Intercom System

Abstract

The information recorded in the recording device is output to a terminal device separate from the intercom master unit. [Solution] The intercom system 100 includes an intercom base unit 10 and a recording device 24. The intercom base unit 10 is installed in a dwelling unit 31 of an apartment building 30. The recording device 24 records information output by handsets 21, 22, and 23, which are configured to output information on at least one of visitors and deliveries to a specified space (dwelling unit 31). The intercom base unit 10 includes a communication interface 12 and a processing unit 11. The communication interface 12 includes a wireless communication path and communicates with a terminal device 50 via a transmission path that does not go through an internal communication network. The processing unit 11 outputs the information recorded in the recording device 24 to the terminal device 50 via the communication interface 12. The handsets 21, 22, and 23 include door phone handsets and a lobby intercom connected to the intercom base unit 10 via an internal communication network.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an intercom system. To Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 describes an intercom system that communicates wirelessly between an intercom master unit and a portable IP telephone terminal (terminal device), and transmits and receives audio signals between the portable IP telephone terminal and a door phone slave unit (sub-unit). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-312242 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The intercom system described in Patent Document 1 is capable of making calls between the door phone sub-unit and the portable IP telephone terminal only when the portable IP telephone terminal is inside the home; when the portable IP telephone terminal is not inside the home, it is not possible to make calls between the door phone sub-unit and the portable IP telephone terminal.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide an intercom system that allows a user to check the information of a slave unit regardless of the location of the terminal device. Tosu do. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An intercom system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an intercom master unit and a recording device. The intercom master unit is installed in a specified space in a building. The recording device records information output by a slave unit configured to output information on at least one of a visitor and a delivery to the specified space. The intercom master unit further comprises a communication interface that includes a wireless communication path and communicates with a terminal device via a transmission path that does not go through an in-house communication network, and a processing unit that outputs the information recorded in the recording device to the terminal device via the communication interface. The information recorded in the recording device is provided with data for distinguishing between unaddressed and addressed items. When the information recorded in the recording device includes unhandled information, the intercom master unit transmits a notification to the terminal device to notify the terminal device that the information recorded in the recording device includes unhandled information. The unhandled information is, when the information recorded in the recording device is first information related to the visitor, information among the first information that has not been output to a monitor device of the intercom master unit, and, when the information recorded in the recording device is second information related to the delivery piece, information among the second information that the delivery piece has not been collected from a box. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to check the information of the slave regardless of the location of the terminal device. For example, even if the slave outputs information on at least one of a visitor and a delivery, and the intercom master unit is unable to respond to this information, it is possible to check the information output by the slave using the terminal device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the intercom master unit provided in the above. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the above. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The intercom system described below is described on the assumption that the building in which the intercom system is installed is an apartment building. However, there are no particular restrictions on the building, and the intercom system described below can be applied to buildings such as tenant buildings, detached houses, and hospitals. When applying the intercom system to a detached house, the configuration of the control device described below is not necessary. In other words, the components other than the intercom master unit, slave unit, and recording device are optional components in the intercom system described below and are not essential.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, intercom system 100 includes intercom master unit 10 and slave units 21, 22, and 23. Intercom system 100 also includes a recording device 24 that records information output by slave units 21, 22, and 23. In intercom system 100 shown in Fig. 1, intercom master unit 10 includes recording device 24, but it is not essential that intercom master unit 10 includes recording device 24.

[0014] The intercom master unit 10 is installed in each of the multiple dwelling units 31 of the apartment building 30. The intercom master unit 10 may have a function of receiving a signal including alarm information or information measured by a sensor installed in the dwelling unit from a sensor. The sensor is selected from, for example, a smoke sensor, a fire sensor, a gas sensor, a security sensor, and a power meter. This type of intercom master unit 10 may be called a home information panel, a dwelling unit terminal, and the like. In each dwelling unit 31, which is a predetermined space in a building, the location where the intercom master unit 10 is installed is selected from the kitchen, the living room, the entrance, the bedroom, and the like. In FIG. 1, one intercom master unit 10 is installed in each of the multiple dwelling units 31. However, in addition to the main intercom master unit 10, there may be a dwelling unit 31 equipped with one or more additional intercom master units. The transmission path between the main intercom master unit 10 and the additional intercom master units may be either a wired communication path or a wireless communication path.

[0015] The additional intercom master unit communicates with the sub-units 21, 22, and 23 via the main intercom master unit 10, and realizes the same functions as the main intercom master unit 10. The functions described below are realized regardless of whether an additional intercom master unit is used in the dwelling unit 31, so the following description will be given taking as an example a case in which one intercom master unit 10 is provided in each of the multiple dwelling units 31.

[0016] The slave unit 21 is a so-called doorphone slave unit, and is connected to the main intercom master unit 10 via a signal line 41. The slave unit 21 is capable of transmitting audio signals between the intercom master unit 10, and is equipped with a call button for sending a call signal to the intercom master unit 10. The slave unit 21 may also be equipped with a camera for photographing the surroundings. The following description will be given assuming that the slave unit 21 is equipped with a camera.

[0017] Handset 22 is a so-called lobby intercom, and is placed in common area 32 (common entrance) of apartment building 30. Like handset 21, handset 22 is capable of transmitting voice signals between intercom master unit 10. Handset 22 also includes an operation unit for selecting, among the multiple dwelling units 31, a dwelling unit 31 to which a call signal is to be sent, and a camera 221 for photographing visitors to common area 32 of apartment building 30.

[0018] The intercom master unit 10 transmits signals between the handset 22 via an in-house communication network 42 installed in the apartment building 30. The in-house communication network 42 transmits digital signals. A control device 25 is connected to the in-house communication network 42, and the control device 25 enables communication between the intercom master unit 10 and the handset 22 installed in the dwelling unit 31 selected by the handset 22. In addition, the in-house communication network 42 is provided with a splitter 43 at a location where each intercom master unit 10 is connected. The intercom master unit 10 and the splitter 43 are connected via a connection line 44.

[0019] The handset 23 is attached to a receiving box 26 installed in a common area 32 of the apartment building. The box 26 is a postal box for storing mail or a delivery box for storing parcels, and is equipped with a sensor 261 for detecting that a parcel such as mail or a parcel has been placed in the box 26. When the sensor 261 detects that a parcel has been placed in the box 26, the handset 23 outputs information about the parcel to the local communication network 42. The handset 23 is connected to the local communication network 42, and when the sensor 261 detects that a parcel has been placed in the box 26, the handset 23 notifies the intercom master unit 10 installed in the dwelling unit 31, which is the destination of the parcel, of the information about the parcel via the control device 25.

[0020] When the box 26 is a postal box for receiving mail, an individual box 26 is provided for each of the multiple dwelling units 31. Therefore, the boxes 26 into which mail is posted are in one-to-one correspondence with the dwelling units 31, and information on the delivery detected by the sensor 261 provided in the box 26 is notified to the intercom master unit 10 of the dwelling unit 31 in one-to-one correspondence with the box 26.

[0021] On the other hand, when box 26 is a delivery box for storing parcels, box 26 is often shared by multiple dwelling units 31 of apartment building 30. Therefore, box 26 for storing parcels has a function for recognizing the destination of the parcel. Handset 23 receives information on the destination of the parcel from box 26, and notifies intercom master unit 10 installed in dwelling unit 31 of the destination information of the parcel (information on the delivery parcel).

[0022] The intercom system 100 in this embodiment is intended for use in an apartment building 30, and therefore, in addition to the dwelling units 31 and the common area 32, the building includes a manager's room 33. A management master unit 27 connected to an internal communication network 42 is installed in the manager's room 33. The management master unit 27 has a function of receiving images taken by the camera 221 from the handset 22, a function of receiving the status of delivery items stored in the box 26 from the handset 23, and a function of communicating with each of the intercom master units 10 installed in the dwelling units 31 of the apartment building 30. The management master unit 27 is also capable of transmitting text information and the like to the intercom master unit 10. Thus, the intercom master unit 10 can receive information such as contacts from the manager. The control device 25 is installed in the manager's room 33.

[0023] The intercom master unit 10 includes a processing unit 11 and a communication interface 12. The intercom master unit 10 also includes a microphone 13 and a speaker 14, and transmits audio signals between the intercom master unit 10 and the slave units 21 and 22. The intercom master unit 10 also includes a monitor device 15 as an output device. The monitor device 15 includes a display device selected from a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device (EL: Electroluminescence), and the like. The slave unit 21 includes a display device that is different from that included in the intercom master unit 10. The intercom master unit 10 is connected to a slave unit interface 16 which can receive a video signal including information of an image captured by the camera 221 from the slave unit 22 and display it on the monitor device 15. The intercom master unit 10 also receives a video signal including information of an image captured by the camera of the slave unit 21 from the slave unit 21 and displays it on the monitor device 15. Here, the monitor device 15 may be a touch panel equipped with a touch sensor.

[0024] The intercom master unit 10 of this embodiment includes a recording device 24. The recording device 24 records the visitor information when the sub-units 21 and 22 output the visitor information, and records the delivery information when the sub-unit 23 outputs the delivery information. The visitor information includes information that the sub-units 21 and 22 output a call signal, and the delivery information includes information that the sub-unit 23 recognizes that the delivery has been placed in the box 26. The information recorded in the recording device 24 includes the time when the visitor information or the delivery information occurred. The recording device 24 also records information on images taken by the camera of the sub-unit 21 or the camera 221 of the sub-unit 22. The image information recorded in the recording device 24 is preferably a moving image for a certain period of time (for example, about 10 to 30 seconds) after the intercom master unit 10 receives a call signal. Alternatively, the images recorded in the recording device 24 may be multiple still images (e.g., about 5 to 10 images) taken at predetermined intervals (e.g., about 0.5 to 2 seconds). If the sender of the delivery is known, the information about the delivery recorded in the recording device 24 may include the sender information.

[0025] The intercom master unit 10 has a connection interface 17 for connecting to the local area communication network 42. The connection interface 17 includes a connection terminal for electrical and mechanical connection with the local area communication network 42, and an electric circuit for sending and receiving signals transmitted through the local area communication network 42. The intercom master unit 10 also has a call switch 18 that is operated when starting and ending a call using the microphone 13 and the speaker 14, an unlock switch 19 that is operated when unlocking the entrance from the shared entrance, and the like.

[0026] Fig. 2 shows the external appearance of intercom master unit 10. Intercom master unit 10 shown in Fig. 2 has monitor device 15 disposed in the center of the front surface of the housing, and is provided with talk switch 18 and unlock switch 19 at the lower front surface of the housing. Also, speaker 14 is disposed at the upper front surface of the housing.

[0027] The processing unit 11 has a processor that executes a program as a main hardware element. The processor and memory constitute a computer. The processor may be either a device that includes an integrated memory or a device that requires an external memory. Here, since the intercom master unit 10 of the present embodiment includes a recording device 24, it is preferable to include a memory that realizes the recording device 24 separately from the processor.

[0028] The program may be written in a ROM (Read Only Memory) of the computer, or may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as an optical disk, a hard disk drive, or an external memory device. The program may also be provided to the computer through a telecommunications line such as the Internet or a mobile telephone network. When the processor executes the program, the program is written to a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a rewritable non-volatile memory of the computer. The intercom master unit 10 may have an interface for reading the program provided by the recording medium. In addition, when the program is provided through a telecommunications line, the intercom master unit 10 may be configured to read the program through the communication interface 12. Program updates may be configured to be provided through an in-house communication network.

[0029] The communication interface 12 can communicate with the terminal device 50 via a transmission path including a wireless communication path. The terminal device 50 is assumed to be configured to be capable of connecting to an electric communication line such as the Internet or a mobile telephone network through a wireless communication path, like a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The terminal device 50 may be a personal computer. The transmission path between the communication interface 12 and the terminal device 50 is assumed to be only a wireless communication path, but does not preclude the transmission path from including a wired communication path. The wireless communication path is assumed to be a transmission medium of radio waves, but the transmission medium may be light such as visible light or infrared light. In addition, when the transmission medium is radio waves, the communication interface 12 may function as a radio station adopting a communication specification selected from WiFi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), short-distance wireless communication, etc., or as a specific low-power radio station.

[0030] The operation of the intercom master unit 10 will be described below. The processing unit 11 normally stops the operation of the microphone 13, speaker 14, and monitor device 15, and activates the speaker 14 and monitor device 15 when a call signal is received from either of the slave units 21, 22. In this state, if the user operates the talk switch 18, the function of the microphone 13 is enabled, and a call can be made between the slave units 21, 22 through the microphone 13 and speaker 14. In addition, when a call signal is received from the slave unit 21, an image captured by the camera of the slave unit 21 is displayed on the monitor device 15, and when a call signal is received from the slave unit 22, an image captured by the camera 221 is displayed on the monitor device 15.

[0031] On the other hand, when the talk switch 18 is not operated within a predetermined time after receiving the call signal, the processing unit 11 records visitor information indicating that the call signal has been received in the recording device 24. The predetermined time here is, for example, about one to two minutes. The visitor information includes information indicating that the sub-units 21 and 22 have output a call signal, and is recorded in the recording device 24 together with the time when the processing unit 11 received the call signal. When the sub-unit 21 outputs a call signal, it activates a camera and sends a video signal to the intercom master unit 10, and when the sub-unit 22 outputs a call signal, it activates a camera 221 and sends a video signal to the intercom master unit 10. The video signal sent from the sub-unit 21 or 22 is also recorded in the recording device 24 as visitor information. That is, when the talk switch 18 is not operated in the intercom master unit 10 in response to the call signal from the sub-unit 21 or 22 and the intercom master unit 10 is not yet responded to, the visitor information is recorded in the recording device 24.

[0032] When the processing unit 11 receives information on a delivery from the handset 23, it starts the monitor device 15 and displays on the screen of the monitor device 15 information indicating that the delivery has been stored in the box 26. The information on the delivery may include information on an image of the delivery person, information on the sender of the delivery, and the like. When the intercom master unit 10 receives information on the delivery from the handset 23, the information on the delivery is recorded in the recording device 24 together with the date and time of receipt. When the delivery stored in the box 26 is collected, the handset 23 outputs information indicating that the delivery has been collected from the sensor 261, and when the intercom master unit 10 receives this information, the information on the delivery recorded in the recording device 24 is erased. Therefore, if the delivery is not collected in response to the information on the delivery from the handset 23, the information on the delivery remains in the recording device 24 as information on the delivery that has not been handled by the intercom master unit 10.

[0033] As described above, the handsets 21 and 22 output visitor information, and the handset 23 outputs delivery information. If the talk switch 18 is operated after the intercom master unit 10 receives the visitor information, the visitor information is treated as having been dealt with, and is not recorded in the recording device 24. On the other hand, if the talk switch 18 is not operated after the intercom master unit 10 receives the visitor information, the visitor information is treated as having not been dealt with, and is recorded in the recording device 24. In addition, after the delivery information is recorded in the recording device 24, it is treated as having not been dealt with, and remains in the recording device 24, until the delivery is collected.

[0034] The visitor information and delivery information recorded in recording device 24 can be confirmed on intercom master unit 10. Intercom master unit 10 has an operation unit for confirming the contents of recording device 24, and when this operation unit is operated, processing unit 11 displays the information recorded in recording device 24 on monitor device 15.

[0035] When the visitor information recorded in the recording device 24 is displayed on the monitor device 15 of the intercom master unit 10, the visitor information displayed on the monitor device 15 is treated as handled information by the intercom master unit 10, similar to information for which the talk switch 18 has been operated. It is desirable to add data to the visitor information recorded in the recording device 24 to distinguish between unhandled and handled visitor information. Regarding a delivery recorded in the recording device 24, if the delivery has not been collected from the box 26, it is unhandled, and if the delivery has been collected from the box 26, it is handled. The delivery information recorded in the recording device 24 may be deleted as described above after the delivery has been collected from the box 26, but it may also be left in the recording device 24 with data added to distinguish between unhandled and handled visitor information, similar to visitor information.

[0036] Incidentally, this type of information corresponds to, for example, information generated during the absence of a user residing in dwelling unit 31 in which intercom master unit 10 is installed. The same applies to information generated when a user residing in dwelling unit 31 is unable to respond to a call signal from intercom master unit 10, for example, while taking a bath, sleeping, or working in a place where intercom master unit 10 is not installed. This type of information recorded in recording device 24 can be erased as appropriate by operating a specified operating section of intercom master unit 10.

[0037] In the intercom system 100 of this embodiment, the operation of the processing unit 11 when the operation unit is operated can be performed from the terminal device 50. To enable this operation, the terminal device 50 is linked to the intercom master unit 10 by an application program (so-called "app"). In other words, the application program has a function of linking the intercom master unit 10 to the terminal device 50 owned by a user who resides in the dwelling unit 31 in which the intercom master unit 10 is installed.

[0038] The intercom master unit 10 is capable of wireless communication with the terminal device 50 having the above-mentioned application program installed therein, via the communication interface 12. Here, the intercom master unit 10 and the terminal device 50 are automatically linked together by performing a predetermined operation on at least one of the intercom master unit 10 and the terminal device 50. Note that the intercom master unit 10 and the terminal device 50 may be configured to be linked together by manually inputting an encryption key for communication.

[0039] After completing the linking operation with the intercom master unit 10, the terminal device 50 can check the visitor information and delivery information recorded in the recording device 24 for the dwelling unit 31 in which the intercom master unit 10 is installed. When checking the information recorded in the recording device 24 with the terminal device 50, an application program is started in the terminal device 50. Next, the terminal device 50 transmits a notification to the intercom master unit 10 requesting confirmation of the visitor information or delivery information stored in the recording device 24. After authenticating the terminal device 50, the processing unit 11 of the intercom master unit 10 receives from the terminal device 50 a notification requesting confirmation of the information recorded in the recording device 24, reads out the visitor information or delivery information from the recording device 24, and outputs it to the terminal device 50.

[0040] The recording device 24 records information about visitors who did not respond to the call signal from the intercom master unit 10, or information about deliveries that have not been collected among deliveries notified to the intercom master unit 10. Therefore, the information that the intercom master unit 10 outputs to the terminal device 50 through the communication interface 12 is information about visitors who did not respond to the call signal and information about deliveries that have not been collected from the box 26.

[0041] However, since the visitor information that has been output to the monitor device 15 of the intercom master unit 10 has already been dealt with, the dealt with information does not need to be output to the terminal device 50. When the processing unit 11 is requested by the terminal device 50 to confirm the information recorded in the recording device 24, it may output only the undealt with information among the visitor information and delivery information to the terminal device 50. When selecting information to be output to the terminal device 50, the processing unit 11 refers to the data that distinguishes between undealt with and dealt with as described above for the information recorded in the recording device 24, and outputs only the undealt with information to the terminal device 50.

[0042] The process performed by the processing unit 11 of the intercom master unit 10 in relation to the terminal device 50 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 does not show the case where the user deals with visitor information or delivery information when the visitor information or delivery information is notified to the intercom master unit 10. When the processing unit 11 receives visitor information from the sub-units 21 and 22 (S11: Yes) or delivery information from the sub-unit 23 (S12: Yes), the processing unit 11 records the information in the recording device 24 (S13). If there is no visitor information (S11: No) or no delivery information (S12: No), the processing unit waits until the sub-units 21, 22, and 23 output information.

[0043] When the processing unit 11 is requested by the terminal device 50 to check the information recorded in the recording device 24 (S14: Yes), the processing unit 11 checks whether there is any information that has not been output to the intercom master unit 10 (S15). If there is any information in the recording device 24 that has not been output to the intercom master unit 10 (S15: Yes), the processing unit 11 outputs the information to the terminal device 50 (S16). If there is no information in the recording device 24 that has not been output to the intercom master unit 10 in step S15 (S15: No), the processing unit 11 returns a response to the terminal device 50 that there is no information to be output to the terminal device 50 (S17).

[0044] Incidentally, it is desirable that processing unit 11 is configured so that even if it outputs information recorded in recording device 24 to terminal device 50, the corresponding information is not deleted from recording device 24 but remains there. In this case, in intercom master unit 10, it is possible to output the information output from recording device 24 to terminal device 50 again to monitor device 15, which is output device 15, by operating a predetermined operation unit of intercom master unit 10.

[0045] If multiple users reside in the dwelling unit 31, any of the users can check the information in the recording device 24 on the intercom master unit 10 and take action according to the information. Taking action according to the information means, for example, contacting the visitor or retrieving the delivery from the box 26. However, it may be bothersome for the users residing in the dwelling unit 31 if all the information output to the terminal device 50 is output again to the monitoring device 15. For this reason, when outputting the information recorded in the recording device 24 to the monitoring device 15, it is desirable to be able to select whether or not to output the information to the monitoring device 15 for each piece of information.

[0046] Therefore, when the processing unit 11 outputs the information recorded in the recording device 24 to the monitor device 15, it displays on the monitor device 15 a list showing whether the information is visitor information or delivery information, and the date and time corresponding to the information. Here, an item in the list corresponding to one piece of information is called a "heading." With the list displayed on the monitor device 15, the processing unit 11 waits for one or more headings to be specified from the headings in the list. When a specific operation unit of the intercom master unit 10 is operated to specify any one piece of heading information, the processing unit 11 reads out the information corresponding to the specified heading from the recording device 24 and displays it on the monitor device 15.

[0047] Furthermore, when a predetermined operation unit of the intercom master unit 10 is operated to instruct cancellation, information is not read out from the recording device 24, and when an instruction to erase is given, information is erased from the recording device 24. The information to be erased from the recording device 24 can be selected for each heading displayed in the list. Note that even if the processing unit 11 displays the information read out from the recording device 24 on the monitor device 15, it is preferable that the processing unit 11 does not erase the information in the recording device 24, but erases the information after an operation to erase is performed.

[0048] As described above, when outputting information recorded in the recording device 24 to the monitor device 15, the processing unit 11 is configured to receive an instruction as to whether or not to output information that has been output to the terminal device 50 among the information recorded in the recording device 24 to the monitor device 15. It is preferable that the processing unit 11 displays, among the information recorded in the recording device 24, information that has not been output to the terminal device 50 on the monitor device 15 of the intercom master unit 10 in the order of the date and time when the information was generated. In addition, the processing unit 11 may also cause information that has been recorded in the recording device 24 and has not been output to the terminal device 50 to be selected from a list in the same manner as the information that has been output to the terminal device 50.

[0049] In the above-mentioned intercom system 100, when the information recorded in the recording device 24 is output from the intercom master unit 10 to the terminal device 50, a confirmation request is transmitted from the terminal device 50. Therefore, even if the terminal device 50 does not directly communicate with the intercom master unit 10 of the dwelling unit 31, as long as a transmission path enabling communication with the intercom master unit 10 can be secured, the terminal device 50 can confirm the information recorded in the recording device 24. For example, if the intercom system 100 is connected to a telecommunications line, which is a wide area network such as the Internet, and the intercom master unit 10 can communicate with the terminal device 50 through this telecommunications line, the terminal device 50 can confirm the information at any location.

[0050] In the above-described intercom system 100, it is possible to establish a transmission path between the terminal device 50 and the intercom master unit 10 so that confirmation of information can be requested from the terminal device 50 outside the apartment building 30 or in the common area 32 outside the dwelling unit 31. If the information recorded in the recording device 24 can be confirmed outside the apartment building 30 or in the common area 32, it is possible to collect the delivery from the box 26 in the common area 32 and then return to the dwelling unit 31 without having to return to the dwelling unit 31.

[0051] On the other hand, if the communication interface 12 of the intercom master unit 10 is configured to directly communicate with the terminal device 50, the information recorded in the recording device 24 can be confirmed by the terminal device 50 only inside or near the dwelling unit 31. In this case, the transmission path between the communication interface 12 and the terminal device 50 is only a wireless communication path. The processing unit 11 monitors whether communication between the communication interface 12 and the terminal device 50 is possible or not. When the terminal device 50 moves from an area where communication with the communication interface 12 is not possible to an area where communication is possible, the processing unit 11 is configured to automatically read out the information recorded in the recording device 24 and output it to the terminal device 50. That is, the intercom master unit 10 performs push communication with the terminal device 50, and if the user has not yet responded to the information stored in the recording device 24, the processing unit 11 notifies the terminal device 50 to prompt the user to respond.

[0052] Alternatively, the intercom system 100 may be constructed in which an access point is installed near the common area 32 of the apartment building 30, rather than the terminal device 50 directly communicating with the intercom master unit 10. In this intercom system 100, the terminal device 50 can communicate with the intercom master unit 10 via the access point, and the access point communicates with the terminal device 50 via a wireless communication path, similar to the communication interface 12. It is also preferable that the access point outputs information recorded in the recording device 24 to the terminal device 50 by performing push communication when the terminal device 50 moves from an area where communication is not possible to an area where communication is possible. In this configuration, it is possible to check whether or not there is a delivery in the common area 32, similar to the case where a confirmation request is made from the terminal device 50, and information is automatically output to the terminal device 50 by push communication without the need to operate the terminal device 50.

[0053] Incidentally, the above-described intercom system 100 assumes that the handset 21 is equipped with a camera. If the handset 21 is not equipped with a camera, information that the handset 21 has output a call signal and information on the date and time when the intercom master unit 10 received the call signal are recorded in the recording device 24 as visitor information. Note that the recording device 24 may record, as visitor information, an audio signal for a certain period of time (for example, about 10 to 30 seconds) after the handset 21 outputs the call signal, together with the information that the handset 21 has output a call signal.

[0054] Furthermore, it is not essential that the recording device 24 is provided in the intercom master unit 10. The recording device 24 may be provided in the control device 25 or the management master unit 27. When the intercom system 100 is connected to a telecommunications line that is a wide area network such as the Internet, the recording device 24 can also be realized by a computer server connected to the telecommunications line.

[0055] In the above-mentioned intercom system 100, the case where both the visitor information and the delivery information are recorded in the recording device 24 has been described, but only one of the visitor information and the delivery information may be recorded in the recording device 24. In particular, since the handset 21 that communicates with the intercom master unit 10 is essential for the intercom system 100, not limited to the apartment building 30, it is useful to record only the visitor information in the recording device 24. In addition, the intercom master unit 10 can receive alarm information or information measured by the sensor from the sensor, and can also receive information such as contact information from the manager. Therefore, this type of information may be recorded in the recording device 24 so that the information can be confirmed by the terminal device 50. Depending on the purpose of the intercom system 100, the handset units 22 and 23, the control device 25, the management master unit 27, the splitter 43, and the like may not be provided. For example, the intercom system 100 for a detached house may be provided with the intercom master unit 10 and the handset 21.

[0056] The above-described intercom system 100, intercom master unit 10, and control method for intercom system 100 include a computer system. The computer system is mainly composed of a processor and a memory as hardware. The processor executes a program recorded in the memory of the computer system, thereby realizing the functions of the intercom system 100, intercom master unit 10, and control method for intercom system 100 of the embodiment.

[0057] The program may be stored in advance in the memory of the computer system, or may be provided in a non-transitory recording medium readable by the computer system. This type of recording medium may be selected from, for example, an optical disk, a hard disk device, an external memory device, etc. The program may also be provided via a telecommunication line such as the Internet or a mobile telephone network.

[0058] The processor of a computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits selected from integrated circuits (ICs), large scale integrated circuits (LSIs), etc. The multiple electronic circuits are integrated into one chip or distributed across multiple chips. The multiple chips are integrated into one device or distributed across multiple devices.

[0059] Furthermore, it is not essential that one intercom master unit 10 has the functions of the processing unit 11 all in one, and the functions of the processing unit 11 may be distributed and realized in other devices. For example, the management master unit 27 or a computer server may have some of the functions of the processing unit 11. The computer server is constructed as a single computer system, or is constructed as a plurality of computer systems connected via a telecommunication line. Also, the computer server may be constructed by cloud computing.

[0060] An intercom system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an intercom master unit 10, handset units 21, 22, and 23, and a recording device 24. The intercom master unit 10 is installed in a predetermined space (apartment 31) of a building (apartment building 30). The handset units 21, 22, and 23 are configured to output information on at least one of visitors and deliveries to the predetermined space. The recording device 24 records the information output by the handset units 21, 22, and 23. The intercom master unit 10 includes a processing unit 11 and a communication interface 12. The communication interface 12 communicates with a terminal device 50 via a transmission path including a wireless communication path. The processing unit 11 outputs the information recorded in the recording device 24 to the terminal device 50 via the communication interface 12.

[0061] A control method for intercom system 100 according to one aspect of this embodiment includes the following steps. The first step is a step in which, when handset units 21, 22, 23 output information on at least one of a visitor and a delivery to a specified space (dwelling unit 31) in a building (apartment building 30), the information is recorded in recording device 24. The second step is a step in which intercom master unit 10 installed in the specified space outputs the information recorded in recording device 24 to terminal device 50 via a transmission path including a wireless communication path.

[0062] That is, it is possible to output information recorded in the recording device 24 to a terminal device 50 separate from the intercom master unit 10. For example, when the intercom master unit 10 is unable to respond to a visitor, the visitor's information can be checked on the terminal device 50 after the visitor has arrived. Also, if the terminal device 50 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, it becomes possible to check information at another location that could only be checked on the intercom master unit 10 fixed in a specified space. This makes it easier to check information that could not be handled by the intercom master unit 10.

[0063] The intercom master unit 10 preferably includes a recording device 24 .

[0064] In other words, since the intercom master unit 10 is provided with the recording device 24, there is no need to associate information with the intercom master unit 10.

[0065] The slave units 21 and 22 may each include a camera 221 that captures an image of a visitor. The information about the visitor preferably includes information about an image of the visitor captured by the camera 221.

[0066] That is, it is possible to photograph the visitor with a camera and check the image of the visitor on the terminal device 50.

[0067] The slave unit 23 may be attached to a receiving box 26 equipped with a sensor 261 for detecting the placement of a delivery item, which is at least one of a postal item and a parcel. The information on the delivery item preferably includes information on the placement of the delivery item detected by the sensor 261.

[0068] That is, it is possible to confirm on the terminal device 50 that the delivery item is stored in the box 26.

[0069] The building may be an apartment building 30, and the predetermined space may be a dwelling unit 31. In this case, the intercom master unit 10 is installed in each of the multiple dwelling units 31 in the apartment building 30. The handsets 22, 23 are installed in a common area 32 of the apartment building 30. It is also preferable to further include a control device 25 that associates the information output by the handsets 22, 23 with each of the multiple dwelling units 31.

[0070] When the intercom system 100 is installed in an apartment building 30, information from the handsets 22, 23 in the common area 32 is distributed to each of the multiple dwelling units 31 via the control device 25. Therefore, it is possible to check at least one of information about visitors and deliveries for each dwelling unit 31 on the terminal device 50.

[0071] It is desirable that the processing unit 11 outputs to the terminal device 50 information that is not handled by the intercom master unit 10 out of the information recorded in the recording device 24 .

[0072] That is, since only unsupported information is output to the terminal device 50, an increase in the amount of information output to the terminal device 50 is suppressed.

[0073] The intercom master unit 10 is preferably provided with an output device (monitor device 15) that outputs information. When outputting information recorded in the recording device 24 to the output device, the processing unit 11 is preferably configured to receive an instruction as to whether or not to output information output to the terminal device 50, among the information recorded in the recording device 24, to the output device.

[0074] That is, when the information recorded in the recording device 24 is checked by the intercom master unit 10, it is possible to check whether or not the information that has already been output to the terminal device 50 should also be output to the intercom master unit 10. Therefore, an increase in the amount of information output to the intercom master unit 10 can be suppressed.

[0075] The transmission path is a wireless communication path, and the processing unit 11 may be configured to output information recorded in the recording device 24 to the terminal device 50 when the terminal device 50 moves from an area where communication via the transmission path between the communication interface 12 is not possible to an area where communication is possible.

[0076] That is, when the terminal device 50 approaches the intercom master unit 10, the information recorded in the recording device 24 can be automatically output to the terminal device 50. Therefore, it is possible to check the information recorded in the recording device 24 without operating the terminal device 50.

[0077] The intercom master unit 10 according to one aspect of the present embodiment is provided in any of the intercom systems 100 described above.

[0078] Therefore, the above-mentioned functions are realized by this intercom master unit 10.

[0079] A program according to one aspect of the present embodiment is a program for causing a computer to function as the processing unit 11 of the intercom master unit 10 in any one of the intercom systems 100 described above.

[0080] Therefore, the function of the processing unit 11 of the intercom master unit 10 is realized by this program.

[0081] The above-described embodiment is merely a part of various embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiment can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 10 Intercom Master Unit 11 Processing section 12 Communication Interface 15 Monitor device (output device) 21 Child unit 22 Child unit 23 Child unit 24 Recording Devices 25 Control device 26 Box 30 Apartment complex (building) 31 Dwelling unit (prescribed space) 50 Terminal Equipment 100 Intercom System 221 Camera 261 Sensors

Claims

1. An intercom master unit installed in a designated space in the building; a recording device configured to record information output by a slave unit configured to output information on at least one of a visitor and a delivery to the predetermined space, The intercom master unit includes: a communication interface that communicates with a terminal device via a transmission path that includes a wireless communication path and does not involve an in-house communication network; a processing unit that outputs the information recorded in the recording device to the terminal device through the communication interface, The information recorded in the recording device is provided with data for distinguishing between unaddressed and addressed information, When the information recorded in the recording device includes unsupported information, the intercom master unit transmits a notification to the terminal device notifying the terminal device that the information recorded in the recording device includes unsupported information; The unsupported information is: When the information recorded in the recording device is the first information regarding the visitor, the first information is information that has not been output to a monitor device of the intercom master unit, When the information recorded in the recording device is second information related to the piece, the second information is information indicating that the piece has not been collected from a box. Intercom system.

2. The intercom master unit is equipped with the recording device.

2. The intercom system according to claim 1.

3. The information about the visitor includes information about an image of the visitor captured by a camera in the child device that captures an image of the visitor.

3. The intercom system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The building is an apartment building, the predetermined space is a dwelling unit, The intercom master unit is installed in each of a plurality of dwelling units in the apartment building, The control device further includes a controller that associates the information output by the slave unit with each of the plurality of dwelling units. The intercom system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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