Intercom System

Abstract

To provide an intercom system that can accurately convey information a user want to convey.SOLUTION: An intercom system includes an entrance terminal and an indoor terminal, the entrance terminal includes a call operation unit that calls the indoor terminal, an entrance-side text input unit that inputs a text, an entrance-side text display unit that displays the text input from the entrance-side text input unit, and an entrance-side communication unit that transmits text information related to the text input from the entrance-side text input unit to the indoor terminal, and the indoor terminal includes an indoor speaker that generates a ringing tone when the call operation unit is operated, and an indoor text display unit that displays text related to the text information input from the entrance-side text input unit and transmitted by the entrance-side text communication unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an intercom system for use in a home, building, or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Intercom systems are used in homes and offices to notify the presence of visitors inside the home. Conventional intercom systems have a microphone and speaker on the front door terminal and on the indoor terminal, respectively, allowing communication between the visitor and the person who is handling the call. Intercom systems that record the visitor's voice and send the recorded data by email have also been proposed (see Patent Document 1, etc.).

[0003] However, in conventional intercom systems, since information is communicated by voice, problems can arise in which the intended information cannot be conveyed accurately, or information that is not intended to be conveyed is conveyed. For example, there are cases where the meaning is not conveyed accurately due to homonyms or differences in accent due to dialect, and cases where the gender or age of the person answering the phone can be guessed based on the pitch of the voice, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-176504 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and relates to an intercom system that can more accurately convey desired information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The intercom system according to the present invention comprises: An intercom system having an entrance terminal and an indoor terminal, the entrance terminal has a call operation unit for calling the indoor terminal, an entrance microphone for acquiring voice, an entrance speaker for outputting voice from the indoor terminal, an entrance text input unit for inputting text, an entrance text display unit for displaying text input from the entrance text input unit, and an entrance communication unit for transmitting, to the indoor terminal, voice information relating to the voice acquired by the entrance microphone and text information relating to the text input from the entrance text input unit; The indoor terminal has an indoor microphone that acquires voice, an indoor speaker that generates a call tone in response to operation of the call operation unit and outputs voice related to the voice information acquired by the entrance side microphone and transmitted by the entrance side communication unit, an indoor text display unit that displays text related to the text information input from the entrance side text input unit and transmitted by the entrance side communication unit, and an indoor communication unit that transmits voice information related to the voice acquired by the indoor side microphone to the entrance terminal.

[0007] In the intercom system according to the present invention, the entrance terminal has an entrance-side text input unit, so that the visitor can input text to convey accurate information to the indoor terminal without any excess or deficiency. For example, it is possible to prevent information transmission errors due to homonyms or differences in accents that tend to occur when transmitting information by voice.

[0008] Also, for example, the indoor terminal may have a response operation unit capable of selecting between a voice response and a text response, and an indoor text input unit for inputting text, The indoor side text display unit may display a text input from the indoor side text input unit in addition to a text input from the entrance side text input unit, The indoor communication unit may transmit text information related to the text input from the indoor text input unit to the entrance terminal, The entrance side text display unit may display, in addition to the text input from the entrance side text input unit, text related to text information input from the indoor side text input unit and transmitted by the indoor side communication unit.

[0009] This type of intercom system allows text input at both the entrance terminal and the indoor terminal, enabling accurate and precise textual communication between the visitor and the person answering the phone. In addition, the indoor terminal's response operation unit allows the person answering the phone to choose between voice and text (character) responses depending on the situation. For example, by choosing to answer in text, the person answering the phone can prevent the visitor from guessing the person's gender and age.

[0010] Also, for example, the indoor terminal may have a storage unit that stores text information input from the entrance-side text input unit and transmitted by the entrance-side communication unit, The indoor text display unit may display text related to the text information stored in the storage unit.

[0011] With this type of intercom system, if there is no response to a call, a visitor can leave a written message, and the absent responder can later check the written message by operating the indoor terminal.

[0012] Also, for example, the indoor terminal may have an external communication unit that communicates text information input from the entrance-side text input unit and transmitted by the entrance-side communication unit to a specified terminal via an external communication network.

[0013] According to such an intercom system, a person who answers the phone can receive text information on a specific terminal such as a mobile phone, and can check, even when away from home, text entered by a visitor who arrives while the person is not at home.

[0014] Also, for example, the entrance side text input unit may be capable of short-range wireless communication with the entrance side communication unit of the entrance terminal, and the entrance terminal may acquire text information regarding the text input from the entrance side text input unit via the entrance side communication unit.

[0015] The entrance-side text input unit may be one that communicates with the entrance-side communication unit of the entrance terminal via short-range wireless communication, and such an entrance-side input unit does not need to be fixed to the entrance wall, thereby improving input operability. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an intercom system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an external view showing an example of an entrance terminal in the intercom system shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an external view showing an example of an indoor terminal in the intercom system shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an external view showing an example of a mobile phone that communicates via an external communication unit in the intercom system shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the intercom system shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an intercom system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the intercom system 10 has an entrance terminal 20 and an indoor terminal 40. Fig. 2 is an external view showing an example of the entrance terminal 20, and Fig. 3 is an external view showing an example of the indoor terminal 40.

[0018] The entrance terminal 20 shown in Fig. 2 is installed on the wall outside the entrance of a detached house, on the wall outside the common entrance of a collective housing such as an apartment building, or on the wall next to the door of an individual room, or on the wall of the entrance floor of a commercial building, and is used by visitors. On the other hand, the indoor terminal 40 shown in Fig. 3 is installed in the living room of a detached house or an apartment building, or in the reception area or on a floor of a building or office, and is used by people who greet visitors, such as residents of the house or users of the office. The entrance terminal 20 and the indoor terminal 40 communicate with each other via the entrance side communication unit 25 and the indoor side communication unit 45.

[0019] 1 and 2, the entrance terminal 20 has a call operation unit 21, an entrance microphone 22, an entrance speaker 23, a camera 24, an entrance communication unit 25, an entrance text input unit 26, a selection operation unit 28, an entrance text display unit 27, and a control unit 29. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the entrance terminal 20 is supplied with power from an AC (commercial) power source, a battery, or the like.

[0020] The call operation unit 21 of the entrance terminal 20 calls the indoor terminal 40 (see FIG. 3) shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the call operation unit 21 is composed of a push button and the like. When a visitor presses the call operation unit 21, the control unit 29 of the entrance terminal 20 and the like detects the operation signal, and the signal is transmitted to the control unit 49 of the indoor terminal 40 via the entrance side communication unit 25, and a ring tone is output from the indoor side speaker 43 of the indoor terminal 40 shown in FIG. 3. In this way, in the intercom system 10, when the call operation unit 21 of the entrance terminal 20 is pressed, a ring tone is generated in the indoor terminal 40, and it is possible to notify a person who answers the phone near the indoor terminal 40 that a visitor has arrived at the entrance or the like.

[0021] The entrance microphone 22 operates under the control of the control unit 29 and captures the voice of a visitor operating the entrance terminal 20. The voice captured by the entrance microphone 22 is sent to the indoor terminal 40 in the form of an electrical signal and transmitted to the responder via the indoor speaker 43. The entrance speaker 23 also outputs the voice from the indoor terminal 40 that is captured by the indoor microphone 42 of the indoor terminal 40 and transmitted by the indoor communication unit 45. A visitor operating the entrance terminal 20 of the intercom system 10 can have a voice conversation with the responder using the indoor terminal 40 by transmitting his / her voice to the responder via the entrance microphone 22 and listening to the responder's voice via the entrance speaker 23.

[0022] 1 and 3, camera 24 is composed of a digital camera or the like, and operates under the control of control unit 29 to capture an image of a visitor operating entrance terminal 20. The image captured by camera 24, like the audio picked up by entrance-side microphone 22, is transmitted to indoor terminal 40 in the form of an electrical signal.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the entrance-side text input unit 26 is an interface for a visitor to input text, and is composed of a text input interface such as a keyboard or character input button, which allows the visitor to input text with his / her fingers. As shown in FIG. 2, the entrance-side text input unit 26 has a kana input key that switches and inputs kana for each row from "a row" to "o row" depending on the number of times it is pressed, a kanji conversion key, a decision key, and the like. However, the entrance-side text input unit 26 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 2, and may be one that inputs romaji kana, may be one that is composed of an electronic keyboard, and may be any type of interface that allows the visitor to input text by specifying characters including hiragana, katakana, and kanji.

[0024] Entrance terminal 20 has entrance-side text display unit 27 configured with a display unit such as a liquid crystal or organic electroluminescence display unit, and entrance-side text display unit 27 displays text input by a visitor through entrance-side text input unit 26. The visitor can input text through entrance-side text input unit 26 while checking the text displayed on entrance-side text display unit 27.

[0025] 2, the entrance-side text display unit 27 displays text related to text information input by the attendant through the indoor-side text input unit 46 and transmitted by the indoor-side communication unit 45, in addition to text input by the visitor through the entrance-side text input unit 26. This allows the visitor operating the entrance terminal 20 to have a text conversation (text chat) with the attendant using the indoor terminal 40 by inputting text through the entrance-side text input unit 26 while reading the display content of the entrance-side text display unit 27.

[0026] 2, selection operation unit 28 is a button (key) that a visitor selects when starting text input. When selection operation unit 28 is pressed, control unit 29 causes entrance terminal 20 to enter a state in which text can be input using entrance-side text input unit 26. Note that control unit 29 of entrance terminal 20 may press down any button (key) of entrance-side text input unit 26 to cause entrance terminal 20 to enter a state in which text can be input using entrance-side text input unit 26, in which case selection operation unit 28 may not be required.

[0027] 1 transmits audio information related to voice acquired by the entrance-side microphone 22 and text information related to text input from the entrance-side text input unit 26 to the indoor terminal 40. Communication between the entrance terminal 20 and the indoor terminal 40 using the entrance-side communication unit 25 and the indoor communication unit 45 may be transmission and reception of signals via a communication cable or the like, or wireless communication such as Wi-Fi.

[0028] The control unit 29 is composed of a microprocessor, an IC chip, or the like, and controls the operation of each unit of the entrance terminal 20. The control unit 29 cooperates with the control unit 49 of the indoor terminal 40, or is controlled by the control unit 49 of the indoor terminal 40 to control the operation of the entrance terminal 20. The entrance terminal 20 may operate under the control of the control unit 49 of the indoor terminal 40, or a central control unit (not shown) that controls the entire intercom system.

[0029] 1, the indoor terminal 40 has a voice response operation unit 41a, a text response operation unit 41b, an indoor microphone 42, an indoor speaker 43, an indoor communication unit 45, a video display unit 44, an indoor text input unit 46, an indoor text display unit 47, a control unit 49, a memory unit 51, and an external communication unit 52. Like the entrance terminal 20, each unit of the indoor terminal 40 is supplied with power from an AC (commercial) power source, a battery, etc.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 3, the indoor terminal 40 has a voice response operation unit 41a and a text response operation unit 41b as response operation units. As will be described later with reference to Fig. 5, the person operating the indoor terminal 40 can select whether to respond by voice or by text to a visitor operating the entrance terminal 20 by selectively operating the voice response operation unit 41a and the text response operation unit 41b. The voice response operation unit 41a and the text response operation unit 41b are configured as buttons that can be pressed by the person operating the indoor terminal 40, but the response operation unit may also be configured as a change-over switch or the like.

[0031] The indoor microphone 42 is operated by the control unit 49 of the indoor terminal 40 and captures the voice of the person who operates the indoor terminal 40. The voice captured by the indoor microphone 42 is sent to the entrance terminal 20 in the form of an electric signal and is transmitted to the visitor via the entrance-side speaker 23. The indoor speaker 43 generates a call tone in response to the operation of the call operation unit 21 of the entrance terminal 20, and notifies the person who responds of the presence of the visitor who is operating the entrance terminal 20. The indoor speaker 43 also outputs a voice related to the voice information captured by the entrance-side microphone 22 and transmitted by the entrance-side communication unit 25. The person who operates the indoor terminal 40 of the intercom system 10 can have a voice conversation with the visitor who uses the entrance terminal 20 by transmitting his / her voice to the visitor via the indoor microphone 42 and listening to the visitor's voice via the indoor speaker 43.

[0032] 3, the video display unit 44 of the indoor terminal 40 displays the video (including still images and videos) captured by the camera 24 of the entrance terminal 20, and informs the attendant of the figure and face of the visitor operating the entrance terminal 20. The video of the camera 24 is transmitted to the indoor terminal 40 by the entrance-side communication unit 25.

[0033] The indoor text input unit 46 shown in Fig. 3 is an interface for the attendant to input text, and is configured as a text input interface such as a keyboard or character input buttons for the attendant to input text with his / her fingers, similar to the entrance-side text input unit 26 shown in Fig. 2. The indoor text input unit 46, like the entrance-side text input unit 26, is not limited to the kana input keys shown in Fig. 3, and may be an interface of another type.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the indoor terminal 40 has an indoor text display unit 47 configured with a display unit such as a liquid crystal or an organic electroluminescence (EL), and the indoor text display unit 47 displays text related to text information inputted by a visitor from the entrance text input unit 26 and transmitted by the entrance communication unit 25. The indoor text display unit 47 also displays text inputted by a responder from the indoor text input unit 46 in addition to text inputted by a visitor from the entrance text input unit 26. The intercom system 10 having such an indoor text input unit 46 and indoor text display unit 47, and the entrance text input unit 26 and entrance text display unit 27 allows a text conversation (text chat) to be carried out between a responder operating the indoor terminal 40 and a visitor operating the entrance terminal 20. The responder can input text using the indoor text input unit 46 while checking the text displayed on the indoor text display unit 47.

[0035] 1 transmits audio information relating to the voice acquired by the indoor microphone 42 to the entrance terminal 20. The indoor communication unit 45 also transmits text information relating to the text inputted from the indoor text input unit 46 to the entrance terminal 20.

[0036] The storage unit 51 is composed of a semiconductor memory or the like, and stores text information input by a visitor through the entrance-side text input unit 26 and transmitted by the entrance-side communication unit 25. The storage unit 51 also stores video captured by the camera 24 and transmitted by the entrance-side communication unit 25. The storage unit 51 may store all text information and video, or may store only part of the text information and video, such as text information and video when the person answering the call does not respond.

[0037] The indoor side text display unit 47 of the indoor terminal 40 can display text related to text information stored in the memory unit 51, and the video display unit 44 can display video stored in the memory unit 51. In this way, in the intercom system 10, text entered by a visitor into the entrance terminal 20 when you are not at home and video of the visitor when you are not at home can be checked later on the indoor terminal 40. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the indoor side text display unit 47 and the video display unit 44 are configured by separate display panels, but one display panel may serve as both the indoor side text display unit 47 and the video display unit 44.

[0038] The control unit 49 of the indoor terminal 40 shown in FIG. 1 is configured with a microprocessor, an IC chip, and the like, similar to the control unit 29 of the entrance terminal 20.

[0039] 1 communicates text information input from entrance-side text input unit 26 and transmitted by the entrance-side communication unit to a predetermined terminal such as a mobile phone (smartphone) 60 via an external communication network such as the Internet 80. In addition, external communication unit 52 can also transmit to mobile phone 60 audio information acquired by entrance-side microphone 22 and transmitted by entrance-side communication unit 25, and video acquired by camera 24 and transmitted by entrance-side communication unit 25.

[0040] The predetermined terminal with which the external communication unit 52 of the indoor terminal 40 communicates text information may be a mobile phone 60 owned by the respondent, or a tablet or laptop computer that the respondent carries when going out. As shown in Fig. 1, the mobile phone 60 has a mobile microphone 62, a mobile speaker 63, a mobile communication unit 65, an input display unit 66 composed of a touch panel or the like, a control unit 69 composed of a microprocessor or the like, and the like.

[0041] 4 is an external view showing an example of a mobile phone 60 communicating via an external communication unit 52. A control unit 69 (see FIG. 1) of the mobile phone 60 can cause the mobile phone 60 to function as an indoor terminal 40 by controlling the mobile phone microphone 62, the mobile phone speaker 63, the mobile phone communication unit 65, and the input display unit 66. For example, by displaying text information transmitted from the external communication unit 52 on the input display unit 66 of the mobile phone 60, it is possible to check text input by a visitor to the entrance terminal 20 while the visitor was away.

[0042] In addition, for example, by having mobile phone 60 exchange voice and text information with entrance terminal 20 in real time via indoor terminal 40, a person who answers the phone can operate mobile phone 60 from outside and have a voice conversation or text conversation with a visitor who is operating entrance terminal 20.

[0043] The intercom system 10 will be described in further detail with reference to a flowchart of Fig. 5 showing an example of the operation of the intercom system 10. However, the operation of the intercom system 10 is not limited to only the example shown in Fig. 5.

[0044] 5, when a predetermined visitor presses down the call operation unit 21 of the entrance terminal 20 and the entrance terminal 20 detects the input signal, the intercom system 10 starts a series of operations for the predetermined visitor. Next, in step S002, the camera 24 of the entrance terminal 20 starts capturing images, and the entrance side communication unit 25 communicates with the indoor terminal 40. Upon receiving the communication, the indoor terminal 40 operates the indoor side speaker 43 to generate a ring tone, and displays the image captured by the camera 24 on the image display unit 44.

[0045] Next, in step S003, either the voice response operation unit 41a or the text response operation unit 41b of the indoor terminal 40 shown in Fig. 3 is pressed down by the responder, and the intercom system 10 judges whether an input signal of either the voice response operation unit 41a or the text response operation unit 41b is detected. If an input signal of either the voice response operation unit 41a or the text response operation unit 41b is detected, it is determined that there is a response, and the process proceeds to step S004, whereas if neither input signal is detected, it is determined that there is no response, and the process proceeds to step S007.

[0046] Next, in step S004, it is determined whether the detected input signal of the response operation unit is an input signal of the text response operation unit 41b. If the detected input signal is an input signal of the text response operation unit 41b, the process proceeds to step S005, and if it is not an input signal of the text response operation unit 41b (i.e., if it is an input signal of the voice response operation unit 41a), the process proceeds to step S006. The determination of each step is performed by the control unit 49 of the indoor terminal 40.

[0047] In step S005, the intercom system 10 performs a text response (text conversation) to the visitor by the person responding. Specifically, the intercom system 10 detects input signals from the entrance side and room side text input units 26, 46, and displays the text input by the visitor and the person responding on the entrance side and room side text display units 27, 47 by mutual communication between the entrance terminal 20 and the room terminal 40. When the text chat ends, the process proceeds to step S010, and the series of operations ends.

[0048] Meanwhile, in step S006, the intercom system 10 performs voice response (voice conversation) to the visitor by the person answering the call. Specifically, in the intercom system 10, the entrance side and indoor side microphones 22, 42 pick up the voices of the visitor and the person answering the call, and the entrance side terminal 20 and the indoor terminal 40 communicate with each other and output the voices from the entrance side and indoor side speakers 23, 43, thereby transmitting each person's voice to the other person. When the voice conversation ends, the process proceeds to step S010, and the series of operations ends.

[0049] 5, it is determined whether or not a message has been input by a visitor to the entrance terminal 20 of the intercom system 10. If a message has been input to the entrance terminal 20 via the entrance-side message input unit 26, the intercom system 10 proceeds to processing in step S008, and if no message has been input, the intercom system 10 proceeds to processing in step S009.

[0050] In step S008, the video captured by camera 24 and text information related to the text entered by the visitor are stored in storage unit 51 of indoor terminal 40, and then the process proceeds to step S010, where the series of operations is terminated. In contrast, in step S009, only the video captured by camera 24 is stored in storage unit 51 of indoor terminal 40, and then the process proceeds to step S010, where the series of operations is terminated.

[0051] As described above, intercom system 10 allows a visitor to input text from entrance terminal 20 and transmit the text to the person answering the phone. Therefore, intercom system 10 can transmit accurate information to the person answering the phone, without excess or deficiency. Intercom system 10 can also prevent information transmission errors caused by homonyms or differences in accent, which tend to occur when transmitting voice information.

[0052] Furthermore, with the intercom system 10, the person answering the phone can choose between voice and written (text) responses depending on the situation. For example, by choosing written responses, the person answering the phone can prevent crime prevention problems such as the visitor guessing the person's gender and age. Furthermore, being able to answer in text allows for a safer response, which is beneficial for both the visitor and the person answering the phone, as it allows communication by text in cases where previously the visitor had to pretend not to be home.

[0053] Furthermore, in the intercom system 10, when there is no response to a visitor's call, the visitor can leave a message in the form of text data. This allows the visitor to convey his / her name, affiliation, purpose of the visit, contact information, etc. to the person answering the phone in an accurate and easily accessible form.

[0054] Furthermore, the intercom system 10 allows the attendant to communicate with the visitor from outside the home using the mobile phone 60 or the like, allowing for convenient and safe attendance.

[0055] Although the intercom system according to the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but includes various other embodiments and modified examples. For example, the entrance terminal 20 and the indoor terminal 40 are not limited to the shapes shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, but may have a handset-type microphone and speaker, or may have a camera separated from the main body.

[0056] Furthermore, entrance-side text input unit 26 of entrance terminal 20 is not limited to being fixed to the main body as shown in Fig. 2. For example, the entrance-side text input unit may be separate from the entrance terminal main body, such as camera 24 fixed to a wall, and capable of short-distance silent communication with the entrance-side communication unit of the entrance terminal. In this case, the entrance terminal obtains text information related to the text input from the entrance-side text input unit via the entrance-side communication unit possessed by the entrance terminal main body. In this way, by separating the entrance-side text input unit from the entrance terminal main body, it is possible to make it easier for visitors to input text.

[0057] 1 includes one entrance terminal 20 and one indoor terminal 40, but the intercom system 10 is not limited to this. The intercom system 10 may have a plurality of either or both of the entrance terminal 20 and the indoor terminal 40. In cases where the intercom system 10 includes a plurality of indoor terminals 40, the connection of the indoor terminal 40 to an external communication network and the communication with the mobile phone 60 may be performed via a management server or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10. Intercom system 20…Entrance terminal 21...Call operation section 22…Entrance microphone 23…Entrance speaker 24…Camera 25…Entrance communication section 26…Text input section at entrance 27…Text display section on entrance side 28...Selection operation section 29, 49, 69…Control section 40…Indoor terminal 41a…Voice response operation unit 41b…Text response operation unit 42…Indoor microphone 43…Indoor speaker 44...Video display section 45…Indoor communication section 46…Indoor text input section 47…Indoor text display section 51...Storage section 52…External Communications Department 60…Cell phone 62…Mobile phone microphone 63…Mobile phone speaker 66…Input display section 65...Mobile communication section 80…Internet

Claims

1. An intercom system having an entrance terminal and an indoor terminal, the entrance terminal has a call operation unit for calling the indoor terminal, an entrance microphone for acquiring voice, an entrance speaker for outputting voice from the indoor terminal, an entrance text input unit for inputting text, an entrance text display unit for displaying text input from the entrance text input unit, and an entrance communication unit for transmitting, to the indoor terminal, voice information relating to the voice acquired by the entrance microphone and text information relating to the text input from the entrance text input unit; The indoor terminal has an indoor microphone for acquiring voice, an indoor speaker for generating a call tone in response to an operation of the call operation unit and outputting voice related to the voice information acquired by the entrance side microphone and transmitted by the entrance side communication unit, an indoor text display unit for displaying text related to the text information input from the entrance side text input unit and transmitted by the entrance side communication unit, and an indoor communication unit for transmitting voice information related to the voice acquired by the indoor microphone to the entrance terminal, the indoor terminal has an external communication unit that communicates text information input from the entrance-side text input unit and transmitted by the entrance-side communication unit to a predetermined terminal via an external communication network; The indoor terminal exchanges text information in real time with the entrance terminal and the specified terminal, thereby enabling a text conversation to take place between a visitor operating the entrance terminal and a person operating the specified terminal communicating via the external communication network.

2. The indoor terminal has a response operation unit that can select either a voice response or a text response when the call operation unit of the entrance terminal is operated, and an indoor text input unit that inputs a text when the text response is used, When the voice response is selected in the response operation unit, the entrance side microphone and the indoor side microphone acquire audio, the entrance terminal and the indoor terminal communicate with each other, and the audio acquired by the indoor side microphone and the entrance side microphone is output from the entrance side speaker and the indoor side speaker, When the sentence response is selected in the response operation unit, The indoor side text display unit displays the text input from the indoor side text input unit in addition to the text input from the entrance side text input unit, The indoor communication unit transmits text information related to the text input from the indoor text input unit to the entrance terminal, The intercom system of claim 1, wherein the entrance side text display unit displays, in addition to the text input from the entrance side text input unit, text related to text information input from the indoor side text input unit and transmitted by the indoor side communication unit.

3. The entrance terminal further has a camera for photographing a visitor, The entrance communication unit transmits the image captured by the camera to the indoor terminal in the form of an electrical signal, The intercom system described in claim 1, wherein the external communication unit possessed by the indoor terminal communicates text information input from the entrance side text input unit and transmitted by the entrance side communication unit, audio information acquired by the entrance side microphone, and the image captured by the camera to the specified terminal via the external communication network.

4. the indoor terminal has a storage unit that stores text information input from the entrance-side text input unit and transmitted by the entrance-side communication unit; The intercom system according to claim 1 , wherein the indoor text display unit displays text related to the text information stored in the storage unit.

5. The intercom system described in claim 1, wherein the entrance side text input unit is capable of short-range wireless communication with the entrance side communication unit of the entrance terminal, and the entrance terminal acquires text information regarding the text input from the entrance side text input unit via the entrance side communication unit.

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