Intercom system

Abstract

To allow information recorded in a recording device to be output to a terminal device different from an intercom base unit.SOLUTION: An intercom system 100 includes an intercom base unit 10 and a recording device 24. The recording device 24 records information output by handsets 21, 22, and 23. The intercom base unit 10 includes a communication interface 12 and a processing unit 11. The communication interface 12 communicates with a terminal device 50. The processing unit 11 outputs the information recorded in the recording device 24 to the terminal device 50 through the communication interface 12. The handsets 21, 22, and 23 include a door-phone handset and a lobby intercom connected to the intercom base unit 10 via a private communication network. The information recorded in the recording device 24 is appended with data that distinguishes between processed information and yet-to-be-processed information. The processing unit 11 outputs the yet-to-be-processed information of the information recorded in the recording device 24 to the terminal device 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent document 1 describes an intercom system in which wireless communication is performed between an intercom master unit and a portable IP telephone terminal (terminal device), and audio signals are transmitted and received between the portable IP telephone terminal and an intercom slave unit (sub-unit). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-312242 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The intercom system described in Patent Document 1 allows calls to be made between the mobile IP telephone terminal and the door phone sub-unit only when the mobile IP telephone terminal is inside the home, and does not allow calls to be made between the mobile IP telephone terminal and the door phone sub-unit when the mobile IP telephone terminal is not inside the home.

[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 includes an intercom master unit and a recording device. dwelling unit The recording device is installed in dwelling unitThe intercom master unit records the information output by a slave unit configured to output information on at least one of a visitor and a delivery to the terminal unit. The intercom master unit further includes a communication interface that includes a wireless communication path and communicates with a terminal unit via a transmission path that does not involve an internal communication network, and a processing unit that outputs the information recorded in the recording device to the terminal unit via the communication interface. The slave units include a door phone slave unit and a lobby intercom connected to the intercom master unit via the internal communication network. Data distinguishing between unaddressed information and addressed information is added to the information recorded in the recording device. When the terminal unit moves from an area where communication is unavailable to an area where communication is available, the processing unit outputs the unaddressed information from the information recorded in the recording device to the terminal unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to check the information of the slave unit regardless of the location of the terminal device. For example, even if the slave unit outputs information about 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 unit using the terminal device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the intercom master unit provided in the same. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the above. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The intercom system described below will be described assuming 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 base unit, handset, and recording device are optional components in the intercom system described below and are not required.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, intercom system 100 includes intercom base unit 10 and handsets 21, 22, and 23. Intercom system 100 also includes recording device 24 that records information output by handsets 21, 22, and 23. In intercom system 100 shown in Fig. 1, intercom base unit 10 includes recording device 24, but it is not essential that intercom base 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 to receive signals containing alarm information or information measured by a sensor installed in the dwelling unit from a sensor installed in the dwelling unit. The sensor may be selected from, for example, a smoke sensor, a fire sensor, a gas sensor, a security sensor, or a power meter. This type of intercom master unit 10 is sometimes called a home information panel, a dwelling unit terminal, or the like. In each dwelling unit 31, which is a predetermined space in a building, the intercom master unit 10 is installed in a location selected from the kitchen, living room, entrance, bedroom, etc. 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, some dwelling units 31 may be 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 base unit communicates with the sub-units 21, 22, and 23 via the main intercom base unit 10, and realizes the same functions as the main intercom base unit 10. The functions described below are realized regardless of whether an additional intercom base unit is used in the dwelling unit 31, so the following description will be given using as an example a case where one intercom base unit 10 is provided in each of multiple dwelling units 31.

[0016] The slave unit 21 is a so-called door phone 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 to 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 capturing images of the surrounding area. 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 to intercom master unit 10. Handset 22 also has an operation unit for selecting one of the multiple dwelling units 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 base unit 10 transmits signals to 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 base 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 branching devices 43 at locations where the individual intercom base units 10 are connected. The intercom base unit 10 and the branching devices 43 are connected via connection lines 44.

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

[0020] If the box 26 is a mailbox 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 associated one-to-one with the dwelling units 31, and information about 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 that is associated one-to-one 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 in apartment building 30. Therefore, box 26 for storing parcels has a function for recognizing the destination of the parcel. Sub-unit 23 receives information about the destination of the parcel from box 26 and notifies intercom base unit 10 installed in dwelling unit 31 of the destination of the parcel (information about the parcel).

[0022] The intercom system 100 in this embodiment is intended for use in an apartment building 30, and therefore the building includes a manager's room 33 in addition to the dwelling units 31 and common areas 32. A management base unit 27 connected to the local communication network 42 is installed in the manager's room 33. The management base unit 27 has functions such as receiving images captured by the camera 221 from the handset 22, receiving the status of delivery items being placed in the boxes 26 from the handset 23, and communicating with each of the intercom base units 10 installed in the dwelling units 31 of the apartment building 30. The management base unit 27 can also transmit text information and the like to the intercom base unit 10. Therefore, the intercom base 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 selected from a liquid crystal display, an organic electroluminescence (EL) display, etc. The slave unit 21 is connected to a slave unit interface 16 included in the intercom master unit 10. The intercom master unit 10 has a function of receiving a video signal including information about an image captured by the camera 221 from the slave unit 22 and displaying the video signal on the monitor device 15. The intercom master unit 10 also receives a video signal including information about an image captured by the camera of the slave unit 21 from the slave unit 21 and displays the video signal on the monitor device 15. The monitor device 15 may be a touch panel including a touch sensor.

[0024] The intercom base unit 10 of this embodiment is equipped with a recording device 24. The recording device 24 records visitor information when the sub-units 21 and 22 output the visitor information, and records 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 recognized that the delivery was placed in the box 26. The information recorded in the recording device 24 includes the time when the visitor information or delivery information was generated. The recording device 24 also records information on images captured 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 moving images for a certain period of time (for example, about 10 to 30 seconds) after the intercom base unit 10 receives a call signal. Alternatively, the images recorded in the recording device 24 may be multiple still images (for example, about 5 to 10 images) taken at predetermined intervals (for example, about 0.5 to 2 seconds). If the sender of the delivery is known, the information about the sender may be included in the information about the delivery recorded in the recording device 24.

[0025] The intercom base unit 10 is equipped with 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 electrical circuit for sending and receiving signals transmitted through the local area communication network 42. The intercom base unit 10 also includes a call switch 18 that is operated to start and end a call using the microphone 13 and speaker 14, an unlock switch 19 that is operated to unlock 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 located in the center of the front of the housing, and is equipped with call switch 18 and unlock switch 19 at the lower front of the housing. In addition, speaker 14 is located at the upper front of the housing.

[0027] The processing unit 11 has a processor that executes a program as its 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. Since the intercom master unit 10 of this embodiment includes a recording device 24, it is desirable to provide a memory that realizes the recording device 24 separately from the processor.

[0028] The program may be written in a computer's read-only memory (ROM), 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 via a telecommunications line such as the Internet or a mobile telephone network. When the processor executes the program, the program is written to the computer's random access memory (RAM) or rewritable non-volatile memory. The intercom master unit 10 may have an interface for reading the program provided by the recording medium. If the program is provided via a telecommunications line, the intercom master unit 10 may be configured to read the program through the communication interface 12. Program updates may be provided via 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 a telecommunications line such as the Internet or a mobile telephone network via a wireless communication path, like a smartphone or tablet terminal. The terminal device 50 may also be a personal computer. The transmission path between the communication interface 12 and the terminal device 50 is assumed to be a wireless communication path only, but it is not precluded from including a wired communication path in part. The wireless communication path is assumed to be a radio wave transmission medium, but the transmission medium may also be light such as visible light or infrared light. Furthermore, when the transmission medium is a radio wave, the communication interface 12 may function as a radio station employing a communication specification selected from Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), short-range wireless communication, etc., or as a specified low-power radio station.

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

[0031] On the other hand, if the talk switch 18 is not operated within a predetermined time after receiving a 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, one to two minutes. The visitor information includes information indicating that the handsets 21 and 22 have output a call signal, and is recorded in the recording device 24 together with the time at which the processing unit 11 received the call signal. When the handset 21 outputs a call signal, it activates its camera and sends a video signal to the intercom base unit 10, and when the handset 22 outputs a call signal, it activates its camera 221 and sends a video signal to the intercom base unit 10. The video signal sent from the handset 21 or 22 is also recorded in the recording device 24 as visitor information. In other words, when the talk switch 18 in the intercom base unit 10 is not operated and the call signal from the handset 21 or 22 is not responded to, the visitor information is recorded in the recording device 24.

[0032] When the processing unit 11 receives information about a delivery from the handset 23, it activates the monitor device 15 and displays on the screen of the monitor device 15 information indicating that the delivery has been placed in the box 26. The information about the delivery may include information about an image of the delivery person, information about the sender of the delivery, and the like. When the intercom base unit 10 receives information about the delivery from the handset 23, the information about 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 from the sensor 261 indicating that the delivery has been collected, and when the intercom base unit 10 receives this information, the information about the delivery recorded in the recording device 24 is erased. Therefore, if the delivery is not collected in response to the information about the delivery from the handset 23, the information about the delivery will remain in the recording device 24 as unaddressed information about the delivery in the intercom base unit 10.

[0033] As explained above, handsets 21 and 22 output visitor information, and handset 23 outputs delivery information. If talk switch 18 is operated after intercom base unit 10 receives visitor information, the visitor information is treated as having been handled and is not recorded in recording device 24. On the other hand, if talk switch 18 is not operated after intercom base unit 10 receives visitor information, the visitor information is treated as having not been handled and is recorded in recording device 24. Furthermore, after delivery information is recorded in recording device 24, it is treated as having not been handled and remains in 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 base unit 10. Intercom base 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 base unit 10, the visitor information displayed on the monitor device 15 is treated as attended to by the intercom base unit 10, similar to information for which the talk switch 18 has been operated. It is desirable to add data distinguishing between attended and unattended visitor information to the visitor information recorded in the recording device 24. With regard to a delivery recorded in the recording device 24, if the delivery has not been collected from the box 26, it is considered unattended, and if the delivery has been collected from the box 26, it is considered attended. The delivery information recorded in the recording device 24 can be deleted as described above after the delivery has been collected from the box 26, but, like visitor information, it may also be left in the recording device 24 with data added to distinguish between attended and unattended visitor information.

[0036] This type of information corresponds to, for example, information generated during the absence of a user residing in dwelling unit 31 in which intercom base 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 base unit 10, for example, while taking a bath, sleeping, or working in a location where intercom base unit 10 is not installed. This type of information recorded in recording device 24 can be erased as needed by operating a predetermined operating section of intercom base 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 (a 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 the 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 that is equipped with the above-mentioned application program via the communication interface 12. Here, by performing a predetermined operation on at least one of the intercom master unit 10 and the terminal device 50, the intercom master unit 10 and the terminal device 50 are automatically linked. Note that the intercom master unit 10 and the terminal device 50 may also be configured to be linked by manually inputting an encryption key for communication.

[0039] Once the terminal device 50 has completed the linking process with the intercom base unit 10, it can check the visitor information and delivery information recorded in the recording device 24 for the dwelling unit 31 in which the intercom base unit 10 is installed. When checking the information recorded in the recording device 24 on the terminal device 50, an application program is launched on the terminal device 50. Next, the terminal device 50 transmits a notification to the intercom base 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 base unit 10 receives from the terminal device 50 the notification requesting confirmation of the information recorded in the recording device 24, reads the visitor information or delivery information from the recording device 24, and outputs it to the terminal device 50.

[0040] Recording device 24 records information about visitors who did not respond to the call signal from intercom base unit 10, or information about deliveries that have not been collected among deliveries notified to intercom base unit 10. Therefore, the information that intercom base unit 10 outputs to terminal device 50 via 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 box 26.

[0041] However, since the visitor information that has been output to the monitor device 15 of the intercom base 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 receives a request from the terminal device 50 to confirm the information recorded in the recording device 24, it may output only the unaddressed information out of the visitor information and delivery information to the terminal device 50. When selecting the information to be output to the terminal device 50, the processing unit 11 refers to the data that distinguishes between unaddressed and addressed information recorded in the recording device 24 as described above, and outputs only the unaddressed information to the terminal device 50.

[0042] The processing performed by processing unit 11 of intercom base unit 10 in relation to terminal device 50 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Note that Fig. 3 does not describe the case where the user responds to visitor information or delivery information when this information is notified to intercom base unit 10. When processing unit 11 receives visitor information from handset 21, 22 (S11: Yes) or delivery information from handset 23 (S12: Yes), this information is recorded in recording device 24 (S13). If there is no visitor information (S11: No) or delivery information (S12: No), the processing unit waits until handset 21, 22, 23 outputs information.

[0043] When the processing unit 11 receives a request from 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 base unit 10 (S15). If there is any information in the recording device 24 that has not been output to the intercom base 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 base unit 10 in step S15 (S15: No), the processing unit 11 returns a response to the terminal device 50 indicating 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 when it outputs information recorded in recording device 24 to terminal device 50, the corresponding information remains without being deleted from recording device 24. In this case, intercom master unit 10 can 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 in response to the information. Taking action in response to the information means, for example, contacting the visitor or retrieving the delivery from the box 26. However, if all of the information output to the terminal device 50 is output again to the monitor device 15, it may be troublesome for the users residing in the dwelling unit 31. For this reason, when outputting information recorded in the recording device 24 to the monitor device 15, it is desirable to be able to select whether or not to output the information to the monitor 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 that distinguishes between visitor information and delivery information, and the date and time corresponding to the information. Here, an item in the list that corresponds to one piece of information is called a "heading." While the list is displayed on the monitor device 15, the processing unit 11 waits for the specification of one or more headings from the headings in the list. When a predetermined operation unit of the intercom base unit 10 is operated to specify 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 issue a cancellation command, the information is not read from the recording device 24, and when an erasure command is issued, the 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 from the recording device 24 on the monitor device 15, it is preferable that the processing unit 11 does not erase the information from the recording device 24, but rather erases the information after the erasure command is issued.

[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 recorded in the recording device 24 that has been output to the terminal device 50 to the monitor device 15. With regard to information recorded in the recording device 24 that has not been output to the terminal device 50, the processing unit 11 desirably displays the information on the monitor device 15 of the intercom master unit 10 in the order of the date and time when the information was generated. Furthermore, the processing unit 11 may also cause information recorded in the recording device 24 that has not been output to the terminal device 50 to be selected from a list in the same way as the information that has been output to the terminal device 50.

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

[0050] In the intercom system 100 described above, 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 communicate directly with the terminal device 50, the information recorded in the recording device 24 can be checked by the terminal device 50 only inside or near the dwelling unit 31. In this case, the only transmission path between the communication interface 12 and the terminal device 50 is 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. In other words, the intercom master unit 10 performs push communication with the terminal device 50, and if the user has not yet taken action on the information stored in the recording device 24, the intercom master unit 10 can notify the terminal device 50 and prompt the user to take action.

[0052] Alternatively, instead of having the terminal device 50 communicate directly with the intercom master unit 10, the intercom system 100 may be configured with an access point installed near the common area 32 of the apartment building 30. 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. Furthermore, it is desirable that when the terminal device 50 moves from an area where communication is not possible to an area where communication is possible, the access point outputs information recorded in the recording device 24 to the terminal device 50 by performing push communication. In this configuration, it is possible to check whether or not there is a delivery in the common area 32, just as in the case of requesting confirmation from the terminal device 50, and the information is automatically output to the terminal device 50 by push communication without requiring any operation on the terminal device 50.

[0053] The above-described intercom system 100 is based on the assumption 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 base 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 output the call signal, along with the information that the handset 21 has output a call signal.

[0054] Furthermore, it is not essential that the recording device 24 be provided in the intercom base unit 10. The recording device 24 may be provided in the control device 25 or the management base unit 27. If 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-described intercom system 100, both visitor information and delivery information are recorded in the recording device 24. However, only one of the visitor information and delivery information may be recorded in the recording device 24. In particular, since the handset 21, which communicates with the intercom base unit 10, is essential for the intercom system 100 and is not limited to the apartment building 30, recording only visitor information in the recording device 24 is useful. Furthermore, the intercom base unit 10 can receive alarm information or sensor-measured information from a sensor, as well as contact information from the manager. Therefore, this type of information may be recorded in the recording device 24 and made available for review on the terminal device 50. Depending on the application of the intercom system 100, the handsets 22 and 23, the control device 25, the management base unit 27, the splitter 43, and the like may not be required. For example, an intercom system 100 for a detached house may only need to include the intercom base unit 10 and the handset 21.

[0056] The entities that execute the intercom system 100, intercom master unit 10, and control method for the intercom system 100 described above include a computer system. The computer system is mainly composed of a processor and 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 the 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 on 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 drive, an external memory device, etc. The program may also be provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet or a mobile telephone network.

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

[0059] Furthermore, it is not essential that a single intercom master unit 10 has all of the functions of the processing unit 11, and the functions of the processing unit 11 may be distributed and implemented 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 may be constructed as a single computer system or as multiple computer systems connected via a telecommunications line. The computer server may also be constructed using cloud computing.

[0060] An intercom system 100 according to one aspect of this embodiment includes an intercom base unit 10, handsets 21, 22, and 23, and a recording device 24. The intercom base unit 10 is installed in a predetermined space (dwelling unit 31) in a building (apartment building 30). The handsets 21, 22, and 23 are configured to output information regarding at least one of visitors and deliveries to the predetermined space. The recording device 24 records the information output by the handsets 21, 22, and 23. The intercom base 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: In the first step, when sub-units 21, 22, and 23 output information about at least one of a visitor and a delivery to a predetermined space (dwelling unit 31) in a building (apartment building 30), the sub-units record the information in recording device 24. In the second step, intercom master unit 10 installed in the predetermined 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 base unit 10. For example, if the intercom base 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. Furthermore, if the terminal device 50 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet, information that could previously only be checked on the intercom base unit 10 fixed in a predetermined space can now be checked at another location. This makes it easier to check information that could not be handled by the intercom base unit 10.

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

[0064] That is, since the intercom master unit 10 is provided with the recording device 24, it is not necessary to associate information with the intercom master unit 10.

[0065] The slave units 21 and 22 may be provided with a camera 221 that takes an image of the visitor. The visitor information preferably includes information on the image of the visitor taken by the camera 221.

[0066] That is, it is possible to photograph a 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 that is equipped with a sensor 261 that detects the placement of a delivery item, which is at least one of a postal item and a parcel. The information about the delivery item preferably includes information about 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 specified space may be a dwelling unit 31. In this case, an intercom base unit 10 is installed in each of the multiple dwelling units 31 in the apartment building 30. The handsets 22 and 23 are installed in a common area 32 of the apartment building 30. It is also desirable to further include a control device 25 that associates the information output by the handsets 22 and 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 and 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 the 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 supported by the intercom master unit 10, among 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 preferably includes 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 preferably receives an instruction as to whether or not to output information recorded in the recording device 24 that has been output to the terminal device 50 to the output device.

[0074] That is, when the information recorded in the recording device 24 is checked in 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 terminal device 50 and 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 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 embodiments are merely a part of various embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments 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 base unit 11 Processing section 12 Communication Interface 15 Monitor device (output device) 21 Handset 22 Handset 23 Handset 24 Recording Device 25 Control device 26 Box 30 Apartment complex (building) 31 dwelling units (prescribed space) 50 Terminal Equipment 100 Intercom System 221 Camera 261 Sensors

Claims

1. An intercom base unit installed in a dwelling unit of a building; a recording device configured to output information about at least one of a visitor and a delivery to the dwelling unit and configured to record the information output by the sub-unit; The intercom master unit is a communication interface that includes a wireless communication path and communicates with a terminal device via a transmission path that does not involve an internal communication network; a processing unit that outputs the information recorded in the recording device to the terminal device through the communication interface, the slave units include a door phone slave unit and a lobby intercom connected to the intercom master unit via the in-house communication network; data for distinguishing between unprocessed information and processed information is added to the information recorded in the recording device; When the terminal device moves from a communication-disconnected area to a communication-enabled area, the processing unit outputs the unsupported information among the information recorded in the recording device to the terminal device. An intercom system characterized by:

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

2. The intercom system according to claim 1.

3. The slave unit includes a camera that captures an image of the visitor, The visitor information includes information about an image of the visitor captured by the camera.

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

4. The building is an apartment building, the intercom master unit is installed in each of a plurality of dwelling units in the apartment building, The lobby intercom is installed in a common area of ​​the apartment building, The information output by the lobby intercom is further associated with a control device for associating the information with each of the plurality of dwelling units. The intercom system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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