Method for managing a monitoring service provided remotely via a communication network, by a monitoring device.

Abstract

A method for managing a remotely provided monitoring service, via a communication network, by a monitoring device (3), is implemented by a management device (2) and comprises establishing a connection between at least one communication terminal (1) and said monitoring device, said at least one communication terminal being configured to implement automatic call answering when it receives a call setup request (R2a, R2b; R2a', R2b') from the monitoring device. Figure 2 for the abbreviation

Description

Title of the invention: Method for managing a monitoring service provided remotely via a communication network, by a monitoring device.

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of managing a monitoring service for a geographical area provided remotely by a monitoring device.

[0002] It also relates to a device for managing a monitoring service and a monitoring system.

[0003] The invention applies in particular to the monitoring of a geographical area where at least one communication terminal is installed, this terminal being able to implement a telephone communication with another communication terminal.

[0004] Nowadays, buildings are equipped with communication terminals connected to at least one communication network. For example, premises housing businesses are generally equipped with a private fixed telephone system comprising a set of communication terminals connected to public telephone networks, for example via a private automatic branch exchange, known in Anglo-Saxon terminology as PABX (for "Private Automatic Branch Exchange" or PBX (for "Private Branch Exchange")).

[0005] In addition, many residential premises today have at least one telephone communication terminal, fixed or mobile.

[0006] Communication terminals, often intended to remain on the premises, particularly in the case of fixed communication terminals, are not used during certain periods. For example, a company's fixed telephone terminals are not used during periods when the company's premises are closed, for example at night or during periods of inactivity such as public holidays or vacation periods.

[0007] The invention proposes the use of communication terminals by a surveillance device to provide a surveillance service for a geographical area in which the communication terminals are installed. This use is in addition to the primary use of the communication terminals, namely enabling communication with other communication terminals.

[0008] To this end, the invention aims, according to a first aspect, at a method of managing a monitoring service provided remotely via a communication network, by a monitoring device.

[0009] According to the invention, the management method is implemented by a management device and comprises establishing a connection between at least one communication terminal nization and said monitoring device, said at least communication terminal being configured to implement an automatic call answering when it receives a call establishment request from the monitoring device.

[0010] Thus, a communication terminal is put into communication with the monitoring device for the implementation of a monitoring service. It should be noted that the use of the terminal for the implementation of the monitoring service is complementary to the primary use of the communication terminal, which is the implementation of communications with another communication terminal.

[0011] The communication terminal is configured to answer automatically, i.e., without user interaction, when it receives a call from the monitoring device. Once the terminal has answered, the communication terminal and the monitoring device are established communication, and the monitoring device listens, and can, for example, detect and / or record sounds present in the geographical area where the communication terminal is located.

[0012] Consequently, the monitoring device provides the monitoring service of the geographical area where the communication terminal is located, using this communication terminal configured in auto-off-hook mode.

[0013] The characteristics of the management process presented below can be taken individually or in combination with each other.

[0014] According to one feature, the management process includes prior to said establishment of a connection, the sending to the monitoring device of an activation request configured to activate the monitoring service between said at least one communication terminal and said monitoring device.

[0015] Thus, the management device is configured to activate the monitoring service subscription itself, prior to establishing a connection between the monitoring device and the communication terminal. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the management device determines the periods of use of the terminal for its primary purpose (establishing communications with other communication terminals) and the periods of use of the terminal for its monitoring purposes.

[0016] In another embodiment, the subscription to the monitoring service was activated beforehand by a means other than the management device.

[0017] In one embodiment, the management device can be configured to activate the monitoring service at a predefined time, for example, at the closing time of the premises housing a business. By activating this service, the premises can be monitored using the company's equipment and without requiring the installation of any special monitoring infrastructure.

[0018] In one embodiment, the time of emission of the activation request (for example, the closing time of the premises) can be predefined or programmed by default.

[0019] In another embodiment, the emission of the activation request can respond to a particular event, such as the closing of a door, the shutdown of a computer system, an action by a user (for example, the pressing of a button), etc.

[0020] According to one feature, the management process further includes issuing a deactivation request configured to deactivate the previously activated monitoring service.

[0021] Thus, the management device is configured to automatically deactivate the monitoring service between the communication terminal and the monitoring device when the monitoring service is not required. In one embodiment, the management device can decide in real time to deactivate the service, and thus shorten or lengthen the service activation time as needed.

[0022] In another embodiment, the deactivation issue occurs automatically after the expiration of a service period from said issue of the activation request.

[0023] In another mode, no deactivation request is required to deactivate the monitoring service between the communication terminal and the monitoring device, the deactivation of the service being automatic after the service period has expired.

[0024] In one embodiment, as with service activation, the time at which the deactivation request is issued can be predefined or scheduled by default. For example, the time at which the deactivation request is issued can correspond to the opening time of the company's premises.

[0025] In another embodiment, the emission of the deactivation request can respond to a particular event, such as the opening of a door, the starting of a computer system, an action by a user (for example, the pressing of a button), etc.

[0026] In another embodiment, the deactivation of the subscription to the monitoring service can be implemented by a means other than the management device.

[0027] According to one feature, establishing a connection involves sending to said at least one communication terminal a request to establish a call containing a caller ID corresponding to the identifier of the monitoring device.

[0028] According to one embodiment, establishing a connection further involves sending a second connection establishment request to the monitoring device. of a call containing a caller ID that matches the ID of at least one communication terminal.

[0029] In this embodiment, the management device sends calls to the communication terminal and to the monitoring device respectively in order to put them in communication with each other.

[0030] It should be noted that the management device sends a request to establish a call to the communication terminal, whereby the caller is the monitoring device. Furthermore, the management device sends a request to establish a call to the monitoring device, whereby the caller is the communication terminal.

[0031] According to another embodiment, the establishment of a connection further comprises, prior to the transmission to said at least one communication terminal, of a request to establish a call, the reception from the monitoring device of a preliminary request to establish a call containing a called party identifier corresponding to the identifier of said at least one communication terminal.

[0032] In this embodiment, the management device receives a call from the monitoring device and then makes a call to the communication terminal whose caller is the monitoring device.

[0033] According to one feature, the management process further includes sending to said at least one communication terminal a request to finalize the established connection, the finalization request being sent after the elapsed period of time from the sending of the call.

[0034] Thus, the management device terminates the previously established call. In one embodiment, the management device can be configured to issue the termination request automatically after a period of time has elapsed. In another embodiment, the termination request can be issued at a predefined time or, as with the deactivation of the monitoring service, in response to an event.

[0035] Thus, the connection between said at least one communication terminal and the monitoring device is established for a predetermined period of time. Consequently, the monitoring service using said at least one communication terminal is implemented for a predetermined duration. This duration may, for example, correspond to a period of time during which said at least one communication terminal is not in use. For example, if said at least one communication terminal is part of a company's telephone system, the period of time corresponds to a period between the closing times of the company's premises.

[0036] In one embodiment, the connection between the communication terminal and the monitoring device can be broken by deactivating the monitoring service. In this embodiment, the finalization request is not issued by the management device but by the monitoring device when the monitoring service is deactivated.

[0037] According to one feature, the management process further comprises: - obtaining a sound signal from the geographical area where at least one communication terminal is located, - emission of an alert signal when the sound signal obtained is different from at least one reference sound signal associated with the geographical area.

[0038] Thus, the management device can be configured to issue alerts if a noise different from the reference noises associated with the environment of the communication terminal occurs in the environment of the communication terminal.

[0039] In this embodiment, a reference sound signal may be associated with the environment of the communication terminal. This reference signal is representative of the reference noise and / or a sound level for the environment of the communication terminal.

[0040] The present invention relates, according to a second aspect, to a device for managing a monitoring service provided remotely by a monitoring device, configured to implement the management method proposed below.

[0041] In particular, the management device for a monitoring service provided remotely by a monitoring device includes a connection establishment module configured to establish a connection between said at least one communication terminal, said at least one communication terminal being configured to implement an automatic answer when it receives a call from the monitoring device.

[0042] The management device may also include a transmission module configured to make a call to at least one communication terminal previously configured to implement an automatic answer when it receives a call from the monitoring device.

[0043] The present invention relates, according to a third aspect, to a switching device linking said at least one communication terminal and a monitoring device via a communication network, comprising a management device such as that proposed above.

[0044] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a communication terminal configured to receive a request from a management device to establish a connection with a monitoring device, the communication terminal being configured to implement an automatic disconnection when it receives a request establishing a call from the monitoring device.

[0045] The present invention relates, according to a fifth aspect, to a monitoring management system comprising a monitoring device providing a monitoring service, at least one communication terminal and a management device configured to implement the management method proposed above.

[0046] The present invention relates, according to a sixth aspect, to a computer program comprising code instructions for implementing the steps of the proposed management process, when executed by a processor.

[0047] The present invention relates, according to a seventh aspect, to a processor-readable information carrier in a management device, on which the proposed computer program is recorded.

[0048] The management device, the communication device, the communication terminal, the management system, the computer program and the information medium have characteristics and advantages similar to those described above in relation to the management process.

[0049] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description.

[0050] To the attached drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples: - Fig. 1 represents an example of a context in which the proposed process can be implemented; - [Fig.2] illustrates steps in the management process according to a first implementation method; - [Fig.3] illustrates steps in the management process according to a second embodiment; - Figure 4a illustrates a hardware architecture capable of implementing the proposed management process; and - [Fig.4b] is a functional representation of a management device conforming to an embodiment.

[0051] The proposed technique is particularly applicable to telephone systems, such as private fixed or mobile telephone systems, comprising a set of telephone communication terminals connected to a public telephone network, for example via a private telephone switchboard, known in Anglo-Saxon terminology as PABX (for "Private Automatic Branch Exchange" or PBX (for "Private Branch Exchange")).

[0052] The proposed technique allows the use of telephone systems to implement a monitoring service for the geographical area where the telephone system is installed. This solution guarantees monitoring of the geographical area where the telephone system is installed, without requiring the installation of dedicated systems. surveillance.

[0053] Fig. 1 represents an example of a context in which the proposed technique can be implemented.

[0054] Fig. 1 schematically represents a telephone system 10 comprising a set of communication terminals 1 and a switching device, such as a telephone exchange 2, connecting the communication terminals 1 with a communication network 4. The switching device 2 enables the implementation of functions such as communication between the communication terminals 1 of the telephone system 10 and between the communication terminals 1 of the telephone system 10 with other communication terminals external to the telephone system 10, via the communication network 4.

[0055] The telephone system is installed in a geographical area Z, for example in a building housing the telephone system for professional or private purposes of the users.

[0056] By way of non-limiting example, the telephone system 1 is installed in the premises of a company.

[0057] As will be described below, thanks to the proposed technique, the telephone system 1 can be put into communication with a monitoring device 3, via the communication network 4, providing a monitoring service. In the aforementioned application example, the communication between the telephone system 1 and the monitoring device 3 makes it possible to monitor the company premises where the telephone system is located.

[0058] In another embodiment, the telephony system comprises a set of terminals configured to connect directly to the communication network without requiring a switching device. For example, when VoIP (Voice over IP) technology is used, for example using an IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) architecture, an application server can be used to connect the monitoring device to the communication terminals.

[0059] For example, the telephone system 1 and the monitoring device 3 can communicate with each other using a signaling protocol, of the SIP type (for "Signaling Internet Protocol", in Anglo-Saxon terminology) to establish and manage a telephone communication session.

[0060] Of course, the invention is not limited to this protocol and applies to any other protocol enabling call signaling in Voice over IP or on switched telephone networks. Nevertheless, in the following description, it is assumed, by way of example, that the call signaling messages exchanged between the communication terminals 1 and the monitoring device 3 conform to the protocol of SIP communication.

[0061] Figure 2 illustrates, in the form of exchanges between the different entities, the steps in the process of managing a monitoring service proposed according to a first embodiment. This monitoring service is provided remotely, via the communication network 4, by the monitoring device 3.

[0062] The management process is implemented by a management device, which in one embodiment can be arranged in a switching device 2. Thus, in this embodiment, the management device and the switching device are equivalent.

[0063] Of course, in other embodiments, the management device can be located outside the switching device. For example, the management device can be located in an application server in the core of an IMS-type network.

[0064] In one embodiment, the management device is configured to send, during an E10 transmission step, to the monitoring device 3, an activation request RI intended to activate the monitoring service at least one of the communication terminals 1 and the monitoring device 3.

[0065] In another embodiment, the monitoring service is activated by other equipment.

[0066] In one embodiment, the RI activation request may conform to the SIP (Signaling Internet Protocol) type protocol, for example, a SIP SUBSCRIBE request. This activation request enables the activation of a subscription to a monitoring service between at least one communication terminal 1 and the monitoring device 3.

[0067] It should be noted that, according to one embodiment, when the RI activation request is issued, the subscription to the monitoring service between at least one communication terminal 1 and the monitoring device 3 is already in place. Indeed, prior subscription to the monitoring service is more secure.

[0068] This SIP SUBSCRIBE request includes information identifying the service to be activated. For example, this request may take the form described by RFC 3856 (“A Presence Event Package for the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)”, August 2004).

[0069] "Activating a service" means making the service active or usable. In other words, once the monitoring service is activated, the monitoring device 3 can provide the monitoring service and monitor the geographical area surrounding the communication terminals 1.

[0070] For the sake of simplicity, [Fig. 2] illustrates a method in which a single communication terminal 1 is used for the monitoring service. However, monitoring of the geographical area can be implemented using several communication terminals 1, some of the operations described here, being repeated for each communication terminal used.

[0071] The communication terminals 1 used for monitoring the geographical area Z are configured to implement an automatic answer when they receive a call from the monitoring device 3.

[0072] A person skilled in the art knows how to configure communication terminals 1 for automatic off-hook operation. Various techniques can be used, ranging from manual configuration by an operator to automated configuration, for example by the switching device 2.

[0073] Thus, according to one embodiment, each configuration terminal 1 is configured to implement automatic call answering. This configuration being known to those skilled in the art, it does not need to be described in detail here. When implementing this configuration, the identifier of the monitoring device 3 is stored in a memory of the communication terminal 1 and / or in the management device 2. The latter can be configured to allow communication between the communication terminal and the monitoring device 3.The monitoring device identifier 3 allows this device to be uniquely identified and can be a unique identifier allowing the device to be identified in an operator's network (for example a number or caller ID present in an HLR (for "Home Location Register") or HSS (for "Home Subscriber Server") type database and / or a physical address or MAC (for Media Access Control) address and / or an IP address of the RTP (for "Real-Time Transport Protocol") audio streams exchanged between the communication terminal and the monitoring device and / or the content of a "via" field of a SIP INVITE type connection establishment request.

[0074] Once the communication terminal 1 is configured for auto-answer for calls received from the monitoring device 3, when the communication terminal 1 receives a call whose caller ID matches the ID of the monitoring device 3, the communication terminal 1 automatically answers the call. In various embodiments, the switching device 2 and / or the communication terminal 1 may verify the ID of the monitoring device 3 to implement or not implement the automatic answer function.

[0075] In one embodiment, the management device 2 receives a call acceptance message from the communication terminal, configured for auto-answer. This message may take the form "200 OK" (SIP protocol).

[0076] Once the subscription is activated, whether it was activated by the management device 2 itself (embody shown in [Fig.2]) or by other means, the monitoring service can be used.

[0077] The proposed management method involves establishing a connection El between at least one communication terminal 1 and the monitoring device 3.

[0078] According to the embodiment shown in [Fig.2], the establishment of a connection El involves the transmission E12 to the communication terminal 1 of a request to establish a call R2a containing a caller ID Clg corresponding to the identifier of the monitoring device Id3.

[0079] In addition, the establishment of a connection El involves the emission El 1 to the monitoring device 3, of a second request to establish a call R2b having a caller ID Clg corresponding to the ID of the communication terminal Idl.

[0080] These requests to establish an R2a, R2b call can take the form of a SIP INVITE request. For example, this request can take the form described by RFC 3261 (“SIP: Session Initiation Protocol”), June 2002).

[0081] In this embodiment, the establishment of a connection El between the communication terminal 1 and the monitoring device 3 involves the implementation of a first call or half-call from the management device 2 to the monitoring device and a second call or half-call from the management device 2 to the communication terminal 1. Once the two half-calls have been issued, the management device 2 puts the communication terminal 1 and the monitoring device 3 into communication. These two half-calls can be simultaneous or consecutive (the order is irrelevant).

[0082] The communication terminal 1 having been previously configured to implement an automatic answer when it receives a call from the monitoring device 3, automatically answers (i.e. without the need for intervention by a user) upon receipt of the call establishment request R2b.

[0083] It should be noted that when several communication terminals 1 are used for the provision of the monitoring service, the steps relating to the establishment of a connection El between the monitoring device and a communication terminal described above are implemented for each communication terminal.

[0084] Once the communication terminal 1 and the monitoring device 3 have been put into communication, they can exchange E13 audio or video data streams, for example according to the RTP protocol (for "Real-time Transfer Protocol" in Anglo-Saxon terminology).

[0085] For example, the monitoring device can receive audio data from the communication terminal, representing sound signals generated in the geographical area Z where the communication terminal 1 is located.

[0086] In other examples, the monitoring device may receive from the communication terminal, video data, as an alternative or complement to audio data.

[0087] In one embodiment, once the sound signal has been reconstructed in the monitoring system 3, it can be analyzed, for example by comparing it to sound signals associated with the geographical area. These sound signals associated with the geographical area, or reference sound signals, correspond to possible sound signals in the geographical area. In other words, the reference sound signals represent sounds considered to be normal, that is, common or usual in the geographical area.

[0088] Thus, the comparison between the sound signal received by the monitoring system and the reference sound signals makes it possible to identify whether abnormal or unusual sounds occur in the geographical area Z.

[0089] According to different embodiments, the comparison can be implemented by the monitoring system 3 itself, or by the management device 2 after receiving from the monitoring system the sound signal received from the communication terminal 1.

[0090] When the presence of a sound signal different from the reference sound signals associated with the geographical area Z, an alarm message or signal may be generated E14 (in dotted lines).

[0091] This alarm message or signal may take the form of an audible or visual signal configured to be played back by a user interface in the management device and / or communication terminals. For example, an audio message may be sent to at least one communication terminal for playback, for example, to deter criminals. In addition, when an abnormal audible signal is detected, for example, by the monitoring system, at least one call is made to at least one communication terminal other than the telephone system terminals 1 (monitoring terminals). This call is intended to notify at least one operator of the detection of an abnormal noise in the geographical area. Several calls to several communication terminals may be made respectively to notify several operators and / or law enforcement (police or other).

[0092] Thus, the alert message or signal allows a user / operator to be informed of the detection of an anomaly so that he / she can check if the anomaly is real.

[0093] According to some embodiments, a reference sound signal may include a noise type and / or a sound level and / or a frequency value. The noise types and / or sound levels and / or a frequency value may be associated with locations. Thus, a sound map of the premises to be monitored is associated with the premises to be monitored. A sound map includes a set of noise types and / or a A sound level and / or a frequency value (characterizing "normal" noises) is associated with a set of locations. In other words, the sound map indicates the noises / sounds considered normal at each location within the premises being monitored.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the sound mapping of the premises to be monitored can be carried out at the beginning of each monitoring period, i.e. after the activation of the monitoring service.

[0095] For example, mapping can be performed during a phase in which one of the terminals emits sounds and an analysis of the reception of these sounds by another terminal receiving these sounds is implemented. The mapping and analyses to be performed depend on the premises being monitored. By way of non-limiting example, the following operation could be implemented when performing sound mapping. Three terminals are used to monitor two rooms separated by a door. A first terminal, T1, is located in one room, and the other two terminals, T2 and T3, are located in another room with access to the outside of the premises. For example, sounds are reproduced by terminals T2 and T3 to verify the sounds / sound levels received by the first terminal, T1, and to be able to deduce whether the door is open or closed. Of course, this example is not limiting and is presented here for illustrative purposes.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the sound mapping of the premises is carried out once and recorded in the monitoring system for any implementation of the monitoring service, without needing to be redone at each activation of the service.

[0097] For example, if, during the analysis of the received sound signal, it is determined that the sound level of the signal exceeds the sound level of the reference signal (constituting a threshold), an anomaly is detected. The same applies if, for example, a frequency value is present in the received sound signal.

[0098] According to one embodiment, during the analysis of the received sound signal, the duration of a noise is taken into account by comparison with reference noise durations or durations considered to be normal. For example, a noise of a certain sound level can be considered normal as long as the duration of the noise does not exceed a predefined duration. When the duration of the noise exceeds the predefined duration, an anomaly is detected. According to another embodiment, during the analysis of the received sound signal, the time or time slot at which the noise occurs is taken into account. Thus, depending on the time, the same noise can be considered normal or an anomaly. For example, the sound generated by garbage collection in a building is considered normal when the sound is generated within a certain time range.This same audible signal is considered an anomaly when it is generated outside of this time range.

[0099] Thus, reference sound signals are stored in a memory located in the monitoring device 3 and / or in the management device 2.

[0100] Without an embodiment, these memories can be fed with reference sound signals as the monitoring service operates. For example, the sound signals can be stored in memory in association with the result of the sound signal analysis and / or feedback from the user who verified whether the anomaly was indeed present. This constitutes a learning phase for anomaly detection (or a mapping phase as described above) that can be used by artificial intelligence to detect anomalies more quickly and even more reliably.

[0101] In one embodiment, after a period of time T has elapsed since the call was initiated, the management device 2 sends a connection termination request to the communication terminal 1. For example, this request is a SIP BYE request. For example, this request may take the form described in RFC 3261 (“SIP: Session Initiation Protocol”), June 2002.

[0102] In one embodiment, the management device 2 receives a message confirming the completion of the call. This message may take the form "200 OK" (SIP protocol).

[0103] When connections have been made between the monitoring device 3 and several communication terminals 1 respectively, the management device 2 issues finalization requests R3 intended for each communication terminal 1.

[0104] In another embodiment, the issuance of the finalization request (or requests) R3 is implemented at a predefined time. In another embodiment, the issuance of the finalization request can be implemented in response to an event. For example, when a door is closed, a computer system is shut down, a code is entered from one of the communication terminals 1, a predefined deactivation phrase is repeated, for example by an operator, the service is deactivated via an application installed on a user's terminal, or other such event.

[0105] In the described embodiment, once the connection between the monitoring device 3 and the communication terminal 1 is finalized, the management device 2 issues a deactivation request R4 configured to deactivate said previously activated monitoring service.

[0106] Thus, the management device itself deactivates the monitoring service when it is not needed. According to some embodiments, the management device can decide in real time to deactivate the service, and thus shorten or lengthen the activation time of the service as needed, or issue the deactivation request R4 at a predefined time or after the elapsed period of time from the activation of the service.

[0107] In another embodiment, deactivation occurs automatically after a service period has elapsed from the date of the activation request. In this embodiment, no deactivation request is required.

[0108] In an embodiment not shown, the deactivation request is issued without the connection termination requests having been issued beforehand. In this embodiment, when the monitoring device 3 receives the deactivation request, it sends connection termination requests (SIP BYE) to the communication terminals to end the communications established between the communication terminals 1 and the monitoring device 3 (emphasis not shown).

[0109] Fig. 3 illustrates, in the form of exchanges between the different entities, steps in the process of managing a surveillance service proposed according to a second embodiment.

[0110] In this embodiment, the emission step E10' of an activation request RI' intended to activate the monitoring service between at least one of the communication terminals 1 and the monitoring device 3, is similar to that described with reference to [Fig.1] illustrating the first embodiment of the proposed management method.

[0111] According to this embodiment, once the subscription to the monitoring service is activated, the establishment of a connection El' involves the transmission E12' to the communication terminal 1 of a request to establish a call R2a' containing a caller ID Clg corresponding to the identifier of the monitoring device Id3.

[0112] In this embodiment, the establishment of a connection El' further involves, prior to the transmission E12' to the communication terminal 1, of a request to establish a call R2b', the reception Eli' from the monitoring device 3, of a preliminary request to establish a call R2a' containing a called party identifier Cld corresponding to the identifier of the communication terminal Idl.

[0113] The preliminary request to establish an R2a' call may take the form of a SIP INVITE request. For example, this request may take the form described by RFC 3261 ("SIP: Session Initiation Protocol"), June 2002.

[0114] Receiving the preliminary call establishment request R2a' triggers the transmission E12' to the communication terminal 1 of the call establishment request R2b'. In one embodiment, the management device 2 extracts the caller ID Clg (monitoring device ID 3) from the preliminary call establishment request R2a' and includes it as the caller ID Clg in the call establishment request R2b' transmitted to the communication terminal 1.

[0115] The other steps shown in [Fig. 3] are similar to those illustrated in [Fig. 2] described below. Therefore, these steps will not be described again here.

[0116] Fig. 4a schematically illustrates a hardware architecture of a management device 2 that can implement the proposed management process.

[0117] The management device 2 includes a communication bus 400 to which the following are connected: - a processing unit 201, named in the figure CPU (for "Central Processing Unit") and which may include one or more processors;

[0118] - a 402 non-volatile memory, for example ROM (for "Read Only Memory"), EEPROM (for "Electrically Erasable Read Only Memory") or Flash memory; - 203 or RAM (for "Random Access Memory"); - an input / output interface 204, labeled I / O (for "Input / Output") in the figure, for example keys or buttons B (for example, to trigger the emission of a vibration signal), a screen, a keyboard, a mouse, or another pointing device such as a touchscreen or remote control, allowing a user to interact with the management device 2 via a graphical interface, human-machine interface, or user interface; and - a communication interface 205, named COM in the figure, adapted to exchange data for example with the communication terminal 1, or with a monitoring device 3 via a communication network 3.

[0119] The random access memory 203 includes registers adapted for storing variables and parameters created and modified during the execution of a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the proposed management process. The instruction codes of the program stored in non-volatile memory 202 are loaded into RAM 203 for execution by the CPU 201.

[0120] The non-volatile memory 202 is, for example, a rewritable memory of the EEPROM or Flash memory type that can constitute a medium within the meaning of the invention, that is to say, that can include a computer program PG comprising instructions for the implementation of the proposed management process.

[0121] This PG program defines, through its instructions, functional modules of the management device 2 that are implemented and / or control the hardware elements described above. Figure 4b is a functional representation of a management device 2 according to one embodiment.

[0122] These modules may include, in particular, a connection establishment module 21 configured to establish a connection between said at least one communication terminal, said at least one communication terminal being configured to implement automatic answering when it receives a call from the monitoring device.

[0123] The management device may also include a transmission module 22 configured to make a call to at least one communication terminal previously configured to implement an automatic answer when it receives a call from the monitoring device.

[0124] According to embodiments, the transmission module 22 can be further configured to: - to send to the monitoring device an activation request configured to activate the monitoring service between said at least one communication terminal and said monitoring device; - to send to said at least one communication terminal, a request to establish a call containing a caller ID Clg corresponding to the identifier of said monitoring device; - to send to the monitoring device, a second request to establish a call containing a caller ID Clg corresponding to the ID of said at least one communication terminal; - to send to said at least one communication terminal, a request to finalize the established connection, the finalization request being sent after the elapsed period of time from the sending of the call.

[0125] According to some embodiments, the management device 2 may further include: - a second transmission module 23 configured to send a deactivation request configured to deactivate said previously activated monitoring service; - a receiving module 24 configured to receive from the monitoring device, a preliminary call establishment request containing a calledee identifier corresponding to the identifier of said at least one communication terminal, this reception being implemented prior to the transmission to said at least one communication terminal of a call establishment request; - a sound signal acquisition module 25 configured to obtain a sound signal from the geographical area where said at least one communication terminal is located; - a third transmission module 26 configured to emit an alert signal when the sound signal obtained is different from at least one reference sound signal associated with the geographical area.

[0126] It should be noted that the first, second and third emission modules may constitute one or more emission modules.

[0127] The aforementioned modules and means are controlled by the processor of the processing unit 201. They can take the form of a program executable by a processor, or a hardware form, such as a specialized integrated circuit (known in Anglo-Saxon terminology known as ASIC for "Application-Specific Integrated Circuit"), a system on chip (known in Anglo-Saxon terminology as SoC for "System On Chip"), or an electronic component of the type of programmable logic circuit, such as a component of type FPGA (for "Field-Programmable Gate Array").

Claims

Claims

1. Method for managing a monitoring service provided remotely, via a communication network, by a monitoring device (3), said management method being characterized in that it is implemented by a management device (2) and comprises establishing a connection between at least one communication terminal (1) and said monitoring device, said at least one communication terminal being configured to implement automatic hooking when it receives a request to establish a call (R2a, R2b; R2a', R2b') from the monitoring device.

2. Management method according to claim 1, comprising, prior to said establishment of a connection, the transmission to the monitoring device of an activation request (RI) configured to activate the monitoring service between said at least one communication terminal and said monitoring device.

3. Management method according to claim 2, further comprising the transmission of a deactivation request (R4; R4') configured to deactivate said previously activated monitoring service.

4. Management method according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which said establishment of a connection comprises the transmission (E12; E12') to said at least one communication terminal, of a request to establish a call (R2a; R2b') comprising a caller identifier (Clg) corresponding to the identifier of said monitoring device.

5. Management method according to claim 4, in which said establishment of a connection further comprises the transmission (Eli) to said monitoring device of a second request to establish a call (R2b) comprising a caller identifier (Clg) corresponding to the identifier of said at least one communication terminal.

6. Management method according to claim 4, in which said establishment of a connection further comprises, prior to the transmission (E12') to said at least one communication terminal, of a request to establish a call, the reception (El 1') from the monitoring device, of a preliminary request to establish a call (R2a') comprising a called party identifier (Cld) corresponding to the identifier of said at least one communication terminal.

7. Management method according to one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a transmission to said at least one communication terminal of a request for finalization (R3b; R3b') of said established connection, said finalization request being transmitted after the lapse of a period of time from the transmission of the call.

8. Management method according to one of claims 1 or 7, further comprising: - obtaining (El3; E13') a sound signal originating from the geographical area (Z) where said at least one communication terminal is located, - transmitting (E14; E14') an alert signal when the sound signal obtained is different from at least one reference sound signal associated with said geographical area.

9. Device for managing a monitoring service provided remotely by a monitoring device, configured to implement the management method according to one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Switching device connecting at least one communication terminal and one monitoring device via a communication network, comprising a management device according to claim 9.

11. Communication terminal configured to receive from a management device (2) a request to establish a connection (R2a; R2b') with a monitoring device (3), said communication terminal (1) being configured to implement automatic hooking when it receives a request to establish a call from the monitoring device.

12. Surveillance management system comprising a surveillance device (3) providing a surveillance service, at least one communication terminal and a management device configured to implement the method according to one of claims 1 to 8.

13. Computer program comprising code instructions for implementing the steps of the management method according to one of claims 1 to 8 when executed by a processor.

14. Information carrier readable by a processor in a management device, on which the computer program according to claim 13 is recorded.

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