JP2014044542A - Monitoring system, image forming apparatus, monitoring method, and monitoring program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform monitoring of a suspicious person with high accuracy.SOLUTION: A monitoring system notifying an administrator of a suspicious person who intruded into a predetermined area comprises: an imaging device 11 that detects a moving body in the predetermined area, and photographs an image including the detected range; and an image forming apparatus 12 including storage means for acquiring image data photographed by the imaging device and storing the acquired image data, and notification means for notifying a predetermined administrator terminal of notification indicating detection of the suspicious person and the image data by using a communication network and a telephone line that are set in advance.

Description

  The present application relates to a monitoring system, an image forming apparatus, a monitoring method, and a monitoring program.

  Conventionally, by introducing a monitoring system for suspicious persons by security companies, etc., it is possible to monitor night offices, etc., but since the introduction of the system is expensive, SMEs, etc. It is difficult to introduce a monitoring system.

  In addition, surveillance systems using off-the-shelf surveillance cameras that can be introduced at a relatively low cost are not so high in function and accuracy, failing to fulfill their original purpose of crime prevention, and being used by administrators, police, and security companies. The problem is that there are many misinformation.

  Therefore, in the past, as a method of introducing a security system at a relatively low cost, a surveillance camera is used to send an e-mail to the administrator when a moving camera is detected (hereinafter referred to as “moving object detection”). (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Conventionally, when image data captured by a camera is captured every predetermined time and there is a difference greater than or equal to the previous captured image data stored in the storage means, the transmission means is used to externally There is a method of reporting to (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  However, in the conventional method using an off-the-shelf surveillance camera, all the objects detected by the camera are photographed, and all of them are simply notified by e-mail. In addition, in the system so far, although the suspicious person's intrusion is an emergency, the method of contacting the administrator is e-mail, so the administrator will postpone the confirmation and prompt notification The risk of not being able to do was high. Therefore, conventionally, it cannot be said that the suspicious person is monitored with high accuracy.

  The disclosed technique has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a monitoring system, an image forming apparatus, a monitoring method, and a monitoring program for monitoring a suspicious person with high accuracy.

  In order to achieve the above object, a monitoring system that is an aspect of the disclosed technology is a monitoring system that notifies an administrator of a suspicious person who has entered a predetermined area. An image capturing apparatus that captures an image including the image data, a storage unit that acquires image data captured by the image capturing apparatus, stores the acquired image data, a notification indicating that the suspicious person has been detected, and the image data. And an image forming apparatus having notification means for notifying a predetermined administrator terminal using a preset communication network and telephone line.

  According to the disclosed technology, it is possible to monitor a suspicious person with high accuracy.

It is a figure which shows an example of a function structure of the monitoring system in this embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration in an MFP. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an application. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration in an MFP. FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the monitoring process. It is a figure which shows an example of an administrator notification table. It is a figure for demonstrating specifically the warning method to a suspicious person. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the 1st Example of the monitoring process containing an authentication process. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating 2nd Example of the monitoring process containing an authentication process. It is a figure which shows an example of an authentication log | history table. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the misinformation prevention method. It is a sequence diagram which shows the other example of misinformation prevention. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of a printing process. It is a figure for demonstrating the specific example of a printing method. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a monitoring system in which a plurality of monitoring cameras and a plurality of MFPs are linked.

<Disclosed technology>
The disclosed technology links an image forming apparatus (for example, a print execution apparatus) existing in a predetermined range such as a building, a factory, or a facility with a surveillance camera, and looks like a suspicious person (hereinafter referred to as “suspicious person”). In such a case, for example, a notification or the like is quickly and surely sent to the administrator or the like using a telephone or an e-mail. The disclosed technology issues a warning from the image forming apparatus to, for example, a suspicious person. The disclosed technology makes it possible to introduce a monitoring system with a low budget by using an image forming apparatus already used in offices, etc., and to quickly check and print images taken with a monitoring camera can do.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. In the following description, an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) is used as an example of the image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. The MFP means a device that has at least one of functions such as a copy, a scanner, a printer, and a facsimile.

<Functional configuration example of the monitoring system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a monitoring system according to the present embodiment. A monitoring system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a monitoring camera 11 as an example of an imaging apparatus and an MFP 12 as an example of an image forming apparatus in a predetermined area (for example, a building such as “○ × company building”). The monitoring system 1 also has an administrator terminal 13 possessed by an administrator who is inside or outside the predetermined area 10.

  The monitoring camera 11 and the MFP 12 are connected in a state where data can be transmitted and received through a communication network 14-1 such as an in-house LAN (Local Area Network). The MFP 12 and the administrator terminal 13 are connected in a state where data can be transmitted and received through a communication network 14-2 represented by the Internet or the like, a telephone line 15, or the like. The communication network 14 and the telephone line 15 may be wired or wireless, and may include both wired and wireless.

  In FIG. 1, a dotted line extending from the monitoring camera 11 is a moving object detection range 21 in the monitoring camera 11. The moving object detection range 21 corresponds to the shooting range of the monitoring camera 11, for example.

  The surveillance camera 11 starts photographing when a suspicious person 22 or the like that has entered the moving object detection range 21 is detected by an object detection sensor (for example, a motion sensor) provided in advance. The shooting may be performed every time it is detected, may be taken at a predetermined time interval, or a continuous image (moving image) for a predetermined time may be taken. The monitoring camera 11 transmits the captured content to the MFP 12 via the communication network 14-1. Note that the monitoring camera 11 may execute the above-described processing after receiving monitoring start information or the like from the MFP 12.

  The MFP 12 controls the start and end of monitoring in the monitoring camera 11 in addition to the functions of normal copying, scanner, printer, etc., receives and stores image data from the monitoring camera 11, and performs predetermined management. The user terminal 13 can be notified by calling, sending mail, or the like, or the image data can be confirmed by the administrator. The MFP 12 also has an authentication function for authenticating a person or the like, and can determine whether or not notification to the administrator is necessary based on the authentication result. Further, the MFP 12 can warn the suspicious person 22 in the moving object detection range 21, display the stored image data from the monitoring camera 11 on the screen, and print the image data. In the case where image data from the monitoring camera 11 is stored in the storage means or the like, for example, information indicating the image data taken by the monitoring camera 11 installed at the position (for example, camera identification information or position information) ), Information indicating when the image data was taken (for example, time information), and the like are also stored.

  When the administrator terminal 13 receives a notification of suspicious person detection or the like by the MFP 12 by telephone or e-mail, for example, the sender information (for example, e-mail address of the sender or address information corresponding to the telephone number of the sender) or e-mail Is displayed on the screen to notify the administrator 23. In addition, the administrator terminal 13 receives an instruction or the like of the administrator 23 and transmits a control command or the like corresponding to the received instruction to the MFP 12. The control command is, for example, a command for performing processing for issuing a warning or the like from the MFP 12 to the suspicious person 22. Further, the administrator terminal 13 displays, for example, image data captured by the monitoring camera 11 on the screen, and if it is a true suspicious person, contacts the security company 24 or police station by telephone or the like.

  The image data displayed on the administrator terminal 13 can be acquired by attaching the image data itself to a mail transmitted from the MFP 12, for example, and the storage destination information of the image data is described in the mail. The image data can be acquired by transmitting and accessing the storage location from the administrator terminal 13 side. The storage location described above may be the MFP 12 or may be an external device such as a web server connected to the communication network 14-2.

  In addition, as the above-described administrator terminal 13, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like can be used, but is not limited thereto, and for example, a game that can communicate with the MFP 12 via the communication network 14-2. It may be a device, a music playback device, an information communication terminal, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), or the like.

  In the example of FIG. 1 described above, for convenience of explanation, the monitoring camera 11 and the MFP 12 are described as being used one by one. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and n: m (n and m are 1). The monitoring camera 11 and the MFP 12 need only be connected in the relationship described above. Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, image data captured by a plurality of monitoring cameras 11 can be received and stored by one MFP 12. In the present embodiment, the monitoring camera 11 preferably transmits the captured image data to the MFP 12 located in the vicinity of the moving object detection range 21, but the present invention is not limited to this.

<Example of Functional Configuration of MFP 12>
Next, a functional configuration example of the MFP 12 described above will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration in the MFP. 2 includes an application unit 31, a storage unit 32, a display unit 33, a warning unit 34, an authentication unit 35, a network communication unit 36, a telephone line communication unit 37, a printing unit 38, Control means 39. The functional configuration example of the MFP 12 shown in FIG. 2 particularly shows the functional configuration used for performing the monitoring process in the present embodiment. For example, each configuration such as a copy, a scanner, a printer, and a facsimile is well-known. Since a configuration similar to that of the MFP 12 can be used, a specific description thereof is omitted here.

  The application unit 31 manages and executes various applications (for example, program modules) for executing processing for the monitoring camera 11 connected through the communication network 14-1 and processing for the administrator terminal 13. Specifically, the application unit 31 includes an image storage process 41, an image display process 42, a warning process 43, an authentication process 44, and a notification process 45.

  The image storage process 41 stores the image data obtained from the monitoring camera 11 in the storage unit 32. Note that the image storage processing 41 may store image data together with position information and shooting time information information of the monitoring camera 11 that has shot the image data, for example.

  The image display processing 42 displays the image data photographed by the monitoring camera 11 on the display means 33. The image display process 42 performs a process for displaying on the display means 33 an authentication result by an authentication process 44 described later, various setting screens for executing the process according to the present embodiment, and the like.

  The warning process 43 issues a warning to the suspicious person 22 who has entered the predetermined area 10 as in the case of detection in the moving object detection range 21 or the like. The warning may be an instruction from the administrator 23 or the like, and a predetermined condition for warning may be set in advance, and the warning may be issued without waiting for the instruction from the administrator 23 when the condition is satisfied.

  In addition, as a kind of warning, although warning by light, a sound, etc. can be performed, for example, it is not limited to this. Examples of the warning by light include, for example, lighting of a warning lamp as an example of the warning means 34 and blinking by the intensity of light of the display means 33 such as an operation panel. However, the display is not limited to this. A message such as “Intrusion of suspicious person!” May be displayed on the means 33 screen. Examples of sound warnings include, for example, outputting a preset error sound, warning sound, voice message, administrator's voice, etc. from a speaker as an example of the warning means 34 at a high volume. It is not limited to this.

  For example, even if the monitoring camera 11 detects within the moving object detection range 21 and receives photographed image data, the authentication process 44 does not notify the administrator by performing authentication in advance. Process to do. Specifically, the authentication process 44 provides an authentication grace time by waiting for a predetermined time when image data is received from the monitoring camera 11, for example, and a person photographed during that time authenticates, and the authentication result is OK. If it is, do not notify the administrator.

  As an authentication method, for example, user information (employee number, password, etc.) is stored in advance in a magnetic card such as an employee ID card possessed by a person (employee) who can enter the predetermined area 10. . Next, the person reads the user information by holding an employee card (magnetic card) over a card reader (reading device) or the like as an example of the authentication means 35, and the read user information and preset permitted user information. , It is possible to authenticate whether or not the user can enter the predetermined area 10.

  The authentication method is not limited to this. For example, the display unit 33 displays a message to input the above-described user information, and the user information is displayed using an operation button as an example of the authentication unit 35. Authentication can also be performed by inputting.

  When the authentication result is OK (when it is permitted to enter the predetermined area 10), the authentication process 44 performs a notification process 45 for a predetermined time or until the card ID is again held over the card reader or the like. Absent. In other words, in the present embodiment, when the authentication result by the authentication process 44 is OK, notification to the administrator is not performed. For example, when a moving object is detected by the monitoring camera 11, image data is captured. The captured image data is stored in the storage unit 32.

  Note that the authentication process 44 may detect whether an image obtained from the monitoring camera 11 includes a person such as a suspicious person by image analysis. In this case, the check of the authentication process is performed by, for example, taking a human image (for example, a user of the floor, an employee, etc.) used for authentication in advance, and taking the captured image data and image data from the monitoring camera 11. If the result of matching is a person photographed in advance, it is determined that the person is not a suspicious person, and if the person does not match a person photographed in advance, the person is determined to be a suspicious person.

  Further, the authentication process 44 determines that the person is suspicious unconditionally, for example, when it is determined that a person exists by a moving object detection or the like in a predetermined time zone (for example, midnight 0:00 to 5:00). May be.

  The notification process 45 notifies the administrator terminal 13 of detection of a suspicious person using communication means such as the network communication means 36 and the telephone line communication means 37.

  Note that the notification timing to the administrator terminal 13 in the notification process 45 may be, for example, the timing at which image data obtained from the monitoring camera 11 is received, or the timing at which the image data is stored in the storage unit 32. The notification timing is the timing at which the authentication result is determined to be NG when the authentication process 44 described above is performed (the timing at which it is determined to refuse entry into the predetermined area 10). Also good.

  The storage means 32 is, for example, a hard disk drive or a memory. The storage unit 32 stores the image data transmitted from the monitoring camera 11. In addition, the storage unit 32 stores authentication results (for example, an authentication history table), administrator information to be notified (for example, address information such as an e-mail address or a telephone number, priority to be notified, administrator notification table, etc.), warning pattern Various data required on the monitoring system 1 in the present embodiment are stored. Various data in the storage means 32 can be read or written as needed under the control of the control means 39.

  The display means 33 is an operation panel, a display, a monitor, or the like. The display means 33 displays the image data obtained from the monitoring camera 11 under the control of the control means 39, the authentication process result, the setting as to what warning is to be performed, processing such as execution progress and execution result on the screen. To do. The display means 33 displays a warning message, or gives warnings such as lighting and blinking due to brightness and contrast strength, color change, and the like.

  The warning unit 34 warns a suspicious person in the moving object detection range 21, that is, in the vicinity of the MFP 12, using a preset light, sound, or the like. That is, the warning means 34 can emit elements that threaten the suspicious person 22 such as light and sound for warning and sound from the manager 23.

  The authentication unit 35 acquires user information and the like for performing authentication in the authentication process 44 described above. Specifically, the authentication unit 35 is a card reader or the like, but is not limited thereto.

  The network communication unit 36 transmits / receives data to / from the monitoring camera 11 or the like via the communication network 14-1, or transmits / receives data to / from the administrator terminal 13 or the like via the communication network 14-2. The network communication unit 36 can also receive a control command or the like from the administrator terminal 13 and output the information to the control unit 39.

  The telephone line communication unit 37 communicates with the manager terminal 13 via the telephone line 15. The telephone line communication unit 37 may perform voice data communication with the administrator terminal 13 or may transmit image data or the like using a facsimile function. Further, the network communication unit 36 and the telephone line communication unit 37 described above may be configured as one communication unit.

  The printing unit 38 prints the corresponding information on a printing medium such as paper when the administrator 23 or the like gives a print instruction to at least one of the image data and the authentication result stored in the storage unit 32. To do.

  The control unit 39 controls the entire processing in the MFP 12. For example, the control means 39 receives image data from the monitoring camera 11 and notifies the administrator terminal 13, warns a suspicious person, etc., performs authentication processing, etc., for the monitoring processing in this embodiment. Control. Further, the control means 39 can also control the time period for canceling the notification to the administrator 23 based on the authentication result by the authentication means 35 and the authentication process 44 described above. These various controls may be set in advance or may be controlled by a control command from the administrator terminal 13.

<Application configuration example>
Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the application. The application configuration shown in FIG. 3 has a monitoring camera application as a higher level and a platform including various means and the like as a lower level. Here, examples of the platform shown in FIG. 3 include the above-described printing means, warning means, telephone line communication means, network communication means, display means, and the like, but are not limited thereto.

  The monitoring camera application indicates the entire processing performed by various applications (for example, program modules) managed by the application means 31 described above, and the entire monitoring processing in the present embodiment is selectively performed using a lower platform. Realized.

<MFP 12: Hardware Configuration Example>
Next, a hardware configuration example of the MFP 12 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration in the MFP. 4 includes a print engine 51, a scanner unit 52, a fax unit 53, an operation panel 54, an HDD (hard disk drive) 55, and a controller board 56.

  The controller board 56 includes a processor 61, an NV-RAM (Non Volatile RAM) 62, a host interface 63, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a drive unit 66.

  The print engine 51 is an engine unit for printing, for example, data designated by a user or the like on a print medium such as paper, and outputting the printed print medium. The print engine 51 is used at the time of copying or printing, for example.

  The scanner unit 52 is a unit that reads contents (for example, images and characters) printed on, for example, a print medium and generates image data and character data. The scanner unit 52 is used at the time of scanning, for example.

  The fax unit 53 transmits a data signal to an external device connected via the telephone line 15 or the like. Further, the fax unit 53 can acquire data from an external device via the telephone line 15. The fax unit 53 is used, for example, when sending a fax.

  The operation panel 54 displays setting information for the MFP 12, information being processed, processing results, and the like. The operation panel 54 is made up of a touch panel, for example, and can accept input of setting information from the user, or can execute processing corresponding to the setting contents in correspondence with the received setting information. The operation panel 54 is included in the display means 33 described above, for example.

  The HDD 55 stores, for example, information necessary for executing each process in the present embodiment, image data from the monitoring camera 11, information such as the execution result of the monitoring process, and the like. The HDD 55 can read stored information, and write execution results, setting information, and the like. The HDD 55 is included in the storage unit 32 described above, for example.

  The controller board 56 controls the entire MFP 12. The controller board 56 is included in the control means 39 described above, for example.

  Specifically, the processor 61 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The processor 61 performs predetermined arithmetic processing corresponding to the monitoring processing in the present embodiment and processing such as a normal printer, scanner, and facsimile of the MFP 12.

  The NV-RAM 62 is a nonvolatile memory. The NV-RAM 62 stores various setting information for the MFP 12. The NV-RAM 62 is included in the storage unit 32 described above, for example.

  The host interface 63 is an interface for connecting to, for example, a host computer or another device, and specifically includes a port, an adapter, or the like corresponding to the connection form. The host interface 63 can be connected to one or a plurality of devices.

  In addition, the RAM 64 and the ROM 65 store setting information for each process executed by the MFP 12 in the present embodiment, temporary information such as execution progress, and the like. Note that the RAM 64 and the ROM 65 are included in the storage unit 32 described above, for example.

  The drive unit 66 can detachably set a portable recording medium 67 such as an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or a DVD, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or an SD memory card. The drive unit 66 can read data contained in the set recording medium 67 and write data to the recording medium 67. The drive unit 66 is a dedicated reader / writer or the like if the recording medium 67 is a CD-ROM or DVD, for example, a USB slot or the like if it is a USB memory, and a card slot or the like if it is an SD memory card. Although there is, it is not limited to this.

  Therefore, the above-described functions of the MFP 12 can be realized by causing the processor 61 and the like to execute programs describing these functions. In other words, the present embodiment is configured such that an execution program (monitoring program) for causing a computer to execute the processing in each configuration described above is generated, and the program is installed in, for example, the MFP 12 so that software and hardware cooperate with each other. Can be realized.

<About monitoring processing>
Next, a specific example of the monitoring process in the monitoring system 1 described above will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the monitoring process. Note that the monitoring process illustrated in FIG. 5 will be described using the administrator terminal 13, the MFP 12, and the monitoring camera 11 as an example.

  First, the administrator terminal 13 possessed by the administrator generates operation information (such as a control command) such as a predetermined monitoring instruction for the MFP 12 by an instruction operation by the administrator, and transmits the operation information to the MFP 12 (S01). Upon receiving the operation information from the administrator terminal 13, the MFP 12 transmits monitoring start information for starting monitoring to the monitoring camera 11 (S02).

  The monitoring camera 11 monitors the moving object detection range 21 included in the predetermined area 10 based on the monitoring start instruction from the MFP 12 (S03), and detects the moving object within the moving object detection range 21 (S04). And the image is transmitted to the MFP 12 (S05).

  The MFP 12 stores the image obtained from the monitoring camera 11 in a storage unit or the like (S06). During the motion detection, the monitoring camera 11 captures images continuously or at preset time intervals (for example, 10 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, etc.), transmits the captured image data to the MFP 12, and the MFP 12 performs image capture. The process of storing data continues.

  Next, in the monitoring process, after the above-described moving object detection, a notification regarding suspicious person detection is given to the administrator in the following sequence. The MFP 12 transmits image data by e-mail or the like to the administrator terminal 13 possessed by a preset administrator via the communication network 14-2 and sends it to the administrator terminal 13 via the telephone line 15. Make a call. In the present embodiment, the above-described mail transmission and call may be performed to the same administrator terminal 13 or to different administrator terminals. In the present embodiment, mail transmission and outgoing call may be performed simultaneously on a plurality of administrator terminals. Note that the above-described processing can be performed based on a preset priority order or the like.

  Here, in the present embodiment, there is a case where the manager terminal 13 is in a place where radio waves do not reach or a telephone call cannot be made because the power is not turned on (S07). In that case, the image forming apparatus 12 retries after a preset set time or notifies another administrator (S08). Note that the notification to another administrator or the like is made based on a preset priority order or the like.

  The MFP 12 is notified to the administrator terminal 13 by retrying after a predetermined time or by notifying another administrator terminal (S09). The MFP 12 has a predetermined time interval (notification time interval) after notifying the administrator terminal 13 in the processes of S07 to S09. For example, when the notification time interval is set to 5 minutes, 5 Even if image data is received from the monitoring camera 11 before the minutes have passed, the administrator terminal 13 is not immediately notified. That is, the MFP 12 performs notification using the next image data when a predetermined time interval has elapsed since the previous notification. This can prevent frequent notifications to the administrator.

  The administrator terminal 13 confirms the image obtained from the MFP 12 (S10). Thereby, in this embodiment, since it can notify to an administrator promptly and reliably, a suspicious person etc. can be monitored with high precision. Here, for example, when the image displayed on the administrator terminal 13 is unclear, the administrator terminal 13 obtains another image by an instruction operation from the administrator. (S11).

  Based on the image request from the administrator terminal 13, the MFP 12 makes an image shooting request to the corresponding monitoring camera 11 (S <b> 12). The surveillance camera 11 captures again based on the image request from the MFP 12 (S13), and transmits the captured image data to the MFP 12 (S14).

  The MFP 12 receives and stores the image data from the monitoring camera 11 (S15), and transfers the image data to the administrator terminal 13 (S16). Therefore, the manager 23 can determine the suspicious person or the like by confirming the image data. The administrator who has confirmed the image by the administrator terminal 13 confirms the image (S17), and then reports to the security company (security company) 24 and the police station 25 as necessary. When the administrator terminal 13 issues a warning in the predetermined area 10, the administrator terminal 13 transmits a control command for warning to the MFP 12 (S18). The MFP 12 receives a warning control command, and issues a warning using light, sound, or the like based on the received content. Thereby, a suspicious person can be withdrawn from the predetermined area | region 10 rapidly.

  Here, in the above-described processing of S11, if there is an image request from the administrator 23, and if the next image has already been stored in the MFP 12, the administrator even if the preset notification time interval has not elapsed. The next image data can be transmitted to the terminal 13.

<Example of administrator notification table>
Next, an example of the administrator notification table for notifying the administrator in the processes of S07 to S09 described above will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the administrator notification table. The items in the administrator notification table illustrated in FIG. 6 include, for example, “sequence number (No.)”, “notification date”, “notification time”, “notification destination”, and “notification source monitoring camera”. , “Response result”, but is not limited thereto.

  Here, in the administrator notification table shown in FIG. 6, the priority order of the manager who notifies the first notifier as the administrator A, the second notifier as the manager B, and the third notifier as the manager C is set. It is assumed that the retry time is set to about 3 minutes. In addition, it is assumed that address information (for example, e-mail address, telephone number, etc.) for notifying each administrator A to C is managed in advance.

  In the example of FIG. 1 to 3, for example, when a suspicious person is detected, a notification is sent to the administrator A who is the first priority notification person. At this time, the notified information includes image data captured by the monitoring camera 11, a message indicating that a suspicious person has been detected, a notification date “2012/4/5”, a notification time “23:50”, and a notification source monitoring The camera is “Camera 1” or the like.

  Here, when the administrator terminal 13 of the administrator A does not respond to the response, “response” is set to “x”, and the administrator B, which is the next priority, is notified. At this time, information (record) corresponding to the administrator notification table is added (No. 2 shown in FIG. 6). If the administrator B cannot be notified, “response” is set to “x”, and the administrator C having the next priority is notified. At this time, information (record) corresponding to the administrator notification table is added (No. 3 shown in FIG. 6).

  Here, when the administrator C can be notified, “O” is set in the “response”, and the subsequent retry process is not performed, but when all of the set administrators A to C cannot respond. Will retry after a predetermined time (for example, after 3 minutes). In addition, this embodiment can be made to notify with respect to the some administrator set beforehand, for example.

  No. shown in FIG. 4, the next image data is notified 5 minutes after the previous notification time. However, since the administrator A answers the phone, the administrator (administrators B and C) with lower priority is notified. Do not do. In addition, as shown in FIG. Also in the case of 5, the manager A answers the call, so the managers B and C are not notified.

<Notification method to administrator>
Next, a method for notifying the administrator 23 will be specifically described. In the present embodiment, for example, when a suspicious person 22 enters the moving object detection range 21 by the monitoring camera 11, the monitoring camera 11 performs moving object detection. Next, the surveillance camera 11 captures the suspicious person 22 and transmits the captured image data to the MFP 12 via the communication network 14-1 such as an in-house LAN.

  The MFP 12 receives the image data from the monitoring camera 11 and stores the image data. The MFP 12 performs image transmission to the administrator terminal 13 of the administrator 23, notification by telephone, and the like simultaneously with reception of the image data from the monitoring camera 11.

  As a result, the manager 23 can immediately notice an emergency situation by telephone report. Further, the administrator 23 can confirm the image transferred from the MFP 12. In the present embodiment, when notification is made by telephone or the like, a message such as “Ox suspicious person has entered the room Δ △ on the third floor of the company” is output by a preset voice message or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to make a call only by telephone and notify the above contents by e-mail or the like. In the above-described processing, both mail and telephone notifications are performed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any one of them may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the MFP 12 transmits image data to the administrator terminal 13. For example, the storage destination information of the image data is transmitted to the administrator terminal 13, and the administrator terminal 13 accesses the storage destination. You may do it. Thereby, the data amount of transmission data can be reduced and transmission efficiency can be improved.

<Warning method for suspicious individuals>
Next, a warning method for the suspicious person 22 will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a diagram for specifically explaining a warning method for a suspicious person. In the present embodiment, the administrator 23 can operate the MFP 12 using the administrator terminal 13 via the communication network 14-2 such as the Internet. Specifically, a control command for performing a predetermined warning or the like to the suspicious person 22 is transmitted from the administrator terminal 13 to the MFP 12.

  The MFP 12 receives the control command from the administrator terminal 13 and issues a predetermined warning to the suspicious person 22. The warning indicates, for example, a warning by light or sound, a voice of the administrator, etc., but is not limited thereto, and at least one of a plurality of warning methods such as light or sound is selected and executed. May be.

  For example, a warning by sound using a beep sound at the time of error in the MFP 12, a warning by light using brightness and contrast of the display screen, a change in color, etc., and a character such as “find suspicious person!” On the display means Including a visual warning by displaying, but is not limited to this. In other words, the warning includes all other elements that threaten the suspicious person, such as other light and sound, and voice from the administrator.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, by setting the MFP 12 to issue a warning at the same time as storing the image data of the suspicious person 22 in advance, the suspicious person can be quickly warned without being controlled by the administrator 23. It can be performed.

<About authentication processing>
In the monitoring process described above, when the monitoring camera 11 detects any moving object within the moving object detection range 21 by moving object detection or the like, it is determined that the person is a suspicious person unconditionally. For example, a person is detected in the predetermined area 10. Even if the person is an employee or a person in charge of cleaning, the person may enter the predetermined area 10. The notification to the administrator in such a case is a false alarm and is not preferable.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the MFP 12 performs authentication processing on the image obtained by the monitoring camera 11, and when it is determined that the image is a suspicious person based on the authentication result, the notification to the administrator described above is performed. Also, a warning using the MFP 12 is performed. As a result, false alarms can be prevented and a suspicious person can be monitored with higher accuracy. Here, the monitoring process including the authentication process described above will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First embodiment>
FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for explaining the first embodiment of the monitoring process including the authentication process. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, description will be made using a room entrant entering the predetermined area 10 (for example, a room), the MFP 12, and the monitoring camera 11.

  In the first embodiment, an example of processing in the case where a person having authority to enter the room enters the room is shown. Further, the process shown in FIG. 8 shows a state where monitoring has already been performed by an instruction from the administrator terminal 13 or the like (S21).

  Here, in this embodiment, when a resident enters the monitoring area (moving object detection range 21) of the monitoring camera 11 (S22), the monitoring camera 11 performs moving object detection (S23), for example, photographing within the moving object detection range 21 is performed. Is started (S24). In addition, the surveillance camera 11 transmits the captured image data to the MFP 12 (S25). Next, the MFP 12 stores the image obtained from the monitoring camera together with the camera identification information indicating the image data obtained from which monitoring camera 11 and the photographing time information (S26), and waits for a predetermined time (S26). S27).

  Note that the standby time (authentication grace time) in the process of S27 includes, for example, a predetermined time until the room entrant performs the authentication process and the result is output, but is not limited thereto. The waiting time can be set to, for example, about 10 seconds to 60 seconds so that notification to the administrator is not delayed when the detected person is a suspicious person, but is not limited thereto. For example, when the distance from the moving object detection range 21 of the monitoring camera 11 to the MFP 12 is long, a predetermined waiting time can be set according to the distance.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the authentication grace time until notification to the administrator 23 is generated by performing the process of S27. Note that shooting by the monitoring camera 11 is continuously performed during the standby time (authentication grace time).

  Here, the MFP 12 waits for an authentication procedure from the room occupant and receives input of authentication information (for example, user information such as a user ID and a password) from the room occupant to the MFP 12 (S28). Authentication is performed based on (S29). In the process of S28, for example, a card reader is used to acquire user information from an employee ID card or the like possessed by the room occupant, or the room occupant directly inputs the user information to accept input of authentication information. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  Here, if the authentication result is OK, the function of notifying the administrator (notification processing) is canceled (S30), and the display unit (operation panel) 33 of the MFP 12 is notified of the OK to the occupant. Notification is made (S31). Further, the MFP 12 stores the release history (including the authentication result) (S32). Upon entering the notification of S31, the room entrant enters the moving object detection range 21 (S33).

  That is, in the process of FIG. 8, since it is confirmed that the room occupant has the right to enter the room, the monitoring camera 11 takes a picture by moving object detection, the image data is transmitted to the MFP 12, and the transmitted image data is stored in the storage means. Even if it is stored in 32, the administrator terminal 13 is not notified. Even if the authentication result is OK, the administrator terminal 13 stores the image data taken by the monitoring camera 11 and the authentication result in the storage unit 32, so that the occupants can be managed without omission. can do.

<Second embodiment>
Next, FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram for explaining a second embodiment of the monitoring process including the authentication process. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the description will be made using the administrator terminal 13, the room entrant, the MFP 12, and the monitoring camera 11. In the second embodiment, an example of processing when a person who does not have the authority to enter the room (suspicious person) enters the room is shown. In addition, in the processing of FIG. 9, since S21 to S29 shown in FIG. 8 described above are the same, the same reference numerals are given in FIG. 9, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  In FIG. 9, when authentication is performed by the process of S29, if the authentication result is NG, information for notifying the administrator terminal 13 to that effect is generated (S41), and authentication NG Is output to the display means (operation panel) 33 of the MFP 12 and presented to the room occupant (S42). Further, the MFP 12 stores history information (including the authentication result) indicating that the authentication result is NG (S43). When the authentication grace period ends and the authentication is NG, the MFP 12 notifies the administrator terminal 13 to that effect (S44).

  Note that after the notification in the processing of S44, the processing as shown in S07 to S19 in FIG. 5 and the like described above can be performed, and a specific description thereof is omitted here.

  In the processing of FIG. 9, in the above-described processing of S41 to S43, when the authentication result is NG, the display means (operation panel) 33 is notified to that effect so that the occupant can perform the authentication procedure again. And the authentication process may be performed based on user information re-input from the room occupant. In the present embodiment, the number of times the authentication procedure can be executed is set in advance, and a limit can be added to the reprocedure.

  In other words, in this embodiment, for example, when a person who has the right to enter a room enters the monitoring area before performing authentication, an authentication grace period is provided to prevent false notification to the administrator. In the present exemplary embodiment, when the authentication grace time from when image data captured by moving object detection is stored in the MFP 12 until notification to the administrator terminal 13 is set to 30 seconds, for example, the image data is stored in the storage unit 32. If the authentication process is completed within 30 seconds from the storage and the result is OK, the stored image data is not transmitted to the administrator terminal 13.

  In the above-described embodiment, the release history (for example, the released camera, the released date, the released person (releaser ID), and the release reason) is stored in the storage unit 32 during the authentication process. Further, in the present embodiment, when the canceled monitoring process is restored, for example, the user enters user information to the MFP 12 as in the authentication procedure described above, and the monitoring process is restored based on the result. . Specifically, whether the ID that matches the ID entered when returning is present in the releaser ID included in the release history (specifically, the release history for which the corresponding return history has not yet been stored) If there is a matching ID, the monitoring process is returned. At this time, the MFP 12 stores a return history (for example, return date and time, return person (recovered person ID)) and the like in the storage unit 32 and the like.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the monitoring may be returned after the preset time has elapsed (for example, one hour or half a day later) after the monitoring process is canceled without performing the above-described return process.

  In the present embodiment, users that can be permitted by authentication, time zones, and the like can also be set. In the authentication process, authentication may be performed using a different authentication method for each monitoring camera 11 or each MFP 12.

<Example of authentication history table>
Here, an authentication history table as an example of authentication result information will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the authentication history table. In the example of FIG. 10, data examples of the monitoring notification release history and the recovery history stored in the MFP 12 will be described.

  The items of the authentication history table shown in FIG. 10 include, for example, “target camera”, “release date / time”, “release person ID”, “release reason”, “return date / time”, and “return person ID”. However, it is not limited to this.

  Here, in FIG. 10, there are a plurality of “reasons for cancellation” registered in advance according to the user's usage. In the example of FIG. 10, there are server maintenance, emergency response, early morning overtime, etc. It is not limited. The person in the room performs authentication using, for example, the authentication unit 35 of the MFP 12 and inputs the reason for the cancellation described above. Specifically, the contents of a plurality of reasons for cancellation set in advance may be displayed on the screen of the display means 33, and the entry / exit may be made to select one of them. In the present embodiment, the reason for cancellation described above can also be used for the authentication process. For example, if a reason for cancellation such as “server maintenance” is selected in a room without a server, the user is a suspicious person. It can also be judged.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 10, when the monitoring process (monitoring notification) is canceled, for example, the cancellation date and time is “2012/04/06 23:50” for the target monitoring camera (for example, camera 1) and the canceler ID is “1233456” and the reason for cancellation “server maintenance” are stored in the authentication history table. At the time of return, the return date and time “2012/04/07 00:15” and the returnee ID “1223456” are stored in the authentication history table.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, a release history (for example, a released camera, a released date, a released person, and a release reason) is stored at the time of authentication by inputting user information. In the present embodiment, when the monitoring process is returned, a return history (for example, the camera that has been returned, the date and time of return, and the person who has returned) is stored.

  In this embodiment, for example, even when the management process is canceled or returned due to a prior time setting by a user or an administrator, the corresponding release history or return history is stored in the authentication history table. .

  The above-described authentication history table stores information when the authentication result is OK, but is not limited to this, and may store information when the authentication result is NG.

<Specific examples of false alarm prevention methods>
Here, a specific example of the false alarm prevention method in the authentication process described above will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the false alarm prevention method. In the present embodiment, false alarms are prevented by the procedure shown in FIGS.

  In the example of FIG. 11A, the surveillance camera 11 is operating, and the room occupant 71 is in a predetermined area 10 such as a building and outside the moving object detection range 21. In the example of FIG. 11B, the room occupant 71 authenticates by the authentication unit 35 included in the MFP 12 and confirms that the person is not a suspicious person. If the authentication result is OK, as shown in FIG. 11C, even if the room occupant 71 enters the moving object detection range 21, the notification to the manager terminal 13 possessed by the manager 23 is not received. Not performed (monitoring notification canceled). In this case, detection by the monitoring camera 11, photographing of image data, transmission of image data to the MFP 12, and storage of received image data by the MFP 12 are preferably performed, but may not be performed. The above-described processing can prevent false alarms.

  In the example of FIGS. 11A and 11B, since the occupant 71 performs the authentication process before entering the moving object detection range 21, an image is taken by the monitoring camera 11 before the authentication process. However, even if the moving camera is detected by the management camera before the authentication process in FIG. 11A, the false alarm can be prevented by performing the authentication within the above-mentioned authentication grace period.

<Other examples of false alarm prevention>
Next, another example of preventing the above-described false alarm will be described. In the above-described example, the false alarm is prevented by performing the authentication procedure. However, for example, there is a time zone in which the authentication processing is performed frequently with reference to the authentication history table shown in FIG. In that time zone, the user is permitted to enter the moving object detection range 21 without performing the authentication procedure from the room occupant 71 (monitoring notification is canceled). Note that the notification cancellation time zone as described above is set as a monitoring notification cancellation pattern by the administrator 23 or the like, for example.

  Here, another example of the above-described false alarm prevention will be described using a sequence diagram and the like. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating another example of false alarm prevention. In the example of FIG. 12, description will be made using the administrator terminal 13, the room occupant 71, the MFP 12, and the monitoring camera 11. In the example of FIG. 12, it is assumed that monitoring has already been performed according to an instruction from the administrator 23 or the like (S51).

  In the process of FIG. 12, the administrator terminal 13 transmits the monitoring notification cancellation pattern set by the administrator 23 to the MFP 12 (S52). The MFP 12 acquires a notification cancellation time zone based on the monitoring notification cancellation pattern received from the administrator terminal 13.

  Specifically, when it is time to refer to the history (S53), the MFP 12 refers to the history such as the above-described authentication history table (S54) and acquires the notification cancellation time zone (S55). In the processing of S53 to S55, the authentication processing is performed by referring to the release history included in the above-described authentication history table, for example, at a predetermined time interval (for example, in the past several months, weeks, or days). A time zone with a large number of times and frequency (greater than a predetermined value) is acquired as a notification cancellation time zone. In addition, when the notification release time zone acquired from the release history is reached (S56), the MFP 12 releases the monitoring notification (S57).

  Here, when the occupant 71 enters the moving object detection range 21 during the notification cancellation time zone (S58), the surveillance camera 11 performs detection (S59) and starts photographing (S60). In addition, the surveillance camera 11 transmits the captured image data to the MFP 12 (S61). Here, the MFP 12 stores the image data obtained by the monitoring camera 11 (S62), but does not notify the administrator terminal 13 because it is the notification cancellation time zone.

  Further, when the notification cancellation time period has elapsed (S63), the MFP 12 resumes the monitoring process (S64).

  Note that the monitoring notification release pattern described above can be set, for example, how many times it is released per predetermined time to release the monitoring notification automatically. In addition, the monitoring notification cancellation pattern can periodically set the time period for canceling the monitoring notification by referring to the cancellation history, summing up how many times it was canceled per predetermined time period. In this embodiment, when the time zone set as the monitoring notification cancellation pattern is reached, the monitoring report is automatically canceled. In the present embodiment, the monitoring process is resumed when the notification cancellation time period elapses. Thereby, it is possible to prevent notification to the administrator terminal 13 without performing authentication processing by determining a time zone in which there is a high possibility that the person is not a suspicious person from the authentication frequency.

  Here, as an example of acquiring the notification cancellation time zone, for example, when 10 (times / hour) or more authentication processing is performed by the monitoring notification cancellation pattern, the time zone is set as the notification cancellation time zone. To do. At this time, if 15:00 to 16:00 is 10 times, the time zone is set as a monitoring notification release time zone. If 18:00 to 19:00 is nine times, that time zone is set as a monitoring notification time zone.

  As described above, by using the monitoring notification cancellation pattern, it is possible to prevent a false alarm due to a legitimate occupant forgetting the authentication procedure, and whether the monitoring system 1 is notified of the manager 23 Can be easily and appropriately switched without burden on the person 71.

<Print processing>
Here, in the present embodiment described above, an image taken by the monitoring camera 11 stored in the MFP 12 can be printed according to an instruction from the administrator 23. Specific examples thereof will be described below. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the printing process. In the example of FIG. 13, description will be made using the administrator terminal 13, the MFP 12, and the monitoring camera 11.

  When the image is transferred from the monitoring camera 11 (S71), the MFP 12 stores the image (S72).

  The administrator 23 transmits a display instruction for displaying an image stored in the MFP 12 by the administrator terminal 13 on the display means (for example, an operation panel) 33 of the MFP 12 (S73). In the process of S73, the administrator 23 may directly issue an image display instruction by operating the MFP 12 instead of from the administrator terminal 13.

  Here, the MFP 12 displays the image via the display means 33 and presents it to the administrator 23 near the MFP 12 (S74). The administrator 23 confirms one or a plurality of displayed images via the administrator terminal 13 or by directly operating the MFP 12 (S75), selects an image to be printed (S76), and selects the selected image data. A print processing execution instruction is issued (S77).

  The MFP 12 performs a printing process on the image selected based on the input instruction, and prints the image on a print medium or the like (S78). Examples of information to be printed include, but are not limited to, surveillance camera information taken, shooting date and time, and image data.

  That is, in the printing process, the image transferred from the monitoring camera 11 is stored in the MFP 12, and the administrator operates the MFP 12 to display the image stored in the storage unit 32 on the display unit 33 of the MFP 12. indicate. Further, the manager 23 confirms the image displayed on the display means 33 and selects an image to be printed. When the administrator 23 executes printing, the MFP 12 prints the selected image.

<Specific examples of printing methods>
FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the printing method. The monitoring camera 11 detects the suspicious person 22 and simultaneously photographs the suspicious person, and transmits the photographed image to the MFP 12. The transmitted image is stored in the storage unit 32 of the MFP 12.

  Here, the administrator 23 can display the stored image on the display unit 33 of the MFP 12 via the application in the MFP 12. Thereby, the administrator 23 can confirm the image displayed on the display means 33 and can select an image to be printed. Further, the administrator 23 can print the selected image from the MFP 12.

  Accordingly, in the present embodiment, by using the printing process, it is possible to confirm and print an image captured by the monitoring camera 11 using only the MFP 12.

<Monitoring system in which a plurality of surveillance cameras and a plurality of image forming apparatuses are linked>
Here, the above-described monitoring system 1 has been described using one monitoring camera 11 and one MFP 12 as an example. However, for example, a monitoring system in which a plurality of monitoring cameras 11 and a plurality of MFPs 12 are linked is provided. You can also

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a monitoring system in which a plurality of monitoring cameras and a plurality of MFPs are linked. FIG. 15A shows an example of the monitoring system 2 for a person who has authority to enter the room, and FIG. 15B shows an example of the monitoring system 2 for a suspicious person. In the example of FIG. 15, there are two monitoring cameras 11-1 and 11-2 and two MFPs 12-1 and 12-2, each of which is a communication network 14-1 such as an in-house LAN described above. Can be connected in a state where data can be transmitted and received, but is not limited to this, and may be three or more.

  15A and 15B, notification to the administrator terminal 13 can be set for each of the MFPs 12-1 and 12-2. Here, in the example of FIG. 15A, it is assumed that the room occupant 71 has room entry authority, the MFP 12-1 performs the authentication process, and the result of the authentication OK is obtained. In this case, the authenticated MFP 12-1 stores the image but does not report to the administrator 23. In the unauthenticated MFP 12-2, the image is stored and simultaneously notified to the administrator terminal 13 possessed by the predetermined administrator 23.

  In the monitoring system 2, when the MFPs 12-1 and 12-2 are connected to each other via a communication network, the settings of other MFPs can be changed by performing authentication with one MFP. is there. Therefore, for example, if the MFP 12-1 performs the authentication process and the authentication is OK, the authentication result is transmitted to the MFP 12-2 via the communication network, so that the MFP 12-2 also authenticates. It becomes OK, and transmission of an image to the administrator terminal 13 can be prevented from being performed.

  In the example of FIG. 15B, a warning can be simultaneously output to the suspicious person 22 from a plurality of MFPs (in the example of FIG. 15B, MFPs 12-1 and 12-2). That is, when the MFPs 12-1 and 12-2 are connected via the communication network, the suspicious person 22 is first detected by the single monitoring camera 11-1, an image is taken and transmitted to the MFP 12-1.

  When the image data is stored in the destination MFP 12-1, the administrator terminal 23 possessed by the administrator 23 is notified. When the MFP 12-1 receives a warning instruction from the administrator 23 through the administrator terminal 13, the MFP 12-1 can issue a warning to the suspicious person 22 from all the MFPs 12-1, 12-2.

  Note that the administrator terminal 13 can also send a warning instruction to the MFP 12-2. In addition, the administrator terminal 13 can select at least one MFP 12 that outputs a warning from all the MFPs existing in the monitoring system 2 and instruct only the selected MFP to output the warning. . As a result, the administrator 23 uses the administrator terminal 13 to predict, for example, the next intrusion area from the previous intrusion route of the suspicious person 22, and to output a warning from the MFP 12 existing in the predicted area. be able to.

  According to the embodiment described above, the suspicious person can be monitored with high accuracy. Specifically, according to the present embodiment, a surveillance camera detects a suspicious person and photographs the suspicious person, and the photographed image is transferred to the image forming apparatus through a communication network. Since the image forming apparatus receives and stores the image and simultaneously notifies the administrator using the telephone line, the emergency can be notified quickly and reliably. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since notification using a telephone line can be sent from the image forming apparatus to a manager using a communication network such as the Internet, a mail attached with a photographed image or the like can be transmitted. Notification can be made using communication means, and the certainty can be further increased.

  In the present embodiment described above, notification is made from the image forming apparatus to the administrator (specifically, the administrator terminal), but the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, notification may be performed using the above-described telephone line or communication network.

  Further, since the administrator can transmit an instruction to the image forming apparatus through the communication network, the administrator can give a warning such as emitting light or sound to the suspicious person through the image forming apparatus.

  In addition, when entering the monitoring area while the monitoring system is in operation, the emergency report function to the administrator can be temporarily canceled after the entrance authority is determined using the authentication function of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to prevent false reports to the administrator.

  Further, in this embodiment, by using an image forming apparatus with an authentication device already used in an office or the like, it is possible to introduce a monitoring system with a low budget using a relatively inexpensive off-the-shelf monitoring camera. .

  Further, in the present embodiment, an image from the monitoring camera is stored in the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus can execute image confirmation, image selection, and printing of the selected image. Therefore, it is possible to print in a short time without the trouble of starting the PC.

  In other words, the conventional monitoring system has few functions to prevent crimes such as warnings to suspicious persons, and does not play a sufficient role in terms of crime prevention. If it enters, it will be treated in the same way as a suspicious person, and there was a problem that it will be misreported to the administrator, police, and security company. Suspicious persons can be monitored with high accuracy.

  The preferred embodiments of the disclosed technology have been described in detail above, but the disclosed technology is not limited to such specific embodiments, and within the scope of the disclosed technology described in the claims, Various modifications and changes are possible.

1, 2 Monitoring system 10 Predetermined area 11 Monitoring camera (an example of an imaging device)
12 MFP (an example of an image forming apparatus)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 Manager terminal 14 Communication network 15 Telephone line 21 Motion detection range 22 Suspicious person 23 Administrator 31 Application means 32 Storage means 33 Display means 34 Warning means 35 Authentication means 36 Communication means 37 Telephone line communication means 38 Printing means 39 Control means 41 Image storage processing 42 Image display processing 43 Warning processing 44 Authentication processing 45 Notification processing 51 Print engine 52 Scanner unit 53 Fax unit 54 Operation panel 55 HDD (hard disk drive)
56 Controller board 61 Processor 62 NV-RAM
63 Host interface 64 RAM
65 ROM
66 Drive unit 71

JP 2004-129007 A JP 2006-130835 A

Claims (9)

In a monitoring system that notifies an administrator of a suspicious person who has entered a given area,
An imaging device for detecting a moving object in the predetermined area and capturing an image including the detected range;
Storage means for acquiring image data captured by the imaging device, storing the acquired image data, a notification indicating that the suspicious person has been detected, and the image data, a preset communication network and telephone line A monitoring system comprising: an image forming apparatus having notification means for notifying a predetermined administrator terminal using The image forming apparatus includes:
The monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising a warning unit that warns the suspicious person based on an instruction from the administrator terminal. The warning means is
The monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein an element threatening the suspicious person is issued to the suspicious person using at least one of light and sound for warning. The image forming apparatus includes:
Authentication means for performing authentication for entering the predetermined area;
2. When authentication is permitted by the authentication unit, an image obtained from the imaging device is stored in the storage unit, and the image is not transmitted to the manager terminal. 4. The monitoring system according to any one of items 1 to 3. The image forming apparatus includes:
The monitoring system according to claim 4, further comprising a control unit that controls a time period for canceling the notification to the administrator based on an authentication result by the authentication unit. The image forming apparatus includes:
Display means for displaying an image stored in the image forming apparatus;
The monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising: a printing unit that prints an image selected by the manager among images displayed by the display unit. A storage unit that detects a moving object in a predetermined area, acquires an image captured by an imaging device that captures an image including the detected range, and stores the acquired image data;
An image forming apparatus comprising: notification means for notifying a predetermined administrator terminal of a notification indicating that the moving object has been detected and the image data using a preset communication network and telephone line. In a monitoring method for notifying an administrator of a suspicious person who has entered a predetermined area,
An imaging step of detecting a moving object in the predetermined area by an imaging device and photographing the predetermined area after detection;
A storage step of acquiring an image captured by the imaging step by an image forming apparatus and storing the acquired image in a storage unit;
A monitoring method comprising: a notification step of notifying a predetermined administrator terminal of a notification indicating that the suspicious person has been detected and the image data using a preset communication network and telephone line.   The monitoring program for functioning a computer as each means which the monitoring system of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6 has.

Images