JPH11164037A - Monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically change a data transmitting system corresponding to how many times redialing is operated when the working state or abnormal state of facilities can not be normally reported to a monitoring center at the time of reporting the state through a telephone line to the monitoring center at a distant place. SOLUTION: Concerning the monitoring system for transmitting report data to be reported when the operating state of a sensor 34 installed on the terminal side is detected or report data to be reported at fixed time through a telephone line 2 to the side of a monitoring center 1 by a data transmitting means, as a transmitting system for the data transmitting means, there are voice transmitting system for transmitting the report data to a telephone set on the side of the monitoring center 1 as audio signals synthesized by an electronic circuit, system for transmitting these data as image data to the facsimile equipment of the center by a facsimile communication protocol, and inter-modem data transmitting system for transmitting these data through a modem device installed on the side of the monitoring center 1 to a computer system on the side of the monitoring center 1 and DTMF signals for displaying characters, numerals or symbols are transmitted to a pocket beeper.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention dials information obtained by detecting the operating state or abnormal state of equipment by various sensors to a monitoring center at a remote place via a telephone line, and transmits the information to a data receiving device on the monitoring center side. The present invention relates to a transmission monitoring system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a monitoring system for transmitting information such as the operating status and abnormal status of terminal-side equipment to a monitoring center using a telephone line has been known. When the data receiving device on the monitoring center responds, the information on the terminal side is reported to the data receiving device by using a data transmission method determined between the automatic reporting device and the data receiving device.

In this case, there are several data transmission systems, and an appropriate system is determined according to the purpose of the system.

[0004] Generally, a data transmission method between modems of ITU-T recommendation, which defines exchange between modems performing half-duplex or full-duplex communication using a telephone line, is used. (See, for example, JP-A-06-70059)

[0005]

By the way, such a conventional monitoring system attempts to report data by dialing the monitoring center when a report event occurs. When a temporary failure occurs, the data of the report from the automatic reporting device cannot be received by the center equipment.

Accordingly, the automatic notification device does not end communication normally, and operates by repeating re-notification a predetermined number of times.

[0007] When the failure of the center equipment or the failure of the line is restored, the data can be received at the center side by the re-notification of the automatic notification device. However, a considerable time has elapsed since the notification event occurred on the terminal side. In some cases, a problem may occur due to delay in the response of the monitoring center.

In addition, if the failure of the center equipment or the failure of the line continues for a long time, there is a problem that the automatic reporting device limits the number of times of re-reporting so that no report is made and the monitoring center cannot receive information.

In order to solve such a problem, a backup monitoring center is set up on another telephone line, and if the automatic reporting device cannot transmit to the first center, it transmits to the second center. By controlling, even if one of the center devices fails, the signal can be received by one of the center devices.

In addition, even if a failure occurs in one of the telephone lines on the center side, it is possible to prevent a delay in the response of the monitoring center, because the center device connected to another line can receive the signal.

However, in this case, there is a problem in that a plurality of expensive center facilities must be installed, which is costly.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a monitoring system which solves the above-mentioned problems and enables a monitoring center to reliably receive a report from a terminal.

[0013]

According to the present invention, report data for reporting when an operation state of a sensor installed on a terminal side is detected or report data for reporting at a fixed time is transmitted to a telephone line by data transmission means. In a monitoring system for transmitting data to a monitoring center via a facsimile communication protocol, the transmission method of the data transmission means is a voice transmission method of transmitting notification data to a telephone of the monitoring center using a voice signal synthesized by voice using an electronic circuit. A method of transmitting image data to a facsimile machine at the center,
A data transmission method between modems for transmitting data to a computer device on the monitoring center side via a modem device installed on the monitoring center side, and a DTMF signal for displaying characters, numerals, symbols, etc. on a pager. .

Further, the data transmission means controls the data transmission method to be automatically changed according to the number of redialing operations performed when transmission is not completed normally when an attempt is made to transmit to the report destination. And

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Report data to be reported when detecting the operating state of a sensor installed in a terminal or report data to be reported at a fixed time are transmitted to a monitoring center via a telephone line by data transmission means. In the transmission monitoring system, the transmission method of the data transmission means is a voice transmission method of transmitting notification data to a telephone on the monitoring center side by a voice signal obtained by voice synthesis by an electronic circuit, and image data is transmitted to a facsimile apparatus of the center by a facsimile communication protocol. A data transmission method between modems for transmitting data to a computer device on the monitoring center side via a modem device installed on the monitoring center side, and a DTMF signal for displaying characters, numbers and symbols on a pager. With the transmission configuration, the first reporting destination monitoring center cannot receive Case, the notification of recall, because the report as a report destination of the second monitoring center apparatus, the reception delay of the data is less likely to occur.

Further, since the second report destination is not a legitimate center facility of the first report destination but reports using a simplified data transmission method for the center facility, a plurality of legitimate center facilities are provided. The effect can be improved without alignment.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing functions according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The sensor 34 has a plurality of sensors, and the state of the sensor 34 is detected by the sensor abnormality detecting means 31.

When a state change occurs in the sensor 34, the communication protocol selection control means 30 determines from the sensor abnormality detection means 31 which sensor of the sensor 34 has been activated and whether the activated sensor 34 is in an abnormal state or a restored state. And selects a data transmission method for notifying the monitoring center 1 of the notification cause and status.

The clock means 32 compares the clock count with the day count based on the date and time data set in advance, and instructs the communication protocol selecting means 30 to report the time-based reporting factor that matches the set date and time data. Output.

The communication protocol selection control means 30 compares the present date and time and the day of the week from the clock means 32 with the preset business hours and holidays of the monitoring center when the cause of the report occurs, and determines the report destination and the data transmission method. decide.

The communication protocol selection control means 30 can select the following four types of data transmission methods.

The facsimile image data conversion means 23
In accordance with an instruction from the communication protocol selection control means 30, information on a reporting factor, an event occurrence time, a user code, and the like are converted into facsimile image data.

Facsimile communication protocol control means 22
Controls the exchange of control signals so that the data converted by the facsimile image data conversion means 23 is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus installed in the monitoring center 1 so as to satisfy the regulation of the transmission control procedure between the facsimile machines. .

The DTMF communication data conversion means 25 displays a message such as a number, a symbol, a character, or the like on a pager with information of a report factor, an event occurrence time, a user code, etc. in accordance with an instruction from the communication protocol selection control means 30. A message is transmitted by a DTMF signal in order to be notified.

The DTMF communication data conversion means 25 sends a message such as a message cause, an event occurrence time, a user code, etc. to a pager capable of displaying characters and symbols in accordance with an instruction from the communication protocol selection control means 30.
DTM so that F signal can be transmitted and displayed
Convert to F signal.

Pager communication protocol control means 24
, Converts the data converted by the DTMF communication data conversion means 25 so that characters and symbols can be displayed on a pager.
The DTMF signal is controlled so as to satisfy a control procedure defined for transmitting to the pager of the report destination.

The modem communication data conversion means 27 is connected to the computer device of the monitoring center 1 in accordance with an instruction from the communication protocol selection control means 30, and transmits information such as the cause of the report, the time of occurrence of the event, and the user code. For transmission to the modem device, it is converted into a communication code for exchanging between modems.

The modem communication protocol control means 26 controls the communication speed defining the exchange between the modems,
It controls communication procedures such as checking the timing of exchanges, the state of the transmitting / receiving partner, and error control of received data.

In response to an instruction from the communication protocol selection control means 30, the voice synthesis signal conversion means 29 synthesizes information such as information on a reporting factor, an event occurrence time, and a user code into a voice by an electronic circuit. Is converted into an audio signal that can be recognized by hearing from the telephone of the monitoring center 1.

The voice synthesizing signal communication control means 28 confirms the response of the telephone of the monitoring center 1 and controls the voice signal generated by the voice synthesizing conversion means 28 at a certain timing so that the voice signal is repeatedly transmitted to the telephone of the other party a specified number of times. I do.

When a report event occurs, the report data transmitting / receiving means 21 dials a telephone number of the monitoring center 1 set in advance, and when the device or telephone of the other party answers,
The response signal from the monitoring center 1 is detected, and the notification data is transmitted to the telephone line 2 after being adjusted to an appropriate signal level. In this way, the content of the report event that occurred on the terminal side is reported to the monitoring center 1.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram for realizing each function shown in the functional block diagram of FIG.

The sensor 34 is connected to the control circuit 15 via the sensor I / O circuit 16.

The line termination circuit 5 is connected to the telephone line 2 via the contact 3 operated by the relay operation circuit 17,
When the device reports, the telephone line 2 is terminated with an appropriate DC resistance and AC resistance.

The dial pulse output circuit 13 dials the telephone number of the monitoring center 1 or the telephone number of the pager to which the message is sent according to an instruction from the control circuit 15. Is output to the telephone line 2.

Similarly, the PB signal output circuit 12 passes through the line terminating circuit 5 to dial the telephone number of the monitoring center 1 or the telephone number of the pager to which the message is to be sent according to the instruction of the control circuit 15. The PB signal is output to the telephone line 2.

In the dial signal to be actually output to the telephone line 2, it is set in the control circuit 15 in advance which of a dial pulse and a PB signal is output depending on the type of the telephone line 2 to be connected.

The DTMF signal output circuit 11 is connected to the control circuit 1
According to the instruction of 5, a message for displaying characters and symbols on the pager is transmitted to the destination pager by the DTMF signal.

The voice synthesizing circuit 10 is connected to the telephone 20
The control circuit 15 generates a voice synthesis signal by an electronic circuit using a control circuit 15 to transmit information, a time of occurrence, a user identification name, and the like, and converts the signal to an appropriate signal level by a signal output circuit 9 so that the signal is terminated. Sends out via circuit 5.

The modem circuit 8 converts the information of the code data to be transmitted to the monitoring center 1 into an analog signal of a data transmission system between the modems according to an instruction from the control circuit 15, In addition to the transmission via the line termination circuit 5, the analog signal transmitted from the monitoring center 1 is also received via the transmission / reception circuit 6, converted into coded data and input to the control circuit 15, and bidirectional data communication is performed. Then, the communication is performed according to the determined communication protocol, so that the operation such as the operation state and the abnormal state of the terminal-side equipment is transmitted to the monitoring center 1 without fail.

Facsimile communication protocol control circuit 7
Transmits image data to the facsimile device on the monitoring center 1 side according to an instruction from the control circuit 15, and transmits a report factor, an occurrence time, a user identification name, and the like generated on the terminal device side to the facsimile device on the monitoring center 1 side as image information. It controls the facsimile communication protocol and creates image data so that it can be output.

The telephone use detecting circuit 4 is provided to provide the telephone 20 with a higher priority when the sensor 34 is activated and a report cause is generated while the telephone 20 external to the apparatus is busy. Is detected, and the notification is input to the control circuit 15 so as to stand by during that time.

The relay operation circuit 17 always connects the telephone set 20 to the telephone line 2 according to an instruction from the control circuit 15, and connects the line terminating circuit 5 to the telephone line 2 when this apparatus reports.

The polarity reversal detecting circuit 14 detects the polarity of the DC voltage applied to the two lines of the telephone line 2 when the other party responds to the call of the telephone when the present apparatus reports to the telephone set 20 or the pager as the report destination. Is inverted, and the signal is input to the control circuit 15. Then, the control circuit 15
Controls the voice synthesizing circuit 10 and the DTMF signal output circuit 11 to transmit the notification data so that the monitoring center 1 can receive the information.

The monitoring center 1 comprises a facsimile apparatus, a receiving apparatus including a modem and a computer, a pager capable of displaying codes and characters, a telephone 20, and the like.

The power supply circuit 18 supplies power to the control circuit 15.

The clock circuit 19 counts a clock, year, month, day, and day of the week, and outputs the data to the control circuit 15.

The monitoring system according to the present embodiment includes a monitoring center 1
In response to this, the state of the terminal is reported periodically at a predetermined time, and whether the telephone line 2 of the terminal is normal, whether the monitoring system is abnormal, or the like is reported.

In this case, data transmitted to the monitoring center 1 is transmitted using the modem communication protocol control means 26.

When a notification is made by inputting an abnormal state of the sensor, dial the center.

When a model device is connected to the center device, a carrier signal is transmitted first when a response is made with a bell signal on the telephone line 2.

The terminal inputs the carrier signal detected by the receiving circuit to the control circuit, and thereafter communicates with the center by the model communication control circuit.

First, the modem communication protocol control means 26
Is used to dial the first center and transmit the report data. If the center cannot receive the notification data normally, the automatic notification device 33 interrupts the signal and redials the second center.

Here, the second center is set as a facsimile apparatus, and the communication is performed by selecting the facsimile communication protocol as the communication protocol when the automatic notifying apparatus 33 notifies the second center.

As described above, when the first center cannot receive the data, the report destination is automatically reported to the facsimile apparatus of the second center. It can be received by a two-center facsimile machine.

If the report destination at the time of redialing is set as shown in Table 1, either center device can receive the report.

[0059]

[Table 1]

In this way, the facsimile machine normally used for another purpose can be used as it is, so that the terminal side report data can be backed up and received without any extra cost. When the center responds urgently, the terminal side report data can be backed up and received without any cost, and the reliability of the system is improved.

Similarly, if the center device of the second report destination is the telephone set 20 or a pager, the reliability of the system is improved without increasing the cost.

Similarly, the first report destination is a facsimile machine, and the second report destination is a pager or telephone 20.
It is also possible to use

[0063]

According to the present invention, when the first report destination monitoring center fails to receive a message for some reason, the re-dial report destination dial number is changed and the data transmission method is also changed to transmit.

Therefore, it is possible to use a simple and inexpensive center facility, for example, a facsimile machine, as the center facility of the second report destination.

It is possible to back up an abnormality in one of the center devices and an abnormality in the telephone line to prevent a delay in reporting.

In addition, there is no need to place expensive computer equipment in several places, and a useful monitoring system such as easy introduction in terms of cost can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing functions of a monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing hardware of a monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Monitoring center 2 Telephone line 20 Telephone 33 Automatic reporting device 34 Sensor

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Kuniaki Ito 3-1, Shinjuyoji 2 Kashiwa-shi, Chiba Japan

Claims (2)

[Claims] A report data to be reported when an operation state of a sensor (34) installed on a terminal side is detected or a report data to be reported at a fixed time is transmitted via a telephone line (2) by data transmission means. In the monitoring system for transmitting data to the monitoring center (1), the transmission method of the data transmission means is as follows:
A voice transmission system for transmitting notification data to a telephone at the monitoring center (1) by a voice signal synthesized by voice using an electronic circuit, a system for transmitting image data to a facsimile apparatus at the center by a facsimile communication protocol, and a system for transmitting data to the monitoring center (1). A data transmission method between modems for transmitting data to a computer device on the monitoring center (1) side via an installed modem device, and transmitting a DTMF signal for displaying characters, numerals, symbols, etc. on a pager. Surveillance system. 2. The data transmission means controls to automatically change the data transmission method according to the number of redial operations performed when transmission is not completed normally when an attempt is made to transmit to a report destination. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein: