JP2002330489A - Sound monitoring device and monitoring system employing it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sound monitoring device that employs a multipurpose browser so as to attain monitoring in real time or the like and to provide a monitoring system employing the sound monitoring device. SOLUTION: The sound monitoring device collecting sounds in a monitoring area to allow a remote place to reproduce sound is provided with a sound input device that collects sound in the monitoring area and transmits sound data collected at a request reception time using the HTTP(Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) via a network as a response employing the HTTP and a sound reproducing device reproducing sound data of the received response, and repeats sequentially the request and response to distribute the sound data as a stream.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an audio monitoring device for collecting audio in a monitoring area and reproducing the audio at a remote location, and more particularly to an audio monitoring device capable of real-time monitoring using a general-purpose browser and the like. The present invention relates to a monitoring system using a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when sound such as mechanical sound, noise, and noise in a monitored area (hereinafter simply referred to as voice) is monitored in a monitoring room or the like at a remote location, the monitoring area and the monitoring room are physically connected. There is a method of directly connecting to a monitoring area, exchanging voice between a monitoring area and a monitoring room via a storage medium, and exchanging voice information using a network such as the Internet.

FIG. 4 is a configuration block diagram showing an example of such a conventional voice monitoring system. In FIG.
Is an audio input device such as a microphone, and 2 is an audio reproducing device such as a speaker. The analog output signal of the audio input device 1 is connected to the audio reproduction device 2 by an analog code indicated by “CB01” in FIG.

Here, the operation of the conventional example shown in FIG. 4 will be described. The audio detected by the audio input device 1 propagates as an analog signal through an analog code indicated by “CB01” in FIG. Audio playback device 2
Converts the supplied analog signal into audio again and outputs it.

At this time, the sound input device 1 is installed in the monitoring area, and the sound reproducing device 2 is installed in the monitoring room at a remote place, so that the sound of the monitoring area can be monitored in the monitoring room.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another example of a conventional voice monitoring system. In FIG. 5, 1
And 2 have the same reference numerals as in FIG. 4, and 3 is an audio recording device for recording audio on a storage medium such as a cassette tape. The analog output signal of the audio input device 1 provided in the monitoring area is connected to the audio recording device 3.

Here, the operation of the conventional example shown in FIG. 5 will be described. The sound detected by the sound input device 1 is supplied to the sound recording device 3 as an analog signal.
Causes the supplied analog signal to be stored in a storage medium indicated by "TP11" in FIG.

Then, the storage medium indicated by "TP11" in FIG. 5 is transported to the monitoring room where the audio reproducing device 2 is installed,
By playing back the sound recorded on the storage medium by the sound reproducing device 2, it becomes possible to monitor the sound in the monitoring area in the monitoring room.

However, in the case of the former, since the laying distance of the analog code is limited, a monitoring room as a reproduction place must be provided near the monitoring area, and the laying of the analog code requires a lot of cost and man-hour. Therefore, it is difficult to easily change the installation location of the microphone and the speaker.

In the latter case, the above problem does not occur because no analog code is required to be laid. However, the capacity of the storage medium is limited, so that the time for continuously reproducing the sound is limited. Also, since the storage medium is transported in a batch process, real-time reproduction was impossible.

On the other hand, in recent years, with the development of networks such as the Internet and intranets, it has become possible to distribute audio via the networks. FIG. 6 is a configuration block diagram showing an example of such a conventional voice distribution system.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 4 denotes a voice input device such as a microphone, 5 denotes a Web server, 6 denotes a firewall,
Reference numeral 7 denotes an audio playback device which is a computer in which a Web browser is installed, and reference numeral 100 denotes the Internet which is an example of a network.

The output of the audio input device 4 is connected to the Web server 5, and the audio reproducing device 7 is connected to the Web server 5 via the firewall 6 and the Internet 100.

Here, the operation of the conventional example shown in FIG. 6 will be described. As shown by "SD21" in FIG. 6, the Web server 5 takes in the audio signal from the audio input device 4, converts it into a digital signal, and sequentially stores it in the storage means.

On the other hand, the Web browser installed in the audio reproducing apparatus 7 is H as shown by "RQ21" in FIG.
TTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)
Called TTP. ) Is used to transmit a request to acquire audio data to the Web server 5, and as shown by "RS21" in FIG. 6, the audio data returned from the Web server 5 is received and reproduced using HTTP.

That is, if the voice input device 4 and the Web server 5 are installed in the monitoring area, and the firewall 6 and the voice reproducing device 7 are provided in a remote monitoring room, the voice can be easily monitored. .

As a result, since the voice data can be obtained through a network such as the Internet, it is possible to reproduce the voice of the monitored area in the remote monitoring room without laying the troublesome analog code or the like. it can. Further, since HTTP is used as a protocol, it is possible to easily pass through the firewall 6.

However, in the audio distribution system shown in FIG. 6, audio data is temporarily stored in the Web server 5 and then distributed to the Web browser. Therefore, the audio data is not suitable for real-time reproduction. Continuous reproduction of more than the amount is impossible.

For this reason, an audio distribution system improved from the audio distribution system shown in FIG. 6 has been considered. FIG. 7 is a configuration block diagram showing another example of such a conventional voice distribution system.

In FIG. 7, 4, 6, 7 and 100 correspond to FIG.
Reference numeral 5a denotes a Web server having a server push transmission function capable of transmitting voice data while collecting voice data.

The output of the voice input device 4 is a Web server 5a.
, And the audio reproduction device 7 is connected to the Web server 5 a via the firewall 6 and the Internet 100.

Here, the operation of the conventional example shown in FIG. 7 will be described. The Web server 5a takes in the voice signal from the voice input device 4 as shown by "SD31" in FIG.

On the other hand, the Web browser installed in the audio reproducing device 7 is H as shown in "RQ31" in FIG.
When a request to acquire audio data is transmitted to the Web server 5a using TTP, the Web server 5a transmits "R" in FIG.
S31 "," RS32 "," RS33 "and" RS3 "
As shown in 4 ", the audio data is sequentially transmitted to the Web browser by continuous burst transfer using HTTP.

That is, if a request to acquire audio data is transmitted once from the Web browser, the audio data is transmitted sequentially, so that continuous reproduction of the audio data becomes possible.

However, even in the conventional example shown in FIG.
P has only a function of burst-transferring requested data. In other words, the Web server 5a and the Web server
Since the flow control and the synchronous communication of the audio data cannot be performed with the browser, if a congestion occurs on the network due to the communication load, the phenomenon that the audio is interrupted or the reproduction of the audio is gradually delayed occurs.

The distribution timing of audio data is also W
Since the web server 5a is the main body, there is a need to perform burst transfer regardless of the state of the communication load on the network and whether or not voice data has reached the web browser.

For this reason, the above-mentioned problem can be solved by connecting the voice input device to the special server, using a voice reproducing device in which a special browser is installed, and distributing voice data of a unique format by a unique protocol. become.

FIG. 8 is a configuration block diagram showing another example of such a conventional audio distribution system.

In FIG. 8, reference numerals 4 and 100 denote the same reference numerals as in FIG. 7, reference numeral 8 denotes a special server for distributing audio data in an original format by an original protocol, and reference numeral 9 denotes audio data in an original format to an original. It is an audio playback device with a special browser that can be received by the protocol.

The output of the audio input device 4 is connected to a special server 8, and the audio reproducing device 9 is connected to the special server 8 via the Internet 100.

[0031]

However, in the conventional example shown in FIG. 8, a general-purpose W is used because a special communication protocol or the like is used.
There is a problem in that sound cannot be reproduced on a general-purpose computer on which an web browser is installed.

In the conventional example shown in FIG. 8, since a special communication protocol is used, it is difficult to easily pass through a firewall like HTTP, and a dedicated proxy server is usually prepared when passing over a firewall. And the trouble of installation and transmission delay become problems.

Further, in the conventional example shown in FIG. 8, since a special communication protocol or the like is used, comprehensive monitoring can be performed in combination with other monitoring information such as image information and physical information detected by sensors. There was a problem that it was difficult. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a voice monitoring device capable of real-time monitoring and the like using a general-purpose browser and a monitoring system using the same.

[0034]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a sound monitoring apparatus for collecting sounds in a monitoring area and reproducing the sounds at a remote place. A voice input device that collects the voice in the monitored area and transmits the voice data collected by the time of receiving the request using HTTP as a response using HTTP over a network; and transmitting the request to the voice input device. An audio reproducing device for reproducing the audio data of the transmitted and received response, and real-time monitoring of audio using a general-purpose browser by stream-distributing the audio data by sequentially repeating the request and the response. Becomes possible. In addition, since HTTP is used as a communication protocol, it can be used not only on an intranet but also on the Internet beyond a firewall.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the audio monitoring device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the audio reproducing device comprises:
By downloading and operating a communication module for performing stream distribution using HTTP from the voice input device, real-time monitoring of voice can be performed using a general-purpose browser. In addition, HTT is used as a communication protocol.
Since P is used, it can be used not only on an intranet but also on the Internet beyond a firewall.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the audio monitoring device according to the first aspect, a session is established between the audio input device and the audio reproducing device using HTTP, and then the stream distribution is performed. H
By ending the session using TTP,
It is possible to manage the establishment and termination of a session using HTTP.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the voice monitoring apparatus according to the third aspect, the voice input device adds a cookie made of a non-overlapping character string and establishes a response as a response when the session is established. Send to
By transmitting the request with the cookie added to the request at the time of transmitting the request, it is possible to identify which Web browser the voice acquisition request is from.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the audio monitoring device according to the third aspect, the audio input device is provided with:
If the time elapsed since the previous request is retained and the next request is not transmitted even after a certain period of time has elapsed, the session is disconnected so that a failure occurs in the Web browser that has established the session. Even if there is a timeout, it is possible to disconnect the session due to timeout, so that unnecessary load on the Web server can be reduced.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the voice monitoring device according to the first aspect, the voice input device is
A data number is assigned to the transmitted audio data and the information of the storage location is retained, and when the data number is specified in the request, the audio data corresponding to the specified data number is sent as a response via the network. By transmitting, voice data and We collected in the past
It becomes possible to reacquire the audio data as if the collection was interrupted on the browser side.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the audio monitoring apparatus according to the first aspect, the audio reproducing apparatus comprises:
By controlling the timing of transmitting the request in accordance with the status of the network, it is possible to level the communication load.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the audio monitoring apparatus according to the first aspect, the audio reproducing apparatus comprises:
By designating the bit rate of data transmission in the request according to the status of the network, it becomes possible to level the communication load.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the voice monitoring device according to the eighth aspect, the voice input device is
By transmitting the audio data based on the bit rate, communication load can be leveled.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the audio monitoring apparatus according to the first aspect, when the audio data is continuously reproduced, the audio data thinning-out processing or the thinning-out processing is performed. By doing
It is possible to continuously reproduce the sound without breaking the sound.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the audio monitoring apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the audio input device dynamically changes an encoding method based on a range of a transmittable bit rate, thereby transmitting. Optimum sound quality can be obtained in the range of possible bit rates.

The twelfth aspect of the present invention provides the first, third and third aspects.
10. The voice monitoring device according to claim 4, wherein the voice input device is configured to capture the voice in the monitored area and to convert an output of the voice input device into the voice data. A / D conversion means for performing
A general-purpose storage system comprising storage means for storing the output of the A / D conversion means and a Web server for transmitting the audio data stored in the storage means as a response via a network until the request is received. Real-time monitoring of audio is possible using a browser.
In addition, since HTTP is used as a communication protocol, it can be used not only on an intranet but also on the Internet beyond a firewall.

The thirteenth aspect of the present invention relates to the first, third and third aspects.
In the audio monitoring device according to the fourth, fifth, eighth and tenth aspects, the audio reproducing device sequentially transmits the request to the audio input device and sequentially receives the response. Storage means for storing an output, D / A conversion means for sequentially converting the audio data stored in the storage means into an analog signal, and audio reproduction means for reproducing the output of the D / A conversion means as audio. With this configuration, real-time monitoring of audio can be performed using a general-purpose browser. In addition, since HTTP is used as a communication protocol, it can be used not only on an intranet but also on the Internet beyond a firewall.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio monitoring apparatus according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, an image input device for collecting and delivering image information, and a measurement for collecting and delivering detected physical information. Other monitoring, such as image information and physical information detected by a sensor, comprising a device and a general-purpose terminal or a portable terminal that captures and displays the audio data, the image information, and the physical information via a network It also enables comprehensive monitoring in combination with information.

According to a fifteenth aspect, in the monitoring system according to the fourteenth aspect, the general-purpose terminal includes:
By using a computer in which a general-purpose Web browser is installed, it is possible to switch between the audio playback device and an audio playback device using an existing technology while using the same. Also, it is possible to perform comprehensive monitoring in combination with other monitoring information such as image information and physical information detected by a sensor while synchronizing with other monitoring information.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the monitoring system according to the fourteenth aspect, the portable terminal comprises:
Since the mobile phone has a Web browser function, it is also possible to perform comprehensive monitoring in combination with other monitoring information such as image information and physical information detected by a sensor while synchronizing the same.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the monitoring system according to the fourteenth aspect, the portable terminal includes:
By being a PHS with a Web browser function,
It is also possible to perform comprehensive monitoring by synchronizing with other monitoring information such as image information and physical information detected by a sensor while synchronizing them.

The invention according to claim 18 is the monitoring system according to claim 14, wherein the portable terminal comprises:
By being a PDA with a Web browser function,
It is also possible to perform comprehensive monitoring by synchronizing with other monitoring information such as image information and physical information detected by a sensor while synchronizing them.

[0052]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a voice monitoring device according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes voice input means such as a microphone, 11 denotes A / D conversion means, 12 denotes voice compression means, 13 and 16 denote storage means such as RAM (Random Access Memory), 14 denotes a Web server, 15 Is a Web browser which is a general-purpose browser, 17 is an audio expansion unit, 18 is a D / A conversion unit, 19 is an audio reproduction unit such as a speaker, 1
01 is a network. 10 to 14 constitute the voice input device 50, and 15 to 19 constitute the voice reproduction device 51.

The output of the audio input means 10 is connected to the A / D conversion means 11, and the output of the A / D conversion means 11 is connected to the audio compression means 12. The output of the audio compression unit 12 is connected to the storage unit 13, and the output of the storage unit 13 is connected to the Web server 14.

The output of the Web server 14 is the network 1
01 is connected to the Web browser 15, and the output of the Web browser 15 is connected to the storage unit 16. Also,
The output of the storage unit 16 is connected to the audio expansion unit 17, and the output of the audio expansion unit 17 is connected to the D / A conversion unit 18. Finally, the output of the D / A conversion means 18 is connected to the audio reproduction means 19.

Here, the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The audio signal from the audio input means 10 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion means 11, and this digital signal is encoded by the audio compression means 12 by a predetermined encoding method and stored in the storage means 13.

When the Web server 14 receives a voice acquisition request via the network 101 from the voice reproducing device 51 which is a general-purpose terminal, the Web server 14 transmits the voice data stored in the storage means 13 to the voice reproducing device 51 via the network 101.

The Web browser 15 is connected to the network 101
The voice acquisition request is transmitted via the storage unit and the received voice data is stored in the storage unit 16. The audio decompression unit 17 decodes the audio data stored in the storage unit 16 by a predetermined decoding method, the D / A conversion unit converts the decoded digital signal into an analog signal, and the audio reproduction unit 19 reproduces the audio. .

Further, stream distribution using HTTP is performed between the Web server 14 and the Web browser 15, and details of such stream distribution will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining details of stream distribution using HTTP.

First, the Web browser 15 executes the Web browser 15
The server 14 accesses the server 14 to download and operate a communication module for performing stream distribution using HTTP. Hereinafter, the operation of the communication module operating on the Web browser 15 will be described. However, for the sake of explanation, Web browser 1
5 will be described.

As shown by "SO41" in FIG. 2, the Web browser 15 transmits a session open (session establishment) request to the Web server 14 using HTTP, and the Web server 15 shown by "OS41" in FIG. 14
Transmits a response to which a cookie composed of a non-overlapping character string is added to the Web browser 15 using HTTP in order to permit session opening (session establishment).

Here, the cookie is information transmitted from the Web server 14 to the Web browser 15 to identify the user, and such information (cookie) is stored as a file in the cache area of the Web browser 15.

When a response to permit session open (establishment of a session) as indicated by “OS 41” in FIG. 2 is received, the Web browser 15 transmits a request for a voice acquisition request to the Web server 14 using HTTP.

For example, as indicated by “RQ 41” in FIG. 2, the Web browser 15 adds the above-mentioned cookie to the request for the audio data stored in the storage unit 13 and transmits the request to the Web server 14 using HTTP. I do.

Upon receiving such a request, the Web server 14 refers to the added cookie to identify which Web browser is the voice acquisition request from, and FIG.
As shown in the middle “SD41”, the voice data from the time of opening the session to the time of receiving the request is transmitted as the “data 1” of the data number 1 to the Web browser 15 that has identified the response using HTTP.

Here, the Web server 14 sets the "cookie character string", the "pointer of untransmitted voice data in the storage unit 13", the "transmitted data number and the storage unit 13" for each Web browser in which the session is open. The information of the "upper pointer" is held.

Further, for example, as shown by “RQ42” in FIG. 2, the Web browser 15 adds the above-mentioned cookie to the request for the audio data stored in the storage unit 13 using HTTP, and Send to

The Web server 14 receiving such a request refers to the added cookie to identify the Web browser from which the voice acquisition request was issued.
As shown in the middle “SD42”, the audio data from immediately after “data 1” (pointer of the untransmitted audio data in the storage unit 13) to the time of receiving the request is stored in the data number 2 “data 2”.
Is transmitted to the identified Web browser 15 using HTTP.

On the other hand, audio data and Web data collected in the past
In the case of reacquiring the audio data in which the collection has been interrupted on the browser side, the Web browser 15 uses the HTTP as shown in “RS43” in FIG. Data number, for example
The above-mentioned cookie is added to the request for requesting the audio data of data number 2, and the request is transmitted to the Web server 14.

The Web server 14 receiving such a request refers to the added cookie to identify the Web browser from which the voice acquisition request is issued.
As shown in the middle “SD43”, “Data 2” of the data number 2 designated by the request is transmitted to the Web browser 15 that has identified the response using HTTP.

Further, for example, as indicated by “RQ44” in FIG. 2, the Web browser 15 adds the above-mentioned cookie to the request for the audio data stored in the storage unit 13 by using HTTP, and Send to

Upon receiving such a request, the Web server 14 refers to the added cookie to identify the Web browser from which the voice acquisition request was issued.
As shown in the middle “SD44”, the voice data from immediately after “data 2” (pointer of untransmitted voice data in the storage unit 13) to the time of receiving the request is stored in the data number 3 “data 3”
Is transmitted to the identified Web browser 15 using HTTP.

Finally, as indicated by “SC41” in FIG. 2, the Web browser 15 sends an HTT to the Web server 14.
A session close (session end) request is transmitted using P, and the Web server 14 sends a response for permitting session close (session end) to the Web browser 15 using HTTP, as indicated by “CS41” in FIG. Send.

Here, the Web server 14 transmits the message "" of the Web browser 15 whose session is closed (the session is terminated).
The information of the character string of the cookie, the "pointer of untransmitted voice data in the storage unit 13", and the "transmitted data number and pointer on the storage unit 13" are reset.

That is, by establishing and disconnecting a session while identifying a Web browser using a cookie, and by repeating a request from the Web browser 15 and a response from the Web server 14 by HTTP, stream distribution using HTTP can be performed. Will be possible.

As a result, by transmitting audio data in a stream distribution using HTTP, real-time monitoring of audio can be performed using a general-purpose browser. Also,
Since HTTP is used as a communication protocol, it can be used not only on an intranet but also on the Internet beyond a firewall.

Further, it is possible to manage the establishment and termination of a session by using HTTP.
b) It is possible to identify whether the request is a voice acquisition request from a browser.

Further, a data number is added to the data transmitted by the Web server 14 and held together with a pointer on the storage means 13, and for a request for which the data number is designated, the data of the data number is returned as a response. By doing so, it becomes possible to acquire again the audio data collected in the past and the audio data that the collection was interrupted on the Web browser side.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the audio data is encoded by the audio compression means 12 and the audio data is decoded by the audio decompression means 17, but this is not an essential requirement and may be dependent on the communication load of the network. May not be required.

The encoding method may be dynamically changed so that the optimum sound quality can be obtained within the range of the transmittable bit rate.

For example, when transmitting audio data in the AU data format, which is a standard music data format used in UNIX (registered trademark), over a network,
By processing the AU header and AU body, the size of the audio data can be reduced.

The AU header before processing is specified as “16 kHz sampling”, and the AU body is “10 KB”.
In this case, if the specification of the AU header is changed to “8 kHz sampling” and the data of the AU body is thinned out by half, the amount of audio data can be reduced by half.

If the audio data is compressed to MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 generally called MP3, the size of the audio data can be reduced to about 1/10 without changing the sampling frequency.

Also, in explaining FIG. 2, the Web server 1
Reference numeral 4 holds information of "character string of cookie", "pointer of untransmitted voice data in storage unit 13", and "transmitted data number and pointer on storage unit 13" for each Web browser in which a session is open. But W
The web server 14 holds the elapsed time from the previous request, and if the next request is not transmitted even after a certain time has elapsed, it is determined that a failure has occurred in the Web browser and the session is disconnected. It does not matter.

In this case, the We that established the session
Even if a failure occurs in the b-browser, the session can be disconnected due to a timeout, so that unnecessary load on the Web server 14 can be reduced.

Also, by transmitting audio data by stream distribution using HTTP, the Web browser 15
Since the transmission timing of the request can be controlled on the side, by controlling the transmission timing according to the state of the communication load of the network or the like, the communication load can be leveled.

Further, by transmitting audio data by stream distribution using HTTP, the Web browser 15
Side specifies the data transmission bit rate in the request,
Since the Web server 14 can transmit voice data based on this bit rate, it is possible to equalize the communication load by adjusting the bit rate according to the state of the communication load of the network. Become.

Further, in the case where the sound is reproduced continuously on the sound reproducing device 51 side, by providing the function of performing the thinning process and the decimation process of the audio data in the sound reproducing device 51, the sound can be reproduced without being interrupted. Continuous playback becomes possible.

Further, the voice input device 50 can be realized by a small device having excellent vibration resistance without using a cooling fan or a hard disk as compared with a general-purpose computer.

Further, since the communication module is realized in a higher layer than the HTTP, there is no restriction on other network environments in a network environment in which the HTTP operates.

[0091] Also, although it is described that a general-purpose Web browser is used in the audio reproducing apparatus, software having a function equivalent to that of a general-purpose Web browser may be used.

Further, since HTTP is used as a communication protocol, development of an application on the client side such as the audio reproducing apparatus 51 is facilitated, and other monitoring information such as image information and physical information detected by a sensor is provided. It is also possible to perform comprehensive monitoring in combination with the system while maintaining synchronization.

For example, as a monitoring system for realizing comprehensive monitoring, the present invention can be applied to monitoring systems such as an intrusion warning system, a remote entrance / exit system, and a store facility monitoring system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a monitoring system for performing such comprehensive monitoring.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 50 denotes an audio input device which collects audio as shown in FIG. 1 and distributes the stream using HTTP, 52 denotes an image input device which collects and distributes image information by a monitoring camera or the like, and 53 Is a measuring device that collects and distributes physical information detected by a sensor or the like, and 20 is a general-purpose W
a general-purpose terminal such as a computer in which an web browser is installed, 21 a mobile phone having a web browser function,
PHS (Personal Handyphone System) or PDA
(Personal Digital (Data) Assistants) and the like, and 101a is a general-purpose network such as the Internet and an intranet.

The voice input device 50, the image input device 52, and the measuring device 53 are installed in the monitoring area and connected to the network 101a.
Is connected to the network 101a by wire or wirelessly.

The operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 will now be described. The Web browser of the general-purpose terminal 20 or the portable terminal 21 receives the distribution of the audio data, the image data, and the physical information such as the temperature from the image input device 52 and the measuring device via the network 101a. Information is displayed together. In addition, it associates and synchronizes each information as needed.

[0098]

As is apparent from the above description,
According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. Claims 1, 2,
According to the twelfth aspect and the thirteenth aspect, the audio data is HT
By transmitting the data by stream distribution using TP, real-time monitoring of audio can be performed using a general-purpose browser. In addition, since HTTP is used as a communication protocol, it can be used not only on an intranet but also on the Internet beyond a firewall.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a session is established between a voice input device and a voice reproducing device using HTTP, and stream distribution is performed.
By ending the session using P, the HTTP
Can be used to manage session establishment and termination.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when a session is established, the voice input device adds a cookie and transmits it as a response to the voice reproducing device, and when transmitting the request, the voice reproducing device adds the cookie to the request and transmits the request. By doing so, it is possible to identify from which Web browser the voice acquisition request is issued.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the elapsed time from the previous request is held, and the session is disconnected when the next request has not been transmitted even after the lapse of a predetermined time. Web that established the session
Even if the browser fails, the timeout allows you to disconnect the session,
Unnecessary load on the Web server can be reduced.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a data number is assigned to data transmitted by the Web server and held together with a pointer on the storage means. By returning the data of the number as a response, it becomes possible to obtain again the voice data collected in the past or the voice data in which the collection was interrupted on the Web browser side.

According to the seventh, eighth and ninth aspects of the present invention, the transmission timing of a request can be controlled on the Web browser side by transmitting audio data by stream distribution using HTTP. Or
The Web browser can specify the data transmission bit rate in the request, and the Web server can transmit the voice data based on the bit rate. Therefore, the transmission timing or the bit rate can be set in accordance with the network communication load. The adjustment makes it possible to equalize the communication load.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, when a sound is continuously reproduced on the side of the sound reproducing device, the sound reproducing device is provided with a function of performing a thinning process and a decimation process of the sound data. Continuous playback of audio can be performed without interruption.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, an optimal sound quality can be obtained in the range of the transmittable bit rate by dynamically changing the encoding method based on the range of the transmittable bit rate.

According to the invention of claims 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18, the communication protocol HT
The use of TP makes it easy to develop applications on the client side, such as audio playback devices, and integrates them while synchronizing with other monitoring information such as image information and physical information detected by sensors. It will also be possible to monitor.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating details of stream distribution using HTTP.

FIG. 3 is a configuration block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a monitoring system that performs comprehensive monitoring.

FIG. 4 is a configuration block diagram showing an example of a conventional voice monitoring system.

FIG. 5 is a configuration block diagram showing another example of the conventional voice monitoring system.

FIG. 6 is a configuration block diagram illustrating an example of a conventional audio distribution system.

FIG. 7 is a configuration block diagram illustrating another example of a conventional audio distribution system.

FIG. 8 is a configuration block diagram showing another example of a conventional audio distribution system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 4, 50 voice input device 2, 7, 9, 51 voice reproduction device 3 voice recording device 5, 5a, 14 Web server 6 firewall 8 special server 10 voice input means 11 A / D conversion means 12 voice compression means 13 , 16 Storage means 15 Web browser 17 Audio decompression means 18 D / A conversion means 19 Audio reproduction means 20 General-purpose terminal 21 Portable terminal 52 Image input device 53 Measurement device 100 Internet 101, 101a Network

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A sound monitoring apparatus for collecting sound in a monitoring area and reproducing the sound at a remote place, collecting the sound in the monitoring area and collecting the sound data collected by the time of receiving a request using HTTP. HTT
An audio input device that transmits the response as a response using P via a network; and an audio reproduction device that transmits the request to the audio input device and reproduces the audio data of the received response. An audio monitoring device characterized in that the audio data is stream-distributed by sequentially repeating. 2. The audio monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the audio reproducing device downloads and operates a communication module for performing stream distribution using HTTP from the audio input device. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein a session is established between the voice input device and the voice reproducing device using HTTP, the stream is distributed, and after the distribution is completed, the session is terminated using HTTP. The voice monitoring device according to claim 1. 4. The voice input device adds a cookie made of a non-overlapping character string and transmits it as a response to the voice reproducing device when the session is established, and the voice reproducing device adds the cookie to the request when transmitting the request. 4. The voice monitoring device according to claim 3, wherein the voice monitoring device transmits the voice monitoring data. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the voice input device holds an elapsed time from a previous request and disconnects the session if a next request is not transmitted even after a lapse of a predetermined time. The voice monitoring device according to claim 3. 6. The voice input device assigns a data number to the transmitted voice data and holds information on a storage location thereof, and when the request specifies a data number, the specified data number 2. The voice monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the voice data corresponding to the above is transmitted as a response via a network. 7. The audio monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the audio reproducing device controls a timing of transmitting the request according to a status of the network. 8. The audio monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the audio reproducing device specifies a data transmission bit rate in the request according to a status of the network. 9. The audio monitoring device according to claim 8, wherein the audio input device transmits the audio data based on the bit rate. 10. The audio monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the audio reproducing device performs a thinning process or a decimation process of the audio data when continuously reproducing the audio data. 11. The voice monitoring device according to claim 8, wherein said voice input device dynamically changes an encoding method based on a range of a transmittable bit rate. 12. The voice input device, wherein: voice input means for capturing the voice in the monitored area; and A for converting an output of the voice input means into the voice data.
/ D conversion means, storage means for storing the output of the A / D conversion means, and a Web server for transmitting the audio data stored in the storage means as a response via a network by the time of receiving the request. 10. The voice monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the voice monitoring is performed. 13. A Web browser for sequentially transmitting the request to the voice input device and sequentially receiving the response, a storage device for storing an output of the Web browser, and a storage device for storing the output of the Web browser. 2. A D / A conversion means for sequentially converting said audio data into an analog signal, and an audio reproduction means for reproducing an output of said D / A conversion means as audio.
The voice monitoring device according to claim 3, 4, 5, 8, or 10. 14. An audio monitoring device according to claim 1, an image input device for collecting and delivering image information, a measuring device for collecting and delivering detected physical information, and A monitoring system comprising: a general-purpose terminal or a portable terminal that captures and displays the audio data, the image information, and the physical information. 15. The monitoring system according to claim 14, wherein the general-purpose terminal is a computer on which a general-purpose Web browser is installed. 16. The monitoring system according to claim 14, wherein said portable terminal is a portable telephone having a Web browser function. 17. The monitoring system according to claim 14, wherein said portable terminal is a PHS having a Web browser function. 18. The monitoring system according to claim 14, wherein said portable terminal is a PDA having a Web browser function.