Monitoring system, monitoring method, and monitoring program

Abstract

To provide a monitoring system capable of notifying a manager of an abnormality which occurs in a device to be monitored when a communication path of the device to be monitored is normal, an information processing method, and an information processing program.SOLUTION: In a monitoring system 10, a monitoring target device 2 comprises a communication processing unit 211 and a display processing unit 213. When an abnormality is detected in the monitoring target device 2, the communication processing unit blocks a communication path constructed between itself and a cloud server 1. When an abnormality is detected in the monitoring target device 2, the display processing unit displays abnormality information on the abnormality in an operation display unit 23 of the monitoring target device 2. The cloud server 1 comprises a notification processing unit 113 which notifies a manager terminal 3 of prescribed notification information when the state in which the communication path constructed between the cloud server and the monitoring target device 2 is blocked continues for a prescribed time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a monitoring system, a monitoring method, and a monitoring program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a system that notifies an administrator when an abnormality occurs in a monitored device. For example, in the system, a server judges whether or not a communication path to a monitored device (client terminal) is continuously connected, and if it judges that the connection has not been established for a certain period of time or more, the server notifies an administrator of an abnormality in the monitored device (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-060519 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, the server determines whether the monitored device is abnormal based on the presence or absence of a connection of a communication path to the monitored device. Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs in the monitored device, the server cannot detect the abnormality in the monitored device if the communication path is normal. For example, if the HDD (Hard Disk Drive) in the monitored device breaks down or the usage of the HDD exceeds a specified value, the server cannot detect these abnormalities if the communication path of the monitored device is normal. Thus, in the conventional technology, when an abnormality occurs in the monitored device while the communication path of the monitored device is normal, it is difficult to notify the administrator of the abnormality.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a monitoring system, a monitoring method, and a monitoring program that are capable of notifying an administrator of an abnormality that occurs in a monitored device when the communication path of the monitored device is normal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A monitoring system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a monitored device and a monitoring device communicatively connected to the monitored device. The monitored device includes a communication processing unit that cuts off a communication path established between the monitored device and the monitoring device when an abnormality is detected in the monitored device, and a display processing unit that displays abnormality information related to the abnormality on a display unit of the monitored device when an abnormality is detected in the monitored device. The monitoring device includes a notification processing unit that notifies a user terminal of predetermined notification information when the communication path established between the monitored device and the monitored device remains cut off for a predetermined period of time.

[0007] A monitoring method according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a monitoring method in a monitoring system including a monitored device and a monitoring device communicatively connected to the monitored device, the monitoring method being executed by one or more processors to cut off a communication path between the monitored device and the monitoring device when an abnormality is detected in the monitored device, to display anomaly information related to the abnormality on a display unit of the monitored device when an abnormality is detected in the monitored device, and to notify a user terminal of predetermined notification information when the communication path between the monitoring device and the monitored device remains cut off for a predetermined period of time.

[0008] A monitoring program according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a monitoring program in a monitoring system including a monitored device and a monitoring device communicatively connected to the monitored device, the monitoring program causing one or more processors to execute the following operations: when an abnormality is detected in the monitored device, cutting off a communication path with the monitoring device; when an abnormality is detected in the monitored device, displaying abnormality information related to the abnormality on a display unit of the monitored device; and when a state in which the communication path between the monitoring device and the monitored device is cut off continues for a predetermined period of time, notifying a user terminal of predetermined notification information. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a monitoring system, an information processing method, and an information processing program that are capable of notifying an administrator of an abnormality that occurs in a monitored device when the communication path of the monitored device is normal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of notification information (email) sent by the cloud server according to the embodiment of the present disclosure to the administrator terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of anomaly information (message) displayed on the monitored device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of anomaly information (message) displayed on the monitored device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a monitoring process executed in the monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a monitoring process executed in the monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a monitoring system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are examples of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0012] [Surveillance System 10] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a monitoring system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The monitoring system 10 includes a cloud server 1, a monitored device 2, and an administrator terminal 3.

[0013] The cloud server 1 is constructed, for example, from one or more servers (virtual servers). The monitored device 2 is an information processing device such as a personal computer or a data server. The administrator terminal 3 is an operation terminal such as a personal computer or a smartphone. Although FIG. 1 illustrates one each of the cloud server 1, the monitored device 2, and the administrator terminal 3, the monitoring system 10 may include two or more each of the cloud server 1, the monitored device 2, and the administrator terminal 3. The cloud server 1 is an example of a monitoring device of the present disclosure, the monitored device 2 is an example of a monitored device of the present disclosure, and the administrator terminal 3 is an example of a user terminal of the present disclosure.

[0014] The cloud server 1, the monitored device 2, and the administrator terminal 3 are connected to each other via a network N1. The network N1 is a communication network such as the Internet.

[0015] The monitoring system 10 is a system that monitors an abnormality of the monitored device 2 and notifies the administrator terminal 3 of abnormality information when an abnormality is detected. Specifically, the cloud server 1 establishes a secure communication path (e.g., a Websocket communication path) between the monitored device 2 and the monitored device 2, judges whether an abnormality occurs in the monitored device 2 based on the state of the communication path (established state or cut-off state), and notifies the administrator terminal 3 of predetermined notification information when the communication path is cut off, judging that an abnormality has occurred in the monitored device 2 when the communication path is cut off. In addition, the monitored device 2 monitors the state of its own components (e.g., the storage unit 22), and when it judges that an abnormality has occurred in the components, cuts off the communication path with the cloud server 1 and displays abnormality information related to the content of the abnormality on its own display unit (operation display unit 23). When the administrator receives the notification information notified to the administrator terminal 3 from the cloud server 1, he checks the abnormality information displayed on the operation display unit 23 of the monitored device 2 and takes action to resolve the abnormality.

[0016] In this way, in the monitoring system 10 according to the present disclosure, when the monitored device 2 detects an abnormality in its own components, the monitoring target device 2 intentionally cuts off the communication path established with the cloud server 1, causing the cloud server 1 to notify the administrator terminal 3 of notification information, thereby making the administrator aware that an abnormality has occurred in the monitored device 2. A specific configuration of the monitoring system 10 will be described below.

[0017] [Cloud Server 1] 2, cloud server 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an operation display unit 13, and a communication unit 14. Cloud server 1 is one or more virtual servers. Note that the monitoring device of the present disclosure is not limited to a cloud server, and may be one or more physical servers.

[0018] The communication unit 14 is a communication interface for connecting the cloud server 1 to the network N1 in a wired or wireless manner and for executing data communication with the monitored device 2 via the network N1 in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol. For example, the communication unit 14 is a communication interface for executing data communication in accordance with the Websocket communication protocol. The communication unit 14 is connected to the communication unit 24 of the monitored device 2, and establishes a Websocket communication path between the cloud server 1 and the monitored device 2. Note that the communication path established between the cloud server 1 and the monitored device 2 is not limited to a Websocket communication path, and may be another communication path such as an HTTP communication path.

[0019] The operation display unit 13 is a user interface that includes a display unit, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, that displays various information, and an operation unit, such as a mouse, a keyboard, or a touch panel, that accepts operations.

[0020] The storage unit 12 is a non-volatile storage unit such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash memory that stores various information. The storage unit 12 stores control programs such as a monitoring program for causing the control unit 11 to execute a monitoring process (see FIG. 7) described below. For example, the control program is non-temporarily recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD or a DVD, and is read by a reading device (not shown) such as a CD drive or a DVD drive provided in the cloud server 1 and stored in the storage unit 12. The control program may be distributed from another server and stored in the storage unit 12.

[0021] The control unit 11 has control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic operations. The ROM stores in advance control programs such as a BIOS and an OS for causing the CPU to execute various processes. The RAM stores various information, and is used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for the various processes executed by the CPU. The control unit 11 controls the cloud server 1 by executing, by the CPU, various control programs that are stored in advance in the ROM or the storage unit 12.

[0022] Specifically, the control unit 11 includes various processing units such as a communication processing unit 111, a determination processing unit 112, and a notification processing unit 113. The control unit 11 functions as the various processing units by executing various processes according to the control program. Some or all of the processing units included in the control unit 11 may be configured with electronic circuits. The control program may be a program for causing a plurality of processors to function as the various processing units.

[0023] The communication processing unit 111 establishes a communication path (for example, a WebSocket communication path) between the monitoring target device 2. Specifically, the communication processing unit 111 acquires a communication path establishment request (described later) from the monitoring target device 2, and establishes the communication path when a token corresponding to the establishment request matches an issued token. A known technique can be applied as a method for establishing the communication path.

[0024] Furthermore, when the communication processing unit 111 establishes a communication path with the monitoring target device 2, it registers device information about the monitoring target device 2 in the storage unit 12. The device information includes, for example, product name, title, IP address, service (search) IP address, MAC address, S / N, installation location, connection status, and the like. When the communication path is established and the device information is registered, the cloud server 1 starts monitoring the communication status with the monitoring target device 2 (establishment status of the communication path).

[0025] The determination processing unit 112 determines (monitors) the state of the communication path established with the monitoring target device 2. Specifically, the determination processing unit 112 determines whether the communication path is established (established state) or whether the communication path is cut off (cut off state). For example, the determination processing unit 112 determines the state of the communication path at a predetermined period (for example, every 60 seconds).

[0026] Furthermore, when the communication path transitions from an established state to a cut-off state, the determination processing unit 112 determines whether the cut-off state continues for a predetermined time. Specifically, the determination processing unit 112 determines whether the elapsed time from the point in time when the communication path transitioned from an established state to a cut-off state (the elapsed time in the cut-off state) has reached a predetermined time (for example, 60 minutes).

[0027] The notification processing unit 113 notifies the administrator terminal 3 of predetermined notification information when the communication path established with the monitored device 2 is cut off. Specifically, the notification processing unit 113 notifies the administrator terminal 3 of predetermined notification information when the communication path established with the monitored device 2 remains cut off for a predetermined time (e.g., 60 minutes). That is, the notification processing unit 113 notifies the administrator terminal 3 of the notification information when the determination processing unit 112 determines that the elapsed time from the point in time when the communication path transitioned from an established state to a cut-off state (the elapsed time in the cut-off state) has reached a predetermined time (e.g., 60 minutes).

[0028] For example, when the communication path is forcibly cut off due to a power cut or deterioration of the communication environment in the monitored device 2, the notification processing unit 113 notifies the administrator terminal 3 of the notification information when the communication path remains cut off for a predetermined period of time.

[0029] Also, for example, when an abnormality occurs in a component (e.g., memory unit 22) of the monitored device 2 and the monitored device 2 itself cuts off the communication path, the notification processing unit 113 notifies the administrator terminal 3 of the notification information when the communication path remains cut off for a predetermined period of time.

[0030] The notification information includes information indicating that the communication path with the monitored device 2 has been cut off and that an abnormality may have occurred in the monitored device 2. The notification information also includes the device information (product name, title, IP address, service (search) IP address, MAC address, S / N, installation location, connection status, etc.) regarding the monitored device 2 that is the communication destination.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows an example of the notification information, that is, an email M1. As shown in FIG. 3, the email M1 includes a message indicating that the communication path with the monitoring target device 2 (here, "device D1") has been cut off ("device D1 is not connected"); a message indicating device information (product name, name, IP address, service IP address, MAC address, S / N, installation location); a message indicating that an abnormality may have occurred in the monitoring target device ("Is the power on?"; "Is the network connected?"; "Is an error dialog displayed on the desktop screen?"); and the like. The notification processing unit 113 transmits the email M1 corresponding to the notification information to the administrator terminal 3. Note that the storage unit 22 has registered in advance the identification information of the monitoring target device 2 and the identification information (including an email address) of the administrator terminal 3 of the administrator who manages the monitoring target device 2.

[0032] When the administrator checks the email M1 displayed on the administrator terminal 3, he or she recognizes that some kind of abnormality has occurred in the monitored device 2. As a result, the administrator goes, for example, to the location where the monitored device 2 is installed, checks the details of the abnormality (described later) displayed on the monitored device 2, and takes action according to the details of the abnormality.

[0033] [Monitored device 2] 2, the monitored device 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an operation display unit 23, and a communication unit 24. The monitored device 2 is an information processing device such as a personal computer or a data server. For example, the monitored device 2 may include a monitoring function for monitoring the operation of one or more user terminals (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 8).

[0034] The communication unit 24 is a communication interface for connecting the monitored device 2 to the network N1 in a wired or wireless manner and executing data communication with the cloud server 1 via the network N1 in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol. For example, the communication unit 24 is a communication interface for executing data communication in accordance with the Websocket communication protocol. The communication unit 24 is connected to the communication unit 14 of the cloud server 1 and establishes, for example, a Websocket communication path between the cloud server 1 and the monitored device 2.

[0035] The operation display unit 23 is a user interface that includes a display unit, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, that displays various information, and an operation unit, such as a mouse, a keyboard, or a touch panel, that accepts operations.

[0036] The storage unit 22 is a non-volatile storage unit such as an HDD, SSD, or flash memory that stores various information. The storage unit 22 stores control programs such as a monitoring program for causing the control unit 21 to execute a monitoring process (see FIG. 6) described below. For example, the control program is non-temporarily recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD or DVD, and is read by a reading device (not shown) such as a CD drive or DVD drive provided in the monitored device 2 and stored in the storage unit 22. The control program may be distributed from another server and stored in the storage unit 22.

[0037] The storage unit 22 also stores, for example, log data acquired from a plurality of user terminals monitored by the monitoring target device 2. The log data includes, for example, access history information of websites accessed by the user terminals.

[0038] The control unit 21 has control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic operations. The ROM stores in advance control programs such as a BIOS and an OS for causing the CPU to execute various processes. The RAM stores various information, and is used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for the various processes executed by the CPU. The control unit 21 controls the monitored device 2 by executing, by the CPU, various control programs that are stored in advance in the ROM or the storage unit 22.

[0039] Specifically, the control unit 21 includes various processing units such as a communication processing unit 211, a monitoring processing unit 212, and a display processing unit 213. The control unit 21 functions as the various processing units by executing various processes according to the control program. Some or all of the processing units included in the control unit 21 may be configured with electronic circuits. The control program may be a program for causing a plurality of processors to function as the various processing units.

[0040] The communication processing unit 211 establishes a communication path (for example, a WebSocket communication path) with the cloud server 1. Specifically, the communication processing unit 211 transmits a request to establish a communication path to the cloud server 1, and establishes the communication path when it receives a response from the cloud server 1. A known technique can be applied as a method for establishing the communication path.

[0041] When the communication path is established and the device information of the monitoring target device 2 is registered in the cloud server 1, the cloud server 1 starts a process of monitoring the communication path.

[0042] The monitoring processing unit 212 monitors the components of the monitored device 2. Specifically, the monitoring processing unit 212 monitors the state of the storage unit 22 (normal or broken, storage capacity (usage), etc.). The storage unit 22 is an example of the components. The components may be the CPU (control unit 21), the operation display unit 23, the communication unit 24, etc. For example, the monitoring processing unit 212 determines whether the storage unit 22 is normal or has broken down. Also, for example, the monitoring processing unit 212 determines whether the storage capacity has exceeded a specified value (threshold value).

[0043] When the communication processing unit 211 establishes the communication path with the cloud server 1, the communication processing unit 211 maintains or cuts off the establishment information of the communication path based on the monitoring result by the monitoring processing unit 212. For example, when the monitoring processing unit 212 determines that the storage unit 22 has failed or that the storage capacity has exceeded a specified value, it determines that an abnormality has occurred in the storage unit 22. When the monitoring processing unit 212 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the storage unit 22, the communication processing unit 211 cuts off the communication path established with the cloud server 1.

[0044] When the communication processing unit 211 of the monitored device 2 cuts off the communication path established with the cloud server 1, the notification processing unit 113 of the cloud server 1 notifies the administrator terminal 3 of the notification information (email M1 shown in Figure 3) if the communication path remains cut off for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 60 minutes).

[0045] Furthermore, when the monitoring processing unit 212 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the storage unit 22, the display processing unit 213 causes the operation display unit 23 to display abnormality information relating to the abnormality. Figures 4 and 5 show a message P1 which is an example of the abnormality information. Figure 4 shows an example of a message when an abnormality has occurred in the HDD. Figure 5 shows an example of a message when the usage amount of the HDD exceeds a specified value. Message P1 includes information such as the content of the abnormality, its cause, and how to deal with it.

[0046] The display processing unit 213, for example, displays the message P1 as a pop-up on the display screen of the operation display unit 23. When the administrator checks the email M1 (see FIG. 3) received by the administrator terminal 3, he or she moves to the installation location of the monitored device 2 and checks the message P1. This enables the administrator to understand the content of the abnormality, and to deal with the abnormality based on the content of the message P1.

[0047] [Administrator terminal 3] 2, the administrator terminal 3 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an operation display unit 33, and a communication unit 34. The administrator terminal 3 is an operation terminal such as a personal computer or a smartphone.

[0048] The communication unit 34 is a communication interface for connecting the administrator terminal 3 to the network N1 via a wired or wireless connection and for executing data communication with other devices (e.g., the cloud server 1) via the network N1 in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol.

[0049] The operation display unit 33 is a user interface that includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display that displays various information, and an operation unit such as a mouse, a keyboard, or a touch panel that accepts operations. The operation display unit 33 accepts operations by, for example, a user of the administrator terminal 3. The operation display unit 33 also displays email M1 (see FIG. 3) and the like received from the cloud server 1.

[0050] The storage unit 32 is a non-volatile storage unit such as an HDD, SSD, or flash memory that stores various types of information. The storage unit 32 stores a control program that causes the control unit 31 to execute various control processes. For example, the control program is non-temporarily recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD or DVD, and is read by a reading device (not shown) such as a CD drive or DVD drive provided in the administrator terminal 3 and stored in the storage unit 32. The control program may be distributed from the cloud server 1 and stored in the storage unit 32.

[0051] The control unit 31 has control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic operations. The ROM stores in advance control programs such as a BIOS and an OS for causing the CPU to execute various processes. The RAM stores various information and is used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for the various processes executed by the CPU. The control unit 31 controls the administrator terminal 3 by executing, in the CPU, various control programs that are stored in advance in the ROM or the storage unit 32.

[0052] Specifically, the control unit 31 causes the operation display unit 33 to display various information and accepts various user operations.

[0053] For example, the control unit 31 receives the notification information (for example, email M1) from the cloud server 1, and causes the operation display unit 33 to display the received notification information.

[0054] In another embodiment, the control unit 31 may, in response to an administrator's operation, access a website (monitoring service site) provided by the cloud server 1 to register the destination of the notification information, register the device to be monitored, or request the status of the communication path established with the monitored device 2.

[0055] [Monitoring process] Hereinafter, an example of the procedure of the monitoring process executed in the monitoring system 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0056] The present disclosure can be understood as disclosing a monitoring method (one example of the monitoring method of the present disclosure) that executes one or more steps included in the monitoring process. One or more steps included in the monitoring process described here may be omitted as appropriate. The steps in the monitoring process may be executed in a different order as long as the same action and effect is achieved. Furthermore, although an example is described here in which the control unit 11 of the cloud server 1 and the control unit 21 of the monitored device 2 execute the steps in the monitoring process, in other embodiments, one or more processors may execute the steps in the monitoring process in a distributed manner.

[0057] FIG. 6 shows an example of a procedure of a monitoring process executed in the control unit 21 of the monitored device 2. In FIG.

[0058] In step S11, the control unit 21 requests the cloud server 1 to establish a communication path (for example, a WebSocket communication path). The control unit 11 of the cloud server 1 establishes the communication path in response to the request to establish the communication path (steps S21 to S22 shown in FIG. 7).

[0059] When the control unit 21 receives a response to the request from the cloud server 1 (S12: Yes), the control unit 21 establishes the communication path in step S13.

[0060] When a communication path is established between the monitored device 2 and the cloud server 1, in step S14, the control unit 21 monitors the components of the monitored device 2 and determines whether or not there is an abnormality. If the control unit 21 detects an abnormality in the storage unit 22 (for example, if the HDD breaks down, or if the usage amount of the HDD exceeds a specified value) (S14: Yes), the control unit 21 transitions the process to step S15. If the control unit 21 does not detect an abnormality in the components (S14: No), the control unit 21 transitions the process to step S17.

[0061] In step S15, the control unit 21 cuts off the communication path established between the monitoring target device 2 and the cloud server 1. That is, the control unit 21 sets the monitoring target device 2 and the cloud server 1 to a communication unavailable state (disconnected state).

[0062] Next, in step S16, the control unit 21 causes anomaly information regarding the abnormality of the component to be displayed on the operation display unit 23. For example, the control unit 21 causes a message P1 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) which is the abnormality information to be displayed as a pop-up on the display screen of the operation display unit 23. As another embodiment, when the manager terminal 3 is connected to the monitored device 2 so as to be able to perform data communication, the control unit 21 may send the message P1 to the manager terminal 3 by email.

[0063] Next, in step S17, the control unit 21 determines whether or not to end the operating state of the monitored device 2. When the operating state of the monitored device 2 ends (S17: Yes), the control unit 21 ends the monitoring process. When the operating state of the monitored device 2 continues (S17: No), the control unit 21 shifts the process to step S14 and repeatedly executes the above-mentioned process. For example, the control unit 21 switches the operating state ON / OFF based on a preset schedule.

[0064] FIG. 7 shows an example of a procedure of a monitoring process executed in control unit 11 of the cloud server.

[0065] In step S21, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a request to establish a communication path (for example, a WebSocket communication path) has been received from the monitoring target device 2. When the control unit 11 receives the establishment request (S21: Yes), the control unit 11 transitions to step S22.

[0066] In step S22, the control unit 11 establishes the communication path. Specifically, the control unit 11 establishes the communication path when the token corresponding to the establishment request matches an issued token. When the control unit 11 establishes a communication path with the monitored device 2, it registers device information (product name, name, IP address, service (search) IP address, MAC address, S / N, installation location, connection status, etc.) regarding the monitored device 2. When the control unit 11 establishes the communication path, it transmits a response to the monitored device 2. When the communication path is established between the monitored device 2 and the cloud server 1, the control unit 11 starts monitoring the communication path.

[0067] In step S23, the control unit 11 determines whether the communication path has been interrupted. If the control unit 11 determines that the communication path has been interrupted (S23: Yes), the process proceeds to step S24. On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines that the communication path has not been interrupted (the established state continues) (S23: No), the process proceeds to step S231.

[0068] In step S24, the control unit 11 judges whether a predetermined time has passed since the communication path was cut off. For example, the control unit 11 judges whether the elapsed time from the point in time when the communication path was transitioned from an established state to a cut off state (the elapsed time in the cut off state) has reached a predetermined time (for example, 60 minutes). If the control unit 11 judges that the predetermined time has passed since the communication path was cut off (S24: Yes), the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S25. If the control unit 11 judges that the predetermined time has not passed since the communication path was cut off (S24: No), the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S23. If the communication path is reconstructed (restored) before the predetermined time has passed since the communication path was cut off (S23: No), the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S231.

[0069] In step S25, the control unit 11 notifies the administrator terminal 3 of predetermined notification information. Specifically, the control unit 11 transmits to the administrator terminal 3 an email M1 (see FIG. 3) indicating that the communication path with the monitored device 2 has been cut off and that an abnormality may have occurred in the monitored device 2.

[0070] When the administrator checks the email M1 displayed on the administrator terminal 3, he or she goes to the location where the monitored device 2 is installed, checks the abnormality details (message P1 (see Figures 4 and 5)) displayed on the monitored device 2 (step S16 in Figure 6), and takes action according to the abnormality details.

[0071] Next, in step S26, the control unit 11 judges whether or not to end the process of monitoring the state of the communication path established with the monitoring target device 2 (communication path monitoring process). When the control unit 11 judges to end the communication path monitoring process (S26: Yes), the control unit 11 ends the monitoring process. On the other hand, when the control unit 11 judges not to end the communication path monitoring process (S26: No), the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S21. For example, the control unit 11 decides whether or not to end the communication path monitoring process based on a preset schedule. For example, the control unit 11 ends the communication path monitoring process on days of the week when the monitoring target device 2 stops operating (for example, Saturday and Sunday). Also, for example, the control unit 11 executes the communication path monitoring process on days of the week when the monitoring target device 2 operates (for example, weekdays). In this way, the control unit 11 may execute the monitoring process (steps S21 to S25) based on a preset operation schedule of the monitoring target device 2.

[0072] If the communication path is not interrupted and the established state continues (S23: No), the control unit 11 similarly determines in step S231 whether or not to end the communication path monitoring process. If the control unit 11 determines that the communication path monitoring process should be ended (S231: Yes), it ends the monitoring process. On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines that the communication path monitoring process should not be ended (S231: No), it transitions to step S23.

[0073] The control unit 11 of the cloud server 1 and the control unit 21 of the monitored device 2 execute the monitoring process in the above manner.

[0074] As described above, the monitoring system 10 according to this embodiment is a system including the monitored device 2 and the cloud server 1 communicatively connected to the monitored device 2. When an abnormality is detected in the monitored device 2, the monitored device 2 cuts off the communication path established with the cloud server 1, and when an abnormality is detected in the monitored device 2, causes the operation display unit 23 of the monitored device 2 to display abnormality information (see Figs. 4 and 5) relating to the abnormality. Furthermore, when the state in which the communication path established with the monitored device 2 is cut off continues for a predetermined time, the cloud server 1 notifies the administrator terminal 3 of predetermined notification information (see Fig. 3).

[0075] According to the above configuration, for example, in the case where the HDD of the monitored device 2 breaks down or the usage of the HDD exceeds a specified value, the monitored device 2 itself performs a process of cutting off the communication path even if the communication path established between the monitored device 2 and the cloud server 1 is normal. As a result, the cloud server 1 notifies the administrator terminal 3 of the notification information, triggered by the cutting off of the communication path. Furthermore, the monitored device 2 displays the abnormality content related to the abnormality of the HDD on its own operation display unit 23. As a result, the administrator can check the abnormality content displayed on the monitored device 2 after checking the notification information displayed on the administrator terminal 3. Therefore, when an abnormality occurs in the monitored device 2 when the communication path of the monitored device 2 is normal, it is possible to notify the administrator of the abnormality.

[0076] The monitoring system 10 according to the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. As another embodiment, in the monitoring system 10, the communication processing unit 211 of the monitoring target device 2 may cut off or maintain the communication path established with the cloud server 1 based on the content or frequency of the abnormality of the monitoring target device 2. For example, the communication processing unit 211 may determine whether to cut off or maintain the communication path depending on the content of the abnormality, such as cutting off the communication path when the monitoring processing unit 212 detects a failure of the storage unit 22 of the monitoring target device 2, and maintaining the communication path when the monitoring processing unit 212 detects a decrease in the CPU utilization rate of the monitoring target device 2. Also, for example, the communication processing unit 211 may cut off the communication path when the number of times the monitoring processing unit 212 detects an abnormality in a component of the monitoring target device 2 reaches a predetermined number, and maintain the communication path when the number of times the abnormality is detected is less than the predetermined number. According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the communication path from being unnecessarily cut off and the operation state of the monitoring target device 2 from being stopped.

[0077] As another embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication processing unit 211 of the monitored device 2 may cut off or maintain the communication path established with the cloud server 1 based on the operation content of a user terminal (an example of an operation terminal of the present disclosure) connected to the monitored device 2 so as to be able to perform data communication. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the monitored device 2 has a monitoring function for monitoring the operation of a plurality of user terminals 4, the monitored device 2 acquires and stores log data from each of the plurality of user terminals 4. The log data includes, for example, access history information of a website accessed by the user terminal 4. In this case, the monitoring processing unit 212 verifies the log data to detect unauthorized access. When the monitoring processing unit 212 detects unauthorized access, the communication processing unit 211 cuts off the communication path. In this way, the monitoring processing unit 212 detects an abnormality related to the operation content and operation of the user terminal 4 in the monitored device 2. That is, the monitoring processing unit 212 is configured to be able to detect an abnormality in the monitored device 2 itself and an abnormality related to the user terminal 4 monitored by the monitored device 2. When the communication path is cut off, the administrator checks the details of the abnormality in the monitored device 2 and takes appropriate action. This makes it possible to prevent damage such as the user terminal 4 being infected with a virus due to unauthorized access, for example.

[0078] As described above, the monitoring system 10 comprises an information processing device to be monitored (monitored device 2) and a monitoring device (cloud server 1) connected to it so as to be able to communicate with it. When the information processing device detects an abnormality in a component, it cuts off communication with the monitoring device and displays information related to the abnormality. When the monitoring device detects that communication has been cut off for longer than a predetermined time, it determines that the information processing device is abnormal and transmits information indicating the abnormality to the administrator terminal 3.

[0079] Furthermore, the information processing device and the monitoring device bidirectionally communicate information regarding whether the information processing device is operating or not.

[0080] The information processing device also communicates with a monitoring device outside the firewall.

[0081] The information management device also includes an abnormality monitoring agent (monitoring processing unit 212) that monitors the components, and a data communication agent (communication processing unit 211) that communicates with the monitoring device.

[0082] Furthermore, the information processing device cuts off communication based on information (logs, fraudulent actions, access history, virus information) relating to the set operation of another information processing device (user terminal 4) communicably connected to the information processing device.

[0083] Furthermore, the information processing device cuts off or maintains communication with the monitoring device depending on the content or frequency of the detected abnormality (eg, multiple abnormalities).

[0084] Furthermore, the information processing device cuts off or maintains communication based on the set specified value of the storage capacity and the degree of change in the storage capacity.

[0085] In addition, when the monitoring device detects that communication cannot be performed continuously for a predetermined period (e.g., weekdays) other than the preset communication suspension schedule (e.g., Saturdays and Sundays), the monitoring device determines that communication has been cut off. For example, since the monitored device 2 is not in operation on Saturdays and Sundays, the process of determining whether to cut off or maintain communication is not executed.

[0086] In addition, the communication path established between the information processing device and the monitoring device may be a communication path that is always established, a communication path for monitoring the alive status of the information processing device, a communication path for monitoring only whether or not a communication path with the information processing device has been established (constructed), etc., such as a communication path according to the Websocket communication protocol.

[0087] The monitoring system 10 may also execute the monitoring process in the following procedure.

[0088] (1) The data communication agent (communication processing unit 211) of the monitored device 2 establishes a communication path with the data communication agent (communication processing unit 111) of the cloud server 1 using the WebSocket method.

[0089] (2) When the communication path is cut off, the data communication agent of the cloud server 1 notifies the administrator of the monitored device 2 of the notification information by email (see FIG. 3).

[0090] (3) The abnormality monitoring agent (monitoring processing unit 212) of the monitored device 2 monitors the states of the components of the monitored device 2, and upon detecting an abnormality, notifies the data communications agent of the monitored device 2 of the abnormality.

[0091] (4) When the data communication agent of the monitored device 2 receives a notification from the anomaly monitoring agent, it cuts off the communication path with the data communication agent of the cloud server 1.

[0092] (5) When the abnormality monitoring agent of the monitored device 2 detects an abnormality, it displays a pop-up window (see FIGS. 4 and 5) indicating the details of the abnormality on the monitor (operation display unit 23) of the monitored device 2.

[0093] (6) The abnormality monitoring agent of the monitored device 2 determines whether or not to notify of the abnormality depending on the content of the detected abnormality. For example, the monitored device 2 may change the threshold for notifying of a capacity shortage based on the amount of increase in drive capacity for one month.

[0094] The communication path using the Websocket method may be configured not to transmit or receive data.

[0095] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the cloud server 1 may be the monitored device. This allows an administrator to be notified when an abnormality occurs in the cloud server 1.

[0096] [Disclosure Note] The following will provide an outline of the disclosure extracted from the above-described embodiment. Note that the configurations and processing functions described in the following supplementary notes can be selected and combined in any desired manner.

[0097] <Appendix 1> A monitoring system including a monitored device and a monitoring device communicatively connected to the monitored device, the monitored device comprises a communication processing unit that cuts off a communication path established between the monitored device and the monitoring device when an abnormality is detected in the monitored device, and a display processing unit that displays abnormality information related to the abnormality on a display unit of the monitored device when an abnormality is detected in the monitored device; the monitoring device includes a notification processing unit that notifies a user terminal of predetermined notification information when the communication path established between the monitoring device and the monitoring target device is interrupted for a predetermined period of time; Surveillance system.

[0098] <Appendix 2> The communication processing unit cuts off or maintains the communication path established with the monitoring device based on the content or frequency of an abnormality in the monitored device. 2. A monitoring system as described in claim 1.

[0099] <Appendix 3> the monitoring target device further includes a monitoring processing unit that monitors a storage unit of the monitoring target device, When the monitoring processing unit detects an abnormality in the storage unit, the communication processing unit cuts off the communication path established with the monitoring device, and the display processing unit displays the abnormality information on the display unit. 3. The surveillance system according to claim 1 or 2.

[0100] <Appendix 4> the monitoring processing unit monitors the storage capacity of the storage unit, and determines that an abnormality has occurred in the storage unit when the storage capacity exceeds a specified value. 4. A monitoring system as described in appended claim 3.

[0101] <Appendix 5> The display processing unit causes the display unit to display the abnormality information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the storage unit of the monitoring target device, The notification processing unit notifies the user terminal of the notification information indicating that the communication path established with the monitoring target device has been cut off and that an abnormality may have occurred in the monitoring target device. A monitoring system according to any one of appendix 1 to 4.

[0102] <Appendix 6> The communication processing unit cuts off or maintains the communication path established with the monitoring device based on an operation content of an operation terminal connected to the monitoring target device so as to be able to perform data communication. A monitoring system according to any one of appendixes 1 to 5.

[0103] <Appendix 7> the monitoring device monitors whether the communication path between the monitoring device and the monitoring target device is established; A monitoring system according to any one of appendixes 1 to 6.

[0104] <Appendix 8> The communication path is a communication path according to the WebSocket communication protocol. A monitoring system according to any one of appendixes 1 to 7. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1: Cloud server 2: Monitored device 3: Administrator terminal 4: User terminal 10: Surveillance system 11: Control section 12: Storage section 13: Operation display section 14: Communications Department 21: Control section 22: Storage section 23: Operation display section 24: Communications Department 31: Control section 32: Storage section 33: Operation display section 34: Communications Department 111: Communication processing unit 112: Judgment processing unit 113: Notification processing unit 211: Communication processing unit 212: Monitoring processing unit 213: Display processing unit M1: Email P1: Message

Claims

1. A monitoring system including a monitored device and a monitoring device communicatively connected to the monitored device, The monitored device is a communication processing unit that cuts off a communication path established between the monitoring device and the monitored device when an abnormality is detected in the monitored device; a display processing unit that, when an abnormality is detected in the monitored device, displays abnormality information related to the abnormality on a display unit of the monitored device; Equipped with The monitoring device includes: a notification processing unit that notifies a user terminal of predetermined notification information when the communication path established with the monitoring target device continues to be interrupted for a predetermined period of time; Surveillance system.

2. The communication processing unit cuts off or maintains the communication path established with the monitoring device based on the content or frequency of an abnormality in the monitored device. The monitoring system of claim 1 .

3. the monitoring target device further includes a monitoring processing unit that monitors a storage unit of the monitoring target device, When the monitoring processing unit detects an abnormality in the storage unit, the communication processing unit cuts off the communication path established with the monitoring device, and the display processing unit displays the abnormality information on the display unit. The monitoring system of claim 1 .

4. the monitoring processing unit monitors the storage capacity of the storage unit, and determines that an abnormality has occurred in the storage unit when the storage capacity exceeds a specified value. The monitoring system according to claim 3.

5. The display processing unit causes the display unit to display the abnormality information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the storage unit of the monitoring target device, The notification processing unit notifies the user terminal of the notification information indicating that the communication path established with the monitoring target device has been cut off and that an abnormality may have occurred in the monitoring target device. The monitoring system of claim 1 .

6. The communication processing unit cuts off or maintains the communication path established with the monitoring device based on an operation content of an operation terminal connected to the monitoring target device so as to be able to perform data communication. The monitoring system of claim 1 .

7. the monitoring device monitors whether the communication path between the monitoring device and the monitoring target device is established; The monitoring system of claim 1 .

8. The communication path is a communication path according to the WebSocket communication protocol. A monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A monitoring method in a monitoring system including a monitored device and a monitoring device communicatively connected to the monitored device, comprising: cutting off a communication path between the monitoring device and the monitored device when an abnormality is detected in the monitored device; When an abnormality is detected in the monitored device, abnormality information regarding the abnormality is displayed on a display unit of the monitored device; notifying a user terminal of predetermined notification information when the communication path between the monitoring device and the monitored device is interrupted for a predetermined period of time; A monitoring method executed by one or more processors.

10. A monitoring program in a monitoring system including a monitored device and a monitoring device communicatively connected to the monitored device, cutting off a communication path between the monitoring device and the monitored device when an abnormality is detected in the monitored device; When an abnormality is detected in the monitored device, abnormality information regarding the abnormality is displayed on a display unit of the monitored device; notifying a user terminal of predetermined notification information when the communication path between the monitoring device and the monitored device is interrupted for a predetermined period of time; A supervisory program for causing one or more processors to execute the above.

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