JPH06303326A - Doorphone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To confirm a visitor by simply providing a doorphone only by fitting it to a door finder without requiring any special construction. CONSTITUTION:A door unit 21 is fixed to a door finder 11, and an image from the door finder 11 at this door unit 21 is picked up and transmitted to a main body unit 24 by radio. At the main body unit 24, the transmitted video signal is received and outputted to an external television system 25, and the visitor is confirmed at a distant place by the image. Thus, the doorphone is simply provided only by fixing the door unit 21 to the door finder 11 without requiring any special construction in the case of fitting the doorphone system.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an intercom system, and more specifically, a door unit can be easily fixed to a door finder, and an image from the door finder is picked up and transmitted to the main unit by radio or the like. Then, it relates to an intercom device for outputting a transmitted video signal to a television or the like to confirm a visitor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a door finder for confirming a visitor is installed on a door of a building such as a home or an office. Here, the "door finder" means, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a hole having a predetermined diameter is formed in the door 1, and a lens (for example, a fish-eye lens) capable of transmitting light is attached to the hole so that the interior of the room It is used to look through the lens to a visitor outside the door, and the periphery of the lens is usually protected by a metal member. It is called the door finder 2 including the lens and the metal protection member.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 3 is an indoor handle of the door 1, 4 is an outdoor handle, 5 is a visitor, and 6 is a resident in the room.

[0004]

However, in the case of the conventional door finder, as shown in FIG. 8, the door finder 2 comes to the door 1 to confirm the visitor 5.
There was a problem that it was troublesome to look at. Further, if it is difficult to reach the door 1 without releasing the hand, the visitor 5 cannot be confirmed remotely.

On the other hand, door intercoms have been developed in order to confirm a visitor at a distant place. Examples of the intercoms include an intercom device and a television camera device. However, in the case of such an intercom, any intercom provided in advance may be used, but when the intercom is attached to the door later, special work is required to attach the intercom, which is troublesome.

Therefore, the present invention requires no special construction,
The object is to provide a doorphone device that can easily confirm the visitor by simply attaching it to the door finder.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, an intercom apparatus according to the present invention comprises an image pickup means for picking up an image from a door finder, and a transmitting means for modulating and transmitting the image picked up by the image pickup means. A unit control means for controlling the operation of the image pickup means and the transmission means, and a door unit attached to a position corresponding to the door finder; and a reception means for receiving the video signal transmitted from the transmission means of the door unit, A main body unit having output means for outputting a video image received by the reception means to a video device, and main body control means for controlling the operation of the unit control means for the door unit, the reception means, and the output means. Characterize.

As a preferred mode, in the intercom apparatus according to claim 1, the transmitting means of the door unit modulates an image picked up by the image pickup means and transmits it by a wireless system, and the receiving means of the main body unit, The main body control means of the main body unit receives the video signal wirelessly transmitted from the transmission means, and the remote control transmission section operated by the operator of the intercom apparatus and the remote control reception section for receiving a command from the remote control transmission section. And a unit for controlling the operation of the unit control means of the door unit, the receiving means, and the output means based on the output of the remote control receiving section.

In the intercom apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, the door unit is provided with a sound detecting means for detecting a sound, and the unit control means detects the visitor's visit by the sound detecting means. Supply power to each part and start capturing the image of the visitor and transmitting the captured image,
The main body control means of the main body unit controls to receive a video signal from the door unit.

In the intercom apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the main body control means of the main body unit determines whether or not it is in an absence mode when the receiving means receives a video signal from the door unit. It is characterized by having an answering mode discriminating means for storing the video signal in the storage means in the absence mode and outputting the video signal to an external video device in the absence mode.

In the intercom system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, when the unit control means of the door unit supplies power to each part of the door unit to image a visitor, after a predetermined time elapses, the power of the power supply is turned on. The present invention is characterized in that the supply is stopped and the imaging is terminated.

[0012]

According to the present invention, the door unit is easily fixed to the door finder, and the image from the door finder in this door unit is picked up and transmitted to the main unit by radio or the like. In the main unit, the transmitted video signal is received and output to an external TV device or the like, and the visitor is confirmed by the image at a distant place.

Therefore, no special work is required for installing the doorphone device, and the doorphone can be easily formed by simply fixing the door unit to the door finder, and the visitor can be confirmed.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a first embodiment of an intercom system according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a door of a building (for example, a house), and a door finder 11 for confirming a visitor is arranged on the door 10. Reference numeral 12 is an indoor handle of the door 10, 13 is an outdoor handle, 14 is a visitor, and 15 is a resident in the room.

A door unit 21 is attached to the door finder 11 of the door 10 from the indoor side. The door unit 21 is lightweight and small in size, and can be easily attached and detached by, for example, a double-sided tape or a magnet. It is configured so that it can be attached to the inside of 10. That is, the structure does not require special construction. Note that other methods may be used as long as they do not require any special work.

The door unit 21 picks up an image of the outside of the room that can be seen from the door finder 11, modulates the picked-up image, and wirelessly transmits it from the antenna 22. Door unit 2
The image transmitted from 1 is received by the main body unit 24 via the antenna 23, and the main body unit 24 outputs the received image to the external television device (video device) 25. The body unit 24 is also small,
It is lightweight and can be placed on top of the television device 25 (eg,
It can be fixed with double-sided tape). The main body unit 24 and the television device 25 are installed at a place (for example, a living room) away from a place where the door 10 is (for example, an entrance).

Next, the internal structure of the door unit 21 and the main body unit 24 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the door unit 21 and the main body unit 24. In FIG. 2, the door unit 21 has an image pickup lens 31 for forming an image on the image pickup surface, an image pickup element (for example, a CCD element) 32 provided on the image pickup surface, and an autofocus process (AF). A drive unit 3 that drives the image pickup lens 31 and transfers and drives the charge of the image pickup element 32.
3, a power supply unit 34 that supplies power to each unit, a wireless unit 35 that transmits and receives a control signal and a video signal, and a control unit 36 that controls each unit.

The control signal is, for example, the door unit 21.
It is used to start or stop the operation by supplying power to the. The wireless unit 35 is the image sensor 32.
The image captured by is modulated at a predetermined radio frequency and transmitted from the antenna 22. The control unit 36 includes, for example, a microcomputer, and performs necessary processing by software described below. The image pickup lens 31, the image pickup device 32, the drive unit 33, and the control unit 36 collectively form an image pickup unit 41. The wireless unit 35 constitutes a transmitting means,
The controller 36 constitutes a unit controller.

The main unit 24 has a radio section 51 for transmitting / receiving control signals and receiving video signals, a remote control receiving section 53 for receiving control signals from a remote controller 52, and an output section for outputting video signals to an external television device 25. 54 and a control unit 55 that controls each unit. The remote control receiving unit 53 of the main body unit 24 is always supplied with power, and the other circuits are supplied with power when the remote control receiving unit 53 receives a control signal from a remote control transmitting unit 56 described later. .

The radio section 35 transmits / receives control signals and receives video signals via the antenna 23. Remote control 52
Has a small size and is formed to be portable, and has a remote control transmitter 56 and at least a confirmation button 57 for confirming a visitor. The confirmation button 57 is pressed by the resident when the visitor rings the door chime and accordingly starts the operation of the system. When the confirmation button 57 is pressed, the remote control transmission unit 56 emits infrared rays and outputs a control signal for starting the operation of the present system to the remote control reception unit 53.

The control unit 54 is constituted by including, for example, a microcomputer, and performs necessary processing by software described later. The wireless section 51 constitutes a receiving means, and the output section 54 constitutes an output means. The controller 54, the remote controller receiver 53, and the remote controller transmitter 56 constitute a main body controller 58.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a program executed by the main unit 24. First, in step S10, it is determined whether or not the remote controller 52 is on. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, when the visitor 14 visits and rings a door chime (not shown) installed in the door 10, the resident 15 knows that the visitor 14 has come and accordingly responds. Remote control 5
The 2 confirmation button 57 is pressed. When the confirmation button 57 is pressed, the remote control transmission unit 56 emits infrared rays and a control signal for starting the operation of the present system is output to the remote control reception unit 53. As a result, the remote controller receiver 53 receives the control signal from the remote controller transmitter 56 and determines that the remote controller 52 is turned on.

The state where the remote controller 52 is not turned on in step S10 is when the confirmation button 57 of the remote controller 52 is not pressed, and in this case, the process waits in step S10. When the confirmation button 57 of the remote controller 52 is pressed, the remote controller 52 is turned on, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S12 to output an on (ON) signal to the door unit 21. This corresponds to transmitting a control signal for starting power supply from the wireless unit 51 of the main body unit 24 to the door unit 21.

As a result, the wireless section 35 of the door unit 21 receives the transmitted control signal and commands the control section 36 to start supplying power, as will be described later with reference to the program shown in FIG. In response to this command, the control unit 36 causes the power supply unit 3 to
4, the power supply unit 34 starts supplying power to each unit, and the door unit 21 captures and transmits an outdoor image viewed from the door finder 11.

Next, in step S14, the door unit 2
It is determined whether or not the video from No. 1 has been received, and if not received, the process returns to step S10 and the same loop is repeated. In addition, when the image from the door unit 21 is received,
The door unit 21 received in step S16
The video signal from is output to the external television device 25. After that, the process returns to step S14 to repeat the loop. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, the image of the visitor captured by the door unit 21 is displayed on the external television device 25, and the resident 15 confirms the visitor from a place away from the visitor.

It should be noted that the external TV device 25 is capable of receiving a normal TV screen, and receives an image of the TV channel while waiting, and when the visitor is taken, the entire screen is imaged by the door unit 21. It becomes the image of the visitor.
Not limited to this, for example, an interrupt screen (for example, a 1/4 screen) may be formed on the television device 25, and the visitor may be displayed on the interrupt screen.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a program executed by the door unit 21. First, in step S20, it is determined whether or not the door unit 21 has received an ON signal from the main body unit 24. This is to determine whether or not the door unit 21 has received a control signal for starting the supply of power from the wireless unit 51 of the main body unit 24. When the door unit 21 does not receive the ON signal, it waits at this step, and when it receives, it proceeds to step S22 and determines whether or not the power is turned on.

Since the door unit 21 has received the ON signal, if the power is not turned on in step S22, the process proceeds to step S24 to turn on the power and then step S2.
6, the process proceeds to step S26 if it is already on. In step S26, the visitor is imaged.
That is, when power is supplied to each part of the door unit 21, an image of the visitor is formed by the image pickup lens 31, and the formed image is converted into a charge signal by the image pickup device 32. Further, the electric charge of the image pickup device 32 is transferred and driven by the drive unit 33 and sent to the control unit 36. The control unit 36 collects the video of the visitor on one screen and outputs it to the wireless unit 35.

Then, in step S28, the video signal is transmitted to the main unit 24. That is, the wireless unit 35 modulates the image of the visitor and transmits it to the antenna 22 with radio waves of a predetermined frequency.
Send from Next, in step S30, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed. As the predetermined time, sufficient time is taken into consideration so that the resident can be imaged by the visitor and confirmed by the resident.
If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S22 and the same loop is repeated. When the predetermined time elapses, the process proceeds to step S32 to turn off (stop) the power supply, and then the process returns to step S20. Due to this, the image pickup is stopped, and thereafter, the standby state is resumed.

Thus, in this embodiment, the door unit 2
1 is simply fixed to the door finder 11, the image from the door finder 11 is picked up by the door unit 21 and wirelessly transmitted to the main unit 24, and the transmitted video signal is displayed on the external television device 25. And
The image of the visitor 14 can be confirmed at a remote place. Therefore, it is not necessary to come to the door 10 and look into the door finder 11, which is troublesome. Further, even when it is difficult to reach the door 10 without releasing the hand, the visitor 14 can be confirmed remotely.

Furthermore, no special work is required to install the doorphone device, and the door unit 12 is simply fixed to the door finder 11 so that the doorphone can be easily installed, and it is easy to visit. Can be confirmed.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a block configuration diagram of the door unit 61 and the main body unit 62 in the second embodiment. In the description of FIG. 5, the same components as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and duplicate description will be omitted.

In FIG. 5, the door unit 61 is newly provided with a sensor (sound detecting means) 6 for detecting the sound of the door chime.
3 is provided, and as the sensor 63, for example, a microphone is used. The output signal of the sensor 63 is input to the control unit 64, and when the control unit 64 detects the sound of the door chime, the control unit 64 instructs the power supply unit 34 to start power supply. Imaging lens 31, imaging element 32, drive unit 3
3 and the control unit 64 constitute the image pickup means 65 as a whole. Further, the control section 64 constitutes a unit control means.

On the other hand, the main body unit 62 has a different function of the control unit 66, and when the control unit 66 receives the video signal from the door unit 61, the power is supplied to determine whether the absence mode is set by the key input unit 68. If it is in the absence mode, control is performed so that the video signal is stored in the memory (storage means) 67. Therefore, the control unit 66 constitutes a main body control means and an absence mode determination means. The memory 67 is composed of an image memory having a predetermined capacity, and can store and read a video signal. The remote controller is not provided in the second embodiment. Others are the same as the above-mentioned embodiment.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a program executed by the door unit 61. First, in step S40, it is determined whether or not the sensor 63 detects a door chime sound. If the door chime does not ring, the process waits at this step, and when the visitor 14 visits and rings the door chime installed on the door 10, the process branches to YES and proceeds to step S42. In step S42, it is determined whether or not the power is turned on.

Since the door chime has sounded, it is judged that it is necessary to take an image with the door unit 61, and if the power is not turned on in step S42, step S4 is performed.
4, the power is turned on and the process proceeds to step S46. On the other hand, if the power is already on, the process proceeds to step S46. In step S46, the visitor is imaged. That is,
When power is supplied to each part of the door unit 61, the image of the visitor is formed by the image pickup lens 31, and the image pickup element 32 is formed.
Thereby, the formed image is converted into a charge signal. Further, the electric charge of the image pickup device 32 is transferred and driven by the drive unit 33 and sent to the control unit 64. The video of the visitor is 1 in the control unit 64.
It is collected on the screen and output to the wireless unit 35.

Then, in step S48, the video signal is transmitted to the main unit 62. That is, the wireless unit 35 modulates the image of the visitor and transmits it to the antenna 22 with radio waves of a predetermined frequency.
Send from Next, in step S50, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed. As the predetermined time, sufficient time is taken into consideration so that the resident can be imaged by the visitor and confirmed by the resident.
If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S42 and the same loop is repeated. When the predetermined time elapses, the process proceeds to step S52 to turn off (stop) the power supply, and then the process returns to step S40. Due to this, the image pickup is stopped, and thereafter, the standby state is resumed.

Note that the reason why the sensor 63 detects the sound of the door chime is to detect the arrival of the visitor, so the visitor may be detected by other means. For example, a visitor may be detected by a push button or an image, and power supply to the system may be started based on the detection result.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a program executed by the main unit 62. First, in step S60, it is determined whether or not an image from the door unit 61 is received. When the image from the door unit 61 is not received, it means that the visitor 14 does not come, and in this case, the process waits in step S60. On the other hand, when the visitor 14 comes and receives the image from the door unit 61, the main unit 6
Power is supplied to each of the necessary parts of No. 2 and the process proceeds to step S62, and it is determined whether or not the absence mode is set by the key input unit 68.

In the absence mode (for example, when the resident is away), the video signal received in step S64 is recorded in the memory 67. On the other hand, if it is not in the absence mode, the video signal is output to the external television device 25 in step S66.
After the processing of step S64 or step S66, the process returns to step S60 and the loop is repeated.
As a result, the door unit 61 is attached to the external TV device 25.
The image of the visitor captured by is displayed, and the resident can confirm the visitor from a remote place.

Further, the video signal recorded in the memory 67 can be subsequently taken by the resident to be displayed on the external television device 25, whereby the visitor's video imaged during absence can be seen, You can check the visitors.

Therefore, in the second embodiment as well, similar to the above-described embodiments, no special work is required for mounting the doorphone device, and the door unit 6 is attached to the door finder 11.
With only the simple work of fixing 1, the door phone can be easily used, which is not bothersome and the visitors can be easily confirmed by the video. Further, there are advantages that the resident can automatically image the visitor without operating the remote controller and that the visitor can be confirmed even when he / she is away.

The transmission system between the door unit and the main body unit may be a wireless system (using radio waves) as in the above embodiments, but is not limited to this. For example, light (such as infrared rays) may be used, or a wired system may be used.

Further, since the external television device projects the image of the visitor imaged by the door unit, it is not limited to the television device, and the imaging screen is projected on the display of another video device, for example, a personal computer. May be. By doing so, for example, in the case where a personal computer is used for business in an office, the visitor is displayed in a form of interrupting the display, which is extremely efficient.

The external video device is not limited to the television device, but may be a device for displaying an image by a liquid crystal such as an LCD instead of a dedicated monitor device or a device having a CRT. Alternatively, a device that is also used for other purposes (for example, a monitor device for disaster prevention) may be used.
Further, a video device may be built in the main body unit.

[0046]

According to the present invention, by simply fixing the door unit to the door finder, an image from the door finder is picked up by the door unit and wirelessly transmitted to the main unit. The signal can be displayed on an external video device, and the visitor can be confirmed at a distant place by the image. Therefore, it is not necessary to come to the door and look into the door finder, which is troublesome. Also,
Even if it is difficult to reach the door without releasing your hand, you can check the visitors remotely.

Furthermore, no special work is required when installing the doorphone device, and the doorphone can be easily changed by simply fixing the door unit to the door finder, and the visitor can be easily displayed as an image. You can check. Further, according to the second embodiment,
There are advantages that the resident can automatically image the visitor without operating the remote controller and that the visitor can be confirmed even when he / she is away.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of a door unit and a main body unit of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a program executed by the main body unit of the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a program executed by the door unit of the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block configuration diagram of a door unit and a main body unit of a second embodiment of the intercom apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a program executed by the door unit of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a program executed by the main unit of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a conventional doorphone device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Building Doors 11 Door Finder 14 Visitors 15 Residents 21, 61 Door Units 24, 62 Main Unit 25 External TV Device (Video Device) 31 Imaging Lens 32 Image Sensor 33 Drive Unit 34 Power Supply Unit 35 Wireless Unit (Transmission Means) 36, 64 control section (unit control means) 41, 65 imaging means 51 wireless section (reception means) 52 remote control 54 output section (output means) 55 control section 57 confirmation button 58 main body control means 63 sensor (sound detection means) 66 control Section (main body control means, absence mode determination means) 67 memory (storage means) 68 key input section

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup means for picking up an image from a door finder, a transmitting means for modulating and transmitting the image picked up by the image pickup means, and a unit control means for controlling the operation of the image pickup means and the transmitting means. A door unit attached to a position corresponding to a door finder; a receiving unit that receives a video signal transmitted from a transmitting unit of the door unit; an output unit that outputs a video image received by the receiving unit to a video device; An intercom system comprising: a main body unit having unit control means for controlling the operation of the unit control means, the receiving means, and the output means. 2. The transmission means of the door unit modulates an image picked up by the image pickup means and sends it by a wireless system, and the reception means of the main body unit sends a video signal sent by the wireless means from the sending means. The main body control means of the main body unit has a remote control transmitting section operated by the operator of the doorphone device and a remote control receiving section for receiving a command from the remote control transmitting section. 2. The intercom apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the unit control means, the receiving means, and the output means of the door unit is controlled based on the operation. 3. The door unit is provided with sound detecting means for detecting sound, and when the sound detecting means detects the visitor's visit, the unit control means supplies power to each part of the door unit to provide the visitor. 3. The intercom apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body control means of the main body unit controls so as to receive a video signal from the door unit, after starting capturing of the image and transmission of the captured image. 4. The main body control means of the main body unit has an answering mode discriminating means for discriminating whether or not it is in an absence mode when the receiving means receives a video signal from a door unit, and is in an absence mode. 4. The intercom device according to claim 1, wherein the video signal is stored in the storage means at this time and is controlled to be output to an external video device when not in the absence mode. 5. The unit control means of the door unit, when power is supplied to each part of the door unit to capture an image of a visitor, is controlled to stop the supply of power and terminate the image capturing after a lapse of a predetermined time. The intercom apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein