JP2005086230A - Interphone system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an interphone system wherein it is not required to adjust a gain of an amplifier of a master unit for each speech and each slave unit can make a speech with a proper sound volume. <P>SOLUTION: A control section 100 stores sound volume data set in response to the request of a registered nurse in each of slave units 21 to 2n to a storage section 106, reads the sound volume data corresponding to a slave unit with which the master unit is going to make a speech, and transmits the data to the concerned slave unit at the speech with any of the slave units 21 to 2n. The slave unit receiving the data controls the gain of the amplifier of a voice communication section 203 on the basis of the sound volume data to control the sound volume of the voice signal for transmission / reception. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an intercom apparatus such as a nurse call apparatus used in a hospital or the like.

  As is well known, for example, an interphone device such as a nurse call device used in a hospital or the like is generally composed of one parent device and a plurality of child devices. The parent machine is installed in a nurse center or the like and used by a nurse, and the child machine is installed in association with the bed of an inpatient.

  Inpatients vary in loudness and voice quality depending on their medical condition and age, and depending on the patient, it may be difficult to hear the patient's voice reproduced from the parent machine. For this reason, conventionally, the nurse adjusts the gain of the amplifier provided in front of the speaker of the parent device on the parent device side so that the voice of the patient who is difficult to hear can be heard (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

However, in the conventional intercom apparatus having the above configuration, it is necessary to adjust the gain of the main unit amplifier every time a call is made, which is not convenient, and the gain of the amplifier is not appropriate. There is a problem that business operations may be hindered, especially when an emergency is required.
JP-A-5-22241.

  In the conventional intercom device, it is necessary to adjust the gain of the main unit amplifier every time a call is made, which is not convenient, and the gain of the amplifier is not appropriate. There was a problem of fear.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and it is not necessary to adjust the gain of the amplifier of the master unit by hand every time a call is made, and it is possible to make a call at an appropriate volume for each slave unit. An object is to provide an intercom device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a microphone provided in each of a plurality of slave units in an interphone device that includes a master unit and a plurality of slave units and performs voice communication between the master unit and the slave units. Is stored in the storage means when a voice call is made between the base unit and the slave unit, amplifying unit for amplifying the electrical signal output from the unit, a storage unit for storing the volume data associated with each of the plurality of slave units And a control means for controlling the gain of the amplifying means on the basis of the volume data associated with the handset that performs this call.

  The present invention also includes a base unit and a plurality of handset units, and in an interphone device for performing a voice call between the base unit and the handset unit, amplifies an electric signal input to a speaker provided in each of the plurality of handset units. Amplifying means, storage means for storing volume data associated with each of the plurality of slave units, and when a voice call is made between the master unit and the slave unit, stored in the storage unit and corresponding to the slave unit that makes this call And a control means for controlling the gain of the amplifying means based on the attached volume data.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a voice call is made between the parent device and the child device based on the volume data stored in advance in the storage means for each child device, the microphone of the child device that makes the call The signal strength of the output is controlled.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, since the signal strength of the microphone output can be controlled for each slave unit, it is not necessary to adjust the gain of the amplifier of the master unit by a human hand every time a call is made, and for each slave unit. It is possible to provide an intercom device that can talk at an appropriate volume.

  Further, according to the present invention, when performing a voice call between the master unit and the slave unit based on the volume data stored in advance in the storage unit for each slave unit, the signal strength of the speaker input of the slave unit that performs the call is set. I try to control it.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, since the signal intensity of the speaker input can be controlled for each slave unit, it is not necessary to adjust the gain of the amplifier of the master unit by hand every time a call is made. It is possible to provide an intercom device that can talk at an appropriate volume.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an intercom apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The intercom apparatus includes a parent device 10 and a plurality of child devices 21 to 2n, and is connected to each other via an audio line VL and a control line CL. Here, as an example, a nurse call device will be described as an example.

  The base unit 10 is provided in a nurse center or the like and is mainly operated by a nurse. The microphone 101, the speaker 102, the voice communication unit 103, the operation unit 104, the data communication unit 105, and the storage unit 106 and a control unit 100.

  The nurse's transmitted voice is converted into an electric signal by the microphone 101, amplified and modulated by the voice communication unit 103, and sent to the slave units 21 to 2n through the voice line VL. The audio signal transmitted from the slave units 21 to 2n through the audio line VL is demodulated by the audio communication unit 103, amplified by a predetermined gain, and output from the speaker 102.

  The operation unit 104 includes a plurality of key switches and numeric keys, and accepts nurses' requests and instructions. Further, one of the slave units 21 to 2n is associated with each key switch, and the slave unit 21 to 2n to be talked is designated depending on which key switch is operated. The request or instruction accepted here is notified to the control unit 100.

  The data communication unit 105 performs data communication with the desired slave units 21 to 2n through the control line CL, and sends control data given from the control unit 100 described later to any desired slave unit 21 to 2n. On the other hand, when control data is received from the slave units 21 to 2n, the control data is output to the control unit 100.

The memory | storage part 106 is a semiconductor memory which memorize | stores various control data, Comprising: The sound volume data matched with each subunit | mobile_unit 21-2n are memorize | stored.
The control unit 100 controls the respective units of the parent device 10 in an integrated manner, and realizes voice communication with any one of the child devices 21 to 2n designated through the operation unit 104. Moreover, the control part 100 is provided with the function to control the sound volume of the audio | voice signal sent from the subunit | mobile_unit 21-2n according to a door as a new control function based on the sound volume data memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 106. FIG.

The subunit | mobile_unit 21-2n consists of a mutually similar structure. Here, the slave unit 21 will be described as an example.
The subunit | mobile_unit 21 is provided corresponding to the bed of an inpatient, and is mainly operated by an inpatient, and the microphone 201, the speaker 202, the audio | voice communication part 203, the operation part 204, and The data communication unit 205 and the control unit 200 are provided.

  The voice of the hospitalized patient is converted into an electric signal by the microphone 201, amplified and modulated by the voice communication unit 203, and sent to the parent device 10 through the voice line VL. The audio signal sent from the parent device 10 through the audio line VL is demodulated by the audio communication unit 203, amplified, and output from the speaker 202.

The operation unit 204 includes a plurality of switches and receives requests and instructions from hospitalized patients. The request or instruction accepted here is notified to the control unit 200.
The data communication unit 205 performs data communication with the base unit 10 through the control line CL, and transmits control data given from the control unit 200 described later to the base unit 10, while the control data is transmitted from the base unit 10. Is received, the control data is output to the control unit 200.

  The control unit 200 controls each unit of the child device 21 in an integrated manner, and realizes voice communication with the parent device 10 in response to a request through the operation unit 204. Further, the control unit 200 has a function of controlling the amplifier gain of the voice communication unit 203 based on the control data received from the parent device 10 as a new control function.

Next, the operation of the intercom apparatus having the above configuration will be described.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the control unit 100 of the parent device 10. With reference to this figure, the volume control operation of the slave units 21 to 2n related to the present invention will be described. In the processing shown in this figure, the nurse operates the operation unit 104 to make a request to make a call with any of the child devices 21 to 2n, or a call is requested from any of the child devices 21 to 2n. To be started.

  First, in step 2a, the control unit 100 identifies whether any of the slave devices 21 to 2n is the other party of the parent device 10, and proceeds to step 2b. As the identification method, in the case of a call request from the operation unit 104, identification is made from information (assignment key operation) specifying the slave units 21 to 2n made at the time of the request, while the slave units 21 to 2n In the case of a call request from any one, the slave units 21 to 2n are identified based on the control data received by the data communication unit 105. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the child device 21 is detected by the identification.

In step 2b, the control unit 100 reads the volume data corresponding to the child device 21 identified in step 2a from the storage unit 106, and proceeds to step 2c.
In step 2c, the control unit 100 controls the data communication unit 105 to transmit the volume data read in step 2b to the slave unit 21 identified in step 2a, and proceeds to step 2d. On the other hand, as for the subunit | mobile_unit 21, the data communication part 205 receives the said volume data, and the control part 200 sets the gain of the amplifier of the audio | voice communication part 203 based on this received volume data.

  In step 2d, the control unit 100 controls the voice communication unit 103 to modulate the transmission voice input from the microphone 101 and send it to the voice line VL, and the voice sent from the slave unit 21 through the voice line VL. The signal is demodulated and output from the speaker 102. In addition, the control unit 100 controls the data communication unit 105 to transmit control data addressed to the child device 21 through the control line CL, and proceeds to step 2e. The data communication unit 205 of the child device 21 that has received the control data outputs the control data to the control unit 200.

  In contrast, the control unit 200 starts the voice communication by controlling the voice communication unit 203 because the input control data indicates the start of communication addressed to itself. The voice communication unit 203 amplifies the voice signal of the transmission voice input from the microphone 201 with the gain set by the control unit 200 in step 2c, modulates the voice signal, and outputs the modulated signal to the voice line VL. In addition, the audio signal transmitted from the parent device 10 through the audio line VL is amplified with the gain set by the control unit 200 in step 2c, demodulated, and output from the speaker 202 as a loud voice.

  In step 2e, the control unit 100 determines whether or not a volume setting request has been made by the nurse through the operation unit 104. If the volume setting request is made, the process proceeds to step 2f. On the other hand, if the volume setting request is not made, the process proceeds to step 2j.

In step 2f, the control unit 100 causes the nurse to operate the operation unit 104 to receive an instruction to increase or decrease the volume, and proceeds to step 2g.
In step 2g, the control unit 100 generates temporary volume data in which the volume data of the slave unit 21 read in step 2b is changed according to the instruction received in step 2f, and controls the data communication unit 105 to The temporary sound volume data is transmitted to the child device 21, and the process proceeds to Step 2h. On the other hand, in the handset 21, the data communication unit 205 receives the temporary volume data, and the control unit 200 sets the gain of the amplifier of the voice communication unit 203 based on the received temporary volume data.

  In step 2h, the control unit 100 determines whether or not an operation indicating completion of volume setting has been performed through the operation unit 104. If an operation indicating completion of setting is performed, the process proceeds to step 2i. On the other hand, if an operation indicating completion of setting is not performed, the process proceeds to step 2i.

In step 2i, the control unit 100 updates and records the temporary volume data as volume data in the storage unit 106 in association with the identification information of the child device 21, and proceeds to step 2j.
In step 2j, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the call termination operation has been performed in the parent device 10 or the child device 21. Here, when the call termination operation is performed, the process proceeds to step 2k, and when the call termination operation is not performed, the process proceeds to step 2e.

Here, the end-of-call operation in the parent device 10 is a case where the nurse performs the end-of-call operation through the operation unit 104, and this operation is detected by the control unit 100. The end-of-call operation in the handset 21 is that the inpatient operates the operation unit 204 and the control unit 200 that detects the operation controls the voice communication unit 203 to stop and the data communication unit 205, Control data indicating the end of talk is transmitted to the base unit 10. When the data communication unit 105 receives this control data, this is notified to the control unit 100, and the call end operation is detected.
In step 2k, the control unit 100 controls the voice communication unit 203 to stop, and the call ends.

  As described above, in the intercom apparatus configured as described above, the volume data set according to the nurse's request is stored in the storage unit 106 of the parent device 10 for each of the child devices 21 to 2n. When a call is made with any of 2n, the base unit 10 reads out the corresponding volume data and transmits it to the slave unit. The slave unit sets the gain of the amplifier of the voice communication unit 203 based on the volume data. The volume of the audio signal for transmission / reception is controlled.

  Therefore, according to the intercom apparatus configured as described above, the volume of each of the slave units 21 to 2n can be controlled and maintained on the master unit 10 side. There is no need to adjust the gain of the amplifier, and a call can be made with an appropriate volume for each slave unit. Further, since the loud sound volume of the speaker 202 on the handset side can be controlled, it is possible to appropriately cope with a patient who is far away.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. Further, for example, a configuration in which some components are deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment is also conceivable. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component described in different embodiment.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the parent device 10 and the child devices 21 to 2n are connected by the wired VL and CL. Instead, for example, the parent device 10 and the child devices 21 to 21 are connected. The same effect can be obtained even if a wireless communication unit is provided in 2n to transmit and receive voice signals and control data by wireless communication.

  Further, in the above description, in the audio communication unit 203 of each of the slave units 21 to 2n, the amplification gain of the audio signal obtained by the microphone 201 or the audio signal output from the speaker 202 is changed. For example, in the voice communication unit 103 of the base unit 10, the amplification gain of the voice signal obtained by the microphone 101 or the voice signal output from the speaker 102 may be varied for each of the slave units 21 to 2n. An effect is obtained.

Moreover, although the volume data of each subunit | mobile_unit 21-2n was memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 106, you may make it memorize | store in each subunit | mobile_unit 21-2n.
In addition, it goes without saying that the present invention can be similarly implemented even if various modifications are made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

The circuit block diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the intercom apparatus concerning this invention. The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the intercom apparatus shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Master unit, 21-2n ... Slave unit, 100 ... Control part, 101 ... Microphone, 102 ... Speaker, 103 ... Voice communication part, 104 ... Operation part, 105 ... Data communication part, 106 ... Storage part, 200 ... Control , 201 ... microphone, 202 ... speaker, 203 ... voice communication unit, 204 ... operation unit, 205 ... data communication unit, CL ... control line, VL ... voice line.

Claims (4)

In an intercom device that includes a master unit and a plurality of slave units, and performs a voice call between the master unit and the slave units,
Amplifying means for amplifying an electrical signal output from a microphone provided in each of the plurality of slave units;
Storage means for storing volume data associated with each of the plurality of slave units;
Control means for controlling the gain of the amplifying means on the basis of volume data stored in the storage means and associated with the handset that makes this call when a voice call is made between the master unit and the slave unit An intercom apparatus characterized by comprising: An accepting means for accepting an instruction of volume level;
The intercom apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a data changing unit that changes the volume data stored in the storage unit for each slave unit in accordance with an instruction received by the receiving unit. In an intercom device that includes a master unit and a plurality of slave units, and performs a voice call between the master unit and the slave units,
Amplifying means for amplifying an electrical signal input to a speaker provided in each of the plurality of slave units;
Storage means for storing volume data associated with each of the plurality of slave units;
Control means for controlling the gain of the amplifying means on the basis of volume data stored in the storage means and associated with the handset that makes this call when a voice call is made between the master unit and the slave unit An intercom apparatus characterized by comprising: An accepting means for accepting an instruction of volume level;
The intercom apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a data changing unit that changes the volume data stored in the storage unit for each slave unit in accordance with an instruction received by the receiving unit.

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