JP2009159347A - Intercom - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display function buttons of an intercom so that the function buttons does not overlap the image of an image display device and a usable function is specified. <P>SOLUTION: The size of a touch panel 62 of a monitor 46 with the touch panel is made larger than that of the image display device 60. At least part of a portion of the touch panel 62, which is a portion other than a portion superposed on the image display device 60 is illuminated from the back to display function buttons 64a, 64b, 64c and 64d. In accordance with the use state of the intercom, only a function button related to a function which can be used in the use state is displayed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an intercom that enables a call between a parent device and a child device installed at a distant place.

  An interphone is known in which a child device or a parent device is installed at a place away from a building such as a residence, for example, a front door or a gate and a house, and a call can be made between a visitor or the like and a resident. As an interphone for this purpose, there is known an interphone provided with a camera for photographing a visitor on a slave unit and an image display device for displaying an image photographed by the camera of the slave unit on the master unit. Further, there is an example in which a touch panel is placed on the image display device so that the image display device displays an image such as an operation button together with a visitor image, and functions as an input device for operating the interphone ( See Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2002-260135 A

  For example, when displaying an image taken with a camera and an image such as an operation button by the image display device, the image of the camera becomes smaller or a part of the image of the camera is an operation button. To hide. Also, when displaying text such as a message on the image display device, the length of the text is limited to be short or the size of the text is reduced. In addition, if the button is fixedly provided outside the image display device in order to display a large image of the camera, or to display a longer sentence or a character, the operation button is always visible. Give a cumbersome impression.

  The present invention provides an interphone in which an image display apparatus is effectively used to display an image in a large size while the operation buttons do not give a complicated impression.

  In the interphone according to the present invention, regarding the size of the image display device and the touch panel that are used in the base unit, the touch panel is set to a large size, and the touch panel is set in advance to the portion of the touch panel that does not overlap with the image display device. The function button for instructing to execute the function is configured. The function button can be displayed on the front surface of the touch panel by illuminating at least a part of the touch panel portion that does not overlap the liquid crystal display device with a light source from the back surface. The display of the function buttons is controlled according to the usage status of the intercom. Whether or not the function button is displayed for each use situation is determined in advance, and display / non-display is controlled according to this determination. This can be achieved by controlling the light source, for example by turning it on / off. The display control of the function buttons can be controlled by a button display control unit.

  The function buttons can be displayed only for functions that can be used in a certain usage situation.

  The usage situation can include a first situation where a call is made by a call button from a slave unit, and a second situation where a call is permitted by a call button on the master unit. The situation can be judged by the operation and the operation of the call button.

  The function buttons are a recording button for instructing recording of an image captured by the camera, a backlight correction button for correcting backlight of the image captured by the camera, a volume button for adjusting a volume during a call, and a voice on the base unit side. And a hold button for preventing the slave unit from being transmitted to the slave unit.

  In the first situation, the recording button and the backlight correction button are controlled to be displayed, and the volume button and the hold button are controlled to be hidden. In the second situation, the record button, the backlight correction button, the volume button and the hold button are controlled. Can be controlled to display.

  In another aspect related to the display of the function buttons, the function buttons related to the functions that can be used in the usage situation are displayed so as to be distinguishable from the case where the function buttons cannot be used. For example, the brightness or the color is changed to distinguish between the case where it can be used and the case where it cannot be used.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an intercom system 10 in an apartment house. The collective entrance cordless handset 12 is installed at the collective entrance which is a common entrance of the apartment house. The collective entrance child machine 12 is connected via a control panel 14 to a management room master unit 16 installed in the management room. The collective entrance child device 12 is connected to the dwelling unit parent device 20 via the control panel 14 and the dwelling device 18 installed at the entrance of each dwelling unit. Only one set of the dwelling unit 18 and the dwelling unit 20 is shown in the figure, but a similar set is provided in each dwelling unit.

  The collective entrance child machine 12 is called by a camera 22 for photographing a visitor, a microphone 24 for collecting sound, a speaker 26 for emitting sound from a management room or a master unit of a dwelling unit, a numeric keypad 28 for designating a dwelling unit to be called, and the like. A call button 30 is provided. The management room base unit 16 includes a handset 32, a numeric keypad 34 for designating a dwelling unit to be called, an operation button 36, and the like. The dwelling unit 18 is provided with a camera 38 that captures a visitor, a microphone 40 that collects sound, a speaker 42 that emits sound from a management room or a parent unit in the dwelling unit, and a call button 44 that makes a call. The dwelling unit 20 includes a monitor 46 with a touch panel that can display images taken by the cameras 22 and 38 of the collective entrance unit 12 or the dwelling unit 18 and can be used as an operation panel. Further, a speaker 48 that emits sound from the collective entrance child device 12, the dwelling child device 18 or the management room parent device 16, a call button 50 that permits a call with these child devices, a microphone 52 that collects sound, and a set An unlock button 54 for unlocking the entrance is provided.

  A visitor operates the ten key 28 and the call button 30 of the collective entrance child machine 12 at the collective entrance to call the dwelling unit master 20 at the visited place. On the side of the dwelling unit 20, the resident confirms the image of the visitor photographed by the camera 22 of the collective entrance slave unit and displayed on the monitor 46 with a touch panel, and operates the unlock button 54 to Unlock. At this time, the resident can also call the visitor by pressing the call button 50. The visitor enters the collective entrance and operates the call button 44 of the dwelling unit 18 provided at the entrance of each dwelling unit. Also in this case, a visitor image taken by the camera 38 of the dwelling unit is displayed on the monitor 46 with a touch panel. Further, a call can be made with the call button 50. The dwelling unit master 20 of the present embodiment has an additional function in addition to the basic function as the intercom. Operation of these functions is instructed by function buttons configured on the touch panel of the monitor 46 with a touch panel. The detailed structure of the dwelling unit 20 will be described below including this function button.

  2 is a front view of the dwelling base unit 20, FIG. 3 is a left side view, and FIG. 4 is a bottom view. Constituent elements that have already been described are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The shape of the dwelling unit master 20 is substantially rectangular when viewed from the front, and is “convex” when viewed from the side and the bottom. The narrow part 58 of the convex shape is a part embedded in the wall surface of the residence, and only the wide part 56 is exposed from the wall surface. With this convex shape, when embedding a part of the dwelling base unit 20, the hole provided in the wall surface can be made small, and the amount of protrusion from the wall surface can be suppressed, so that a clean appearance can be achieved.

  The monitor 46 with a touch panel is configured by overlapping an image display device 60 and a touch panel 62. As shown in FIG. 2, the size of the touch panel 62 is larger than the size of the image display device 60, and a portion 4 outside the image display device 60 of the touch panel 62 is operated for operating a preset function. The function buttons 64a, 64b, 64c, and 64d are configured. For the four function buttons, subscripts a to d are added when it is necessary to distinguish each of the function buttons, but when there is no need for distinction, the subscript is omitted and simply “64” is written. . Further, the number of function buttons 64 may be other than four. The image display device 60 is preferably a flat display device such as a liquid crystal display device, and a liquid crystal display device (LCD) is employed in this embodiment. The image display device 60 can display a setting screen for setting various functions of the intercom system 10, character information, and the like, in addition to an image taken by a camera such as a dwelling unit. The touch panel 62 can detect a position touched by a finger or the like on the panel using capacitance, resistance, or the like.

  A light source 70 (see FIGS. 5 and 7) such as a light emitting diode (LED) is disposed on the back surface of each function button 64 provided on a portion of the touch panel 62 that does not overlap the image display device 60. The light from the light source passes through a mask formed so as to raise a predetermined character or pattern, and the character or the like is displayed on the touch panel. The touch panel 62 is controlled to detect when a finger or the like touches the displayed position and a predetermined range around it, and serves as a button for instructing the operation of the function displayed at the position.

  The monitor 46 with a touch panel of the dwelling unit 20 according to the present embodiment further has a function of displaying information related to security, for example, information on fire occurrence, gas leakage, and the like. Similarly to the function button 64, the security related information display 66 is also arranged on a portion of the touch panel 62 outside the image display device 60. However, since these are merely displays and do not constitute buttons for operation, it is not essential to be provided in the touch panel 62 portion.

  5 and 6 are sectional views of the monitor 46 with a touch panel. 5 is a view showing a cross section in the vertical direction in FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 is a view showing a cross section in the horizontal direction. FIG. 7 is an exploded cross-sectional view of components constituting the monitor 46 with a touch panel. As described above, the monitor 46 with a touch panel is configured by overlapping the image display device 60 and the touch panel 62. The illustrated image display device 60 is a liquid crystal display device with a backlight, and is mounted on a substrate 68 on which circuit components, elements, and the like of a control device of the liquid crystal display device are mounted. The control device and the liquid crystal display device are arranged on the front and back of the substrate. A light source 70 is disposed on a portion of the surface of the substrate 68 on which the image display device 60 is disposed outside the image display device 60. This light source 70 is the above-described light source that displays the function button 64 and the security-related information display 66 on the surface of the monitor 46 with a touch panel.

  A diffusion sheet 72 is disposed between the image display device 60 and the touch panel 62. The size of the diffusion sheet 72 is larger than the size of the image display device 60, and the characters on the function buttons 64 and the security-related information display 66 described above are displayed on the portion outside the image display device 60 (the portion indicated by reference numeral 74 in FIG. 7). It is printed so that the symbol is displayed. For example, printing with high light-shielding properties such as black can be performed except for characters and symbol portions. The light from the light source 70 passes through the characters and symbols, and the characters and symbols are lifted on the surface of the monitor 46 with a touch panel. In addition to printing, there is a method in which a mask sheet from which characters and symbols are removed is overlapped with the diffusion sheet 72. In the present embodiment, an area of only the touch panel 62, that is, an area where the touch panel 62 does not overlap the image display apparatus 60 is provided so as to surround the entire periphery of the image display apparatus 60. It is sufficient if it is provided at the portion where the is disposed. Therefore, when the function button 64 is arranged on the lower side as in the present embodiment, the touch panel 62 can be configured to extend only on the lower side. The touch panel 62 is pressed by a cover 76 so that its peripheral portion is not detached from the dwelling unit master 20.

  As described above, the monitor 46 with a touch panel of the dwelling unit 20 of the present embodiment is larger in size than the image display device 60, and an area that includes only the touch panel 62 is provided around the image display device 60. . This region can be reduced in thickness by the absence of the image display device 60. Thereby, the thickness of the wide part 56 of the convex shape when viewed from the side surface or the bottom surface direction can be reduced, and the dimension protruding from the wall surface is suppressed.

  Four types of function buttons 64 are provided in the dwelling unit 20 of the present embodiment as described above. These four types of buttons are a recording button 64a, a backlight correction button 64b, a hold button 64c, and a volume button 64d. The recording button 64 a displayed as “Recording” is a button for instructing to record images taken by the cameras 22 and 38 of the collective entrance slave unit and the dwelling unit slave unit. When the recording button 64a is pressed, recording of an image shot by the camera 22 or the camera 38 and displayed on the image display device 60 is started. When a predetermined time elapses or when the recording button 64a is pressed again, the recording is stopped. The backlight correction button 64 b displayed as “backlight” is a button for instructing backlight correction for an image captured by the camera 22 or 38. If the background of the image taken with the camera is bright, the visitor's face may appear dark and may not be visible. For example, gamma correction is used so that the face of the visitor is displayed brightly. The backlight correction can be canceled by pressing the backlight correction button 64b again.

  The hold button 64c displayed as “hold” is used to instruct a function not to transmit this voice to the visitor side during a call with the visitor. By pressing the hold button 64c, this voice is not transmitted, and by pressing the button again, the hold state is released. The volume button 64d displayed as “Volume” is used to instruct the adjustment of the reproduction volume of the sound collected by the microphones 24 and 40 of the collective entrance unit or the dwelling unit on the speaker 48 of the dwelling unit. . For example, the volume level is switched every time the volume button 64d is pressed. Alternatively, three or more volume levels such as large, medium, and small may be set in advance, and repeated every time the volume button 64d is pressed, repeating in a large-medium-small-large-medium-small cycle.

  These function buttons 64 are displayed by the light source 70 arranged on the back side of the touch panel, and the light source 70 is controlled to be turned on / off so that only the function buttons 64 necessary in the situation are displayed. Can do. The touch panel 62 is also controlled so as to detect contact at the position of the function button 64 displayed and not to detect contact at the position of the function button 64 not displayed.

  The function set for each function button and the operation of the touch panel 62 are controlled by a control device mounted on the board 68. This control device may be mounted on another board, or may be installed at a place other than the dwelling unit master 20.

  The functions related to the above four types of function buttons 64 are used only when a call is made with the collective entrance child device 12 or the dwelling device 18. In other usage situations, for example, when a setting screen at the time of setting input is displayed on the image display device 60, or when security information is displayed on the image display device 60, these functions are not used. In such a use situation, the function button 64 is not displayed.

  When there is a call from the collective entrance handset 12 or the dwelling unit 18, the control device causes the image display device 60 to display an image of the camera 22 or the camera 38 of the called handset. At this stage, since the resident does not permit a call with the visitor, the functions related to the hold button 64c and the volume button 64d are unnecessary, and these function buttons 64 are controlled to be hidden. The recording button 64a and the backlight correction button 64b are displayed. The resident operates the recording button 64a and the backlight correction button 64b as necessary to instruct execution of the corresponding operation. In response to this operation, the control device executes a predetermined operation.

  If it is determined that a call with the visitor is necessary, the resident presses the call button 50. When the control device detects that the call button 50 is pressed, the control device enables a call between the collective entrance child device 12 or the dwelling device 18 and the dwelling unit parent device 20. Even in this situation, the recording function and the backlight correction function are effective, and the function buttons 64a and 64b related to these functions are maintained in the display. In a usage situation in which a call is made, a volume adjustment function and a hold function may be necessary, and function buttons related to these functions, that is, a hold button 64c and a volume button 64d are also displayed.

  Thus, only the function buttons related to the functions that can be used under the usage status are displayed according to the usage status of the intercom. Thereby, it is possible to clearly indicate to the user which function can be selected at that time. Further, the image captured by the camera and the function button 64 do not overlap, and the image is not hidden by the function button.

  In the intercom system 10 according to the present embodiment, the voice from the dwelling base unit 20 is generated from the dwelling unit 18 or the collective entrance unit 12 only when the call button 50 is pressed during a call with a visitor. It is possible to set a press talk method. On the other hand, when the above-described call button 50 is pressed once, a method that allows a two-way call after the button is released is called a hands-free method.

  In the case of the press talk method, the hold function is a function already achieved by releasing the call button 50, and the hold button 64c is not always displayed. Other function buttons are controlled in the same manner as the hands-free system.

  Furthermore, when making a call with the management room master unit 16, only the hold button 64c and the volume button 64d are displayed. In the intercom system 10 of the present embodiment, since the management room master unit 16 is not provided with a camera, the recording function and the backlight correction function are unnecessary, and the recording button 64a and the backlight correction button 64b related to these functions are not necessary. Is hidden. In a call with the management room base unit 16, information in characters sent from the management room may be displayed on the image display device 60.

  According to the interphone system 10 described above, function buttons related to functions that can be used in the usage situation are displayed according to usage conditions, and function buttons that can not be used are hidden so that usable functions can be used. It is clearly shown to the person. As a method for indicating the functions that can be used, in addition to the above-mentioned display / non-display, it is conceivable to change the luminance or change the color. The luminance can be realized by adjusting the power supplied to the light source. The color can be changed by providing a light source that emits a different color for one function button.

  Furthermore, although the intercom system 10 is for an apartment house, the dwelling unit 18 and the dwelling unit 20 can be used for a detached house. In this case, the dwelling unit 18 can be installed at the entrance or gate of the house, and the dwelling unit 20 can be installed at a predetermined location in the house.

It is a schematic block diagram of the intercom system for apartment houses. It is a front external view of a dwelling unit. It is a side external view of a dwelling unit master. It is a bottom view of the dwelling unit. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the monitor part with a touch panel of a dwelling unit main unit. It is a cross-sectional view of the monitor part with a touch panel of the dwelling unit. It is an exploded side view of a monitor with a touch panel.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Intercom system, 12 Collective entrance child machine, 16 Management room parent machine, 18 Dwelling child machine, 20 Dwelling machine parent machine, 46 Monitor with touch panel, 50 Call button, 60 Image display device, 62 Touch panel, 64 Function button, 70 Light source.

Claims (7)

An intercom that communicates between the main unit and the sub unit.
An image display device provided in the master unit;
A touch panel that is arranged on the image display device and is larger than the screen size of the image display device;
A function button for instructing execution of a function set in advance on the intercom, and a touch panel surface by a light source that illuminates at least a part of the touch panel other than a part overlapping the image display device from a back surface Function buttons displayed on the
A button display control unit for controlling the display or non-display of the function buttons predetermined for each use situation according to the use situation of the interphone;
Having an intercom.   The intercom according to claim 1, wherein the button display control unit controls, for each use situation, only function buttons relating to functions that can be used in the use situation to display. The interphone according to claim 2, wherein
The cordless handset has a camera for shooting visitors and a call button for calling.
The master unit has a call button that allows calls with the slave units,
The usage situation includes a first situation where a call is made by a call button from a slave unit, and a second situation where a call is permitted by a call button in the master unit,
The function buttons include a recording button for instructing recording of an image captured by the camera, a backlight correction button for correcting backlight of the image captured by the camera, a volume button for adjusting a volume during a call, and a master side Including a hold button that prevents the voice from being transmitted to the handset,
The button display control unit determines the usage status from the operation of the call button and the call button. In the first status, the recording button and the backlight correction button are displayed, and the volume button and the hold button are hidden. Control, in the second situation, control the recording button, backlight correction button, volume button and hold button to display,
intercom. An intercom that communicates between the main unit and the sub unit.
An image display device provided in the master unit;
A touch panel that is arranged on the image display device and is larger than the screen size of the image display device;
A function button for instructing execution of a function set in advance on the intercom, and a touch panel surface by a light source that illuminates at least a part of the touch panel other than a part overlapping the image display device from a back surface Function buttons displayed on the
A button display control unit that controls display so that a function button related to a function that can be used in the usage situation can be distinguished from a case where the intercom cannot be used, depending on the usage situation of the interphone,
Having an intercom. The intercom according to claim 4, wherein
The cordless handset has a camera for shooting visitors and a call button for calling.
The master unit has a call button that allows calls with the slave units,
The usage situation includes a first situation where a call is made by a call button from a slave unit, and a second situation where a call is permitted by a call button in the master unit,
The function buttons include a recording button for instructing recording of an image captured by the camera, a backlight correction button for correcting backlight of the image captured by the camera, a volume button for adjusting a volume during a call, and a master side Including a hold button that prevents the voice from being transmitted to the handset,
The button display control unit determines a use situation from an operation of the call button and the call button, and performs control so that a recording button and a backlight correction button can be used in the first situation, and a volume button, Control that makes it impossible to use the hold button, and in the second situation, control to make it possible to use the recording button, backlight correction button, volume button and hold button,
intercom. An interphone master unit that makes calls with slave units,
An image display device capable of displaying an image taken by a camera provided in the slave unit;
A touch panel that is arranged on the image display device and is larger than the screen size of the image display device;
A function button for instructing execution of a function set in advance on the intercom, and a touch panel surface by a light source that illuminates at least a part of the touch panel other than a part overlapping the image display device from a back surface Function buttons displayed on the
A button display control unit for controlling the display or non-display of the function buttons predetermined for each use situation according to the use situation of the interphone;
Interphone master unit. An interphone master unit that makes calls with slave units,
An image display device capable of displaying an image taken by a camera provided in the slave unit;
A touch panel that is arranged on the image display device and is larger than the screen size of the image display device;
A function button for instructing execution of a function set in advance on the intercom, and a touch panel surface by a light source that illuminates at least a part of the touch panel other than a part overlapping the image display device from a back surface Function buttons displayed on the
A button display control unit that controls display so that a function button related to a function that can be used in the usage situation can be distinguished from a case where the intercom cannot be used, depending on the usage situation of the interphone,
Interphone master unit.

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