JP4917736B2 - Monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a monitoring system which is a monitoring system for a transmission line or the like, capable of reducing cost by miniaturizing greatly a data collection terminal device without damaging a function of the data collection terminal device. <P>SOLUTION: First of all, outputs or alarms from various sensors 31a, 31b, 31, ..., 31e are enciphered by a control circuit 43 of a monitoring circuit 49, to thereby generate transmission data. The control circuit 43 transmits a connection command for a central management device 35 to a control circuit 44a of a cellphone 44 through a transmission circuit 44b. When confirming connection finish, the control circuit 43 of the monitoring circuit 49 transmits the enciphered transmission data to the central management device 35 through the transmission circuit 44b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&amp;NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a monitoring system for monitoring the movable state and abnormality of various facilities such as power transmission lines and radio relay stations.

As a power transmission line monitoring system, a system that remotely monitors various data such as temperature at a target location of a power transmission line is known (Patent Document 1). In such a monitoring system, data collection terminal devices including current sensors are provided at a plurality of locations on the transmission and distribution lines, and the data collection terminal devices are connected by a wired transmission line or the like to sequentially collect data. Are collected at the central unit. Note that the above Patent Document 1 also suggests the possibility of using a wireless transmission path such as a mobile phone instead of a wired transmission path as means for connecting the data collection terminal devices.
JP 2002-164431 A

  The data collection terminal device as described above has not been sufficiently reduced in size and cost at present, although further reduction in size and cost are desired. For example, even when data from a data collection terminal device is transmitted to a central device or the like by a mobile phone, the mobile phone is merely used as a so-called modem for communication, and the data collection terminal device can be reduced in size and cost. It does not necessarily lead to conversion.

  Therefore, the present invention is a monitoring system for a power transmission line or the like, and is a monitoring system capable of dramatically reducing the size and cost of such a data collection terminal device without impairing the function of the data collection terminal device. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above problems, a monitoring system according to the present invention includes (a) at least one sensor that detects a state of a predetermined facility to be monitored, and (b) a predetermined value corresponding to a detection result of the at least one sensor. A monitoring circuit that generates a status signal relating to the state of the equipment; and (c) a portable telephone having a communication control circuit that enables communication via a telephone line and an accessory device including a user interface unit. . Here, the communication control circuit provided in the portable telephone is connected to the monitoring circuit, so that a data signal corresponding to the status signal is transmitted via the telephone line in accordance with an instruction from the monitoring circuit. In addition to being transmitted to the contact address, the auxiliary device is caused to perform a predetermined operation related to the monitoring function in cooperation with the monitoring circuit under the control of the monitoring circuit.

  In the monitoring system, the communication control circuit not only transmits a data signal corresponding to the status signal to a predetermined contact in response to an instruction from the monitoring circuit, but also cooperates with the monitoring circuit under the control of the monitoring circuit. Since a predetermined operation related to the monitoring function is performed by the attached device, ancillary functions of the mobile phone such as a user interface unit can be effectively used. In other words, the data collection terminal device composed of a monitoring circuit or the like arranged relatively close to a predetermined facility to be monitored in the monitoring system can be dramatically reduced in size, resulting in lower costs and Low power consumption can be achieved.

  In a specific aspect of the present invention, the portable telephone has a display that displays data in accordance with an instruction from the monitoring circuit as an accessory device. In this case, when checking the data collection terminal device for the purpose of maintenance, repair, etc., it is possible to visually check the operation state of the sensor, the monitoring circuit, etc., and to ensure the operability of the data collection terminal device. it can. For example, if a status signal corresponding to the output of the sensor is displayed on the display, the status of the monitoring target and the operating status of the sensor can be confirmed.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the portable telephone further includes an input key for inputting a user instruction as an accessory device, and the communication control circuit monitors a command signal corresponding to the operation of the input key. Output to the circuit. In this case, when checking the data collection terminal device for the purpose of maintenance, repair, etc., the instruction from the user can be sent to the monitoring circuit via the input key of the portable telephone, and the necessary data can be easily transmitted from the monitoring circuit. The operation mode of the monitoring circuit can be easily changed.

  In another aspect of the present invention, a portable telephone further includes, as an accessory device, a small camera that captures the state of a predetermined facility, and an image acquisition circuit that operates the small camera and captures image data. In this case, an image of a predetermined facility to be monitored can be captured using the attached small camera. Such a monitoring image is transmitted to the central device in response to a request from the central device that remotely manages a data collection terminal device including, for example, a monitoring circuit.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the communication control circuit operates the small camera based on an instruction signal from the monitoring circuit to cause the image acquisition circuit to capture the image data, and the image data is stored in a predetermined contact address. Send to. In this case, the image data to be monitored captured by the image acquisition circuit can be transmitted to the central device in response to a request from the central device that remotely manages a data collection terminal device including a monitoring circuit, for example.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the monitoring circuit generates an alarm signal corresponding to an abnormality of a predetermined facility as a status signal based on the detection result of the sensor, and the communication control circuit sends the alarm signal to a predetermined contact address. Send. In this case, it is possible to exhibit an alarm function that automatically transmits an abnormality of a predetermined facility to be monitored.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the communication control circuit extracts a command signal for the monitoring circuit from a signal transmitted from the outside to the portable telephone and transfers the command signal to the monitoring circuit. In this case, it is possible to remotely manage the data collection terminal device composed of a monitoring circuit or the like according to the command signal from the central device.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the monitoring circuit decrypts the encrypted command signal transferred from the communication control circuit and encrypts the status signal and outputs it to the communication control circuit. In this case, it is possible to prevent an outsider from interfering with the operation of the data collection terminal device composed of a monitoring circuit and the like, and to eavesdrop on and intercept the operation state, thereby enhancing the security of the monitoring system.

  In another aspect of the present invention, a central device is further provided that communicates with a portable telephone as a predetermined contact and manages the operation of the portable telephone and the monitoring circuit. In this case, a data collection terminal device including a monitoring circuit, a mobile phone, etc. can be remotely managed by the central device. In particular, if a large number of data collection terminal devices each having a monitoring circuit, a mobile phone, and the like are arranged at appropriate positions, these can be centrally managed by the central device.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for specifically explaining the overall configuration of the monitoring system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The monitoring system 10 is for monitoring the operating state of a transmission / distribution line 21 installed on the tower 20, and includes a plurality of sensors 31a to 31e attached to the transmission / distribution line 21 to detect various types of information. Central management as a central device that controls the operation of the sensors 31a to 31e and transmits information between the data collection terminal device 33 and the data collection terminal device 33 that wirelessly transmits the detection results of the sensors 31a to 31e. Device 35. In the figure, only a single data collection terminal device 33 is shown, but a large number of data collection terminal devices (not shown) respectively provided on a number of different steel towers are collectively displayed by the central management device 35 of FIG. Needless to say, it can be managed.

  The sensors 31a to 31e detect various information necessary for managing the state of the power transmission and distribution line 21. In this case, for example, the pair of sensors 31 a and 31 b are each composed of a current transformer (CT), and detect an induced current at the time of failure flowing through the power transmission line overhead ground wire 21 a installed on the tower 20. Here, one sensor 31a is attached to one side portion of the transmission line overhead ground wire 21a across the steel tower 20, and the other sensor 31b is the other side of the power transmission line overhead ground wire 21a across the steel tower 20. Attached to the part. The sensors 31c to 31e are temperature-sensitive elements whose characteristics change according to the temperature. The sensors 31c to 31e are attached so as to be in contact with the three power transmission line main lines 21b installed on the tower 20, and individually detect the temperature changes. In addition, although omitted in the drawings, the sensors attached to the transmission / distribution line 21 include various voltage sensors that detect the voltage of each transmission line main line 21b in a non-contact manner according to the purpose of maintenance or the like. Various sensors can be appropriately connected to the data collection terminal device 33.

  The central management device 35 includes, for example, a portable computer 53a, and remotely controls the operation of the data collection terminal device 33 by wireless communication using a telephone line. The computer 35a is a general personal computer that includes a CPU, a memory, a display, and the like, and is operated by a dedicated application program. For example, by connecting a commercially available mobile phone 35b, a target mobile phone (for example, a data collection terminal) Data can be transmitted and received by connecting to a portable telephone mounted in the device 33.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram mainly illustrating the circuit structure of the data collection terminal device 33. The data collection terminal device 33 is housed in a container 41 that is waterproofed, and the interface unit 42 connected to each of the sensors 31a to 31e, and the state of the transmission and distribution line 21 according to the output of the interface unit 42. A control circuit 43 for generating a status signal relating to the mobile phone 44 connected to the control circuit 43 and operating in cooperation with the control circuit 43, an output signal of the interface unit 42, and an output signal of the mobile phone 44 An activation unit 45 that operates, and a battery 46 and a power supply device 47 that supply power to the activation unit 45 are provided.

  The interface unit 42 converts detection signals from the sensor 31a which is a current transformer (CT) and other sensors 31b to 31e (see FIG. 1) into signals (detection waveforms) suitable for signal processing in the control circuit 43, Alternatively, an appropriate driving power is supplied so that any one of the sensors 31a to 31e operates appropriately.

  The control circuit 43 incorporates a microcomputer chip composed of a CPU, a memory, etc., and a program for properly operating the data collection terminal device 33 as a monitoring device is written therein. More specifically, the control circuit 43 determines whether or not a failure has occurred in the transmission line main line 21b based on a detected waveform from the pair of sensors 31a and 31b via the interface unit 42, and determines that a failure has occurred. In this case, the failure direction is evaluated based on the output difference between the sensors 31a and 31b. Further, the control circuit 43 detects an abnormal temperature rise in the transmission line main line 21b based on detection signal values from the three sensors 31c to 31e through the interface unit 42. In addition, the control circuit 43 communicates with the portable telephone 44 at an appropriate timing, transmits necessary information to the external central management device 35 via the portable telephone 44, and passes through the portable telephone 44. Information from the central management device 35 is received. Further, the control circuit 43 operates a user interface unit such as a display of the mobile phone 44 as a part of the monitoring system so as to realize a monitoring device function in cooperation with the mobile phone 44.

  The starting unit 45 operates when the outputs of the current transformer sensors 31b to 31e and the temperature sensing element sensors 31c to 31e exceed a predetermined threshold value, and is a control circuit 43 that has been suspended (normally) until then. And power from the power supply device 47 is supplied thereto. The activation unit 45 also operates in response to an incoming call to the mobile phone 44, etc., and activates the control circuit 43 that has been suspended (normally) to supply power from the power supply device 47. When the control circuit 43 completes necessary processing after activation, a control signal is output from the control circuit 43 to the activation unit 45, and power supply from the activation unit 45 is stopped. That is, the power supply to the control circuit 43 is stopped, and the data collection terminal device 33 is in a normal state.

  The portable telephone 44 uses a commercially available one, and can communicate with the control circuit 43 using a data terminal, and is integrated with the control circuit 43 under the control of the control circuit 43. Works. Note that a simple program is installed in advance in the portable telephone 44 via an appropriate external computer or the like, and monitoring is performed based on a function for communicating with the control circuit 43 and a command from the control circuit 43. It has user interface functions such as displaying results. As will be described later, the portable phone 44 has a built-in small camera so that an image around the data collection terminal device 33 can be taken in through a window 41a provided at an appropriate position of the container 41. This image is transmitted to the central management device 35 based on a command from the control circuit 43.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the circuit configuration of the main part of the data collection terminal device 33 in more detail. The interface unit 42 provided in the data collection terminal device 33 includes detection circuits 42a, 42b, 42c, ... connected to the sensors 31a, 31b, 31c, ..., and signals from the sensors 31a, 31b, 31c, ... Are supplied to the control circuit 43 in a state where they can be processed individually. Among these, the interface unit 42 and the control circuit 43 function as a monitoring circuit 49 that generates a state signal related to the state of the transmission and distribution line 21 in accordance with the detection results of the sensors 31a to 31e. As for the outputs of the detection circuits 42a, 42b, 42c,..., If any of them exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control circuit 43 is activated by the activation unit 45, and an abnormality occurs in the control circuit 43. The output of each sensor 31a, 31b, 31c,... Is analyzed and an alarm is transmitted to the outside via the portable telephone 44 if necessary. For example, when either of the sensors 31a and 31b exceeds a predetermined threshold value and the control circuit 43 is activated, the control circuit 43 stores the current waveforms from the detection circuits 42a and 42b corresponding to both the sensors 31a and 31b. The current value is calculated from the current waveform. If this current value exceeds the upper limit current value, it is determined that the power transmission line has failed. When the control circuit 43 determines that a power transmission line failure has occurred, the control circuit 43 compares the waveforms of both detection circuits 42a and 42b to determine the failure direction. As described above, when it is determined that the power transmission line has failed, the control circuit 43 transmits an alarm signal notifying the abnormality to the central management device 35 (see FIG. 1) via the portable telephone 44. This alarm signal includes an ID for identifying the data collection terminal device 33, information on the detected abnormality (for example, information on the type of abnormality such as a failure direction), and the like. If the current value does not exceed the upper limit current value, the control circuit 43 stores the current waveform in the memory while updating the current waveform during the period when the control circuit 43 is activated by the activation unit 45 and continues monitoring. .

  The portable telephone 44 includes a control circuit 44a, a transmission circuit 44b, and an antenna 44c in order to enable communication with the telephone line network. Among these, the transmission circuit 44 b includes an input / output digital terminal and can perform data communication with the control circuit 43 provided in the monitoring circuit 49. Thereby, the control circuit 44a on the portable telephone 44 side can be monitored and controlled from the control circuit 43 on the monitoring circuit 49 side. The control circuit 44a and the transmission circuit 44b constitute a communication control circuit.

  The mobile phone 44 includes an input key 44e, a display 44f, and a small camera 44g as a user interface unit. The display 44f operates by being driven by the display circuit 44i, and the display circuit 44i operates in response to a control signal or a data signal from the control circuit 44a. The small camera 44g is driven to operate by the image acquisition circuit 44j, and the image acquisition circuit 44j operates according to the control signal from the control circuit 44a to output the image signal to the control circuit 44a at an appropriate timing. .

  Here, the input key 44e functions as an input device for inputting an instruction of a user who operates the data collection terminal device 33 for maintenance, and generates a command signal in cooperation with the control circuit 44a. This command signal is reflected in the operation of the control circuit 44a, and further transferred as a command signal to the control circuit 43 of the monitoring circuit 49 via the transmission circuit 44b. Thereby, the user who operates the data collection terminal device 33 for the purpose of maintenance, repair or the like can set the operation mode of the monitoring circuit 49 or take out necessary data from the monitoring circuit 49 via the input key 44e. Therefore, the input device of the monitoring circuit 49 itself becomes unnecessary, and the data collection terminal device 33 can be easily reduced in size and cost.

  The display 44f functions as a display device for presenting internal information to a user who operates the data collection terminal device 33 for maintenance. As a result, a user who operates the data collection terminal device 33 for the purpose of maintenance, repair, etc. can receive a message from the control circuit 43 of the monitoring circuit 49 via the control circuit 44a and further the transmission circuit 44b. In other words, the user can perform indirect but interactive information input to and from the control circuit 43 of the monitoring circuit 49, and can read out necessary data from the monitoring circuit 49. Various data can be sent to the monitoring circuit 49. Specifically, for example, a status signal corresponding to the output of each sensor 31a, 31b, 31c,... Can be displayed on the display 44f with an appropriate index.

  The small camera 44g causes the data collection terminal device 33 to function as a monitoring camera. As a result, the small camera 44g can be photographed in response to a remote instruction signal from the control circuit 43 of the monitoring circuit 49 or from the central management device 35, and image data photographed by the small camera 44g is taken as an image acquisition circuit. 44j can be stored while being updated. The image data stored in the image acquisition circuit 44j is appropriately read according to an instruction signal from the control circuit 43 of the monitoring circuit 49 or from the central management device 35, and transmitted to the central management device 35 via the transmission circuit 44b. Is done.

  Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the monitoring system 10 of the first embodiment will be described. The control circuit 43 of the monitoring circuit 49 sends a command signal to the control circuit 43 of the mobile phone 44 via the transmission circuit 44c. In the control circuit 43 of the portable telephone 44, the small camera 44g is operated to capture an image and send the image data to the control circuit 43 of the monitoring circuit 49. In the control circuit 43 of the monitoring circuit 49, the image file is encrypted together with other data to be transmitted data. Thereafter, the control circuit 43 of the monitoring circuit 49 sends a connection command for the central management device 35 to the control circuit 44a of the portable telephone 44 via the transmission circuit 44c. When confirming the completion of the connection, the control circuit 43 of the monitoring circuit 49 sends out the encrypted transmission data to the central management device 35 via the transmission circuit 44c of the mobile phone 44.

  Further, the outputs and alarms from the various sensors 31a, 31b, 31c,... Are first encrypted by the control circuit 43 of the monitoring circuit 49 to be transmitted data. The control circuit 43 sends a connection command for the central management device 35 to the control circuit 44a of the mobile phone 44 via the transmission circuit 44b. When the control circuit 43 of the monitoring circuit 49 confirms the completion of the connection, it sends the encrypted transmission data to the central management device 35 via the transmission circuit 44b. The command signal transmitted from the central management device 35 via the mobile phone 35b is also encrypted, and such command signal is transferred to the control circuit 43 of the monitoring circuit 49 via the transmission circuit 44b. The control circuit 43 combines the encrypted command signal and outputs an instruction signal corresponding to the command content to the control circuit 44 a of the mobile phone 44.

  Note that image data can be captured by the following processing. The control circuit 43 of the monitoring circuit 49 sends an instruction signal to the control circuit 44a of the mobile phone 44 via the transmission circuit 44b. In this control circuit 44a, the small camera 44g is operated to capture an image, and the image data is temporarily stored in the image acquisition circuit 44j. Thereafter, the control circuit 44a of the portable telephone 44 waits for an instruction from the control circuit 43 of the monitoring circuit 49, connects to the central management device 35, and temporarily stores the image data as an electronic file to the central management device 35. Forward.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a diagram for specifically explaining the overall configuration of the monitoring system according to the second embodiment. The monitoring system 110 is a system owned by a business operator that maintains and manages the broadcasting facility 100.

  The broadcasting facility 100 includes a basic broadcasting station 101, a large relay station 102, and a large number of small relay stations 103 (1) to 103 (n). The broadcast station 101 outputs a broadcast signal from the transmission device 101a from the parabolic antenna 101b. Here, the large relay station 102 includes a relay facility 102a, receives a radio wave from the broadcasting station 101 by the parabolic antenna 102b, and receives the relayed radio wave via the parabolic antenna 102b, the small relay stations 103 (1) to 103 (n). ). Each of the small relay stations 103 (1) to 103 (n) includes a reception unit including the reception antenna 103a and the reception facility 103b, and a transmission unit including the transmission antenna 103c and the transmission facility 103d. These small relay stations 103 (1) to 103 (n) receive broadcast signals transmitted from the large relay station 102 and broadcast signals relayed via other small relay stations 103 (k) by the receiving antenna 103a. It receives, sends from the receiving equipment 103b to the transmitting equipment 103d, and finally outputs a broadcast signal from the transmitting antenna 103c.

  On the other hand, the monitoring system 110 includes a monitoring device 130 (incorporated in a transmission / reception facility of the WEB server system 111, the WEB browser systems 112 (1) to 112 (n), and the relay stations 102, 103 (1) to 103 (n). 0), 130a (1) to 130a (n), 130b (1) to 130b (n). Here, the monitoring device 130 (0) provided in the large relay station 102 includes a data collection terminal device 81 including a monitoring circuit and a sensor, and can be connected to the Internet IN via the router 82. Further, the monitoring devices 130a (1) to 130a (n) and 130b (1) to 130b (n) provided in the small relay stations 103 (1) to 103 (n) are connected to the data collection terminal device 33 shown in FIG. And a terminal main body 149 including a monitoring circuit and a sensor, and a portable telephone 44 that enables transmission and reception with the outside. In addition, each monitoring apparatus 130a (1) -130a (n), 130b (1) -130b (n) is the heat generation of the transmission / reception equipment of relay station 103 (1) -103 (n), the change of electrical resistance, discharge, Check for fluctuations in radio wave output.

  The WEB server system 111 includes a main computer 111a, various databases 111b, and a router 111c. The WEB server system 111 constantly checks the status of the monitoring devices 130 (0), 130a (1) to 130a (n), 130b (1) to 130b (n) via the Internet IN and the telephone line TN. Yes. As a result, the WEB server system 111 stores information such as abnormalities and monitoring images detected by any of the monitoring devices 130 (0), 130a (1) to 130a (n), 130b (1) to 130b (n), Provide on the Internet IN in the form of multimedia content.

  The WEB browser systems 112 (1) to 112 (n) are carried by a seconded employee of a business operator who maintains and manages the broadcasting facility 100 and includes a computer that can access the Internet IN. Each WEB browser system 112 (1) to 112 (n) can access the WEB server system 111 using a special password or the like. That is, each of the WEB browser systems 112 (1) to 112 (n) makes a content browsing request to the WEB server system 111, whereby the monitoring devices 130 (0), 130a (1) to 130a (n), 130b ( 1) to 130b (n) can detect the operation states and monitoring images detected.

  The broadcast station 101 also has a WEB browser system 101d, and the status of each monitoring device 130 (0), 130a (1) to 130a (n), 130b (1) to 130b (n) via the router 101e. That is, the state of the transmission / reception equipment of the relay stations 102, 103 (1) to 103 (n) can be checked.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the data collection terminal device 33 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is not limited to the power transmission line facility and the broadcast network monitoring system, but is used in various systems including other manufacturing plants, transportation systems, public facilities, and the like. Such a system can be appropriately incorporated into various monitoring systems that manage the operating state of the system. In this case, the user interface function of the monitoring system is realized by the mobile phone 44 incorporated in the monitoring system. That is, the temperature and operating state of various facilities can be detected by a small and inexpensive monitoring system, or monitoring images of various internal facilities can be provided to the remote central management device 35 and the like.

It is a figure explaining the whole structure of the monitoring system concerning a 1st embodiment concretely. It is a block diagram mainly explaining the circuit structure of a data collection terminal device. It is a block diagram explaining the circuit structure of the principal part of a data collection terminal device in detail. It is a figure which illustrates concretely the whole structure of the monitoring system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Monitoring system 20 Steel tower 21 Transmission / distribution electric wire 31a-31e Sensor 33 Data collection terminal device 35a Computer
35b mobile phone
35 Central Management Device 42 Interface Unit 42a, 42b, 42c Detection Circuit 43 Control Circuit 44 Mobile Phone 44a Control Circuit 44b Transmission Circuit 44c Antenna 44c Transmission Circuit 44e Input Key 44f Display 44g Small Camera 44j Image Acquisition Circuit 45 Start-up Unit 49 Monitoring Circuit

Claims (5)

At least one sensor for detecting a state of a predetermined facility which is a transmission line or a radio relay station as a monitoring target;
A monitoring circuit for generating a status signal related to the status of the predetermined equipment in response to a detection result of the at least one sensor;
A portable telephone having a communication control circuit enabling communication via a telephone line and an accessory device including a user interface unit, wherein the communication control circuit is connected to the monitoring circuit A portable telephone that transmits a data signal corresponding to the status signal to a predetermined contact via a telephone line in accordance with an instruction from the monitoring circuit,
The portable telephone further includes, as the accessory device, a display that displays data in response to an instruction from the monitoring circuit, and an input key for inputting a user instruction, and the communication control circuit includes the communication control circuit, A command signal corresponding to the operation of the input key is output to the monitoring circuit,
The monitoring circuit generates an alarm signal corresponding to an abnormality of the predetermined facility as the status signal based on the detection result of the sensor, and the communication control circuit transmits the alarm signal to the predetermined contact,
Said communication control circuit, said from the signal transmitted from the outside to the addressed portable phone extracts a command signal to the monitoring circuit transfers the command signal to the monitoring circuit,
A monitoring system further comprising an activation unit that operates in response to an incoming call to the portable telephone and activates a control circuit of the monitoring circuit to supply electric power .   The portable telephone further includes a small camera that captures the state of the predetermined facility and an image acquisition circuit that operates the small camera and captures image data as the accessory device. The monitoring system described.   The communication control circuit operates the small camera based on an instruction signal from the monitoring circuit, causes the image acquisition circuit to capture image data, and transmits the image data to the predetermined contact address. The monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein:   The monitoring circuit decrypts the encrypted command signal transferred from the communication control circuit, encrypts the status signal, and outputs the encrypted status signal to the communication control circuit. The monitoring system according to claim 3.   5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a central device that communicates with the portable telephone as the predetermined contact and manages the operation of the portable telephone and the monitoring circuit. The monitoring system described in the section.

Images