JP2002034026A - Remote monitor system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To architect a system allowing a monitor to freely monitor a place to be monitored and controlling monitoring equipment anytime from an arbitrary place connectable to a network without fixing the position of the monitor who performs remote control or any monitoring terminal. SOLUTION: A place 100 to be monitored is provided with one or more monitoring cameras 2 (monitoring equipment), a server 1 for controlling one or more monitoring equipment, and one or more external terminals 3 which can be connected through the server 1 and a network 4 to the place to be monitored. The external terminal 3 is provided with a means for controlling each monitoring camera 2 through the server 1 to collect the monitor information of the place 100 to be monitored and a means for displaying the collected monitor information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a remote monitoring system, and more particularly to a remote monitoring system for controlling a monitoring device at a monitored location via a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional remote monitoring system, a monitoring device is installed at a monitored location, connected to a monitoring center, which is a fixed location, via a telephone line to download data from the monitoring device, and further managed by a security company or the like. A dedicated terminal for monitoring is installed in the monitoring center that is performing the monitoring. Under this environment, when a monitoring device detects an abnormality, it sends information to the monitoring center, and a dedicated terminal in the monitoring center monitors the monitored location.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional remote monitoring system, the monitoring person monitors at a predetermined place such as a security company.
The problem is that remote monitoring in a different place is not possible, and that monitoring by non-security companies is rarely allowed in a fixed location of the security company and monitoring is not possible. There is a problem that monitoring information cannot be obtained unless the device detects an abnormality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a remote monitoring system using a network in which a monitoring person connects to a network without fixing the position of a monitoring person performing remote monitoring and a terminal for monitoring. It is an object of the present invention to construct a system capable of freely monitoring a monitored place and controlling a monitoring device at any time from any place where it can be performed.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a first remote monitoring system according to the present invention comprises: one or more monitoring devices installed at a monitored location; A server that controls the number of monitoring devices, and one or more external terminals that connect to the outside of the monitored location via the server and the network, wherein the external terminal is connected to the monitoring device for each of the monitoring devices via the server. It is characterized in that it has a collection unit that controls the monitoring device to collect monitoring information of the monitored place, and a display unit that displays the monitoring information collected by the collection unit.

A second remote monitoring system according to the present invention includes a monitoring device installed at one or more monitoring locations and a server connected to the Internet for controlling the one or more monitoring devices. One or more external terminals connected to the Internet, and a WEB server connected to the Internet and supporting the connection between the server and the one or more external terminals, the external terminal comprises: A monitoring unit that controls the monitoring device via the server for each monitoring device and collects monitoring information of the monitored location; and a display unit that displays the monitoring information collected by the collecting unit. And

Further, in the above first or second remote monitoring system, the external terminal has a communication path setting means for establishing a communication path with the server for each of the monitoring devices. And

Further, in the above first or second remote monitoring system, the collection means collects the monitoring information when selected from various buttons displayed on a display screen.

Further, in the second remote monitoring system, the collecting means obtains various buttons displayed on a display screen from the web server, and collects the monitoring information when selected from the various buttons. It is characterized by:

Further, in the first remote monitoring system, the external terminal includes a storage unit for storing application software having the collection unit and the display unit.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the application software is downloaded from the server.

Further, in the above first or second remote monitoring system, the external terminal has a recording means for recording the monitoring information collected by the collecting means.

Further, in the above first or second remote monitoring system, the server excludes an external terminal that first establishes the communication path after establishing the communication path with the external terminal for each monitoring device. It is characterized in that the external terminal has priority means for receiving only a request related to collection of the monitoring information.

[0014]

Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Referring to FIG. 1, in a first embodiment of the present invention, a server 1 installed at a monitored location 100, a monitoring camera 2 installed at the monitored location 100 as a monitoring device, and a remote monitoring 1 It comprises one or more external terminals 3 and a network 4 connecting the server 1 and the external terminals 3.

The external terminal 3 is a man-machine interface for a monitor to perform remote monitoring, and can transmit and receive control signals to and from the server 1 via the network 4 and receive monitoring data from the server 1. In addition, the combination with the external terminal 3 that communicates with the server 1 is not fixed, and it is possible to control one server from a plurality of external terminals or to control a plurality of servers from one external terminal. . Further, the physical connection between the external terminal 3 and the network 4 is not statically fixed, and the external terminal 3 can be connected to an arbitrary place on the network 4 to communicate with the server 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a detailed view of the server 1 shown in FIG. 1. The server 1 has an interface unit 10 for connecting to a network 4 and an external device connection interface unit for connecting to a monitoring camera 2. 11, a signal processing unit 12 operated by a processor (not shown) under program control, and a storage unit 13. The monitoring camera 2 is controlled by the signal processing unit 12 via the external device interface unit 11.

The storage unit 13 is a readable / writable memory (for example, a memory composed of a RAM, a DRAM, and the like).
Areas such as driver software related to control of external devices such as the security camera 0 and the surveillance camera 2, a buffer for storing data from the surveillance camera 2, and a communication path management table indicating the existence of a communication path are allocated. The driver software is read from a disk (for example, a magnetic disk), which is a non-volatile recording medium device (not shown), by the signal processing unit 12 when the apparatus is started up, and is stored in the storage unit 13.
Is written to.

Referring to FIG. 3, the external terminal 3 includes an interface unit 30 for connecting to the network 4, a storage unit 33, a signal processing unit 32 operated by a processor (not shown) under program control, Comprises a display unit 31 for monitoring, an input unit 34 for inputting, and a disk 35 for collecting monitoring information. The input unit 34 includes a keyboard and a mouse (not shown). In addition, the signal processing unit 32 uses the command input from the input unit 34 (including a command generated by clicking a button displayed on the display unit 31 with a mouse) to transmit the server 1 via the interface unit 30 and the network 4. A control signal for controlling the surveillance camera 2 is sent to the signal processing unit 12 of FIG.

The storage unit 33 is a readable / writable memory (for example, a memory composed of a RAM, a DRAM, or the like).
Area, for example, driver software, various application software for execution, and a buffer for storing data (mainly monitoring information) sent from the server 1. The driver software or various kinds of application software for execution are supplied to the signal processing unit 12 at the time of starting up the apparatus or the application software to be used. ) And written to the storage unit 13.

The disk 35 is a readable and writable non-volatile recording medium device (for example, a magnetic disk). The disk 35 stores monitoring information read from the monitoring camera 2.

The server 1 and the external terminal 3 have a storage unit 13
Processing unit 12 for executing the driver software of the interface units (10 and 30) stored in
And 32 to connect to the network 4 to exchange data. Therefore, the external terminal 3 can access the server 1 through the network 4 and control the monitoring camera 2.

Next, an outline of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, when the observer sets the monitored location 100 as his / her home, the monitoring camera 2 is installed in the monitored location 100 and the server 1 is started up as shown in FIG. Next, the observer wants to monitor his house,
The user connects to the network 4 using the external terminal 3 from outside the house. When the observer inputs a command from the input unit 34 of the external terminal 3, the signal processing unit 32 sends a control signal (the signal in this case corresponds to the command) to the server 1. The signal processing unit 12 of the server 1 interprets the control signal sent from the external terminal 3 and passes the control signal to the monitoring camera 2. The monitoring camera 2 transmits video data, which is monitoring information captured by the camera, to the server 1 according to an instruction of a control signal sent from the external terminal 3. The server 1 passes the video data sent from the monitoring camera 2 to the external terminal 3 via the network 4. The external terminal 3 sends the video data sent from the server 1 to the storage unit 33 via the interface unit 30 and, under the control of the signal processing unit 32, the display unit 31
Reflect on. In this way, the observer can monitor the inside of the house by controlling the surveillance camera 2 in the house by himself / herself through the display unit 31 of the external terminal 3.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 and FIG. First, in order to control the monitoring camera 2 from the external terminal 3-1, the monitor starts up the monitoring control application software from the input unit 34, and the signal processing unit 32 executes the monitoring control application software in the storage unit 33. Start the software and display the menu screen related to the surveillance camera on the display unit 3.
1 and waits for input. The menu screen in this case displays, for example, a “connect” button, a “video display” button, a “video stop” button, a “device control” button, a “disconnect” button as a menu, and selects one of the buttons. Then, pressing the "Enter" key on the keyboard or double-clicking with the mouse executes the selected button. The surveillant uses the “connect” button on the menu screen displayed on the display unit 31 from the input unit 34 to connect to the surveillance camera 2 (means an access request).
Select and execute. Then, the signal processing unit 32 analyzes the “connect” button from the display unit 31 and transmits an access request signal to the server 1 via the interface unit 30 and the network 4 (sequences S1 and S1 in FIG. 4).
2).

The signal processing unit 12 of the server 1, which has received the data via the interface unit 10, analyzes the access request signal and sends a request to store the fact that the communication path has been set in the communication path management table of the storage unit 13. Surveillance camera 2 ahead
After setting -1 and the requesting external terminal 3-1 and confirming that the priority is not set to the other external terminals 3, the logical value "1" is set in the priority column. Further, the signal processing unit 12 returns an acknowledgment (response) to the access request to the external terminal 3-1. The signal processing unit 3 of the external terminal 3 receiving this response via the interface unit 30
2 recognizes that a communication path (communication path) has been established with the server 1, displays the fact on the display unit 31, and waits for the next input (sequence S3).

Next, the observer operates the input unit 3 of the external terminal 3-1.
When the user selects and executes the "video display" button on the menu screen displayed on the display unit 31 for monitoring and control from step 4, the signal processing unit 32 analyzes "video display" (meaning a video request). Then, it follows the set communication path and sends a video request signal for monitoring and controlling the monitoring camera 2 to the server 1 (sequences S4 and S5).

The signal processing unit 12 of the server 1 that has received the video request signal via the interface unit 10 analyzes the video request signal and sends the analyzed video request signal to the monitoring camera 2 via the external device connection interface 11. In this case, if the power of the surveillance camera 2 is not turned on, the signal processing unit 12 sends a power-on signal to the surveillance camera 2 before sending the video request signal, and outputs a video request signal after the power is turned on. A signal is sent (sequence S6).

The surveillance camera 2 continues to send video data to the server 1 in response thereto, and the server 1 receives the video data through the external device connection interface 11 and stores the video data in the buffer of the storage unit 13. (Sequence S7).

Next, the video data stored in the buffer of the storage unit 13 is transmitted to the external terminal 3-1 through the interface unit 10 and the network 4 on which a communication path is established according to a command of the signal processing unit 12 (sequence). S9).

The interface unit 30 of the external terminal 3-1
Stores the received video data in the buffer of the storage unit 33. The video data stored in the buffer is sent to and displayed on the display unit 31 according to a command from the signal processing unit 22, and is recorded on the disk 35 (sequences S10 and S10).
11).

The surveillance camera 2 sends the video data to the server 1 until the signal processing unit 32 of the external terminal 3-1 disconnects the communication path or sends a video stop signal according to the input from the input unit 34 and the display unit 31. to continue. That is, the server 1
Receives video data through the external device connection interface 11 of FIG. 2, stores the video data in a buffer of the storage unit 13, and stores the stored video data according to an instruction of the signal processing unit 12.
To the external terminal 3-1 via the. Further, the external terminal 3
-1 is transmitted to the interface unit 30
The video data stored in the buffer of the storage unit 23 is sequentially displayed on the display unit 31 in accordance with a command of the signal processing unit 32, and is recorded on the disk 35 via a command.

Then, when the user selects and executes the “stop image” button on the menu screen displayed on the display unit 31 from the input unit 34 of the external terminal 3-1, the signal processing unit 32
The “video stop” from the display unit 31 is analyzed, and a video stop signal is transmitted to the server 1 via the network 4 (sequences S12 and S13).

The signal processing unit 12 of the server 1 that has received the data via the interface unit 10 analyzes the video stop signal, and sends the video data to the surveillance camera 2 if the video data is not sent to the external terminal 3 other than the external terminal 3-1. In response, a video stop command is issued. The monitoring camera 2 that has received the video stop command stops transmitting the video data to the server 1. In this case, if the video data is sent to an external terminal 3 other than the external terminal 3-1,
The server 2 stops transmitting the video data to the external terminal 3-1 without issuing a video stop command to the monitoring camera 2, and continues transmitting the video data to the other external terminals 3 (sequence S14). ).

In the above description, the surveillance camera 2
The application software for monitoring / controlling may be provided by the external terminal 3-1 or may be downloaded from the server 1 or another terminal on the network 4. FIG. 5 shows a download procedure in the case where the server 1 has application software.

That is, when a download request command for a monitoring program (application software) is input from the input unit 34 of the terminal device 3, the signal processing unit 32
Transmits a download request signal to the server 1 via the interface unit and the network 4 (sequences S21 and S22 in FIG. 5).

The signal processing unit 12 of the server 1 that has received the load request signal via the interface unit 10 reads out the monitoring application software from a disk (not shown),
To the external terminal 3 via. The interface unit 30 of the external terminal 3 that has received the monitoring application software writes the data into the storage unit 33 under the control of the signal processing unit 32 (sequences S23 and S24).

As described above, since the storage unit 33 for storing the monitoring application is provided so that the application can be loaded from another device, the monitoring camera is used in FIG. Application software can be prepared.

As described above, the external terminal 3-1 of FIG.
Signals can be exchanged with the server 1 from other external terminals 3 in the same procedure as described above. In this case, the “device control” button displayed on the display unit 31 of the external terminal includes:
Commands for controlling the operation of the camera (for example, pressing the “device control” button displays a button to turn off the power, a button to control the swing of the camera, an adjustment button for the screen, etc.) It is conceivable that the pressing of the button may affect other external terminals 3.
Therefore, the server 1 performs priority control on the external device.

That is, after the plurality of communication paths are set as shown in FIG. 6, when the server 1 receives a control signal from the external terminal 3 by pressing a button included in the “device control” button, the server 1 The signal processing unit 12 includes a storage unit 13
Check the priority column in the communication path management table.
If the logical value is “1” and the requested external terminal 3 is the same as the external terminal 3 having priority, the signal processing unit 12 receives the control signal. If the logical value is “1” and the requested external terminal 3 is not the same as the external terminal 3 having the priority, the signal processing unit 12 does not receive the control signal and returns a rejection to the external terminal 3. . Therefore, an external terminal that does not have a priority receives only processing that accompanies collection of monitoring data that is monitoring information.

When a failure occurs in the communication path having the priority, the communication path is deleted (released) from the communication management table of the storage unit 13, and the communication path having the priority disappears. Accordingly, thereafter, the communication path that first generated the control signal has priority (sets the priority column of the communication path management table to “1”). As a method for detecting a failure in the communication path in this case, for example, the server 1 periodically goes to the external terminal 3 where the communication path is established,
If there is no response, there is a way to make an error.

As described above, each external terminal 3 collects monitoring information by controlling the monitoring device via the server and displays the collected monitoring information on the display unit 31. Even in places far from the surveillance location,
If an external terminal is connected to the network, it is not necessary to fix the location, and monitoring information can be freely collected at any time (at any time).

Since the external terminal 3 executes the monitoring application software, any terminal that can be connected to a network and can execute the application software may be used. For example, a general-purpose device such as a personal computer may be used as the external terminal. Available.

Further, since various buttons displayed on the display screen of the external terminal are used as input commands, the operation becomes easy.

Further, since the monitoring information of the monitoring camera 2 is recorded on the disk 35, when a problem occurs, the monitoring data can be repeatedly read from the disk 35 and the monitoring data can be reproduced. Can be easily taken.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Referring to FIG. 7, a plurality of surveillance cameras are remotely monitored and controlled according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
The difference is that it has been expanded to allow control. Server 1
The detailed block diagram of the external terminal 3 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted. That is, the plurality of monitoring cameras 2 are connected to the external device connection interface unit 11 and controlled by the signal processing unit 12 executing driver software in the storage unit 13.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. When the application software for surveillance camera control on the external terminal 3 used by the observer starts, the signal processing unit 32 activates the application software, displays a menu screen related to the surveillance camera on the display unit 31, and waits for input. .
The menu screen in this case includes, for example, a plurality of surveillance camera buttons with a name for selecting the surveillance camera 2, a “connect” button, a “video display” button, a “video stop” button, a “surveillance control” button, and a “monitoring control” button. Display "Disconnect" button, etc.
Select one surveillance camera button, select one of the control buttons (the control button indicates a button for controlling connection, video display, video suspension, disconnection, etc.), and click “Ent” on the keyboard.
Press the "er" key or double-click with the mouse to execute the selected button. The menu screen also supports a menu screen associated with display control such as whether to display a plurality of surveillance cameras 2 being monitored on the display unit at the same time or only one of them. The monitoring camera 2 to be monitored from the plurality of monitoring cameras 2 is selected from the plurality of monitoring cameras 2 and instructed to the server 1 by an input from the input unit 34 and the display unit 31 of the monitor. In the server 1, the external terminal 3
The designated surveillance camera 2 is controlled, and video data is transmitted to the external terminal 3 in the same manner as described in the first embodiment.

Note that there is one priority in the communication path management table for each monitoring camera 2. Therefore, only one of the external terminals 3 controls the monitoring device such as a power-off, so that interference can be prevented, and each external terminal 3 can collect monitoring information for each monitoring camera 2.

In addition, since each surveillance camera 2 can be independently controlled according to the menu displayed on the display unit 31,
A plurality of surveillance cameras 2 can be operated freely. in this way,
The observer can monitor and control the video data of the monitored place selected by the observer on the external terminal 3.

As described above, in a surveillance system using a network, a surveillant can easily expand to a remote surveillance system using a plurality of surveillance cameras.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Referring to FIG. 8, the basic configuration is the same as that of the second embodiment, except that the connection between the devices is made wireless so that mobility and expandability are further devised. . That is, as compared with the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the point that the other monitoring device 5 is connected, the point that the relay stations 6 and 7 are connected to the network 4 so that wireless 2
And the external device connection interface unit 10 of the server 1 are connected by a wireless system 200, the interface unit 10 of the server 1 and the relay station 6 are connected by a wireless system 201, and the relay station 7 and the external terminal 3 are connected. The difference is that a wireless system 202 is connected to the interface unit 30 and each external terminal 3 is connected to the wireless system 203 via the interface unit 30. In addition, under the control of the server 1, the monitoring device 5 transmits house key and gas state information and receives a control signal from the server 1. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the monitor can perform monitoring and control with high mobility and expandability.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Regarding the surveillance camera 2, each wireless system only intervenes on the way as a communication path, and the operation itself is the same as that of the second embodiment of the present invention, and the description is omitted.

Further, if a menu screen dedicated to the other monitoring device 5 is displayed on the display unit 31 of the external device 3, control data exchange and display between the external device 3 and the server 1 are performed. Regarding data exchange,
This is the same as the second embodiment.

As described above, in the third embodiment of the present invention, in the remote monitoring system, all the connections of each device are made wireless, so that the number of monitoring devices can be increased, and the arrangement of the monitoring devices and the server can be reduced. It can be freely changed, a plurality of external terminals can be connected with a high degree of freedom in connection locations, and monitoring and control with high mobility and expandability can be performed.

Here, the wireless systems 200 to 204 include a mobile communication system, a satellite communication system, a wireless LAN system, and the like. It is not necessary that all connections be wireless, and a fixed telephone line network, an optical cable network, a CATV network, and the like may coexist.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Referring to FIG. 9, providers 81 and 82 providing Internet services, a WEB server providing connection relay services, and providers 81 and 8 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG.
Internet 400 connecting Web server 2 and Web server 9
It differs in that and has been added. The external terminal 3 in this case
By launching a browser (for example, attached to a personal computer as a standard) that can connect to the Internet without using application software for monitoring as in the first to third embodiments described above. , Is connected to the server 1 via a web server.

Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown a detailed block diagram of the WEB server 9 shown in FIG. 9, wherein the WEB server 9 includes an interface unit 90 for exchanging data with the Internet 400 and a not shown. A signal processing unit 92 operated under program control by a processor, a storage unit 93, a screen information database 91 in which content list screen data, connection registration screen data, login screen, monitoring menu screen data, etc. are stored in advance, And a customer information database 94 for registering information.

The screen information database 91 and the customer information database 94 are readable and writable nonvolatile recording medium devices (for example, magnetic disks). The storage unit 93 is a readable / writable memory (for example, a memory configured with a RAM, a DRAM, or the like). In the memory 93, a connection destination and a connection source indicating the current communication path are registered. A communication path table is assigned as an area.

Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. First, provider 8
User who has contracted with No.1 dials up from home
Upon connection, the provider 81 incorporated in the server 1 is started, and a URL (U
niform Resource Locator: This corresponds to the address of the homepage.
/ Www. ~. When the URL of the WEB server 9 is input in the input field, the WEB server 9 is input via the network 4, the provider 81, and the Internet 400.
To access. Thereby, a communication path is set between the server 1 and the WEB server. The signal processing unit 92 of the accessed WEB server 9 reads the screen data of the content list (for example, a service menu such as “connection request” and “monitoring”) from the screen information database 91 and transmits the screen data to the server 1. I do.

The signal processing unit 12 of the server 1 that has received the content list screen data displays the data on the display unit. When the user selects “connection registration” to use the service from the displayed content list screen, the signal processing unit 12 notifies the WEB server 9 that “connection registration” has been selected. W
The signal processing unit 92 of the EB server 9 transmits the connection registration input screen data from the screen information database 91 to the server 1.

The signal processing unit 12 that has received the connection registration screen data displays the data on the display unit. When the user inputs, for example, his / her user ID, personal identification number, connection destination (for example, telephone number), all the identification codes of the camera 2 for remote control, etc. from the connection registration screen displayed on the display unit, the input is made. The connection registration data is transmitted to the WEB server 9. Upon receiving the connection registration data, the signal processing unit 92 of the WEB server 9 stores the connection registration data in the customer information database 94 with the user ID.
Register so that is the key. When the registration is completed, the server 1 is notified of the registration (to display a comment)
I do.

The signal processing unit 12 of the server 1 that has received the notification
Indicates that registration has been made on the display unit. Since the registration is completed, the user of the server 1 disconnects the communication path between the WEB servers 9, closes the browser, and starts application software for controlling the monitoring device including the monitoring camera 2.

Next, when the user leaves his home, the network 4
To the external terminal 3-1 and start a browser built in the external terminal 3-1 by dial-up IP connection (the signal processing unit 32 of the external terminal 3-1
Is read into the storage unit 33, and the browser in the storage unit 33 is started.), The signal processing unit 32 displays a URL input screen on the display unit 31. Using the provider 81 with which the user has contracted, the URL
When the URL of the web server 9 is input in the input field, the web server 9 is accessed via the network 4, the provider 81, and the internet 400. As a result, a communication path is set between the external terminal 3 and the web server 9.
The accessed signal processing unit 92 of the WEB server 9 reads the content list screen data from the screen information database 91 and transmits the data to the external terminal 3-1.

The signal processing unit 32 of the external terminal 3-1 that has received the content list screen data displays the data on the display unit 31. When the user selects “monitoring” from the displayed content list screen, the signal processing unit 32 of the external terminal 3-1 is selected.
Notifies the web server 9 that "monitoring" is selected. The signal processing unit 92 of the WEB server 9 that has received the notification,
The login screen data is read from the screen information database 91 and transmitted to the external terminal 3-1.

External terminal 3 that has received the login screen data
The signal processing unit 32 of −1 displays the login screen data on the display unit 31. When the user inputs “user ID” and “password” on the login screen displayed on the display unit 31, the signal processing unit 32 converts the input login data into W
It transmits to EB server 9. The signal processing unit 92 of the WEB server 9 that has received the user ID and the password searches the customer database 94, and if they match, a list of the registered cameras 2 and a standard registered in the screen information database 91. The monitoring menu screen data is read out and merged to create monitoring menu screen data, and transmitted to the external terminal 3-1.

The signal processing unit 32 of the external terminal 3-1 that has received the monitoring menu screen data displays the data on the display unit 31.
The monitoring menu screen in this case includes, for example, a plurality of “monitoring device” selection buttons, a “connection” button,
A “video display” button, a “video stop” button, a “device control” button, a “disconnect” button, and the like are displayed. Then, a surveillance camera to be controlled is selected from the plurality of "monitoring devices" selection buttons (one or more selections are possible), and one of the buttons excluding the "monitoring device" selection button is further selected. When the “Enter” key of the user is pressed or clicked with the mouse, the selected button information is stored in the WEB server 9.
This is transmitted to the server 1 via the server 1 and executed by the server 1. When the user selects “monitoring camera 2-1” from the monitoring menu screen displayed on the display unit 31 of the external terminal 3 by the input unit 34 and presses the “connect” button, the signal processing unit 31 Notify the WEB server 9 of the content selected in. The signal processing unit 92 of the WEB server 9 that has received the notification of the selected content reads out the connection destination information (for example, a telephone number) from the customer information database 94 and sends the server 1 via the provider 82 (the provider used by the WEB server 9). (Steps S1 and S2 in FIG. 4).

The signal processing unit 1 of the accessed server 1
2 sets the monitoring camera 2-1 of the request destination and the external terminal 3-1 of the request source in order to store that the communication path is set in the communication path management table of the storage unit 13, and
After confirming that the priority is not set to the other external terminals 3, the logical value "1" is set in the priority column. Furthermore,
The signal processing unit 12 informs the WEB that the access has been accepted.
It notifies the external terminal 3-1 via the server 9. That is, between the external terminal 3-1 and the server 1, the external terminal 3-1, the network 4, the provider 81, and the Internet 40
0, a communication path with the Web server 1, the Internet 400, the provider 82, the network 4, and the server 1 as roots is set. The signal processing unit 91 of the web server 9 that has received the notification that the access has been accepted
Indicates the communication source information in the communication path table of the storage unit 93;
The communication destination information is registered, and the fact that a communication path has been established between the server 1 and the external terminal 3-1 is stored. Further, the signal processing unit 92 transmits a response indicating that the signal has been received from the server 1 to the external terminal 3-1. After this, the WEB server 9
The signal processing unit 91 shifts to a relay operation between the server 1 and the external terminal 3-1 until the communication path is released. On the other hand, the signal processing unit 32 of the external terminal 3-1 that has received the response indicating the reception via the interface unit 30 has established a communication path (communication path) with the designated monitoring camera 2-1. Recognizing that, the display unit 31 displays that fact and waits for the next input (sequence S3).

Next, the user operates the input unit 3 of the external terminal 3-1.
When the user selects and executes the "video display" button on the menu screen displayed on the display unit 31 for monitoring and control from step 4, the signal processing unit 32 analyzes "video display" (meaning a video request). Then, it follows the set communication path and sends a video request signal for monitoring and controlling the monitoring camera 2 to the server 1 (sequences S4 and S5).

The WEB server 9 on which the communication path is being set is transmitted to the server 1 as it is. The signal processing unit 12 of the server 1 that has received the video request signal via the interface unit 10 analyzes the video request signal and sends the analyzed video request signal to the monitoring camera 2-1 through the external device connection interface 11. In this case, if the power of the surveillance camera 2-1 is not turned on, the signal processing unit 12 sends a power-on signal to the surveillance camera 2-1 before transmitting the video request signal, and the power is turned on. After that, a video request signal is sent (sequence S6).

In response, the monitoring camera 2-1 continues to send video data to the server 1 via the web server 9, and the server 1 receives the video data via the external device connection interface 11 and stores the video data in the buffer of the storage unit 13. The video data is stored (sequence S7).

Next, the video data stored in the buffer of the storage unit 13 is transmitted to the external terminal 3-1 through the WEB server 9 on the way of the communication path under the command of the signal processing unit 12 (sequence S9). .

The interface unit 30 of the external terminal 3-1
Stores the received video data in the buffer of the storage unit 33. The video data stored in the buffer is sent to and displayed on the display unit 31 according to a command from the signal processing unit 22, and is recorded on the disk 35 (sequences S10 and S10).
11).

Until the signal processing unit 32 of the external terminal 3-1 disconnects the communication path or sends a video stop signal according to the input from the input unit 34 and the display unit 31, the surveillance camera 2-1 operates as follows.
The video data is continuously sent to the server 1 via the web server 9. That is, the server 1 receives the video data from the surveillance camera 2-1 through the external device connection interface 11 of FIG. 9, stores the video data in a buffer of the storage unit 13, and stores the stored video data in the signal processing unit 12 To reach the external terminal 3-1 from the interface unit 10 via the WEB server 9 according to the instruction. Further, the video data received by the external terminal 3-1 is stored in a buffer of the storage unit 23 via the interface unit 30, and the video data stored in the buffer is transmitted to the display unit 31 by an instruction of the signal processing unit 32. The information is sequentially displayed and recorded on the disk 35.

Eventually, the user selects the “video stop” button (at this time, selects the monitoring camera 2-1) on the menu screen displayed on the display unit 31 from the input unit 34 of the external terminal 3-1 and executes it. The signal processing unit 32 analyzes “video stop” from the display unit 31 and transmits a video stop signal to the monitoring camera 2-1 to the server 1 via the web server 9 (sequences S12 and S13).

The signal processing unit 12 of the server 1 received via the interface unit 10 analyzes the video stop signal for the surveillance camera 2-1 and sends the signal to the external terminal 3 other than the external terminal 3-1. If the video data has not been sent, a video stop command is issued to the monitoring camera 2-1. The monitoring camera 2-1 that has received the video stop instruction stops transmitting the video data to the server 1. In this case, if the video data is sent to the external terminal 3 other than the external terminal 3-1, the server 2 does not generate the video stop command to the monitoring camera 2-1 and sends the video to the external terminal 3-1. The transmission of the data is stopped, and the transmission of the video data from the surveillance camera 2-1 to another external terminal 3 is continued (sequence S1).
4).

In the above description of the fourth embodiment, the server 1 registers its own connection destination and the ID code of the monitoring camera 2 in the WEB server 9 in advance.
On the server 1 side, without registering to the WEB server,
The connection destination may be directly input from the external terminal 3-1. In this case, the monitoring menu screen data received from the web server 9 includes a column for inputting a “connection destination” (for example, a telephone number) and ID codes of a plurality of monitoring devices when “connection” is selected. When the connection destination and the ID codes of the plurality of monitoring devices are respectively input, the signal processing unit 32 of the external terminal 3-1 transmits the received data to the server 1
Send to Subsequent operations are the same as those in the fourth embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

In the description of the fourth embodiment,
Although it has been described that there are two providers as shown in FIG. 9, it is clear that only one provider in the figure suffices if the user contracts with the provider having the WEB server 9. .

In the description of the fourth embodiment,
Although one external terminal 3 and one surveillance camera have been described, since each external terminal 3 can establish a communication path simultaneously with the plurality of surveillance cameras 2, the external terminal 3 monitors the plurality of surveillance cameras 2. It is clear.

In the fourth embodiment, even if a configuration relating to a web server is added to the third embodiment, the description is omitted because it is the same as the above description of the fourth embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, the priority control of the server 1 for the “device control” button is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The fourth embodiment of the present invention is different from the first to third embodiments in that the external terminal 3 does not need to have application software. Therefore, if the URL address of the WEB server 9 (including one that can be connected to the WEB server by automatically selecting a menu on the screen: for example, operation of a mobile phone) is known,
From any device with a browser,
Monitoring within the monitored location 100 is possible.

[0080]

As described above, according to the present invention, each external terminal collects monitoring information by controlling a monitoring device via a server, and displays the collected monitoring information on a display screen. Therefore, there is an effect that remote monitoring can be performed from any place where an external terminal can be connected to a network such as the Internet.

Further, since the external terminal executes the monitoring application software, the external terminal can freely perform monitoring and control at any time using a general-purpose terminal such as a personal computer via a network. .

The external terminal may be any terminal equipped with a browser, and has the effect that the monitoring device can be freely monitored and controlled at any time.

Further, according to the present invention, since a plurality of locations are accessed through a network connection, there is an effect that remote monitoring of the same location can be performed simultaneously.

Further, according to the present invention, on the display screen of the external terminal,
Since the displayed various buttons are used as input commands, the operation becomes easy.

Further, according to the present invention, since the monitoring information of the monitoring device is recorded on the disk, it can be repeatedly read from the disk device when a problem or the like occurs, and the monitoring information can be reproduced. In this case, there is an effect that it is easy for the observer to respond at that time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a remote monitoring system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the server of FIGS. 1, 7, 8, and 9 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of an external terminal of FIGS. 1, 7, 8, and 9 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an operation sequence diagram showing a control procedure for accessing and monitoring a monitoring camera from an external terminal in FIGS. 1, 7, 8, and 9;

FIG. 5 is an operation sequence diagram showing a procedure for downloading application software from the server in FIGS. 1, 7, and 8 to an external terminal.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a communication path management table allocated to an area in a storage unit in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a remote monitoring system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a remote monitoring system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a remote monitoring system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the web server of FIG. 9 of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 server 2 monitoring camera 3 external terminal 4 network 5 other monitoring device 6,7 relay station 81,82 provider 9 WEB server 10,30,90 interface unit 11 external device connection interface unit 12,32,92 signal processing unit 13,33 , 93 Storage unit 34 Input unit 35 Disk 91 Screen information database 94 Customer information database 100 Monitored location 200, 201, 202, 203 Wireless system 400 Internet

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04Q 9/00 311 H04Q 9/00 311J F-term (Reference) 5B049 BB00 CC00 DD00 EE56 FF03 GG04 5C054 AA01 DA09 EA03 HA01 HA18 5K048 AA04 BA10 BA13 CA08 DA03 DB01 DC01 DC07 EA11 EB02 EB15 FB08 FC01 HA01 HA02 HA05 HA07 HA13 HA21 5K101 KK13 LL01 LL03 LL12 NN03 NN06 NN18 NN21 NN34 PP04 RR11 SS07 TT06 UU16

Claims (9)

[Claims] At least one monitoring device installed at a monitored location, a server that controls the one or more monitoring devices, and a server connected to the outside of the monitored location via a network with the server. Collecting means for controlling the monitoring device via the server for each monitoring device and collecting monitoring information of a monitored location, the collecting device comprising one or more external terminals; Display means for displaying the monitoring information collected in step (a). 2. A monitoring device installed at one or more monitoring locations, a server connected to the Internet for controlling the one or more monitoring devices, and one or more monitoring devices connected to the Internet. An external terminal, and a WEB server connected to the Internet for supporting connection between the server and the one or more external terminals, wherein the external terminal performs the monitoring via the server for each of the monitoring devices. A remote monitoring system comprising: a collection unit that controls a device to collect monitoring information of a monitored place; and a display unit that displays the monitoring information collected by the collection unit. 3. The remote monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the external terminal includes communication path setting means for establishing a communication path with the server for each of the monitoring devices. 4. The remote monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein said collection means collects said monitoring information when selected from various buttons displayed on a display screen. 5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the collection unit obtains various buttons displayed on a display screen from the web server, and collects the monitoring information when selected from the various buttons. Remote monitoring system. 6. The remote monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the external terminal includes a storage unit that stores application software having the collection unit and the display unit. 7. The remote monitoring system according to claim 6, wherein said application software is downloaded from said server. 8. The remote monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the external terminal includes a recording unit that records the monitoring information collected by the collection unit. 9. The server according to claim 1, wherein the server establishes the communication path with the external terminal for each of the monitoring devices, and collects the monitoring information with respect to the external terminals except for the external terminal that initially establishes the communication path. 3. The remote monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising priority means for receiving only the request.