JP2008199416A - Remote monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To securely prevent a name imparted to a network camera from being not matched with a name managed by a proxy server device. <P>SOLUTION: An icon named "Camera Name Confirmation" is provided in a page for an image monitor that an integrated managing device TM provides for a mobile phone MP. When the icon displayed on the liquid crystal screen of the mobile phone MP is operated (clicked), a request to confirm the name of the network camera NCm is transmitted from the mobile phone MP to a security controller C2 through a center device SV. A security controller control unit 30 of the security controller C2 having received the request to confirm the name acquires names of all network cameras NCm again, so that no name mismatch is made. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote monitoring system capable of confirming an image of a monitoring area captured by a network camera via an external network such as the Internet.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various remote monitoring systems that can check an image of a monitoring area captured by a network camera via an external network such as the Internet are provided (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-157091 A

  By the way, since it is not preferable in terms of security to directly access the network camera from an external network, a proxy server (proxy server device) is usually installed, and the proxy server device replaces the network camera with the image of the network camera. Sending data via an external network. Here, a name (for example, the name of the room in the monitoring area such as “living room” or “kitchen”) is assigned to each network camera so that the image data can be easily browsed. The assigned name is acquired, and the image data of each network camera is managed by the name.

  However, when the name of each network camera is assigned (or changed) by a device other than the proxy server device, the name of the network camera managed by the proxy server device may not match the name assigned to the network camera. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a remote monitoring system that can reliably prevent a name assigned to a network camera from being inconsistent with a name managed by a proxy server device. It is to provide.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, one or a plurality of network cameras that have a network communication function and image a monitoring area, a name assigning device that assigns a name to the network camera, and an image taken by the network camera A proxy server device that acquires the acquired image data via the home network, manages the acquired image data and the name of each network camera in association with each other, and transfers the image data via the external network, and the proxy server device via the external network And a terminal device that transfers and displays the image data acquired by the center device via an external network, and the proxy server device uses the name of the network camera from the terminal device via the center device. When a confirmation request is received, all network cameras are activated. Scan to, characterized in that to reacquire name given in the name imparting device.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, one or a plurality of network cameras that have a network communication function and image a monitoring area, a name assigning device that assigns a name to the network camera, and a network camera A proxy server device that acquires the acquired image data via the home network, manages the acquired image data and the name of each network camera in association with each other, and transfers the image data via the external network, and the proxy server device via the external network And a terminal device for transferring and displaying the image data acquired by the center device via an external network, and the proxy server device operates by periodically accessing all the network cameras. When checking the status, each network camera becomes a name assigning device. Characterized by re-acquires the name that has been given.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, one or more network cameras that have a network communication function and image a monitoring area, a name assigning device that assigns a name to the network camera, and an image picked up by the network camera A proxy server device that acquires the acquired image data via the home network, manages the acquired image data and the name of each network camera in association with each other, and transfers the image data via the external network, and the proxy server device via the external network And a terminal device that transfers and displays the image data acquired by the center device via an external network, and the name assigning device changes the name of one of the network cameras. Notify the proxy server device of the name change of the network camera, Physical server device is characterized in that to reacquire was changed by accessing the network camera name change is notified from the name imparting device name.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can prevent reliably that the name provided to the network camera does not correspond with the name managed with a proxy server apparatus.

  Hereinafter, referring to the drawings, an embodiment in which the technical idea of the present invention is applied to a housing equipment monitoring and control system that controls and monitors housing equipment installed in a house, for example, an air conditioner, a lighting fixture, or various security devices. Will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the housing equipment monitoring and control system according to this embodiment includes a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) subsystems SS1 in which controllers C1, C2, and C3 installed in the house control and monitor the housing equipment. , SS2, SS3, and the integrated management device TM connected to the controller Cn (n = 1, 2, 3) of each subsystem SSn via a transmission line (enhanced category 5 or category 6 LAN cable). A plurality of (in the illustrated example, two) terminal devices (personal computer PC and display control device CV) connected to the management device TM via a LAN cable and a monitoring area (for example, a living room or an entrance in a house) A plurality of network cameras NCm (m = 1, 2,...) For imaging, the plurality of controllers C, the integrated management device TM, and the terminal Location network camera NCm and the general-purpose communication protocol (TCP / IP, UDP, HTTP, etc.) constituting the home network using. This home network is a local area network (LAN) compliant with the 100BASE-TX (IEEE 802.3u) standard, and the controller Cn of each subsystem SSn corresponding to the network terminal is connected to the integrated management device TM corresponding to the switching hub. And terminal devices (personal computer PC and display control device CV) and a plurality of network cameras NCm (only one is shown) are connected by star wiring. Further, the integrated management device TM includes an Internet connection device MD such as an ADSL modem, a cable modem, or an ONU (Optical Network Unit) according to the type of a line (telephone line, CATV line, optical fiber line, etc.) for connecting to the Internet. The home network is connected to the Internet, which is an external network, through a communication cable (usually a LAN cable) and the Internet connection device MD. In addition, since this kind of internet connection apparatus MD is well-known conventionally, illustration and description about a detailed structure are abbreviate | omitted.

  Further, a center device (center server) SV installed at a remote place away from the house is connected to the home network through the Internet, and a notebook personal computer, a mobile phone MP, which can be connected to the Internet, as will be described later. By performing data communication via the Internet between a portable terminal device such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) and the center device SV, for example, control of equipment in a house from the outside using a mobile phone MP Monitoring, and viewing images captured by the network camera NCm. The center device SV is composed of a general-purpose computer device having a network function. The center device SV is a message addressed to the controller Cn transmitted from a terminal device such as the mobile phone MP or the like or a terminal device not belonging to the home network from the controller Cn. It has a function to relay a message to be transmitted. However, since the portable terminal device and the center device SV having the Internet connection function as described above are well known in the art, illustration and description of the detailed configuration are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the integrated management device TM has a plurality of communication ports 2 _i (i = 1, 2,...) To which the controller Cn of the subsystem SSn, the terminal device, and the network camera NCm are connected via a LAN cable. ) And the communication port 3 to which the Internet connection device MD is connected via the LAN cable and the transmission path between the communication ports 2 _i and 3 are switched, and the packets transferred between the communication ports 2 _i and 3 are discarded or communicated. A packet processing unit 4 that executes processing such as blocking or restriction of the port 2 _i or 3 (hereinafter referred to as packet processing), and a function that switches the transmission path by controlling the packet processing unit 4 with the CPU as a main component. (Route switching function) and functions that perform virus checking and filtering on packets (network security function) A control unit 1 having a subsystem configuration management function (described later), a MAC (Media Access Control) address of the controller Cn and the Internet connection device MD, a private IP address, and control related to each subsystem SSn And a storage unit 5 for storing information and monitoring information. The communication ports 2 _i and 3 include a modular jack to which an RJ-45 modular plug provided at the end of the LAN cable is detachably connected. The packet processing unit 4 includes a large number of switch elements. When the switch element is driven by the path switching function of the control unit 1, any one communication port 2 _i or 3 and one or more other communication ports The transmission path between 2 _{i and} 3 is switched, or the network security function of the control unit 1 has caused an abnormality (for example, an inflow or outflow of illegal packets or a large amount of packets that may interfere with the network). The communication port 2 _i or 3 is blocked or restricted. The storage unit 5 is composed of a non-volatile memory, and the name, MAC address, and IP address of the controller Cn and the terminal device connected to each communication port 2 _i and the Internet connection device MD connected to the communication port 3 are assigned to each communication port. A list corresponding to 2 _i and 3 is stored. However, since a method for acquiring the MAC addresses of the controller Cn and terminal devices connected to the communication ports 2 _i and 3 and the Internet connection device MD is well known in the art, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The control unit 1 monitors the address (MAC address) of the transmission destination of the packet that enters the packet processing unit 4 from the communication ports 2 _i and 3, for example, the transmission destination of the packet that has entered from the communication port 3. against the MAC address list that stores the address in the storage unit 5, the communication controller Cn and the terminal device MAC address coincident with the destination address (e.g., the controller C1) 2 ₁ and the communication port is connected and it controls the packet processing unit 4 as a transmission path is formed only between the port 3, thereby fed a packet to the communication port 2 ₁ through the formed transmission path (path switching function). Further, the control unit 1 constantly monitors packets passing through the communication ports 2 _i and 3, discards abnormal packets, or controls the packet processing unit 4 as described above to cause a communication port in which an abnormality has occurred. 2 _i or 3 is blocked or restricted (network security function). Further, the control unit 1 is equipped with a UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) control point function, and, as will be described later, the UPnP device is detected using SSDP (Simple Service Discovery Protocol) for detecting a device in UPnP. Each controller Cn and network camera NCm having the function are automatically detected. Further, the IP addresses of the integrated management device TM, each controller Cn, terminal device, and network camera NCm are also automatically determined by the UPnP addressing function. Such an addressing function is based on a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) client function, for example, automatically from a DHCP server mounted on a router (not shown) (a so-called broadband router interposed between the integrated management device TM and the Internet connection device MD). Assigned to. However, since the above-described functions related to UPnP are also well known in the art, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  By the way, the integrated management device TM is configured by housing the above-described parts in a box-shaped housing (not shown) made of a synthetic resin molded product, and the housing is installed on a wall surface in the house. It can be stored in a distribution board (residential board). However, the structure of the housing is an example, and it is not always necessary to be housed in a housing board.

  Next, each subsystem SSn will be described.

  The subsystem SS1 is a housing equipment (equipment equipment) X1, 2 such as a lighting fixture, an air conditioner (air conditioner), and an electric lock, and a controller that controls and monitors the equipment equipment X1, 2 (hereinafter referred to as equipment equipment controller). ) C1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the equipment controller C1 includes a equipment controller controller 10 having a microcomputer as a main component, and a LAN interface for connecting a LAN cable of the home network to interface the equipment controller controller 10 with the home network. Unit 11, HA (home automation) interface unit 12 for interfacing facility equipment X1 (air conditioner, water heater, etc.) and facility equipment controller control unit 10 conforming to the Japan Electric Manufacturers' Association (JEMA) standard, JEMA HA terminal portion 13 having an HA terminal (not shown) conforming to the standard, and a relay terminal having a relay (not shown) inserted into a power supply path to the equipment device X2 (lighting fixture) not conforming to the JEMA standard Under the control of the unit 15 and the equipment controller controller 10. A lighting fixture interface unit 14 for driving a relay included in the relay terminal unit 15; a memory unit 16 for storing control information such as a program executed by the microcomputer and operating states of the equipment devices X1 and X2; and monitoring information; And a timekeeping unit 17 for performing the operation. Although not shown in the figure, a power supply circuit is also provided for generating a desired DC power supply from a commercial power supply and supplying operation power to the equipment controller controller 10 and other components.

  The equipment controller controller 10 individually controls each equipment X1 and X2 via the HA interface 12 or the luminaire interface 14 when receiving a control request message from the terminal device via the LAN interface 11. The HA interface unit 12 or the lighting device interface unit is switched when operation (lighting in the case of the lighting device X2) and stop (lighting off in the case of the lighting device X2) are received and a monitoring request message is received from the terminal device through the LAN interface unit 11. 14, the operation state of each equipment device X1 and X2 (operation <lighting> or stop <lighting off>) is individually acquired, and the response to the control request and the monitoring request (operation state of each equipment device X1 and X2) Send a request message from LAN interface unit 11 Function to transmit to the terminal device is based on having the (control monitoring). In addition, the equipment controller controller 10 has a UPnP device function and displays web contents (web pages) for displaying the names and operating states of the equipment X1 and X2 under its control in characters and symbols. It has a function (web server function) that creates and provides (distributes) the web content to the terminal device from the LAN interface unit 11 in response to a request from the terminal device. The memory unit 16 stores the UPnP device information (device name, type, list of services, etc.) of the facility device controller C1, and when newly joining the home network as will be described later, the facility device controller control unit. 10 notifies the UPnP control point (integrated management apparatus TM) of the device information stored in the memory unit 16 (description function).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the subsystem SS2 includes one or more types of security devices Y1 and Y2 that detect the occurrence of an abnormality in the house, and a security receiver SR that collects detection information of each security device Y1 and Y2. The security system includes a controller (hereinafter referred to as a security controller) C2 that receives detection information collected by the security receiver SR and transmits the received detection information through a home network using a response message.

  For example, the security device Y1 is a crime prevention device that detects a human intrusion into a monitoring area by detecting a heat ray radiated from a human body, detects whether a crescent lock installed in a window is unlocked, and detects whether a window is opened or closed. Has a function to transmit the detection information to the security receiver SR as a wireless signal (or wired signal) when an abnormality (intrusion of a person, unlocking of a crescent lock, etc.) is detected by the sensor. ing. In addition, the security device Y2 is equipped with a sensor for disaster prevention that detects fire by detecting smoke and heat, and gas leak detection by detecting city gas or LP gas. A function of transmitting the detection information to the security receiver SR by a wireless signal (or a wired signal) when a leak is detected. However, since the security devices Y1 and Y2 having the functions as described above are well known in the art, illustration and description of the detailed configuration are omitted.

  The security receiver SR collects detection information by receiving wireless signals (or wired signals) transmitted from the security devices Y1 and Y2, and further processes corresponding to the detection information, for example, fire, gas leakage or suspicious Processing to sound an alarm sound to inform the family of the occurrence of an abnormality such as an intruder, and to transmit detection information such as the type and location of the detected abnormality to the security controller C2 by wireless signal (or wired signal) I do. Here, a unique identification code (ID) is assigned to the security devices Y1 and Y2, and the security receiver SR can identify the detection information of the individual security devices Y1 and Y2 by the identification code. Further, as described above, the security receiver SR has two operating states, ie, a warning state in which detection information is collected from the security devices Y1 and Y2, and a non-warning state in which detection information is not collected. For example, a wireless transmitter (not shown) 2) are selectively switched between a warning state and a non-warning state. However, a unique identification code is also assigned to the wireless transmitter, and the wireless transmitter to which an identification code other than the previously registered identification code is assigned cannot switch the operating state. Since the security receiver SR having the functions as described above is well known in the art, illustration and description of a detailed configuration are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the security controller C2 includes a security controller control unit 30 having a microcomputer as a main component, and a LAN interface unit 31 that interfaces with the security controller control unit 30 and the home network via a LAN cable of the home network. A communication unit 32 that performs wireless (or wired) data communication with the security receiver SR, a display unit 33 that displays a power on / off state, a communication state, and the like using light emitting elements such as LEDs, and a push button switch. And a memory unit 35 for storing detection information collected from programs executed by a microcomputer and security devices Y1 and Y2. Further, although not shown, a power supply circuit is also provided for generating a desired DC power supply from a commercial power supply and supplying operation power to the security controller control unit 30 and other units.

  The security controller control unit 30 has a function (alarm function) for transmitting detection information received from the security receiver SR via the communication unit 32 as a response message to the terminal device through the home network (or the home network and the external network), a terminal When a control request message is received from the apparatus, a command is transmitted to the security receiver SR via the communication unit 32 to switch the operation state (warning state or non-warning state) of the security receiver SR, or the security receiver When the alarm sound by SR is stopped, or when a monitoring request message is received from the terminal device, a command is transmitted to the security receiver SR via the communication unit 32, and the operating state of the security receiver SR (warning state or (Not alert) A function (control monitoring function) that transmits a message of a response to a control request or a monitoring request (an operation state of the security receiver SR, an alarm sounding state, etc.) from the LAN interface unit 31 to a terminal device that is a transmission source of the request message ). In addition, the security controller control unit 30 has a function of a UPnP device and creates web content (web page) for displaying the operation state of the security receiver SR under its control with characters and symbols, A function (web server function) for providing (distributing) the web content to the terminal device from the LAN interface unit 31 in response to a request from the terminal device, and a function for distributing image data via the network instead of the network camera NCm (proxy) <Proxy> server function). The memory unit 35 stores UPnP device information (device name, type, list of services, etc.) of the security controller C2, and when newly joining the home network, the security controller control unit 30 stores in the memory unit 35. The stored device information is notified to the UPnP control point (integrated management apparatus TM). However, in the present embodiment, the security controller C2 is used as the proxy server device, but another controller (the equipment device controller C1 or the image transfer controller C3) may be used as the proxy server device.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sub-system SS3 detects a camera-equipped doorphone slave unit (hereinafter abbreviated as a doorphone slave unit) DS installed outside the dwelling unit and a heat ray radiated from the human body to enter the monitoring area. The sensor camera SC that detects the intrusion of a person and picks up an image of the monitoring area at the time of the intrusion detection, and a call function that is installed in the dwelling unit and makes a call between the doorphone slave unit DS and the doorphone slave unit DS and the sensor camera SC. Interphone master unit IM having a function of displaying a captured image, and receiving an image captured by door phone slave unit DS and sensor camera SC from interphone master unit IM and transmitting the received image to center device SV through an external network Controller (hereinafter referred to as an image transfer controller) C3.

  The intercom DS is equipped with a microphone for calling, a speaker and a camera for imaging a visitor, transmits call voice collected by the microphone to the interphone base unit IM via the telephone line, and interphone base unit IM A call function for sounding a call voice transmitted from the speaker via the call line, a call function for sending a call signal to the intercom base unit IM via the call line when the call button is pressed, and a camera ( For example, it has an image transmission function of transmitting an image captured by a CCD camera (outputting a moving image) to the interphone master unit IM via a communication line by frequency-modulating and multiplexing the image into a call voice. In addition, the sensor camera SC includes a heat ray sensor that detects the intrusion of a person into the monitoring area by detecting a heat ray emitted from the human body, a CCD camera that outputs a moving image, and the like, and is monitored via a signal line. It has a function of transmitting the image of the area to the door phone slave unit DS. In addition, the image transmitted to the door phone slave unit DS is transferred to the interphone master unit IM via the telephone line.

  On the other hand, the interphone base unit IM includes a microcomputer for controlling the whole, a DSP for voice processing, a microphone for calling, a speaker, a liquid crystal display for image display, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory for recording images and calling voice, and the like. When a call signal is received, a call is made between the speaker and the door phone cordless handset DS when the answer button is pressed during a certain period of time after or during the ringing of the ringing tone. A call function for transferring a call voice by forming a call path via a line, and an image picked up and transmitted by the intercom DS during the call (an image of the call partner) are frequency-demodulated to a liquid crystal display The function to display and the image captured by the doorphone slave unit DS or the sensor camera SC and transmitted from the doorphone slave unit DS when not in a call are frequency-demodulated to the liquid crystal display. A function to display (image monitor function) and a function to record an image and call voice transmitted from the intercom cordless handset DS via a call line in a nonvolatile semiconductor memory when a call signal is received during an answering machine setting ( An answering machine function), a function of recording an image captured by the sensor camera SC and transmitted from the doorphone slave unit DS via a telephone line in a non-volatile semiconductor memory (sensor camera recording function), and a doorphone slave unit DS It has a function (notification function for returning home) of notifying the return of a householder with a notification sound that can be distinguished from a normal ringing sound when a specific operation (for example, long press of a call button) is performed.

  Thus, when a visitor presses the call button of the door phone DS, a call signal is transmitted to the interphone base unit IM via the telephone line by the call function that is always effective, and the interphone base unit IM calls the speaker from the speaker. When the sound is generated and the power is supplied from the interphone master unit IM via the communication line, the image transmission function of the door phone slave unit DS becomes effective, and the image captured by the camera of the door phone slave unit DS is displayed as the interphone. It is displayed on the liquid crystal display of base unit IM. Then, if a householder who confirms the visitor with the image displayed on the liquid crystal display presses the response button of the interphone master unit IM, a call path is formed between the doorphone slave unit DS and the doorphone cord DS by the call function. As a result, a loudspeaker call (hands-free call) using a speaker and a microphone can be performed between the interphone master unit IM and the door phone slave unit DS, and the interphone master unit DS is displayed on the liquid crystal display of the interphone master unit IM during the call. It is possible to display an image transmitted from the network. However, the voice call and the image transmission between the interphone master unit IM and the door phone slave unit DS are ended when a predetermined time elapses after the response button is pressed or when the response button is pressed again. When the intrusion of the suspicious person in the monitoring area is detected, the image of the monitoring area captured by the sensor camera SC is transmitted to the interphone master unit IM via the doorphone slave unit DS and displayed on the liquid crystal display. However, since the interphone master unit IM, the door phone slave unit DS, and the sensor camera SC having the functions as described above are well known in the art, illustration and description of detailed configurations are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the image transfer controller C3 includes an image transfer controller control unit 40 having a microcomputer as a main component, and a LAN interface for connecting the LAN cable of the home network to interface the image transfer controller control unit 40 and the home network. A communication unit 42 that performs data communication via a signal line between the unit 41 and the interphone master unit IM, a display unit 43 that displays a power on / off state, a communication state, and the like using light emitting elements such as LEDs, An operation unit 44 having a push button switch and the like, and a memory unit 45 for storing a program executed by a microcomputer and data (image data and call voice data) transmitted from the interphone master unit IM through a signal line are provided. Although not shown, a power supply circuit is also provided for generating a desired DC power supply from a commercial power supply and supplying operation power to the image transfer controller control unit 40 and other units.

  The image transfer controller control unit 40 receives the image data and call voice data transmitted from the door phone slave unit DS and the sensor camera SC to the interphone master unit IM from the interphone master unit IM via the communication unit 42 and receives the received data. (For example, MPEG4 for moving images, JPEG for still images, MP3 for audio, etc.) and then transferring the response message to the center device SV through the home network and external network (transfer function) And a function of notifying the center device SV through the home network and the external network that the interphone master unit IM has recorded an image and a voice call when the answering function of the interphone master unit IM is valid (visitor notification function) , Intercom parent by return notification function IM to and a function of transferring a response message returned home notifies the center apparatus SV via the home network and the external network when coming home family member is notified (return home notification forwarding function). The image transfer controller control unit 40 also creates web content (web page) that discloses a list of images recorded in the memory unit 45, and sends the web content to the LAN interface unit in response to a request from the terminal device. 41 has a function (web server function) to be provided (distributed) to the terminal device. Note that UPnP device information (device name, type, service list, etc.) is also stored in the memory unit 45, and the image transfer controller control unit 40 is stored in the memory unit 45 when newly joining a home network. Device information is notified to the UPnP control point (integrated management device TM).

  Next, the display control device CV will be described. The display control device CV is embedded in a wall surface in a house. As shown in FIG. 6, a microcomputer unit 50 having a microcomputer as a main component and a LAN cable of a home network are connected to the microcomputer unit 50. LAN interface unit 51 for interfacing with a home network, a liquid crystal display, a display unit 52 having LEDs and their driver circuits, and a touch panel arranged on the screen of a push button switch or a liquid crystal display for operation input It includes an operation unit 53 that accepts, a memory unit 54 that stores a program executed by a microcomputer and various data, and a speaker unit 55 having a speaker and speaker driving circuit. Although not shown, a power supply circuit is also provided for generating a desired DC power supply from a commercial power supply and supplying operating power to the microcomputer unit 50 and other units. The microcomputer unit 50 is equipped with a web browser, and the web content provided from each controller Cn and the like is reproduced by the web browser and displayed on the liquid crystal display of the display unit 52, and the touch panel of the operation unit 53 is operated. An operation input corresponding to the positional relationship between the position and an icon or the like displayed on the liquid crystal display is accepted. In addition, alarm sound and voice message data are compressed and stored in the memory unit 54 in advance, and if the microcomputer unit 50 decompresses the data read from the memory unit 54 and outputs it to the speaker unit 55 as necessary. The alarm sound or voice message is sounded from a speaker. Note that UPnP device information (device name, type, list of services, etc.) is also stored in the memory unit 54, and the device in which the microcomputer unit 50 is stored in the memory unit 54 when newly joining the home network. Information is notified to a UPnP control point (integrated management apparatus TM).

  By the way, in the present embodiment, the control unit 1 of the integrated management apparatus TM is also equipped with a web server function, and an entrance to web content (homepage of each subsystem SSn) provided by each controller Cn by the web server function; Web content (so-called portal site) is created and provided (distributed) to a terminal device (personal computer PC or display control device CV) in a house through a home network. For example, the portal site created by the integrated management device TM is usually displayed on the liquid crystal display of the display control device CV. In this portal site, links to web contents (homepages of each subsystem SSn) provided by each controller Cn are displayed as icons. If a touch panel is operated on any icon, the icon is displayed. A web content transmission request message is transmitted from the display control device CV to the linked URL (IP address of each controller Cn). When the controller Cn that has received the transmission request message transmits its own web content to the display control device CV, the web content of the controller Cn (the home page of each subsystem SSn) is displayed on the liquid crystal display instead of the portal site. Is displayed.

  The network camera NCm is well known in the art, and image data obtained by compressing a captured image with a predetermined compression method (for example, MPEG4 for a moving image, JPEG for a still image, etc.) via a home network. It is possible to execute imaging and perform remote control such as panning and tilting according to control information transmitted to the security controller C2 which is a proxy server device or received from the security controller C2 via the home network. Each network camera NCm can be identified by an IP address, but a name for identification is given separately from the IP address. Such a name can be set by a user using a terminal device from the center device SV via an external network or from the integrated management device TM via a home network. For example, in the portal site provided by the control unit 1 of the integrated management apparatus TM, the name of each network camera NCm can be set using CGI (Common Gateway Interface), and the user can control the display. The name set using a terminal device such as the device CV or personal computer PC is transferred from the integrated management device TM to each network camera NCm via the home network, and the name is assigned. That is, in this embodiment, the integrated management device TM corresponds to a name assigning device.

  Next, a case where a new subsystem (for example, SS1) is added to the home network will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

  After the wiring of the subsystem SS1 is completed, when the equipment device controller C1 is activated (powered on), the equipment device controller control unit 10 of the equipment device controller C1 that is a UPnP device sends a home network to the integrated management device TM that is a UPnP control point. Participation in is notified (NOTIFY) (1). The control unit 1 of the integrated management apparatus TM that has received the notification searches for a UPnP device (2), and as a response from the facility device controller C1 that is the notification source, a device such as the type of the controller (facility device controller C1) and a MAC address Receive information (3). Further, using DHCP, an IP address is assigned to the equipment controller C1 newly joining the home network. The control unit 1 of the integrated management apparatus TM adds the device information received from the equipment controller C1 to the list stored in the storage unit 5 and additionally registers the IP address as a link destination of the portal site ( 4). In addition, the equipment controller controller 10 of the equipment controller C1 stores the assigned IP address in the memory 16 as its own address (5). Note that, when other subsystems SS2 and SS3 and the network camera NCm are added, the same procedure is used, and the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, an operation in the case where control and monitoring of the equipment device Xm are performed using a home terminal device (for example, the display control device CV) will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

  First, when the push button switch of the operation unit 53 is pressed, the microcomputer unit 50 transmits a portal site transmission request message from the LAN interface unit 51 to the integrated management device TM (1). The control unit 1 of the integrated management apparatus TM that has received the message displays icons indicating links to the home pages of the subsystems SS1 and SS2 registered in the storage unit 5, characters indicating the names of the individual subsystems SS1 and SS2, and the like. Is created, and the portal site data is transmitted to the display control device CV of the transmission request source (2).

  The display control device CV displays the portal site on the liquid crystal display by opening the data (file) received from the integrated management device TM with a web browser executed by the microcomputer unit 50 (3). If the touch panel is operated on the icon of the subsystem SS1 (4), the web browser (the homepage of the URL) of the link destination (the IP address of the equipment controller C1) displayed by the icon is displayed by the web browser. ) Transmission request message is transmitted (5). When the equipment controller controller 10 of the equipment controller C1 that has received the transmission request message transmits the data of its own home page to the display controller CV (6), the data ( (File) is opened, the home page of the subsystem SS1 is displayed on the liquid crystal display of the display unit 52 (7). In this homepage, the names of the equipment devices X1 and X2 included in the subsystem SS1 and characters indicating the installation location (for example, “living air conditioner”, “living lighting”, etc.), and the operating state of each equipment device X1 and X2 , A button corresponding to an operation for inverting the operation state of each equipment device X1, X2, a button for returning to the portal site of the integrated management device TM, and the like are displayed. Therefore, it is possible to monitor (confirm) the operating state of each equipment device X1, X2 from the information displayed on the homepage (8).

  Here, in the case of performing control for reversing the operating state of any of the equipment devices Xm, for example, control for turning off the currently lit lighting fixture (facility device X2), the operating state of the equipment device X2 is reversed on the homepage. The touch panel is operated on the button corresponding to the operation (9). Then, a message indicating that the button has been operated by the web browser, that is, a message (request message) requesting to turn off the lighting device (facility device X2) is sent to the IP address of the facility device controller C1 through the home network. It is transmitted (10). Then, in the equipment controller controller 10 of the equipment controller C1 that has received this request message, the lighting equipment (facility equipment X2) is turned off by turning off the relay of the relay terminal section 15 via the lighting equipment interface section 14. (11). Then, if the equipment controller controller 10 updates the contents of the homepage in response to the lighting equipment (equipment X2) being turned off, and transmits the updated homepage data to the display control device CV (12), the display control is performed. By opening the data (file) with a web browser executed by the microcomputer unit 50 of the apparatus CV, the updated home page of the subsystem SS1 is displayed on the liquid crystal display of the display unit 52 (13). In the homepage, the operating state of the lighting fixture (equipment device X2) is changed from lighting to extinguishing.

  Next, the operation in the case of controlling and monitoring the equipment device Xm from outside the house using a portable terminal device (for example, the mobile phone MP) will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. Here, if the web server function of each controller Cn always opens a port to the external network (Internet), for example, there is a high possibility that a malicious intruder will cause an abnormality in the system. In the embodiment, the web server function of each controller Cn normally polls the center device SV while closing the port, and the request message received from the portable terminal device is held in the center device SV. Then, the home network is protected by transferring the request message from the center device SV at the time of polling by the controller Cn that is the destination of the request message.

  As described above, each controller Cn periodically polls the center device SV, and if the center device SV does not hold a request message from the mobile phone MP, the center device SV simply receives an acknowledgment (ACK). ) Is simply returned to the controller Cn. Here, the householder uses the mobile phone MP to send a request message (for example, a monitoring request message for the operating state of the lighting fixture) to the center device SV (1), and after the monitoring request message is held by the center device SV. When polled from the equipment controller C1 (2), the center apparatus SV transmits (transfers) the monitoring request message received and held from the mobile phone MP to the equipment controller C1 (3). In the equipment controller C1 that has received this monitoring request message, the equipment controller controller 10 creates a monitoring response message indicating the current operating state (for example, lighting) of the lighting fixture (facility equipment X2) and sends it to the center apparatus SV. Reply (4). The monitoring response message is transferred from the center device SV to the cellular phone MP (5), and the monitoring response message transferred from the sensor device SV is displayed on the liquid crystal screen of the cellular phone MP, so that the operating state (lighting) of the lighting fixture is displayed. Can be confirmed.

  Further, the householder transmits a request message (for example, a control request message for turning off the lighting fixture) to the center apparatus SV using the mobile phone MP (6), and the equipment is stored after the control request message is held in the center apparatus SV. When polled from the controller C1 (7), the center device SV transmits (transfers) the control request message received and held from the mobile phone MP to the equipment device controller C1 (8). In the equipment device controller C1 that has received this control request message, the equipment device controller control section 10 turns off the lighting equipment (facility equipment X2) by turning off the relay of the relay terminal section 15 via the lighting equipment interface section 14. 9). Thereafter, the equipment device controller control unit 10 creates a control response message indicating that the lighting equipment (facility equipment X2) has been turned off and sends it back to the center apparatus SV (10). The control response message is transferred from the center device SV to the mobile phone MP (11), and it is confirmed that the lighting fixture is turned off by displaying the control response message transferred from the sensor device SV on the liquid crystal screen of the mobile phone MP. it can. However, when it takes a considerable time (for example, several minutes) from sending the control request message to returning the control response message, a message indicating that the control request message has been received is sent from the center device SV to the mobile phone MP. It is desirable to send.

  Next, in the security system (subsystem SS2), the operation when the security controller C2 obtains detection information indicating the occurrence of an abnormality (for example, the occurrence of a fire or gas leak or the entry of a suspicious person) from the security receiver SR. This will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

  When an abnormality is detected in any one of the security devices Y1 and Y2, and the security controller control unit 30 of the security controller C2 acquires detection information on the occurrence of the abnormality from the security receiver SR (1), the security controller control unit 30 detects the detection information. A response message (hereinafter referred to as a linkage message) including the message is generated and transmitted to the IP addresses of predetermined counterparts (for example, the equipment device controller C1 and the display control device CV) (2) and the center device A message for reporting the occurrence of an abnormality is also sent to the SV (3).

  The display control device CV that has received the cooperation message determines the content of the abnormality (for example, the occurrence of a fire or gas leak or the intrusion of a suspicious person) from the detection information included in the cooperation message received by the microcomputer unit 50. , The alarm sound corresponding to the content (for example, a voice message such as “A fire has occurred. Please evacuate immediately.” Or “A suspicious person has entered.”) An alarm display corresponding to the content of the abnormality (for example, a message such as “A fire has occurred at XX” or “A suspicious person has entered XX”) is displayed on the liquid crystal display of the display unit 52 ( 4).

  In addition, the center device SV notifies the householder who is out of the house by sending the report message of the occurrence of abnormality received from the security controller C2 to the mail address of the mobile phone MP registered in advance (5). .

  On the other hand, in other controllers that have received the cooperation message, that is, the equipment device controller C1 and the image transfer controller C3, generated from the detection information included in the cooperation message received by the equipment device controller control unit 10 and the image transfer controller control unit 40. The content of the abnormality is judged, and a control operation according to the content of the abnormality is executed if necessary according to a predetermined rule (6). For example, when a fire is occurring, the facility device controller control unit 10 can turn on the luminaire to facilitate evacuation. However, when a gas leak has occurred, if the operating state of the equipment Xm is switched, there is a risk that the spark generated when the power is turned on or off may ignite the leaked gas. Then, even if a control request message is received, the control for all the equipment devices Xm is invalidated. Alternatively, when a suspicious person enters, the image transfer controller control unit 40 acquires image data obtained by imaging the monitoring area from the network camera NCm, and transfers it to the center device SV together with the suspicious person's intrusion information. A person can check the image of the monitoring area using the mobile phone MP.

  Next, the image captured by the intercom system (subsystem SS3) door phone slave unit DS is stored in the center device SV and the stored image is played back by the terminal device (for example, the mobile phone MP). This will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. However, in the following description, a case where only an image is stored will be described, but a call voice can be stored in the center device SV together with the image and can be reproduced by the terminal device.

  As described above, when the visitor presses the call button (1), the image transmission function of the doorphone slave unit DS is activated, and the image (image data) captured by the camera of the doorphone slave unit DS becomes the interphone parent. To the machine IM. The intercom master unit IM transmits the image data received from the door phone slave unit DS to the image transfer controller C3 (2). In the image transfer controller C3, the image data received from the interphone master unit IM is compressed by the image transfer controller control unit 40 using a predetermined compression method (for example, MPEG4 for moving images, JPEG for still images). (3) The compressed image data is transferred as a response message to the center apparatus SV through the home network and the external network (4). The center device SV records (accumulates) the image data received from the image transfer controller C3 on a recording medium such as a hard disk (5).

  Further, when the answering function of the interphone master unit IM is enabled by the display control device CV via the image transfer controller C3 (6), the answering device setting is notified from the display control device CV to the center device SV. A message is sent (7). Then, when the visitor presses the call button when the answering machine function is set to be effective (8), the image transmission function of the doorphone slave unit DS is enabled and the image is captured by the camera of the doorphone slave unit DS. The image (image data) is transmitted to the interphone master unit IM, and the interphone master unit IM transmits the image data received from the door phone slave unit DS to the image transfer controller C3 (9) and the image data to the memory unit 45. Store (record) (10). The image data received from the interphone master unit IM is compressed by the image transfer controller control unit 40 (11), and the compressed image data is transferred as a response message to the center device SV through the home network and the external network (12). .

  In the center device SV, when the image data is transferred from the image transfer controller C3, a message is sent to the e-mail address of the mobile phone MP registered in advance to notify the resident who is out (13), and The image data is stored in a recording medium (14).

  When the householder who has received the message wishes to confirm the visitor, the mobile phone MP may transmit an image reproduction request message to the center device SV (15). The center device SV that has received the request message processes (converts) the image data stored in the recording medium into a file format that can be played back by the mobile phone MP (16), and transmits the processed image data to the mobile phone MP. (17). As a result, the housekeeper who is out can check the visitor by viewing the image reproduced by the mobile phone MP.

  Next, an operation when the security controller C2 is used as a proxy server device and an image captured by the network camera NCm is displayed on a terminal device (for example, a mobile phone MP) will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

  When a request message for an image monitor is transmitted from the mobile phone MP to the center device SV (1), the center device SV is polled by the security controller C2 of the security system SS2 (2). The transmission request message for the web page for the image monitor that is held is transmitted to the security controller C2 (3). In the security controller C2 that has received the request message, the security control unit 30 reads the web page for the image monitor stored in the memory unit 35 and transmits it from the LAN interface unit 31 to the center device SV (4). This image monitor web page displays, for example, a list of icons of names assigned to all network cameras NCm existing in the home network, and is transferred to the mobile phone MP via the center device SV. (5) Displayed on the liquid crystal screen by the web browser of the mobile phone MP. Then, if the user operates the cellular phone MP to select the icon of the name of the network camera NCm that desires to monitor the image, the selection result is transmitted to the center device SV (6), and further the security is sent from the center device SV. An image monitor request message including the selection result (name of the selected network camera NCm) is transmitted to the controller C2 (7). Upon receiving this image monitor request message, the security controller control unit 30 of the security controller C2 transmits an image data acquisition request message via the home network with the IP address of the network camera NCm to which the name is assigned as the destination (8 ), The image data captured by the network camera NCm that has received the request message is transmitted to the security controller C2 (9). In the security controller C2, the image data received from the network camera NCm is transferred as a response message to the center apparatus SV through the home network and the external network (10). Then, the center device SV transmits the transferred image data to the mobile phone MP (11), and as a result, the image captured by the network camera NCm can be displayed and confirmed on the mobile phone MP.

  Next, name assignment to the network camera NCm, which is the gist of the present invention, will be described.

  As described above, the security controller C2 serving as the proxy server device creates a web page that displays a list of icons having names assigned to the network camera NCm and holds the web page in the memory unit 45. However, when the name assigned to the network camera NCm is changed on the portal site provided by the integrated management apparatus TM, for example, the name “Camera 1” was originally given to the network camera NC1, but it is used on the portal site. When the person newly assigns (changes) a name associated with the installation location “living room”, the image monitor request from the mobile phone MP is acquired until the security controller C2 acquires the name of the changed network camera NC1. And the web page is transmitted, the name of the network camera NC1 does not match because the name before the change (“Camera 1”) is associated with the icon of the network camera NC1 in the web page.

  Therefore, an icon “camera name confirmation” is provided on the web page for the image monitor, and when the icon displayed on the liquid crystal screen of the mobile phone MP is operated (clicked), the mobile phone MP passes through the center device SV. The network camera NCm name confirmation request is transmitted to the security controller C2, and the security controller control unit 30 of the security controller C2 that has received the name confirmation request reacquires the names of all network cameras NCm. To avoid inconsistencies. In order for the security controller control unit 30 to acquire the name of the network camera NCm, the device information of the network camera NCm is collected using the UPnP control point search function (M-SEARCH) implemented in the security controller control unit 30. That's fine.

  Further, the security controller control unit 30 of the security controller C2 serving as the proxy server device periodically sends a confirmation request message (for example, every 3 minutes) to check the operation status of each network camera NCm. Since it is transmitted to the address by unicast, if the name of each network camera NCm is acquired at the time of checking the operation status, even if the names do not match at the previous operation status check, Names can be matched.

  By the way, the control unit 1 of the integrated management apparatus TM also sends a confirmation request message periodically (for example, every 3 minutes) to confirm the operation status of each controller Cn and the network camera NCm. Sending to the address by unicast. Therefore, when the name of the network camera NCm is given (changed), a flag indicating that the name has been changed is set in the operation status confirmation request message to notify the security controller C2 as the proxy server device of the name change. When the notification is received, the security controller control unit 30 may acquire the name of the network camera NCm.

It is a system configuration figure of this embodiment. It is a block diagram of the integrated management apparatus same as the above. It is a block diagram of the equipment controller in the same as the above. It is a block diagram of the security controller in the same as the above. It is a block diagram of the image transfer controller in the same as the above. It is a block diagram of the display control apparatus same as the above. It is a sequence diagram for operation | movement description in the same as the above. It is a sequence diagram for operation | movement description in the same as the above. It is a sequence diagram for operation | movement description in the same as the above. It is a sequence diagram for operation | movement description in the same as the above. It is a sequence diagram for operation | movement description in the same as the above. It is a sequence diagram for operation | movement description in the same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

SS1 to SS3 Subsystem TM Integrated management device (name assignment device)
C1 Equipment controller C2 Security controller (proxy server device)
C3 Image transfer controller X1, X2 Equipment SR Security receiver Y1, Y2 Security equipment CV Display control device SV Center device MP Mobile phone NCm Network camera

Claims (3)

One or more network cameras that have a network communication function and image the monitoring area, a name assigning device that assigns a name to the network camera, and image data acquired by the network camera and acquired via the home network And a name of each network camera in association with each other, a proxy server device that transfers image data via an external network, a center device that acquires image data from the proxy server device via an external network, and a center device A terminal device for transferring and displaying image data via an external network,
When the proxy server device receives a network camera name confirmation request from the terminal device via the center device, the proxy server device accesses all network cameras and re-acquires the name assigned to the name assigning device. . One or more network cameras that have a network communication function and image the monitoring area, a name assigning device that assigns a name to the network camera, and image data acquired by the network camera and acquired via the home network And a name of each network camera in association with each other, a proxy server device that transfers image data via an external network, a center device that acquires image data from the proxy server device via an external network, and a center device A terminal device for transferring and displaying image data via an external network,
The proxy server device is a remote monitoring system characterized in that each network camera reacquires the name assigned to the name assigning device when the network server periodically accesses all the network cameras to check the operation status. One or more network cameras that have a network communication function and image the monitoring area, a name assigning device that assigns a name to the network camera, and image data acquired by the network camera and acquired via the home network And a name of each network camera in association with each other, a proxy server device that transfers image data via an external network, a center device that acquires image data from the proxy server device via an external network, and a center device A terminal device for transferring and displaying image data via an external network,
The name assigning device notifies the proxy server device of the name change of the network camera when the name of any network camera is changed,
The proxy server device accesses the network camera notified of the name change from the name assigning device and reacquires the changed name.

Images