JPH05236189A - Picture recorder for interphone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To record a picture of a visitor during absence by using a general-purpose facsimile equipment in an interphone with a camera. CONSTITUTION:When a visitor depresses a call button of an interphone, a video signal from a video camera is fetched in a memory by one pattern (S1). Then, a circuit used to connect a facsimile equipment and a telephone line is selected to the position of the interphone (S2), a facsimile call signal is generated to call the facsimile terminal equipment (S3). Then, a picture fetched in the memory is converted into a pseudo gradation signal and outputted to the called facsimile terminal equipment (S4), and when the transmission is finished, the line is interrupted (S5) to connect the facsimile terminal equipment to the telephone line normally (S6).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording device for an intercom system, and more particularly, it includes a video camera provided for photographing a visitor and a display device for displaying an image photographed by the video camera. In an intercom system provided, the present invention relates to an apparatus capable of recording an image of a guest who is away from home by using a general facsimile terminal apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art While incorporating a video camera into an intercom installed on the entrance side, a monitor is provided on an intercom installed inside the room so that a call can be made while checking the face of a visitor photographed by the video camera on the monitor. An intercom system configured so that it can be put into practical use.

In the intercom system, a face image signal of a guest who is out of the office captured by the video camera is stored in a semiconductor memory, and the face of the guest who is out of the recorded room is recorded after returning home. There is also a system that can be displayed on the monitor for confirmation.

[0004]

By the way, as described above, when the face of a guest who is out of the office is automatically recorded and viewed after returning home, the conventional monitor display method is not available. When there are a plurality of visitors, there is no choice but to display them one by one and confirm them, which is troublesome and difficult to confirm.

Here, a method of dividing the monitor screen and displaying a plurality of visitor screens at the same time can be considered, but since the monitor screen generally incorporated in the intercom is a small size of several inches, individual face images are displayed. Becomes too small, making it difficult to check. It is also assumed that the intercom has a built-in function of a VTR or a still video recorder, or a dedicated VTR or a still video recorder is externally connected to record an image of a guest who is out of the room. In this case, the device becomes large and the cost becomes high. In this respect, the use of the semiconductor memory is advantageous for downsizing the device, but increasing the capacity of the semiconductor memory for recording a plurality of screens is disadvantageous in cost.

Further, if a VTR for household use, which is becoming widespread, is also used for recording an intercom visitor, the problem in terms of cost can be solved, but wiring between the intercom and the VTR is troublesome or is not available. In order to record a visitor, there is a problem that a normal absence recording function of a TV program cannot be used. Here, as a device capable of recording an image, which is widely used for home use, there is a facsimile terminal device in addition to the home VTR. This facsimile terminal device is provided with a printer unit for printing the image that has been sent, and if the printer unit can print out the images of the guests who are out of the office one after another, it is possible to list the guests who are out of the office. Since the image of the visitor is saved in the form of a hard copy, it is easy to record multiple screens, and the recorded images are not updated one after another as in the case of saving in the form of a signal. it can. However, if the printer section of a normal facsimile terminal device can also be used for recording the guest during the absence, it is possible to reduce the cost for recording the customer by sharing the printer section, which is the main part for recording. Become.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an automatic image recording apparatus capable of recording a visitor by using a facsimile terminal device, whereby it is easy to confirm a visitor who is away. In addition, the objective is to realize the recording of intercom visitors with a simple structure and at low cost.

[0008]

Therefore, an image recording device of an intercom system according to the present invention comprises a video camera provided for photographing a visitor and a display device for displaying an image photographed by the video camera. The present invention is applied to an intercom system provided with the above, and is configured as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, a memory captures and stores a video signal output from a video camera, and a facsimile signal output means conforms to a facsimile standard while sequentially reading out the signal stored in the memory. Convert to a signal and output. And the control means
The storage of the video signal in the memory and the operation of the facsimile signal output means are controlled based on a predetermined image recording trigger signal.

Here, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 1, a circuit for directly connecting the facsimile signal output means and a predetermined facsimile terminal device and a circuit for connecting the predetermined facsimile terminal device and a telephone line are selectively used. And a switching control means for controlling the terminal input switching means on the basis of the predetermined image recording trigger signal, and the facsimile signal output means has a predetermined facsimile terminal. It may be configured so as to include call signal generation means for generating a call signal for the device.

Further, the facsimile signal output means may be configured to dial and call a predetermined facsimile terminal device and transmit an image signal to the predetermined facsimile terminal device via a telephone line. As the predetermined image recording trigger signal, an operation signal of an intercom on the visitor side or a voice signal from a microphone provided in the intercom on the visitor side can be used.

Further, there is provided a trigger signal generating means based on a brightness difference for obtaining a brightness difference between predetermined areas on the screen based on a video signal from the video camera and issuing the predetermined image recording trigger signal based on the brightness difference. It may be configured with. In addition, the facsimile device is provided with a memory for receiving and storing the video signal, and a function of directly outputting the signal of the memory to a printer having a built-in function is provided, and the facsimile device is used for image recording of an intercom system. It may be used as a device.

[0013]

According to the image recording apparatus of the intercom system, the image of the visitor photographed by the video camera is temporarily stored in the memory based on the predetermined image recording trigger signal, and then sequentially read out to meet the facsimile standard. It is converted into a compliant signal and output as a signal that can be handled by the facsimile terminal device.

Here, a circuit for connecting the facsimile terminal device to a telephone line and a circuit for inputting a signal from the video camera of the intercom to the facsimile terminal device are switched, and the circuit is based on the image recording trigger signal. , The facsimile terminal device can be operated normally when the intercom visitor recording is not performed, and when the intercom recording is performed, a facsimile call signal is generated to establish connection. An image can be transmitted by calling a predetermined facsimile terminal device and in the same manner as when it is normally called by another facsimile terminal device.

Further, if the image of the visitor is transmitted by calling a predetermined facsimile terminal device via the telephone line, the visitor image can be transmitted to a remote place (outgoing place) via the telephone line. In the intercom system, when a visitor operates the intercom or speaks into the microphone of the intercom, it is assumed that the visitor is being photographed by the video camera. If the memory and the operation of converting and storing the stored image are performed, it is possible to reliably record the visitor image.

Further, since the brightness level in the screen generally changes depending on the presence or absence of a visitor within the shooting range of the video camera, the brightness difference between the predetermined areas in the screen is obtained.
It is possible to determine whether there is a visitor within the shooting range of the video camera, and by generating an image recording trigger signal based on this determination, useless image recording for the same visitor or an image in which no visitor is shot You can avoid recording.

Further, if the facsimile apparatus is provided with a memory for capturing and storing a video signal and having a function of directly outputting the signal stored in the memory to a printer having a built-in memory, such a facsimile apparatus is provided. The configuration is further simplified by also being used for image recording of the intercom system.

[0018]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described below. Figure 2
FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram showing an embodiment of an image recording device of an intercom system according to the present invention. The intercom 1 is an outdoor unit installed at the entrance of the house, and the intercom 2 paired with the intercom 1 is an indoor unit installed in the house. When a visitor presses the call button 3 provided on the outdoor intercom 1, a chime sounds on the side of the intercom 2 inside the room, and this chime becomes a ringing sound. When a person in the room presses the call button 4 on the intercom 2 side, they can talk with each other. That is, the intercom 1,
2 are microphones 5 and 6 and speakers 7 and 8 respectively.
Are provided, but the power supply to these is controlled by the controller 11 such that the call button 4 on the indoor side is pressed.

In the case where the microphone 6 and the speaker 8 on the side of the intercom 2 in the room are formed in the shape of a handset of a general telephone and the call button 4 is turned on by picking up the handset. There is also.
Further, a video camera 9 for a monitor is incorporated in the outdoor intercom 1, and the intercom 1 is provided so that a visitor operating the intercom 1 can enter the inside of the shooting range of the video camera 9 and take a face of the visitor. Is installed on the wall of the entrance, etc. (see Fig. 3).

On the other hand, the intercom 2 in the room is equipped with a monitor television 10 (display device) for monitoring the image taken by the video camera 9, and the face of the visitor taken by the video camera 9 is monitored by this monitor. Monitor the video signal from the video camera 9 so that you can check it on the TV 10.
The data is output to the controller 10 via the controller 11.

Power supply to the video camera 9 and the monitor TV 10 is started by the controller 11 using the call button 3 as a trigger, and the visitor calls the call button 3
When is pressed, the video camera 9 and the monitor TV are immediately
The power of 10 is supplied, the face of the visitor is displayed on the monitor TV 10, and the call button 4 is turned on. The power is continuously supplied during the call, and the call can be made while confirming the face of the visitor on the monitor. When the call ends and the call button 4 is cut off, the call and the image monitor are stopped at that time or after a while.

The above is the configuration of an intercom system in which a commercially available video camera is incorporated. In this embodiment, the video signal output from the video camera 9 for monitoring is defined by a facsimile standard. Facsimile that converts to a signal that conforms to and outputs
An adapter 12 is provided. The facsimile adapter 12 includes a memory (not shown) that captures and stores a video signal output from the video camera 9, a binarization circuit that sequentially reads the signals stored in the memory and converts the signals into a binary signal. The video signal from the video camera 9 is converted into a pseudo gradation signal which represents gradation by a binary signal by a dither method, an error diffusion method or the like, so that the standard can be handled by the facsimile terminal device 14. It is converted into a compliant signal and output.

The output signal of the facsimile adapter 12 is a general facsimile terminal device 14 installed indoors.
Is output via the interface 13. The output to the facsimile terminal device 14 is performed via a facsimile input switching circuit 15 (terminal input switching means). This facsimile input switching circuit 15 is used for the facsimile terminal device 14 and general subscriber telephone lines. This is to selectively switch between a normal circuit (outside line) connected to and a circuit (extension line) for directly inputting the output from the facsimile adapter 12.

The facsimile input switching circuit 15 has a function as switching control means, and switches the input to the facsimile terminal device 14 based on the operation signal (image recording trigger signal) of the call button 3. When the facsimile terminal switching circuit 15 connects the facsimile terminal device 14 and the telephone line, the facsimile terminal device 14 functions as a normal facsimile terminal, and when the facsimile terminal device 14 and the facsimile adapter 12 are connected, the video camera 9 takes an image. The generated image signal can be output to the facsimile terminal device 14 to record a visitor image.

Here, the facsimile adapter 12 has
A switch (not shown) for selecting either the normal home mode or the absence mode is provided. When the home mode is selected, the facsimile adapter 12 and the facsimile input switching circuit 15 do not function, and the facsimile terminal device 14 is connected to the telephone line. Therefore, the intercom system equipped with the video camera 9 and the facsimile terminal device 14 operate independently of each other and function only as a general intercom and facsimile terminal device 14, respectively.

On the other hand, when the absence mode is selected, the operation of automatically recording the image of the visitor is performed as follows, and referring to the flowchart of FIG. The state of recording will be described.
When there is a visitor while the absence mode is selected and the call button 3 is pressed, the controller 11 normally supplies the power to the video camera 9, and at the same time, the facsimile adapter 12 is activated. Become. That is, the facsimile adapter 12 regards the operation of the call button 3 as a trigger signal for image recording and starts the actual recording operation.
Has a function as a control unit and a facsimile signal output unit. And the facsimile adapter 12
The video signal from the video camera 9 is loaded into the built-in memory for one screen (S1).

Although the facsimile adapter 12 is put into operation immediately after the call button 3 is operated, the video camera 9 requires some time after the power is turned on until the output becomes stable. It is preferable that the video signal is taken into the memory after a lapse of a predetermined time from power-on of the video camera 9 (operation of the call button 3).

Next, in order to directly output the image signal taken into the memory to the facsimile terminal device 14, the facsimile input switching circuit 15 is provided with a facsimile adapter.
The circuit is switched to the side (extension) where 12 and the facsimile terminal device 14 are directly connected (S2). Then, the facsimile adapter 12 is connected to the facsimile terminal device via the interface 13 having a function as a calling signal generating means.
When the calling of the facsimile terminal device 14 from the facsimile adapter 12 is accepted by outputting the calling signal of 14 (S3), the facsimile adapter 12 sends the image signal to the facsimile terminal in the same manner as the communication via the ordinary telephone line. Output to the device 14 (S4).

Therefore, the facsimile terminal device 14 operates in the same manner as when transmitting an image through a telephone line between ordinary facsimile terminals, and has a built-in printer based on the image signal transmitted from the facsimile adapter 12. The section is operated to output a hard copy of the face image of the visitor captured by the video camera 9. When this series of operations is completed, the facsimile adapter 12 disconnects the line and stops the operation (S5), and the facsimile input switching circuit 15
Is switched to the side (outside line) that connects the telephone line and the facsimile terminal device 14 (S6), and the facsimile terminal device
14 returns to the state of waiting for reception via the normal telephone line.

That is, when the absence mode is selected when going out, when the visitor comes and presses the call button 3, the operation signal of the interphone switch indicates the presence of the visitor, and the visitor is within the photographing range of the video camera 9. Since it is assumed that there are people in the room, the image taken by the video camera 9 at that time is converted into a signal that can be handled by the facsimile terminal device and output to the general facsimile terminal device 14 to display the image of the guest who is out. The facsimile terminal device 14 is used to automatically record in the form of a hard copy.

Therefore, if the absence mode is selected when leaving the house, the image taken by the video camera 9 will be taken as a hard copy of each time the customer presses the call button 3 while the user is away. Recorded automatically. Therefore, by checking the printout of the facsimile terminal device 14 at the time of returning home, it is possible to see at a glance what kind of visitor there was while he / she was absent, and perform operations such as displaying and checking recorded images one by one. You don't need to do anything, and you can check your visitors at the bottom of the list. However, as a device for recording an image of a visitor, a general household facsimile terminal device 14
Since it can also be used as a printer, the cost can be reduced as compared with the case where a dedicated printer is provided, and since the facsimile terminal device 14 and the facsimile adapter 12 communicate in the same manner as normal facsimile communication, there is no need for complicated wiring. Furthermore,
Since the face image of the visitor is recorded as a hard copy, the number of recorded images is less compared to the case where it is stored in a semiconductor memory, and even if there are multiple guests while away, each face image can be easily and cheaply. Can be recorded.

As described above, the interface 13 is provided to operate the facsimile terminal device 14 in the same manner as when the facsimile terminal device 14 is called from an external facsimile terminal via a telephone line. For example, a signal for calling a telephone or a facsimile terminal device is 75V16Hz, which is a signal generated by the exchange of the central office and is not included in the normal calling function of the telephone or the facsimile terminal device. Therefore, the interface 13 has a function as a calling signal generating means, and in the general telephone communication as described above, the interface terminal 13 generates a signal generated by an exchange to generate a facsimile terminal device.
14 can be called without using an exchange (telephone line).

Although the facsimile input switching circuit 15 has described only the switching operation in the above description, it needs to have a facsimile communication monitor function in order to perform normal facsimile operation normally. The monitor function detects whether or not the facsimile is communicating with the outside, and if it is communicating, the switching is stopped and the communication is waited for. Even if there are no visitors while waiting for the end of communication, there is no problem because the image is stored in the memory. The operation after the communication with the outside is completed is the same as the contents described above.

However, if the communication with the outside is too long, give up sending the image of the intercom camera,
Control such as returning to the original standby state may be added.
Specifically, a certain time limit is set, and if the time limit is exceeded, the original standby state is restored. In such a case, it is possible to store that there was a visitor but could not print, and later, the message may be sent to the facsimile together with the time of the visitor. By doing so, even when there are a plurality of visitors while the facsimile is receiving for a long time, it is possible to confirm only that there is a visitor when returning home.

In the case of the above embodiment, the image of the visitor who is out of the office is immediately displayed when there is a visitor.
However, in the case of a facsimile terminal device having an answering machine function, for example, the image of the above-mentioned unattended visitor is recorded on a tape as a voice signal, and the facsimile terminal device at the destination calls. To transmit the recorded contents of the tape to the facsimile terminal device,
Print it out on the destination facsimile terminal,
It is also possible to configure so that the guest who is out of the office can be confirmed on the go.

In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the intercom system including the facsimile terminal device and the video camera is a commercially available one.
For example, if the intercom system is also set to the absence mode, only the face image of the visitor needs to be recorded in the absence mode, so power is not supplied to a monitor or the like that does not require power supply. Like this
You should try to save power consumption.

By the way, in the above embodiment, the operation signal of the call button 3 of the intercom 1 is used as an image recording trigger signal, and when the call button 3 is pressed, the image is taken into the memory and output to the facsimile terminal device 14. However, since it is possible to detect the presence or absence of a visitor as a shooting target based on the presence or absence of a voice signal from the microphone 5 on the intercom 1 side, the voice signal is used as an image recording trigger signal. The signal may be taken in and transmitted to the facsimile terminal device 14.

That is, the call button 3 in the absence mode
When is operated, power is supplied to the microphone 5. Here, when there is an audio signal from the microphone 5, it can be considered that the visitor is talking to the microphone 5 and the visitor exists within the shooting range of the video camera 9. Therefore, when the audio signal is being input, the facsimile adapter 12 takes in the video signal of the video camera 9 at that time, and switches the input circuit to the facsimile terminal device 14 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, The configuration may be such that the received signal is converted into a facsimile signal and output.

As described above, when the voice signal of the microphone 5 is used as the image recording trigger signal to capture and transmit the image, the image when the visitor is talking to the microphone 5 is recorded. As a result, the visitor can be photographed by the video camera 9 at a constant angle and in a constant light ray state. When the operation of the call button 3 described above is used as an image recording trigger, the posture in which the call button 3 is operated by a visitor,
Since the standing positions are very different, it is unlikely that visitors will be photographed at a certain angle, but when speaking to the microphone 5, since the speaker generally approaches the microphone 3 and speaks, it is possible to photograph at a relatively constant angle. Assumed to be.

When an image is automatically recorded by using a voice signal as an image recording trigger signal, the image when the voice level exceeds a certain reference level for the first time is recorded, but the voice signal is momentarily interrupted. Since it is assumed that the same visitor will continue when it is resumed immediately after, the face image of the same person will be recorded many times without making new recording in such a case. It is good to prevent

As described above, the operation of the call button 3 or the voice signal of the microphone 5 is used as an image recording trigger signal, and the image captured at that time is taken by the facsimile terminal device 14
When the data is sent to the device for automatic recording, use of the analysis result of the image signal as described later can effectively prevent unnecessary recording. That is, some visitors may press the call button 3 many times, and if recording is performed every time the call button 3 is pressed, an image of the same visitor is recorded many times. Further, when recording a voice signal as a trigger, it is difficult to reliably determine whether or not the same visitor is present based on the interval time when the voice is interrupted as described above.

Here, in the intercom system as described above, the use conditions are limited, and the information necessary for recording an image for each visitor is only whether or not the visitor is within the photographing range. Therefore, it is preferable to analyze the image signal and control the recording operation as follows. For example, in the daytime, when the video camera 9 captures a visitor, it is often backlit, in which case the person is dark and the surroundings are bright. Therefore, while the backlit state continues, it is considered that the same person is still within the shooting range and no new image is recorded. On the other hand, if lighting is required even at night or daytime, the person will be brightly illuminated and the surroundings will be darker. It will show existence.

As a concrete method of detecting a visitor, as shown in FIG. 5, the screen is divided into a central part (3) and a peripheral part (1), and the average value of the luminance signal level in each region is obtained, When the difference is more than a certain amount, it is considered that there are visitors. When the illumination is turned on / off depending on the ambient brightness, it is presumed that the person is photographed in normal light when illuminated and the person is photographed in backlight when the illumination is extinguished. Therefore, when the average brightness (luminance) of the central part (3) is higher than the average of the peripheral part (1) to some extent when illuminated, it means that the person is within the shooting range. Can be estimated,
Conversely, when the surroundings (1) are bright and the illumination is turned off, when the average brightness (luminance) of the central portion (3) is smaller than the average of the surroundings (1) by a certain degree or more, the person is in the shooting range. It can be presumed that it exists inside and was photographed in the backlit state.

If a sensor for measuring ambient brightness (luminance) is separately provided, the lighting can be turned on and off automatically based on the output of the sensor. If there is no such sensor, the illumination device may be automatically activated when the average value of the brightness (luminance) of the peripheral portion of the screen is below a certain level. Here, the state of image recording accompanied by automatic illumination control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The function of the trigger signal generation means based on the brightness difference is shown in the flow chart of FIG.

First, when the call button (interphone switch) 3 of the intercom 1 is pressed by a visitor, photometry is performed at the peripheral portion (portion (1) in FIG. 5) of the screen imaged by the video camera 9 (S11). If the surrounding area is dark, the illumination is turned on (S12 → S13). Next, wait until the video camera 9 can adjust the aperture (S
14), the central part and the peripheral part of the screen ((3) and (1) in FIG. 5)
And) for photometry (S15). Then, when the illumination is performed, it is determined whether or not the central portion is brighter than a predetermined amount with respect to the peripheral portion (S16 → S17). If not bright, the call button 3 is pressed, but the video is displayed. Camera 9
It is judged that there is no person in the shooting range of, and waits for n seconds to ensure certainty (S18). If there is no change in this state within n seconds, turn off the light and wait. It returns to the state (S17 → S18 → S19).

On the other hand, when the light is illuminated and the central portion is bright to indicate the presence of a person, wait for n seconds (S16 → S17 → S21), and press the call button 3 of this time. After confirming that the image has not been recorded even once after receiving the operation (the photographed flag is OFF) (S22),
The image signal is taken in and transmitted to the facsimile terminal device 14 (S23), and the fact that the image is recorded is stored (the photographed flag is ON).

When the image recording is performed once and the central portion continues to be bright thereafter, it is estimated that the same person is still present, and new photographing is not performed, and the central portion and the peripheral portion are not photographed. Repeating the photometry of (S15), if the central part disappears to a certain degree brighter than the surroundings, it is judged that the person is gone, the lights are turned off and the standby state is returned (S17 → S18 → S19). ..

On the other hand, when the illumination is not provided based on the photometry of the surrounding area, the central area is sufficiently darker than the surrounding area,
It is determined whether or not the person is photographed in the backlit state (S
16 → S20). Also in this case, when the backlight condition is determined and the presence of the person is confirmed, the photograph / recording is performed only once, and when the backlight condition is resolved, it is considered that the person is no longer present and waits. Returning to the state, if it is not the backlit state from the beginning, wait n seconds and then return to the standby state.

The waiting time of n seconds is for the purpose of preventing the call button 3 from being photographed each time even if the call button 3 is continuously pressed. It is set to allow shooting even when entering. With the above configuration,
There is no need to provide a separate sensor to measure ambient brightness,
It is possible to turn on the light when necessary, and it is possible to prevent unnecessary images from being recorded when a visitor is outside the range that can be captured by the video camera 9 even if the call button 3 is pressed.

Since the presence / absence of a person can be estimated based on the video signal from the video camera 9 as described above,
Always supply power to the video camera 9 while you are away,
It is also possible to record an image of the visitor by standing on the intercom 1 without waiting for the operation of the call button 3. However, it is wasteful to always supply power to the video camera 9, and since a visitor generally operates the call button 3, the video camera 9 is powered when the call button 3 is operated. It is preferable to supply the image data and to determine whether or not the customer is actually in the photographing range based on the signal from the video camera 9 to record the image.

Further, since the same visitor may come back to confirm again that he / she is out, it is highly likely that the same visitor is present when the elapsed time from the previous image recording is short. The configuration may be such that the judgment is made and the image is not recorded. Further, in the flowchart of FIG. 6, the operation of the call button 3 is used as the first trigger of image recording, and whether or not the image recording is actually performed is determined based on the information on the brightness difference in the screen based on the trigger. However, if the voice signal from the microphone 5 is used in addition to the above information, when the voice signal is interrupted, the voice is interrupted in the state where there are the visitors continuously, or the visitor once leaves. It is possible to discriminate whether or not the voice is interrupted, and based on this, it is possible to prevent duplicate image recording for the same visitor.

By the way, in the intercom system as described above, when a recording device is connected and there is a visitor during absence, it is possible to add a function such as an answering machine so that the visitor can leave a message in the recording device. Is expected to improve usability. In general answering machines, the recorded time is added to the end of the recording by voice synthesis, and this recording time is automatically recorded even when adding a recording function that can leave a message in the intercom. It is preferable to have a function to allow the image to be displayed. Further, when the image of the visitor is automatically recorded as described above, it is preferable to associate the image with the sound at the time.

Generally, in the facsimile terminal device 14, the reception time is automatically recorded on the hard copy, so that the corresponding recorded voice can be searched from the time on the hard copy. As expected,
It is inevitable that the time at which the image was recorded and the time at which the voice was recorded are slightly different from each other, and it is inconvenient if the computer tries to retrieve the corresponding voice based on the time data. become. Therefore, it is preferable to make the reception time on the hard copy of the facsimile terminal device 14 coincide with the recording time on the voice recording. For example, the time when the image is captured by the facsimile adapter 12 is the image recording time and the recording time. It is good to use it commonly as the time.

Further, in the above embodiment, the system is configured such that the commercially available facsimile terminal device 14 is connected to the device such as the facsimile adapter 12 to the outside. However, as shown in FIG. If the function as the facsimile adapter 12 is included in the device, the usability is further improved. In FIG. 7, thick lines indicate the flow of image signals, and thin lines indicate the flow of control signals.
A typical facsimile terminal device is a scanner 21 and a printer.
The image signal read by the scanner 21 is compressed and encoded by the facsimile controller (FAXC) 23, is modulated by the MODEM 24, and is transmitted to the other facsimile terminal device via the network control unit (NCU) 25. To send. On the other hand, an image sent from another facsimile terminal device via a telephone line is demodulated by the MODEM 24, decoded by the facsimile controller 23, restored to a dot pattern, and then printed by the printer 22. The CPU 26 is the MODEM
It controls each component such as 24 and NCU.

In addition to the configuration as such a normal facsimile terminal device, the facsimile terminal device shown in FIG.
A video input terminal (VIDEO IN) is provided, and one screen of the video signal input to the video input terminal can be converted into a digital signal and temporarily stored in the field memory 27. A video signal from a video camera (video camera 9 in FIG. 2) provided in an intercom installed at the entrance is input to the video input terminal.

In order to control the acquisition of the video signal to the field memory 27, the sync signal separation circuit 2
8, a PLL circuit 29, and an A / D converter 30 are provided.
In addition, the image stored in the field memory 27 is
The video output terminal (VIDEO OUT) can be output to the outside through the / A converter 31 and the encoder 32.

Further, there is provided a switching circuit 33 for switching the facsimile controller 23 to output the signal read by the scanner 21 or the signal read from the field memory 27. This switching circuit 33 is provided. It is controlled by the CPU 26. A control signal from a CPU 41 (controller 11 shown in FIG. 2) that controls the operation of the intercom is input to the CPU 26.

The CPU 41 on the intercom side receives an operation signal of a call button of an intercom provided on the entrance side, and an image for processing a video signal from a video camera to detect a person within a shooting range. The signal from the processing circuit 42 is input. Next, the operation of the facsimile terminal device shown in FIG. 7 will be described.

When the call button is operated by the visitor while the absence mode is selected so as to record the face image of the visitor who is not present, the video camera is powered on and the call button is pushed by the visitor. The operation is transmitted to the CPU 26 via the CPU 41. CPU26
After the call button is operated and power is supplied to the video camera, the video signal is sent for some time, and the video signal from the video camera is taken into the field area 27 for one screen. Further, the switching circuit 33 is controlled so that the image stored in the field memory 27 is output to the facsimile controller 23. At this time, the operation mode of the fax controller 23 does not transmit the image signal to another facsimile terminal device via the telephone line, but uses the obtained image signal as it is in the printer.
Switch to monitor print mode (copy mode) for outputting to 22.

Therefore, when the call button is operated and the image of the face image of the visitor is photographed by the video camera, the image signal is once taken into the field memory 27 and then printed out by the printer 22. It will be. What is the monitor print mode (copy mode)?
This mode is also provided for general facsimile terminal devices. Normally, the image signal read by the scanner is printed as it is, and it is confirmed what kind of image is printed out by the facsimile terminal device on the other side. In this embodiment, the image stored in the field memory 27 is directly output to the printer 22 instead of the image read by the scanner 21, so that the image stored in the field memory 27 is printed. I am allowed to go out.

With this configuration, it is not necessary to generate a calling signal for calling the facsimile terminal device,
The system can be downsized and the price can be reduced. Here, the field memory 27 is used not only for storing video signals but also for image signals received via a telephone line and a scanner.
If the image read in 21 can be stored, the image signal stored in the memory can be sent to another facsimile terminal, or the received image can be stored in the memory without being printed out. It is possible to realize multi-functionalization such as printing only necessary images without increasing the circuit scale.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the video signal from the video camera provided in the intercom at the entrance is output to the facsimile terminal device in the house provided with the intercom. As shown in FIG. 8, the facsimile adapter 12 may be directly connected to a telephone line and transmitted to an external facsimile terminal device.

In FIG. 8, the same elements as those in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals. In the configuration of FIG. 8, the facsimile adapter 12 has an automatic transmission function, and when a visitor is present and a face image of the visitor is taken, another facsimile terminal device is automatically dialed and called. The face image of the visitor is transmitted to the called facsimile terminal device at the remote place. Therefore, by registering the telephone number of the destination facsimile terminal device in the facsimile adapter 12 and going out, the image of the guest who is out of the office is automatically transferred to the destination facsimile terminal device. You will be able to check the visitors in real time.

In addition, in the configuration of FIG.
The facsimile terminal device called by the adapter 12 may be a device provided in the house. Further, in the above-described embodiment, it is possible to arbitrarily send an image of a visitor photographed by a video camera to a facsimile terminal device and record the image not only during absence but also at home.

[0065]

As described above, according to the image recording device of the intercom system according to the present invention, the image of the video camera provided on the intercom for confirming the visitor is recorded by using the general facsimile terminal device. By using the facsimile terminal device also as a recording device, it is possible to avoid a large increase in cost of the device for recording a visitor, and by making the facsimile terminal device perform recording in the form of a hard copy, The effect is that images of multiple visitors can be viewed in a list.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an image recording device of an intercom system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a shooting range of a video camera of an intercom.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a state of automatically recording a visitor image.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a region for obtaining a brightness level difference on the screen.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a state of recording a visitor image accompanied by analysis of a video signal from a video camera.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an embodiment in which a visitor recording function is incorporated in a facsimile terminal device.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of transmitting a visitor image to an external facsimile terminal device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2 Intercom 3 Call button 4 Call button 5, 6 Microphone 7, 8 Speaker 9 Video camera 10 Monitor TV 11 Controller 12 Facsimile adapter 13 Interface 14 Facsimile terminal device 15 Facsimile input switching circuit 21 Scanner 22 Printer 22 Field memory 33 Switching circuit

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An intercom system including a video camera provided to photograph a visitor and a display device for displaying an image photographed by the video camera, wherein a video signal output from the video camera is provided. A memory for taking in and storing it, a facsimile signal output means for converting the signal stored in the memory into a signal conforming to a facsimile standard while sequentially reading out the signal, and a video for the memory based on a predetermined image recording trigger signal. An image recording apparatus for an intercom system, comprising: a control unit for controlling signal storage and operation of the facsimile signal output unit. 2. A terminal input switching means for selectively switching between a circuit for directly connecting the facsimile signal output means and a predetermined facsimile terminal device and a circuit for connecting the predetermined facsimile terminal device and a telephone line. Switching control means for controlling the terminal input switching means on the basis of the predetermined image recording trigger signal, while the facsimile signal output means generates a calling signal for generating a calling signal of the predetermined facsimile terminal device. An image recording apparatus for an intercom system according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus comprises means. 3. The intercom according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile signal output means dials and calls a predetermined facsimile terminal device and transmits an image signal to the predetermined facsimile terminal device through a telephone line. System image recorder. 4. The image recording apparatus for an intercom system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined image recording trigger signal is an operation signal of an intercom on the visitor side. 5. The intercom system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined image recording trigger signal is a voice signal from a microphone provided in an intercom on the visitor side. Image recording device. 6. Trigger signal generation means based on a brightness difference for obtaining a brightness difference between predetermined areas in a screen based on a video signal from the video camera and issuing the predetermined image recording trigger signal based on the brightness difference. The image recording device for an intercom system according to claim 1, wherein the image recording device is provided. 7. An intercom system including a video camera provided for photographing a visitor and a display device for displaying an image photographed by the video camera, wherein a video signal output from the video camera is provided. An image recording apparatus for an intercom system, comprising a facsimile apparatus having a memory for receiving and storing the signal, and a means for directly outputting a signal stored in the memory to a printer having a built-in memory. ..