Communication system

Abstract

To provide a communication system capable of eliminating a disadvantage that a state of not being connected to a server device via an information communication line continues.SOLUTION: The communication terminal 1 includes a clocking means 16 capable of measuring the lapse of time, a communication interruption state detection part 17 for detecting whether or not the communication terminal 1 is in a communication interruption state where an information communication operation performed via the information communication line is not performed, and a notification means 18 for executing notification processing for notifying the user that the communication terminal 1 is in the communication interruption state when a predetermined determination timing set based on the measurement result of the clocking means 16 is reached and a notification requirement condition is satisfied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication system having a communication terminal installed in a user's home and a server device connected to the communication terminal via an information communication line. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, this type of communication system has been provided with an alarm device capable of outputting audio as a communication terminal installed in the user's home, and has included a system that comprises the alarm device and a server device that is connected to the alarm device via an information communication line such as the Internet, and that transmits audio data from the server device to the alarm device, which then outputs the audio data, making it possible to communicate various information to the user (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-155956 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such a communication system, the communication terminal and the server device must be connected via an information communication line in order for the system to function. However, the communication terminal and the server device are not always connected via the information communication line, and there are cases where the connection is lost due to some factor.

[0005] For example, when a user moves to a new residence and a new communication terminal is installed in the user's residence, the new residence may not be equipped with an information and communication line such as the Internet. In such a case, the newly installed communication terminal cannot immediately connect to a server device via the information and communication line. If time passes before the information and communication line is installed, the user may forget to connect the communication terminal to the information and communication line. If the user is not fully aware that the communication terminal is used by connecting via the information and communication line, the user may continue to use the communication terminal without connecting to a server device.

[0006] Furthermore, even when a communication terminal is newly installed in a user's home and is being used by connecting it to a server device via an information and communication line, various factors may cause the communication terminal to become unable to connect to the server device via the information and communication line.

[0007] For example, a communication terminal may be connected to an information and communication line via a wireless LAN router. Communication between the communication terminal and the wireless LAN router is performed using radio waves. However, if a device (e.g., a microwave oven) using the same frequency as the radio waves used for communication is located near the communication terminal or the wireless LAN router, the radio waves emitted from that device may become noise and adversely affect communication between the communication terminal and the wireless LAN router, resulting in a temporary interruption of communication. Communication between the communication terminal and the wireless LAN router may also be interrupted if the wireless LAN router is replaced, the power to the wireless LAN router is cut off, or the location of the wireless LAN router is changed, causing a deterioration in communication conditions between the communication terminal and the wireless LAN router. In such cases, if the user is not fully aware that the communication terminal is connected and used via an information and communication line, the communication terminal may remain disconnected from the server device.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system that can eliminate the disadvantage of being continuously disconnected from a server device via an information communication line. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The characteristic configuration of the communication system of the present invention is a communication system having a communication terminal installed in a user's home and a server device connected to the communication terminal via an information and communication line, wherein the communication terminal is equipped with a timing means capable of measuring the passage of time, a communication interruption detection unit that detects whether or not a communication interruption state is occurring in which no information and communication operations are being performed via the information and communication line, and an alarm means that executes an alarm process to alarm the user that the communication is interrupted when the communication interruption state detection unit detects that the communication is interrupted and a predetermined judgment timing set based on the measurement result of the timing means is reached and the alarm requirement conditions are met.

[0010] According to the present invention, the communication disruption detection unit detects whether or not a communication disruption state has occurred. When a communication disruption state is detected and a predetermined determination timing is reached, the notification unit executes a notification process to notify the user of the communication disruption state. As a result, even if the user is not fully aware that the communication terminal is connected and used via an information and communication line, the notification unit executes the notification process at an appropriate timing, thereby urging the user to execute a connection process.

[0011] Therefore, it has become possible to provide a communication system that can eliminate the disadvantage of being continuously disconnected from the server device via the information communication line.

[0012] A further characteristic feature of the communication system according to the present invention is that the notification means executes the notification processing when the judgment timing reaches the initial time when a first set time has elapsed since the communication terminal was installed in a home and turned on, and the notification necessary condition is met.

[0013] When a communication terminal is installed in a home and powered on, the communication terminal starts operating, but at that time, there may be cases where an information and communication line is not installed in the home. In such a case, according to this configuration, when a first set time has elapsed since the communication terminal was powered on, the notification means executes notification processing to notify the user that communication has been interrupted. By notifying the user when the first set time has elapsed, which is the time expected for the information and communication line to be installed after moving into the home, communication connection via the information and communication line can be started appropriately.

[0014] A further characteristic feature of the communication system according to the present invention is that the notification means executes the notification processing when the notification requirement condition is met, each time a second set time shorter than the first set time elapses, starting from the time the initial time elapses, as the judgment timing.

[0015] According to this configuration, even if the appropriate communication connection process is not performed when the initial time has elapsed, the notification process is repeatedly executed every time a second set time that is shorter than the first set time has elapsed, so that the user can be sure that they are in a state of communication disruption and can start a communication connection via the information and communication line.

[0016] A further characteristic feature of the communication system according to the present invention is that the notification means executes the notification process when the communication interruption state detection unit detects that the communication terminal is in a communication interruption state after the communication terminal is installed in the user's home and the connection process for connecting to the server device via the information and communication line is completed, and when the communication interruption state continues for a determination time or longer, as the judgment timing.

[0017] Even after the connection process is completed, the connection may be interrupted due to some factor, and the user may not be aware of this. With this configuration, even in such a case, the interruption state detection unit executes a notification process when the communication interruption state continues for more than the determination time, so the user can recognize that the connection has been interrupted and it is possible to avoid the communication interruption state continuing for a long time.

[0018] A further characteristic feature of the communication system according to the present invention is that the notification means executes the notification process at a predetermined time that is a third set time after the communication interruption state detection unit detects that the communication terminal is in a communication interruption state, as the judgment timing, after the connection process in which the communication terminal is installed in the user's home and connected to the server device via the information and communication line is completed.

[0019] According to this configuration, even if the communication interruption state continues even after the notification process is executed when the communication interruption state detection unit detects that the communication interruption state has continued for more than the determination time, the notification process is executed when the third set time has elapsed since the communication interruption state was detected, so the user can recognize that the connection has been interrupted and it is possible to avoid the communication interruption state continuing for a long period of time.

[0020] A further characteristic feature of the communication system according to the present invention is that the notification means executes the notification processing every time a fourth set time, which is shorter than the third set time, elapses, starting from the elapse of the specified time, as the determination timing.

[0021] According to this configuration, even if appropriate communication connection processing has not been performed after a specified time has elapsed, the notification processing is repeatedly executed every time a fourth set time, which is shorter than the third set time, has elapsed, so that the user can be sure that he or she is in a state of communication interruption and can start a communication connection via the information and communication line.

[0022] A further characteristic feature of the communication system according to the present invention is that, after the connection process is completed, the server device detects that the communication has been interrupted, executes the notification process, and then performs the connection process again. If the cause of the communication interruption is due to the communication environment between the communication terminal and the information communication line, the server device is configured to transmit communication data to notify the user of this.

[0023] If the cause of the communication disruption is due to the communication environment between the communication terminal and the information and communication line, specifically, the wireless communication state between the communication terminal and communication equipment such as a wireless LAN router, possible causes include changing the installation location of the communication equipment from the appropriate location or the presence of an obstruction between the communication terminal and the communication equipment.

[0024] Therefore, with this configuration, the server device transmits communication data to the communication terminal to notify the user that the cause is due to the communication environment, and the communication terminal notifies the user of this, allowing the user to take measures and avoid a long-term communication outage.

[0025] A further characteristic feature of the communication system of the present invention is that the communication terminal is equipped with a user detection means for detecting whether the user is at home or not, and the notification requirements include the user detection means detecting that the user is at home.

[0026] According to this configuration, the notification process is performed when the user is at home, so that the user can be made aware of the communication interruption without fail.

[0027] A further characteristic feature of the communication system according to the present invention is that the notification means stops the notification process when the communication disruption state detection unit no longer detects the communication disruption state while the notification process is being executed.

[0028] According to this configuration, even if the notification process is being executed, the notification process is stopped when the connection process is properly performed by the user, so that there is no need for the notification process to continue thereafter.

[0029] A further characteristic feature of the communication system of the present invention is that it is equipped with an operation restraint means that, based on a user's command, restrains the operation of the notification means so that the notification process is not executed, even if the notification requirement conditions are met.

[0030] According to this configuration, if the user does not wish to connect the communication terminal to the information communication line, the operation of the notification means can be inhibited by the operation inhibition means, and the state can be set so that no notification is made. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an alarm device. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a notification determination operation. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a notification determination operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a communication system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0033] [Overall structure] A communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a communications system. As shown in the figure, the communications system comprises an alarm device 1 that serves as a communications terminal installed in the user's residence B, and a server device 3 that is connected to the alarm device 1 via an information communications line 2. In this embodiment, the alarm device 1 is connected to the information communications line 2, such as the Internet, via a wireless LAN router (hereafter simply referred to as the router) 4 installed in residence B. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the alarm device 1. In this embodiment, the alarm device 1 is described as the user device, but other devices installed in residence B may also be set as the user device of the present invention.

[0034] The communications system can be used to communicate a variety of information to the users of residence B. For example, information can be communicated to users by sending audio data from the server device 3 to the alarm device 1 and having that audio data output by the alarm device 1. Examples of audio data include audio data containing a variety of content, such as disaster prevention information about earthquakes, floods, etc., weather information about the weather on the day and the next day, and traffic information about the operating conditions of roads and public transport.

[0035] The server device 3 includes a server-side control unit 31, a server-side storage unit 32, and a server-side communication unit 33. The server device 3 is notified by an external device (not shown) that an event related to disaster prevention, weather, traffic, or the like has occurred. In the case of disaster prevention information, for example, when an earthquake occurs, the server device 3 is notified of the occurrence of an event "earthquake occurred" from the Japan Meteorological Agency or the like. In the case of weather information, for example, when the weather forecast is updated, the server device 3 is notified of the occurrence of an event "today's weather is sunny" from the Japan Meteorological Agency or the like. In the case of traffic information, for example, when a train delay occurs, the server device 3 is notified of the occurrence of an event "train delay" from the railway company or the like.

[0036] The server-side control unit 31 of the server device 3 is configured to determine voice data corresponding to an event when such an event related to disaster prevention, weather, traffic, etc. The voice data determined by the server device 3 utilizes information previously stored in the server-side storage unit 32 and information received from an external device.

[0037] Additionally, the server-side storage unit 32 stores the notification destination address of the alarm device 1 (for example, MAC address, SSID, etc.).

[0038] As shown in Figure 2, the alarm device 1 comprises a monitoring sensor unit 5 that detects monitored events, an audio output unit 6 that outputs sound, a display unit 7 that can display lamps and text information realized using LEDs or the like, a terminal-side control unit 8 that controls the operation of the audio output unit 6 and display unit 7, a communication unit 9 that executes communication processing with an external server device 3 via an information communication line 2, a terminal-side memory unit 10 that stores information handled by the alarm device 1, and a check switch 11 that serves as operation check means that, based on user commands, checks the operation of the alarm means so that alarm processing is not executed, even if the alarm requirement conditions described below are met. The alarm device 1 is installed on the ceiling or wall of a room. The check switch is configured so that it can be manually switched on and off by the user.

[0039] The monitoring sensor unit 5 is equipped with various sensors, such as a gas leak monitoring sensor, a CO (carbon monoxide) monitoring sensor, and a fire monitoring sensor, and the terminal side control unit 8 monitors for gas leaks, abnormal CO concentrations, whether or not a fire has occurred, etc. based on the detection information from these sensors.

[0040] For example, if the concentration of the target gas detected by the gas leak monitoring sensor exceeds a set value, it is determined that there is a gas leak, and a gas leak alarm is issued by displaying on the display unit 7, outputting a sound from the sound output unit 6, etc. If the CO concentration detected by the CO monitoring sensor exceeds a set value, it is determined that there is an abnormal CO concentration, and a CO concentration abnormality alarm is issued by displaying on the display unit 7, outputting a sound from the sound output unit 6, etc. Furthermore, if the fire monitoring sensor detects smoke or heat caused by a fire, it is determined that there is a fire, and a fire alarm is issued by displaying on the display unit 7, outputting a sound from the sound output unit 6, etc.

[0041] The audio output unit 6 is realized by using a speaker or the like that can output audio. The terminal-side storage unit 10 stores in advance audio messages corresponding to events to be monitored (for example, occurrence of a gas leak, rise in CO concentration, outbreak of a fire, etc.) and audio messages corresponding to a communication outage state as will be described later. When the terminal-side control unit 8 determines that an event to be monitored exists based on the detection result of the monitoring sensor unit 5, it reads out an audio message indicating the existence of the event to be monitored from the terminal-side storage unit 10 and causes the audio output unit 6 to notify the same.

[0042] The display unit 7 is a display device that can display lamps realized using LEDs or the like and text information. Display pattern information for turning on and off the lamps and examples of text information to be displayed are stored in advance in the terminal-side storage unit 10. When the terminal-side control unit 8 determines that a monitoring target event exists based on the detection result of the monitoring sensor unit 5, it reads out the display pattern information and example text information indicating that a monitoring target event exists and causes the display unit 7 to output them.

[0043] By operating the communication unit 9, the alarm device 1 can communicate information with the server device 3 via the router 4. The alarm device 1 can receive, for example, audio data or audio output instructions from the server device 3, and output this audio data as audio from the alarm device 1's audio output unit 6.

[0044] The communication unit 9 and the router 4 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other using Wi-Fi radio waves, and are connected to the server device 3 via the information communication line 2 so that information can be transmitted therebetween.

[0045] As shown in Figure 1, the server device 3 is equipped with a server-side control unit 31, a server-side storage unit 32, a server-side communication unit 33, etc. The server-side storage unit 32 stores various types of information, and the server-side control unit 31 uses the various types of information stored in the server-side storage unit 32 to control the operating state of the server device 3. The server-side control unit 31 is configured to be able to send and receive various types of information to and from the alarm device 1 via the server-side communication unit 33, via wired or wireless communication.

[0046] When an external event occurs, such as disaster prevention information or weather information, the occurrence of the event is notified from the external device to the server device 3. For example, in the case of disaster prevention information, disaster prevention information such as "earthquake has occurred" is notified, and in the case of weather information, an updated weather forecast (for example, "today's weather is sunny") is notified to the server device 3.

[0047] When the server device 3 receives notification that an event has occurred, the server-side control unit 31 acquires audio data corresponding to that event from the server-side storage unit 32, and sends this acquired audio data to the alarm device 1. As a result, the alarm device 1 outputs the audio data sent from the server device 3 as audio from the audio output unit 6, communicating the details of the event to the user.

[0048] In addition, the alarm device 1 is equipped with a human presence sensor 12. For example, it is possible to output a predetermined audio message from the alarm device 1 while a person is present in the detection area K. The human presence sensor 12 of this embodiment is equipped with an infrared emission section 13 that emits infrared rays toward the predetermined detection area K, and an infrared detection section 14 that is able to detect infrared rays that enter from the direction of the detection area K, and the terminal-side control section 8 is configured to determine whether or not an object is present in the detection area K based on the results of a comparison between a preset reference value and the value detected by the infrared detection section 14. Detection area K is set inside a room in house B. In other words, the human presence sensor 12 detects whether or not the user of the alarm device 1 is at home.

[0049] The infrared emitting unit 13 has, for example, a light emitting element that can emit infrared rays. The infrared emitting unit 13 may have an optical element such as a lens that limits the irradiation range of the infrared rays so that the infrared rays emitted by the light emitting element are emitted toward the detection region K.

[0050] The infrared detection unit 14 has, for example, a photoelectric conversion element that is sensitive to infrared rays and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the received infrared rays. The infrared detection unit 14 may also have an optical element such as a lens that focuses the incident infrared rays onto the light-receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion element. The electrical signal output from the infrared detection unit 14 is transmitted to the terminal-side control unit 8. The human presence sensor 12 is configured to notify the server device 3 that it has detected a person in the detection area K, and to output the audio data received from the server device 3 from the audio output unit 6.

[0051] [Notification of communication outage] In cases where a user moves to a new home and a new alarm device 1 is installed in the user's home, the new home may not be equipped with an information and communication line 2 such as the Internet.

[0052] Furthermore, even after the information and communications line 2 has been established and connection processing has been completed between the communication unit 9 and the router 4, communications may be interrupted for some reason. One cause of interruption is that if there is a device (such as a microwave oven) near the alarm device 1 or router 4 that uses radio waves of the same frequency as the radio waves used for communication, the radio waves emitted from that device may become noise and adversely affect communication between the alarm device 1 and router 4, causing a temporary interruption of communication.

[0053] The cause of the disruption may be due to the communication environment between the alarm device 1 and router 4. For example, there may be a variety of factors, such as an obstacle blocking radio waves between the alarm device 1 and router 4, or radio wave interference preventing proper communication. Another possible cause may be the user replacing the router 4 with a new one.

[0054] The alarm device 1 is configured to notify the user when a communication disruption state such as that described above occurs, in order to inform the user of this and encourage them to carry out appropriate connection processing.

[0055] That is, the alarm 1 comprises a timing unit 16 as a timing means capable of measuring the passage of time, a disruption state detection unit 17 which detects whether or not there is a communication disruption state in which no information communication operations are being performed via the information communication line 2, and an alarm means 18 which, when the disruption state detection unit 17 detects that there is a communication disruption state and a predetermined judgment timing set based on the measurement results of the timing unit 16 is reached and the notification requirement conditions are met, executes an alarm process to notify the user that there is a communication disruption state.

[0056] Specifically, the terminal-side control unit 8 is configured to be able to execute various operations in accordance with a control program. The terminal-side control unit 8 is then utilized to configure a timer unit 16 capable of measuring the passage of time, a disruption state determination unit 19 that determines whether or not a communication disruption state has occurred based on the detection operation of the communication unit 9, and a notification processing unit 20 that controls the operation of the display unit 7 and audio output unit 6 to execute notification processing. The communication unit 9 and the disruption state determination unit 19 configure a disruption state detection unit 17. The notification processing unit 20, the display unit 7, and the audio output unit 6 configure notification means 18.

[0057] The processing operation for notification will be described below.

[0058] (First connection determination) First, we will explain the case where an alarm device 1 is newly installed in a user's home, and the new home does not have an information and communications line 2. In this case, the condition is that the check switch 11 is set to the off state.

[0059] As shown in Figure 3, when an alarm device 1 is newly installed and the power is turned on, the timing unit 16 begins counting (step S1). When the power is turned on and power is supplied to each unit, it is determined whether or not communications have been interrupted based on information from the communication unit 9 (step S2). In other words, the communication unit 9 sends out a communications inquiry signal to the router 4 and determines whether or not there has been a response from the router 4, and if there is no response it is determined that communications have been interrupted.

[0060] When a first set time has elapsed since power-on while a communication outage state is detected (step S3), if the presence of a person is detected by the human presence sensor 12 at that time (step S4), it is determined that the notification requirement conditions are met and notification processing is executed (step S5). The first set time is a standby time sufficient for the information and communication line 2 to be installed in the house, and is set to, for example, 30 days.

[0061] The notification process displays the fact that the connection is out of service on the display unit 7, and outputs a notification sound from the audio output unit 6. For example, if the display unit 7 is provided with a dedicated indicator lamp for notifying the outage, the indicator lamp is turned on or flashes to notify the outage. If there is no dedicated indicator lamp, another indicator lamp is displayed in a different form from the normal display form (for example, flashing with a different cycle, etc.). For example, a sound such as "Please connect to the Internet" is emitted.

[0062] While the notification process is being executed, the user performs communication connection processing between the communication unit 9 and the router 4 in accordance with the notification process, and upon receiving a response signal from the router 4, the notification process is immediately stopped (steps S6 and S7).

[0063] If it is determined that the communication is down without connection processing being performed despite the notification processing being performed, the process is repeated every time a second set time (24 hours) that is shorter than the first set time elapses, starting from the first time when the first set time has elapsed, and if the presence of a person is detected by the human presence sensor 12 at that time, the notification processing is performed (steps S8 to S11). When the notification processing is being performed, the user performs communication connection processing between the communication unit 9 and the router 4 in accordance with the notification processing, and if a response signal is received from the router 4, the notification processing is immediately stopped (steps S12 and S13).

[0064] Since the notification process is executed every time the short second set time elapses, the user can be sure that the communication is interrupted. When normal communication is performed after the user completes the connection process between the communication unit 9 and the router 4, the server device stores the individual identification information of the router 4 (e.g., MAC address, SSID, etc.) in the server-side storage unit 32.

[0065] (Determined for second connection) Next, a case will be described in which communication is interrupted after the information communication line 2 (Internet) is established and connection processing is completed between the communication unit 9 and the router 4. The check switch 11 is set to the off state.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 4, the communication unit 9 determines whether or not communications are interrupted, and if the predetermined determination time continues, it determines that communications have been interrupted for some reason, and if the presence of a person is detected by the human presence sensor 12 at that time, it executes notification processing (steps S20 to S23). The predetermined determination time is set to 10 minutes, for example. If the time is shorter than this, it is possible that the communication has been temporarily interrupted due to the presence of a device (such as a microwave oven) near the alarm device 1 or router 4 that uses radio waves of the same frequency as those used for communication, and the radio waves emitted from that device acting as noise and adversely affecting communication between the alarm device 1 and router 4. Therefore, if communication is subsequently restored in a short time, notification processing should not be executed, and so a notification is issued if the predetermined determination time continues. If a response signal is received from the router 4 while notification processing is being executed, notification processing is immediately stopped (steps S24 and S25).

[0067] Although not shown, when a response signal is received from the router 4 and communication is resumed, the radio wave strength in communication between the communication unit 9 and router 4 is measured, and if the radio wave strength is lower than a preset threshold, the user is notified of the cause. For example, a voice message such as "Please improve the communication environment by relocating the router 4 or removing any obstructions, etc." is output from the voice output unit 6. This voice information is stored in advance in the terminal-side memory unit 10 of the alarm device 1.

[0068] Once the connection process between the communication unit 9 and the router 4 is completed, the individual identification information (e.g., MAC address, etc.) of the router 4 is stored in the server-side storage unit 32. Therefore, when the connection process is performed according to the notification process after communication is interrupted, the server device 3 can determine that the router 4 was connected but communication was interrupted. Therefore, when the radio wave intensity is lower than a preset threshold, the server device 3 transmits communication data for commanding the output of the above-mentioned sound.

[0069] Next, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the communication disruption state detection unit 17 detected the communication disruption state, if the presence of a person is detected by the human presence sensor 12 at that time, a notification process is executed (steps S26 to S29). The third setting time is set to, for example, 72 hours. If a response signal is received from the router 4 while the notification process is being executed, the notification process is immediately stopped (steps S30 and S31).

[0070] If it is determined that the connection process is not performed despite the notification process being executed and that the communication is down, and if a fourth set time (24 hours) that is shorter than the third set time has elapsed from the time when the predetermined time has elapsed, the notification process is executed if the presence of a person is detected by the human presence sensor 12 at that time (steps S32 to S35).If a response signal is received from the router 4 while the notification process is being executed, the notification process is immediately stopped (steps S36 and S37).

[0071] A user who does not wish for the alarm device 1 to be connected to the server device 3 via the information and communication line 2 can set the alarm device 1 to a state in which the above-mentioned processing operations are not carried out and the notification processing is not executed by switching the check switch 11 to the on state.

[0072] [Another embodiment] (1) In the above embodiment, in the "first connection determination," alarm processing is executed when the first set time has elapsed since the alarm device 1 was installed in the home and powered on, and further alarm processing is executed each time the second set time has elapsed starting from the time the first set time has elapsed. However, this configuration is not limiting, and alarm processing may be executed only when the first set time has elapsed, and alarm processing may not be executed thereafter. Alternatively, alarm processing may not be executed when the first set time has elapsed, and alarm processing may be executed each time the second set time has elapsed. The first set time is not limited to 30 days and may be a shorter or longer time. The second set time is not limited to 24 hours and may be a shorter or longer time than 24 hours as long as it is shorter than the first set time.

[0073] (2) In the above embodiment, in the "second connection determination," the notification process is executed when a predetermined time has elapsed since the third set time after the communication interruption state was detected, and further, the notification process is executed every time a fourth set time, which is shorter than the third set time, elapses from the time the predetermined time has elapsed. However, this configuration is not limited to this. The notification process may be executed only when a predetermined time has elapsed since the third set time, and the notification process may not be executed thereafter. Alternatively, the notification process may not be executed when the first time has elapsed since the third set time, but may be executed every time the fourth set time elapses. The third set time is not limited to 72 hours and may be shorter or longer than that. The fourth set time is not limited to 24 hours and may be shorter or longer than 24 hours as long as it is shorter than the third set time.

[0074] (3) In the above embodiment, both the "first connection determination" and the "second connection determination" are executed, but only one of them may be executed.

[0075] (4) In the above embodiment, the human presence sensor 12 is provided, and the notification requirement condition includes the human presence sensor 12 detecting that a user is at home. However, this is not limiting. For example, a humidity sensor that detects humidity in the detection area K may be provided, and when the detected humidity value of the humidity sensor exceeds a humidity that would be impossible when no one is present (e.g., 80%), it is determined that someone is preparing food or the like, and when the detected humidity value is lower than that, it is determined that no one is present. Also, determination by the human presence sensor and the humidity sensor may be used together. Furthermore, the notification process may be executed at a predetermined timing regardless of the presence of such a person.

[0076] (5) In the above embodiment, the notification process is stopped when a communication interruption state is no longer detected during execution of the notification process. However, this is not limited to this, and the notification process may be stopped without stopping and a voice message such as "Connected" may be output.

[0077] (6) In the above embodiment, if the cause of the communication disruption is due to the communication environment between the alarm device 1 and the router 4, the server device 3 sends command communication data to notify the user of this, and outputs audio data that has been pre-stored in the terminal-side memory unit 10 of the alarm device 1. However, it is also possible to store the audio data in the server device 3 and send this audio data to the alarm device 1, or it is also possible not to send such data.

[0078] (7) In the above embodiment, the check switch 11 is provided so that the notification process can be set to a state in which it is not executed. However, such a check switch 11 may not be provided.

[0079] (8) The configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradiction arises. The embodiments disclosed in this specification are examples, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the purpose of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0080] The present invention can be applied to a communication system having a communication terminal installed in a user's home and a server device connected to the communication terminal via an information communication line. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1. Alarm (communication terminal) 2. Information and communication lines 3. Server equipment 11. Check switch (operation check means) 16 Timekeeping section (timekeeping means) 17 Disruption detection unit 18 Notification methods

Claims

1. A communication system having a communication terminal installed in a user's home and a server device connected to the communication terminal via an information communication line, The communication terminal A timing means capable of measuring the passage of time; a disruption state detection unit that detects whether or not a communication disruption state occurs in which no information communication operation is being performed via the information communication line; and a notification means that, when the communication disruption state detection unit detects that the communication is disrupted and a predetermined judgment timing set based on the measurement results of the timing means is reached and the notification requirement conditions are met, executes a notification process to notify the user that the communication is disrupted.

2. The communication system described in claim 1, wherein the notification means executes the notification processing when the determination timing is the first time that a first set time has elapsed since the communication terminal was installed in a home and turned on, and the notification requirement condition is met.

3. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the notification means executes the notification process when the notification requirement condition is met each time a second set time shorter than the first set time elapses, starting from the time the initial time elapses, as the determination timing.

4. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the notification means executes the notification process when, after the communication terminal is installed in the user's home and the connection process for connecting to the server device via the information and communication line is completed, the communication disruption detection unit detects that the communication is disrupted, and when the communication disruption state continues for a determination time or longer, as the judgment timing.

5. The communication system described in claim 1, wherein the notification means executes the notification process at a predetermined time after the communication terminal is installed in the user's home and the connection process to the server device via the information and communication line is completed, and the determination timing is when a third set time has elapsed since the communication disruption state detection unit detected that the communication is disrupted.

6. The communication system according to claim 5 , wherein the notification unit executes the notification process every time a fourth set time shorter than the third set time elapses, starting from the time when the predetermined time elapses, as the determination timing.

7. The communication system described in claim 4, wherein the server device is configured to, after the connection process is completed, detect that the communication has been interrupted, execute the notification process, and then perform the connection process again, if the cause of the communication interruption is due to the communication environment between the communication terminal and the information communication line, send communication data to notify the user of this.

8. A communication system as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the communication terminal is equipped with a user detection means for detecting whether the user is at home or not, and the notification requirement conditions include the user detection means detecting that the user is at home.

9. The communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the notification unit stops the notification process when the communication disruption state detection unit no longer detects the communication disruption state during the execution of the notification process.

10. The communication system of claim 1, further comprising an operation restraining means for restraining the operation of the notification means so that the notification process is not executed based on a user's command, even if the notification requirement condition is met.

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