JP2024132308A - Intercom and fire detector - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an intercom master unit that allows easy communication with a front door slave unit in each room. [Solution] An intercom master unit that has a communication unit that communicates with a front door slave unit installed near the front door and with a fire detector installed inside the house and that has a communication function, and a control unit that forms a communication path between the front door slave unit and the fire detector when the fire detector responds to a call from the front door slave unit. [Selected drawing] Figure 1

Description

This disclosure relates to an intercom master unit and a fire detector.

Conventionally, in an intercom system, in order to enable communication with the entrance handset from each room in a house, a handset (in-house handset) was installed in each room where the intercom master unit was not installed.

Patent document 1 discloses an intercom system that uses a mobile terminal as an intercom master unit.

JP 2017-192034 A

In order to enable calls to the entrance handset in each room of a house, a handset must be installed in each room, which incurs installation costs. Therefore, a means is desired that allows calls to be made to the entrance handset easily in each room.

A non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure contributes to providing an intercom master unit and a fire detector that allows calls to be easily established with a front door slave unit in each room without the need to install a slave unit in each room.

The intercom master unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has a communication unit that communicates with a front door slave unit installed near the front door and a fire detector installed inside the house and having a communication function, and a control unit that forms a communication path between the front door slave unit and the fire detector when the fire detector responds to a call from the front door slave unit.

A fire detector according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a voice input device, a sensor for detecting a fire, a communication unit for transmitting a detection signal indicating that a fire has been detected to an intercom master unit and transmitting an audio signal of the voice input by the voice input device to the intercom master unit, and a control unit for forming a communication path with a front door slave unit installed near the front door based on instructions from the intercom master unit.

These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, device, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium, or as any combination of a system, device, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, by using the fire detectors installed in each room as sub-units, calls with the entrance sub-unit can be easily realized in each room.

Further advantages and benefits of an embodiment of the present disclosure will become apparent from the specification and drawings. Such advantages and/or benefits may be provided by some of the embodiments and features described in the specification and drawings, respectively, but not necessarily all of them need be provided to obtain one or more identical features.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an intercom system according to an embodiment; A block diagram showing an example of the parent unit's block configuration A block diagram showing an example of the entrance unit configuration A diagram showing an example of the block configuration of a fire detector FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a monitoring device; Flowchart showing an example of parent unit operation A flowchart showing an example of the call process in S2 of FIG. 6. A flowchart showing an example of the alert process in S3 of FIG. 6. A flowchart showing an example of a fire detector call process. A flowchart showing an example of a fire detector alert process

Below, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with appropriate reference to the drawings. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters and duplicate explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily redundant and to make it easier for those skilled in the art to understand.

The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

<System Configuration>
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an intercom system according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the intercom system has a master unit 1, a front door slave unit 2, fire detectors 3a to 3c, and a monitoring device 4. In addition to the intercom system, Fig. 1 also shows a building A1a, a gatepost A1b, and a power line L1. Hereinafter, when the fire detectors 3a to 3c are not to be distinguished from one another, they may be simply referred to as fire detector 3.

The master unit 1, the fire detector 3, and the monitoring device 4 are installed inside a building A1a, such as a detached house, condominium, or apartment. The entrance slave unit 2 is installed near the entrance, for example, on a gatepost A1b or next to the entrance door.

The master unit 1 is installed in a central location in the house, such as the living room or kitchen. The fire detectors 3 are installed in each room in the house.

Fire detector 3 has a communication function. Fire detector 3 is installed, for example, on the ceiling so that it is easy to detect smoke and heat from a fire.

The parent unit 1, the entrance unit 2, the fire detector 3, and the monitoring device 4 are connected, for example, via a power line L1. The parent unit 1, the entrance unit 2, the fire detector 3, and the monitoring device 4 communicate, for example, via PLC (Power Line Communication).

In recent years, fire detectors are becoming standard equipment in each room of a house. Therefore, if a fire detector has the function of a handset (in-house handset), communication with the entrance handset 2 can be easily realized in each room. In the intercom system of the present disclosure, the fire detector 3 has a communication function (handset function) as described below. If this fire detector 3 is installed in each room of the building A1a, each room will be equipped with a fire detector and a handset will be installed in each room. Therefore, in the intercom system of the present disclosure, communication with the entrance handset 2 can be easily realized in each room. In addition, the cost and labor required for installing the handset are reduced.

The master unit 1, entrance unit 2, fire detector 3, and monitoring device 4 communicate via PLC. Therefore, the intercom system disclosed herein can reduce the cost of laying signal lines. The master unit 1, entrance unit 2, fire detector 3, and monitoring device 4 can easily secure a power source.

<System Overview>
General Operation When a Visitor Visits When the call button of the entrance slave unit 2 is pressed by a visitor, the entrance slave unit 2 transmits a call signal to the master unit 1 .

When the master unit 1 receives a call signal from the entrance slave unit 2, it outputs a sound to notify the user that a call has been made from the entrance slave unit 2. This allows, for example, a resident in the room in which the master unit 1 is installed to recognize a visitor.

When the master unit 1 receives a call signal from the entrance slave unit 2, it transmits the call signal to the fire detector 3. When the fire detector 3 receives the call signal, it outputs a sound to notify the user that a call has been made from the entrance slave unit 2. This allows the resident in the room in which the fire detector 3 is installed to be aware of the arrival of a visitor.

The first of the master unit 1 and fire detectors 3a to 3c to respond to a call from the front door unit 2 will form a communication path (call path) with the front door unit 2. In other words, the first resident in each room of building A1a to respond will be able to talk to the visitor.

As mentioned above, the fire detector 3 is installed on the ceiling. Therefore, the fire detector 3 receives a response not from a button operation but from a specific voice (word) such as a "response" from the resident.

On the other hand, the master unit 1 is installed, for example, on the wall of the room to receive operations from the resident. Therefore, the master unit 1 may receive responses, for example, by the resident operating a button, or may receive responses by voice, as with the fire detector 3.

When the fire detector 3 detects a fire, it outputs an alert sound and transmits a detection signal to the master unit 1 indicating that a fire has been detected.

When the parent unit 1 receives a detection signal from a fire detector 3, it transmits the detection signal to fire detectors 3 other than the fire detector 3 that transmitted the detection signal. The fire detector 3 that receives the detection signal outputs an alert sound. This allows residents in rooms where no fire is occurring to know that a fire has occurred in another room.

When the parent unit 1 receives a detection signal from the fire detector 3, it forms a communication path between all devices connected to the parent unit 1 via the power line L1.

For example, parent unit 1 establishes a communication path between parent unit 1 and entrance sub-unit 2. Parent unit 1 establishes a communication path between parent unit 1 and fire detector 3. Parent unit 1 establishes a communication path between entrance sub-unit 2 and fire detector 3. Parent unit 1 establishes a communication path between fire detectors 3a to 3c. This allows residents in each room of building A1a to contact each other in the event of a fire. Also, residents in each room of building A1a can contact people outside via entrance sub-unit 2.

When the parent unit 1 receives a detection signal from the fire detector 3, it transmits the detection signal to the monitoring device 4. When the monitoring device 4 receives the detection signal, it activates a disaster prevention device such as a sprinkler. This makes it possible to extinguish the fire.

When the parent unit 1 receives a detection signal from the fire detector 3, it sends a message to a pre-registered terminal such as a smartphone to notify the user of the occurrence of a fire. This makes it possible to notify residents of the building A1a who are away from home of the fire, for example.

<Block configuration>
Block Configuration of Base Unit Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a block configuration of base unit 1. As shown in Fig. 2, base unit 1 has a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, an audio data decoder 14, a speaker 15, a microphone 16, an audio data encoder 17, a display 18, and a button 19.

The control unit 11 controls the entire parent unit 1. The control unit 11 may be configured, for example, as a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

The storage unit 12 stores programs for the control unit 11 to operate. The storage unit 12 also stores data for the control unit 11 to perform calculation processing and data for controlling each connected unit. The storage unit 12 may be configured with storage devices such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, and HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

The communication unit 13 is connected to the power line L1, for example, and performs PLC with the device connected to the power line L1. The communication unit 13 may have a PLC module.

The audio data decoder 14 converts the digital audio data output from the control unit 11 into analog audio data and outputs it to the speaker 15.

The speaker 15 outputs sound based on the analog audio data output from the audio data decoder 14.

The microphone 16 converts the sound into analog audio data and outputs it to the audio data encoder 17.

The audio data encoder 17 converts the analog audio data output from the microphone 16 into digital audio data and outputs it to the control unit 11.

The display 18 displays an image based on the digital image data output from the control unit 11. The display 18 is, for example, a liquid crystal display.

The button 19 accepts operations by residents of the building A1a in which the master unit 1 is installed. The button 19 outputs information corresponding to the accepted operation to the control unit 11. The button 19 may be, for example, a touch panel superimposed on the display 18. The button 19 may also be a push button or the like.

Block Configuration of the Entrance Subunit Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the block configuration of the entrance subunit 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the entrance subunit 2 has a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, an audio data decoder 24, a speaker 25, a microphone 26, an audio data encoder 27, a camera 28, and a button 29.

The control unit 21 controls the entire entrance unit 2. The control unit 21 may be configured, for example, as a CPU.

The storage unit 22 stores a program for the control unit 21 to operate. The storage unit 22 also stores data for the control unit 21 to perform calculation processing and data for controlling each connected unit. The storage unit 22 may be configured with a storage device such as a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, or a HDD.

The communication unit 23 is connected to the power line L1, for example, and performs PLC with the device connected to the power line L1. The communication unit 23 may have a PLC module.

The audio data decoder 24 converts the digital audio data output from the control unit 21 into analog audio data and outputs it to the speaker 25.

The speaker 25 outputs sound based on the analog audio data output from the audio data decoder 24.

The microphone 26 converts the sound into analog audio data and outputs it to the audio data encoder 27.

The audio data encoder 27 converts the analog audio data output from the microphone 26 into digital audio data and outputs it to the control unit 21.

The camera 28 captures moving or still images in front of the gatepost A1b or in front of the entrance in response to the control of the control unit 21. The camera 28 outputs image data of the captured image to the control unit 21.

The button 29, for example, accepts an operation by a visitor to the building A1a. The button 19 outputs information corresponding to the accepted operation to the control unit 21. The button 29 may be a push button, etc.

- Block configuration of the fire detector Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the block configuration of the fire detector 3. As shown in Fig. 4, the fire detector 3 has a control unit 31, a memory unit 32, a communication unit 33, an audio data decoder 34, a speaker 35, a microphone 36, an audio data encoder 37, and a sensor 38. The fire detector 3 has the function of an in-home slave unit by being provided with the speaker 35 and the microphone 36. Furthermore, the fire detector 3 has the function of a fire alarm by being provided with the speaker 35.

The control unit 31 controls the entire fire detector 3. The control unit 31 may be configured, for example, by a CPU.

The storage unit 32 stores a program for the control unit 31 to operate. The storage unit 32 also stores data for the control unit 31 to perform calculation processing and data for controlling each connected unit. The storage unit 32 may be configured with a storage device such as a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, or a HDD.

The communication unit 33 is connected to the power line L1, for example, and performs PLC with the device connected to the power line L1. The communication unit 33 may have a PLC module.

The audio data decoder 34 converts the digital audio data output from the control unit 31 into analog audio data and outputs it to the speaker 35.

The speaker 35 outputs sound based on the analog audio data output from the audio data decoder 34.

The microphone 36 converts the sound into analog audio data and outputs it to the audio data encoder 37.

The audio data encoder 37 converts the analog audio data output from the microphone 36 into digital audio data and outputs it to the control unit 31.

Sensor 38 is a sensor that detects a fire. Sensor 38 may be, for example, at least one of a smoke sensor that detects smoke, a temperature sensor that detects temperature, and a flame sensor that detects flames. When sensor 38 detects a fire, it outputs a fire detection signal to control unit 31.

5 is a diagram showing an example of a block configuration of the monitoring device 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the monitoring device 4 has a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, and a communication unit 43.

The control unit 41 controls the entire monitoring device 4. The control unit 41 may be configured, for example, by a CPU.

The storage unit 42 stores a program for the control unit 41 to operate. The storage unit 42 also stores data for the control unit 41 to perform calculation processing and data for controlling each connected unit. The storage unit 42 may be configured with a storage device such as a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, or a HDD.

The communication unit 43 is connected to the power line L1, for example, and performs PLC with the device connected to the power line L1. The communication unit 43 may have a PLC module.

<Operation>
Operation of the Master Unit Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the master unit 1. The master unit 1 waits for an interrupt to occur. When an interrupt occurs, the master unit 1 executes the process of the flowchart shown in Fig. 6.

The parent unit 1 determines whether the type of interrupt that occurred is a call or an alert (S1).

For example, when the parent unit 1 receives a call signal from the entrance unit 2 whose call button has been pressed, it determines that the type of interrupt is a call. When the parent unit 1 receives a detection signal from a fire detector 3 that has detected a fire, it determines that the type of interrupt is an alert.

When the base unit 1 determines that the type of interrupt is a call (Call in S1), it executes a call process (S2, see the flowchart in FIG. 7). After completing the call process, the base unit 1 waits for an interrupt to occur.

When the parent unit 1 determines that the type of interrupt is an alert (alert in S1), it executes alert processing (S3, see the flowchart in FIG. 8). After finishing the alert processing, the parent unit 1 waits for an interrupt to occur.

Figure 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the call processing in S2 of Figure 6. When the base unit 1 determines in S1 of Figure 6 that the type of interrupt is a call, it outputs a ring tone indicating that a visitor has arrived (S11). This allows the resident of the room in which the base unit 1 is installed to recognize the visitor.

The parent unit 1 instructs the fire detector 3 to output a ring tone (S12). For example, the parent unit 1 transmits a call signal to the fire detector 3 and instructs the fire detector 3 to output a ring tone. This allows a resident in the room in which the fire detector 3 is installed to recognize a visitor.

The parent unit 1 determines whether or not there has been a response from the parent unit 1 and the fire detector 3 (S13).

For example, the parent unit 1 determines whether or not there has been a response by a button operation by a resident of the building A1a or by input of a specific voice such as "respond." The parent unit 1 also receives a voice signal input by the fire detector 3 from the fire detector 3, determines whether or not the fire detector 3 has input a specific voice such as "respond," and determines whether or not there has been a response from the fire detector 3.

If there is no response from the parent unit 1 or the fire detector 3 (No in S13), the parent unit 1 transitions the process to S11.

On the other hand, if there is a response from the parent unit 1 or one of the fire detectors 3a-3b (Yes in S13), the parent unit 1 instructs the devices connected to the power line L1 (excluding the entrance unit 2) to stop outputting the ring tone (S14). For example, if there is a response from the fire detector 3b, the parent unit 1 instructs the parent unit 1 and the fire detectors 3a, 3b, and 3c to stop outputting the ring tone. The parent unit 1 instructs the fire detectors 3a, 3b, and 3c to stop outputting the ring tone, for example, by sending a stop signal.

The master unit 1 establishes a communication path between the front door slave unit 2 and the response device (S15). For example, in the above example, the master unit 1 establishes a communication path between the fire detector 3b that responded and the front door slave unit 2. In other words, the master unit 1 establishes a communication path between the device that responded first and the front door slave unit 2.

The base unit 1 processes the call between the answering device and the entrance unit 2 (S16).

The master unit 1 performs an unlocking operation on the front door in response to an instruction from the response device (S17). For example, if a communication path has been established between the fire detector 3b and the front door sub-unit 2, the master unit 1 performs an unlocking operation on the front door based on a specific voice such as "unlock" input by the fire detector 3b. If a communication path has been established between the master unit 1 and the front door sub-unit 2, the master unit 1 performs an unlocking operation on the front door in response to a button operation by the resident on the master unit 1 or based on a specific voice such as "unlock" input by the resident.

The master unit 1 determines whether to end the call (S18). For example, if a communication path has been formed between the fire detector 3b and the front door sub-unit 2, the master unit 1 determines whether to end the call based on a specific voice, such as "end call," input by the fire detector 3b. If a communication path has been formed between the master unit 1 and the front door sub-unit 2, the master unit 1 determines whether to end the call based on the resident's button operation on the master unit 1 or a specific voice, such as "unlock." Also, for example, the master unit 1 determines whether to end the call if there is no communication for a certain period of time between the devices that have formed the communication path.

If the base unit 1 determines that the call has not ended (No in S18), the process proceeds to S16.

On the other hand, if the base unit 1 determines that the call has been ended (Yes in S18), it disconnects the call path between the answering device and the entrance unit 2 and ends the call process.

Note that the order of the processes in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is not limited to the above order. For example, the order of S11 and S12 may be reversed.

Figure 8 is a flow chart showing an example of the alert processing in S3 of Figure 6. When the parent unit 1 determines in S1 of Figure 6 that the type of interrupt is an alert, it outputs an alert sound indicating a fire has occurred and displays a warning on the display (S21). This allows the occupants of the room in which the parent unit 1 is installed to recognize that a fire has occurred.

The parent unit 1 instructs the fire detectors 3 to output an alert sound (S22). For example, the parent unit 1 transmits a detection signal to the fire detectors 3 other than the fire detector 3 that transmitted the detection signal indicating the detection of a fire, and instructs them to output an alert sound. This allows the residents of all rooms in which fire detectors 3 are installed to be aware of the occurrence of a fire.

The parent unit 1 notifies the monitoring device 4 and preregistered terminals of the occurrence of a fire (S23).

For example, the parent unit 1 transmits a detection signal to the monitoring device 4 indicating that a fire has been detected, and notifies the monitoring device 4 of the occurrence of a fire. Upon receiving the detection signal, the monitoring device 4 activates a disaster prevention device such as a sprinkler.

The base unit 1 also sends a message to a pre-registered terminal such as a smartphone to notify the occurrence of a fire. This makes it possible to notify, for example, a resident of building A1a who is away from home of the fire. Furthermore, a resident who has been notified of the fire can use their terminal to call a resident who is in building A1a.

The master unit 1 establishes a communication path between all devices connected to the master unit 1 via the power line L1 (S24). For example, the master unit 1 establishes a communication path between the master unit 1 and the entrance slave unit 2. The master unit 1 establishes a communication path between the master unit 1 and the fire detector 3. The master unit 1 establishes a communication path between the entrance slave unit 2 and the fire detector 3. The master unit 1 establishes a communication path between the fire detectors 3a to 3c.

The base unit 1 performs call processing between devices connected to the power line L1 (S25).

The master unit 1 performs an unlocking operation on the front door when the resident operates a button on the master unit 1 or based on a specific voice command from the resident, such as "unlock" (S26). The master unit 1 also performs an unlocking operation on the front door based on a specific voice command, such as "unlock," input by the fire detector 3 (S26).

The master unit 1 determines whether to end the call (S27). For example, the master unit 1 determines whether to end the call when the resident presses a button on the master unit 1, or based on a specific voice of the resident, such as "end call." The master unit 1 determines whether to end the call based on a specific voice of the resident, such as "unlock," input by the fire detector 3.

If the base unit 1 determines that the call has not ended (No in S27), it transitions to S25.

On the other hand, if the base unit 1 determines that the call has been ended (Yes in S27), it disconnects the communication path between the devices connected to the power line L1 and ends the alert process (see S3 in Figure 6).

Note that the order of the processes in the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is not limited to the above order. For example, the order of S21 to S24 may be reversed.

Operation of Fire Detector Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a call process of the fire detector 3. When the fire detector 3 receives a call signal from the master unit 1, it executes the process of the flowchart shown in Fig. 9.

The fire detector 3 outputs a call tone in response to the call signal from the parent unit 1 (S31).

The fire detector 3 determines whether or not it has received a stop signal from the parent unit 1 instructing it to stop ringing (S32).

If the fire detector 3 determines that it has received a stop signal from the parent unit 1 (Yes in S32), it stops the ringtone (S33) and ends the processing of this flowchart.

On the other hand, if the fire detector 3 determines that it has not received a stop signal from the parent unit 1 (No in S32), it determines whether or not voice has been input (S34).

If the fire detector 3 determines that no voice has been input (No in S34), it transitions to S31.

If the fire detector 3 determines that voice has been input (Yes in S34), it transmits the input voice signal to the parent unit 1 (S35).

The fire detector 3 establishes a communication path between the entrance slave unit 2 and the fire detector 3 based on the instruction from the master unit 1 (S36). Note that the fire detector 3 receives an instruction to establish a communication path from the master unit 1 if it inputs a specific voice such as "answer" to another device (excluding the entrance slave unit 2) first in the process of S34.

The fire detector 3 performs communication processing with the entrance intercom 2 (S37).

The fire detector 3 determines whether or not the parent unit 1 has instructed it to disconnect the call path (S38).

If the fire detector 3 does not receive an instruction from the parent unit 1 to disconnect the communication path (No in S38), the process proceeds to S37.

On the other hand, if the fire detector 3 receives an instruction from the parent unit 1 to disconnect the call path (Yes in S38), it executes the call path disconnection process and ends the process of the flowchart. Note that the fire detector 3 receives an instruction to disconnect the call path from the parent unit 1 if a specific voice such as "end call" is input during the call process of S37.

Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the alert processing of the fire detector 3. When the fire detector 3 receives an alert signal from the parent unit 1, it executes the processing of the flowchart shown in Figure 10.

The fire detector 3 outputs an alert sound in response to the alert signal from the parent unit 1 (S41).

The fire detector 3 that detects a fire does not receive an alert signal from the parent unit 1. The fire detector 3 that detects a fire immediately outputs an alert sound when it detects a fire.

For example, let us say that among the fire detectors 3a to 3c, fire detector 3b detects a fire. In this case, the fire detector 3b that detected the fire does not receive an alert signal from the parent unit 1 and outputs an alert sound. The fire detectors 3a and 3c that did not detect the fire output an alert sound in response to the alert signal from the parent unit 1 through the processing of S41. This allows residents in rooms where no fire is occurring to be aware of a fire that has occurred in another room.

The fire detector 3 establishes a communication path between the other devices based on an instruction from the master unit 1 (S42). For example, the fire detector 3 establishes a communication path between the master unit 1, the entrance slave unit 2, and the other fire detectors 3.

The fire detector 3 performs communication processing with the device connected to the power line L1 (S43).

The fire detector 3 determines whether or not the parent unit 1 has instructed it to disconnect the call path (S44).

If the fire detector 3 does not receive an instruction from the parent unit 1 to disconnect the communication path (No in S44), the process proceeds to S43.

On the other hand, if the fire detector 3 receives an instruction from the parent unit 1 to disconnect the call path (Yes in S44), it executes the call path disconnection process and stops the alert sound (S45). The fire detector 3 then ends the process of the flowchart. Note that the fire detector 3 receives an instruction to disconnect the call path from the parent unit 1 if a specific voice, for example, "end call," is input during the call process of S43.

In the flowchart of FIG. 10, when an instruction to disconnect the communication path is given (Yes in S44), the alert sound is stopped (S45), but this is not limited to the above. In S43, the parent unit 1 may send a stop signal to the fire detector 3 instructing the fire detector 3 to stop the alert sound in response to a specific voice such as "stop alert sound" input by the fire detector 3. The fire detector 3 may stop the alert sound in response to the stop signal from the parent unit 1.

Summary of the embodiment
As described above, the parent unit 1 has a communication unit 13 that communicates with the entrance sub-unit 2 installed near the entrance and with a fire detector 3 installed inside the house and having a communication function, and a control unit 11 that forms a communication path between the entrance sub-unit 2 and the fire detector 3 when the fire detector 3 responds to a call from the entrance sub-unit 2.

This configuration allows calls to be made with the front door sub-unit 2 in each room easily. For example, in recent years, fire detectors are becoming standard equipment in each room of a house. When a call from the front door sub-unit 2 is answered by the fire detector 3, which has a call function, the master unit 1 forms a call path between the front door sub-unit 2 and the fire detector 3. Therefore, if a fire detector 3 is installed in each room of the building A1a, each room will be equipped with a fire detector and a sub-unit will be installed in each room, making it easy to make calls with the front door sub-unit 2 in each room. In addition, the cost and labor required to install the sub-units will be reduced.

The fire detector 3 also has a voice input device such as a microphone 36 and a voice data encoder 37, a sensor 38 that detects a fire, a communication unit 33 that transmits a detection signal indicating that a fire has been detected to the master unit 1 and transmits an audio signal of the voice input by the voice input device to the master unit 1, and a control unit 31 that forms a communication path with the entrance slave unit 2 installed near the entrance based on instructions from the master unit 1.

This configuration allows calls to be made with the front door sub-unit 2 in each room easily. For example, in recent years, fire detectors are becoming standard equipment in each room of a house. The fire detector 3 forms a call path between the front door sub-unit 2 and the fire detector 3 based on instructions from the master unit 1. Therefore, if the fire detector 3 is installed in each room of the building A1a, each room will be equipped with a fire detector and a sub-unit will be installed in each room, making it easy to make calls with the front door sub-unit 2 in each room. In addition, the cost and labor required to install the sub-units will be reduced.

<Modification>
In the above, the master unit 1 judges the voices such as "answer", "unlock", and "end call" input by the fire detector 3, but the fire detector 3 may judge the voices such as "answer", "unlock", and "end call". Then, the fire detector 3 may transmit the judgment result of the specific voice to the master unit 1.

The specific voice detected by the parent unit 1 and the fire detector 3 may be registered and changed. For example, the specific voice detected by the parent unit 1 and the fire detector 3 may be registered and changed in the parent unit 1 and/or the fire detector 3 by a resident of the building A1a uttering a specific voice toward the parent unit 1.

The specific voice is not limited to voices such as "answer," "unlock," and "end call." The specific voice may be selected as a voice to which the parent unit 1 and the fire detector 3 do not react to normal conversation voices.

In the above, the parent unit 1, the front door sub-unit 2, and the fire detector 3 communicate with each other via the power line L1, but this is not limited to the above. The parent unit 1, the front door sub-unit 2, and the fire detector 3 may communicate with each other via a dedicated line other than the power line L1, for example. The parent unit 1, the front door sub-unit 2, and the fire detector 3 may also communicate with each other wirelessly, for example, via Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

In the above, the master unit 1 may be referred to as an intercom master unit or an in-home master unit. The front door slave unit 2 may be referred to as a slave unit or an outside-home slave unit. The fire detector 3 may be referred to as a slave unit, an in-home slave unit, or an intercom fire detector. The front door slave unit 2 and the fire detector 3 may be referred to as intercom slave units. The intercom may be referred to as an intercom or a door phone.

Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modified or amended examples within the scope of the claims. It is understood that such modified or amended examples also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components in the embodiments may be combined in any manner as long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure.

In the above-described embodiments, the notation "part" used for each component may be replaced with other notations such as "circuitry", "assembly", "device", "unit", or "module".

The present disclosure can be realized by software, hardware, or software in conjunction with hardware. Each functional block used in the description of the above embodiments may be realized, in part or in whole, as an LSI, which is an integrated circuit, and each process described in the above embodiments may be controlled, in part or in whole, by one LSI or a combination of LSIs. The LSI may be composed of individual chips, or may be composed of one chip that includes some or all of the functional blocks. The LSI may have data input and output. Depending on the degree of integration, the LSI may be called an IC, a system LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra LSI.

The integrated circuit method is not limited to LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit, a general-purpose processor, or a dedicated processor. In addition, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that can be programmed after LSI manufacturing, or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connections and settings of circuit cells inside the LSI, may be used. The present disclosure may be realized as digital processing or analog processing.

Furthermore, if an integrated circuit technology that can replace LSI emerges due to advances in semiconductor technology or other derived technologies, it is natural that such technology can be used to integrate functional blocks. The application of biotechnology, etc. is also a possibility.

This disclosure is useful, for example, in an intercom system that allows each room in a house to respond to a call from a doorbell.

1 Parent unit 2 Entrance slave unit 3, 3a to 3c Fire detector 4 Monitoring device A1a Building A1b Gatepost

Claims (9)

A communication unit that communicates with a front door unit installed near the front door and communicates with a fire detector that is installed in the house and has a communication function;
a control unit that, when a response is received from the fire detector to a call from the entrance slave unit, forms a communication path between the entrance slave unit and the fire detector;
An intercom master unit having the above configuration. The communication unit communicates with the entrance unit and the fire detector via power line communication.
The intercom master unit according to claim 1. The control unit determines a response from the fire detector when a sound based on the sound signal received from the fire detector matches a specific sound.
The intercom master unit according to claim 1. The control unit forms a communication path between the first fire detector among the plurality of fire detectors that responds and the entrance slave unit.
The intercom master unit according to claim 3. After forming the communication path, the control unit unlocks the front door when a voice based on the voice signal received from the fire detector matches a specific voice.
The intercom master unit according to claim 4. When the control unit receives an alert signal indicating a detection of a fire from the fire detector, the control unit transmits the alert signal to other fire detectors other than the fire detector.
The intercom master unit according to claim 1. When the control unit receives an alert signal indicating the detection of a fire from the fire detector, the control unit forms a communication path between devices including the intercom master unit and connected to the intercom master unit.
The intercom master unit according to claim 1. After forming the communication path, the control unit unlocks the front door when a voice based on the voice signal received from the fire detector matches a specific voice.
The intercom master unit according to claim 7. A voice input device;
A sensor for detecting a fire;
a communication unit that transmits a detection signal indicating that the fire has been detected to the intercom master unit and transmits an audio signal of the audio input device to the intercom master unit;
A control unit that establishes a communication path with a front door slave unit installed near the front door based on an instruction from the intercom master unit;
A fire detector having a

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