plurality of cameras,
And sending the I frames from the plurality of cameras,
Monitoring system for time-division sharing with the I frame sent a channel from a plurality of cameras. An image signal (including an I-frame and P-frame) generated in a plurality of cameras,
Image signal switching method, characterized in that said plurality of cameras sends the I frame, and adapted to time-division sharing with I frames sent a channel from a plurality of cameras. An image signal (including an I-frame and P-frame) generated in a plurality of digital imaging camera,
A monitor system the transmits a plurality of I frames from the digital imaging camera, time division sharing with I frames sent a channel from a plurality of cameras,
The camera includes an imaging unit that captures an image, a digitizing unit that converts an image signal obtained by imaging into a digital signal, a timing control unit that controls transmission timing of an I frame in the image signal, and timing control A digital imaging camera comprising: setting means for setting the timing of the means and an I frame transmission cycle; and transmission means for transmitting an image signal, wherein the I frame of the image signal is transmitted at a predetermined timing. An image signal (including an I-frame and P-frame) generated in a plurality of digital imaging camera,
In the monitoring system in which the I frames are respectively transmitted from the plurality of digital imaging cameras , and the channel is time-sharing shared with the I frames transmitted from the plurality of cameras.
The camera includes an imaging unit that captures an image, a digitizing unit that converts an image signal obtained by imaging into a digital signal, an I frame extracting unit that extracts a necessary I frame from the image signal, and an I frame. Timing control means for controlling the transmission timing of the image data, setting means for setting the transmission timing of the timing control means and the I frame transmission cycle, and transmission means for transmitting the image signal, and the extracted I at the timing and the transmission cycle. A digital imaging camera characterized by transmitting a frame. By extracting each I frame from a plurality of image signals including an I frame and a P frame, sequentially storing the extracted plurality of I frames in a transmission buffer, and sending the I frame stored in the transmission buffer to the network, A monitoring system for time-sharing sharing the network with I frames extracted from a plurality of image signals. Imaging means for taking an image, digitizing means for converting an image signal obtained by imaging into a digital signal including an I frame and a P frame, and an I frame extracting means for extracting only the I frame from the digital signal A timing control means for controlling the sending timing of the I frame, a setting means for setting the sending timing of the timing control means and the I frame sending cycle, and a sending means for sending the image signal,
The setting means is configured to set the sending timing and sending cycle via a network, and the sending means sends the extracted I frame to the network at the sending timing and sending cycle. camera. By extracting I frames from a plurality of image signals including I frames and P frames and sequentially storing them in a transmission buffer, and transmitting the plurality of I frames stored in the transmission buffer over the network, A monitoring method in which time-division sharing is performed using an I frame extracted from an image signal. Taking a picture, and
Converting an image signal obtained by imaging into a digital signal including an I frame and a P frame;
Extracting only I frames from the digital signal;
Controlling I frame transmission timing;
Setting the transmission timing and I frame transmission cycle;
Sending an image signal,
The transmission timing is set via a network,
In the image signal transmission step, the extracted I frame is transmitted to the network at the transmission timing and the transmission cycle.

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