JP4153356B2 - Scheduled notification method in monitoring system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a monitoring system in which, for example, a monitoring terminal device installed in a property to be managed such as a building or a condominium, and a server device on the central management center side are connected by a general public line. The present invention relates to a monitoring system that can perform a scheduled report to a server device at a low cost, and can quickly know when there is a problem in communication between the two.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Monitoring terminal devices installed in buildings, condominiums, etc. that receive signal input from various sensors and generate monitoring information such as occurrence of abnormality are widely used. A large number of monitoring terminal devices of this type are connected to the central management center via a general public line to establish a so-called “monitoring system”.
[0003]
Usually, in this type of monitoring system, a scheduled report is sent from the monitoring terminal device to the server device. This scheduled notification is periodically executed to confirm whether or not the communication between the monitoring terminal device and the server device is normally established. Conventionally, a line supplement (terminal device and server device) And the communication information is transmitted / received between the two, and it is determined whether or not such communication can be established. However, in such a method, since a communication fee is charged for each line supplement, an increase in cost is inevitable.
[0004]
Therefore, in recent years, in order to realize this scheduled report at a low cost, a scheduled report based on line disconnection using a caller telephone number notification service has been proposed. Specifically, using a caller number notification service, a call (dial call) is performed from the terminal device to the server device by number notification. At this time, the server device acquires only the telephone number corresponding to the ID of the terminal device without performing line supplementation (off-hook). As a result, it is possible to make a regular report without being charged a communication fee (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-163677
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described prior art, although the cost of scheduled notifications can be reduced, the essential confirmation (whether communication between the monitoring terminal device and the server device is normally established) is not possible. Since it is done by connection, the original purpose of the scheduled report could not be fully achieved. In other words, since the above-mentioned conventional technology does not execute a scheduled notification by line supplementation between the terminal device and the server device, actually adopting the conventional technology, despite the fact that the scheduled notification is normally performed, When the line supplement for monitoring signal transmission such as sensor status information is performed, problems such as frequent occurrence of errors and the like due to noise mixing and line disconnection (communication failure) will be highlighted. For this reason, it has been pointed out that the actual operation is difficult to make.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is that it can perform a scheduled report from the terminal device to the server device at a low cost, and there is a problem in communication between the two. In some cases, it is intended to provide a scheduled notification method in a monitoring system that can promptly know that fact.
[0008]
Other objects and operational effects of the present invention will be easily understood by those skilled in the art by referring to the description of the following specification.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The scheduled notification method in the monitoring system of the present invention for achieving the above object is a monitoring method in which a monitoring terminal device installed in a property to be managed and a server device on the central management center side are connected by a general public line. Assuming the scheduled notification method in the system, the following steps 1 to 3 are provided.
[0010]
(Step 1)
A first scheduled notification step of performing a scheduled report without connection between each other by making a dial call using a caller ID notification service from the terminal device to the server device.
Here, “scheduled notification without mutual connection” means that only a dial call is made from the terminal device to the server device, and there is no line supplement (off-hook on the server device side), and it is called “scheduled notification”. It means that. In this case, it goes without saying that the terminal device on the server device side is specified based on the caller ID.
[0011]
(Step 2)
A connection timing monitoring step for monitoring arrival of a scheduled connection timing between the terminals.
[0012]
(Step 3)
A second scheduled notification step of performing a scheduled report by transmitting and receiving a predetermined information signal by connecting the terminal apparatus and the server apparatus by making a dial call from the terminal apparatus when the interconnection timing arrives.
Here, the major difference between Step 1 and Step 3 is whether or not the terminal device and the server device are connected to each other (whether or not off-hook is performed on the server device side). There are various methods for determining the presence or absence of off-hook on the server device side. In one method, the server device determines whether to go off-hook based on the number of dial calls. More specifically, for example, when one dial call is disconnected, it is regarded as the first scheduled call, and when two or more dial calls are made, the second scheduled report or other information is transmitted. Are considered off-the-shelf and are connected off-hook. In another method, when the caller ID is notified, it is regarded as the first scheduled report, and when the caller number is not notified, the second scheduled report or other information transmission is performed. Are considered off-the-shelf and are connected off-hook.
[0013]
According to such a scheduled notification method in the monitoring system of the present invention, no charge is made at the time of the first scheduled notification, so the communication cost for the scheduled notification is greatly reduced while using a general public line (low cost) ). On the other hand, since a scheduled report (second scheduled report) in which the terminal device and the server device are connected to each other is executed in a certain cycle, a communication error or the like due to noise mixing or line disconnection (communication failure) occurs. If so, you can quickly know that.
[0014]
In the scheduled notification method in the monitoring system of the present invention, preferably, the inter-connection timing comes once every time a fixed-time notification of mutual non-connection is performed a predetermined number of times.
[0015]
That is, in the above-described scheduled notification method in the monitoring system of the present invention, the second scheduled report (interconnection) may be executed with the arrival of the specified time, or is executed at the specified period. However, if such a second scheduled notification is made once every time a predetermined number of consecutive non-connection notifications are made as described above, the time zone is specified. It is possible to find communication errors and the like relatively randomly without any problems.
[0016]
The above-mentioned scheduled notification method can be realized by the monitoring system of the present invention. The monitoring system of the present invention is premised on a monitoring system in which a monitoring terminal device installed in a property to be managed and a server device on the central management center side are connected by a general public line. Then, the monitoring terminal device (1) performs a scheduled notification without connection between each other by making a predetermined number of dial calls using the caller ID notification service to the server device. A notification means; (2) a connection timing monitoring means for monitoring the arrival of a scheduled interconnection timing; and (3) a predetermined information signal that is interconnected with a server device upon arrival of the interconnection timing. Second scheduled notification means for performing scheduled notification by transmission and reception is provided.
[0017]
Here, “scheduled notification without mutual connection” is the same as that described above for the scheduled notification method in the monitoring system. In addition, the “large difference” between the first scheduled notification executed by the first scheduled notification means and the second scheduled notification executed by the second scheduled notification means is the same as described above. It is.
[0018]
According to the monitoring system of the present invention, no charge is made at the time of the first scheduled notification by the first scheduled notification means, so that the communication cost for the scheduled notification is greatly reduced while using a general public line (low cost). ). On the other hand, the second scheduled notification means executes a scheduled report (second scheduled report) in which the terminal device and the server device are connected with each other at a certain cycle, so that noise mixing and line disconnection (communication failure) are performed. If a communication error or the like due to the error occurs, it is possible to quickly know that fact.
[0019]
In the monitoring system of the present invention, it is preferable that the connection timing monitoring unit includes a unit that counts the number of continuous executions of the scheduled report by the first scheduled report unit, and the number of counted times exceeds a specified number of times. Timing arrival presence / absence determination means for determining that the connection timing has arrived.
[0020]
According to such an aspect, since the second scheduled notification by the second scheduled reporting means can be performed once every time the regular notification of mutual non-connection is performed a prescribed number of times, Communication errors and the like can be found relatively randomly without being specified.
[0021]
In the monitoring system of the present invention, it is preferable that the server device has a scheduled notification presence / absence monitoring means for monitoring whether or not there is a scheduled report at each scheduled time for each terminal device, and a scheduled report at the scheduled time. When there is no alarm, an alarm generation means for generating a predetermined alarm is provided.
[0022]
Here, “scheduled time” is stored in advance, but can be appropriately changed. Also, although “time” is given, a deviation allowance of several minutes or hours may be provided before and after. In short, a predetermined alarm may be generated when there is no scheduled report from the scheduled terminal device when scheduled. According to such an aspect, it is possible to quickly know that there is no scheduled notification through the “predetermined alarm”, and therefore it is possible to take appropriate countermeasures promptly.
[0023]
In the case where a deviation allowance of several minutes or several hours is provided before and after the “scheduled time”, the periodic notification presence / absence monitoring means includes, for example, the following means (1) and (2): Composed.
(1) Means for storing the time at which a scheduled report is received for each terminal device (2) In addition to detection determination means for determining whether or not the stored scheduled report time is within a scheduled time range, Accordingly, the alarm generation unit is configured to generate an alarm when the detection determination unit determines that the stored scheduled notification time is not within the scheduled time range.
[0024]
As described above, according to the scheduled notification method or the monitoring system in the monitoring system of the present invention, the scheduled report from the terminal device to the server device can be performed at low cost, and there is a problem in communication between the two. It becomes possible to know that quickly.
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and needless to say, the gist of the present invention is defined only by the claims.
[0026]
The overall configuration of the monitoring system of the present invention is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, this monitoring system is a server in which a plurality of monitoring terminal devices 11-1 n installed in a property to be managed such as a building or a condominium are provided in a central management center via a general public line 3. Connected to the device 2. In this example, as shown in the figure, the server device 2 is connected to a monitor device (personal computer) 2a for inputting and outputting information.
[0027]
Details of the circuit configuration of the monitoring terminal device 1 are shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, a monitoring terminal device 1 includes an analog modem 101 connected to a general public line 3 and a terminal block 102 having a plurality of terminals 1021 to 102n to which various sensors 1031 to 103n are connected. And an information processing unit 100 interposed between the terminal block 102 and the analog modem 101. The term “sensor” as used herein refers to all devices that detect physical quantities such as sound, light, temperature, and pressure and convert them into signals. For example, photoelectric sensors, thermal sensors, gas detectors,・ Various devices that correspond to events to be monitored, such as an off switch, can be used.
[0028]
The information processing unit 100 is configured mainly with a CPU, generates a monitoring information signal based on a sensor status signal input from the terminal block 103, and sends the generated monitoring information signal to the server device 2 via the analog modem 101. And send as appropriate. In addition, the information processing unit 100 periodically issues a regular notification to the server device 2 that is a main part of the present invention (in this example, every specified time).
[0029]
The content of the communication process executed by the monitoring terminal device 1 is shown by the flowchart in FIG.
[0030]
As shown in the flowchart, the monitoring terminal device 1 is in a standby state (step 302) until the communication timing with the server device 2 comes (NO in step 301).
[0031]
In the present embodiment, when a monitoring information signal is generated (NO in step 303), a plurality of dial calls are made from the terminal device 1 to the server device 2. The server device 2 performs off-hook (line supplement) on the condition of the multiple dial calls, whereby the terminal device 1 and the server device 2 are connected via the general public line 3, and then the monitoring information signal Transmission / reception is performed (step 304). Since the handling of the monitoring information signal transmission / reception is not directly related to the main part of the invention, detailed description thereof is omitted here.
[0032]
On the other hand, when the scheduled notification time arrives (YES at step 303), the predetermined number of times “n” is read (step 305) and the counter value “m” is incremented by “1” (m = m + 1). (Step 306). Next, the presence / absence of line connection is determined based on the counter value “m”. That is, in this example, when the counter value “m” is less than the specified number of times “n” (step 307 NO), a scheduled notification is made due to line disconnection. Specifically, the terminal device 1 makes a one-time dial call (so-called “one-off”) using the caller ID notification service to the server device 2 (step 308). As a result, the server device 2 is notified of the caller number corresponding to the terminal ID, and the terminal device that is the caller is specified based on this number. The scheduled notification of line disconnection for is once completed.
[0033]
On the other hand, when the counter value “m” reaches the specified number of times “n” (step 307 YES), a regular notification is made by line connection. Specifically, a plurality of dial calls are made from the terminal device 1 to the server device 2. The server device 2 performs off-hook (line supplement) on the condition of the multiple dial calls, whereby the terminal device 1 and the server device 2 are connected via the general public line 3. Next, a scheduled notification is made by transmitting and receiving information signals (step 309).
[0034]
In step 309, the contents of the information signal transmitted from the terminal device 1 to the server device 2 are shown in FIG. As is clear from the figure, the information signal transmitted at this time includes an ID (terminal ID, other detailed identification number) for specifying the terminal device and a signal type (signal number). . Here, the “signal number” indicates the type of the information signal, and in step 309, a number “05” indicating that it is a scheduled notification is given. Other signal numbers will be described later (see FIG. 7B).
[0035]
As described above, when the scheduled notification by the line connection from the terminal device 1 to the server device 2 is executed, the counter value “m” is then reset (step 310), and the process is temporarily ended.
[0036]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the scheduled notification by the mutual connection is executed once every time the regular notification of the mutual non-connection is performed a predetermined number of times (n-1 times).
[0037]
The contents of the communication process executed by the server device 2 are shown in the flowchart of FIG.
[0038]
The server device 2 is set so that off-hook (line supplement) is performed only after receiving a plurality of dial calls. When the dial call is disconnected once (step 401 YES), first, the terminal device that has made the dial call is specified based on the caller number acquired through the caller ID notification service (step 402). In specifying the terminal device, the terminal device master is referred to. The contents of the terminal device master are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5A, the terminal device master includes a terminal ID and a telephone number assigned to each terminal device, a building name to which the terminal device is attached, and a contact information at the time of occurrence of an abnormality ( (Notification destination), notification method, and other registered items are stored.
[0039]
Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 4, when the terminal device 1 that is a one-way caller is specified (step 402), the counter value “L” associated with the terminal device is then incremented by “1”. (Step 403). As will be clear from the following description, this counter (L) is stored in the terminal device 1 when “one-off” is executed when the scheduled notification by the terminal device 1 is to be performed by the line connection described above. It is provided to generate an alarm on the assumption that an abnormality has occurred.
[0040]
Here, when the counter value “L” is less than the specified number of times “n” (step 404 NO), it is considered that the scheduled notification has been normally executed, and the time (T1) at which the dial call is received is the terminal ID. At the same time, it is written in a predetermined data table (see FIG. 8) (step 405). This time T1 is used in the periodic notification presence / absence confirmation process described later (see the flowchart in FIG. 5). On the other hand, when the counter value “L” has reached the specified number of times “n” (step 404 YES), “one-off” is executed when the scheduled notification should be performed by the line connection described above. An alarm is generated assuming that an abnormality has occurred in the terminal device 1 (step 406). The alarm at this time is executed by voice or character display by the monitor device 2a.
[0041]
On the other hand, when the server apparatus 2 receives a plurality of dial calls (NO in step 401), the server apparatus 2 performs off-hook (line supplement) and transmits / receives an information signal to / from the terminal apparatus 1 (step 407). Next, based on the signal number (see FIG. 6) in the information signal at this time, it is determined whether the information signal transmission / reception is for a scheduled notification. For this determination, the information signal master is referred to. The contents of the information signal master are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5B, the information signal master stores a signal name for each signal number, a signal classification (attribute), and whether or not an alarm has been generated.
[0042]
Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 4, if the signal number is other than the number “05” indicating the scheduled notification in step 408 (NO in step 408), it is regarded as the transmission / reception of the monitoring information signal and the predetermined processing is performed (step 409). The handling of the monitoring information signal in the server device 2 is not directly related to the main part of the present invention, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here.
[0043]
On the other hand, when the signal number is the number “05” indicating the scheduled notification (when it is the scheduled notification due to line connection) (YES in step 408), the terminal device is specified based on the terminal ID included in the information signal. Next, the counter value “L” associated with the terminal device is incremented by “1” (step 403). As will be apparent from the following description, this counter (L) is used when a call (line connection) is executed a plurality of times when the scheduled notification by the terminal device 1 is to be performed by the above-mentioned line disconnection. The terminal device 1 is provided for generating an alarm on the assumption that an abnormality has occurred.
[0044]
Here, when the counter value “L” is less than the specified number of times “n” (NO in step 411), the line connection is executed when the scheduled notification should be performed by the above-described line disconnection. An alarm is generated assuming that an abnormality has occurred in the terminal device 1 (step 414). The alarm at this time is executed by voice or character display by the monitor device 2a.
[0045]
On the other hand, if the counter value “L” has reached the specified number of times “n” (YES in step 411), it is considered that the scheduled notification has been executed normally, and the time (T1) at which the dial call is received is the terminal ID. Is written in a predetermined data table (see FIG. 8) (step 412). Thereafter, the counter value “L” is reset (step 413), and the process is temporarily terminated.
[0046]
Next, the contents of the periodic notification presence / absence confirmation process executed in the server device 2 are shown in the flowchart of FIG.
[0047]
Based on the incoming time monitoring data table shown in FIG. 8, the server device 2 constantly monitors whether or not each terminal device 1 is notified at a predetermined time (step 501). In the incoming time monitoring data table, as shown in FIG. 8, the latest incoming time (T1) and scheduled incoming time (T2) for every terminal device (terminal ID) to be monitored are written. ing.
[0048]
The server device 2 periodically reads the scheduled incoming time (T2) and the actual incoming time (T1) written in the incoming monitoring data table (step 503), and compares them (step 504). . Specifically, in this example, it is determined whether or not the incoming time (T1) is within a range of 10 minutes before and after the expected incoming time (T2) (T2−10 min ≦ T1 ≦ T2 + 10 min?) (Step) 504).
[0049]
Here, when the incoming time (T1) is not within the range of 10 minutes before and after the expected incoming time (T2) (NO in step 504), it is considered that the scheduled notification is not made at the scheduled time, and a predetermined alarm is issued. Is generated (step 505). The alarm at this time is executed by voice or character display by the monitor device 2a.
[0050]
On the other hand, when the incoming time (T1) is within the range of 10 minutes before and after the scheduled incoming time (T2) (step 505 YES), the scheduled incoming time (T2) is determined as a scheduled notification at the scheduled time. Is calculated and the time data is newly written in the incoming call monitoring data table (step 506). The next scheduled incoming time (T2) at this time is the latest incoming time (T1) plus one hour. In other words, in this example, the terminal device 1 makes a regular notification to the server device 2 every hour.
[0051]
As is apparent from the above description, the monitoring system of the present embodiment is formed by connecting a monitoring terminal device 1 installed in a managed property and a server device 2 on the central management center side via a general public line 3. In the monitoring system, the monitoring terminal device 1 performs (1) a scheduled call without connection between each other by making a predetermined number of dial calls to the server device using the caller ID notification service. And (2) a connection timing monitoring means for monitoring the arrival of the scheduled interconnection timing, and (3) the server device is connected to the server apparatus upon arrival of the interconnection timing. And a second scheduled notification means for executing a scheduled report by transmitting and receiving a predetermined information signal.
[0052]
In addition, the connection timing monitoring means is configured to count the number of continuous executions of the scheduled notification by the first scheduled notification means, and to determine that the connection timing has arrived when the counted number exceeds the specified number. A timing arrival presence / absence determination means.
[0053]
Further, the server device includes (1) a periodic notification presence / absence monitoring means for monitoring whether or not there is a scheduled report at each scheduled time for each terminal device, and (2) when there is no scheduled report at the scheduled time, Alarm generation means for generating a predetermined alarm is provided.
[0054]
In addition, the periodic notification presence / absence monitoring means determines a means for storing a time at which a scheduled notification is received for each terminal device, and whether the stored scheduled notification time is within a scheduled time range. Detecting determination means, so that the alarm generation means generates an alarm when the detection determination means determines that the stored scheduled notification time is not within a scheduled time range. .
[0055]
According to the monitoring system of the present invention having such a configuration, no charge is made at the time of the first scheduled notification by the first scheduled notification means. Therefore, while using a general public line, the communication cost for the scheduled notification is used. Can be significantly reduced (cost reduction). On the other hand, the second scheduled notification means executes a scheduled report (second scheduled report) in which the terminal device and the server device are connected with each other at a certain cycle, so that noise mixing and line disconnection (communication failure) are performed. If a communication error or the like due to the error occurs, it is possible to quickly know that fact.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform a scheduled report from the terminal device to the server device at a low cost, and when there is a trouble in communication between the two, promptly that effect. Provided is a monitoring system capable of knowing and a scheduled notification method in the monitoring system.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a monitoring system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a monitoring terminal device according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of communication processing executed by the monitoring terminal device.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of communication processing executed by the server device.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of a scheduled notification presence / absence confirmation process executed by the server device.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the contents of an information signal generated by a monitoring terminal device.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the contents of various masters stored on the server device side;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the contents of an incoming time management data table.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Terminal device for monitoring 2 Server device 2a Monitor device (PC)
3 General Public Line 100 Information Processing Unit 101 Analog Modem 102 Terminal Block 103 Various Sensors

Claims (8)

A scheduled notification method in a monitoring system in which a monitoring terminal device installed in a managed property and a server device on the central management center side are connected by a general public line,
A first scheduled notification step of performing a scheduled report without connection between each other by making a dial call using a caller ID notification service from the terminal device to the server device;
In the terminal device, a connection timing monitoring step for monitoring the arrival of the scheduled interconnection timing;
A second scheduled notification step of performing a scheduled report by transmitting and receiving a predetermined information signal by connecting the terminal device and the server device by making a dial call from the terminal device upon arrival of the interconnection timing;
A scheduled notification method in a monitoring system comprising: 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mutual connection timing comes once every time a regular notification of mutual non-connection is made a predetermined number of times. A monitoring system in which a monitoring terminal device installed in a property to be managed and a server device on the central management center side are connected by a general public line,
In the monitoring terminal device,
A first scheduled notification means for performing a scheduled report without connection between each other by performing a predetermined number of dial calls using a caller ID notification service to the server device;
A connection timing monitoring means for monitoring the arrival of the scheduled interconnection timing;
A second scheduled notification means for performing a scheduled report by transmitting and receiving a predetermined information signal by mutual connection with server devices upon arrival of the interconnection timing;
A monitoring system characterized by that. The connection timing monitoring means includes
Means for counting the number of continuous executions of the scheduled report by the first scheduled report means;
Timing arrival presence / absence determining means for determining that the interconnection timing has arrived because the counted number exceeds the specified number of times,
The monitoring system according to claim 3, further comprising: The server device
Means for monitoring whether or not there is a scheduled notification at a scheduled time for each terminal device; and
When there is no scheduled notification at the scheduled time, alarm generation means for generating a predetermined alarm;
The monitoring system according to claim 3, wherein the monitoring system is provided. The periodic notification presence / absence monitoring means includes:
Means for storing the time at which a scheduled report is received for each terminal device;
Detection determination means for determining whether or not the stored scheduled notification time is within a scheduled time range, and
Accordingly, the alarm generation unit generates an alarm when the detection determination unit determines that the stored scheduled notification time is not within a scheduled time range. Monitoring system. A monitoring terminal device used in the monitoring system according to claim 3. The server apparatus used for the monitoring system in any one of Claims 3 thru | or 6.

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