Common entrance device, communication system, intercom system, pairing method, pairing program, entrance slave unit, and master unit

Abstract

To provide an intercom system capable of suppressing the construction cost.SOLUTION: A common entrance device according to an aspect of the disclosure includes: a communication unit placed in a common entrance of a collective facility for communicating with an entrance slave unit that is placed installed at an entrance of the facility included in the collective facility; a control unit that controls the operation of the communication unit; and a power supply unit that is capable of supplying the power to the entrance slave unit without using the main unit provided in the facility.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a common entrance device, a communication system, an intercom system, a pairing method, a pairing program, an entrance slave unit, and a master unit. [Background technology]

[0002] In a multi-unit facility such as an apartment building equipped with an intercom system, a common entrance device is installed at the common entrance, and the common entrance device is communicably connected to a master unit installed in each facility (each dwelling unit). Also, a master unit is installed at the entrance of each facility, and the master unit is communicably connected to the master unit. Generally, the common entrance device and the master unit, and the master unit and the master unit are connected by wire (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-16713 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When replacing a common entrance device in an occupied multi-purpose facility, it is necessary to enter each facility and set up a communication environment between the master unit and the common entrance device. However, since it is necessary to enter each facility to carry out the work, the construction costs are high.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an intercom system that reduces construction costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A common entrance device, which is one aspect of the present disclosure, is installed at the common entrance of a collective facility and is characterized by having a communication unit that communicates with an entrance sub-unit installed at the entrance of a facility included in the collective facility, a control unit that controls the operation of the communication unit, and a power supply unit that can supply power to the entrance sub-unit without going through a parent unit installed within the facility.

[0007] A communication system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is characterized by including the above-described common entrance device and an entrance slave unit.

[0008] An intercom system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is characterized by including the above-described common entrance device, an entrance slave unit, and a master unit.

[0009] A pairing method that is one form of the present disclosure is a method for pairing a common entrance device installed at a common entrance of an apartment complex with a door sub-unit installed at the entrance of a facility included in the apartment complex, and is characterized by including the steps of: starting to supply power from the common entrance device to the door sub-unit; the common entrance device accepting input of identification information and transitioning to pairing mode; the door sub-unit transitioning to pairing mode; and the common entrance device registering a registration number unique to the door sub-unit in association with the identification information.

[0010] A pairing program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that it is a program for implementing the above-described pairing method on a computer.

[0011] A doorway slave unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is provided at the entrance of a facility included in a collective facility, and is characterized in that it is capable of communicating with a common entrance device provided at the common entrance of the collective facility.

[0012] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a parent unit that is installed within a facility included in a collective facility, is connected to a door sub-unit installed at the entrance of the facility, and is capable of communicating with a common entrance device installed at the common entrance of the collective facility via the door sub-unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the common entrance device which is one aspect of the present disclosure, construction costs can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an intercom system according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a front view of a common entrance device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating registration data of a front door slave unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a common entrance device according to an embodiment; [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for pairing a common entrance apparatus and an entrance slave unit according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, it is anticipated from the beginning that multiple embodiments and modified examples described below may be selectively combined.

[0016] The subject of the device and system of the present disclosure includes a computer. The computer executes a program to realize the functions of the subject of the device and system of the present disclosure. The computer includes, as its main hardware component, a processor that operates according to the program. The processor may be of any type, as long as it can realize the above functions by executing the program. The processor is composed of one or more electronic circuits, including an integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). The electronic circuits may be integrated into a single chip or may be provided on multiple chips. The multiple chips may be integrated into a single device or may be provided on multiple devices. The program is stored in a non-transitory storage medium, such as a computer-readable ROM, optical disk, or hard disk drive. The program may be pre-stored in the storage medium or may be supplied to the storage medium via a wide-area communication network, including the Internet.

[0017] The communication system 3, the common entrance device 10, the entrance slave device 20, and the master device 22 included in the intercom system 1, which is an example of an embodiment, will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0018] First, an overview of the intercom system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram that schematically shows the configuration of the intercom system 1 of this embodiment. The intercom system 1 is a system that is installed in a collective facility, and in this embodiment, the collective facility is a housing complex such as an apartment building, dormitory, or company housing. Note that the collective facility to which the intercom system 1 is applied is not limited to a housing complex, but may also be a facility that is configured by gathering together multiple facilities (multiple companies, departments, divisions, etc.), such as an office, factory, research facility, medical facility, or accommodation facility.

[0019] The intercom system 1 comprises a common entrance device 10 installed at the entrance door 5 of the apartment building, an entrance slave unit 20 installed at the entrance of a facility (a dwelling unit) included in the apartment building, and a base unit 22 installed within the dwelling unit.

[0020] The common entrance apparatus 10 and the entrance slave unit 20 are connected to each other, for example, wirelessly, so that they can communicate with each other, thereby constituting a communication system 3. In this embodiment, the entrance slave unit 20 installed in dwelling unit A is connected directly to the common entrance apparatus 10 wirelessly, and the entrance slave unit 20 installed in dwelling unit B is connected indirectly to the common entrance apparatus 10 wirelessly via a repeater 15. The repeater 15 is connected to the common entrance apparatus 10 and the entrance slave unit 20 so that they can communicate with each other, thereby assisting a door slave unit 20 that has difficulty communicating directly with the common entrance apparatus 10 to communicate with the common entrance apparatus 10. The master unit 22 is connected to the door slave unit 20, for example, by a wire. The master unit 22 and the common entrance apparatus 10 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via the door slave unit 20. Since the base unit 22 is installed within the dwelling unit and is in a situation where it is more difficult to communicate directly wirelessly with the common entrance device 10 than with the entrance sub-unit 20, it is preferable that it be connected to the common entrance device 10 via the entrance sub-unit 20 that can communicate with the common entrance device 10, as disclosed herein.

[0021] The common entrance device 10 is installed adjacent to the front door 5. The front door 5 is, for example, an automatic door and is generally kept locked under normal circumstances. The common entrance device 10 is used, for example, by visitors to call each dwelling unit. The visitor uses the common entrance device 10 to call the dwelling unit they are visiting and asks the resident of that unit to unlock the electric lock on the front door 5. This allows the visitor to enter the apartment building through the front door 5. The common entrance device 10 is also used, for example, by an authorized person who has been granted permission to enter the apartment building to unlock the electric lock on the front door 5. The authorized person can unlock the electric lock on the front door 5 by performing a predetermined electric lock unlocking operation and enter inside the front door 5 of the apartment building. For example, the authorized person can unlock the electric lock on the front door 5 by entering a predetermined PIN number into the common entrance device 10.

[0022] The base unit 22 is equipped with, for example, a microphone, a speaker, a monitor, a call button, an unlock button, etc. When a resident receives a call from a visitor via the common entrance device 10, they view the visitor's video on the monitor of the base unit 22. By operating the call button, the resident can talk to the visitor via the microphone and speaker. When the resident operates the unlock button, an unlock signal is sent from the base unit 22, unlocking the front door 5 and allowing the visitor to enter the apartment building. When a resident receives a call from a visitor via the entrance sub-unit 20, they view the visitor's video on the monitor of the base unit 22. By operating the call button, the resident can talk to the visitor via the microphone and speaker.

[0023] The front door slave unit 20 is equipped with, for example, a call button 20a for calling the main unit 22. The front door slave unit 20 is also equipped with a camera, a microphone, and a speaker. When the call button 20a is operated, a call is made to the main unit 22, and the visitor is photographed by the camera of the front door slave unit 20, and the image is displayed on the monitor of the main unit 22.

[0024] As will be described later, the front door slave unit 20 is configured to be able to be paired with the common entrance apparatus 10. Once paired, the front door slave unit 20 and the common entrance apparatus 10 can communicate with each other.

[0025] A typical intercom system includes a control device that performs overall control of the intercom system. The control device is communicably connected to the common entrance device, the entrance slave device, and the master device, receives signals from each device to acquire various information, and outputs control signals to each device to control them. The intercom system 1 of this embodiment does not include a control device, and the common entrance device 10 has the function of the control device.

[0026] Next, the common entrance device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2 is a front view of the common entrance device 10 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the common entrance device 10 includes a numeric keypad 10a, a call button 10b, a reverse master key insertion portion 10c, a camera 10d, a speaker 10e, a microphone 10f, a monitor 10g, a sensor 10h, and a power supply connector 10x. In addition to the above components, the common entrance device 10 may also include, for example, an IC card reader. The IC card reader functions to transmit an unlocking signal when it detects a pre-registered card key.

[0027] The numeric keypad 10a is a user interface that can be operated by residents or visitors. An authorized person can unlock the electric lock on the front door 5, for example, by inputting a personal identification number using the numeric keypad 10a. A visitor can also call the residence they are visiting by inputting the residence number using the numeric keypad 10a and pressing the call button 10b. A resident or other person who has a key can also unlock the electric lock on the front door 5 by inserting the key into the reverse master key insertion portion 10c.

[0028] The camera 10d captures images of residents and visitors operating the common entrance device 10. When a visitor calls the dwelling unit they are visiting using the common entrance device 10, the common entrance device 10 captures an image of the visitor using the camera 10d and transmits the image to the base unit 22 from which the call was made.

[0029] The speaker 10e and microphone 10f are used by visitors to communicate with residents via the base unit 22 installed in each dwelling unit. The speaker 10e outputs a ringtone and, when a resident answers, the sound of the resident's voice. The visitor's voice is picked up by the microphone 10f and transmitted to the base unit 22, allowing the visitor to converse with the resident they are visiting. The monitor 10g displays, for example, an image captured by the camera 10d.

[0030] The sensor 10h detects the presence of a person in front of the common entrance device 10. When the sensor 10h detects a person, the common entrance device 10 transitions, for example, from a sleep state to an operating state. When the operating state begins, the monitor 10g may light up to prompt the person in front of the common entrance device 10 to operate the common entrance device 10. When communication between the resident and the visitor ends, or when no operation is made on the common entrance device 10 after a predetermined time has elapsed, the common entrance device 10 transitions back to the sleep state.

[0031] The power supply connector 10x is a connector for electrically connecting to the front door slave unit 20 and is used to supply power from the common entrance apparatus 10 to the front door slave unit 20. In this embodiment, the power supply connector 10x is stored inside the common entrance apparatus 10. The power supply connector 10x is exposed by removing the front panel of the common entrance apparatus 10, and the power cable of the front door slave unit 20 can be connected to the power supply connector 10x. Note that the installation position of the power supply connector 10x on the common entrance apparatus 10 is not limited to this example. For example, the power supply connector 10x may be provided on the periphery of the common entrance apparatus 10 in an exposed state.

[0032] By pairing the common entrance device 10 and the front door slave unit 20 while supplying electricity from the common entrance device 10 to the front door slave unit 20 via the power supply connector 10x, construction costs can be reduced. This allows pairing to be performed, for example, at the common entrance of an apartment building, thereby reducing the amount of work required. Note that the location where pairing is performed between the common entrance device 10 and the front door slave unit 20 is not limited to the common entrance, and may be performed, for example, in the office of a construction worker. On the other hand, pairing the front door slave unit 20 installed at the entrance of each dwelling unit with the common entrance device 10 installed at the common entrance of the apartment building requires at least one worker to handle each of the front door slave units 20 and the common entrance device 10. Furthermore, the worker must travel to each of the front door slave units 20 in each dwelling unit.

[0033] Through pairing, the registration data of the front door slave unit 20 is stored in the common entrance apparatus 10. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the registration data of the front door slave unit 20 in one embodiment. A room number of a dwelling unit is assigned to each of the management numbers arranged in ascending order starting from 1. Each front door slave unit 20 has a unique registration number (ID). For example, the ID of the front door slave unit 20 installed at the entrance of the dwelling unit with room number 101 is "AAAAAAAAA." When a call operation is performed on the common entrance apparatus 10 for the dwelling unit with room number 101, the common entrance apparatus 10 communicates with the front door slave unit 20 with the ID "AAAAAAAAA" and calls the master unit 22 of that dwelling unit. FIG. 3 is an example, and the format of the registration data of the front door slave unit 20 is not particularly limited. The registration data of the front door slave unit 20 is stored, for example, in memory 32, which will be described later.

[0034] 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a common entrance device 10, which is an example of an embodiment. The common entrance device 10 includes, for example, a processor 30 that executes arithmetic processing for controlling the common entrance device 10, and a memory 32 that stores a control program and the like. The common entrance device 10 is configured by a computer including the processor 30. The memory 32 is configured by, for example, RAM, ROM, a hard disk, etc., and is built into the computer that includes the processor 30. The common entrance device 10 may be configured by one computer or by multiple computers.

[0035] The common entrance device 10 includes a communication unit 40 that communicates with the entrance slave unit 20, a control unit 42 that controls the operation of the communication unit 40, and a power supply unit 44 that can supply power to the entrance slave unit 20 without going through the main unit 22. The common entrance device 10 may also include an operation unit 46. For example, when replacing an existing intercom system with the intercom system 1 according to the present disclosure, construction costs can be reduced. Replacing the common entrance device 10 and the entrance slave unit 20 with the existing ones enables communication between the main unit 22 and the common entrance device 10, eliminating the need to enter each dwelling unit and enable communication between the main unit 22 and the common entrance device 10.

[0036] The communication unit 40 has the function of communicating with the front door slave unit 20. The communication unit 40 is configured to communicate with the main unit 22 via the front door slave unit 20. The communication unit 40 communicates with the front door slave unit 20 wirelessly, for example. Wireless communication refers to communication that uses radio waves rather than wires. There are no particular restrictions on the frequency band used, as long as it can be used in an apartment building. A commercially available device may be used as the repeater 15.

[0037] The control unit 42 has a function of controlling the operation of the communication unit 40. The control unit 42 is configured to call a predetermined master unit 22 when a call operation is performed on the common entrance device 10, and to output an unlock signal for the entrance door 5 based on the operation of the master unit 22. The control unit 42 is also configured to call the master unit 22 when the call button 20a of the entrance slave unit 20 is operated.

[0038] The control unit 42 is configured to perform control related to the unlocking operation of the front door 5 using the common entrance device 10. Specifically, the control unit 42 acquires input information input to the common entrance device 10, and outputs an unlock signal for the front door 5 based on the input information.

[0039] The control unit 42 has a pairing mode, which is an operating mode for performing pairing for communication between the communication unit 40 and the front door slave unit 20. In the pairing mode, the control unit 42 performs pairing with the front door slave unit 20 that is the sender of the predetermined signal. That is, the control unit 42 is configured to establish communication between the communication unit 40 and the front door slave unit 20 in the pairing mode. A paired front door slave unit 20 can be called from the communication unit 40. Here, being able to call the front door slave unit 20 includes being able to indirectly call the master unit 22 connected to the front door slave unit 20.

[0040] The processor 30 realizes the functions of the control unit 42 by reading and executing the control program installed in the memory 32. That is, the control program installed in the memory 32 includes a pairing program for implementing a pairing method between the common entrance device 10 and the entrance slave unit 20 on a computer.

[0041] The operation unit 46 is configured to accept operations on the common entrance apparatus 10. In this embodiment, the operation unit 46 is a numeric keypad 10a. The control unit 42 may start a pairing mode based on a first operation on the operation unit 46. The first operation is, for example, an operation of inputting a predetermined PIN number using the numeric keypad 10a. The control unit 42 may also set identification information that identifies the facility in which the entrance slave unit 20 is installed based on a second operation on the operation unit 46. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the identification information is, for example, a room number, and the second operation is an operation of inputting the room number using the numeric keypad 10a.

[0042] The power supply unit 44 is configured to supply electricity to the front door slave unit 20. This allows the common entrance device 10 to supply power to the front door slave unit 20 without going through the master unit 22. Pairing can be performed. In this embodiment, the power supply connector 10x is a connection port provided on the power supply unit 44. The power supply unit 44 and the front door slave unit 20 are connected by, for example, a cable.

[0043] An example of a pairing procedure between the common entrance apparatus 10 and the entrance slave unit 20 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0044] This pairing procedure starts with the common entrance device 10 installed at the common entrance of the apartment building and receiving power. First, the power supply to the common entrance device 10 is turned on (S1). Next, the power cable of the entrance slave device 20 is connected to the power supply connector 10x of the common entrance device 10, and power supply from the common entrance device 10 to the entrance slave device 20 begins (S2).

[0045] The common entrance device 10 accepts the input of identification information, and when it also accepts the input of a predetermined PIN, it transitions to pairing mode (S3). The identification information and the predetermined PIN are entered, for example, using the numeric keypad 10a. The identification information is, for example, the room number of the dwelling unit. Furthermore, the entrance slave unit 20 transitions to pairing mode when it accepts a predetermined operation (S4). The predetermined operation is, for example, pressing the call button 20a for a predetermined period of time or more.

[0046] In the pairing mode, the common entrance apparatus 10 acquires a registration number (ID) unique to the front door slave unit 20 and checks whether a front door slave unit 20 with the same ID is registered (S5). If a front door slave unit 20 with the same ID has already been registered (Yes) in step S5, the common entrance apparatus 10 does not re-register that front door slave unit 20, and maintains the pairing mode, waiting until another front door slave unit 20 switches to pairing mode. The common entrance apparatus 10 may, for example, display the result of the pairing on the monitor 10g. If a front door slave unit 20 with the same ID is not registered (No) in step S5, the common entrance apparatus 10 registers the ID of the front door slave unit 20 in association with the identification information (S6), and this flow ends.

[0047] As described above, the shared entrance device, communication system, intercom system, pairing method, pairing program, entrance sub-unit, and parent unit disclosed herein enable efficient pairing of the shared entrance device and the entrance sub-unit to construct an intercom system in a simple manner, thereby reducing construction costs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 intercom system, 3 communication system, 5 entrance door, 10 common entrance device, 10a numeric keypad, 10b call button, 10c reverse master key insertion section, 10d camera, 10e speaker, 10f microphone, 10g monitor, 10h sensor, 15 repeater, 20 entrance handset, 20a call button, 22 base unit, 30 processor, 32 memory, 40 communication section, 42 control section, 44 power supply section, 46 operation section

Claims

1. A common entrance device provided at a common entrance of a collective facility, a communication unit that wirelessly communicates with a door slave unit provided at the entrance of a facility included in the collective facility; a control unit that controls the operation of the communication unit; a power supply unit capable of supplying power to the entrance slave unit without going through a master unit provided within the facility; The control unit has a pairing mode which is an operation mode for performing pairing for communication between the communication unit and the front door slave unit, The control unit performs pairing with the front door slave unit that is a source of a predetermined signal in the pairing mode, The communication unit is connected to the master unit, which is wired to the entrance slave unit, via the entrance slave unit so as to be able to communicate with each other.

2. Furthermore, it is provided with an operation unit, The common entrance apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit starts the pairing mode based on a first operation on the operation unit.

3. The common entrance device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit sets identification information that identifies the facility in which the entrance slave unit is installed, based on a second operation on the operation unit.

4. The common entrance apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the paired entrance slave unit can be called from the communication unit.

5. A communication system comprising the common entrance device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and the entrance slave unit.

6. An intercom system comprising the common entrance device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the entrance slave unit, and the master unit.

7. A method for pairing a common entrance device provided at a common entrance of a collective facility with a door slave provided at an entrance of a facility included in the collective facility, comprising: A step of starting power supply from the common entrance device to the entrance slave unit; the common entrance device accepting input of identification information and transitioning to a pairing mode; The front door slave unit transitions to a pairing mode; and a step in which the common entrance device registers a registration number unique to the entrance slave device in association with the identification information; A pairing method in which the common entrance device calls a parent unit installed in the facility and connected to the entrance sub-unit by wire by wirelessly communicating with the entrance sub-unit to which the registration number is registered.

8. A pairing program for implementing the pairing method according to claim 7 on a computer.

9. A door sub-unit provided at the entrance of a facility included in a collective facility, A common entrance device according to claim 1, which is provided at a common entrance of the collective facility, and a common entrance slave unit which is connected so as to be able to communicate with each other.

10. A base unit provided in a facility included in an assembly facility, It is connected to a door slave unit provided at the entrance of the facility, A master unit connected to the common entrance device of claim 1 provided at the common entrance of the complex via the entrance slave unit so as to be able to communicate with each other.

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