JP7620926B2 - Control device, intercom system, control method, program, and common entrance device - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to communication technology, and in particular to a control device, an intercom system, a control method, a program, and a common entrance device that communicate with multiple information terminals.

In an intercom system installed in a collective facility such as an apartment building, the common entrance device transmits a call request when operated by a visitor. The call request is received by an information terminal of the facility to be called via a control device. When a resident of the facility operates the information terminal to respond to the call, a call is initiated between the common entrance device and the information terminal via the control device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2021-083220 A

The information terminals in each of the multiple facilities included in the apartment complex are connected to the control device. In addition to communication between the common entrance device and the information terminal (hereinafter referred to as "calling calls"), communication between two or more information terminals (hereinafter referred to as "inter-facility calls") is also performed between the control device and the information terminal. Furthermore, non-call information is also sent from the information terminal to the control device (hereinafter referred to as "non-call communication"). In such a situation, there is a demand for efficient communication between the control device and the information terminal.

This disclosure has been made in light of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide technology that improves the efficiency of communication in intercom systems.

In order to solve the above problem, a control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control device that controls communication between a common entrance device and information terminals provided in each of a plurality of facilities in an intercom system provided in a collective facility, and includes a communication unit that communicates with each of the plurality of information terminals, and a control unit that controls the communication unit. The control unit specifies a cycle including a first period during which TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) communication can be performed by allocating a communication slot to one or more of the plurality of information terminals, a second period during which CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access) communication can be performed with one or more of the plurality of information terminals, and a third period during which CSMA communication can be performed with one or more of the plurality of information terminals, and the second period and the third period are used for communication of different types of information.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a control method. This method is a control method in a control device that controls communication between a common entrance device and information terminals installed in each of a plurality of facilities in an intercom system installed in a collective facility, and specifies a cycle including a first period during which TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) communication can be performed by allocating a communication slot to one or more of the plurality of information terminals, a second period during which CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access) communication can be performed with one or more of the plurality of information terminals, and a third period during which CSMA communication can be performed with one or more of the plurality of information terminals, and the second period and the third period are used for communication of different types of information.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a common entrance device. This device is a common entrance device that controls communication between information terminals provided in each of a plurality of facilities in an intercom system provided in a collective facility, and includes a communication unit that communicates with each of the plurality of information terminals, and a control unit that controls the communication unit. The control unit specifies a cycle including a first period during which TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) communication can be performed by allocating a communication slot to one or more of the plurality of information terminals, a second period during which CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access) communication can be performed with one or more of the plurality of information terminals, and a third period during which CSMA communication can be performed with one or more of the plurality of information terminals, and the second period and the third period are used for communication of different types of information.

In addition, any combination of the above components, and conversions of the expressions of this disclosure between methods, devices, systems, recording media, computer programs, etc., are also valid aspects of this disclosure.

This disclosure can improve the efficiency of communication in an intercom system.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an intercom system according to an embodiment; 2(a) and 2(b) are diagrams showing the configuration of the common entrance device and the information terminal of FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control device shown in FIG. 1; 4(a) and (b) are diagrams showing the configuration of a cycle defined in the control device of FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing a communication procedure of the intercom system of FIG. 1.

Before describing the present disclosure in detail, an overview will be provided. The embodiment relates to an intercom system installed in a collective facility such as an apartment or condominium. A collective facility includes a plurality of facilities such as residences, and people can enter and exit through at least one common entrance. When a visitor operates a common entrance device such as a lobby intercom installed at the common entrance, an information terminal installed at the facility being visited is called. The information terminal is, for example, a facility master unit. When a resident of the facility responds by operating an information terminal in response to the call, a call is made between the common entrance device and the information terminal. To realize the call, the common entrance device and the plurality of information terminals are connected to a control device. In such an intercom system, as described above, inter-facility calls and non-call communications may be performed. In inter-facility calls, two or more information terminals communicate via a control device. In non-call communications, non-call information is transmitted from the information terminal to the control device.

Comparing call calls, facility-to-facility calls, and non-call communications, the following can be said. Call calls have the highest priority among these, and therefore require high-quality and low-latency communications. Furthermore, the call request that triggers the start of a call call is sent from the control device to the information terminal. Facility-to-facility calls have a lower priority than call calls, but require high-quality and low-latency communications. Furthermore, the call request that triggers the start of a facility-to-facility call is sent from the information terminal to the control device. Non-call communications have the lowest priority, as they do not require real-time performance. Each information terminal performs transmission independently, and therefore traffic volume may increase suddenly if transmissions are concentrated.

In this embodiment, in order to improve the efficiency of communication between the control device and the information terminal, a cycle having a certain period is repeatedly set. The cycle is divided into a first period, a second period, and a third period, the first period being a period during which TDMA communication can be performed, and the second and third periods being periods during which CSMA communication can be performed. A call is executed by the control device assigning a communication slot set in the first period to the information terminal. In addition, in a facility-to-facility call, a connection process that starts from a call request is executed in the second period, and after the connection is completed, the facility-to-facility call is executed by the control device assigning a communication slot set in the first period to the information terminal. Furthermore, non-call communication is executed in the third period.

Figure 1 shows the configuration of the intercom system 1000. The collective facility 100 includes a first facility 110a, a second facility 110b, and a third facility 110c, collectively referred to as facility 110. The intercom system 1000 includes a common entrance device 200, a control device 300, a collective facility GW (GateWay) 310, a network 320, a server 330, a common area trunk line 350, an occupied trunk line 360, an in-facility network 380, a first information terminal 400a collectively referred to as information terminal 400, a second information terminal 400b, and a first equipment control device 600a collectively referred to as equipment control device 600 and a second equipment control device 600b. The first information terminal 400a and the first equipment control device 600a are installed in the first facility 110a, and the second information terminal 400b and the second equipment control device 600b are installed in the second facility 110b. Similarly, a third information terminal 400c (not shown) and a third device control device 600c (not shown) are installed in the third facility 110c. The number of facilities 110 in the collective facility 100 is not limited to "3". Here, (1) the basic operation of the intercom system 1000, and (2) the details of the communication processing in the intercom system 1000 will be described in order.

(1) Basic operation of intercom system 1000 A plurality of facilities 110 are gathered in a collective facility 100. An example of the collective facility 100 is an apartment building, and an example of the facilities 110 is a residence. A common entrance device 200 is installed at the common entrance of the collective facility 100. The common entrance device 200 is, for example, a lobby intercom installed in the lobby of the apartment building. Figures 2(a)-(b) show the configuration of the common entrance device 200 and the information terminal 400. Figure 2(a) shows the configuration of the common entrance device 200. The common entrance device 200 includes a processing unit 210, an operation unit 230, a control unit 240, and a communication unit 250, and the processing unit 210 includes an imaging unit 212, a microphone 214, a speaker 218, a monitor 220, and an IF unit 222.

Here, we will first explain how to make a call. The operation unit 230 of the common entrance device 200 is a user interface for accepting operations by visitors, such as a call button. When the operation unit 230 accepts the number of the facility 110 that the visitor plans to visit from the visitor, it outputs a call request to the control unit 240. Furthermore, when the operation unit 230 is operated by the visitor, the processing unit 210 operates.

The imaging unit 212 is used to capture images of visitors, and includes a solid-state imaging element such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor. The solid-state imaging element outputs a photoelectrically converted video signal to the IF unit 222. The IF unit 222 performs various signal processing on the video signal from the imaging unit 212. Since known techniques can be used for the various signal processing, a description of the processing will be omitted here. The IF unit 222 outputs the video signal that has undergone signal processing (hereinafter also referred to as the "video signal") to the control unit 240.

The microphone 214 and speaker 218 are user interfaces that allow visitors to talk to residents. The microphone 214 collects the visitor's voice, converts it into an electrical signal, and outputs it to the IF unit 222. The speaker 218 reproduces the electrical signal from the IF unit 222 and outputs the audio. The IF unit 222 receives the electrical signal from the microphone 214 and converts it into a signal in a format for transmission (hereinafter referred to as an "audio signal"). The IF unit 222 outputs the audio signal to the control unit 240. Meanwhile, the IF unit 222 inputs the audio signal from the control unit 240 and converts the audio signal into an electrical signal. The IF unit 222 outputs the electrical signal to the speaker 218.

The monitor 220 displays messages and the like. The IF unit 222 inputs a message signal from the control unit 240 and outputs the message signal to the monitor 220. The message signal may be generated in the common entrance device 200. The control unit 240 controls the operation of the common entrance device 200. The control unit 240 is connected to the communication unit 250. The communication unit 250 is connected to the control device 300 via the common unit trunk line 350, and executes communication with the information terminal 400 via the control device 300. To be more specific, the communication unit 250 transmits and receives the above-mentioned call request, video signal, audio signal, and message signal to and from the information terminal 400, but the signals transmitted and received are not limited to these. Return to FIG. 1.

The common area trunk line 350 and the occupied trunk line 360 are transmission paths for transmitting call requests from the common entrance device 200, response signals from the information terminal 400, and the like. The common area trunk line 350 and the occupied trunk line 360 transmit the above-mentioned call requests, video signals, audio signals, and message signals.

The control device 300 is installed in a common space such as a machine room or a manager's room, and controls communication between the common entrance device 200 and multiple information terminals 400. For example, the control device 300 relays signals between the common entrance device 200 and the information terminals 400. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the control device 300. The control device 300 includes a network communication unit 520, a control unit 540, a common part trunk communication unit 550, an occupied trunk communication unit 560, and a memory unit 570. The common part trunk communication unit 550 communicates with the common entrance device 200 via the common part trunk 350. The occupied trunk communication unit 560 communicates with multiple information terminals 400 via the occupied trunk 360. The network communication unit 520 is connected to the collective facility GW 310, and communicates with the network 320 via the collective facility GW 310.

The control unit 540 controls the network communication unit 520, the shared unit trunk communication unit 550, and the occupied trunk communication unit 560. For example, when the shared unit trunk communication unit 550 receives a call request, the control unit 540 extracts the number of the facility 110 included in the call request. The memory unit 570 stores a database indicating the correspondence between the numbers of the facility 110 and the identification numbers of the information terminals 400, and the control unit 540 acquires from the memory unit 570 the identification number of the information terminal 400 corresponding to the extracted number of the facility 110. The control unit 540 causes the occupied trunk communication unit 560 to transmit a call request addressed to the information terminal 400 with the acquired identification number. Return to FIG. 1.

The information terminal 400 is installed in the facility 110, and is also called a home information panel, dwelling unit, dwelling unit terminal, facility master unit, room master unit, or home master unit. FIG. 2(b) shows the configuration of the information terminal 400. The information terminal 400 includes a processing unit 410, an operation unit 430, a control unit 440, and a communication unit 450, and the processing unit 410 includes a microphone 414, a speaker 418, a monitor 420, and an IF unit 422.

The communication unit 450 is connected to the control device 300 via the occupied trunk line 360, and communicates with the common entrance device 200 via the control device 300. The communication unit 450 is connected to the control unit 440, which controls the operation of the information terminal 400. The IF unit 422 and operation unit 430 are connected to the control unit 440, and the microphone 414, speaker 418, and monitor 420 are connected to the IF unit 422. Here, the microphone 414, speaker 418, IF unit 422, and operation unit 430 are configured in the same way as the microphone 214, speaker 218, IF unit 222, and operation unit 230. The monitor 420 displays the image captured by the imaging unit 212 of the common entrance device 200.

The control unit 440 receives a call request, a video signal, and an audio signal from the common entrance apparatus 200 via the communication unit 450. When the control unit 440 receives a call request, it outputs a ring tone from the speaker 418 via the IF unit 422. Subsequently, the control unit 440 displays an image reproduced from the video signal on the monitor 420 via the IF unit 422, and outputs an audio reproduced from the audio signal from the speaker 418 via the IF unit 422. When a resident who hears the ring tone responds to the call by operating the operation unit 430, the control unit 440 causes the communication unit 450 to execute communication with the common entrance apparatus 200. As a result, a call is executed between the visitor who operates the common entrance apparatus 200 and the resident who operates the information terminal 400 by communicating video signals and audio signals between the communication unit 250 and the communication unit 450. Return to FIG. 1.

Next, an inter-facility call will be described. Here, a situation is assumed in which an inter-facility call is made by the first information terminal 400a calling the second information terminal 400b. A resident of the first facility 110a operates the operation unit 430 of the first information terminal 400a to call the second information terminal 400b. When the operation unit 430 accepts the operation, it outputs a call request to the control unit 440. The call request includes the identification number of the second information terminal 400b. The control unit 440 outputs the call request to the communication unit 450, and the communication unit 450 transmits the call request to the control device 300 via the occupied trunk line 360.

The occupied trunk communication unit 560 of the control device 300 receives a call request from the first information terminal 400a. Under the control of the control unit 540, the occupied trunk communication unit 560 transmits the call request to the second information terminal 400b.

The communication unit 450 of the second information terminal 400b receives the call request. When the control unit 440 accepts the call request, it outputs a ringtone from the speaker 418 via the IF unit 422. When a resident of the second facility 110b who hears the ringtone responds to the call by operating the operation unit 430, the control unit 440 causes the communication unit 450 to transmit a response signal. The communication unit 450 transmits the response signal to the control device 300.

The occupied trunk communication unit 560 of the control device 300 receives the response signal from the second information terminal 400b. Following this, the control unit 540 executes a connection process between the first information terminal 400a and the second information terminal 400b. The connection process may be performed according to, for example, SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here. After the connection process is completed, a call is made between the resident operating the first information terminal 400a and the resident operating the second information terminal 400b.

Furthermore, non-call communication will be explained. The communication unit 450 of the information terminal 400 is connected not only to the occupied trunk line 360 but also to the facility network 380. The facility network 380 is a network provided in each facility 110, and is connected to the device control device 600 via a router (not shown). A plurality of devices (not shown) are connected to the device control device 600 via a HAN (Home Area Network). The devices are, for example, lighting devices and air conditioners. The device control device 600 has a function as, for example, a HEMS (Home Energy Management System) controller, and controls the operation of the devices.

The device control device 600 receives instructions for device operation from a user and generates a control command for instructing the device to operate based on the received instructions. Instructions from the user are received, for example, via a user interface (not shown). The device control device 600 transmits the control command to the device. When the device receives a control command from the device control device 600, it executes an operation according to the control command. For example, the device is powered on or off according to the control command.

The device control device 600 acquires the device status and transmits the device status to the information terminal 400 as device information. The device information includes the facility 110 number and the device identification number. The communication unit 450 of the information terminal 400 receives the device information from the device control device 600 via the facility network 380. Under the control of the control unit 440, the communication unit 450 transmits the device information to the control device 300 via the occupied trunk line 360.

The occupied trunk line communication unit 560 of the control device 300 receives device information from the information terminal 400 via the occupied trunk line 360. Under the control of the control unit 540, the network communication unit 520 transmits the device information to the collective facility GW 310. The device information further includes the identification number of the collective facility 100.

The collective facility GW310 is a communication device for connecting the control device 300 inside the collective facility 100 with the network 320 outside the collective facility 100. Therefore, it can be said that the collective facility GW310 relays communications both inside and outside the collective facility 100. Since the server 330 is connected to the network 320, the communication unit 450 of the information terminal 400 can communicate with the server 330 via the control device 300, the collective facility GW310, and the network 320. When the server 330 receives the device information, it manages the status of the device by associating it with the identification number of the collective facility 100, the number of the facility 110, and the identification number of the device.

(2) Details of communication processing in the intercom system 1000 The following describes in detail the communication between the control device 300 and the multiple information terminals 400 in the occupied trunk 360. For communication processing in the occupied trunk 360, a cycle having a certain period is defined, and the cycle is repeated. FIGS. 4(a)-(b) show the configuration of the cycle defined in the control device 300. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the cycle includes, in order from the beginning, cycle information, a first period, a second period, and a third period. The cycle information includes information related to the cycle. The information related to the cycle is, for example, information related to the respective lengths of the first period, the second period, and the third period. The information related to the cycle may also include information about the information terminals 400 that are the targets of one or more communication slots included in the first period.

The first period includes multiple communication slots. In FIG. 4(a), the multiple communication slots are shown as the first slot to the seventh slot, but the number of communication slots included in the first period is not limited to "7". The control unit 540 of the control device 300 can perform TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) communication by assigning a communication slot to one or more of the multiple information terminals 400. Here, it is assumed that the first information terminal 400a is performing a call call, and the second information terminal 400b and the third information terminal 400c are performing a facility-to-facility call. In addition, the direction of communication from the control device 300 to the information terminal 400 is downstream (DL), and the direction of communication from the information terminal 400 to the control device 300 is upstream (UL).

The first slot stores a video signal from the control device 300 to the first information terminal 400a, the second slot stores an audio signal from the control device 300 to the first information terminal 400a, and the fifth slot stores an audio signal from the first information terminal 400a to the control device 300. As a result of such allocation, a call is made between the control device 300 and the common entrance device 200. The third slot stores an audio signal from the control device 300 to the second information terminal 400b, and the fourth slot stores an audio signal from the control device 300 to the third information terminal 400c. The fifth slot stores an audio signal from the second information terminal 400b to the control device 300, and the sixth slot stores an audio signal from the third information terminal 400c to the control device 300. As a result of such allocation, a call is made between the second information terminal 400b and the third information terminal 400c. Here, the call request sent from the control device 300 to the information terminal 400 before starting a call and the response signal sent from the information terminal 400 to the control device 300 are also sent using the communication slot.

The second period is a period during which the control device 300 and one or more of the multiple information terminals 400 can perform CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access) communication. In the second period, a signal for performing a connection process in a facility-to-facility call is transmitted by CSMA. The third period is a period during which the control device 300 and one or more of the multiple information terminals 400 can perform CSMA communication. In the third period, a signal for non-call communication, such as device information, is transmitted by CSMA. In other words, the second period and the third period are used for communication of different types of information. In addition, the third period may be longer than the second period.

Under the condition that such a cycle is specified, when the control unit 540 of the control device 300 receives a call request from the common entrance device 200 to the information terminal 400, the control unit 540 allocates a communication slot in the first period to the information terminal 400 in order to execute a call between the common entrance device 200 and the information terminal 400. In addition, the occupied trunk communication unit 560 receives a call request from one information terminal 400 to another information terminal 400 in the second period. Following this, the control unit 540 transmits and receives a signal for executing a connection process between the two information terminals 400 in the second period. After the connection process is completed, the control unit 540 allocates a communication slot in the first period to the information terminal 400 in order to execute a call between the two information terminals 400. In addition, the occupied trunk communication unit 560 receives non-call information in the third period. The occupied trunk communication unit 560 may transmit non-call information in the third period.

The lengths of the first, second, and third periods in the cycle are variable. For example, as the number of information terminals 400 making call calls and facility-to-facility calls increases, the number of communication slots also increases, and the first period is lengthened. At that time, at least one of the second and third periods is shortened. On the other hand, when there is no information terminal 400 to which a communication slot should be assigned, the control unit 540 may eliminate the first period from the cycle, as shown in FIG. 4(b). In this case, the second and third periods are placed following the cycle information in the cycle. The cycle information indicates that there is no first period.

The subject of the device, system, or method of the present disclosure includes a computer. The computer executes a program to realize the function of the subject of the device, system, or method of the present disclosure. The computer includes a processor that operates according to the program as the main hardware configuration. The type of processor is not important as long as it can realize the function by executing the program. The processor is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or an LSI (Large Scale Integration). The multiple electronic circuits may be integrated into one chip or may be provided on multiple chips. The multiple chips may be integrated into one device or may be provided on multiple devices. The program is recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a computer-readable ROM, optical disk, or hard disk drive. The program may be stored in the recording medium in advance, or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide area communication network including the Internet.

The operation of the intercom system 1000 configured as above will now be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the communication procedure by the intercom system 1000, particularly the communication procedure for calls between facilities. The first information terminal 400a transmits a call request to the control device 300 using CSMA during the second period (S10). The control device 300 transmits a call request to the second information terminal 400b using CSMA during the second period (S12). The second information terminal 400b transmits a response to the control device 300 using CSMA during the second period (S14).

The control device 300 and the first information terminal 400a perform a connection process using CSMA during the second period (S16), and the control device 300 and the second information terminal 400b perform a connection process using CSMA during the second period (S18). After the connection process is completed, the control device 300 assigns communication slots for the first period to the first information terminal 400a and the second information terminal 400b (S20). The first information terminal 400a and the second information terminal 400b perform a call using TDMA during the first period (S22, S24).

According to this embodiment, a cycle is defined that includes a first period in which TDMA communication can be performed, a second period in which CSMA communication can be performed, and a third period in which CSMA communication can be performed, so that the occurrence of signal collisions between the first period, the second period, and the third period can be suppressed. In addition, since the occurrence of signal collisions between the first period, the second period, and the third period is suppressed, the efficiency of communication in the intercom system can be improved. In addition, since the second period and the third period are used for communicating different types of information, the impact on the second period can be suppressed even if traffic increases in the third period.

When a call request is received from the common entrance device 200, a communication slot in the first period is assigned to the information terminal 400, allowing the call to be made with high quality and low latency. When a call request is received from the information terminal 400, a connection process is performed in the second period, and then a communication slot in the first period is assigned to the information terminal 400, allowing calls between facilities to be made efficiently. In addition, non-call information is received in the third period, allowing non-call communications to be made efficiently.

In addition, since the lengths of the first, second, and third periods in the cycle are variable, the lengths of the first, second, and third periods can be changed according to the amount of traffic in each period. In addition, since the lengths of the first, second, and third periods are changed according to the amount of traffic in each period, communication efficiency can be improved. In addition, if there is no information terminal 400 to which a communication slot should be assigned, the first period is eliminated from the cycle, thereby improving communication efficiency.

An overview of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows. A control device (300) of one aspect of the present disclosure is a control device (300) that controls communication between a common entrance device (200) and information terminals (400) provided in each of a plurality of facilities (110) in an intercom system (1000) provided in a collective facility (100), and includes a communication unit (560) that communicates with each of the plurality of information terminals (400), and a control unit (540) that controls the communication unit (560). The control unit (540) assigns a communication slot to one or more of the multiple information terminals (400) to define a cycle including a first period during which TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) communication can be performed, a second period during which CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access) communication can be performed with one or more of the multiple information terminals (400), and a third period during which CSMA communication can be performed with one or more of the multiple information terminals (400), and the second period and the third period are used for communication of different types of information.

When the control unit (540) receives a call request for the information terminal (400) from the common entrance device (200), it assigns a communication slot in the first period to the information terminal (400) to execute a call between the common entrance device (200) and the information terminal (400).

The multiple information terminals (400) may include a first information terminal (400) and a second information terminal (400). The communication unit (560) receives a call request for the second information terminal (400) from the first information terminal (400) during a second period, and the control unit (540) assigns different communication slots during the first period to each of the first information terminal (400) and the second information terminal (400) in order to execute a call between the first information terminal (400) and the second information terminal (400).

The communication unit (560) may receive non-call information during the third period.

The lengths of the first, second, and third periods in the cycle may be variable, and the communication unit (560) may transmit cycle information regarding the lengths of the first, second, and third periods in the cycle before the first, second, and third periods.

When there is no information terminal (400) to which a communication slot should be assigned, the control unit (540) removes the first period from the cycle, and the cycle information transmitted from the communication unit (560) indicates that the first period does not exist.

The system may include a common entrance device (200), an information terminal (400) provided in each of the facilities (110), and a control device (300).

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a control method. This method is a control method in a control device (300) that controls communication between a common entrance device (200) and information terminals (400) provided in each of a plurality of facilities (110) in an intercom system (1000) provided in a collective facility (100), and specifies a cycle including a first period during which TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) communication can be performed by allocating a communication slot to one or more of the plurality of information terminals (400), a second period during which CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access) communication can be performed with one or more of the plurality of information terminals (400), and a third period during which CSMA communication can be performed with one or more of the plurality of information terminals (400), and the second period and the third period are used for communication of different types of information.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a common entrance device (200). This device is a common entrance device (200) that controls communication between information terminals (400) provided in each of a plurality of facilities (110) in an intercom system (1000) provided in a collective facility (100), and includes a communication unit (250) that communicates with each of the plurality of information terminals (400) and a control unit (240) that controls the communication unit (250). The control unit (240) assigns a communication slot to one or more of the multiple information terminals (400) to define a cycle including a first period during which TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) communication can be performed, a second period during which CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access) communication can be performed with one or more of the multiple information terminals (400), and a third period during which CSMA communication can be performed with one or more of the multiple information terminals (400), and the second period and the third period are used for communication of different types of information.

The system may include a common entrance device (200) and an information terminal (400) provided in each of the multiple facilities (110).

The present disclosure has been described above based on examples. These examples are merely illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each of the components or each of the processing processes, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

The functions of the control device 300 in this embodiment may be installed in the common entrance device 200. In this case, the common entrance device 200 is connected to an occupied trunk line 360, and is connected to multiple information terminals 400 via the occupied trunk line 360. The processing of the control unit 540 and the occupied trunk line communication unit 560 of the control device 300 in the embodiment is executed in the control unit 240 and the communication unit 250 of the common entrance device 200. According to this modified example, the degree of freedom of configuration can be improved.

100 collective facility, 110 facility, 200 common entrance device, 210 processing unit, 212 imaging unit, 214 microphone, 218 speaker, 220 monitor, 222 IF unit, 230 operation unit, 240 control unit, 250 communication unit, 300 control device, 310 collective facility GW, 320 network, 330 server, 350 common area trunk line, 360 occupied trunk line, 380 facility network, 400 information terminal, 410 processing unit, 414 microphone, 418 speaker, 420 monitor, 422 IF unit, 430 operation unit, 440 control unit, 450 communication unit, 520 network communication unit, 540 control unit, 550 Common area trunk line communication unit, 560 Occupied trunk line communication unit, 570 Memory unit, 600 Equipment control device, 1000 Intercom system.

Claims (11)

A control device for controlling communication between a common entrance device and information terminals provided in each of a plurality of facilities in an intercom system provided in a collective facility, comprising:
A communication unit that communicates with each of the plurality of information terminals;
A control unit that controls the communication unit,
The control unit defines a cycle including a first period during which TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) communication can be performed by allocating a communication slot to one or more of the plurality of information terminals, a second period during which CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access) communication can be performed with one or more of the plurality of information terminals, and a third period during which CSMA communication can be performed with one or more of the plurality of information terminals;
A control device in which the second period and the third period are used for communicating different types of information. The control device according to claim 1, wherein when the control unit receives a call request for the information terminal from the common entrance device, the control unit assigns the communication slot in the first period to the information terminal in order to execute a call between the common entrance device and the information terminal. the plurality of information terminals include a first information terminal and a second information terminal,
the communication unit receives a call request for the second information terminal from the first information terminal during the second period;
The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit assigns different communication slots during the first period to each of the first information terminal and the second information terminal in order to execute a call between the first information terminal and the second information terminal. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication unit receives non-call information during the third period. the length of each of the first period, the second period, and the third period in the cycle is variable;
5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit transmits cycle information regarding the lengths of the first period, the second period, and the third period before the first period, the second period, and the third period in the cycle. the control unit, when there is no information terminal to which the communication slot should be assigned, removes the first period from the cycle;
The control device according to claim 5 , wherein the cycle information transmitted from the communication unit indicates that the first period does not exist. The common entrance device;
The information terminal provided in each of the plurality of facilities;
An intercom system comprising the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A control method for a control device that controls communication between a common entrance device and an information terminal provided in each of a plurality of facilities in an intercom system provided in a collective facility, comprising:
A cycle is defined that includes a first period during which TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) communication can be performed by allocating a communication slot to one or more of the plurality of information terminals, a second period during which CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access) communication can be performed with one or more of the plurality of information terminals, and a third period during which CSMA communication can be performed with one or more of the plurality of information terminals;
A control method in which the second period and the third period are used for communicating different types of information. A program executed in a control device that controls communication between a common entrance device and an information terminal provided in each of a plurality of facilities in an intercom system provided in a collective facility, the program comprising:
communicating with each of a plurality of said information terminals;
controlling the communication;
The controlling step defines a cycle including a first period during which TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) communication can be performed by allocating a communication slot to one or more of the plurality of information terminals, a second period during which CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access) communication can be performed with one or more of the plurality of information terminals, and a third period during which CSMA communication can be performed with one or more of the plurality of information terminals;
The second period and the third period are used for communicating different types of information. In an intercom system provided in a collective facility, a common entrance device controls communication between information terminals provided in each of a plurality of facilities,
A communication unit that communicates with each of the plurality of information terminals;
A control unit that controls the communication unit,
The control unit defines a cycle including a first period during which TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) communication can be performed by allocating a communication slot to one or more of the plurality of information terminals, a second period during which CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access) communication can be performed with one or more of the plurality of information terminals, and a third period during which CSMA communication can be performed with one or more of the plurality of information terminals;
A common entrance device in which the second period and the third period are used for communicating different types of information. The common entrance device according to claim 10;
and an information terminal provided in each of the plurality of facilities.

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