JP2002135434A - Interphone unit, interphone system, and storage medium with interphone software recorded thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a vistor can not leave a package unattended without contacting the family when all the family members leave the house. SOLUTION: In the interphone unit consisting of a slave unit installed at an entrance or a front desk and of a master unit connected to the slave unit for conversation, the master unit is provided with a conversation means that makes a conversation with the slave unit in voice or the like, a connection means that connects a signal from the slave unit to a communication channel adopting a protocol different from that of the slave unit, and a changeover means that selects the connection means or the conversation means so as to switch the connection to the slave unit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a door phone which is attached to a house and is used for conversation with a visitor, and which can be transferred to another device when the user is absent from the house or cannot enter the entrance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been a door phone which has a built-in camera in an intercom usually provided at a doorway and can capture an image for the purpose of increasing interest in security and crime prevention for women living alone.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a conventional example. At the entrance of the house, a call button 303, a camera window 302 for photographing a visitor, and a microphone 301 for recording audio are provided on a door phone 300 beside the door. The voice and image of the visitor recorded by the camera window 302 and the microphone 301 are sent to the parent device 310, the image of the visitor is displayed on the display 314 of the parent device 310, and the sound flows to the speaker 315.

When a visitor stands at the entrance and presses the call button 303, a buzzer of a master unit (not shown) is activated. The resident of the house hears this buzzer and rushes to this parent machine. Then, if the conversation is with the visitor and the visit is directed to another resident, the transfer switches 311, 312 and 313 are selected and pressed according to the resident's room. In response to the call, the child devices 320, 321, 322 in each room respond.

In the door phone master unit 310, the monitor screen 314 for confirming the visitor is only placed in the house, and cannot be confirmed when the visitor is absent. Sometimes the landlord stays in the house but accidentally dries his laundry, or happens to be in the toilet, so he may not go to the main unit of the intercom. At this time, the master unit has a transfer switch to the slave unit, but cannot be pressed, so that it is useless.

In some cases, the landlord goes out and is away. The salesman arrives at the appointment time, but the landlord may say that the road is congested and he is slow to return, and that the salesman gives up and returns. In the absence of home, when the courier who has delivered the courier confirms absence, write down the request for re-delivery date and time on the visiting slip and temporarily put it in the garage etc. and put it in the post etc. .

[0007]

Therefore, this door phone cannot be used when it is not present or when it is not necessary to go to the parent device (monitor device). Also, for the delivery person,
It is not necessary to temporarily store the delivery luggage in a garage or the like, and it is often difficult to know whether the neighbors can trust them.

[0008] Also, if the landlord becomes slow to notice the redelivery slip, it may be rude to the giver. Missing the opportunity to fit a visitor is a problem, especially for emergency visitors.

[0009]

For this purpose, in an intercom apparatus comprising a slave unit installed and used at an entrance or a reception, and a master unit connected to the slave unit for conversation.
The master unit has a conversation unit for communicating with the slave unit by voice or the like, a connection unit for connecting a signal from the slave unit to a communication line different from a procedure with the slave unit, and the connection unit, An intercom apparatus comprising: a switching unit that selects a conversation unit and switches connection with the slave unit.

[0010] In an intercom apparatus including a slave unit used at a front entrance, a reception, or the like, and a master unit connected to the slave unit for performing signal communication, the master unit includes the slave unit. Connection means for connecting a signal from the handset to a plurality of communication lines different from the procedure with the slave handset.

[0011] Further, a slave unit installed and used at an entrance, a reception, or the like, a master unit connected to the slave unit for conversation, and information from the master unit is transmitted to another conversation terminal such as a mobile phone. In the intercom system including the transfer device for transferring, the master unit has a conversation means for performing a conversation with the slave unit by voice and the like, and a communication from the slave unit which is different from the procedure with the slave unit. Connection means for connecting to a line, and switching means for selecting the connection means and the conversation means to switch the connection with the slave unit, wherein the transfer device accepts the conversation signal from the connection means And an intercom system.

[0012] Further, the present invention is a storage medium storing intercom software for a base unit computer device for connecting to a slave unit to be used by being installed at an entrance, a reception, or the like, and having a calling signal from the slave unit. A monitoring step for monitoring, a local response step for responding with the master computer, a step for connecting externally with a data conversion device such as a modem device, and the local response when a call signal from the slave is confirmed in the monitoring step. And a selection step of selecting and executing a step and an external connection step.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Description of the Present Invention) FIG. 1 shows a handset (hereinafter referred to as a door phone) attached to an entrance door of a building such as a home or a private office for confirming a visitor with an intercom. It is an example. A call button 11 for a visitor to press and call, a pan-tilt camera 3
A window 12 is provided on the surface to allow the user to look through the camera. In the door phone 10, for example, a camera unit (camera) 30 as shown in FIG.
Visitors can shoot. The image data of the visitor photographed by the door phone 10 is transferred to a parent device (hereinafter, computer) 40 for performing image processing through the coaxial cable 15. In this case, since a relatively long distance of about several tens of meters must be transmitted, a method of transmitting an NTSC signal by a coaxial cable is simple. In Europe, not PAL (Phase Alteration) but NTSC
Method) signal is used. Regarding the change of the imaging direction of the built-in camera unit 30 of the door phone 10 (pan-tilt control), command control is performed by a cable 14 attached to the coaxial cable 15 by a serial method such as RS422 that can be used for a relatively long distance. . A video signal of the camera 30, an audio signal of the microphone 13,
If a digital network is used to transmit and receive the photographing direction control signal of the camera 30 and the call signal of the call button 11, the number of electric wires can be extremely reduced since the digital network can be used. This only needs to be provided in the door phone 10 with a configuration that can be controlled by a one-chip microcomputer or the like. This technique is well known in the art and need not be described in detail.

The door phone 10 and the computer 4
For example, a wireless spread-spectrum system can be used for communication with 0. In this spread spectrum system, a system capable of transmitting a distance of several tens of meters or more at high speed has been developed in recent years. As an example of the spread spectrum method, for example, Bl
ueTooth system. The visitor's image thus captured by the computer 40 is displayed on the display 43.
As can be seen from the above, if no person is away in the house, an absence instruction is given to the running application software using the keyboard (instruction means) 41 or the mouse (instruction means) 42. Set it.

Upon receiving this instruction, the computer 40 triggers the signal of the call button 11 to trigger the serial port.
(Connection means) to ISDN (Integrated Se
services Digital Network) 50
(Data conversion device) 45 connected to the
Start through 4. The image is transferred to the portable telephone (conversation terminal) 55 carried by the landlord using a packet communication service (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Company) of the ISDN telephone service company 51 or the like. The landlord uses the display 59 on the mobile phone 55.
Converse with the microphone 57 while watching the visitor displayed above. The mobile phone 55 is provided with a telephone camera 56. The video taken by the telephone camera 56 is the door phone 1.
Since the face is displayed as a landlord's face on a small display (not shown) provided on the side of window 0, it is possible to have a conversation while confirming the faces with each other. At this time, since the camera 30 is a pan-tilt camera that can be electrically controlled, it is possible to control the camera lens 22 using the key 58 from the mobile phone 55 and to adjust the direction of the lens 22 of the camera so that the visitor can see it well. It is. This is particularly effective when a small child is a visitor. Although not shown in the drawing, conversations can be more comfortably provided by installing an auto-focusing and zooming function provided in a normal camera. Further, the image is preferably a moving image, but depending on the communication conditions, each mode may have a mode such as reducing the number of frames, making the image a still image, or, in the worst case, cutting off the image and making only an audio.

(Explanation of Software Registered on Computer) A master unit (computer) 40 is connected to a door phone 10 which is a slave unit installed and used at an entrance or a reception. The parent computer 40 controls a sound board and uses a microphone and a speaker to have a conversation with a visitor of the child device 10.

In the computer 40, interphone software is recorded on a hard disk, and runs on the OS as application software. There is a monitoring step of monitoring a calling signal from the slave unit, and the following processing is selectively executed based on the signal reception. Instruction means to intercom software (keyboard 4
If a home setting instruction is given by using the mouse 42), a local response step in which the parent computer device responds works.

If the user is set to be absent, the data converter 45 such as a modem is started, the transfer destination is determined by referring to the database on the hard disk, and the data converter 45 is instructed for external connection. Steps work.
When the Internet connection instruction is described in the database, a connection is made to a predetermined provider, and then the slave unit is connected by an automatic procedure.

In practice, when the visitor comes and confirms the call signal from the slave unit in the monitoring step, the visitor's home or absence flag set by the instruction means is confirmed and the local response step is performed. Select and execute the external connection step.

The application software for the interphone in which these processes are described is CDRO
It is distributed by M, Floppy (registered trademark), etc., and can be used by setting up at each home. In addition, as a matter of course, the software, the database for the software, and the like can be updated latest from a communication medium such as the Internet, so that the function can be prevented from becoming obsolete.

After the data converter 45 connected to the computer 40 connects to the Internet, a communication function for compressing images and sounds, such as net meeting software (Microsoft), can be used. Conversations can be made while checking the visitor's appearance using the camera of the slave unit while controlling costs.

A mobile phone or the like that can be connected to the Internet can have a conversation in such a form, but it goes without saying that it can be transferred to a fixed computer such as a workplace or a school and can have a conversation.

Then, the terminal device (portable telephone) 55 on the receiving side receives the visitor within the imaging range by changing the imaging direction of the camera 30 using the key 58.

This may be such a definition, for example, 4 is leftward, 6 is rightward, 2 is upward,
Internet software installed on the hard disk of the computer 40 is programmed such that 8 is defined as a downward direction, and a key is pressed once to change the angle by 1 °.

Since the camera 30 is a pan-tilt camera which can be electrically controlled, the camera 30 is controlled by using the key 58 from the mobile phone 55 so that the camera 30 can be viewed in a direction that the visitor can easily see.
Of the lens 22 can be adjusted. It is possible to insert a connection option board or the like (not shown) into the computer 40 and mount a modem, a terminal adapter, a wireless device, or the like on this option board. A modem can be used by connecting to an analog telephone line. For terminal adapters, ISDN
It can be used by connecting to a digital line such as. P for wireless
A configuration for directly transmitting data to an HS or a mobile phone can be adopted. As described above, it is conceivable to configure software for selectively installing a plurality of types of lines in the storage device of the computer 40. The product is configured as described above, and the purchaser selects and installs a telephone line, an ISDN line, a coaxial cable for an antenna, an optical cable, and the like according to the house and the contract.

(Explanation of Door Phone) As shown in FIG. 2, the table of the door phone 10 attached to the door 1 includes a call button 11 for the visitor to call the landlord, a window 12 for photographing the visitor, Microphone 1 that records the voice of the elderly
There are three. A coaxial cable 13 for synthesizing and transmitting a video signal and an audio signal, and a control cable 14 for sending a signal for changing a shooting direction of the camera to the intercom 10 are provided on the back of the intercom 10.
There is.

Inside the camera unit 30, there is an imaging substrate 20 supported by a driving means (not shown) so that the position can be changed, and a photoelectric conversion device mounted on the imaging substrate 20 for converting light into electric charges. An element (not shown), a lens 22 for projecting an image of a subject on a photographing surface of the photoelectric conversion element, and a lens barrel 21 for fixedly supporting the lens 22 on an imaging substrate 20 are a movable unit configured to be movable. Provided.

A processing board 25 for post-processing an image signal transmitted from the movable unit through the flexible cable 23 or converting the image signal into the NTSC format described above is fixedly mounted on the camera unit 30. The signal from the call button 11 is sent through the processing board 25 by the control cable 14. The video signal is sent through the coaxial cable 13.

(First Modification of Door Phone System) FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a door. The door phone 70 is embedded and fixed in the door. The visitor calls the landlord by pressing the call button 71.

At this time, if there is a landlord, the visitor displayed by the camera 72 on the display 74 provided toward the inside of the house is confirmed, and conversation is started at the same time.

Next, a description will be given of a case where the landlord is absent. Prior to leaving the house, the landlord tilts the transfer instruction switch (instruction means) 75 to the absent side to cause the intercom 70 to identify the absence.

In this state, the landlord goes out with a mobile phone. After a while, the visitor comes, and the landlord presses the call button 71 in the same way as when at home. The signal of the call button 71 is taken into the communication board 78 to determine whether or not to call a terminal to be connected externally.

The determination means checks the transfer instruction switch 75 and determines that the transfer should be performed. Then, the procedure for calling the mobile phone is started. The calling means on the communication board 78 makes a call to the landlord's mobile phone, confirms the on-hook signal, and the visitor image taken by the camera 72 and the microphone 73.
Process the audio signal recorded by the processing board 77,
The signal is converted into radio waves in the mobile phone band by the communication board 78, and connected to the mobile phone of the landlord via the antenna 76 and transmitted. Then start a conversation. When the conversation is over, the call button 71
Press again, or cut off the communication on the mobile phone side to reset and enter the standby state.

(Second Modification of Intercom System) FIG. 4 shows an example in which a transfer service is provided by using a transfer device for transferring intercom signals connected to the Internet or a telephone network. Basically, this is an example in which the transfer function part of the system shown in FIG. 3 is independently constructed outdoors as a transfer device. However, it is realized in combination with the Internet in order to provide inexpensive communication costs.

Although the intercom shown in FIG. 3 is directly connected to the landlord's mobile phone, the landlord is not always located in the prefecture, and may be in a foreign country. At present, international calls are available on mobile phones, but the charges are high. Therefore,
Use internet telephone.

(In the case of using a normal telephone line) Mr. A attaches the door phone 100 to the entrance. When a visitor comes, the call button 102 of the door phone 100 is pressed. The calling means of the door phone 100 confirms the absence and calls the reception telephone 120 of the service company. When the reception telephone 120 is called, the monitor device 130 determines
With reference to the determination information for Mr. A registered in A., it is confirmed whether or not Mr. A has confirmed absence registration. This absence registration is usually registered in the monitor device 130 in Mr. A's home 110 using a device such as a telephone connected to the door phone 100 when going out. It may be used, or the automatic registration may be performed when the absence switch is turned on as a function of the door phone 100.

The judging means 131 activates the calling means 132 and permits execution thereof, but opens the visitor database 134 before starting the calling operation. Then, the image of the visitor photographed from the camera 101 of the door phone 100 is received by the reception phone 1.
20, and the visitor specifying unit 133 checks whether there is data that matches the characteristics of the visitor image.

If the visitor is not the specified visitor, the calling means 132 calls the mobile phone 145 of Mr. A via the mobile phone base station 140 by the calling phone 121. Then, when Mr. A responds, it connects based on the on-hook signal,
A conversation between the visitor and Mr. A starts. At this time, the image of the visitor is displayed on the display 146 of the mobile phone 145.

On the other hand, when the visitor specifying means 133 detects the data specified from the visitor database 134,
The calling unit 132 is instructed to make a calling call in the order of the plurality of telephone numbers registered in the data field. Also, the mobile phone 145 to which the visitor automatically connects is changed in this specific person database.

For example, if the visitor is a child friend,
A procedure such as connecting to a child's mobile phone may be described and executed, or the monitor 1
30 performs automatic correspondence. For example, in the case of a store entrance window of a store, a procedure for automatically issuing a store entrance instruction to a visiting trader may be described.

Further, as an automatic response procedure, when the landlord has gone to a foreign country and there is a large time difference, if the transfer is performed on the spot, the local time will not be possible. Thus, the transfer prohibition time may be set according to the location of the transfer destination. At this time, it is also pleased to provide a service that informs the transferable time zone by sending a message indicating why the transfer cannot be performed.

(Explanation of Use of Internet Telephone) By the way, if Mr. A is moving to a distant area or if a fixed place in a distant area is described in the transfer destination of the visitor database 134, Mr. A's doorphone usage fee will be charged. Will be expensive. Therefore, in such a case, Mr. A himself calls the calling unit 13 using the key 147 from the mobile phone 145.
2 can be instructed to use the Internet telephone.

The connection from the intercom 100 can also be made via the closest provider 155 to the URL (Unifos).
rm Resource Locator)
P / IP (Transmission Control
l Protocol / Internet Proto
col) via the conversion device 123, the monitor device 13
Connect to 0. Similarly, at the stage of calling after the execution of the above processing, the data is transmitted to the provider 150 to which Mr. B's house is connected via the TCP / IP converter, and is connected to Mr. B's terminal device 160 to start a conversation. Since there are already many examples of using the Internet for telephone calls, description thereof is omitted here.

(Modification of Door Phone) FIG. 5A shows an example in which a connection destination can be specified. In the conventional example (FIG. 6) described above, the function of the master unit selecting a slave unit is realized as a function of enabling selection of a transfer destination here. The door phone 250 has a camera 253, a microphone 254, and a display 25 in the same manner.
2 is provided. Like the call button 251, five transfer destinations can be designated. Although not shown, five absence switches are provided, and the absence can be set for each person, so that it is possible to directly enter a conversation with the intended person.

FIG. 5B shows an example in which an encryption key or the like can be specified. The doorphone 260 is similarly provided with a camera 263, a microphone 264, and a display 262. When the call button 261 is pressed, an ID number or the like is requested. Thereafter, the user inputs his / her ID code with the key 265. A guest can also be specified, and the call button 261 is pressed again by, for example, pressing only 0 by the key 265. There are many ways to use it, but you can, for example, directly press a phone number from here. In addition, the visitor data stored internally can be selected and used according to the ID number.

(Description of Re-Transfer from Transfer Destination) In the description of FIG. 4, the description has been given of the case where the visitor accesses the mobile phone of Mr. A using the intercom 100 of Mr. A's house. Assuming that after starting a conversation with Mr. B and actually speaking with Mr. B, if Mr. A cuts off the intercom 100, he calls Mr. B's house and speaks the matter. Become a procedure.

However, this takes time and may not be transmitted accurately. In addition, visitors may not be able to talk to Mr. B directly, so the required information may be insufficient.

To avoid this, a retransfer function is provided. Mr. A calls a specific command by making the key 147 interrupt the communication as necessary during a conversation with the visitor on the mobile phone 145 and makes a call to the telephone 121. Here, the monitor device 130 sends an interrupt reception message to the mobile phone 145 of Mr. A and the intercom 100 of the visitor, and receives the transfer destination.

When Mr. A presses the # confirm button in response to the completion confirmation message, the monitor device disconnects the connection with Mr. A, connects to the telephone number of Mr. B's house, and activates the intercom 100 which has been reserved. Switch data connection to Mr. B's house. As a result, the visitor enters the A
After talking with, you can talk with B.

[0050]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a door phone system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a single unit of a door phone;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a first modification of the door phone system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a second modification of the door phone system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a modification of the door phone.

FIG. 6 is a conventional diagram.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 Doorphone (child unit) 11 Call button 12 Camera window 13 Microphone (conversation means) 14 Control cable 15 Coaxial cable 30 Camera unit (camera) 40 Monitor device (base unit, computer) 41 Keyboard (instruction means) 43 Display 45 Router ( Data conversion device) 50 ISDN (communication line different from the procedure with the slave unit) 51 Telephone service company 55 Mobile phone (conversation terminal)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 7/18 H04N 7/18 HE

Claims (27)

[Claims] 1. An intercom apparatus comprising a slave unit installed and used at an entrance, a reception, and the like, and a master unit connected to the slave unit for conversation, wherein the master unit includes the slave unit. Conversation means for conducting a conversation by voice and the like, connection means for connecting a signal from the slave unit to a communication line different from the procedure with the slave unit,
An intercom apparatus comprising: a switching unit that selects the connection unit and the conversation unit to switch a connection with the slave unit. 2. The intercom apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said intercom apparatus includes a message unit for notifying that the switching unit connects to a communication line different from the procedure with the slave unit when connecting the slave unit to the connection unit. Intercom equipment 3. The intercom apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said intercom apparatus includes instruction means for instructing switching of said switching means. 4. The intercom apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said intercom apparatus receives a call from said intercom slave unit, and transmits a signal from said slave unit to said connection means based on a signal from said reception unit and instruction information to said instruction means. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein
Intercom equipment 5. The intercom apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said instruction means can execute an instruction to said instruction means based on information from an external route taken from said connection means. 6. The intercom apparatus includes a camera that captures an image of a subject on the slave unit and outputs a video signal.
The intercom device according to claim 1. 7. The intercom apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said intercom apparatus includes a synthesizing means for matching an audio signal and a video signal on the same path in said master unit. 8. The intercom apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said intercom apparatus includes direction control means capable of changing a shooting direction of said camera based on an electric signal. 9. The intercom apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said intercom apparatus can receive the control signal of said direction control means from a communication line different from a procedure with a slave unit connected to said connection means. 10. The intercom apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said intercom apparatus includes identification means for identifying an operator of the slave unit from an audio signal and / or a video signal obtained from the slave unit. 11. The intercom apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said intercom apparatus includes a database means necessary for the specifying means and a processing selecting means for selecting a predetermined processing according to information from the specifying means. 12. The intercom apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said intercom apparatus has a plurality of connection modes. 13. The intercom apparatus, wherein one of the connection modes is a connection to the Internet.
Intercom device described in 14. The intercom apparatus, wherein one of the connection modes is connection to packet communication such as i-mode.
The intercom device according to claim 12. 15. The intercom apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said intercom apparatus is connectable to or incorporated in a data conversion apparatus such as a modem apparatus. 16. The intercom apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said intercom apparatus includes a recording means for transmitting a response message to the voice from said slave unit and recording said voice. 17. The intercom apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said intercom apparatus reconnects to another connection destination based on information taken from the connection destination connected by said connection means. 18. The intercom apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said intercom apparatus has designation means by which said slave unit can designate said connection means from a plurality of connection destinations. 19. The intercom apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said intercom apparatus is configured such that said slave unit and said master unit are integrally formed. 20. The intercom apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the intercom apparatus is configured such that the slave unit and the preceding master unit are connected to a network. 21. The intercom apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the intercom apparatus is configured to wirelessly connect the slave unit and the preceding master unit. 22. A slave unit installed and used at an entrance, a reception, or the like,
In an intercom apparatus including a master unit for performing signal communication by connecting to the slave unit, the master unit connects a signal from the slave unit to a plurality of communication lines different from those of the slave unit. Intercom device, comprising: 23. The intercom apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said connection means is switchable between at least two of an analog line, a digital line, and a mobile phone line. 24. A handset which is used by being installed at an entrance, a reception, or the like;
In an intercom system including a master unit for connecting to the slave unit for conversation and a transfer device for transferring information from the master unit to a conversation terminal such as another mobile phone, the master unit includes A conversation means for conducting a conversation with the slave unit by voice or the like, a connection unit for connecting a signal from the slave unit to a communication line different from the procedure with the slave unit, and selecting the connection unit and the conversation unit. Switching means for switching the connection with the slave unit, and the transfer device comprises an accepting means for receiving the conversation signal from the connecting means. 25. A storage medium for recording intercom software for a base unit computer device for connecting to a slave unit to be used by being installed at an entrance, a reception, or the like, wherein a call signal from the slave unit is stored. A monitoring step for monitoring, a local response step for responding with the master computer, a step for connecting externally with a data conversion device such as a modem device, and the local response when a call signal from the slave is confirmed in the monitoring step. Storage medium storing intercom software, comprising: a selection step of selecting and executing a step and an external connection step. 26. A storage medium storing said intercom software, comprising: a data conversion device control step for controlling a data conversion device such as a modem device connected to a master computer; and an internet using said data conversion device. 26. A storage medium recording the intercom software according to claim 25, further comprising a protocol generating step of generating a protocol for making a connection. 27. The storage medium according to claim 25, wherein said storage medium storing said intercom software includes a compression step of compressing audio data and image data.