JP2002101473A - Remote supervisory control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote supervisory control system that can supervise an object without the introduction of installation devices such as a leased line and a server and inform a plurality of places about data with respect to the supervised object for utilization by many environments. SOLUTION: The remote supervisory control systems 10, 50 of this invention generate supervisory information that indicates a state of the supervised object by an electric signal or an electronic signal, and select and generate text data denoting a state of the supervised object from the supervisory information. The systems transmit the text data to a mail server as an electronic mail via a packet communication network.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote monitoring and control system, and more particularly to a remote monitoring and control system capable of monitoring and controlling an object to be monitored at a remote place by electronic mail.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a remote monitoring control system as shown in FIG. 24 has been known as a remote monitoring control system for monitoring an object to be monitored such as various pumps and copiers at a remote location. The remote detection system 1 is composed of a measuring means 2, a protocol converter 3, a communicator 4 for packet communication, a packet communication network 5, a dedicated line 6, a router 7, a LAN network 8, and a server 9. An information terminal such as a measuring device or a personal computer is used for the measuring means 2. The measuring means 2 has a function of detecting the operation status of the monitoring target by a sensor or the like (not shown). The detecting means generates data indicating a result of monitoring the monitoring target as text data. The detection means 2 inputs the text data to the protocol converter 3 without any procedure. Protocol converter 3
Uses TCP / IP for text data entered without any procedure.
(Transmission Control Protocol / Intemet Protocol)
It has the function of transmitting packets as a protocol. The protocol converter 3 is a communication device 4 for packet communication.
To make a dial-up connection to the packet communication network, and make a PPP (Point to Point Protocol) connection with the server 9 via the dedicated line 6, the router 7, and the LAN network 8. The protocol converter 3 uses the I
The text data input from the measuring means 2 is transmitted by the TCP / IP protocol by designating the P address. The server 9 displays the contents of the transmitted text data on a screen using an appropriate monitoring application. As described above, the remote monitoring control system 1 can monitor the state of the monitoring target at a remote location without directly going to the site where the monitoring target is installed.

[0003]

However, in the conventional remote monitoring and control system 1, the protocol converter 3 specifies the IP address assigned to the server 8 to transmit data. It is necessary to install a server 9 which is always connected to the packet communication network 5 via the dedicated line 6, the router 7 and the LAN network 8 so that an IP address is assigned. In addition, maintenance and management of these devices required a lot of time, cost and manpower, which hindered the introduction of a remote monitoring and control system. This problem arises when the monitoring target needs to be monitored at a plurality of locations.
This has been a major problem because multiple devices must be installed.

Further, in order to use the data stored in the server 9 with another PC or the like in the conventional remote monitoring and control system 1, a database for managing the data is constructed in the server 9 and then the data is distributed. Had to have a distribution application installed. The distribution application is developed and installed according to the system configuration that is normally used. However, if the number of users is small because the development cost of the distribution application is high, the introduction cost for the introduction effect increases. Had become.

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to monitor an object to be monitored without introducing equipment such as a dedicated line or a server, to notify data on the object to be monitored to a plurality of places, and to monitor many objects. An object of the present invention is to provide a remote monitoring control system that can be used in an environment.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote monitoring control system using a packet communication network, wherein the monitoring means monitors an operating state of a monitoring target;
Data selection and generation means for selecting or generating data indicating the state of the monitoring target from information obtained from the monitoring means,
An e-mail transmitting means for transmitting data as e-mail, a packet communication network for transferring the e-mail, a mail server for receiving the e-mail, an e-mail receiving means capable of receiving the e-mail and the mail server It is a remote monitoring control system characterized by having.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the remote monitoring control system according to the first aspect, wherein the electronic mail transmitting means is connected to a packet communication network by a dial-up connection.

The invention according to claim 3 is the remote monitoring control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic mail transmitting means transmits the electronic mail to a plurality of mail addresses.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the remote monitoring control system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the packet communication network includes a wireless packet communication network.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the electronic mail receiving means is a mobile phone having an electronic mail receiving function.
A remote monitoring control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

The invention according to claim 6 is the remote monitoring control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the data selection / generation means selects or generates text data.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote monitoring and control system using a packet communication network, wherein the control means is capable of controlling the operating state of the controlled object, and the control means sets the operation setting of the controlled object. A command input unit for inputting a command to change, an e-mail receiving unit for receiving an e-mail, a command extracting unit for extracting a command input by the command unit from the contents of the e-mail, and transferring the e-mail Communication network, a mail server for receiving the e-mail, and e-mail transmitting means capable of transmitting an e-mail including an instruction to change the operation setting of the control target to the mail server. This is a remote monitoring control system.

According to the invention described in claim 8, the electronic mail including the instruction to change the operation setting of the control target is an electronic mail from a person who has a legitimate right to change the operation setting of the control target. The remote monitoring control system according to claim 7, further comprising a determining unit configured to determine whether the remote monitoring control is performed.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the determining means determines whether or not the electronic mail is from a person having a legitimate right to change the operation setting of the control target from the mail address of the electronic mail. A remote monitoring and control system according to claim 7 or claim 8.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the discriminating means comprises:
If a predetermined number, character, or combination thereof is entered in the subject field of the e-mail, the e-mail is determined to be an e-mail from a person who has a legitimate right to change the operation setting of the controlled object. A remote monitoring control system according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

The invention according to claim 11 is the remote monitoring control system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the packet communication network includes a wireless packet communication network.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the remote monitoring control system according to any one of the seventh to eleventh aspects, the electronic mail receiving means is a mobile phone having an electronic mail receiving function.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, when the e-mail is received from the e-mail transmitting means, the mail server notifies the e-mail receiving means of the arrival of the e-mail. A remote monitoring and control system according to any one of the eleventh to eleventh aspects.

The invention according to claim 14 is the remote monitoring control system according to claim 13, wherein the electronic mail receiving means is connected to a packet communication network by a dial-up connection.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the electronic mail receiving means is connected to a packet communication network through a dial-up connection and receives the electronic mail when notified of the arrival of the electronic mail from the mail server. Item 15. A remote monitoring and control system according to item 14.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022]

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view showing one embodiment of a remote monitoring control system according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration of the remote monitoring control system 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. The remote monitoring control system 10 includes:
The monitoring control device 12 is included. The monitoring control device 12 monitors the operation status of the sewerage relay pump P, which is a monitoring and control target, using a measuring device such as a sensor (not shown), and inputs a control signal to the sewerage relay pump P to thereby control the sewerage relay pump P.
Control the operation of. In addition, the monitoring control device 12 selects text data stored in advance from an electric signal or an electronic signal indicating a measurement result output from a measurement device such as a sensor, or converts text data in which measurement result data is recorded. Has the function of generating. The monitoring control device 12 is configured using a computer in which various measuring devices and measuring applications are installed.

A mail monitoring control device 14 is connected to the monitoring control device 12. The mail monitoring control device 14
The text data input from the monitoring control device 12 is transmitted as an e-mail to the e-mail address of the administrator.
Further, the mail monitoring control device 14 inputs the contents of the e-mail sent from the administrator to the monitoring control device 12 as data for controlling the sewerage relay pump P. further,
The mail monitoring control device 14 changes the operation settings of the mail monitoring control device 14 itself based on the content of the e-mail sent from the administrator. The mail monitoring control device 14 has a data input unit 16 as shown in FIG. The data input unit 16 is connected to the monitoring control device 12. The data input unit 16 is an interface for inputting data from the monitoring control device 12. Further, the data input / output unit 16 is also an interface for outputting control data input from a controller unit 18 to be described later to the monitoring control device 12.

A controller 18 is connected to the data input / output unit 16. The controller unit 18 has a function of controlling the operation of the entire mail monitoring control device 14.
The main operations controlled by the controller unit 18 include a mail transmission instruction, a mail reception instruction, and a change of a parameter of the memory unit 20 described later. In addition, the controller unit 18 transmits the “subjec
By recognizing the data in the column "t", it is determined whether the received e-mail is an e-mail in which a control command is described.

The controller section 18 is connected to a memory section 20. The memory unit 20 stores various applications and data used for various processes in the mail monitoring control device 14. As the parameters stored in the memory unit 20, parameters as shown in FIG. 3 are stored.

A mail transmission / reception unit 22 is connected to the controller unit 18. The mail transmission / reception unit 22 performs mail transmission / reception processing based on a mail transmission command and a mail reception command issued from the controller unit 18. Note that the mail transmitting / receiving unit 22 is also connected to the data input unit 16, and when a mail transmission command is issued from the controller unit 18, the text data input to the data input unit 16 is electronically transmitted based on the SMTP protocol. Send as email. Further, when a mail receiving command is issued from the controller unit 18, the mail transmitting / receiving unit 22 receives an electronic mail based on the POP protocol.

The mail transmitting / receiving unit 22 is connected to the protocol converting unit 24. The protocol conversion unit 24
A function for converting data input by the P / IP protocol to a non-procedure, and a function for converting data input by a non-procedure to TCP / I
It has the function of converting to the P protocol. In addition. This protocol conversion function is realized by using a protocol conversion IC or the like.

A timer 26 is connected to the controller 18. The timer 26 controls the mail monitoring control device 14
Is used to measure various time intervals, such as when performing time measurement when performing automatic mail transmission / reception processing at fixed time intervals.

The controller section 18 includes the LED section 2
8 are connected. The LED unit 28 indicates the operation status of the mail monitoring and control device 14 by lighting the LED. The lighting instruction to the LED unit 28 is transmitted to the controller unit 18.
Done in The LED unit 28 is also connected to the timer 26, and the timer 26 is used for measuring the time when the LED unit 28 blinks.

A wireless communication device 30 compatible with packet communication is connected to the mail monitoring control device 14. The wireless communication device 30 has a function of transmitting and receiving packetized data by making a dial-up IP connection with the packet communication network 32. The packet communication network 32 includes:
Do provided by NTT Docomo Kansai
It includes a wireless packet communication network and an Internet network interconnected with an Internet network such as a Pa network (DoPa is a registered trademark of NTT Docomo Kansai). This allows the wireless communication device 3
0 is the ISP connected to the Internet network
(Internet Service Provider) can transmit the packet to the mail server 34 or the like.

The mail server 34a is composed of a server or a personal computer on which a mail server application is installed. Mail server 3
4a has a function of receiving an e-mail based on the SMTP protocol and distributing the e-mail transmitted to the mail address used by the mail monitoring control device 14 based on the POP protocol. This mail server 34
“a” is a mail server that manages electronic mail data of a mail address used by the mail monitoring control device 14.

The mail server 34b is composed of a server on which a mail server application is installed or a personal computer. Mail server 3
4b receives an e-mail from the e-mail monitoring control device 14 based on the SMTP protocol, and converts the e-mail transmitted to the e-mail addresses used by the monitoring terminal 36 and the mobile phone 38 based on the POP protocol into the e-mail monitoring control device. 14 is provided. The mail server 34b is a mail server that manages the e-mail data of the e-mail address used by the one that manages the sewerage relay pump P.

A management terminal 36 is connected to the packet communication network 32.
Is connected by dial-up IP connection with a modem or terminal adapter (not shown). The management terminal 36 is composed of a workstation or a personal computer on which a mail client application is installed. The management terminal 36 can send and receive e-mails to and from the mail server 34a by connecting to the packet communication network 32 through dial-up IP connection as appropriate.

A mobile phone 38 having an e-mail transmission / reception function can be connected to the packet communication network 32.
The mobile phone 38 uses the Internet e-mail service provided by the mobile telephone network to transmit and receive e-mails to and from the mail monitoring control device 14 via the center server (mail server 34b) provided by the mobile telephone network. It is possible.

Next, the operation of the remote monitoring control system according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation when reporting the result monitored by the remote monitoring control system 10 according to the present invention by e-mail. Hereinafter, an operation in which the remote monitoring control system 10 reports the result of monitoring to the management terminal 36 and the mobile phone 38 by e-mail will be described with reference to FIG. This operation is
The automatic transmission is performed under the control of the controller unit 18 at time intervals based on the value of the parameter relating to the interrogation interval at the time of automatic transmission stored in the memory unit 20 of the mail monitoring controller 14.

First, text data recording the operation status of the sewerage relay pump P is input from the monitoring control device 12 to the mail monitoring control device 14 (step S1).

Next, the parameters stored in the memory unit 20 by the controller unit 18 are the destination mail address (multiple), the dial-up connection destination telephone number,
The dial-up connection authentication user name and the dial-up connection authentication password are read to obtain destination information (step S2).

The mail monitoring and control device 14 is a
The connection to the packet communication network 32 is established by establishing a dial-up IP connection by using 0 (step S3).

The mail monitoring and control device 14 sends the text data in which the monitoring result is recorded by the mail transmitting / receiving unit 22 to the mail server 34b by e-mail (step S4).

The management terminal 36 and the mobile phone 38 connect to the packet communication network 32 through a dial-up IP connection and receive an e-mail from the mail server 34. (Step S5). The administrator can check the operation status of the sewerage relay pump P, which is the monitoring and control target, by checking the contents of the e-mail received by the management terminal 36 and the mobile phone 38.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation when the remote monitoring and control system 10 according to the present invention controls the operation of the sewerage relay pump P by e-mail transmitted from the management terminal 36 and the mobile phone 38. . Hereinafter, the operation when the remote monitoring and control system 10 controls the operation of the sewerage relay pump P by the e-mail transmitted from the management terminal 36 and the mobile phone 38 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, a control command input to the monitoring control device 12 when the operation of the sewerage relay pump P is controlled by the manager using the management terminal 36 or the mobile phone 38 is written in the body of the e-mail. An e-mail is created (step S21). Please note that "subj
In the “ect” column, “subject” used for e-mail transmitted when controlling the operation of the sewerage relay pump P is described.
"Parameter change permission command" which is the value of

Then, the e-mail created in step S21 is transmitted to the mail address (own mail address) used by the mail monitoring control device 14 by the administrator (step S22).

The mail monitoring and control device 14 includes a memory unit 20
Is connected to the packet communication network 32 based on the parameter of “time interval of automatic reception” stored in the mail server 3
An e-mail is received from 4a (step S23).

The mail monitoring controller 14 recognizes the data in the "subject" column of the received electronic mail and determines whether the received electronic mail is an electronic mail in which a control command is described (step S24). . In addition,
When the value of the “parameter change permission command” is input in the “subject” of the received e-mail as in this case, the mail monitoring control device 14 does not instruct the wireless communication device 30 to disconnect the line. The connection with the packet network 32 is maintained. When data other than the value of the “parameter change permission command” is input in the “subject” field, the mail monitoring controller 14 simply inputs the contents of the e-mail to the monitoring controller 12 as data. Is performed.

The mail monitoring and control device 14 removes the mail header information of the received e-mail by the controller 18 and sets the state of the e-mail text data (only the control command) (step S25).

The mail monitoring and control unit 14 inputs the text data (control command) generated in step S25 from the data inputting unit 14 to the monitoring and control unit 12. The monitoring control device 12 changes the control set value and the like according to the control command included in the text data to control the operation of the sewerage relay pump P (Step S26).

In step S26, after text data is input to the monitoring control device 12 by the mail monitoring control device 14, the monitoring control device 12
In step S4, text data in which the operation status of the sewerage relay pump P is recorded is input (step S27).

The mail monitoring control device 14 transmits the text data in which the monitoring result is recorded by the mail transmitting / receiving unit 22 to the mail server 34b as an electronic mail (step S28).

The management terminal 36 and the mobile phone 38 connect to the packet communication network 32 through a dial-up IP connection and receive an e-mail from the mail server 34. (Step S29). The administrator can quickly check the result of controlling the operation of the sewerage relay pump P, which is the monitoring and control target, by checking the contents of the e-mail received by the management terminal 36 and the mobile phone 38.

In this embodiment, when a “parameter change permission command” is entered in the “subject” field of the e-mail, the control command which is the body of the e-mail is input to the monitoring control device 12. However, there is a risk that a "parameter change permission command" is entered in the "subject" column by an accidental or malicious third party, an electronic mail is sent, and the control settings are changed. The control command may be executed only when the sender's e-mail address matches the specific e-mail address in the parameter "destination e-mail address" stored in the memory unit 20 together with the "subject". .

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation when the remote monitoring and control system 10 according to the present invention changes the operation setting of the mail monitoring and control device 14 by the electronic mail transmitted from the management terminal 36 and the mobile phone 38. It is. Hereinafter, the operation when the remote monitoring control system 10 changes the operation setting of the mail monitoring control device 14 by the electronic mail transmitted from the management terminal 36 and the mobile phone 38 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the administrator uses the management terminal 36 or the mobile phone 38 to input a control command to be input to the monitoring and control device 12 when controlling the operation of the sewerage relay pump P in the body of the e-mail. An e-mail is created (step S31). Please note that "subj
In the “ect” column, “subject” used for e-mail transmitted when controlling the operation of the sewerage relay pump P is described.
"Parameter change permission command" which is the value of

Then, the e-mail created in step S31 is transmitted to the mail address (own mail address) used by the mail monitoring control device 14 by the administrator (step S32).

The mail monitoring and control device 14 includes a memory unit 20
Is connected to the packet communication network 32 on the basis of the data of "time interval of automatic reception" stored in the mail server 34a.
(Step S33).

The mail monitoring controller 14 determines whether or not the mail address of the sender of the received e-mail matches the address of the parameter “destination mail address” stored in the memory unit 20. It is determined whether the electronic mail is a parameter changing parameter of the control device 14 (step S34). At this time, the mail monitoring controller 14 maintains the connection with the packet network 32 without instructing the wireless communication device 30 to disconnect the line.
If the received e-mail does not match the address of the parameter “destination mail address” stored in the memory unit 20, the mail monitoring controller 14 discards the e-mail.

The mail monitoring and control device 14 removes the mail header information of the received e-mail by the controller 18 and makes the state of the e-mail text data (parameter value) only (step S35).

The mail monitoring controller 14 changes the parameters of the memory unit 20 by the controller unit 18 based on the text data (parameter values) generated in step S25 from the data input / output unit 14 (step S3).
6).

After changing the parameters of the memory unit 20 by the controller unit 18 in step S36,
Text data indicating the change result is generated by the controller unit 18 and transmitted to the mail server 34b as an electronic mail (step S37). When transmitting an e-mail to the mobile phone 38, the e-mail monitoring control device 14 performs a process of transmitting the e-mail to the host computer installed in the mobile phone network (step S38).

The management terminal 36 connects to the packet communication network 32 through a dial-up IP connection and
4 to receive an e-mail. In the case of the mobile phone 38, an e-mail is transferred after the calling process of the mobile phone 38 is performed from the host computer installed in the mobile phone network (step S39). The administrator can quickly confirm that the parameters of the mail monitoring control device 14 have been changed by checking the contents of the e-mail received by the management terminal 36 and the mobile phone 38.

As described above, according to the remote monitoring control system according to the present invention, it is possible to recognize the operation status of the monitoring control object and control the operation while being at a remote place.

In this embodiment, the monitored and controlled object is the sewerage relay pump P. However, the monitored and controlled object is not limited to this and may be operated by a measuring device such as an entrance / exit sensor or a copier sensor. Any device that can grasp the situation may be used. Applicable monitoring and control objects include various pumps such as a copying machine and a water supply pump, an artificial dialysis machine,
Equipment such as traffic lights, lighthouses, lighting buoys, vending machines, etc., which are required to always operate in normal conditions, security systems for crime prevention and disaster prevention, entrance / exit sensors, electronic bulletin boards, etc. The present invention can be applied to devices and the like where it is desired to grasp the operation status of objects and objects in a timely manner. In addition. The above-described example is merely an example, and any device may be used as long as the operation state of the target object can be grasped by a measuring device or the like as described above.

In this embodiment, text data indicating the status of the object to be monitored and controlled is input from the monitoring and measuring device 12 to the mail monitoring and control device 14 in a non-procedural manner. An interface for inputting an electrical signal or an electronic signal from a sensor or a measuring device to the monitoring control device 14, and a text data selection / generation for selecting or generating text data according to the input electrical or electronic signal Means may be provided so that an electrical signal or the like from a sensor or the like can be directly input.

In this embodiment, the mail server 34a uses the mail server provided by the ISP. However, the mail server 34a is not limited to this. , The mail server may be used.

Further, in this embodiment, the monitoring control device 12 generates text data in which measurement result data is recorded from an electric signal or an electronic signal indicating a measurement result output from a measuring device such as a sensor. The present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured to generate still image data and moving image data in addition to text data.

Next, another embodiment according to the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, the configuration of the remote monitoring control system 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. The remote monitoring and control system 50 includes a monitoring and control device 52. The monitoring and control device 52 monitors the operation state of the monitoring and control target object by a contact input of a measuring device such as a sensor (not shown). In addition, the monitoring control device 52, based on the change state of the contact input,
It has a function of selecting text data stored in advance and generating text data in which measurement result data is recorded. The monitoring control device 12 is configured using a computer in which various measuring devices and measuring applications are installed.

A mail monitoring control device 54 is connected to the monitoring control device 52. The mail monitoring control device 54
The text data input from the monitoring control device 52 is transmitted to the administrator's e-mail address as an e-mail in the same manner as the mail monitoring control device 14. Further, the mail monitoring control device 54 inputs the contents of the e-mail transmitted from the administrator to the monitoring control device 52 as data for controlling the monitoring control target. Further, the mail monitoring control device 54 changes the operation settings of the mail monitoring control device 54 itself based on the contents of the e-mail sent from the administrator. The mail monitoring controller 54 has a data input unit 56 as shown in FIG. The data input unit 56 is connected to the monitoring control device 52
Is connected to The data input unit 56 is an interface for inputting data from the monitoring control device 52. Further, the data input / output unit 56 transmits control data input from a controller unit 58 described later to the monitoring control device 52.
It is also an interface to output to.

The controller 58 is connected to the data input / output unit 56. The controller unit 58 has a function of controlling the operation of the entire mail monitoring and control device 54.
The main operations controlled by the controller unit 58 include a mail transmission instruction, a mail reception instruction, and a parameter change of the memory unit 60 described later. In addition, the controller unit 58 transmits the “subjec
By recognizing the data in the column "t", it is determined whether the received e-mail is an e-mail in which a control command is described. The controller unit 58 sends and receives mails based on information input from a data input / output unit 56 and a power failure detection unit 70, which will be described later, and parameters stored in the memory unit 60.

The controller unit 58 is connected to a memory unit 60. The memory unit 60 stores various applications and data used for various processes in the mail monitoring control device 54. As the parameters stored in the memory unit 60, parameters as shown in FIG. 9 are stored.

The mail transmitting / receiving section 62 is connected to the controller section 58. The mail transmission / reception unit 62 performs a mail transmission / reception process based on a mail transmission command and a mail reception command issued from the controller unit 58. The mail transmission / reception unit 62 is also connected to the data input unit 56. When a mail transmission command is issued from the controller unit 58, the text data input to the data input unit 56 is transmitted electronically based on the SMTP protocol. Send as email. Further, when a mail receiving command is issued from the controller unit 58, the mail transmitting / receiving unit 62 receives an electronic mail based on the POP protocol.

The mail transmitting / receiving section 62 is connected to the protocol converting section 64. The protocol conversion unit 64 uses TC
A function for converting data input by the P / IP protocol to a non-procedure, and a function for converting data input by a non-procedure to TCP / I
It has the function of converting to the P protocol. In addition. This protocol conversion function is realized by using a protocol conversion IC or the like.

A timer 66 is connected to the controller 58. The timer 66 controls the mail monitoring control device 54
Is used to measure various time intervals, such as when performing time measurement when performing automatic mail transmission / reception processing at fixed time intervals.

The controller section 58 includes an LED section 6.
8 are connected. The LED section 68 indicates the operation status of the mail monitoring and control device 54 by lighting the LED. The lighting instruction to the LED unit 68 is transmitted to the controller unit 58.
Done in The LED unit 68 is also connected to a timer 66, and the timer 66 is used for measuring the time when the LED unit 28 blinks.

Further, a power failure detection section 70 is connected to the controller section 58. The power failure detection unit 70 is provided in parallel with a power failure drive battery device (not shown) of the mail monitoring and control device 54, and detects a power failure when power is not supplied from a power supply device (not shown) due to a power failure or the like. The power failure detection unit 70 inputs a signal to notify the power failure to the controller unit 58 when the power failure is detected. The controller unit 58 that has received the signal transmits a mail notifying that a power failure has occurred.

A radio communication device 72 compatible with packet communication is connected to the mail monitoring control device 54. The thing equivalent to the wireless communication device 30 is used for the wireless communication device 72.

For the remote monitoring system 50, the mail server 74a, the mail server 74b, and the packet communication network 76 are equivalent to the mail server 74a, the mail server 34b, and the packet communication network 32.

The remote monitoring system 50 includes a relay mail server 78. The relay mail server 78 is composed of a server or a personal computer. The relay mail server 78, like the mail server 34a, is configured by a server or a personal computer on which a mail server application is installed. The mail server 34a has a function of receiving an e-mail based on the SMTP protocol and distributing the e-mail transmitted to the mail address used by the mail monitoring control device 14 based on the POP protocol.

The relay mail server 78 is always connected to the packet communication network 76, and is constructed so that the mail monitoring control device 54 can be recognized as a client device connected to the LAN. further,
The relay mail server 78 is an electronic mail database 78a.
Having. The e-mail database 78a contains the information shown in FIG.
, The local IP address assigned to the mail monitoring control device 54 by the relay mail server 78,
The mail address assigned to the mail monitoring control device 54 by the relay mail server 78 is stored correspondingly. The relay mail server 78 can obtain the local IP address of the mail monitoring control device 54 to which the electronic mail address is assigned from the electronic mail address by searching the electronic mail database 78a.

Further, the relay mail server 78
The F protocol is implemented, and has a function of notifying the mail monitoring controller 54 of the arrival of an e-mail by using the BIFF service.

The remote monitoring system 50 includes a management terminal 80
And a mobile phone 82. The management terminal 80 and the mobile phone 82 are the same as the management terminal 36 and the mobile phone 38. The management terminal 80 is connected to the packet communication network 76 through a dial-up IP connection as appropriate, so that the mail server 74a and the relay mail server 78 are connected.
And send and receive e-mail. The mobile phone 82
By using the Internet e-mail service provided by the mobile telephone network, it is possible to transmit and receive e-mail to and from the mail monitoring control device 54 via the center server (mail server 74b) provided by the mobile telephone network.

Next, the operation of the remote monitoring control system of the present embodiment will be described. The operation of the remote monitoring control system 50 for reporting the result of monitoring to the management terminal 80 and the mobile phone 82 by electronic mail is the same as the operation described with reference to FIG. In addition,
This operation is performed under the control of the controller unit 18 based on the parameter values stored in the memory unit 60 of the mail monitoring and control device 54. Hereinafter, some of the parameter setting examples will be described.

As shown in FIG. 9, a large number of parameters are stored in the memory unit 60. The main parameters relating to the transmission of mail are the following parameters. The ON level (hereinafter referred to as a unit T1) is a parameter indicating how long the contact input is ON when it is determined that the contact input is ON. The OFF level (hereinafter referred to as a unit T2) is a parameter indicating a set time for determining how long the contact input is OFF when the contact input is determined to be OFF. The repeat transmission (hereinafter, referred to as a unit T3) is a parameter indicating a time interval for transmitting an e-mail in a state where the set event continues. The recall (hereinafter referred to as a unit T4) indicates a time period from when the confirmation mail is received to when the mail is transmitted again when the event continues even after the mail monitoring controller 54 receives the confirmation mail. Parameter.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of parameter setting, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an operation when the parameter setting shown in FIG. 11 is performed. In this configuration example,
At the time of normal operation, a device whose contact input is at the OFF level changes to the ON level, and an e-mail is set to be transmitted when the ON level continues for one second or more, which is the value of T1.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of parameter setting, and FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an operation when the parameter setting shown in FIG. 13 is performed. In this setting example, during normal operation, the contact input of the device whose contact input is at the ON level changes to the OFF level, and the OFF level becomes T.
It is set so that an e-mail is transmitted when it has continued for 1 second or more, which is the value of 2.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another example of setting parameters, and FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an operation when the parameters shown in FIG. 15 are set. In this setting example, during normal operation, an e-mail is transmitted when the contact input of a device whose contact input is at the OFF level changes to the ON level and the ON level continues for one second or more, which is the value of T1. Further, the setting is made so that when the state is restored from the ON level to the OFF level and the OFF level continues for one second or more, which is the value of T2, the e-mail is transmitted again.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing still another example of setting parameters, and FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an operation when the parameters shown in FIG. 17 are set. In this setting example, during normal operation, an e-mail is transmitted when the contact input of a device whose contact input is at the OFF level changes to the ON level and the ON level continues for one second or more, which is the value of T1. Further, when the contact input is ON level,
An e-mail is sent again when the ON level continues for at least 1 second which is the value of 1 and 4 minutes which is the value of T3 after 1 second of the value of T1 has elapsed. Is set to In the case of the parameters shown in FIG. 17, when a confirmation mail indicating that the mail transmitted from the monitoring terminal 80 or the mobile phone 82 has been confirmed is transmitted and received by the mail monitoring control device 54, As shown in FIG. 19, the mail is not transmitted again after the mail is received. Note that the confirmation mail is a mail indicating that the contents transmitted from the mail monitoring control device 54 have been confirmed, and the parameters are appropriately stored in the memory unit 60. For example, the mail monitoring control is displayed in the "subject" column. An e-mail including the contents described in the “subject” of the e-mail transmitted from the device 54 is a confirmation e-mail for the e-mail transmitted from the e-mail monitoring control device 54 or the like.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of parameter setting, and FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an operation when the parameter setting shown in FIG. 20 is performed. In this configuration example,
Unlike the case of FIG. 19, after receiving the confirmation mail, T4
When the contact input is still at the ON level even after the elapse of 10 minutes, which is the value of, the confirmation mail is received again, or the mail is transmitted until the contact input becomes the OFF level.

As described above, in this embodiment, data can be acquired as mail in various states by changing the combination of parameters and the like.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the operation when the remote monitoring and control system according to the present invention controls the operation of the monitoring and control object by the electronic mail transmitted from the management terminal and the mobile phone. Hereinafter, the operation when the remote monitoring control system 10 controls the operation of the monitoring control target by the electronic mail transmitted from the management terminal 36 and the mobile phone 38 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, a control command input to the monitoring control device 12 when controlling the operation of the monitoring control object is written in the body of the e-mail by the manager using the management terminal 36 or the mobile phone 38. An e-mail is created (step S41). Please note that "subjec
In the column "t", a "parameter change permission command" which is a value of "subject" used for an e-mail transmitted when controlling the operation of the sewerage relay pump P needs to be input.

Then, the e-mail created in step S41 is transmitted to the mail address (own mail address) used by the mail monitoring control device 14 by the administrator (step S42). In this embodiment, the mail is not transmitted to the mail server 74a, but is transmitted to the relay mail server 78 (step S43).

Relay mail server 78 that received the mail
Determines whether the received mail is an address registered in the e-mail database 78a (step S4).
4).

If the received mail is an address registered in the e-mail database 78a, an IP address corresponding to the mail address is obtained from the e-mail database 78a (step S45), and a BIFF service is sent to the IP address. Is notified to the mail monitoring and control device 54 (step S46). If the received mail is not registered in the e-mail database 78a, the BIFF service is not performed.

The mail server 74 by the BIFF service
The mail monitoring control device 54 notified of the reception of the mail by a performs a dial-up connection and receives the mail from the mail server 74a (step S47).

Hereinafter, steps S48 to S53
About steps S24 through S24 shown in FIG.
Since the same processing as in step 29 is performed, the description is omitted.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the operation when the remote monitoring and control system 50 according to the present invention changes the operation setting of the mail monitoring and control device 54 by the e-mail transmitted from the management terminal 80 and the mobile phone 82. It is. Hereinafter, the operation when the remote monitoring control system 50 changes the operation setting of the mail monitoring control device 54 by the electronic mail transmitted from the management terminal 36 and the mobile phone 38 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, an administrator uses the management terminal 80 or the mobile phone 82 to write a control command to be input to the monitoring control device 52 when controlling the operation of the monitoring control object in the body of the e-mail. A mail is created (step S61). Please note that "subjec
In the "t" column, a "parameter change permission command" which is a value of "subject" used in an e-mail transmitted when controlling the operation of the sewerage relay pump P needs to be input.

Then, the e-mail created by the administrator in step S61 is transmitted to the e-mail address (own e-mail address) used by the e-mail monitoring control device 14 (step S64). In this embodiment,
The mail is configured not to be transmitted to the mail server 74a, but to be transmitted to the relay mail server 78 (step S63).

Relay mail server 78 that received the mail
Determines whether the received mail is an address registered in the e-mail database 78a (step S6).
4).

If the received mail is an address registered in the e-mail database 78a, an IP address corresponding to the mail address is obtained from the e-mail database 78a (step S65), and the BIFF service is sent to the IP address. Is notified to the mail monitoring and control device 54 (step S66). If the received mail is not registered in the e-mail database 78a, the BIFF service is not performed.

The mail server 74 by the BIFF service
The mail monitoring controller 54 notified of the reception of the mail by a performs a dial-up connection and receives the mail from the mail server 74a (step S67).

Hereinafter, steps S67 to S72 will be described.
From step S34 to step S34 shown in FIG.
Since the same processing as in step 39 is performed, the description is omitted.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment are obtained, and the number of packets to be transmitted and received is reduced because the mail monitoring and control device makes a dial-up connection only when necessary. Thereby, when the communication cost is charged according to the number of packets, the communication cost can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the BIFF service is used to notify the reception of the mail. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the notification may be performed using various packet communication such as Ping.

[0106]

As described above, according to the present invention, a monitoring target can be monitored without introducing equipment such as a dedicated line or a server, and data relating to the monitoring target is notified to a plurality of locations. In addition, a remote monitoring and control system that can be used in many environments can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view showing one embodiment of a remote monitoring control system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a mail monitoring control device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing parameters stored in a memory unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation when reporting a result monitored by the remote monitoring control system according to the present invention by e-mail.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when the remote monitoring control system according to the present invention controls the operation of the sewerage relay pump by e-mail transmitted from the management terminal and the mobile phone.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation when the remote monitoring control system according to the present invention changes an operation setting of the mail monitoring control device by an electronic mail transmitted from the management terminal and the mobile phone.

FIG. 7 is an illustrative view showing another embodiment of the remote monitoring control system according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a mail monitoring control device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing parameters stored in a memory unit.

FIG. 10 is an illustrative view showing an e-mail database;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of parameters.

12 is a diagram illustrating an operation when the parameter setting illustrated in FIG. 11 is performed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of setting parameters.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an operation when the parameter setting shown in FIG. 13 is performed.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing still another example of setting parameters.

16 is a diagram illustrating an operation when the parameter setting illustrated in FIG. 15 is performed.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing still another example of setting parameters.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an operation when the parameter setting illustrated in FIG. 17 is performed.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing another operation when the parameter setting shown in FIG. 17 is performed.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of parameters.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an operation when the parameter setting illustrated in FIG. 20 is performed.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an operation when the remote monitoring and control system according to the present invention controls the operation of the monitoring and control target by an e-mail transmitted from the management terminal and the mobile phone.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an operation when the remote monitoring and control system according to the present invention changes the operation setting of the mail monitoring and control device by e-mail transmitted from the management terminal and the mobile phone.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing a conventional remote monitoring control system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 50 Remote monitoring and control system 12, 52 Monitoring and control device 14, 54 Mail control and monitoring device 30, 72 Wireless communication device 32, 76 Packet communication network 34a, 34b, 74a, 74b Mail server 78 Relay mail server 78a E-mail database 36 , 80 Monitoring terminal 38,82 Mobile phone

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Atsushi Kawatake 1-12-39 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka City NTT Docomo Kansainai (72) Inventor Tatsuhiko Kanno 1-chome Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi 12-39 NTT DoCoMo, Inc. Kansainai (72) Inventor Akira Matsumura 3-67 Wakabayashi-cho, Yao-shi, Osaka F-term in Haneron Co., Ltd. 5K048 BA34 CA08 DB01 DC01 EA11 EB10 EB12 EB13 FB08 FC01 HA01 HA02 HA05 HA07 HA24

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A remote monitoring and control system using a packet communication network, comprising: monitoring means for monitoring the operation status of a monitoring target; and data indicating the status of the monitoring target from information obtained from the monitoring means. Data selecting / generating means for selecting or generating, an e-mail transmitting means for transmitting the data as e-mail, a packet communication network for transferring the e-mail, a mail server for receiving the e-mail, A remote monitoring control system comprising: the mail server; and an e-mail receiving unit capable of receiving an e-mail. 2. The remote monitoring control system according to claim 1, wherein said electronic mail transmitting means connects to said packet communication network by a dial-up connection. 3. The remote monitoring control system according to claim 1, wherein said electronic mail transmitting means transmits an electronic mail to a plurality of mail addresses. 4. The remote monitoring control system according to claim 1, wherein said packet communication network includes a wireless packet communication network. 5. The remote monitoring control system according to claim 1, wherein said electronic mail receiving means is a mobile phone having an electronic mail receiving function. 6. The data selecting / generating means for selecting or generating text data.
The remote monitoring and control system according to any one of the above. 7. A remote monitoring and control system using a packet communication network, comprising: a control unit capable of controlling an operation state of a control target; and a command to change an operation setting of the control target to the control unit. Command input means, e-mail receiving means for receiving e-mail, instruction extraction means for extracting a command input by the instruction means from the contents of e-mail, and packet communication for transferring e-mail A network, a mail server for receiving the e-mail, and e-mail transmission means capable of transmitting an e-mail including an instruction to change an operation setting of the control target to the mail server. Remote monitoring and control system. 8. A judging means for judging whether or not an e-mail containing an instruction to change the operation setting of the control target is an e-mail from a person who has a legitimate right to change the operation setting of the control target. The remote monitoring and control system according to claim 7, comprising: 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the determining unit determines whether the electronic mail is from an authorized person who has a right to change the operation setting of the control target based on the mail address of the electronic mail. A remote monitoring and control system as described. 10. The e-mail subjec
8. An e-mail from a person having a legitimate right to change the operation setting of the controlled object when a predetermined number, character, or combination thereof is entered in the column of t. 10. The remote monitoring and control system according to claim 9. 11. The remote monitoring control system according to claim 7, wherein said packet communication network includes a wireless packet communication network. 12. The remote monitoring control system according to claim 7, wherein said electronic mail receiving means is a mobile phone having an electronic mail receiving function. 13. The e-mail server according to claim 7, wherein when the e-mail is received from the e-mail transmitting means, the e-mail receiving means notifies the e-mail receiving means that the e-mail has arrived. 3. The remote monitoring and control system according to 1. 14. The remote monitoring control system according to claim 13, wherein said electronic mail receiving means is connected to said packet communication network by a dial-up connection. 15. The electronic mail receiving means according to claim 14, wherein, when notified of the arrival of the electronic mail from the mail server, the electronic mail receiving means connects to the packet communication network through a dial-up connection and receives the electronic mail. Remote monitoring and control system.