JP3768199B2 - Information provision device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus for providing various types of information such as images and sounds obtained from information acquisition means in accordance with a telephone terminal that has made a call via a communication network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as this type of device, an image pickup unit that captures the surrounding situation, a password storage unit that stores a preset password, and a call from a destination telephone terminal that has made a call via a communication network are accepted. The password indicated by the tone signal transmitted by the user's operation at that time is compared with the password, and a determination unit for determining whether or not they match is provided. There is a monitoring camera device that transmits an image from a part to a telephone terminal of the other party (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-27432
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional example having such a configuration has the following problems.
That is, the conventional device needs to set a password in the surveillance camera device in advance, which requires operation switches, buttons, a display unit, etc., which complicates the device and makes the operation complicated. There is a problem.
[0005]
In addition, even a person who has made a call without knowing that the camera is a surveillance camera or the like will receive an unlimited number of incoming calls once connected to the line. Further, even when a call is made in response to a video from the surveillance camera device, there is a problem that since the incoming call is waited for the password input on the caller side, the user is charged during that time.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. It is possible to register a destination telephone number that permits an incoming call and a destination telephone number that makes a call with a simple operation and to perform unnecessary charging. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information providing apparatus that can be prevented.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve such an object, the present invention has the following configuration.
That is, the invention according to claim 1 is an information providing apparatus that provides information from information acquisition means in response to a telephone terminal that has made a call via a communication network. A receiving means for receiving a destination telephone number notified via the communication network, a destination telephone number that can be received and a destination telephone number that can be called, and a registration storage unit that registers the destination telephone number When the information providing means for providing information from the information obtaining means to the telephone terminal corresponding to the destination telephone number stored in the section and the registration button are operated and the call is in progress The destination telephone number is registered in the registration storage unit as a destination telephone number that can be received, and when the call is in progress, the destination telephone number is registered as a destination telephone number that can be called. And control means for registering the 憶部, is characterized in that it comprises a.
[0008]
(Operation / Effect) If the destination telephone number received by the receiving means is stored in the registration storage unit when the call is received, and the destination telephone number that allows incoming calls, the destination telephone number A call is accepted and received, and information from the information acquisition means is provided via the information provision means. On the other hand, a call from a destination telephone number that is not stored in the registration storage unit is not received and the line is not connected. At this time, if the registration button is operated, the control means registers in the registration storage section as the destination telephone number of the incoming call permission if the call is in progress. In addition, when a call is received, if the other party telephone number received by the receiving means is a destination telephone number stored in the registration storage unit and can be received, the call of the other party telephone number is made. The incoming call will be in progress. When the registration button is operated at this time, the control means registers in the registration storage unit as a destination telephone number that permits not only incoming calls but also outgoing calls. Therefore, by making a call to this device and simply operating the registration button, it is possible to register a destination telephone number that is permitted to receive and a destination telephone number that can be called. It can be carried out. Further, since no response is made to a call from a destination telephone number that is not stored in the registration storage unit, useless charging can be prevented.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus that provides information from the information acquisition means in response to a telephone terminal that has originated a call via a communication network, and the destination telephone terminal that has originated the call. A receiving means for receiving a destination telephone number notified via the communication network, a destination telephone number that can be received and a destination telephone number that can be called, and a registration storage unit that registers the destination telephone number Information providing means for providing information from the information acquisition means to the telephone terminal of the other party stored in the unit, and whether the destination telephone number received by the receiving means exists in the registration storage unit When the registration button is operated and the inquiry result of the registration inquiry means is unregistered, the registration telephone number is registered as a callable number. A registration control unit that registers in the storage unit and registers the destination telephone number in the registration storage unit as a callable number when the inquiry result of the registration inquiry unit is already registered. It is characterized by this.
[0010]
(Action / Effect) When a call is made, the registration inquiry means inquires whether the destination telephone number received via the reception means is registered in the registration storage unit, and based on the result, the registration control means Register the destination telephone number. That is, when the inquiry result is unregistered, it is registered as an incoming call permission, receives an incoming call with the destination telephone number, and provides information from the information acquisition means via the information providing means. On the other hand, if the inquiry result is already registered, it is registered as a callable number after receiving an incoming call. Therefore, by making a call to this device and simply operating the registration button, you can register the destination telephone number that is permitted to receive and the destination telephone number that can be called, and register it with a simple operation. It can be performed. Further, since no response is made to a call from a destination telephone number that is not stored in the registration storage unit, useless charging can be prevented.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an information providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012]
The information providing apparatus 1 includes a monitoring camera 3 corresponding to the information acquisition means in the present invention, and provides information according to a telephone terminal 7 that has made a call via a communication network such as a telephone line 5. It is configured. The surveillance camera 3 outputs image information including video and audio information including audio, but may output only one of image information and audio information. An example of the telephone terminal 7 is a mobile phone.
[0013]
When the information providing apparatus 1 is called, the receiving unit 13 receives the destination telephone number of the telephone terminal 7 that has made the call through the communication control unit 9 and the interface 11.
[0014]
The registration storage unit 15 registers a destination telephone number that can be received and a destination telephone number that can be called by a procedure described later. Although details will be described later, the destination telephone number and the corresponding permission operation are stored.
[0015]
The control unit 17 includes a registration inquiry unit 19 and a registration control unit 21. A rough registration flow by the control means 17 is as follows.
That is, when the registration button 23 is operated, if the call is in progress, the destination telephone number is registered in the registration storage unit 15 as a number that can be received. On the other hand, since a call from a destination telephone number registered as a callable number is processed immediately, the call is in progress. Therefore, when a call is made from a destination telephone number already registered as a callable number, the incoming call is immediately processed and a call is in progress. In this case, when the registration button 23 is operated, the destination telephone number is registered in the registration storage unit 15 as a destination telephone number that can be called.
[0016]
Specifically, the registration operation is performed as follows.
That is, the registration inquiry means 19 inquires whether or not the destination telephone number received by the reception means 13 exists in the registration storage unit 15. When the registration button 23 is operated, on the basis of the inquiry result of the registration inquiry means 19, the registration control means 21 registers the destination telephone number in the registration storage unit 15 as an incoming call number or a callable number. Specifically, if the inquiry result is not registered, it is registered as a callable number, while if the inquiry result is already registered, it is registered as a callable number.
[0017]
Note that it is preferable that only a specific destination telephone number is registered as a number that can be called. For example, there is a destination telephone number corresponding to the telephone terminal 7 owned by the administrator of the information providing apparatus 1. .
[0018]
Once the destination telephone number is registered in the registration storage unit 15 and there is a call from the destination telephone number, the destination telephone number is recognized by the receiving means 13 via the communication control means 9 and the interface 11 and registered. Inquired by the inquiry means 19. If the result is a destination telephone number that can be received, the communication control unit 9 is instructed to accept the call and receive the call, and the result is given to the information providing means 25. The information providing means 25 provides the output from the monitoring camera 3 to the telephone terminal 5 corresponding to the destination telephone number that has made the call. In other words, only calls from the other party telephone number stored in the registration storage unit 15 are received, and calls from other numbers are not received.
[0019]
The information providing apparatus 1 further includes a monitoring sensor 27 that detects an external situation. The monitoring sensor 27 in this embodiment is, for example, an open / close switch. The monitoring sensor 27 is depicted as being incorporated in the information providing apparatus 1 in FIG. 1, but actually extends to the outside via a signal line. Depending on the detection target, the information providing apparatus 1 may be incorporated.
[0020]
This monitoring sensor 27 is connected to the calling means 29. The monitoring sensor 27 and the calling unit 29 are connected to the state storage unit 31. A setting button 33 and a mode button 35 that can be operated from the outside of the information providing apparatus 1 are connected to the calling unit 29. The calling unit 29 also has a function of monitoring the normal state stored in the state storage unit 31 and the output from the monitoring sensor 27 after activation.
[0021]
The setting button 33 causes the state storage unit 31 to store the external state detected by the monitoring sensor 27 as a normal state. Specifically, the instruction is given to the calling means 29. The mode button 35 is used to set whether or not to automatically make a call to a destination telephone number registered in the registration storage unit 15 when conditions described later are met. . That is, it has a function of switching between calling mode and non-calling mode.
[0022]
In the present embodiment, the monitoring target will be described as door opening and closing, and the closed state will be described as a normal state. In this case, the administrator of the information providing apparatus 1 closes the door and attaches the monitoring sensor 27 so that the opening / closing can be detected. Then, the information providing apparatus 1 is activated and the setting button 33 is operated. Then, the signal of the monitoring sensor 27 at that time is stored in the state storage unit 31 under the control of the calling unit 29. Specifically, for example, the output signal level of the monitoring sensor 27 is stored.
[0023]
When the mode button 33 is operated to enter the calling mode, the output from the monitoring sensor 27 changes when the door is opened. Then, the calling means 29 monitoring it detects the displacement and determines that an abnormality has occurred. Then, a call is made to a destination telephone number that can be called stored in the registration storage unit 15, and when the telephone terminal 7 corresponding to the destination telephone number is received, the information providing means 25 is set. The information from the surveillance camera 3 is provided through the network.
[0024]
Next, registration of a destination telephone number will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of registration of the other party number, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the contents stored in the registration storage unit.
[0025]
Step S1
Assuming that the telephone terminal 7 makes a call to the information providing apparatus 1 via the telephone line 5, the receiving means 13 acquires the telephone number (destination telephone number).
[0026]
Step S2
The registration inquiry means 19 inquires the stored contents of the registration storage section 15 with the destination telephone number obtained from the receiving means 13. As a result of the inquiry, if the destination telephone number is not stored in the registration storage unit 15, the incoming call operation is not performed for the call. That is, the calling state is continued.
[0027]
Step S3
Here, it is assumed that the registration button 23 is operated to register the destination telephone number. If there is no intention to register, the registration button 23 is not operated, so that the process proceeds to step S4, which is a process for determining whether or not the telephone terminal 7 corresponding to the destination telephone number has stopped calling. Will migrate.
[0028]
Step S5
When the registration button 23 is operated during the call in step S3, the registration control means 21 stores the destination telephone number that can be received in the registration storage unit 15. Specifically, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 3, for example, the destination telephone number and a flag indicating the permitted content are registered in association with each other. The flag is represented by 0 or 1. For example, “0” indicates that an incoming call can be received only, and “1” indicates that the call can be made in addition to the incoming call.
[0029]
Step S6
After registering that the call can be received, the information providing means 25 performs a call process. Specifically, the information of the monitoring camera 3 by the information providing means 25 is provided to the telephone terminal 7 corresponding to the destination telephone number.
[0030]
Step S7
Thereafter, the processing branches depending on whether or not the line is cut off by the telephone terminal 7 side corresponding to the destination telephone number.
[0031]
That is, if the line is cut off, the registration process is terminated. If the line is not cut off, the process branches in step S8 depending on whether or not the registration button 23 is operated. Normally, since the registration button 23 is not operated in step 8, the process returns to step S6 and the call process is continued. When the telephone terminal 7 side corresponding to the destination telephone number cuts off the line, the process branches at step S7 and the process is terminated.
[0032]
Next, registration of a destination telephone number that can be called will be described.
[0033]
In this case, it is assumed that the destination telephone number has already been registered in the registration storage unit 15. Then, in step S2, it is determined that the incoming call is permitted, and the process proceeds from step S6 to step S8. When the registration button 23 is operated here, the process proceeds to step S9.
[0034]
Step S9
Here, the registration control means 21 rewrites the flag corresponding to the destination telephone number stored in the registration storage unit 15 from “0” to “1”. Then, the process proceeds again from step S6 to step S8. When the telephone terminal 7 side corresponding to the other party telephone number cuts off the line, the processing is finished from step S7.
[0035]
Although the information providing apparatus 1 operates as described above, FIG. 4 shows only the registration processing part. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline flow of registration of the destination number after the registration button is operated.
[0036]
If the call is being made when the registration button 23 is operated (step S11), the destination telephone number is registered in the registration storage unit 15 as a callable number (step S12). On the other hand, since the call from the telephone terminal 7 corresponding to the destination telephone number registered as the number that can be received is processed immediately because the incoming call is processed (step S13), the destination telephone number is changed. The destination telephone number that can be called is registered in the registration storage unit 15 (step S14).
[0037]
As described above, in the apparatus of this embodiment, when the registration button 23 is operated, if a call is in progress, it is registered in the registration storage unit 15 as a destination telephone number for which incoming calls are permitted. If the destination telephone number is available, the incoming telephone call is received and the call is in progress. When the registration button 23 is operated at this time, it is registered in the registration storage unit 15 as a destination telephone number that permits not only incoming calls but also outgoing calls.
[0038]
Therefore, by making a call to the apparatus and simply operating the registration button 23, the destination telephone number that is permitted to receive and the destination telephone number that can be called can be registered, and registration is performed with a simple operation. be able to. Further, since no response is made to a call from a destination telephone number that is not stored in the registration storage unit 15, useless billing can be prevented.
[0039]
Next, the monitoring operation by the above-described embodiment apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the monitoring operation.
[0040]
Here, it is assumed that the destination telephone number that can be received and called has already been registered by the registration process described above.
[0041]
Step S21
Processing branches depending on whether the calling mode is on.
That is, when the mode button 35 is turned on and the calling mode is on, the process proceeds to step S22. Here, description will be made assuming that the calling mode is turned on first.
[0042]
Step S22
The process branches depending on whether the setting has been changed by operating the mode button 35. Normally, the processing loop of the next step S23 and this step S22 is repeated.
[0043]
Step S23
If the output of the monitoring sensor 27 changes and a difference from the normal state stored in the state storage unit 31 occurs, the process proceeds to step S24.
[0044]
Step S24
The calling unit 29 refers to the registration storage unit 15 and performs a calling process for a destination telephone number that can be called. And when the telephone terminal 7 corresponding to the other party telephone number arrives, the information of the monitoring camera 3 is provided via the information provision means 25. FIG.
[0045]
Normally, when calling processing is performed when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred due to the door being opened, the line is blocked after the owner of the telephone terminal 7 corresponding to the other party telephone number confirms the information as it is. And the process of step S25, S26 is repeated until the owner operates the mode button 35 of the information provision apparatus 1, or returns the state of the monitoring sensor 27 to normal. This is because it is preferable not to return to the monitoring state unless abnormality is confirmed or taken by the owner at the place where the information providing apparatus 1 is installed.
[0046]
When the mode button 35 is operated by the owner, the process proceeds to step S30 to set the non-calling mode. When the owner returns the state of the monitoring sensor 27 to normal, the processes in steps S22 and S23 are repeated.
[0047]
When the calling mode is turned off and the non-calling mode is set, step S27 and subsequent steps are executed.
[0048]
That is, when the mode button 35 is operated to return to the calling mode (step S27), a process for acquiring the normal state of the monitoring sensor 27 is performed (step S28). Thereafter, the calling mode is turned on and the process returns to step S22 (step S29). That is, the monitoring state is entered.
[0049]
As described above, in the embodiment apparatus, after the external state is set to the normal state, the normal state can be set in the state storage unit 31 only by operating the mode button 35 and operating the mode button 35, and the calling unit 29. An abnormality can be easily detected simply by comparing this state with the external condition of the monitoring sensor 27. Further, as apparent from the above processing flow, since the normal state of the monitoring sensor 27 is acquired by operating the mode button 35, the setting button 33 described above may be omitted.
[0050]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified as follows.
[0051]
(1) As the telephone terminal 7, in addition to a mobile phone, for example, a digital video phone connected via an ISDN network, an IP phone connected via the Internet, or the like can be used.
[0052]
(2) As the monitoring sensor 27, various sensors such as a non-contact optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, a photoelectric switch, a proximity switch, a pressure sensor, an infrared sensor, and a line sensor can be adopted in addition to the open / close switch.
[0053]
(3) In the above-described embodiment apparatus, the external situation is monitored and a call is made when an abnormality occurs. However, an abnormality inside the apparatus is detected without detecting an abnormality in the external situation. You may comprise so that it may call with respect to the telephone terminal 7 corresponding to a destination telephone number. Thereby, it can be notified that an abnormality has occurred inside the apparatus.
[0054]
(4) The information acquisition means is not limited to the monitoring camera 3, and for example, the output signal of a sensor or the like (for example, a humidity sensor or a temperature sensor) that cannot obtain image information or the like is sequentially processed by a microcomputer. The contents may be provided to the telephone terminal 7 so as to be provided as weather information in an extremely narrow place.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the registration button is operated, if a call is in progress, it is registered in the registration storage unit as a destination telephone number for which an incoming call is permitted. When a call is received, if it is a destination telephone number that can be received, the incoming call is received by calling the destination telephone number and the call is in progress. When the registration button is operated at this time, it is registered in the registration storage unit as a destination telephone number that permits not only incoming calls but also outgoing calls. Therefore, by making a call to this device and simply operating the registration button, it is possible to register a destination telephone number that is permitted to receive and a destination telephone number that can be called, and register it with a simple operation. Can do. Further, since no response is made to a call from a destination telephone number that is not stored in the registration storage unit, useless charging can be prevented.
[0056]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when a call is made, the registration inquiry means inquires whether the other party telephone number received via the reception means is registered in the registration storage unit, and Based on the result, the registration control means registers the destination telephone number. That is, when the inquiry result is unregistered, it is registered as an incoming call permission, receives an incoming call with the destination telephone number, and provides information from the information acquisition means via the information providing means. On the other hand, if the inquiry result is already registered, it is registered as a callable number after receiving an incoming call. Therefore, by making a call to this apparatus and simply operating the registration button, the destination telephone number for which incoming calls are permitted and the destination telephone number that can be called can be registered, and registration can be performed with a simple operation. Further, since no response is made to a call from a destination telephone number that is not stored in the registration storage unit, useless charging can be prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an information providing apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of destination number registration.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing storage contents of a registration storage unit;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a general flow of destination number registration after a registration button is operated.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a monitoring operation.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information provision apparatus 3 ... Surveillance camera (information acquisition means)
5 ... Telephone line (communication network)
7 ... Telephone terminal 9 ... Communication control unit 11 ... Interface 13 ... Receiving means 15 ... Registration storage unit 17 ... Control means 19 ... Registration inquiry means 21 ... Registration control means 23 ... Registration button 25 ... Information providing means 27 ... Monitoring sensor 29 ... Calling means 31 ... State storage means 33 ... Setting button 35 ... Mode button

Claims (2)

In the information providing device that provides information from the information acquisition means according to the telephone terminal that has made a call via the communication network,
Receiving means for receiving the destination telephone number notified via the communication network for the destination telephone terminal that has made the call;
A registration storage unit in which destination telephone numbers that can be received and destination telephone numbers that can be called are registered;
Information providing means for providing information from the information acquiring means to the telephone terminal corresponding to the destination telephone number stored in the registration storage unit;
When the registration button is operated and the call is being called, the other party's telephone number is registered in the registration storage unit as an incoming call destination telephone number, and when the call is being made, the other party's telephone number is registered. Control means for registering in the registration storage unit as a destination telephone number capable of calling a telephone number;
It is provided with the information provision apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. In the information providing device that provides information from the information acquisition means according to the telephone terminal that has made a call via the communication network,
Receiving means for receiving the destination telephone number notified via the communication network for the destination telephone terminal that has made the call;
A registration storage unit in which destination telephone numbers that can be received and destination telephone numbers that can be called are registered;
Information providing means for providing information from the information acquisition means to the telephone terminal of the other party stored in the registration storage unit;
Registration inquiry means for inquiring whether the destination telephone number received by the reception means exists in the registration storage unit;
When the registration button is operated and the inquiry result of the registration inquiry means is unregistered, the destination telephone number is registered in the registration storage unit as a callable number, and the registration inquiry means If the inquiry result is already registered, a registration control means for registering the destination telephone number as a callable number in the registration storage unit,
It is provided with the information provision apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.

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