JP4540649B2 - Data communication system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a data communication system, and more particularly, to a data communication system including a communication terminal and a server used as a remote monitoring system and connected to a communication line.

  In a conventional remote monitoring system using the Internet, when image data is transmitted from a camera device (imaging device) having a communication function to an image storage server, either the method (1) for connecting the camera device to the image storage server or the image storage A method (2) of connecting from the server to the camera device is employed. In the method (1), since the transmission timing of the image data is determined by the camera device, the load fluctuation of the image storage server increases. On the other hand, in the method (2), the transmission timing of the image data can be determined by the image storage server, so that the load fluctuation of the image storage server can be suppressed.

  However, in method (2), since the image storage server needs to know the IP address of the camera device, the IP address assigned to the camera device must be fixed. For this reason, when the camera apparatus is connected to the Internet and obtains an IP address, the method (2) cannot be adopted when the IP address is different every time it is obtained. That is, a method in which an arbitrary IP address in an unused state among a plurality of IP addresses reserved in advance by a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) method is assigned to a client, or a camera device is an ISP using PPP (Point to Point Protocol). For example, the IP address assigned by the Internet Protocol Control Protocol (IPCP) connected to the (Internet Service Provider) is non-fixed and is different for each connection. When the camera device is connected to the Internet by these methods, the image storage server cannot grasp the IP address of the camera device, and the method (2) for connecting from the image storage server to the camera device cannot be adopted.

Another object of the present invention, even when the address to communicate with the unspecified communication terminal (client), it is possible to suppress the load variation of the server is to provide a data communication system .

The data communication system according to the present invention, there is provided a data communication system comprising a communication terminal and a server connected to a communication network, the communication terminal, holding means for holding the terminal identifier, obtaining a network identifier for each is connected to a communication network Obtaining means for notifying the server of the terminal identifier held by the holding means and the network identifier obtained by the obtaining means; and sending means for sending the terminal identifier and data signal held by the holding means to the server. The server includes a first determination unit that determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied based on the terminal identifier notified by the notification unit, and a notification unit when the first determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied Storing a network identifier corresponding to the terminal identifier notified by憶means, receiving means for receiving the terminal identifier and the data signal transmitted by the transmitting means, the second to determine whether to match the terminal identifier recorded by the terminal identifier received by the receiving means first recording means When the discrimination result of the discrimination means and the second discrimination means is affirmative, the second storage means for storing the data signal received by the reception means, and when the discrimination result of the second discrimination means is negative, it is received by the reception means A discarding unit for discarding the data signal, and a third storage unit for storing an error log indicating an error between the communication terminal and the server when the determination result of the second determination unit is negative. The network identifier acquired by the acquisition unit every time the communication network is connected is a different condition.

A communication terminal and a server connected to the communication network are provided. With respect to the communication terminal, the holding means holds a terminal identifier, and the acquisition means acquires the network identifier every time it connects to the communication network. The terminal identifier held by the holding unit and the network identifier acquired by the acquiring unit are notified to the server by the notification unit. The terminal identifier and the data signal held by the holding unit are transmitted to the server by the transmission unit. Respect server, first determination means, based on the notified terminal identifier by notification means determines whether or not to satisfy the predetermined condition. When the first determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, a network identifier corresponding to the terminal identifier notified by the notification unit is stored in the first storage unit . The terminal identifier and the data signal transmitted by the transmitting unit are received by the receiving unit. The second discriminating unit discriminates whether or not the terminal identifier received by the receiving unit matches the terminal identifier stored by the first recording unit. The data signal received by the receiving means is stored by the second storage means when the determination result of the second determination means is positive, and discarded by the discarding means when the determination result of the second determination means is negative. Is done. Further, when the determination result of the second determination unit is negative, the third storage unit stores an error log indicating an error between the communication terminal and the server. The predetermined condition is a condition that is different every time the network identifier acquired by the acquisition unit in the communication terminal is connected to the communication network.

Preferably, the communication line is the Internet, and the network identifier is an IP address assigned by the Internet service provider when the communication terminal is connected to the Internet.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress load fluctuation of the servers.

The above object, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a remote monitoring system 100 according to this embodiment includes image storage servers 1a to 1c having a large storage capacity for storing a large amount of images. Each of the image storage servers 1 a to 1 c is connected to the Internet network 3 via the router 2. Although a plurality of image storage servers are connected in FIG. 1, it is not always necessary to use a plurality of image storage servers, and an appropriate number may be used according to the number of users and service contents. Further, the image storage servers may be installed in a distributed manner at a plurality of locations and connected to each other via the Internet network 3.

  The camera device 4a is connected to the Internet network 3 via the mobile communication network 6a and the Internet connection service provided by the communication carrier 7a when a predetermined dial operation is performed by the mobile phone 5a. The camera device 5b is connected to the Internet network 3 through the general public line 10 and the ISP 8a when the modem 9 dials the ISP 8a. In place of the general public line 10 and the modem 9, an ISDN line and TA (Terminal Adapter) may be used. The camera device 4 c is connected to the Internet network 3 via the router 11 and the private LAN dedicated line 13. Image data photographed by the camera device 4a, 4b or 4c is transmitted to the image storage server 1a, 1b or 1c via the Internet network 3 thus connected. The camera devices 4a to 4c may be configured by a combination of a digital camera and a computer. Hereinafter, the camera device may be simply referred to as a camera.

  The terminal device 12 is connected to the image storage server 1a, 1b or 1c or the camera device 4a, 4b or 4c via the ISP 8b and the Internet network 3. The user can browse and search the image stored in the image storage server 1a, 1b or 1c or the camera device 4a, 4b or 4c, and the service conditions of the image storage server 1a, 1b or 1c or the camera device 4a, 4b or 4c. The shooting conditions can be changed. The user can perform the same operation not only with the terminal device 12 but also with the mobile phone 5b. At this time, the cellular phone 5b is connected to the Internet network 3 using an Internet connection service provided by the mobile communication network 6b and the communication carrier 7b.

  The configuration of each of the image storage servers 1a to 1c is shown in FIG. The image memory 101 stores image data sent from the imaging device 4a, 4b or 4c. The user data table 102 stores monitoring service conditions for each user. The CPU 103 provides an image storage service to the user based on the setting of the user data table 102. The CPU 103 also sends image data to the user terminal device 12 or the mobile phone 5b based on the setting of the user data table 102, supports protocols corresponding to the camera devices 4a to 4c, and the user terminal device 12 or the mobile phone 5b. The user data table 102 is changed based on the service conditions for each user input from. Further, the CPU 103 dynamically changes the IP address recorded in the user data table 102 based on the IP address information notified from the camera device 4a, 4b or 4c. Note that communication with the outside is performed via the I / F 104.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the user data table 102 included in the image storage servers 1 a to 1 c is divided into a user profile table 1021, a permitted service content table 1022, a table 1023 for specifying a data storage area, and a camera information table 1024. Is done. In the profile table 1021, an identification code, a user name, a contract date, and an update date are registered. In the camera information table 1024, for each camera device of the same user, the camera ID 1025, the IP address 1026 of the camera device, the IP address acquisition method 1027 of the camera device, the current connection state 1028, and the connection with the camera device A method 1029, a recording rate 1030, and the like are registered.

  According to FIG. 4, the IP address acquisition method 1027 of the camera device 4a is “fixed” and the connection method 1029 is “from camera”. Further, the IP address acquisition method 1027 of the camera device 4b is “non-fixed”, and the connection method 1029 is “from the server”. Further, the IP address acquisition method 1027 of the camera device 4c is “fixed”, and the connection method 1029 is “from the camera”. In the following, it is assumed that the user data table 102 of the image storage server 1a is formed as shown in FIG. 4, and communication is performed between the image storage server 1a and the camera devices 4a to 4b.

  Each of the camera devices 4a to 4c is configured as shown in FIG. The subject is photographed by the image sensor 401. The captured image data is temporarily stored in the internal memory 405. The imaging element 401 may be configured separately or separable. In the imaging condition table 402, conditions (imaging conditions) when the image sensor 401 captures an object are registered. The CPU 403 transmits the image data to the image storage server 1a, 1b, or 1c according to the contents recorded in the imaging condition table 402. Note that communication with the outside is performed via the I / F 404.

  Referring to FIGS. 5A to 5C, the photographing condition table 402 of the camera devices 4a to 4c includes a camera ID 4021, an IP address 4022 of the image storage server 1a, and a connection method 4023 to the Internet network 3. , Connection information 4024 to the Internet network 3, connection conditions 4025 with the image storage server 1a, IP address acquisition method 4026, connection direction 4027 with the image storage server 1a, image data transmission rate 4028, image data compression rate 4029 Alarm notification condition 4030 and the like are registered. The shooting condition table 402 shown in FIG. 5A is formed in the camera device 4a, the shooting condition table 402 shown in FIG. 5B is formed in the camera device 4b, and the shooting condition table 402 shown in FIG. 5C. Are formed in the camera device 4c.

  In the imaging condition table 402 of the camera apparatus 4a, “PPP connection” is registered as the connection method 4023, the telephone number of the communication carrier 7a is registered as the connection information 4024, and “dial-up connection” is registered as the connection condition 4025. “Fixed” is registered as the IP address acquisition method 4026, and “From camera” is registered as the connection method 4027.

  In the imaging condition table 402 of the camera apparatus 4b, “PPP connection” is registered as the connection method 4023, the telephone number of the ISP 8a is registered as the connection information 4024, “dial-up connection” is registered as the connection condition 4025, and the IP address “Unfixed” is registered as the acquisition method 4026, and “From server” is registered as the connection method 4027.

  In the photographing condition table 402 of the camera device 4c, “LAN connection” is registered as the connection method 4023, the connection information 4024, the connection condition 4025, and the IP address acquisition method 4026 are blank, and “From camera” is selected as the connection method 4027. be registered. In the case of a LAN connection, it is sufficient for the router 11 to know connection information, connection conditions, and an IP address acquisition method, so the same column of the imaging condition table 402 is blank.

  If alarm notification is required in the imaging condition table 402, the CPU 403 transmits an alarm notification to the image storage server 1a based on the set conditions. For example, if an intruder is detected by the motion detection function during in-room monitoring, the detection information is transmitted to the image storage server 1a. The detection program may be downloaded from the image storage server 1a. The CPU 403 supports a protocol according to the connection form to the image storage server 1a. That is, when dial-up connection is performed via a public line or ISDN line, the PPP protocol is supported, and when PIAFS (PHS Internet Access Forum Standard) of PHS (Personal Handy phone System) is used, PIAFSI / F and its driver are supported, and when connecting to a local area network (LAN), an Ethernet (registered trademark) I / F and its driver are supported. The CPU 403 further supports the above-described TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol), IP, FTP (File Transfer Protocol), and RS-232CI / F.

  In addition, an interface for inputting detection information of various sensors (temperature, humidity, gas leak, door / window opening / closing, etc.) installed in the building to be monitored is provided in the camera device 4a, 4b or 4c, and the collected detection information is imaged. You may make it transmit to the accumulation | storage server 1a. The image storage server 1a sends a message to the user's contributor 12 and the mobile phone 5b according to the setting of the user data table 102 when the transmitted detection information exceeds a registered specified value or indicates a large change. Notice. Specifically, sending a text message to a specified e-mail address, dialing a specified telephone number (including landline and mobile phones) and notifying a voice message, notifying a security company with which the user has contracted And so on. Which method should be selected may be registered in the user data table 102.

  Specifically, the CPU 103 of the image storage server 1a processes the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, referring to FIG. 6, the CPU 103 detects the IP address acquisition method 1027 of the camera device 1a, 1b or 1c from the camera information table 1024 (FIG. 4) in step S101, and in step S102, all the IP address acquisition methods 1027 are detected. Is determined to be “fixed”. If all are “fixed”, the process proceeds directly to step S104. If there is any “non-fixed”, the IP address reception process is started in step S103, and then the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, the camera information table pointer is initialized. In step S105, the camera apparatus connection method 1029 to which the camera information table pointer points is determined. If the connection method 1029 is “from the server”, the process proceeds to step S106, and the server connection process is activated by designating the camera device. On the other hand, if the connection method 1029 is “from camera”, the process directly proceeds to step S107. In step S107, the camera information table pointer is updated, and in step S108, it is determined whether or not the camera device is registered at the pointing destination of the pointer. And if it is YES, the process of step S105-S107 will be repeated, but if it is NO, it will progress to step S109. Therefore, when there are a plurality of camera devices whose connection method 1029 is “from server”, a server connection process is started for each camera device.

  In step S109, it is determined whether there is a connection request from the camera device 1a, 1b, or 1c. Since the request source camera ID is included in the connection request, in step S110, the IP address 1026 of the request source camera device is detected from the camera information table 1024 based on the camera ID, and the detected IP address is detected. Send a response. In step S111, it is determined whether or not image data has been received. If YES, the camera ID is detected from the image data received in step S112. In step S113, it is determined whether the camera ID detected from the connection request and the camera ID detected from the image data match each other. If both IDs match, the image data is stored in the image memory 101 in step S114. The process returns to step S109. On the other hand, if the two IDs do not match, the image data is discarded and an error log is recorded in step S115, and the process returns to step S109.

  The IP address reception process activated in step S103 is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in step S121, it is determined whether an IP address and a camera ID are received from the camera device 1a, 1b, or 1c. If “YES” here, the process proceeds to a step S122, and the IP address acquisition method 1027 corresponding to the received camera ID is detected from the camera information table 1024 shown in FIG. In step S123, it is determined whether or not the detected IP address acquisition method 1027 is “non-fixed”. If it is determined as “non-fixed”, the process proceeds to step S124, and the IP address 1026 corresponding to the received camera ID is updated with the received IP address. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S123 that it is other than “non-fixed” (that is, “fixed”), the process proceeds to step S125, where the received IP address and camera ID are discarded and an error log is recorded. When the process of step S124 or S125 is completed, the process returns to step S121.

  The server connection process activated in step S106 is executed according to the flowchart shown in step S9. First, in step S131, the IP address 1026 of the designated camera device is detected from the camera information table 1024. Next, a connection request is transmitted to the IP address 1026 in step S132, and it is determined whether or not a response has been received in step S133. When the response is received, an image transfer request is transmitted to the same IP address 1026 in step S134, and whether or not image data is received is determined in step S135. When the image data is received, the image data is stored in the image memory 101 in step S136. In step S137, it waits for the designated frame period, and then returns to step S131.

  Specifically, the CPU 403 of the camera device 4a, 4b or 4c processes the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, in step S201 of FIG. 10, the own connection method 4023 is determined with reference to the imaging condition table 402. When the connection method 4023 is “PPP connection”, the PPP connection is executed in step S202, and the IP address is acquired in step S203. In a succeeding step S204, the own IP address acquisition method 4026 is discriminated with reference to the photographing condition table 402. When the IP address acquisition method 4026 is “non-fixed”, the process proceeds to step S205, and the IP address acquired in step S203 and the own camera ID are transmitted to the image storage server 1a (specified by the IP address 4022). On the other hand, when the IP address acquisition method is “fixed”, the process directly proceeds to step S206.

  In step S206, the connection direction 4027 is determined with reference to the imaging condition table 402. If the connection direction 4027 is “from the camera”, the process proceeds to the process shown in FIG. 11. If the connection direction 4027 is “from the server”, the process proceeds to the process shown in FIG.

  In step S <b> 207 shown in FIG. 11, the subject is photographed and the image data is stored in the internal memory 405. Subsequently, in step S208, a connection request including its own camera ID is transmitted to the image acquisition server 1a. In step S209, it is determined whether or not there is a response from the image storage server 1a. When the response is received, the process proceeds to step S210, and the image data stored in the internal memory 405 is transmitted to the image storage server 1a together with its own camera ID. When the transmission of the image data is completed, the process returns to step S207 after waiting for the frame period specified in step S211.

  In step S212 shown in FIG. 12, it is determined whether or not a connection request has been received from the image storage server 1a. If “YES” here, a response is transmitted to the connection request transmission source in a step S213, and whether or not an image transfer request has been received is determined in a step S214. When the image transfer request is received, the subject is photographed and the photographed image data is stored in the internal memory 405 in step S215. In step S216, the image data stored in the internal memory is transmitted to the transmission source of the image transfer request. When the process of step S216 is completed, the process returns to step S212.

  As can be seen from the above description, the camera devices 4 a to 4 c and the image storage servers 1 a to 1 c are connected to the Internet network 3. The camera device 4b whose IP address acquisition method is “non-fixed” acquires an IP address from the ISP 8a every time it connects to the Internet network 3, and notifies the image storage server 1a of the acquired IP address. The image storage server 1a stores the IP address notified from the camera device 1b in the user data table 102, and outputs an image transfer request to the camera device 1b based on the IP address. The camera device 1b returns image data when receiving an image transfer request from the image storage server 1a, and the image storage server 1a stores the returned image data in the image memory 101.

  Thus, the image storage server 1a acquires the IP address of the camera device 1b every time the camera device 1b connects to the Internet network 3. Therefore, even when the IP address of the camera device 1b is frequently changed, the image storage server 1a can access the camera device 4b, thereby suppressing the load fluctuation of the image storage server 1a.

It is an illustration figure which shows the system configuration | structure of the remote monitoring system of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an image storage server. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an imaging device. It is an illustration figure which shows a user data table. It is an illustration figure which shows an imaging condition table. It is a flowchart which shows a part of operation | movement of a server. It is a flowchart which shows another part of operation | movement of a server. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other operation | movement of a server. It is a flowchart which shows further another part of operation | movement of a server. It is a flowchart which shows a part of operation | movement of a camera apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other operation | movement of a camera apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows a part of other operation | movement of a camera apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a, 1b, 1c ... Image storage server 2 ... Router 3 ... Internet network 4a, 4b, 4c ... Camera apparatus 5a, 5b ... Mobile phone 6a, 6b ... Mobile communication network 7a, 7b ... Communication carrier 8a, 8b ... Provider 9 ... Modem 10 ... ISDN line 11 ... Router 12 ... Computer 13 ... LAN dedicated line

Claims (3)

In a data communication system comprising a communication terminal and a server connected to a communication network,
The communication terminal is
Holding means for holding a terminal identifier;
Obtaining means for obtaining a network identifier each time the communication network is connected;
Notification means for notifying the server of the terminal identifier held by the holding means and the network identifier acquired by the acquisition means, and transmission means for transmitting the terminal identifier and data signal held by the holding means to the server With
The server
First determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied based on the terminal identifier notified by the notification means;
First storage means for storing a network identifier corresponding to the terminal identifier notified by the notification means when the first determination means determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied ;
Receiving means for receiving a terminal identifier and a data signal transmitted by the transmitting means;
Second determining means for determining whether or not the terminal identifier received by the receiving means matches the terminal identifier recorded by the first recording means;
Second storage means for storing a data signal received by the receiving means when the determination result of the second determining means is affirmative;
The second discarding means a determined result of the determination means discards the received data signal by said receiving means when it is negative, and wherein the server and the communication terminal when a judgment result is negative, the second discriminating means a third storage means for storing an error log that indicates an error between,
The data communication system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is a condition in which the network identifier obtained by the obtaining unit every time the communication terminal is connected to the communication network is different. The communication line is the Internet;
The data communication system according to claim 1, wherein the network identifier is an IP address assigned by an Internet service provider when connecting to the Internet. The communication terminal further includes photographing means for photographing a subject,
The data communication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data signal is an image data signal photographed by the photographing means.

Images