AUDIO INTERCOM SYSTEMS

Basic intercom systems are available from most electricians and security companies and are therefore not a special Assistive Technology system. Their purpose is to provide a means whereby an occupier can have a conversation with someone at, for instance, the front door of the premises. It replaces or functions as a door bell.

The systems usually consist of an outdoor “post” or speaker and one or more internal “posts” or handsets. The handsets resemble telephones and also incorporate a “lock release button”. An electric lock or receiver may be fitted to the door. This button can be used to release a lock so as to admit callers or visitors without the occupier having to get to the door.

ADVANTAGES

Callers can be identified by voice before admittance.

Relatively cheap

DISADVANTAGES

The handsets are usually in one or two fixed locations.

The user must be capable to lifting the handset.

Handsets are in addition to any telephones that may be in the house.

No visual identification of caller.

Intercommunication not normal but can be provided. Cost is a big factor and must use proprietary handsets.

Regular maintenance required.

These systems have the same function as the audio intercom systems but with the addition of visual verification of callers at each internal post. An added disadvantage can be the cost and they can only be viewed on the intercom handset.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS

Both audio and video systems also have drawbacks when we enter the area of Assistive Technology.

Users may have disabilities which prevent them from using the standard systems or have specific requirements such as:

Lack of mobility due to arthritis, rheumatism, M.S. etc.

Lack of dexterity - unable to lift handset for various reasons.

One solution to this would be to have a mobile handset. Unfortunately normal intercom systems don’t facilitate this.

However a mobile handset does exist in another form - the radio telephone. We can now integrate the outdoor post with the standard house telephone using the EK280S interface unit.

This unit allows the outdoor post to call any standard telephone in the house and act as an intercom handset. Full audio verification and lock release can be executed. At the same time the telephones continue to operate as normal. A radio telephone can be fitted which will act as a remote handset and can be used from anywhere in the house or garden.

ADVANTAGES

No additional handsets needed.

Better speech quality

“Mobile”

Dual function intercom/telephone.

DISADVANTAGES

No intercommunication

No privacy on telephone calls

No visual verification.

To overcome the visual verification problem we can use the VIDEX VK6-TV camera or similar. This camera interfaces with the existing television network and can therefore be viewed on any TV in the house. It is not restricted to the intercom handset.

FULL INTEGRATION

An ideal option to consider would be to have privacy on telephone calls and full intercommunication between handsets/telephone posts.