Intercom system

Abstract

To provide an intercom system that can record an image independent of a displayed image when a delivery box is opened while the image captured by a camera of an entrance handset is displayed on a room main unit after receiving a call operation.SOLUTION: An entrance handset 1 is equipped with a camera 12 for capturing an image of a visitor, and a room main unit 2 is equipped with a monitor 22 for displaying the captured image of the camera 12, and a storage unit 26 for recording video, and a delivery box 3 outputs a door open signal to the entrance handset 1 when the door is opened. When the entrance handset 1 is called, a main unit CPU 27 causes the monitor 22 to display a first zoom image obtained by digitally zooming a predetermined first area of the imaging area at the maximum angle of view of the camera 12. When a door opening signal is received while the first zoom image is being displayed on the monitor 22, a second zoom image obtained by digitally zooming a predetermined second area of the imaging area at the maximum angle of view is caused to be recorded in the storage unit 26.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an intercom system, and more particularly to an intercom system that operates in conjunction with a delivery box. [Background technology]

[0002] Since delivery boxes installed in detached houses are easier for outsiders to open than those installed in apartment buildings, there are systems that use intercom systems to notify residents when the delivery box is opened. For example, in Patent Document 1, when a delivery box is unlocked, an intercom system is used to operate the main unit in the room to notify the resident of the fact with a sound, and the camera in the entrance slave unit is activated to start capturing images. Furthermore, when the resident recognizes the notification from the main unit in the room and operates to activate an alarm, the entrance slave unit can sound an alarm or other notification sound. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-149694 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the camera was activated when the door was detected to be opened and the captured image was recorded, so that it could be checked later. However, because the camera was set to capture images of visitors, the footage did not allow the operator of the delivery box to be identified, and because there was only one camera, the camera only captured images of the visitor while the operator was on the phone, so it was not possible to capture or record the operator of the delivery box.

[0005] In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide an intercom system that can record video independent of the video being displayed on the main unit in the living room when the delivery box is opened after a call operation is received and the video captured by the camera on the entrance sub-unit is displayed on the main unit in the living room. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the invention of claim 1 is an intercom system having a door slave unit for calling a resident and a living room master unit for responding to the call, the door slave unit having a camera for capturing images of visitors, the living room master unit having a monitor for displaying images captured by the camera and a memory unit for recording images, and a delivery box for outputting an open door signal to the outside when the door is opened, and a receiver unit for receiving the open door signal is provided in either the door slave unit or the living room master unit, and when a call operation is performed on the door slave unit, a first zoom image obtained by digitally zooming a predetermined first area of ​​the image capture area at the maximum angle of view of the camera is displayed on the monitor, and when the door open signal is received, an image control unit is provided which causes at least one of the image captured at the maximum angle of view of the camera and a second zoom image obtained by digitally zooming a predetermined second area of ​​the image capture area at the maximum angle of view to be recorded in the memory, and the image control unit is configured to, when a call operation is performed on the door slave unit, One of the image captured at the maximum angle of view and the first zoom image is displayed on the monitor, and when a door open signal is received while this is displayed, the camera One of the image captured at the maximum angle of view and the second zoom image is stored in a storage unit. It is characterized by recording. With this configuration, even if a call is received and the camera image is being displayed on the main unit in the living room, if the delivery locker is opened, an image different from the image displayed on the monitor can be recorded. Therefore, even if you are talking to a visitor while watching the visitor image, you can later check the image of the operator who opened the delivery locker, which is effective in improving security.

[0007] The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the configuration described in claim 1, when the image control unit receives a door open signal, it alternately records the image captured at the maximum angle of view and the second zoom image by switching between them every predetermined time. With this configuration, wide-angle video and zoomed video of a specified area are recorded alternately, making it easy to see if the person who opened the delivery box has moved.

[0008] The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the configuration described in claim 1 or 2, when the video control unit receives a door open signal during a call, it displays on the monitor using text or an icon to indicate that the delivery box has been opened. With this configuration, even if the resident is on the phone with the visitor, the monitor displaying the visitor's video will display a message that the delivery locker has been opened, allowing the resident to be aware of the status of the delivery locker even while attending to the visitor, making it easier for them to take action. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, even when a call is received and the image captured by the camera is being displayed on the main unit in the living room, if the delivery locker is opened, an image different from the image displayed on the monitor can be recorded. Therefore, even if you are talking to a visitor while watching the visitor's image, if the delivery locker is opened, it is possible to record an image of the operator, which is effective in improving security. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of an intercom system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of each device in the intercom system of FIG. [Figure 3] 10(a) is an explanatory diagram of an image displayed on a monitor upon receiving a call signal, and FIG. 10(b) is an explanatory diagram of an image recorded upon receiving a door-opening signal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011]

[0016] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an intercom system according to the present invention; the intercom system 10 comprises a front door slave unit 1, a room master unit 2, and a delivery box 3. The entrance slave unit 1 and the room master unit 2 are connected by a transmission line L1, and the delivery box 3 is connected to the entrance slave unit 1 by a signal line L2.

[0012] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the intercom system 10 of Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the entrance slave unit 1 includes a call button 11 for calling the resident, a camera 12 for capturing images of visitors, an image processing unit 13 for performing signal processing to transmit the image captured by the camera 12 to the room master unit 2, a microphone 14a and a speaker 14b for making calls, an audio unit 14 for controlling the microphone 14a and the speaker 14b, a lighting unit 15 consisting of an LED for illuminating the camera 12 at night, a slave unit CPU 16 for controlling the entrance slave unit 1, a slave unit communication IF 17 for communicating with the room master unit 2, a receiving unit 18 for receiving signals sent from the delivery box 3, and the like.

[0013] Camera 12 is a wide-angle camera that can capture images at a wide angle of, for example, 180 degrees, and the images captured at the wide angle are transmitted to room master unit 2. Camera 12 also has a built-in illuminance sensor (not shown), and slave unit CPU 16 controls the lighting of lighting unit 15 based on illuminance information from the illuminance sensor, making it possible to capture images even at night.

[0014] The room master unit 2 is equipped with a call button 21 for answering calls from the front door sub-unit 1, a monitor 22 for displaying the image captured by the camera 12, a video processing unit 23 for performing signal processing to display the video signal transmitted from the front door sub-unit 1 on the monitor 22, a microphone 24a and speaker 24b for making calls, an audio unit 24 for controlling the microphone 24a and speaker 24b, an operation unit 25 for controlling various displays on the monitor 22 and performing recording operations, a memory unit 26 for storing various settings in addition to recording the image captured by the camera 12, a master unit CPU 27 for controlling the room master unit 2, and a master unit communication IF 28 for communicating with the front door sub-unit 1.

[0015] In addition, the parent unit CPU 27 functions as an image control unit, and controls the display of the image captured by the camera 12 on the monitor 22, and when recording is performed as described below, it also controls the image to be recorded in parallel with the image displayed on the monitor 22.

[0016] The delivery box 3 is provided with a sensor device 3a that detects the operation of a door (not shown) that is opened and closed when storing / removing packages, and the sensor device 3a is connected to the entrance slave unit 1 by a signal line L2. When the door of the delivery box 3 is opened, the sensor device 3a detects this and outputs a door open signal.

[0017] Here, we will explain the image captured by camera 12 that is displayed on monitor 22. Camera 12 captures images at the widest angle of view, and the wide-angle image is transmitted from entrance slave unit 1 to living room master unit 2. Under the control of master unit CPU 27, the image transmitted to living room master unit 2 is displayed on monitor 22 as a wide image without zooming, or as a first zoom image in which a specific, preset first area is digitally zoomed. This digital zoom setting is performed by a predetermined operation on the operation unit 25 (provided as a touch panel on the monitor 22).

[0018] Specifically, when call button 11 is operated, the image displayed on monitor 22 is set to display an enlarged image of the visitor from the image captured by camera 12, in order to identify the visitor. For example, if the visitor often stands directly in front of entrance slave unit 1, i.e., directly in front of camera 12, the monitor 22 is set to display an enlarged image of the front. If the visitor often stands to the left or right of the visitor, the monitor 22 is set to display an enlarged image of that direction. In this way, a zoomed image that makes it easy to identify the visitor is displayed on monitor 22. The set pan / tilt angles and zoom ratio are stored in memory unit 26, and this zoomed image is displayed unless changed.

[0019] In addition, it is possible to set a second zoom image that is different from the first zoom image, and when a signal is received from delivery box 3, the second zoom image is generated and recorded.

[0020] The second zoom image is generated in response to a door-open signal from delivery box 3, and is an image for identifying the operator of delivery box 3. This image is an enlarged image of a specific second area in which the operator of delivery box 3 is captured from the wide-angle image transmitted to room master unit 2, and the pan / tilt angle and zoom ratio set by this digital zoom are stored in memory unit 26. In this way, two zoom settings, the setting for the first zoom image and the setting for the second zoom image, are registered in memory unit 26.

[0021] However, due to the relative positions of the entrance slave unit 1 and the delivery box 3, if the delivery box 3 and the operator are not entering the camera 12, the image displayed on the monitor 22 in response to the signal from the delivery box 3 may be a wide image without zooming. This increases the probability that a suspicious person making suspicious movements will be captured.

[0022] The operation of the intercom system 10 configured as described above is as follows: When the entrance slave unit 1 is operated to call a resident, a call signal is transmitted to the room master unit 2. At the same time, the camera 12 starts capturing images, and the captured images are transmitted to the room master unit 2. In the room master unit 2 to which the call signal and captured image are transmitted, a call tone sounds under the control of the master unit CPU 27, and the visitor image is displayed on the monitor 22. At this time, the monitor 22 displays the first zoom image set in the storage unit 26. That is, the zoom image that makes it easy to identify the visitor is displayed.

[0023] Figure 3(a) shows the image displayed on the monitor 22 at this time. As shown in Figure 3(a), the upper half of the visitor's body is enlarged and an image that makes it easy to identify the visitor is displayed on the monitor 22. When the resident recognizes the call and operates the call button 21, a call path is established between the entrance slave unit 1 and the resident, enabling the call to be made while the resident is checking the visitor on video.

[0024] Next, we will explain what happens when the door of the delivery box 3 is opened during this call. When the door is opened, the sensor device 3a detects this and sends a signal (door open signal) to the front door slave unit 1 via the signal line L2. This signal is sent from the front door slave unit 1 to the room master unit 2, and the following video control is carried out under the control of the master unit CPU 27. Of the images captured by camera 12 transmitted from entrance slave unit 1, the set second zoom image is generated and recorded in memory unit 26. In addition, upon receiving the door-open signal, a message indicating that the door-open signal has been received is displayed on monitor 22, which is currently displaying the visitor image.

[0025] Figure 3(b) is an explanatory diagram of the video recorded in this way, and when the recording is played back, this video is displayed on monitor 22. Figure 3(b) shows a case where delivery box 3 is installed within the imaging area of ​​camera 12, and shows a state in which the operator of delivery box 3 is captured in the image. The "Delivery box door opening" display P1 displayed in Figure 3(a) shows the display when the door opening signal is received.

[0026] In this way, even when a call is received from entrance slave unit 1 and the image captured by camera 12 is being displayed on room master unit 2, if delivery locker 3 is opened, an image different from the image displayed on monitor 22 can be recorded. Therefore, even if you are talking to a visitor while viewing the visitor's image, if delivery locker 3 is opened, you can later check the image of the operator, which is effective in improving security. Furthermore, if the delivery box 3 is opened while the resident is on the phone with a visitor, the monitor 22 displaying the visitor's video will display a message indicating that the delivery box 3 has been opened, allowing the resident to recognize the status of the delivery box 3 even while attending to the visitor, making it easier for the resident to take action.

[0027] In the above embodiment, the video recorded upon receiving the door open signal is the second zoom video, but it is also possible to alternate between the non-zoomed wide video and the second zoom video, switching between them every three seconds, for example. In this way, the wide video and zoom video are recorded alternately, making it easy to grasp even if the person who opened delivery box 3 moves. Furthermore, if delivery box 3 does not appear in the wide image even when camera 12 is set to the widest angle of view, only the wide image may be recorded without zooming. Furthermore, if the delivery box 3 is opened while you are talking to a visitor, a message to that effect is displayed in text on the displayed image of the visitor, but an icon to make the visitor aware of this may also be displayed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 1··Entrance sub-unit, 2··Room main unit, 3··Delivery box, 10··Intercom system, 11··Call button, 12··Camera, 16··Sub-unit CPU, 18··Receiver, 22··Monitor, 26··Memory unit, 27··Main unit CPU (video control unit).

Claims

1. An intercom system having a door slave unit for calling a resident and a room master unit for responding to the call, the door slave unit having a camera for capturing images of visitors, the room master unit having a monitor for displaying images captured by the camera and a memory unit for recording images, The delivery box is provided with a door-opening signal that is output to the outside when the door is opened, and a receiving unit that receives the door-opening signal is provided in either the entrance slave unit or the room master unit, When the entrance slave unit is operated to make a call, a first zoom image obtained by digitally zooming a predetermined first area of ​​an image pickup area at a maximum angle of view of the camera is displayed on the monitor, and an image control unit that, upon receiving the door-open signal, causes the storage unit to record at least one of an image captured at the maximum angle of view of the camera and a second zoom image obtained by digitally zooming a predetermined second area of ​​the image capture area at the maximum angle of view; The intercom system is characterized in that, when the entrance unit is operated to make a call, the image control unit displays one of the image captured at the camera's maximum angle of view and the first zoom image on the monitor, and when the door open signal is received in this display state, the image control unit simultaneously records one of the image captured at the camera's maximum angle of view and the second zoom image in the memory unit.

2. The intercom system according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the image control unit receives the door-open signal, it alternately records the image captured at the maximum angle of view and the second zoom image at predetermined intervals.

3. The intercom system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when the video control unit receives the door open signal during a call, it displays on the monitor using text or an icon that the delivery box has been opened.

Images