JP6249274B2 - Intercom device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an intercom apparatus installed in an apartment or the like.

  In an apartment house such as a condominium, a plurality of lobby intercoms installed in the lobby on the first floor and a large number of intercoms installed in each unit are connected via a common communication line.

  Each lobby intercom is provided with a camera for imaging a visitor. When the intercom is used, a video signal and an audio signal are transmitted to the selected dwelling intercom via a communication line.

  Then, when the visitor presses the lobby intercom call button to start the communication operation to one of the dwelling unit intercoms, video signals and audio signals are transmitted from the lobby intercom to the selected dwelling unit intercom and selected as the lobby intercom. Calls can be made with the existing intercom.

  The video signal output from the lobby intercom is transmitted with a fixed compression method and communication bit rate set in advance in consideration of the number of lobby intercoms and the transmission capacity of the communication line.

Patent Document 1 discloses an intercom system in which when the line usage rate increases, the window size is limited to prevent the audio signal from being interrupted.
Patent Document 2 discloses an interphone system in which an error level of signal transmission is monitored, and when the error level becomes higher than a predetermined value, the compression rate is changed so as to improve the error level. .

  Patent Document 3 discloses an intercom system that enables communication between a plurality of networks having different communication capacities without reducing the quality of audio and video signals.

JP 2002-290578 A JP 2010-28761 A JP 2010-178212 A

  In the interphone device that transmits video signals and audio signals at a fixed compression rate and bit rate as described above, when a plurality of installed lobby interphones are used in parallel, the bandwidth of the communication line is insufficient. Other lobby intercoms may become unusable until that lobby intercom call ends.

  Also, in order to be able to use all the installed lobby intercoms in parallel, it is necessary to increase the compression rate of the transmission signal, so the quality of the image displayed on the dwelling unit intercom is degraded.

Patent Documents 1 to 3 do not disclose an intercom system that adjusts the compression rate of image data as the amount of communication increases.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an intercom apparatus that can display an optimal image according to the amount of communication.

An intercom apparatus that solves the above problems includes a plurality of lobby intercoms, a number of dwelling intercoms that can communicate with each lobby intercom, transmission wiring that connects each lobby intercom and the dwelling interphone, and the transmission wiring In the intercom apparatus comprising an intervening control apparatus, the control apparatus includes a channel number determination unit that detects the number of channels in communication via the transmission wiring, and a detection signal from the channel number determination unit. A control signal generation unit that outputs a communication bit rate switching signal, wherein each lobby interphone receives the communication bit rate switching control signal and switches a bit rate of a call signal output to the dwelling unit intercom. , and a compression processing section for switching the compression method, the compression Is on the basis of the communication bit rate switching control signal with increasing the number of channels, it switches the bit rate of the speech signal to the low speed side, and switches the compression method with high compression side.

In the above structure, the compression processing section, based on the communication bit rate switching signal due to reduction of the number of channels, switches the bit rate of the speech signal at a high speed side, switching the compression method to a low pressure side It is desirable.

In the above configuration, it is preferable that the compression processing unit switches the compression method stepwise to the high compression side based on the communication bit rate switching control signal.
Further, in the above configuration, the control device includes a noise determination unit that detects a noise level of external noise mounted on the transmission wiring, and the control signal generation unit is configured to perform communication based on a detection signal of the noise determination unit. It is preferable to output a bit rate switching control signal.

In the above structure, the control device when a call path of the plurality of channels in the transmission line is established, a control signal generator for outputting a frame interval control signal, the compression processing unit, the frame based on the input of the interval control signal, preferably a benzalkonium alter the I-frame data transmission interval of the image data to be communicated in one communication path.

In the above structure, the control device when a call path of the plurality of channels in the transmission line is established, a control signal generator for outputting a frame interval control signal, the compression processing unit, the frame based on the input of the interval control signal, a score shifted transmission timings of I frame data of the image data to be communicated to any preferably in each channel.

In the above structure, the control device when a call path of the plurality of channels are established by the transmission line, a control signal generator for outputting an I-frame compression control signal, the compression processing unit, the based on the input of the I-frame compression control signal, preferably a pulling compression ratio of I frame data of the image data to be communicated Turkey is in each channel.

  According to the intercom apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to provide an intercom apparatus that can display an optimal image according to the amount of communication.

It is a block diagram which shows an intercom apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of a lobby intercom and a control apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the compression process part of 1st embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the compression process part of 2nd embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the compression process part of 3rd embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the compression process part of 4th embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an intercom apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. The intercom apparatus shown in FIG. 1 has a plurality of lobby intercoms 1a to 1d installed in the lobby on the first floor of the apartment. Connected to the intercom 4.

Each of the lobby intercoms 1a to 1d can communicate with the dwelling unit interphone 4 of the dwelling unit selected based on the operation of a numeric keypad for selecting a dwelling unit and a call button (not shown).
As shown in FIG. 2, each lobby intercom 1a-1d is provided with a camera 5, a compression processing unit 6, a transmission processing unit 7 and a microphone (not shown). The camera 5 starts imaging the visitor after being activated by operating the call button, and outputs the video signal to the compression processing unit 6.

  The compression processing unit 6 compresses and transmits the video signal output from the camera 5 and the audio signal collected by the microphone and digitized by a compression method selected from a plurality of preset compression methods. Output to the processing unit 7.

The transmission processing unit 7 outputs the video signal and the audio signal compressed by the compression processing unit 6 at a bit rate selected by the compression processing unit 6 from a plurality of preset bit rates.
The video signals and audio signals output from the lobby intercoms 1 a to 1 d are output to the selected dwelling unit intercom 4 via the control device 2 and the transmission wiring 3.

  The control device 2 includes a noise determination unit 8, a channel number determination unit 9, and a control signal generation unit 10. The noise determination unit 8 monitors the communication environment of the transmission line 3, and specifically detects whether or not the external noise on the transmission line 3 exceeds a predetermined level.

The channel number determination unit 9 detects the number of channels that occupy the transmission wiring 3, that is, the number of lobby interphones in a communication state.
The control signal generation unit 10 occupies the transmission line 3 when the external noise exceeds a predetermined level based on the detection signal of the noise determination unit 8 and the detection signal of the channel number determination unit 9. For example, when the number of channels being used is two or more, the communication bit rate switching control signal BRC is output to the communicating lobby intercom.

  The compression processing unit 6 of each of the lobby intercoms 1a to 1d switches and outputs the compression method and bit rate of the video signal output to the control device 2 based on the input of the communication bit rate switching control signal BRC.

  As shown in FIG. 3, specifically, the communication bit rate is switched from the first bit rate BR1 of 1024 kbps to the second bit rate BR2 of 512 kbps, for example, using the communication bit rate switching control signal BRC as a trigger. Further, based on the switching of the communication bit rate, the video compression method is sequentially switched in three stages from the first compression method C1 to the fourth compression method C4 to the high compression side.

  Next, the operation of the intercom apparatus configured as described above will be described. The channel number determination unit 9 of the control device 2 constantly detects the number of channels being communicated, and the noise determination unit 8 constantly detects the level of external noise placed on the transmission wiring 3.

  When the transmission wiring 3 is occupied by only one channel while the external noise level is below a certain level, the communication bit rate switching control signal BRC is not output from the control device 2. Communication is performed between any one of the lobby intercoms and the dwelling unit intercom 4 using, for example, the first bit rate BR1 and the first compression method C1 of the low compression process.

  When communication is started on one or more channels from a state where the transmission wiring 3 is occupied by one channel, the control device 2 detects an increase in the number of channels and a communication bit rate switching control signal BRC is output to the communicating lobby intercom.

  Then, in the lobby interphone that has received the communication bit rate switching control signal BRC, the communication bit rate is switched to the low speed side, and the compression method is switched to the high compression side. As a result, image data and call data can be transmitted and received without causing a shortage of bandwidth in the channel being communicated.

  From this state, when the communication between any of the lobby intercoms and the dwelling unit intercom 4 ends and the number of channels being communicated returns to one, the signal of the communication bit rate switching control signal BRC from the control device 2 is canceled. The Then, in the lobby intercom during communication, the communication bit rate returns to the high speed side, and the compression method is switched to the low compression side.

  At the same time as detecting the number of channels, the control device 2 detects the level of external noise on the transmission wiring 3, and if the noise level exceeds a certain value, the communication bit rate switching control signal BRC is sent to the communicating lobby intercom. Output.

Then, in the lobby interphone that has received the communication bit rate switching control signal BRC, the communication bit rate is switched to the low speed side, and the compression method is switched to the high compression side.
The interphone apparatus as described above can achieve the following effects.
(1) When a plurality of lobby intercoms and dwelling unit intercoms 4 are used in parallel, the video signal output from the lobby intercom is based on the communication bit rate switching control signal BRC output from the control device 2. The communication bit rate and the compression method can be automatically switched in the direction of reducing the communication data amount. Therefore, even if the number of communication channels increases, it is possible to talk between the lobby intercoms 1a to 1d and the dwelling unit intercom 4 without interruption.
(2) When the bandwidth of the transmission wiring is narrowed due to external noise, the communication bit rate and compression method of the video signal output from the lobby intercom are determined based on the communication bit rate switching control signal BRC output from the control device 2. The communication data amount can be automatically switched in the direction of reduction. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the interruption of the call due to the influence of external noise.
(3) Based on the input of the communication bit rate switching control signal BRC, the compression processing units of the lobby intercoms 1a to 1d can switch the compression method stepwise to the high compression side as the communication bit rate is reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling a sudden deterioration in image quality when switching the communication bit rate.
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment. In this embodiment, when a plurality of lobby intercoms are in communication in parallel, the frame timing for transmitting video data of each channel is shifted to prevent communication congestion of each channel.

  As for the video data transmitted from the lobby intercoms 1a to 1d to the dwelling unit intercom 4, I frame data Di is transmitted at a preset transmission interval t1, and P frame data Dp is transmitted between the I frame data Di. The transmission interval t1 of the I frame data Di is, for example, 1 minute.

  The I frame data Di transmits the entire image data captured by the camera 5 and has a large amount of data. The P frame data Dp transmits only a moving part of the image data captured by the camera, and the amount of data is small.

  In this embodiment, when communication is started on another channel (speech path B) from a state in which one channel (speech path A) is in communication via the transmission wiring 3, the channel of the control device 2 is used. The number determination unit 9 detects an increase in the number of channels, and based on the detection signal, the control signal generation unit 10 outputs a frame interval control signal FIC to the lobby intercom that is communicating on the communication path A.

  The lobby intercom compression processing unit 6 that has received the frame interval control signal FIC extends the transmission interval t1 of the I frame data Di in communication on the communication path A and transmits it at the transmission interval t2. The normal interval t1 is maintained as the transmission interval of the I frame data Di transmitted on the communication path B.

  Then, the overlapping of the transmission timing of the I frame data Di of the image data transmitted on the communication paths A and B is substantially prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the transmission timing of the I frame data Di having a large amount of data from overlapping, thereby preventing a temporary shortage of bandwidth.

  Also, the control unit 2 transmits a frame interval control signal FIC and a communication bit rate switching control signal BRC similar to that of the first embodiment to the compression processing unit 6 of the lobby intercom that has established the communication paths A and B. The communication bit rate may be switched to the low speed side and the compression method may be switched to the high compression side.

The interphone apparatus as described above can achieve the following effects.
(1) When a speech path B is newly established in addition to the speech path A, I frame data Di of image data transmitted on the speech path A and I frame data Di of image data transmitted on the speech path B And overlapping of transmission timing can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a temporary shortage of bandwidth and ensure stable call quality.
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment. In this embodiment, when the communication path B is established in addition to the communication path A, the frame interval control signal FIC is output to the compression processing unit 6 of each lobby intercom communicating on the communication paths A and B, and the communication path The transmission timings of the I frame data Di transmitted in A and B are both shifted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when communication is started on another channel (speech path B) from a state in which one channel (speech path A) is in communication via the transmission line 3, the control device 2 The channel number determination unit 9 detects an increase in the number of channels. Then, based on the detection signal, the control signal generation unit 10 outputs the frame interval control signal FIC to the lobby interphone that is to communicate with the communication paths A and B.

  In the lobby intercom compression processing unit 6 that has received the frame interval control signal FIC, the transmission timing of the I frame data Di in communication on the communication paths A and B is, for example, ± ± in the longitudinal direction of the time axis with respect to the normal transmission interval t1. The transmission is shifted within the range of 1 second.

  Then, the overlapping of the transmission timing of the I frame data Di of the image data transmitted on the communication paths A and B is substantially prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the transmission timing of the I frame data Di having a large amount of data from overlapping, thereby preventing a temporary shortage of bandwidth.

The interphone apparatus as described above can achieve the following effects.
(1) When a speech path B is newly established in addition to the speech path A, I frame data Di of image data transmitted on the speech path A and I frame data Di of image data transmitted on the speech path B And overlapping of transmission timing can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a temporary shortage of bandwidth and ensure stable call quality.
(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, when the communication path B is established in addition to the communication path A, an I frame compression control signal FC is output from the control device 2 to the compression processing unit 6 of each lobby intercom communicating on the communication paths A and B. Thus, the compression rate of the I frame data Di transmitted on the communication paths A and B is increased.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when communication is started on another channel (speech path B) from a state in which one channel (speech path A) is in communication via the transmission line 3, the control device 2 The channel number determination unit 9 detects an increase in the number of channels. Based on the detection signal, the control signal generation unit 10 outputs the I frame compression control signal FC to each lobby interphone that is to communicate over the communication paths A and B.

The lobby intercom compression processing unit 6 that has received the I frame compression control signal FC raises the compression rate of the I frame data Di that is being communicated on the communication paths A and B, and transmits it.
Then, the data amount of the I frame data Di of the image data transmitted on the communication paths A and B decreases. Therefore, even if the transmission timing of the I frame data Di overlaps, it is possible to prevent a temporary shortage of bandwidth.

The interphone apparatus as described above can achieve the following effects.
(1) When a speech path B is newly established in addition to the speech path A, I frame data Di of image data transmitted on the speech path A and I frame data Di of image data transmitted on the speech path B The compression rate can be increased and transmitted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a temporary shortage of bandwidth and ensure stable call quality.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
The second, third, and fourth embodiments can be implemented in an interphone device that does not have the communication bit rate and compression method switching function of the first embodiment.
In the case of an interphone device using a two-wire communication line, the band of the communication line is narrow because it is originally designed as an interphone device that transmits only sound. For this reason, when trying to transmit a video signal in addition to an audio signal over a two-wire communication line, conventionally, the audio signal and the video signal are transmitted at a fixed compression rate and bit rate corresponding to the band of the communication line. In the above-described embodiment, an interphone device with improved image quality can be provided even if the communication band rate is narrow and the two-wire system is installed by installing a communication bit rate and compression method switching function.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a-1d ... Lobby intercom, 2 ... Control apparatus, 3 ... Transmission wiring, 4 ... Dwelling unit intercom, 6 ... Compression processing part, 7 ... Transmission processing part, 8 ... Noise determination part, 9 ... Channel number determination part, 10 ... Control Signal generator, BRC: Bit rate switching control signal, FIC: Frame interval control signal, Di: I frame data.

Claims (7)

Multiple lobby intercoms,
A number of dwelling intercoms capable of communicating with each lobby intercom;
Transmission wiring for connecting each lobby intercom and the dwelling unit intercom;
In an intercom device comprising a control device interposed in the transmission wiring,
In the control device,
A channel number determination unit for detecting the number of channels in communication via the transmission wiring;
Based on the detection signal of the channel number determination unit, comprising a control signal generation unit that outputs a communication bit rate switching control signal,
Wherein each lobby interphone receives the communication bit rate switching control signals, switches the bit rate of the speech signal to be output to the dwelling interphone, and a compression processing section for switching the compression method,
The compression processing unit switches the bit rate of the call signal to a low speed side and switches the compression method to a high compression side based on the communication bit rate switching control signal as the number of channels increases. Intercom device to do. The intercom apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The compression processing section, based on the communication bit rate switching control signals associated with the reduction of the number of channels, switches the bit rate of the speech signal in the high speed side, and switches the compression method to a low pressure side Intercom device. The intercom apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The intercom apparatus, wherein the compression processing unit switches the compression method stepwise to a high compression side based on the communication bit rate switching control signal. The intercom apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The said control device,
A noise determination unit for detecting a noise level of external noise mounted on the transmission wiring;
The intercom apparatus, wherein the control signal generation unit outputs the communication bit rate switching control signal based on a detection signal of the noise determination unit. The intercom apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The control device includes a control signal generation unit that outputs a frame interval control signal when communication paths of a plurality of channels are established in the transmission wiring,
The compression processing section, based on the input of the frame interval control signal, intercom and wherein the benzalkonium changing the I-frame data transmission interval of the image data to be communicated in one communication path. The intercom apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The control device includes a control signal generation unit that outputs a frame interval control signal when communication paths of a plurality of channels are established in the transmission wiring,
The compression processing section, based on the input of the frame interval control signal, intercom and wherein the score shifting the transmission timing of I frame data of the image data to be communicated each channel. The intercom apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The control device includes a control signal generation unit that outputs an I frame compression control signal when communication paths of a plurality of channels are established through the transmission wiring,
The compression processing section, on the basis of the input of the I-frame compression control signal, intercom and wherein the pulling Turkey compression ratio of I frame data of the image data to be communicated each channel.