JP2005159534A - Video intercom apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video intercom apparatus capable of quickly responding to a visitor wherein installed locations of a plurality of sub master units can freely be revised. <P>SOLUTION: The sub master units 3A, 3B are configured to be shifted to sniff modes as low power consumption modes in waiting states. When a call button 13 of a slave unit 1A is depressed, a liquid crystal display section 21 displays a video image photographed by a camera 16 and a master unit 2 transmits sniff mode release signals to the sub master units 3A, 3B. The sub master units 3A, 3B receiving the sniff mode release signals are quickly shifted to modes wherein the sub master units 3A, 3B can make communication with the master unit 2 at any time. When a speech button 22 of the master unit 2 is depressed, a conversation between the slave unit 1A and the master unit 2 becomes possible and the master unit 2 transmits sniff mode setting signals to the sub master units 3A, 3B at the same time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a television doorphone device, and more particularly to a television doorphone device that can respond by viewing an image of a visitor when the visitor visits.

  As a configuration of a television door phone device, a television door phone device including an indoor parent device installed in a house and an outdoor child device installed in a front door or a gate pillar is widely used.

  Some conventional TV door phone devices have a so-called sub-master device that is different from the indoor master device, that is, there are a plurality of master devices. In such a TV door phone device, video and audio are communicated between the secondary master unit and the outdoor slave unit via the indoor master unit. Note that in some conventional TV door phone devices, there can be installed three to five sub-master units, and communication is performed between the indoor master unit and the sub-master unit by a wired transmission method. In the case of the wired transmission method, wiring work between the indoor parent device and the sub-main device is required. Therefore, in the existing house, when the secondary master unit is added after the housing is completed, the wiring between the indoor master unit and the secondary master unit is exposed to the room, and the aesthetics of the room are impaired. there were. In addition, if it is a newly built house, concealed wiring is possible at the time of construction, but there is a disadvantage that the place where wiring is possible is restricted by the indoor layout and may be installed in a place unintended by the resident .

As a technique for overcoming such a drawback, Patent Document 1 discloses a transmission system that enables communication between an indoor parent device and a sub-main device using a wireless communication method. Has disclosed a transmission system in which a direct spectrum spread radio communication system is used between an indoor base unit and a sub-base unit. Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a transmission system in which a spread spectrum wireless communication system is used between an indoor parent device and a plurality of sub-parent devices. Note that in the conventional transmission system, radio waves in the 2.4 GHz band that can be freely used without the permission of the country are used in wireless communication based on the Radio Law. As a system capable of transmitting video at a specific low-power radio station in the 2.4 GHz band, an IEEE 802. spread spectrum wireless communication system, which is a LAN (Local Area Network) technology established by IEEE (American Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). An 11b wireless LAN was used. In addition, as a method capable of transmitting video at a specific low-power radio station in the 2.4 GHz band, an IEEE 802.11g wireless LAN of an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) method is used. Can be mentioned.
JP 2000-224316 A JP 2000-224317 A JP 2000-295358 A

  As described above, in the TV door phone device, when communication is performed between the master unit and the secondary master unit using a wired transmission method, the wiring between the master unit installed in the room and the secondary master unit is exposed indoors. There are drawbacks that impair the aesthetics of the room and that the place where wiring is possible is restricted by the indoor layout. Therefore, in the television door phone apparatus, it is desirable that communication is performed between the parent device and the sub-parent device by a wireless transmission method.

  However, conventionally, when communication is performed using a wireless transmission method, the response speed to visitors is reduced, the connection distance between the parent device and the sub-parent device in the room is limited, and the home appliance such as a microwave oven is used. A new problem that has not occurred in the conventional wired transmission system has occurred, such as a decrease in connection reliability due to interference.

  Note that Patent Document 1 describes a transmission system that communicates between one parent device installed in a room and one sub-parent device by a wireless communication method, and the transmission system is applied. Although the TV door phone system that can be realized by this method is affected by its specifications due to restrictions such as the reach of the wireless system, transmission speed, outdoor use availability, etc., this effect has been considered. Absent. In addition, even if the resident is at home, there is a visitor if the indoor base unit is in a bedroom, living room, garden, veranda, etc. apart from the main unit, not in the kitchen where the room is generally installed. Since it is difficult to notice and may not be able to respond, it is desirable that the parent device has a plurality of portable or portable sub-parent devices that can be used indoors and outdoors. However, in Patent Document 1, no consideration is given to the point that the master unit has a function of controlling a plurality of secondary master units.

  Patent Document 2 describes a transmission system in which one base unit installed in a room and one sub-base unit communicate with each other by a spread spectrum wireless communication system. The TV door phone system that can be realized by applying the transmission system is also used in the same manner as described in Patent Document 1 due to restrictions such as the reach distance, transmission speed, availability of outdoor use, etc. specific to the wireless system. Despite being affected, no consideration has been given to this effect. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes a spread spectrum wireless communication system, which is a large concept as a wideband modulation system similar to the narrowband modulation system and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system, as the communication system employed. It is only done. That is, in Patent Document 2, there are three generally known direct spreading (DS: Direct Sequence, Direct Spread), frequency hopping (FH: Frequency Hopping), and pulsed frequency modulation. There is no description about the detailed communication system classified as, and even if referring to the description of the detailed description of the invention, it is said that the communication system is limited to the direct spreading system, No consideration is given to a function for controlling a plurality of terminals, which is considered necessary to be provided in the secondary master unit.

  Patent Document 3 describes a transmission system that allows one base unit installed in a room and a plurality of sub-base units to communicate with each other by a wireless communication method. However, the transmission system is applied. The TV door phone system that can be realized by the same manner as described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 is affected by the specifications such as the reach distance, transmission speed, availability of outdoor use, etc. specific to the wireless system. Nevertheless, this effect has not been considered. Furthermore, Patent Document 3 describes a spread spectrum wireless communication system, which is a large concept as a narrowband modulation system and a wideband modulation system similar to an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system, as communication systems to be adopted. It is only done. That is, Patent Document 3 describes generally known detailed communication methods classified into three, that is, a direct spreading (DS) method, a frequency hopping (FH) method, and a pulsed frequency modulation method. There is no description, and even with reference to the description of the detailed description of the invention, the communication method is a description limited to the frequency hopping method, and it is considered necessary for the TV door phone device. No means has been envisaged for constantly maintaining a communication path that is indispensable for responding promptly when there is a visitor.

  Note that the IEEE802.11 series wireless system employed in the wireless transmission system in the prior art does not give consideration to distinguishing between voice data and other data. That is, in the IEEE802.11 series wireless transmission system, a voice-dedicated band is not provided. For this reason, the implementation of the voice application has not been easy.

  The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to be able to freely change the installation locations of a plurality of secondary master units and to promptly respond to visitors. It is to provide a possible TV door phone device.

  A television door phone device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a slave unit having a camera and a voice call circuit, and a master unit having a liquid crystal display unit, a voice call circuit, and a wireless transmission / reception circuit connected to the slave unit by a pair line. And a secondary master unit having a liquid crystal display unit, a voice call circuit, and a wireless transceiver circuit that are always wirelessly connected to the master unit by Bluetooth wireless communication means. It is provided.

  A television door phone device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a slave unit having a camera and a voice call circuit, a master unit having a liquid crystal display unit and a voice call circuit wired to the slave unit by a pair line, In a TV door phone device comprising: a wireless adapter connected to a parent device by a connector; and a secondary parent device having a liquid crystal display unit, a voice call circuit, and a wireless transmission / reception circuit that are always wirelessly connected to the wireless adapter by Bluetooth wireless communication means, The master unit has a voice output terminal for outputting a voice signal and a video signal transmitted from the slave unit or a voice signal from a voice communication circuit of the master unit to a wireless adapter, and a video signal transmitted from the slave unit as a wireless adapter. Video output terminal for output, audio input terminal for inputting audio signals from the wireless adapter, and transmission / reception of control signals with the wireless adapter The wireless adapter includes an audio input terminal, a video input terminal, an audio output terminal, and a wireless transmission / reception circuit connected to the master unit, and at least two or more sub-master units are provided. It is characterized by that.

  A television door phone device according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a camera, a voice call circuit, a slave unit having a call button, a pair of wires connected to the slave unit, and a video photographed by the camera, A parent device having a means for viewing the voice obtained in the voice call circuit and a means for sending the voice, wherein the parent device receives the first wireless communication means and information of the information at a fixed time interval with the parent device; A signal transmission means for transmitting a setting signal for instructing transition to a low power consumption mode for performing transmission and reception, and a release signal for instructing transition to a normal mode in which information can be transmitted and received with the parent device at all times The signal transmission means includes a second wireless communication means for transmitting the release signal in response to the operation of the call button and capable of wirelessly communicating with the first wireless communication means. parent The sub-master unit receives the setting signal and the release signal, means for outputting voice sent from the master unit or the slave unit, means for sending voice to the master unit or the slave unit, And receiving means for transmitting and receiving information to and from the base unit in the low power consumption mode in response to the receiving means receiving the setting signal. The means transmits and receives information to and from the base unit in the normal mode in response to receiving the release signal.

  According to the present invention, in the TV door phone apparatus, the wireless communication method between the parent device and the sub-main device is the Bluetooth wireless method, so that even if audio and video transmission is not performed, the sniff mode is used to connect the parent device and the sub-device. Since the wireless connection between the parent devices is maintained with reduced power consumption, the wireless connection is cut off when there is a visitor or when an extension call is made between the parent device and the sub-main device. Even in the state, the time for establishing a communication connection that normally requires several seconds is not required. Thereby, when there is a visitor, a quick response similar to the wired system is possible.

  In addition, the transmission path is also vacant with respect to the effects of household appliances that are noise sources that are a major source of communication obstruction from the perspective of wireless terminals, particularly the effects of using a microwave oven that shares and uses the 2.4 GHz communication band. In the case of the IEEE802.11b and g methods for confirming whether or not the communication channel is in a state, it is difficult to establish a communication connection. In contrast, in the present invention, the communication connection procedure is performed without confirming whether or not the transmission path is free. Since the Bluetooth wireless system that implements the above is adopted, it is possible to establish a communication connection by utilizing the characteristics of the frequency hopping system even if some packets are resent due to the influence of the microwave oven.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the Bluetooth wireless system (class 1) with a maximum transmission power of 100 mW is adopted, so that it is generally free in a bedroom, living room, garden, veranda, etc. away from the kitchen where the main unit is installed. It is possible to install a plurality of secondary master units that can be used in a portable or portable manner, so that a home-based person can easily recognize that there is a visitor and can respond.

  In addition, since the base unit and multiple sub-base units can construct a network where multiple communication links can be established at any time, which is difficult with wired connection and normal wireless connection, even if the slave unit and the base unit are communicating. However, extension communication between sub-masters that are not communicating with the slave is possible.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, even if the radio wave condition is poor and communication between the master unit and the sub master unit is interrupted, the communication between the master unit and the slave unit has a wired independent system configuration as before. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the worst situation that the response to the visitor cannot be made.

  In addition, according to the television door phone device of the present invention, the base unit and the sub base unit that are connected only by wire can be connected using, for example, a Bluetooth wireless adapter when the sub base unit is installed and added. Thus, a Bluetooth wireless network can be constructed by the parent device and the sub-parent device.

  In addition, according to the television door phone device of the present invention, the base unit and the sub-base unit are configured to be capable of wireless communication, so that the installation locations of a plurality of sub-base units can be freely changed. In addition, since the secondary master unit can transition to a low power consumption mode in which information is transmitted to and received from the master unit at regular time intervals, the power consumption can be reduced, and a visitor can call the slave unit. When the button is operated, the mode of information transmission / reception is switched from the low power consumption mode to the normal mode from the low power consumption mode based on the release signal transmitted from the parent device. Can be handled.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

  The inventor of the present application enables a specific low power in the 2.4 GHz band as a communication method between the master unit and the sub-master unit so that the master unit can control a plurality of sub-master units in the TV door phone device. We focused on the Bluetooth wireless system, which is one of the systems capable of video transmission at a wireless station. Here, first, a general description of the Bluetooth wireless system will be given.

[Bluetooth wireless system]
The Bluetooth wireless system is a wireless communication technology for portable information devices that can perform communication at a speed of 1 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band, and is not simply a network technology that replaces a one-to-one cable but enables a one-to-many connection. It is a wireless system that can build a wireless network system. Since the Bluetooth wireless system enables orderly communication of a plurality of terminals, a control function is given to one terminal from a terminal group related to communication, so that terminals can be easily formed into a wireless network. Can do. In the Bluetooth wireless system, a terminal responsible for a control function is referred to as a master, and the other terminals are referred to as slaves. A network in which a master and a slave are in communication is called a piconet. The Bluetooth wireless system is designed so that both voice and data can be handled without bias. With respect to voice, up to three calls can be made simultaneously per piconet, and this is realized by using a circuit-switched SCO (Synchronous Connection Oriented) link. Regarding data, packets are transmitted and received between each slave and the master while sharing a communication line between slaves existing in the piconet. Data transmission / reception is realized by using a packet-switched ACL (Asynchronous Connection Less) link. In the Bluetooth wireless system, it is assumed that wireless equipment is installed in a battery-powered portable device. Therefore, in order to reduce power consumption in the ACL link, the Bluetooth device can be operated in a park mode (park mode) and a hold mode (hold mode). ) And sniff mode (Sniff Mode).

  The park mode is a mode specific to the slave, and the slave in this mode maintains synchronization with the piconet, that is, synchronization with the hopping pattern and the master clock. However, in this mode, the slave cannot exchange packets with the master. A slave in this state receives data from the master at regular time intervals (beacon period) and can immediately join the piconet if necessary. In the park mode, the slave returns the slave identifier (3-bit address (1-7) given to the connected slave) to the master once. Therefore, even if the slave desires to rejoin the piconet, it cannot join immediately if the slave identifier is not empty. Conversely, the master gives an 8-bit park slave identifier to the slave entering park mode. The master manages up to 255 parked slaves and allows only the necessary slaves to join the piconet at any time.

  The hold mode is a mode in which both the master and the slave can transition to this mode. In this mode, the master and the slave do not transmit / receive during the set fixed period (hold time) while being synchronized with the piconet, and resume communication after the hold time elapses.

  Sniff mode is a mode in which only the slave can transition to this mode. Specifically, the slave sends and receives information to and from the master at regular time intervals (sniff intervals), and power consumption during other times. It is a mode to suppress. In this mode, the processing during standby of the slave is extremely reduced, so that the power consumption of the slave can be suppressed as compared with the hold mode. Further, in this mode, unlike the park mode, the slave is in a state of holding the slave identifier (BD-ADDR) allocated from the master, so that it can immediately rejoin the piconet.

  The TV door phone apparatus of the present embodiment includes a master unit and a secondary master unit, adopts a Bluetooth wireless system as a communication system between the master unit and the secondary master unit, and is slaved to the master unit (master). The sub-master unit is configured to be able to transition to the sniff mode even in the low power consumption mode. Thereby, in the television door phone device of the present embodiment, both the parent device and the sub-parent device are configured to be able to quickly respond to visitors.

[First Embodiment]
Next, the first embodiment of the television door phone device of the present invention will be specifically described. FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of a television door phone device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the TV door phone apparatus includes a base unit 2 that is normally installed indoors, slave units 1A and 1B that are normally installed outdoors, and sub-base units 3A and 3B that are configured to be portable. . In the TV door phone apparatus of the present embodiment, base unit 2 and sub-base units 3A and 3B can basically communicate with each other by a Bluetooth wireless system in which base unit 2 is a master and sub-base units 3A and 3B are slaves. It is said that.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the television door phone device of the present embodiment. The slave unit 1A and the slave unit 1B have the same configuration, and the secondary master unit 3A and the secondary master unit 3B have the same configuration. For this reason, in FIG. 2, the configuration of the slave unit 1 is shown as a generic term for the slave units 1A and 1B, and the configuration of the secondary master unit 3 is shown as a generic term for the secondary master unit 3A and the secondary master unit 3B. Yes. Hereafter, with reference to FIG. 2, the operation | movement in each terminal (the subunit | mobile_unit 1A, 1B, the main | base station 2, and the sub-base unit 3A, 3B) in the television door phone apparatus of this Embodiment is demonstrated in detail.

  In handset 1, when call button 13 for calling up handset 2 is pressed, CPU (Central Processing Unit) 100 detects a visitor, and a “visitor detection signal” is a control signal indicating that there is a visitor. "Is sent to the multiplexing / demultiplexing circuit 103, and at the same time, the camera unit 16 of the slave unit 1 is driven to take a video of the visitor. The video imaged by the camera unit 16 of the slave unit 1 is sent to the video modulation circuit 102 of the slave unit 1. The multiplexer / demultiplexer circuit 103 of the slave unit 1 receives the visitor video modulated by the video modulation circuit 102, the voice of the visitor obtained via the microphone of the voice call circuit 101 of the slave unit 1, and the CPU 100 After the control signal is multiplexed, the control signal is transmitted to the base unit 2 via the pair of intercom lines 4. Further, the multiplexing / demultiplexing circuit 103 receives a reception signal from the base unit 2 that has been multiplexed through a pair of interphone lines 4. Further, the multiplexing / demultiplexing circuit 103 separates the received signal into a voice and a control signal, sends the voice to the speaker of the voice call circuit 101 of the handset 1 to notify the visitor, and sends the control signal to the CPU 100. Send to. Note that the reception signal from base unit 2 includes a “call end control signal”. Then, based on the “call end control signal” received through the multiplexing / demultiplexing circuit 103, the CPU 100 stops driving the camera unit 16 and stops the photographing operation.

  In the base unit 2, the multiplexing / demultiplexing circuit 203 is input from the voice of the room attendant input to the voice call circuit 201 or from the voice analog / digital conversion circuit (voice AD / DA conversion circuit) 204. Is transmitted to the handset 1 via the pair of intercom lines 4. Further, the multiplexing / demultiplexing circuit 203 transmits a control signal output from the CPU 200 to the child device 1 via the pair of intercom lines 4. At the time of transmission, the multiplexing / demultiplexing circuit 203 performs multiplexing processing on the voice and the control signal. Further, the multiplexing / demultiplexing circuit 203 separates the multiplexed reception signal received from the slave unit 1 into a video signal, an audio signal, and a control signal, and the video signal is a video demodulation circuit of the parent unit 2 In 202, the voice signal is sent to the voice call circuit 201 and the control signal is sent to the CPU 200. In the master unit 2, the visitor video received from the slave unit 1 is demodulated into an analog composite signal by the video demodulating circuit 202, and then converted into a digital signal by the video analog / digital conversion circuit 205 to display the display video. Simultaneously stored in the storage circuit 207, simultaneously converted into a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) compressed image in the video compression / decompression circuit 206, and then sequentially stored in the transmission video storage circuit 208.

  The CPU 200 recognizes the presence of a visitor near the handset 1 based on the “visitor detection signal” received via the multiplexing / demultiplexing circuit 203 and controls the ringing tone circuit 209 so that the speaker of the voice call circuit 201 At the same time, a digital sound signal of the display image storage circuit 207 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 21.

  The CPU 200 detects that the call button 22 has been pressed, thereby recognizing that a response operation to the call operation from the child device 1 or the sub-master device 3 has been performed, and that the extension button 23 has been pressed. By detecting this, it is recognized that the calling operation of the secondary master unit 3 has been performed. When the CPU 200 recognizes that the response operation to the calling operation from the child device 1 has been performed, the voice signal of the visitor in the vicinity of the child device 1 obtained via the multiplexing / demultiplexing circuit 203 is transmitted to the voice communication circuit 201. The sound is output from the speaker to the resident in the room, and the voice of the resident in the room collected from the microphone of the voice call circuit 201 is output to the handset 1 via the multiplexing / demultiplexing circuit 203. When the CPU 200 recognizes that the response operation to the call operation from the sub-master unit 3 has been performed, the analog voice signal converted by the voice analog / digital conversion circuit 204 is sent to the indoor resident from the speaker of the voice call circuit 201. The voice of the resident in the room collected by the microphone of the voice call circuit 201 is converted into digital voice by the voice analog / digital conversion circuit 204.

  The wireless transmission / reception unit 24 converts a digital audio signal input from the audio analog / digital conversion circuit 204, a digital video signal input from the transmission video storage circuit 208, and a control signal input from the CPU 200 using the Bluetooth wireless protocol. After performing the time division multiplexing process, it is transmitted to the secondary master unit 3 through the antenna 24A as a Bluetooth radio signal in the 2.4 GHz band. In FIG. 2, a route through which the Bluetooth wireless signal is transmitted is described as a Bluetooth wireless transmission route 5. In addition, the wireless transmission / reception unit 24 receives a reception signal from the secondary master unit 3 that has been time-division multiplexed by the Bluetooth wireless protocol as a Bluetooth wireless signal in the 2.4 GHz band. Further, the wireless transmission / reception unit 24 separates the received signal into a digital audio signal and a control signal, and sends the digital audio signal to the audio analog / digital conversion circuit 204 and the control signal to the CPU 200 of the parent device 2. .

  In the sub-master unit 3, the radio transmission / reception unit 34 performs time-division multiplexing processing on the digital audio signal input from the audio analog / digital conversion circuit 304 and the control signal input from the CPU 300 using the Bluetooth wireless protocol. Thereafter, it is transmitted as a Bluetooth radio signal in the 2.4 GHz band to the master unit 2 or another sub-master unit 3 via the antenna 34A. Here, the other secondary master unit 3 is the secondary master unit 3B for the secondary master unit 3A and the secondary master unit 3A for the secondary master unit 3B. Further, the wireless transmission / reception unit 34 receives a reception signal from the base unit 2 or another sub-base unit 3 that has been time-division multiplexed by the Bluetooth wireless protocol as a Bluetooth radio signal in the 2.4 GHz band via the antenna 34A. Further, the received signal is separated into a digital audio signal, a JPEG video signal, and a control signal. The wireless transmission / reception unit 34 then sends the digital audio signal to the audio analog / digital conversion circuit 304, the JPEG video signal to the video compression / decompression circuit 306, and the control signal to the CPU 300 of the sub-master unit.

  Based on the “visitor detection signal” or “extension call signal” received via the wireless transmission / reception unit 34, the CPU 300 makes a call request from the parent device 2 or another sub-main device 3 that there is a visitor in the vicinity of the child device 1. Recognize that there was. When recognizing this, the CPU 300 controls the ringing tone circuit 309 of the secondary master unit, so that a home person in the vicinity of the secondary master unit 3 can recognize from the speaker of the voice call circuit 301. At the same time as outputting a ringing tone, the digital video signal of the display video storage circuit 307 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 31.

  The CPU 300 recognizes that a response operation to the calling operation from the child device 1, the parent device 2, or the other sub-parent device 3 is performed by detecting that the call button 32 is pressed. . Further, by detecting that the extension button 33 has been pressed, the CPU 300 recognizes that a call operation for calling the sub-master unit 3 has been performed in the master unit 2 or another sub-master unit 3. .

  When the CPU 300 recognizes that a response operation to the calling operation from the child device 1, the parent device 2, or another sub-main device 3 has been performed, the CPU 300 converts the analog audio signal converted by the audio analog / digital conversion circuit 304. In addition, a voice that can be recognized by a person in the vicinity of the sub-master device 3 is output from the speaker of the voice call circuit 301, and at the same time, a voice analog / digital conversion circuit for the voice of the callee collected by the microphone of the voice call circuit 301 In 304, the sound is converted into digital sound.

  In the secondary master unit 3, the JPEG video signal received from the slave unit 1, the master unit 2, or another secondary master unit 3 is subjected to decompression processing on the digital video signal in the video compression / decompression circuit 306 and then displayed. In the video storage circuit 307, the data are sequentially stored.

  In this embodiment, for simplification of explanation, only two secondary master units 3A and 3B are shown. However, the number of secondary master units that can communicate with the master unit 2 is point-to-multi There is no limitation as long as it is within the limit of 7 points for point connection.

  As described above, the Bluetooth wireless system employed in this embodiment is a very suitable transmission means for wirelessly communicating data and / or voice in a home, and uses this standardized standard. As a result, the equipment required for communication can be achieved at low cost.

  Next, the operation of the TV door phone apparatus when the TV door phone apparatus is actually used will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the initial state when the TV door phone device is turned on, the wireless transmission / reception unit 24 built in the base unit 2 starts operating as a master in the Bluetooth wireless system. Specifically, the wireless transmission / reception unit is connected to both the wireless transmission / reception unit (wireless transmission / reception unit 34 described later) built in each of the secondary master unit 3A and the secondary master unit 3B installed in the home. As a slave terminal in the same piconet, predetermined inquiry / call processing such as parameter exchange processing for maintaining frequency hopping synchronization is performed. As a result, the secondary master units 3A and 3B transition to a state in which communication can be performed at any time (always) (referred to as “normal mode” in this specification). The wireless transmission / reception unit of base unit 2 performs communication via antenna 24A. In addition, the wireless transmission / reception units of the sub-master units 3A and 3B perform communication via the antennas 34A and 34B, respectively.

  If the secondary master units 3A and 3B are configured to transition to the hold mode, for example, in the low power consumption mode described above, it usually takes ten or more seconds to transition from the hold mode to a communicable state. (This time also depends on the number of secondary master units connected to the master unit 2). However, the radio transmission / reception unit of all terminals (base unit 2 and sub-base units 3A and 3B) constituting the Bluetooth radio network in the TV door phone apparatus is configured to always perform terminal monitoring communication for maintaining a communication link. If this is done, the power consumption of all the terminals becomes large, which is inconvenient for the secondary master units 3A and 3B that are driven by batteries because they are portable.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, secondary master units 3A and 3B are configured to transition to the sniff mode as the low power consumption mode. Thereby, it is possible to shift the secondary master units 3A and 3B to a standby state waiting for a visitor while suppressing power consumption of the entire TV door phone device.

  Now, after the above processing in the initial state when the TV door phone device is turned on is completed, when a visitor presses the call button 13 of the slave unit 1A, a “visitor detection signal” is output from the CPU 102 of the slave unit 1A. Is output. The output of this signal corresponds to calling of the master unit 2. This signal is transmitted to the CPU 200 of the parent device 2 via the child device multiplexing / demultiplexing circuit 103, the pair of interphone lines 4, and the parent device multiplexing / demultiplexing circuit 203. When the “visitor detection signal” is detected by the CPU 200 of the parent device 2, the ringing tone generated by the ringing tone circuit 209 is emitted from the speaker constituting the voice call circuit 201 under the control of the CPU 200.

  Thereafter, a video signal based on the video captured by the camera unit 16 of the slave unit 1A is transmitted to the master unit 2 via the pair of intercom lines 4, and a visit based on the video signal is transmitted to the liquid crystal display unit 21. Person's picture is reflected. At the same time, a sniff mode release signal is transmitted from the wireless transmission / reception unit 24 of the parent device 2 to the wireless transmission / reception units 34 of the sub-main device 3A and the sub-main device 3B. By transmitting the sniff mode release signal, the sub-master unit 3A and the sub-master unit 3B quickly transition to the normal mode described above. In the present embodiment, the sniff interval is preferably set to 1 second or less, for example. Then, in the transition from the sniff mode of the secondary master units 3A and 3B to the communicable state here, as described above, the inquiry and call processing of the master unit 2 with the secondary master units 3A and 3B has already been performed. Therefore, it is possible in a short time of 1 second or less.

  Then, as described above, after the secondary master unit 3A and the secondary master unit 3B transition to the normal mode, the radio transceiver unit 24 of the master unit 2 passes through the radio transceiver unit 34 of the secondary master unit 3A and the secondary master unit 3B. When the sub-master device CPU 300 detects the “visitor detection signal”, the ring-tone generated by the ring-tone circuit 309 is emitted from the speaker constituting the voice call circuit 301 under the control of the sub-master device CPU 300. In addition, the visitor video from the slave unit 1A is sequentially transmitted. Thereby, the video of the visitor is displayed not only on the liquid crystal display unit 21 in the master unit 2 but also on the liquid crystal display units 31 of the sub master unit 3A and the sub master unit 3B.

  Here, when the call button 22 of the master unit 2 is pressed, one-way video transmission and two-way audio transmission are continuously performed between the slave unit 1A and the master unit 2. Thereby, the conversation using the subunit | mobile_unit 1A and the main | base station 2 is attained between a visitor and a person at home. At the same time, the sniff mode setting signal is transmitted from the radio transceiver unit 24 of the master unit 2 to the radio transceiver unit 34 of the sub master unit 3A and the sub master unit 3B, so that the sub master unit 3A and the sub master unit 3B The state is changed again to the sniff mode, and the display of the visitor video on the liquid crystal display unit 31 is stopped. When the call with the visitor is completed, the master unit 2 performs processing for stopping the display of the visitor video on the liquid crystal display unit 21.

  When the call button 32 of the secondary master unit 3A is pressed as another response operation to the pressing of the call button 13 of the slave unit 1A instead of pressing the call button 22 of the master unit 2, wireless transmission / reception of the master unit 2 is performed. One-way video transmission and continuous transmission between the slave unit 1 and the secondary master unit 3A via the wireless communication path established between the unit 24 and the radio transceiver unit 34 of the secondary master unit 3A Two-way audio is transmitted, and a conversation between a visitor and a person using the cordless handset 1A and the sub-master device 3A becomes possible. In this case, the visitor video imaged by the camera unit 16 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 31 in the secondary master unit 3A. Further, in this case, processing for stopping the display of the visitor video on the liquid crystal display unit 21 of the parent device 2 is performed, and the wireless transmission / reception unit of the sub-main device 3B is changed from the wireless transmission / reception unit 24 of the parent device 2. A setting signal for the sniff mode is transmitted to 34. Due to the transmission of the setting signal, only the secondary master unit 3B makes a transition to the sniff mode again, and the display of the visitor video on the liquid crystal display unit 31 of the secondary master unit 3B is stopped. When the call with the visitor using the secondary master unit 3A is terminated, a sniff mode setting signal is transmitted from the wireless transceiver unit 24 of the master unit 2 to the wireless transceiver unit 34 of the secondary master unit 3A. The As a result, the secondary master unit 3A also transitions to the sniff mode again, and the display of the visitor video on the liquid crystal display unit 31 of the secondary master unit 3A is stopped.

  Furthermore, while the slave unit 1A and the master unit 2 are used and the visitor and the home-homer are having a conversation, the sub-master unit 3A performs the extension communication with the sub-master unit 3B. When the call button 33B for calling the sub-master unit 3B in the sub-master unit 3A is pressed, the sub-master unit 3B and the radio-transmitter / receiver unit 24 of the master unit 2 are A signal (connection request control signal) for requesting connection is sent. Receiving the connection request control signal, base unit 2 transmits a sniff mode release signal and a master terminal transition instruction control signal from radio transceiver unit 24 to radio transceiver unit 34 of sub-master unit 3A. Thereby, sub-master 3A functions as a master terminal. Then, after transferring to the master terminal, the secondary master unit 3A transmits a sniff mode cancellation signal to the secondary master unit 3B through the wireless transmission / reception unit. As a result, the sub master unit 3A and the sub master unit 3B quickly transition to the normal mode. In this state, when the call button 32 of the secondary master unit 3B is pressed, via the wireless communication path established between the wireless transceiver unit 34 of the secondary master unit 3A and the wireless transceiver unit 34 of the secondary master unit 3B. Between the sub master unit 3A and the sub master unit 3B, voice is continuously transmitted in both directions, and an extension call can be made. Since this state is in a Bluetooth scatternet communication mode in which two Bluetooth piconets exist independently, the secondary master unit 3A and the secondary master unit 3B make extension calls when the slave unit 1A and the master unit 2 It does not have any effect on the conversation between the visitor and the home-staying person who uses.

  When the extension call between the secondary master unit 3A and the secondary master unit 3B is completed, a sniff mode setting signal is transmitted from the wireless transceiver unit 34 of the secondary master unit 3 to the wireless transceiver unit 34 of the secondary master unit 3B. As a result, the secondary master unit 3B makes a transition to the sniff mode again. Next, a temporary master terminal release instruction control signal and a sniff mode setting signal are transmitted from the wireless transmission / reception unit 24 of the parent device 2 to the wireless transmission / reception unit 34 of the sub-main device 3A. As a result, the secondary master unit 3A also transitions to the sniff mode again.

  In the present embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 2, in the secondary master units 3 </ b> A and 3 </ b> B, the liquid crystal display unit 31 is provided as in the master unit 2, and visitors photographed by the camera unit 16. Although the video is configured to be displayed, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. That is, it is only necessary that the secondary master units 3A and 3B be configured to be able to transmit and receive at least audio between the slave units 1A and 1B.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the television door phone device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The TV door phone device of the present embodiment is similar to the TV door phone device of the first embodiment, and can be carried around a parent device 2 that is usually installed indoors, and slave devices 1A and 1B that are usually installed outdoors. Are included in the secondary master units 3A and 3B. In the TV door phone apparatus of the present embodiment, the master unit 2 and the sub master units 3A and 3B basically communicate with each other by a Bluetooth wireless system in which the master unit 2 is a master and the sub master units 3A and 3B are slaves. It is possible.

  The configurations of slave units 1A and 1B, master unit 2, and secondary master units 3A and 3B in the present embodiment are basically the same as the corresponding terminals of the first embodiment shown in FIG. It can be similar. However, in the TV door phone apparatus of the present embodiment, the base unit 2 is different from the base unit 2 of the first embodiment in that the wireless transmission / reception unit 24 is configured integrally with the main body of the base unit 2. A wireless transmission / reception unit 74 corresponding to the wireless transmission / reception unit 24 is built in a wireless adapter 7 connected to the outside of the main unit 2 main body via a connection terminal unit 6.

  Referring to FIG. 3, first, in an initial state where the TV door phone apparatus is turned on, wireless transmitter / receiver 74 starts to operate as a master of Bluetooth wireless, and the sub-master unit 3A installed in the home and Defined inquiry / call processing such as parameter exchange processing for maintaining frequency hopping synchronization as a slave terminal in the same piconet with respect to the radio transmission / reception unit 34 built in each of the secondary master units 3B To do.

  Then, base unit 2 sets the connection state with sub-base units 3A and 3B to the sniff mode, which is a power saving mode defined by the Bluetooth wireless system. Thereby, in the television door phone apparatus of the present embodiment, it is possible to shift the secondary master units 3A and 3B to a standby state waiting for visitors while suppressing the power consumption of the whole (secondary master units 3A and 3B). .

  When a visitor presses the call button 13 of the slave unit 1A, a “visitor detection signal” is output from the CPU 102 of the slave unit 1A. The output of this signal corresponds to a call to the master unit. This signal is transmitted to the master CPU 200 through the slave multiplexer / demultiplexer circuit 103, the pair of interphone lines 4, and the master multiplexer / demultiplexer circuit 203. When the “visitor detection signal” is detected by the CPU 200 of the parent device 2, the ringing tone generated by the ringing tone circuit 209 is emitted from the speaker constituting the voice call circuit 201 under the control of the CPU 200.

  Thereafter, a video signal based on the video captured by the camera unit 16 of the slave unit 1A is transmitted to the master unit 2 via the pair of intercom lines 4, and a visit based on the video signal is transmitted to the liquid crystal display unit 21. Person's picture is reflected. At the same time, a sniff mode release signal is transmitted from the wireless transmission / reception unit 24 of the parent device 2 to the wireless transmission / reception units 34 of the sub-main device 3A and the sub-main device 3B. By transmitting the sniff mode release signal, the secondary master unit 3A and the secondary master unit 3B quickly transition to the normal mode. In the present embodiment, the sniff interval is set to 1 second or less, for example. Then, in the transition from the sniff mode of the secondary master units 3A and 3B to the communicable state here, as described above, the inquiry and call processing of the master unit 2 with the secondary master units 3A and 3B has already been performed. Therefore, it is possible in a short time of 1 second or less.

  Then, as described above, after the secondary master unit 3A and the secondary master unit 3B transition to the normal mode, the radio transmission / reception unit 24 of the master unit 2 transmits the secondary master unit 3A and the secondary master unit 3B via the radio transmission / reception unit 34. When the “visitor detection signal” is detected by the CPU 300 of the secondary master unit 3A and the secondary master unit 3B, it is generated by the ringing tone circuit 309 under the control of the CPU 300 in the secondary master unit 3A and the secondary master unit 3B. A ringing tone is emitted from a speaker constituting the voice call circuit 301. In addition, the visitor video from the slave unit 1A is sequentially transmitted to the secondary master unit 3A and the secondary master unit 3B. Thereby, the video of the visitor is displayed not only on the liquid crystal display unit 21 in the master unit 2 but also on the liquid crystal display units 31 of the sub master unit 3A and the sub master unit 3B.

  Here, when the call button 22 of the master unit 2 is pressed, one-way video transmission and two-way audio transmission are continuously performed between the slave unit 1A and the master unit 2. Thereby, the conversation using the subunit | mobile_unit 1A and the main | base station 2 is attained between a visitor and a person at home. At the same time, the sniff mode setting signal is transmitted from the radio transceiver unit 24 of the master unit 2 to the radio transceiver unit 34 of the sub master unit 3A and the sub master unit 3B, so that the sub master unit 3A and the sub master unit 3B The state is changed again to the sniff mode, and the display of the visitor video on the liquid crystal display unit 31 is stopped. When the call with the visitor is completed, the master unit 2 performs processing for stopping the display of the visitor video on the liquid crystal display unit 21.

  It should be noted that instead of pressing the call button 22 of the parent device 2, when the call button 32 of the sub-master device 3A is pressed as another response operation to the pressing of the call button 13 of the child device 1A, and with the child device 1A While the main unit 2 is being used and a visitor and a home-homer are having a conversation, the sub-main unit 3A performs sub-base unit 3B extension communication with the sub-main unit 3A. In each case where the call button 33B for calling the parent device 3B is pressed, the same processing as that described in the first embodiment is performed in this embodiment. Further, in the latter case, when the extension call between the secondary master unit 3A and the secondary master unit 3B is terminated, the same processing as that in the first embodiment is performed, so that the secondary master units 3A and 3B. Respectively transition to the sniff mode again.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the television door phone apparatus which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the television door phone apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the television door phone apparatus which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  1, 1A, 1B slave unit, 2 master unit, 3, 3A, 3B secondary master unit, 4 interphone line, 5 Bluetooth wireless transmission path, 6 connection terminal section, 7 wireless adapter, 8, 8A-8C master terminal, 9, 9A to 9D Slave terminal, 13 Call button, 16 Camera unit, 100, 200, 300 CPU, 101, 201, 301 Voice communication circuit, 102 Video modulation circuit, 103, 203 Multiplex / separation circuit, 2 parent device, 21, 31 Liquid crystal display unit, 22, 32 Call button, 23, 23A, 23B, 33, 33A, 33B Extension button, 24, 34, 74 Wireless transceiver unit, 24A, 34A, 74A Antenna, 202 Video demodulation circuit, 204, 304 Audio analog / Digital conversion circuit, 205 video analog / digital conversion circuit, 206,306 video compression / expansion Circuit, 207, 307 display the video storage circuit, 208 transmitting video storage circuit, 209, 309 ringer circuit.

Claims (3)

A slave unit having a camera and a voice call circuit, a liquid crystal display unit wired to the slave unit by a pair line, a master unit having a voice call circuit and a wireless transmission / reception circuit, and the base unit and Bluetooth wireless communication means are always wireless In a TV door phone apparatus comprising a liquid crystal display unit, a voice communication circuit and a sub-master unit having a wireless transmission / reception circuit to be connected,
A television door phone device comprising at least two sub-master devices. A slave unit having a camera and a voice call circuit; a master unit having a liquid crystal display unit and a voice call circuit wired to the slave unit by a pair line; a wireless adapter connected to the master unit by a connector; and the wireless In a TV door phone apparatus comprising a liquid crystal display unit that is always wirelessly connected by an adapter and Bluetooth wireless communication means, a voice communication circuit, and a secondary master unit having a wireless transmission / reception circuit,
The master unit has a voice output terminal for outputting a voice signal and a video signal transmitted from the slave unit or a voice signal from a voice communication circuit of the master unit to a wireless adapter, and a video signal transmitted from the slave unit as a wireless adapter. A video output terminal to output, an audio input terminal for inputting an audio signal from the wireless adapter, and a control terminal for transmitting and receiving a control signal to and from the wireless adapter;
The wireless adapter has an audio input terminal, a video input terminal, an audio output terminal, and a wireless transmission / reception circuit that are connected to the master unit,
A television door phone device comprising at least two sub-master devices. A handset having a camera, a voice call circuit and a call button;
A master unit that is connected to the slave unit by a pair line and has a means for viewing video captured by the camera and voice obtained in the voice call circuit; and a means for sending voice;
The base unit is
First wireless communication means;
A setting signal instructing to shift to a low power consumption mode in which information is transmitted / received to / from the base unit at a certain time interval, and a release signal instructing transition to a normal mode in which information transmission / reception with the base unit is always possible And a signal transmission means for transmitting
The signal transmission means transmits the release signal in response to the operation of the call button,
A secondary master unit including a second wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication with the first wireless communication unit;
The secondary master unit is
Means for outputting audio sent from the parent device or the child device;
Means for sending audio to the master unit or the slave unit;
Receiving means for receiving the setting signal and the release signal;
The second wireless communication means transmits / receives information to / from the base unit in the low power consumption mode in response to the receiving means receiving the setting signal, and the receiving means receives the release signal. The TV door phone apparatus performs transmission / reception of information with the base unit in the normal mode according to the operation.

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