Intercom system

Abstract

To improve the degree of freedom in how visitors are treated.SOLUTION: An intercom system 100 includes a reception control unit 7. The reception control unit 7 controls reception information. The reception information is information output from a handset 1 before a receptionist starts talking to a visitor visiting a collective facility that has a plurality of facilities, in order to prompt the visitor to input predetermined information that is notified to the receptionist by one of a plurality of base units 2 installed in the collective facility and provided in each of the plurality of facilities. The predetermined information includes the visitor's name or attributes. The handset 1 is an apparatus that is installed in the collective facility and communicates with one of the plurality of base units 2 installed in each of the plurality of facilities. In any one of the plurality of base units 2, output of information including the predetermined information and output of a calling tone are alternately repeated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to an intercom system. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an intercom system in which a call is made from a slave unit to a master unit that is the called party.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an intercom system. This intercom system is composed of a slave unit with a camera installed at the outer entrance of a dwelling or the common entrance (lobby) of an apartment building, etc., and a master unit installed inside the dwelling that communicates with the intercom slave unit.

[0003] In the intercom system described in Patent Document 1, an intro image, which is a short-time image captured by the imaging unit of the slave unit during a visitor's call operation, and a real-time image captured by the imaging unit after the visitor's call operation are combined, and the combined image is displayed on the display unit of the master unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an intercom system capable of improving the degree of freedom in the mode of dealing with visitors.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An intercom system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a response control unit. The response control unit controls response information. The response information is information output from a slave unit to prompt input of predetermined information notified to a responder by any one of a plurality of master units provided in a collective facility and respectively provided in the plurality of facilities before a conversation between the responder and a visitor visiting the collective facility having the plurality of facilities is started. The predetermined information includes the attribute of the visitor Belonging to including gender See, input using the operation unit of the slave unit . The slave unit is a device provided in the collective facility and communicating with any one of the plurality of master units respectively provided in the plurality of facilities. The response control unit determines whether to relay the visitor to the responder based on the attribute of the visitor. When the response control unit determines to relay the visitor to the responder, the response control unit starts a call to the master unit designated as the call destination among the plurality of master units. When the response control unit determines not to relay the visitor to the responder, the response control unit does not make a call to the master unit designated as the call destination. During the call to the master unit designated as the call destination, output of information including the predetermined information and output of a call sound are alternately repeated. [Effect of the Invention]

[0007] The present disclosure has an advantage that the degree of freedom in the mode of responding to visitors can be improved. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0008]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] (1) Overview The drawings described in the following embodiments are schematic drawings, and the ratios of the sizes and thicknesses of each component in the drawings do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0010] The intercom system 100 according to the present embodiment is an intercom system for apartment houses applied to apartment houses such as condominiums. In the intercom system 100, as shown in FIG. 1, the sub-units 1 and each master unit 2 communicate via the control device 3.

[0011] Here, the intercom system 100 according to the present embodiment may be applied to non-residential facilities other than apartment houses, such as hospitals, schools, nursing homes, or commercial buildings. That is, the intercom system 100 is applicable to a collective facility 200 (see FIG. 2) having a plurality of facilities 20. In the present embodiment, the intercom system 100 is applied to an apartment house (collective facility) 200. That is, in the present embodiment, the plurality of dwelling units 20 included in the apartment house 200 correspond to the plurality of facilities 20.

[0012] The intercom system 100 includes a response control unit 7. The response control unit 7 controls response information. The response information is information output from the slave unit 1 in order to respond to a visitor H1 (see FIG. 3A) who visits an apartment house (collective facility) 200 having a plurality of dwelling units (facilities) 20. The slave unit 1 is provided in the apartment house 200 (see FIG. 2) and is a device that communicates with any one of a plurality of master units 2 provided in each of the plurality of dwelling units 20. The slave unit 1 is, for example, a shared terminal (lobby intercom) installed in a shared area 201 of the apartment house 200 such as a lobby. The slave unit 1 may be configured to communicate (for example, make a call and transmit a video signal, etc.) with the master unit 2 over a plurality of buildings.

[0013] As an example, the response information may include an image presented to the visitor H1 by being displayed on a display unit 18 (described later) of the slave unit 1, or an audio message output to the visitor H1 from a speaker included in a communication unit 19 (described later) of the slave unit 1. The "response information" referred to in the present disclosure is an image or an audio message output by the slave unit 1 alone. Therefore, the response information does not include an image of a resident (responder) of the dwelling unit 20 captured in real time through the slave unit 1 or an audio message of the resident, or an audio message of the resident recorded for each dwelling unit 20. That is, the response information corresponds to information for responding to the visitor H1 on behalf of a representative (for example, the administrator of the apartment house 200) of the apartment house (collective facility) 200, rather than information for each dwelling unit (facility) 20 for the resident (responder) to respond to the visitor H1.

[0014] As used in the present disclosure, a "visitor" is a person who visits any of the housing units (facilities) 20 in the apartment building (collective facility) 200, and may include relatives of the residents of the housing unit 20, acquaintances of the residents such as friends, third parties, and the residents themselves. That is, when the visitor H1 is a person other than a resident, the visitor H1 is a person who visits the housing unit 20 for some purpose with respect to the resident. On the other hand, when the visitor H1 is a resident, the visitor H1 is a person who visits the housing unit 20 to return home to the housing unit 20.

[0015] Then, when the response control unit 7 receives a setting input for setting response information, it sets the response information based on the setting input for each unit of the slave unit 1 or the apartment building (collective facility) 200. The setting input is performed, for example, by a constructor or administrator of the slave unit 1. Here, "setting the response information for each unit of the slave unit 1" means, for example, when there are a plurality of slave units 1, setting different response information for each of the plurality of slave units 1. Also, "setting the response information for each unit of the apartment building 200" means, for example, when there are a plurality of slave units 1, setting the same response information for all of the plurality of slave units 1. In this case, if the response information is set on any one of the plurality of slave units 1, the response information set on this slave unit 1 is transmitted to the other slave units 1 via the control device 3, and the same response information is set on the other slave units 1 as well.

[0016] As described above, in the present embodiment, for example, a constructor or administrator of the slave unit 1 can freely set the response information for each unit of the slave unit 1 or the apartment building (collective facility) 200 by the response control unit 7. Therefore, in the present embodiment, there is an advantage that the degree of freedom of the mode of responding to the visitor H1 can be improved.

[0017] In addition, in this embodiment, when the response control unit 7 receives a setting input, it is also possible to set the mode of the voice information output as voice from the slave unit 1 among the response information based on the setting input. The "mode of voice information" as used in this disclosure means the universal characteristics of the voice information that do not depend on the content of the voice information (voice message) output from the slave unit 1, rather than the content of the voice information. For example, when the mode of the voice information is the voice color, the response control unit 7 can set, based on the setting input, whether to output a voice message such as "Welcome" from the slave unit 1 in the voice color of a male or in the voice color of a female.

[0018] As described above, in this embodiment, for example, the installer, administrator of the slave unit 1, or the resident of the residential unit 20 can freely set the mode of the voice information among the response information by the response control unit 7. Therefore, in this embodiment, there is an advantage that the degree of freedom of the mode of responding to the visitor H1 can be improved.

[0019] (2) Details Hereinafter, the intercom system 100 according to this embodiment will be described in detail.

[0020] (2.1) Overall configuration As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the intercom system 100 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of (two in FIG. 2) slave units 1, a plurality of (two in FIG. 1) master units 2, and a control device 3. The intercom system 100 also includes a plurality of (two in FIG. 1) door phones 4 and a plurality of (two in FIG. 1) splitters 5.

[0021] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, one of the two slave units 1 is a shared terminal (lobby intercom) installed in the shared area (lobby) 201 of the apartment house 200. The other of the two slave units 1 is a dedicated terminal for the residents of the apartment house 200 installed at the back entrance 202 or the parking lot of the apartment house 200. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the description will focus on the slave unit 1 as the shared terminal.

[0022] The master unit 2 is a household terminal installed in each household 20 of the apartment building 200, as shown in FIG. 2 for example. Each master unit 2 is configured to communicate (for example, make a call and receive a video signal, etc.) with the slave unit 1. The master unit 2 may also be installed in the management room and multi-purpose room of the apartment building 200. The multi-purpose room is a shared facility within the apartment building 200, such as an assembly hall, guest room, kids' room, party room, etc. That is, it is sufficient if a plurality of master units 2 are respectively provided in a plurality of facilities 20 of the apartment building 200.

[0023] The control device 3 is configured to perform call control and relay signals between the slave unit 1 and each master unit 2. The control device 3 is installed in the management room, for example. The control device 3 relays the signals transmitted and received between the slave unit 1 and the master unit 2 when a visitor H1 calls the master unit 2 using the slave unit 1, for example.

[0024] The door phone 4 is installed at the outer entrance of each household 20 of the apartment building 200, for example. A plurality of door phones 4 correspond one-to-one with a plurality of master units 2. Each door phone 4 is configured to communicate (for example, make a call and transmit a video signal, etc.) with the corresponding master unit 2. Note that the door phone 4 may not be connected to the master unit 2 installed in a multi-purpose room or the like.

[0025] The slave unit 1 is connected to the control device 3 via the first main line 61. Each of the plurality of splitters 5 is inserted into the second main line 62, enabling a plurality of master units 2 to be connected to the second main line 62. In this embodiment, the second main line 62 branches into a plurality of branch lines 63, and the plurality of splitters 5 are respectively provided at the branch points of the plurality of branch lines 63 in the second main line 62. As a result, each master unit 2 can be connected to the second main line 62 via the splitter 5.

[0026] Each master unit 2 is connected to the control device 3 via the second main line 62, the branch line 63, and the splitter 5. Each door phone 4 is connected to the corresponding master unit 2 via the connection line 64. Each of the first main line 61, the second main line 62, the branch line 63, and the connection line 64 is composed of, for example, a twisted pair cable.

[0027] (2.2) Slave unit Next, the configuration of the slave unit 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the slave unit 1 includes an imaging unit 11, a slave unit side transmission unit 12, a slave unit side control unit 13, a slave unit side operation unit 14, an image processing unit 15, a storage unit 16, a sensor 17, and a display unit 18. Further, the slave unit 1 includes a call unit 19 (including a speaker and a microphone) for realizing a call with the master unit 2 and the like.

[0028] The imaging unit 11 has an imaging element and is a camera for imaging a subject. Here, the subject is the visitor H1. In the present embodiment, the imaging area (field of view) of the imaging unit 11 is set in front of the slave unit 1 so that at least the face of the visitor H1 can be imaged when the visitor H1 operates the slave unit 1. In the present embodiment, the imaging unit 11 is a camera that captures a moving image. Further, in the present embodiment, the imaging unit 11 is a camera that captures a color image.

[0029] The imaging element is, for example, a two-dimensional image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor. The imaging unit 11 forms an image of light from the subject on the imaging surface (light receiving surface) of the imaging element by an optical system such as a lens, and converts the light from the subject into an electrical signal by the imaging element. Then, the imaging unit 11 outputs the output signal of the imaging element to the image processing unit 15 as a video signal.

[0030] ​The slave unit side transmission unit 12 is a communication interface for communicating with the master unit 2. The slave unit side transmission unit 12 is connected to the control device 3 via the first trunk line 61. In this embodiment, the first trunk line 61 is composed of a plurality of lines, but in FIG. 1, the first trunk line 61 is shown as a single line. The slave unit side transmission unit 12 is configured to be capable of two-way communication with the master unit 2 via the communication unit 32 of the control device 3. The slave unit side transmission unit 12 is configured to transmit a communication signal to the master unit 2. The communication signal includes an audio signal, a video signal, a control signal, and the like. Further, the slave unit side transmission unit 12 receives the communication signal transmitted from the master unit 2 via the communication unit 32, and demodulates the received communication signal to acquire an audio signal or the like. The audio signal is output to the call unit 19 via the slave unit side control unit 13.

[0031] The slave unit side operation unit 14 is configured to receive the operation of a person (visitor H1). The slave unit side operation unit 14 is, for example, an input interface having a plurality of push buttons and a touch panel or the like. The plurality of push buttons have, for example, numeric keys 0 to 9, an asterisk (*) button, a delete button, a call button, and the like. For example, when the visitor H1 wants to call the resident in the room number (apartment number) "Room 1024" using the slave unit 1, the visitor sequentially presses the numeric buttons of the numeric keypad to input the room number. The input room number is sequentially displayed on the display unit 18 each time a numeric button is pressed (see FIG. 3B). Finally, when the visitor H1 presses the call button, the input of the room number is confirmed, and a call is executed to the master unit 2 of the apartment with the room number "1024".

[0032] The video processing unit 15 is configured to receive the video signal output from the imaging unit 11 and process the video included in the video signal by signal processing. The video processing unit 15 is realized by a device such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), for example.

[0033] The storage unit 16 is composed of a readable and writable memory. The storage unit 16 is, for example, a flash memory. The storage unit 16 stores (records) the video images captured by the imaging unit 11. Although the storage unit 16 of the present embodiment is provided outside the slave unit side control unit 13, it may be provided inside the slave unit side control unit 13. That is, the storage unit 16 may be an internal memory of the slave unit side control unit 13. Note that the storage unit 16 stores various data described later in addition to the video images captured by the imaging unit 11.

[0034] The sensor 17 is, for example, a pyroelectric infrared sensor, and detects a person or the like by detecting a change amount of infrared rays generated when a person (visitor H1) or the like moves. The sensor 17 may be omitted.

[0035] The display unit 18 has a display screen 180 composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display. Under the control of the slave unit side control unit 13, as shown in FIGS. 3A to 5B, the display unit 18 outputs (displays an image) of the basic guidance image G0, the first guidance image G1 to the sixth guidance image G6. These guidance images G0 to G6 are merely examples, and the number of types of guidance images and their display contents are not particularly limited. Further, the display unit 18 displays the video image of the visitor H1 himself / herself captured by the imaging unit 11 under the control of the slave unit side control unit 13. The display unit 18 outputs, for example, the real-time video image being captured by the imaging unit 11 superimposed on substantially the center of the guidance image (see FIG. 3A). During the call to the master unit 2 which is the called party or during the call with the master unit 2, the video image of the visitor H1 is not output to the display screen 180 but is output to the side of the master unit 2.

[0036] The slave unit side control unit 13 is a computer system mainly composed of one or more processors and memories as hardware. In this computer system, the functions of the slave unit side control unit 13 are realized by executing the programs recorded in the memory by one or more processors. The programs may be recorded in advance in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunication line, or may be provided by being recorded in a non-temporary recording medium such as an optical disk or a hard disk drive readable by the computer system.

[0037] The slave unit side control unit 13 is configured to control the imaging unit 11 and the slave unit side transmission unit 12. Further, the slave unit side control unit 13 is configured to control the video processing unit 15 and the display unit 18.

[0038] The slave unit side control unit 13 causes the imaging unit 11 to capture an image by controlling the imaging unit 11. In the present embodiment, for example, when the sensor 17 detects a person (visitor H1), the slave unit side control unit 13 activates the imaging unit 11 and starts imaging the person. The slave unit side control unit 13 outputs, to the display screen 180, a guidance image for guiding the input of the room number and a real-time video being captured by the imaging unit 11 by controlling the display unit 18 (see FIG. 3A). Note that the image output by the display unit 18 to the display screen 180 may be an image other than the above real-time video. For example, the above image may be a still image at any timing captured by the imaging unit 11, such as a still image when the visitor H1 first operates the slave unit side operation unit 14, or a frame-by-frame video.

[0039] Also, the slave unit side control unit 13 sends the video captured by the imaging unit 11 to the master unit 2 before calling the master unit 2 which is the call destination, during the call, and during communication between the slave unit 1 and the master unit 2. Specifically, the slave unit side control unit 13 causes the first video to be captured in the first imaging period. Further, the slave unit side control unit 13 causes the second video to be captured in the second imaging period. The first imaging period is, for example, a period from when the slave unit side operation unit 14 receives an operation by the visitor H1 until the call starts. The second imaging period is, for example, a period from when the transmission of the first video to the master unit 2 ends until the end of the call or the end of the call. The second video is a so-called real-time video, and the first video is a past video with respect to the second video.

[0040] The slave unit side control unit 13 controls the slave unit side transmission unit 12 to cause the slave unit side transmission unit 12 to transmit a communication signal to the master unit 2 and to receive a communication signal from the master unit 2. The communication signal to the master unit 2 includes an audio signal, a video signal, a control signal, and the like. Also, the communication signal from the master unit 2 includes an audio signal, a control signal, and the like.

[0041] The slave unit side control unit 13 controls the video processing unit 15 to cause the video processing unit 15 to process the video included in the video signal from the imaging unit 11. The video processed by the video processing unit 15 is transmitted from the slave unit side transmission unit 12 to the master unit 2.

[0042] The slave unit side control unit 13 is configured to execute various functions in response to operation inputs received at the slave unit side operation unit 14. Currently, the slave unit side control unit 13 is configured to execute a function corresponding to the guidance image based on the relationship with the guidance image currently being displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18. For example, when a numeric button is operated while a guidance image prompting the input of a room number is being displayed on the display screen 180, the slave unit side control unit 13 outputs the input numeric on the display screen 180. Then, after the room number is input and the call button is operated, the slave unit side control unit 13 starts a call to the master unit 2 which is the call destination.

[0043] The slave unit side control unit 13 has a first recording function for starting the first recording within a predetermined period. Hereinafter, the audio data obtained by the first recording is referred to as "first audio data". The first audio data may include the voice uttered by the visitor H1 input to the microphone of the communication unit 19. The first audio data may include, for example, the personal name or job title of the visitor H1. Also, if the visitor H1 is a delivery company or the like, the first audio data may include the company name or organization name to which the visitor H1 belongs. Further, the first audio data may include a simple message (matter).

[0044] The predetermined period is the period during which the slave unit 1 calls the master unit 2, which is the called party, based on the room number (or management room, etc.) specified by the slave unit side operation unit 14. In the present embodiment, the predetermined period starts, for example, when the call button for determining the room number is pressed. Also, in the present embodiment, the predetermined period ends at the call end timing when there is no response from the master unit 2, which is the called party. If there is a response from the master unit 2, which is the called party, before the start of the first recording, the slave unit side control unit 13 does not execute the first recording, and if there is a response from the master unit 2, which is the called party, during the execution of the first recording, the slave unit side control unit 13 stops the first recording. When the slave unit side control unit 13 starts the first recording, it temporarily stores the first sound data in its built-in memory and transmits the first sound data to the master unit 2.

[0045] Also, the slave unit side control unit 13 has a second recording function of starting a second recording different from the first recording when there is no response from the master unit 2, which is the called party, within a predetermined period. Hereinafter, the sound data obtained by the second recording is referred to as "second sound data". Similar to the first sound data, the second sound data may include the voice of the visitor H1 input to the microphone of the communication unit 19. Also, similar to the first sound data, the second sound data may include the personal name of the visitor H1, the job title, the company name or organization name to which the visitor H1 belongs, or a simple message (requirements), etc.

[0046] The second recording starts only when the visitor H1 indicates the intention to perform the second recording. Specifically, the second recording starts when the visitor H1 presses the call button of the slave unit side operation unit 14 during the period for allowing the visitor H1 to select whether to perform the second recording. In the present embodiment, the above period is the period during which the fifth guidance image G5 described later is displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18. Note that if the visitor H1 presses the cancel button of the slave unit side operation unit 14 during the above period, the second recording is not executed.

[0047] When the second recording is executed, the slave unit side control unit 13 stores the second audio data acquired by the second recording in the storage unit 16. In this case, it is preferable that the slave unit side control unit 13 erases the first audio data obtained by the first recording, which was temporarily stored in its own built-in memory, at the timing when the second audio data is stored in the storage unit 16. On the other hand, when the second recording is not executed, the slave unit side control unit 13 stores the first audio data obtained by the first recording, which was temporarily stored in the built-in memory, in the storage unit 16.

[0048] The audio data stored in the storage unit 16 is stored as so-called answering machine data until a predetermined number of days (for example, one week) elapses, and is erased when the predetermined number of days elapses. Also, the answering machine data is transferred to the master unit 2 and is stored on the master unit 2 side until a predetermined number of days (for example, one week) elapses. It is erased when the user (for example, the resident) makes an operation input regarding the deletion of the answering machine data to the master unit 2. Thus, even if the second recording is not executed, the first audio data obtained by the first recording is stored in the storage unit 16, so that the first recording can be used as an answering machine instead of the second recording.

[0049] In addition, the slave unit side control unit 13 has a function as a response control unit 7 that controls the output of response information to the slave unit 1. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, when explaining the function as the response control unit 7 in the slave unit side control unit 13, the explanation will be centered on the response control unit 7 rather than the slave unit side control unit 13. In the present embodiment, the response control unit 7 outputs (image display) the basic guidance image G0, the first guidance images G1 to G6 guidance images G6 as response information to the display unit 18. Further, the response control unit 7 outputs, as response information, an audio message corresponding to at least one of the images G0 to G6 from the speaker of the communication unit 19.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3A, the basic guidance image G0 includes guidance information (e.g., a character string such as "Please press the room number") prompting the input of the room number. Also, in the basic guidance image G0, an image of the visitor H1 himself / herself captured by the imaging unit 11 is output. When the sensor 17 detects the visitor H1, the response control unit 7 activates the imaging unit 11 and displays the basic guidance image G0 on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18. Further, the response control unit 7 causes a voice message such as "Welcome. Please press the room number" to be output from the speaker of the communication unit 19.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3B, the first guidance image G1 includes the guidance information displayed in the basic guidance image G0 and the numbers of the room number input by the visitor H1 using the sub-device side operation unit 14. When the visitor H1 starts to input the room number using the sub-device side operation unit 14 according to the basic guidance image G0, the response control unit 7 displays the first guidance image G1 on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18. The first guidance image G1 is updated each time a number of the room number is input. At this time, the response control unit 7 may cause a voice message corresponding to the number of the room number to be output from the speaker of the communication unit 19 each time the visitor H1 inputs a number of the room number.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 4A, the second guidance image G2 includes guidance information (e.g., a character string such as "I will transfer you. Please tell me your name") prompting the pronunciation of the name of the visitor H1, and countdown information indicating the time until the start of the first recording, etc. FIG. 4A shows, as an example, the state when the time until the start of the first recording is 3 seconds left. When the input of the room number is completed by the visitor H1 pressing the call button of the sub-device side operation unit 14, the response control unit 7 displays the second guidance image G2 on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18. The second guidance image G2 is updated each time the countdown progresses by 1 second. Also, the response control unit 7 causes a voice message such as "I will transfer you. Please tell me your name" to be output from the speaker of the communication unit 19.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 4B, the third guidance image G3 includes the guidance information displayed in the second guidance image G2 and a circular timer image representing the remaining time for performing the first recording during the execution of the first recording. When the above countdown ends, the response control unit 7 causes the third guidance image G3 to be displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18. The timer image is updated as time elapses. Specifically, in the timer image, an arc-shaped band gradually extends as time passes, and finally, when the remaining time becomes zero, a substantially circular shape is completed.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 4C, the fourth guidance image G4 includes guidance information (for example, a character string such as "Please wait as it is") indicating that the visitor H1 is being called and a pictogram or the like visually representing that the call is in progress. When the execution of the first recording ends, the response control unit 7 causes the fourth guidance image G4 to be displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18. Further, the response control unit 7 causes a voice message such as "Please wait as it is" to be output from the speaker of the communication unit 19.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 5A, the fifth guidance image G5 includes guidance information (for example, a character string such as "I'm sorry, I couldn't transfer your call. Would you like to leave a message?") indicating that it is possible to leave a matter (that is, the second recording). Further, the fifth guidance image G5 includes guidance information (for example, a character string such as "You can talk for 15 seconds") indicating the time of the second recording and selection information (for example, character strings such as "Yes: Call" and "No: Cancel"). When there is no response from the master unit 2 of the called party even at the end time of the call, the response control unit 7 causes the fifth guidance image G5 to be displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18. Further, the response control unit 7 causes a voice message such as "I'm sorry, I couldn't transfer your call. Would you like to leave a message?" to be output from the speaker of the communication unit 19.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 5B, the sixth guidance image G6 includes guidance information (e.g., a character string such as "Please state your name and purpose") for prompting the visitor H1 to state their name and purpose, and a circular timer image indicating the remaining time for the second recording during the execution of the second recording. When the visitor H1 presses the call button on the handset-side operation unit 14 during the display of the fifth guidance image G5, the response control unit 7 causes the sixth guidance image G6 to be displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18. The timer image is updated as time elapses, similar to the timer image of the third guidance image G3. Further, the response control unit 7 causes an audio message such as "Please state your name and purpose" to be output from the speaker of the communication unit 19.

[0057] Here, if the visitor H1 presses the cancel button or no pressing operation is performed during the display of the fifth guidance image, the response control unit 7 causes the basic guidance image G0 to be displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18 without performing the second recording and enters the standby state. Also, when the second recording is completed, the response control unit 7 causes the basic guidance image G0 to be displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18 and enters the standby state. Then, when the sensor 17 stops detecting the visitor H1 in the standby state, the response control unit 7 stops the imaging unit 11 and also stops the display of the basic guidance image G0.

[0058] In this way, the response control unit 7 sequentially outputs each image G0 - G6 and each audio message as response information according to the progress of the response to the visitor H1. Note that when there is a response from the called parent device 2 to the call from the calling handset 1, the response control unit 7 does not cause the fifth guidance image G5 and the sixth guidance image G6 to be displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18.

[0059] In addition, the response control unit 7 has a call control function for controlling the output of call information to the master unit 2 specified by the visitor H1 as the call destination. As an example, the call information may include a call tone (e.g., "Pororon, Pororon", etc.) output from a speaker included in the call unit 29 (described later) of the master unit 2. Also, as an example, the call information may include an image presented to the resident (responder) of the dwelling unit 20 by being displayed on the display unit 22 (described later) of the master unit 2, or voice output from a speaker included in the call unit 29 of the master unit 2 to the resident of the dwelling unit 20. In the present embodiment, the call information includes a call tone and first sound data recorded by the first recording.

[0060] In the present embodiment, as described above, when the visitor H1 completes the input of the room number using the slave unit side operation unit 14 and presses the call button, the room number (i.e., the call destination) is determined. Therefore, when the input of the room number is determined, the response control unit 7 causes the master unit 2 in the room of the call destination (here, room 1024) to start a call via the control device 3. In the master unit 2, when the call by the response control unit 7 is started, a call tone is output from the notification unit 27 (described later). During the call, in the master unit 2, for example, by streaming, the first voice data recorded by the first recording is played back in real time. In short, the response control unit 7 causes the master unit 2 to play back the first sound data during the call. During the period when the first sound data is being played back, it is preferable that the output of the call tone is temporarily stopped. Hereinafter, in the master unit 2, the output of the call tone and the playback of the first sound data are alternately repeated until the predetermined period of the first recording function ends. Note that the first sound data may be data stored in the master unit 2 when it is first received from the slave unit 1, or data stored in the memory of the slave unit side control unit 13 may be repeatedly transmitted to the master unit 2.

[0061] (2.3) Configuration of the Master Unit Next, the configuration of the master unit 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the master unit 2 includes a master unit side transmission unit 21, a display unit 22, a master unit side control unit 23, a master unit side operation unit 24, a video processing unit 25, a storage unit 26, and a notification unit 27. Further, the master unit 2 includes a call unit 29 (including a speaker and a microphone) for realizing a call between the slave unit 1 and the intercom 4, etc.

[0062] The master unit side transmission unit 21 is a communication interface for communicating with the slave unit 1 and the intercom 4. Note that the master unit side transmission unit 21 may be composed of two different communication interfaces, namely, a communication interface for communicating with the slave unit 1 and a communication interface for communicating with the intercom 4. The master unit side transmission unit 21 is connected to the control device 3 via the second main line 62, the branch line 63, and the splitter 5. In the present embodiment, the second main line 62 and the branch line 63 are each composed of a plurality of lines, but in FIG. 1, the second main line 62 and the branch line 63 are each shown as a single line. The master unit side transmission unit 21 is configured to be capable of two-way communication with the slave unit 1 via the communication unit 32 of the control device 3. The master unit side transmission unit 21 is configured to transmit a communication signal to the slave unit 1. The communication signal includes an audio signal, a control signal, and the like. Further, the master unit side transmission unit 21 receives the communication signal transmitted from the slave unit 1 via the communication unit 32, and demodulates the received communication signal to acquire an audio signal, a video signal, and the like. The audio signal is output to the call unit 29 via the master unit side control unit 23, and the video signal is output to the display unit 22 via the master unit side control unit 23.

[0063] The display unit 22 is configured to display a video (for example, a video captured by the imaging unit 11 of the slave unit 1) from the video processing unit 25. The display unit 22 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. When the master unit 2 is provided with a touch panel display, the touch panel display may also serve as the display unit 22 and the master unit side operation unit 24.

[0064] The operation unit 24 on the master unit side is configured to receive operations by a person (for example, a resident). When a predetermined operation (for example, a pressing operation) is performed on the operation unit 24 on the master unit side while the transmission unit 21 on the master unit side is receiving a calling signal for calling a resident, a voice call becomes possible between the slave unit 1 and the master unit 2.

[0065] The video processing unit 25 is configured to receive the video signal from the slave unit 1 received by the transmission unit 21 on the master unit side and process the video included in the video signal by signal processing. The video processing unit 25 is configured to perform, for example, a composition process of composing a plurality of videos. In the present embodiment, the video processing unit 25 creates one video by composing a first video that is a past video and a second video that is a real-time video in the composition process. The video processing unit 25 is realized by a device such as a DSP or an FPGA, for example.

[0066] The control unit 23 on the master unit side is a computer system mainly composed of one or more processors and memories as hardware. In this computer system, the functions of the control unit 23 on the master unit side are realized by executing a program recorded in the memory by one or more processors. The program may be recorded in advance in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunication line, or may be recorded and provided in a non-transitory recording medium such as an optical disk or a hard disk drive readable by the computer system.

[0067] The control unit 23 on the master unit side is configured to control the transmission unit 21 and the display unit 22 on the master unit side. Further, the control unit 23 on the master unit side is configured to control the video processing unit 25. By controlling the transmission unit 21 on the master unit side, the control unit 23 on the master unit side causes the transmission unit 21 on the master unit side to transmit a communication signal to the slave unit 1 and receive a communication signal from the slave unit 1. The communication signal to the slave unit 1 includes an audio signal, a control signal, and the like. The communication signal from the slave unit 1 includes an audio signal, a video signal, a control signal, and the like.

[0068] The master unit control unit 23 controls the display unit 22 to display the video sent from the slave unit 1 on the display unit 22. In this embodiment, one video synthesized from a first video which is a past video and a second video which is a real-time video is displayed on the display unit 22. For example, the master unit control unit 23 displays the first video small and the second video large on the display screen of the display unit 22.

[0069] The storage unit 26 is composed of a readable and writable memory. The storage unit 26 is, for example, a flash memory. The storage unit 26 stores the first video and the second video sent from the slave unit 1. In this embodiment, the storage unit 26 is provided outside the master unit control unit 23, but it may be provided inside the master unit control unit 23. That is, the storage unit 26 may be an internal memory of the master unit control unit 23.

[0070] The notification unit 27 is configured to output, for example, a ringing tone. When there is a call from the slave unit 1, the master unit control unit 23 causes the notification unit 27 to output a ringing tone at a predetermined timing. Further, the notification unit 27 is configured to output not only the ringing tone but also the first audio data recorded on the side of the slave unit 1 described above. The first audio data may be output from the speaker of the communication unit 29. The first audio data is stored in the storage unit 26 or the internal memory.

[0071] (2.4) Configuration of the control device Next, the configuration of the control device 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 3 has a signal processing unit 31 and a communication unit 32.

[0072] The communication unit 32 is a communication interface for communicating with the slave unit 1 and the master unit 2. The communication unit 32 is connected to the slave unit 1 via the first trunk line 61. Also, the communication unit 32 is connected to the master unit 2 via the second trunk line 62, the branch line 63, and the splitter 5. The communication unit 32 is configured to be capable of two-way communication with the slave-side transmission unit 12 of the slave unit 1. Also, the communication unit 32 is configured to be capable of two-way communication with the master-side transmission unit 21 of the master unit 2. That is, the communication unit 32 is configured to relay the communication between the master-side transmission unit 21 and the slave-side transmission unit 12. Therefore, the communication unit 32 relays the communication signal transmitted from the slave-side transmission unit 12 of the slave unit 1 and transmits it to a plurality of master units 2. Here, the communication signal transmitted from the slave unit 1 includes information (such as an address, etc.) for specifying the master unit 2 as the transmission destination. For this reason, only the master unit 2 whose assigned address matches the address included in the communication signal can receive the communication signal among the plurality of master units 2. Also, the communication unit 32 relays the communication signals transmitted from each of the plurality of master units 2 and transmits them to the slave unit 1.

[0073] The signal processing unit 31 is a computer system mainly composed of one or more processors and memories as hardware. In this computer system, the functions of the signal processing unit 31 are realized by executing the program recorded in the memory with one or more processors. The program may be recorded in advance in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunication line, or may be recorded and provided in a non-transitory recording medium such as an optical disk or a hard disk drive readable by the computer system.

[0074] The signal processing unit 31 is configured to control the communication unit 32. Specifically, the signal processing unit 31 controls the communication unit 32 to transmit the communication signal transmitted from the slave unit 1 to a plurality of master units 2 and to transmit the communication signals transmitted from each of the plurality of master units 2 to the slave unit 1.

[0075] (2.5) Setting of response information In this embodiment, when the response control unit 7 receives a setting input for setting response information, it has a setting function of setting response information with the slave unit 1 or the apartment house (collective facility) 200 as one unit based on the setting input. Here, "setting response information" means setting at least part of the content of the response information. The response information may include, as an example, a character string or an image displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18, an audio message output from the speaker of the call unit 19, or the procedure for responding to the visitor H1, etc.

[0076] In this embodiment, the response control unit 7 sets response information with the slave unit 1 as one unit based on the setting input. That is, for example, different response information can be set between the slave unit 1 which is a shared terminal installed in the shared area 201 of the apartment house 200 and the slave unit 1 which is a dedicated terminal for the residents of the apartment house 200 installed at the back entrance 202 or the parking lot etc. of the apartment house 200. Here, when setting the response information, for example, the installer or administrator of the slave unit 1 may perform the setting on the slave unit 1 to be set, or may perform the setting for each of the plurality of slave units 1 on any one of the plurality of slave units 1.

[0077] As an example, the slave unit 1 which is a shared terminal is mainly used by third parties other than the residents. Therefore, it is preferable to set the response information so that a character string such as "Welcome" is displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18 as a greeting to the visitor H1 on this slave unit 1. Also, as an example, the slave unit 1 which is a dedicated terminal is mainly used by the residents. Therefore, it is preferable to set the response information so that a character string such as "Welcome home" is displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18 as a greeting to the visitor H1 on this slave unit 1.

[0078] In this embodiment, the response information includes first information and second information. That is, when the response control unit 7 receives a setting input, it sets the first information and the second information based on the setting input.

[0079] The first information is information that does not change regardless of the placement status of the slave unit 1. That is, the first information is information that does not depend on the time zone, the attributes of the visitor H1 (for example, a resident, a family member of the resident, a friend, or a merchant such as a delivery company), or the information input to the slave unit 1. As an example, the first information is guidance information (for example, a character string such as "Please press the room number") and a voice message that prompts the input of the room number.

[0080] The second information is information that changes according to the placement status of the slave unit 1. That is, the second information is information that changes according to the time zone, the attributes of the visitor H1, or the information input to the slave unit 1. As an example, the second information is guidance information (for example, a character string such as "Hello") and a voice message that represents a greeting to the visitor H1. For example, the response control unit 7 can also set the response information (second information) as follows based on the setting input. That is, if it is in the morning, the response control unit 7 causes a character string such as "Good morning" to be displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18 or causes a voice message such as "Good morning" to be output from the speaker of the communication unit 19. Also, if it is at night, the response control unit 7 causes a character string such as "Good evening" to be displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18 or causes a voice message such as "Good evening" to be output from the speaker of the communication unit 19.

[0081] In addition, the response control unit 7 can set the enable / disable of the pre-condition notification function based on the setting input. Here, the pre-condition notification function is a function that receives predetermined information such as the name or attributes of the visitor H1 from the visitor H1 and notifies the resident (the responder) of the predetermined information received before starting a call with the visitor H1. That is, the response information may include instruction information for prompting the input of predetermined information to the visitor H1. Then, the response control unit 7 sets whether to include the instruction information in the response information based on the setting input.

[0082] In this embodiment, the response control unit 7 prompts the voice announcement of the name of the visitor H1 as the instruction information by displaying the second guidance image G2 and the third guidance image G3 on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18. In addition, the response control unit 7 can be set to display, as the instruction information, a guidance image as shown in FIG. 7 on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18 before displaying the second guidance image G2 and the third guidance image G3.

[0083] The guidance image shown in FIG. 7 includes guidance information (e.g., a character string such as "Please select your business or tell me") for prompting the input of the attributes (including the business) of the visitor H1, and selection information (e.g., character strings such as "1. Friend", "2. Family / Relative", etc.). The visitor H1 inputs the attribute corresponding to himself / herself among the selection information displayed in the guidance image using the sub-device side operation unit 14 or makes a voice announcement toward the microphone of the communication unit 19. Thereby, the response control unit 7 receives the attribute information regarding the attribute selected by the visitor H1 and transmits the received attribute information to the parent device 2. The parent device 2 notifies the resident (responder) of the attributes of the visitor H1 by causing the display unit 22 to display a character string corresponding to the attribute information or causing the speaker of the communication unit 29 to output an audio message corresponding to the attribute information.

[0084] In addition, the response control unit 7 can be set to have a function of changing the response information according to the attributes of the visitor H1 based on the setting input. In other words, the response control unit 7 can change the response information based on the information input to the sub-device 1. Here, the information input to the sub-device 1 may include an image of the visitor H1 captured by the sub-device 1, information input by an operation on the sub-device side operation unit 14, or voice data of the visitor H1 acquired by the microphone of the communication unit 19.

[0085] The response control unit 7 may determine the attributes of the visitor H1 by, for example, comparing the image of the visitor H1 captured with the images of the visitor list stored in the storage unit 16. Further, the response control unit 7 may determine the attributes of the visitor H1 by, for example, comparing the voice data of the visitor H1 with the voice data of the visitor list stored in the storage unit 16. Additionally, the response control unit 7 may obtain the attribute information of the visitor H1 by, for example, using the above-mentioned prior condition notification function.

[0086] For example, the response control unit 7 can set response information as follows based on the setting input. That is, when the visitor H1 is a merchant such as a delivery company and is a merchant known to the resident (for example, a pre-arranged merchant), the response control unit 7 causes a string prompting the input of a pre-set password between the resident and the merchant to be displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18. Also, when the visitor H1 is a friend or the like and is an acquaintance of the resident, the response control unit 7 causes a string expressing a welcoming intention to be displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18.

[0087] Further, the response control unit 7 can set a function to change the response information for each main unit 2 based on the setting input on the main unit 2. In other words, the response control unit 7 can change the response information based on the information input to any one of the plurality of main units 2. Here, the information input to the main unit 2 includes the information input by the operation of the resident's main unit side operation unit 24 when the call of the main unit 2 is not being made. As an example, the information input to the main unit 2 may include information regarding the enabling / disabling setting of the away mode or information regarding the enabling / disabling setting of the suspicious person repelling mode.

[0088] For example, assume that when the master unit 2 is set to the away mode and is designated as the called party by the visitor H1. In this case, the response control unit 7 notifies the visitor H1 that the resident is away, for example, by causing a string such as "I'm currently away" to be displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18. Also, for example, assume that when the suspicious person repelling mode is set and the master unit 2 is designated as the called party by the visitor H1. In this case, the response control unit 7 determines whether the visitor H1 is a suspicious person based on, for example, an image of the visitor H1 captured, the voice of the visitor H1 recorded by the first recording function, or the attributes of the visitor H1 obtained by the advance message notification function. Then, when the response control unit 7 determines that the visitor H1 is a suspicious person, it drives away the visitor H1, for example, by causing a string such as "Please leave" to be displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18.

[0089] Further, the response control unit 7 can set the call control function based on the setting input. In other words, the response control unit 7 can control the output of the call information to the master unit 2 designated as the called party by the visitor H1. For example, the response control unit 7 can set, based on the setting input, whether to alternately repeat the output of the call sound and the playback of the first sound data, output only the call sound, or not output both the call sound and the first sound data during a call on the master unit 2. Also, for example, the response control unit 7 can set, based on the setting input, whether to save the first sound data recorded by the first recording function and the second sound data recorded by the second recording function as away message data.

[0090] Here, the response control unit 7 can also set the call control function for each master unit 2 based on the setting input on the master unit 2. In other words, the response control unit 7 can also control the output of the call information based on the information input to the master unit 2 designated as the called party.

[0091] In addition, the response control unit 7 can also set the call control function as follows based on the setting input. That is, after at least a part of the response information is output, when the information obtained by the slave unit 1 from the visitor H1 satisfies a predetermined condition, the response control unit 7 controls the output of the call information. For example, the response control unit 7 determines whether the visitor H1 is a person who should relay to the resident based on the image of the visitor H1 captured, the voice of the visitor H1 recorded by the first recording function, or the attribute of the visitor H1 obtained by the prior matter notification function. Then, when the response control unit 7 determines that the visitor H1 is a person who should relay to the resident, it starts a call to the master unit 2 designated as the call destination. On the other hand, when the response control unit 7 determines that the visitor H1 is not a person who should relay to the resident, it does not make a call to the master unit 2 designated as the call destination.

[0092] In addition, the response control unit 7 can also set the call control function as follows based on the setting input. That is, when controlling the output of the call information, the response control unit 7 controls the slave unit 1. For example, when the response control unit 7 determines that the visitor H1 is not a person who should relay to the resident as described above, it drives away the visitor H1 by, for example, displaying a string such as "I would like to decline" on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18.

[0093] In addition, when the response control unit 7 receives a setting input, it can also set the mode of the voice information output as voice from the slave unit 1 among the response information based on the setting input. In this embodiment, the mode of the voice information may include language, voice color, intonation, or dialect, etc. The language may include, in addition to Japanese, for example, English, Chinese, or Korean, etc. The voice color may include, for example, the voice color of a male, the voice color of a female, and in addition, a voice color imitating the voice color of a specific individual (for example, an entertainer or a voice actor, etc.). The intonation may include, for example, an oral intonation, a literary intonation, and in addition, the intonation when a butler speaks, etc.

[0094] As an example, assume that the installer or administrator of the slave unit 1 sets the language of the voice information to English. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the response control unit 7 causes the basic guidance image G0 to display English guidance information (for example, a character string such as "ENTER ROOM No.") that urges the input of the room number. Also, the response control unit 7 causes, for example, an English voice message such as "Welcome! Enter room number." to be output from the speaker of the communication unit 19. In this way, when the language of the voice information is set, the response control unit 7 may cause a character string to be displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18 in the set language. In other words, the response control unit 7 may change the mode of the display information displayed on the display unit 18 included in the slave unit 1 based on the set mode of the voice information.

[0095] Further, the response control unit 7 can set a function to change the mode of the voice information based on the information input to the slave unit 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the response control unit 7 may cause a plurality of icons each representing a plurality of languages to be displayed in the basic guidance image G0. In the basic guidance image G0 shown in FIG. 9, an icon including a character string representing English, an icon including a character string representing Chinese, and an icon including a character string representing Korean are displayed. Then, for example, when the visitor H1 touches any one of the icons displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18, any one of the icons is selected. Then, thereafter, the response control unit 7 causes a voice message to be output from the speaker of the communication unit 19 or a character string to be displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18 in the language corresponding to the selected icon. Note that the visitor H1 may select any one of the icons by operating a button corresponding to any one of the icons displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18 at the slave unit side operation unit 14.

[0096] Also, the response control unit 7 can set the validity / invalidity of the first recording function based on a setting input. Further, the response control unit 7 can set the validity / invalidity of the second recording function based on a setting input.

[0097] The following describes a series of operations of the setting function by the response control unit 7 with reference to FIG. 10. First, for example, a constructor or administrator uses the slave unit side operation unit 14 or the like to perform a specific operation input with a high security level that residents or the like are unaware of (S1: Yes). As a result, the response control unit 7 starts operating as a setting mode capable of accepting setting inputs (S2).

[0098] In the setting mode, the response control unit 7 causes a setting guidance image to be displayed on the display screen 180 of the display unit 18. The constructor or administrator performs setting inputs while viewing the guidance information displayed in the setting guidance image. The setting input may be performed by the constructor or administrator using the slave unit side operation unit 14, or may be performed by the constructor or administrator uttering a voice toward the microphone of the communication unit 19. When the response control unit 7 accepts the setting input (S3: Yes), it sets response information based on the setting input (S4). The response information set here is stored in the storage unit 16 or the built-in memory of the slave unit side control unit 13.

[0099] Thereafter, the response control unit 7 waits for a setting input until an end trigger occurs (S5: No). Then, when the end trigger occurs (S5: Yes), the response control unit 7 ends the operation as the setting mode (S6). Here, the end trigger occurs when the constructor or administrator performs an operation input to end the setting mode. Also, the end trigger occurs when the time during which no setting input is accepted continues for a predetermined time or longer.

[0100] As described above, in the present embodiment, for example, the constructor or administrator of the slave unit 1 can freely set response information for each slave unit 1 by the response control unit 7 according to the installation environment of the intercom system 100 or the requests of the residents or the like. Therefore, the present embodiment has the advantage that the degree of freedom in the mode of responding to the visitor H1 can be improved.

[0101] In addition, the slave unit side control unit 13 has a function as a volume setting unit 8 that sets the volume for outputting response information. In the present embodiment, the function as the volume setting unit 8 is exhibited in the setting mode of the above-described response control unit 7. The volume setting unit 8 increases or decreases the volume for outputting response information from the slave unit 1 based on, for example, setting input by a constructor or an administrator. Here, the constructor or the administrator can set the volume for each at least one item among, for example, a predetermined time, time zone, day, month, day of the week, and season by the volume setting unit 8. As an example, the constructor or the administrator can set the volume to be smaller in the night and early morning time zones from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. than in other time zones by the volume setting unit 8.

[0102] (4) Modification Example The above-described embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiment can be variously modified according to the design and the like as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Further, the same functions as those of the intercom system 100 may be embodied by a setting method, a (computer) program, a non-temporary recording medium on which the program is recorded, or the like.

[0103] A setting method according to one aspect has an input step and a setting step. The input step is a step of receiving a setting input for setting response information. The setting step is a step of setting response information with the slave unit 1 or the collective facility 200 having a plurality of facilities 20 as one unit based on the setting input in the input step. The response information is information output from the slave unit 1 to respond to the visitor H1 who visits the collective facility 200. The slave unit 1 is a device provided in the collective facility 200 and communicates with any one of the plurality of master units 2 provided in the plurality of facilities 20 respectively. Further, a program according to one aspect causes one or more processors to execute the above-described setting method.

[0104] The setting method according to one aspect has an input step and a setting step. The input step is a step of receiving a setting input for setting response information. The setting step is a step of setting the mode of voice information output as voice from slave unit 1 among the response information based on the setting input in the input step. The response information is information output from slave unit 1 to respond to visitor H1 who visits collective facility 200 having a plurality of facilities 20. Slave unit 1 is a device provided in collective facility 200 and communicates with any one of a plurality of master units 2 respectively provided in a plurality of facilities 20. Further, the program according to one aspect causes one or more processors to execute the above setting method.

[0105] The intercom system 100 in the present disclosure includes, for example, a computer system in the handset side control unit 13 of the handset 1, the signal processing unit 31 of the control device 3, and the like. The computer system mainly consists of a processor and a memory as hardware. By the processor executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system, the functions as the handset side control unit 13 and the signal processing unit 31 in the present disclosure are realized. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunication line, or may be provided by being recorded in a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive readable by the computer system. The processor of the computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large scale integrated circuit (LSI). Here, integrated circuits such as the IC or LSI have different names depending on the degree of integration, and include integrated circuits called system LSI, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Furthermore, for an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) that is programmed after the manufacture of the LSI, or a logic device capable of reconfiguring the bonding relationship inside the LSI or reconfiguring the circuit section inside the LSI, it can also be adopted as a processor. The one or more electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip, or may be provided distributed on a plurality of chips. The plurality of chips may be integrated in one device, or may be provided distributed in a plurality of devices. The computer system referred to here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microcontroller is also composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large scale integrated circuit.

[0106] Also, it is not an essential configuration of the slave unit 1 that a plurality of functions in the slave unit 1 are integrated into one housing. The components of the slave unit 1 may be provided dispersedly in a plurality of housings. Further, at least some functions of the slave unit 1, such as the slave unit side control unit 13, may be realized by, for example, a server device and a cloud (cloud computing). Conversely, all functions of the slave unit 1 may be integrated into one housing as in the above-described embodiment. The same applies to the control device 3.

[0107] In the above-described embodiment, the response control unit 7 is not limited to the mode of being realized as one function of the slave unit side control unit 13, and may be provided separately from the slave unit side control unit 13. Also, the response control unit 7 may be installed at any location as long as it can communicate with the slave unit 1. For example, the response control unit 7 may be installed in addition to the slave unit 1, in the control device 3, or in the master unit of the management room. The same applies to the volume setting unit 8.

[0108] In the above-described embodiment, the response control unit 7 may set response information for each apartment house (collective facility) 200 as a unit. As an example, when there are two apartment houses 200, the slave unit 1 in one apartment house 200 may be set to prompt the input of the room number when dealing with the visitor H1, and the slave unit 1 in the other apartment house 200 may be set to prompt the selection of the purpose in addition to the input of the room number.

[0109] In the above-described embodiment, the apartment house (collective facility) 200 may have a plurality of buildings (two buildings in FIG. 11). In this case, when the response control unit 7 receives a setting input, it may set response information for a plurality of apartment houses 200 as one unit based on the setting input. Here, "setting response information for a plurality of apartment houses 200 as one unit" means, for example, when there is one slave unit 1 in each of the plurality of apartment houses 200, setting the same response information for all of these slave units 1. In this case, for example, it is sufficient if the response control unit 7 is provided in any one of the plurality of control devices 3 installed in the plurality of apartment houses 200. Then, if the response control unit 7 sets the response information, the response information set for all the slave units 1 is transmitted via the plurality of control devices 3, and the same response information is set for all the slave units 1.

[0110] In the above-described embodiment, the response control unit 7 may be able to set, based on a setting input, whether to enable or disable the function of synthesizing the sound data recorded during a call and the video data recorded and storing the combined data as answering machine data in the master unit 2.

[0111] In the above-described embodiment, the response control unit 7 may be able to set, based on a setting input, whether to enable or disable the function of notifying the resident in advance of the presence of the visitor H1 before a call while the response to the visitor H1 is being made at the slave unit 1. In this function, the response control unit 7 causes a light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) to emit light at the master unit 2 or increases the volume of a specific sound from the speaker of the communication unit 29.

[0112] In the above-described embodiment, the response control unit 7 may be able to set, based on a setting input, whether to enable or disable the function of automatically responding to the visitor H1 without going through the resident. In this function, when the master unit 2 is set to the answering mode, the response control unit 7 automatically executes the response to the visitor H1, for example, using a learned neural network.

[0113] In the above-described embodiment, while the response control unit 7 is handling the visitor H1 at the slave unit 1, the slave unit 1 and the master unit 2 may output different voice messages or different sounds from each other.

[0114] In the above-described embodiment, the response control unit 7 may be configured to receive a setting input from the master unit in the management room installed in the management room of the apartment house 200.

[0115] (Summary) As described above, the intercom system (100) according to the first aspect includes a response control unit (7). The response control unit (7) controls response information. The response information is information output from the slave unit (1) to respond to a visitor (H1) visiting the collective facility (200) having a plurality of facilities (20). The slave unit (1) is a device provided in the collective facility (200) and communicating with any one of a plurality of master units (2) provided in the plurality of facilities (20) respectively. When the response control unit (7) receives a setting input for setting the response information, it sets the mode of the voice information output as voice from the slave unit (1) among the response information based on the setting input.

[0116] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the degree of freedom of the mode of responding to the visitor (H1) can be improved.

[0117] In the intercom system (100) according to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the response control unit (7) changes the mode of the display information displayed on the display unit (18) of the slave unit (1) based on the set mode of the voice information.

[0118] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that not only the voice information but also the display information can be changed together as the mode of responding to the visitor (H1).

[0119] In the intercom system (100) according to the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the mode of the voice information includes a language.

[0120] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the response to the visitor (H1) can be set in a language that the visitor (H1) can understand.

[0121] In the intercom system (100) according to the fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the response information includes first information and second information. The first information is information that is invariant regardless of the situation where the slave unit (1) is placed. The second information is information that changes according to the situation where the slave unit (1) is placed.

[0122] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the degree of freedom of the response mode to the visitor (H1) can be further improved.

[0123] In the intercom system (100) according to the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the response information includes instruction information for prompting the input of predetermined information to the visitor (H1).

[0124] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that it is possible to acquire information about the visitor (H1) in advance before the call.

[0125] In the intercom system (100) according to the sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the response control unit (7) changes the response information based on the information input to the slave unit (1).

[0126] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the response mode to the visitor (H1) can be changed according to the visitor (H1).

[0127] In the intercom system (100) according to the seventh aspect, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the response control unit (7) changes the response information based on the information input to any one of the plurality of master units (2).

[0128] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the mode of dealing with visitors (H1) can be changed for each user of the master unit (2) (for example, a resident of the dwelling unit (20)).

[0129] In the intercom system (100) according to the eighth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the response control unit (7) controls the output of call information to the master unit (2) designated by the visitor (H1) as the call destination.

[0130] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the degree of freedom in the mode of calls to the user of the master unit (2) can be improved.

[0131] In the intercom system (100) according to the ninth aspect, in the eighth aspect, the response control unit (7) controls the output of call information based on the information input to the master unit (2) designated as the call destination.

[0132] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the mode of calls can be changed for each user of the master unit (2).

[0133] In the intercom system (100) according to the tenth aspect, in the eighth or ninth aspect, after at least a part of the response information is output, when the information acquired by the slave unit (1) from the visitor (H1) satisfies a predetermined condition, the response control unit (7) controls the output of call information.

[0134] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the mode of calls can be changed according to the visitor (H1).

[0135] In the intercom system (100) according to the eleventh aspect, in any one of the eighth to tenth aspects, when controlling the output of call information, the response control unit (7) controls the slave unit (1).

[0136] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the mode of operation of the slave unit (1) at the time of a call to the master unit (2) can be changed.

[0137] In the intercom system (100) according to the twelfth aspect, in any of the first to eleventh aspects, a volume setting unit (8) for setting the volume for outputting response information is further provided.

[0138] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that it is possible to set so that response information can be output at an appropriate volume according to the environment where the slave unit (1) is placed.

[0139] The setting method according to the thirteenth aspect has an input step and a setting step. The input step is a step of receiving a setting input for setting response information. The setting step is a step of setting the mode of voice information that is output as voice from the slave unit (1) among the response information based on the setting input in the input step. The response information is information output from the slave unit (1) to respond to a visitor (H1) visiting a collective facility (200) having a plurality of facilities (20). The slave unit (1) is a device provided in the collective facility (200) and communicates with any one of a plurality of master units (2) respectively provided in the plurality of facilities (20).

[0140] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the degree of freedom in the mode of responding to the visitor (H1) can be improved.

[0141] The program according to the fourteenth aspect causes one or more processors to execute the setting method of the thirteenth aspect.

[0142] According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the degree of freedom in the mode of responding to the visitor (H1) can be improved.

[0143] Regarding the configurations according to the second to twelfth aspects, they are not essential configurations of the intercom system (100) and can be omitted as appropriate.

[0144] Incidentally, during a call between the responder (resident) and visitor H1, by performing a specific operation on the main unit 2, a voice message for driving away visitor H1 may be output from the sub-unit 1 by superimposing it on the voice uttered by the responder. For example, if visitor H1 is a person who visits for an unwanted purpose of the responder (such as religious solicitation, newspaper solicitation, or door-to-door sales), a voice message requesting dismissal such as "Please go back soon" or "Do you want me to come out and complain?" is output to the sub-unit 1. The mode of the voice message requesting dismissal is preferably, for example, a male voice tone, or an angry voice tone or intonation towards visitor H1.

[0145] That is, the intercom system (100) includes a sub-unit (1) and a response control unit (7). The sub-unit (1) is provided in an apartment building (200) having a plurality of facilities (20), and communicates with any one of a plurality of main units (2) respectively provided in the plurality of facilities (20). The response control unit (7) controls the output of response information for responding to visitor (H1) visiting the apartment building (200) to the sub-unit (1). During a call between the sub-unit (1) and the main unit (2), when the main unit (2) receives a predetermined input, the response control unit (7) causes voice information for driving away visitor (H1) to be output superimposed on the voice output from the sub-unit (1).

Explanation of Signs

[0146] 1 Sub-unit 18 Display unit 2 Main unit 7 Response control unit 8 Volume setting unit 20 Dwelling unit (facility) 100 Intercom system 200 Apartment building (apartment complex) H1 Visitor

Claims

1. comprising a response control unit that controls response information, before starting a call with a visitor who visits a collective facility in which a responder has a plurality of facilities, the response information is information output from a slave unit to prompt input of predetermined information notified to the responder by any one of a plurality of master units provided in the collective facility and respectively provided in the plurality of facilities, the predetermined information includes the attributes of the visitor and is input using the operation unit of the slave unit, the slave unit is a device provided in the collective facility and communicating with any one of a plurality of master units respectively provided in the plurality of facilities, the response control unit, determines whether to relay the visitor to the responder based on the attributes of the visitor, when it is determined to relay the visitor to the responder, starts a call to the master unit designated as the call destination among the plurality of master units, when it is determined not to relay the visitor to the responder, does not make a call to the master unit designated as the call destination, during a call to the master unit designated as the call destination, output of information including the predetermined information and output of a call sound are alternately repeated, an intercom system.

2. the response information, includes first information that is invariant regardless of the placement situation of the slave unit, and second information that changes according to the placement situation of the slave unit, The intercom system according to claim 1.

3. the response information includes instruction information for prompting input of the predetermined information to the visitor, The intercom system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the response control unit, when receiving a setting input for setting the response information, sets the mode of voice information output as voice from the slave unit among the response information based on the setting input, changes the response information based on the information input to the slave unit, The intercom system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the response control unit, when receiving a setting input for setting the response information, sets the mode of voice information output as voice from the slave unit among the response information based on the setting input, changes the response information based on the information input to any one of the plurality of master units, The intercom system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the response control unit controls output of call information to the master unit designated by the visitor as the call destination. The intercom system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The response control unit controls the output of the call information based on the information input to the master unit designated as the call destination. The intercom system according to claim 6.

8. After at least a part of the response information is output, when the information acquired by the slave unit from the visitor satisfies a predetermined condition, the response control unit controls the output of the call information. The intercom system according to claim 6 or 7.

9. When controlling the output of the call information, the response control unit controls the slave unit. The intercom system according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

10. The intercom system further includes a volume setting unit that sets the volume for outputting the response information. The intercom system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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