Environment monitoring system

Abstract

Provided is an environment monitoring system with which it is possible to confirm the state of an area being monitored while using less power and reduce the size of equipment installed in the area being monitored. This environment monitoring system comprises a camera unit (1), a server device (100), and a communication instrument (200). The communication instrument (200) transmits control data from the server device (100) to the camera unit (1) by LPWA communication. The camera unit (1) has a main substrate (10) on which a camera module (11) and a first communication module are mounted, and a control substrate (20) on which a LPWA communication module is mounted. The main substrate (10) stands by in a powered-off state. Upon receiving the control data, the control substrate (20) turns on the power source of the main substrate (10). In the main substrate (10), when the power source is turned on, the camera module (11) captures an image of the area being monitored, the first communication module transmits the captured image data to the server device (1), and the power source is turned off.

Description

Environmental Monitoring System

[0001] The present invention relates to an environmental monitoring system, and more particularly to an environmental monitoring system that can capture images of a monitored area, such as an agricultural rural area, a river, or a landslide warning area, with a camera and check the condition of the monitored area.

[0002] In recent years, systems using network cameras (cameras) that can be connected to the Internet have become widespread. With this system, for example, a user in a remote location from the camera's installation area can operate a user terminal (such as a smartphone) to control the camera's operation, cause the camera to capture images, and have the captured images transmitted to the user terminal. This allows the remote user to view the images captured by the camera.

[0003] The network camera (camera) is connected to a user terminal or a server via the Internet using an LTE (4G) line or the like, and images captured by the camera are transmitted to the server or the user terminal. A system equipped with a network camera is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0004] Patent No. 4682381

[0005] In agricultural and rural areas, there is a need to remotely check the condition of fields and the water level in rice paddies. The installation of network cameras in agricultural and rural areas would address this need. However, in reality, fields and rice paddies lack power sources and internet connectivity, preventing widespread adoption of systems equipped with network cameras for monitoring agricultural and rural areas. Furthermore, while river flooding and landslides have become commonplace in recent years due to abnormal weather, areas prone to such disasters also face the same challenges as agricultural and rural areas, such as the lack of power sources and internet connectivity, preventing widespread adoption of systems equipped with network cameras. Meanwhile, areas subject to monitoring, such as agricultural and rural areas and disaster-prone areas, do not require constant video surveillance; rather, it is considered sufficient to check the status of the monitored area once a day or only in the event of an abnormality.

[0006] By providing a power supply and an internet connection environment in a monitored area, such as an agricultural or rural area or an area prone to disasters, and installing a system equipped with the network camera, the status of the monitored area can be monitored remotely. In this case, in order to remotely operate the network camera, the network camera must be constantly connected to an LTE (4G) line or the like, consuming a certain amount of power. Furthermore, since a certain amount of power is consumed, a power supply unit of a certain size is required, which increases the size of the equipment installed in the monitored area and leads to increased costs. As mentioned above, video surveillance is not always required in the monitored area. Therefore, if the network camera could be operated only when necessary without being constantly connected to an LTE (4G) line or the like, power consumption could be reduced, the power supply unit could be made smaller, and costs could be reduced. However, such a system is currently unknown.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an environmental monitoring system that can check the condition of a monitored area while saving power and that can reduce the size of the equipment installed in the monitored area.

[0008] The present invention, which has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, is an environment monitoring system comprising a camera unit installed in a monitoring area, a server device connectable to the camera unit via the Internet, and a communication device connected to the server device via the Internet, wherein the server device generates camera control data that instructs the camera unit to take a photograph and transmits the camera control data to the communication device via the Internet, and the communication device includes a first communication processing unit that communicates with the server device via the Internet, and an LPWA (Low Power Wide Area Network) between the camera unit and the server device. and a second communication processing unit that transmits and receives data by LPWA communication, the camera unit has a main board on which a camera module that photographs the monitoring area and a first communication module that communicates with the server device via the Internet are mounted, and a control board on which an LPWA communication module that performs the LPWA communication is mounted, the control board is always powered on and in a standby state for receiving data by the LPWA communication, and the main board is in a standby state with its power turned off, and in the communication device, the first communication processing unit receives the camera control data transmitted from the server, and the first When the communication processing unit receives the camera control data, the second communication processing unit transmits the camera control data to the LPWA communication module of the control board of the camera unit via LPWA communication, and when the control board receives the camera control data from the communication device, it turns on the power of the main board, and when the power of the main board is turned on, the camera module photographs the area to be monitored, and the first communication module transmits the image data obtained by photographing to the server device via the Internet, and when the image data has been sent, it automatically turns off its own power.

[0009] In this way, in the environmental monitoring system of the present invention, the camera unit includes a main board equipped with a camera module and a first communication module that is turned off when not capturing images of the monitored area, while a control board equipped with an LPWA communication module capable of power-saving standby is always turned on. When the power-saving control board receives camera control data via LPWA communication instructing a capture, it powers on the main board. When the main board is powered on, the camera module captures images of the monitored area, and the first communication module transmits the captured image data to a server device, after which the power is automatically turned off. This configuration allows the first communication module (a communication module connecting to the Internet), which consumes a certain amount of power, to be powered off when not capturing image data (photos), thereby reducing power consumption only as needed. As a result, the camera unit's power supply can be made smaller, allowing the camera unit itself to be smaller and less expensive. That is, according to the present invention, the state of the area to be monitored can be checked with low power consumption, and the camera unit to be installed in the area to be monitored can be made smaller.

[0010] Furthermore, it is desirable that the server device is configured to receive shooting instructions for the camera unit from a user terminal via the Internet, generate the camera control data upon receiving the shooting instructions from the user terminal, and transmit the image data to the user terminal upon receiving image data transmitted from the camera unit.

[0011] According to this configuration, when a user in a remote location in the monitored area wants to check the status of the monitored area, he or she can operate the user terminal to have the camera unit photograph the monitored area and send the image data of the monitored area obtained by photographing it to the user terminal, allowing the user to view the image data of the monitored area.

[0012] Furthermore, it is desirable that the server device is capable of communicating with a user terminal via the Internet, a water level sensor module is installed in the monitored area, the water level sensor module has a water level sensor and a third communication module that communicates with the server device via the Internet, and the third communication module is configured to transmit water level data detected from the water level sensor to the server device at a predetermined timing, and when the server device receives the water level data transmitted by the water level sensor unit, it compares the received water level data with a preset water level data threshold, and if the water level data is greater than the water level data threshold, it determines that the camera unit should photograph the monitored area and generates the camera control data, and if the water level data is less than the water level data threshold, it determines that the camera unit should not photograph the monitored area, and when it receives image data transmitted from the camera unit, it transmits the image data to the user terminal.

[0013] According to the above configuration, when the water level detected by the water level sensor unit exceeds the water level sensor threshold, the system turns on the power of the camera unit's main board, captures an image of the monitored area, and transmits the captured image data to the server device. Furthermore, upon receiving the image data transmitted from the camera unit, the server device transmits the image data to the user terminal. According to the above configuration, for example, in a case where the monitored area is experiencing localized heavy rain, image data of the monitored area can be provided to a user in a remote location. In other words, even if the user is in a remote location and is unaware that the monitored area is experiencing localized heavy rain, the user terminal can be informed of the status of the monitored area.

[0014] Furthermore, a lighting device capable of irradiating a photographing area of ​​the camera unit with illumination light is installed in the area to be monitored, the lighting device having a light source and a lighting device control board for controlling the light source, the lighting device control board being provided with a fourth communication module for performing LPWA communication, the camera module of the camera unit being provided with an illuminance sensor for detecting the illuminance of the photographing area, and when the power is turned on in the main board, the camera module photographs the area to be monitored after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed, and before the camera module takes a photograph, the illuminance sensor detects the illuminance of the photographing area, and the first communication module transmits the illuminance data detected by the illuminance sensor to the server device, and when the server device receives the illuminance data transmitted by the camera unit, the server device transmits the illuminance data and the threshold value set in advance and the previous the communication device receives the lighting device control data transmitted from the server, and upon receiving the lighting device control data, the second communication processing unit transmits the lighting device control data to the lighting device via the Internet; and upon receiving the lighting device control data, the second communication processing unit transmits the lighting device control data to the lighting device via LPWA communication; and upon receiving the lighting device control data, the lighting device turns on the light source for the predetermined time, thereby irradiating the shooting area of ​​the camera unit with illumination light.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the lighting device can be turned on to illuminate the shooting area only when the shooting area of ​​the camera unit is dark, so that the condition of the area to be monitored can be confirmed even at night, for example.

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an environmental monitoring system that can check the state of a monitored area with low power consumption and that can reduce the size of the equipment installed in the monitored area.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an environment monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a camera unit constituting the environment monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing performed by a camera unit constituting the environment monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a first modified example of an environment monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a server of the first modified example of an environment monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a second modified example of an environment monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS An environment monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] First, the overall configuration of an environment monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the environment monitoring system according to this embodiment, and Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a camera unit that constitutes the environment monitoring system according to this embodiment.

[0020] <<Overview of Environmental Monitoring System>> As shown in FIG. 1 , the environmental monitoring system of this embodiment includes a camera unit 1 that is installed in a monitored area and has a camera module 11 that captures images of the monitored area; a server device (hereinafter referred to as the “server”) 100 that is connectable to the camera unit 1 via a network (Internet) NW; and a communication device 200 that is connected to the server 100 via the network (Internet) NW. The server 100 is also connected via the network NW to a user terminal UT (such as a smartphone) of a user who has installed the camera unit 1. The monitored area in which the camera unit 1 is installed may be, for example, an agricultural rural area such as a field or rice paddy, a river, or a landslide warning area. The communication device 200 is installed within a predetermined distance (e.g., within 2 km) from the installation location of the camera unit 1.

[0021] The server 100 provides various information such as websites to the user terminal UT via the network NW, and also accepts various requests from the user terminal UT on the website. When the server 100 accepts a shooting instruction (shutter operation / ON signal) for the desired camera unit 1 from the user terminal UT, it generates "camera control data" that instructs the corresponding camera unit 1 to perform a shooting operation. The server 1 also transmits the generated "camera control data" to the corresponding communication device 200 via the network NW using LTE communication.

[0022] The server 100 also acquires image data sent from the camera unit 1 via the network NW, and transmits the image data to the user terminal 1 via the network NW. The user terminal UT is an information processing device having a communication function that allows it to access the server 1 via the network (Internet), and may be, for example, a smartphone or a personal computer.

[0023] The communication device 200 also includes an LTE communication module (not shown) that communicates with the server 100 via a network NW, and an LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) module (not shown) that exchanges data with the camera unit 1 via LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) communication. In the communication device 200, the LTE communication module (first communication processing unit) receives “camera control data” sent from the server 100. In the communication device 200, when the LTE communication module (first communication processing unit) receives the “camera control data” sent from the server 1, the LPWA communication module (second communication processing unit) transmits the “camera control data” to the corresponding camera unit 1 via LPWA communication. Note that, in this embodiment, as an example, the case where communication between the communication device 200 and the server 100 is LTE communication is described, but this is not particularly limited. It is sufficient for the communication device 200 to communicate with the server 1 via a network (Internet) NW. For example, the first communication processing unit may be a 3G communication module or a 5G communication module, or a Wi-Fi connection module, instead of an LTE communication module.

[0024] The communication device 200 is a well-known technology and will not be described in detail here. In the environment monitoring system of this embodiment, an outdoor communication device manufactured and sold by the applicant, Farmo Corporation, is used as the communication device 200 (https: / / farmo.info / blog / wp-content / uploads / 2023 / 04 / okugai_kumitate_202304.pdf).

[0025] 2, the camera unit 1 includes a main board 10 on which a camera module 11 and an LTE communication module (first communication module) 13 are mounted, a control board 20 on which an LPWA communication module for performing LPWA communication is mounted, and a battery (power supply unit) 30 that supplies power to the main board 10 and the control board 20. The control board 20 is always powered on and is in a standby state for receiving data via LPWA communication. The main board 10 is also in a standby state with its power turned off. The camera module 11 uses a configuration based on well-known technology, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0026] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as an example, a case where communication between the camera unit 1 and the server 100 is LTE communication is described, but this is not particularly limited. The camera unit 1 only needs to be able to communicate with the server 1 via a network (Internet). For example, the first communication module may not be an LTE communication module, but may be a 3G communication module or a 5G communication module, or may be a Wi-Fi connection module.

[0027] Then, when the control board 20 receives the "camera control data" sent from the communication device 30 via LPWA communication, it turns on the power of the main board 10. When the main board 10 is controlled by the control board 20 and turned on, the camera module 11 captures an image of the area to be monitored, and the LTE communication module 13 transmits the captured image data to the server 1 via the network NW using LTE communication. After transmitting the image data, the main board 10 automatically turns off its own power.

[0028] According to this embodiment, the main board 10 of the camera unit 1 is in an OFF state. Only when capturing image data (photographs), the main board 10 is powered on (turned ON) under control of the control board 20. The camera unit captures an image of the monitored area, sends the captured image data to the server 1, and then returns to an OFF state. This configuration allows the LTE module (first communication module), which consumes a certain amount of power, to be powered off when not capturing image data (photographs), thereby reducing power consumption to only the necessary level. This allows the battery 3 installed in the camera unit 1 to be miniaturized, thereby enabling the camera unit 1 itself to be miniaturized and costs to be reduced. In other words, according to this embodiment, a camera unit 1 that is a small, palm-sized IoT device can be provided. Below, the server 100 and camera unit 1, which are characteristic components of the environmental monitoring system of this embodiment, are described.

[0029] 1, the server 100 has an information providing unit 101 that provides information such as websites to the user terminal UT, a control unit 102 that controls the operation of the camera unit 1 in response to requests from the user terminal UT, an image data acquiring unit 103 that acquires image data (photographs) taken by the camera unit 1, and a storage unit 104 that stores various data. A user information database 110 and a captured image database 111 are stored in the storage unit 104.

[0030] The user information database stores (registers) a user ID that identifies the user who will be monitoring the area to be monitored by this system, a camera ID (device ID) that identifies the camera unit 1 installed by that user, and a communication device ID that identifies the communication device 200 that sends camera and control data to that camera unit 1 via LPWA communication, all in association with each other.

[0031] In addition, the captured image database 111 is a database for registering image data captured by the camera unit 1, and stores (registers) a user ID, shooting date and time information (year / month / day / hour / minute), a camera ID that identifies the camera unit 1 installed by the user, and image data captured by the camera unit 1 of the camera ID in association with each other.

[0032] The information providing unit 101 provides various information, such as websites, to the user terminal UT via the network NW, and also accepts various requests from the user terminal on the website. For example, the information providing unit 101 accepts a "photography instruction request (shutter operation / ON request) for the desired camera unit 1" on a web page of the website provided to the user terminal UT. This "shutter operation / ON request" includes the user ID of the user operating the user terminal UT and a camera ID (device ID) that identifies the corresponding camera unit 1. Furthermore, when the image acquiring unit 103, described below, acquires image data corresponding to the "shutter operation / ON request," the information providing unit 101 transmits the acquired image data to the user terminal UT that transmitted the "shutter operation / ON request."

[0033] When the information providing unit 101 receives a "shutter operation ON request," the control unit 102 refers to the user information database 110 and identifies the communication device ID associated with the user ID and camera ID. Then, the control unit 102 generates "camera control data" that includes the camera ID included in the "shutter operation ON request" and the identified communication device ID. The control unit 102 also transmits the generated "camera control data" to the communication device 200 via the network NW.

[0034] The image data acquisition unit 103 receives image data (image data of a monitored area) transmitted by the camera unit 1 via the network NW. This image data is linked to the camera ID of the corresponding camera unit 1 and shooting date and time information. When the image data acquisition unit 103 acquires the image data, it references the user information database 110 to identify the user ID associated with the camera ID associated with the image data, and passes the image data and user ID to the information provision unit 101. The information provision unit 101 then transmits the acquired image data to the user terminal UT of the corresponding user ID. The image data acquisition unit 103 also creates a record in which the acquired image data is associated with the identified user ID, the date and time information and camera ID associated with the acquired image data, and the acquired image data are registered, and the created record is stored in the captured image database.

[0035] The hardware configuration of the server 100 is not particularly limited. For example, the server 100 is configured by a computer (one or more computers) having a CPU, a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, an I / O interface, and a communication interface. In this case, the auxiliary memory device stores programs for realizing the functions of each unit (information providing unit 101, control unit 102, image data acquisition unit 103). A predetermined area of ​​the auxiliary memory device serves as the storage unit 104. The functions of each unit of the server 1 (information providing unit 101, control unit 102, image data acquisition unit 103) are realized by the CPU loading the programs stored in the auxiliary memory device into the main memory device and executing them.

[0036] <<Camera Unit 1>> Next, the configuration of the camera unit 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the camera unit 1 includes a housing 3, which houses a main board 10, a control board 20, and a battery 30. The battery 30 is electrically connected to the main board 10 and the control board 20, and supplies power to the main board 10 and the control board 20. The housing 3 is fixed to and supported on the upper end side of a limb (not shown) installed in the area to be monitored, for example.

[0037] The main board 10 also has a camera module 11 having a lens 11a, a switch module 12, and an LTE communication module 13 that communicates with external devices (external devices such as the server 100) via a network NW using LTE communication. The main board 10 is also electrically connected to a control board 20 and is configured to be turned on under the control of the control board 20. The main board 10 is housed in the housing 3 with the lens 11a protruding outside the housing 3, allowing it to capture images of the area to be monitored.

[0038] Specifically, the main board 10 is in a power-off state, and when the switch module 12 receives a power-on command sent from the control board 10, it is powered on (enters a power-on state) and starts up, the camera module 11 takes an image of the area to be monitored, and the LTE communication module 13 transmits the image data (photograph) obtained by the image capture to the server 1 via the network NW. Also, when the LTE communication module 13 transmits the image data, the switch module 12 automatically returns the main board 10 to a power-off state. Note that the LTE communication module 13 associates the image data with a "camera ID that identifies the camera unit 1" and "photograph date and time information" and transmits the image data to the server 1.

[0039] The control board 20 also has a microcontroller unit (microcontroller unit) 22 and an LPWA communication module 23, and is always powered on (ON state) and is in a standby state for receiving data via LPWA communication. When the LPWA communication module 23 of the control board 20 receives camera control data from the communication device 200 via LPWA communication, the microcontroller 22 then transmits a power-on command to the main board 10.

[0040] The control board 20 is also electrically connected to the solar panel, and is provided with a charging circuit (not shown) for charging the battery 30 with power generated by the solar panel. The battery 30 is charged by this charging circuit (not shown).

[0041] <<Photography Processing by Environmental Monitoring System>> Next, the flow of photography processing by the environmental monitoring system of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing performed by the camera unit constituting the environmental monitoring system of this embodiment.

[0042] First, when a user monitoring a monitored area wants to know the status of the monitored area, the user operates the user terminal UT to access the server 1 and causes the user terminal UT to receive a website (a dedicated website for the environmental monitoring system) provided by the server 1. The user also operates the user terminal UT to input a shooting instruction for the desired camera unit 1 on the website (a dedicated website for the environmental monitoring system) from the user terminal UT. This causes a shooting instruction (a shutter operation / ON request) for the desired camera unit 1 to be transmitted from the user terminal UT to the server 1 via the network NW (reference symbol (a) in FIG. 1 ). Note that the above-mentioned "shutter operation / ON request" includes the user ID and a camera ID that identifies the desired camera unit 1.

[0043] Next, the information providing unit 101 of the server 100 receives the "shutter operation ON request" sent by the user terminal UT. When the information providing unit 101 of the server 100 receives the "shutter operation ON request", the control unit 102 generates "camera control data" that instructs the corresponding camera unit 1 to perform a photographing operation.

[0044] Specifically, the control unit 102 accesses the user information database DB110 and reads out the communication device ID associated with the user ID and camera ID included in the received "shutter operation ON request." The control unit 102 also generates camera control data (camera control data for causing the camera unit 1 to take a photograph) that includes the camera ID included in the "shutter operation ON request" and the read communication device ID. For example, if the camera ID included in the "shutter operation ON request" is "1234" and the read communication device ID is "abcd," the control unit 102 generates "camera control data" such as "abcd, 1234, ON." The control unit 102 then transmits the generated "camera control data" to the corresponding communication device 200 (here, the communication device whose communication device ID is "abcd") via the network NW using LTE communication (reference symbol (b) in FIG. 1 ).

[0045] Next, the LTE communication module (first communication processing unit) of the communication device 200 receives the "camera control data" sent from the server 100 via the network NW by LTE communication (reference symbol (c) in FIG. 1). Furthermore, when the communication device 200 receives the "camera control data", the LPWA communication module (second communication processing unit) transmits the "camera control data" to the corresponding camera unit 1 by LPWA communication (reference symbol (d) in FIG. 1). Note that the "camera control data" sent from the communication device 200 to the camera unit 1 does not need to identify the communication device 200, and may therefore be, for example, "1234, ON".

[0046] The operation of the camera unit 1 after the communication device 200 transmits the "camera control data" via LPWA communication will be described below with reference to Figure 3. As shown in Figure 3, the LPWA communication module 23 on the control board 20 of the camera unit 1 receives the "camera control data" sent from the communication device 200 via LPWA communication (S1).

[0047] Next, when the LPWA communication module 23 of the control board 20 receives the "camera control data," the microcomputer 22 of the control board 20 sends a power ON command to the main board 10, turning on the power of the main board 10 (S2). Specifically, in S2, when the microcomputer 22 of the control board 20 sends a power ON command to the main board 10, the switch module 12 of the main board 10 receives the power ON command and turns on the power of the main board 10.

[0048] When the power supply of the main board 10 is turned on, the camera module 11 takes an image of the area to be monitored (fields, rice paddies, etc.) (S3 (symbol (e) in FIG. 1)).

[0049] Furthermore, on the main board 10, when the camera module 11 captures an image of the area to be monitored (such as a field or a rice paddy), the LTE communication module 13 then transmits the captured image data to the server 100 (S4). Specifically, the LTE communication module (first communication module) 13 of the main board 10 acquires image data captured by the camera module 11 (for example, image data capturing the state of a field or a rice paddy), and transmits the image data to the server 100 via the network NW by LTE communication (reference symbol (f) in FIG. 1). Note that the image data transmitted from the LTE communication module 13 of the main board 10 to the server 100 is linked to a "camera ID" and "photography date and time information."

[0050] Furthermore, when the LTE communication module 13 transmits the image data, the switch module 12 of the main board 10 automatically turns the power of the main board 10 OFF (S5). Note that the main board 10 is configured so that when the power is turned ON, the camera module 11 captures an image of the area to be monitored, the LTE communication module 13 transmits the image data captured by the camera module 11 to the server 100, and then the power is automatically turned OFF.

[0051] Next, we will explain the processing that occurs after image data is transmitted from the camera unit 1. The image data transmitted from the camera unit 1 is acquired by the image data acquisition unit 103 of the server 100 (reference symbol (g) in FIG. 1 ). Specifically, the image data acquisition unit 103 receives the image data transmitted by the camera unit 1 (image data of an area to be monitored) via the network NW. This image data is linked to the camera ID of the corresponding camera unit 1 and information on the date and time of the image capture.

[0052] When the image data acquisition unit 103 of the server 100 acquires the image data, it references the user information database 110 to identify the user ID associated with the camera ID linked to the image data, and passes the image data and the user ID to the information provision unit 101. The information provision unit 101 also transmits the acquired image data to the user terminal UT of the corresponding user ID. The user terminal UT then receives the image data sent from the server 100, and the received image data is displayed on the display of the user terminal UT. This allows the user to view the image data of the area to be monitored (reference symbol (h) in FIG. 1 ).

[0053] When the image data acquisition unit 103 of the server 100 acquires the image data, it creates a record that associates the acquired image data with the identified user ID, the "date and time information and camera ID" linked to the image data, and stores the created record in the captured image database 111.

[0054] As described above, according to this embodiment, when a user wants to know the status of an area to be monitored, for example, the user operates the user terminal UT to access the server 1's website (a website dedicated to the environmental monitoring system), and inputs a shooting instruction for the desired camera unit 1 on the website. The server 1 then transmits "camera control data" instructing the camera unit 1 to perform a shooting operation via the communication device 200. Furthermore, upon receiving the "camera control data," the camera unit 1 photographs the area to be monitored, and sends the image data obtained by the photograph to the server 1. Furthermore, when the server 1 acquires the image data transmitted from the camera unit 1, the image data is transmitted to the user terminal UT, allowing the user to view the image data of the area to be monitored.

[0055] Therefore, according to this embodiment, for example, a user who wants to know the condition of fields and rice paddies in an agricultural rural area can install a camera unit 1 in the field or rice paddy, and if a system operator of this embodiment installs a communication device 200, the user can check the condition of the field or rice paddy at any time from a remote location by operating a user terminal UT such as a smartphone, even if the user is in a remote location from the field or rice paddy.

[0056] In this embodiment, the main board 10, which includes the camera module 11 and the LTE communication module 13, is in an OFF state except when capturing images of the monitored area, and the control board 20, which includes the LPWA communication module 23 and is capable of power-saving standby, is always in an ON state. When the control board 20, which is capable of power-saving standby, receives "camera control data" via LPWA communication instructing a capture operation, it turns on the power of the main board 10. Furthermore, when the main board 10 is powered on, the camera module 11 captures images of the monitored area and the LTE communication module 13 transmits the captured image data to the server 1. Furthermore, the main board 10 is configured to automatically turn off after transmitting the image data.

[0057] According to the above configuration, the LTE module, which consumes a certain amount of power, can be turned off when not capturing image data (photos), thereby reducing power consumption to only what is necessary. As a result, the battery 3 of the camera unit 1 can be made smaller, which allows the camera unit 1 itself to be made smaller and costs to be reduced. In other words, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a camera unit 1 that is a small, palm-sized IoT device.

[0058] Next, a first modified example of the environment monitoring system of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Here, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the first modified example of the environment monitoring system of this embodiment. Also, Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the server of the first modified example of the environment monitoring system of this embodiment.

[0059] The first modification adds to the environmental monitoring system of the first embodiment a water level sensor unit 300 capable of communicating with the server 1 via the network NW, and an illumination device 400 that irradiates illumination light onto the area to be photographed by the camera unit 1. The server 100 is configured to acquire water level data from the water level sensor unit 300 at predetermined times, and when the acquired water level data exceeds a predetermined value (water level data threshold), to transmit "camera control data" to the corresponding camera unit 1 to instruct it to perform a photographing operation.

[0060] In the first modification, even when the camera unit 1 receives the "camera control data" and the main board 10 is turned on and driven, it does not immediately begin capturing images but waits for a predetermined waiting time (predetermined seconds). During this waiting time, an illuminance sensor provided in the camera unit 1 detects illuminance and transmits the detected illuminance data to the server 100. The server 100 receives the illuminance data from the camera unit 1, and if the illuminance data is below a predetermined value (if it is dark), it transmits a "lighting device control signal" via the communication device 200 to the lighting device 400 instructing it to turn on and emit illumination light for a predetermined time, thereby turning on the lighting device 400 for the predetermined time. Then, during the predetermined time that the lighting device 400 is turned on and emitting illumination light, the camera unit 1 captures an image of the monitored area illuminated by the lighting device 400 and transmits the image data obtained by capturing the image to the server 1.

[0061] The first modified example will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the description of the first modified example, the same components as those in the first embodiment (or components corresponding to those in the first embodiment) will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0062] <Water Level Sensor Unit 300> The water level sensor unit 300 is installed, for example, in a monitored area (rice paddy field, river, etc.) and includes a water level sensor, an LTE communication module (not shown) that communicates with the server 1 via the network NW, and a power supply unit (not shown). The LTE communication module (third communication module) acquires water level data detected by the water level sensor at a predetermined timing (for example, every x minutes) and transmits the water level data to the server 100 via the network NW. The water level data sent by the water sensor unit 300 to the server 1 is linked to a water level sensor ID that identifies the water level sensor unit 300 that detected the water level data.

[0063] <<Lighting Device 400>> The lighting device 400 is installed in a position where it can irradiate the image capture area of ​​the camera unit 1 in the area to be monitored with light, and includes a light source such as an LED and a control board (lighting device control board) that controls the light source, and the control board is provided with an LPWA communication module (fourth communication module) that exchanges various data with the communication device 300 via LPWA communication. The lighting device 400 is configured to turn on (make the light source emit light) for a predetermined time (for example, several tens of seconds) when it receives “lighting device control data” transmitted from the communication device 200, thereby irradiating the image capture area with illumination light.

[0064] <<Camera Unit 1>> In the first modified example, an illuminance sensor (not shown) is mounted on the camera module 11 of the main board 10 of the camera unit 1. When the main board 20 of the camera unit 1 is controlled by the control board 10 to be turned on, the illuminance sensor detects the illuminance without immediately taking an image, and the LTE communication module 13 transmits the detected illuminance data to the server 100 via the network NW. The illuminance data transmitted to the server 100 is linked to a camera ID.

[0065] 5, the server 100 has an information providing unit 101, a control unit 102, an image data acquiring unit 103, a sensor data acquiring unit 105, and a storage unit 104 that stores various data. The storage unit 104 stores a user information database 110 and a captured image database 111. In the first modified example, data related to the water level sensor unit 300 and the lighting device 400 is added to the user information database 110.

[0066] Specifically, in the first variant, the user information database 110 stores (registers) in association with a user ID, a camera ID (device ID) that identifies the camera unit 1 installed by the user, a lighting device ID (device ID) that identifies the corresponding lighting device 400 installed by the user, a communication device ID that identifies the communication device 200 that performs LPWA communication with both the corresponding camera unit 1 and lighting device 400, and a water level sensor ID (device ID) that identifies the corresponding water level sensor unit 300 installed by the user.

[0067] The sensor data acquisition unit 105 receives (acquires) water level data sent from the water level sensor unit 300 via the network NW. The sensor data acquisition unit 105 also receives (acquires) illuminance data sent from the camera unit 1 via the network NW.

[0068] Furthermore, when the sensor data acquisition unit 105 acquires water level data, the control unit 102 compares the acquired "water level data" with a preset "water level data threshold value," and if the acquired "water level data" is greater than the "water level data threshold value" (if the water level exceeds the threshold value), it determines to have the camera unit 1 photograph the area to be monitored. On the other hand, if the result of the comparison shows that the acquired "water level data" is less than the "water level data threshold value" (if the water level does not exceed the threshold value), the control unit 102 determines not to have the camera unit 1 photograph the area to be monitored.

[0069] Furthermore, when the control unit 102 determines to have the camera unit 1 capture an image of the monitored area, it references the user information database 110 and reads out the "camera ID and communication device ID" associated with the water level sensor ID linked to the received "water level data." The control unit 102 also generates camera control data (camera control data for causing the camera unit 1 to capture an image) including the read "camera ID and communication device ID." For example, if the read camera ID is "1234" and the read communication device ID is "abcd," the control unit 102 generates "camera control data" such as "abcd, 1234, ON, 500 lx, delay, 10." In the first modification, a delay time (e.g., several tens of seconds) is inserted after receiving the "camera control data" to prevent the camera unit 1 from immediately performing a capture operation upon receiving the "camera control data."

[0070] Furthermore, when the sensor data acquisition unit 105 acquires illuminance data, the control unit 102 compares the acquired "illuminance data" with a preset "illuminance data threshold value," and if the acquired illuminance data is smaller than the "illuminance data threshold value" (if the illuminance data value is low and dark), the control unit 102 determines to turn on the lighting device 400 to illuminate the area to be photographed. On the other hand, if the result of the comparison shows that the acquired "illuminance data" is larger than the "illuminance data threshold value" (if the illuminance data value is high and bright), the control unit 102 determines not to turn on the lighting device 400.

[0071] Furthermore, when the control unit 102 determines to turn on the lighting device 400, it references the user information database 110 and reads out the "communication device ID and lighting device ID" associated with the camera ID linked to the received "illuminance data." The control unit 102 then generates lighting device control data (lighting device control data for making the lighting device 400 emit light for a predetermined period of time) that includes the read "communication device ID and lighting device ID." For example, if the read lighting device ID is "5678" and the read communication device ID is "abcd," the control unit 102 generates "lighting device control data" such as "abcd, 5678, ON, 10." Note that the "ON, 10" in "abcd, 5678, ON, 10" is a control command to turn on the lighting device 400 for 10 seconds.

[0072] Similar to the first embodiment, the server 100 of the first modified example is configured by a computer (one or more computers) having a CPU, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, an I / O interface, and a communication interface. In this case, the auxiliary storage device stores programs for realizing the functions of each unit (information providing unit 101, control unit 102, image data acquisition unit 103, sensor data acquisition unit 105). A predetermined area of ​​the auxiliary storage device serves as the storage unit 104. The functions of each unit of the server 1 (information providing unit 101, control unit 102, image data acquisition unit 103, sensor information acquisition unit 105) are realized by the CPU loading the programs stored in the auxiliary storage device into the main storage device and executing them.

[0073] <<Photography Processing by the Environmental Monitoring System of the First Modification>> Next, the flow of photography processing by the environmental monitoring system of the first modification will be described with reference to Figure 4. In addition, in the description of the first modification, the same content as in the first embodiment will not be described. In addition, the following description will take as an example a case where the water level data detected by the water level sensor unit 300 is a value that exceeds the "water level data threshold value" (a state in which the water level is rising), and the illuminance data detected by the illuminance sensor of the camera unit 1 is a value that is smaller than the "illuminance data threshold value" (a dark state).

[0074] The water level sensor unit 300 detects the water level at a predetermined timing and transmits the detected water level data to the server 100 via the network NW (symbol (a) in FIG. 4).

[0075] Next, the sensor data acquisition unit 105 of the server 100 receives the "water level data" sent from the water level sensor unit 300. The control unit 102 also compares the "water level data threshold value" with the acquired "water level data" and determines whether or not to have the camera unit 1 capture an image of the area to be monitored (symbol (b) in FIG. 4). In this case, since the "water level data" exceeds the "water level data threshold value," it is determined that the camera unit 1 should capture an image of the area to be monitored.

[0076] Next, the control unit 102 refers to the user information database 110 and reads out the "camera ID and communication device ID" associated with the water level sensor ID linked to the received "water level data." The control unit 102 also generates camera control data that includes the read "camera ID and communication device ID." For example, as described above, the control unit 102 generates "camera control data" such as "abcd, 1234, ON, 500 lx, delay, 10," and transmits the "camera control data" to the communication device 200 via the network NW (reference symbol (c) in FIG. 4).

[0077] The communication device 200 also receives the "camera control signal" transmitted by the server 100 via the network NW (symbol (d) in FIG. 4). Upon receiving the "camera control signal" transmitted by the server 100 via the network NW, the communication device 200 transmits the "camera control signal" to the LPWA communication module 23 on the control board 20 of the camera unit 1 by LPWA communication (symbol (e) in FIG. 4).

[0078] Thereafter, the LPWA communication module 23 of the control board 20 of the camera unit 1 receives, via LPWA communication, the "camera control data" sent from the communication device 200. Next, when the LPWA communication module 23 of the control board 20 receives the "camera control data", the microcomputer 22 of the control board 20 transmits a power ON command to the main board 10, turning ON the power of the main board 10.

[0079] In the first modification, when the power supply of the main board 10 is turned on, the camera module 11 is configured to capture an image of the area to be monitored after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed. The camera module 11 is also configured to detect the illuminance of the area to be monitored using an illuminance sensor before capturing an image (see symbol (f) in FIG. 4). When the illuminance sensor of the camera module 11 detects the illuminance, the LTE communication module 13 transmits the illuminance data detected by the illuminance sensor to the server 100 via the network NW (see symbol (g) in FIG. 4).

[0080] The sensor data acquisition unit 105 of the server 100 receives the illuminance data transmitted by the camera unit 1. When the sensor data acquisition unit 105 acquires the illuminance data, the control unit 102 of the server 100 compares the acquired illuminance data with a preset "illuminance data threshold value" and determines whether to turn on the lighting device 400 ((h) in FIG. 4). In this case, since the "illuminance data" is smaller than the "illuminance data threshold value," it is determined that the lighting device 400 should be turned on.

[0081] The control unit 102 also references the user information database 110 and reads out the "communication device ID and lighting device ID" associated with the camera ID linked to the received "illuminance data." The control unit 102 then generates lighting device control data (lighting device control data for causing the lighting device 400 to emit light for a predetermined period of time) that includes the read "communication device ID and lighting device ID." For example, the control unit 102 generates "lighting device control data" such as "abcd, 5678, ON, 10." The control unit 102 then transmits the "lighting device control data" to the communication device 200 via the network NW (reference symbol (i) in FIG. 4 ).

[0082] The communication device 200 also receives the "lighting device control signal" transmitted by the server 100 via the network NW. When the communication device 200 receives the "lighting device control signal" transmitted by the server 100 via the network NW, it transmits the "lighting device control signal" to the LPWA communication module of the lighting device 400 via LPWA communication. Then, upon receiving the "lighting device control signal," the lighting device 400 turns on its light source for a predetermined time to irradiate the shooting area of ​​the camera unit 1 with illumination light (reference symbol (j) in FIG. 4 ). Note that the "lighting device control signal" is set so that the lighting device 400 is turned on when the camera module 11 takes a picture.

[0083] Meanwhile, on the main board 10 of the camera unit 1, when a predetermined waiting time has elapsed, the camera module 11 captures an image of the area to be monitored (reference symbol (k) in FIG. 4), and the LTE communication module 13 transmits the captured image data to the server 100 via the network NW (reference symbol (l) in FIG. 4). After transmitting the image data, the main board 10 of the camera unit 1 automatically turns off its own power.

[0084] Thereafter, the image data transmitted from the camera unit 1 is acquired by the image data acquisition unit 103 of the server 100 (reference symbol (m) in FIG. 4). Specifically, the image data acquisition unit 103 acquires the image data transmitted from the camera unit 1 via the network NW.

[0085] When the image data acquisition unit 103 of the server 100 acquires the image data, it refers to the user information database 110 to identify the user ID associated with the camera ID linked to the image data, and passes the image data and the user ID to the information provision unit 101. The information provision unit 101 also transmits the acquired image data to the user terminal UT of the corresponding user ID. The user terminal UT then receives the image data sent from the server 100, and the received image data is displayed on the display of the user terminal UT, allowing the user to view the image data of the area to be monitored (reference symbol (n) in FIG. 4 ).

[0086] As described above, in the first modification, as in the above-described embodiment, the LTE module 13, which consumes a certain amount of power, can be turned off when not capturing image data (photos), thereby reducing power consumption to only what is necessary. As a result, the battery 3 of the camera unit 1 can be made smaller, which allows the camera unit 1 itself to be made smaller and costs to be reduced.

[0087] Furthermore, in the first modification, even if the user does not operate the camera unit 1 to request photography, when the water level detected by the water level sensor unit 300 exceeds the "water level sensor threshold," the system turns on the main board 10 of the camera unit 1, photographs the monitored area, and transmits the photographed image data to the user terminal UT of the corresponding user. Therefore, in cases where the monitored area is experiencing localized heavy rain, image data of the monitored area can be provided to a user in a remote location. In other words, even if the user is in a remote location and is unaware that the monitored area is experiencing localized heavy rain, the status of the monitored area can be notified to the user terminal.

[0088] Furthermore, according to the first variant, the lighting device 400 can be turned on to illuminate the shooting area only when the shooting area of ​​the camera unit 1 is dark, so that the condition of the area to be monitored can be checked even at night, for example.

[0089] <<Second Variation>> Next, a second variation of the environment monitoring system of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the second variation of the environment monitoring system of this embodiment.

[0090] In the second modification, a repeater 500 that relays LPWA communication data is installed between the communication device 200 that performs LPWA communication and the camera unit 1 in the environment monitoring system of the first embodiment. The repeater 500 has a control board equipped with an LPWA communication module and a power supply unit that supplies power to the control board, and receives "camera control data" sent from the communication device 200. The repeater 500 also transmits the received "camera control data" to the camera unit 1 via LPWA communication.

[0091] The second modification also provides the same advantageous effects as those of the first embodiment. Even if the area to be monitored is outside the communication area of ​​the communication device 200 using LPWA communication, by installing the repeater 500, which is less expensive than the communication device 200, and then installing the camera unit 1, it becomes possible to monitor the area to be monitored.

[0092] As explained above, according to this embodiment and the modified examples of this embodiment (modified example 1 and modified example 2), it is possible to provide an environmental monitoring system that can check the status of the monitored area while saving power and that can reduce the size of the equipment installed in the monitored area.

[0093] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and the modifications of the embodiment (first modification and second modification), and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0094] NW...Network (Internet) UT...User terminal 1...Camera unit 3...Housing unit 5...Solar panel 10...Main board 11...Camera module 11a...Lens 12...Switch module 13...LTE communication module (first communication module) 20...Control board 22...Microcomputer 23...LPWA communication module 30...Battery 30 100...Server device (server) 101...Information providing unit 102...Control unit 103...Image data acquisition unit 104...Storage unit 105...Sensor data acquisition unit 110...User information database 111...Captured image database 200...Communication device 300...Water level sensor unit 400...Lighting device 500...Repeater

Claims

1. An environmental monitoring system comprising a camera unit installed in a monitored area, a server device connectable to the camera unit via the Internet, and a communication device connected to the server device via the Internet, wherein the server device generates camera control data instructing the camera unit to take pictures and transmits the camera control data to the communication device via the Internet, the communication device has a first communication processing unit that communicates with the server device via the Internet, and a second communication processing unit that exchanges data with the camera unit via LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) communication, the camera unit has a main board equipped with a camera module that takes pictures of the monitored area and a first communication module that communicates with the server device via the Internet, and a control board equipped with an LPWA communication module that performs the LPWA communication, the control board is always powered on and in a standby state for receiving data via the LPWA communication, and the main board is in a standby state with its power turned off, In the communication device, the first communication processing unit is configured to receive the camera control data transmitted from the server, and when the first communication processing unit receives the camera control data, the second communication processing unit transmits the camera control data to an LPWA communication module of a control board of the camera unit via LPWA communication, and when the control board receives the camera control data from the communication device, it turns on the power of the main board, and when the power of the main board is turned on, the camera module photographs the area to be monitored, and the first communication module transmits the image data obtained by photographing to the server device via the Internet, and automatically turns off its own power when the image data has been sent.

2. The environmental monitoring system described in claim 1, characterized in that the server device is configured to accept shooting instructions for the camera unit from a user terminal via the Internet, and upon accepting the shooting instructions from the user terminal, generates the camera control data, and upon receiving image data transmitted from the camera unit, transmits the image data to the user terminal.

3. The server device is capable of communicating with a user terminal via the Internet, a water level sensor module is installed in the monitored area, the water level sensor module has a water level sensor and a third communication module that communicates with the server device via the Internet, and the third communication module is configured to transmit water level data detected from the water level sensor to the server device at a predetermined timing, and when the server device receives water level data transmitted from the water level sensor unit, it compares the received water level data with a preset water level data threshold, and if the water level data is greater than the water level data threshold, it determines to have the camera unit photograph the monitored area and generates the camera control data, and if the water level data is less than the water level data threshold, it determines not to have the camera unit photograph the monitored area, and when it receives image data transmitted from the camera unit, it transmits the image data to the user terminal.

4. A lighting device capable of irradiating illumination light onto the photographing area of ​​the camera unit is installed in the monitored area, the lighting device has a light source and a lighting device control board for controlling the light source, the lighting device control board is provided with a fourth communication module for performing LPWA communication, the camera module of the camera unit is provided with an illuminance sensor for detecting the illuminance of the photographing area, when the power supply of the main board is turned on, the camera module photographs the monitored area after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed, and before the camera module performs a photographing operation, the camera module causes the illuminance sensor to detect the illuminance of the photographing area, and the first communication module transmits the illuminance data detected by the illuminance sensor to the server device, The server device, upon receiving the illuminance data transmitted by the camera unit, compares the received illuminance data with a preset illuminance data threshold, and determines to turn on the lighting device if the illuminance data is smaller than the illuminance data threshold, generates lighting device control data for turning on the lighting device for a predetermined period of time, transmits the lighting device control data to the communication device via the Internet, and determines not to turn on the lighting device if the illuminance data is larger than the illuminance data threshold; and in the communication device, the first communication processing unit receives the lighting device control data transmitted from the server, and when the first communication processing unit receives the lighting device control data, the second communication processing unit transmits the lighting device control data to the lighting device by LPWA communication; and the lighting device, upon receiving the lighting device control data, turns on the light source for a predetermined period of time to irradiate illumination light onto the shooting area of ​​the camera unit.

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