WO2001055992A1 - Information providing system using telephone circuit, and monitor terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

An information providing system supplies information obtained through a telephone circuit system (wire or wireless) from any monitor means, such as a monitor camera (1), a monitor video, a temperature sensor (2), a sound sensor (3) and a smoke sensor, equipped in specific areas. When any information received from a caller, such as the telephone number, ID number and code number, agrees with one registered in a relay station, a control unit (4) operates monitor means set up in a specific area and agreed on by the caller, and sends the caller the information obtained from the monitor means through the telephone circuit.

Description

 Technical Field Information supply system using communication line and its monitoring terminal

 The present invention relates to a monitoring system for a specific area using a communication line system, and more particularly, to an information supply system for a specific area that enables monitoring information to be obtained from outside by using a telephone or a personal computer. Background art

 In the past, if you were away from home, you would have to worry about thieves breaking in and burning out. is there. For this reason, in recent years, contracts with security companies have increased the number of private homes and companies that can perform security agency work to prevent the intrusion of thieves or the occurrence of fires, etc. before they occur.

 This security system is a system in which when a thief enters a house or the like where a predetermined sensor or the like is installed, a security officer of the security company rushes to the house by reporting to the security company by the reaction of the sensor.

However, in systems using such manpower, security personnel account for an extremely high percentage, and the enrollment fee becomes enormous for the general public. It is not possible at present. Therefore, in the present invention, communication lines (including wired and wireless) are used, and not only when necessary or when there is anxiety, but also in a specific area frequently and intermittently, for example, in a home. Providing a surveillance system for specific areas using a communication line system that can monitor the situation will not only prevent the infiltration of thieves, but also allow immediate notification of police pictures. By letting the real time know whether or not there is an abnormality, the caller can be reassured. Also, if you leave the bed with the elderly or children, you can monitor them at a low cost. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information supply system using a communication line, and a monitoring terminal for supplying monitoring information which is one of the information. Disclosure of the invention

 In order to achieve the above object, an information supply system using a communication line according to the present invention includes a monitoring camera installed in a specific area by a communication line (including wired and wireless) system. In an information supply system that supplies information obtained by at least one of surveillance video, temperature monitoring sensor, sound monitoring sensor, and smoke sensor, the telephone number, ID number, and address of the caller At least one specific information is obtained from the authentication data such as the password data, the password, and the encryption, and when the specific information matches the registered information registered in the relay side in advance, the relay is performed. Side can act on the control unit that controls the monitoring means installed in a specific area contracted in advance with the caller, and the information obtained from this monitoring means can be transmitted to the caller using the communication line. Like It is characterized that you're me.

 According to this feature, by using such a system, it is possible to obtain the status of the monitored E-mail from outside using telephone or other communication means when necessary, and it is therefore possible to obtain thieves and other crimes. In addition to the deterrent effect, even when going out with the elderly and children left, the situation can be monitored with confidence.

 In this system, information on the monitoring means is transmitted to the caller on condition that at least one of the authentication data such as telephone numbers, IDs, address data, passwords, and encryption registered in advance matches. Information that can be obtained from monitoring means only to the correct registrant from an unspecified number of callers using various communication lines (wired network, wireless network). Is transmitted to ensure the confidentiality of information about the specific area being monitored. The authentication data includes fingerprints, irises, voices, and handwritten signatures. It is clear that authentication data is included as a physical feature.

The information supply system using a communication line according to the present invention is the information supply system However, at least the caller, the relay side, and the specific area are configured, and the control unit of the specific area stores a specific access code agreed with the relay side. In addition, only when a specific access code is received from the relay side, information obtained by the monitoring means is transmitted to the relay side.

 According to this feature, information can be obtained only from the relay side, and the confidentiality of the information is improved.

 In the information supply system using a telephone line according to the present invention, the monitoring means on the specific area side is connected to a control terminal having a communication function, and the control terminal receives the specific access code. In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the control terminal having the communication function can omit a ringing tone or a ringing tone to control the monitoring means and transmit the information to the relay side.

 According to this feature, since the data of the monitoring means can be obtained from the outside without a ring tone or a ring tone of a telephone, a personal computer, etc., if a control terminal having a communication function is concealed, an intruder can Can prevent any communication disturbance.

 The information supply system using the communication line of the present invention, when the specific information of the caller matches registered information registered in advance on the relay side, sends a call signal to a communication terminal in the specific area, If there is a call by a person, the caller and the callee of the communication terminal are connected by a communication line, and if there is an automatic call by the communication terminal itself, information obtained from the monitoring means is transmitted to the communication line. It is characterized in that it can be transmitted to the caller by using the.

 According to this feature, if the family member can answer the communication means such as a telephone, there is no need to dare to transmit the information obtained from the monitoring means to the caller, and it is also possible to talk to the family member or the data. By being able to send and receive data, it is possible to know that the monitored area is safe. Of course, when the family members are not available for telephone or other means of communication, the information of the monitoring means will be sent to the caller.

The information supply system using the communication line according to the present invention is configured such that a specific area is provided from the relay side. When the relay side confirms that the communication terminal cannot be connected to the communication terminal or that the information from the monitoring means has not been transmitted, a predetermined abnormality notification can be transmitted to the caller. It is characterized by

 According to this feature, (1) when communication is not possible, there is a possibility that someone has disconnected or disabled the telephone, and this is sent to the caller as an abnormal state. become. (2) If the information from the monitoring means is not sent to the interruption side, there is a possibility that the monitoring means, control unit, communication terminal, etc. may have been damaged, and the call is made as an abnormal state. Will be sent to the user.

 In order to achieve the above object, an information supply system according to the present invention comprises: a monitoring unit including at least one of an imaging device, an infrared sensor, a temperature monitoring sensor, a sound monitoring sensor, and a smoke sensor; A communication means for transmitting the monitoring information at to an external management device via a communication line; and a monitoring terminal having:

A management device that is connected to the monitoring terminal via a communication line and is capable of transmitting monitoring information from the monitoring terminal to an information terminal owned by a user;

A system for monitoring a specific area in which an information terminal owned by a user can monitor a monitored area in which the monitoring terminal is installed,

The monitoring terminal includes a control unit that starts the monitoring unit based on an access from the management device, and stops or semi-operationally stops the monitoring unit when the access from the management device ends. And

According to this feature, the monitoring terminal starts up and operates only when the monitoring device is accessed from the management device, and stops or operates when the management device is not accessed. Since the quasi-operation stop state (sleep state) is set, the power consumption of the monitoring terminal can be significantly reduced, and as a result, the battery replacement becomes complicated and the electricity bill increases. The burden on the user can be reduced.

 In the information supply system according to the present invention, the monitoring terminal includes a storage unit storing identification data capable of identifying a management device, and the control unit obtains identification data of an accessor at the time of the access. Then, it is preferable that authentication is performed by comparison with the identification data registered in advance in the storage means, and when the authentication is completed, the monitoring means is activated.

 With this configuration, even when an erroneous and unauthorized access is made to the monitoring terminal, it is possible to prevent the monitoring unit from being unnecessarily activated and activated to consume power.

 In the information supply system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the identification data is a caller telephone number assigned to a caller on a communication line.

 In this way, the access device can simply and reliably confirm that the access device is the management device without transmitting special identification data or the like on the management device side. It is possible to authenticate the accessor in the call state before the line is connected.

 In the information supply system according to the present invention, the identification data is identification data encrypted so as to be a different data sequence for each access, and the control unit decodes the encrypted identification data. Preferably, the authentication is performed based on the decrypted identification data.

 With this configuration, even if the identification data is stolen, the stolen identification data is determined to be invalid by the authentication. Can be avoided.

 In the information supply system of the present invention, it is preferable that the communication means of the monitoring terminal is a wireless communication means capable of performing wireless communication.

 With this configuration, there is no need to extend a communication destination or a communication cable for connecting the monitoring terminal to the communication line to the monitoring terminal, and the monitoring terminal can be easily installed.

In the information supply system according to the present invention, the wireless communication unit may be a simple cellular phone It is preferable that wireless communication is possible with a base station of a communication network, and that the management device can receive transmission data from a simple portable telephone communication network.

 According to this configuration, the simple cellular phone communication network has a relatively high data transmission speed, and even if the monitoring means includes an image device and transmits image data, these image data are transmitted. Communication can be performed quickly, and the communication area of the base station (communication cell) is relatively small. Therefore, all the channels in the base station are used to communicate with the monitoring terminal. The likelihood of not being implemented is reduced.

 The monitoring terminal for a monitoring system in a specific area according to the present invention is a monitoring terminal for a monitoring system in a specific area in which a monitoring target area in which the monitoring terminal is installed can be monitored by an information terminal possessed by a user. Monitoring means comprising at least one of an imaging device and a sound monitoring sensor; communication means for transmitting monitoring information in the monitoring means to an external management device via a communication line; and access from the management device. And control means for activating the monitoring means and stopping the operation of the monitoring means at the end of access from the management device.

 According to this feature, the monitoring terminal starts and operates only when the monitoring device is accessed from the management device, and stops operating when the management device is not accessed. Alternatively, the terminal is placed in a quasi-operation stop state (sleep state), so that the power consumption of the monitoring terminal can be significantly reduced, and as a result, the battery replacement becomes complicated and the electricity bill increases. This can reduce the increase in the burden on users.

 In the monitoring terminal for a monitoring system in a specific area according to the present invention, it is preferable that the communication means of the monitoring terminal is a wireless communication means capable of performing wireless communication.

In this way, there is no need to extend a communication destination or a communication cable for connecting the monitoring terminal to the communication line to the monitoring terminal, and the monitoring terminal can be easily installed. In the monitoring terminal for a monitoring system of a specific area according to the present invention, the wireless communication means can wirelessly communicate with a base station of a simple mobile phone communication network. It is preferable that data can be received.

 According to this configuration, the simple portable telephone communication network has a relatively high data transmission speed, and even when the monitoring means includes an image device and transmits image data, the image data of these image data can be transmitted. Since the transmission can be performed quickly, the communication range (talk cell) of the base station is relatively small, so that all the channels in the base station can be used to communicate with the monitoring terminal. The likelihood of loss is reduced.

 The monitoring terminal for a monitoring system in a specific area according to the present invention, wherein the monitoring means has a conversion means for converting the obtained monitoring information into digital data, and the management apparatus receives the digitized monitoring information data. It is preferred that it be turned on.

 With this configuration, since the monitoring information is digital data, it is difficult to reproduce the digitized monitoring information even if the monitoring information itself is stolen by a third party. Can be.

 It is preferable that the monitoring terminal for the monitoring system in the specific area according to the present invention includes a data compression unit for compressing the monitoring information data, and transmits the compressed monitoring information data to the management device. .

 In this way, the data capacity of the transmitted monitoring information data is reduced, so that the communication capacity and communication time of the communication line can be reduced, and as a result, the communication cost can be reduced.

 In order to achieve the above object, a monitoring terminal for a monitoring system for a specific area according to the present invention is provided for monitoring a specific area in which a monitoring area where a monitoring terminal is installed can be monitored by an information terminal possessed by a user. A monitoring terminal used in the system,

Imaging device, infrared sensor, temperature monitoring sensor, sound monitoring sensor, smoke sensor At least one child having at least one monitoring means comprising at least one sensor, and non-contact communication means capable of transmitting at least the monitoring information of the monitoring means to the parent terminal in a non-contact manner. Machine terminal,

Non-contact communication means capable of at least receiving monitoring information transmitted from the slave terminal; storage means for temporarily storing the received monitoring information; and external management of the stored monitoring information in a predetermined manner. A communication device capable of transmitting at least to the device; and a master device capable of transmitting monitoring information collected via the non-contact communication device to an external management device via the communication device. It is characterized by comprising a terminal and.

 According to this feature, the monitoring terminal is constituted by at least one slave terminal having monitoring means and a master terminal for collecting monitoring information of the slave terminals and transmitting the monitoring information to an external management device. By connecting the slave terminal and the master terminal by non-contact communication means, the number of communication lines required for transmitting monitoring information can be reduced, and the use of communication lines is reduced. Since the cost can be kept low, only the master unit needs to be connected to the communication line, and the slave terminal is connected by non-contact communication. It only needs to be placed at the monitoring place where the installation is performed, and the initial installation cost and the construction period can be greatly reduced.

 A monitoring terminal for a monitoring system of a specific area according to the present invention, wherein the master terminal includes the monitoring means, and the monitoring information from the monitoring means is collected together with the monitoring information collected from the slave terminal. It is preferable to transmit by communication means.

 In this way, since the master terminal has monitoring means like the slave unit, the number of slave units required in the monitoring terminal can be reduced by one. In the monitoring terminal for a monitoring system of the present invention, it is preferable that the communication means of the monitoring terminal is a wireless communication means capable of communicating by a wireless line.

By doing so, it is possible to omit the work of laying the communication line and the communication cable for connecting the base unit terminal to the communication line, and it is possible to more easily monitor the terminal. Can be set up.

 In the monitoring terminal for a monitoring system for a specific area according to the present invention, it is preferable that the wireless communication means is capable of wireless communication with a base station of a simple cellular phone communication network.

 With this configuration, the simple portable telephone communication network has a relatively high data transmission speed, and the monitoring means includes an image device and transmits image data captured by the image device. However, since the transmission of these image data can be carried out quickly, the communication area (talk cell) of the base station is relatively small, so that all channels in the base station are used. Thus, the possibility that communication with the monitoring terminal cannot be performed can be reduced. In the monitoring terminal for a monitoring system for a specific area according to the present invention, it is preferable that the master terminal activates the slave terminal based on an access from an external management device.

 In this way, the power consumption of the slave terminal can be reduced, and for example, when the slave terminal operates on batteries or the like, the life (usable life) of these batteries can be extended.

 In the monitoring terminal for a monitoring system in a specific area according to the present invention, the master unit terminal registers authentication data capable of identifying an external management device, and performs an authentication process by comparing the authentication data when accessing from outside. When the authentication is completed, it is preferable to start the slave terminal.

 In this way, even if erroneous and unauthorized access is imposed on the master terminal, it is possible to prevent the slave terminal from unnecessarily starting up and operating to consume power. it can.

 The monitoring terminal for a monitoring system of a specific area according to the present invention, wherein the monitoring means has a converting means for converting the obtained monitoring information into digital data, and the non-contact communication means converts the digitized monitoring information data into digital data. It is preferable that it can be sent.

With this configuration, the monitoring information is converted into digital data, so that the parent can be monitored. Even if the monitoring information itself is eavesdropped and plagiarized by a third party in the non-contact communication with the device terminal, it is relatively difficult to reproduce the digitized monitoring information.

 The monitoring terminal for a monitoring system for a specific area according to the present invention, wherein the master terminal includes data compression means for compressing the data capacity of each monitoring information collected and temporarily stored, and transmits the compressed monitoring information data It is preferable to do so.

 In this way, since the data capacity of the transmitted monitoring information data is reduced, the communication capacity and communication time of the communication line can be reduced, and as a result, the communication cost can be reduced. However, compared to providing data compression means in each slave terminal, the cost of the entire monitoring terminal can be reduced at a lower cost.

 In the monitoring terminal for a monitoring system in a specific area according to the present invention, it is preferable that the master terminal is capable of appropriately switching a slave terminal connected by the non-contact communication means. New

 By doing so, it is not necessary to provide the non-contact communication means for each slave terminal, and the cost of the master terminal can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

 FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of a monitoring system for a specific area in the first embodiment.

 FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing communication between the calling side, the relay side, and the specific error side in FIG.

 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the communication terminal on which an image is displayed when used by the calling side. FIG. 4 is a system block diagram as a modified example of FIG.

 FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing communication between the calling side, the relay side, and the specific area side when the system block diagram of FIG. 4 is used.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a monitoring system for a specific area according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an external perspective view showing a monitoring terminal used in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

 FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a monitoring terminal used in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

 FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management computer used in the second embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 10 is an external view showing a mobile phone carried by a user used in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

 FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of a monitoring process in the monitoring system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of a monitoring process in the monitoring system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 13 is a diagram showing (a) the contents of the encryption processing used in the third embodiment of the present invention.

 (b) It is a figure which shows the content of the decoding process used in Example 3 of this invention.

 FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another form of monitoring terminal according to the present invention. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a monitoring system for a specific area in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 16 is an external perspective view showing a master terminal used in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a master terminal used in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 18 is an external perspective view showing a slave terminal used in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a slave terminal used in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 shows the management computer used in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration.

 FIG. 21 is an external view showing a mobile phone carried by a user used in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a flow of a monitoring process in the monitoring system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 23 is an external perspective view showing a master terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

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

 (Example 1)

 As shown in Fig. 1, in a specific area (area) to be monitored, for example, in a room 100 of a house, a monitoring camera 1 as a monitoring means, a temperature of an animal or the like can be sensed. A temperature monitoring sensor 2 that uses infrared rays and a sound monitoring sensor 3 that can monitor abnormal sounds are provided. The surveillance camera 1 includes surveillance video as well as the surveillance camera. The temperature monitoring sensor 2 includes a temperature monitoring sensor for a fire or the like.

 These monitoring means are located at predetermined locations in the room, and this location can be selected to provide images of the area you want to monitor and to check temperature, sound, or smoke. Is done.

Each of the above-mentioned monitoring means has a control device 4, and this control device 4 performs on / off control of each of the monitoring means, and based on a predetermined control signal received using the wireless antenna 7. Control. These control devices 4 may control the direction of the monitoring camera 1. In the room 100 of the house, a telephone 8 as an example of a communication terminal is installed, and a control terminal 5 functioning as a control unit is connected to the telephone 8. The control terminal 5 is provided with an antenna 6 so that a predetermined control signal can be sent to the control device 4 described above. Note that the control unit is Thus, the control terminal 5 and the control device 4 are represented as separate devices, but the control unit may be concentrated on any of these devices 4 and 5 or without using the above-mentioned radio signal. In addition, it is possible to contact them by wire.

 In addition, a device that functions as a control unit is installed in the telephone 8, and a monitoring camera 1, a temperature monitoring sensor 12, a sound monitoring sensor 13, and the like as monitoring means are wired, It is possible to control not only wirelessly.

 In addition, it is natural that the communication line 9 is connected to a communication terminal such as the telephone 8. However, when a special abnormal situation occurs, the communication line 9 is not directly passed through the telephone 8 from the communication line 9. A system structure may be adopted in which a line is connected to the control terminal 5 or the control device 4 to extract information of the monitoring means to the outside.

 In addition, when the telephone 8 is busy even when a call is received from outside, the control terminal 5 is used regardless of whether or not the telephone 8 is used by using the interrupt function. Alternatively, the system may be connected to the control device 4 via a line to take out the information of the monitoring means to the outside.

 Reference numeral 9 denotes a communication line network, which includes various public telephones 13 and general telephones, a personal computer 14 and a mobile telephone 11 which is a mobile telephone terminal. The bureau 10 has been contacted. A relay station 17 is located between the communication networks 9, and the relay station 17 is a system constructed by an intermediary computer or the like that processes and services data. To give an overview, a system mainly including a communication terminal such as the telephone 8 shown in FIG. 1 is used for a specific area side, and a mobile phone 11 and a mobile computer 1 as external access means. 5 is the calling side, and the above-mentioned relay station 17 is defined as the relay side.

The conditions for operating the system constructed by these three parties (specific area, relay side, and calling side) are as follows: the calling side (generally, the telephone and house of the specific area side) It is assumed that a contract between the holder or the stakeholders of the area) and the relay side is assumed, and the caller sends the relay side a telephone number, ID number, address data, password, and encryption mode. Register at least one authentication data item in the You are the registered registrant.

 As the authentication data, fingerprints, irises, voices, handwritten signatures, and the like, which are physical characteristics, may be used.

 Here, first, returning to FIG. 1, the system settings in the room 100 will be described. When the telephone 8 is switched to the answering machine function when, for example, the registrant goes out, the control is performed. The operation of the terminal 5 is in a standby state. In particular, this setting is not limited to using the answering machine function of the telephone, and it is also possible to input an out-of-home state to the control unit of the control terminal 5. It is not necessary to use a telephone as long as it is a communication terminal having other communication functions, such as a personal computer, in addition to the telephone.

 When the registrant goes out and needs to check if there is any special condition (abnormality) in room 100, as shown in Fig. 2, he / she uses mobile phone 11 etc. to the relay side as shown in Fig.2. call. Then, the relay side activates the automatic answering function and answers the call.

 The communication line is connected by this call, and the relay side confirms the authentication data such as the telephone number and ID number of the calling side, and determines whether the telephone number and the ID number are registered. Search by comparing with the registration number of the database. The caller does not always use his / her registered phone, and if not registered, the relay requests the caller for authentication data in encrypted mode. Also, although optional, even if a phone number is registered, a call from another person may be made.Therefore, authentication data such as encryption mode is required from all callers. You can.

 When authentication data is transmitted from the calling side and received by the relay side, the authentication data is checked for validity.If it is determined that the authentication mode is incorrect, the Calls may be answered by a specific staff member at the transit side by voice or processed by mechanical voice response.

If the authentication data is determined to be appropriate, a call is made from the relay side to the telephone number that is the specific area registered by the calling side. On the relay side, when this telephone number is called, there is an answering (off-hook) call. Check if there is no off-hook and take a specific action called the first function. As a reason for proceeding to the first function, the absence of an incoming call may be caused by some kind of obstruction, such as the telephone line being disconnected and the power being turned off. In such a case, when a busy signal is obtained, a comment indicating that the line is not connected to the specific telephone side is transmitted to the calling side, and the calling is repeated continuously. When there is no communication, a comment to the effect that the line or the like may be disconnected is sent to the calling party.

 Next, when a predetermined person answers the telephone due to this call, it is conceivable to connect the calling side and the called side of a specific area by a line. In this case, a conversation between the two parties is established, and the calling party can confirm that there is a family member. Instead of connecting the line between the calling side and the called side, it is possible for the relay side to send a predetermined message to both sides. Of course, it is expected that non-homes will not answer the phone. If the system does not switch to the automatic answering function when there is nobody or no one can answer the call (automatic answering function), the system cannot be operated because it has not been set from the beginning. An inoperative notification is sent to the caller.

 The communication line is connected by the above-described automatic answering, the control terminal 5 as a control unit is activated, and the relay side waits for the transmission of a special signal, which is a specific activation signal. In this function, a special signal (encryption mode) determined in advance in the control terminal 5 is recorded so that an unspecified number of people cannot use this system. In a state where the encryption mode issued from the side does not match, the control terminal 5 basically does not operate.

 When the specific telephone receives the encryption mode, it compares the encryption mode with the internal data, and if it is not, provides the usual answering machine function as described above.

When it is determined that the encryption mode is appropriate, the control terminal 5 which is a control unit is activated, a signal is sent to the control device 4, and the monitoring means 1, 2, and 3 are activated. The data captured in 1, 2, and 3 is received by the control terminal 5 via the control device 4 and transmitted as sensing information to the relay side in a call state.

 This data is, for example, that the mobile phone 11 has an image display device 16 as shown in FIG. 3. If the information sent here is image data or the like, this image display device 16 is used. For example, a predetermined position in the room is displayed, and it is possible to immediately determine whether a thief has entered or whether there is any abnormality in the elderly.

 In addition, if a state occurs where the requested information cannot be received correctly, a specific operation called the second function is performed. As a reason for proceeding to the second function, the absence of an image or the like means that somebody may have caused an obstacle to the surveillance center and there is no image related to the abnormality. The call will be communicated to the caller.

 (Example of change)

 FIG. 4 shows a modification example of FIG. 1, and differs from FIG. 4 in that the control terminal 5 is connected to a communication line 9 and functions as a communication terminal. That is, part of the control terminal 5 functions as a DSU or a terminal adapter, and receives a special signal to which a call signal added from an ISDN line is added, and sends the signal to the telephone 8. Data is transmitted to the control terminal 5 immediately before giving the incoming call signal. In this case, the control terminal 5 is activated only by a special signal from the relay side.

 That is, as shown in FIG. 5, when the signal mode of the calling side is appropriate, a special signal for starting the control terminal 5 and the control device 4 is sent to the specific area, and the monitoring is performed. It will work to get the sensing information. This information is processed as in the first embodiment.

In the case of using the system constructed in this way, in the first embodiment, when the calling party goes out, the telephone 8 is used to switch to the answering machine function, or some outgoing information is sent to the control terminal 5. It must be given in this example Since the relay side directly controls the control terminal 5 and the control unit 4 regardless of whether the relay side is away or not, and obtains information from the monitoring means, it is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Even without such a switching operation, the caller can obtain monitoring information.

 For data transmission / reception, it is preferable to use Internet communication based on packet transmission since a large amount of data can be transmitted / received. The telephone number becomes the address data. In particular, in the case of the present invention, since the relay station on the relay side is a server installed in the Internet or telephone network, it is not necessary to set up an independent server in each private home or office. The system has greatly improved cost and convenience.

 (Example 2)

 First, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a monitoring system for a specific area according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is an external perspective view showing a monitoring terminal used in the monitoring system for a specific area according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the monitoring terminal used in the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management computer used in the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is an external view showing a mobile phone carried by a user who can output a monitoring image and a sound from the management computer of the present embodiment.

 First, as shown in Fig. 6, the monitoring system for a specific area of the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, is a camera and control unit of the first embodiment which is installed in a monitored area such as a home, for example, at home. The monitoring terminal 101 integrated with the communication terminal, and the monitoring terminal 101 and the information terminal owned by the service user are connected via the communication network 105 so as to be capable of data communication. A management computer 103 (management device) owned by the service provider (relay side), a personal computer 14 or a laptop 15 operated by a monitoring service user, or a mobile phone It mainly consists of information terminals such as 11 and.

The monitoring terminal 101 used in this embodiment is a simple mobile phone (PHS). It has the communication function of the terminal, and makes outgoing and incoming calls and data transfer using the base station 102 of the PHS system and the radio wave of 1.9 GHz which is a predetermined frequency. Transmission and reception are possible, and since the base station 102 is connected to the public communication network 105 via the central control station 106, each monitoring terminal 101 can communicate. A communication line can be opened and transmitted between the management computer 103 owned by the service provider connected to the network 105 by calling and receiving calls, and data can be transmitted and received between both. It has become.

 First, as shown in FIG. 7, the monitoring terminal 101 used in this embodiment is provided on a surface of a box-shaped housing 50 that can be arranged on a ceiling or the like, and inside a transparent dome-shaped cover 68. A monitoring CCD camera 55 as monitoring means, and a direction changing device 58 capable of changing the monitoring direction of the monitoring CCD camera 55 left, right, up and down, and the housing On the side surface of the body 50, an antenna 51 for transmitting and receiving radio waves of a predetermined frequency for the monitoring terminal 101 to perform wireless communication with the base station 102 is provided rotatably. On the other side, a sound collecting microphone 53 that can collect sound in the monitoring area is provided.

As shown in FIG. 8, the configuration inside the housing 50 of the monitoring terminal 101 is such that radio waves in the 1.9 GHz band are transmitted to the base station 102 via the antenna 51 as shown in FIG. RF module 60, which is a wireless communication means provided with a receiving unit 61, a transmitting unit 62, and an antenna switch 63 for performing the transmission, and a radio wave received by the transmitting / receiving RF module 60. Π Z4 shift QPSK modem 6 for performing demodulation of radio waves and modulation of radio waves transmitted by the transmission / reception RF module 60, caller telephone number data of the management computer, and MPU to be described later. The control contents such as monitoring CCD camera 55, direction changing device 58, sound collecting microphone 53, and other monitoring means implemented by 65 and the start and stop of the peripheral devices of the monitoring means are described. Non-volatile flash memory storing control programs, etc. And Yumemo Li 5 7, is connected to the sound collector microphone 5 3, the PCM co one dead click 5 2 is an AZ D converter for converting an input sound into digital data, imaged by the internal lens Monitoring CCD camera 55 with a built-in charge-coupled device (CCD) 54 that can output the captured image as a digital data stream, the PCM codec 52 and the charge-coupled device (CCD) 54 The digital signal processor (DSP) 56 that compresses the output audio data and image data using a predetermined compression algorithm (MPEG method), and the shooting direction of the monitoring CCD camera 55 The direction changing device 58 that moves, the dry lamp 59 that turns on the pilot lamp (LED) 69, and these parts are connected as shown in Fig. 8, and processing such as control of each part is performed. The MPU 65 has an internal R〇M 66 in which the telephone number data and the identification ID of the monitoring terminal 101 are stored. . In FIG. 8, white arrows indicate control signals, and black arrows mainly indicate data signals.

Further, the monitoring terminal 101 of the present embodiment is equipped with a battery 67 as power means, and is operable with the battery, and the monitoring terminal 101 can obtain power. The present invention is not limited to this, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an AC current obtained from a power outlet or the like can be converted into a predetermined DC current. conversion also in the jar'll be used in good Rere _c

 As described above, the monitoring terminal 101 of the present embodiment has the wireless communication means of the PHS terminal as a communication function, and does not perform a telephone call as a normal PHS terminal, but performs the digital communication. The image and audio data compressed by the MPEG system by the signal processor (DSP) 56 can be transmitted to the management computer 103. As described above, The use of a PHS system wireless channel as a communication means means that there is no need to connect communication lines or cables in order to connect the monitoring terminal 101 to the communication network 105, so that it can be installed. Although preferred because it can be easily implemented, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a communication means using a communication line, a cable, or the like.

In this embodiment, the wireless communication means of the PHS system is used as the wireless communication means. In doing so, the PHS system has a relatively high data transmission rate, and the transmission of the data compressed image data / audio data can be performed quickly. Since the communication area (talk cell) of the base station is relatively small, all channels in the base station are used and the communication between the base station and the monitoring terminal 101 is performed. It is preferable because the possibility that communication cannot be performed can be reduced. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Examples of such wireless communication means include a mobile phone system and a digital MCA wireless communication. It is good to use a system etc.

 Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the image data and the audio data are compressed by the MPEG method using the DSP 56 and transmitted to the management computer 103. This means that the transmission load can be reduced by reducing the amount of data to be transmitted, and the communication capacity required by the management computer 103 can be reduced, thereby reducing the line cost. Although it is preferable because the cost can be reduced, the present invention is not limited to this.

 Further, in the present embodiment, the image and the sound are digitized, and the data is further compressed and transmitted. This is because the monitoring terminal 101 and the base station 102 cannot communicate with each other. Even if the wireless communication is intercepted and eavesdropped, it is preferable because the transmitted contents can be hardly stolen, but the present invention is not limited to this.

Further, in the present embodiment, the monitoring CCD camera 55 and the sound collecting microphone 53 are provided as monitoring means, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, use an infrared sensor that can detect infrared rays emitted by animals, etc., a temperature monitoring sensor (including a fire monitoring sensor based on temperature) that can measure the ambient temperature of the installation location, and a smoke monitoring sensor. The monitoring means to be used may be appropriately selected according to the monitoring purpose. As a place to install the monitoring terminal 1, select a suitable place where the user can check the image of the area and the temperature, sound, or smoke that the user particularly wants to monitor. The monitoring can be performed more precisely by using a ceiling with few obstacles as in this embodiment and allowing the monitoring direction to be moved appropriately. And from here,

 As shown in FIG. 9, the configuration of the management computer 103 that receives the compressed image and sound data from each of the monitoring terminals 101 has a relatively high-speed data inside the computer as shown in FIG. Authentication processing by connection from the user to the data bus 30 for sending and receiving data, calling and connection processing to the monitoring terminal 101 registered corresponding to the user, and the received image And a central processing unit (CPU) 31 having a high computing capability capable of executing data transfer processing for transmitting sound data to the information terminal of the user, for example, a mobile phone 11; Used to register RAM 32 used for memory, etc., display device 34 such as display, input device 36 such as keyboard and mouse, and connection service execution history etc. Current time information and power of any day of the month Real-time communication (RTC) 37, capable of outputting digital information, enabling relatively high-speed data communication with the monitoring terminal 101 and the user's information terminal, such as the mobile phone 11 It consists of a communication line board 33 to which a plurality of digital communication lines (ISDN) can be connected, a magnetic disk and a magneto-optical disk, and is associated with an identification code (ID) that can identify a user. User database (DB) in which the security code of the user and the telephone number assigned to the monitoring terminal installed at the place where the user wants to monitor, and data describing the data transfer processing contents The storage device 35 in which the transfer program is stored is connected to the computer, and is a computer with relatively high processing capability.

In the present invention, the information terminal used by the user includes accessing the management computer 103 to receive the compressed image data and sound data, decompressing the compressed data, and reproducing and outputting the data. Whatever is possible In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the user can access the management computer 1 from any one of the personal computer 14, the notebook computer 15, and the mobile phone 11. The mobile phone 11 used in the present embodiment is configured such that the mobile phone 11 used in the present embodiment is capable of monitoring by obtaining image data and sound data from the monitoring terminal 101 by accessing the monitoring terminal 103. As shown in FIG. 10, the microcomputer has a relatively large display screen 16 on which a monitoring image can be displayed, and has a microcomputer capable of executing the decompression processing of the compressed data. By connecting an earphone to the earphone terminal 1 1 7, you can listen to the sound while watching the screen.

 Hereinafter, the flow of the monitoring process in the monitoring system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 11. If you are uneasy, for example, call from your mobile phone 11 to the telephone number of the management computer 103 owned by the monitoring service provider and follow the guidance. Enter your user ID and PIN by operating the mobile phone 11.

The management computer 103 compares the user ID and the password transmitted from the user's mobile phone 11 with the registration data of the user DB stored in the storage device 35. However, if the comparison is successful and the user is determined to be a legitimate user, a call is made to the telephone number (PHS terminal number) of the monitoring terminal 101 registered in the user DB in association with the user ID. I do. At this time, at the time of the outgoing call, the telephone number data of the management computer 103 as the caller is multiplied by the outgoing signal by the exchange of the communication network 105 so that the central control station 1 , And is converted by the central control station 106 into caller telephone number data, and the monitor terminal corresponding to the telephone number from which the caller telephone number data and the call information corresponded to the call originated. 1, the monitoring terminal 101 is transmitted via the base station 102 inside the communication area. Based on this call, the monitoring terminal 101 registers in advance the caller telephone number data transmitted together with the reception of the call in the flash memory 57. The telephone number of the recorded management computer 103 is compared with the recorded telephone number. If the comparison is successful, an incoming call is made, and the monitoring CCD camera 55 and sound collecting microphone 53 3 which are monitoring means are used. At the same time, the PCM codec 52 and the DSP 56 for performing data compression processing are started.

 By the activation, image data captured by the monitoring CCD camera 55 and sound data collected by the sound collecting microphone 53 and digitized by the PCM codec 52 are output. Is converted into compressed data by the DSP 56, which is a predetermined data compression method according to the MPEG method, and the compressed data is modulated by the πΖ4 shift QPSK modem 64, and is then converted by the base station. 102, and the transmitted compressed data is transmitted via the central control station 106 and the communication network 105, and received by the management computer 103. I have.

 The compressed data including the image and the sound transmitted from the monitoring terminal 101 is temporarily stored (stored) in the storage device 35, and the data transmission of the communication line to the mobile phone 11 as a user information terminal. The temporarily stored (accumulated) compressed data is transmitted according to the speed.

 The compressed data transmitted to the mobile phone 11, which is the information terminal of the user, is appropriately decompressed and the image data is displayed on the display screen 16. At this time, when the user operates the cross key or the like provided on the mobile phone 11 to change the monitoring direction in which the image is captured, the operation data is output. Is transmitted to the management computer 103, and control instruction data of the direction change device 58 based on the transmission is created and transmitted to the monitoring terminal 101, so that the user can view in the desired direction. The shooting direction can be moved up, down, left and right as needed.

When these users have been monitored and the user has terminated access to the management computer 103, the management computer 103 disconnects the communication line to the monitoring terminal 101 without delay. The communication line is disconnected. As a result, the monitoring terminal 101 performs the data compression processing with the PCM codec 52 together with the monitoring CCD camera 55 and the sound collecting microphone 53 started at the time of calling. By shifting the DSP 56 and the sleep state to the stop or semi-stop state, the power used in the monitoring terminal 101 is reduced as much as possible. By doing so, the replacement frequency of the battery 67 can be greatly reduced.

 (Example 3)

 Next, a modification of the authentication process of the management computer 103 of the monitoring terminal 101 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration and the like of the monitoring system in the third embodiment are omitted because they are the same as those in the second embodiment. However, in the third embodiment, the monitoring terminal 101 and the management computer 1 are omitted. In 0 3, previously paired key data (KA) and key data (KB) are registered respectively.

 First, when the management computer 103 determines that the user is an authorized user, the telephone number (PHS terminal number) of the monitoring terminal 101 registered in the user DB in association with the user ID The process up to the process of making a call is the same as in the second embodiment.

 Based on the incoming call, the monitoring terminal 101 generates random data (TR) having a predetermined length by a predetermined generating algorithm, and returns the random data (TR) to the management computer 103.

 The management computer 103 reads the encryption key data (KA) registered in the user DB in association with the monitoring terminal that has made the call from the storage device 35, and reads the key data (KA). Then, the random data (TR) received by performing the modular exponentiation operation shown in Fig. 13 (a) is converted into encrypted random data (AR), and the encrypted random data is used. Data (AR) is returned to the monitoring terminal 101.

The returned encrypted random data (AR) is obtained by the encryption key data (KB) registered in advance in the monitoring terminal 101 as shown in FIG. 13 (b). By performing the modular exponentiation operation shown in (1), it is decoded into the original random data (TR '), and the decoded random data (TR') is transmitted to the management computer 103 as described above. Then, the caller is identified as the management computer when the comparison results in coincidence, and the monitoring CCD camera, which is the monitoring means, as in the second embodiment. The PCM codec 52 and the DSP 56 that performs data compression processing are started up together with the laser 55 and the sound collecting microphone 53, and the image and sound data that has been data compressed are managed. To computer 103.

 Authenticating the management computer 103 as described above means that the authentication data transmitted and received in the wireless communication between the monitoring terminal 101 and the base station 102 is not required. However, each time the management computer makes a call to the monitoring terminal 101, it becomes different from each other, so that the authentication data is intercepted and stolen in the wireless communication, and the stolen authentication data is temporarily used. However, it is not possible to obtain the authentication of the monitoring terminal 101, so that it is impossible to obtain the image and sound data from the monitoring terminal 101. It is preferable because it becomes.

 In the third embodiment, as an example of encryption, encryption by the power-residue arithmetic method using the above-mentioned encryption key data is used. This method is necessary for encryption and decryption processing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and authentication methods transmitted and received at the time of outgoing call are individually transmitted. Anything that is different for each call can be suitably used.

 Although the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and any change or addition without departing from the spirit of the present invention is included in the present invention. Needless to say.

For example, in the above, the monitoring terminal 101, the management computer 103, and the mobile phone 11 as the user's information terminal are connected via the communication network 105, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is not limited to these communication times The wire network 105 may be an Internet network which is a computer network.

 Further, in the present embodiment, the monitoring terminal has a shape that can be installed on a ceiling. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and these monitoring terminals are wall-mounted as shown in FIG. It is needless to say that the monitoring terminal 101 ′ may be used, or may have an appropriate shape according to other installation locations.

 (Example 4)

 First, FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a monitoring system for a specific area according to the present embodiment. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a monitoring terminal used in the monitoring system for a specific area according to the present embodiment. FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the base unit terminal, and FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the base unit terminal according to the present embodiment. FIG. 19 is an external perspective view showing a slave terminal forming the monitoring terminal used. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the slave terminal forming the monitoring terminal used in the present embodiment. FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management computer used in the present embodiment, and FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing monitoring images and sounds from the management computer of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an external view showing a mobile phone carried by a user who can output.

 First, as shown in FIG. 15, the monitoring system for a specific area according to the present embodiment includes, as shown in FIG. A communication network 10 10 includes a monitoring terminal 11 1 comprising a parent terminal 10 7 for collecting monitoring information from the terminal 10 8, and the monitoring terminal 11 1 and an information terminal owned by a service user. 5 The management computer 103 owned by the service provider connected to enable data communication via PC 5 and the personal computer 14 or notebook computer 15 operated by the monitoring service user or mobile phone It mainly consists of information terminals such as telephones 11 and.

Further, the master terminal 107 constituting the monitoring terminal 111 used in the present embodiment has a communication function of a simple portable telephone (PHS) terminal, and the simple portable telephone (PHS) The base station 102 of the system and the predetermined frequency 1.9 G Outgoing and incoming calls and data transmission / reception can be performed using the Hz radio wave, and the base station 102 is connected to the public communication network 105 via the central control station 106. As a result, the base unit terminal 107 is connected to the management computer 103 owned by the service provider connected to the communication network 105 to make outgoing and incoming calls. A communication line is opened so that both parties can send and receive data.

 First, as described above, the monitoring terminal 111 used in the present embodiment is capable of non-contact data communication with the plurality of slave terminals 108 and each of the slave terminals 108 as described above. The main unit terminal 107 used in this embodiment has an external appearance as shown in FIG. 16 and has a box-shaped housing 7. 0, an antenna 71 for communication with a base station 102 of the portable cellular phone (PHS) system is rotatably provided. On one surface of the housing 70, A disk-shaped planar antenna 72 for transmitting and receiving a 2.4 GHz radio wave at a predetermined frequency with the slave terminal 108 is accommodated, and the planar antenna 72 is disposed. On the side, a pilot lamp (LED) 73 that reports the operation status of the parent terminal 107 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 17, the configuration of the base unit terminal 107 is used for exchanging radio waves in the 1.9 GHz band with the base station 102 through the antenna 71. A transmitting / receiving RF module 160, which is a wireless communication means provided with a receiving unit 161, a transmitting unit 162, and an antenna switch 163, and demodulation of radio waves received by the transmitting / receiving RF module 160. And a π-no 4 shift QPSK modem 164 for modulating the radio wave transmitted by the transmission / reception RF module 160, and the slave terminals 108 and the ISM band 2 .4 Bournemouth unit 74 that carries out non-contact relatively high-speed two-way data communication using a spread spectrum communication method using weak radio waves in the 7 GHz band, Output and transmission of radio waves transmitted and received between the Before used for receiving A planar antenna 72, an SRAM 167 for storing monitoring information (data) from the child device terminal 108 received at the bullet train unit 74, and an SRAM 1667 for storing the monitoring information (data). A digital signal processor (DSP) 168 that compresses the monitored information (data) using a predetermined data compression algorithm (MPEG format), and the pilot lamp (LED) 7 3 and a MPU 165 connected to these parts as shown in Fig. 17 and performing processing such as control of each part. 5 has an internal memory 106 in which the telephone number data and identification ID of the master terminal 107 and the telephone number of the management computer are stored. In FIG. 17, white arrows mainly indicate control signals, and black arrows mainly indicate data signals.

 Fig. 18 shows the main unit terminal 107 and the child unit terminal 108 connected to enable data communication by spread spectrum communication using weak radio waves in the 2.47 GHz band. As described above, a transparent dome-shaped cover 1503 is provided on one surface of a box-shaped housing 40 that can be arranged on a ceiling or the like, and monitoring means is provided inside the cover 153. A monitoring CCD camera 45 and a direction changing device 48 capable of changing the monitoring direction of the monitoring CCD camera 45 left, right, up, and down are provided therein, and the side of the housing 40 is provided. Has a rotatable antenna 41 for wireless communication with the master terminal 107, and further has a sound collecting microphone 1 capable of collecting sound in a monitoring area on another side. There is an operation lamp (LED) 146 that is lit when the terminal 53 and the slave terminal 108 are in operation to notify the operating status.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the configuration inside the casing 40 of the child device terminal 108 is such that the parent device terminals 107 and 2.47 GHz are connected via the antenna 41. AZD converter that is connected to a Bluetooth unit 150 for performing spread spectrum communication using weak radio waves in the band and the sound collecting microphone 43 to convert the input sound to digital data The image formed by the PCM codec 42 and the lens is a charge that can be output as a digital data sequence. A monitoring CCD camera 45 incorporating a coupling element (CCD) 44, and an SRAM 4 for temporarily storing audio data and image data output from the PCM codec 42 and the charge coupled element (CCD) 44. 7, a direction changing device 48 for changing the shooting direction of the monitoring CCD camera 45, a driver 49 for turning on an operation lamp (LED) 46, and these parts as shown in FIG. And an MPU 152 that performs processing such as control of each unit. The MPU 152 includes a slave unit ID individually assigned to each slave terminal 108. It has a stored internal ROM 15 1. In FIG. 19 as well, white arrows indicate control signals, and black arrows mainly indicate data signals.

 In addition, the slave terminal 108 of this embodiment is equipped with a battery 154 as power means, and is operable with the battery. Although it can be easily installed even in a place where power cannot be obtained, the present invention is not limited to this. It is good to convert it to use.

 As described above, the master terminal 107 of the present embodiment has the wireless communication means of the PHS terminal as a communication function, and does not perform a telephone call as a normal PHS terminal, but Image and audio data compressed by the MPEG system by a digital signal processor (DSP) 168 can be transmitted to the management computer 103. Using the wireless channel of the PHS system as a means means that not only the slave terminal 108 forming the monitoring terminal 111 but also the master terminal 107 can be connected to the communication network 105. It is preferable that communication lines, cables, and the like need not be installed for connection, and the installation can be easily performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Communication means using communication lines or cables may be used.

Further, in the present embodiment, the PHS system is used as a wireless communication means of the master terminal 107. In this case, the PHS system has a relatively high data transmission rate, and the compressed data of the image data and the audio data is used. Since the transmission can be performed quickly and the size of the communicable area (talk cell) of the base station is relatively small, all the channels in the base station are used and the base station and the monitoring terminal 11 are used. Although it is preferable to reduce the possibility that the communication with the communication device 1 cannot be performed, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, a digital MCA wireless system or the like may be used.

 Further, in this embodiment, as described above, the image data and the audio data are data-compressed by the MPEG system using the DSP 168 and transmitted to the management computer 103. Performing data compression can reduce the transmission load by reducing the amount of data to be transmitted, and can reduce the communication capacity required by the management computer 103, and It is preferable because the cost can be reduced, but the present invention is not limited to this.

Further, in this embodiment, as the non-contact communication means between the slave terminal 108 and the master terminal 107, 2.47 GHz according to the Bluetooth unit 150, 74 described above is used. The use of weak radio communication by the bluetooth method is because these communication methods are spread spectrum methods and relatively high-speed data transmission. Because of the speed and the weak radio waves, it is preferable to install a similar monitoring terminal 1 1 1 in an adjacent house because both communications are less likely to be affected by each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the non-contact communication between the child terminal 108 and the parent terminal 107 may be communication using infrared rays or the like, or the parent terminal 1 Use the premises channel adjacent to the public PHS channel used in 07, and Non by radio waves channel equipped with same RF module and can transmit and receive the transmit and receive RF module 1 6 0 to the slave terminal 1 0 8 Contact communication may be performed.

 Further, in this embodiment, the DSP 168 as the data compression means is mounted not on the individual slave terminals but only on the master terminal 107 which collects monitoring information, and the master terminal 10 7, data compression is performed, and this requires only one DSP 168, a relatively expensive device, to be mounted on the entire monitoring terminal 111. This is preferable because it is possible to suppress an increase in the cost of the monitoring terminal 111 as a whole, in particular, the cost of the slave terminal 108. However, for example, when the data transfer capacity of the wireless communication between the master terminal 107 and the slave terminal 108 cannot be obtained, The DSP 168 is installed on the handset terminal side, and the data capacity transmitted from the handset terminal 108 is It may be in the jar I assumed or is less due to contraction.

 Further, in the present embodiment, the surveillance image and the sound are digitized in the slave unit terminal 108, and the digital data is transmitted to the master unit terminal 107. This is preferable because even if the wireless communication between the child device terminal 108 and the parent device terminal 107 is intercepted and eavesdropped, the transmission content can be made difficult to be stolen, but the present invention is applied to this. Not limited

 In the present embodiment, the monitoring CCD camera 45 and the sound collecting microphone 43 are provided as monitoring means provided in the slave terminal, but the present invention is not limited to this. Rather than monitoring these, for example, an infrared sensor that can detect infrared rays emitted by animals, a temperature monitoring sensor that can measure the ambient temperature of the installation site, and smoke monitoring (including a fire monitoring sensor based on temperature) A sensor or the like may be used, and the monitoring means to be used may be appropriately selected according to the monitoring purpose.

In addition, as a place for installing the slave unit terminal 108, a suitable place for confirming an image of an area that the user particularly wants to monitor, and for checking temperature, sound, or smoke can be used. It is only necessary to select a ceiling, as in this embodiment, with few obstacles. For example, it is preferable that the monitoring direction can be appropriately moved so that more detailed monitoring can be performed.

 The configuration of the management computer 103 that receives the compressed image and sound data from each of the parent terminals 107 is the same as that of the previous embodiment, and as shown in FIG. Authentication processing by a connection from a user and monitoring terminal 1 1 1 (master terminal) registered for the user are connected to a data bus 30 that transmits and receives data at a relatively high speed inside the computer. Central processing with excellent computational power capable of performing call processing and connection processing to 107), and data transfer processing for transmitting received image and sound data to the information terminal of the user, for example, a mobile phone 11 Processing device (CPU) 31, RAM 32 used for work memory of CPU 31, display device 34 such as display, input device such as keyboard and mouse 36 And the current service used to register connection service execution history, etc. A real-time clock (RTC) 37 that can output time information and power render information such as the day of the week on any given date, the monitoring terminal 111 (master terminal 107) and the user A communication line board 33 that can be connected to multiple digital communication lines (ISDN), which can perform data communication with mobile phones 11 etc., which are information terminals, at a relatively high speed, and a magnetic disk or magneto-optical It consists of a disk, and the personal identification number of the user and the telephone number assigned to the monitoring terminal installed at the place where the user wants to monitor are associated with the identification code (ID) that can identify the user. It has a relatively high processing capability with a registered user database (DB) and a storage device 35 storing a data transfer program in which the data transfer processing content is described. It is a computer.

The information terminal used by the user in the present invention can access the management combo 103 to receive the compressed image data and sound data, decompress the compressed data, reproduce and output the data. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the user can perform the above management from any one of the personal computer 14, the notebook personal computer 15, and the mobile phone 11. Combi The mobile phone 103 used in the present embodiment can access the computer 103 to obtain image data and sound data from the monitoring terminal 111 and perform monitoring. 1 has a relatively large display screen 16 on which a monitoring image can be displayed as shown in FIG. 21 and is capable of performing the decompression processing of the compressed data as shown in FIG. It is supposed to be equipped with a phone, and by connecting an earphone to the earphone terminal port 117, it is possible to listen to sound while watching the screen.

 Hereinafter, the flow of the monitoring process in the monitoring system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 22. First, a user is required to go to a home where the monitoring terminal 1 If you are uneasy, for example, call from your mobile phone 11 to the telephone number of the management computer 103 owned by the monitoring service provider, and follow the guidance. Enter your user ID and PIN by operating the mobile phone 11. On the management computer 103 side, the user ID and the password transmitted from the user's mobile phone 11 are stored in the user DB registration data stored in the storage device 35. If the comparison results in a match and the user is determined to be a legitimate user, the telephone number of the monitoring terminal 111 (master terminal 107) registered in the user DB in association with the user ID (PHS terminal number). At this time, at the time of the outgoing call, the telephone number data of the management computer 103 as the caller is multiplied by the outgoing signal by the exchange of the communication network 105, and the central control is performed. It is transmitted to the station i 06, converted into the caller telephone number data by the central control station 6, and the caller telephone number data and the call information correspond to the telephone number from which the call was made. The master terminal 107 is transmitted to the terminal 111 (master terminal 107) via the base station 102 located inside the call area.

Based on this call, the master terminal 107 constituting the monitoring terminal 111 stores the caller telephone number data transmitted along with the reception of the call in the internal ROM 166 in advance. Registered management computer 103 phone number When the comparisons match, an incoming call is performed, and an activation instruction is output to each slave terminal 108 via the bluetooth unit 74 and the slave terminal 108 is output. Start up.

 The slave terminal started based on the start instruction receives image data captured by the monitoring CCD camera 45 based on the reception of the slave ID transmitted from the master terminal 107, and The sound data collected by the sound collecting microphone 43 and digitized by the PCM codec 42 is transmitted to the master terminal 107, and when the transmission is completed, the slave unit ID is again transmitted. It will be in a standby state until it is received.

 The master terminal 107 sequentially transmits the slave unit IDs of the slave terminals 108 registered in advance, and transmits image data and sound data as monitoring information from each slave terminal 108. Are collected and stored and accumulated in the SRAM 167.

 In this way, when the master unit collects monitoring information by sequentially switching the slave terminals 108 connected to the master unit, it is blue for each of these slave terminals 108. Although it is not necessary to provide the waste unit 74, the connection control can be simplified, and the base unit terminal 107 can be constructed at low cost. The present invention is not limited to this. If the communication speed (data transmission speed) of the booth node unit 74 is sufficient, the connection time is divided for each slave terminal 108. A time-division multiple access method (TDMA method) that performs multiple access by using a multiple access method may be used.

 Next, as described above, the DSP 168 converts the image data and the sound data, which are the monitoring information stored and stored in the SRAM 167, into the MPEG system, which is a predetermined data compression system. The compressed data is modulated by the πΖ4 shift QPSK modem 164 and transmitted to the base station 102, and the transmitted compressed data is centrally controlled. It is transmitted via the station 106 and the communication network 105 and received by the management computer 103.

The compressed data including images and sounds transmitted from this monitoring terminal 1 1 1 The compressed data that is temporarily stored (stored) in the storage device 35 and that is temporarily stored (stored) is transmitted in accordance with the data transmission speed of the communication line to the mobile phone 11 as a user information terminal. You.

The compressed data transmitted to the mobile phone 11 as the user's information terminal is appropriately decompressed and the image data is displayed on the display screen 16. ₍ At this time, if the user operates a cross key or the like provided on the mobile phone 11 in order to change the monitoring direction in which the image is captured, the operation is The data is transmitted to the management computer 103, control instruction data is created based on the transmission, the instruction data is transmitted to the parent terminal 107, and the child terminal via the parent terminal 107. By transmitting the information to 108, the direction changing device (not shown) provided in the slave terminal 108 can move the photographing direction up, down, left, and right in the direction desired by the user. Is possible.

 If the monitoring of these users ends and the user ends access to the management computer 103, the management computer 103 disconnects the communication line to the master terminal 107 without delay. By disconnecting the communication line, master terminal 107 shifts each of the slave terminals 108 started at the time of calling as described above to a sleep state. However, the power used in the slave terminal 108 is minimized, so that the frequency of replacing the battery 154 can be greatly reduced. You can do it.

 Although the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and any change or addition without departing from the spirit of the present invention is included in the present invention. Needless to say.

For example, in the above, the base unit terminal 107, the management computer 103, and the mobile phone 11 as the user's information terminal are connected via the communication network 105. The communication network 5 is not limited to this, but may be an Internet network which is a computer network. Ray

 In the above embodiment, the parent device 107 does not have the monitoring means such as the monitoring CCD camera 45 and the sound collecting microphone 43, but as shown in FIG. 23, The main unit terminal 107 ′ provided with the monitoring CCD camera 156 and the sound collecting microphone 157 may be used, and it is necessary to use the main unit terminal 107 ′. It is also possible to reduce the number of slave terminals 108 to be reduced by one.

 Further, in the above-described embodiment, the slave unit terminal 108 has a shape that can be installed on the ceiling. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and these slave terminals 108 may be wall-mounted. Needless to say, it may be a monitoring terminal of the same type or an appropriate shape according to other installation locations.

 Further, in the above embodiment, the authentication of the management computer 103 is performed by the telephone number of the management computer 103, and this is done before the call is received. It is preferable because it is possible to confirm whether the accessor is a legitimate management computer 103.However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is optional to compare the authentication data transmitted from the management computer 103 after receiving the call, or to use encrypted data as the authentication data. Explanation of reference numerals

 Monitoring camera (Monitoring means)

 2 Temperature monitoring sensor (monitoring means)

3 Sound monitoring sensor (monitoring means)

4 Control device (control unit, communication terminal)

 5 Control terminal (control unit)

6 Antenna

 7 Antenna

8 Telephone (communication terminal)

9 0 5 Public line base station

 Mobile phone (communication terminal)

3 Public telephone (communication terminal)

 Personal computer (communication terminal)

5 Mobile computer (communication terminal)

6 Image display device

7 Relay station (management connector 3 owned by service provider)

0 0 room

0 1 0, 1 1 1 (1 0 7, 1 0 8) Monitoring terminal

0 3 Management computer (management device)

Claims

The scope of the claims  1. Depending on the communication line (including wired and wireless) system, at least one of surveillance cameras, surveillance videos, temperature monitoring sensors, sound monitoring sensors, and smoke sensors installed in specific areas In an information supply system that supplies information obtained by a single monitoring means, it is necessary to reduce the number of authentication data such as the telephone number, ID number, address data, password, and even encryption of the caller. The relay also obtains one piece of specific information, and when this specific information matches the registration information registered in the relay side in advance, the relay side monitors the information installed in the specific area contracted in advance with the caller side. An information supply system using a communication line that works on a control unit that controls the means and enables information obtained from this monitoring means to be transmitted to the caller using the communication line.  2. The information supply system is composed of at least a calling side, a relay side, and a specific area, and a control unit of the specific area has a specific access code determined as a relay side. 2. The communication circuit according to claim 1, wherein the information obtained by the monitoring means is transmitted to the relay side only when a specific access code is received from the relay side. Information supply system used.  3. The monitoring means on the specific area side is connected to a control terminal having a communication function, and when the specific access code is received by the control terminal, the control terminal having the communication function is provided. 3. The information supply system using a telephone line according to claim 2, wherein the monitoring means is controlled by omitting a ringing tone or a ringing tone, and the information can be transmitted to a relay side. 4. When the specific information of the caller matches the registered information registered in advance on the relay side, a call signal is sent to the communication terminal in the specific area, and if there is a call by a person, the call is made. If the caller is connected to the caller of the communication terminal by a communication line and there is an automatic call from the communication terminal itself, information obtained from the monitoring means can be transmitted to the caller using the communication line. An information supply system using the communication line according to claim 1. 5. When the relay side confirms that the relay side cannot connect to the communication terminal in the specific area or that the information from the monitoring means is not transmitted, the specified abnormality notification is called. The information supply system using a communication line according to claim 1, 2 or 4, wherein the information can be transmitted to a user.  6. Monitoring means comprising at least one of an imaging device, an infrared sensor, a temperature monitoring sensor, a sound monitoring sensor, and a smoke sensor, and monitoring information from the monitoring means to an external management device via a communication line. A communication terminal for transmitting; a monitoring terminal having: A management device that is connected to the monitoring terminal via a communication line and is capable of transmitting monitoring information from the monitoring terminal to an information terminal owned by a user; A system for monitoring a specific area in which an information terminal owned by a user can monitor a monitored area in which the monitoring terminal is installed, The monitoring terminal, comprising: a control unit that activates the monitoring unit based on access from the management device and stops operation of the monitoring unit when the access from the management device ends. Feeding system.  7. The monitoring terminal includes a storage unit in which identification data capable of identifying a management device is stored, and the control unit acquires identification data of an accessor at the time of the access, and obtains the storage unit. 7. The information supply system according to claim 6, wherein authentication is performed by comparison with identification data registered in advance, and when the authentication is completed, the monitoring unit is activated.  8. The information supply system according to claim 6, wherein the identification data is a caller telephone number assigned to a caller on a communication line. 9. The identification data is identification data encrypted so as to be a different data string for each access, and the control means decrypts the encrypted identification data, and decrypts the encrypted identification data. The information supply system according to claim 6, wherein the authentication is performed based on the identification data. 10. The information supply system according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the communication means of the monitoring terminal is a wireless communication means capable of wireless communication.  11. The wireless communication means is capable of wireless communication with a base station of a simple portable telephone communication network, and the management device is capable of receiving transmission data from the simple portable telephone communication network. 10. The information supply system according to item 10.  1 2. A monitoring terminal for a monitoring system in a specific area in which a user can monitor a monitored area where a monitoring terminal is installed by an information terminal owned by a user. At least an imaging device and a sound monitoring sensor A monitoring unit configured to transmit monitoring information from the monitoring unit to an external management device via a communication line; and activating the monitoring unit based on an access from the management device. And a control means for stopping the operation of the monitoring means at the end of access from the management device.  13. The monitoring terminal for a monitoring system for a specific area according to claim 12, wherein the communication means of the monitoring terminal is a wireless communication means capable of performing wireless communication.  14. The wireless communication means is capable of wireless communication with a base station of a simple mobile phone communication network, and the management device is capable of receiving transmission data from the simple mobile phone communication network. 13. A monitoring terminal for a monitoring system in a specific area described in 13.  15. The monitoring means has a conversion means for converting the obtained monitoring information into digital data, and digitized monitoring information data is transmitted to the management device. A monitoring terminal for a monitoring system in a specific area described in any one of 12 to 14. 16. The monitoring terminal for a specific area monitoring system according to claim 15, further comprising data compression means for compressing the monitoring information data, and transmitting the compressed monitoring information data to the management device. 17 7. A monitoring terminal used in a monitoring system in a specific area where the monitoring terminal is installed and the information terminal owned by the user can monitor the area. Monitoring means comprising at least one of an imaging device, an infrared sensor, a temperature monitoring sensor, a sound monitoring sensor, and a smoke sensor; and at least monitoring information from the monitoring means is transmitted to the master terminal in a non-contact manner. At least one slave terminal having: a contactless communication means capable of transmitting; Non-contact communication means capable of at least receiving monitoring information transmitted from the slave terminal; storage means for temporarily storing the received monitoring information; and external management of the stored monitoring information in a predetermined manner. A communication device capable of transmitting at least to the device; and a master device capable of transmitting monitoring information collected via the non-contact communication device to an external management device via the communication device. A monitoring terminal for a monitoring system in a specific area, comprising a terminal and a terminal.  18. The master unit terminal includes the monitoring unit, and transmits the monitoring information from the monitoring unit by the communication unit together with the monitoring information collected from the slave terminal. 2. A monitoring terminal for a monitoring system in a specific area according to 1.  19. The monitoring terminal for a specific area monitoring system according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the communication means of the monitoring terminal is a wireless communication means capable of performing communication by a wireless line.  20. The monitoring terminal for a specific area monitoring system according to claim 19, wherein the wireless communication means is capable of performing wireless communication with a base station of a simple cellular phone communication network.  21. The monitoring terminal for a monitoring system for a specific area according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the master terminal activates the slave terminal based on an access from an external management device. 2 2. Authentication data that can identify an external management device is registered in the master terminal, and authentication is performed by comparing the authentication data when accessing from the outside. 22. The monitoring terminal for a monitoring system for a specific area according to claim 21, wherein the monitoring terminal performs authentication processing, and activates the slave terminal when the authentication is completed.  23. The monitoring means has a conversion means for converting the obtained monitoring information into digital data, and the non-contact communication means is capable of transmitting digitized monitoring information data. A monitoring terminal for a monitoring system in a specific area according to any one of 17 to 22.  24. The apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 23, wherein the master terminal includes data compression means for compressing the data capacity of each piece of monitoring information collected and temporarily stored, and transmits the compressed monitoring information data. A monitoring terminal for a monitoring system in a specific area as described in Crab. 25. The specification according to any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein the master terminal is capable of appropriately switching a slave terminal connected by the non-contact communication means. Monitoring terminal for area monitoring system. Claims of amendment [2 0 0 1, March 1 3曰(.. 1 3 0 3 0 1) International Bureau acceptance: application range of the original claims ₆ - 2 5 were dropped; application range 1 one 5 of the original claims Has been amended; other claims remain unchanged. (Page 3)]  1. (After correction) An information supply system using a communication line in a management computer installed in a communication line network consisting of the Internet and a telephone network. At least one monitoring means of the surveillance camera, surveillance video, temperature monitoring sensor, sound monitoring sensor, and smoke sensor registered in association with each other, and a user database in which is registered, At least one specific information of the authentication data such as telephone number, ID number, address data, password, and encryption of the user who accesses using the communication network consisting of the Internet and the telephone network. Obtaining the The obtained specific information is registered information registered in advance in the user database. —A search step for a match or not; When the specific information and the registered information match, the management computer is connected to the control unit of the monitoring means installed in the specific area and contracted and registered in advance with the accessed user side. A step of working using a communication network consisting of a telephone network; A step in which the management computer obtains information obtained by the monitoring means via a communication network consisting of the Internet and a telephone network; A step in which the management computer supplies the information obtained from the monitoring means to the accessed user who has been contracted and registered in advance, using a communication network such as the Internet or a telephone network; Information supply system using a communication line consisting of  2. (After correction) When the management computer confirms that the management computer cannot connect to the communication terminal in the specific area or that information from monitoring means is not transmitted to the management computer, 2. The information supply system using a communication line according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined abnormality notification can be transmitted to an accessing user.  3. (After correction) In the monitoring means installed in the specific area, the telephone number data of the management computer is registered in advance as identification data. -When using the communication network consisting of the telephone network to work on the monitoring means,  43 Amended paper (Article 19 of the Convention) A call to the telephone number of the monitoring means registered in the user database, and transmits the telephone number of the management computer to this monitoring means, and the monitoring means is registered in advance with the transmitted telephone number. Claim 1 wherein authentication is performed for comparison with the telephone number of the management computer, and if the comparison is successful, an incoming call is performed and the information obtained from the monitoring means is transmitted to the management computer. Information supply system using communication lines.  4. (After Correction) In the monitoring means installed in the specific area, identification data for identifying the management computer is registered in advance, and the management computer works on the monitoring means using a communication line network. At this time, the identification data is transmitted to the monitoring means, authentication is performed using the identification data, and when the authentication is completed, the information obtained from the monitoring means is transmitted to the management computer. The identification data is identification data encrypted so as to be a different data string for each individual access, and the control means of the monitoring means composites the encrypted identification data, and 2. The information supply system using a communication line according to claim 1, wherein the authentication is performed based on identification data.  5. (After Correction) When the management computer obtains the information obtained by the monitoring means via a communication network consisting of the Internet and a telephone network, the transmitted information is converted to a predetermined compression algorithm. The management computer temporarily stores the compressed data in a storage device and adjusts the compressed data according to the data transmission speed of the communication line to the information terminal of the accessing user. 2. The information supply system using a communication line according to claim 1, wherein the temporarily stored compressed data is transmitted.  6. (Delete)  7 (deleted)  8. (Deleted)  9. (Deleted)  1 0. (Deleted)  1 1. (Deleted)  1 2. (Deleted) 44 Amended paper (Article 19 of the Convention) 1 3. (Delete)  1 4. (Delete)  1 5. (Delete)  1 6. (Delete) 1 7. (Delete)  1 8. (Delete)  1 9. (Delete) 20. (Deleted) 2 1. (Delete) 22. (Deleted) 23. (Deleted) 24. (Deleted) 25. (Deleted) 45 Amended paper (Article 19 of the Convention) Explanation under Article 19 (1) of the Convention: Claim 1 is:  A. An information supply system using a communication line in a management computer installed in a communication line network consisting of the Internet and a telephone network;  B. Usage in which a user ID and at least one of surveillance camera, surveillance video, temperature monitoring sensor, sound monitoring sensor, and smoke sensor registered in association with this user ID are registered Is a prerequisite for having  Steps C to G below  C. Obtain at least one specific information from the authentication data such as the telephone number, ID number, address data, password, and symbol of the user who accesses using the communication network consisting of the Internet and the telephone network. Step to do,  D. a search step for determining whether or not the obtained specific information matches registered information registered in advance in the user database;  E. When the specific information and the registration information match, the control computer of the monitoring means which is installed in the specific area, and which is previously contracted and registered with the accessed user side, Working with a communication network consisting of  F. a step in which the management computer obtains information obtained by the monitoring means via a communication network such as the Internet or a telephone network;  G. a step in which the management computer supplies the information obtained from the monitoring means to the accessed user who has been contracted and registered in advance by using a communication network including the Internet and a telephone network; This amendment clarified that this is an information supply system using a communication line executed by the management computer. References indicated by the international search report: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-3222685, The comparison between the present application and Hei 10-177 3 798, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-191 291 was compared.  The comparison of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2-86580 and 11-2849-86 is omitted because the claims are deleted.  As for the new claims 2 to 5 corrected this time, all of the claims are cited in claim 1, and the object of the present invention is a management computer installed in a communication network such as the Internet or a telephone network. Since this is a processing step performed by (server), comparison with each reference is omitted. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 10-32 22 685 discloses that there are a plurality of surveillance zones having a plurality of surveillance cameras, for selecting video data to be received from a remote surveillance system (surveillance monitor) installed at a predetermined place. A technology that can change the image quality of video data is disclosed. However, the technology of this document is a technology of transmitting information of a plurality of cameras to a specific monitoring monitor 9 (means of associating a large number of cameras with one monitor). 2.4 Since communication is performed using GHZ charged waves, the monitoring monitor 9 and each monitoring zone are at a short distance from each other, and are basically yard monitoring devices for ports and airports. It's just a patent.  Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 10-1777398 describes, for example, a security system in which an image transmission device installed on a terminal side and an image center device installed on a center side are connected by a telephone line. In particular, when an image transmission device requests a password to prevent the image data captured by a surveillance camera from being stolen by another person accessing the image transmission device, a specific surveillance monitor 9 Of the same type as the technology of the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-3222685 (a means of associating a number of cameras with one monitor) for transmitting information of cameras installed in It is just being done. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-109-1929-1 is a system for confirming the safety of a patient living in a remote place using images, etc., and registers the phone number of the camera, relatives, etc. on the patient side. Registration means, determination means, video transmission means, microcomputer, etc. are installed, and if there is a call from any of them, the video transmission means 16 will be judged by the judgment means 14 As a result, if the caller's tongue number is registered, this is a system that transmits the image captured by the camera to the caller using a public telephone line. In this case, from the viewpoint of privacy, It merely discloses a means of associating one camera with one so-called monitor, which can prevent the image of the imager from being transmitted to an unspecified third party. That is, according to the present invention, a plurality of monitors and a plurality of information devices such as cameras are associated with each other using a communication line such as an Internet network, and access is performed so that traffic is regulated for specific information. It is possible to realize a completely new business model that allows the accessor to supply the information he / she wants to acquire based on high confidentiality to the incoming monitor.  In order to implement the present invention, the user's access to the management computer uses a communication line such as the Internet network, and the monitoring computer accesses the monitoring means using a communication line such as the Internet network. It must be implemented using a user ID and at least one of the surveillance camera, surveillance video, temperature monitoring sensor, sound monitoring sensor, and smoke sensor registered in association with this user ID. It is essential to have one monitoring method and a user database in which is registered.  In other words, the cited reference does not disclose the system software that realizes the basic configuration of the present invention and the specific service contents described above, and the issues of the cited reference and the present invention are basically different. Also, in the present invention, as described in lines 8 to 11 of page 17 of the present specification, a management computer as a relay station of the present invention is a communication line comprising the Internet or a telephone network. Since the server is installed in a network, there is no need to install an independent server (a server that performs authentication and camera control) in each individual home or office, and many people are unable to use such servers. Significant cost savings can be realized when attempting to receive information services, as compared to the systems disclosed in the cited references. Claim 5 is a newly added claim and has been newly added based on the disclosure in lines 13 to 16 on page 23.  More>