JPH098931A - Home automation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To allow a user to recognize information of its own house through an external line by using a facsimile telephone set used in general. CONSTITUTION: To a network 8, a system controller 3 having an image conversion voice synthesis means and a communication means with a facsimile telephone set 1, and an automatic answering video doorphone master set 9 having a video and audio synthesis means and a current time detection means are connected directly. Then a monitor camera 10, house appliances 11, 12, sensors 13-15 are connected via an intermediate frequency unit IFU 16 to the network 8. The video image and the voice signal of a visitor recorded by the automatic answering video doorphone master set 9, a visit date and time, an operating state of each sensor and each house appliance, and a video image of the monitor camera or the like are outputted to the facsimile telephone set 1 when a password of a resident is coincident with the registered number.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a home automation system, and more particularly to a home automation system for integrally controlling an answering machine TV intercom in a home, various sensors, home electric appliances, monitor cameras and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the progress of computerization in society, in order to improve life and secure safety at home, telephone lines are used to obtain information from inside and outside the home. . 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a device for knowing information of devices in the home by using a telephone line from outside the home, there is a method of knowing the state of various sensors and home electric appliances by voice by telecontrol, and JP-A-62-166663. There is a "doorphone device with an answering machine".

[0003] In the above-mentioned answering machine-equipped intercom system, when a family member is in the absence of a visitor and the doorphone provided outside the house is pushed, a prerecorded message is sent to the tape recorder and at the same time, While recording the message on the tape recorder, input the image of the visitor with the TV camera, convert it to a still image and record it in the database for still image recording, and record the face and the message of the visitor who is out of the house. The reproduction is performed after the family member returns home, or is reproduced from outside the home via a telephone line using a portable image communication terminal.

[0004]

In the conventional device using a telephone line, the method of knowing the state of various sensors and home electric appliances by voice by telephone is used. However, since only voice is used, the number of various sensors and home electric appliances is large. It's hard to understand all the cases. In addition, the "doorphone device with answering machine" requires a special device, which is a portable image communication terminal, to play back the customer's requirements, etc. from outside the house via a public line. There is a drawback that only information related to the door intercom such as face and requirements is notified.

According to the present invention, the image and sound of a visitor recorded by an answering machine TV doorphone master unit using a facsimile telephone,
The objective is to provide an easy-to-use home automation system that outputs the status of various sensors and home appliances, and the video from the monitor camera to a facsimile telephone.

[0006]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides (1) a system controller installed in a house and a system controller, which is connected to the system controller and can exchange information with the system controller. Various devices and sensors, and a facsimile telephone connected to the system controller via a telephone line, and reads out the house information stored in the system controller from outside the home using the facsimile telephone, (2) In (1), the house information to be output to the facsimile telephone of the outside line is the video and audio of the visitor recorded by the answering machine TV intercom. Further, (3) In (2), when outputting to the facsimile telephone of the outside line,
Outputting the visitor's image with the date and time of the visit added, and (4) in (2), when outputting to the outside facsimile telephone, listening to the visitor's voice, Output necessary visitors' images, and further,
(5) In the above (1), the information of the house output to the outside facsimile telephone is a state of a disaster prevention sensor, a crime prevention sensor, and a home electric appliance, and (6) In the above (4), The information of the house output to the facsimile telephone of the outside line is information obtained by superimposing the state of the disaster prevention sensor, the crime prevention sensor, and the home electric appliance on the floor plan, and further, (7) In the outside line in (1) above. The information of the house to be output to the facsimile telephone is a video of a monitor camera.

[0007]

The facsimile telephone is connected to the system controller via an outside line (telephone line), and the system controller is connected to the network of the home automation system. Various devices including an answering machine TV intercom base unit, for example, various sensors to be managed and home electric appliances are connected to the network so that information can be exchanged with the system controller. Further, the system controller has means for converting a moving image into a still image, voice synthesizing means, automatic call receiving means, means for outputting drawing or character information to a facsimile telephone, PB (push button) signal receiving means, etc. Answering machine base unit,
It has means for knowing the current date and time, means for synthesizing computer video and analog video, and voice synthesizing means.

In the home automation system configured as described above, the video and audio of the visitor recorded by the answering machine TV intercom base unit are transmitted to the system controller by means of exchanging information via the network and recorded. The moving image of the video is converted into a still image by means of converting it to a still image, and the voice of the visitor is output to the facsimile telephone, and the image of the visitor is output as a still image to the facsimile telephone.

When outputting the image and voice of the visitor to the facsimile telephone, a specific push button of the facsimile telephone is used to listen to the voice of the visitor on the facsimile telephone and receive the required image of the visitor. When pressed, the system controller receives the transmitted specific PB signal by the PB signal receiving means, and selectively outputs the image of the visitor at that time.

Answering machine When recording video and voice of a visitor on the door intercom base unit, the means for knowing the date and the current time check the date and the current time, and the means for synthesizing the computer video and the analog video, and the voice synthesizing means, The date and time information is recorded together with the image and sound of the visitor, and when the image and sound of the visitor are output to the facsimile telephone, the date and time of the visit are notified.

The states of the disaster prevention sensor, the crime prevention sensor, and the home electric appliances are transmitted to the system controller by means for exchanging information via the network, and output to the facsimile telephone by means for outputting the figure and character information. When outputting the status of disaster prevention sensor, crime prevention sensor, and home electric appliances to a facsimile telephone by means of a device that outputs diagrams and text information, overlay the floor plan with information that illustrates the states of the disaster prevention sensor, crime prevention sensors, and home electric appliances. Output. The image of the monitor camera is transmitted to the system controller by the means of exchanging information via the network, converted by the means of converting a moving image into a still image, and the image of the monitor camera is output by the means of outputting the figure and character information to the facsimile telephone. Is output.

[0012]

1 is a system diagram for explaining an embodiment of a home automation system according to the present invention, in which 1 is a facsimile telephone, 2 is a line switch, and 3 is a line switch.
Is a telephone line, 4 is a system controller, 5 is an answer button, 6 is a TV doorphone handset, 7 is a call button, 8
Is a network, 9 is an answering machine TV intercom base unit, 10
Is a monitor camera, 11 is an air conditioner, 12 is lighting, 13 is a fire sensor, 14 is a gas leak sensor, 15 is a crime prevention sensor, and 16a, 16e and 16f are IFUs (interface units).

In FIG. 1, a facsimile telephone 1 is connected to a system controller 4 by a telephone line 3 via a line switch 2, and a TV intercom subunit 6 is connected to the system controller 4 via a TV intercom subunit. There is. The system controller 4, the answering machine, and the TV intercom base unit 9 are directly connected to the network 8 and include a monitor camera 10, an air conditioner 11, an illumination 12, and a fire sensor 1.
3, devices such as the gas leak sensor 14, the crime prevention sensor 15 and the like are I
FU (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16
It is connected to the network 8 via f). Here, the network 8 will be described by taking an industry standard home bus system as an example. First, the configurations of the system controller 3 and the answering machine TV intercom base unit 7 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the system controller 4, in which 17 is a control unit, 18 is a display unit with a touch panel, 19 is a home bus processing unit, and 20 is still image conversion. Part, 21 is a PB signal receiving part, 22 is a fax modem part, 23 is a voice synthesizing part, 2
4 is an automatic call receiving unit, 25 is an audio / video separating unit, 26 is a circuit switching unit, 27 is a control channel from the home bus system,
28 is an information channel from the home bus system.

In the system controller 4 shown in FIG. 2, a display unit with a touch panel 18, a home bus processing unit 19, a still image converting unit 20, a PB signal receiving unit 21,
FAX modem 22, voice synthesizer 23, automatic call receiver 24
Is connected to the control unit 17, the home bus processing unit 19 is connected to the control channel 27 of the home bus system, and the still image conversion unit 20 is connected to the audio / video separation unit 25.
The audio / video separating unit 25 is connected to the automatic call receiving unit 24 and the circuit switching unit 26 that receive a signal from the telephone line 2, and the circuit switching unit 26 is connected to the intercom slave line 5 and the information channel 28 of the home bus system. Has been done. Also, P
B signal receiving unit 21, FAX modem unit 22, voice synthesizing unit 2
3 is connected to the automatic incoming call unit 24.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of an answering machine TV intercom base unit. In the figure, 29 is a control unit, 30 is an audio / video superimposing unit, 31 is a clock unit, and 32 is an audio / video recording. Part, 33 is a display part, 34 is a superimposing part, 35 is a voice synthesizing part, 36 is an audio / video separating part, 37 is a home bus processing part, 38 is an amplifier, 39 is a speaker, 40 is a microphone, 41 is a line exchange. 42 is an information channel from the home bus system, and 43 is a control channel from the home bus system.

Answering machine TV intercom base unit 9 shown in FIG.
In the above, the audio / video superimposing unit 30, the clock unit 31, the audio / video recording unit 32, the display unit 33, the superimposing unit 34, the audio synthesizing unit 35, the audio / video separating unit 36, and the home bus processing unit 37 are respectively control units 29. The audio / video superimposing unit 30 is connected to the information channel 42 and the audio / video recording unit 32 of the home bus system via the circuit switching unit 41. Further, the home bus processing section 37 is connected to the control channel 43.

The audio / video recording section 32 is a display section 3.
3, the superimposing unit 34, the voice synthesizing unit 35, the audio / video separating unit 36, and the amplifier 38 are connected, and the amplifier 38 is connected to the speaker 39 and the microphone 40. The audio / video separating unit 36 is connected to the superimposing unit 34, Voice synthesizer 35,
It is connected to the amplifier 38 and the audio / video recording unit 32.

Next, the operation of the home automation system shown in FIG. 1 having the system controller 4 having the configuration shown in FIG. 2 and the answering machine TV intercom base unit 9 having the configuration shown in FIG. 3 will be described.

When the family member goes out and presses the absence button 5 on the display unit 18 with a touch panel of the system controller 4, the information is transmitted to each device through the control channel 27 of the home bus system. There is a visitor while you are away, and the call button 7 on the TV doorphone handset 6
When is pressed, the TV intercom slave unit 6 outputs a signal in which the voice and image of the visitor are superimposed to the system controller 4 via the TV intercom slave unit line. The system controller 4 switches the circuit switching unit 26 to transmit the output signal through the empty channel of the information channel 28 of the home bus system, and the call button 7 of the TV intercom subunit 6 is pressed through the control channel 27. And the information channel to which the voice and video of the visitor are transmitted, to the answering machine TV intercom base unit 9.

The answering machine TV intercom base unit 9 is absent from the information from the control channel 43, and the call button 7 of the TV intercom slave unit 6 is pressed, and the information channel 42 is overlaid with the voice and image of the visitor. That the audio and video are superposed on the information channel 42, the circuit switching unit 41 switches the signal and the audio and video separation unit 36 separates the audio and video, and then the audio and video recording unit 32 Record on tape. At this time, the clock unit 31 checks the date and the current time, the voice synthesizing unit 35 converts the voice into a voice, adds the converted signal after the voice of the visitor, converts the date and the current time into characters, and superimposes them. The image is superimposed on the imposing part 34. As a result, when the family member outputs the visitor's video and audio recorded by the answering machine TV intercom base unit 9 from the outside to the facsimile telephone 1, the visit date and time can be known.

When a family member makes a call to the house from the outside by using the facsimile telephone 1 and transmits a predetermined PB signal within a fixed time, the system controller 4 monitors the telephone line 3 by the automatic reception unit 24, When the signal receiving unit 21 receives the PB signal, the voice synthesizing unit 23 prompts the user to input the personal identification number by voice, and the personal identification number is input by the PB signal, and the input personal identification number is compared with the previously registered number. If they match, the voice guidance outputs the image or voice of the visitor recorded by the answering machine TV intercom base unit 9 to the facsimile telephone 1, or various sensors such as the fire sensor 13, the gas leak sensor 14, the crime prevention sensor 15, and the like. Outputs the status of home electric appliances such as the air conditioner 11, the lighting 12 or the like to the facsimile telephone 1 or facsimiles the image of the monitor camera 10. Whether to output to talk 1 to be selected by the family member by the PB signal.

Facsimile telephone 1 for the video and audio of visitors
In the case of outputting to, the system controller 4 sends the message to the answering machine TV intercom base unit 9 via the control channel 27.
It tells which information channel 42 to transmit the recorded visitor audio and video. The answering machine TV intercom base unit 9 controls the audio / video recording unit 32 so that the audio / video is superposed by the audio / video superimposing unit 30 and is output from the circuit switching unit 41 to the determined information channel 42 of the home bus system.

The system controller 4 includes a line switching unit 2
A signal obtained by superimposing a visitor's voice and video is picked up from the information channel 27 by switching 6 and separated by the audio / video separation unit 25, and then the voice is transmitted to the resident outside the house via the telephone line 3. If the housekeeper also needs a video of the visitor, he or she presses a specific push button of the facsimile telephone 1 while listening to the voice, and the PB signal is transmitted to the system controller 4
Sent to. The system controller 4 receives the signal by the PB signal receiving unit 21, converts the image of the visitor at that time into a still image by the still image converting unit 20, and stores the still image. When all the voices and images of the visitor recorded in the answering machine TV doorphone master unit 9 have been reproduced, the answering machine TV doorphone master unit 9 notifies the system controller 4 via the control channel 43. The system controller 4 sends the visitor's image stored as a still image to the FAX modem unit 22.
Is converted into a signal that can be transmitted to the facsimile telephone 1 and transmitted. As a result, the family member can select a necessary image such as the image of the first-time meeting visitor and output it to the facsimile telephone 1.

Next, the status of each of the sensors such as the fire sensor 13, the gas leak sensor 14, the crime prevention sensor 15 and the home electric appliances such as the air conditioner 11 and the lighting 12 provided at predetermined positions inside and outside the house is output to the facsimile telephone 1. In this case, the system controller 4 sends the various sensors 1 through the control channel 27.
The state of 3, 14, 15 and the home electric appliances 11, 12 is known, and the information is transmitted to the facsimile telephone 1. At that time
Although it may be transmitted to the facsimile telephone 1 as character information, various sensors 13, 1 are added to the floor plan that is registered in advance.
As shown in FIG. 5, the state of 4, 15 and the home electric appliances 11, 12 is combined with a diagram in which the device information is illustrated as graphic information, and the fax modem unit 22 sends it to the facsimile telephone 1 as graphic information. By converting the signal into a signal that can be transmitted and transmitting the signal, the householder can convey the information in a visually easy-to-understand manner.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the floor plan of the house and the state of the equipment, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the equipment operating state. In the figure, 11a is the operation stop and 11b is the air conditioner 11.
Is operating, 12a turns off the light 12 and 12b turns on the light 12.
Lights up, 13a is in a normal state, 13b is in a fire state due to activation of the fire sensor 13, 14a is in a normal state, and 14b is in a dangerous state in which the gas leak sensor 14 is in operation and a gas leak has occurred,
Reference numeral 15a indicates a state in which the security sensor 15 is closed, and reference numeral 15b indicates an abnormal state in which the security sensor 15 is open.

In the example of the floor plan shown in FIG. 4 and the illustration of the state of the equipment, the equipment operates in other rooms except that the air conditioner 11 is operating in the living room and the lighting 12 is on. Not not. Moreover, in the various sensors, both the fire sensor 13 and the gas leak sensor 14 installed in the kitchen are normal, and the crime prevention sensor 15 is open in the entrance, bathroom, washroom, and living room. The state of can be conveyed in a visually easy-to-understand manner.

Next, when outputting the image of the monitor camera 10 to the facsimile telephone 1, the system controller 4 informs the monitor camera 10 via the control channel 27 to which information channel 28 the monitor image is transmitted. The circuit switching unit 26 is controlled to take in a monitor image from the information channel 28, the still image converting unit 20 converts it into a still image, and the FAX modem unit 22 converts it into a signal which can be transmitted to the facsimile telephone 1 and transmits it.

[0029]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. Effect corresponding to claim 1: Without using a special portable communication terminal, it is possible to confirm home information from outside the house by voice and image signals using a commonly used simple facsimile telephone, and Not only information related to TV intercoms, but also indoor equipment can be managed. Effect corresponding to claim 2: By outputting the image and sound of the visitor recorded by the answering machine TV intercom base unit to the facsimile telephone, the family member can confirm the visitor's voice and face even from the outside. Effect corresponding to claim 3: When outputting the image and sound of the visitor to the facsimile telephone, by listening to the sound of the visitor and outputting the necessary image of the visitor, the image of the visitor who met for the first time can be displayed. You can select and output the required video. Effect corresponding to claim 4: When outputting the image and sound of the visitor to the facsimile telephone, by outputting the date and time of the visit together with the image of the visitor, the date and time of the visit can be known. Effect corresponding to claim 5: By outputting the state of the disaster prevention sensor, the crime prevention sensor, and the home electric appliance to the facsimile telephone, the family member can be relieved by knowing the state of each sensor and the apparatus even when they are out. Effect corresponding to claim 6: When outputting the state of each sensor or device to a facsimile telephone, the information is displayed on the floor plan by superimposing the illustrated information of the state of the sensor or device on the floor, and the result is visible to the housekeeper. Can convey information in an easy-to-understand manner. Effect corresponding to claim 7: By outputting the image of the monitor camera to the facsimile telephone, the family member can be relieved by knowing the situation inside the house even when he / she is out.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a home automation system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an answering machine TV intercom base unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a floor plan according to the present invention and states of devices.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an illustration of a device according to the present invention and its meaning.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Facsimile telephone, 2 ... Line switch, 3 ... Telephone line, 4 ... System controller, 5 ... Absent button, 6 ...
TV intercom slave unit, 7 ... call button, 8 ... network, 9 ... Answering machine TV intercom base unit, 10 ... monitor camera, 11 ... air conditioner, 12 ... illumination, 13 ... fire sensor, 14 ... gas leak sensor, 15 ... security sensor , 16
a, 16e, 16f ... IFU (interface unit), 17 ... Control unit, 18 ... Display unit with touch panel, 19 ... Home bus processing unit, 20 ... Still image converting unit, 21 ... PB signal receiving unit, 22 ... FAX modem unit Two
3 ... Voice synthesizing unit, 24 ... Automatic incoming call unit, 25 ... Audio / Video separating unit, 26 ... Circuit switching unit, 27 ... Control channel from home bus system, 28 ... Information channel from home bus system, 29 ... Control unit, 30 ... Audio / video superimposing section, 3
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Clock part, 32 ... Audio / video recording part, 33 ... Display part, 34 ... Superimposing part, 35 ... Audio synthesizing part, 36 ... Audio / video separating part, 37 ... Home bus processing part,
38 ... Amplifier, 39 ... Speaker, 40 ... Microphone, 41 ...
Circuit switching unit, 42 ... Information channel from home bus system, 43 ... Control channel from home bus system.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A system controller installed in a house, various devices and sensors connected to the system controller and capable of exchanging information with the system controller, and connected to the system controller via a telephone line. A home automation system having a facsimile telephone that reads information about the house stored in the system controller from outside the home by using the facsimile telephone so that the information on the house can be known from outside the house. . 2. The home automation system according to claim 1, wherein the house information output to the facsimile telephone is a video and audio of a visitor recorded by an answering machine TV intercom. 3. When outputting to the facsimile telephone,
The home automation system according to claim 2, wherein the video and the time of the visit are added to the video of the visitor and output. 4. When outputting to the facsimile telephone,
The home automation system according to claim 2, wherein a voice of a visitor is heard and an image of a required visitor is output. 5. The home automation system according to claim 1, wherein the information on the house output to the facsimile telephone is a state of a disaster prevention sensor, a crime prevention sensor, and a home electric appliance. 6. The house information to be output to the outside line facsimile telephone is shown in a layout diagram in which a disaster prevention sensor, a crime prevention sensor, and a home electric appliance are installed, and the states of the disaster prevention sensor, the crime prevention sensor, and a home electric appliance are shown in a diagram. The home automation system according to claim 4, wherein the home automation system is information obtained from the home automation system. 7. The home automation system according to claim 1, wherein the information of the house output to the facsimile telephone of the outside line is an image of a monitor camera.