Intercom system

Abstract

To provide an intercom system that enables smooth unlocking operations even when there are responses from multiple slave units.SOLUTION: An intercom system 1 includes slave units 2 individually installed at a plurality of entrances T, electric locks 3 provided on the doors of the entrances T, and a master unit 4. The master unit 4 displays unlock buttons for unlocking the electric locks 3 associated with the slave units 2 forming a communication path and the slave units 2 transmitting the captured images displayed on the monitor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an intercom system having a function for unlocking an electric door lock. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an intercom system in which a master unit receives a call from a slave unit and performs an unlocking operation on the master unit side. For example, in the intercom system described in Patent Document 1, a configuration is described in which an electric lock unlock button is displayed on a touch panel of the master unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-222680 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when the above-mentioned conventional intercom system is applied to a building with multiple entrances and sub-units, even if responses are received from multiple sub-units, the unlocking operation can only be performed for one entrance, which creates the problem of making visitors wait.

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide an intercom system that allows a smooth unlocking operation even when there are responses from multiple slave units. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention described in claim 1 is an intercom system having a sub-unit installed at the entrance / exit of a building, which has the function of allowing visitors to call and communicate with the person they are visiting, and a camera that takes images of visitors, and a main unit which has the function of responding to calls from the sub-unit and making a call, a monitor that displays the images captured by the camera, and an unlock button that unlocks the electric lock installed on the entrance / exit door, and is characterized in that when the image captured by the camera is displayed on the monitor and / or when a communication path is established between the sub-unit and the main unit, it is possible to unlock the electric lock using the unlock button. Furthermore, the invention described in claim 2 is the invention described in claim 1, wherein there are multiple entrances and exits, each entrance is provided with a sub-unit and an electric lock, the unlock button is a touch button displayed on the monitor, the parent unit has a sub-unit / electric lock memory unit that stores the association between each sub-unit and the electric lock, and an electric lock selection unit that selects an electric lock that can be unlocked and controls the display of the unlock button on the monitor, and the electric lock selection unit displays the unlock button that can be unlocked on the monitor. Furthermore, the invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 2, when the parent unit forms a communication path with the child unit, the parent unit can display on the monitor an image captured by a camera of another child unit, and the electric lock selection unit displays on the monitor an unlock button for the electric lock associated with each child unit that forms a communication path with the parent unit and each other child unit whose camera image is being displayed on the monitor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the unlocking buttons of the electric locks associated with the handset forming the communication path and the handset displaying the camera image on the monitor are displayed on the monitor so that they can be operated to unlock. Therefore, when a communication path has been formed with an individual handset, it is possible to switch to and check the image captured by the camera of another handset, and then unlock the electric lock associated with that handset, thereby enabling efficient unlocking operations. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram showing an interphone system according to the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a parent device. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram of the display on the monitor of the parent unit, where (a) shows a state in which the child unit in a call and the child unit transmitting the displayed captured image are the same, and (b) shows a state in which the child unit in a call and the child unit transmitting the displayed captured image are different. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of an intercom system 1 according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a slave unit 2, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a master unit 4.

[0010] The intercom system 1 is a system installed in a building with multiple entrances and exits, such as a factory or a base office, and includes multiple slave units 2, electric locks 3 installed on the doors D of each of the multiple entrances and exits T, and a master unit 4. The slave units 2 are connected to the master unit 4 via a LAN line N, and they communicate with each other using the Ethernet standard. The electric locks 3 are connected to the master unit 4 via the LAN via the slave units 2.

[0011] In this embodiment, there are three entrances T (first entrance T1, second entrance T2, and third entrance T3), and three sub-units 2 (first sub-unit 2a, second sub-unit 2b, and third sub-unit 2c) are installed at each of the entrances T. A first electric lock 3a is installed on the door D of the first entrance T1 where the first sub-unit 2a is installed. Similarly, a second electric lock 3b is installed on the door D of the second entrance T2 where the second sub-unit 2b is installed, and a third electric lock 3c is installed on the door D of the third entrance T3 where the third sub-unit 2c is installed.

[0012] As shown in Figure 2, the handset 2 is equipped with a call button 21, a camera 22 for capturing images of visitors, a call unit 25 equipped with a microphone 23 and a speaker 24, a handset CPU 26 for controlling the handset 2, a LAN connection IF 27 connected to the LAN line N to communicate with the parent unit 4, and an electric lock connection IF 28 for connecting the electric lock 3.

[0013] The handset 2 is activated by operating the call button 21 and transmits a call signal to the base unit 4 via the LAN line N. At the same time, the camera 22 of the handset 2 is activated and the captured image is transmitted to the base unit 4. After that, a call path is established in response to an answering operation from the base unit 4, and communication becomes possible. Then, when the unlock button 49 of the base unit 4 is operated by an operation described below, an unlock signal is transmitted to the electric lock 3 via the LAN line N, and the lock is unlocked.

[0014] The base unit 4 includes a call unit 42 with a handset 41, a monitor 43 that displays the image captured by the camera 22, an operation unit 44 for performing call operations and unlocking operations, a handset / electric lock memory unit 45 that stores the association between the handset 2 and the electric lock 3, a base unit CPU 46 that controls the base unit 4, and a LAN connection IF 47 that communicates with each device via the LAN line N.

[0015] The operation unit 44 is configured as a touch panel and is integrated with the monitor 43. Therefore, a call button 48 for answering a call and an unlock button 49 for unlocking the electric lock 3 of the door D are displayed on the monitor 43 as described below, and the buttons are operated by touch operation.

[0016] The intercom system 1 configured as described above operates as follows: However, operations such as a call from the handset 2, a response from the base unit 4 that receives the call, and displaying the image captured by the camera 22 on the base unit 4 in response to the call operation are the same as in the conventional system, and therefore will not be described here.

[0017] Figure 4 is a display explanatory diagram of the monitor 43 of the base unit 4, where (a) shows a state in which the handset 2 in a call and the handset 2 transmitting the displayed captured image are the same, and (b) shows a state in which the handset 2 in a call and the handset 2 transmitting the displayed captured image are different.

[0018] 4, since the base unit 4 is in a call state, the handset 41 is actually picked up and off the hook. Here, the first entrance T1 where the first handset 2a is installed is referred to as the "main entrance," the second entrance T2 where the second handset 2 is installed is referred to as the "second entrance," and the third entrance T3 where the third handset 2c is installed is referred to as the "back entrance."

[0019] When a call is first received from the first handset 2a, an icon A1 named "Main Entrance" is displayed in the upper left of the monitor 43, and an image M1 captured by the camera 22 of the first handset 2a is displayed in the center of the monitor 43. Furthermore, an unlock button 49a for the first electric lock 3a associated with the first handset 2a is displayed in the upper right as an icon named "Main Entrance Key." When the unlock button 49a is touched, an unlock signal is sent to the first electric lock 3a, which unlocks the lock.

[0020] In this state, when a predetermined response operation is performed, such as lifting the handset 41, a communication path is established with the first handset 2a. When the communication path is established, a "Call in progress" message is displayed, as shown in FIG.

[0021] When the base unit 4 receives a call from the second handset 2b while responding to a call from the first handset 2a, an icon A2 named "Second Entrance" is displayed on the left side of the monitor 43. Similarly, when the base unit 4 receives a call from the third handset 2c while responding to a call from the first handset 2a, an icon A3 named "Back Door" is displayed on the left side. The icons A1, A2, and A3 displayed on the left side are icons for displaying images captured by the camera 22 on the monitor 43, and a touch operation switches the display to the image captured by the associated camera 22.

[0022] In this state, when the "back door" icon A3 corresponding to the third handset 2c is touched, the image displayed on the monitor 43 switches to the image M3 captured by the camera 22 of the third handset 2c, as shown in FIG. 4(b). At the same time, the unlock button 49c of the third electric lock 3c associated with the third handset 2c is displayed on the right as an icon named "back door key." When the unlock button 49c is touched, an unlock signal is sent to the third electric lock 3c, unlocking it. At this time, if a communication path is established between the base unit 4 and the first handset 2a, the unlock button 49a will not disappear and will be displayed alongside the unlock button 49c.

[0023] 4(b), when the "Second Entrance" icon A2 is touched, the image captured by the camera 22 of the second handset 2b is displayed on the monitor 43, the display of the "Back Door Key" which is the unlock button 49c disappears, and an icon named "Second Entrance Key" which is the unlock button 49b associated with the second electric lock 3b is displayed. When the unlock button 49b is touched, an unlock signal is sent to the second electric lock 3b, and the lock is unlocked.

[0024] The same operation is performed when a call from the second handset 2b or the third handset 2c is answered first. For example, when a call from the second handset 2b is received first, a communication path is established with the second handset 2b, and the monitor 43 displays the image captured by the camera 22 of the second handset 2b and the unlock button 49b. In this state, when a call from the first handset 2a is received, the "First Entrance" icon A1 is displayed. Then, when the "First Entrance" icon A1 is touched, the display on the monitor 43 switches to the image captured by the camera 22 of the first handset 2a, and the unlock button 49a is displayed next to the unlock button 49b.

[0025] According to the above-described intercom system 1, the unlock button 49 of each electric lock 3 associated with the handset 2 to which a communication path has been formed and the handset 2 to which the image captured by the camera 22 is displayed on the monitor 43 is displayed so as to be capable of being operated to unlock. Therefore, when a communication path is established with an individual handset 2, it is possible to switch to and check the image captured by the camera 22 of another handset 2, and then unlock the electric lock associated with that other handset 2, thereby enabling efficient unlocking operations.

[0026] Furthermore, the intercom system of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the overall configuration of the intercom system as well as the layout configuration displayed on the monitor can be modified as needed.

[0027] For example, in the above embodiment, the image captured by the camera 22 displayed on the monitor 43 is configured to display only the image from the camera 22 of one slave unit 2, but the monitor 43 may be configured to be capable of displaying images captured by the cameras 22 of multiple slave units 2. At this time, the unlock button 49 of each slave unit 2 on which the image captured by the camera 22 is displayed is displayed on the monitor 43. The number of slave units 2 may be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 1··Intercom system, 2··Sub-unit, 3··Electric lock, 4··Main unit, 22··Camera, 41··Handset, 42··Call unit, 43··Monitor, 44··Operation unit, 45··Sub-unit and electric lock memory unit, 46··Main unit CPU (electric lock selection unit), 49··Unlock button, T··Entrance / exit, D··Door.

Claims

1. An intercom system having a slave unit that is installed at the entrance of a building and has a function for a visitor to call the person to be visited and a camera that takes an image of the visitor, a master unit that has a function for responding to a call from the slave unit and making a call, a monitor that displays the image taken by the camera, and a master unit that has an unlock button that unlocks an electric lock installed on the door of the entrance, the unlock button is a touch button displayed on the monitor, An intercom system characterized in that when the image captured by the camera is displayed on the monitor and / or when a communication path is established between the handset and the base unit, the unlock button that can be operated to unlock the door is displayed on the monitor.

2. There are a plurality of entrances, and the slave unit and the electric lock are provided at each of the entrances, The master unit has a slave unit / electric lock storage unit that stores the association between each slave unit and the electric lock, and an electric lock selection unit that selects the electric lock that can be unlocked and controls the display of the unlock button on the monitor, 2. The intercom system according to claim 1, wherein the electric lock selection unit displays the unlock button that can be operated to unlock the door on the monitor.

3. the base unit is capable of displaying on the monitor an image captured by the camera of another of the slave units when forming a communication path with the slave unit; The intercom system described in claim 2, characterized in that the electric lock selection unit displays on the monitor the unlock buttons of the electric locks associated with the sub-units that form a communication path with the base unit and the other sub-units on which the camera's image is displayed on the monitor.

Images