JP2020136917A - Calling device, mobile terminal, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

To achieve stable communication in an intercom system.SOLUTION: In a calling device 11, a control unit 25 can selectively perform two communications using a telephone line 101 or a LAN 103. Therefore, in the calling device 11, for example, if a trouble occurs on any one of the telephone line 101 and the LAN 103, the control unit 25 can use the other. This makes it possible to prevent communication from becoming unavailable. Accordingly, a resident of a building 1 can well learn a visit of a visitor and respond to the visitor via the calling device 11 and a mobile terminal 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to calling devices, mobile terminals and computer programs.

A system has been developed for a building visitor and a resident to have a conversation via a calling device for an intercom attached to the entrance or a gate pillar of a building and a mobile terminal connected to the calling device. In this system, a wired LAN or a wireless LAN constructed in a building is generally used for communication between the calling device and the mobile terminal (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2017-184010

However, communication via LAN may become unstable due to radio wave interference or disconnection.

The calling device (the present calling device) according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a call button, a first communication unit for communicating with an external device via a telephone line, and a second communication device for communicating with the external device via a LAN. It has a communication unit and a control unit that selects whether to use the first communication unit or the second communication unit for communication with the external device.

This calling device is installed in the building and is used by the visitor to inform the building manager of his / her visit. Buildings are, for example, detached houses and apartments, and building managers are, for example, residents of buildings. This calling device is installed, for example, on the gate pillar or the side of the entrance of a detached house, the collective entrance of an apartment house, or the side of the entrance of each house. The visitor can use the call button to announce the visit.

The call button outputs a call signal when, for example, the visitor is touched. The calling device is configured to communicate with an external device, for example, transmitting a calling signal of a calling button to the external device. The external device is owned or managed by the building manager, for example. The building manager can know that the call button has been operated (for example, the call signal has been received) through this external device. Then, for this communication, the calling device includes a first communication unit and a second communication unit.

The first communication unit enables the calling device and the external device to communicate with each other via a telephone line. Telephone lines include, for example, 4G lines, 5G lines, LTE lines and public telephone lines.

The second communication unit enables the calling device and the external device to communicate with each other via a LAN (Local Area Network). The LAN is a network constructed in the building where the calling device is installed, and includes at least one of a wireless LAN and a wired LAN.

The control unit selects whether to use the first communication unit or the second communication unit for communication between the calling device and the external device. As described above, in this calling device, it is possible to selectively carry out two types of communication via a telephone line or a LAN. Therefore, the control unit can use, for example, when one of the telephone line and the LAN has a problem, the other can be used. As a result, communication failure can be suppressed.

The control unit may select whether to use a telephone line or a LAN based on a preset standard. For example, the control unit may be set to preferentially select communication by the second communication unit via the LAN. In this configuration, when it is difficult to use the LAN for some reason, communication by the first communication unit via the telephone line is selected. In this configuration, since the communication by LAN is prioritized, the communication cost can be suppressed and the communication speed can be increased.

Further, the control unit may be configured to select the second communication unit when the communication speed by the telephone line is lower than a predetermined value. That is, the external device may be located outside or near the area of the telephone line. Even in such a case, since the control unit can select the communication by LAN, it is possible to suppress the instability of the communication by using the telephone line.

Further, the control unit may be configured to select the first communication unit when the communication speed by the LAN is lower than a predetermined value. That is, the external device may not be connected to the LAN, or the connection between the external device and the LAN may become unstable. Even in such a case, since the control unit can select the communication by the telephone line, it is possible to suppress the instability of the communication by using the LAN.

The LAN constructed in the building may be a wireless LAN or a wired LAN. In this regard, wireless LAN communication may interfere with other nearby wireless LAN communications and may be affected by radio waves emitted from other devices. In such a case, since the communication speed by LAN is lowered, it is preferable that the control unit selects the communication by the first communication unit using the telephone line.

In addition, a wired LAN and a wireless LAN may coexist in the building. In preparation for such a case, the second communication unit in the calling device may include a wired LAN communication unit and a wireless LAN communication unit. The wired LAN communication unit is used to communicate with an external device via the wired LAN. The wireless LAN communication unit is used to communicate with an external device via the wireless LAN. In this configuration, when the control unit selects the second communication unit, it further selects whether to use the wired LAN communication unit or the wireless LAN communication unit.

In this configuration, the control unit may select whether to use a wired LAN or a wireless LAN based on a preset standard. For example, the control unit may be configured to preferentially select communication via a wired LAN and select communication via a wireless LAN when it is difficult to use the wired LAN for some reason. .. Alternatively, the control unit may be configured to select a wired LAN (wireless LAN) when the communication speed by the wireless LAN (wired LAN) is lower than a predetermined value. In this configuration, the control unit can suppress the instability of communication by using the LAN.

The external device may be, for example, a dedicated response device. This response device is preferably installed in a place that is easy for the building manager to handle, and may be fixed inside the building where the calling device is installed, or may be fixed to another building or vehicle. May be good. Further, the external device may be a mobile terminal (for example, a smartphone or a portable tablet) owned by the building manager. When the external device is a mobile terminal, the building manager does not have to be inside the building. Even if the building manager is away from the building, he / she can know the visitor's visit by communication between the calling device and the external device via the telephone line.

The calling device may also be equipped with a microphone, a speaker and a camera (which photographs the visitor) to enable conversation between the visitor and the building manager. In this configuration, the calling device functions as a so-called intercom. According to this, it is possible to facilitate communication between the visitor and the building manager.

Further, the mobile terminal (the mobile terminal) according to one aspect of the present disclosure communicates with the calling device via the third communication unit for communicating with the telephone line, and with the calling device via the LAN. It is a mobile terminal as the external device, which is provided with a fourth communication unit for the operation.

The mobile terminal functions as an external device related to the above-mentioned calling device. Therefore, the mobile terminal is for communicating with the first communication unit of the calling device via the telephone line and the second communication unit of the calling device via the LAN. It is equipped with a fourth communication unit. The mobile terminal is possessed (carried) by the building manager, and it is possible to notify the building manager that the call button of the calling device has been operated (for example, a call signal has been output). ..

When the calling device is provided with a microphone, a speaker and a camera, the mobile terminal is also provided with the microphone and the speaker, and further, a screen for displaying an image captured by the camera of the calling device is displayed. You may have it.

Further, the computer program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes the computer of the mobile terminal to function as a third communication unit and a fourth communication unit in the mobile terminal. According to this, a general-purpose mobile terminal can function as the present mobile terminal.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to selectively carry out two types of communication using a telephone line or a LAN between the calling device and an external device. Therefore, for example, when a problem occurs in either the telephone line or the LAN, communication failure can be suppressed by using the other.
As a result, the building manager can better know the visitor's visit and respond to the visitor through the calling device and the external device.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the intercom system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the calling device and the mobile terminal in an intercom system. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of processing by the control part of a calling apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the modification of the 2nd communication part.

As shown in FIG. 1, the intercom system according to the present embodiment includes a calling device 11 installed outside the building 1 and a mobile terminal 41 possessed by a resident of the building 1. The resident of building 1 corresponds to an example of a building manager. The mobile terminal 41 corresponds to an example of an external device.

The calling device 11 is installed in the building 1 and is used by the visitor to inform the resident of his / her visit. In the present embodiment, the calling device 11 is provided on the gate pillar 2 of the building 1 as a detached house.

As shown in FIG. 2, the calling device 11 is configured to be able to communicate with the mobile terminal 41 via the telephone line 101 and the LAN 103.
The calling device 11 includes a calling button 13, a first communication unit 15 and a second communication unit 17 for communicating with the mobile terminal 41, a microphone 19 as a user interface, a speaker 21 and a camera 23, and components of the calling device 11. A control unit 25 for controlling the above is provided.

The call button 13 outputs a call signal when the visitor is touched.
The calling device 11 transmits the calling signal output by the calling button 13 to the mobile terminal 41. The resident of the building 1 can know that the call button 13 of the call device 11 has been operated via the mobile terminal 41. Then, for communication between the calling device 11 and the mobile terminal 41, the calling device 11 includes a first communication unit 15 and a second communication unit 17.

The first communication unit 15 has a SIM card 15a, and enables communication between the calling device 11 and the mobile terminal 41 via the telephone line 101. The telephone line 101 includes, for example, a 3G line, a 4G line, a 5G line, an LTE line and a public telephone line.

The second communication unit 17 enables the calling device 11 and the mobile terminal 41 to communicate with each other via a LAN (Local Area Network) 103. The LAN 103 is a network constructed in the building where the calling device 11 is installed, and is configured as a wireless LAN in the present embodiment.

The microphone 19, the speaker 21, and the camera 23 are provided on the front surface of the calling device 11.
The microphone 19 is used to generate a voice signal including the voice of a visitor who is a user of the calling device 11 and transmit it to the mobile terminal 41 when the calling device 11 and the mobile terminal 41 can communicate with each other. Be done. Similarly, the speaker 21 is used to transmit the voice included in the voice signal transmitted from the mobile terminal 41 to the visitor. The camera 23 is used to image the front surface of the calling device 11 to generate an image signal and transmit it to the mobile terminal 41. This image signal usually includes an image of the visitor.

Which of the first communication unit 15 and the second communication unit 17 is used by the control unit 25 for communication between the calling device 11 and the mobile terminal 41 when the calling button 13 is pressed by the visitor. That is, it is selected whether to carry out communication via the telephone line 101 or LAN 103. This selection will be described later.

The control unit 25 transmits a call signal output from the call button 13 to the mobile terminal 41 when the calling device 11 and the mobile terminal 41 can communicate with each other. Further, the control unit 25 transmits the audio signal generated by the microphone 19 and the image signal generated by the camera 23 to the mobile terminal 41. Further, the control unit 25 outputs the voice included in the voice signal transmitted from the mobile terminal 41 via the speaker 21.

The mobile terminal 41 is possessed (carried) by the resident of the building 1, and can convey to the resident of the building 1 that the call button 13 of the calling device 11 has been operated (the call signal has been output). it can.

As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 41 includes a microphone 49 as a user interface, a speaker 51 and a screen 53, a memory 55, and a processor 57 that controls each component of the mobile terminal 41.

When the calling device 11 and the mobile terminal 41 can communicate with each other, the microphone 49 generates a voice signal including the voice of a resident of the building 1 who is a user of the mobile terminal 41 and transmits the voice signal to the calling device 11. Used for. Similarly, the speaker 51 transmits the voice included in the calling signal transmitted from the calling device 11 (for example, a chime sound) and the voice contained in the voice signal transmitted from the calling device 11 to the resident of the building 1. Used for The screen 53 is used to display an image (for example, an image of a visitor) included in the image signal transmitted from the calling device 11.

The memory 55 is a storage unit of the mobile terminal 41. The memory 55 stores, for example, various data acquired by the processor 57. The memory 55 also stores, for example, an application program (application, program and / or program product) 60 downloaded via a computer network.

The processor 57 functions as the third communication unit 43 and the fourth communication unit 45 according to the application program 60 (instructions included in the application program 60) as a computer program.
The application program 60 can be recorded on a non-transient recording medium readable by the processor 57 (computer), such as memory 55.

The third communication unit 43 is used to communicate with the first communication unit 15 of the calling device 11 via the telephone line 101 by using the SIM card 43a. The fourth communication unit 45 is used to communicate with the second communication unit 17 of the calling device 11 via the LAN 103.

Further, when the calling device 11 and the mobile terminal 41 can communicate with each other, the processor 57 outputs the calling signal transmitted from the calling device 11 and the voice included in the voice signal via the speaker 21. Further, the processor 57 transmits the voice signal generated by the microphone 49 to the mobile terminal 41. Further, the processor 57 displays an image included in the image signal transmitted from the mobile terminal 41 via the screen 53.

Next, processing by the control unit 25 of the calling device 11 when the calling button 13 is pressed by the visitor will be described. This process involves communication via the telephone line 101 (first communication unit 15) using the first communication unit 15 and LAN 103 using the second communication unit 17 for communication between the calling device 11 and the mobile terminal 41. It includes selection of which to carry out communication via (second communication unit 17), that is, selection of a communication method.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the calling device 11 is pressed (S11), the control unit 25 first attempts to establish communication via the LAN 103 using the second communication unit 17. That is, the control unit 25 tries to connect to the mobile terminal 41 by communication via the LAN 103 (S12). If communication between the calling device 11 and the mobile terminal 41 via the LAN 103 is established before the lapse of the predetermined time (S13), the control unit 25 starts the communication (S16). When the communication between the calling device 11 and the mobile terminal 41 is disconnected (S17), the control unit 25 ends the process. The disconnection of communication between the calling device 11 and the mobile terminal 41 is performed, for example, by a disconnection operation using the mobile terminal 41 by a resident of the building 1 who is a user of the mobile terminal 41.

On the other hand, when communication via LAN 103 is not established even after a lapse of a predetermined time (S13; so-called time-out), the control unit 25 gives up communication via LAN 103 and connects the telephone line 101 using the first communication unit 15. Attempts to establish communication via. That is, the control unit 25 tries to connect to the mobile terminal 41 by communication via the telephone line 101 (S14). If communication between the calling device 11 and the mobile terminal 41 via the telephone line 101 is established before the lapse of the predetermined time (S15), the control unit 25 starts the communication (S16).

Further, if the communication via the telephone line 101 is not established even after the lapse of a predetermined time, the control unit 25 also gives up the communication using the first communication unit 15 and ends the process (S15).

As described above, in the calling device 11, the control unit 25 can selectively carry out two types of communication using the telephone line 101 or the LAN 103. Therefore, in the calling device 11, the control unit 25 can use, for example, when one of the telephone line 101 and the LAN 103 has a problem, the other can be used. As a result, communication failure can be suppressed. Therefore, the resident of the building 1 can satisfactorily know the visitor's visit and respond to the visitor through the calling device 11 and the mobile terminal 41.

Further, in the present embodiment, a mobile terminal 41 owned by a resident of the building 1 is used as an external device. The mobile terminal 41 is, for example, a smartphone or a portable tablet. When the mobile terminal 41 is used as an external device, the resident of the building 1 knows the visitor's visit by communication via the telephone line 101 between the calling device 11 and the mobile terminal 41 even if he / she is away from the building 1. , And it is possible to respond to visitors.

Further, in the process shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 25 is configured to try to carry out the communication using the telephone line 101 when the communication using the LAN 103 is not established. That is, the control unit 25 preferentially uses the LAN 103 with respect to the telephone line 101. In this configuration, since the communication via the LAN 103 is prioritized, the communication cost can be suppressed and the communication speed can be increased.

In this configuration, when communication via LAN 103 is not established for some reason, the control unit 25 is configured to select communication via the telephone line 101 using the first communication unit 15. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit 25 is configured to select communication via the telephone line 101 using the second communication unit 17 when the communication speed of communication via the LAN 103 is lower than a predetermined value. You may.

That is, the mobile terminal 41 may not be connected to the LAN 103, or the connection between the mobile terminal 41 and the LAN 103 may be unstable. Even in such a case, since the control unit 25 can select the communication via the telephone line 101, it is possible to prevent the communication from becoming unstable by using the LAN 103.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the call button 13 is pressed by the visitor, the control unit 25 uses which communication method is used for communication between the call device 11 and the mobile terminal 41, that is, a telephone line. It is configured to select whether to use communication via the line 101 or communication via the LAN 103.
Instead, the control unit 25 periodically selects, for example, whether to use communication via the telephone line 101 or communication via LAN 103, regardless of whether or not the call button 13 is pressed. You may. In this case, when the call button 13 is pressed, the control unit 25 can carry out communication between the call device 11 and the mobile terminal 41 using the most recently selected communication method.

Further, the control unit 25 may be configured to try to carry out the communication using the LAN 103 when the communication using the telephone line 101 is not established. That is, the control unit 25 may preferentially use the telephone line 101 with respect to the LAN 103.

In this regard, the wireless LAN communication by the LAN 103 may interfere with other wireless LAN communications in the vicinity and may be affected by radio waves emitted from other devices. In such a case, since the communication speed by the LAN 103 decreases, it is preferable that the control unit 25 preferentially uses the communication using the telephone line 101.

Further, when the communication via the telephone line 101 is preferentially used, the control unit 25 selects the communication via the LAN 103 using the second communication unit 17 when the communication speed by the telephone line 101 is lower than a predetermined value. It may be configured as follows. That is, the mobile terminal 41 may be located outside the service area or near the service area of the telephone line 101. Even in such a case, since the control unit 25 can select the communication via the LAN 103, it is possible to prevent the communication from becoming unstable by using the telephone line 101.

Further, in the present embodiment, the LAN 103 is configured as a wireless LAN. Not limited to this, the LAN 103 may be configured as a wired LAN. Alternatively, the LAN 103 may include both a wireless LAN and a wired LAN.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the second communication unit 17 of the calling device 11 may include a wired LAN communication unit 171 and a wireless LAN communication unit 173. The wired LAN communication unit 171 is used to communicate with the mobile terminal 41 via the wired LAN. The wireless LAN communication unit 173 is used to communicate with the mobile terminal 41 via the wireless LAN. In this configuration, when the control unit 25 selects communication via the LAN 103 using the second communication unit 17, it further selects whether to use the wired LAN communication unit 171 or the wireless LAN communication unit 173.

In this configuration, the control unit 25 may select whether to use the wired LAN communication unit 171 or the wireless LAN communication unit 173 based on a preset reference. For example, the control unit 25 preferentially selects the wired LAN communication using the wired LAN communication unit 171 and, when it is difficult to use the wired LAN for some reason, the wireless LAN communication using the wireless LAN communication unit 173. May be configured to select.

Alternatively, the control unit 25 is configured to select the wired LAN communication unit 171 (wireless LAN communication unit 173) when the communication speed by the wireless LAN communication unit 173 (wired LAN communication unit 171) is lower than a predetermined value. You may. In this configuration, the control unit 25 can suppress the instability of communication by using the LAN 103.

Further, in the present embodiment, the calling device 11 includes a microphone 19, a speaker 21, and a camera 23. As a result, the calling device 11 functions as a so-called intercom slave unit, can transmit the voice and image of the visitor to the mobile terminal 41, and can output the voice of the resident of the building 1 with the visitor. It is possible to facilitate communication with residents.

Instead, the calling device 11 may include a calling button 13, a first communication unit 15, a second communication unit 17, and a control unit 25, while not including a microphone 19, a speaker 21, and a camera 23. In this configuration, the control unit 25 transmits that the call button 13 has been pressed to the mobile terminal 41 via either the telephone line 101 or the LAN 103. In this configuration, the calling device 11 functions as a so-called doorbell.

Further, in the present embodiment, the calling device 11 is installed on the gate pillar 2 of the building 1 which is a detached house. Not limited to this, first, the calling device 11 may be installed beside the entrance of the building 1. Further, the building 1 may be a factory or an office building, or may be an apartment house. When the building 1 is an apartment house, the calling device 11 is installed, for example, at the collective entrance of the building 1 or beside the entrance of each house.

Further, in the present embodiment, the resident of the building 1 is a building manager who uses the mobile terminal 41. In this regard, the building manager who uses the mobile terminal 41 is not limited to the resident, but may be the manager of the building 1. When the building 1 is an office building, the mobile terminal 41 can be used by persons involved in the office (employees, etc.).

Further, in the present embodiment, a mobile terminal 41 owned by a resident of the building 1 is used as an external device. Instead of such a mobile terminal 41, the external device for communicating with the calling device 11 may be a dedicated response device (so-called intercom master unit) in the intercom system according to the present embodiment. This response device is preferably installed in a place that is easy for the residents of the building 1 to handle. For example, the response device may be fixed inside the building 1 or may be fixed to another building or vehicle.

1: Building 2: Gatepost, 101: Telephone line, 103: LAN
11: Call device, 13: Call button,
15: 1st communication unit, 15a: SIM card, 17: 2nd communication unit,
19: Microphone, 21: Speaker, 23: Camera, 25: Control unit,
41: Mobile terminal, 43: 3rd communication unit, 43a: SIM card, 45: 4th communication unit,
49: Microphone, 51: Speaker, 53: Screen,
55: Memory, 57: Processor, 60: Application Program,
171: Wired LAN communication unit, 173: Wireless LAN communication unit

Claims (3)

Call button,
First communication unit for communicating with external devices via a telephone line,
A second communication unit for communicating with the external device via a LAN, and
It has a control unit for selecting whether to use the first communication unit or the second communication unit for communication with the external device.
Calling device. A third communication unit for communicating with the calling device according to claim 1 via the telephone line, and
A mobile terminal as an external device, comprising a fourth communication unit for communicating with the calling device via the LAN. A computer program that causes a computer of a mobile terminal to function as a third communication unit and a fourth communication unit in the mobile terminal according to claim 2.

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