JP2006129130A - Voice communication system and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply operate a plurality of speech communication functions in a voice communication system. <P>SOLUTION: Since a speech communication state switching means 21 can switch a plurality of speech communication states when a speech communication function operating means installed in a full-time operable manner regardless of the state of a main terminal 1 is operated to start the speech communication functions, the speech communication functions is always ready to start and the speech communication states is switched at the time of a speech communication state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a voice communication system and a program for making a call between two different places and informing voice.

  A conventional voice communication system has the following configuration. The hot-water supply remote control system shown in patent document 1 is shown as a prior art example.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a conventional hot water supply remote control system. 101a is a hot water supply remote controller, 101b is a full remote controller, and 102 is a main controller, which are connected by the audio transmission means 103 and perform voice communication with each other.

  The hot water supply remote controller 101a includes a microphone 104a for inputting voice, a microphone amplifier 105a for amplifying the output of the microphone, a modulation means 106a for modulating the output of the microphone amplifier 105a and outputting it to the voice transmission means 103, and voice data received from the voice transmission means 103 A voice signal from the demodulator 107a, the speaker amplifier 108a that amplifies the output of the demodulator 107a, the speaker 109a that outputs the output of the speaker amplifier 108a as a voice, the microphone 104a, or the demodulator circuit 107a. The recording and holding circuit 110a outputs the recorded audio signal to the speaker amplifier 108a during reproduction.

  On the other hand, the remote controller 101b receives a microphone 104b for inputting voice, a microphone amplifier 105b for amplifying the output of the microphone, a modulation means 106b for modulating the output of the microphone amplifier 105b and outputting it to the voice transmission means 103, and the voice transmission means 103. The demodulator 107b demodulates the audio data into an audio signal, the speaker amplifier 108b that amplifies the output of the demodulator 107b, and the speaker 109b that outputs the output of the speaker amplifier 108b as audio.

  When voice communication is performed between the hot water remote controller 101a and the bath remote controller 101b, when voice is input from the microphone 104a of the hot water remote controller, the voice input from the microphone 104a is converted into an electric signal, amplified by the microphone amplifier 105a, and modulated. It is output from the circuit 106a to the voice transmission means 103 and transmitted to the floor remote control 101b. In the bottom remote control 101b, the demodulation circuit 107b demodulates the modulated voice signal, the speaker amplifier 108b amplifies the voice signal, and the speaker 109b generates the voice. Output.

  Although the apparatus changes in the telephone call from the bath remote controller 101b to the hot water supply remote controller 101a, the voice is transmitted through the same route, and the telephone conversation can be performed.

The hot water remote controller 101a is provided with a recording holding circuit 110, which can record voice input from the microphone 104a of the hot water remote controller 101a and output it from the speaker 109a as needed.
JP 2002-162105 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, the voice communication between the hot water remote controller and the bath remote controller is described as the voice communication function. However, the speaker who speaks first between the bathroom and the kitchen using the voice communication is the speaker. Multiple calls, such as a call function that enables conversations by allowing the speaker to change when there is no voice, and a bathroom monitor function that allows voice to be sent from the bathroom to the kitchen and the state of the bathroom confirmed by voice in the kitchen There is no disclosure of a configuration for notifying the current call state or speaker when there is a state, or switching to another call state.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problem, and when there are a plurality of call states (in a call state) between a main terminal and a slave terminal, the state can be switched or the current state can be easily confirmed. An object is to provide a voice communication system.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the voice communication system and the program thereof according to the present invention are connected between a master terminal and a slave terminal and transmit voice signals between the master terminal and the slave terminal according to a plurality of call states. Voice communication means for enabling communication, device communication means for mutual communication of information between the main terminal and the slave terminal, call function operation means for operating voice communication installed in the main terminal so as to be always operable, And a call state switching means for switching a plurality of call states that can be operated when at least one of the plurality of call states is changed from a state that is not in a call state.

  As a result, when a call function is started by operating a call function operation means installed so that it can always be operated regardless of the state of the main terminal, the call function switching means can be operated and a plurality of call states can be switched. The call function can be started at any time, and the call state can be switched when the call state is entered.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when voice communication is activated by operating a call function operation means installed so as to be always operable regardless of the state of the main terminal, the state is changed from a non-call state to at least one call state. Since the call function switching means that can be operated in the event of a change, a plurality of call states can be switched so that the call function can be activated at any time and the call state can be switched when the call state is reached .

  A first invention is an audio communication means connected between the master terminal and the slave terminal and capable of transmitting an audio signal between the master terminal and the slave terminal according to a plurality of call states; and the master terminal and the detection At least one of a plurality of call states from a state that is not in a call state, a device communication means for mutually communicating information with a device, a call function operation unit that operates voice communication installed on the main terminal so as to be always operable Call state switching means for switching a plurality of call states that can be operated when one call state is established.

  As a result, when the voice communication is activated by operating the call function operation means installed so that it can be operated at all times regardless of the state of the main terminal, the operation becomes possible when at least one call state is entered from the non-call state. Since a plurality of call states can be switched by the call function switching means, the call function can be activated at any time, and the call state can be switched when the call state is entered.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the main terminal includes an operation means function setting means for setting a call state that is activated when the call function operation means is operated from a plurality of call states. As a result, it is possible to set a call state that is activated when the call function operation means is operated when not in a call state, so that a function normally used by the user can be immediately activated.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the main terminal includes display means and display means operation means, the function displayed on the display means is operated by the display means operation means, and the call state switching means is at least in a call state. In some cases, a plurality of call states can be switched. As a result, the call state switching means can display only when it is necessary to switch the call state, thereby providing an easy-to-use voice communication system.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the call function operating means is operated in advance when one of a plurality of call states is in a call state, the call state is terminated regardless of the call state. As a result, the call state can be turned off at any time regardless of the call state or the state of the main terminal, so that the call state can be easily turned off even if the state or display of the main terminal changes.

  In a fifth aspect of the present invention, the main terminal includes a call volume operation means for changing the call volume, and the call volume operation means can be operated when the call state switching means is operable. As a result, the call volume operation means can be operated whenever a call is made, so that the volume can be changed immediately when the volume is low.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the main terminal or the slave terminal includes a call restriction unit that restricts a call state that can be started from a terminal that is a call partner, and the call state that is activated when the call function operation unit is operated is the call restriction unit When the call function operation means is operated while the call state is restricted, a warning is given that the call state cannot be started and the call state switching means is operable. Thus, even when the call function operation means is operated when a call cannot be made, a warning is notified, so that it is possible to immediately know that a call cannot be made. Further, since the normal band switching means can be operated when a call cannot be made, it is possible to change to another call state that is not restricted.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when the call function operation means is operated in a call state other than that set by the operation means function setting means as the call function operation means, the display means displays that the call state is terminated. As a result, even if the operation means function setting means operates the call function operation means in an attempt to activate the function set in the call function operation means, the operation is changed to a state in which there is no call, and thus differs from the operator's intention. Since the operation result is displayed and the result is displayed, it is possible to notify the operator that the operation is different from the intention.

  In the eighth invention, the call function switching means displays the current call state among a plurality of call states, and the current speaker is either the master terminal or the slave terminal, or neither Is displayed on the display means. As a result, the current call state is displayed, so that it is possible to provide an easy-to-use and easy-to-use voice communication system.

  The ninth invention is a program for causing a computer to realize at least a part of the functions of the voice communication system according to any one of the first to eighth inventions. Since it is a program, it is possible to easily realize at least a part of the voice communication system of the present invention by cooperating hardware resources such as an electric / information device, a computer, and a server. Also, program distribution and installation can be simplified by recording on a recording medium or distributing a program using a communication line.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
The voice communication system of Embodiment 1 of this invention is demonstrated with drawing.

  The audio | voice communication system of Embodiment 1 shows the example used for the kitchen remote control of the bath water heater. FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of the voice communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 to 4 are detailed block diagrams of the main terminal and the like of the system, and FIG. 5 is an external view of a kitchen remote control as the main terminal.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the audio communication system according to the present embodiment includes a kitchen remote controller 1 as a main terminal, a bathroom remote controller 2 as a slave terminal, and hot water to be supplied to the bathroom or kitchen by operating the kitchen remote controller 1 and the bathroom remote controller 2. It consists of the heat source machine 3 to produce | generate.

  The kitchen remote controller 1, the bathroom remote controller 2 and the heat source unit 3 are connected by the heat source unit control communication means 12 to operate the heat source unit 3 from the kitchen remote controller 1 and the bathroom remote controller 2, and to the kitchen remote controller 1 and the bathroom remote controller 2 Thus, the monitor display of the operation status of the heat source unit 3 can be performed.

  In addition, the kitchen remote controller 1 and the bathroom remote controller 2 are connected by the voice communication means 11 so that an interphone function capable of exchanging voices and talking between the kitchen remote controller 1 and the bathroom remote controller 2 can be realized. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the kitchen remote control (main terminal) 1 displays necessary information such as the kitchen remote control control means 1 a for controlling the kitchen remote control 1, the operation means 1 b for operating the kitchen remote control 1, and the operation status of the heat source unit 3. In addition, display means 1c for displaying characters, icons, etc. for operation by the operation means 1b, storage means 1d for storing pre-registered data and data received from the bathroom remote control 2, communication with the bathroom remote control 2 and the heat source unit 3 The heat source device communication means 1e for performing communication for controlling the heat source device is provided.

  Also, from audio input means 1f for inputting audio to the kitchen remote control 1, audio output means 1g for outputting audio from the kitchen remote control, audio transmission / reception means 1i for transmitting / receiving audio signals to / from the bathroom remote control 2, and audio output means 1g The volume change means 1j which is the volume change means for changing the volume of the sound to be output, the audio signal from the audio input means 1f to the bathroom remote controller 2 and the audio signal from the audio transmission / reception means 1i from the audio output means 1g The voice switching means 1h is used to switch between voice output and to notify the control means 1a that voice has been input to the voice input means 1f.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the operation means 1b includes a hot water supply operation button 1b1, a bath automatic button 1b2, a call button 1b3, an arrow button 1b4, and an enter button 1b5. The sound output means 1g is a speaker, and the kitchen remote control sound input means 1f is a microphone.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the bathroom remote controller (slave terminal) 2 displays necessary information such as a control means 2 a for controlling the bathroom remote controller 2, an operation means 2 b for operating the bathroom remote controller 2, and an operation status of the heat source unit 3. Display means 2c for storing, storage means 2d for storing pre-registered data and data received from the kitchen remote controller 1, heat source machine communication for communicating with the kitchen remote controller 1 and the heat source machine 3 to control the heat source machine Means 2e are provided.

  Also, from the audio input means 2f for inputting sound to the bathroom remote control 2, the audio output means 2g for outputting sound from the bathroom remote control, the audio transmission / reception means 2i for transmitting / receiving audio signals to / from the kitchen remote control 1, and the audio output means 2g Volume change means 2j for changing the volume of sound to be output, transmission of a sound signal from bathroom remote control sound input means 2f to kitchen remote control 1, output of sound signal from sound transmission / reception means 2i from sound output means 2g And a voice switching means 2h for notifying the control means 2a that a voice has been input to the voice input means 2f, and a monitor prohibiting means 2k which is a call restriction means for prohibiting the start of bathroom monitoring by the kitchen remote controller.

  The storage means 2h of the bathroom remote controller is a ROM (Read only memory) capable of storing only predetermined data. The audio output means 2g of the bathroom remote controller is a speaker, and the audio input means 2f is a microphone.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the heat source unit 3 includes a control unit 3 a that controls the heat source unit, a remote control communication unit 3 b that communicates with the kitchen remote controller 1 and the bathroom remote controller 2 to receive operation information and transmit operating conditions. A heat exchanger 3c that generates hot water according to instructions from the control means 3a, a flow rate sensor 3d that detects the flow rate of hot water in the heat exchanger, a combustion sensor 3e that detects the presence or absence of combustion in the heat exchanger 3c, and the amount of hot water in the bath It consists of a bath water amount sensor 3f and a bath water temperature sensor 3g for detecting the bath water temperature.

  The effect | action by the above structure is shown.

  When a resident of a house with a heat source unit uses hot water in the kitchen, first press the operation button 1b1 of the operation means 1b of the kitchen remote control, and the voice output means 1g of the kitchen remote control will start "Starting the operation of the water heater" And the water heater starts operation.

  The instruction to press the operation button 1b1 to turn on the operation is transmitted from the heat source unit communication means 1e of the kitchen remote controller to the heat source unit 3 through the control communication unit 12 of the heat source unit, and the heat source unit 3 receives the operation received by the remote control communication unit 3b of the heat source unit. The heat source machine control means 3a turns on the operation of the heat source machine in response to an ON instruction message.

  In this state, when the hot water currant (not shown) in the kitchen is opened, the hot water channel opens and the water supplied from the water supply flows into the hot water channel of the heat source unit, and the flow sensor 3d installed in the hot water channel is connected to the hot water channel. The water flow is detected, the heat exchanger is ignited, and the production of hot water by combustion is started.

  Combustion of the heat exchanger is detected by the combustion sensor 3e, and information that combustion is in progress is transmitted from the remote control communication means 3b of the heat source machine to the kitchen remote control 1 and the bathroom remote control by the heat source machine control communication means 12, and the kitchen remote control 1 and the bathroom remote control are transmitted. The remote control 2 displays a combustion mark on the display means 1c of the kitchen remote control and the display means 2c of the bathroom remote control based on the data received by the heat source communication means 1e of the kitchen remote control and the heat source communication means 2e of the bathroom remote control. Informs of combustion.

  The hot water generated by the heat exchanger 3c flows out from the kitchen currant through the hot water channel in the house. When the curan is closed, the hot water channel is closed, and the flow rate sensor 3d detects the stop of the water flow, extinguishes the heat exchanger, and stops the production of hot water. When the combustion sensor 3e detects that the combustion has stopped, information indicating that combustion is not in progress is transmitted from the remote control communication means 3b of the heat source machine to the kitchen remote control 1 and the bathroom remote control by the heat source machine control communication means 12, and the kitchen remote control 1 and the bathroom remote control 2, based on the data received by the heat source communication means 1e of the kitchen remote control and the heat source communication means 2e of the bathroom remote control, the combustion mark displayed on the kitchen remote control display means 1c and the bathroom remote control display means 2c is erased, Specify that it is not.

  On the other hand, when boiling the bath, if you press the automatic bath button 1b2 of the operation means 1b of the kitchen remote control, the kitchen remote control voice output means 1g will inform you by voice that "Start automatic bath operation" and start automatic bath operation. To do.

  The instruction to turn on automatic bathing by pressing the automatic bath button 1b2 is transmitted from the heat source device communication means 1e of the kitchen remote control to the heat source device 3 through the heat source device control communication means 12, and the heat source device 3 is received by the heat source device remote control communication means 3b. The heat source machine control means 3a starts the automatic bath operation of the heat source machine in response to the electronic message of the bath automatic ON instruction.

  In the bath automatic, the bath temperature sensor 3f detects the remaining hot water amount in the bathtub, fills the hot water set in advance according to the detected remaining hot water volume, adjusts the hot water temperature to a preset temperature, and is set in advance. When the amount of water and the hot water temperature are reached, the hot water filling is completed and the process proceeds to heat insulation.

  In the heat retention, when the bath temperature sensor 3g detects a decrease in the hot water temperature, the additional cooking is automatically performed and the operation of returning to the set hot water temperature is repeated, and this operation is continued for a preset warming time.

  The operation content of the heat source machine is transmitted from the heat source machine 3 to the kitchen remote controller 1 and the bathroom remote controller via the heat source machine control communication means 12, and the kitchen remote controller 1 and the bathroom remote controller 2 use the heat source machine communication means 1e of the kitchen remote controller and the bathroom remote controller. Based on the data received by the heat source unit communication means 2e, the display according to the operation status of the heat source unit 3 is displayed on the display unit 1c of the kitchen remote control and the display unit 2c of the bathroom remote control, and according to the operation status of the heat source unit 3 Audio output is performed from the audio output means 1g of the kitchen remote controller and the audio output means 2g of the bathroom remote controller.

  The temperature of hot water discharged from the currant, the amount of hot water used automatically, and the temperature are input in advance by operating means of the kitchen remote controller or bathroom remote controller and transmitted to the heat source machine, and the set value is stored by the storage means of the heat source machine. These set values are transmitted to the heat source machine each time they are set by the bathroom remote controller 2 or the kitchen remote controller 1, and the set values are switched each time a new set value is transmitted.

  Also, the audio output from the audio output means 1g and 2g of the kitchen remote control 1 or bathroom remote control 2 during setting and operation is stored as digital data in the storage means 1d of the kitchen remote control and the storage means 2d of the bathroom remote control, respectively. The audio file corresponding to the operation is played and output. When outputting these audio data as audio, the audio signal conversion means 1m converts the audio data into an audio signal, which is an electrical signal, and outputs it as audio from the audio output means 1g via the audio switching means 1h.

  In this embodiment, an interphone function is provided that allows conversation between the kitchen remote controller and the bathroom remote controller by voice. The intercom function is a call function that enables conversations by allowing the speaker to change when the voice is lost in the bathroom and kitchen. Has a plurality of call states such as a bathroom monitor function that can be confirmed by voice in the kitchen, and is operated by using the call button 1b3 and an icon on the interphone screen 21 that is a call state switching means displayed on the display means 1c. The call state can be switched.

  The bathroom remote controller 2 has monitor prohibiting means 2k which is a call restriction means for prohibiting the start of the bathroom monitor with the kitchen remote controller, and can be set so that the bathroom remote controller 1 cannot start the bathroom monitor.

  6 and 7 show the interphone screen 21, FIG. 8 shows the call setting screen 22 which is a call means function setting means for setting a function to be started when the call button 1b3 is operated, and FIG. 9 shows the case where the call button 1b3 is operated. The flowchart which determines the function which operates is shown.

  The interphone function is started by pressing the call button 1b3. Before the start, when the call button 1b3 is operated on the call setting screen 22 in FIG. Set which one to start.

  The call setting screen 22 includes a screen background 22a, a call icon 22b that is operated when setting the call, a monitor icon 22c that is operated when setting the monitor, and a confirmation icon 22d that determines the setting, and uses the interphone function. When the call button 1b3 is pressed when not, the function selected from the call icon 22b and the monitor icon 22c is started. The display of the selected call icon 22b and monitor icon 22c changes between when selected and when not selected. When one is selected, the selected side is selected and the other is not selected.

  Next, a procedure for determining a function to be started by operating the call button 1b3 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when the call button is pressed, it is confirmed whether or not the interphone function is in use (31b). If the interphone function is in use, the interphone function ends (31h) and the process ends (31i). If the phone is not in use, the call setting screen 22 confirms whether the preset function is a call or a bathroom monitor in order to determine the intercom function to be started (31c), and if it is a call, the call function is started (31e). The process ends (31i), if it is a bathroom monitor, it is confirmed whether the monitor is prohibited (31d). If the monitor is not prohibited, the bathroom monitor is started (31f) and the process ends (31i). If the monitor is not started, monitor prohibition is displayed (31g) and the process is terminated (31i).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, at the start of the interphone, among the plurality of interphone functions, the function that the user normally uses can be activated immediately by simply pressing the call button 1b3, and at the end of the interphone, the interphone function Can be stopped.

  When a call function to be started is determined, a telegram that starts the function in accordance with the function is transmitted from the heat source unit communication unit 1e of the kitchen remote controller to the bathroom remote controller 2 through the heat source unit control communication unit 12, and the kitchen remote controller control unit 1a operates the voice switching means 1h of the kitchen remote control. When a call or bathroom monitor is started by operating the call button 1b3, an interphone screen 21 is displayed on the display means 1c of the kitchen remote controller 1. 6 and 7 show the interphone screen.

  6 shows a screen during a call and FIG. 7 shows a screen during bathroom monitoring. The intercom screen has a background 21a, a call icon 21b that is selected and displayed when starting a call, a monitor icon 21c that is selected and displayed when starting a bathroom monitor, and a status display that displays the current state of the interphone. 21d, a volume change icon 21e that is a volume operation means for changing the volume of the sound received from the bathroom remote controller 2 output from the kitchen remote controller 1, and the interphone screen is deleted when another operation is performed while the interphone screen is displayed. A close icon 21f for displaying another screen and a volume change explanation display 21g for explaining the function of the volume change icon 21e in characters.

  The state display 21d includes a character display 21d1 for displaying the state with characters and a picture display 21d2 for displaying with a picture. The volume change icon 21e has three levels of volume: small 21e1, medium 21e2, and large 21e3. It can be set.

  In the interphone function, when audio is transmitted from the kitchen to the bathroom, the audio signal collected by the audio input means 1f of the kitchen remote controller and converted into an electrical signal is sent to the audio transmission / reception means 1i of the kitchen remote controller via the audio switching means 1h of the kitchen remote controller. Then, the audio transmission / reception unit 1i of the kitchen remote control modulates the received audio signal into a signal capable of transmitting the audio signal via the audio communication unit 11, outputs the signal to the audio communication unit 11, and transmits it to the bathroom remote control 2.

  In the bathroom remote controller 2, the bathroom remote controller control means 2a operates the bathroom remote controller audio switching means 2h by the kitchen speaker's message received by the bathroom remote controller heat source communication means 3b, and the bathroom remote controller audio transmission / reception means 1i is the kitchen remote controller. The signal received from 1 is demodulated and converted into an audio signal, which is output from the audio output means 2g of the bathroom remote control.

  On the other hand, when communicating audio from the bathroom to the kitchen, the audio signal collected from the audio input means 2f of the bathroom remote control and converted into a signal is transmitted to the kitchen remote control via the reverse path to the telephone call from the kitchen to the bathroom, Is output from the audio output means 1g of the kitchen remote controller. When the volume output from the audio output means 1g of the kitchen remote control is too low or too high, the volume can be changed by operating the operation means 1b of the kitchen remote control. When this operation is performed, the amplification factor of the volume changer 1j of the kitchen remote controller changes in accordance with an instruction from the controller 1a of the kitchen remote controller, and the volume output from the kitchen remote controller audio output unit 1g changes.

  Of the two intercom functions, the call function is a two-way call in which the voice input side of the kitchen and bathroom is the transmitting side, and the non-input side is the receiving side. There are three modes: a bathroom speaker mode in which the speaker is a speaker, and a standby mode in which neither is a speaker.

  In the standby mode, for example, when voice is first input in the kitchen, the voice switching means 1h of the kitchen remote controller transmits the state to the control means 1a of the kitchen remote controller, and the heat source unit communication means 1e of the kitchen remote controller sends the state to the bathroom remote controller 2. A message indicating the kitchen speaker mode is transmitted, and the voice transmission from the kitchen to the bathroom is realized as the kitchen speaker mode in both the kitchen and the bathroom.

  When there is no voice from the kitchen in the kitchen speaker mode, the kitchen remote controller 1a transmits a message indicating the standby mode, and waits for the next voice input in the kitchen and bathroom as the standby mode.

  The bathroom speaker mode is functionally similar to the kitchen speaker mode except that the speaker and the telegram sender / receiver are different.

  Three modes of such a call function are displayed on the display means (21d in FIG. 6).

  FIG. 6A shows a standby mode in which both the kitchen display on the left side of the picture display 21d2 and the bathroom display on the right side are displayed finely. FIG. 6B shows a bathroom speaker mode in which the bathroom display on the left side is emphasized boldly, and the direction display in the middle indicates the direction from the bathroom to the kitchen. FIG. 6C shows the kitchen speaker mode, where the bathroom display on the right side is highlighted boldly, and the direction display in the middle indicates the direction from the kitchen to the bathroom. These picture displays visually display the three modes of the call so that the current state can be recognized by the user.

  During the call, the call icon 21b is selected to indicate that the call is in progress, the monitor icon 21c is not selected, and “active” is displayed in the character display 21d1 of the status display 21d. On the other hand, in the case of a bathroom monitor, the monitor icon 21c is in a selected state display, the call icon 21b is in a non-selected state, and the state display 21d also displays that it is being monitored with characters and pictures. As a result, the state of the current intercom function is clearly displayed visually, and a remote control that is easy for the user to understand is realized.

  On the interphone screen, the interphone function can be switched by selecting the call icon 21b and the monitor icon 21c.

  When the intercom function is started, the interphone function set in advance on the call button 1b3 operates, and an icon indicating the function is displayed in a selected state. When the user wants to use the other function instead of the preset function The intercom function can be changed by selecting an icon displayed in a non-selected state.

  For the two intercom functions, call and bathroom monitor, you usually select the call, but for example, you may use a bathroom monitor to check the condition of the bathroom of a child or an elderly person in the kitchen. It can be assumed that the bathroom monitor is used only when a person is taking a bath. In this case, since the switching of the interphone function is often performed at the start of the interphone, the interphone function 21 is displayed at the start of the interphone so that the function can be easily switched at the start of the interphone that requires the switching of the interphone function.

  In addition, this makes it possible to easily and reliably start, switch and end functions of a plurality of interphones by combining the call button 1b3, the call icon 21b and the monitor icon 21c, and setting the interphone function to the call button 1b3.

  In addition, the interphone screen 21 is provided with a volume change icon for changing the volume of the sound transmitted from the bathroom remote controller 2 output from the kitchen remote controller 1 as described above, the interphone function is started, and the interphone screen 21 is closed. The volume can be easily changed by the volume adjustment icon 1e. This makes it possible to quickly increase the volume when the volume is actually low.

  In this embodiment, the bathroom remote controller 2 has the monitor prohibiting means 1k that prohibits the kitchen remote controller 1 from starting the bathroom monitor. However, when the monitor is set to prohibit the monitor, the function of the call button 1b3 is changed to the bathroom monitor. When the call button 1b3 is operated while it is set, a warning screen indicating that monitoring is prohibited is once displayed (FIG. 10). However, after the warning screen 23 is displayed for 3 seconds, the intercom screen is displayed. As shown in FIG. 10, the warning screen includes a background 23a and a warning character 23b. When the call button 1b3 is set to the bathroom monitor, a warning display indicating that the monitor is prohibited is displayed. However, the call function cannot be started by itself, and in order to start the call function, the call button 1b3 I had to change the settings. However, by displaying the interphone screen 21 as in the present embodiment, the call function can be easily started by selecting the call icon 21b.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the call button 1b3 is set to the call function and the interphone function is operating on the bathroom monitor, when the call button 1b3 is pressed, the fact that the bathroom monitor is terminated is notified. The notification screen is displayed (FIG. 11). In this case, since the bathroom monitor is in progress, the bathroom monitor is terminated when the call button 1b3 is selected. However, when the user presses the call button 1b3 to operate the call function and operates the call button 1b3, the user Will not work as intended, and will be difficult for the user to understand. In particular, this phenomenon is likely to occur when the interphone screen 21 is not displayed by pressing the close icon 21f of the interphone screen 21 during bathroom monitoring. In such a case, the current state is notified to the user, and the operation is performed. Improves incomprehensibleness.

  The kitchen remote controller 1 used in the voice communication system according to the present embodiment has been described with respect to the hot water supply function and the interphone function. It may be a multi-function remote controller that can operate the above functions, in which case the present invention can produce a higher effect.

  The operation of the kitchen remote control 1 is performed by using the kitchen remote control operation means 1b and the kitchen remote control display means 1c, and operating various functions by selecting the image or character data displayed on the display means 1c using the operation means 1b. It is also possible to operate another function by changing the image displayed on the display means 1c.

  In such a device, it is important for realizing an easy-to-use remote control to display the interphone screen 21 only when using the interphone function as in the present embodiment and to be able to delete it when it is unnecessary. An easy-to-use remote control can be realized by the configuration of the form. Of course, the present invention may be applied to a device having only the functions described in this embodiment.

  The sound output from the bathroom remote controller 2 may be automatically performed by an instruction from the kitchen remote controller 1, but when the kitchen remote controller 1 receives data, the bathroom is first notified of the data reception by a notification melody, etc. An audio signal may be transmitted from the kitchen remote control to the bathroom remote control according to an instruction from the remote control. With such a configuration, since no sound is suddenly output, the person in the bathroom is not surprised by the sudden sound or the first word cannot be heard.

  In the voice communication system according to the present embodiment, the kitchen remote control operation unit 1b is configured with buttons. However, a touch panel that can directly operate the display unit 1c and operate icons on the screen may be used. Can be a more convenient kitchen remote control.

  In the voice communication system according to the present embodiment, the two types of communication means, that is, the voice communication means 11 and the heat source unit control communication means 12 are described separately, but these are physically the same line. Thus, the communication may be performed by separating the frequency, time, packet, and the like.

  In addition, the voice communication system of the present embodiment is described by taking a kitchen remote controller and a bathroom remote controller of a water heater as examples, but any system that can communicate voice is an alarm communication system at home, in an office, etc. Even if it is a use, it is applicable.

  In the audio communication system of the present embodiment, audio data is converted into an audio signal, which is an electrical signal, as an interphone, and further modulated and demodulated by an audio transmission / reception unit and communicated by an audio communication unit. The present invention can also be applied to a method in which audio data is transmitted as it is or divided into packets.

  Note that the means described in this embodiment causes hardware resources such as a CPU (or microcomputer), a RAM, a ROM, a storage / recording device, an electric / information device including an I / O, a computer, a server, and the like to cooperate. You may implement with the form of a program. In the form of a program, new functions can be easily distributed / updated and installed by recording them on a recording medium such as magnetic media or optical media or distributing them via a communication line such as the Internet.

  Since the present invention can switch a plurality of call functions and display the call state at that time when a call state is entered, in addition to the voice communication system, the image communication system with voice and the remote control system for equipment Etc. can also be used.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a voice communication system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Detailed block diagram of the main terminal of the system Detailed block diagram of the slave terminal of the system Detailed block diagram of the heat source unit of the system External view of the main terminal of the system (A) Call function / standby mode screen diagram of the system call state switching means (b) Call function of the system call state switch means / screen diagram of bathroom speaker mode (c) Call state switch means of the system Screen of call function and kitchen speaker mode Screen view of bathroom monitor of call status switching means of the system (A) Screen diagram when setting call function of operation means function setting means of the system (b) Screen view when setting bathroom monitor of operation means function setting means of the same system Flow chart at the time of operation of call function operation means of the system Warning screen when the call function operation means is operated while the call is restricted in the same system Notification screen when the call function operation means is operated during bathroom monitoring of the system Block diagram of conventional hot water remote control and bath remote control

Explanation of symbols

1 Kitchen remote control (main terminal)
1b Display means operation means 1b3 Call button (call function operation means)
1c Kitchen remote control display means (display means)
2 Bathroom remote control (slave terminal)
2f Voice input means 2g Voice output means 2k Monitor prohibition means (call restriction means)
11 Voice communication means 21 Interphone screen (call state switching means)
21e Volume change icon (call volume operation means)
22 Call function switching screen (operation means function setting means)

Claims (9)

A master terminal provided in a building, a slave terminal installed at a location different from the master terminal and having at least voice input / output means, and the master terminal connected between the master terminal and the slave terminal according to a plurality of call states Voice communication means that enables communication of audio signals between the slave terminal and the slave terminal, equipment communication means for communicating information between the master terminal and the slave terminal, and a master terminal that is always operable. Call function operation means for operating the voice communication, and call state switching means for switching the call state that can be operated when at least one of a plurality of call states is changed from a state that is not in a call state. A voice communication system provided. 2. The voice communication system according to claim 1, wherein the main terminal includes an operation means function setting means for setting a call state to be activated when the call function operation means is operated from a plurality of call states. The main terminal includes a display unit and a display unit operation unit, the function displayed on the display unit is operated by the display unit operation unit, and the call state switching unit has a plurality of call states when at least a call state is entered. The voice communication system according to claim 1, wherein the voice communication system can be switched. 3. The voice communication according to claim 1, wherein the call function operation means terminates the call state regardless of the call state when a predetermined operation is performed when one of the plurality of call states is in a call state. system. The main terminal includes call volume operation means for changing the call volume, and enables the call volume operation means to be operated when the call state switching means is operable. Voice communication system. The main terminal or the slave terminal includes a call restriction unit that restricts a call state that can be started from a terminal that is a call partner, while the call state that is activated when the call function operation unit is operated is restricted by the call restriction unit. The voice communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the call function operation unit is operated, a warning is given that the call state cannot be started and the call state switching unit is operable. 3. The voice communication system according to claim 2, wherein when the call function operating means is operated in a call state other than that set by the operation function setting means in the call function operation means, the display means displays that the call state is terminated. . The call function switching means displays the current call state among a plurality of call states and also displays on the display means that the current speaker is either the main terminal or the slave terminal or neither. The voice communication system according to claim 3. The program for implement | achieving at least one part of the function of the audio | voice communication system of any one of Claims 1-8 with a computer.

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