Apartment building intercom system

Abstract

We provide an intercom system for apartment buildings that can prevent packages delivered to the delivery area from being stolen by third parties. [Solution] After the package is placed in the delivery area S, the package monitoring unit of the living room master unit 3, whenever a person is captured by the camera 21 of the entrance sub-unit 2, has the person identification unit extract an image that can authenticate the person captured by the camera 21, compare that image with the stored resident images, and make an identification determination as to whether the person captured by the camera 21 is a resident or not. As a result, even if the person captured is not identified as a resident, if the movement of the package from the delivery area S is detected, the speaker 24 of the entrance sub-unit 2 will emit a warning sound for a predetermined warning time.

Description

[[TECHNICAL FIELD]]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apartment house intercom system capable of monitoring packages delivered in front of the entrance of a dwelling unit. [[BACKGROUND ART]]

[0002] As a conventionally well-known apartment house intercom system, there is a system configured as follows: a visitor operates a collective entrance machine installed at the entrance of the apartment house to call the resident of the visited destination; when the automatic door installed at the entrance is unlocked by the resident, the visitor then operates an entrance slave unit installed at the entrance machine of the visited dwelling unit to call the resident again, and finally has the door of the dwelling unit unlocked (for example, Patent Document 1). [[PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS]] [[PATENT DOCUMENTS]]

[0003] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-135274 [[SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] In recent years, apartment house intercom systems have been required to support non-face-to-face package receiving systems, so-called unattended delivery, in which packages are delivered to a predetermined delivery area such as in front of an entrance instead of the resident receiving the package in person. In particular, there is a demand for being able to address the problem that packages delivered to the delivery area may be taken away by a third party.

[0005] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an apartment house intercom system capable of suppressing the situation where a package delivered to a delivery area is taken away by a third party. [[Means for Solving the Problem]]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the invention described in claim 1 of the present invention is an intercom system for an apartment building comprising: a main entrance unit installed in the entrance of the apartment building for visitors to call residents; an apartment master unit installed in each apartment to respond to calls; a control unit that controls communication between the main entrance unit and the apartment master unit; an entrance sub-unit installed in front of each apartment's entrance to call the apartment master unit; a monitoring and control means for monitoring packages being delivered to a predetermined delivery area in front of the entrance; and a notification means that performs notification operations in a predetermined manner, wherein the entrance sub-unit is equipped with a camera capable of capturing images of the area in front of the entrance, including the delivery area; the monitoring and control means stores resident images for authenticating residents of apartments; and after the camera detects that a package is being delivered to the delivery area, the monitoring and control means, when an image of a person is captured by the camera, identifies whether or not the person is a resident from the image of the person and the resident image; and when the movement of the package from the delivery area is detected while the person has not been identified as a resident, the notification means notifies the person of the situation. According to the invention described in claim 1, the entrance intercom is equipped with a camera capable of capturing images of the area in front of the entrance, including the delivery area, and the monitoring and control means is equipped with a resident image for authenticating the resident of the room. Then, under the control of the monitoring and control means, after the camera detects that a package is being delivered to the delivery area, if a person is captured by the camera, it is determined whether or not the person is a resident based on the image of the person and the resident image. Furthermore, if the movement of the package from the delivery area is detected when the person has not been identified as a resident, the notification means notifies the public of the situation.Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the situation in which a package delivered to the delivery area is taken away by a third party other than the resident.

[0007] The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 1, a server device is provided which stores information relating to the package ID and the delivery destination and delivery method of the package, and the controller and the server device are able to communicate with each other, and an automatic door separates the outside side from the residential side at the entrance, and is provided which is passed through when proceeding from the entrance to the residential area, and an automatic door control means for controlling the locking and unlocking of the automatic door, and when the package ID is entered at the main entrance machine, the controller transmits the package ID to the server device, the delivery destination and delivery method of the package are confirmed at the server device, and when it is determined that the package is to be delivered to the delivery area, a permission signal is transmitted to the controller, and the automatic door control means unlocks the automatic door upon receiving the permission signal at the controller. According to the invention described in claim 2, when a package ID is entered into the main entrance unit, the control unit transmits the package ID to the server device. The server device confirms the delivery destination and delivery method of the package, and if it determines that the package is designated for delivery to a specific delivery area, it transmits a permission signal to the control unit. The automatic door control means unlocks the automatic door upon receiving the permission signal from the control unit. Therefore, delivery personnel can proceed smoothly to the front door of the apartment where the package will be delivered simply by entering the package ID into the main entrance unit, resulting in a user-friendly intercom system for apartment buildings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the entrance station is equipped with a camera capable of capturing images of the area in front of the entrance, including the delivery area, and the monitoring and control means stores images of residents for authentication purposes. Under the control of the monitoring and control means, after the camera detects that a package is being delivered to the delivery area, if a person is captured by the camera, the system identifies whether or not the person is a resident based on the image of the person and the resident's image. If the system detects that the package is moving out of the delivery area when the person has not been identified as a resident, the system notifies the system of this situation. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent packages delivered to the delivery area from being taken away by third parties other than residents. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an intercom system for apartment buildings according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the main components of the apartment building intercom system according to the present invention, arranged in functional blocks. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The following describes in detail, based on the drawings, an intercom system for apartment buildings, which is one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing the intercom system for apartment buildings according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the main components of the intercom system for apartment buildings according to the present invention, arranged in functional blocks.

[0011] The apartment building intercom system consists of a main entrance unit 1 installed at the building's entrance for visitors (including delivery personnel) to call residents, entrance units 2, 2... installed next to the entrance 8 of each apartment to call residents, apartment master units 3, 3... installed inside each apartment for residents to answer calls, management room master unit 4 installed in the management room for communication between the manager and residents or visitors, and a control unit 5 for controlling communication between these devices. The building's entrance also has an automatic door 7 that separates the outside from the living area and must be passed through to enter the living area. The lock on the automatic door 7 is controlled by the control unit 5. The main entrance unit 1 and the control unit 5 are connected via transmission line L1, the management room master unit 4 and the control unit 5 are connected via transmission line L2, and the automatic door 7 and the control unit 5 are connected via transmission line L3. The apartment master units 3, 3... and the control unit 5 are connected via master unit trunk line L4. Furthermore, the control unit 5 is connected to the server device 6 via the internet N.

[0012] The main entrance unit 1 comprises a camera 11 for capturing images of visitors, a microphone 12 and speaker 13 for communication between visitors and residents, an operation unit 14 for visitors to input the room number to call (the room number of the destination), a display unit 15 for displaying the operation details, a main entrance unit control unit 16 for controlling the operation of the main entrance unit 1 itself, and a main entrance unit communication IF 17 for communicating with the control unit 5.

[0013] The entrance station 2 comprises a camera 21 for capturing images of the delivery area S in front of the entrance 8 of the living room and visitors, a call button 22 for visitors to call the resident, a microphone 23 and speaker 24 for making calls, a sub-unit control unit 25 for controlling the entrance station 2 itself, and a sub-unit communication IF 26 for communicating with the living room master unit 3.

[0014] The room master unit 3 includes a call button 31 for responding to calls from the main entrance unit 1 or the door station 2 installed in conjunction with the room master unit 3, a microphone 32 and speaker 33 for making calls when responding, an operation unit 34 for performing various operations, a display unit 35 for displaying various information in addition to images captured by the camera 11 of the main entrance unit 1 or the camera 21 of the door station 2, a master unit control unit 36 ​​for controlling the room master unit 3 itself, a master unit first communication IF 37 for communicating with the control unit 5, and a master unit second communication IF 38 for communicating with the door station 2 installed in conjunction with it. The master unit control unit 36 ​​is also equipped with a person identification unit 36a for person identification as described later, and a package monitoring unit 36b for monitoring packages placed in the delivery area S.

[0015] The control unit 5 comprises a room floor information storage unit 51 for storing the relationship between room numbers and room floors, a control unit control unit 52 for controlling the operation of the control unit 5 itself and for controlling the opening and closing of the automatic door 7, and a control unit communication IF 53 for communicating with the main entrance unit 1, room master units 3, 3..., management room master unit 4, automatic door 7, and server device 6.

[0016] The control of package delivery in the aforementioned apartment building intercom system is as follows: Furthermore, the server device 6 stores in advance the package ID attached to the package, the delivery destination (address, including the apartment number in the case of an apartment building), and the delivery method (i.e., whether or not it is designated as a contactless delivery) before the package is delivered. In addition, the person identification unit 36a of the apartment master unit 3 stores in advance the resident image for authentication purposes. Moreover, a designated area in front of the entrance 8 is designated as the delivery area S for contactless delivery, and the package monitoring unit 36b has the coordinates of the delivery area S in the video captured by the camera 21 of the entrance sub-unit 2 pre-set.

[0017] When a delivery person operates the main entrance unit 1 and enters the room number of the destination and initiates a call, the control unit 5 controls the room master unit 3 installed in the room corresponding to the entered room number, which then transmits a call signal. Upon receiving the call signal, the room master unit 3 sounds a call tone to inform the resident that a visitor, in this case a delivery person, has arrived. In addition, upon receiving the operation of the main entrance unit 1 by the delivery person, the main entrance unit 1 starts imaging with the camera 11, and along with transmitting the call signal as described above, the image captured by the camera 11 is transmitted to the room master unit 3 via the control unit 5 and displayed on the display unit 35 of the room master unit 3.

[0018] Here, if a resident is present in their room and recognizes the call by the ringing tone, they respond using the room master unit 3. This establishes a communication path between the room master unit 3 and the main entrance unit 1, enabling communication between the delivery person and the resident. Furthermore, if the resident performs a predetermined unlocking operation using the control unit 34 while communicating with the delivery person, an unlocking signal is transmitted to the automatic door 7 via the controller 5, causing the automatic door 7 to unlock and open. Consequently, the delivery person passes through the automatic door 7 into the residential area and then calls the entrance unit 2 of the room to be delivered. Upon receiving this call, the entrance unit 2 starts capturing images with the camera 21 and transmits the captured image (including the delivery person who pressed the call button 22) to the room master unit 3. The room master unit 3 then displays the captured image on the display unit 35 and sounds a ringing tone to inform the resident that the delivery person has arrived in front of their room.

[0019] On the other hand, if a resident is present but the room master unit 3 is unable to respond, or if the resident is not present at all, and a predetermined waiting time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since the call operation at the main entrance unit 1 without a response from the room master unit 3, the control unit 5 sends a delivery mode signal to the main entrance unit 1, causing the main entrance unit 1 to switch from normal mode to delivery mode. When the main entrance unit 1 is in delivery mode, the display unit 15 requests input of the package ID attached to the package. Once the delivery company inputs the package ID, the control unit 5 sends the package ID and the room number entered during the call operation to the server device 6. Based on the received package ID and room number, the server device 6 checks whether the package is designated for delivery and, if it determines that it is, sends a permission signal to the control unit 5. Upon receiving the permission signal from the server device 6, the control unit 5 unlocks and opens the automatic door 7, and returns the main entrance unit 1 to normal mode. Furthermore, upon receiving the permission signal, the control unit 5 extracts an image from the video captured by the camera 11 of the main entrance unit 1 that can authenticate the delivery person as an authentication image, and transmits the authentication image and a monitoring mode signal to the room master unit 3. If the server device 6 determines that the package is not designated for unattended delivery, it transmits a rejection signal to the control unit 5. Upon receiving the rejection signal from the server device 6, the control unit 5 returns the main entrance unit 1 to normal mode, but does not unlock the automatic door 7, nor does it create an authentication image or transmit a monitoring mode signal to the room master unit 3. At this time, the speaker 13 may emit an audible message such as "This package is not designated for unattended delivery."

[0020] When the indoor master unit 3 receives the authentication image from the control device 5, it stores the image in the person identification unit 36a. In addition, upon receiving the monitoring mode signal from the control device 5, the indoor master unit 3 shifts from the normal mode to the monitoring mode and activates the camera 21 of the entrance slave unit 2. Thereafter, when the delivery person who has arrived in front of the entrance 8 of the room is captured by the camera 21, the person identification unit 36a of the indoor master unit 3 extracts an image capable of authenticating the person captured by the camera 21 of the entrance slave unit 2, compares the extracted image with the authentication image stored therein, and performs identification determination on whether the person captured by the camera 21 is the delivery person.

[0021] Then, when the person identification unit 36a identifies that the captured person is the delivery person, the package monitoring unit 36b starts monitoring the package when the delivery person places the package in the delivery area S with coordinates set in advance. That is, the camera 21 continues capturing images in front of the entrance 8, and every time a person is captured after the package is placed, the person identification unit 36a is caused to extract an image capable of authenticating the person captured by the camera 21 of the entrance slave unit 2, compare the image with the stored resident image, and perform identification determination on whether the person captured by the camera 21 is a resident. As a result, although the captured person is not identified as a resident, when movement of the package from the delivery area S is detected, a warning sound is emitted from the speaker 24 of the entrance slave unit 2 for a predetermined warning time (for example, 20 seconds). In addition, the package monitoring unit 36b stores, as suspicious person information, the image and / or video for person identification extracted by the person identification unit 36a when the package is moved from the delivery area S. On the other hand, when the person is identified as a resident, it is determined that the resident has returned home or has come out of the entrance 8, the image capturing by the camera 21 of the entrance slave unit 2 is stopped, and the indoor master unit 3 is restored from the monitoring mode to the normal mode. In addition, if the lock of the entrance 8 is an electric lock or the like and the locked / unlocked state can be detected by the indoor master unit 3, after shifting to the monitoring mode, even when it is detected that the lock of the entrance 8 is unlocked separately from the identification by the person identification unit 36a, the configuration may be such that the image capturing by the camera 21 of the entrance slave unit 2 is stopped and the indoor master unit 3 is restored from the monitoring mode to the normal mode.

[0022] According to the apartment house intercom system having the above configuration, after a package is placed in the delivery area S, the package monitoring unit 36b of the living room master unit 3 causes the person identification unit 36a to extract an image that can authenticate the person captured by the camera 21 of the entrance slave unit 2 every time a person is captured in an image taken by the camera 21, compares the extracted image with the stored resident image, and causes the person identification unit 36a to perform identification judgment on whether the person captured by the camera 21 is a resident. As a result, when movement of the package from the delivery area S is detected even though the captured person has not been identified as a resident, a warning sound is output from the speaker 24 of the entrance slave unit 2 over a predetermined warning period. Therefore, the situation where a package delivered to the delivery area S is taken away by a third party other than the resident can be effectively suppressed.

[0023] Further, when a package ID is input at the collective entrance unit 1 by a delivery company, the controller 5 transmits the package ID and the room number input during a call operation to the server device 6. Based on the received package ID and room number, the server device 6 checks whether the package is designated as an unattended delivery as the delivery form, and when it is determined that the package is designated as an unattended delivery, it transmits a permission signal to the controller 5. Then, when the controller 5 receives the permission signal from the server device 6, it unlocks and consequently opens the automatic door 7. Therefore, the delivery company can smoothly proceed to the front of the entrance 8 of the room that is the delivery destination only by inputting the package ID at the collective entrance unit 1, and the apartment house intercom system can be provided with excellent usability.

[0024] It should be noted that, in the apartment house intercom system according to the present invention, not only the overall configuration of the apartment house intercom system and the overall configuration of each device, but also the configuration related to monitoring packages delivered to the delivery area can be appropriately modified as needed without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0025] For example, in the above embodiment, the speaker of the door station is used as a notification means, but it is also possible to install a red light on the door station as a notification means and configure it to light up or flash for a predetermined warning time. Alternatively, the speaker of the room master unit or the management room master unit may be used as a notification means, or notifications may be sent to a mobile terminal carried by the resident. The installation location and specific structure of the notification means can be modified as appropriate.

[0026] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, if there is no response to a call from the main entrance unit, the system switches to a delivery mode that prompts the user to enter a package ID. However, the system could also be configured to switch to delivery mode by operating the control panel of the main entrance unit in a predetermined manner, or a dedicated button for switching to delivery mode could be provided on the main entrance unit. The design of how the main entrance unit switches to delivery mode can also be modified as appropriate.

[0027] Furthermore, although the above embodiment is configured to authenticate the delivery company when starting to monitor packages, it is also possible to configure the system to start monitoring packages by detecting the presence or absence of packages in the delivery area without performing such authentication.

[0028] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the room master unit switches to monitoring mode upon receiving the input of a package ID. However, the room master unit may be equipped with an operation button to switch to monitoring mode when the resident leaves the house, and the design of how the room master unit switches to monitoring mode can be appropriately modified.

[0029] Furthermore, the resident image may be a facial image of the resident, or a full-body image of the person may be used to identify whether or not they are a resident. In addition, although the above embodiment is configured to directly control the opening and closing of the automatic door, it may also be configured to control the opening and closing of the automatic door via, for example, a communal entrance unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0030] 1. Main entrance unit, 2. Entrance sub-unit, 3. Room master unit, 5. Control unit (automatic door control means), 6. Server device, 7. Automatic door, 8. Entrance, 11. Camera, 14. Operation unit, 21. Camera, 24. Speaker (notification means), 36a. Person identification unit (monitoring and control means), 36b. Package monitoring unit (monitoring and control means), S. Delivery area.

Claims

1. An intercom system for an apartment building comprising: a main entrance unit installed at the entrance of the apartment building for visitors to call residents; an apartment master unit installed in each apartment to answer calls; a control unit that controls communication between the main entrance unit and the apartment master unit; an apartment sub-unit installed in front of the entrance of each apartment to call the apartment master unit; monitoring and control means for monitoring packages being delivered to a predetermined delivery area in front of the entrance; and notification means that perform notification operations in a predetermined manner, The aforementioned door station is equipped with a camera capable of capturing images of the area in front of the entrance, including the delivery area, The monitoring and control means stores an image of the resident for authenticating the occupant of the room. The aforementioned monitoring and control means, after detecting that a package is being delivered to the delivery area by the camera, identifies whether or not a person is a resident based on the image of the person and the resident image when the camera captures an image of the person, and when it is not identified that the person is a resident, it notifies the resident of the situation using the notification means.

2. A server device is provided in which information relating the package ID, the package's delivery destination, and the delivery method is stored in association with each other, and the control unit and the server device are able to communicate with each other. The aforementioned entrance separates the outside from the living area and includes an automatic door through which one passes when proceeding from the entrance to the living area, and an automatic door control means for controlling the locking and unlocking of the automatic door. The apartment building intercom system according to claim 1, characterized in that when the package ID is entered into the collective entrance unit, the control unit transmits the package ID to the server device, the server device confirms the delivery destination and delivery method of the package, and when it determines that the package is designated for delivery to the delivery area, it transmits a permission signal to the control unit, and the auto door control means unlocks the auto door upon receiving the permission signal in the control unit.

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