Control method, program, and intercom system

Abstract

To provide a control method capable of assisting a user of an intercom system in specifying a device that the user wants to call.SOLUTION: A control method includes the steps of displaying a selection screen on a display section 45 of an information terminal 40, and performing communication to call a device selected on the selection screen. The information terminal 40 is capable of communicating with an intercom master unit 31 via a wide area communication network 80. On the selection screen, (1) another intercom master unit other than the intercom master unit 31 included in an intercom system 30, or (2) another information terminal communicatively connected to the other intercom master unit is displayed as a device to be selected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control method, a program, and an intercom system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an intercom system for use in apartment buildings. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-38817 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention provides a control method and the like that can assist a user of an intercom system in specifying a device that he or she wishes to call. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A control method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a control method for an information terminal executed by a computer system, the information terminal having a display unit and capable of communicating with an intercom parent unit included in the intercom system via a communication network outside the facility in which the intercom system is installed, and includes a step of displaying a selection screen on the display unit in which (1) another intercom parent unit other than the intercom parent unit included in the intercom system, or (2) another information terminal communicatively connected to the other intercom parent unit, is displayed as a selection candidate device, and a step of communicating to call the device selected on the selection screen.

[0006] A control method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a control method for an intercom parent unit executed by a computer system, the intercom parent unit having a display unit, and including the steps of: displaying on the display unit a selection screen in which (1) another intercom parent unit other than the intercom parent unit included in the intercom system, or (2) another information terminal communicatively connected to the other intercom parent unit, is displayed as a selection candidate device; and performing communication to call the device selected on the selection screen.

[0007] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing the computer system to execute the control method.

[0008] An intercom system according to one embodiment of the present invention is an intercom system including an intercom parent unit, the intercom parent unit being capable of communicating with an information terminal via a communication network outside the facility in which the intercom system is installed, a display unit provided in the information terminal displays a selection screen on which (1) another intercom parent unit other than the intercom parent unit included in the intercom system, or (2) another information terminal communicatively connected to the other intercom parent unit, is displayed as a selection candidate device, the information terminal can call the device selected from the selection screen, and the intercom system is provided with a management unit that manages information for displaying the selection screen.

[0009] An intercom system according to one embodiment of the present invention is an intercom system including an intercom parent unit, wherein a display unit provided in the intercom parent unit displays a selection screen on which (1) another intercom parent unit other than the intercom parent unit included in the intercom system, or (2) another information terminal communicatively connected to the other intercom parent unit, is displayed as a selection candidate device, and the intercom system is provided with a management unit that manages information for displaying the selection screen. Effect of the Invention

[0010] A control method according to one aspect of the present invention can assist a user of an intercom system in specifying a device that the user wishes to call. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a communication path when calling an intercom master unit in a private area using an information terminal. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen for other intercom master units that are candidates for calling. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of a first operation example of the communication system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of call history information. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a communication path when an information terminal is used to call another information terminal that is communicatively connected to the intercom master unit in the private section. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen for other information terminals that are candidates for calling. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of a second operation example of the communication system according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the terminal information. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the selection screen for other information terminals that are candidates for calling. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component arrangement and connection forms, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0013] In addition, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a precise illustration. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same configurations, and duplicated explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0014] (Embodiment) [composition] First, a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment will be described below. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the communication system according to an embodiment.

[0015] 1, the communication system 10 includes a server system 20, an intercom system 30, and an information terminal 40. The communication system 10 is a system in which an intercom master unit 31 can be called not only from another intercom master unit 31 but also from the information terminal 40.

[0016] An intercom system 30 including an intercom master unit 31 is installed in an apartment building 100. The apartment building 100 is an example of a facility, and specifically, is an apartment building, a dormitory, or company housing. The apartment building 100 includes a plurality of private areas 101 and a common area 102. The residents of the private areas 101 are an example of users of the intercom system 30.

[0017] The following describes the configuration of the system or device included in the communication system 10. The server system 20 is a system realized by one or more server devices located, for example, outside the apartment building 100. The server system 20 is used, for example, by a business that manufactures and sells the intercom system 30. The server system 20 can communicate with the intercom master unit 31 and the information terminal 40 via a wide area communication network 80 such as the Internet (in other words, a public line).

[0018] The intercom system 30 is a system installed in an apartment building 100. The intercom system 30 includes an intercom master unit 31, a lobby intercom 32, a control device 33, a gateway device 34, an auto-locking door 35, and a management room master unit 36. The lobby intercom 32, the control device 33, the gateway device 34, the auto-locking door 35, and the management room master unit 36 ​​are installed in a common area 102 of the apartment building 100, and the intercom master unit 31 is installed in each of a plurality of private areas 101 of the apartment building 100.

[0019] Intercom master unit 31 is a device fixedly installed in private area 101 of apartment building 100. Intercom master unit 31 performs information processing and the like for a resident of private area 101 to communicate with a visitor via lobby intercom 32 or an intercom handset (not shown). The intercom handset is a so-called door phone, and is installed outside the entrance to private area 101. Intercom master unit 31 specifically includes a communication unit 31c, an information processing unit 31d, a memory unit 31e, an operation receiving unit 31f, and a display unit 31g.

[0020] The communication unit 31c is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the intercom master unit 31 to communicate with other intercom master units 31, the lobby intercom 32, and the control room master unit 36 ​​via the control device 33. The communication unit 31c can also communicate with the server system 20 and the information terminal 40 via the control device 33, the gateway device 34, and the wide area communication network 80. The communication performed by the communication unit 31c is, for example, wired communication, but may also be wireless communication. There is no particular limitation on the communication standard of the communication performed by the communication unit 31c.

[0021] The communication unit 31c may also include a communication circuit for performing short-distance wireless communication. In this case, the communication unit 31c can communicate with the information terminal 40 by short-distance wireless communication. The communication standard for short-distance wireless communication is BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark), etc. When the communication standard is Wi-Fi (registered trademark), the communication unit 31c communicates with the information terminal 40 via a wireless router (not shown).

[0022] The information processing unit 31d performs various information processing such as processing related to communication of the intercom master unit 31. The information processing unit 31d is realized, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The information processing unit 31d includes a management unit 31h as a functional component. The functions of the management unit 31h are realized by the microcomputer or processor constituting the information processing unit 31d executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 31e.

[0023] The storage unit 31e is a storage device that stores computer programs executed by the information processing unit 31d, etc. The storage unit 31e is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0024] The operation reception unit 31f receives various operations from the resident. The operation reception unit 31f is realized by, for example, a touch panel, but may also be realized by hardware buttons.

[0025] The display unit 31g displays various images and is realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel.

[0026] The lobby intercom 32 is a device provided on the outside (outdoor side) of the auto-lock door 35 at the entrance (i.e., the common area 102) of the apartment building 100. The lobby intercom 32 controls, for example, the auto-lock door 35. The lobby intercom 32 has a user interface consisting of a numeric keypad and a call button, and a visitor to the apartment building 100 can speak to a resident and request the auto-lock door 35 to be unlocked by inputting the room number of the visitor using the numeric keypad. The lobby intercom 32 communicates with the intercom master unit 31 and the management room master unit 36 ​​via the control device 33.

[0027] The control device 33 is a device that controls communication between two devices (for example, communication between the lobby intercom 32 and the intercom master unit 31) among a plurality of intercom master units 31, lobby intercom 32, and control room master unit 36 ​​installed in the apartment building 100. The control device 33 includes a management unit 33a. The functions of the management unit 33a are realized by a microcomputer or processor included in the control device 33 executing a computer program stored in a memory included in the control device 33.

[0028] The gateway device 34 is a communication device that enables devices installed in the apartment building 100, such as the intercom master unit 31, to communicate with the server system 20 and the information terminal 40 via the wide area communication network 80.

[0029] The auto-locking door 35 is a door provided at the entrance of the apartment building 100 (i.e., the common area 102). The auto-locking door 35 is automatically locked (or closed) a certain period of time after it is unlocked (or opened). The door of the auto-locking door 35 may be a sliding door or a hinged door.

[0030] The control room master unit 36 ​​is an intercom master unit used by the manager of the apartment building 100, and is fixedly installed in the control room of the common area 102. The intercom system 30 may include a plurality of control room master units 36.

[0031] The information terminal 40 is an information terminal used by a resident. The information terminal 40 is, for example, a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. In FIG. 1, the information terminal 40 is located in the private section 101, but may be located outside the apartment building 100. Specifically, the information terminal 40 includes a communication unit 41, an information processing unit 42, a storage unit 43, an operation receiving unit 44, and a display unit 45.

[0032] The communication unit 41 is a communication circuit (communication module) for the information terminal 40 to communicate with the server system 20 and the intercom master unit 31 via a wide area communication network. The communication performed by the communication unit 41 is, for example, wired communication, but may also be wireless communication. The communication standard of the communication performed by the communication unit 41 is not particularly limited.

[0033] The communication unit 41 may also include a communication circuit for performing short-distance wireless communication, in which case the communication unit 41 can communicate with the intercom master unit 31 by short-distance wireless communication. The communication standard for short-distance wireless communication is BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark), etc. When the communication standard is Wi-Fi (registered trademark), the communication unit 41 communicates with the information terminal 40 via a wireless router (not shown).

[0034] The information processing unit 42 performs various information processing such as processing related to communication of the information terminal 40. The information processing unit 42 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the information processing unit 42 are realized by the microcomputer or processor constituting the information processing unit 42 executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 43.

[0035] The storage unit 43 is a storage device that stores computer programs and the like executed by the information processing unit 42. The storage unit 43 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0036] The operation reception unit 44 receives various operations from the resident. The operation reception unit 44 is realized by, for example, a touch panel.

[0037] The display unit 45 displays various images. The display unit 45 is realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel.

[0038] [Example 1] As described above, in communication system 10, a resident of exclusive unit A can call intercom master unit 31 in exclusive unit B while away from home using information terminal 40. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a communication path when calling intercom master unit 31 in exclusive unit B using information terminal 40. In the following, information terminal 40 used by a resident of exclusive unit A will be referred to as information terminal 40a, intercom master unit 31 provided in exclusive unit A will be referred to as intercom master unit 31a, and intercom master unit 31 provided in exclusive unit 101 other than exclusive unit A, such as exclusive unit B, will be referred to as intercom master unit 31b. Intercom master unit 31b will also be referred to as other intercom master unit 31b.

[0039] For example, a resident of private unit A performs a predetermined operation on information terminal 40a, which is running a predetermined application program, to call intercom master unit 31b in private unit B. In response to the predetermined operation, information terminal 40a obtains connection information for establishing a communication connection with intercom master unit 31a in private unit A from server system 20, and starts communication with intercom master unit 31a in private unit A based on the obtained connection information. This communication is, for example, P2P (Peer to Peer) communication.

[0040] It is not essential that P2P communication is used for communication between the information terminal 40a and the intercom master unit 31a, and the communication between the information terminal 40a and the intercom master unit 31a may be communication using the server system 20 as a repeater. When the information terminal 40a is located in the exclusive section A, the communication between the information terminal 40a and the intercom master unit 31a may be short-range wireless communication.

[0041] Meanwhile, intercom master unit 31a in exclusive area A communicates with intercom master unit 31b in exclusive area B via control device 33 of intercom system 30. That is, intercom master unit 31a in exclusive area A communicates with intercom master unit 31b in exclusive area B using the communication network included in intercom system 30. As a result, a communication path (FIG. 2) is formed from information terminal 40a to intercom master unit 31b, and information terminal 40a can call intercom master unit 31b in exclusive area B.

[0042] Here, the specific operation for calling the intercom master unit 31b in private area B requires operations such as inputting the room number of private area B (in other words, the dwelling unit number). However, since the room number does not enable one to identify who is calling at a glance, there is a possibility that the intercom master unit 31b that one wants to call will be mistaken.

[0043] Therefore, when a predetermined operation is performed to call the intercom master unit 31b in the exclusive section B, a list of other intercom master units 31b that are candidates for the call is displayed on the display unit 45 of the information terminal 40a. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen for other intercom master units 31b that are candidates for the call.

[0044] 3, the selection screen displays a plurality of icons corresponding to a plurality of other intercom master units 31b, and each of the plurality of icons displays, as identification information of the other intercom master unit 31b corresponding to the icon, the room number of the exclusive unit 101 in which the other intercom master unit 31b is provided, and the name of the resident of the exclusive unit 101. In this way, by displaying the name of the resident of the exclusive unit 101 in which the other intercom master unit 31b is provided, it is possible to prevent the user from calling the wrong intercom master unit 31b.

[0045] Hereinafter, a first operation example of the communication system 10 for displaying a selection screen such as that shown in Fig. 3 will be described. Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram of the first operation example of the communication system 10.

[0046] Each of the multiple intercom master units 31 is preset with the room number of the exclusive unit 101 in which the intercom master unit 31 is installed, and the name of the resident residing in the exclusive unit 101. The resident can freely set the name of the resident by operating the operation reception unit 31f. Instead of or in addition to the resident's name, a nickname may be set.

[0047] The management unit 31h of the intercom master unit 31a provided in the exclusive unit A stores call history information in the storage unit 31e, and updates the call history information stored in the storage unit 31e every time communication with another intercom master unit 31b (a call by a resident) ends (S11). Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the call history information.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 5, the call history information associates the room number of the private unit 101 of the other intercom master unit 31b, the name of the resident residing in the private unit 101 (which may also be the name of the installation location), the cumulative call time in the most recent specified period (e.g., one month), and the number of calls (call frequency) in the specified period. Note that the name of the resident is preset in each of the other intercom master units 31b, and therefore can be obtained from the other intercom master units 31b at the time of the call. Note that, although the identification information of the management office A and the disaster prevention center is not given in the example of Fig. 5, in reality, a specified number is given.

[0049] The management unit 31h uses the communication unit 31c to transmit the call history information to the server system 20 (S12). Although not shown in detail in Fig. 4, the call history information transmitted by the communication unit 31c is received by the server system 20 via the control device 33, the gateway device 34, and the wide area communication network 80. The server system 20 stores (updates) the received call history information (S13).

[0050] The call history information in step S12 is transmitted by the management unit 31h voluntarily every time the call history information is updated, for example. Alternatively, the management unit 31h may transmit the call history information in response to a request from the server system 20.

[0051] In this manner, with the call history information stored in the server system 20, the resident A starts a predetermined application on the information terminal 40a and performs a predetermined operation to display the selection screen of Fig. 3, and the operation reception unit 44 receives the predetermined operation (S14). In response to the received predetermined operation, the information processing unit 42 executes a predetermined application and transmits a request for the call history information to the server system 20 using the communication unit 41 (S15), and the communication unit 41 receives the call history information from the server system 20 (S16).

[0052] The information processing unit 42 displays the selection screen of Fig. 3 on the display unit 45 based on the received call history information (S17). That is, the information processing unit 42 displays a list of other intercom master units 31b as devices that are candidates for selection. The selection screen may also display a control room master unit 36 ​​(corresponding to the control room A and disaster prevention center in Fig. 3) provided in a control room of the apartment building 100 as the other intercom master unit 31b. The selection screen may also display a lobby intercom 32 (corresponding to the entrance in Fig. 3).

[0053] In this way, when a selection screen for other intercom master units 31 that are candidates for calling based on call history information is displayed, other intercom master units 31b with which resident A has not made a call using the intercom master unit 31a are not displayed on the selection screen, thereby preventing resident A from making a mistake with the other intercom master unit 31b that he or she wants to call.

[0054] 3, the selection screen displays a plurality of icons corresponding to a plurality of other intercom master units 31b, and each of the plurality of icons displays the room number of the exclusive unit 101 in which the other intercom master unit 31b corresponding to that icon is provided, and the name of the resident of that exclusive unit 101. In this way, displaying the name of the resident of the exclusive unit 101 in which the other intercom master unit 31b is provided prevents resident A from calling the wrong intercom master unit 31b.

[0055] [Modification of Operation Example 1] The communication path for the information terminal 40a to receive the call history information and the timing of receiving the call history information described with reference to Fig. 4 are merely examples, and the communication path for receiving the call history information and the timing of receiving the call history information are not particularly limited. For example, the information terminal 40a may receive the call history information from the intercom master unit 31a by short-range wireless communication. In other words, the server system 20 does not need to be used to obtain the call history information.

[0056] Furthermore, the information processing unit 42 of the information terminal 40a may set names (such as nicknames) different from the names included in the call history information to the multiple icons displayed on the selection screen based on the resident's operation to the operation receiving unit 44. As described above, the nicknames may be set in the call history information itself.

[0057] Furthermore, the information processing unit 42 may display on the selection screen only the icons of other intercom master units 31b that satisfy a requirement among the other intercom master units 31b included in the call history information. For example, only the icons of other intercom master units 31b that satisfy a requirement, such as a call duration of 3 minutes or more or a call count of 5 or more, may be displayed on the selection screen. The requirement is set, for example, based on an operation by the resident to the operation receiving unit 44. Also, a favorites display mode may be provided in which some of the other intercom master units 31b included in the call history information are registered in a favorites list, and the other intercom master units 31b registered in the favorites list are displayed in a list.

[0058] Furthermore, the information processing unit 42 of the information terminal 40a may rearrange the multiple icons displayed on the selection screen based on the resident's operation to the operation reception unit 44. For example, the multiple icons may be rearranged in the order of the numbers of the exclusive sections 101, in alphabetical order of the names, in the order of the length of call times, or in the order of the number of calls.

[0059] [Example 2] In the operation example 1, it has been explained that the resident of the exclusive section A can call the intercom master unit 31b of the exclusive section B from outside the home using the information terminal 40a. Here, if the resident of the exclusive section B registers another information terminal 40 owned by the resident of the exclusive section B in the intercom master unit 31b of the exclusive section B, a call can be realized by communication between the information terminal 40 of the resident of the exclusive section A and the other information terminal 40 of the resident of the exclusive section B. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a communication path when calling the other information terminal 40 communicatively connected to the intercom master unit 31b of the exclusive section B using the information terminal 40. Hereinafter, the other information terminal 40 communicatively connected to the intercom master unit 31b is also referred to as the information terminal 40b.

[0060] Communication between the intercom master unit 31b in the exclusive area B and the other information terminal 40b is, for example, P2P communication, but it may also be communication using the server system 20 as a repeater, or when the other information terminal 40b is located within the exclusive area B, it may be short-range wireless communication.

[0061] Here, when a plurality of information terminals 40b are registered in the intercom master unit 31b of the exclusive section B, it is preferable to be able to select and call any one of the plurality of information terminals 40b.

[0062] Therefore, when a predetermined operation is performed to call another information terminal 40b communicatively connected to the intercom master unit 31b in the exclusive section B, a list of other information terminals 40b that are candidates for the call is displayed on the display unit 45 of the information terminal 40a. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen for other information terminals 40b that are candidates for the call.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 7, the selection screen displays multiple icons corresponding to other information terminals 40b, and each of the multiple icons displays the room number of the exclusive section 101 and the name of the resident who owns the other information terminal 40b as identification information for the other information terminal 40b.

[0064] When a resident of exclusive unit A performs a call process by selecting the information terminal 40b of the other party from the selection screen in Fig. 7, the communication path in Fig. 6 is formed. At this time, the intercom master unit 31b is connected to the specified information terminal 40b for communication. In other words, the resident of exclusive unit A can select any one of the multiple information terminals 40b to call.

[0065] The following describes a second operation example of the communication system 10 for displaying a selection screen as shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 8 is a sequence diagram of the second operation example of the communication system 10.

[0066] Each of the multiple intercom master units 31 stores terminal information. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the terminal information. The terminal information includes identification information of the exclusive unit 101 in which the intercom master unit 31 is provided, identification information of the information terminal 40 that is connected for communication with the intercom master unit 31, and the current connection status. The identification information of the information terminal 40 includes an identification number such as a communication ID (corresponding to information terminal A in Fig. 9), and the name of the resident (user) who uses the information terminal 40. The name of the resident can be freely set by the resident by operating the operation reception unit 31f. A nickname may be set instead of or in addition to the resident's name.

[0067] The current connection status indicates whether or not the information terminal 40 is located within the private unit 101 and connected to the intercom master unit 31 by short-range wireless communication (=using a local communication network within the private unit 101). In other words, it indicates whether or not the resident who owns the information terminal 40 is at home in the private unit 101. Note that if the information terminal 40 is not connected to the intercom master unit 31 by short-range wireless communication, it is considered that the information terminal 40 is located outside the apartment building 100, and the resident is presumed to be out.

[0068] The management unit 31h of the intercom master unit 31 updates the current connection status of the terminal information, for example, by periodically attempting communication with the information terminal 40 registered in the intercom master unit 31 (S21). For example, the management unit 31h can grasp the connection status based on whether or not communication is possible via short-range wireless communication. The management unit 31h transmits the updated terminal information to the control device 33 using the communication unit 31c (S22).

[0069] The control device 33 receives the terminal information from the intercom master unit 31. Here, the management unit 33a of the control device 33 collectively stores (manages) all the terminal information included in the intercom system 30 in memory as terminal management information, and when the control device 33 receives newly updated terminal information, the management unit 33a updates the terminal management information by reflecting the contents of the received terminal information in the terminal management information (S23).

[0070] After updating the terminal management information, the management unit 33a transmits the updated terminal management information to the server system 20 (S24). Although not shown in detail in Fig. 8, the terminal management information is received by the server system 20 via the gateway device 34 and the wide area communication network 80. The server system 20 stores (updates) the received terminal management information (S25).

[0071] The transmission of the terminal management information in step S24 is performed by the control device 33 spontaneously every time the terminal management information is updated, for example, but the management unit 33a of the control device 33 may also transmit the information in response to a request from the server system 20.

[0072] In this manner, with the terminal management information stored in the server system 20, the resident A starts a predetermined application on the information terminal 40a and performs a predetermined operation to display the selection screen of Fig. 7, and the operation reception unit 44 receives the predetermined operation (S26). In response to the received predetermined operation, the information processing unit 42 executes a predetermined application and transmits a request for terminal management information to the server system 20 using the communication unit 41 (S27), and the communication unit 41 receives the terminal management information from the server system 20 (S28).

[0073] 7 on the display unit 45 based on the received terminal management information (S29). That is, the information processing unit 42 displays a list of the other information terminals 40b as selection candidate devices.

[0074] Here, the display mode of an icon on the selection screen may be changed according to the current connection status of the information terminal 40b corresponding to that icon. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of such a selection screen.

[0075] In the example of Fig. 10, when the current connection status is "connected", "at home" is displayed within the icon, and when the current connection status is "not connected", "not at home" is displayed within the icon. In this way, the display mode of the icon may be changed depending on whether the information terminal 40b corresponding to the icon is capable of communication through the local communication network in the exclusive section 101. There are no particular limitations on how the display mode is changed, and the color or shape of the icon may be changed, or the icon may be changed to a flashing display or a steady display.

[0076] In addition, the information processing unit 42 may display an icon corresponding to either the information terminal 40b whose current connection status is “connected” or the information terminal 40b whose current connection status is “not connected”, but not display an icon corresponding to the other one.

[0077] In this way, if a selection screen for other information terminals 40b that are candidates for calling based on the terminal management information is displayed, the resident can specify and call another information terminal 40b that is communicatively connected to the intercom master unit 31b. If it is not possible to specify another information terminal 40b, after calling an arbitrary information terminal 40b, it is necessary to take measures such as asking the other party to change the call, but the operation example 2 has the advantage that such measures are not necessary.

[0078] [Modification of Operation Example 2] 4, the communication path for the information terminal 40a to receive the terminal management information and the timing of receiving the terminal management information are merely examples, and the communication path for receiving the terminal management information and the timing of receiving the terminal management information are not particularly limited. For example, the terminal management information may be distributed by the control device 33 to all intercom master units 31 in the apartment building 100, and the information terminal 40a may receive the terminal management information from the intercom master unit 31a by short-range wireless communication. In other words, the server system 20 does not have to be used to obtain the terminal management information.

[0079] Furthermore, the information processing unit 42 of the information terminal 40a may set names (such as nicknames) different from the names included in the terminal management information to the multiple icons displayed on the selection screen based on the resident's operation to the operation receiving unit 44. As described above, the nicknames may be set in the terminal management information itself.

[0080] Furthermore, the information processing unit 42 of the information terminal 40a may display, on the selection screen, only the icons of other information terminals 40b that satisfy a requirement among the other information terminals 40b included in the terminal management information. The requirement is set, for example, based on an operation by the resident to the operation receiving unit 44. Furthermore, a favorites display mode may be provided in which some of the other information terminals 40b included in the terminal management information are registered in a favorites list, and the other information terminals 40b registered in the favorites list are displayed in a list.

[0081] Furthermore, the information processing unit 42 of the information terminal 40a may rearrange the multiple icons displayed on the selection screen based on the resident's operation to the operation reception unit 44. For example, the multiple icons may be rearranged in the order of the numbers of the exclusive sections 101 or in alphabetical order of the names.

[0082] Furthermore, the information processing unit 42 of the information terminal 40a may display current location information (such as place names (place names) or coordinates) of multiple other information terminals 40b corresponding to multiple icons on the selection screen. For example, multiple other information terminals 40b corresponding to multiple icons have a function of measuring their current locations using a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) module. The information processing unit 42 can acquire current location information (coordinates) of each of the multiple other information terminals 40b by inquiring about the current location of each of the multiple other information terminals 40b, and display the acquired current location information. The information processing unit 42 may convert the coordinates into a place name (place name such as XX City) and display it.

[0083] The current location information may be displayed on a map screen or the like, instead of on a selection screen as in Fig. 7. That is, the current locations of multiple other information terminals 40b may be displayed on a map, and other information terminals 40b may be specified from the map.

[0084] [Example 3] In the above-mentioned operation example 1, the selection screen of Fig. 3 was displayed on the display unit 45 of the information terminal 40a, but the selection screen of Fig. 3 may be displayed on the display unit 31g of the intercom master unit 31a. Since the management unit 31h of the intercom master unit 31a manages the call history information, the information processing unit 31d can display the selection screen of Fig. 3 on the display unit 31g of the intercom master unit 31a based on the call history information. This allows the resident of the exclusive unit A to specify and call another intercom master unit 31b from the intercom master unit 31a.

[0085] In addition, in the above-mentioned operation example 2, the selection screen of Fig. 7 was displayed on the display unit 45 of the information terminal 40a, but the selection screen of Fig. 7 may be displayed on the display unit 31g of the intercom master unit 31a. For example, when the management unit 33a of the control device 33 distributes terminal management information to all the intercom master units 31 in the apartment building 100, the information processing unit 31d of the intercom master unit 31a can display a selection screen similar to that of Fig. 7 on the display unit 31g based on the distributed terminal management information. This allows the resident of the exclusive unit A to specify and call the information terminal 40b from the intercom master unit 31a.

[0086] [Effects, etc.] Inventions derived from the disclosure of this specification are, for example, the following inventions. Hereinafter, the inventions derived from the disclosure of this specification will be described together with the effects and the like obtained by the inventions.

[0087] Invention 1 is a control method for an information terminal 40a executed by a computer system, the information terminal 40a having a display unit 45 and capable of communicating with an intercom master unit 31a included in the intercom system 30 via a communication network outside the facility in which the intercom system 30 is installed, the control method including the steps of displaying on the display unit 45 a selection screen in which (1) another intercom master unit 31b other than the intercom master unit 31a included in the intercom system 30, or (2) another information terminal 40b communicatively connected to the other intercom master unit 31b, is displayed as a selection candidate device, and performing communication to call the device selected on the selection screen. The communication network outside the facility is, for example, a wide area communication network 80.

[0088] Such a control method can assist the user in specifying a device to be called by displaying a selection screen on the display unit 45 of the information terminal 40a.

[0089] Invention 2 is a control method for an intercom master unit 31a executed by a computer system, the intercom master unit 31a having a display unit 31g, the control method including the steps of: displaying on the display unit 31g a selection screen in which (1) another intercom master unit 31b other than the intercom master unit 31a included in the intercom system, or (2) another information terminal 40b communicatively connected to the other intercom master unit 31b, is displayed as a selection candidate device; and performing communication to call the device selected on the selection screen.

[0090] Such a control method can assist the user in specifying the device he or she wishes to call by displaying a selection screen on display unit 31g of intercom master unit 31a.

[0091] Invention 3 is a control method according to invention 1 or 2, in which the other information terminal 40b is displayed on the selection screen as a selection candidate device.

[0092] Such a control method can assist the user in specifying the other information terminal 40b that he or she wishes to call.

[0093] Invention 4 is the control method of Invention 3, in which the other information terminal 40b includes a first information terminal that is communicatively connected to another intercom master unit 31b via a communication network within the facility. The first information terminal is, for example, information terminal 40b. The communication network within the facility is, for example, a local communication network based on short-range wireless communication.

[0094] According to this control method, the user can specify another information terminal 40b that is communicatively connected to the intercom master unit 31b via the communication network within the facility.

[0095] Invention 5 is a control method of Invention 4, in which the other information terminals 40b include a second information terminal that is not communicatively connected to another intercom master unit 31b via a communication network within the facility, and the first information terminal and the second information terminal are displayed in different manners as selection candidate devices on the selection screen.

[0096] According to this control method, a user can specify another information terminal 40b, taking into consideration whether the information terminal 40b is communicatively connected to the intercom master unit 31b via the communication network within the facility (in other words, whether the person being called is at home or not).

[0097] Invention 6 is a control method of any of Inventions 3 to 5, further including a step of acquiring information regarding the position of the other information terminal 40b, and a step of displaying the acquired information regarding the position of the other information terminal 40b on the display unit 45 (or the display unit 31g).

[0098] According to such a control method, the user can specify another information terminal 40b, taking into consideration the position of the other information terminal 40b.

[0099] Invention 7 is a control method of Invention 1 or 2, in which other intercom master units 31b are displayed on the selection screen, and the other intercom master units 31b include a control room master unit 36 ​​installed in a control room of the facility in which the intercom system 30 is installed.

[0100] According to this control method, the user can specify the control room master unit 36.

[0101] An eighth aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer system to execute any one of the control methods of the first to seventh aspects.

[0102] Such a program allows the computer system to assist the user in specifying the device that he or she wishes to call.

[0103] Invention 9 is an intercom system 30 including an intercom master unit 31a, the intercom master unit 31a being capable of communicating with an information terminal 40a via a communication network external to the facility in which the intercom system 30 is installed, a display unit 45 of the information terminal 40a displays a selection screen on which (1) another intercom master unit 31b other than the intercom master unit 31a included in the intercom system 30, or (2) another information terminal 40b communicatively connected to the other intercom master unit 31b, is displayed as a selection candidate device, and the information terminal 40a can call the device selected from the selection screen, and the intercom system 30 is equipped with a management unit 31h (or management unit 33a) that manages information for displaying the selection screen.

[0104] According to such an intercom system 30, the information terminal 40a can display a selection screen on the display unit 45 to assist the user in specifying the device that the user wishes to call.

[0105] Invention 10 is an intercom system 30 including an intercom master unit 31a, in which a display unit 31g provided in the intercom master unit 31a displays a selection screen in which (1) another intercom master unit 31b other than the intercom master unit 31a included in the intercom system 30, or (2) another information terminal 40b communicatively connected to the other intercom master unit 31b, is displayed as a selection candidate device, and the intercom system 30 is provided with a management unit 31h (or management unit 33a) that manages information for displaying the selection screen.

[0106] According to such an intercom system 30, the intercom master unit 31a can support the user in specifying the device to be called by displaying a selection screen on the display unit 31g.

[0107] An eleventh aspect of the present invention is the intercom system 30 of the ninth or tenth aspect, in which names are set for the devices that are candidates for selection in the information for displaying the selection screen.

[0108] According to such an intercom system 30, the information terminal 40a (or the intercom master unit 31a) can display the name set for the device that is a selection candidate.

[0109] Invention 12 is an intercom system 30 of any of Inventions 9 to 11, in which another intercom master unit 31b is displayed as a candidate device for selection on the selection screen, and the other intercom master unit 31b displayed as the candidate device for selection is determined based on the call history information of the intercom master unit 31a.

[0110] According to such an intercom system 30, the information terminal 40a (or the intercom master unit 31a) can display only other intercom master units 31b included in the call history information of the intercom master unit 31a as selection candidate devices.

[0111] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0112] For example, in the above embodiment, the intercom system is applied to an apartment building, but it may be applied to a collective facility other than an apartment building. For example, the intercom system can be applied to a collective facility including multiple facilities (multiple companies, departments, divisions, etc.), such as an office, a factory, a research facility, a medical facility, or an accommodation facility.

[0113] In the above embodiment, the intercom system is realized by a plurality of devices. When the intercom system is realized by a plurality of devices in this way, the components (particularly functional components) of the intercom system may be distributed in any manner among the plurality of devices. The same applies to other systems such as communication systems.

[0114] The intercom system may also be realized as a single device. For example, the intercom system may be realized as a single device corresponding to an intercom master unit or a control device. The same applies to other systems such as communication systems.

[0115] Furthermore, the method of communication between the devices in the above-described embodiment is not particularly limited. In addition, a relay device (such as a broadband router) (not shown) may be involved in the communication between the devices.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the processes executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. The order of multiple processes may be changed, or multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

[0117] In the above embodiment, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

[0118] Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or an integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit, or a dedicated circuit.

[0119] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0120] For example, the present invention may be realized as an information terminal, an intercom master unit, or an intercom system according to the above-described embodiments. The present invention may also be realized as a method executed by a computer system, or as a program for causing a computer system to execute the method (in other words, a computer program product). The present invention may also be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0121] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art may think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 10. Communication Systems 20 Server System 30 Intercom System 31, 31a, 31b Intercom Master Unit 31c, 41 Communication Department 31d, 42 Information Processing Section 31e, 43 storage section 31f, 44 Operation reception area 31g, 45 display 31h Management Department 32 Lobby Intercom 33 Control device 33a Management Department 34 Gateway Device 35 Auto-locking door 36 Control room main unit 40, 40a, 40b Information terminal 80 Wide Area Communication Network 100 apartment complex 101 Private area 102 Common area

Claims

1. A method for controlling an information terminal, which is executed by a computer system, comprising the steps of: the information terminal includes a display unit and is capable of communicating with an intercom master unit included in the intercom system via a communication network outside the facility in which the intercom system is installed; (1) another intercom master unit other than the intercom master unit included in the intercom system, or (2) another information terminal communicatively connected to the other intercom master unit, displays a selection screen on the display unit, the selection screen being displayed as a selection candidate device; and performing a communication step for calling the device selected on the selection screen. Control methods.

2. A method for controlling an intercom master unit, which is executed by a computer system, comprising: The intercom master unit includes a display unit, (1) another intercom master unit other than the intercom master unit included in the intercom system, or (2) another information terminal communicatively connected to the other intercom master unit, displays a selection screen on the display unit, the selection screen being displayed as a selection candidate device; and performing a communication step for calling the device selected on the selection screen. Control methods.

3. The other information terminal is displayed on the selection screen as a selection candidate device. The control method according to claim 1 .

4. The other information terminals include a first information terminal that is communicatively connected to the other intercom master unit via a communication network within the facility. The control method according to claim 3.

5. the other information terminal includes a second information terminal that is not communicatively connected to the other intercom master unit via a communication network within the facility, On the selection screen, the first information terminal and the second information terminal are displayed as the selection candidate devices in different forms. The control method according to claim 4.

6. moreover, acquiring information regarding the location of the other information terminal; and displaying the acquired information regarding the location of the other information terminal on the display unit. The control method according to claim 3.

7. The selection screen displays the other intercom master unit as a selection candidate device, The other intercom master units include a control room master unit provided in a control room of the facility in which the intercom system is provided. The control method according to claim 1 .

8. A program for causing the computer system to execute the control method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. An intercom system including an intercom master unit, the intercom master unit is capable of communicating with an information terminal via a communication network outside the facility in which the intercom system is installed, A selection screen is displayed on a display unit of the information terminal, in which (1) another intercom master unit other than the intercom master unit included in the intercom system, or (2) another information terminal communicatively connected to the other intercom master unit is displayed as a selection candidate device, The information terminal can call the device selected from the selection screen, The intercom system includes a management unit that manages information for displaying the selection screen. Intercom system.

10. An intercom system including an intercom master unit, A selection screen is displayed on a display unit of the intercom master unit, in which (1) another intercom master unit other than the intercom master unit included in the intercom system, or (2) another information terminal communicatively connected to the other intercom master unit is displayed as a selection candidate device, The intercom system includes a management unit that manages information for displaying the selection screen. Intercom system.

11. In the information for displaying the selection screen, a name is set for the device of the selection candidate.

10. The intercom system according to claim 9.

12. On the selection screen, the other intercom master unit is displayed as a selection candidate device, The other intercom master units displayed as selection candidate devices are determined based on call history information of the intercom master units. The intercom system according to any one of claims 9 to 11.

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