JP2002042273A - Monitoring method, monitor, record medium recording monitor program, and monitor information providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a monitoring method simply capable of monitored by a small-scale private person. SOLUTION: Where a sensor 110 senses the presence of a person or there is a transmission command from a watchman side terminal 300, a photograph side terminal 130 prepares an electronic mail including a monitor image photographed by a digital camera 120 and transmits it to the watchman via Internet 200. The watchman receives the electronic mail so as to watch the monitor image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a monitoring method, a monitoring device, a recording medium storing a monitoring program, and a monitoring information providing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of a conventional image monitoring system is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-339167. The image monitoring system described in this publication transmits an image captured by a camera set at each home or office to a security center device, and performs centralized monitoring in the security center device (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-339167). No.).

[0003]

However, the system described in the above publication requires a dedicated security center device for centralized monitoring. In addition, it is necessary to arrange a dedicated security guard at a place where the security center device can be operated. Therefore, the system described in the above publication is suitable for performing security by a large-scale organization such as a security company, but is not suitable for general individual users to simply monitor an absent room or the like. is there.

[0004] On the other hand, at present, the environment in which the Internet and mobile communication can be used widely extends to homes and workplaces. Therefore, it would be convenient to be able to easily monitor the status of a room while absent by using an e-mail, a website (Web site), and mobile communication technology available on the Internet.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide a monitoring method, a monitoring device, a recording medium on which a monitoring program is recorded, and a monitoring method which can be easily monitored by a small individual. And a method for providing monitoring information.

[0006]

The object of the present invention is achieved by the following constitution.

(1) A monitoring method according to the present invention is arranged such that, when input of destination information for identifying a destination is received, the input destination information is registered in advance, and when an abnormality is detected by a sensor, It is characterized in that data including a captured monitoring image is created, and the created data is transmitted to a destination identified based on registered destination information.

(2) The data including the captured monitoring image is created in the form of an e-mail, and the created e-mail is transmitted to a pre-registered destination address. The above-mentioned sensor is a human sensor, and when a person is detected by the sensor, an e-mail including a captured monitoring image is created.

(4) In the monitoring method according to the present invention, receiving instruction information for instructing transmission of a monitoring image, and when receiving the instruction information, creating an e-mail including a captured monitoring image; The created e-mail is transmitted to a pre-registered destination address.

(5) In the above (2) to (4), the electronic mail including the monitoring image further includes recorded voice data.

(6) In the monitoring method according to the present invention, when an abnormality is detected by a sensor, a file including a captured monitoring image and identification information set for each monitoring person who desires monitoring is created. The created file is transferred to a server, and when there is a request accompanied by the identification information, a monitoring image is output from the server based on the transferred file.

(7) In the monitoring method according to the present invention, instruction information for instructing the transfer of a file including a monitoring image is received. A file containing identification information set for each monitor is created, and the created file is transferred to a server. When a request accompanied by the identification information is requested, monitoring is performed from the server based on the transferred file. It is characterized by outputting an image.

(8) The monitoring device according to the present invention has an input unit for receiving input of destination information for identifying a destination, a registration unit for registering the input communication destination information, and detecting an abnormality by a sensor. And transmitting the created data to a destination identified on the basis of the destination information registered by the registering means, wherein the creating means creates data including the captured monitoring image. And transmitting means.

(9) The data including the photographed surveillance image is created in the form of an e-mail, and the transmitting means sends the created e-mail to a pre-registered destination address. To send.

(10) A monitoring device according to the present invention comprises: an input unit for receiving input of destination information for identifying a destination; a registration unit for registering the input communication destination information; Receiving means for receiving instruction information for instructing; e-mail creating means for creating an e-mail including a captured monitoring image when receiving the instruction information; and destination information registered by the registration means And transmitting means for transmitting the created e-mail to a transmission destination identified based on the e-mail.

(11) In the above (9) or (10), the electronic mail further includes recorded voice data.

(12) The computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention includes a step of obtaining a captured monitoring image, and generating an e-mail including the captured monitoring image when an abnormality is detected by a sensor. Steps to
Transmitting a created e-mail to a pre-registered destination address; and recording a monitoring program for causing a computer to execute the step. (13) The computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention includes a step of acquiring a captured monitoring image, a step of receiving instruction information for instructing transmission of the monitoring image, and a step of receiving the instruction information. Recording a monitoring program for causing a computer to execute the step of creating an e-mail including the captured monitoring image and the step of transmitting the generated e-mail to a pre-registered destination address It is characterized by. (14) A monitoring information providing method according to the present invention is a monitoring information providing method for providing monitoring information by a computer system, wherein identification information set for each monitoring person who wants to monitor and photographing means are provided. The address of the monitored location is registered in advance in association with the address, and the monitoring person is prompted to enter identification information. If the input identification information matches the identification information registered in the setting, the monitoring is performed. Allow the user to select the output of current or past monitoring information, and if the current monitoring information output is selected, the address of the monitoring location corresponding to the input identification information is While instructing the transmission of newly acquired monitoring information, receiving the monitoring information transmitted in response to the instruction, and outputting the received monitoring information to the monitor, the output of the past monitoring information is selected. If Reads the monitoring information from the stored file, sequentially associating the monitoring information transmitted from the monitoring place with the identification information of the monitoring person voluntarily in response to the detection of the abnormality, and sends the read monitoring information to the monitoring person. It is characterized by outputting.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) In the first embodiment, monitoring is performed by transmitting an e-mail including an image captured at a monitoring place (hereinafter, referred to as a "monitoring image") to a monitoring person.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network configuration to which the monitoring method of the present embodiment is applied.

The monitoring unit 100 is a unit installed at a monitoring place, and via the Internet 200
It is communicably connected to a terminal on the monitor side (hereinafter, referred to as a “monitor side terminal”). As a result, the monitoring unit 10
The monitoring information such as the monitoring image and the voice obtained by the process 0 is transmitted to the monitor side terminal via the Internet 200.

The monitor 200 has an Internet 200
All terminals that can be connected to are included. For example, the monitor side terminal includes a terminal 300 connected to the Internet 200 via a public line network 210, a mobile phone or a mobile terminal 310 connected to the Internet 200 via a mobile communication network 220, and a cable television network 230. A cable TV receiver 320 connected to the Internet 200 via the Internet 200 and an Internet TV receiver (interactive TV receiver) 330 connected to the Internet via the Internet broadcast network 240 are included. In the following description, a terminal 300 connected to the Internet 200 via a public line 210 will be described as an example of a monitor-side terminal.

Next, the configuration of the monitoring unit 100 according to the present invention will be described.

The monitoring unit 100 includes a sensor 110, a digital camera 120, a photographing terminal 130, a sound collecting microphone 1
40 and an alarm 150.

The sensor 110 is, for example, a pyroelectric sensor or an infrared sensor for detecting the presence of a person such as an intruder. Further, as the sensor 110, a normal moisture detection sensor for detecting water leakage or the like, a glass breakage sensor for detecting a pressure change when the glass is broken, or the like can be used.

The digital camera 120 functions as photographing means installed at a monitoring place. In the present invention, a commercially available digital camera can be used as it is as a photographing unit. From the viewpoint of saving power consumption, it is desirable that the power be turned on only when the sensor 110 detects an intruder or the like or when a command to start shooting is received from the shooting side terminal 130.

The photographing terminal 130 is a digital camera 12
The terminal is connected to the terminal 0, for example, a normal personal computer. The photographing side terminal 130 includes the sensor 11
0 senses the presence of a person or the like, the digital camera 12
0, obtain an image or the like including the obtained image, and, through the Internet 200,
The created e-mail or the like is transmitted to a pre-registered destination address. The photographing side terminal 130 is, similarly to the above-described monitor side terminal, a normal personal computer, a mobile phone, a mobile terminal, a cable TV receiver,
And an Internet TV receiver.

The sound collecting microphone 140 is for recording surrounding sounds, and the alarm 150 is for issuing an alarm when a sensor detects an intruder or the like.

It should be noted that the terminal 130 on the monitoring target side and the terminal 300 on the monitoring side are Internet connection providers (providers).
Can be connected to the Internet 200 via
The World Wide Web (WW) which provides a mail server 400 for sending and receiving electronic mail and a website.
W) Can communicate with server 500.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the photographing terminal corresponding to the monitoring device in the present embodiment.

The control means 10 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit)
And controls the entire photographing-side terminal 130.
The photographing side terminal 130 includes a RAM for temporarily storing data, a ROM for storing a control program, and a hard disk capable of storing various programs and data files, which are not shown.

The peripheral device interface 20 includes the sensor 1
10, digital camera 120, and sound collecting microphone 140
This is an interface for communicating with the server. On the other hand, the network interface 30 is an interface for connecting to the Internet 200 through the public network 210 or the like. For example, network interface 3
As 0, a terminal adapter (TA) and a digital circuit termination unit (DSU) may be used, or a modem may be used.

The main program 40 is installed, for example, in a hard disk. The main program 40 is executed by the control means 10 to perform various functions.

The main program 40 will be described for each function module. The main program 40 includes an activation module 41, an e-mail analysis module 42, an e-mail automatic creation module 43, an e-mail automatic transmission / reception module 44, and the like.

The activation module 41 receives a signal from the sensor 110 that has sensed an abnormality such as the presence of a person or water leakage, and activates (wakes up) the following automatic e-mail creation module 43 and the like. In addition, the activation module 41
The e-mail automatic creation module 43 and the like can also be activated by receiving an instruction e-mail for instructing the transmission of the monitoring image from the monitor-side terminal 300 or the like.

The e-mail analysis module 42 is software for determining whether or not the received e-mail is an instruction e-mail for instructing the transmission of a monitoring image. For example, the e-mail analysis module 42 extracts a password included in the e-mail, and determines whether the extracted password matches a predetermined password. As a result, if the password included in the e-mail matches the predetermined password, it can be determined that the received e-mail is the instruction e-mail. As another simple method, the e-mail analysis module 42 extracts the source address of the received e-mail, and determines whether the extracted source address matches a predetermined address. Judge. As a result, if they match, it can be determined that the received e-mail is the instruction e-mail.

The automatic e-mail creation module 43 is software for automatically creating an e-mail including a monitoring image taken by the digital camera 120 and audio data recorded by the sound collecting microphone 140.

The electronic mail automatic transmission / reception module 44
This is software for automatically transmitting an e-mail created by the e-mail automatic creation module 43 and automatically receiving an instruction e-mail. The destination of the e-mail is automatically set to the e-mail address of the monitor registered in advance.

Each of the above modules may be prepared as a subroutine of one program, or may be prepared as an independent program.
Further, each module does not need to be collectively installed on one recording medium.

In addition to the main program 40 described above, the following data files are prepared for automatically creating an e-mail including a monitoring image and the like and automatically transmitting the created e-mail. .

The image file 50 is stored in the digital camera 12.
0 is a file for temporarily storing an image taken. The audio file 60 is a file for temporarily storing audio data recorded by the sound collecting microphone 140.

The document data file 70 is a file for storing various messages used as the body part of the electronic mail when the electronic mail automatic generation module 43 generates the electronic mail. Specifically, in the document data file 70, "the intruder has been detected", "the water leak has been detected", and "the image transmission instruction has been received, so the current image is transmitted. Are stored as document data.

The transmission destination file 80 is used when the electronic mail automatic transmission / reception module 44 automatically transmits an electronic mail.
This is a file for registering a destination address used as a destination in advance. Specifically, the input of the destination address is received, and the destination address input from the keyboard or the like is stored in the destination file 80.

A monitoring method using the monitoring system configured as described above will be described.

FIG. 3 shows a case where the sensor detects an abnormality.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when an electronic mail including a monitoring image is created and the electronic mail is transmitted.

In step S100, it is determined whether or not the sensor 110 has sensed the presence of a person or the occurrence of a water leak. More specifically, a sensor 11 that detects the presence of a person or the like
It is determined whether a signal from 0 has been received through the peripheral device interface 20. When the sensor 110 detects the presence of a person (S100: YES), the process proceeds to step S102, and when the sensor 110 does not detect the presence of a person (S100:
NO), wait until sensing. When a signal from the sensor 110 that senses the presence of a person or the like is received, the activation module 41 is executed, and the automatic e-mail creation module 43 is activated. The mail is created and sent.

In step S101, the digital camera 1
A monitoring image taken at 20 is acquired. The image captured by the digital camera 120 is temporarily stored in the image file 50. Therefore, this image file 5
The image stored in 0 is obtained. Note that an analog camera or video camera may be used instead of the digital camera 120, but in this case, a process of converting an analog image from analog to digital is required.

In step S102, the sound collecting microphone 140
The recorded voice data is obtained. This audio data is converted from analog to digital, and is temporarily stored in the audio file 60. In step S102, audio data stored in the audio file 60 is obtained.

In step S103, a message suitable for the situation is obtained from the document data file 70.
For example, when the presence of a person is detected by the sensor 110, a message such as "An intruder has been detected." When a plurality of types of sensors 110 such as a human sensor and a water leak sensor are provided, it is necessary to acquire a message corresponding to the type of the sensor that has detected the abnormality. In this case, the relationship between the input port of the peripheral device interface 20 that receives the signal from the sensor that has detected the abnormality and the acquired message can be stored as a lookup table. Control means 1
0 identifies the input port that has received the signal from the sensor 110, and by referring to this look-up table, it is possible to obtain a message suitable for the situation from a plurality of messages.

In step S 104, the destination address of the e-mail is obtained from the destination file 80.

In step S105, step S101
-The data obtained in step S104 is converted into a format that can be transmitted as an e-mail. If the acquired monitoring image or audio data is binary data, for example, B
Binary data is converted to ASCII character codes by a coding method called as64.

In step S106, an attached file of the image or sound data converted in step S105 is added to the message obtained in step S103 used as the body of the electronic mail. For example, the e-mail is created in MIME (multipurpose Internet mail extension) format. The destination address acquired in step S104 is automatically set as the destination of the e-mail.

In step S107, the photographing terminal 130
Is automatically connected to the Internet 200, and the e-mail created in step S106 is transmitted to the monitor. For example, Internet service provider (provider)
In the case of connecting to the Internet 200 via the Internet, the name of the mail server 400 of the provider including the SMTP server and the POP server, and other user account information are set in advance. In the present embodiment, upon completion of creation of an e-mail, it automatically connects to the Internet 200 and transmits an e-mail including a monitoring image to the observer. The transmission of the e-mail is executed according to the SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol).

In step S108, the monitor terminal 30
From 0, it is determined whether a confirmation mail has been received. Preferably, the confirmation mail is a reply mail of the e-mail transmitted in step S107. If the confirmation mail has not been received (S108: NO), step S101
Then, the image and the audio data are further acquired, an e-mail including the monitoring image is created, and the created e-mail is sequentially transmitted to the observer. Specifically, for a certain time (for example, 1
E-mail can be created and sent every (0 minutes). As a result, the progress after the abnormality is sensed can be sequentially notified to the monitor. If the confirmation mail has been received (S108: YES), the process ends. The reception of the confirmation mail is executed according to POP3 (post office protocol) or the like.

As described above, according to the processing shown in FIG. 3, when the sensor detects an abnormality, an electronic mail including a monitoring image is automatically created and transmitted to the monitor.
The surveillant can view the surveillance image on a computer or a mobile phone, which is a surveillant terminal.

In FIG. 3, when the sensor 110 detects an abnormality, an e-mail including a monitoring image is spontaneously created,
The case has been described where the created e-mail is sent to the predetermined destination monitoring person.However, regardless of whether or not the sensor detects, the monitoring person receives the monitoring image based on the monitoring image transmission instruction. It is also possible to create an e-mail including an image and send the e-mail.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when an e-mail including a monitoring image is created and an e-mail is transmitted when a monitoring image transmission instruction is received.

In step S 200, it is determined whether a new e-mail has been received through network interface 30. For example, by executing the e-mail automatic transmission / reception module 44, it is checked at every predetermined time whether or not a new e-mail is received in its own e-mail box. If a new e-mail has been received (S200: YES), the process proceeds to step S201, and if no e-mail has been received (S200).
200: NO), and wait until an e-mail is received.

In step S201, it is determined whether the received e-mail has a password or the like. As a result, it is determined whether the received e-mail is a monitoring image transmission instruction e-mail from the monitor. Specifically, the e-mail analysis module 42 extracts the password included in the e-mail by analyzing the contents of the e-mail, and determines whether or not the extracted password matches a predetermined password. Is determined. As a result, if they match, it is determined that the received e-mail is an instruction e-mail. Upon receiving this determination result, the activation module 41 activates the electronic mail automatic creation module 43.

The processing in steps S202 to S209 is the same as the processing in steps S101 to S108, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, according to the processing shown in FIG. 4, when an instruction e-mail for instructing the transmission of the monitoring image is received from the supervisor terminal 300, the e-mail including the monitoring image is transmitted. Created automatically and sent to the observer. Thus, whenever the observer wants to view the current surveillance image, he or she can obtain the surveillance image by e-mail.

Next, a display example of the monitor-side terminal when the monitoring method according to the present embodiment is used will be described.

FIG. 5 shows a display example of the monitor side terminal.

When the sensor 110 senses the presence of a person as shown in FIG. 3, or when an observer instructs transmission of an e-mail including a monitoring image as shown in FIG. An e-mail including the monitoring image is transmitted from the terminal 130 to the monitor-side terminal 300, and the e-mail is stored in the reception mailbox.

In this case, as shown in FIG.
The fact that the new mail has arrived is displayed on the display of the monitor-side terminal 300. New mail reception is POP3
And is executed according to a protocol such as IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol). It is possible for the monitor terminal 300 to sequentially check whether a new mail has arrived by checking the received mailbox at regular intervals. In addition, the arrival of new mail can be notified by sound.

The monitor who knows that the new mail has arrived can confirm the contents of the e-mail by performing a predetermined button operation. In this case, FIG.
As shown in the text of the email, for example,
A message corresponding to the situation, such as "Detected intruder," is displayed.

Further, the surveillant can display the developed surveillance image on the display by designating the surveillance image and performing a predetermined button operation.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a monitor image displayed on the display of the monitor side terminal. FIG. 6 (A)
FIG. 6 shows an example of a monitoring image voluntarily transmitted by using an e-mail when the sensor detects the presence of a person.
(B) shows an example of a monitoring image spontaneously transmitted using electronic mail when the sensor detects the presence of a water leak.

Further, the observer can not only see the surveillance image described above, but also hear the sound. For example, by specifying a sound file added as an attached file and performing a predetermined button operation, sound data is expanded and sound is output from the speaker.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to use the Internet e-mail function widely used in homes and workplaces without providing a management center device for centralized monitoring or a dedicated security system. Thus, it is possible to easily monitor the status of the room where the user is absent. (Second Embodiment) In a second embodiment, monitoring is performed by transferring a file including a monitoring image to a WWW server and disclosing the monitoring status to a specific monitor on a website. Note that the network configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 7 shows a photographing terminal 1 according to this embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining an internal configuration of the device 30; In place of the electronic mail automatic creation module 43 shown in FIG. 2, an automatic transfer file creation module 45 and an automatic file transfer module 46 are provided.

The activation module 41 receives a signal from the sensor 110 that senses an abnormality such as the presence of a person or water leakage, and activates the following automatic transfer file creation module 45 and automatic file transfer module 46. In addition, the activation module 41 can activate the following transfer file automatic creation module 45 and automatic file transfer module 46 by receiving instruction information for instructing the transfer of the monitoring image from the WWW server 500. The transfer instruction information from the WWW server 500 is output based on an instruction from the instruction monitor terminal 300.

The transfer file automatic creation module 45
This is software for automatically creating a transfer file containing a monitoring image taken by the digital camera 120 and audio data recorded by the sound collecting microphone 140. The created transfer file further includes a user ID issued for each monitor.

The automatic file transfer module 46 is software for automatically transferring the file created by the automatic transfer file creation module 45 to the WWW server 500. The file transfer destination is automatically set according to the IP address of the WWW server 500 registered in advance.

Each of the above modules may be prepared as a subroutine of one program, or may be prepared as an independent program.
Further, each module does not need to be collectively installed on one recording medium.

Further, in order to automatically create a transfer file including a monitor image and the like and a user ID set for each monitor who wishes to monitor, and to automatically transfer the created transfer file, an image file 50, An audio file 60, a document data file 70, and a destination file 80 are provided. The contents of each file are substantially the same as those described in FIG. However, the transmission destination file 80 stores the IP address of the WWW server 500 to which the file is to be transferred.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the WWW server. The WWW server 500 is a server for managing a website that provides monitoring information such as monitoring images and audio data, and is, for example, a computer such as an engineering workstation.

The control means 510 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls the WWW server 500 as a whole. The WWW server 500 includes a RAM for temporarily storing data, a ROM for storing a control program, and a hard disk capable of recording various programs and data files, which are not shown.

The network interface 520 is an interface for communicably connecting the photographing terminal 130 and the supervisor terminal 300 to each other. An observer who wants to monitor can access the WWW server 500 from any terminal.

The main program 530 is installed in, for example, a hard disk. The main program 530 is executed by the control unit 510, and various functions are exhibited.

The main program 530 will be described for each function module. The main program 530 includes the following modules.

User ID-Password Setting Module 5
Reference numeral 31 denotes software for issuing and setting a user ID and a password. A supervisor (user) who wishes to use this website uses a web browser (hereinafter referred to as “browser”) installed on each terminal as software for browsing web content on the web.
) To access the WWW server. Then, each monitor performs user registration in advance by inputting user information described later. In response to this result, the user ID-password setting module 531 issues a user ID and password for each monitor, and replaces the issued user ID and password with each other.
It is stored in association with the user information.

The file receiving module 532 is software for receiving a transfer file transferred from the photographing terminal 130. When a file is transferred from the photographing terminal 130, a file transfer command is issued by a transfer command transmitting / receiving module 534, which will be described later, or when the sensor 110 detects the presence of a person. May spontaneously transfer a file containing a monitoring image.

User ID / Password Identification Module 5
33 is software for determining whether or not the monitor who has accessed the WWW server 500 is a registered user. Specifically, the user ID / password identification module 533 identifies information including a user ID and a password that is input by each monitor on a browser screen of each terminal and transferred to the WWW server 500. Then, it is determined whether or not the user ID and password input by the monitor match the predetermined user ID and password. As a result, if they match, it is possible to determine that the accessing monitor is a registered user.

The transfer instruction transmission / reception module 534 receives a transfer instruction instructed from the supervisor terminal 300, and performs file transfer based on the received instruction.
Is software for instructing the user. When a registered monitor user instructs transfer of a monitoring image, WWW
The server 500 instructs the photographing terminal 130 to create and transfer a file including the monitoring image.

The screen guide module 535 is software for changing a screen output to the monitor-side terminal 300, that is, a screen displayed by the browser of each terminal, according to the link between the pages.

The data search module 536 is software for searching for a monitoring image or the like stored for each monitor based on the user ID and the password.

As described above, a monitor who wishes to provide and manage monitoring information using this website can register user information. It is possible to instruct the transfer of an image or to view a surveillance image or the like already stored for each observer. For this purpose, the following data files are prepared.

The received image file 540 is stored in the photographing terminal 1.
The monitoring image included in the transfer file transferred from the server 30 is stored. The received voice file 550 stores voice data included in the transfer file. Received document file 56
0 stores the document message included in the transfer file. The user file 570 stores user information that is input when each monitor is registered as a user.

The accounting file 580 stores accounting information for each monitor. It should be noted that charging can be performed according to the number of times each monitor has viewed the monitoring image, and a fixed amount of charging can be performed according to the contract regardless of the number of times the monitoring image has been viewed.

The display data file 590 stores data of icons, patterns, titles, and other design elements on the display screen.

A monitoring method using the monitoring system configured as described above will be described.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the photographing terminal.

In step S300, it is determined whether there is an instruction to transfer a transfer file including the monitoring image. The file transfer instruction is issued by the WWW server 5 based on the instruction from the supervisor side terminal 300 by the supervisor who is a registered user.
00 is performed. The file transfer instruction may be given by e-mail, and the transfer instruction information
It may be performed by transferring files according to TP (File Transfer Protocol). If there is a transfer instruction, the process proceeds to step S302. On the other hand, if there is no file transfer instruction, the process proceeds to step S301.

In step S301, it is determined whether or not the sensor 110 has sensed the presence of a person. Sensor 11
0 when the presence of a person or the occurrence of water leakage is detected (S3
01: YES), the process proceeds to step S302, and if not detected (S301: NO), the process returns to step S301.

The above steps S300 and S30
According to the first process, when the WWW server 500 receiving the instruction from the supervisor terminal 300 instructs the transfer of the file including the monitoring image, or when the sensor detects the presence of a person, File creation and transfer processing subsequent to step S302 is performed.

In step S302, the digital camera 1
A monitoring image taken at 20 is acquired. Step S3
In 03, audio data recorded with the shooting is acquired. In step S304, a message suitable for the situation is obtained.

In step S305, the file transfer destination is obtained from the transmission destination file 80. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the file is transferred according to the FTP (File Transfer Protocol), the photographing side terminal 130
And the WWW server 500 need to be connected by IP. Therefore, the IP address of the WWW server 500 is used as the transfer destination information.
The address has been set up in advance. Also, WW
A user account required for transferring a file to the W server 500 is also set in advance. In addition, WW
The IP address of the W server 500 can be configured to be automatically distributed from the WWW server 500 to the photographing side terminal 130 of each monitor and set up when the monitor performs user registration. . When set up automatically in this way, the work load on the monitor is reduced.

In step S306, step S302
Change the format of the data acquired in step S305 to a format that allows file transfer. Here, the data included in the file is created in an HTML document (Hypertext Markup Language). Therefore, decoration information, attribute information, hyperlink information, and the like are described in the document according to a predetermined format.

In step S307, a transfer file is created. The transfer file includes, in addition to monitoring information such as a monitoring image, a user ID and a password issued and registered in advance from the WWW server 500 for each monitor. Thereby, the WWW server 500
Can tell which observer the transfer file containing the surveillance image from the corresponding surveillance location was transferred,
Monitoring images and the like can be stored for each monitoring person.

In step S308, the photographing terminal 130
Is automatically IP-connected to the WWW server 500, and the transfer file created in step S307 is
Transferred to server 500. In addition, file transfer,
This is performed according to FTP (File Transfer Protocol).

As described above, according to the processing shown in FIG. 9, when a file transfer instruction is issued, a transfer file created as an HTML document including a monitoring image and audio data is transferred to the WWW server 500. Is done. Also, when the sensor detects the presence of a person or the like, the transfer file including the monitoring image or the like is automatically transmitted to the WWW server 500.
Is forwarded to Based on the transferred file, WWW
The server 500 can publish monitoring information on a website.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a WWW server capable of providing monitoring information.

In step S400, a user ID and password are issued for each monitor, and the issued user ID and password are set. Specifically, user information such as a name, an address, an e-mail address of the photographer, an e-mail address of the observer, and a credit card number is input by a monitor from a browser of each of the terminals 300 and 130. A user ID and a password are issued for each monitor on the condition that the monitoring is performed. The issued user ID and password are stored in the user file 570 for each monitor in association with each user information. In this process, the monitoring person and the monitoring target are associated with each other. In addition, the issued user I
The D and the password can also be configured to be automatically distributed to the photographing terminal 130.

In step S401, the photographing terminal 130
It is determined whether there is a file transfer from. If there is a transfer, the process proceeds to step S402; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S403.

In step S402, when a file is transferred from the photographing side terminal 130, the transferred file is sequentially stored. Therefore, when a file including a monitoring image is spontaneously transferred by the sensor 110 sensing the presence of a person or the like, the transferred file is sequentially received and stored in the WWW server 500 for each monitor. You.

In step S403, the monitor terminal 30
A URL (identifier) is designated from 0, and the WWW server 5
It is determined whether 00 has been called. If not called (step S403: NO), step S40
It returns to 1 and enters the standby state. If called, the process proceeds to step S404.

In step S404, the called WW
The W server 500 outputs a screen for prompting the input of the user ID and the password to the monitor side terminal 300, and the monitor side terminal 3
00 is displayed on the 00 screen.

In step S405, the monitor terminal 30
Receiving the password input by 0, it is determined whether or not the input password matches the password registered in the user file 570. If the passwords do not match (step S405: NO), the process returns to step S404, and screen data for prompting the user to input a new user ID and password is output. On the other hand, if the passwords match (step S405: YE
S) Since it is determined that the access is performed by the registered supervisor, the process proceeds to step S406.

In step S406, the monitor-side terminal 30
With respect to 0, the selection of the output processing of the current or past monitoring information is permitted to the monitoring person, and the data of the display screen prompting the selection is output.

In step S407, the monitor-side terminal 30
From 0, it is determined whether or not the output processing of the current monitoring information has been selected. Specifically, the monitor is the monitor terminal 30.
By selecting the current monitoring information output process using the browser 0, an instruction to output the current monitoring information is transmitted to the WWW server 500. If the current monitoring information output process is selected from the monitor side terminal 300 (S407: YES), the process of step S408 is performed. If not (S407: NO), the process of step S410 is performed. Processing is performed.

In step S408, as a process when the output process of the current monitoring information is selected, a creation and transfer instruction of a transfer file including a monitoring image and audio data is transmitted to the photographing terminal 130. . The image transfer instruction from the WWW server 500 to the photographing terminal 130 can be performed by file transfer using a file transfer protocol or by e-mail.

In step S409, the photographing terminal 130
, The transferred transfer file is received.

Therefore, when the output processing of the current monitoring information is selected, the WWW server 500 adds a new monitoring information to the address of the photographing side terminal 130 associated with the input user ID and password. The transfer of the file containing the information is instructed, and the transfer of the file containing the newly acquired monitoring information is received.

On the other hand, in step S410, it is determined whether or not output processing of past monitoring information has been selected. If not selected (S410: NO), step S
Return to 407. Therefore, the process returns to the state of outputting a selection screen for prompting the user to select the current monitoring information acquisition process or the past monitoring information confirmation process. If it has been selected, the process proceeds to step S411.

In step S411, the monitoring information corresponding to the monitoring person specified by the user ID and the password is laid out based on decoration information, attribute information, hyperlink information, and the like. In other words, when the output processing of the current monitoring information is selected, new monitoring information including the current monitoring image is laid out based on the newly created and transferred data file in the imaging side terminal 130. You. On the other hand, when the output processing of the past monitoring information is selected, the processing is voluntarily transferred from the photographing side terminal 130 in response to the detection of the abnormality by the sensor 110 in the past, and is recorded in association with the user ID and the password. The data is read from each of the files 540 to 570, and the monitoring information including the past monitoring images is laid out.

In step S412, the laid-out monitoring information is output to the monitor-side terminal 300 as an HTML document, and the monitor information desired by the monitor is provided.

Next, an example of the display screen of the monitor-side mobile terminal 300 will be described.

FIG. 11 shows a screen for prompting the input of the user ID and password of the monitor. On this screen, each observer inputs a user ID and a password.

FIG. 12 is a screen for prompting selection of acquisition of current monitoring information or confirmation of past monitoring information. FIG.
In the screen shown in FIG. 12, when the entered user ID and password match the user ID and password set in advance, it is confirmed that the user is a registered monitor, and the screen shown in FIG. Transition. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the observer selects one of “1. View current state”, “2. Presence or absence of detection”, “3. View past state”, and “4. Erase data”. Select the desired process.

When “view current state” is selected on the display screen of FIG. 12, monitoring information including the current monitoring image is output. FIG. 13 shows a display example of a current monitoring image. The observer can hear the sound by selecting "Listen to sound".

When "presence / absence of detection" is selected on the display screen of FIG. 12, the WWW server 500 voluntarily includes a monitoring image or the like from the photographing side in response to the detection of the presence of a person or the like by the sensor 110. The number of times the transfer file has been transferred is displayed. If monitoring information has not been transferred in the past, a message such as "not detected" is displayed as shown in FIG. 14, and if a transfer file containing monitoring information or the like has been transferred in the past, FIG. A message such as "There is one detection" is displayed. Specifically, the WWW server 500 records the number of times that the file including the monitoring image has been transferred from the photographing terminal 130 for each observer, and outputs a message according to the recorded number. .

"View past state" on the display screen of FIG.
Is selected or “view image” is selected in FIG. 15, as shown in FIG.
0 voluntarily in response to the detection of an abnormality by
From the file stored and read out from the stored file, and the read out monitoring image is displayed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, without providing a management center for performing centralized monitoring or a dedicated security system, a simple Internet site widely used in homes and offices can be used. It is possible to provide monitoring information for monitoring the status of the guidance while absent. The monitor can freely select and check the current or past monitor images. Even when a plurality of observers are registered on this website, since the monitor information is managed for each observer (for each monitor group) based on identification information such as a user ID and a password, it is ensured that the personal information is managed. Monitoring information can be confirmed.

As described above, from the viewpoint of simple monitoring using the Internet widely used in homes and workplaces, it is desirable to perform monitoring using the Internet e-mail or file transfer function. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, with the development of mobile communication networks, it is possible to communicate image information and recorded data between mobile phones. Therefore, destination information that identifies the destination (eg, phone number)
The input of destination information is received, the input destination information is registered in advance, and when an abnormality is detected by a sensor, data including a captured monitoring image is created, and identification is performed based on the registered destination information. The created data can also be transmitted to the transmission destination.

In the above-described embodiment, the monitoring is controlled by executing a predetermined program describing the above-described processing procedure (see FIGS. 3, 4, and 7) by each control means 10. This predetermined program is stored in a computer-readable recording medium (for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk or CD-ROM).
Etc.). Further, this predetermined program may be provided as application software for executing the above-described processing.

The embodiments described above are not described to limit the present invention, and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.
For example, the present invention can be used not only for monitoring an intruder but also for confirming the condition of elderly people and infants who need care from a remote place.

[0127]

According to the monitoring method or the monitoring device according to the first and eighth aspects of the present invention, input of transmission destination information is received in advance, and when an abnormality is detected by a sensor, data including a captured monitoring image is transmitted. Since the personal information is created and transmitted, the individual user can freely input each transmission destination information, and can receive data including the monitoring image at each terminal when an abnormality occurs. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated security center device for centralized monitoring, and it is not necessary to arrange a dedicated security guard.

According to the monitoring method or the monitoring device according to the second and ninth aspects, the data including the captured monitoring image is:
It is created in the form of e-mail, and the created e-mail is sent to a pre-registered destination address, so monitoring is performed using the e-mail function of the Internet that is widely used at home and work. This eliminates the need for a dedicated line or image transmission system to perform monitoring, and provides a monitoring technology suitable for a general individual user to easily monitor an absent room or the like. it can.

According to the monitoring method of the third aspect, the sensor is a human sensor, and when a human is detected by the sensor, an e-mail including a captured monitoring image is created. Only when the presence of such a person is detected, the monitoring image can be transmitted by e-mail, and a general individual user can know the presence of an intruder.

According to the monitoring method or the monitoring device according to the fourth and tenth aspects, when the instruction information is received, an e-mail including a captured monitoring image is created, and the created e-mail is stored in advance. Since the transmission is performed to the registered transmission destination address, the monitor can obtain the current monitoring image at any time through the e-mail by instructing the transmission of the monitoring image.

According to the monitoring method or the monitoring device according to the fifth and eleventh aspects, the electronic mail including the monitoring image further includes the recorded voice data. Thereby, not only the monitoring image but also the recorded sound can be heard.

According to the monitoring method of the sixth aspect, when an abnormality is detected, a file containing a captured monitoring image and identification information set for each monitoring person who desires monitoring is created. Transfer the created file to the server, when there is a request including the identification information, because the server outputs a monitoring image based on the transferred file,
The observer can view the surveillance image through the website. Therefore, by monitoring websites from devices that are widely used in homes and workplaces,
It is possible to know the occurrence of an abnormality at the monitoring location. Also, no outsider can see the self-monitoring image.

According to the monitoring method of the seventh aspect, when the instruction information is received, the data file including the captured monitoring image and the identification information set for each monitoring person who desires monitoring is stored. Since the created data file is created and transferred to the server, the observer can instruct the transmission including the image at any time. In particular, by sharing identification information among family members and colleagues at work, all members of the family and others can monitor the situation at home, but outsiders do not monitor the situation at home. .

According to the computer-readable recording medium of the twelfth and thirteenth aspects, the recording medium can be read by a normal personal computer and executed to enable simple monitoring by a small individual. Monitoring method can be implemented, without providing a dedicated device configuration,
This monitoring method can be performed using a normal personal computer, digital camera, or the like.

According to the image information providing method of the present invention, even a small individual can easily know the room or the like where the user is absent. In addition, individuals who want to monitor the room, etc. in their absence can easily register,
A new form of monitoring service and monitoring information providing business that can be used can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network configuration to which a monitoring method of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a photographing terminal corresponding to the monitoring device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when an e-mail including a monitoring image is transmitted to a monitoring person when a sensor detects an abnormality.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when an electronic mail including a monitoring image is transmitted to a monitoring person when a transmission instruction of the monitoring image is received.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a display of a monitor-side terminal.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example when a monitoring image is developed on a display of a monitor side terminal.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a photographing terminal corresponding to a monitoring device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a WWW server according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a photographing terminal corresponding to the monitoring device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a WWW server according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an example of a screen for prompting input of a user ID and a password of a monitor;

FIG. 12 is an example of a screen for prompting selection of acquisition of current monitoring information or confirmation of past monitoring information.

FIG. 13 is an example of a screen displaying a current monitoring image.

FIG. 14 is an example of a screen for displaying the presence or absence of sensing.

FIG. 15 is an example of a screen for displaying the presence or absence of sensing.

FIG. 16 is an example of a screen displaying a monitoring image of Kago.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 100: monitoring unit, 110: sensor, 120: digital camera, 130: photographing terminal, 140: sound collecting microphone, 200: Internet, 300: supervisor terminal 400: mail server, 500: WWW server

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 7/18 H04N 7/18 D // G06F 13/00 630 G06F 13/00 630A F-term (reference) 5C054 AA01 CE16 CH04 CH05 DA09 FE12 FF02 GB06 GD06 HA18 HA24 5C064 AA01 AC04 AC06 AC12 AC18 AD08 AD09 AD14 5C087 AA02 AA03 AA24 AA25 AA37 BB12 DD05 DD24 EE02 EE16 EE18 FF01 FF02 FF24 GG19 FF20 GG19 FF20 GG19 FF20 GG19 FF19 GG19 FF19 GG19 FF19 GG19 FF19 GG19 FF19 GG19 FF19 GG19 FF19 GG19 FF20 GG19 FF20 GG19 FF20 GG19 FF19 GG19 FF20

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A method for receiving input of destination information for identifying a destination, registering the input destination information in advance, and, when an abnormality is detected by a sensor, data including a captured monitoring image. And sending the created data to a destination identified based on registered destination information. 2. The data including the captured surveillance image,
The monitoring method according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring method is created in an electronic mail format, and the generated electronic mail is transmitted to a destination address registered in advance. 3. The monitoring method according to claim 2, wherein the sensor is a human sensor, and when a human is detected by the sensor, an e-mail including a captured monitoring image is created. 4. Receiving instruction information for instructing transmission of a monitoring image, and when receiving the instruction information, creates an e-mail including the captured monitoring image, and registers the created e-mail in advance. A monitoring method characterized in that a transmission is made to a destination address that is present. 5. The electronic mail including a monitoring image further includes recorded voice data.
5. The monitoring method according to any one of items 4 to 4. 6. When an abnormality is detected by a sensor,
Create a file containing the captured surveillance image and identification information set for each surveillant who wishes to monitor, transfer the created file to the server, and if there is a request with the identification information, A monitoring method, comprising: outputting a monitoring image from the server based on the transferred file. 7. Receiving instruction information for instructing transfer of a file including a monitoring image, and when receiving the instruction information, includes a captured monitoring image and identification information set for each monitoring person who desires monitoring. And transmitting the created file to a server, and outputting a monitoring image from the server based on the transferred file when a request accompanied by the identification information is received. Monitoring method. 8. An input means for receiving an input of destination information for identifying a destination, a registration means for registering the input destination information, and a monitoring image taken when an abnormality is detected by a sensor. Creating means for creating data including: and sending means for sending the created data to a destination identified based on the destination information registered by the registering means. And monitoring equipment. 9. The data including the captured surveillance image,
It is created in the form of an e-mail, and the transmitting means is:
9. The monitoring device according to claim 8, wherein the created e-mail is transmitted to a destination address registered in advance. 10. An input unit for receiving input of destination information for identifying a destination, a registration unit for registering the input communication destination information, and a receiving unit for receiving instruction information for instructing transmission of a monitoring image. An e-mail creating unit that creates an e-mail including the captured monitoring image when the instruction information is received; and a destination identified based on the destination information registered by the registration unit. And a transmission unit for transmitting the created e-mail. 11. The electronic mail according to claim 9, wherein the electronic mail further includes recorded voice data.
The monitoring device according to claim 1. 12. A step of obtaining a captured monitoring image, a step of generating an e-mail including the captured monitoring image when an abnormality is detected by a sensor, and a step of pre-registering the generated e-mail. A computer-readable recording medium, wherein a monitoring program for causing a computer to execute the step of transmitting to a destination address is recorded. 13. A step of obtaining a captured monitoring image, a step of receiving instruction information for instructing transmission of a monitoring image, and, upon receiving the instruction information, transmitting an e-mail including the captured monitoring image. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a monitoring program for causing a computer to execute the following steps: a step of creating; and a step of transmitting the created e-mail to a destination address registered in advance. . 14. A monitoring information providing method for providing monitoring information by a computer system, wherein identification information set for each monitoring person who desires monitoring and an address of a monitoring place provided with a photographing unit are previously stored. Register the settings in association with each other and prompt the monitor to enter identification information. If the entered identification information matches the identification information registered in the settings, the monitor The user is allowed to select the output of the monitoring information, and if the output of the current monitoring information is selected, the monitoring information of the newly acquired monitoring information is sent to the address of the monitoring location corresponding to the input identification information. Instructs transmission, receives the monitoring information transmitted in response to the instruction, and outputs the received monitoring information to the observer.If the output of past monitoring information is selected, it is necessary to detect abnormalities. Depending Monitoring that spontaneously associates monitoring information transmitted from a monitoring location with identification information of a monitoring person, sequentially reads the monitoring information from a file that is stored, and outputs the read monitoring information to the monitoring person. Information provision method.