Intercom network and terminal therefor

In combination with a first intercom network having a first switching center that administrates, configures and switches connections between a first plurality of speech stations connected to the first switching center and a second intercom network having a second switching center that administrates, configures and switches connections between a second plurality of speech stations connected to the second switching center, a speech station belonging to the first plurality and comprising:

• a housing;
• a microphone directly mounted on the housing;
• a speaker directly mounted on the housing;
• a first connection line connected to the first switching center and transmitting audio information between the speech station and the first switching center;
• a second connection line separate from the first connection line, connected to the second switching center, and transmitting audio information between the speech station and the second switching center;
• a plurality of selection keys actuatable to directly address another speech station of the first network for direct audio communication therewith via the first switching center;
• a first connecting line terminal for connection via the first connection line with the first switching center;
• a second connecting line terminal for connecting the speech station via the second connection line with the first switching center or with the second switching center to the second intercom network;
• and
• a user interface for receiving information from an operator and including a name of the operator and communicating the received information via the first connection line or via the second connection line.

In combination with a first intercom network having a first switching center and a second intercom network having a second switching center, a speech station comprising:

• a housing;
• a microphone directly mounted on the housing;
• a speaker directly mounted on the housing;
• a first connection line connected to the first switching center and configured for transmitting audio information between the speech station and the first switching center;
• a second connection line connected to the second switching center, separate form the first connection line, and configured for transmitting audio information between the speech station and the second switching center;
• a plurality of selection keys actuatable to directly address another speech station of the first network for direct audio communication therewith via the first switching center;
• a first connecting line terminal for connection via the first connection line with the first switching center;
• a second connecting line terminal for connecting the speech station via the second connection line with the first switching center or with the second switching center to the second intercom network;
• and
• a display showing whether an operator of another speech station of the respective switching center is available.