JP2005333294A - Imaging setting apparatus in remote watching system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging setting apparatus in a remote watching system which allows a user to browse imaging results using a portable terminal capable of browsing taken images of the inside of a house from a remote spot for watching the house, and also to make such operations as imaging at any time, sensor reaction imaging, the execution of reserved imaging, stop, setting, etc. and the switching-on of sensor switch from a remote spot. <P>SOLUTION: Indoor units 1, 2 and 3 connected to an internet 7 have sensor switches for switching on/off operating functions of sensors 13, 23 and 33 and operate upon receipt of imaging settings sent from a server 4, on/off-settings of the sensor switches, and other control instructions. The server 4 permitting a portable terminal 61 with a browsing function to browse via the internet 7 has a request information database for storing various setting contents sent from the portable terminal 61, and sends control instructions according to these setting contents to the indoor units 1, 2 and 3 in either a normal connection mode or a dialup connection mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging setting device of a remote monitoring (watching) system using a web server on the Internet.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a remote monitoring system that transmits image information from a camera connected to the Internet to an image storage server and provides the image information to a user terminal device is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In a similar remote monitoring system, image data captured by a camera is converted into data for transmission, a Web page including the converted data is created and uploaded to a Web server, and a remote user or the Web page is accessed. What was made is known (for example, refer patent document 2).

  Also, it is a home security information notification system equivalent to the above, and has a database storing messages corresponding to the types of detected abnormalities, and notifies the messages corresponding to the abnormalities and imaging contents via a telephone line. (See, for example, Patent Document 3).

Also, so that you can easily check the status of your home away from home, you can exchange still image data or video data for a specified time with the network when predetermined conditions are met. In some cases, the data is automatically transferred to and stored in a specific site configured so as to be able to be distributed, and the data is distributed via the network to a terminal that has requested the data via the network (see Patent Document 4).
JP 2002-101407 A JP 2002-34029 A JP 2001-126173 A JP 2002-112245 A

  By the way, in the conventional remote monitoring system as described above, there is a limit to the operation of camera imaging from the outside. Specifically, 1) In the case of an imaging method triggered by a sensor reaction (referred to as sensor response imaging), even if it can be confirmed from an outside location that the image is not desired, it can be easily captured from the outside location. It cannot be stopped. In addition, after going out, if you notice that you forgot to turn on the switch for sensor reaction imaging (referred to as sensor switch), give up sensor reaction imaging, or go home and switch the sensor switch Had to turn on. 2) Although there is one that enables time interval reservation imaging and time reservation imaging (see Patent Document 4), it is not considered to perform the reservation setting from a mobile phone with a browser function at a remote location. 3) The automatic deletion function and the saving function of the imaging result cannot be selected from a mobile phone with a browser function at a remote location. 4) It is not possible to realize 1) to 3) with respect to the case where the Internet connection mode of the camera-equipped device is both a normal type and a dial-up connection type.

  The present invention responds to the above-mentioned demands, and uses a mobile terminal with a browser function that allows viewing of home imaging from whereabouts and monitoring of the home, and not only browsing imaging results, but also imaging and sensors at any time It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging setting device for a remote monitoring system that enables operations such as execution, stop, and setting of reactive imaging and scheduled imaging, and that enables a sensor switch to be turned on from outside.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention of claim 1 is characterized in that a home device that is arranged in a home and captures a predetermined area of the home with a camera and has a function of transmitting the captured image, and connected to the Internet to the home A server device having a function of receiving a captured image from the apparatus via a telephone line and the Internet and transmitting the image to a portable terminal with a browser function via the Internet and the telephone line, and at least an instruction from the portable terminal An imaging setting device of a remote monitoring system that performs imaging from time to time, imaging by a reaction of a sensor arranged in a home (referred to as sensor response imaging), and imaging by a reservation setting (referred to as scheduled imaging), Internet connection via network connection equipment and Internet service provider (hereinafter referred to as ISP) A sensor switch for turning on / off a sensor operation function, and receiving an image pickup setting, a sensor switch ON / OFF setting and other control commands transmitted from the server device according to the setting contents. A control command execution means that operates, and the server device can be browsed by accessing from a mobile terminal with a browser function by a user via the Internet, and at least ON / OFF setting of the sensor switch transmitted from the mobile terminal A request information database in which the contents of the sensor reaction imaging setting, the reserved imaging setting, and the saving / deleting setting of the imaging result are stored in an updatable manner, and control commands corresponding to the various setting contents stored in the request information database. If the home device is always connected to the Internet, follow the instructions from the mobile device. Control command transmission means for transmitting to the home device that is transmitted to the home device and, when the home device is dial-up connected, in response to a callback request from the portable terminal, the home device and the sensor switch. In addition, various settings for saving and deleting the imaging result can be performed from a remote portable terminal.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a home device that has a function of capturing a predetermined area in the home by using a camera and transmitting the captured image, and a telephone line connected to the Internet for receiving the captured image from the home device. And a server device having a function of transmitting the image to the mobile terminal with a browser function via the Internet and a telephone line, and at least taking an image according to an instruction from the mobile terminal, An imaging setting device of a remote monitoring system that performs imaging based on a response of an arranged sensor (referred to as sensor response imaging) and imaging based on a reservation setting (referred to as scheduled imaging), wherein the in-home device includes a network connection device and an Internet service・ Connected to the Internet via a provider (hereinafter referred to as ISP) And a control command execution means that operates according to the setting contents in response to the imaging setting, the ON / OFF setting of the sensor switch, and other control commands transmitted from the server device. The server device is accessible by a user via a mobile terminal with a browser function via the Internet, and is transmitted from the mobile terminal, at least ON / OFF setting of the sensor switch, sensor reaction imaging setting, reservation A request information database in which contents of imaging settings and imaging result storage / deletion settings are stored in an updatable manner, and a control instruction for transmitting control commands according to various settings stored in the request information database to a home device And a transmission means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the imaging setting device of the remote monitoring system according to the second aspect, the control command transmission means sends control commands according to various setting contents stored in the request information database, and the in-home device always transmits to the Internet. In the case of connection, it is transmitted to the in-home device in response to an instruction from the mobile terminal. In the case where the in-home device is in dial-up connection, it is transmitted to the in-home device connected in dial-up in response to a callback request from the mobile terminal. is there.

According to the present invention,
1) Because it is possible to execute, stop, and set imaging, sensor response imaging, and scheduled imaging from a mobile terminal with a browser function at any time in both environments where the home device is always connected to the Internet and dial-up connection. , The user base that can be used expands, and convenience increases.
2) When a user who is away from home wants to check family members and pets at home, the user can take a picture using a mobile terminal with a browser function, etc., and browse on the mobile terminal.
3) When sensor reaction imaging is set when the user is out, when there is unintended imaging such as unplanned family return home, sensor response using a mobile terminal with browser function from outside Imaging can be stopped.
4) Setting / changing / cancelling time interval reserved imaging and time reserved imaging can be performed from the outside using a mobile terminal with a browser function.
5) Not only can you browse the imaging results from the outside using a mobile terminal with a browser function, but you can also make various settings for saving and deleting the imaging results, so when the number of images reaches the limit of the specified number, It is possible to automatically delete images in order from the oldest shooting date and time, or to lock the images to be recorded from the browsing screen so that they are not automatically deleted.

  Hereinafter, a remote monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the remote monitoring system. This remote monitoring system is a system that allows a user to check a captured image from outside the house in order to watch the situation inside the user's house from outside the house. 3 and a server device 4 (Web server) that remotely controls these home devices 1, 2, 3 via the Internet 7 and communicates with a mobile terminal 61 or a personal computer 62 as an external terminal 6. There are many in-home devices 1, 2, and 3 in actual operation (in the figure, three users are shown), and a portable terminal 61 and the like are also provided for each user.

  The in-home devices 1, 2, and 3 are the control units 10, 20, and 30 for the operation of the system, the cameras 11, 21, and 31, the human body sensors 13, 23, and 33 that image a predetermined watching area, and the operation functions of the sensors, respectively. It is equipped with a sensor switch for turning on / off, and is installed in an appropriate location in the house by a user, for example, a room where children, elderly people, pets, etc., as in general home appliances. XDSL (Digital Subscriber Line; x Generically) connected to the Internet 7 via a modem or broadband router 12, 22, a telephone line 8 and an Internet service provider (ISP). The in-home devices 1, 2, 3 execute a predetermined operation when the sensors 13, 23, 33 react, and execute a remote operation command received via the server device 4 in response to an operation instruction from the external terminal 6, The server device 4 has a function of uploading home information, for example, a captured image. A camera may be added to each home device.

  The server device 4 is connected to the Internet 7 via a router 45 and ISP, and includes servers 41, 42, 43, and 44 that operate the remote monitoring system and provide services. The received home information is notified to the corresponding external terminal 6 via the Internet 7 and the mobile phone line 9 or the telephone line 8, and a captured image is transmitted to the external terminal 6 in response to a request from the external terminal 6. The server device 4 receives the remote operation command set by the external terminal 6 via the mobile phone line 9 or the telephone line 8 and the Internet 7, and receives the remote operation command via the Internet 7 and the phone line 8. The images are transferred to the devices 1, 2 and 3, and the images taken by the in-home devices 1, 2 and 3 are received via the telephone line 8 and the Internet 7, and the images are transmitted to the Internet 7 and the mobile phone line 9 or Transfer to the corresponding external terminal 6 via the telephone line 8.

  The external terminal 6 is a terminal with a browser function that can be connected to the server device 4 via the mobile phone line 9 or the telephone line 8 and the Internet 7. Examples of such a portable terminal 6 include a portable terminal 61 such as a portable telephone or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) owned by the user, and a personal computer 62. The mobile terminal with a browser function referred to in the claims includes all of these. These external terminals 6 set a remote operation command for controlling the home device including a command to transmit images taken by the home devices 1, 2, 3 to the server device 4. It has a function of displaying images picked up by 2 and 3.

  The home devices 1, 2, and 3 will be described in further detail. Of these, the in-home devices 1 and 2 show an environment configuration that can be always connected to the Internet 7 and further to the server device 4 via a broadband line such as ADSL, and the in-home device 3 shows an environment configuration of dial-up connection. Yes.

  The server device 4 can log in by authenticating the user ID and password transmitted from the mobile terminal 61 when the user remotely operates the external terminal 6 (which will be described below as the mobile terminal 61). Stores and manages the serial number of the in-home device corresponding to the user ID transmitted from 1, 2 and 3, status information, dynamic global IP, and control commands corresponding to various settings transmitted from the mobile terminal 61 ( A request information database (to be described later), and a function (control command transmission means) for transmitting a remote operation command to a managed dynamic global IP address. When the home device is always connected to the Internet, the server device 4 transmits a control command to the home device in response to an instruction from the mobile terminal 61. When the home device is a dial-up connection, the server device 4 makes a call from the mobile terminal 61. In response to the back request, a control command is transmitted to the home device connected by dial-up.

  Next, an outline of the imaging operation in the remote monitoring system as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2A shows the in-home device 1 and the server device 4 during the image pickup operation (sensor reaction image pickup) by the sensor reaction of the in-home device 1 in FIG. 1 (here, the home device 1 that is always connected as a representative). It is a time chart between the portable terminals 61. FIG. FIG. 2B is a similar time chart at the time of imaging at any time by an operation from the portable terminal 61.

  First, in the sensor reaction imaging of FIG. 2A, (1) when the in-home device 1 detects an intruder or the like by the human body sensor 13, the image captured by the camera 11 is captured. (2) The in-home device 1 notifies the server device 4 of the sensor reaction (that an abnormality has occurred) and transmits the captured image to the server device 4. (3) The server device 4 stores the image sent from the in-home device 1, and (4) notifies the mobile terminal 61 of the sensor reaction by e-mail. The user learns that an abnormality has occurred due to the e-mail delivered to the mobile terminal 61, and (5) operates the mobile terminal 61 to connect the mobile terminal 61 to the server device 4 and request image transmission. (6) The server device 4 transmits the stored image to the portable terminal 61 in response to the transmission request, and (7) the portable terminal 61 displays the image transmitted from the server device 4 by the browser. The user can confirm the image captured during the sensor reaction by viewing the display image.

  In the occasional imaging of FIG. 2B, (11) the user operates the portable terminal 61 to make a connection request to the website to connect the portable terminal 61 to the server device 4, and the user ID and password by the browser. input. (12) The server device 4 authenticates the user ID, password, and the like, and (13) transmits the HTML data of the website to the mobile terminal 61 based on the request information database provided in the server device 4. (14) In response to this, the mobile terminal 61 displays a website screen by the browser, and the user performs an imaging setting operation (one of remote operation commands) on the website screen, and (15) issues an imaging instruction. It transmits to the server device 4. (16) The server device 4 transmits an imaging control command to the in-home device 1, and (17) the in-home device 1 executes the remote operation command received from the server device 4, that is, images the home, (18 ) The imaging data is transmitted to the server device 4. (19) The server device 4 stores the captured image, and (20) notifies the mobile terminal 61 that the image has been captured by e-mail. (21) The user operates the portable terminal 61 to connect to the server device 4 and request image transmission. (22) The server device 4 transmits a captured image. (23) The user can check the home image on the display of the mobile terminal 61. In the case of dial-up connection, the procedure for making a callback request from the mobile terminal 61 enters between (15) and (16).

  The remote monitoring system of the present invention is an imaging setting device capable of performing the following imaging (referred to as reserved imaging) in addition to imaging at any time according to an instruction from the mobile terminal 61 and sensor reaction imaging. Is building. For this purpose, the server device 4 is uploaded with a website enabling various imaging settings that can be accessed and browsed from a mobile terminal with a browser function by the user via the Internet. It includes a request information database in which the contents of “switch ON / OFF setting”, “sensor reaction imaging setting”, “reserved imaging setting”, and “imaging result storage / deletion setting” are stored in an updatable manner. In addition, the control units 10, 20, and 30 of the in-home devices 1, 2, and 3 operate according to the setting contents upon receiving the imaging setting, the ON / OFF setting of the sensor switch, and other control commands transmitted from the server device 4. (Control command execution means).

  FIG. 3 shows a menu related to “imaging setting” of the website in the server device 4. When entering the imaging setting menu from the top menu, the imaging setting menu includes “anytime imaging” (# 1), “sensor reaction imaging setting” (# 2), “stop sensor reaction imaging” (# 3), and “reserved imaging”. "Setting" (# 4) ("Reserve" menu, which includes time reservation (# 5) and interval reservation (# 6)), "Release reservation imaging" (# 7), "Imaging result Browse "(# 8) (" view photo "menu)," automatic deletion and storage of imaging results "(# 9), and" other menu "(# 10). These menus are displayed in order by scrolling on the screen of the portable terminal 61 by browsing. These various settings will be specifically described below.

  These settings and changes are made by displaying the menu screen of the website in the server device 4 on the mobile terminal 61 and displaying the current setting status obtained from the request information database in the server device 4 to the web page. Do it above. First, “anytime imaging” (# 1) is performed by giving an instruction from the portable terminal 61 in a state in which it is set. The operation of imaging at any time is as shown in FIG.

  Next, for “sensor response imaging setting” (# 2) and “stop sensor response imaging” (# 3), the ON / OFF setting screen of the sensor switch of the website in the server device 4 is displayed on the portable terminal 61. If the current sensor switch ON / OFF status is acquired from the request information database and displayed, and the current status is to be changed, ON or OFF is selected on the web page.

  FIGS. 4A and 4B show time charts of ON / OFF setting of the sensor switch in the case of always-on connection and dial-up connection, respectively. In the always-on connection in FIG. 4A, (31) First, the user connects the portable terminal 61 to the server device 4 by operating the portable terminal 61 to request connection to the website, and the user is connected by the browser. Enter ID and password. (32) The server device 4 authenticates the user ID, password, and the like, and (33) transmits the HTML data of the website to the portable terminal 61 based on the request information database provided in the server device 4. (34) In response to this, the mobile terminal 61 displays a website screen by the browser, and the user performs a sensor setting operation on the website screen, and (35) transmits the sensor setting to the server device 4. The display screen during this setting operation changes between A and B. (36) The server device 4 transmits a sensor switch control command to the in-home device 1, (37) the home device 1 executes the sensor switch control command received from the server device 4, and (38) the command execution result. Is notified to the server device 4. (39) The server device 4 updates the request information database, and (40) notifies the mobile terminal 61 of the sensor setting by e-mail.

  In the dial-up connection of FIG. 4B, (31) to (35) are the same as the above, and then (51) the user operates the portable terminal 61 to make a callback request to the in-home device 1. To do. Here, a “phone to” command by HTML is transmitted. (52) Upon receipt of this command, the in-home device 1 makes a dial-up connection to the server device 4. Thereafter, (36) the server device 4 transmits a sensor switch control command to the in-home device 1, and the following is the same as described above.

  FIG. 5 shows a flow of time reservation (# 5) in the reservation imaging (# 4), and FIG. 6 shows a screen display example before and after scrolling the portable terminal 61 when making a time reservation. The case of constant connection (hereinafter the same) is shown. For the time reservation, first, when a plurality of cameras are provided in the home device, the name of the camera to be photographed is selected (# 51). If no option camera is defined, the camera selection is not displayed. Next, invalid / valid of the time reservation is designated (# 52). The initial value is ON. Next, reservation execution intervals “today” and “daily” are designated (# 53). Next, the reservation time is registered (# 54). Thereafter, if the OK key is selected, the reservation confirmation screen is displayed (# 55), and then the “reserve” menu is displayed (# 4). If the return key is selected, the “Reserve” menu is displayed (# 4). If the TOP key is selected, the top menu is displayed.

  FIG. 7 shows a flow of interval reservation (# 6) in the reservation imaging (# 4), and FIG. 8 shows a screen display example of the portable terminal 61 when interval reservation is performed. For interval reservation, the name of the camera to be photographed is selected as described above (# 61). Next, invalid / valid of interval reservation is designated (# 62). Next, the reservation “start time”, “end time” and shooting interval are designated (# 63). The shooting interval is at least one hour, for example. Thereafter, if the OK key is selected, a reservation confirmation screen is displayed (# 64), and then a “reserve” menu is displayed (# 4). If the return key is selected, the “Reserve” menu is displayed (# 4). If the TOP key is selected, the top menu is displayed.

  FIG. 9 shows a flow of automatic deletion and storage (# 9) of the imaging result, and FIG. 10 shows a screen display example before and after scrolling of the mobile terminal 61 at that time. First, the name of the photographed camera is selected (# 91). Next, since a plurality of imaging data is grouped for each camera, a “display group” that can be displayed at one time is designated (# 92). The square check box is checked (black) for images that are image locked (overwrite prevented). Next, a check box for image locking is checked (# 93). Uncheck the check box you want to unlock (# 94). After that, if the return key is selected, the menu is “view photo” (# 8). If the TOP key is selected, the top menu is displayed.

  As described above, the user uses the mobile terminal 61 with the browser function from the outside, and the imaging operation of the in-home device, in particular, the settings of the imaging at any time and the reservation imaging, the ON / OFF setting of the sensor switch of the in-home device, and the imaging Settings for saving / deleting results can be made arbitrarily. For example, even if you forget to set the sensor switch ON, you can set the sensor switch ON from the outside. In addition, in order to prevent unnecessary imaging, it is possible to change the sensor switch to an OFF setting from an outside location and instruct to stop imaging during sensor reaction imaging.

  The present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the remote monitoring system can be similarly applied to embodiments other than those described above.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a remote monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a time chart figure of the sensor reaction imaging among the in-home apparatus in the system same as the above, a server apparatus, and a portable terminal, (b) is a time chart figure of imaging at any time. The figure which shows the various setting content in the imaging setting menu in a system same as the above. (A) is a time chart diagram of ON / OFF setting of the sensor switch in the case of constant connection in the system, and (b) is a time chart diagram of ON / OFF setting of the sensor switch in the case of dial-up connection. The flowchart figure which shows the setting of the time reservation in a system same as the above. The figure which shows the screen when setting the said time reservation. The flowchart figure which shows the setting of the interval reservation in a system same as the above. The figure which shows the screen when setting the said space | interval reservation. The flowchart figure which shows the setting of the automatic deletion and preservation | save of an imaging result in a system same as the above. The figure which shows a screen when performing the automatic deletion and preservation | save setting of the said imaging result.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, 3 Home device 10, 20, 30 Control unit (control command execution means)
11, 21, 31 Cameras 12, 22 Modem or broadband router (network connection equipment)
13, 23, 33 Human body sensor (sensor)
4 Server device (control command transmission means, request information database)
61 Mobile terminal with browser function 7 Internet 8 Telephone line 9 Mobile telephone line

Claims (3)

A home device that is arranged in a home and captures a predetermined area in the home with a camera, and has a function of transmitting the captured image, and is connected to the Internet and receives a captured image from the home device via a telephone line and the Internet. And a server device having a function of transmitting the image to a portable terminal with a browser function via the Internet and a telephone line, and at least taking an image according to an instruction from the portable terminal and a reaction of a sensor disposed in the house An imaging setting device for a remote monitoring system that performs imaging (referred to as sensor reaction imaging) and imaging based on reservation settings (referred to as reserved imaging),
The in-home device is connected to the Internet via a network connection device and an Internet service provider (hereinafter referred to as ISP), and includes a sensor switch for turning on / off a sensor operation function, and further transmitted from the server device. A control command execution means that operates in accordance with the setting contents upon receiving an imaging setting, ON / OFF setting of the sensor switch, and other control commands,
The server device
At least the sensor switch ON / OFF setting, the sensor reaction imaging setting, the reserved imaging setting, and the imaging result transmitted from the portable terminal with a browser function by the user, which can be browsed and transmitted from the portable terminal. A request information database in which the contents of save / delete settings are stored in an updatable manner,
When the in-home device is always connected to the Internet, a control command corresponding to various setting contents stored in the request information database is transmitted to the in-home device according to an instruction from the mobile terminal, and the in-home device is connected to the dial-up connection. A control command transmission means for transmitting to a dial-up connected home device in response to a callback request from a mobile terminal,
An imaging setting device for a remote monitoring system, wherein various settings for storing and deleting the home device, sensor switch, and imaging result can be performed from a remote portable terminal. A home device that is arranged in a home and captures a predetermined area in the home with a camera, and has a function of transmitting the captured image, and is connected to the Internet and receives a captured image from the home device via a telephone line and the Internet. And a server device having a function of transmitting the image to a portable terminal with a browser function via the Internet and a telephone line, and at least taking an image according to an instruction from the portable terminal and a reaction of a sensor disposed in the house An imaging setting device for a remote monitoring system that performs imaging (referred to as sensor reaction imaging) and imaging based on reservation settings (referred to as reserved imaging),
The in-home device is connected to the Internet via a network connection device and an Internet service provider (hereinafter referred to as ISP), and includes a sensor switch for turning on / off a sensor operation function, and further transmitted from the server device. A control command execution means that operates in accordance with the setting contents upon receiving an imaging setting, ON / OFF setting of the sensor switch, and other control commands,
The server device
A user can access and browse from a portable terminal with a browser function via the Internet, and at least the sensor switch ON / OFF setting, sensor reaction imaging setting, reserved imaging setting, and imaging result transmitted from the portable terminal A request information database in which the contents of save / delete settings are stored in an updatable manner,
An imaging setting device for a remote monitoring system, comprising: control command transmission means for transmitting a control command corresponding to various setting contents stored in the request information database to a home device.   The control command transmitting means transmits a control command corresponding to various setting contents stored in the request information database to the home device according to an instruction from the mobile terminal when the home device is always connected to the Internet, 3. The remote monitoring system imaging setting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the in-home device is dial-up connected, transmission is made to the in-home device connected in dial-up in response to a callback request from the portable terminal.

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