JP2013179515A - Interphone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an interphone system capable of detecting a brightness of a surrounding environment of a visitor or a house entrance in real time, and precisely adjusting the brightness in response to the detection result, thereby enhancing visibility of an output video and giving no discomfort to the visitor.SOLUTION: Depending on a difference between light-on and light-out states of an infrared illuminating lamp 120 to be lit for a prescribed time when calling from an entrance slave unit to a room master unit 2, a contour detection part 104 detects first and second contour information held by a video signal generated by a video imaging part 101. According to a comparison result between a degree of approximation calculated by a comparison part 105 on the basis of the contour information, and a preset threshold value corresponding to the degree of approximation that enables identifying a photogenic subject or a visitor, any of the following controls is repeatedly conducted until the degree of approximation agrees with the threshold value: an AE control for the video imaging part conducted by a video image control part 106; a frame rate control; and a while light control for gradually adjusting the brightness level of a white illuminating lamp 121.

Description

  The present invention relates to an interphone device that displays an image of a subject imaged by a video image pickup unit of an entrance cordless handset on a display unit of a living room base unit, and in particular, accurately displays the brightness of the subject to display an output image. The present invention relates to an intercom device with improved visibility.

  Conventionally, this type of intercom device is an AE (automatic exposure) control as a control for ensuring the brightness of the subject imaged by the video image pickup unit of the front door unit at low illumination such as at night. And a technique for performing frame rate control (for example, see Patent Document 1) or a technique for performing lighting control of white illumination light (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 2009-65381 A JP-A-11-126258

  However, when applying the control technology described in the background art, for example, whether the brightness of the surrounding environment of the dwelling entrance is greater than a preset threshold, where the visitor and the entrance cordless handset that are the subject are installed, Or if it is less than that, and if the AE control or the frame rate control is not sufficient, or the lighting of white illumination light is controlled even though the brightness is sufficiently secured. Visitors may feel uncomfortable and feel uncomfortable.

  The present invention has been made to solve this problem, and based on the contour information of the subject constituting the video signal generated by the video imaging unit of the entrance cordless handset, the surrounding environment of the visitor and the dwelling entrance Intercom that detects the lower brightness in real time and adjusts the brightness accurately based on the detection result, thereby improving the visibility of the output video and not causing discomfort to visitors The object is to provide a device.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the intercom apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is a slave unit operation unit installed at the entrance of a dwelling unit for a visitor to call a resident. And an entrance cordless handset having a handset calling section for transmitting and receiving voice signals for a visitor to establish a call with a resident, and a call from a visitor installed in the dwelling unit The resident responds to the main unit operation unit, the display unit for displaying the video signal generated by the video image capturing unit of the entrance unit, and the resident establish a call with the visitor A living room base unit having a base unit call unit for transmitting and receiving the voice signal. The entrance cordless handset includes an infrared illumination lamp that is turned on for a predetermined time when called by a visitor, and first contour information included in a video signal that is generated by the video imaging unit when the infrared illumination lamp is turned on, A contour detection unit for detecting second contour information included in the video signal generated by the video imaging unit after the illuminating infrared light lamp is switched to the off state, and detected by the contour detection unit. The first and second contour information are compared, a comparison unit for calculating the degree of approximation, and the degree of approximation calculated by the comparison unit and the degree of approximation that can discriminate the visitor are set in advance. And a video imaging control unit for performing any control selected from AE control, frame rate control, and white illumination control on the video imaging unit based on the comparison result with the threshold value. The video imaging control unit of the entrance unit repeats the control to the video imaging unit until the degree of approximation matches the threshold value.

  According to the intercom apparatus of this aspect, when the video image capturing unit of the entrance cordless handset captures the image of the visitor and generates the video signal, the infrared illumination lamp is in a lit state or a non-lit state The degree of approximation of the different contour information corresponding to the difference between and the threshold value set in advance corresponding to the degree of approximation that can discriminate the visitor is compared in real time. Until matching, any control selected from the AE control, the frame rate control, and the white illumination control can be repeatedly performed on the video imaging unit. As a result, the brightness of the subject can be accurately adjusted in real time, and the visibility of the output image can be improved.

  Moreover, the intercom apparatus which is the 2nd aspect of this invention is lighted in the 1st aspect of this invention in order to ensure the brightness of the surrounding environment of a visitor and a dwelling unit entrance to an entrance cordless handset. A white light lamp is provided. The video imaging control unit of the entrance unit is a white light illuminating lamp based on a comparison result between the approximation calculated by the comparison unit and a threshold set in advance corresponding to the approximation that allows the visitor to be identified. White illumination control, and the white illumination control is repeated until the degree of approximation matches the threshold value.

  According to the interphone device of this aspect, when the brightness of the subject is accurately adjusted in real time, the brightness of the surrounding environment of the visitor or the entrance of the dwelling unit is ensured by controlling the white light illumination light white. Can do.

  The intercom apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention is the interphone apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the video imaging control unit of the entrance unit gradually adjusts the brightness level of the white light illumination lamp as white illumination control. It is.

  According to the interphone device of this aspect, as white illumination control to the white light illumination lamp that is turned on in order to accurately adjust the brightness of the subject in real time, the brightness level, the visitor feels dazzling, etc. Adjustments can be made so as not to cause discomfort.

  According to the intercom apparatus of the present invention, not only the brightness of the surrounding environment of the visitor who is the subject or the dwelling unit entrance is detected in real time and the operation of detecting the brightness is improved, but also the video imaging unit By performing any one of control selected from AE control, frame rate control, and white illumination control, an error that causes the white light illumination lamp to turn on even though the brightness is sufficiently secured Since the operation is not performed, there is no discomfort such as a dazzling visitor.

FIG. 1 is a system explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of an intercom apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of the intercom apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D respectively show the first and second contour information detected by the contour detecting unit of the entrance unit in the intercom apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the said information example.

  Embodiments to which the intercom apparatus of the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of an intercom apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The intercom device is connected to the entrance cordless handset 1 via the cordless handset / main phone line L installed inside the dwelling unit and the entrance cordless handset 1 installed outside the dwelling unit (outdoor), for example, at the entrance of the dwelling unit. It is composed of the living room base unit 2.

  The entrance child device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a child device operation unit 100, a video imaging unit 101, an illumination unit 102, and a child device call unit 103. In this entrance cordless handset 1, the handset operating unit 100 is operated by a visitor at the entrance of the dwelling unit in order to call a resident in the room in the dwelling unit, and is configured by a call button, for example. . The video imaging unit 101 is for generating a video signal by imaging a video of a visitor who has performed a call operation (including video in the surrounding environment of a dwelling entrance), which is a subject, It consists of various cameras such as CCD and CMOS. In addition, the illumination unit 102 ensures the brightness of the ambient light of the visitor or the dwelling unit entrance that is the subject and the infrared light lamp 120 that is lit for a predetermined time, for example, 1 second, when the call is made by the visitor. The white light illumination lamp 121 is turned on and emits white light of visible light. Furthermore, the handset communication unit 103 transmits / receives a voice (sending voice, receiving voice) signal for a visitor to establish a call with a resident, and is configured by a microphone and a speaker, for example. ing.

  In addition, the living room base unit 2 shown in the figure includes a base unit operation unit 200, a display unit 201, and a base unit call unit 202. In this room master unit 2, the master unit operation unit 200 responds to a call from a visitor and a response operation for starting a call by using the base unit call unit 202 or an end call for terminating the call. For example, the operation is performed by a call button or a touch panel provided on the screen of the display unit 201. The display unit 201 is for outputting a video signal generated by the video imaging unit 101 of the front door 1. For example, the display unit 201 is used for various display / output media such as an LCD and an organic EL display. In general, the display unit 201 also has a call notification function for notifying a call by a visitor. Furthermore, the base phone call unit 202 transmits and receives voice (sending voice and receiving voice) signals for a resident to establish a call with a visitor, and is configured by a microphone and a speaker, for example. ing. In addition, the speaker which comprises the main | base station call part 202 has also the call alerting | reporting function for alert | reporting the call by a visitor normally.

  Next, specific configurations of the entrance slave unit 1 and the living room master unit 2 connected via the slave unit / master unit line L will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

  2 includes the above-described slave unit operation unit 100, video imaging unit 101, illumination unit 102 (infrared light lamp 120, white light lamp 121), slave unit call unit 103, and contour detection unit. 104, a comparison unit 105, a video imaging control unit 106, a slave unit video processing unit 107, a slave unit audio processing unit 108, a slave unit CPU 109, a slave unit power supply unit 110, and a slave unit I / F (interface) 111. Yes.

  In this entrance cordless handset 1, the contour detection unit 104 uses the contour information of a visitor included in the video signal generated by the video imaging unit 101 when the infrared illumination lamp 120 configuring the illumination unit 102 is in a lighting state. For example, the first contour information represented by a monochrome line drawing having color shading and the video signal generated by the video imaging unit 101 after the lit infrared light lamp 120 is switched to the extinguished state. This is for detecting the contour information of the visitor having, for example, second contour information represented by a monochrome line drawing having color shades.

  The comparison unit 105 compares the first and second contour information detected by the contour detection unit 104, for example, compares the number of pixels (the number of black pixels) constituting the contour information, The comparison is performed, and the degree of approximation is calculated by obtaining an exclusive OR for the comparison result.

  The video imaging control unit 106 uses the video imaging unit 101 based on a comparison result between the approximation calculated by the comparison unit 105 and a threshold set in advance corresponding to the approximation that allows the visitor to be identified. This is for performing any control selected from AE control, frame rate control, and white illumination control for the white light illuminating lamp 121 constituting the illumination unit 120.

  The slave unit video processing unit 107 performs predetermined signal processing on the video signal generated by the video imaging unit 101 and transmitted for each frame via the contour detection unit 104, for example, FM modulation or signal amplification. Is to do. The slave unit voice processing unit 108 performs predetermined signal processing on the voice signal transmitted / received by the slave unit call unit 103, for example, FM modulation / demodulation and signal amplification.

  The slave CPU 109 is for controlling each component of the entrance slave. The slave unit power supply unit 110 is generated by the slave unit power supply unit 206 of the room master unit 2 and transmitted via the slave unit / master unit line L. To supply power to each component of the entrance cordless handset.

  The slave unit I / F 111 includes a signal transmission path from the slave unit video processing unit 107 to the slave unit / base unit line L, and a signal transmission path between the slave unit audio processing unit 108 and the slave unit / base unit line L (call Path), a signal transmission path between the slave unit CPU 109 and the slave unit / master unit line L, and a power supply path from the slave unit / master unit line L to the slave unit power supply unit 110, respectively. is there.

  Further, the living room master unit 2 shown in the figure includes the above-described master unit operation unit 200, display unit 201, master unit call unit 202, master unit video processing unit 203, master unit voice processing unit 204, and master unit power supply unit. 205, a slave unit power supply unit 206, a master unit CPU 207, and a master unit I / F 208 are provided.

  In the living room master unit 2, the master unit video processing unit 203 performs predetermined signal processing on the video signal transmitted from the entrance slave unit 1 for each frame via the slave unit / master unit line L. For example, This is for FM demodulation and signal amplification. The base unit voice processing unit 204 performs predetermined signal processing on the voice signal transmitted and received by the base unit call unit 202, for example, FM modulation / demodulation and signal amplification.

  Based on a DC power source obtained by rectifying and smoothing a commercial power source (not shown), the base unit power source unit 205 generates a standby power source or an operating power source for a base unit having a different voltage level to configure the room base unit. It is for supplying power to each part. The slave unit power supply unit 206 is for generating a standby power source or an operating power source for a slave unit having a different voltage level based on the DC power source obtained by the master unit power source unit 205.

  The base unit CPU 207 is for controlling each part of the room base unit. The base unit I / F 208 includes a signal transmission path from the handset / base unit line L to the base unit video processing unit 203 and a signal transmission path between the base unit audio processing unit 204 and the handset / base unit line L. (Communication path), a power supply path from the slave unit power supply unit 206 to the slave unit / master unit line L, and a signal transmission path between the master unit CPU 207 and the slave unit / master unit line L, respectively. belongs to.

  In the intercom apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, a specific operation will be described below.

  When the intercom apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is in a standby state, that is, there is no call from a visitor due to use of the slave unit operation unit 100 of the entrance cordless handset 1, and a call (audio signal) with a resident Is not established, the master unit power supply unit 205 of the living room master unit 2 generates a standby power source for the master unit and supplies power to each component of the living room master unit. Further, the slave unit power supply unit 206 generates a standby power source for the slave unit based on the power supply from the master unit power source unit 205, and the master unit I / F 208, the slave unit / parent unit line L, the entrance child By sending the data to the child device power supply unit 110 via the child device I / F 111 of the device 1, power is supplied from the child device power supply unit 110 to each component of the entrance child device.

  Next, when a visitor calls a resident in the standby state as described above, if a predetermined call operation is performed using the slave unit operation unit 100 of the entrance slave unit 1, the child that has detected this operation is detected. The machine CPU 109 generates a calling signal. The call signal generated by the slave CPU 109 is transmitted to the master CPU 207 via the slave I / F 111, the slave / master line L, and the master I / F 208 of the living room master 2.

  The master CPU 207 of the living room master 2 detects that there is a call by a visitor based on the call signal transmitted from the entrance slave 1 via the slave / master line L, and notifies that The call notification can be performed using, for example, output of a ringing tone or a voice message from a speaker constituting the base unit calling unit 202 and display of a character message or picture data on the display unit 201. The base unit CPU 207 controls the base unit power source unit 205 to generate an operating power source for the base unit having a voltage level higher than the standby power source described above and supply power to each component of the room base unit. The slave unit power supply unit 206 is controlled to similarly generate an operating power source for the slave unit having a higher voltage level than the standby power source, and the master unit I / F 208, the slave unit / master unit line L, and the entrance slave unit When the slave unit power supply unit 110 sends it to the slave unit power supply unit 110 via the single slave unit I / F 111, operation power for the slave unit is supplied to each component of the entrance slave unit. Become. Furthermore, the base unit CPU 207 controls the display unit 201 to a state where it can output an image, and starts the operation of the base unit video processing unit 203.

  Further, when the operation power supply for the slave unit as described above is supplied, the video imaging unit 101, the contour detection unit 104, the comparison unit 105, and the video imaging control unit 106 are controlled by the slave CPU 109 of the entrance slave unit 1. In addition, each operation of the image processing unit 107 and the child device image processing is started, and imaging of a visitor's image (including an image of the surrounding environment of the dwelling unit entrance) is started. The light illumination lamp 120 is lit for a predetermined time, for example, for 1 second. When the call is made by a visitor as described above, and the infrared light lamp 120 is in a lit state, the white light illuminator lamp 121 is held off, so that the visitor feels dazzled. Etc., no discomfort.

  Here, the contour detecting unit 104 of the entrance cordless handset 1 is contour information included in the video signal generated by the video image capturing unit 101 during a predetermined time when the infrared illumination lamp 120 is in a lighting state. For example, FIG. As shown in the explanatory diagram of A), the first contour information having a clear contour of the visitor represented by the monochrome line drawing is detected and sent to the comparison unit 105.

  Thereafter, the contour detection unit 104 of the entrance cordless handset 1 has the contour information included in the video signal generated by the video imaging unit 101 after the infrared light 120 is shifted from the on state to the off state (timing). For example, as shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. 3B, even when the infrared illumination lamp 120 is in the extinguished state, it is represented by a black and white line drawing when the brightness in the surrounding environment of the dwelling entrance is sufficient. As shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. 3C, the second contour information that makes the contour of the visitor clear, the brightness in the surrounding environment of the dwelling entrance is sufficient with the infrared light 120 turned off. Even if there is a second contour information that is blurred and unclear, the contour of the visitor represented by a black and white line drawing, or the brightness under the surrounding environment of the dwelling entrance, as shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. The second is not enough to see the visitor's image itself Detecting the contour information, and sends the comparison unit 105.

  The comparison unit 105 of the entrance child device 1 compares the first and second contour information detected by the contour detection unit 104 and calculates the degree of approximation. Here, as the first comparison operation in the comparison unit 105 of the front door 1, the infrared lighting lamp 120 is turned on / off as shown in the comparison of the contour information shown in FIGS. Regardless of the difference, when the outline of the visitor represented by the black and white line drawing is clear, for example, the degree of approximation that is very similar (hereinafter referred to as the first degree of approximation information) is calculated. And sent to the video imaging control unit 106.

  In addition, according to the comparison unit 105 of the front door 1, as the second comparison operation, as shown in the comparison of the contour information shown in FIGS. When the outline of a visitor represented by a black and white line drawing before and after the light-off state is shifted from clear to unclear, for example, the degree of approximation (hereinafter referred to as the second degree of approximation) lower than the first degree of approximation information described above, for example. Is calculated and sent to the video imaging control unit 106.

  Furthermore, according to the comparison unit 105 of the entrance terminal 1, as a third comparison operation, as shown in the comparison of the contour information shown in FIGS. In the case where it is more difficult to discriminate more clearly than in the second comparison operation described above so that the outline of the visitor represented by the black and white line drawing is completely hidden before and after the light-off state, The degree of approximation lower than the second degree of approximation information (hereinafter, referred to as third degree of approximation information) is calculated and sent to the video imaging control unit 106.

  Next, according to the video imaging control unit that has received the first approximation information as described above as the first control operation for the video imaging control unit 106 of the front door 1, the first approximation degree is as follows. The information is compared with a threshold value set in advance corresponding to the degree of approximation that can discriminate the visitor who is the subject. Here, as a comparison result, it is determined that the first approximation information is within the threshold range, and the video imaging control unit 106 that detects this is executed from the start of video signal generation as described above. By holding either AE control or frame rate control, which is the control of the image, the brightness of the image is sufficiently ensured, and the video of the visitor with a clear outline and high visibility is displayed on the video imaging unit 101. To be imaged. The video signal generated by the video imaging unit 101 includes a contour detection unit 104, a slave unit video processing unit 107, a slave unit I / F 111, a slave unit / master unit line L, and a master unit I / F 208 of the living room master unit 2. The image is transmitted to the display unit 201 via the master image processing unit 203.

  Therefore, according to the resident, it is necessary to confirm the video of the visitor whose brightness is sufficiently secured, the outline is clear, and the visibility is high based on the output video of the display unit 201 of the living room base unit 2. Can do. At this time, since the white light illuminating lamp 121 constituting the illumination unit 102 of the entrance cordless handset 1 is held in an extinguished state, the visitor does not feel uncomfortable such as feeling dazzled.

  Next, according to the video imaging control unit that has received the second approximation information as described above, as the second control operation for the video imaging control unit 106 of the front door 1, the second approximation degree The information is compared with a threshold value set in advance corresponding to the degree of approximation that can discriminate the visitor who is the subject. Here, as a comparison result, it is determined that the second approximation information does not exist within the threshold range but is a close value, and the video imaging control unit 106 that has detected the second approximation information controls the video imaging unit 101. As described above, any control selected from the AE control and the frame rate control is performed in a mode different from the case where the first approximation information is received.

  Here, the contour detecting unit 104 of the entrance cordless handset 1 is generated by the video image capturing unit 101 that has been subjected to any control selected from the AE control and the frame rate control related to the second control operation as described above. The second contour information included in the video signal is sent to the comparison unit 105. According to the comparison unit 105, the received second contour information and the first contour in which the contour of the visitor represented by the black-and-white line drawing is clear as shown in FIG. The comparison with the contour information is performed again, and the degree-of-comparison information as a comparison result is represented by a monochrome line drawing as in the comparison of the contour information shown in FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B). Until the first approximation information that the contour of the image is clear and very similar is calculated, that is, until the second approximation information matches the threshold value. The control to the imaging unit 101 is performed repeatedly by any one of the control selected from the AE control and the frame rate control related to the second control operation as described above.

  According to the control up to this point, the video imaging control unit 106 of the entrance cordless handset 1 has a sufficiently bright brightness as the video captured by the video imaging unit 101, and has a clear outline and high visibility. A person's video can be taken. The video signal generated by the video imaging unit 101 includes a contour detection unit 104, a slave unit video processing unit 107, a slave unit I / F 111, a slave unit / master unit line L, and a master unit I / F 208 of the living room master unit 2. The image is transmitted to the display unit 201 via the master image processing unit 203.

  Therefore, according to the resident, it is necessary to confirm the video of the visitor whose brightness is sufficiently secured, the outline is clear, and the visibility is high based on the output video of the display unit 201 of the living room base unit 2. Can do. At this time, the white light illuminating lamp 121 constituting the illuminating unit 102 of the entrance cordless handset 1 is held in the off state as in the first control operation described above, so that the visitor feels dazzled, etc. There is no discomfort.

  Next, according to the video imaging control unit that has received the third approximation information as described above, as the third control operation for the video imaging control unit 106 of the front door 1, the third approximation degree The information is compared with a threshold value set in advance corresponding to the degree of approximation that can discriminate the visitor who is the subject. Here, as a comparison result, it is determined that the third degree-of-approximation information does not exist in the threshold value range and is larger than this range, and the video imaging control unit 103 that has detected this is detected by the illumination unit 102. The white light control to the white light illuminating lamp 120 that constitutes the white light lamp 120 is started. Specifically, for example, a preset brightness level such as “weak / medium / strong” is set to “weak” with the passage of time → Gradually adjust in the order of “Medium” → “Strong”.

  Here, the contour detection unit 104 of the entrance cordless handset 1 has a second video signal generated by the video imaging unit 101 when the white light illumination lamp 120 whose brightness level is gradually adjusted as described above is turned on. The contour information is sent to the comparison unit 105. According to the comparison unit 105, the received second contour information and the first contour in which the contour of the visitor represented by the black-and-white line drawing is clear as shown in FIG. Comparison with the information is performed again, and the degree of approximation information as a comparison result is obtained by comparing the contour information shown in FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B) as described above. Until the first approximation information that the contour is clear and very similar is calculated, that is, until the second approximation information coincides with the threshold value, white light irradiation by the video imaging control unit 106 is performed. By repeating white light control on the bright light 120, the brightness level can be gradually adjusted in the order of “weak” → “medium” → “strong”.

  According to the control up to this point, the video imaging control unit 106 of the entrance cordless handset 1 has a sufficiently bright brightness as the video captured by the video imaging unit 101, and has a clear outline and high visibility. A person's video can be taken. The video signal generated by the video imaging unit 101 includes a contour detection unit 104, a slave unit video processing unit 107, a slave unit I / F 111, a slave unit / master unit line L, and a master unit I / F 208 of the living room master unit 2. The image is transmitted to the display unit 201 via the master image processing unit 203.

  Therefore, according to the resident, it is necessary to confirm the video of the visitor whose brightness is sufficiently secured, the outline is clear, and the visibility is high based on the output video of the display unit 201 of the living room base unit 2. Can do. At this time, the brightness level of the white light illuminating lamp 121 constituting the illumination unit 102 of the entrance cordless handset 1 is gradually adjusted in the order of “weak” → “medium” → “strong”. In addition, the user does not feel unnecessary glare or the like, and does not give unpleasant feeling to the visitor.

  According to residents, it is possible to discriminate visitors based on the images of visitors with sufficient brightness, clear outlines and high visibility. When a predetermined response operation is performed using the master unit operation unit 200 of the living room master unit 2 in response to the call from the master unit 2, the control is performed by the master unit CPU 207 that detects the operation and the slave unit CPU 109 of the entrance slave unit 1 From the microphone constituting the parent device call unit 202 used by the resident, the parent device voice processing unit 204, the parent device I / F 208, the child device / parent device line L, the child device I / F 111, and the child device voice processing unit 108 A signal transmission path (speech path) to a speaker constituting the handset communication unit 103 used by the visitor via the mobile phone and a handset voice processing from the microphone constituting the handset call unit 103 used by the visitor Part 108, handset I / 111, a signal transmission path (speech path) to a speaker constituting the base unit call unit 202 used by a resident via the base unit / base unit line L, base unit I / F 208, base unit voice processing unit 207 Are formed, and a call is established by transmitting and receiving audio signals.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the intercom apparatus of the present invention, the infrared illumination lamp 120 that is turned on for a predetermined time when the entrance terminal 1 calls the room master 2 is turned on / off. Corresponding to the difference, the contour detection unit 104 detects the first and second contour information included in the video signal generated by the video imaging unit 101, and the comparison unit 105 calculates based on the contour information. The AE control to the video imaging unit 101 by the video imaging control unit 106 and the frame rate based on the comparison result between the approximated level and the threshold value set in advance corresponding to the approximation level capable of determining the visitor who is the subject Of the control and white illumination control for gradually adjusting the brightness level of the white light illuminating lamp 121, any control can be repeatedly performed until the degree of approximation matches the threshold value.

  As a result, the brightness in the surrounding environment of the visitor who is the subject or the dwelling unit entrance is detected in real time, and the reliability of the operation for detecting the brightness is improved, and AE control is performed on the video imaging unit 101. By performing any control selected from the frame rate control and the white illumination control, an erroneous operation is performed such that the white light illumination lamp 121 is lit even though the brightness is sufficiently secured. Because it is not, the visitor feels dazzling and does not cause discomfort.

  Finally, the intercom apparatus of the present invention has been described with a specific embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the apparatus has any configuration known so far as long as the effect of the present invention is achieved. However, it goes without saying that it can be adopted. For example, according to the embodiment of the present invention, in order to control the infrared illumination lamp 120 and the white light illumination lamp 121 that constitute the illumination unit 102 by the video imaging control unit 106, the interior of the entrance slave unit 1 is provided. It is not limited to this configuration mode, and may be provided separately from the entrance cordless handset 1 as long as it is controlled by the video imaging control unit 106.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Entrance cordless handset 100 …… Slave unit operation part 101 …… Video imaging part 103 …… Slave unit call part 104 …… Contour detection part 105 …… Comparison part 106 …… Video imaging control part 120 …… Infrared light illumination Bright light 121 …… White light illumination lamp 2 …… Home unit 200 …… Base unit operation unit 201 …… Display unit 202 …… Base unit call unit

Claims (3)

A handset operating unit (100) installed at the entrance of a dwelling unit for a visitor to call a resident, a video imaging unit (101) for capturing a video of the visitor and generating a video signal, and the visitor An entrance cordless handset (1) having a handset call unit (103) for transmitting and receiving a voice signal for establishing a call with a resident, and the resident receiving a call from the visitor installed in a dwelling unit A master unit operation unit (200) for responding, a display unit (201) for outputting a video signal generated by the video imaging unit of the entrance slave unit, and the resident between the visitor An intercom apparatus comprising a master unit (2) having a master unit call unit (202) for transmitting and receiving a voice signal for establishing a call at
The entrance cordless handset has an infrared light (120) that is turned on for a predetermined time when called by the visitor, and a video signal that is generated by the video imaging unit when the infrared light is on. Contour detection for respectively detecting first contour information having, and second contour information having a video signal generated by the video imaging unit after the illuminating infrared light lamp is switched to the extinguished state Part (104) is compared with the first and second contour information detected by the contour detection unit, and the comparison unit (105) for calculating the degree of approximation is calculated by the comparison unit. Based on the result of comparison between the degree of approximation and a threshold value set in advance corresponding to the degree of approximation that allows the visitor to be distinguished, the video imaging unit is controlled from AE control, frame rate control, and white illumination control. To perform any of the selected controls Comprising image pickup control unit (106),
The intercom apparatus, wherein the video imaging control unit of the entrance unit repeats control of the video imaging unit until the degree of approximation matches the threshold value. The entrance cordless handset includes a white light illuminating lamp (121) that is turned on in order to ensure brightness in the surrounding environment of the visitor or the dwelling unit entrance,
The video imaging control unit of the entrance cordless handset is based on a comparison result between a degree of approximation calculated by the comparison unit and a threshold set in advance corresponding to the degree of approximation capable of distinguishing the visitor. 2. The intercom apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the white light control is performed on the white light illumination lamp and the white illumination control is repeated until the degree of approximation matches the threshold value.   The intercom apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the video imaging control unit of the entrance unit gradually adjusts a brightness level of the white light illumination lamp as the white illumination control.

Images