Remote monitoring system

• US 20060232671A1
• Filed: 07/30/2004
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fumika Yasunaga, Hironori Yasunaga
• Original Assignee: Fumika Yasunaga, Hironori Yasunaga
• Inventors: Yasunaga, Hironori, Yasunaga, Fumika
• Application Number:
  US10/563,838
• Publication Number:
  US 20060232671A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/143
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2187 Live feed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234309 by transcoding between formats or standards, e.g. from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 or from Quicktime to Realvideo conversion of standards in analog television systems H04N7/01
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25833 involving client hardware characteristics, e.g. manufacturer, processing or storage capabilities allocation of resources considering hardware capabilities in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/5044; allocation of resources considering software capabilities in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/5055
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

When a portable telephone (2) designates a camera number of a network camera (1), a center device (3) issues an imaging command, and the center device (3) receives first image data from the network camera (1). On the other hand, the center device (3) performs model discrimination based on the information transmitted from the portable telephone (2), converts the first image data to second image data based on the model information, transmits the second image data to the portable telephone (2), and the second image data is displayed on a display section of the portable telephone (2) having received the second image data. This enables, even if the portable telephone (2) is replaced with a new one, image data appropriate to a display size of the replaced portable telephone (2) to be easily displayed.

Claims

1. In a remote monitoring system which a plurality of imaging devices for imaging objects, a plurality of terminal devices provided with display parts for displaying as image data that the objects imaged by said imaging devices, and center device for controlling said imaging devices are connected through electronic communications circuits that support two-way communications;

the improvement comprising;

said imaging device having first image data outputting means for outputting first image data obtained by imaging said object to said center device; and

said center device having first registration means for registering user identification information, storage means for storing the display size of said display part for each model of said terminal device, discriminating means for discriminating the model based on information transmitted from said terminal device, image data converting means for reading out through said storage means the display size compatible with the model information obtained through said model discrimination, and for converting the data size of said first image data into second image data compatible with said display size, and second image data output means for outputting said second image data to a specific terminal device associated with said identification information.

2. A remote monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein at least one sensor for sensing a specific object is provided corresponding to each of said imaging devices;

and

said imaging device having first imaging means for performing an imaging process based on an directive from said sensor, and identification information transmission means for transmitting, to said center device, identification information for a user associated with the imaging device that has performed said imaging process; and

said center device having second registration means for registering an e-mail address for said terminal device, associated with said identification information, and first transmission means for transmitting e-mail to an associated specific terminal device depending on said e-mail address.

3. A remote monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein at least one sensor for sensing a specific object is provided corresponding to each of said imaging devices;

and

said first registration means registers active members who can issue imaging commands from said terminal device and passive members who can receive image data obtained through imaging commands from said sensor separately.

4. A remote monitoring system according to any of claims 1-3, wherein said imaging device comprises second imaging means for imaging said object pseudo-continuously at a predetermined interval, and second transmission means for transmitting continually the first image data that imaged by said second imaging means to said center device;

and

said center device comprises receiving means for receiving first image data that is transmitted by said second transmission means, and third transmission means for transmitting said second image data to the concerned terminal device when an image transmit command has been received from a specific terminal device.

5. A remote monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein first image data from before and after detection thereof is converted into said second image data and transmitted to said specific terminal device by said third transmission means when a sensor connected to said imaging device has sensed said object.

6. A remote monitoring system according to any of claims 1-3, wherein said center device comprises enlarged display means for selecting a part of said second image data, and for enlarging and displaying on said display part.

7. A remote monitoring system according to any of claims 1-3, wherein said terminal device comprises identification information input means for inputting user identification information, and designation means for designating a specific imaging device from at least one imaging device possessed by said user on a display screen;

and

said center device comprises provision means for providing said display screen to said terminal device based on said identification information.

8. A remote monitoring system according to any of claims 1-3, wherein said terminal device is a mobile communications device.

9. A remote monitoring system according to any of claims 1-3, wherein objects to be imaged by said imaging device include animals and plants for enjoyment.

10. A remote monitoring system according to any of claims 1-3, wherein said imaging device is installed in a predetermined location inside or outside of a building.