JP2008283410A - Recorder and recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem wherein an image can not be captured in the case where an apparatus (a personal computer or a server, for instance) to be a monitoring object becomes inoperable since the apparatus to be the monitoring object is provided with a configuration relating to communication and makes control relating to the communication. <P>SOLUTION: A recorder connected between the apparatus 302 of the monitoring object and its display device 301, and connected to a network further is provided with: a conversion means 401 for fetching display signals from the apparatus of the monitoring object to the display device and converting them to image data; a preservation means 402 for preserving the image data in a memory; and a communication means 407 for transmitting the preserved image data to a server unit 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a recording method, and more particularly to a recording apparatus and a recording method for checking a state when a failure occurs in a monitoring target apparatus.

  Conventionally, in a maintenance center or the like, an operator listens to the screen display status of a user system (for example, a personal computer or a server) from the user over the telephone and takes action, but an English message is displayed on the user system screen. It is difficult for the operator to understand the exact display contents (for example, error contents display and operation status) by explaining only the voice received from the user due to factors such as being unable to read the spelling and not knowing how to explain the situation. It was.

  Since it is difficult to confirm the exact display contents by using only the audio explanation, there was a time loss in checking the situation, making arrangements to maintenance workers, and system engineers.

  As a method of monitoring the screen display status in a remote place at the time of such a failure, there is a method in which the monitoring target itself captures the screen display, stores the information, and transmits it to the maintenance person.

Patent Document 1 discloses an invention in which a capture device is inserted between a personal computer and a display to save the display display.
JP 2006-081170 A (pages 9-10, FIG. 1B)

  However, in the system as described above, a device to be monitored (for example, a personal computer or a server) has a configuration related to communication and performs control related to communication, so that the device to be monitored becomes inoperable. In the case of a screen capture is not possible.

  Moreover, even if it can be captured by a device such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, the data cannot be transmitted to the supervisor, and the maintenance person has to go to the site to confirm. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus and a recording method capable of solving such problems and reliably obtaining information on a remote location. And

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the above-described object, the recording apparatus and the recording method of the present invention employ the following characteristic configuration.

(1) A first device of the present invention captures a display signal from a monitoring target device to a display device in a recording device connected between the monitoring target device and the display device and further connected to a network. Conversion means for converting to image data, storage means for storing the image data in a memory, and communication means for transmitting the stored image data to a server device.
(2) In the first method of the present invention, in a recording device connected between the monitoring target device and the display device and further connected to the network, the display signal from the monitoring target device to the display device is captured. A conversion step of converting the image data into a memory, a storage step of storing the image data in a memory, and a communication step of transmitting the stored image data to a server device.

  According to the recording apparatus and the recording method of the present invention that employs the above-described characteristic configuration, there are the following practical specific effects. Since the capture device itself is connected to the network, the screen display is transmitted to the remote monitor even when the operation to be monitored is stopped.

  Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of a preferred embodiment of a recording apparatus and a recording method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Needless to say, the present invention includes a program for causing the apparatus to execute processing as described below, and a storage medium storing the program.

  Hereinafter, a configuration of an entire system including a monitoring terminal 10, a server device 20, a user system 30, and a network 50 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 for a first embodiment of a recording apparatus and a recording method according to the present invention.

  The user system 30 is a system used by a user, and includes a monitoring target device 302, a capture device 40, and a display device 301. The user system 30 is connected to the network 50 and transmits the captured image data to the network 50.

  The server device 20 is connected to the network 50 and receives the image data transmitted from the user system 30 and provides the received image data in response to a request from the monitoring terminal 10.

  The monitoring terminal 10 is a device used by a supervisor. The monitoring terminal 10 is connected to the network 50 and accesses the server device 20 to obtain image data from the user system 30 and confirms the state of the monitoring target device 302.

  First, the configuration of the first embodiment of the recording apparatus and the recording method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the user system 30 in the storage device and recording method according to the present invention. The user system 30 includes a capture device 40 that captures a display signal from the monitoring target device 302, converts the display signal into image data, and stores and transmits the image data.

  In FIG. 2, the capture device 40 is connected between the monitoring target device 302 and the display device 301 and captures a display signal from the monitoring target device 302. The capture device 40 includes a communication unit, is connected to the network 50, and communicates with the monitoring terminal 10 and the server device 20. The capture device 40 may be built in the monitoring target device 302 or the display device 301.

  The capture device 40 and the monitoring target device 302 are connected not only by a display signal transmission line but also by a control signal line (for example, a LAN cable or a USB cable) of the capture device 40.

  The conversion unit 401 captures a display signal from the monitoring target apparatus 302, converts it into image data in a data format suitable for transmission (for example, JPEG format, GIF format, or BMP format) and outputs the image data to the storage unit 402.

  The storage unit 402 stores the image data converted by the conversion unit 401 in the memory 403. For example, the oldest data is deleted to secure the capacity so that the latest image data is saved when the number of saved data exceeds the set number of saved data. The memory 403 may be a main storage device such as a hard disk drive built in the device or a removable storage medium such as smart media.

  The display control unit 404 generates a stored data list that is a list of image data stored in the memory 403, and outputs it to the output switching unit 405.

  The output switching unit 405 switches whether to output the display signal from the monitoring target device 302 to the display device 301 without changing or to output the stored data list generated by the display control unit 404 to the display device 301.

  The selection unit 406 selects transmission data to be transmitted to the network from the image data stored in the memory 403 when the output switching unit 405 is set to display the stored data list.

  The communication unit 407 transmits the transmission data selected by the selection unit 406 out of the image data stored in the memory 403 to the server device 300. The communication unit 407 performs protocol control and access control for communicating with the server device 300 and the monitoring terminal 10 via the network 50.

  The memory button 410 transmits a signal serving as a trigger for capturing the display signal of the conversion unit 401.

  The selection button 411 transmits a signal that triggers the display control unit 404 to display a list of stored data and a signal for the selection unit 406 to select transmission data while the stored data list is displayed.

  The transmission button 412 transmits a signal that serves as a trigger for the communication unit 407 to transmit the selected data.

  The setting change unit 413 stores the setting values to the conversion unit 401, the storage unit 402, the display control unit 404, and the communication unit 407 input from the network 50 and the monitoring target terminal 302, and executes the setting change. The set values are, for example, the data format to be converted, the number of stored images, the number of displayed lists, the connection destination server, the ID / password for access, and the like.

  A display signal capture and data transmission by the capture device 40 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3 which is a flowchart showing an operation procedure.

  First, when the capture device 40 detects a signal from the memory button 410 (step ST1-1), the conversion unit 401 captures a display signal from the monitoring target device 302 and generates image data in a file format suitable for transmission. (Step ST1-2). The storage unit 402 checks the free capacity of the memory 403 (step ST1-3). If there is not enough free space, for example, the oldest storage time is deleted in order, and free space is secured (step ST1-4). If the capacity can be secured, the storage unit 402 stores the image data output from the conversion unit 401 in the memory 403 (step ST1-5). Subsequently, a signal from the button is detected (step ST1-6). If the signal is from the memory button 410, the process returns to step ST1-2. If the signal is from the selection button 411, the display control unit 406 generates a stored data list of image data stored in the memory 403 (step ST1-7). It is confirmed whether the output switching unit 405 is set to output the stored data list to the display device 301 for transmitting image data (step ST1-8). If the setting is made so that the stored data list is not output, the output switching unit 405 is set. Is set to output a list of stored data (step ST1-9). In the case of setting to output the saved data list, the selection unit 406 determines image data to be transmitted from the saved data list by a signal from the selection button 411 (step ST1-10). The communication unit 407 uses the signal from the transmission button 412 as a trigger to transmit the image data selected in step ST1-10 to the server device 20 to the network (step ST1-11).

  In the first embodiment described above, even when the operation to be monitored is stopped, the capture device itself includes a communication unit, so that it is connected to the network. Therefore, the capture device itself can transmit the screen display to a remote monitor. Therefore, even when the operation to be monitored is stopped, the screen display is transmitted, so that the monitor can surely confirm the error content.

  Also, compared to the operation of the monitoring device itself capturing the screen display and transmitting it to the network, it can be handled by operating only the three buttons of the memory button, the selection button, and the transmission button. Provide a simple interface. Further, when the memory of the capture device is a removable storage medium, the contents of the memory can be easily taken out even when the capture device has a hardware failure.

  With reference to FIG. 4, a description will be given of a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the server device 20 when a request for extracting image data is received from the monitoring terminal 10.

  When the server 20 receives access for data retrieval from the monitoring terminal 10 (step ST2-1), the server 20 performs login authentication (step ST2-2). If the authentication is OK (step ST2-3), the user is requested to select a user who wants to browse (step ST2-4). If the authentication is NG, the process returns to step ST2-2 to perform login authentication again. Authentication of access to the selected folder is performed (step ST2-4). If the authentication is OK, the data received from the monitoring target device 302 is provided to the monitoring terminal 10 (step ST2-5). If the authentication is NG, the process returns to step ST2-4 to authenticate access to the folder again.

  The server apparatus 20 that has received the data will be described with reference to FIG.

  The server device 20 receives the image data from the capture device 40 (step ST3-1). The storage location is determined based on the unique information (for example, MAC address, predetermined ID, etc.) of the capture device 40 that is the transmission source (step ST3-2) and stored in the folder (step ST3-3).

  A description will be given with reference to FIG. 6, which is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the capture device 40 that has received access from the monitoring terminal 10 or the monitoring target terminal 302.

  When the communication unit 407 of the capture device 40 detects an access request from an external device (for example, the monitoring target device 302 or the monitoring terminal 10) (step ST4-1), it performs login authentication (step ST4-2). If the login authentication is OK, then the MAC address authentication is performed (step ST4-3). If the login authentication is NG, the process returns to step ST4-2. If the MAC address authentication is OK, the communication unit 407 analyzes the communication content and determines the purpose of the connection (step ST4-4). If the MAC address authentication is NG, the process ends. If the purpose of the connection is a setting change, the setting changing unit 413 reads the setting value from the communication content, and changes the setting value for the conversion unit 401, the storage unit 402, the display control unit 404, and the communication unit 407 ( Step ST4-5). If the purpose of connection is memory read, the storage unit 402 reads image data stored in the memory 403 (step ST4-6).

  Further, the capture device 40 is connected to the monitoring terminal 10 via the monitoring target device 302 and the network 50, so that the monitoring target device 302 and the monitoring terminal 10 via the network 50 which are external devices of the capture device 40 are set values. Therefore, the capture device can be set without imposing a burden on the user. Further, the monitoring terminal 10 and the monitoring target terminal 302 can directly extract the image data stored in the memory 403 by communicating with the capture device 40.

  Hereinafter, a second embodiment of a recording apparatus and a recording method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the recording apparatus and the recording method according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 7, this embodiment is provided with a temporary storage means 420, a temporary storage memory 421 and a timer 422 in the configuration of FIG. 2 as the first embodiment, and the other configurations are the same as those of FIG. .

  The temporary storage unit 420 stores the display signal input from the monitoring target in the temporary storage memory 421 by storing at least two screens of information in accordance with a signal periodically output from the timer 422 regardless of the signal from the button. Means. The temporary storage unit 420 stores, for example, a display signal input for 30 seconds every second, that is, a display signal for 30 screens, and after 30 seconds, sequentially deletes old information and records new information. . Therefore, when the data changing unit 401 detects a signal from the memory button 410, it captures a series of display signals stored in the temporary storage unit 420 at that time, converts each display signal into image data, and converts the series of image data into Generate. The storage unit 402 stores a series of image data as one unit.

  The timer 421 periodically outputs a signal at intervals determined by the set value. The signal output timing may be changed by the setting changing unit 413.

  A display signal capture and data transmission by the capture device 40 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8 which is a flowchart showing an operation procedure.

  First, the capture device 40 stores, in the temporary storage memory 421, display signals for at least two screens at intervals determined by the timer 422 by the temporary storage unit 420 (step ST5-1). When a signal from the memory button is detected (step ST5-2), the conversion unit 401 captures a series of display signals stored in the temporary storage unit 420, and generates image data in a file format suitable for transmission (step ST5). -3). The storage unit 402 confirms the free capacity of the memory 403 (step ST5-4). If there is not enough free space, for example, the oldest storage time is deleted in order, and free space is secured (step ST5-5). When the capacity can be secured, the storage unit 402 stores the series of image data output from the conversion unit 401 as one unit in the memory 403 (step ST5-6). Subsequently, a signal from the button is detected (step ST5-7). If the signal is from the memory button 410, the process returns to step ST5-3. If the signal is from the selection button 411, the display control unit 406 generates a stored data list of image data stored in the memory 403 (step ST5-8). In order to transmit the image data, the output switching unit 405 confirms whether the stored data list is set to be output to the display device 301 (step ST5-9). If the setting is not to output the stored data list, the output switching unit 405 is set. Is set so that a list of stored data is output (step ST5-10). In the case of setting to output the saved data list, the selection unit 406 determines image data to be transmitted from the saved data list by a signal from the selection button 411 (step ST5-11). The communication unit 407 uses the signal from the transmission button 412 as a trigger to transmit the image data selected in step ST5-11 to the server device 20 to the network (step ST5-12).

  In the second embodiment described above, the past display signals stored in the temporary storage memory 421 can be taken out by temporarily storing the display signals to be monitored at intervals determined by the timer 422. Therefore, even if the monitoring target is locked up after the screen is switched due to an unexpected operation or the like, it is possible to confirm the content that was previously displayed on the screen.

  A third embodiment of the recording apparatus and recording method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the third embodiment of the recording apparatus and recording method according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 9, this example includes a timer 422 in FIG. 2 that is the configuration of the first embodiment, and the timer 422 is connected to the conversion unit 401. An operation is performed in which the display signals for at least two screens or more are continuously taken in at regular intervals timed by the timer 422 starting from the time when the signal from the memory button is detected.

  A display signal capture and data transmission by the capture device 40 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10 which is a flowchart showing an operation procedure. A is a counter for the number of captures, and N is the set number of continuous capture screens.

  First, when detecting a signal from the memory button 410 (step ST6-1), the capture device 40 substitutes 1 for a variable A (step ST6-2). Thereafter, the conversion unit 401 takes in the display signal from the monitoring target device 302 and generates image data in a file format suitable for transmission (step ST6-3). The storage unit 402 confirms the free capacity of the memory 403 (step ST6-4). If there is not enough free space, for example, the oldest storage time is deleted in order, and free space is secured (step ST6-5). If the capacity can be secured, the storage unit 402 stores the image data output from the conversion unit 401 in the memory 403 (step ST6-6). At this time, 1 is added to the variable A (step ST6-7). The variable A and the constant N are compared (step ST6-8). If A ≦ N, the signal input from the timer 422 is determined (step ST6-9). If YES, the process returns to step ST6-3. If NO, the process returns to step ST6-9. If A> N, a signal from the button is detected (step ST6-10). If the signal is from the memory button 410, the process returns to step ST6-2. If the signal is from the selection button 411, the display control unit 406 generates a saved data list of image data saved in the memory 403 (step ST6-11). In order to transmit the image data, the output switching unit 405 confirms whether the stored data list is set to be output to the display device 301 (step ST6-12). Is set so that the stored data list is output (step ST6-13). In the case of setting to output the saved data list, the selection unit 406 determines image data to be transmitted from the saved data list by a signal from the selection button 411 (step ST6-14). The communication unit 407 uses the signal from the transmission button 412 as a trigger to transmit the image data selected in step ST6-14 to the server device 20 to the network (step ST6-15).

  In the third embodiment described above, a screen with a movement that makes it difficult to adjust the timing by a user operation by continuously acquiring a display signal based on the timing of the signal output from the timer 422 starting from the signal from the memory button 410 The display can be captured, and the certain state can be confirmed.

  Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of a recording apparatus and a recording method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 9, this embodiment uses the same configuration as that of the third embodiment, and does not obtain a signal from the memory button 410, but uses a timer 422 to periodically display a display signal (for example, every 1 minute or 1 hour). Perform the capture operation.

  A display signal capture and data transmission by the capture device 40 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11 which is a flowchart showing an operation procedure.

  First, when the capture device 40 detects a signal from the memory button 410 (step ST7-1), it detects a signal from the timer (step ST7-2). If no signal from the timer is detected, the process returns to step ST7-2. When the signal from the timer is detected, the conversion unit 401 takes in the display signal from the monitoring target device 302 and generates image data in a file format suitable for transmission (step ST7-3). The storage unit 402 confirms the free capacity of the memory 403 (step ST7-4). If there is not enough free space, for example, the oldest storage time is deleted in order, and free space is secured (step ST7-5). If the capacity can be secured, the storage unit 402 stores the image data output from the conversion unit 401 in the memory 403 (step ST7-6). Subsequently, a signal from the selection button is detected (step ST1-6). If the signal is from the selection button 411, the process returns to step ST7-2. If the signal is from the selection button 411, the display control unit 406 generates a saved data list of image data saved in the memory 403 (step ST7-8). In order to transmit the image data, it is checked whether the output switching unit 405 is set to output the stored data list to the display device 301 (step ST7-9). Setting is made so that the list of saved data is output (step ST7-10). In the case of setting to output the saved data list, the image data to be transmitted from the saved data list is determined by the signal from the selection button 411 (step ST7-11). The image data selected in step ST7-11 is transmitted to the server device 20 using the signal from the transmission button 412 as a trigger (step ST7-12).

  In the fourth embodiment described above, a change in the state of the monitoring target or a failure by periodically monitoring the monitoring target by periodically capturing a display signal without performing a user operation by a signal from the timer 422. There exists an effect which can confirm the timing of generation | occurrence | production.

  The recording apparatus and the recording method according to the present invention have been described based on the preferred embodiments. However, it should be noted that such embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and do not limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that various modifications and changes can be made according to a specific application without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Overall configuration diagram of the present invention The block diagram of the capture means of the 1st Embodiment of this invention Processing flowchart of FIG. Flowchart of server device when receiving connection from monitoring terminal device Server device storage processing flowchart Capture unit setting processing flowchart The block diagram of the capture means of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention Processing flowchart of FIG. Configuration diagram of capture means of third and fourth embodiments of the present invention Processing flowchart of third capture means of the present invention Process flow chart of fourth capture means of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Monitoring terminal 20 Server apparatus 30 User system 40 Capture apparatus 50 Network 301 Display apparatus 302 Monitoring object apparatus 401 Conversion part (conversion means)
402 Storage unit (storage unit)
403 Memory 404 Display control unit (display control means)
405 Output switching unit (output switching means)
406 Selection unit (selection means)
407 Communication unit (communication means)
408 Network interface (Network I / F)
409 Display interface (Display I / F)
410 Memory button 411 Select button 412 Send button 413 Setting change section (setting change means)
420 Temporary storage (temporary storage means)
422 Temporary storage memory 423 Timer

Claims (17)

In the recording device connected between the monitoring target device and the display device, and further connected to the network,
Conversion means for capturing a display signal and converting it into image data;
Storage means for storing the image data in a memory;
Communication means for transmitting the stored image data to a network;
A recording apparatus comprising:   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting change unit that changes a setting of an operation of the conversion unit, the storage unit, or the communication unit.   3. The video switching means for switching whether to display the image data stored in the memory on the display device or to display the display signal from the monitoring target device as it is. Recording device.   4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising selection means for selecting the image data to be transmitted to the network from the memory.   Temporarily storing the display signal periodically, and when the converting means attempts to capture the display signal, the display means includes a temporary storing means for outputting to the converting means a display signal that is temporally retroactive from that point in time. The recording apparatus according to claim 1.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a timer that measures the timing at which the conversion unit continuously captures the display signal.   The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the timing of the timer is set by the setting change unit.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a display control unit that creates a list display of the image data stored in the memory and outputs the list display to the display apparatus.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is built in the monitoring target apparatus or the display apparatus.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the memory is a storage medium that is removable from the recording apparatus. In the recording device connected between the monitoring target device and the display device, and further connected to the network,
A conversion step of capturing a display signal from the device to be monitored to the display device and converting it into image data;
A storage step of storing the image data in a memory;
A communication step of transmitting the stored image data;
A recording method comprising:   The recording apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a setting change step for changing operation settings of the conversion step, the storage step, or the communication step.   The recording method according to claim 11, further comprising an output video switching step of displaying the image data stored in the memory on a display device to which the recording device is connected.   The recording method according to claim 11, further comprising a selection step for selecting the image data to be transmitted from the memory to a network.   The display signal is temporarily stored temporarily, and when the conversion step tries to capture the display signal, the display signal is provided with a temporary storage step that outputs the display signal that is temporally retroactive to the conversion step. The recording apparatus according to claim 11.   16. The recording method according to claim 11, further comprising a timer that measures the timing at which the conversion step continuously captures the display signal.   The recording method according to claim 11, further comprising a display control step of creating a list display of the image data stored in the memory and outputting the list to the display device.

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