JP2004110447A - Monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a monitoring system offering a service for sufficient use of system functions to a user for allowing the user to receive benefit of resources in the system and reducing a load applied to the user for system operation. <P>SOLUTION: In this monitoring system, data of a field sensor are acquired via a network from a customer computer, and on the basis of the acquired data, the customer computer monitors the field. The monitoring system is provided with an accounting means transmitting accounting information to the customer computer on the basis of fee information decided in a basic function connection contract. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a monitoring system for remotely monitoring a public place, a parking lot, a downtown area, an intersection, a shopping street, a store, an indoor area, a premises, and the like using a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Various monitoring systems have been devised that provide sensors at monitoring locations and perform remote monitoring by acquiring sensor data via the Internet. As such a monitoring system, there has been one described in the following patent document.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-158995
[0004]
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-7-212748
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a conventional monitoring system.
In FIG. 2, the network 10 is, for example, the Internet 10 and at least one monitoring center 20 and a customer computer 30 are connected.
The monitoring center 20 is provided with a field sensor 21 such as a camera 21a, a microphone 21b, a thermometer 21c, and data input / output means (DO, DI) 21d. The monitoring target of the field sensor 21 is wide-ranging, for example, a public place, a parking lot, a downtown area, an intersection, a shopping street, a shop, an indoor, a premises, and the like.
[0006]
The network computer 22 has a data server function of converting the outputs of the field sensors 21a to 21d and storing the converted data. For example, an analog measurement signal of 1 to 5 V or 4 to 20 mA output from the thermometer 21c is converted into a digital signal and stored in the data server.
Further, the network computer 22 gives the control signals sent via the Internet 10 to the field sensors 21a to 21d. For example, a control signal sent via the Internet 10 is given to the camera 21a to control the direction of the camera 21a.
[0007]
The customer computer 30 is realized by a personal computer. The customer computer 30 functions as a monitoring system that exchanges desired data with the monitoring center 20. The customer computer 30 incorporates a general-purpose web browser. In response to a request from the customer computer 30, image data from the camera 21a, audio data from the microphone 21b, measurement data from the thermometer 21c, contact signals from the data input / output means (DO, DI) 21d, and the like are sent from the monitoring center 20.
The network computer 22 processes and edits the outputs of the field sensors 21 a to 21 d and sends them to the customer computer 30. For example, the measurement data of the thermometer 21c is processed into a trend, a daily report, a weekly report, a monthly report, an annual report, an alarm history, and the like.
[0008]
The monitoring center 20 has a WWW server (implemented by a network computer 22), and a general-purpose web browser is incorporated in the customer computer 30.
When data is requested from the customer computer 30 to the monitoring center 20, the customer can obtain necessary data from the monitoring center 20 via the Internet 10 when necessary, for example, in an HTML-converted format. Can be viewed with a browser. This allows remote monitoring of the field.
[0009]
However, the conventional example shown in FIG. 2 employs a sales form in which the monitoring system is sold out to a user (customer). The operation of the purchased monitoring system was left to the user. Therefore, there are the following problems.
(A) The user may not be able to use the system because the user is unfamiliar with the operation of the system. For this reason, even if the user invests in the system and purchases the system, the user cannot enjoy the merits corresponding to the investment.
(B) If the user is unfamiliar with the analysis of the collected data, the man-hours for operating the system may burden the user.
(C) It is difficult for the user to upgrade the system to the latest version as the system advances.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a service for a user to fully utilize the functions of a system after purchasing the system, instead of not taking care after selling the system. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to realize a monitoring system in which the user can fully enjoy the benefits of the resources of the system and reduce the burden on the user for operating the system.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is a monitoring system having the following configuration.
[0012]
(1) In a monitoring system that acquires data of a field sensor by a customer computer via a network, and the customer computer monitors the field based on the acquired data,
A memory in which the charge information based on the basic function connection contract signed when the connection is made so that the basic functions of the monitoring system can be used;
Billing means for sending billing information to the customer computer based on the billing information;
A surveillance system comprising:
[0013]
(2) In a monitoring system that acquires data of a field sensor by a customer computer via a network and monitors the field based on the acquired data,
A memory in which fee information based on a sensor installation contract signed when the field sensor is installed so as to satisfy a customer's request is written;
Billing means for sending billing information to the customer computer based on the billing information;
A surveillance system comprising:
[0014]
(3) In a monitoring system for acquiring data of a field sensor by a customer computer via a network and monitoring the field based on the acquired data by the customer computer,
A service providing unit that provides a service to the customer computer via a network,
A memory in which fee information based on various service contracts defined for services provided by the service providing unit is written,
Billing means for transmitting billing information to a customer computer based on the fee information according to a service provided by a service providing unit;
A surveillance system comprising:
[0015]
(4) The services provided to the customer include maintenance of the field sensor via a network, operation of the field sensor via the network, provision of data collected from the field sensor, recording and storage of data collected from the field sensor, and field sensor. (3) The monitoring system according to (3), wherein the monitoring system is at least one of a survey and analysis utilizing data collected from the field sensor and a report generated based on the data collected from the field sensor.
[0016]
(5) The monitoring system according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the field sensor is at least one of a camera, a microphone, a thermometer, and a sound level meter.
[0017]
(6) The billing means reduces a billing amount in the billing information according to a profit obtained by selling a report created based on data obtained from a field sensor to a third party. The monitoring system according to any one of (1) to (5).
[0018]
(7) The billing means reduces a billing amount in the billing information according to a profit obtained by conducting a survey or analysis based on data acquired from a field sensor (1) to (1). The monitoring system according to any one of 5).
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the same components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.
In FIG. 1, a service center 40 is connected on the Internet 10. The service center 40 is configured by a computer connected to the Internet 10.
[0020]
The service center 40 sends billing information to the customer computer 30 in accordance with the contract made with the customer.
Contracts concluded with customers are divided into three types: "basic function connection contract", "sensor installation contract", and "various service contracts". Explain each contract.
[0021]
(A) Basic function connection contract This is a contract that defines connection so that the basic functions of the monitoring system can be used. That is, it is defined that the installed field sensor and network computer are connected to a customer computer to realize a basic function for monitoring.
[0022]
(B) Sensor installation contract This is a contract stipulating that various sensors such as a camera and a temperature sensor be installed so as to satisfy customer's wishes. For example, a contract stipulates that a temperature sensor and a camera be mounted on a mountaintop so that the temperature and the view of the mountaintop can be monitored remotely.
[0023]
(C) Basic functions of various service contracts This is a contract that stipulates the use of functions other than those specified in the connection contract, the provision of business agency services such as operation agency, survey agency, and analysis agency, and the delivery of reports. is there. These services are individually selected.
[0024]
In the memory 50, fee information based on the above-described basic function connection contract, sensor installation contract, and various service contracts is described. The billing means 41 sends billing information calculated based on the billing information described in the memory 50 to the customer computer 30.
Since the basic function connection contract and the sensor installation contract are set to collect the fee periodically, the billing unit 41 sets the charge every time the charge collection time comes, for example, every month, every six months, every year. Is sent to the customer computer 30. This prompts the customer to pay the fee.
On the other hand, various service contracts are defined so that a fee is collected each time a service is provided. Therefore, each time a service is provided, the billing means 41 sends billing information to the customer computer 30. The provision of the service is detected based on the communication data of the Internet 10. Since service provision is often performed irregularly, transmission of billing information is also irregular.
[0025]
The service center 40 is provided with a service providing unit 42 for providing various services to customers via the Internet 10.
In the service providing unit 42, the maintenance unit 421 performs maintenance on the field sensors 21a to 21d via the Internet 10.
The operation unit 422 operates by sending a control signal to the field sensors 21 a to 21 d via the Internet 10. For example, the posture of the camera 21a is changed, and the direction and the sound collection sensitivity of the microphone 21b are changed.
[0026]
The analysis unit 423 and the investigation unit 424 analyze and investigate data collected from the field sensors 21a to 21d.
The material creating unit 425 creates a report, a product catalog, and the like by using data collected from the field sensors 21a to 21d, data inspection results, analysis results, and the like.
The record storage unit 426 stores, in the memory 50, data collected from the field sensors 21a to 21d, investigation results and analysis results of the data, created reports, product catalogs, and the like.
The data providing unit 427 provides a survey result, an analysis result, a report, and the like via the Internet 10 in response to a request from the customer computer 30.
[0027]
Research and analysis using data collected from the field sensors 21a to 21d, sale of the report 61 and the product catalog 62, and the like may be performed to a third party other than the customer. In this case, profits obtained through research, analysis, report sales, and the like may be returned to the customer. In this case, the charging means 41 substantially returns the profit to the customer by subtracting the profit from the charging amount of the charging information.
This allows the customer to reduce initial capital investment (system purchase cost) while receiving service provision.
[0028]
As described above, in the present invention, the “functional sales business” using the products of the manufacturing industry is developed into the “service sales business”, and the source of profits is removed from mobile phones that rely on the profits obtained from the products themselves, and product sales The main purpose is to expand the business to profitable by selling services.
As a result, the added value of the equipment is not limited to the specific function user, and the application target can be widely disclosed, and the investment return on the equipment can be expanded. Profit can also be divided into a sensor installation location provider, a facility provider, and a service provider, and each can receive the return of the profit brought by the service business and share the profit.
[0029]
The field sensor is not limited to a camera, a microphone, a thermometer, and a data input / output unit, but may be a sound level meter, a pressure gauge, an illuminometer, or the like.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
[0031]
According to the first aspect of the invention, charging information is sent to the customer computer based on the basic function connection contract. Thus, the benefit can be enjoyed by the connection service of the basic function, without depending on the source of the benefit. In addition, since the customer can receive a service for fully utilizing the functions of the system after purchasing the system, the customer can fully enjoy the benefits of the resources of the system and reduce the burden on the user for operating the system.
[0032]
According to the second aspect of the invention, the billing information is sent to the customer computer based on the sensor installation contract. This allows one to benefit from the service of attaching sensors to meet customer requirements. In addition, the customer does not need to perform a sensor connection operation or a procedure for renting a sensor installation location.
[0033]
According to the third and fourth aspects of the invention, charging information is sent to the customer computer based on contracts specified in various service contracts. As a result, various services such as maintenance, operation, provision of data, recording and storage of data, investigation and analysis of data, and transmission of reports can be enjoyed.
[0034]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the customer can recognize the status of the monitoring target by using data such as images, sounds, and measured values.
[0035]
According to the inventions described in claims 6 and 7, since profits obtained by performing data analysis, research, and report sales to a third party other than the customer are returned to the customer, the customer can provide the service. The initial capital investment (system purchase cost) can be reduced while receiving.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a conventional monitoring system.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Internet 21a-21d Field sensor 30 Customer computer 421 Maintenance means 422 Operation means 423 Analysis means 424 Investigation means 425 Data creation means 426 Record storage means 427 Data provision means 50 Memory 61 Report

Claims (7)

In a monitoring system that acquires field sensor data with a customer computer via a network and monitors the field based on the acquired data with the customer computer,
A memory in which the charge information based on the basic function connection contract signed when the connection is made so that the basic functions of the monitoring system can be used;
Billing means for sending billing information to the customer computer based on the billing information;
A surveillance system comprising: In a monitoring system that acquires field sensor data with a customer computer via a network and monitors the field based on the acquired data with the customer computer,
A memory in which fee information based on a sensor installation contract signed when the field sensor is installed so as to satisfy a customer's request is written;
Billing means for sending billing information to the customer computer based on the billing information;
A surveillance system comprising: In a monitoring system that acquires field sensor data with a customer computer via a network and monitors the field based on the acquired data with the customer computer,
A service providing unit for providing a service to the customer computer via a network,
A memory in which fee information based on various service contracts defined for services provided by the service providing unit is written,
Billing means for sending billing information to a customer computer based on the fee information according to a service provided by a service providing unit;
A surveillance system comprising: The services provided to the customer include maintenance of the field sensor via a network, operation of the field sensor via the network, provision of data collected from the field sensor, recording and storage of data collected from the field sensor, and collection from the field sensor. 4. The monitoring system according to claim 3, wherein the monitoring system is at least one of survey and analysis using data, and sending a report created based on data collected from a field sensor. The monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the field sensor is at least one of a camera, a microphone, a thermometer, and a sound level meter. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the billing unit reduces a billing amount in the billing information according to a profit obtained by selling a report created based on data acquired from a field sensor to a third party. A monitoring system according to claim 5. 6. The billing unit according to claim 1, wherein the billing unit reduces a billing amount in the billing information according to a profit obtained by conducting a survey or analysis based on data acquired from a field sensor. The monitoring system according to any one of the above.

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