FR2826820A1 - Flat resident/visitor interphone communication method having interphone handset lifting notifying resident and when accepted transmission terminal routed using communications network. - Google Patents

Abstract

The visitor communication with a resident (5) using an interphone system (1), detects the interphone visitor call and switches the transmission to a destination terminal (50) across a network (6). When the phone is lifted the resident is notified and if the call is accepted the visitor is connected across the network.

Description

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 The present invention relates to a method of communication between a resident and a visitor, via an intercom system.

 Many buildings are today equipped with an intercom system comprising a call box, located at the entrance of the building, and a plurality of indoor intercom devices, installed in the apartments and connected to the call box. When a visitor wishes to reach a resident, he calls the internal intercom device of the latter using the call box, for example by dialing a telephone number or by selecting the name of this resident in a list. On reception of the call, the intercom device rings and, if the resident picks up the call, a voice and possibly video communication is established between the call unit and the intercom device. If the call is not answered, the visitor can deduce that the apartment of the resident called is unoccupied. Such an intercom system therefore presents a security problem.

 To overcome this drawback, it is known to forward the call to the intercom to a remote terminal, associated with the resident, through a telephone network. Thus, in the event of a call by the visitor to the intercom in the absence of the resident, the remote terminal is called and, after picking up of the latter, a voice telephone communication is established between the terminal and the call box, through the telephone network. However, when he receives a call on his terminal, the resident cannot know a priori whether it is an intercom call or an ordinary telephone call. However, in the case of a call to the intercom, the way the resident answers it risks revealing to the visitor that his call has been transferred to a remote terminal.

 The technical problem posed therefore consists in proposing a method of communication between a visitor and a resident via an intercom system, in which the visitor calls the resident using the intercom system and, on detection of the call from the visitor to the intercom, a call is sent to a terminal, associated with the resident, through a communication network, in order to put the resident and the visitor into communication with through said network, which does not allow the visitor to detect the absence of the resident at his home.

 According to the invention, the problem posed is solved by the fact that when, on receipt of the call, the terminal picks up, the resident is notified of the visitor's call on the intercom and invited to communicate with the visitor and, if accepted

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 communication, we connect the resident and the visitor through the network.

 Before putting the resident and the visitor in direct contact, the resident is informed of the visitor's call to the intercom and the visitor and the resident are only put into contact if the latter authorizes it. Thanks to this preliminary step of notification of the visitor's call to the resident, the resident can start the conversation with the visitor by simulating his presence at his home.

 In a first embodiment, a network connection server is called, in order to notify him of the visitor's call, the server calls the resident's terminal, invites him to communicate with the visitor and, in the event of acceptance of the communication, connects the resident and the visitor through the network.

 In a second embodiment, the resident's terminal is called directly.

 Advantageously, a greeting message is broadcast to the visitor, in order to mask the call to the terminal. The welcome message allows the visitor to wait and hide the routing of the call to the remote terminal.

contenant l'heure de la visite, la date de la visite, l'objet de la visite et des données d'identification du visiteur. Le résidant absent peut ainsi être informé rapidement du passage d'un visiteur à son domicile et recevoir des informations relatives à cette visite. You can send a notification message of a visit to a mailbox associated with the resident either when each visitor calls the intercom, or only if communication between the visitor and the resident fails. The notification message can be a voice message, which will be recorded in a terminal mailbox, an SMS message or even an electronic message, or "e-mail", which will be temporarily stored in a mailbox of a computer network such as internet. At least one of the group's information can be inserted in the notification message of a visit

containing the time of the visit, the date of the visit, the subject of the visit and visitor identification data. The absent resident can thus be quickly informed of the passage of a visitor to his home and receive information relating to this visit.

 Advantageously, a configuration step is provided during which a format is specified for the message for notification of a visit and a destination address for said message on a communication network.

 Preferably, if communication between the visitor and the resident fails, the visitor is invited to leave a message and the message is recorded.

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Subsequently, the resident can view the visitor's message remotely, through said network.

 Advantageously, the terminal actuates an electric strike remotely, by sending a command to actuate said strike to the intercom system through said network. The resident can thus remotely open an entry door, to allow the visitor to enter the building, to use this example, or a hatch of a receptacle, for the visitor to drop off a parcel there.

 The invention also relates to a server for connecting a resident and a visitor, through a communication network, in the event of a call from the visitor intended for the resident via an intercom system, for the implementation of the method defined above, comprising means of communication with the visitor through the network, arranged to receive a call notification from the visitor to the intercom, means of communication with the resident through the network, arranged to call a terminal associated with the resident in order to notify him of the visitor's call to the intercom and invite him to communicate with the visitor, and means for connecting the resident and the visitor through the network by acceptance of the communication by the resident.

 The invention also relates to a doorman for the implementation of the previously defined method, comprising means for connection to an intercom system, means for connection to a communication network, means for detecting a call from a visitor to the intercom and means for automatically calling a connection server, through said network, upon detection of a call to the intercom.

 The invention also relates to a doorman for the implementation of the previously defined method, comprising means for connection to an intercom system, means for connection to a communication network, means for detecting a call from a visitor to the intercom intended for a resident, means of communication with a resident arranged to call a terminal associated with the resident through the network, upon detection of a call to the intercom, notify the resident of the visitor's call to the intercom and ask him if he wishes to communicate with the visitor, and the means to put the resident and the visitor in touch, through the network, if the resident accepts the communication.

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 In this case, the porter puts himself in touch with the visitor and the resident through the communication network.

 The invention will be better understood using the following description of the linking process, the linking server and the gatekeeper of the invention with reference to the appended drawing in which: - Figure 1 shows a schematic view an intercom system, the connection server and the doorman, according to a first embodiment of the invention; - Figure 2 shows a functional block diagram of the linking server of Figure 1; - Figure 3 shows a functional block diagram of the doorman of Figure 1; - Figure 4 shows a functional block diagram of the doorman, according to a second embodiment of the invention; - Figure 5 shows a flowchart of the steps of the linking process, according to the first embodiment, and - Figure 6 shows a flowchart of the steps of the linking process, according to a second embodiment of the invention .

 In Figure 1, there is shown an intercom system 1 equipping a building comprising a plurality of apartments, a doorman 2, a connecting server 3, a database server 4, a postal server 7, three telephone terminals 50, 51 and 15 and a global communication network 6, comprising a plurality of interconnected networks, in this case a GSM network, a switched telephone network (PSTN) and the Internet. In the particular example of the description, the terminal 50 is a telephone of the GSM network and the terminals 51 and 15 are fixed telephones of the PSTN network.

 The intercom system 1 comprises a call unit 10, located at the entrance to the building, a plurality of intercom devices 11, located in the different apartments, and a local automatic branch exchange 12 to which the box 10 and the intercom devices 11 are connected by local telephone lines 13,14.

For the sake of clarity, only one of the intercom devices 11, associated with a resident 5, is shown. The call box 10 includes a display screen and an input keyboard. To call a resident from the call box 10, a visitor controls the display of a list of names of residents and selects the name of the

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 resident to call in order to initiate the call. The local exchange 12 then directs the call to the intercom device associated with the selected resident.

 Telephone 15, located in the apartment of resident 5, is connected to a telephone line 60 of the PSTN network, to which a telephone call number is assigned.

 In operation, the gatekeeper 2 monitors visitor intercom calls received by the intercom apparatus 11 in order to notify them to the connecting server 3 through the PSTN network. With reference to FIG. 3, the door entry unit 2 comprises a port 20 for connection to the telephone line 60, a port 22 for connection to the local telephone line 14, a call detection unit 23, a call controller 21, a button 24 for activating / deactivating the doorman 2, a block 25 for actuating an electric strike for opening the entrance door of the building, and a central control block 26, in this case a microprocessor, to which all the elements of the gatekeeper 2 are connected. The detection block 23 and the call controller 21 are respectively connected to the ports 22 and 20. In operation, the detection block 23 detects the reception on the local telephone line 14 of each call from a visitor to the intercom and, if a call from a visitor is detected, the automaton 21 automatically calls the connection server 3 in order to notify it of the call. The block for actuating the electric strike, connected to ports 20 and 22, is arranged to detect the reception by port 20 of a command for actuating the electric strike from the front door of the building and to, upon detection of this command, send an actuating signal from the electric strike, through port 22, to the front door of the building.

 The linking server 3 provides a plurality of subscribers with a resident / visitor linking service. With reference to FIG. 2, the server 3 comprises a network connection interface module 30 6, a block 31 for communication with a resident, a block 32 for communication with a visitor, a block 37 for communication with the postal server 7 and a block 33 for connecting the visitor and the resident, connected to the two communication blocks 31, 32 and intended to establish communication between the resident and the visitor. The block 31 for communication with a resident and the block 32 for communication with a visitor, both connected to the interface module 30, ensure respectively the communication between the server 3 and a resident and between the server 3 and a visitor who called this residing via an intercom system. The block of

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 communication 37, connected to the interface module 30 and to the communication block 31, is intended to send to the postal server 7 an acknowledgment notification of a registered letter, as will be explained below.

 The connection server 3 is connected to the database server 4 via a connection port 36 and comprises a block 35 for managing the database 4, connected to the port 36, capable of recording, delete, modify and consult data in the base 4. An identification block 34, interposed between the communication block 31 and the management block 35, is intended to check the validity of identification data of a resident in order to allow or deny him access to the server 3 and to the database 4.

 All the elements of the server 3 are connected to a central control unit, not shown, intended to control the operation of the server 3.

 The database server 4 stores, for each resident subscribed to the connection service, a profile comprising a plurality of information fields: - an identifier field, the resident's identifier being here constituted by the number d 'telephone call assigned to the resident's home phone line; - a confidential code field, which gives access to the database 4; - a presence indication field, specifying whether the resident is declared present or absent from his home; - a first telephone number field, containing the number on which the resident would first like to be informed of a call by a visitor to the intercom; - a second telephone number field, on which the resident wishes to be informed of a call by a visitor to the intercom, in the event that he cannot be reached on the first number; - a visit notification format field, specifying the format in which the resident wishes to receive a visit notification message, this message can be a voice message, an electronic message, or "e-mail", or another SMS message;

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modes de fonctionnement pour différentes plages temporelles ; - un champ de message d'accueil, contenant au moins un message d'accueil destiné à être diffusé à un visiteur ; - un champ des visites, destiné à répertorier les visites, c'est-à-dire les appels de visiteur à l'interphone, et, pour chacune de ces visites, des informations relatives à la visite telles que l'heure, la date et l'objet de la visite, des données d'identification du visiteur et un message du visiteur et - un champ de code d'accusé réception, contenant un code d'accusé réception comprenant une pluralité de caractères de clavier téléphonique et constituant une commande pour accuser réception d'un courrier recommandé. a visit notification address field, specifying the destination address of the notification message for a visit to a communication network, this address can here be a telephone number of the GSM or PSTN network, or an electronic mail address, or "email" address, of an electronic mail box on the Internet; - an operating mode field, specifying the activated operating mode of the connecting service; - an operating schedule field, the schedule setting different

operating modes for different time periods; - a welcome message field, containing at least one welcome message intended to be broadcast to a visitor; - a field of visits, intended to list the visits, i.e. visitor calls to the intercom, and, for each of these visits, information relating to the visit such as time, date and the subject of the visit, visitor identification data and a message from the visitor and - an acknowledgment code field, containing an acknowledgment code comprising a plurality of telephone keypad characters and constituting a command to acknowledge receipt of registered mail.

 Alternatively, the database 4 could contain only part of the fields which have just been listed.

 The operating modes of the connecting service are as follows: - "present" mode, in which, the resident being declared present at his home, the connecting service is deactivated, - "absent reachable" mode, in which , the resident being declared absent from his home, visitor calls to the intercom must be transferred to one of the two stored telephone numbers; - "absent not reachable" mode, in which, the resident being declared absent from his home, visitors must be invited to leave a message, without contacting the resident.

 The postal server 7 comprises a database listing a plurality of factors and, for each of these factors, the telephone number of a cellular terminal, here GSM, of the factor as well as the references of the registered letters with acknowledgment of receipt. that the postman has to distribute.

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 Initially, in database 4, the profile of resident 5, subscriber to the connecting service, contains only the identifier of resident 5, namely the telephone number of line 60, a confidential code assigned to residing 5 and a standard greeting. In addition, the "present" mode is activated.

 With reference to FIG. 5, before using the connection service, in a configuration step 80, the resident 5 completes his profile in the database 4. For this, the resident 5 calls the server 3, by example from telephone 15 and, after establishing the call, transmits its identifier and confidential code to identify itself. The server 3 checks the validity of the identification data received and, if they are correct, authorizes access to the server 3 and to the database 4. Using the telephone 15, the resident 5 then addresses the server 3 a profile configuration command then completes the different fields of its profile. In the particular example of the description, the resident 5 records the telephone number of the GSM telephone 50 in the field of the first telephone number and in the address field of notification of a visit, and the telephone number of the desk phone 51 in the second phone number field, specifies the SMS format as the message format for notification of a visit and records a personalized welcome message. No operating schedule is programmed.

 The communication method between the resident 5 and a visitor ringing the intercom unit 10 will now be described.

 Before leaving his home, in a step 81, the resident 5 calls the server 3, from the terminal 15, in order to program the operating mode of the connecting service.

Programming of "absent reachable" mode
In step 81, the resident 5 declares himself absent from the server 3 and activates the operating mode "reachable absent". Furthermore, it activates the door entry unit 2, by pressing the control button 24.

 We could also program the operating mode of the matchmaking service automatically, at the gatekeeper level and / or at the server level: - at the gatekeeper level, we could provide for automatic operation upon detection of absence of the resident, for example by a

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 delay on an absence of response in the event of a call to the intercom or by locking the front door of the home, outside; - at the server level, the "absent reachable" mode could be activated either by switching on the gatekeeper, which would then automatically signal its switch-on to the server, or on receipt of the first call to notify a visit to the gatekeeper.

 If the entry into the door phone and the programming of the operating mode at the server level are automatic, the resident no longer has any action to perform so that the transfer of calls to the intercom to a remote terminal is activated in his absence .

 In a step 82, a visitor presenting himself at the entrance of the building calls the resident 5 from the call box 10. The automatic switch 12 directs the call to the intercom device 11. In a step 83, the doorman 2 detects the call to the intercom, received through port 22, and then automatically calls the connection server 3 through the PSTN network in order to notify him of the visitor's call to the intercom . On reception of the call from the porter 2, the server 3 receives the telephone call number assigned to line 60, provided by the PSTN network, recognizes that it is the identifier of the resident 5 and interprets the call from doorman 2 as a call notification from a visitor to the intercom. The communication block 32 establishes a voice telephone communication with the visitor, via the doorman 2 and the call unit 10. In a step 84, using the identifier received, the management block 35 searches the resident's profile 5 in the database 4, extracts the number of the GSM telephone 50, contained in the first telephone number field, and supplies this number to the communication block 31, which then makes a call to the telephone 50 through the GSM network, to notify the resident of the visit 5.

 In a step 96, in order to hide the call from the server 3, the communication block 32 transmits the welcome message, extracted from the profile of the resident 5, to the call unit 10 which broadcasts it to the visitor.

 In a step 85, the server 3 determines whether the resident 5 can be reached.

 If this is the case, in a step 86, after establishment of the communication between the server 3 and the GSM telephone 50, the communication block 31 notifies the resident 5 of the visitor's call to the intercom and invites him to communicate with this one. The communication between the telephone 50 and the server 3 is here voice.

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 In a step 87, if the resident 5 agrees to communicate with the visitor, the server 3 connects the GSM telephone 50 and the call unit 10, via the server 3 and the gatekeeper 2, through the networks GSM and PSTN telephone numbers. The resident 5 and the visitor, thus connected through the network 6, can then dialogue with each other. During this conversation, in a step 88, the resident 5 can order the opening of the door of the building, in order to allow the visitor to enter it, by sending a command activation code for the electric strike for opening the front door of the building, from the GSM 50 telephone, to the intercom system 1. On reception of the order, the porter 2 emits an opening signal, through port 22, towards the front door of the building in order to open it. One could also consider actuating remotely, in an analogous manner, an electric strike opening a receptacle hatch in order to receive a package or other object, from a communication terminal.

 If the resident 5 refuses to communicate with the visitor, in a step 89, the communication block 32 transmits to the call unit 10, 0, via the doorphone 2, an announcement inviting the visitor to leave a message, identify themselves and indicate the purpose of their visit. The call unit 10 broadcasts this announcement and then, in a step 90, captures any information left by the visitor (message, identity and / or subject of the visit) and transmits it to the server 3 via the gatekeeper 2. The server 3 records the indication that the resident 5 has received a visit, the date and time of this visit as well as the information of the visitor, in the visits field of the profile of the resident 5. In a step 91, if the visitor does not leave any information, the server 3 nevertheless lists the visit in the visits field of the resident's profile 5, by recording therein the indication of a visit as well as the time and date of the visit.

 If the resident 5 cannot be reached on his GSM telephone 50, in a step 93, the communication block 32 calls the fixed telephone 51 whose number is taken from the second telephone number field of the resident's profile 5. In a step 94, the server 3 determines whether the resident 5 can be reached on his telephone 51. If this is the case, we go to step 86. Otherwise, we go to step 89.

 The resident 5 can subsequently, in a step 92, consult the visitor's message remotely. For this, the resident 5 calls the server 3, for example from his GSM telephone 50, and, after establishment of the call,

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 sends him his identifier and confidential code in order to identify himself. After identification, using the telephone 50, the resident 5 sends the server 3 a request to consult the field of visits. On receipt of this request, the communication block 31 transmits the visitor's message to the GSM telephone 50.

 In a step 95, in the event of communication failure, due to the fact that the resident 5 has refused to communicate with the visitor or to the fact that the server 3 has failed to reach the resident 5, the block of communication 31 prepares a message for notification of a visit, in the format defined by the profile of the resident 5, in this case in the SMS format, and sends it to the SMS messaging box of the telephone 50. This message contains the indication that a visitor called resident 5 on the intercom, the time and date of the visit and, possibly, the subject of the visit and the identity of the visitor.

 The visitor can be a person, for example a postman, responsible for delivering to the resident a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt, to which a reference is assigned, and equipped with a mobile terminal, here GSM. In this case, after contact between resident 5 and the visitor, the visitor informs resident 5 that he wishes to deliver a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt and sends him the reference assigned to the letter. In the event of acceptance of the registered mail, under the order of the resident 5, the GSM telephone 50 transmits to the server 3 an acknowledgment code, followed by the reference of the registered letter and the confidential code of the resident, interposing a character of separation , here "*", between each of these elements. The server 3 checks the validity of the confidential code and interprets the acknowledgment code as a command to acknowledge receipt of the registered mail. The communication block 37 then transmits to the postal server 7 an acknowledgment notification containing the reference of the registered mail. The postal server 7 searches for the reference received in its database, extracts the telephone call number, associated with this reference, from the GSM terminal of the postman responsible for distributing the registered mail considered, and sends a message, here an SMS, of acknowledgment of receipt of registered mail to the postman's GSM terminal. On receipt of the SMS message, the postman deposits the registered mail in the resident's mailbox 5.

 As a variant, the postal server 7 could itself verify the validity of the resident identification data 5, transmitted via the connecting server 3 and, in the event of correct identification, send the

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 acknowledgment of receipt to the postman's cellular terminal, via the GSM network.

Programming of the "absent not reachable" mode
In step 81, the resident 5 calls the server 3 from the telephone 15, declares his absence to him and activates the "absent not reachable" mode. In addition, he switches on the gatekeeper 2.

 When a visitor calls the resident 5 from the intercom unit 10, the doorman 2 detects the call and automatically calls the server 3 in order to notify him of the visit (step 82). On receipt of the call, the server 3 goes directly to step 89. It therefore invites the visitor to leave a message, to identify himself and to indicate the subject of his visit, without first trying to reach the resident 5. The server 3 then records the visit in the visits field of the resident's profile 5, possibly with the visitor's message, his identification data and the subject of the visit (steps 90.91), then sends a message SMS notification of a visit to the GSM telephone 50 (step 95). The visitor can later consult this information remotely (step 92).

Proarammation of "present" mode
In step 81, the resident 5 calls the server 3 from the telephone 15, declares his presence at his home and activates the "present" mode. In addition, he turns off the gatekeeper 2.

 If a visitor calls the intercom, the intercom device 11 rings but the doorman 2 does not notify the call to the server 3.

 Resident 5 can also program an operating schedule.

For this, in a programming step not shown, it calls the server 3, for example from the telephone 15, after establishment of communication, identifies itself with the server 3, sends it a configuration command, by selecting from the menu commands, then, at the invitation of the management block 35, records the operating schedule in the resident's profile 5. In this case, the server 3 automatically activates the operating modes according to the programmed schedule.

 In a second embodiment, the connection of the visitor and the resident is carried out via a gatekeeper 2 ′, associated with a database device 4 ′, without connection server.

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 The doorman 2 ', shown in Figure 4, includes a port 20' for connection to the PSTN network, a port 21 'for connection to the local telephone line 14, a port 22' for connection to a database device 4 ' , a block 23 'for detecting a call to the intercom, connected to port 21', a block 24 'for communication with the resident, connected to port 20', a block 25 'for communication with a visitor, connected to the interface 21 ′, and a block 26 ′ for connecting the resident and the visitor, connected to the two communication blocks 24 ′ and 25 ′. The communication blocks 24 ′ and 25 ′ respectively ensure communication between the gatekeeper 2 ′ and a remote terminal associated with the resident 5 and between the gatekeeper 2 ′ and the call unit 1 O. The gatekeeper 2 ′ also includes a block 27 'identification of the resident and a block 28' for managing the database 4 '. The identification block 27 ′, interposed between the communication block 24 ′ and the management block 28 ′, is intended to verify the validity of identification data of the resident in order to authorize or prohibit access to the 4 'database. The block 28 'for managing the database 4', connected to the port 22 ', makes it possible to record, modify, delete and consult data in the base 4'. The doorman 2 'also includes a user interface 29', comprising an input keyboard, a display screen and a user interface application, and a block 30 'for actuating the electric strike for opening the door d 'entrance to the building, connected to the interface 21' for connection to line 14. All the elements of the gatekeeper 2 'are connected to a central control unit 31' intended to control the operation of the gatekeeper 2 '. The porter 2 'has three operating modes ("present", "absent reachable" and "absent not reachable"), analogous to those previously explained.

 The database 4 ′ stores the profile of the resident 5, similar to that described in the first embodiment of the invention.

 Furthermore, the call unit 10 includes a local radio transmission block, here of the blue-tooth type.

 The communication method between resident 5 and a visitor will now be described with reference to FIG. 6.

 Initially, in a configuration step 80 ′, the resident 5 identifies himself with the gatekeeper 2 ′, enters a configuration command, by selection from a menu, and completes the information fields of his profile, using the user interface 29 '. In a programming step 81 ', the resident 5 programs the operating mode of the gatekeeper 2'.

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Programming of "absent ioiqnable" mode
In step 81 ′, the resident 5 declares his absence to the gatekeeper 2 ′ and programs the operating mode “absent reachable”, using the user interface 29 ′.

In a step 82 ′, a visitor presenting himself at the entrance of the building calls the resident 5 from the call box 10. The automatic switch 12 directs the call to the intercom device 11. In a step 83 ', the doorman 2' detects the call to the intercom, extracted from the database 4 'the number of the GSM telephone 50, on which the resident 5 wishes to be notified in advance of a visit and calls the telephone directly GSM 50, automatically, that is to say without the intervention of the resident 5. At the same time, the communication block 25 'establishes communication with the visitor, via the call unit 10, and, in a step 96 ′, broadcasts a welcome message to it in order to mask the call from the gatekeeper 2 ′ to the GSM telephone 50.

 In a step 84 ′, the doorman 2 ′ determines whether the resident 5 can be reached on his telephone 50.

 If this is the case, in a step 85 ', after establishment of the communication between the GSM telephone 50 and the gatekeeper 2', the communication block 24 'notifies the resident 5 of the visitor's call to the intercom and the invites to communicate with it.

 If the resident 5 agrees to communicate with the visitor, in a step 86 ′, the gatekeeper 2 ′ connects the GSM telephone 50 and the call unit 10, through the PSTN and GSM telephone networks. The resident 5 and the visitor, thus put in touch, can interact with each other. During this conversation, in a step 87 ′, under the control of the resident 5, the GSM telephone 50 can transmit a command to actuate the electric strike for opening the entrance door of the building to the system of 'intercom 1. On reception of this command, the doorman 2' emits an electric strike actuation signal, through port 21 ', in order to open the front door of the building.

 If the resident refuses to communicate with the visitor, we go to step 88 'explained below.

 If, in step 84 ', the doorman 2' determines that the resident 5 cannot be reached on his GSM telephone 50, in a step 93 ', the communication block 24' calls the fixed telephone 51, whose number is extracted from the second telephone number field of the database 4 ', and, in a step 94', determines whether the resident 5 can be reached on his telephone 51. If this is the case, we go to

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 the step 85 ′ of bringing the resident 5 and the visitor into contact. Otherwise, we go to step 88 '.

 In step 88 ′, the doorman 2 ′ invites the visitor to leave a message, to identify himself and to indicate the subject of his visit. In a step 89 ′, the call unit 10 captures any information from the visitor (message, identity and subject of the visit) and transmits it to the gatekeeper 2 ′. This lists the visit and the visitor's information in the visits field of the 4 'database. If the visitor leaves no information, in a step 90 ′, the gatekeeper 2 nevertheless lists the visit in the field of visits to the database 4 ′.

 In a step 91 ′, after recording the visit, the communication block 25 ′ prepares a message notification of a visit, containing the indication that a visitor has called the resident 5 on the intercom, the time and the date of the visit and possibly the subject of the visit as well as the visitor's identification data, in the format defined by the resident's profile 5, in this case in the SMS format, and sends it to the box phone SMS messaging 50.

 The resident 5 can subsequently, in a step 92 ′, remotely consult the field of visits, for example from his GSM telephone 50, in a manner analogous to that previously described in the first embodiment.

 In the case where the visitor is responsible for delivering to the resident a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt, after establishment of the communication between the resident's terminal 5, for example the GSM telephone 50, and the call box 10, and in the event of acceptance of the mail by the resident 5, the telephone 50 transmits to the porter 2 'an acknowledgment code followed by the reference of the registered mail and the resident's confidential code, interposing a specific character, here "*", between each of these. The porter 2 'recognizes the acknowledgment code, interprets it as an order to acknowledge receipt of the registered mail and checks the validity of the confidential code. If this is correct, the communication block 25 'transmits an acknowledgment notification containing the reference of the registered mail to a radio reception terminal, of blue-tooth type, of the visitor, via the block of blue-tooth radio broadcast integrated into the call box 10. Upon receipt of this notification, the visitor deposits the registered mail in the resident's mailbox 5.

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ProQrammation of the "absent non-ioiqnable" mode
In step 81 ′, the resident 5 declares his absence to the gatekeeper 2 ′ and programs the operating mode “absent reachable”, using the user interface 29 ′.

 In step 82 ', the visitor calls the resident 5 from the intercom unit 10 and the doorman 2' detects the call and then proceeds directly to step 88 ', without first trying to reach the resident 5 On detection of the visitor's call to the intercom, the doorman 2 therefore invites the visitor to leave a message, to identify himself and to indicate the subject of his visit, records the visit in the field of visits of the profile of resident 5, possibly with the visitor's message, his identification data and the subject of the visit (steps 89 'and 90') then sends an SMS message of notification of the visit to the telephone number 50. The visitor can later consult the information relating to the visit remotely (step 92 ').

Programming of "present" mode
In step 81 ", the resident 5 declares his presence to the doorman 2 'and activates the" present "mode. In the event of a call from a visitor to the intercom, the intercom device 11 rings but the doorman 2 do not try to reach resident 5 and do not invite the visitor to leave a message.

 In an alternative embodiment, the doorman 2 'functions as a telephone recorder and answering machine. In this case, the database 4 ′ comprises a field containing an announcement inviting the caller to leave a message and a field of telephone messages.

 One could also provide a user interface application, located in the doorman or in the connection server, arranged to manage the display of a virtual hostess on the screen of the call box intended to ensure communication between the visitor and the doorman or the server.

 One could send a notification message of a visit to a mailbox associated with the resident for each call of a visitor to the intercom, and not only in the event of communication failure between the resident and the visitor.

 Instead of the resident's confidential identification code, biometric data, for example fingerprint data, could be used.

 Communication between the resident and the visitor could also be video.

Claims (40)

1. Method of communication between a visitor and a resident (5) via an intercom system (1), in which - the visitor calls the resident (5) using the intercom system ( 1), - upon detection of the visitor's call to the intercom, a call is sent to a terminal (50), associated with the resident (5), through a communication network ( 6), in order to put the resident (5) and the visitor in communication through said network (6), a method characterized in that, when, on reception of the call, the terminal (50) picks up, it is notified resident (5) the visitor's call to the intercom and they are invited to communicate with the visitor and, if the call is accepted, the resident (5) and the visitor are connected through the network (6).  2. Method according to claim 1, in which a network connection server (3) is called (3), in order to notify it of the visitor's call, the server (3) calls the resident's terminal (50) (5), invites him to communicate with the visitor and, in the event of acceptance of the communication, connects the resident (5) and the visitor through the network (6).  3. Method according to claim 1, in which the resident's terminal (50) is directly called (5).  4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which a greeting message is broadcast to the visitor, in order to mask the call to the terminal (50).  5-Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, for each call of a visitor to the intercom (1), a message is sent notification of a visit to a mailbox associated with the resident ( 5).  6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which, in the event of failure of the communication between the visitor and the resident (5), a message notification of a visit is sent to an associated mailbox. to the resident (5). <Desc / Clms Page number 18>  7. Method according to one of claims 5 and 6, wherein one inserts in said message of notification of a visit at least one of the group information containing the time of the visit, the date of the visit, l purpose of the visit and visitor identification data.  8. Method according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein there is provided a configuration step (80; 80 ') in which one specifies a format for the message of notification of a visit and a destination address. of said message on a communication network.  9. The method of claim 8, wherein the notification message is one of the types of the group comprising a voice message, an SMS message and an electronic message.  10. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, in the event of failure of the communication between the visitor and the resident (5), the visitor is invited to leave a message and the said message is recorded.  11. The method of claim 10, wherein the resident (5) consults the message of the visitor remotely, through said network (6).  12. Method according to one of claims 1 to 11, in which, for each call by a visitor to the intercom (1), at least one of the group's information items including the time of the visit is stored, the date of the visit, the subject of the visit, visitor identification data and a message from the visitor.  13. Method according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the terminal (50) remotely actuates an electric strike, by sending a command to actuate said strike to the intercom system (1) through said network (6).  14. Method according to one of claims 2 to 13, in which, in the case where the visitor has a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt intended for the resident, the terminal (50) associated with the resident (5) transmits data <Desc / Clms Page number 19>  identification code (5) and an acknowledgment command to a server (3,7), said server (3,7) checks the validity of the identification data and, if they are correct, sends a notification of 'acknowledgment to a visitor's mobile terminal, through the network (6).  15. The method of claim 14, wherein the connecting server (3) checks itself the validity of the resident identification data (5) and, if they are correct, sends the acknowledgment notification to the visitor's mobile terminal via a postal server (7).  16. The method of claim 14, wherein the connecting server (3) receives the identification data of the resident (5) and retransmits them to a postal server (7), which checks their validity and, if they are correct, sends the acknowledgment notification directly to the visitor's terminal, through the network (6).  17. The method of claim 14, wherein, in the case where the visitor has a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt intended for the resident (5), the terminal (50) associated with the resident (5) transmits identification data of the resident (5) and an acknowledgment command to a doorman (2 ') associated with the intercom system (1), said doorman (2') checks the validity of the identification data and, if they are correct, transmits a acknowledgment of receipt to a visitor's mobile terminal, via a local link.  18. Method according to one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the identification data comprises at least one of the elements of the group containing biometric data and a confidential code.  19. Method according to one of claims 1 to 18, in which in the event of failure of the call to the terminal (50) associated with the resident (5), another terminal (51) associated with the resident is called ( 5).  20. Method according to one of claims 1 to 19, in which there is provided a step (81) for programming an operating mode of a resident / visitor connection service consisting in activating one of the modes of <Desc / Clms Page number 20>  group comprising a "present" mode, in which, the resident being declared absent, said contact service is deactivated, a "absent reachable" mode, in which, the resident being declared absent, said contact service is activated , and an "absent not reachable" mode, in which, the resident being declared absent from his home, visitors are invited to leave a message, without contacting the resident.  21. Method according to one of claims 19 and 20, wherein there is provided a step of programming an operating schedule consisting of programming different operating modes for different time periods.  22. Server for connecting a resident and a visitor, through a communication network (6), in the event of a call from the visitor intended for the resident via an intercom system, for implementing the method of claim 1, comprising means (32) for communicating with the visitor through the network (6) arranged to receive a call notification from the visitor to the intercom, means (31) for communication with the resident through the network (6) arranged to call a terminal associated with the resident in order to notify him of the visitor's call to the intercom and invite him to communicate with the visitor, and means (33) to put in relation to the resident and the visitor through the network (6) in the event of acceptance of the communication by the resident.  23. Server according to claim 22, wherein the means (32) of communication with the visitor are arranged to transmit a welcome message to the intercom system.  24. Server according to one of claims 22 and 23, wherein the means (32) of communication with the visitor are arranged to transmit to the intercom system a message inviting the visitor to leave a message.  25. The server as claimed in claim 24, in which the means of communication (31) with the resident are arranged to transmit the visitor's message to the terminal, at the latter's request. <Desc / Clms Page number 21>  26. Server according to one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the means (31) of communication with the resident are arranged to, upon each call of a visitor to the intercom, issue a notification message of a visit to a mailbox associated with the resident.  27. Server according to one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the means (31) of communication with the resident are arranged to, in case of communication failure between the resident and the visitor, issue a notification message d '' a visit to a mailbox associated with the resident.  28. Server according to one of claims 22 to 27, wherein there are provided means (34) of identification of the resident, intended to check the validity of identification data of the resident comprising at least one of the elements of the group containing biometric data and a confidential code.  29. Server according to one of claims 22 to 28, wherein there is provided means (36) for connecting to a database server (4).  30. Server according to one of claims 22 to 29, in which means (35) are provided for programming one of the operating modes of a group resident / visitor connection service comprising a "present" mode ", in which the resident is declared absent, said linking service is deactivated, an" absent reachable "mode, in which the resident being declared absent, said linking service is activated, and an absent mode not reachable" , in which, the resident being declared absent, the visitor must be invited to leave a message without contacting the resident.  31. Doorman for implementing the method of claim 1, comprising means (22) for connection to an intercom system (1), means (20) for connection to a communication network (6), means (23) for detecting a call from a visitor to the intercom and means (21) for automatically calling a connection server (3), through said network (6), upon detection of a call to the intercom. <Desc / Clms Page number 22>  32. Doorman for implementing the method of claim 1, comprising means (21 ') for connection to an intercom system (1), means (20') for connection to a communication network (6) , means (23 ') for detecting a visitor call to the intercom intended for a resident (5), means (24') for communication with said resident (5) arranged to call a terminal associated with the resident (5) through the network, upon detection of a call to the intercom, notify the resident (5) of the visitor's call to the intercom and invite him to communicate with the visitor, and means (26 ') to put in relation to the resident (5) and the visitor, through the network (6), in the event of acceptance of the communication by the resident (5).  33. Doorman according to claim 32, in which means (25 ') for communication with the visitor are provided.  34. Doorman according to claim 33, wherein the means (25 ') of communication with the visitor are arranged to transmit a welcome message through the means (21') connecting to the intercom system (1).  35. Doorman according to one of claims 33 and 34, wherein the means (25 ') of communication with the visitor are arranged to invite the visitor to leave a message.  36. Doorman according to claim 35, wherein the means (24 ') of communication with the resident (5) are arranged to transmit the message of the visitor to the terminal (50), on request thereof.  37. Doorman according to one of claims 32 to 36, wherein the means (24 ') of communication with the resident (5) are arranged to, during each call of a visitor to the intercom, send a message from notification of a visit to a mailbox associated with the resident (5).  38. Doorman according to one of claims 32 to 36, wherein the means of communication with the resident (5) are arranged to, if communication between the visitor and the resident (5) fails, send a <Desc / Clms Page number 23>  message of notification of a visit to a mailbox associated with the resident (5).  39. Doorman according to one of claims 32 to 38, in which means (22 ') are provided for connection to a database device (4').  40. Doorman according to one of claims 32 to 39, in which means (28 ') are provided for activating one of the operating modes of the group comprising a "present" mode, in which the resident is declared absent, said linking service is deactivated, an "absent reachable" mode, in which the resident is declared absent, said linking service is activated, and an "absent not reachable" mode, in which, the resident being declared absent , the visitor must be invited to leave a message without contacting the resident.