JP2002158788A - Supervisory information supply system for specific area - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a supervisory system for a specific area where a 3rd party other than a specific party cannot or can hardly acquire supervisory information from a supervisory terminal. SOLUTION: The system is not designed for users to directly access the supervisory terminal to acquire information, but a management computer acquires supervisory information sent from the supervisory terminal and utilizes a user database in which individually registered supervisory terminals and users qualified to acquire the information of the supervisory terminals are recorded to supply supervisory information to the users, then the system applies the information providing service to many users.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for monitoring a specific area in which a monitoring terminal is installed using a communication line, even from outside the office, using an information terminal such as a telephone or a personal computer owned by a user. The present invention relates to a monitoring information supply method for a specific area that is enabled.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a house is absent, it is necessary to pay attention to the invasion of thieves and the extinction of fire. It is. For this reason, in recent years, the number of private homes, companies, and the like, who have contracted with a security company to perform security agency work to prevent the intrusion of thieves and the occurrence of fire, etc., has increased.

[0003] As a current security system, there is a system in which when a thief enters a house or the like in which a predetermined sensor or the like is installed, a security officer of the security company rushes to the house by reporting to the security company by a reaction of the sensor.

[0004] However, in such a system using manpower, the labor cost of security personnel accounts for an extremely high ratio, so that the enrollment fee becomes enormous for the general public, and a further rapid increase is not expected. It is not possible at present.

For this reason, communication lines (including wired and wireless)
Not only when necessary and when you are worried,
There is a demand to be able to monitor the state of a specific area, for example, a house, even frequently and intermittently.

[0006]

It is conceivable to use a monitoring system for connecting individual terminals by using a communication line which has existed conventionally. In these monitoring systems, however, a user is required to use a monitoring terminal. Because monitoring information is obtained via a communication line, it is possible for people other than the specified person to directly access it, and for hackers, the location is specified and authentication is cleared. Attempt to obtain information. As described above, if another person can obtain monitoring information such as an image of the monitoring area, there is a problem that privacy is not protected. There is a long-awaited need for a system that makes it impossible to obtain a.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is impossible to obtain monitoring information from a monitoring terminal by a third party other than the specific person, or to monitor a specific area in which it is extremely difficult. It aims to provide a system.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a specific area monitoring information supply system according to the present invention supplies monitoring information of a monitoring terminal installed in a specific area to a user information terminal. A monitoring information supply system for a specific area, wherein the management computer: 1. Authenticating a user who accesses the management computer using the communication line network and confirming whether or not the user is registered in advance; 2. a search step for associating the user registered in the database with the monitoring terminal registered in advance; 1.2. 3. before, simultaneously with, or after the step, receiving monitoring information transmitted from the monitoring terminal via the communication network; Performing a process of associating the accessing user with the monitoring information sent from the monitoring terminal, and giving the monitoring information a viewing permission to the information terminal of the accessing user, or Transmitting the information to a browsable information terminal by using a communication network.

In order to achieve the above object, a specific area monitoring information supply system according to the present invention provides monitoring information of a specific area which supplies monitoring information of a monitoring terminal installed in a specific area to an information terminal of a user. The supply system, wherein the management computer comprises: 1. Authenticating a user who accesses the management computer using the communication line network and confirming whether or not the user is registered in advance; 2. a search step for associating the user registered in the database with the monitoring terminal registered in advance; 1.2. 3. before, at the same time as, or after the step, receiving an Internet connection request from a monitoring terminal accessed via a communication line network; 4. performing a process of associating the accessing user with the monitoring terminal requesting the Internet connection; The information terminal of the accessing user and the monitoring terminal cooperate with each other so that they can communicate with each other via the Internet.

In order to achieve the above object, the monitoring information supply system for a specific area according to the present invention, when the step (3) is carried out after the step (1.2), After that, the management computer
It is preferable that the Internet connection with the information terminal of the accessing user is maintained for a predetermined time.

In order to achieve the above object, the monitoring information supply system for a specific area according to the present invention is arranged such that a predetermined time for maintaining an Internet connection with a user's information terminal is transmitted from the monitoring terminal via a communication network. It is preferable that the time is a preset time until receiving the transmitted monitoring information or receiving the Internet connection request from the monitoring terminal accessed via the communication network.

In order to achieve the above object, a monitoring information supply system for a specific area according to the present invention comprises:
Within the time period of maintaining the Internet connection with the user's information terminal, a call is made to the accessing user's information terminal to the telephone number of the monitoring terminal extracted in the second search step. Preferably, a message is sent to prompt the user to do so.

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, the monitoring information supply system for a specific area according to the present invention provides the information terminal of the accessing user with the telephone number of the monitoring terminal extracted in the second search step. Can be transmitted as call information.

In order to achieve the above object, in the monitoring information supply system for a specific area according to the present invention, the management computer instructs the user on the number of call signals to be sent to the monitoring terminal, It is preferable that the monitoring terminal performs a call to the relay server registered in advance when the number of received call signals is interrupted at a predetermined number.

In order to achieve the above object, in the monitoring information supply system for a specific area according to the present invention, when the monitoring terminal receives a calling signal from the information terminal of the user, the monitoring terminal multiplies the calling signal. A telephone having a caller information receiving means for receiving telephone number information of a caller to be adjusted, wherein the telephone number information of the caller received by the caller information receiving means is registered in advance. It is preferable that a call is made to the relay server when the number matches.

In order to achieve the above object, a specific area monitoring information supply system according to the present invention provides monitoring information of a specific area which supplies monitoring information of a monitoring terminal installed in a specific area to an information terminal of a user. The supply system, wherein the management computer comprises: 1. receiving monitoring information transmitted from the monitoring terminal via the communication line network; 2. Checking which monitoring terminal the monitoring information transmitted from the monitoring terminal via the communication network is monitoring information; 3. temporarily storing the monitoring information so that it can be transmitted; 4. a search step of associating the monitoring information with a user registered in the database in advance; 5. when there is a corresponding user, executing a notification to the user that there is transmission information; 6. Authenticating a user who accesses the management computer using the communication network and confirming whether or not the user is registered in advance;
7. a search step of associating the user registered in the database with the monitoring terminal registered in advance; If the user is a user who is qualified to browse the monitoring information, the monitoring information is given permission to browse to the information terminal of the user, or a communication line network is used for the information terminal capable of browsing. Sending by
9. Subsequently, when a near real monitoring information request is received from the user, the monitoring terminal is sent to the accessing user information terminal while maintaining the Internet connection with the accessing user information terminal. 9. sending a message to prompt the call to the telephone number of Receiving monitoring information that is a substantially real-time state of the specific area obtained from the monitoring terminal, and performing a process of associating the accessing user with the monitoring information sent from the monitoring terminal; . Granting viewing permission to the information terminal of the accessing user, or transmitting the monitoring information to a viewing-enabled information terminal using a communication line network. It is characterized by:

In order to achieve the above object, in the monitoring information supply system for a specific area according to the present invention, the monitoring information is image information acquired by the imaging device, and the image information is received, and It is preferable to notify the user that some change has occurred.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)

First, FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams showing the configuration of a monitoring system for a specific area according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an external perspective view illustrating a monitoring terminal used in the monitoring system for a specific area according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the monitoring terminal used in the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a management computer used in the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is an external view showing a mobile phone carried by a user who can output a monitoring image and a sound from the management computer of the present embodiment. It is.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, in the specific area monitoring system of this embodiment, a large number of registered users (ABC ... Z ..) want to individually monitor. A monitored area such as a place, for example, a home (abc ...
z. . . ) Is installed at the monitoring terminal 4 (4a.4b.4).
c. . . 4z. . . ) And a management computer 3 owned by a service provider connected to the monitoring terminal 4 and an information terminal owned by the service user via a communication network 5 such as the Internet or a telephone network so as to be able to perform data communication.
It mainly consists of a relay server 6, which is an Internet service provider (ISP) registered by each user, and information terminals such as a personal computer 14, a notebook computer 15, and a mobile phone 11 operated by the monitoring service user. Have been. Also, the monitoring sensor 9 is connected to the router 2 of the monitoring terminal.
0 is provided, and when an abnormality is detected by the monitoring sensor 90, a communication line is automatically opened and monitoring information can be transmitted to the management computer 3. Further, the monitoring sensor 90 may be connected to the monitoring unit 1 without connecting to the router 2, and a communication line may be opened via the router 2 according to an instruction from the communication unit of the monitoring unit 1.

Further, the monitoring terminal 4 (4
a. 4b. 4c. . . 4z. . . ) Is, as shown in FIG. 1, mainly a call (callback) based on a call from the management computer 3 to the management computer 3 owned by the service provider via the communication network 5. And a monitoring unit 1 that is connected to the router 2 and collects monitoring information such as images and sounds in a specific area. It is composed of In this embodiment, a wired system is used. However, as shown in FIG.
By using a communication device such as S, a communication line can be opened based on a call (callback) as described above.

As shown in FIG. 3, the monitoring unit 1 used in this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has a transparent dome-shaped cover 68 on the lower surface of a box-shaped housing 50 that can be arranged on a ceiling or the like. The cover 68 includes a monitoring CCD camera 55 as monitoring means and a direction changing device 58 that can change the monitoring direction of the monitoring CCD camera 55 left, right, up and down. And the housing 5
A communication cable 51 connected to the router 2 is led out from the side 0, and a sound collecting microphone 53 capable of collecting sounds in the monitoring area is provided on the other side.

As shown in FIG. 4, the internal structure of the housing 50 of the monitoring unit 1 is based on a predetermined communication protocol between the router 2 and IEEE802.3 / IEEE.
Communication unit 7 for performing bidirectional data communication at 10baseT
1 and an image data compressed by a digital signal processor (DSP) 56, which is used as a work memory in a control performed by an MPU 65, which will be described later.
An SRAM 70 for temporarily storing data or voice data, and a PCM codec 5 connected to the sound collecting microphone 53 and serving as an A / D converter for converting an input sound into digital data.
2, a monitoring CCD camera 55 having a built-in charge-coupled device (CCD) 54 capable of outputting an image formed by a lens as a digital data string, the PCM codec 52, and a charge-coupled device (CCD) A digital signal processor (DSP) 56 for compressing the audio data and the image data output from 54 by a predetermined compression algorithm (MPEG, JPEG, etc.), and the monitoring CCD camera 55 are moved in the shooting direction. 4 includes a direction changing device 58, a driver 59 for turning on a pilot lamp (LED) 69, and an MPU 65 connected to these components as shown in FIG. The monitoring CCD camera 55 and the direction changing device 5 implemented by the MPU 65
8 and an internal ROM 66 storing a control program and the like in which control contents such as start-up and stop of a monitoring means such as the sound collecting microphone 53 and peripheral devices of the monitoring means are described. In FIG. 4, white arrows indicate control signals, and black arrows mainly indicate data signals.

Further, the monitoring unit 1 of this embodiment is provided with a battery 67 as power means, which can be operated by the battery, and which can be placed in a place where power cannot be obtained. Can be installed easily,
The present invention is not limited to this, and these powers may be used by converting an AC current obtained from an outlet or the like into a predetermined DC current.

In this embodiment, as described above, the DSP 56
Image data and audio data are compressed by a method such as MPEG and transmitted to the relay server 6 or the management computer 3. These data compressions are performed by reducing the amount of data to be transmitted. This is preferable because the load can be reduced, the communication capacity required in the management computer 3 can be reduced, and the line cost can be reduced. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

In this embodiment, the monitoring CCD camera 55 and the sound collecting microphone 53 are provided as monitoring means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Infrared sensors that can detect infrared rays emitted by the like, temperature monitoring sensors that can measure the ambient temperature of the installation location, (including fire monitoring sensors based on temperature), smoke monitoring sensors, and the like may be used. The monitoring means may be appropriately selected according to the monitoring purpose.

As a place where the monitoring unit 1 is to be installed, a suitable place for confirming an area image, a temperature, a sound, or smoke that the user particularly wants to monitor may be selected. As in the present embodiment, a ceiling or the like with few obstacles is used, and the monitoring direction can be appropriately moved, so that more precise monitoring can be performed.

Next, while being connected to the monitoring unit 1, it is connected to the communication line network 5 (ISDN line or the Internet network), and data is transmitted between the relay server 6 and the management computer 3. As shown in FIG. 8, the configuration of the router 2 which is a communication device for transmitting and receiving the data includes a communication unit 80 for performing bidirectional data communication with the monitoring unit 1 using the IEEE802.3 / 10baseT. A terminal adapter section 81 for transmitting and receiving digital data via an ISDN line, and an MPU 82 connected to both the communication section 80 and the terminal adapter section 81 for controlling each section.
And a telephone number of the relay server (ISP) 6 used by the user when using the Internet, as a registered telephone number.
Then, a telephone number of the user, which triggers the start of communication (the registration of the telephone number is appropriately performed when confidentiality is improved), and a call signal of a predetermined number of times (for example, once) from the user are received. In this case, the contents of the call back processing for making a call to the telephone number of the relay server (ISP) 6 and the monitoring sensor 90 and the abnormality detection unit / call ID detection unit 91
And an internal ROM 83 for storing a control program in which the contents of the call processing upon reception of a signal from the user and a user name and password for personal authentication transmitted to the relay server (ISP) 6 together with the call are described. ing.

The contents of the call back process for making a call to the telephone number of the relay server (ISP) 6 and a user name and password for personal authentication transmitted to the relay server (ISP) 6 together with the call are described. The executed control program can be stored in the internal ROM 66 or the communication unit 71 of the monitoring terminal. The internal ROM 66 and the communication unit 7 of this monitoring terminal
1 stores the address of the management computer, that is, the global IP address, and this IP address is sent to the relay server 6 that transfers compressed data, which will be described later.

The MPU 82 has, as registered telephone numbers, the telephone number of the management computer and the telephone number of the user who triggers the start of communication (registration of this telephone number is performed when the confidentiality is improved. And a call to the telephone number of the management computer when receiving a call signal of a predetermined number of times (for example, once) from the user.
It is also possible to provide an internal ROM 83 for storing a control program in which the contents of the callback process are described. In this case, a call back is made to call the telephone number of the management computer without going through the relay server (ISP) 6,
It is a direct transmission of the management computer and the monitoring information by telephone line.

In the terminal adapter section 81 used in this embodiment, the monitoring sensor 90 detects an intrusion of a person, a fire, smoke, etc., and extracts a signal transmitted from the terminal adapter section 81. A mobile phone ID detection unit 91 is provided to output a call command to the MPU 82 therefrom. This monitoring sensor 90 is shown in FIG.
Is a passive sensor.

Next, the monitoring unit 1 and the router 2
Each monitoring terminal 4 (4a.4b.4)
c. . . 4z. . . ) Is transmitted over the Internet network via the relay server 6 and the management computer 3 receiving the data is compressed.
As shown in FIG. 5, the configuration of the system shown in FIG. 5 includes a data bus 30 for transmitting and receiving data at a relatively high speed inside a computer, an authentication process by a connection from a user, and a relay server. 6. The image (and sound) data received from the Internet 6 via the Internet is made to correspond to the model information (mobile phone, PC, etc.) of the information terminal of the user accessing based on the information obtained through the communication line base 33. Central processing unit (CPU) 3 having an excellent arithmetic capability capable of performing a data transfer process of performing image frame adjustment or the like and transmitting the data.
1 and R used for the work memory of the CPU 31 and the like.
AM 32, a display device 34 such as a display, an input device 36 such as a keyboard and a mouse, current time information used for registration of connection service execution history and the like, and calendar information such as an arbitrary day of the month, month and day A real-time clock (RTC) 37 capable of outputting a clock signal, a digital communication line (ISD) used for remote maintenance for each of the routers 2 constituting the monitoring terminal and the PHS communication device of the embodiment of FIG.
N) performs relatively high-speed data communication between the monitoring terminal maintenance communication line board 38 to which the connection can be made and the mobile phone 11 or personal computer as the user's information terminal. A communication line board 33 to which a dedicated Internet line for receiving data is connected;
A telephone number assigned to a monitoring terminal installed at a place where the user wants to monitor, and a telephone number assigned to the monitoring terminal, which is composed of a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk and is associated with an identification code (ID) capable of identifying the user. A user database (DB) in which the assigned IP address and a predetermined ID are registered,
A storage device 35 storing a data transfer program in which the data transfer processing content is described and a connection start-up processing program in which an announcement information processing and a search processing program for the information terminal of the user are described are stored. It is a computer with relatively high processing capability.

The communication line board 3 used in the present embodiment
3 is a mobile phone 1 which is an information terminal owned by the user.
At the time of access from the user 1 or the like, guidance for urging the user to input a user ID and a password is transmitted based on the digital data registered in the storage device 35. If the ID (global IP address, user ID) possessed by the mobile phone or PC is multiplied by the access signal and sent, and the management computer 3 can receive this data when accessing the management computer 3, the This makes it possible to search for the authority of the user and the monitoring terminal corresponding to the user without burdening the user.
Further, at the time of authentication, the management computer can receive physical information such as a user's voiceprint, fingerprint, and the like to identify the user. Also, predetermined guidance can be transmitted as voice to a user who is a caller. In this case, A / D which can convert digital voice data into analog voice and transmit it.
A conversion unit (not shown) may be provided.

Further, the communication line board 33 may be provided with a call ID detecting unit (not shown) as a caller information receiving means for extracting telephone number data of the caller. The telephone number data of the central processing unit (CPU)
The user ID can be confirmed by outputting to the user 31.

The information terminal used by the user in the present invention can access the management computer 3 to receive the compressed image data and sound data, decompress the compressed data, reproduce and output the data. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a user accesses the management computer 3 from any one of the personal computer 14, the notebook computer 15 and the mobile phone 11 to access the monitoring terminal 1. The mobile phone 11 used in the present embodiment has a relatively large display capable of displaying a monitoring image, as shown in FIG. It has a screen 16 and is equipped with a microcomputer capable of executing the decompression processing of the compressed data. By connecting an earphone to the earphone terminal port 17, It has to be able to hear sound while looking at the surface.

Hereinafter, the flow of the monitoring process in the monitoring system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
If the user is worried about the state of the home where the is installed, for example, the user accesses the management computer 3 owned by the monitoring service provider from the mobile phone 11 owned by the user and accesses his / her own computer ID according to the guidance.
And the password are input by operating the mobile phone 11. If the ID (global IP address, user ID) possessed by the mobile phone or PC is transmitted by being multiplied by the access signal, and this data reaches the management computer 3 when accessing the management computer 3, special authentication is performed. No processing is required on the part of the user.

The management computer 3 compares the user ID and the password transmitted from the mobile phone 11 of the user A with the registration data in the user DB stored in the storage device 35. In the case where it is determined that the user is a legitimate user by the comparison, a search is performed using the user DB, and the area in the monitoring terminal registered in the user DB in association with the user ID is determined. Tell the menu if you want to see something. As will be described later, when there is monitoring information sent and stored by the self-originating function from the monitoring terminal side, a menu of the stored information is also displayed. For example, the monitoring terminal 4a and the monitoring terminal 4z corresponding to the user A
In the case of, the monitoring terminal 4a, the monitoring terminal 4z, and a menu of storage information are displayed. A menu of distribution history information can be displayed as appropriate.

Here, when the user looks at the menu and selects a specific monitoring terminal, the telephone number of the corresponding monitoring terminal is extracted from the registration data in the user DB and transmitted to the user,
The user is notified of the telephone number (ISDN line) of the router 2 to urge the user to call the telephone. At this time, the number of call signals to be sent to the monitoring terminal can be displayed and notified to the user. The instruction user A is the monitoring terminal 4z
If you select, the phone number will be announced. In this system, a calling program is installed in the telephone number transmitted from the management computer to the user side, and the user can make an automatic call by clicking this telephone number.

According to the guide, the user sends a call signal a predetermined number of times (for example, once a call bell) to the displayed telephone number in the Internet connection state, and interrupts the call. During this time, the management computer maintains the Internet connection with the information terminal of the accessing user at the stage when the authentication is completed. While the user maintains the Internet connection with the information terminal, the reception of the monitoring information transmitted from the monitoring terminal via the communication network,
Alternatively, it is a preset time until an Internet connection request is received from a monitoring terminal accessed via a communication network. For this reason, the user can access by telephone (calling work) without disconnecting the Internet, and the user's convenience is greatly improved. As will be described later,
A plurality of monitoring units may be connected to one communication unit having a router function, and a monitoring unit that can be accessed by a user while the Internet connection with the information terminal of the user is maintained. And a menu are displayed to prompt the user to select desired information.

When the user looks at the menu and selects the save information, the save information stored for the user is extracted in association with the user and transmitted to the user. After the transmission of this information, the Internet connection with the information terminal of the accessing user is maintained and the area of the monitoring terminal registered in the user DB in association with the user ID is searched. The process returns to the process of notifying the user with the menu.

Explaining the calling by the user, the telephone number data of the calling user is multiplied by the calling signal and transmitted to the router 2 by the exchange of the communication network 5. Based on the reception of the call signal, the router 2 sends predetermined start command data to the monitoring unit 1 when the number of received call signals matches a predetermined number registered in advance. The call is transmitted to the telephone number of the relay server 6 registered in the internal ROM, and the user name and password of the registered user are transmitted. The caller telephone number data multiplied by the call signal is demodulated and compared with the user's telephone number registered in advance in the internal ROM of the MPU 82 to determine whether or not both telephone numbers match. You may search.

In the relay server 6 that receives a call with a call signal based on the call of the router 2 of the monitoring terminal 4a, when the personal authentication is confirmed by the user name and the password, the start of the connection is permitted. After confirming this connection, the MPU 65 of the monitoring unit 1 based on the reception of predetermined start command data.
Activates the DSP 56 that performs data compression processing with the PCM codec 52 together with the monitoring CCD camera 55 and the sound collection microphone 53 that are monitoring means, and the address of the management computer recorded in the internal ROM 66 of the monitoring terminal, that is, The global IP address is sent to the relay server 6 together with the compressed data as a destination of the compressed data.

More specifically, the connection of the communication line due to the incoming call is detected by the router 2, and predetermined command data indicating that the connection of the communication line is completed is sent to the monitoring unit 1. . In response to the connection completion, the monitoring unit 1 converts the image data captured by the monitoring CCD camera 55 and the sound data collected by the sound collection microphone 53 and digitized by the PCM codec 52 by the DSP 56. The data is converted into compressed data by a predetermined data compression method such as MPEG, and the compressed data is transmitted from the communication unit 71 to the router 2 and transmitted from the router 2 to the relay server 6.

As described above, in this embodiment, the monitoring CCD camera 5 receives the start command data.
It is preferable to start the monitoring means such as 5 because the power consumption of the monitoring unit 1 can be greatly reduced. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the power consumption of the monitoring unit 1 is small, or when sufficient power can be supplied as the operating power of the monitoring unit 1, the monitoring unit of the monitoring unit 1 may be kept operating at all times.

In the relay server 6, as a general ISP service, the address of the management computer, ie, the global IP address, is sent to the Internet network.
Transfer compressed data. The communication line board 33 of the management computer 3 receives an IP address and a predetermined ID transmitted from the monitoring terminal, and stores a user database in which the IP address and the predetermined ID assigned to the monitoring terminal are registered. Using the (DB), the CPU 31 searches and determines whether the transmitted content is from the authorized monitoring terminal 4a, that is, the predetermined monitoring terminal 4a from which the accessing user has made a call. Authentication based on the ID information of the monitoring terminal 4a sent together with the sent monitoring information and whether or not the communication is based on the call back from the user is accepted if the communication is from a legitimate monitoring terminal. The corresponding access user (user A) is searched again using and to confirm.

After this search, it is confirmed whether or not this monitoring information corresponds to an accesser who is currently accessing, has completed authentication, and maintains connection. If it exists in the user data but is not being accessed, this monitoring information is temporarily stored, and if there is no accessor corresponding to the monitoring information even after the lapse of a predetermined time, the monitoring information is associated by search. The user is notified that the monitoring information is kept by e-mail or the like, or that some abnormality has occurred in the area of the monitoring terminal.

As described above, when the user who has been authenticated and accessed sees the menu and selects the save information, the user notified by e-mail or the like is saved for the user. The storage information is extracted in association with the user and transmitted to the user. After the transmission of this information, the Internet connection with the information terminal of the accessing user is maintained and the area of the monitoring terminal registered in the user DB in association with the user ID is searched. The process returns to the process of notifying the user with the menu.

As the case where the above-mentioned monitoring information is sent, the case where the passive sensor which is the monitoring sensor 90 is operated and the monitoring information is sent due to some unusual situation, or the case where the accessor has previously mounted the monitoring terminal at home or the like. Power and then access the management computer. The latter case is waited for the above-mentioned predetermined time, assuming the latter case.

When the user is connected, the compressed data including the image and the sound transmitted from the monitoring terminal 4a is temporarily stored (stored) in the storage device 35, and is stored in the storage device 35. Model information (mobile phone, PC, etc.) of the information terminal accessed via the access point 33, and model information (mobile phone) of the information terminal of the user (here, user A) accessing based on the obtained information. Phone, PC, etc.), and adjusts the image frame, etc., and stores it in the user's information terminal.
The compressed data obtained is converted into an appropriate file format, for example, C-HTML for a mobile phone, HTML for a personal computer, and transmitted.

The mobile phone 1 as an information terminal of these users
The converted data including the compressed data transmitted to 1 is appropriately decompressed, image data is displayed on the display screen 16, and sound data is D / A converted and output from the earphone terminal port 17.

The monitoring sensor 90 will be described. For example, an infrared sensor capable of detecting infrared rays emitted from an animal or the like, a temperature monitoring sensor capable of measuring the ambient temperature of an installation place, (including a fire monitoring sensor based on temperature),
The monitoring sensor 90 to be used may be appropriately selected according to the monitoring purpose.

The monitoring unit 1 and the monitoring sensor 9
As the installation location of the area 0, it is sufficient to select a suitable location where the user can check the image of the area that the user particularly wants to monitor, and can confirm the temperature, the sound, or the smoke. It is preferable to use a ceiling or the like with a small number of spaces so that the monitoring direction can be appropriately moved, so that more precise monitoring can be performed.

A monitoring sensor 90 is provided on the monitoring terminal 1 side. When the monitoring sensor 90 detects an abnormality as an external factor, the abnormality signal flows to the abnormality detecting unit / call ID detecting unit 91. , MPU 82 is output a call signal. Here, the telephone number of the relay server is registered in the MPU 82, dial-up Internet connection is made to the relay server, and the data obtained by the monitoring unit 1 by imaging and sound pickup is automatically stored as compressed data in the management computer. 3 is sent. In this embodiment, when an abnormality is detected by the monitoring sensor 90, the imaging and the sound pickup device are activated.
The imaging and sound collecting device is always in an active state, and only the communication line may be opened. Of course, the communication line is always connected (ADSL, dedicated line, wireless Internet, CAT
V, etc.), the monitoring information obtained from the imaging or sound collecting device can be transmitted to the management computer 3 only when an abnormality occurs, for example, by packet communication. (Example 2)

The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment with respect to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8, and not only unilaterally transmits data from the monitoring terminal to the user, but also 5 is different in that a predetermined instruction is given to the monitoring terminal and that the communication between the monitoring terminal and the information terminal of the user is possible. This will be described in Section 9.

That is, each monitoring terminal 4 (4a.4b.4c..4) composed of the monitoring unit 1 and the router 2
z. . . ) Is linked to each user's information terminal over the Internet via the relay server 6 and the management computer 3 so that the information terminal of each user and each monitoring terminal can be transmitted and received. As shown in FIG. 5, an authentication process is performed by connecting a user to a data bus 30 for transmitting and receiving data at a relatively high speed inside the computer. Image (and sound) data received via the communication line base 33 in correspondence with the model information (mobile phone, PC, etc.) of the information terminal of the user accessing based on the information obtained through the communication line base 33. A central processing unit (CPU) 31 having an excellent calculation capability capable of performing a data transfer process of transmitting data after performing adjustment and the like, and an R used for a work memory of the CPU 31 and the like. M32 and a display device such as a display 34 and an input device 3 such as a keyboard and a mouse
6, a real-time clock (RTC) 37 capable of outputting current time information used for registration of connection service execution history and the like, and calendar information such as an arbitrary day of the month, date, etc .; PH of the embodiment of FIG.
A data communication between a monitoring terminal maintenance communication line board 38 in which a digital communication line (ISDN) used for remote maintenance can be connected to the S communication device and a mobile phone 11 or a personal computer as a user information terminal. A communication line board 33 connected to a dedicated line for the Internet for performing communication at a relatively high speed and receiving data from the relay server 6 and a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk, and an identification code for identifying a user ( ID) associated with the monitoring terminal installed in the place where the user wants to monitor, a telephone number assigned to the monitoring terminal, an IP address assigned to the monitoring terminal, and a user ID (predetermined ID) registered therein. DB), a data transfer program in which the contents of the data transfer processing are described, and an analysis for the information terminal of the user. There is a motor - Nsu information processing, search processing programs and the like described connection start process program and the like and a storage device 35 which is stored, excellent computer which in the connected relatively throughput.

Hereinafter, the flow of the monitoring process in the monitoring system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
If the user is worried about the state of the home where the is installed, for example, the user accesses the management computer 3 owned by the monitoring service provider from the mobile phone 11 owned by the user and accesses his / her own computer ID according to the guidance.
And the password are input by operating the mobile phone 11. If the ID (global IP address, user ID) possessed by the mobile phone or PC is transmitted by being multiplied by the access signal, and this data reaches the management computer 3 when accessing the management computer 3, special authentication is performed. No processing is required on the part of the user.

The management computer 3 compares the user ID and the password transmitted from the mobile phone 11 of the user A with the registration data of the user DB stored in the storage device 35. When a comparison is found and the user is determined to be an authorized user, a search is performed using the user DB, and a monitoring terminal registered in the user DB in association with the user ID, for example, a user A If the monitoring terminal 4a corresponds to the above, the telephone number (ISDN line) of the router 2 constituting the monitoring terminal 4a is notified to the user, and a call is urged. The user sends a predetermined number of call signals (for example, once a call bell) to the displayed telephone number in the Internet connection state according to the guide to interrupt the call. At the stage of completing the authentication, the management computer establishes an Internet connection with the information terminal of the accessing user,
Continue to maintain. The time during which the Internet connection with the information terminal of the user is maintained is a preset time until the Internet connection request is received from the monitoring terminal that is accessed from the monitoring terminal via the communication network. . When there are a plurality of monitoring terminals corresponding to the user A, a menu of types of monitoring terminals that can be accessed is displayed to the user to urge the user to select desired information.

At this time, at the time of calling, the telephone number data of the user who is the calling party is multiplied by the calling signal and transmitted to the router 2 by the exchange of the communication line network 5.

Based on the reception of the calling signal, the router 2
Sends a predetermined start command data to the monitoring unit 1 when the number of received call signals matches a predetermined number registered in advance, and
A call is made to the telephone number of the relay server 6 registered in M, and the user name and password of the registered user are transmitted. The caller's telephone number data multiplied by the calling signal is demodulated and stored in the internal ROM of the MPU 82.
May be compared with the user's telephone number registered in advance, and whether or not both telephone numbers match may be searched.

When the relay server 6 receives a call with a call signal based on the call of the router 2 of the monitoring terminal 4a and confirms the personal authentication with the user name and the password, the connection start is permitted. After confirming this connection, the MPU 65 of the monitoring unit 1 based on the reception of predetermined start command data.
Activates the DSP 56 that performs data compression processing with the PCM codec 52 together with the monitoring CCD camera 55 and the sound collection microphone 53 that are monitoring means, and the address of the management computer recorded in the internal ROM 66 of the monitoring terminal, that is, The global IP address is sent to the relay server 6 together with the compressed data as a destination of the compressed data.

More specifically, the connection of the communication line due to the incoming call is detected by the router 2, and predetermined command data indicating that the connection of the communication line is completed is sent to the monitoring unit 1. . In response to the connection completion, the monitoring unit 1 converts the image data captured by the monitoring CCD camera 55 and the sound data collected by the sound collection microphone 53 and digitized by the PCM codec 52 by the DSP 56. Compressed data is formed by a predetermined data compression method such as MPEG, and the compressed data is sent from the communication unit 71 to the router 2, and is sent from the router 2 to the relay server 6.

As described above, in this embodiment, the monitoring CCD camera 5 receives the start command data.
It is preferable to start the monitoring means such as 5 because the power consumption of the monitoring unit 1 can be greatly reduced. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the power consumption of the monitoring unit 1 is small, or when sufficient power can be supplied as the operating power of the monitoring unit 1, the monitoring unit of the monitoring unit 1 may be kept operating at all times.

In the relay server 6, as a general ISP job, the address of the management computer, that is, the global IP address is sent to the Internet network.
Transfer compressed data. The communication line board 33 of the management computer 3 receives an IP address and a predetermined ID transmitted from the monitoring terminal, and stores a user database in which the IP address and the predetermined ID assigned to the monitoring terminal are registered. Using the (DB), the CPU 31 searches and determines whether the transmitted content is from the authorized monitoring terminal 4a, that is, the predetermined monitoring terminal 4a from which the accessing user has made a call. Authentication based on the ID information of the monitoring terminal 4a sent together with the sent monitoring information and whether or not the communication is based on the call back from the user is accepted if the communication is from a legitimate monitoring terminal. The corresponding access user (user A) is searched again using and to confirm.

The compressed data including the image and the sound transmitted from the monitoring terminal 4a is temporarily stored (stored) in the storage device 35, and the model information (portable information) of the information terminal accessed via the communication line board 33 is stored. Phone, PC, etc.), and image frame adjustment etc. corresponding to the model information (mobile phone, PC, etc.) of the information terminal of the user (here, user A) accessing based on the obtained information. Further, the compressed data temporarily stored (stored) is converted into an appropriate file format in the information terminal of the user, for example, C-HTML for a mobile phone, or HTML for a personal computer. Sent. In this embodiment, the image transfer is performed from the beginning, but the management computer can simply connect the monitoring terminal connected via the Internet to the information terminal of the user, for example, the mobile phone 11 or the like. good.

In conjunction with this transmission connection, the management computer 3 connects the monitoring terminal connected from the relay server 6 via the Internet to the information terminal of the user, for example, the mobile phone 11, and monitors the connection. Data transfer processing for mediating and connecting predetermined command data and image (and sound) data transmitted and received from the terminal and the information terminal of the user, respectively, is performed. Here, the management computer 3 provides a guidance service regarding an operation regarding the connection between the two. For example, if you give users the time allowed for Internet connection, a guide for the remaining time,
Announces when the monitoring terminal has a connection failure.

The mobile phone 1 as the information terminal of these users
The converted data including the compressed data transmitted to 1 is appropriately decompressed, image data is displayed on the display screen 16, and sound data is D / A converted and output from the earphone terminal port 17. However, when the user A connected to the monitoring terminal via the Internet operates a cross key or the like provided on the mobile phone 11 to change the monitoring direction in which the image is captured, the operation data is displayed. Is transmitted to the monitoring terminal 4a via the management computer 3 and the relay server 6, and the control instruction data of the direction changing device 58 is created based on the transmission, and the photographing direction is adjusted in the up, down, left, and right directions as desired by the user. It is possible to move. By expanding the hardware and software of the surveillance terminal, various functions can be added, such as zoom operation of the camera, audio amplification, and audio from the user terminal being sent from the surveillance terminal through a speaker.

As described above, since the monitoring terminal reversely calls the telephone number of the relay server registered in advance based on the reception of the call signal from the user and opens the communication line, Even if there is a call from a third party, communication lines with these third parties will not be opened, making it impossible for third parties other than the specified person to obtain monitoring information from the monitoring terminal. At the same time, the acquired monitoring information can be supplied to the user's information terminal via the management computer.

In this system, the user does not directly access the monitoring terminal to obtain the information, but the management computer obtains the monitoring information transmitted from the monitoring terminal (that is, only the management computer). Information does not arrive), and the monitoring information is supplied using the user database in which the individually registered monitoring terminals and the users who are qualified to acquire the information of the monitoring terminals are supplied. It is possible to minimize the possibility of obtaining monitoring information from a monitoring terminal by a third party other than the above, and to provide an information providing service to a large number of users.

That is, in a monitoring system that uses a monitoring system that connects individual terminals using a communication line that has existed conventionally, a user obtains monitoring information via the communication line to the monitoring terminal. As a result, it is possible for people other than the specified person to directly access it, and those who hack can specify the location and clear the authentication and try to obtain information, This gives the possibility of others obtaining monitoring information such as images of the monitoring area. However, in this system, the information on the monitoring terminal is always sent to the management computer, and the information is provided only through the management computer. Even if hacked into a computer, it is difficult to determine what information the information obtained there is. The attack can be prevented.

When the received call signal is interrupted a predetermined number of times, the monitoring terminal performs the call to the relay server. Inconveniences can be avoided as much as possible, and the security of the system can be enhanced by keeping the predetermined number of times secret. Further, if the monitoring terminal does not go off-hook when a call is made by the user, processing can be performed so that a telephone charge is not charged to the user.

If it is possible to confirm that the caller is on the management computer side based on the telephone number information of the caller multiplied by the call signal, for example, a call to the relay server due to a wrong telephone call or the like can be made. The inconvenience of charging can be avoided as much as possible.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but includes any changes or additions without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Needless to say.

For example, in the embodiment, the monitoring terminal 4
Is a shape that can be installed on the ceiling, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that these monitoring terminals may be of a wall-hanging type or may be formed in an appropriate shape according to other installation locations.

In the above embodiment, the monitoring terminal 4 is composed of the monitoring unit 1 and the router 2. However, the monitoring terminal 4 may be accommodated in one housing to constitute the monitoring terminal. good.

In the above embodiment, one monitoring terminal 1 is connected to the router 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be connected. Further, the monitoring CCD camera 55 including the charge-coupled device (CCD) 54 is used as one monitoring camera unit, and addresses are assigned to a plurality of such monitoring camera units, respectively.
In addition, a plurality of surveillance camera units (1-1.1-2.1.
-3.1-4, etc.) so that the information of each monitoring camera unit (1-1.1, 2.1-3.1-4, etc.) is selectively given to the monitoring unit 1 side. It may be. In this case, if all the information obtained from the plurality of monitoring camera units is transmitted to the management computer via the router 2 and the user selects the information on the menu screen, the cost can be reduced by the number of times of communication.

In the above embodiment, the router 2 and the monitoring unit 1 are connected by the communication cable 51. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be connected by communication, for example, a wireless LAN. The term “connection” used here includes all wired and wireless connections.

Further, in the second embodiment, the monitoring terminal transmits image data and the like to the relay server from the beginning at the time of connection, but the management computer simply connects the access person and the monitoring terminal to the Internet. Only after the connection is completed, the accessor may instruct the information terminal to receive the monitoring information after the connection is completed.

[0079]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(A) According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, instead of a system in which a user directly accesses a monitoring terminal and obtains information, the management computer transmits monitoring information transmitted from the monitoring terminal. To provide monitoring information using a user database in which individually registered monitoring terminals and users who are entitled to obtain information on the monitoring terminals are provided. This makes it possible to prevent a third party from obtaining monitoring information from the monitoring terminal as much as possible and to provide an information providing service to a large number of users.

(B) According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a monitoring terminal installed in a specific area due to some kind of abnormality or signal detection sends monitoring information through a communication network by its own transmission function. come. The management computer temporarily stores the monitoring information in a viewable or transmittable manner, and searches for and selects a corresponding user from many registered users, and the transmission information is available for this user. Therefore, the authorized user who has been authenticated can easily browse the necessary monitoring information only by accessing the management computer. Furthermore, since the authentication has been completed at this point, in addition to the monitoring information obtained at the time of abnormality, etc., monitoring information close to the current real time, which has passed a predetermined time after the notification, can be continuously obtained, so that information as monitoring information The amount will be enormous.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a monitoring system for a specific area according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a monitoring system for a specific area according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a monitoring unit used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a monitoring terminal used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a management computer used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an external view showing a mobile phone as an information terminal carried by a user used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a monitoring process in the specific area monitoring system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a router which is a communication means used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a monitoring process in the specific area monitoring system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 monitoring unit 2 router (communication means) 3 management computer 4a monitoring terminal (monitoring area a) 4b monitoring terminal (monitoring area b) 4c monitoring terminal (monitoring area c) 5 communication line network 11 mobile phone 14 personal computer 15 notebook computer 16 display Screen 17 Earphone terminal port 30 Data bus 31 Central processing unit (CPU) 32 RAM 33 Communication line board 34 Display device 35 Storage device 36 Input device 37 Real time clock (RTC) 38 Communication line board for monitoring terminal maintenance 50 Housing 51 Communication Cable 52 PCM codec 53 Sound collecting microphone 55 Monitoring CCD camera 56 Digital signal processor (DSP) 58 Direction changing device 59 Driver 65 MPU 66 Internal ROM 67 Battery 68 Cover 69 Pilot lamp (LED) 70 SRAM 7 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication part 80 Communication part 81 Terminal adapter part 82 MPU 83 Internal ROM 90 Monitoring sensor 91 Abnormality detection part and call ID detection part

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C087 AA02 AA03 AA08 AA25 AA44 BB12 BB20 BB46 BB65 BB74 DD05 DD24 EE14 EE18 FF01 FF02 FF04 FF16 FF19 FF23 GG02 GG12 GG17 GG24 GG67 5K101 NN12 NN12

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A monitoring information supply system for a specific area, which supplies monitoring information from a monitoring terminal installed in a specific area to an information terminal of a user, wherein the management computer includes: 1. Authenticating a user who accesses the management computer using the communication line network and confirming whether or not the user is registered in advance; 2. a search step for associating the user registered in the database with the monitoring terminal registered in advance; 1.2. 3. before, simultaneously with, or after the step, receiving monitoring information transmitted from the monitoring terminal via the communication network; Performing a process of associating the accessing user with the monitoring information sent from the monitoring terminal, and giving the monitoring information a viewing permission to the information terminal of the accessing user, or Transmitting the information to a browsable information terminal using a communication line network. 2. A monitoring information supply system for a specific area for supplying monitoring information from a monitoring terminal installed in a specific area to an information terminal of a user, the management computer comprising: 1. Authenticating a user who accesses the management computer using the communication line network and confirming whether or not the user is registered in advance; 2. a search step for associating the user registered in the database with the monitoring terminal registered in advance; 1.2. 3. before, at the same time as, or after the step, receiving an Internet connection request from a monitoring terminal accessed via a communication line network; 4. performing a process of associating the accessing user with the monitoring terminal requesting the Internet connection; A monitoring information supply system for a specific area, wherein the information terminal of the accessing user and the monitoring terminal cooperate with each other so that they can communicate with each other via the Internet. 3. In a case where the step 3 is performed after the step 1.2, after the step 1.2, the management computer communicates with the information terminal of the accessing user. The monitoring information supply system for a specific area according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an Internet connection is maintained for a predetermined time. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time during which the Internet connection with the information terminal of the user is maintained is obtained by receiving the monitoring information transmitted from the monitoring terminal via the communication network or accessing the communication terminal via the communication network. The monitoring information supply system for a specific area according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined time is a period of time until an Internet connection request is received from the monitoring terminal. 5. The management computer transmits the information to the information terminal of the accessing user while maintaining the Internet connection with the information terminal of the user.
4. The monitoring information supply system for a specific area according to claim 3, wherein a message is sent so as to prompt a call to the telephone number of the monitoring terminal extracted in the search step. 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the telephone number of the monitoring terminal extracted in the second search step can be transmitted to the information terminal of the accessing user as call information. Monitoring information supply system for specific areas. 7. The management computer instructs the user on the number of call signals to be sent to the monitoring terminal, and the monitoring terminal interrupts the number of received call signals at a predetermined number. The monitoring information supply system for a specific area according to claim 5, wherein a call to the relay server registered in advance is performed in the case. 8. The caller, when receiving a call signal from the information terminal of the user, receives the caller's telephone number information multiplied by the call signal. An information receiving means for calling the relay server when the telephone number information of the caller received by the caller information receiving means coincides with a telephone number registered in advance. Item 5. The monitoring information supply system for a specific area according to item 5, 6, or 7. 9. A monitoring information supply system for a specific area, which supplies monitoring information from a monitoring terminal installed in a specific area to an information terminal of a user, wherein the management computer comprises: 1. receiving monitoring information transmitted from the monitoring terminal via the communication line network; 2. Checking which monitoring terminal the monitoring information transmitted from the monitoring terminal via the communication network is monitoring information; 3. temporarily storing the monitoring information so that it can be transmitted; 4. a search step of associating the monitoring information with a user registered in the database in advance; 5. when there is a corresponding user, executing a notification to the user that there is transmission information; 6. Authenticating a user who accesses the management computer using the communication line network, and confirming whether or not the user is registered in advance; The user registered in the database in advance,
7. searching for associating with a pre-registered monitoring terminal; If the user is a user who is qualified to browse the monitoring information, the monitoring information is given permission to browse to the information terminal of the user, or a communication line network is used for the information terminal capable of browsing. Sending and sending;
9. Subsequently, when a near real monitoring information request is received from the user, the monitoring terminal is sent to the accessing user information terminal while maintaining the Internet connection with the accessing user information terminal. 9. sending a message to prompt the call to the telephone number of Receiving monitoring information that is a substantially real-time state of the specific area obtained from the monitoring terminal, and performing a process of associating the accessing user with the monitoring information sent from the monitoring terminal; . Granting viewing permission to the information terminal of the accessing user, or transmitting the monitoring information to a viewing-enabled information terminal using a communication line network. A monitoring information supply system for a specific area, characterized in that: 10. The monitoring information is image information acquired by the imaging device, and is configured to notify a user that some change has occurred in a specific area by receiving the image information. Item 10. A monitoring information supply system for a specific area according to Item 9.