JP2002183851A - Remote monitoring device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To precisely grasp the status of the interior of a space as an object from one's destination at need. SOLUTION: When a warning mode is selected, on detecting the occurrence of abnormality in the interior, the video information of the interior is transmitted to a portable telephone 11 at one's destination. When a monitoring mode is selected, in response to the transmission of an instruction signal from the portable telephone 11, the video information of the interior is transmitted to the portable telephone 11. Thus, in the warning mode, the status of abnormality occurring in the interior can be recognized as video information by the individual through his own portable telephone 11 at one's destination. In the monitoring mode, the status of the interior can be precisely grasped by the portable telephone 11 at need whether the interior is abnormal or not.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a personal computer (PDP) that captures an image of the situation inside a house when going out, and stores the image information.
The present invention relates to a remote monitoring device for transmitting to a portable terminal with a display such as an HS (personal handy horn) or a mobile phone.

[0002]

Generally, as this kind of remote monitoring device, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-224383, for example, a monitoring camera is connected to a mobile phone or a PHS, and these are connected to a space to be targeted. In addition to the fixed installation on the ceiling inside the room, a sensing sensor that monitors the movement of the door is installed, and when an intruder opens and closes the door while it is locked, the sensing sensor detects and the surveillance camera starts up In addition, a portable security device that notifies a mobile phone or a PHS that is movable as video information of a site situation is known.

In the portable security device having the above configuration, when an abnormal condition occurs in the house, the condition can be recognized as video information on the go. Therefore, the condition of an illegal intruder can be accurately grasped. , Can report to the police etc. quickly and accurately. In addition, since the mobile telephone communication network and the PHS communication network are used, there are advantages that the installation on the site is simple and there is little possibility of interrupting the information transmission due to the disconnection of the telephone line. However, unless an abnormal condition occurs in the house, a mobile phone or PHS
No video information is sent to the user.For example, if you go out with a sleeping child or want to confirm that you have forgotten to turn off the gas valve, check the indoor conditions from where you are going out. I couldn't do that.

On the other hand, as another remote monitoring device,
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-40196 discloses a security system using a portable device.
Here, small portable information devices (PHS, mobile phones, notebook computers, PDs) that individuals can carry outdoors
A) an imaging means (digital still camera, digital video camera, CCD camera, video camera, infrared camera, etc.) capable of collecting video information around the individual
There is disclosed a system including a video information transmitting unit that can wirelessly transmit video information captured by an imaging unit to a predetermined destination when an emergency occurs.

[0005] In this case, by carrying the imaging means and a radio oscillation device such as a PHS or a mobile phone to a protected person such as a child, a woman, or an elderly person who is indoors, a call from the protected person can be made even when an abnormality does not occur. Thus, it is possible to transmit the indoor situation as video information to a partner on the go. But,
This is based solely on a call from a guardian who is indoors, and it is not possible to confirm the indoor conditions from outside when necessary.

[0006] As described above, the conventional remote monitoring device having a security function as described above only unilaterally sends the imaging information from the room to the PHS or mobile phone held outside. Regardless of whether there is an abnormality or not, it is not possible to accurately grasp the state of the room from outside when necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a remote monitoring device capable of accurately grasping the situation in a target space from image information when necessary even when the target space is not abnormal. For that purpose.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote monitoring apparatus, comprising: an imaging unit installed in an object space; An abnormality monitoring device that transmits an abnormality occurrence signal when detected, video information transmission means that transmits image information from the imaging means to a portable information terminal outside the target space, and a command signal sent from the portable information terminal. Operating mode setting that allows the user to select either a monitoring mode for operating the video information transmitting means when the abnormality occurs, or an alarm mode for operating the video information transmitting means when an abnormality occurrence signal is sent from the abnormality monitoring device. Means.

In this case, when the alarm mode is selected by the operation mode setting means, when an abnormality such as a human body or a fire is detected in the object space, the image information in the object space is transmitted from the image information transmitting means to the portable device. Automatically sent to the information terminal. On the other hand, when the monitoring mode is selected by the operation mode setting means, the video information in the target space is transmitted from the video information transmitting means to the mobile information terminal when the command signal is transmitted from the mobile information terminal. As described above, in the alarm mode, the situation of occurrence of an abnormality in the target space can be recognized as video information by the portable information terminal held by the individual on the go, and appropriate measures can be taken thereafter. Also, in the monitoring mode, regardless of whether the inside of the subject space is abnormal or not, the individual uses the portable information terminal held by the person on the go to accurately grasp the situation in the subject space when necessary. be able to.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the monitoring mode or the alarm mode can be selected by both the operation mode setting means and the portable information terminal. It is configured to be.

In this way, even if the user notices that the monitoring mode or the alarm mode has been selected incorrectly on the go, he or she can use the personal information terminal held by the individual to select the correct mode again. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first or second aspect, the imaging means and the video information transmitting means are constituted by a common portable terminal. It is characterized by.

In this case, the devices installed in the target space are:
Substantially, only the portable terminal and the alarm activation device are required, and there is no need to prepare a dedicated imaging device. Therefore, the spread of the present device can be dramatically increased.

[0014]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a remote monitoring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1 showing the overall configuration of the apparatus, reference numeral 1 denotes a mobile phone of a base unit installed at a key point in a house such as an ordinary home or office. The mobile phone 1 integrally incorporates a CCD camera 2 as an image pickup unit capable of picking up an image of a room condition, and a microphone 3 as an audio input unit. Reference numeral 4 denotes an infrared sensor as an abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormal state in the room such as an illegal intruder or a fire. When the infrared sensor 4 detects any abnormal state in the room, the infrared sensor 4
The alarm activation device 6 integrated with the cellular phone 1 is activated, and an abnormality occurrence signal is transmitted to the mobile phone 1. The mobile phone 1 and the alarm activation device 6 are housed in, for example, a doll 5 so as to make it difficult for an intruder to easily find the mobile phone 1 and the alarm activation device 6. In this case, it is preferable that the imaging lens of the CCD camera 2 is opposed to one eye of the doll 5 and the infrared sensor 4 is opposed to the other eye. Further, in place of the doll 5, for example, a stuffed animal, a clock, a figurine, a box, or the like may be used as a blindfold member. In the present embodiment, by using the mobile phone 1 with the image pickup means, it is not necessary to prepare separate image pickup means, and the installation on the indoor side can be more simplified.

The infrared sensor 4 detects infrared rays emitted from a human body and infrared rays emitted from a flame at the time of a fire.
Since the level of infrared rays emitted from the flame at the time of fire is higher, it is determined whether a human body is present or a fire has occurred according to the difference in the infrared levels. As described above, in the present embodiment, the presence or absence of a human body and a fire is efficiently detected by the single infrared sensor 4, but the human body sensor and the fire sensor may be separately provided. Further, the occurrence of abnormality may be detected by various sensors other than the infrared sensor 4. For example, a deviation of a video signal imaged by the CCD camera 2 may be detected, and an alarm signal may be sent from the alarm activation device 6.

In the present embodiment, in order to monitor a plurality of indoor conditions, a CC is stored in a room different from the cellular phone 1 as a master unit.
A main unit including a slave unit 8 including the D camera 2 and the microphone 3 and an alarm actuating device 6 is provided. This slave unit 8
Instead of an external line communication function via the communication means 12, an internal line communication function with the mobile phone 1 as a base unit is provided, but other configurations are the same as the mobile phone 1. The mobile phone 1 and the slaves 8 can be connected not only by radio but also by wire, and one or more slaves 8 can be connected to one mobile phone 1.
Is installed. Then, an extension call can be made between the mobile phone 1 and the slave unit 8. The mobile phone 1 and the handset 8 can be used not only in ordinary homes but also in hospitals because nurses can minimize the influence of radio waves (nurse centers and hospital rooms).

On the other hand, reference numeral 11 denotes a mobile phone different from the mobile phone 1 which is carried by an individual on the go. This cell phone 11
Is wirelessly connected to the indoor mobile phone 1 via a communication means 12 such as a mobile phone line network so as to be capable of two-way communication.
In order to display video information (moving image or still image) captured by the camera 2, for example, a display 13 such as a color liquid crystal display is used.
And a speaker 14 as sound output means for outputting room sound information collected by the microphone 3.
Note that a portable information terminal (eg, PHS, PDA, etc.) other than the mobile phone 11 may be used as long as there is a display 13 that can display at least such room image information.

Next, based on FIG. 2, the functional configuration of the portable telephone 1 and the alarm activation device 6 installed indoors will be described in more detail. The mobile phone 1 stores, as a control sequence of a program stored in its own storage unit, a notification destination telephone number storage unit 21 for registering one or more notification destination telephone numbers in advance.
Video / sound information for automatically dialing the telephone number stored in the report destination telephone number storage means 21 and transmitting the video information from the CCD camera 2 and the sound information from the microphone 3 to the mobile phone 11 as the report destination. Transmission means 22, callable telephone number storage means 23 for registering telephone numbers which can be received in advance, and call rejection means 24 for automatically rejecting calls other than the telephone numbers stored in callable telephone number storage means 23. When a command signal for acquiring video information is transmitted from the mobile phone 11 having a telephone number registered in the telephone
Operation mode setting capable of selecting and setting one of a monitoring mode for operating the sound information transmitting means 22 and an alarm mode for operating the monitoring information transmitting means 22 when the alarm operating device 6 receives an abnormality occurrence signal. And means 25. If the storage capacity of the mobile phone 1 is not enough,
Each function of the incoming callable telephone number storage means 23 and the incoming call rejection means 24 may be performed on the communication means 12 side. The switching between the monitoring mode and the alarm mode by the operation mode setting means 25 can be performed by operating keys (not shown) of the mobile phone 1 which constitutes a part of the operation mode setting means 25. It can also be performed by operating keys of the mobile phone 11 of the telephone number registered in the storage means 23.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a speaker provided in the portable telephone 1 or the handset 8 as a speech-enabled voice output means. This speaker 26 is different from the receiver (hands-free)
In general, as a function of a so-called home telephone, a conversation between the mobile phone 1 and the slave unit 8 is enabled, and the voice from the mobile phone 11 can be output as needed. This allows, for example, an answering child to directly listen to the real voice of the mobile phone 11 from the parent on the go through the speaker 26. This function can also be performed by the speaker 26 provided in the slave unit 8, and the mobile phone 1 as the master unit is
Can be used to make a call with the mobile phone 11 on the go.

On the other hand, the alarm actuating device 6 which constitutes the main body of the apparatus together with the portable terminal 1 is provided with a sensing level switching means 28 for switching the sensing level of the infrared sensor 4 stepwise (for example, three steps). The sensing level of the infrared sensor 4 can be switched by a switch 29 as an operating means provided in the alarm actuating device 6, but also by an operation key of the mobile phone 11 of the telephone number registered in the incoming telephone number storing means 23. It can be switched.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In order to use this apparatus, the telephone number of the mobile phone 11 to be notified when an abnormality occurs is registered in advance in the notification destination telephone number storage means 21 and the telephone number on the mobile phone 1 side for accepting an incoming call can be called. It is registered in the number storage means 23 (step S1). A plurality of these telephone numbers can be registered by operating keys of the mobile phone 1. Normally, telephone numbers such as a mobile phone 11 owned by a person living in the house or a reliable person such as a relative or friend are registered. You. In particular, the report destination telephone number storage means 21 stores the telephone numbers of a plurality of report destinations, for example, a first report destination, a second report destination, a third report destination ...
In this way, it is possible to assign priorities and register them. Thereby, the video / sound information transmitting means 22 automatically switches the transmission to the next second or third report destination when the occurrence of the abnormality cannot be correctly transmitted to the portable terminal 11 as the first report destination. It has become.

Next, before going out, the user operates the operation keys of the mobile phone 1 to select whether to operate the video / sound information transmitting means 22 in the alarm mode or the monitoring mode (step S2). If the alarm mode is selected here, the process proceeds to step S3 and the alarm activation device 6 is set to the operating state (power on). If the monitoring mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S4 to suppress unnecessary power consumption. , The alarm actuating device 6 enters a non-operating state (power off).

When the alarm mode is selected, in a succeeding step S5, a switch setting of the detection level of the infrared sensor 4 is performed using the switch 29. For example, in the present embodiment, the detection level can be switched for human or fire by operating the switch 29. When the detection level is switched to the detection level for human, the output signal of the infrared sensor 4 changes slightly. For example, an alarm signal is sent from the alarm activation device 6 when the detection level exceeds the lowest detection level among the three detection levels, and when the detection level is switched to the fire detection level, an infrared sensor is used. An abnormality occurrence signal is sent from the alarm actuating device 6 when the output signal of the output device 4 significantly changes and exceeds, for example, the highest sensing level among the three sensing levels. If the same sensing level as the previous time is sufficient, the switching operation in step S5 is not required.

Thereafter, in this alarm mode, when the infrared sensor 4 detects the presence of a human body or a flame in the room and an abnormality occurrence signal is transmitted from the alarm activation device 6 to the mobile phone 1 (step S6), the next step is performed. In S7, the mobile phone 1
The telephone number of the report destination stored in advance in the report destination telephone number storage means 21 is read, and an automatic dial, specifically, a dial tone signal is transmitted to the mobile phone 11 of the telephone number.
Then, in the following step S8, information for informing of the intrusion of a person or the occurrence of a fire is transmitted to the mobile phone 11 of the destination where the incoming call is answered, for example, by a voice message,
The video information captured by the CCD camera 2 and the sound information collected by the microphone 3 are transmitted. This allows mobile phones to go on the go
The owner of 11 can listen to a voice message through the speaker 14 to see what kind of abnormality has occurred, and the video information displayed on the display 13 and the sound information output from the speaker 14 allow the owner of the room 11 It is possible to visually and audibly determine the status of the occurrence of an abnormality, and thereafter, it is possible to perform necessary measures (for example, reporting to a police station or a fire department).

On the other hand, when the monitoring mode is selected,
In the subsequent step S11, the indoor portable terminal 1
Waits for an external call through the communication means 12. When there is a call, in the next step S12, the incoming call rejecting means 24 determines whether or not the telephone number is a telephone number stored in the incoming callable telephone number storage means 23 in advance. Here, if a call is made from a telephone number other than the telephone number registered in advance in the telephone number storing means 23, step S1 is executed.
The process goes to 3 to reject the incoming call response. Conversely, the mobile phone 11 responds to the call from the mobile phone 11 of the telephone number registered in advance, and responds to the request signal sent by operating the operation key of the mobile phone 11 so that the CCD camera 2
And the sound information collected by the microphone 3 is transmitted (step S14). This allows the owner of the mobile phone 11 to go out of the room visually and audibly, for example, when going out with a sleeping child or when he / she wants to confirm that he / she has forgotten to shut off the gas valve. We can grasp accurately.

The selection of the operation mode in step S2 can also be performed from the portable telephone 11 having the telephone number registered in the telephone number storage means 23 for receiving incoming calls in advance. More specifically, the user calls the indoor mobile phone 1 from the mobile phone 11 while away from home and operates the operation keys of the mobile phone 11 in a predetermined procedure to change the mode from the alarm mode to the monitoring mode or from the monitoring mode to the alarm mode. Perform switching. At this time, it is desirable to transmit which mode is currently set to the mobile phone 11 from the mobile phone 1 by a voice message or the like. Further, the sensing level of the infrared sensor 4 in the step S5 can also be determined from the mobile phone 11 of the telephone number registered in the telephone number storing means 23 in advance. It is also desirable that the currently set sensing level is transmitted from the mobile phone 1 to the mobile phone 11 by a voice message or the like.

When the volume level collected by the microphone 3 of the portable telephone 1 or the microphone 3 of the slave unit 8 reaches a certain value or more, regardless of the setting of the alarm mode or the monitoring mode, the portable telephone 1 11 may be called. In this way, for example, when a sleeping baby wakes up and begins to cry, the mobile phone
Even if the mobile phone 1 is not called frequently, it is possible to reliably grasp changes in the indoor situation.

Further, since the exchange with the mobile phone 11 at the destination is limited to the mobile phone 1, which is the parent machine, it is not necessary to provide the mobile phone 8 installed in each room with the outside line communication function, and the communication cost is reduced. Can be minimized.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the CCD camera 2 as the image pickup means installed in the room, which is the object space, and the abnormality monitoring device which sends out an abnormality occurrence signal when an abnormality in the room is detected. Alarm activation device 6 and CC
A video information transmitting unit, that is, a video / sound information transmitting unit 22 for transmitting video information from the D camera 2 to a mobile phone 11 as a portable information terminal located outside the room;
Video / sound information transmitting means 22 when a command signal is sent from
And an operation mode setting means 25 capable of selecting one of a monitoring mode in which the alarm operation device 6 operates and an alarm mode in which the video / sound information transmitting means 22 is operated when an abnormality occurrence signal is transmitted from the alarm operation device 6. .

In this case, if the alarm mode is selected by the operation mode setting means 25, when the occurrence of an abnormality such as a human body or a fire is detected in the room, the image information in the room is transmitted from the image / sound information transmitting means 22 to the outside. It is automatically sent to the mobile phone 11. On the other hand, when the monitoring mode is selected by the operation mode setting means 25, when the command signal is transmitted from the mobile phone 11, the image information in the room is transmitted from the video / sound information transmitting means 22 to the mobile phone.
Sent to 11. Thus, in the alarm mode,
Mobile phones owned by individuals on the go
11 allows the information to be recognized as video information, and appropriate measures can be taken thereafter. Also, in the monitoring mode, regardless of whether the room is abnormal or not, it is necessary for the individual to use the mobile phone 11 held by the person on the go to accurately grasp the state of the room with video information and sound when necessary. Can be.

In the present embodiment, the present embodiment is configured such that the monitor mode or the alarm mode can be selected not only by the operation mode setting means 25 but also by the operation keys of the mobile phone 11.

In this case, even if the user notices that the monitor mode or the alarm mode was selected incorrectly while away from home, he or she can select the correct mode again by using the mobile phone 11 possessed by the individual at the site. Can be. Therefore, for example, even if the user goes out of the alarm mode while setting the monitoring mode by mistake, there is no need to return to the room where the mobile phone 1 is installed and switch the operation mode. Conversely, if a person goes out of the house with the family member in the alarm mode by mistake, the mobile phone 11 is called out every time a person passes near the infrared sensor 4 in the room. Although this causes inconvenience, even in such a case, the operation mode can be easily changed from the mobile phone 11 while away from home.

Further, in this embodiment, the CCD camera 2 and the video / sound information transmitting means 22 are constituted by the portable telephone 1 which is a common portable terminal. In this case, the equipment installed indoors
Substantially, only the mobile phone 1 and the alarm activation device 6 are required, and there is no need to prepare a dedicated imaging device. Therefore, the spread of the present device can be dramatically increased.

In addition, the alarm actuating device 6 according to the present embodiment includes an infrared sensor 4 for detecting infrared rays emitted from a human body and infrared rays emitted from a flame in a fire, and operating means for switching the sensing level of the infrared sensor 4. Switch as
29. Thus, the common infrared sensor 4 can accurately detect either a person or a fire. Also, since the switching of the sensing level of the infrared sensor 4 can be performed by the mobile phone 11 while away from the office, even if the user notices that the setting of the sensing level of the infrared sensor 4 is wrong in the outside, he / she can change the sensing level. By using the mobile phone 11 held by the individual, the user can reset the sensing level to the correct level.

In the present embodiment, when the mobile phone 1 is called in the monitoring mode, if the called phone number does not match the phone number registered in advance, the incoming call on the mobile phone 1 side is terminated. An incoming call rejecting means 24 is provided for rejection. As a result, only the mobile phone 11 having a telephone number registered in advance can accurately grasp the state of the room as video information, and can provide a desirable device in terms of privacy protection.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, the CCD camera 2 may be a target tracking type imaging unit. In this way, video information that tracks the situation of a trespasser or a fire can be sent every moment.

[0038]

According to the remote monitoring device of the first aspect of the present invention, when an abnormality occurs, the situation in the object space can be accurately grasped by video information, and even when the object space is not abnormal, In addition, the situation in the object space can be accurately grasped by the video information when it is necessary from a destination.

According to the remote monitoring apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, even if the user selects the monitoring mode or the alarm mode at a wrong place, he / she uses the portable information terminal to select the correct mode. You can do it again.

According to the remote monitoring device of the third aspect of the present invention, it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated image pickup device, and the spread of the present device can be dramatically increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an entire configuration of a remote monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the main body unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cellular phone (portable terminal) 2 CCD camera (imaging means) 6 Alarm activation device (abnormality monitoring device) 11 Cellular phone (portable information terminal) 22 Image / sound information transmitting means (video information transmitting means) 25 Operation mode setting means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 7/18 H04N 7/18 A H04Q 9/00 301 H04Q 9/00 301D 311 311K F-term (reference) 5C054 AA05 CA04 CC05 CD04 CE16 CG06 DA09 FE01 FE25 FF06 HA18 HA19 5C087 AA02 AA09 AA21 AA25 AA37 AA44 BB03 BB12 BB20 BB46 BB64 BB65 BB72 BB75 BB76 DD04 DD05 DD23 DD24 DD29 EE17 GG17 FF17 GG17 FF17 GG17 BA12 BA34 CA08 DA02 DB01 DC01 EA11 EB13 EB15 FB08 FB11 FC01 HA01 HA02 HA05 HA07 HA13 HA23 5K101 KK14 LL12 NN03 NN06 NN18 NN34 NN36 NN37 RR12 SS07 TT06 UU16

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An imaging means installed in an object space;
An abnormality monitoring device that transmits an abnormality occurrence signal when an abnormality in the target space is detected; a video information transmitting unit that transmits video information from the imaging unit to a portable information terminal outside the target space; Either a monitoring mode for operating the video information transmitting means when a command signal is transmitted from a portable information terminal, or an alarm mode for operating the video information transmitting means when an abnormality occurrence signal is transmitted from the abnormality monitoring device. A remote monitoring device comprising: an operation mode setting means capable of selecting either one of them. 2. The remote monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein both the operation mode setting means and the portable information terminal can select the monitoring mode or the alarm mode. 3. The remote monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image capturing unit and the video information transmitting unit are configured by a common portable terminal.