JP2006115101A - Pictorial communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide equipment that enables a family to confirm the safety of an aged person etc., at a distance while minimizing restrictions on their activities and also speedily obtain detailed information on the occurrence of an unexpected state. <P>SOLUTION: A digital multifunction machine 1 as pictorial communication equipment is provided with an alarm section 200. The alarm section 200 is equipped with a camera part having a camera lens part 241 in addition to an alarm sounding part 202. At preliminarily set time, the alarm sounding part 202 is made to sound an alarm and takes a picture in a room by the camera part only when the aged person does not release the alarm by manually operating an alarm release switch 203, and the image obtained by the photography is sent to a designated destination such as the family through facsimile. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus that performs notification of alarm non-release including image information to a predetermined destination when an alarm generated at a set time is not released.

  In situations where elderly people live away from their families or caregivers temporarily leave their care recipients, the family and caregivers must remotely check the safety of the elderly and caregivers. Therefore, there is a need for a device that provides safety confirmation information and the like about a remote elderly person or care recipient to a family member or caregiver.

  As a device conventionally used for obtaining safety confirmation information from a remote location, for example, there is a telephone. While telephones have the operability advantage of being easy to handle for the elderly, they communicate information only when both respond, so that if an unexpected situation occurs, the situation must be accurately and quickly understood. Is difficult.

  In view of this, an apparatus has been devised that allows a remote person to detect an unexpected situation accurately and quickly while protecting the privacy of an elderly person or cared person (see Patent Documents 1 and 5-7). In such a device, a room where an elderly person or the like lives is automatically photographed, and a digital image obtained by the photographing is transmitted to a family or the like.

  In addition, techniques for remotely operating such devices are also known (see Patent Documents 2 to 4).

JP 2001-231030 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-257219 JP 2000-311282 A JP 2002-288065 A JP 2001-28086 A JP 2001-52270 A JP 2001-203826 A

  However, in the event of an unforeseen event in an elderly person or cared person, in order for a remote family member or caregiver to obtain information for grasping the specific situation, the It was necessary to install a dedicated monitor device. For this reason, family members and caregivers could not obtain information from places other than where the monitor device was installed.

  In addition, when obtaining information about the elderly and cared persons using a mobile phone, etc., the family and caregiver can confirm the safety of the elderly and cared persons without restricting the scope of action. On the other hand, in the event of an unforeseen event, it is only possible to obtain an alarm or a standard message to notify the unforeseen event, and it is impossible to grasp the specific situation of the situation that occurred to the elderly or the care recipient. It was.

  In addition, when taking photographs of the elderly and cared persons for safety confirmation, while taking into account the privacy of the elderly and cared persons, the elderly and cared persons are in a position to be passively observed. there were. Therefore, it is difficult to say that the device is suited to the actual situation when elderly people or care recipients are living to some extent independent.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in view of the fact that devices having an image communication function such as a facsimile are often installed in the home, the image communication function is utilized. , Remote family members and caregivers can confirm the safety of the elderly and cared persons without restricting the scope of action, and obtain specific information for grasping the situation in the event of an unexpected situation It is a first object to provide a device that can be used.

  Furthermore, the second purpose is to protect the privacy of elderly people and care recipients in an active position.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an image communication apparatus, wherein image data communication means for transmitting and receiving image data, image acquisition means capable of acquiring image information of a predetermined space, and an alarm at a preset time. An alarm generating means for generating, an alarm releasing means for stopping sounding of the alarm in response to a manual operation, and the predetermined space when there is no release by the alarm releasing means within a predetermined time from the occurrence of the alarm. By using the image data communication means when there is no release by the alarm release means within the predetermined time from the occurrence of the alarm, the image acquisition request means for causing the image acquisition means to acquire the image information of Non-cancellation notification means for notifying a predetermined destination of non-cancellation, and the notification of non-cancellation includes the image information And it features.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the image communication apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the image acquisition means includes a photographing means for photographing a visible image of the predetermined space, and the image. The acquisition request unit causes the imaging unit to perform imaging of the predetermined space when the alarm cancellation unit has not been released within the predetermined time, and the image information is a digital image obtained by the imaging unit. It is an image.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the image communication apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein a facsimile transmission / reception unit is provided as the image data communication unit.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image communication apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the image data communication unit includes an Internet facsimile transmission / reception unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image communication apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, when the alarm is canceled by the alarm canceling unit within the predetermined time, the predetermined destination is canceled. It is further characterized by further comprising a release notification means for notifying the fact.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image communication apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the remote control means controls the alarm generating means in response to a control signal received from the outside through a communication line. Are further provided.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image communication apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the remote control means activates / deactivates the alarm generation means in response to a first control signal received from the outside through a communication line. Switching control means for switching between disabling and disabling.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image communication apparatus according to the sixth or seventh aspect, the remote control means responds to a second control signal received from the outside through the communication line, and A time setting means for setting the generation time.

  According to the image communication apparatus of the first to eighth aspects, when the alarm is not canceled, the notification of the non-release including the image information of the predetermined space can be transmitted to the predetermined destination as image data. For this reason, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of alarm release at a predetermined destination. Further, when the alarm is not canceled, information on the state of the predetermined space can be obtained in the form of an image at a predetermined destination.

  For this reason, remote family members and caregivers can confirm the safety of the elderly and cared persons without restricting the scope of action, and in the event of an unexpected situation, specific information for grasping the situation Can be obtained.

  Moreover, since the automatic photographing and transmission can be stopped by performing the alarm release operation, the privacy can be protected by placing the elderly person or the care recipient in an active position.

  In particular, according to the image communication apparatus of the fifth aspect, when the alarm is released, a notification indicating that the alarm is released can be sent to a predetermined destination. For this reason, it is possible to reliably know that the alarm is released at a predetermined destination.

  In particular, according to the image communication apparatus of the sixth to eighth aspects, the alarm generating means can be controlled from the outside through the communication line. For this reason, it is possible to perform settings relating to alarm generation in the image communication apparatus from a remote location.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<1. Appearance configuration of digital multifunction machine 1>
FIG. 1A is a front view showing an external appearance of a digital multi-function peripheral 1 as an embodiment of an image communication apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a plan view thereof. The digital multifunction device 1 has functions as a facsimile, a copier, a printer, and a network communication terminal, and is configured as a so-called MFP. The digital multi-function peripheral 1 includes a main body unit 100 installed on a tabletop or a floor surface, and an alarm unit 200 provided on the upper surface side of the main body unit 100. A recording unit (printing unit) 19 is built in the housing of the main body unit 100, and a reading unit (scanner unit) 18 for reading an image is provided on the upper surface portion. Various control devices, image processing devices, communication devices, and the like, which will be described later, are also built in the main body 100. On the front side of the upper surface of the main body 100, the keys 102 to 107 in FIG. The provided operation unit 10 is arranged.

  The alarm unit 200 generates an alarm at a predetermined time, and if a resident (for example, an elderly person or a cared person) does not operate the alarm release switch 203 within a predetermined time, the alarm unit 200 takes an image of the room, It is provided so that the safety of the resident can be confirmed from the outside by transmitting to a predetermined address.

  The alarm unit 200 is supported by a support body 200 </ b> P standing from the back side of the main body unit 100, so that the alarm unit 200 is disposed at a position higher than the upper surface of the main body unit 100, and the room where the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is installed. A camera lens unit 241 that is used when photographing the above situation, a speaker 221 that emits an alarm sound to the outside, and an alarm release switch 203 are arranged. The camera lens unit 241 corresponds to an imaging head of a camera unit 204 (FIG. 2), which will be described later, and the camera unit 204 is a predetermined space in which the camera unit 204 is installed (in this example, the installation room of the digital multifunction device 1). ) Can be acquired as image information obtained by imaging the situation in (3). At this time, the camera lens unit 241 is preferably configured using a wide-angle lens so that the indoor state can be widely photographed.

<2. Functional configuration of digital multifunction machine 1>
2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the digital multi-function peripheral 1, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the alarm unit 200 therein, and FIG. 4 shows the detailed configuration of the operation unit 10. It is a block diagram.

  Reference is first made to FIG. The main body 100 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 has a CPU 11 for controlling each device constituting the image communication device 300 according to a predetermined program, image data, a FAX number, a mail address, various temporarily stored data, and the like. A RAM 12 for storage and a ROM 13 for storing a program for controlling the digital multi-function peripheral 1 by the CPU 11 are provided.

  Further, the main body unit 100 further reads the image data of the document, further reads the image data, and converts the read image data into monochrome binary data, and forms an image of the received image data on the recording paper. A recording unit 19 and an operation unit 10 for performing various apparatus operations are provided.

  Referring to FIG. 3, alarm unit 200 is provided with a timer unit 201. An alarm sounding unit 202 that generates an alarm sound and an alarm release switch 203 that stops the alarm sounding in the alarm sounding unit 202 are connected to the timer unit 201, respectively. The alarm ringing unit 202 includes a speaker 221 that outputs the generated alarm sound to the outside. The camera unit 204 includes a CCD image sensor that converts an image formed by the camera lens unit 241 into a digital image.

  Referring to FIG. 4, an operation unit 10 includes a liquid crystal display 101 that displays the state of the main unit 100 and various operation instruction screens, a numeric keypad 102 for inputting numbers such as a FAX number, and a call from an abbreviated number. A short key 103 for instructing, a start key 104 for instructing start of an operation such as a document reading operation, a cursor key 105 for instructing movement of a reverse display in the liquid crystal display 101, and a timer for setting an alarm ringing time. , And an alarm sound duration input key 107 for setting the alarm sound duration time.

  Referring back to FIG. 2, as a communication-related functional unit, a codec (CODEC) 14 that encodes / decodes image data and the like corresponding to a plurality of protocols, a modem 15 that modulates and demodulates transmission / reception data, and a telephone An NCU 16 that performs line opening / closing control is provided in the main body 100. The NCU 16 can be connected to an external terminal 42 via a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) 41 that is a data communication network for analog lines. The external terminal 42 may be the same device as the digital multi-function peripheral 1, but may be a fixed phone, a mobile phone, a facsimile machine, a personal computer connected to a modem, or the like.

  Further, the main body 100 has a safety confirmation information transmitting unit 21 that performs a predetermined operation in accordance with information sent from the alarm unit 200, and an operation that receives an external operation signal from the outside and performs an automatic operation in accordance with the remote operation signal. A LAN I / F 23 corresponding to an interface between the signal receiving unit 22 and a LAN (local area network) 31 is provided. With this LAN I / F 23, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 can also perform digital communication via the LAN 31. The LAN 31 is connected to the Internet 33 via a router 32 or the like, and can perform digital data communication with an external terminal 34 connected to the Internet 33.

  These communication environments are also shown in FIG. 5, and another digital multifunction peripheral 1 </ b> A having the same configuration as the digital multifunction peripheral 1 of FIGS. 1 to 4 is connected to the LAN 31. However, it is not essential that the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is connected to the LAN, and it may be connected to the Internet 33 alone.

  The digital multi-functional peripheral 1 having the above-described configuration has a facsimile function for transmitting image data obtained by reading a document from the reading unit 18 or image data taken by the camera unit 204 by a G3 method or the like through a telephone line. Furthermore, a so-called Internet facsimile function for transmitting such image data and the like as an attached file of e-mail, for example, is provided via the Internet. The same applies to reception. Furthermore, image and other data communication can be performed with another digital multi-function peripheral 1A (FIG. 5) connected to the LAN 31.

  In addition to transmitting and receiving image data, remote control such as setting and canceling of the alarm occurrence time is possible based on the control data received by the operation signal receiving unit 22 from the external terminals 42 and 34 and the like. .

<3. Alarm action of digital multifunction machine 1>
Next, among the operations of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 having the above-described configuration, particularly alarm-related operations will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b).

  Before entering the routines of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the timer mode setting operation is performed. In the following, a case will be described as an example where the digital multifunction device 1 is installed in a home for the elderly living alone and the alarm function of the digital multifunction device 1 is used by the family for the purpose of confirming the safety of the elderly from the outside.

  In the case of this example, the family visits the elderly person's house in advance and sets the timer mode from the operation unit 10, or uses a remote operation function described later. Here, the former case will be described, and the latter will be described separately. In the former case, the timer mode is set by operating the ringing start time input key 106 after the family inputs the ringing start time using the numeric keypad 102 or the like of the operation unit 10. When the timer mode is set, the ringing start time is displayed on the liquid crystal display 101 to clearly indicate that it is the timer mode. The set ringing start time is stored in the RAM 12.

  Note that it is possible to set not only the time at which the alarm is sounded but also the day of the week and date at which the alarm is sounded by the same operation as the setting of the sounding start time. Also in this case, the set ringing day and ringing date are stored in the RAM 12. Further, it is possible to set to ring periodically at predetermined time intervals.

  Furthermore, the family sets a ringing duration from the operation unit 10. That is, after the family inputs a numerical value or menu selection input of the ringing duration (for example, 30 seconds or 1 minute) using the numeric keypad 102, etc., the ringing duration is set by operating the ringing duration input key 107. Is set. The set ringing duration is added to the ringing start time to obtain a ringing end time value, and the ringing end time value is stored in the RAM 12. Note that the ringing end time may be input instead of the ringing duration, in which case the ringing duration input key 107 is replaced with a “ringing end time input key”.

  For example, the timer mode setting can be canceled by a predetermined operation such as operating the ringing start time input key 106 after operating the “0 (zero) key” of the numeric keypad 102.

  The alarm-related operation of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 after the above preparation is as follows. In the flowchart of FIG. 6A, first, the alarm control unit 17 determines whether or not the timer unit 201 is in the timer mode (step S1). If it is not in the timer mode (that is, if the family does not set the timer), it loops without performing substantial processing and repeats this question.

  If it is determined in step S1 that the timer mode is set, the alarm control unit 17 reads the value of the ringing start time from the RAM 12 (step S2). Furthermore, the alarm control unit 17 reads the current time from the timer unit 201 (step S3), and determines whether the ringing start time read in step S2 matches the current time read in step S3 (step S4). .

  If it is determined in step S4 that the current time does not match the ringing start time, the process returns to step S3.

  If it is determined in step S4 that the current time and the ringing start time coincide, the alarm control unit 17 rings the alarm ringing unit 202 (step S5). As a result, an alarm sound starts to be generated from the speaker 221.

  Moving to FIG. 6B, the alarm control unit 17 reads the value of the ringing end time from the RAM 12 (step S6).

  When the alarm release switch 203 is operated by an elderly person in the room who has detected the alarm sound and it is determined in step S7 that the alarm has been released, the alarm control unit 17 is notified of the alarm release. Then, the alarm control unit 17 stops the alarm sounding (step S8). Further, the alarm control unit 17 outputs a signal indicating that the alarm is canceled to the safety confirmation information transmitting unit 21 (step S9).

  On the other hand, when the alarm release switch 203 is not operated, the alarm control unit 17 reads the current time from the timer unit 201 (step S10). Then, the present time is compared with the ringing end time read from the RAM 12 (step S11).

  If it is determined in step S11 that the current time has not reached the ringing end time, the process returns to step S7, and the loop is repeated until the alarm is released or the ringing end time is reached.

  When it is determined in step S11 that the current time has reached the ringing end time, the alarm control unit 17 gives a command signal to the camera unit 204 to take a digital image of the room, thereby making the room visible. Image information of the image is obtained (step S12).

  An indoor image photographed by the camera unit 204 in accordance with an instruction from the alarm control unit 17 is sent from the camera unit 204 to the alarm control unit 17 in the TIFF format, for example, as photographed image data.

  Subsequently, the alarm control unit 17 stops the alarm sounding (step S13), and further outputs the captured image data sent from the camera unit 204 to the safety confirmation information transmitting unit 21 (step S14).

  Through the above process, either the signal indicating the alarm release or the information of the captured image data is alternatively sent from the alarm control unit 17 to the safety confirmation information transmission unit 21.

  Next, the operation of the safety confirmation information transmitting unit 21 that has acquired any of the above information from the alarm control unit 17 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, it is determined whether or not the safety confirmation information transmission unit 21 has a signal input from the alarm control unit 17 (step S21). If it is determined that there is no input, this query is looped without performing substantial processing.

  If it is determined in step S21 that there is an input, the safety confirmation information transmitting unit 21 reads the safety confirmation information transmission destination described below from the RAM 12 (step S22).

  This safety confirmation information transmission destination is a FAX number, an e-mail address, or the like of a destination to which photographed image data or the like is transmitted. An elderly family member inputs the safety confirmation information transmission destination in advance using the numeric keypad 102 or the like, and the input safety confirmation information transmission destination is stored in the RAM 12. The safety confirmation information transmission destination is one or a plurality of addresses such as the external terminals 42 and 34 in FIG. 2, for example, the telephone number of the facsimile machine of the family residence, the mobile phone of the family E-mail address.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the input information from the alarm control unit 17 to the safety confirmation information transmission unit 21 is captured image data (step S23).

  When it is determined that the input information is captured image data, the captured image data is transmitted to the safety confirmation information transmission destination read in step S22 (step S24).

  Here, when the safety confirmation information transmission destination is an e-mail address, the captured image data is transmitted to the safety confirmation information transmission destination as an attached file of the e-mail. In addition, when the safety confirmation information transmission destination is a FAX number, the TIFF format captured image data is converted into G3 format data by a predetermined conversion program stored in advance in the ROM 13 or the like. Facsimile transmission to the safety confirmation information transmission destination.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the input information is not photographed image data, a designation operation when the alarm is canceled is performed (step S24). This alarm release designation operation is preset and stored in the RAM 12. For example, when the safety confirmation information transmission destination is an e-mail address, "Alarm release" is described in "Subject:" of the mail header. The operation may be an operation of sending an e-mail to a safety confirmation information transmission destination, or when the safety confirmation information transmission destination is a FAX number, an operation of an operator sending a predetermined image stored in the RAM 12 in advance by facsimile. Also good. Further, it may be set that no transmission operation is performed.

  Through the above process, it is detected whether or not the alarm is released at the safety confirmation information transmission destination (family in this example) by performing different operations when the alarm is released and when the alarm is not released. Furthermore, when the alarm is not canceled, the photographed image data is received, and the family can confirm from the image whether there is any abnormality in the elderly in the room. When the alarm is released, there is no abnormality in the elderly in the room, so that unnecessary shooting is not performed and a mental burden is not imposed on the elderly. For this reason, the operation in consideration of the privacy of the elderly is possible.

<4. Remote operation of alarm function of digital multifunction machine 1>
Next, the remote operation function of the alarm function in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 will be described.

  In the digital multi-function peripheral 1, for example, when the external terminal 42 has a facsimile function transmission function, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 can be remotely operated using the function. The elderly family can operate the external terminal 42 to perform operations such as setting the alarm ringing start time and setting / canceling the timer mode for the digital multifunction peripheral 1. That is, when these operations are performed by designating the telephone number or mail address of the digital multi-function peripheral 1, an NSS signal (non-standard function setting signal) with these pieces of information added as an alarm operation signal becomes a digital to be operated. It is sent out to the multifunction device 1.

  On the other hand, in the digital multi-function peripheral 1, when facsimile reception is received in the flowchart of FIG. 8 (step S31), a DIS signal (digital identification signal) is subsequently sent to the transmission side (step S32). Next, it is determined whether an alarm operation signal is added to the NSS signal (step S34). If an operation signal is added to the NSS signal, the operation signal receiver 22 reads the alarm operation signal in the NSS signal (step S34). In step S35, an automatic operation is executed accordingly (step S36). Specifically, the timer mode is set and the alarm ringing start time is set (or changed). In addition, the timer mode can be canceled by the same remote operation. It is also possible to set the volume and tone of the alarm.

  On the other hand, when the alarm operation signal is not added to the NSS signal, a normal facsimile image data receiving operation is performed (step S37).

  That is, in the digital multi-function peripheral 1, the alarm generating function is activated by adding a first alarm operation signal (first control signal) that indicates whether to set or cancel the timer mode to the NSS signal. Or can be disabled. Moreover, the alarm ringing start time can be set by adding a second alarm operation signal (second control signal) for designating the ringing start time to the NSS signal. The second control signal can also include information on the alarm ringing duration, but when the default duration is stored in the digital multifunction peripheral 1, the alarm ringing duration is set by remote control. It does not have to be.

  Furthermore, in the case where the ringing end time is directly set instead of the ringing duration, similarly, a third alarm operation signal (third control signal) for setting the ringing end time in the NSS signal. By adding, the ringing end time can be set remotely.

  Similarly, camera shooting can be controlled remotely by adding an operation signal (fourth control signal) for performing camera shooting to the NSS signal. This can include setting the number of shots in one shot, for example.

  Furthermore, similarly, by adding an operation signal (fifth control signal) for inputting the safety confirmation information transmission destination to the NSS signal, the safety confirmation information transmission destination can be set or changed remotely.

<5. Other remote operation of the digital multifunction machine 1>
Other remote operations of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 can be as follows.

  For example, when the external terminal 42 is a telephone and is used to remotely control the image communication apparatus, a remote operator (a person corresponding to the “family” in the above example) uses a push phone telephone to An operation signal is sent to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 by a combination of tones. These operation signals can be read by the operation signal receiving unit 22 to perform a predetermined automatic operation on the digital multi-function peripheral 1.

  Further, for example, using the following method, the digital multifunction device 1 can be remotely operated using the mail transmission / reception function of the personal computer.

  That is, it is determined whether or not Internet mail is received by the Internet mail receiving function of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 (FIG. 9: Step S41). When Internet mail is received, an operation signal related to an alarm function or the like is included in the mail. It is determined whether it has been (step S42).

  For example, a conversion table of information described in the “Subject:” of the mail header and the operation of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is stored in the ROM 12 in advance, and the information described in the “Subject:” column of the received mail is specified. What is necessary is just to convert into an operation signal. In this case, for example, when a conversion table for converting the description information of the mail header “operation 1” to “timer mode setting operation” is set, a remote operator (for example, a family member) can set “Subject: When the electronic mail described as “operation 1” is transmitted to the digital multi-function peripheral 1, the operation signal receiving unit 22 determines that the received mail is an operation signal, reads the conversion table from the ROM 12, performs predetermined automatic operation, Here, the timer mode setting operation is performed.

  As another example, step S44 in FIG. 9 shows a routine (step S44) in which an operation signal is read (step S43) and the operation signal instructs to set or change the alarm ringing start time. Yes.

  If the mail header is not registered in the conversion table stored in advance in the ROM 12, normal mail reception processing is performed (step S45).

  As described above, in the digital multifunction peripheral 1 of this embodiment, since the alarm function and the like can be set by remote operation using the mail function from other than the installation location, various functions including the alarm function can be set. It is easy to change, release.

  The remote control function using the facsimile transmission function and the remote control function using the mail transmission function may be combined.

<6. Modification>
In the above embodiment, a normal camera unit 204 (that is, a visible image is captured as a digital image) is used as an image acquisition unit, but instead of the camera unit 204 or in addition to the camera unit 204, An image acquisition unit that captures an invisible image in the room can also be used.

  Such devices include, for example, night vision cameras and infrared thermography.

  In this case, in step S12 of FIG. 4, instead of (or in parallel with) the camera unit 204 photographing the visible image, image acquisition by a night vision camera or infrared thermography can be performed. In the case of a night vision camera, it is suitable for obtaining images at night. In addition, infrared thermography measures the temperature distribution, so the image information obtained by this is a color-coded representation of the temperature distribution in the indoor environment. Can be sent to a remote location. In addition, since the temperature distribution around the body temperature of the human body can be captured efficiently, it is also effective for detecting fires.

  The main unit 100 and the alarm unit 200 may be connected by a cable or infrared rays so that the alarm unit 200 is movable with respect to the main unit. When the alarm unit 200 is installed in a room different from the main body unit 100, the room in which the alarm unit 200 is placed becomes a predetermined space as an object to be photographed.

  Further, only the camera unit 204 may be movable with respect to other parts of the main body unit 100.

  In FIG. 1A, the alarm release switch 203 is installed above the main body 100. However, for example, the alarm release switch 203 may be provided on the remote control. Furthermore, a configuration may be adopted in which both the main body 100 and the remote control are provided with an alarm release switch 203.

  ◎ A lighting device such as a flash may be provided together with the camera unit 204, and the lighting device may emit light when photographing the room. In this case, if the lighting device is caused to emit light only when the alarm setting time corresponds to nighttime (for example, from 6:00 to 6:00 in the morning), power can be saved.

  The present invention can be used not only for a facsimile machine configured as a digital multifunction machine but also for a single-function facsimile machine.

1 is a front view showing an external appearance of a digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a plan view showing an external appearance of a digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the block diagram which showed the hardware structural example of the digital multifunctional device 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the hardware structural example of the alarm part of the digital multifunctional device 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the hardware structural example of the operation part of the digital multifunctional device 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a network environment in which a digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing a transmission operation of photographed image data of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation related to a remote operation function of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation related to the remote operation function of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital multifunction device 17 Alarm control part 21 Safety confirmation information transmission part 22 Operation signal receiving part 100 Main part 201 Timer part 202 Alarm ringing part 203 Alarm release switch 204 Camera part 200 Alarm part

Claims (8)

An image communication device,
Image data communication means for transmitting and receiving image data;
Image acquisition means capable of acquiring image information of a predetermined space;
Alarm generation means for generating an alarm at a preset time;
Alarm release means for stopping the alarm sounding in response to a manual operation;
An image acquisition request unit that causes the image acquisition unit to acquire image information of the predetermined space when there is no cancellation by the alarm cancellation unit within a predetermined time from the start of the generation of the alarm;
A non-release notification means for notifying a predetermined destination of non-release by using the image data communication means when there is no release by the alarm release means within the predetermined time from the occurrence of the alarm;
With
An image communication apparatus characterized in that the notification of non-release includes the image information. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1,
The image acquisition means
Photographing means for photographing a visible image of the predetermined space;
With
The image acquisition requesting unit causes the imaging unit to perform imaging of the predetermined space when there is no cancellation by the alarm cancellation unit within the predetermined time.
The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image information is a digital image obtained by the photographing unit. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
Facsimile transmission / reception means as the image data communication means,
An image communication apparatus comprising: The image communication apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
Internet facsimile transmission / reception means as the image data communication means,
An image communication apparatus comprising: The image communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Cancellation notification means for notifying the predetermined destination of the cancellation when there is a cancellation by the alarm cancellation means within the predetermined time;
An image communication apparatus further comprising: The image communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Remote control means for controlling the alarm generating means in response to a control signal received from the outside through a communication line;
An image communication apparatus further comprising: The image communication apparatus according to claim 6.
The remote control means includes
Switching control means for switching activation / inactivation of the alarm generating means in response to a first control signal received from the outside through the communication line;
An image communication apparatus comprising: The image communication apparatus according to claim 6 or 7,
The remote control means includes
Time setting means for setting the alarm occurrence time in response to a second control signal received from the outside through the communication line;
An image communication apparatus comprising:

Images