JP2006229483A - Interphone system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an interphone system connected by using a network, which enables a two-way speech between a master unit and a slave unit on occurrence of a communication fault in the network. <P>SOLUTION: The interphone system includes: network lines 2 through which speeches and video images transmitted from a plurality of the slave units 1 are distributed to an individual master unit 5 corresponding to each slave unit so as to enable the speeches between the corresponding individual slave units and the master unit; individual lines 4 connected only between the corresponding individual slave units 1 and the master unit 5 so as to enable the speeches between them; and diagnostic sections 20, 58 for monitoring a communication state of the network lines 2 through which a plurality of the slave units 1 and the master unit 5 are connected. The system detects occurrence of a communication fault, and switches a plurality of the slave units 1 and the master unit 5 to the respectively corresponding individual lines 4 when the diagnostic sections 20, 58 detect the occurrence of the communication fault of the network lines 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an intercom apparatus having a function of making a call at least between a master unit and a slave unit, wherein the master unit and the slave unit are connected using a network line.

  A conventional interphone apparatus with a monitor, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, has a voice call function for making a phone call between two units via a transmission line provided between the master unit and the slave unit. And an image function for transmitting the captured image to the master unit and displaying it on the monitor of the master unit.

  The interphone apparatus with a monitor disclosed in Patent Document 1 transmits an audio signal of a two-way call between a parent device and a child device and a captured image signal from the child device to the parent device through two dedicated wires.

  On the other hand, in recent years, a local area network line (hereinafter referred to as a LAN) that connects various electronic devices such as a personal computer and transmits and receives various control signals and information data signals in homes and apartment buildings will be used. It has become.

  Calls and image transmissions between the handset of the intercom device and the base unit are also performed using a LAN provided in the home or apartment house. For example, in an apartment house, there is a case where a parent device is installed in each individual residence, and a child device corresponding to the parent device is installed at two locations near the door of the individual residence and a common entrance. The child unit at the common entrance is connected to the parent server of the apartment house, and the child unit near the door of the individual unit and the individual unit is connected to the child server in the individual unit connected to the parent server. Are connected via a LAN. Each address is assigned to the master unit and the two slave units, and when the master unit or the slave unit is operated, a call destination or an image transmission destination is specified by the address. As described above, the intercom apparatus of a housing complex using a LAN enables a call with the parent device at the address of the operated child device when the visitor operates the child device at the visited residence, and from the child device. The transmitted image is displayed on the master unit. When a visitor is confirmed on the parent machine side, the lock release operation for the common entrance is performed from the parent machine.

In other words, by using the LAN, various control signals and information data can be transmitted in addition to bidirectional communication between the parent device and the child device and image transmission from the child device to the parent device.
JP-A-8-79733

  The intercom device is connected to a LAN for transmission of various control signals and information data installed in homes and apartment buildings, so that two-way communication between the master unit and the slave unit and from the slave unit to the master unit can be performed. Image transmission is possible.

  However, some failure may occur in the server connected to the LAN or the LAN itself, and communication between the parent device and the child device may become impossible. When a communication failure occurs in the server or the LAN, the function as the intercom device cannot be performed, and there is a problem that it is impossible to respond to the operation from the slave unit from the master unit.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides an interphone device that enables a two-way call between a parent device and a child device when a communication failure occurs in the network in an interphone device connected using a network such as a LAN. It is intended to provide.

  The interphone device of the present invention according to claim 1 is an interphone device that enables at least a call between the parent device and the child device; the parent device and the child device of at least a plurality of interphone devices are connected, and the plurality of interphone devices are connected. Call communication between the master unit and slave unit of the device is distributed and distributed to the master unit and slave unit of each interphone device, enabling call communication between the master unit and slave unit of each interphone device A network line; and an individual line that enables direct communication between individual master units and slave units of the plurality of intercom apparatuses; and between the master unit and slave units of the plurality of interphone apparatuses; Diagnosing means for diagnosing a communication state of call communication performed via a network line and detecting a communication failure in the network line; and Upon detection of a line switching means for switching the individual lines of the connections between the individual master unit and the slave unit of the plurality of intercom apparatus; it is characterized by having a.

  The interphone device of the present invention of claim 2 is the interphone device of the present invention of claim 1, wherein the network line is further connected to an individual network line that distributes and distributes call communication to the base unit of the interphone device, It further comprises an individual network diagnosis means for diagnosing the communication state of the individual network line and detecting a communication failure, and when the communication failure of the individual network line is detected by the individual network diagnosis means, a communication failure occurs by the line switching means. It is characterized by switching the intercom device to an individual line.

The interphone device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the interphone device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the line switching means is a communication failure of the network line by the diagnostic means or the individual network diagnostic means. When the communication failure of the individual network line is detected by the above, the master unit and the slave unit of the interphone device are manually switched to the individual line.

  In the present invention, the definitions and technical meanings of terms are as follows.

  The intercom device is composed of a parent device and a child device, and at least two-way communication is possible between the parent device and the child device. Note that a two-way call between the parent device and the child device includes an interphone device with a monitor that transmits an image photographed by the child device to the parent device and displays the photographed image on a monitor provided in the parent device.

  In the network line, a master unit and a slave unit of a plurality of intercom devices are connected by wire or wirelessly, and various control signals and information data signals transmitted between the master unit and the slave unit of individual interphone devices are transmitted via a server. A local area network line for distributed transmission. Other electronic devices can be connected to the network line in addition to the master unit and the slave unit of the plurality of intercom devices. An electronic device including a plurality of interphone devices connected to a network line is assigned an address. By specifying an address, between the parent device and the child device of the specific interphone device and between the specific electronic devices. It is possible to send and receive various signals.

  The individual network line captures the call signal and control signal for the parent unit transmitted to the network line and other electronic devices attached to the parent unit, and the parent server and the signal received by the child server. Network that distributes and distributes to devices and electronic devices.

  The individual line is a line that directly connects the master unit and the slave unit of each intercom device, and enables at least two-way communication between the master unit and the slave unit.

  The diagnosis means monitors the communication state of the network line and detects failures such as line disconnection and signal transmission abnormality.

  The line switching means is configured such that when a communication failure of the neckwork line is detected by the diagnosis means, the master unit and the slave unit of the interphone device connected to the network line are individually connected between the master unit and the slave unit. A line changeover switch to be connected to the line.

  The interphone device of the present invention is switched to an individual line connected between a master unit and a slave unit of an individual interphone device when a communication failure occurs on a network line. It is possible to make at least a call between the slave unit and the slave unit, and the master unit can respond to a call from the slave unit.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an intercom apparatus connected to a network line according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  An interphone apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes an interphone slave unit (hereinafter simply referred to as a slave unit) 1, an interphone master unit (hereinafter simply referred to as a master unit) 5, and a network line connecting the slave unit 1 and the master unit 5. 2, a server 3 provided on the network line 2, and an individual line 4 connecting the handset 1 and the base unit 4.

  The subunit | mobile_unit 1 is the speaker 11, the microphone 12, the television camera 13, the call button 14, the hybrid circuit 15 for two-way calls, the line switch 16, the interface 19 of the signal transmitted / received with the network line 2, the interface 19 and the network line 2 1 comprises a diagnostic unit 20 for diagnosing the signal transmission state and a modulation unit 21.

  The speaker 11 outputs sound based on the sound signal from the parent device 4. The microphone 12 converts the input sound into an audio signal. The hybrid circuit 15 is a circuit that outputs and transmits a voice signal transmitted from the parent device 4 to the speaker 11 and transmits and receives a voice signal from the microphone 12 to the parent device 4. When the call button 14 is operated, the television camera 13 starts photographing, converts the photographed image into a video signal, and transmits the video signal to the parent device 4. When the visitor operates the call button 14, the contact is turned on to drive the hybrid circuit 15 and the television camera 13 and transmit a call signal to the parent device 4. The line changeover switch 16 includes a voice changeover switch 16a for changing the connection line for the output of the hybrid circuit 15, a video changeover switch 16b for changing the connection line for the output of the TV camera 13, and a call changeover switch for changing the connection line for the output of the call button 14. 16c. The voice changeover switch 16a, the video changeover switch 16b, and the call changeover switch 16c are provided with contacts 17a, 17b, and 17c connected to the interface 19 and contacts 18a, 18b, and 18c connected to the modulation unit 21, respectively. .

  The interface 19 includes an audio signal terminal A, a video signal terminal P, a call signal terminal connected to the audio switch 16a, the video switch 16b, and the call switch 16c of the line switch 16 via the contacts 17a, 17b, and 17c. C is provided, and the audio, video, and call signals from the handset 1 input to the audio signal terminal A, the video signal terminal P, and the call signal terminal C are converted into digital information data, and the converted digital The information data is converted into a signal form that is transmitted to the server 3 via the network line 2 with the address of the base unit 4 as the transmission destination. The interface 19 demodulates the audio information data transmitted from the parent device 5 through the server 3 and the network line 2 to the child device 1 and outputs the demodulated data to the hybrid circuit 15 of the child device 1.

  The diagnosis unit 20 diagnoses the information data transmission state from the interface 19 to the network line 2 and detects an abnormality or failure in transmission of the information data signal to the server 3 via the interface 19 and the network line 2. The connection of the line changeover switch 16 is switched to the modulation unit 21 described later.

  The modulation unit 21 includes an audio signal terminal A to which the audio changeover switch 16a of the line changeover switch 16 of the slave unit 1 is connected via the contact 18a, and a video signal terminal P to which the video changeover switch 16b is connected via the contact 18b, And the call changeover switch 16c has a call signal terminal C connected via a contact 18c, and modulates audio, video, and call signals inputted to the respective input terminals A, P, and C into predetermined multiplexed transmission signals. To the individual line 4 composed of two-line transmission lines. The modulation unit 21 also has a function of demodulating an audio signal transmitted from the master unit 5 via the individual line 4 and performing bidirectional communication control by the hybrid circuit 15 to output from the speaker 11.

  The network line 2 connects the slave unit 1, a plurality of slave units 1 a having the same functional configuration as the slave unit 1, and a plurality of master units 5 a having the same functional configuration as the master unit 5 described later to the server 3. Local area network line The server 3 sends information data signals exchanged between the plurality of slave units 1, 1a,... And the master units 5, 5a,. For delivery. The server 3 can also transmit an information data signal wild control signal between other electronic devices in addition to the transmission of the information data signal between the slave unit 1 and the master unit 5.

  The base unit 5 includes a handset 51, a monitor 52, a buzzer 53, a line changeover switch 54, an interface 57 for signals transmitted to and received from the network line 2, a diagnosis unit 58 for diagnosing the transmission state of signals in the interface 57 and the network line 2, and It comprises a demodulator 59.

  The handset 51 generates a voice signal for a call with the handset 1 and reproduces and outputs a voice from the voice signal. The monitor 52 displays a photographed image based on the video signal photographed and transmitted by the television camera 13 of the handset 1. The buzzer 53 generates a buzzer sound based on the calling signal transmitted from the child device 1.

  The line changeover switch 54 includes a voice changeover switch 54 a for changing the connection line of the handset 51, a video changeover switch 54 b for changing the connection line of the monitor 52, and a call changeover switch 54 c for changing the connection line of the buzzer 53. The voice selector switch 54a, the video selector switch 54b, and the call selector switch 54c are provided with contacts 55a, 55b, and 55c that connect to the interface 57 and contacts 56a, 56b, and 56c that connect to the demodulator 59, respectively.

  The interface 57 captures and demodulates the information data signal with the address of the master unit 5 among the information data signals input from the network line 2 to generate an audio signal, a video signal, and a call signal, and outputs an audio signal terminal A, video signal terminal P, and call signal terminal C. The audio, video, and call signals output to the audio signal terminal A, video signal terminal P, and call signal terminal C of the interface 57 are sent from the contacts 55a, 55b, and 55c of the line switch 54 to the audio switch 54a. The video signal is supplied to the handset 51, the monitor 52, and the buzzer 53 through the video switch 54b and the call switch 54c.

  The diagnosis unit 58 diagnoses the information data transmission state from the network line 2 to the interface 57 and detects an abnormality or failure in the transmission of the information data signal to the server 3 via the interface 57 and the network line 2. The connection of the line switch 16 is switched to a demodulator 59 described later.

  The demodulator 21 demodulates the multiplexed signal transmitted from the slave unit 1 using the individual line 4 to generate an audio signal, a video signal, and a calling signal, and an audio signal terminal A, a video signal terminal P, and Output to the call signal terminal C. The audio signal terminal A of the demodulator 21 is connected to the audio switch 54a via the contact 56a, the video signal terminal P is connected to the video switch 54b via the contact 56b, and the call signal terminal C is called A changeover switch 54c is connected through a contact 56c. The demodulator 59 also has a function of modulating a voice signal transmitted from the handset 51 to the handset 1 and sending it to the individual line 4.

  In the intercom apparatus configured as described above, the diagnosis unit 20 of the slave unit 1 and the diagnosis unit 58 of the master unit 5 are configured so that the interface 19 of the slave unit 1, the network line 2, the server 3, and the interface 57 of the master unit 5 operate normally. If it is diagnosed that it is in a state, the line change switch 16 of the slave unit 1 is connected to the interface 19 and the line change switch 54 of the parent unit 5 is controlled to be connected to the interface 57.

  In this state, when the call button 14 of the handset 1 is operated by the visitor, a call signal from the call button 14 is output, and the TV camera 13 is driven to photograph the visitor, The photographed image signal is input to the calling signal terminal C and the video signal terminal P of the interface 19 through the line changeover switch 16. The call signal and the image signal input to the interface 19 are converted into predetermined digital information data to generate an information data signal with the address of the base unit 5 having a corresponding relationship with the handset 1 to generate the network line 2 Is transmitted to the server 3 via. The server 3 distributes the information data signal transmitted from the slave unit 1 via the network line 2 to the master unit 5 side via the network line 2. The interface 57 of the base unit 5 takes in the information data signal assigned with its own address from the information data signal delivered from the server 3 from the side of the handset 1, demodulates it into a call signal and an image signal, and calls the call signal terminal The buzzer 53 of the parent device 5 is driven from the C and the video signal terminal P via the line changeover switches 54b and 54c, and the video based on the image signal from the child device 1 is displayed on the monitor 52.

  A person staying at home uses a buzzer sound from the buzzer 53 of the parent device 5 and an image displayed on the monitor 52 to check the visitor, while using the handset 51 of the parent device 5, the speaker 11 and the microphone 12 of the child device 1, and a hybrid circuit. 15, perform a two-way call through the interface 19, the network line 2, the server 3, and the interface 57.

  Next, when the diagnosis unit 23 of the child device 1 detects that a signal transmission abnormality or failure has occurred between the interface 19, the network line 2, and the server 3 of the child device 1, the line changeover switch of the child device 1. 16 is switched to switch to the modulation unit 21. When the diagnosis unit 58 of the parent device 5 detects that a signal transmission abnormality or failure has occurred between the interface 57 of the parent device 5, the network line 2, and the server 3, the line changeover switch 54 of the parent device 5. To switch the connection to the demodulator 59.

  .. And the parent devices 5, 5 a,... Connected to the server 3 via the network line 2 receive an information data signal, an operation state confirmation signal, and the like from the server 3. .. And the interfaces 19 and 57 of each of the slave units 1, 1a,... And the master units 5, 5a,... Take in information data signals with their own addresses, and perform operation state responses. . For this reason, the interface 19 and 57 of the slave units 1, 1a,... And the master unit 5, 5a,. A status confirmation signal is transmitted. That is, the diagnosis unit 20 of the child device 1 and the diagnosis unit 58 of the parent device 5 receive the information data signal or the operation state confirmation signal including the self address or other address transmitted from the server 3 to the respective interfaces 19 and 57. It is possible to detect a transmission abnormality or failure with the server 3 depending on whether or not it is possible.

  There is a transmission abnormality or failure between the slave unit 1 and the master unit 5 between the server 3, the line change switch 16 of the slave unit 1 is switched and connected to the modulation unit 21, and the line change switch 54 of the master unit 5 is the demodulation unit. When the call button 14 of the handset 1 is operated by the visitor in the state of being switched to 59, the call signal from the call button 14 is output and the TV camera 13 is driven to photograph the visitor. Then, the call signal and the captured image signal are input to the call signal terminal C and the video signal terminal P of the modulation unit 31 via the line changeover switch 16. The calling signal and the image signal input to the modulation unit 31 are modulated into a predetermined multiplexed signal and transmitted to the individual line 4 which is a two-line transmission line. The multiplexed signal transmitted to the individual line 4 is demodulated by the demodulator 59 of the base unit 5 and is transmitted from the call signal terminal C and the video signal terminal P to the base unit 5 via the line changeover switches 54b and 54c of the base unit 5. While driving the buzzer 53, the monitor 52 displays a video based on the image signal from the slave unit 1.

  The person staying at home is confirming the visitor from the buzzer sound from the buzzer 53 of the parent device 5 and the image displayed on the monitor 52, and the hybrid circuit 15 by the handset 51 of the parent device 5, the speaker 11 of the child device 1, and the microphone 12. A two-way call is performed via the individual line 4.

  That is, normally, a call by the interphone device, transmission of a video signal, and a two-way call are performed via the network line 2 and the server 3, and if a communication failure occurs between the network line 2 and the server 3, By switching to the individual line 4 directly provided between the machines 5, it is possible to perform calling, video signal transmission and two-way communication. Note that the modulation unit 21 and the demodulation unit 59 can be simplified by using only the calling signal and the two-way call signal as the signals transmitted through the individual line 4 when a communication failure occurs in the network line 2.

  In the above description, when the diagnosis units 20 and 58 detect communication failures in the interfaces 19 and 57, the network line 2, and the server 3, the line change switch 16 of the slave unit 1 and the line change switch 54 of the master unit 5 are switched. However, when the diagnosis unit 20 or 58 detects a communication failure, the home-homer connects the handset 1 and the base unit 5 by turning on a lamp for notifying the trouble or generating a buzzer sound. May be manually switched from the network line 2 to the individual line 4.

  Further, in the above description, the information data signal is distributed to the plurality of slave units 1, 1a,... And the master units 5, 5a,. Like a house, a server for the entire housing complex is used as a parent server, and a child server is installed in each residence, and an individual network line for connecting the individual parent device 5 and other electronic devices from the child server. May be installed. In this case, the parent device 5 connected to the child server also detects a transmission failure of the individual network line with the child server, and when a transmission failure occurs, the parent device 5 and the child device 1 are transferred to the individual line 4. And switch the connection.

The block diagram which shows the intercom apparatus connected to the network line of one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Interphone subunit | mobile_unit, 2 ... Network line, 3 ... Server, 4 ... Individual line, 5 ... Parent | base station, 16 ... Line | wire switch of a subunit | mobile_unit, 19 ... Interface of a subunit | mobile_unit, 20 ... Diagnosis part of a subunit | mobile_unit, 21 ... Modulator of slave unit 51. Handset 52. Monitor 53. Buzzer 54. Line switch of master unit 57. Interface of master unit 58. Diagnosis unit of master unit 59. Department.
Attorney Susumu Ito

Claims (3)

An intercom device that enables at least a call between the parent device and the child device;
At least a master unit and a slave unit of a plurality of interphone devices are connected, and call communication performed between the master unit and the slave units of the plurality of interphone devices is distributed and distributed to the master unit and the slave units of each interphone device. A network line that enables call communication between the master unit and the slave unit of each interphone device;
An individual line that enables direct communication by directly connecting between the individual master unit and the slave unit of the plurality of intercom devices;
Diagnosing means for diagnosing a communication state of call communication performed between the master unit and the slave unit of the plurality of intercom apparatuses via the network line and detecting a communication failure in the network line;
Line switching means for switching connections between individual master units and slave units of the plurality of intercom devices to individual lines when the diagnosis unit detects a communication failure on the network line;
An intercom apparatus characterized by comprising:   The network line is further connected to an individual network line that distributes and distributes call communication to each base unit of the intercom device, and further includes individual network diagnosis means for diagnosing the communication state of the individual network line and detecting a communication failure. 2. The intercom apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the communication fault of the individual network line is detected by the individual network diagnosis unit, the interphone apparatus in which the communication fault has occurred is switched to the individual line by the line switching unit.   The line switching unit is configured to manually switch the interphone device main unit and slave unit to individual lines when the diagnosis unit detects a communication fault on the network line or the individual network diagnosis unit detects a communication fault on the individual network line. The intercom apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the intercom apparatus is switched by.

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