JP2003163666A - Intercommunication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an intercommunication system by which wiring is saved and functions can easily be expanded by transmitting information such as video information, voice information by a plurality of channels through the same signal line of a local network. <P>SOLUTION: When transmitting each piece of information on video or audio, a lobby interphone 1 generates a communication start request command by a control part 100 and transmits it by an IP protocol to GK/GW equipment 8. The GK/GW equipment 8 retains band information such as an IP address and a using band quantity of the lobby interphone 1 to a storage part 81 upon reception of a communication start request command, and transmits a communication start response command by a digital multiplex packet based on an IP protocol. Upon receipt of the communication start response command from the GK/GW equipment, the lobby interphone 1 writes a destination IP address to a destination header and thereafter transmits each information of video and audio by the digital multiplex packet based on the IP protocol. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a local communication system for video / audio communication in a housing complex, a hospital or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional example of a communication system on a premises, a home automation system for an apartment house (condominium HA
The system configuration is shown in FIG.

This condominium HA system is a home automation (H) installed in a lobby intercom 1 installed in a lobby LB, a manager's room K, etc., as shown in the figure.
It is composed of a system master unit 2 for integrating A), a house information board 3 and a doorphone subunit 4 installed in each dwelling unit H, and a fire detector etc. 5 installed in each dwelling unit H and a manager room K. .

The video / audio communication in the condominium HA system is performed between the house information board 3 and the lobby intercom 1.
Alternatively, it is performed between the house information board 3 and the system master device 2, and further between the lobby intercom 1 and the system master device 2.

A fire / emergency report (transmission of an alarm notification command) is sent when the fire detector 5 detects a fire or when an emergency button (not shown) on the home information panel 3 is pressed. 3 and the system master unit 2.

[0006] By the way, the wiring structure for connecting the lobby intercom 1 of the condominium HA system, the system master unit 2, and the housing information board 3 provided in each dwelling unit H is one pair for video and one for audio. Signal line 6 consisting of 1 pair, 3 pairs, 1 pair for fire / emergency alarms.
Is used.

As a signal transmission method used,
An analog FM modulation signal is used for a video signal, a baseband signal is used for an audio signal, and a fire / emergency notification (alarm transmission) is usually performed by polling selecting communication.

[0008]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Condominium H described above
Since the A system uses analog communication, only one channel (call) can be used at the same time for video / audio communication, and the signal line is divided for video communication, voice communication, and fire / emergency notification. There is a problem that the wiring becomes complicated. Further, when data communication is added to this condominium HA system, there is a problem that it is difficult to expand the function because another wiring is required.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention that information can be simultaneously transmitted by a plurality of channels by the same signal line of a local network, and wiring can be saved. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an on-premise communication system that is capable of achieving the above-mentioned features and whose functions can be easily expanded.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided monitor means for transmitting voice information between information devices for making a voice call provided on the premises and for monitoring an image from the information device having an image pickup camera. Of the video information to the information device and the transmission of the alarm notification command to the information device equipped with means for issuing an alarm by receiving the alarm notification command from the information device equipped with means for issuing the alarm notification command. , And is performed by digital multiplex packet transmission by the IP protocol through the local network.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, transmission of voice information between the information devices provided on the premises for making a voice call, and the image from the information device having the image pickup camera to the information device having the monitor means for monitoring the image. Information is transmitted by digital multiplex packet transmission by the IP protocol through a local network, and from an information device equipped with means for issuing an alarm notification command to an information device equipped with means for receiving an alarm notification command and issuing an alarm. The alarm notification command is transmitted by using the alarm notification signal line.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the information device that processes the video information, the audio information, and the alarm notification command is the first device that processes the video information and the audio information. The processing means and the second processing means for processing the alarm notification command are separately provided, and the second processing means is provided when a power failure occurs.
It is characterized in that only the processing means of (1) is controlled.

The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1 or 3, it is provided with means for transmitting only an alarm notification command when a power failure occurs.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the signal line of the roll network connecting the information devices is star-connected by a concentrator, and the concentrator requires communication. It is characterized in that it is provided with a power supply means for supplying power to only such information equipment to activate it.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the invention, a terminal for generating a signal of information used for local communication is connected to a plurality of these terminals, and the output signals of these terminals are compressed. It is characterized in that an information device including a device which is encoded and transmitted to a local network by a digital multiple packet according to the IP protocol is used.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, a control packet for permitting transmission of at least a packet corresponding to video information and a packet corresponding to audio information is periodically transmitted to each information device. It is characterized in that a gatekeeper is installed on the local network, which permits only the information equipment which has transmitted the control packet and has received the control packet to transmit the packet of the video information and the audio information for a certain period.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the local network is connected to a public network or an external communication network such as the Internet via a gateway, and the gateway is connected to the local network. Is provided with means for adjusting the data communication speed from the external communication network to the local network side depending on the number of channels and the band used for the information transmission.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects of the invention, the local network is connected to a public network or an external communication network such as the Internet through a gateway, and a communication speed conversion device is connected to the information equipment. A general-purpose computer system is connected via the communication system, and the communication speed conversion device adjusts the data communication speed when performing data communication from the personal computer to the Internet via the gateway or the public network.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments.

(Embodiment 1) This embodiment is applied to a condominium HA system consisting of a plurality of buildings. As shown in FIG. 1, the lobby intercom 1 and the monitoring camera device 7 provided in the lobby LB of each building X1. , System master unit 2 provided in the administrator room K, gatekeeper / gateway device (hereinafter referred to as GK / GW device) 8, 10BASE
-T or 100BASE-T specification (Ethernet _(R) ) local network signal line L hub 10 for branching, and further each building X1 ... local network connection device, system master unit 2 and GK / GW device 8 and each router 11 for performing routing with the router 8.
..., a hub 12 for branching the signal line L of the network from the system master unit 2 and the GK / GW device 8, a housing information panel 3 provided in each dwelling unit H, an intercom subunit 4, each dwelling unit H and management It is composed of a fire detector 5 provided in the private room K, and a GK / GW device 8 for the external public network PT.
Connected via Internet, and the public network PT is connected to the Internet IN.
It is connected through an Internet service provider ISP having an access point above. Further, communication with the mobile terminal 201 can be performed through the base station 200 of the mobile communication network.

The image pickup camera 104 of the lobby intercom 1 (see FIG. 5) and the image pickup camera 7 of the surveillance camera device 7
4 (see FIG. 6)), the video signals obtained by image capturing and the input audio signals of the audio input / output means of the lobby intercom 1, the housing information panel 3, and the system master unit 2 are digitally converted by the respective devices, It is encoded and further packetized together with commands and the like to be described later, and I
It is adapted to be transmitted by a digital multiplex packet transmission system based on the P protocol.

In the present embodiment, a transmission band corresponding to 10BASE-T is used, but it is possible to change to 100BASE or 1000BASE specifications according to the required transmission band.

Next, the configuration and function of each device used in this embodiment will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, the housing information board 3 has a control unit 30, a storage unit 31, an operation unit 32, a video processing unit 33,
The information device includes a display unit 34, a voice processing unit 35, a voice input / output unit 36, a network interface unit 37, a doorphone interface unit 38, and a sensor interface unit 39.

Next, the functions of the housing information panel 3 for communicating image information and audio information (only receiving for image information), alarm command communication, alarm display, and alarm sound output will be described below.

The control unit 30 packetizes / unpackets the data and controls each unit, the storage unit 31 stores various information (video information, audio information, etc.), and the operation unit 32 includes various keys. , Emergency button operation, call destination number input, etc.

The network interface unit 37 includes other devices (lobby intercom 1, surveillance camera device 7,
System master unit 2, GK / GW unit 8, other housing information board 3)
Packet communication with (video information, audio information, various data,
It constitutes a transmission / reception means for executing various commands), and a local IP address is assigned.

The intercom interface section 38 transmits / receives a video signal and an audio signal to / from the intercom subunit 4, and the sensor interface section 39 detects a fire detection signal which is a warning notification command from the fire detector 5.

The video processing unit 33 decodes and D / A converts the video information received from the network interface unit 37 and unpacketed by the control unit 30 or the alarm video information stored in advance in the storage unit 31. To convert to analog video signal.

The display section 34 constitutes a monitor for outputting the screen of the analog video signal from the video processing section 33.

The voice input / output unit 36 inputs / outputs an analog voice signal by a microphone (not shown) and a speaker (not shown) for voice communication.

The voice processing unit 35 decodes voice information unpacketed by the control unit 30 or voice information for alarm stored in the storage unit 31 in advance, and converts it into an analog voice signal by D / A conversion. Voice input / output unit 3
The analog audio signal input from 6 is subjected to A / D conversion and encoding and passed to the control unit 30.

Then, in the housing information board 3, the voice processing unit 33 passes the voice information A / D converted and encoded to the control unit 30, and the control unit 30 packetizes the encoded voice information, and this packet The converted voice information is transmitted as a digital multiplex packet together with other commands and data from the network interface unit 37 onto the signal line L of the local network by the IP protocol.

Further, various commands and data including a command which is a warning notification command to be sent when a fire is detected by the fire detector 5 or when an emergency button is operated are generated by the control unit 30 and used for the network together with the voice information packet as described above. Packetized by the IP protocol from the interface unit 37 and transmitted (command communication with the GK / GW device 8 will be described later).

As shown in FIG. 3, the GK / GW device 8 is composed of a control unit 80, a storage unit 81, a network interface unit 82 and an ISDN interface unit 83, and is a public network PT which is an ISDN subscriber line network. Performs connection to the Internet IN and bandwidth management.

The control unit 80 is used in this embodiment.
The BASE-T and ISDN signals are converted, and each unit is integrated, and the storage unit 81 stores the band information currently used. Also, the network interface unit 82
Is assigned a local IP address, performs packet communication (various data, various commands) by IP protocol with other devices (lobby intercom 1, surveillance camera device 7, system master unit 2, housing information panel 3), and ISDN interface. The unit 83 communicates with the public network PT and the Internet IN via the public network PT.

The gateway function unit of the GK / GW device 8 firstly has the network interface unit 82.
When a packet addressed to an external IP address or telephone number is received, the control unit 80 performs signal conversion (10BASE-T
→ ISDN), and the ISDN interface unit 83 sends a call to the telephone number of another gateway or the access point of the Internet service provider ISP, and after the line is connected, the voice information, the image information, the telephone number of the other party or the IP address data, etc. are transferred. .

When an incoming call is received from the ISDN interface section 83 and data is received from the outside, the control section 8
Signal conversion (ISDN → 10BASE-T) is performed at 0, and the data is transferred from the network interface unit 84 to another device on the local network.

In this embodiment, the IS is used as the public network PT.
The DN subscriber network is taken as an example, but the analog telephone network and ADS are used.
L (Asymmetric Digital Subs)
It is also possible to support a CribLine), a CATV, and the like.

On the other hand, the gatekeeper function of the GK / GW device 8 is mounted in the control unit 80, and communication transmitted from each device (lobby intercom 1, house information panel 3, system master unit 2, surveillance camera device 7). The used bandwidth is managed by the request command, and when the bandwidth exceeds a certain limit value, the used bandwidth is limited by rejecting the communication request.

As shown in FIG. 4, the system parent device 2 includes a control unit 20, a storage unit 21, an operation unit 22, a video processing unit 23, a display unit 24, a voice processing unit 25, a voice input / output unit 26, and a network interface. It is composed of a section 27 and a sensor interface section 28, and has the same function as that of each corresponding section of the housing information panel 3 as a function of each section.
It performs voice, alarm command communication, alarm display, alarm sound output, and, as another function, is registered in the storage unit 21 in advance when a fire occurrence from the house information panel 3 or an extremely corresponding alarm command is received. It has a function of referring to the IP address information of the network interface section 37 of each house information board 3 and multicasting an alarm notification command to a plurality of other house information boards 3.

As shown in FIG. 5, the lobby intercom 1 includes a control unit 100, a storage unit 101, an operation unit 102, a video processing unit 103, an image pickup camera 104, an audio processing unit 105, and
It is composed of an audio input / output unit 106 and a network interface unit 107, and has a video and audio communication function similar to the housing information board 3, but for the video, the image pickup camera 10 is used.
4 captures an analog video signal, the video processing unit 103 performs A / D conversion and encoding on the analog video signal, and the encoded video information is further packetized by the control unit 100. The signal is transmitted on the signal line L by digital multiplex packet transmission according to the IP protocol through the communication interface unit 107. The communication process regarding the voice information is performed in the same manner as the housing information board 3.

As shown in FIG. 6, the surveillance camera device 7 includes a control unit 70, a storage unit 71, an operation unit 72, a video processing unit 73,
It is composed of an image pickup camera 74 and a network interface unit 75. It does not have a communication function of voice information but only a transmission function of video information, and it sends the video information at regular intervals to the system master unit 2 and the housing information board. 3 is transmitted. The operation unit 72 constitutes an operation unit for performing adjustment and focus adjustment in the image pickup direction of the image pickup camera 74. The communication process regarding the video information is performed in the same manner as the lobby intercom 1.

Here, in this embodiment, the lobby intercom 1 is provided with the image pickup camera 104 and the image input means by the image processing means 103, and the audio output means and the audio input means by the audio processing section 105 and the audio input / output section 106. The home information panel 3 and the system parent 2 constitute an information device, and display means by the video processing units 33, 22 and display units 34, 24, and voice input / output unit by the voice processing units 35, 25 and voice input / output unit 26. To configure an information device equipped with.

Next, taking the lobby intercom 1 as an example, the transmission of the video / audio information of this embodiment will be described.

First, when the lobby intercom 1 transmits video information and audio information, the control unit 100 generates a communication start request command as shown in FIG.
GK / GW that received the communication start request command when transmitted by digital multiplex packet transmission by P protocol
The device 8 saves band information such as the IP address of the lobby intercom 1 and the amount of band used in the storage unit 81, and transmits a communication start response command by digital multiplex packet transmission by the IP protocol.

The lobby intercom 1 is GK / G
After receiving the communication start response command from the W device 8, the video information and the audio information are input to the call number input by the operation unit 102 (when the call destination is, for example, the house information board 3, it is assigned to the dwell unit information board 3). No.) is written in the destination header of the packet and then transmitted as a digital multiplex packet according to the IP protocol.

It is assumed that the storage unit 101 stores a replacement table of each call number and the IP address corresponding to it.

Further, the GK / GW device 8 manages the band information in the storage section 81. However, when the band exceeds a preset value, for example, even if a communication start request command is received from the lobby intercom 1, The GK / GW device 8 has a control unit 8
When the communication start refusal command is returned under the judgment of 0, the transmission of the video information and the audio information is refused and the band used is limited.

On the other hand, in the house information panel 3 in which the IP address written in the destination header of the above packet matches the assigned IP address, the lobby intercom 1 received through the network interface unit 37
The control unit 30 unpackets the packets of video information and audio information from the. The unpacketized video information and audio information are decoded and D / A converted by the video processing unit 33 and the audio processing unit 35, and the analog video signal is sent to the display unit 34 and the analog audio signal is sent to the audio input / output unit 36. The respective images are input and reproduced on the display unit 34 and reproduced on the audio input / output unit 36.

The audio signal input from the audio input / output unit 36 is A / D converted by the audio processing unit 35 and then encoded, and the encoded audio information is packetized by the processing unit 30. The IP address of the lobby intercom 1 is added to the header as the destination and then transmitted through the network interface unit 37 to the signal line 1 of the local network by digital multiplex packet transmission by the IP protocol.

The packetized voice information transmitted from the house information board 3 is taken into the control unit 100 through the network interface unit 107 of the lobby intercom 1 and unpacketized, and then the voice processing unit 105.
The audio input / output unit 1 is decoded and D / A converted by
It is played at 06.

In this way, the video and audio input / output unit 1 picked up by the image pickup camera 104 from the lobby intercom 1
The voice information input at 06 is transmitted as a digital multiplex packet according to the IP protocol, and the voice information input at the voice input / output unit 36 is transmitted as a digital multiplex packet according to the IP protocol from the housing information panel 3 on the receiving side. Will be done.

Next, when the transmission of the above-mentioned video information and audio information is ended, the call end operation is performed by the operation unit 32 of the house information panel 3 or the operation unit 102 of the lobby intercom 1. In this case, Control unit 3 on the side that performed the end operation
Generate a communication end command with 0 or 100 to GK / GW
It transmits to the device 8 and notifies the GK / GW device 8 of the end of communication. GK / GW device 8 that received the communication end command
Deletes the band information of the corresponding device in the storage unit 81, in this case, the lobby intercom 1 that is the calling side, and transmits a communication end response command to the lobby intercom 1.

When each device such as the house information board 3 and the system master unit 2 transmits audio information, or the surveillance camera device 7
Similarly to the lobby intercom 1, the transmission of the video information is performed based on the transmission and reception of the communication start request command and the communication start response command with the GK / GW device 8. Of course, in this case as well, it is input by the respective operation units 32 and 22 or 7
The IP address corresponding to the called number set in 2 is written in the destination header of the packet. In this case as well, it is assumed that the call-destination number and the IP address replacement table are stored in the storage units 31, 21, and 71 of the house information board 3, the system master unit 2, and the surveillance camera device 7.

The IP protocol for voice information is generally referred to as VoIP. Here, ITU-T Recommendation. 323 or MGCP, which is being standardized by IETF, and a standard IP protocol for video information is used. (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, the alarm notification command is also transmitted in the local network by the digital multiplex packet similarly to the audio information and the video information. However, in the present embodiment, the digital communication by the IP protocol is performed using the local network. Multi-packet transmission is for video information,
Only voice information is used, and as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, it is performed via the signal line SL provided for transmitting the alarm notification command.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8B, the housing information panel 3 is provided with a transmission control unit for information transmission, and video information and audio information are transmitted by digital multiplex packet transmission through the signal line L of the local network. Video for doing
A voice transmission control unit 300 and a notification command transmission control unit 30 for transmitting a warning notification command in an appropriate signal form.
1 is provided, and these transmission control units 300 and 301 are connected to the control unit 3.
It is designed to be transmitted separately under the control of 0.

Thus, normally, both transmission control units 300,
When the power failure detection unit 302 detects that the input power to the power supply unit 303 has a power failure by transmitting information or a command by the power failure detection unit 301, the power failure output unit 302 outputs a power failure detection signal to the control unit 3.
Output to 0 to notify the occurrence of power failure. The control unit 30 notified of the occurrence of the power failure notifies the video / audio transmission control unit 300 of the stop of the control and stops the transmission of the audio information and the video information by the digital multiplex packet. Under the control of the control unit 30, only the alarm command transmission control unit 301 can transmit the alarm notification command via the signal line SL.

Of course, the power supply unit 303 is equipped with a backup power supply (not shown) at the time of power failure, and at least when a power failure occurs, at least a fire detector, an emergency button signal input system, the control unit 30,
Power is supplied to the notification command transmission control unit 301.

Further, FIG. 8B shows a block of only a main part, and a doorphone interface part, a sensor interface part, a video processing part, a voice processing part, a display part, a voice input / output part necessary for the house information board 3. Although not shown in the drawing, such as a storage unit and the like according to the configuration of FIG. 2, these circuit components are provided. The function of the network interface unit in FIG. 2 is the video / audio transmission control unit 3
00 is provided.

The configuration of the entire system conforms to that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted here, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

The control unit 30 has two Cs as shown in FIG.
The CPU unit 30a is configured to include the PU units 30a and 30b so that the CPU unit 30a controls the video / audio transmission control unit 300 and the CPU unit 30b controls the notification command transmission control unit 301. Voice transmission control unit 3
No. 00 operation and its own operation are stopped, and the CPU unit 30b maintains the normal operation by the backup power supply even after the power failure, and the notification command transmission control unit 301
May be enabled.

In addition, it is assumed that power is supplied from the backup power supply to the circuits of devices that need to operate even in the case of a power failure in the entire system. (Third Embodiment) In the second embodiment, only the video information and the audio information are transmitted in the digital multiplex packet transmission by the IP protocol using the local network.
As shown in (b), the alarm notification command is provided through a dedicated signal line SL as a countermeasure against a power failure. However, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, video information, audio information, and an alarm are issued. This is a measure for a power failure in the case of performing digital multiplex packet transmission of the use notification command by the IP protocol.

That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, in the housing information panel 3, the video / audio transmission control unit 30 having the function of the network interface unit for video / audio.
0 and a notification command transmission control unit 301 having a function of a network interface unit for alarm notification commands, respectively, and mixing for transmitting the transmission signals of these transmission control units 301 to the signal line L of the local network. A circuit 304 is provided, and these transmission control units 3
As the control unit 30 for controlling 00 and 301, the CPU unit 3 which is the first processing means corresponding to each of them as in the case of FIG.
0a and a CPU section 30b as a second processing means are provided.

Thus, in normal times, the transmission control units 300 and 301 are operated under the control of the CPU units 3a and 3b, and the respective transmission control units 300.301 form digital multiple packets of corresponding information, and the mixing circuit 304. To the signal line L of the local network via.

When the power outage detection unit 302 detects that the input power to the power supply unit 303 has a power outage, the power outage output unit 302 outputs a power outage detection signal to each of the CPU units 30a and 30b.
Output to. CPU unit 30a that received the power failure detection signal
Stops the operation of the video / audio transmission control unit 300 and also stops its own operation. Further, the CPU unit 30b maintains normal operation by a backup power supply (not shown) provided in the power supply unit 303 even after a power failure, and enables the operation of the notification command transmission control unit 301. , Emergency button signal input system, notification command transmission control unit 301, mixing circuit 30
The power supply to 4 is supplied. In addition, the entire system shall be supplied with power from the backup power supply to the circuits of equipment that require operation even during a power failure.

FIG. 10 shows a block of only the main part,
Although not shown in the drawing, components such as a doorphone interface unit, a sensor interface unit, a video processing unit, an audio processing unit, a display unit, an audio input / output unit, and a storage unit, which are necessary for the house information panel 3, are not shown. It is assumed that

The configuration of the entire system conforms to that of the first embodiment and is not shown here. (Fourth Embodiment) In the third embodiment, the same alarm command control unit 301 is used to transmit the alarm notification command during normal operation and during power failure. However, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. At the time, a video / audio / notification command transmission control unit 305 that performs digital multi-packet transmission of video information / audio information / warning notification command, respectively, and a notification command transmission control that transmits only the warning notification command at the time of power failure Unit 306 and these transmission control units 305, 3
A switching circuit 307 that switches the signal from 06 according to the presence / absence of a power failure detection signal from the power failure detection unit 302 and sends the signal to the signal line L of the local network.

During normal operation, the control unit 30 controls the image
By controlling only the voice / notification command transmission control unit 305, the video information, the voice information, and the alarm notification command are transmitted by the digital multiple packet. Of course, the power failure is not detected during normal operation, so the switching circuit 307 connects the video / audio / notification command transmission control unit 305 side to the signal line L of the external local network.

Next, when a power failure occurs, the power failure detection circuit 30
The power failure detection signal from the controller 2 and the switching circuit 307
The switching circuit 307 connects the signal line L of the local network to the notification command transmission control unit 306 side,
The control unit 30 controls only the notification command transmission control unit 306 to transmit only the alarm notification command.

The power supply unit 303 is equipped with a backup power supply (not shown) at the time of power failure, and at the time of power failure, at least a fire detector, an emergency button signal input system, a control unit 30, a notification command transmission control unit 306, The switching circuit 307 is supplied with power.

In addition, it is assumed that the backup power supply supplies power to the circuits of devices that need to operate even during a power failure in the entire system. (Embodiment 5) In the present embodiment, a hub which is a concentrator for star-connecting the signal line L from each device for the local network, for example, the hub 10, is provided with a power supply circuit for supplying direct current to the housing information panel 3. There are features. Specifically, FIG.
As shown in (a), the power feeding circuit 102 is provided at the output of the transmission control unit 101 in the hub 10, and the power feeding circuit 102 receives the control signal S from the control unit 101.
Power is supplied to the signal line L of the local network connected to the.

On the other hand, in the house information board 3 which receives power supply through the signal line L of the local network, FIG.
As shown in (b), the input of the transmission control unit 309 that transmits / receives the audio information / video information / notification command in the digital multiplex packet to the power receiving circuit 308 that receives the supplied power under the control of the control unit 30. The power receiving circuit 308 is provided on the side, supplies the received power to the power supply unit 303, and further supplies power to the internal circuit from the power supply unit 303.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to an example of lobby call.

First, as shown in FIG. 13, when an operation for calling the housing information panel 3 of a dwelling unit H0 from the lobby intercom 1 is performed, the lobby intercom 1 instructs the hub 10 with the power feeding circuit to make a call to the dwelling unit H0. A command is transmitted, the command is taken into the control unit 101 in the hub 10, and the control unit 101 analyzes the command. Here, since the command is a command for instructing a call to the dwelling unit H0, the control unit 101 is based on this command.
Instructs the power feeding circuit 102 to feed power to the signal line L of the local network wired to the dwelling unit H0, and the power feeding circuit 102 starts feeding power to the house information panel 3 of the dwelling unit H0. The power receiving circuit 308 of the house information board 3 of the dwelling unit H0 that has received power supply starts power supply to the power supply section 303, and further, the power supply section 303 starts power supply to the internal circuit of the house information board 3. Due to this power supply, the house information board 3 is activated, and a call path is formed between the lobby intercom 1 and the house information board 3 of the dwelling unit H0, enabling a call.

As described above, in this embodiment, the DC power supply from the power supply circuit 102 of the hub 10 works as a start signal for the house information board 3.

Note that FIG. 12B shows a block of only the main part of the house information board 3, and the doorphone interface section, sensor interface section, video processing section, audio processing section, display necessary for the house information board 3 are shown. Although not shown in the figure, such as a unit, a voice input / output unit, and a storage unit, these circuit components are provided. The function of the network interface unit in FIG. 2 is provided in the transmission control unit 309.

The configuration of the entire system conforms to that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted here, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. (Embodiment 6) In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the audio input / output unit of the lobby intercom 1'and the image output unit of the image pickup camera, the image output unit of the image pickup camera of the surveillance camera device 7 ', a delivery box, and a mail. Delivery boxes such as boxes BX
It is equipped with a residential building board 13 for connecting analog terminals that output various analog signals, such as the delivery detection part of the above, and sending the signals of these analog terminals to the signal line L of the local network by digital multiplex packets according to the IP protocol. There are features. As shown in FIG. 15, the housing unit 13 includes a video processing unit 130 that connects the video output unit of the imaging camera of the above-mentioned lobby intercom 1 ′, a voice processing unit 131 that processes voice signals of voice input / output units, and monitoring. Video processing unit 1 for connecting the video output unit of the imaging camera of the camera device 7 ′
32, an interface unit 133 for connecting the output of the delivery detection unit of the delivery box BX, and each video processing unit 13
0 and 132 are input video signals, and the interface unit 133 obtains video information and detection information which are compression-coded after A / D converting the input delivery detection signals, respectively, and then the control unit 134
The audio processing unit 131 has a digital signal processing function for outputting to the audio signal, and the audio processing unit 131 A / D-converts the input audio signal and then obtains compression-encoded audio information to output to the control unit 134. It has a digital signal processing function of decompressing the converted audio information and D / A converting it to obtain an output audio signal.

The control unit 134 determines whether or not the input information is the information to be transmitted to the terminal such as the dwelling unit information panel 3, and if it is the information to be transmitted, the IP address or the like of the transmission destination is set. A function of transmitting the packet to the terminal via the signal line L of the local network from the network interface unit 135, and efficiently multiplexing the packet at a certain timing while adding the packet to the IP address of the residential building board 13 It has a function of fetching the received voice information packet through the network interface unit 135, unpacking the fetched voice information packet, and outputting it to the voice processing unit 131. The storage unit 136
Saves various information (video information, audio information, etc.), and the operation unit 137 has various keys and is used for operations such as setting.

Although the example of the housing block 13 to which the terminal that outputs an analog signal is connected has been described here, a housing block that includes an interface unit that connects a terminal that outputs a digital signal may be provided. (Embodiment 7) In this embodiment, a slot is formed on a local network, and for example, the gatekeeper function of the GK / GW device 8 used in the system shown in FIG. 1 has a slot number (slot0 ...) As shown in FIG. A terminal that receives the control packet X is provided with a function of periodically transmitting to each terminal of the system a multicast control packet X that permits transmission of a packet of video information and audio information in which an address to be permitted is written. It is determined whether or not the transmission to the self terminal is permitted, and if the transmission is permitted to the self terminal, the packet waiting for transmission is transmitted for the permitted time. This operation is periodically repeated for the terminal in communication. In the illustrated example, the address of the GK / GW device 8 is written in the first slot number 0 at the start of transmission.

FIG. 16B shows an example of packet transmission on the dwell unit information board 3. Some of the transmission permission control packets X shown in FIG. 16 do not specify a specific terminal.
In FIG. 16, the slot number is (x) and the address is (xx
The control packet X of x) corresponds to this, and enables the house information board 3 to freely send out a packet for a fixed time after receiving this packet, for example. This time is used to perform call control at the start of a call.

Further, T1 in FIG. 16 is a lobby intercom 1.
(Or the video information and audio information of the lobby intercom 1'of the sixth embodiment), and the surveillance camera device 7 (or the sixth embodiment).
The period during which the video information of the surveillance camera device 7 ') is permitted to be transmitted,
T2 is the period during which the transmission of voice information between the dwell unit information boards 3 is permitted, T
Reference numeral 3 indicates a normal access permission period for performing the above call control.

In this case, the transmission permission control packet X
Although the terminal that sends out the GK / GW device 8 has been described,
The housing unit board 13 of the sixth embodiment and the system master unit 2 of the first embodiment
But it is possible as well.

Other configurations of the entire system are the same as those of the first embodiment.
The description and the description thereof are omitted here. (Embodiment 8) In this embodiment, GK / shown in FIGS.
The GW device 8 has the following functions.

This function will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the external communication network, the Internet I
Information transmitted from N to the local net side of the system, that is, downlink information is transferred to the ISDN interface unit 83.
The control unit 80, which has been received via the above, acquires the band information of the system, calculates the free band from the band information, and if the band has a margin, transmits the downlink information to the local network side of the system at the same data rate. On the contrary, if there is no margin in the band, part of the downlink information is transmitted and the rest is stored in the storage unit 81.
Accumulate in. The accumulated information is transmitted in order according to the bandwidth margin at that time. When the next downlink information is received while the accumulated information is present, the received information is sequentially accumulated after the accumulated information. On the contrary, in principle, packets from the system local network to the Internet IN are transmitted as they are. However, when the amount of downlink information increases and the storage unit 81 of the GK / GW device 8 cannot store the information, a limitation is added. That is, by not transmitting the upstream packet, the downstream packet can be suppressed.

Although the public network PT is used in FIG. 3, means other than the public network PT (dedicated line, LAN, etc.) can be used. Further, although ISDN is used as the public network PT, it is also possible to use a public network other than ISDN (for example, fiber, ADSL, analog, PHS, mobile phone, etc.). (Embodiment 9) In this embodiment, the system configuration as shown in FIG. 1 is used. However, as shown in FIG. 17, the 10BASE-T of a general-purpose computer PC is connected to the housing information panel 3 via the communication speed conversion device 14. A computer equipped with a LAN port that connects to a LAN port such as
From housing information board 3, system local network,
Information can be transmitted and received to and from the external Internet IN via the GK / GW device 8, and the communication speed conversion device 14 adjusts the information communication speed.

Here, the operation of the communication speed converter 14 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described using 7. Upon receiving the packet from the computer PC via the LAN interface unit 140, the control unit 141 acquires the system bandwidth information, calculates the free bandwidth from the bandwidth information, and if the bandwidth has a margin (the packet size from the computer PC is Since it is difficult to estimate the packet size from the Internet IN, it is difficult to control the bandwidth in advance, and on the other hand, the user of the computer PC has an advantage that the reply is always returned without any additional delay. ), The packet is sent from the computer PC and sent to the local network of the system via the house information board 3. The transmitted packet is transmitted to the Internet IN via the system local network. Conversely, Internet IN
The information arriving from is received by the LAN interface unit 142 of the communication speed conversion device 14 via the house information board 3, and is transmitted to the computer PC as it is under the control of the control unit 141. In this case, control from the Internet IN to the computer PC is not performed.

The storage unit 143 is for storing band information and the like.

In the illustrated example, 10BASE-T or the like is used to connect the computer PC and the communication speed converter 14, but other communication means (for example, USB, serial, PHS, etc.) can be similarly configured. is there. Further, the communication speed conversion device 14 can be built in the house information board 3 or directly connected to the signal line L of the local network of the system without going through the house information board 3.

[0091]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the transmission of voice information between the information devices provided on the premises for making a voice call and the information device provided with the image pickup camera to the information device provided with the monitor means for monitoring the image. Of the video information of the above and transmission of the alarm notification command to the information equipment equipped with means for issuing an alarm by receiving the alarm notification command from the information equipment equipped with means for issuing the alarm notification command through the local network. Since it is carried out by digital multiplex packet transmission by the IP protocol, it is possible to transmit and receive video information, audio information, and alarm notification command on multiple channels at the same time by using the signal line of the same local network, resulting in reduced wiring and function. There is an effect that expansion is easy, and moreover, video information, audio information, and an alarm notification command by the IP protocol. The order is transmitted on the signal line of the local network are multiplexed, there is an effect such can be performed also data communications E-Mail or Web like the signal line of the same local network.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, transmission of voice information between information devices for making a voice call provided on the premises and a video image from the information device having the image pickup camera to the information device having monitor means for monitoring the video image. Information is transmitted by digital multiplex packet transmission by the IP protocol through a local network, and from an information device equipped with means for issuing an alarm notification command to an information device equipped with means for receiving an alarm notification command and issuing an alarm. Since the alarm notification command is transmitted using the alarm notification signal line, it is possible to transmit the notification command information separately from the video information and audio information, so that the local network side is affected. It is said that it is possible to reliably transmit an alarm notification command that requires urgency, and to improve reliability. There is a result.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the information equipment for processing the above-mentioned video information, audio information, and alarm notification command is the first for processing video information and audio information. The processing means and the second processing means for processing the alarm notification command are separately provided, and only the second processing means is controlled to operate when a power failure occurs. There is an effect that the data can be transmitted, and as a result, the reliability can be improved, and unnecessary power consumption can be reduced and power supply can be limited by operating only the second processing means during a power failure. There is an effect that the power consumption can be reduced so that the backup power supply can be dealt with.

According to the invention of claim 4, in the invention of claim 1 or 3, since only the alarm notification command is transmitted when a power failure occurs, an alarm notification command that requires urgency is transmitted even when a power failure occurs. As a result, there is an effect that the reliability can be improved, and because only the alarm notification command is transmitted, low power consumption can be transmitted and a backup power supply with a limited supply power can also be dealt with. As described above, there is an effect that power consumption can be reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention, the signal line of the roll network for connecting the information devices is star-connected by a concentrator, and the concentrator requires communication. Since there is provided a power supply means for supplying power to only such information devices to activate them, power is not supplied to information devices that do not require communication, so that there is an effect that the power consumption of the entire system can be reduced.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the invention, a terminal that generates a signal of information used for local communication is connected to a plurality of these terminals, and the output signals of these terminals are compressed. Since the information equipment that is encoded and used to transmit to the local network by the digital multiple packet according to the IP protocol is used, unnecessary packet collision can be avoided, the utilization efficiency of the network is improved, and a higher transmission band can be obtained. The effect is that it can be secured.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, a control packet for permitting transmission of at least a packet corresponding to video information and a packet corresponding to audio information is periodically transmitted to each information device. Since a gatekeeper is installed on the local network to allow only information devices that have sent control packets to transmit video and audio information packets for a certain period of time, collisions between packets are reduced, and This has the effect of ensuring a high transmission band.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the local network is connected to a public network or an external communication network such as the Internet via a gateway, and the gateway is connected to the local network. Since it is equipped with means for adjusting the data communication speed from the external communication network to the local network side depending on the number of channels and bands used for information transmission, the video information, audio information, alarm notification command, etc. There is an effect that it is possible to secure a high communication band and make effective use of the free band.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects of the invention, the local network is connected to an external communication network such as a public network or the Internet via a gateway, and a communication speed conversion device is connected to the information equipment. A general-purpose computer system is connected via the communication speed conversion device, and the data communication speed for data communication from the personal computer to the Internet via the gateway or public network is adjusted by the communication speed conversion device. There is an effect that it is possible to secure a band of communication having a higher priority such as a command and to perform data communication by effectively utilizing the free band.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an entire system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram of a house information board used in the above.

FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram of a gatekeeper / gateway device used in the above.

FIG. 4 is a circuit configuration diagram of a system master unit used in the above.

FIG. 5 is a circuit configuration diagram of a lobby intercom used in the above.

FIG. 6 is a circuit configuration diagram of a surveillance camera device used in the above.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a processing example of bandwidth management by command communication between the lobby intercom and the gatekeeper / gatekeeper / gateway device in the above.

FIG. 8A is a system configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3B is a circuit configuration diagram of a main part of a house information board used in the above.

FIG. 9 is a circuit configuration diagram of a main part of another example of the home information board used in the above.

FIG. 10 is a circuit configuration diagram of a main part of a house information board used in a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a circuit configuration diagram of a main part of a house information board used in a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12A is a circuit configuration diagram of a hub used in a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3B is a circuit configuration diagram of a main part of a house information board used in the above.

FIG. 13 is a system configuration diagram for explaining the operation of the above.

FIG. 14 is a system configuration diagram of a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a circuit configuration diagram of a residential building board used in the above.

FIG. 16 is a timing chart showing a transmission procedure of a transmission permission packet of the gatekeeper / gatekeeper device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a circuit configuration diagram of a communication speed conversion device used in an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a system configuration diagram of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Lobby intercom 2 system master unit 3 housing information boards 4 Doorphone subunit 5 Fire detector 7 Surveillance camera device 8 Gatekeeper / Gateway equipment 10, 12 hubs 11 router X1, X2 building LB Lobby H dwelling unit L signal line PT public network ISP Internet connection provider IN Internet 200 base stations 201 mobile communication terminal

Front page continued (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04M 11/04 H04M 11/04 (72) Inventor Takashi Nishimura 1048, Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd. F Terms (reference) 5C087 AA08 AA25 BB03 BB12 BB32 BB46 BB65 BB75 CC12 DD03 DD26 DD36 EE13 EE14 FF01 FF02 FF19 FF24 GG02 GG67 GG69 5K033 AA04 BA01 BA14 BA17 BA14 BA17 BA14 BA17 BA14 BA17 BA14 BA17 BA14 BA17 BA14 BA17 BA14 BA17 BA14 BA17 BA14 BA17 CC14

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. Transmission of voice information between information devices provided in a premises for making a voice call, and transmission of video information from an information device equipped with an imaging camera to an information device equipped with monitor means for monitoring video. Transmission of an alarm notification command to an information device equipped with means for issuing an alarm by receiving an alarm notification command from an information device equipped with means for issuing an alarm notification command, and digital multiplex packet transmission by an IP protocol through a local network. A local communication system characterized by being carried out by. 2. Transmission of audio information between information devices provided on the premises for making a voice call, and transmission of video information from the information device equipped with an imaging camera to the information device equipped with monitor means for monitoring video. , An alarm notification command to an information device equipped with means for issuing an alarm by receiving an alarm notification command from an information device equipped with means for issuing an alarm notification command while performing digital multiplex packet transmission by the IP protocol through a local network The internal communication system is characterized in that the transmission of the information is carried out using an alarm notification signal line. 3. An information device for processing the video information, the audio information, and the alarm notification command includes a first processing means for processing the video information and the audio information, and a second processing means for processing the alarm notification command. It is equipped with processing means separately, and when a power failure occurs, the second
The local communication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein only the processing means is controlled. 4. The internal communication system according to claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting only an alarm notification command when a power failure occurs. 5. A signal line of a roll network for connecting the respective information devices is star-connected by a concentrator, and the concentrator is provided with a power supply means for supplying power to only the information devices that require communication to activate. The indoor communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: 6. A device for connecting a plurality of terminals for generating a signal of information used for local communication and a plurality of these terminals, for compressing and encoding the output signals of these terminals, and transmitting them to a local network by a digital multiple packet according to the IP protocol. 6. The indoor communication system according to claim 1, wherein an information device configured with is used. 7. A packet corresponding to at least video information,
A gatekeeper that periodically sends control packets that allow the transmission of packets corresponding to audio information to each information device, and allows only the information devices that receive the control packets to send packets of video information and audio information for a certain period of time. The local communication system according to claim 1, wherein the local communication system is installed on a local network. 8. A local network is connected to a public network or an external communication network such as the Internet via a gateway, and the gateway is local to the number of channels and bands used for information transmission on the local network from the external communication network. 8. The internal communication system according to claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting a data communication speed to the network side. 9. A local network is connected to a public network or an external communication network such as the Internet via a gateway, and a general-purpose computer system is connected to an information device via a communication speed conversion device, and the personal computer is connected to the communication speed conversion device. 8. The internal communication system according to claim 1, wherein the data communication speed is adjusted when data communication is performed from the gateway to the Internet via the gateway or the public network.