Patent Publication Number: US-2021174517-A1

Title: Monitoring apparatus, monitoring system, monitoring method, and computer-readable storage medium

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/298,196 filed on Mar. 11, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/560,196 filed Sep. 21, 2017, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,497,131, which is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/JP2016/050742 filed Jan. 12, 2016, claiming priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-059782 filed Mar. 23, 2015, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a monitoring apparatus, a monitoring system, and a monitoring method for performing monitoring using a monitoring camera, and a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for realizing these. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In recent years, due to improvements in camera technology, use of monitoring systems in which monitoring cameras are used has increased. With these monitoring systems, an intrusion detection area is set in an image acquired from the monitoring camera, and a warning is output to a manager if an intruder intruding in the intrusion detection area is detected (e.g., see Patent Document 1). 
     Also, although the monitoring system normally detects an intruder by extracting changes in an image, the larger the region to be extracted is, the greater the system load is, and the more time-consuming detection processing is. For this reason, a technique has been proposed in which a monitoring line called a “trip wire” is set in the image and a person who crosses the monitoring line is detected as an intruder (e.g., see Patent Documents 2 and 3). 
     Specifically, the monitoring system disclosed in Patent Document 2 detects an intruder by specifying a change region in which a feature amount changes in the image acquired from the monitoring camera and detecting interference between the specified change region and the monitoring line. Also, the monitoring system disclosed in Patent Document 3 detects an intruder by extracting pixels existing at the position of the monitoring line from an image acquired from the monitoring camera, arranging the pixels in a line to create a pixel data line, and then analyzing change in a time series in the pixel values of the pixel data line. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Document 
     Patent Document 1: JP 2012-215983A 
     Patent Document 2: JP 2006-252248A 
     Patent Document 2: JP 2011-151743A 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved by the Invention 
     Incidentally, with the monitoring systems disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3, the monitoring line is set to be a street, pathway, or the like in the periphery of a facility being monitored. Also, since the image from the monitoring camera is a two-dimensional image, there are cases where the monitoring line and a vehicle overlap on the image due to the vehicle being parked or the like between the location being monitored and the monitoring camera. In this case, an intruder can intrude in the location being monitored without crossing the monitoring line, and therefore it is very difficult to detect an intruder with the monitoring systems disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3. 
     One example of an object of the present invention is to provide a monitoring apparatus, a monitoring system, a monitoring method, and a computer-readable storage medium according to which the above-described problems are eliminated and an intruder can be detected even if a pre-set monitoring line overlaps with an object on an image from a monitoring camera. 
     Means for Solving the Problems 
     In order to achieve the above-described object, a first monitoring apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes: 
     a monitoring line setting unit configured to set a monitoring line in an image acquired from an image capturing unit; and 
     an overlapping detection unit configured to detect overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line, 
     wherein if overlapping is detected by the overlapping detection unit, the monitoring line setting unit sets a new monitoring line according to the object. 
     In order to achieve the above-described object, a second monitoring apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes: 
     a monitoring line setting unit configured to set a monitoring line in an image acquired from an image capturing unit; and 
     an overlapping detection unit configured to detect overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line, 
     wherein if overlapping is detected by the overlapping detection unit, the monitoring line setting unit moves the monitoring line such that it does not overlap with the object. 
     In order to achieve the above-described object, a third monitoring apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes: 
     a monitoring line setting unit configured to set a monitoring line in an image acquired from an image capturing unit; and 
     an overlapping detection unit configured to detect overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line, 
     wherein if overlapping is detected by the overlapping detection unit, the monitoring line setting unit sets a new monitoring line at a position that does not overlap with the object in a pre-designated region. 
     In order to achieve the above-described object, a first monitoring system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a monitoring camera and a monitoring apparatus, wherein the monitoring apparatus includes: 
     a monitoring line setting unit configured to set a monitoring line in an image acquired from the monitoring camera; and 
     an overlapping detection unit configured to detect overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line, and 
     if overlapping is detected by the overlapping detection unit, the monitoring line setting unit sets a new monitoring line according to the object. 
     In order to achieve the above-described object, a second monitoring system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a monitoring camera and a monitoring apparatus, 
     wherein the monitoring apparatus includes: 
     a monitoring line setting unit configured to set a monitoring line in an image acquired from the monitoring camera; and 
     an overlapping detection unit configured to detect overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line, and 
     if overlapping is detected by the overlapping detection unit, the monitoring line setting unit moves the monitoring line such that it does not overlap with the object. 
     In order to achieve the above-described object, a third monitoring system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a monitoring camera and a monitoring apparatus, 
     wherein the monitoring apparatus includes: 
     a monitoring line setting unit configured to set a monitoring line in an image acquired from the monitoring camera; and 
     an overlapping detection unit configured to detect overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line, and 
     if overlapping is detected by the overlapping detection unit, the monitoring line setting unit sets a new monitoring line at a position that does not overlap with the object in a pre-designated region. 
     In order to achieve the above-described object, a first monitoring method according to an aspect of the present invention includes: 
     (a) a step of setting a monitoring line in an image acquired from an image capturing unit; 
     (b) a step of detecting overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line; and 
     (c) a step of setting a new monitoring line according to the object if overlapping is detected in the (b) step. 
     In order to achieve the above-described object, a second monitoring method according to an aspect of the present invention includes: 
     (a) a step of setting a monitoring line in an image acquired from an image capturing unit; 
     (b) a step of detecting overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line; and 
     (c) a step of moving the monitoring line such that it does not overlap with the object if overlapping is detected in the (b) step. 
     In order to achieve the above-described object, a third monitoring method according to an aspect of the present invention includes: 
     (a) a step of setting a monitoring line in an image acquired from an image capturing unit; 
     (b) a step of detecting overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line; and 
     (c) a step of setting a new monitoring line at a position such that it does not overlap with the object in a pre-designated region if overlapping is detected in the (b) step. 
     Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-described object, a first computer-readable storage medium according to an aspect of the present invention stores a program that includes commands for causing a computer to execute: 
     (a) a step of setting a monitoring line in an image acquired from an image capturing unit; 
     (b) a step of detecting overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line; and 
     (c) a step of setting a new monitoring line according to the object if overlapping is detected in the (b) step. 
     Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-described object, a second computer-readable storage medium according to an aspect of the present invention stores a program that includes commands for causing a computer to execute: 
     (a) a step of setting a monitoring line in an image acquired from an image capturing unit; 
     (b) a step of detecting overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line; and 
     (c) a step of moving the monitoring line such that it does not overlap with the object if overlapping is detected in the (b) step. 
     Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-described object, a third computer-readable storage medium according to an aspect of the present invention stores a program that includes commands for causing a computer to execute: 
     (a) a step of setting a monitoring line in an image acquired from an image capturing unit; 
     (b) a step of detecting overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line; and 
     (c) a step of setting a new monitoring line at a position such that it does not overlap with the object in a pre-designated region if overlapping is detected in the (b) step. 
     Effects of the Invention 
     As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to detect an intruder even if a pre-set monitoring line overlaps with an object in an image from a monitoring camera. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram schematically showing an example of a configuration of a monitoring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram specifically showing an example of a configuration of a monitoring system and a monitoring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 3A to 3C  are diagrams each illustrating an example of a series of processes for when a monitoring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention sets a new monitoring line. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram showing another example of a new monitoring line set by the monitoring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram showing an example of operations performed by the monitoring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram showing an example of a new monitoring line set in Modified Example 1 of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram showing an example of a new monitoring line set in Modified Example 2 of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram schematically showing an example of a computer that realizes a monitoring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT 
     Embodiment 
     Hereinafter, a monitoring apparatus, a monitoring system, a monitoring method, and a program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 8 . 
     Configuration of Apparatus 
     First, a schematic configuration of a monitoring apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a block diagram schematically showing an example of a configuration of a monitoring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a monitoring apparatus  10  according to the present embodiment includes a monitoring line setting unit  11  and an overlapping detection unit  12 . 
     The monitoring line setting unit  11  sets a monitoring line in an image acquired from an image capturing unit (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). The monitoring line is a line set in an image as a reference for determining detection of intrusion (see later-described  FIG. 3 ). 
     Also, the overlapping detection unit  12  detects overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line. Also, if overlapping is detected by the overlapping detection unit  11 , the monitoring line setting unit  12  sets a new monitoring line according to the object in the image. 
     Thus, in the present embodiment, a new monitoring line is set away from the object in the case where the monitoring line and the object overlap in the image due to an object such as a vehicle existing between a facility or the like being monitored and the image capturing unit. 
     For this reason, according to the present invention, it is possible to detect an intruder even if a pre-set monitoring line overlaps with an object. 
     Here, a configuration of a monitoring system according to the present embodiment will also be described in addition to the monitoring apparatus  10  with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  FIG. 2  is a block diagram specifically showing an example of a configuration of a monitoring system and a monitoring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 3A to 3C  are diagrams each illustrating an example of a series of processes for when a monitoring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention sets a new monitoring line. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the monitoring system  100  according to the present embodiment includes the monitoring apparatus  10 , a monitoring camera  20  that functions as the image capturing unit, and a display apparatus  30 . The monitoring apparatus  10  is connected to the monitoring camera  20  and the display apparatus  30 . Also, in addition to the monitoring line setting unit  11  and the overlapping detection unit  12 , the monitoring apparatus  10  includes an image acquisition unit  13 , a display unit  14 , a notification unit  17 , and an intrusion detection unit 18 . 
     The image acquisition unit  13  acquires image data of an image (denoted hereinafter as “captured image”) captured by the monitoring camera  20  from the monitoring camera  20 . Also, the image acquisition unit  13  transfers the acquired image data (hereinafter denoted as “captured image data”) to the monitoring line setting unit  11 . Also, in the present embodiment, there is no particular limitation on the number of monitoring cameras  20 , and multiple monitoring cameras  20  may be used. In this case, the image acquisition unit  13  acquires captured image data from each monitoring camera  20 . 
     In the present embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3A , the monitoring line setting unit  11  sets the monitoring line  15  to a pre-designated position on the captured image data and uses it as image data for monitoring (hereinafter denoted as “monitoring image data”). When the monitoring image data is input to the display apparatus  30 , the captured image on which the monitoring line is rendered is displayed on the screen. Also, the monitoring line setting unit  11  transfers the monitoring image data to the overlapping detection unit  12 , the intrusion detection unit  18 , and the display unit  14 . 
     In the present embodiment, upon receiving the monitoring image data from the monitoring line setting unit  11 , the overlapping detection unit  12  specifies a region (hereinafter denoted as a “change region”) that changes in the monitoring image data by contrasting the received monitoring image data and image data serving as a reference. Since the change region corresponds to a newly-existing object, the overlapping detection unit  12  detects overlapping between the change region and the region in which the monitoring line is set in the monitoring image data. 
     For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a vehicle  22  is parked in front of a building  21  that is being monitored. In this case, the overlapping detection unit  12  specifies the region corresponding to the image data of the vehicle  22  as the change region, and furthermore specifies the region (hereinafter denoted as the “overlapping region”) in which the change region and the region in which the monitoring line  15  is set overlap. Also, the overlapping detection unit  12  detects the overlapping region as “overlapping” when the percentage of the overlapping region with respect to the region in which the monitoring line  15  is set is greater than or equal to a threshold (e.g., 50%). 
     Also, if overlapping is detected by the overlapping detection unit  12 , the monitoring line setting unit  11  erases the region of the region in which the monitoring line  15  is set that overlaps with the change region from the monitoring image data and sets a new monitoring line. Accordingly, the monitoring image data is updated. Note that in this case, the monitoring line setting unit  11  may set the new monitoring line without erasing the region that overlaps with the change region. 
     In the present embodiment, if a new monitoring line is to be set, the monitoring line setting unit  11  can set the new monitoring line in a pre-designated region in the captured image data and the monitoring image data according to the outer edge of the object. Specifically, for example, in the example shown in  FIG. 3C , a region  23  corresponding to a street is designated as the region in which the new monitoring line is set. Accordingly, the monitoring line setting unit  11  sets the new monitoring line  16  in the region  23  according to the shape of the vehicle  22 . 
     Also, if overlapping is detected by the overlapping detection unit  12 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , the monitoring line setting unit  11  can set the new monitoring line on only pre-designated sides according to the outer edge of the object.  FIG. 4  is a diagram showing another example of a new monitoring line set by the monitoring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the example shown in  FIG. 4 , the lower side, right side, and left side of the object are designated as the setting positions of the new monitoring lines  16 . Accordingly, the monitoring line setting unit  11  sets the new monitoring lines  16  on the lower side, right side, and left side of the vehicle  22  in the captured image. 
     Also, upon receiving the monitoring image data in which the monitoring line  15  is set from the monitoring line setting unit  11 , the display unit  14  inputs it to the display apparatus  30 . Accordingly, the captured image on which the monitoring line  15  is rendered is displayed on the screen of the display apparatus  30 . Furthermore, if overlapping is detected by the overlapping detection unit  12 , the display unit  14  receives monitoring image data in which the monitoring line  16  is newly set from the monitoring line setting unit  11 . In this case, in the present embodiment, the display unit  14  erases the portion of the monitoring line  15  that overlaps with the object and displays the new monitoring line  16  on the screen (see  FIG. 3C ). 
     Also, the intrusion detection unit  18  executes intrusion detection processing based on the monitor image data generated by the monitor line setting unit  11 . Specifically, after the monitoring line  15  or  16  is set, the intrusion detection unit  18  detects a moving body based on the monitoring image data and determines whether or not the detected moving body has come into contact with the monitoring line  15  or  16 . If it is determined that the moving body has come into contact with the monitoring line  15  or  16 , it is detected that intrusion has occurred. 
     If the new monitoring line  16  (see  FIGS. 3C and 4 ) has been set by the monitoring line setting unit  11 , and if it is detected by the intrusion detection unit  18  that intrusion has occurred, the notification unit  17  performs notification to that effect to an external device. Specifically, the notification unit  17  executes an alarm to a manager, transmission of e-mail to a terminal apparatus (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) of the manager, a phone call to the manager, or the like. 
     Operations of Apparatus 
     Next, operations performed by the monitoring apparatus  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  is a flow diagram showing an example of operations performed by a monitoring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 1 to 4  will be referred to as needed in the following description. Also, in the present embodiment, the monitoring method is carried out by allowing the monitoring apparatus  10  to operate. Accordingly, the description of the monitoring method of the present embodiment will be substituted with the following description of operations performed by the monitoring apparatus  10 . 
     First, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the image acquisition unit  13  acquires captured image data from the monitoring camera  20  (step Al). Also, the image acquisition unit  13  outputs the acquired captured image data to the monitoring line setting unit  11  and the overlapping detection unit  12 . 
     Next, the monitoring line setting unit  11  sets the monitoring line  15  at a pre-designated position in the captured image data (step A 2 ). Then, the monitoring line setting unit  11  transfers the monitoring image data in which the monitoring line  15  has been set to the overlapping detection unit  12 , the intrusion detection unit  18 , and the display unit  14 . 
     Next, the overlapping detection unit  12  contrasts the monitoring image data received from the monitoring line setting unit  11  and the image data used as a reference, to specify a change region in the monitoring image data, and thereby determine whether or not an object overlapping with the monitoring line  15  exists (step A 3 ). If it is determined in step A 3  that no object overlapping with the monitoring line exists, step A 5  is executed. 
     If it is determined in step A 3  that an object overlapping with the monitoring line  15  exists, the overlapping detection unit  12  detects the portion (overlapping region) of the monitoring line  15  that overlaps with the object and transfers it to the monitoring line setting unit  11 . Accordingly, the monitoring line setting unit  11  erases the portion of the monitoring line  15  that overlaps with the object from the monitoring image data and further sets a new monitoring line  16  (step A 4 ). Accordingly, the monitoring image data is updated, and therefore the monitoring line setting unit  11  transfers the updated monitoring image data to the overlapping detection unit  12  and the intrusion detection unit  18 . 
     If step A 4  is executed and if it is determined in step A 3  that no object exists, the intrusion detection unit  18  executes intrusion detection processing based on the monitoring image data generated by the monitoring line setting unit  11  (step A 5 ). 
     Due to the execution of step A 5 , the series of processes ends, but when the monitoring camera  20  outputs a new captured image, step A 1  is executed once again. In the present embodiment, steps A 1  to A 5  are executed each time a captured image is output by the monitoring camera  20 . 
     Effect of the Embodiment 
     As shown in  FIG. 3( b ) , a state is envisioned in which the vehicle  22  is parked between the facility being monitored and the monitoring camera  20 , and the monitoring line  15  and the vehicle  22  overlap in the captured image. In this kind of state, an intruder can intrude in the facility being monitored by hiding in the shadow of the vehicle without coming into contact with the monitoring line  15 . However, according to the present embodiment, when the monitoring line  15  and the vehicle  22  overlap, a new monitoring line  16  is set as shown in  FIG. 3C , and therefore an intruder can be detected even in the above-described case. 
     MODIFIED EXAMPLES 
     Here, modified examples of the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 .  FIG. 6  is a diagram showing an example of a new monitoring line set in Modified Example 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 7  is a diagram showing an example of a new monitoring line set in Modified Example 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Modified Example 1 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , in the present embodiment, the monitoring line setting unit  11  can move the original monitoring line  15  such that it does not overlap with the object. In this case, the moved monitoring line becomes the new monitoring line  16 . Note that the movement direction is not particularly limited and is set in advance by a manager. 
     Modified Example 2 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , in the present embodiment, the monitoring line setting unit  11  sets the new monitoring line  16  at a position that does not overlap with the object in a pre-designated region. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 7 , a region  23  corresponding to the street and a region  24  between the building  21  and a building adjacent thereto are designated at the setting regions of the new monitoring line. Accordingly, the monitoring line setting unit  11  sets the new monitoring line  16  in the region  23  and the region  24 . 
     In this way, in the case of using Modified Examples 1 and 2 as well, the new monitoring line  16  is set such that the intruder cannot intrude by hiding in the shadow of the buildings that overlap with the monitoring line. The present Modified Examples 1 and 2 are also useful. 
     Program 
     A program of the present embodiment need only be a program for causing a computer to execute steps A 1  to A 5  shown in  FIG. 5 . The monitoring apparatus  10  and the monitoring method according to the present embodiment can be realized by installing the program on a computer and executing it. In this case, the CPU (Central Processing Unit) of the computer functions as the monitoring line setting unit  11 , the overlapping detection unit  12 , the image acquisition unit  13 , the display unit  14 , the notification unit  17 , and the intrusion detection unit  18  and performs processing. 
     Also, a computer that realizes the monitoring apparatus  10  by executing the program according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.  FIG. 8  is a block diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the monitoring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the computer  110  includes a CPU  111 , a main memory  112 , a storage apparatus  113 , an input interface  114 , a display controller  115 , a data reader/writer  116 , and a communication interface  117 . These units are connected via a bus  121  so as to be capable of mutual data communication. 
     The CPU  111  carries out various calculations by expanding programs (codes) according to the present embodiment, which are stored in the storage apparatus  113 , to the main memory  112  and executing them in a predetermined sequence. The main memory  112  is typically a volatile storage device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). Also, the program according to the present embodiment is provided in a state of being stored in a computer-readable storage medium  120 . Note that the program according to the present embodiment may be distributed over the Internet, which is connected to via the communication interface  117 . 
     Also, specific examples of the storage apparatus  113  include a semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory, in addition to a hard disk drive. The input interface  114  mediates data transmission between the CPU  111  and an input device  118  such as a keyboard or a mouse. The display controller  115  is connected to a display device  119  and controls display on the display device  119 . 
     The data reader/writer  116  mediates data transmission between the CPU  111  and the storage medium  120 , reads out programs from the storage medium  120 , and writes results of processing performed by the computer  110  in the storage medium  120 . The communication interface  117  mediates data transmission between the CPU  111  and another computer. 
     Also, specific examples of the storage medium  120  include a general-purpose semiconductor storage device such as CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) and SD (Secure Digital), a magnetic storage medium such as a flexible disk, and an optical storage medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory). 
     The above-described embodiment can be partially or entirely expressed by, but is not limited to, the following Supplementary Notes 1 to 24. 
     Supplementary Note 1 
     A monitoring apparatus including: 
     a monitoring line setting unit configured to set a monitoring line in an image acquired from an image capturing unit; and 
     an overlapping detection unit configured to detect overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line, 
     wherein if overlapping is detected by the overlapping detection unit, the monitoring line setting unit sets a new monitoring line according to the object. 
     Supplementary Note 2 
     The monitoring apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein if overlapping is detected by the overlapping detection unit, the monitoring line setting unit sets the new monitoring line on a pre-designated side according to an outer edge of the object. 
     Supplementary Note 3 
     The monitoring apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein if overlapping is detected by the overlapping detection unit, the monitoring line setting unit sets the new monitoring line in a pre-designated region according to an outer edge of the object. 
     Supplementary Note 4 
     The monitoring apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, further including a display unit that displays an image acquired from a monitoring camera and the monitoring line on a screen of a display apparatus, 
     wherein if overlapping is detected by the overlapping detection unit, the display unit erases the portion of the monitoring line that overlaps with the object from the screen and displays a new monitoring line on the screen. 
     Supplementary Note 5 
     The monitoring apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, further including a notification unit configured to, if a new line is set by the monitoring line setting unit, perform notification to that effect to an external device. 
     Supplementary Note 6 
     A monitoring apparatus including: 
     a monitoring line setting unit configured to set a monitoring line in an image acquired from an image capturing unit; and 
     an overlapping detection unit configured to detect overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line, 
     wherein if overlapping is detected by the overlapping detection unit, the monitoring line setting unit moves the monitoring line such that it does not overlap with the object. 
     Supplementary Note 7 
     A monitoring apparatus including: 
     a monitoring line setting unit configured to set a monitoring line in an image acquired from an image capturing unit; and 
     an overlapping detection unit configured to detect overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line, 
     wherein if overlapping is detected by the overlapping detection unit, the monitoring line setting unit sets a new monitoring line at a position that does not overlap with the object in a pre-designated region. 
     Supplementary Note 8 
     A monitoring system including: 
     a monitoring camera and a monitoring apparatus, 
     wherein the monitoring apparatus includes: 
     a monitoring line setting unit configured to set a monitoring line in an image acquired from the monitoring camera; and 
     an overlapping detection unit configured to detect overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line, and 
     if overlapping is detected by the overlapping detection unit, the monitoring line setting unit sets a new monitoring line according to the object. 
     Supplementary Note 9 
     A monitoring system including: 
     a monitoring camera and a monitoring apparatus, 
     wherein the monitoring apparatus includes: 
     a monitoring line setting unit configured to set a monitoring line in an image acquired from the monitoring camera; and 
     an overlapping detection unit configured to detect overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line, and 
     if overlapping is detected by the overlapping detection unit, the monitoring line setting unit moves the monitoring line such that it does not overlap with the object. 
     Supplementary Note 10 
     A monitoring system including: 
     a monitoring camera and a monitoring apparatus, 
     wherein the monitoring apparatus includes: 
     a monitoring line setting unit configured to set a monitoring line in an image acquired from the monitoring camera; and 
     an overlapping detection unit configured to detect overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line, and 
     if overlapping is detected by the overlapping detection unit, the monitoring line setting unit sets a new monitoring line at a position that does not overlap with the object in a pre-designated region. 
     Supplementary Note 11 
     A monitoring method including: 
     (a) a step of setting a monitoring line in an image acquired from an image capturing unit; 
     (b) a step of detecting overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line; and 
     (c) a step of setting a new monitoring line according to the object if overlapping is detected in the (b) step. 
     Supplementary Note 12 
     The monitoring method according to Supplementary Note 11, wherein if overlapping is detected in the (b) step, in the (c) step, the new monitoring line is set on a pre-designated side according to an outer edge of the object. 
     Supplementary Note 13 
     The monitoring method according to Supplementary Note 11, wherein if overlapping is detected in the (b) step, in the (c) step, the new monitoring line is set in a pre-designated region according to an outer edge of the object. 
     Supplementary Note 14 
     The monitoring method according to Supplementary Note 11, further including: 
     (d) a step of displaying an image acquired from a monitoring camera and the monitoring line on a screen of a display apparatus; and 
     (e) a step of erasing the portion of the monitoring line that overlaps with the object from the screen and displaying a new monitoring line on the screen if overlapping is detected in the (b) step. 
     Supplementary Note 15 
     The monitoring method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 11 to 14, further including 
     a step of, if a new monitoring line is set in the (c) step, performing notification to that effect to an external device. 
     Supplementary Note 16 
     A monitoring method including: 
     (a) a step of setting a monitoring line in an image acquired from an image capturing unit; 
     (b) a step of detecting overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line; and 
     (c) a step of moving the monitoring line such that it does not overlap with the object if overlapping is detected in the (b) step. 
     Supplementary Note 17 
     A monitoring method including: 
     (a) a step of setting a monitoring line in an image acquired from an image capturing unit; 
     (b) a step of detecting overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line; and 
     (c) a step of setting a new monitoring line at a position such that it does not overlap with the object in a pre-designated region if overlapping is detected in the (b) step. 
     Supplementary Note 18 
     A computer-readable storage medium storing a program that includes commands for causing a computer to execute: 
     (a) a step of setting a monitoring line in an image acquired from an image capturing unit; 
     (b) a step of detecting overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line; and 
     (c) a step of setting a new monitoring line according to the object if overlapping is detected in the (b) step. 
     Supplementary Note 19 
     The computer-readable storage medium according to Supplementary Note 18, wherein if overlapping is detected in the (b) step, in the (c) step, the new monitoring line is set on a pre-designated side according to an outer edge of the object. 
     Supplementary Note 20 
     The computer-readable storage medium according to Supplementary Note 18, wherein if overlapping is detected in the (b) step, in the (c) step, the new monitoring line is set in a pre-designated region according to an outer edge of the object. 
     Supplementary Note 21 
     The computer-readable storage medium according to Supplementary Note 18, further including a command for causing a computer to execute: 
     (d) a step of rendering the monitoring line on the image acquired from the image capture unit to generate an image for monitoring and displaying the generated image for monitoring on a screen of a display apparatus; and 
     (e) a step of, if overlapping is detected in the (b) step, erasing the portion of the monitoring line that overlaps with the object from the image for monitoring, rendering a new monitoring line, and displaying the acquired image for monitoring on the screen. 
     Supplementary Note 22 
     The computer-readable storage medium according to Supplementary Note 18, further including a command for causing a computer to execute 
     a step of, if a new monitoring line is set in the (c) step, performing notification to that effect to an external device. 
     Supplementary Note 23 
     A computer-readable storage medium storing a program that includes commands for causing a computer to execute: 
     (a) a step of setting a monitoring line in an image acquired from an image capturing unit; 
     (b) a step of detecting overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line; and 
     (c) a step of moving the monitoring line such that it does not overlap with the object if overlapping is detected in the (b) step. 
     Supplementary Note 24 
     A computer-readable storage medium storing a program that includes commands for causing a computer to execute: 
     (a) a step of setting a monitoring line in an image acquired from an image capturing unit; 
     (b) a step of detecting overlapping between an object in the image and the monitoring line; and 
     (c) a step of setting a new monitoring line at a position such that it does not overlap with the object in a pre-designated region if overlapping is detected in the (b) step. 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to an embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that a person skilled in the art can understand may be applied to the configuration and the details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention. 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-059782, filed on Mar. 23, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     According to the present invention, an intruder can be detected even if a pre-set monitoring line overlaps with an object on an image from a monitoring camera. The present invention is useful in a monitoring system. 
     DESCRIPTIONS OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       10  Monitoring apparatus 
       11  Monitoring line setting unit 
       12  Overlapping detection unit 
       13  Image acquisition unit 
       14  Display unit 
       15 ,  16  Monitoring line 
       17  Notification unit 
       18  Intrusion detection unit 
       20  Monitoring camera 
       21  Building being monitored 
       22  Vehicle 
       23  Region corresponding to street 
       24  Region between buildings 
       30  Display apparatus 
       100  Monitoring system 
       110  Computer 
       111  CPU 
       112  Main memory 
       113  Storage apparatus 
       114  Input interface 
       115  Display controller 
       116  Data reader/writer 
       117  Communication interface 
       118  Input device 
       119  Display apparatus 
       120  Storage medium 
       121  Bus