JP2008182647A - Intercom system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an intercom system improving its convenience and crime prevention property regardless of a response to a visitor. <P>SOLUTION: An intercom system relating to the present invention includes an outdoor unit 10 having a camera 11 and an indoor unit 20 having a monitor, wherein the indoor unit 20 includes a recording section 24 for recording an image photographed by the camera 11 when called from the outdoor unit 10, and is configured to reproduce, on the monitor 21, the photographed image being recorded in the recording unit 24 in response to a predetermined reproducing operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an interphone system with a camera used in a detached house, an apartment house such as a condominium, and the like.

  In recent years, intercom systems with cameras have begun to be widely spread as a means of responding to visitors in detached houses and apartment houses such as condominiums.

  The conventional intercom system with a camera includes an outdoor unit equipped with a camera and an indoor unit equipped with a monitor, and a captured image obtained by the outdoor unit camera in response to a visitor. Was projected on the monitor of the indoor unit.

In addition, as an example of the related art related to the above, in Patent Document 1, a human sensor is provided in a doorphone slave unit with a camera, and when a person is present in a vicinity including the front of the doorphone slave unit for a predetermined time, A TV intercom system that reports to an interphone master unit with a monitor TV has been disclosed and proposed.
JP-A-11-18074

  Certainly, by introducing the conventional intercom system with a camera, the resident can make a call while looking at the face of the visitor and confirm the safety before opening the front door.

  However, in the above conventional intercom system with a camera, the camera of the outdoor unit is only used as a means of improving convenience and crime prevention when responding to the visitor. When a response could not be made to the person, the captured image of the camera was discarded without being used at all.

  In other words, in the conventional intercom system with a camera, a photographed image obtained by the outdoor unit camera is only displayed on the indoor unit monitor in real time when responding to the visitor.

  For this reason, in the conventional intercom system with a camera, for example, a resident who has gone home from a place where he / she has gone out cannot confirm a visitor who is away.

  Further, in the conventional intercom system with a camera, it has not been possible to sufficiently suppress an unnecessary call operation (such as confirmation of absence of a thief or mischief of a child).

  In view of the above problems, the present invention can positively utilize a photographed image obtained by an outdoor unit camera regardless of whether or not there is a response to a visitor, and can enhance its convenience and crime prevention. An object is to provide an intercom system.

  In order to achieve the above object, an intercom system according to the present invention is an intercom system including an outdoor unit equipped with a camera and an indoor unit equipped with a monitor. A configuration that includes a recording unit that records a photographed image of the camera when a call is received from an outdoor unit, and that reproduces the photographed image recorded in the recording unit on the monitor according to a predetermined reproduction operation (First configuration).

  Further, an intercom system according to the present invention is connected between an outdoor unit equipped with a camera, a plurality of indoor units equipped with a monitor, and the outdoor unit and the plurality of indoor units. A one-to-many intercom system comprising a premises control device that establishes a connection between the outdoor unit and a specific outdoor unit in response to a call operation of the outdoor unit, wherein the outdoor unit includes the outdoor unit And a recording unit that records a photographed image of the camera when a call is received from the camera, and the photographed image recorded in the recording unit is reproduced on the monitor in response to a predetermined reproduction operation. 2).

  In the intercom system having the second configuration, the local control device includes a centralized recording unit that records a captured image of the camera when a call operation is performed on the outdoor unit (first configuration). 3).

  Further, in the intercom system having any one of the first to third configurations, the camera constantly captures an outdoor state, and the recording unit sequentially buffers captured images of the camera, A configuration (fourth configuration) may be used that records captured images for a predetermined time before and after the time when the indoor unit receives a call from the outdoor unit.

  Further, in the intercom system having any one of the first to fourth configurations, the outdoor unit includes a microphone, and the recording unit outputs sound obtained by the microphone together with a captured image of the camera. A configuration (fifth configuration) is preferable for recording.

  Also, in the intercom system having the first configuration, when receiving a call from the outdoor unit, the camera is activated to take a picture of an outdoor situation, and the recorded image is recorded by the recording unit. The mode and the outdoor state using the camera are always photographed, the captured images of the camera are sequentially buffered using the recording unit, and the time point when the call is received from the outdoor unit is used as a reference. It is preferable to adopt a configuration (sixth configuration) including a recording mode switching operation unit that switches between the second recording mode for recording the captured images for a predetermined time obtained in the above.

  With the intercom system according to the present invention, it is possible to positively utilize the captured image obtained by the outdoor unit camera regardless of whether or not there is a response to the visitor, and to enhance its convenience and crime prevention. .

  For example, a resident who has gone home from the outside can check a visitor who is away by playing a captured image recorded while he is away.

  In addition, for a thief who is planning to confirm the absence of a residence, his / her appearance is recorded by calling the indoor unit.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of an intercom system according to the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the intercom system according to the present embodiment includes an outdoor unit 10 installed at the entrance and an indoor unit 20 installed indoors.

  The outdoor unit 10 includes a camera 11, a speaker 12, a microphone 13, a call operation unit 14, a control unit 15, and an interface unit 16.

  The camera 11 includes a lens group and a photoelectric conversion element (an image sensor such as a CCD [Charge Coupled Devices] or a CMOS [Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor]), and takes a photographed image of a subject (a visitor's face and figure, a front door). And so on) as an electrical imaging signal to the control unit 15 (and thus the indoor unit 20). Note that the image pickup signal of the camera 11 is subjected to signal processing such as automatic gain control, correlated double sampling, analog / digital conversion, and the like when output.

  The speaker 12 is driven in accordance with an audio signal input from the control unit 15 (an audio signal transmitted from the indoor unit 20), and is a means for outputting a resident's voice toward a visitor.

  The microphone 13 is means for picking up the voice of the visitor and outputting it as an electrical voice signal to the control unit 15 (and thus the indoor unit 20).

  The call operation unit 14 is operation means (such as a call button) for a visitor to call the indoor unit 20 from the outdoor unit 10.

  The control unit 15 is a unit that performs predetermined modulation / demodulation processing, multiplexing processing, and the like on the imaging signal and the audio signal exchanged with the indoor unit 20 via the interface unit 16. Further, the control unit 15 also functions as means for transmitting to the indoor unit 20 when the call operation unit 14 performs a call operation (such as pressing a call button) of the indoor unit 20.

  The interface unit 16 is a means that mediates transmission / reception of imaging signals and audio signals between the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20.

  On the other hand, the indoor unit 20 includes a monitor 21, a speaker 22, a microphone 23, a recording unit 24, a mode switching operation unit 25, a reproduction operation unit 26, a control unit 27, and an interface unit 28. Have.

  The monitor 21 is a means for displaying an imaging signal input from the control unit 27 via the recording unit 24 (an imaging signal transmitted from the outdoor unit 10) as an image.

  The speaker 22 is driven by an audio signal input from the control unit 27 via the recording unit 24 (an audio signal transmitted from the outdoor unit 10), and is a unit that outputs a visitor's voice to a resident.

  The microphone 23 is means for collecting a resident's voice and outputting it as an electrical audio signal to the control unit 27 (and thus the outdoor unit 10).

  The recording unit 24 includes a buffer 24a and a memory 24b. When the indoor unit 20 receives a call, the recording unit 24 captures an image signal or an audio signal input from the outdoor unit 10 (shooting obtained by the camera 11). This is a means for recording images and sounds obtained with the microphone 13.

  The buffer 24a is a means for sequentially storing the image pickup signal and the audio signal input from the control unit 27 by a predetermined capacity, and sequentially sending them to the monitor 21 and the speaker 22.

  The memory 24b is a recording medium (such as a semiconductor memory or a small hard disk drive device) for recording an imaging signal or an audio signal temporarily stored in the buffer 24a.

  The mode switching operation unit 25 is an operation means for the resident to switch the recording mode of the indoor unit 20. As the recording mode described above, the indoor unit 20 activates the camera 11 when it receives a call from the outdoor unit 10 to photograph the outdoor state, and records the captured image in the memory 24b of the recording unit 24. The first recording mode and the outdoor state using the camera 11 are constantly captured, and the captured images of the camera 11 are sequentially buffered using the buffer 24a of the recording unit 24, and a call is received from the outdoor unit 10. With the time point as a reference, the second recording mode for recording captured images for a predetermined time before and after the time point in the memory 24b of the recording unit 24 is switched.

  The reproduction operation unit 26 is an operation unit for the resident to instruct the reproduction of the imaging signal and the audio signal recorded in the recording unit 24.

  The control unit 27 is a unit that performs predetermined modulation / demodulation processing, multiplexing processing, and the like on the imaging signal and audio signal exchanged with the outdoor unit 10 via the interface unit 28. In addition, the control unit 27 sends an instruction to the outdoor unit 10 to perform drive control of the camera 11 in accordance with the recording mode of the indoor unit 20 specified by the mode switching operation unit 25, or the reproduction operation unit 26. It also functions as means for sending an instruction to the recording unit 24 so as to reproduce the imaging signal and the audio signal recorded in the recording unit 24 in accordance with a predetermined reproduction operation.

  The interface unit 28 is a means that mediates transmission / reception of imaging signals and audio signals between the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20.

  Next, the operation of the intercom system configured as described above will be described in detail.

  When the outdoor unit 20 is set to the first recording mode, the camera 11 of the outdoor unit 10 is normally off, and the outdoor unit 20 is not the first time when receiving a call from the outdoor unit 10. An instruction is sent to the outdoor unit 10 to activate the camera 11. With this configuration, the power consumption of the camera 11 can be kept low.

  After the camera 11 is activated, the indoor unit 20 displays the captured image obtained by the camera 11 on the monitor 21 and records the captured image in the memory 24 b of the recording unit 24. As described above, when the response to the visitor is configured to display the captured image obtained by the camera 11 of the outdoor unit 10 on the monitor 21 of the outdoor unit 20, the resident makes a call while looking at the face of the visitor. After confirming safety, you can open the front door.

  On the other hand, if the resident is not able to respond to the visitor, such as when he / she is sleeping, the camera 11 is returned to the stopped state, and the captured image of the camera 11 temporarily stored in the buffer 24a is Although it is discarded, the captured image recorded in the memory 24b is held as it is, and can be arbitrarily reproduced on the monitor 21 in accordance with a predetermined reproduction operation in the reproduction operation unit 26.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to positively utilize the captured image obtained by the camera 11 of the outdoor unit 10 regardless of whether or not there is a response to the visitor, and to enhance its convenience and crime prevention. Become.

  For example, a resident who has gone home from the outside can check a visitor who is away by playing a captured image recorded while he is away.

  In addition, for a thief who is planning to confirm the absence of a residence, his / her appearance is recorded by calling the indoor unit.

  In the intercom system of the present embodiment, the recording unit 24 of the indoor unit 20 records the sound obtained by the microphone 13 together with the captured image of the camera 11. By adopting such a configuration, it becomes possible to grasp in more detail the state of a visitor who is away.

  On the other hand, when the indoor unit 20 is set to the second recording mode, the outdoor state of the camera 11 of the outdoor unit 10 is always taken, and the recording unit 24 of the outdoor unit 20 The captured images are sequentially buffered by a predetermined capacity.

  While the above-described continuous shooting is being performed, the indoor unit 20 displays a captured image obtained by the camera 11 on the monitor 21 when it receives a call from the outdoor unit 10, and is temporarily stored in the buffer 24a. Among the captured images, the captured images for a predetermined time (for example, several tens of seconds) obtained before and after the time when the call is received from the outdoor unit 10 are recorded in the memory 24b of the recording unit 24.

  In this way, if the configuration is to record not only the captured image after receiving the call but also the captured image before receiving the call, it is not necessary to be able to confirm the visitors who are out of the office after the fact. Even if a person who has made a difficult call operation (such as confirmation of absence of a thief or mischief of a child) immediately leaves the place immediately after the call operation, the face and figure can be reliably captured. It is possible to obtain important evidence for the subsequent verification of the crime.

  That is, the first recording mode described above is a recording mode mainly intended for the post-confirmation of a visitor who is away, whereas the second recording mode actively uses the camera 11 as a security camera. It can be said that it is a recording mode. And in the intercom system of this embodiment, since the said 1st, 2nd recording mode can be switched arbitrarily, it becomes possible to implement | achieve the optimal recording operation | movement which a resident intends.

  Even in the second recording mode, the recording unit 24 of the indoor unit 20 records the sound obtained by the microphone 13 together with the captured image of the camera 11. By adopting such a configuration, it becomes possible to grasp in more detail the state of the front door before and after the unnecessary call operation as well as the state of the visitor during absence.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a one-to-one camera intercom system used in a detached house is described as an example, but the scope of application of the present invention is limited to this. For example, the present invention can be widely applied to one-to-many interphone systems with cameras used in apartment houses such as apartments.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the intercom system according to the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the intercom system of the present embodiment includes an outdoor unit 10 having a camera 11 (a configuration similar to the outdoor unit 10 in FIG. 1) and a plurality of indoor units 20 having a monitor 21 (see FIG. 2) and the outdoor unit 10 and the plurality of indoor units 20, and the outdoor unit 10 and a specific outdoor unit according to a calling operation in the outdoor unit 10. The indoor control device 30 that establishes a connection with the outdoor unit 10, and the indoor unit 20 records a photographed image of the camera 11 when a call is received from the outdoor unit 10. The recording unit 24 is configured to reproduce the captured image recorded in the recording unit 24 in response to a user request.

  By adopting such a configuration, not only a single-family house but also an apartment house such as an apartment can enjoy the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above.

  In the intercom system according to the present embodiment, the premises control device 30 is installed in an administrator room or the like, and displays a photographed image of the camera 11 when a call operation is performed on the outdoor unit 10. 31 and a centralized recording unit 32 that performs the recording.

  In this way, not only the indoor unit 20 provided in each door room, but also the indoor control device 30 that bundles them, if it is configured to monitor the images taken by the camera 10 in a centralized manner, the convenience and security of each door. It is possible not only to increase the security level but also to improve the crime prevention property of the entire campus.

  When applied to a one-to-many intercom system, the call operation unit 14 provided in the outdoor unit 10 includes, in addition to a call button, a numeric keypad for inputting a room number of a call destination, a clear key for clearing input contents, and the like. It is necessary to provide. Moreover, since the outdoor unit 10 is a facility shared by the plurality of indoor units 20, it is inappropriate to provide the mode switching operation unit 25 for each of the plurality of indoor units 20.

  The configuration of the present invention can be variously modified within the scope of the present invention in addition to the above embodiment.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is a technique useful for enhancing convenience and crime prevention of an interphone system with a camera used in a detached house or an apartment house such as a condominium.

These are figures which show 1st Embodiment of the intercom system which concerns on this invention. These are figures which show 2nd Embodiment of the intercom system based on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Outdoor unit 11 Camera 12 Speaker 13 Microphone 14 Calling operation part 15 Control part 16 Interface part 20 Indoor unit 21 Monitor 22 Speaker 23 Microphone 24 Recording part 24a Buffer 24b Memory 25 Mode switching operation part 26 Playback operation part 27 Control part 28 Interface 30 On-site controller 31 Monitor 32 Centralized recording unit

Claims (6)

  An intercom system comprising an outdoor unit equipped with a camera and an indoor unit equipped with a monitor, wherein the indoor unit displays a captured image of the camera when a call is received from the outdoor unit. An intercom system comprising a recording unit for recording, wherein a captured image recorded in the recording unit is reproduced on the monitor in accordance with a predetermined reproduction operation.   An outdoor unit equipped with a camera, a plurality of outdoor units equipped with a monitor, and the outdoor unit connected between the outdoor unit and the plurality of outdoor units. And a premises controller that establishes a connection with a specific outdoor unit, the one-to-many intercom system, wherein the indoor unit receives a call from the outdoor unit, An intercom system comprising a recording unit for recording a photographed image, wherein the photographed image recorded in the recording unit is reproduced on the monitor in accordance with a predetermined reproduction operation.   The intercom system according to claim 2, wherein the premises control device includes a centralized recording unit that records a captured image of the camera when a call operation is performed on the outdoor unit.   The camera is to constantly shoot the outdoor state, the recording unit sequentially buffer the captured images of the camera, and based on the time when the indoor unit received a call from the outdoor unit, The interphone system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the captured images for a predetermined time obtained before and after the recording are recorded.   5. The outdoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the outdoor unit includes a microphone, and the recording unit records sound obtained by the microphone together with a photographed image of the camera. An intercom system according to any one of the above.   When the indoor unit receives a call from the outdoor unit, it activates the camera to capture the state of the outdoor, and uses the camera to record the captured image in the recording unit. In addition to constantly taking pictures of outdoor scenes, images taken by the camera are sequentially buffered using the recording unit, and a predetermined time obtained before and after the time when the call is received from the outdoor unit. The intercom system according to claim 1, further comprising a recording mode switching operation unit that switches between a second recording mode for recording the captured image.

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